Latest News
MAY 2003 - PART ONE
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£7,000 (Kshs. 800,000) offer to catch dog thug
(Muthungu nimwaganu biu)
A reward to arrest the brutal thug who severed the ears off a helpless puppy rose to more than £7,000 on Friday 23/05/03. Daily Mirror readers have rushed to the aid of eight-week-old Berkeley, the Border Collie pup who suffered appalling injuries in the sadistic attack. They hope someone will turn in the vile thug who cut off Berkeley's ears with blunt scissors. The pup's picture in Thursday's Mirror moved hundreds to contact our newsdesk and the National Canine Defence League, offering help. In addition to the reward reaching more than £7,000, many people called, offering a home for the pup - currently in an NCDL foster home. An NCDL spokesman said: "Berkeley is bubbly and full of life. Now he needs one-to-one care to get over his ordeal, before he goes to a new home. "We hope these offers of reward money will prompt someone to turn in whoever is responsible for this terrible attack."
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When tragedy hits
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Three passengers who were travelling in this bus died when it collided with a matatu and rolled at Ngarariga Market near Limuru on the Nairobi/Naivasha road early yesterday morning. The driver of the matatu also perished. - The Standard |
 A displaced floods victim prepares a meal for her family in their temporary dwellings at Budalangi divisional headquarters camp in Busia District. - The Standard |
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Going back to squire one
Men watch bulls fighting at this year’s ASK show in Kakamega. The competition attracted 30 bulls.
Caught in the web
Suspected conman Wycliffe Lukwiri engages police officers in a fierce fight at Kibera law courts when he appeared charged with impersonation of Mr Alfred Gitonga, the president's personal assistant and demanding Sh300, 000 from Ravel Guru of Devki Steers Ltd.
A suspect charged with impersonating the personal assistant to President Mwai Kibaki created a scene at Kibera law courts when he fought with court orderlies. Wycliffe 0kello Lukwiri fought police officers in a bid to evade the proceedings of the case where he has denied impersonating Mr Alfred Mwangi Gitonga and demanding money from Ravel Guru, the managing director of Athi River-based Devki Steel Ltd. The accused caused commotion by pushing and wrestling the officers who were leading him from the court cells to the dock for the hearing of the case. This happened when the trial magistrate had just adjourned for a few minutes. The officers over-powered him and subdued him upon which he complied with law enforcement orders. He was then charged with presenting himself as Gitonga and demanding Sh300,000 on February 28, this year at Sarit Centre, Nairobi. He however allegedly got only Sh25,000 from Ravel Guru. Gitonga, who eventually testified, after the commotion was brought under control, gave the facts of the case which was before Principal Magistrate Catherine Mwangi. In his evidence in chief, Gitonga told the court that on the material day he was not in the office and that he received a call from his secretary Beatrice Wairimu. He said the secretary informed him over phone that one Guru had called inquiring to know whether it is true that the President had a function for which he required money as donation. Gitonga said the secretary gave him Mr Guru's contact after which he contacted him for further information about it. He said he told Guru to co-operate with security intelligence to have the person arrested. - The Standard.
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High Internet technology in action
A memorial services of the late Eunice Ngina Joram was held in London - Memorial Baptist Church on Tuesday 13th May, 2003. Family and friends started arriving in the church as early as 9.00 a.m. as the family in UK was to joined the family back home for the burial ceremony through the internet. Joram Wairegi's family from Limuru, Kenya is the biggest Kenyan family in UK going beyond 60. The set-up in the church was well arranged with a big screen through a projector into a laptop. There was a technical problem from Kenya for moving images but it was quite interesting to view live photos coming all the way from Lee Funeral Services and in the church. The family was quite excited to see their relatives rolling up and down the screen as excitement filled the church as the family tried to get a clear view of their relatives. It was not a step forward in the technology world. Later the prayers were held as the officiating pastors prayed for the family. The set was done by Njehu the photographer well known as huduma.com (click here for the photos in the mortuary) - (Click here for the photos in the church) - (Click here for the family in London)
 The high internet connection in the church |
 The large Joram Wairegi's family in London posing for a photo at the memorial service prayers of their late mum Eunice Ngina Joram on Tuesday 13th May, 2003. |
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Politics at night in Kenyans homes
From madd studios
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Sculpture worth £36m stolen from a museum
The glass case containing Cellini's Saliera was smashed
A work of art that has been described as "the Mona Lisa of sculptures" has been stolen from Vienna's art history museum. The 16th Century solid gold sculpture by Benvenuto Cellini was worth at least 50m euros ($57m, £36m), museum director Wilfried Seipel said. Police believe the work, called Saliera, or salt cellar, was stolen to order because it was the only piece taken. "This is an art theft of gigantic proportions," Mr Seipel told Austrian television. The museum said Cellini's piece was the sculpture equivalent of Leonardo da Vinci's 16th Century masterpiece painting the Mona Lisa. Thieves stole the sculpture from its glass display case after smashing a window to get into the museum, police said. "The thieves climbed up some scaffolding to the first floor of the building, broke a window and climbed in," a police spokesman said. "They shattered the glass display case and took the sculpture." "There were movement sensors all over the place - we are currently investigating why the alarm did not go off." Saliera, which is 26 centimetres (10 inches) tall, is Cellini's only remaining authenticated gold work.
'Impossible to sell'
It depicts a male figure representing the sea and a female figure that represents the earth. The theft was discovered on Sunday. Mr Seipel said the sculpture was insured against theft. It was impossible to sell on the regular art market, he said. Police have notified Interpol and said they would work with British, German and Italian authorities to try to track the sculpture down.
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London Trafalgar protesters held
A man who parachuted off one of London's most famous landmarks on Friday 9th May, 2003 in a death-defying protest stunt is being questioned by police. He and three other climbers scaled 120ft Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square under cover of darkness this morning before unfurling a 20ft banner depicting the Dalai Lama in a protest designed to draw attention to the plight of the people of Tibet. Later three of the four abseiled to the ground taking the picture of the Dalai Lama with them, leaving one man - professional stuntman Gary Connery - alone at the top. He then leapt off, opening his parachute seconds after his feet left the top of the 170ft statue. The stunt was organised by the Act For Tibet organisation, a group that protests against the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Speaking after the stunt, Connery said he carried out the jump "for a good cause".
He described it as "frightening" and admitted to being "scared shitless". Isabel Lowsada, a spokesman for Act for Tibet, said: "We apologise if the action inconvenienced the police in any way. All four men are trained climbers and are very experienced. "Nothing will be left on the column and no harm will be done to anyone." She added: "For 50 years the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people have been subjected to the occupation of their country. Why don't governments support the Dalai Lama and his people? "Especially now, with the war against terror, we need to follow the peaceful policies the Dalai Lama promotes." All four men have been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and were being questioned at Charing Cross police station, a police spokesman said.
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Faith leaders in a community development workshop
More than 150 religious and community leaders gathered in Barking, Essex for a workshop to discuss ways of playing an active role in community activities. The workshop, organised by Sahara Communities Abroad (SACOMA) with the theme “Equip to Impact” discussed a wide range of issues funding and managing an organisation to health matters. The workshop, which was mainly organised for faith leaders, attracted people from various cities in the UK.
 Phil Miller one of the funders speaking at the workshop |
 Mrs. Perez Ochieng a director of Sacoma talked on fundraising |
 A well attended workshop |
 One of the attending pastors Rev. James Kirika from Discipleship Christian Church pushing a point forward |
MORE PHOTOS COMING UP AT EVENTS SECTION SOON.
Phil Miller from North East London Community Foundation allayed fears that funders had turned a blind eye to faith-run community projects. Mr Miller spelt out five key points on how the religious leaders could access for funds for their activities:-
-Be a Believer that funding is available.
-Be Sure of the activity for which funds are being raised.
-Be A finder. Go knocking on funding doors and you are likely to find a funder.
-Build relationships with funders
-Learn to Ask. Find out relevant information about what a fund wants to support and how best to manage the project to achieve its desired goals.
The participants were also taken through the services of the Inland Revenue such as filing tax returns, tax credits and other benefits; national insurance contributions and National Minimum Wage enforcement. The Director of SACOMA, Perez Ochieng spoke about effective management of an organisation with an emphasis on why charities should adopt the principles and ethos of running a successful profit-making business. She cited vision, commitment and team work as key ingredients to sound management. Rev. Fredric Mandy of the International Christian Care Foundation (ICCF) told fellow pastors to be more active in engaging in community activities. He said the church had the duty to mould its faithful to be more productive.
But there was heated debate over the role of men in promoting safer sex. A number of women speakers said they faced difficulties urging their men to go for health checks.The workshop also heard about the dangers of another viral infection, Hepatitis C which threatened thousands of people in the UK. Jane McCann from the HCV-Alert told the participants that nearly half a million people in this country are infected with the disease- a blood borne virus that can cause serious liver disease.
Other guests at the workshop included Alex Amponsah from Business Links for London, Dr Caesar Acaye from Barking & Dagenham PCT, Eunice Kyalo who is a health promotion officer and Adam Wilkinson from THT Lighthouse East.
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A village under water
A submerged village of Igigo in Budalang'i constituency in Western Kenya following heavy downpour in the region.
Torrential rains continued to cause chaos across the country over the weekend, disrupting normal life and displacing thousands.And fears were expressed that there would be an outbreak of malaria, cholera and other water-borne diseases in most parts of the country as a result of the flooding. The death toll from floods stood at 24 and was still rising by Sunday. A village in Budalang’i was submerged by the rising flood waters. Travel was disrupted in parts of the country as huge areas were cut off after the rains washed away bridges and seasonal streams rivers turned into raging rivers. The Meteorological Department said that because the rains are not evenly distributed and deficient, rainstorms are prevalent, filling up rivers quickly. In Budalang’i in Busia District, over 10,000 people have been marooned in seven camps by flood waters that have swept away their homes and five schools.
Vast regions of the country including Budalang’i, Ahero, Nyando, Muhoroni, Rarieda and Mai Mahiu, Garsen and Tana River have already been affected as the rains pound the country. The roads in these areas have been rendered impassable and food supplies cannot reach the flood victims who are threatened with an outbreak of water- borne diseases. Igogo, Rugunga, Sibuka, Lunyofu and Mudembi primary schools in Budalang’i are submerged in the waters after rivers pouring their waters into Lake Victoria broke their banks. Other residents have sought refuge at the Mudembi chief’s camp and Lunyogu village. The residents complained that they did not have tarpulin tents for shelter during cold rainy days and mosquito nets. Ms Anna Odembo, said that her son died during the floods a week ago but he cannot be buried because their home is flooded.
A high level Government team led by Tourism and Information Minister Raphael Tuju and legislators Peter Odoyo (Nyakach), Eric Nyamunga (Nyando), Raphael Wanjala (Budalang’i) and Patrick Ayiecho Olweny, the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Dr Joyce Onsongo, Chief Public Health Services officer, Alfred Langat and Disaster Committee member Ibrahim Mohammed toured the affected areas to assess the situation.
The legislators said that floods in the areas are predictable and appealed to the Government to get a permanent solution to the problem. Budalang’i MP, Wanjala, was unhappy that pupils might not be able to attend classes when schools re-open. Wanjala appealed to the Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assist the victims. He said that crops had been washed away and the residents are likely to face starvation. He said that it was imperative that the Government seeks a permanent solution because this has been happening annually. Tuju described the situation as critical and added that the Government had donated 3,000 bags of maize, 800 bags of beans and Sh380,000 to facilitate transportation of relief food to the flood victims in Budalang’i. Another 3,000 bags of maize and 800 bags of beans were donated to Nyakach flood victims where 266 people have been displaced, 920 left homeless and 2, 000 acres submerged. The Kenya Red Cross has dispatched a truck load of tarpulin to the flood victims as it continues to assess the situation. The Vice-President, Mr Michael Wamalwa, is scheduled to visit the Budalang’i flood victims on Tuesday.
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Back to the land of flamingoes
Rev. Samuel Muya of Talents Revival Centres, Elburgon, Nakuru, Kenya left London for Kenya on Wednesday night 30th April 2003 after two months busy preaching in UK. Rev. Muya who is a brother to the late Kenyan actor Masanduku was escorted to the airport by friends and well wishers in London who gave him quite a number of gifts including a Video Camera. Presenting their gifts minutes before boarding the plane are Mr & Mrs. Matahe Kamau, 1st & 2nd left, and Mr & Mrs. Duncan K. Kamanu, 3rd & 5th left presenting the Video Camera to Rev. Samuel Muya, 2nd right. His contact is samuelmuya2003@yahoo.com - 30/04/03.
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Young people Easter retreat
It was a life experience Easter Weekend for young people from Progressive Women Association at Stubbers Adventure Centre in Upminister. It was an all round weekend full of fun, making friends, socialising, spiritual building, one to one talk with various activities ranging from Wall climbing to team challenges. The young people also had a chance to prepare their own food under the guidance of a qualified chef an activity they thoroughly enjoyed. Rev Samuel Muya together with Pastor Sam Mburu and Mrs Ann Kiruthi were on hand to provide much needed spiritual guidance and counselling. At the end of the two and half days outing, all the children were overjoyed and wished to have been there much longer. We hope to organise another outing in August.
 Wall climbing was one of the activities |
 Young people pulling together at the camp |
 Young people sharing together at the camp |
 The young people enjoying food together at the dinning |
 Mrs. Ann Kiruthi (right) and the organiser of the trip Mrs. Caroline Manje preparing food for the young people at the camp |
 Rev. Samuel Muya from Elburgon, Nakuru, Kenya had some Christian teachings to the young people |
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Miss Universe candidates
Miss Universe-Kenya Chapter contestants pose for a snap shot during training in preparation for the finals scheduled for May 8, 2003, at the Carnivore grounds, Nairobi.
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