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OCTOBER 2003 - PART ONE

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Sacoma Project Launch 2003/04

SACOMA organised a well-attended project launch meeting on 25th October 2003.  The meeting held at Ripple Hall in Barking, East London attracted more than 200 members of the Kiswahili speaking community resident in the UK.   The day presented SACOMA with an opportunity to outline to members of the target community the projects that the organisation will be undertaking in the next 3 years. The event attracted people coming as far as Manchester, Birmingham, Peterborough, Slough, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Oxford just to mention a few. Various professional speakers delivered key speeches at the launching which was characterised by traditional dancers and food. Among the delegates was the popular athlete Rose Tata Muya, all the way from Lancashire.

Also present as speakers were representatives of various organisations with whom SACOMA has worked with in the past as well as representatives of groups that offer services that may interest SACOMA clients.

Perez Ochieng, the Chief Executive of SACOMA was the first speaker.  She outlined the organisation’s Corporate Mission and went on announce the projects planned for the next 3 years.

Steve Lockwood represented London East IAG Network which covers the Matrix Quality Standard for Information Advice & Guidance (IAG).  He stressed the importance of assessing for the Quality Standard, organisations like SACOMA on whom Clients are reliant for important advice.

John Saunders of JS Consultancy presented SACOMA Directors and members of staff with the IAG Quality Standard.

Sam Ochieng a SACOMA Director spoke about the importance the organisation attaches to providing high quality IAG services.  This he said is especially true when one considers the fact that SACOMA is often in direct competition with larger, more established organisations.

Andy Grifith of Business Links for London spoke about the services offered by his organisation to assist small businesses access finance.  He also talked about the London Business Support Network and the BME Knowledge Centre, an online service that disseminates information on BME’s in London.

Cheryl Kernot representing the School of Social Enterprise gave a definition of Social Enterprise and outlined the legal structure of Social businesses.  She also described the characteristics of Social Entrepreneurs and gave examples of social enterprise projects being undertaken at the school.

Sarah Pulle of MS Development has recently returned from the ICASA HIV/AIDS Conference in Nairobi.  She gave the meeting a brief report on the efforts of African governments and NGOs in combating the disease.   

Dr. O. Mangena the SACOMA Business Advisor outlined the services available to business clients.  The speaker went on to explain that organisations like SACOMA exist with the aim of bringing the black community from the margins of society back into the mainstream. 

The Inland Revenue was represented by Nancy Gilliam and Bibi Dhookat spoke about Inland Revenue Business Support Teams and requirements for self-employment.

Rose Tata Muya posing with Sam Ochieng at Sacoma Project Launching. She lives in Lancashire. Her contact rotamu2002@hotmail.com	Inland Revenue personnel were at hand with information and stationery to give
Chery Kernot from School of Social Enterprise presenting her part at the launching	Kenyan young girls from Progressive Women Association presented a dance dressed in Maasai attire
Uganda dancers stole of the show with their excellent performance at the work	The headgear tells it all. Mrs. Perez Ochieng (left) one of  Sacoma Directors at the launching as Mary Thuku (second left)  follows the proceedings

MORE PHOTOS COMING UP AT EVENTS SECTION

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Down to London for TV recording

Pastor Climate Irungu of World Conquerors Church, Scotland arrived in Stansted Airport with his wife Pastor Jennifer for a crusade in London. The life changing crusade takes place at Trinity Community Centre, East Ham E12 on 24-25 October 2003 at 12 noon - 9pm. With Pastor Climate  Irungu of Scotland and Rev. Joseph Warui of Camberwell Church.  Rev. Kunle Owulana CEO Wonderful TV   will be in attendance.  It is the first such  Wonderful TV programme to be recorded in the area. Contacts 07939889508/07946758864. Sunday 26/10/03 at Camberwell Church from 6.00- to 9.00 p.m. Contact 02084708562.

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'My supersonic seat cost £800 of biscuits'

Justin, on the flight deck of Concorde

Justin last month, 10 stone lighter

A once-in-a-lifetime flight on Concorde didn't just take the biscuit for Justin Cornell, it took 900 packets of them. That's how many he bought to earn a free flight on the world's fastest passenger jet. Justin, who always has a keen eye for a bargain, spotted that a special promotion at his local supermarket could ramp up the points on his customer loyalty card, which could then be converted into Air Miles. "For next to nothing, I was able to realise one of my biggest dreams," he said. But the dream flight to New York was more than just a thrilling trip for the 32-year-old bank clerk, it was a Road to Damascus conversion which helped Justin lose 10 stone in weight. The day before he flew, Justin was stricken by anxiety that he would be turfed off the plane because his 23-stone frame would not fit in the slim-line seats. Luckily, there was not a problem on the day. But his fretting had been such a traumatic experience, he resolved to go on a strict diet the moment he got home. The amazing story started when Justin spotted a promotion Tesco was running on chocolate biscuits, offering an extra 100 Clubcard points for every two packets bought. At the same time, he knew Air Miles was running a special deal which halved the number of credits needed for a return Concorde ticket to New York. Points from both cards are interchangeable.

Justin realised buying 900 packets would get him a return seat to New York on the supersonic airliner, which retires this week after 26 years of service. It took visits to three Tesco stores to persuade managers that he was not "completely bonkers". In the last store he spent £800 on Bahlsen Messino biscuits, which bagged him more than 45,000 Clubcard points. "My family and friends thought I was so lucky. But they know what I'm like. If I can get a deal on something then I'll go for it," he said. He had previously demonstrated his keen eye for a bargain by flying first class to San Francisco after spending £300 on shampoo. But the night before the 3,000-mile flight, Justin, who weighed as much as Pavarotti, panicked. "The nearer the time came for me to fly, the more and more worried I got. Because of my size I feared I wouldn't fit in the seat and I certainly couldn't afford to pay for another one." But the trip was shortly after Concorde came back into service following a crash in July 2000, and the plane was almost empty. "There were 12 of us on board. I guess people didn't really want to travel on Concorde at the time. "I did see Billy Connolly coming out of the loo." But all that pre-flight anxiety had taken its toll. Concerned about his health, Justin realised he needed to lose weight and took immediate action, joining his local Weight Watchers group when he got home to Portsmouth. "I was extremely overweight. I never used to exercise at all. I used to get a taxi to work and back. And I would live off takeaway food - Indian and Chinese." He also put all those biscuits to good use, selling them on and raising £1,500 for charity. "Now I feel a completely different person," said Justin, now a slimmed down 13 stone. "You could almost say that Concorde saved my life."

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Going for his flock

During his one week visit in London, the Kenya's Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi visited a Anglican family in London on Saturday 18th October, 2002. During the visit the archbishop dinned with the Elizabeth Kang'ethe's family in East Ham, East London. The first photo on the left shows Elizabeth in a jovial mood as she welcomed the Anglican boss in her house. Escorting the archbishop on the far end is Venon Kahare of Manor Park, London. As a custodian of the word archbishop asked for a chorus before he prayed to bless the family.

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Back home after 12 years abroad

Bethwel Mbugua, the youngster who could not fit into Kenya's educational system because of his extraordinary abilities is back in the country.  But he arrived back from the US to find that he has no home. His father, Peter Mbugua, was displaced after his property was burnt and subsequently evicted from a family land in Ngarariga, Limuru. Mbugua studied at Mirman School for the specially gifted children in Los Angeles, Westlake Havard High School and Macalester College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Biochemistry. - The Standard.

Mr Bethwel Mbugua (left), who as a 10-year-old stunned Kenyans and the international community with his vast knowledge on the human body, is welcomed by his father, Paul Mwaura, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on arrival from the US yesterday. He has been studying overseas for the last 12 years.

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Dick Oneko meeting President Kibaki at Kenyatta Day

Kenyans celebrated Kenyatta Day all over the world on Monday 20th October, 2003. In Kenya the celebrations were done at  Nyayo National Stadium and was followed thereafter by a garden party at state house, Nairobi.. At the picture is Mr. Dick Oneko one of the invited guests to the garden party at State house with president Kibaki during the Kenyatta Day celebrations on Monday. The garden party was also attended by the former president Mr. Moi. Dick who lives in London is the son of freedom fighter and a well known Kenya politician Mr. Achieng  Oneko.

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A Kenyan man diagnosed with HIV has been found guilty infecting two women

A man diagnosed with HIV has been found guilty of "callously" infecting two women with the virus in a landmark legal case. The jury at Inner London Crown Court found 37-year-old Mohammed Dica guilty of two counts of "biological" grievous bodily harm on Tuesday. Father-of-three Dica, from Mitcham, south-west London, had told police both women knew of his condition before they had sex. But the court heard he told his first victim he had undergone a vasectomy and pursued the second victim, a mother of two, repeatedly telling her he loved her and wanted her to have his children. The jury of six men and six women were told that both women could be dead in 10 years. The case is believed to be the first successful prosecution in England and Wales for sexually transmitting HIV. Prosecutor Mark Gadsden told the jury that grievous bodily harm usually described a physical attack but could include psychological harm from being stalked or getting nuisance calls. He said: "He coldly and callously infected these two women." Judge Nicholas Philpot rejected an application for bail and a request for a psychiatric report - but said he would adjourn sentencing if further concerns were raised. He added: "If I had to sentence him today there is no doubt he would be going to prison, and for a long time."

Dica, who may only have a few years to live, is planning an appeal against the verdict. His second victim, known only as Deborah, sobbed as the jury returned its verdict. She said: "He played with my life and he's destroyed it. This has been a tragic part of my life. "Not only did I find out that I had contracted HIV but also discovered that the person who gave it to me, whom I trusted and loved, had been infected for five years and devastated my life and the life of another woman with intent. "Sadly this is not over for me. "My sentence has begun but I can now move on knowing that justice has been done."

Others infected

Speaking after the verdict, Metropolitan Police Detective Sergeant Jo Goodall suggested Dica may have infected others. "This is a landmark case, being the first successful prosecution in England and Wales, for inflicting grievous bodily harm by infecting, in this case two victims, with a serious sexually transmittable disease, namely HIV, in over a century. "I admire the courage of the two females in coming forward with this allegation. "I hope that the outcome of this case will encourage other victims to come forward, especially since it may well be that there are other victims of this man."

Derek Bodell, National Aids Trust chief executive, said: "Today's case is a tragedy for all parties. "Treating cases like this as a criminal offence will not prevent such incidents in the future, and on the contrary may be counterproductive. "People with HIV should feel able to disclose their HIV status without fear of rejection or discrimination."

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The twins are undergoing a risky and lengthy operation

Born by Caesarean section in Qus, Egypt, 2 June 2001  Arrived in Dallas in June 2002 Tissue expanders inserted under skin in April 2003 to prepare for reconstruction Op may take up to 48 hours

Relatives and friends are praying for the boys

Surgeons have separated two-year-old Egyptian twins joined at the head in a painstaking operation at a Dallas, Texas, hospital. The operation on Mohamed and Ahmed Ibrahim, who have separate brains but share an important vein, began on Saturday and may last until Monday. The boys faced a lifetime of medical problems if they remained connected. The last such operation resulted in the deaths of adult Iranian twins in July but their father said he had no option. Conjoined at the crown of the head, the boys have had trouble closing their eyes, moving their necks and swallowing. On Sunday, surgeons at the Children's Medical Center in Dallas completed the most difficult and dangerous part of the procedure: separating the shared brain material and the shared circulatory systems which feed bloods to their brains. "If there are no major complications, the operation should end on Sunday," said hospital spokesman Dr Jim Thomas. "They are now within striking distance of living independent lives."

Careful preparation

The Egyptian twins' father told doctors to go ahead with the operation, saying he wanted to give them a chance at a normal life. "If they're left this way, they're not going to be normal," said Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim earlier this year. The World Craniofacial Foundation paid for the boys to come to the Children's Medical Center in Dallas when they were one-year-olds. They have spent much of the past year having diagnostic tests done in preparation for surgery. "I don't think anything could have been more studied than this has been," said Dr Dale Swift, one of four paediatric neurosurgeons performing the operation. A team of 40 doctors, nurses and other staff led by top facial and cranial surgeon Dr Kenneth Salyer are taking part in the operation.

Prayers

Doctors said earlier the brain material and large veins they shared could be divided without causing much harm but if their circulatory systems were not properly separated it could kill them. However, they have youth on their side - with young bones and tissue that are more able to undergo the strain of the operation and recovery. The twins' uncle, Nasser Mohammed, said everyone in their home village of al-Homr, near the southern Egyptian city of Qus, were praying for them. Mohammed and Ahmed are the first twins conjoined at the head to be surgically separated since the deaths of Iranian twins in July. Laleh and Ladan Bijani, 29, died within 90 minutes of each other from massive blood loss during the separation surgery in Singapore in July. Three of five operations on twins conjoined at the head, carried out in the last three years, have resulted in the survival of both children. If the operation is successful, doctors will keep the twins in an artificially induced coma for another week to reduce brain swelling.

President Kibaki in London

President Kibaki and his wife as they enter The Royal National Hotel to address the Kenyans

Children from South East London (Glas) performed a dance for the president. "Tutikomaga tuigwite President Kibaki nieguka" (We did not sleep well when we heard that President Kibaki is coming).

more of President Kibaki's photos coming at EVENTS SECTION

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A student letter to the President

As the excitement of the President Kibaki's arrival comes to close, many Kenyans in UK had a talk of it all in one way or another. Adult students at Misterseed UK Limited classes currently going in London had to move the evening lessons from 5.00 p.m to 11.00 a.m. in the morning on Wednesday 8th October, 2003 to allow them to join the president in the afternoon at 6.00 p.m. Most of them are doing well and can now  write a letter - a good progress as most of them have never touched a computer before. As Kibaki's fever spread in the classroom, the tutor gave the students an assignment to write a letter to present to the president when he arrives on Wednesday. It was everyone for himself and God for us all as all the student struggled to finish the assignment. - Have a look at one of the students letter to the President below.

On their way to Sahara Communities (SACOMA) offices in Ilford, Essex,  where they had an appointment, Rev. Lucas Njenga and his wife Helen (above) passed at Misterseed UK Limited training centre. They found the training in progress and they were quite impressed by the progress of the students. The couple had flown from Glasgow in the morning. They will be in London for three days before Rev. Njenga fly off to a one-month business tour to Africa. Contact lukas.njenga@btopenworld.com

A copy of Misterseed UK Limited adult student's letter to the President

                 Lucy xxxxx

                 Xxx xxx xxx

                  Barking

                  07/10/2003

The President

 Hon .Mwai Kibaki   

                           Dear your Excellency,

        This is just to welcome you here in London.

I   Would like to thank you for the good work you are doing and even being able to get the Honour by His Excellency the U.S. President for the honour he bestowed to you. May the good God grant you the wisdom to lead and revive the economy of our beloved motherland. You are God’s chosen and LONG LIVE HON. KIBAKI.

We are behind you. All the storms of the devil will not prevail.

We are very ready to come home after everything is back to normal noting the fighting of the corruption, which is going on. Keep it on.

Thanking you once again.

                                Yours faithfully,

                                 Lucy xxxx

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Oldest American dies age 114

A woman described as the oldest living American and the third oldest person in the world has died at the age of 114.  Elena Slough passed away in the state of New Jersey just three days after her 90-year-old daughter died at the same nursing home where they both lived. Mrs Slough, who is believed to have been born in 1888, lived through seven US wars, 21 presidents, and 12 US territories gaining statehoods. The world's oldest person is a Japanese woman Kamato Hongo, who turned 116 last month. The world's second oldest person is believed to be 114-year-old Mitoyo Kawate, also Japanese. Mrs Slough died in her sleep on Sunday at the Victoria Manor Nursing Home in the resort town of Cape May, an official said. With her death, the oldest American and third oldest person in the world, is now Charlotte Benkner of North Lima, Ohio, according to the Gerontology Research Group. The German-born woman will turn 114 on 16 November. Last month, a retired Japanese silkworm breeder believed to have been the world's oldest man died at the age of 114. Yukichi Chuganji drank milk every day, but did not consume alcohol. There are an estimated 15,000 people in Japan over the age of 100, most of them women. Japan has the world's longest life expectancy - 78 years for men and 80 for women. The oldest person on record was a French woman, Jeanne Calment, who was 122 when she died in 1997.

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What was on his mind?

Killed ... spaniel and weight

Despicable ... hunt launched for killer

A pregnant  dog’s lifeless body is hauled from a river on Thursday 2nd October, 2003 in UK — still attached to the 10kg weight used to drown it. The cocker spaniel was deliberately hurled into 5ft of water with the weight-lifting disc securely fastened to a harness. A huge hunt was launched  for the monster responsible — thought to be an owner who no longer wanted the pet. The spaniel’s body was spotted by horrified dog walkers as they exercised their pets beside the River Test at Nursling, Hants. The animal could be clearly seen lying on the bottom, with her lead floating to the surface. River bailiff Martin Donovan, who winched the body out, said: “The person who did this is evil. I would love to catch them.”

Dad-of-three Martin, who has a spaniel himself, said the people who spotted the body had been “pretty shaken up”. He said: “They told me about it right away because they were worried kids might see it. If my children had seen it they would have been devastated.” The RSPCA said it was determined to catch whoever carried out the “despicable act”. Inspector Alan Barnes said: “If animals get too much for people there are centres where they can hand them in.” Footage from a nearby CCTV camera was being combed for clues on Thursday The culprit could be jailed for six months.

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Kenya Airways supports Jamhuri 2003 in the UK

Kenya Airways has pledged 3 tickets to be won towards promoting 40th Jamhuri Celebrations in the UK. This was revealed when KQ Sales Manager Mr. David Granville (centre) visited Kenya Community Support Offices in London on Thursday 2nd October, 2003. Mr. Granville said that they want to be apart of Jamhuri and the tickets will be as follows. 1st winning ticket will travel Premier World Class (1st Class) to Nairobi return. 2nd return ticket will be travelling to anywhere in Africa. and 3rd return ticket will be travelling to Kenya by economy class. All the tickets will be in pairs to make a total of six tickets. To receive the tickets was Mrs. Sam Ochieng of Kenya Community Support Network (right) and Perez Ochieng (left) of Sahara Communities Abroad (SACOMA).

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Agreeing not to Agree

As preparations for the coming of Kenya's president Kibaki in London on 8th October, 2003 continues, the acting Kenya High Commissioner in the UK Mr. Daniel Koikai invited a few leaders to lay down the grounds for the president on Thursday 2nd October, 2003 at his offices in central London. A number of Kenyans attended the meeting with KMDJ members on the front line. At the beginning the meeting was characterised by the Kenyans way of show down to each other. Some refusing to accept the opinions of others and the acting high commissioner had a rough time trying to bring the groups together.  It was a shame as the acting commissioner had to intervene to being the situation under control. At the end of it all it was agreed that one speaker will speak during the president's visit and several people were selected at the meeting to work together with the commissioner to draw the grievances of the Kenyans in the UK to be presented to the president. The group selected include the commissioner, Sam Ochieng of Kenya Community Support Network, Wanjiru Boro a lecturer at Middlesex University, Ngethe Mbiyu of KMDJ, Dr. Charles Muhindi of Kenya leaders in the UK, Rev. Isaac Kamweru to represent pastors, Sabina Obare of Kenya Women Association and Jame Methu. The acting commissioner welcomes any suggests from Kenyans in the UK to be added to the existing ones. You can email him at info@kenyahighcommission.com

The acting Kenya High Commissioner in the UK Mr. Daniel Kaikoi	Kenyans attending the meeting at the Kenya High Commissioner
Mrs. Wanjiru Boro (right) a lecturer at Middlesex University charts with the commissioner after the meeting	Mrs. Sabina Obare (left) Kenya Women Association charting with a West London solicitor Mr. Elias Leichana who has been in the UK for the last 24 years

Aurlus-Mabele for Kenyans Pigeon Club in London

Top Zairian musician is in London. Aurlus-Mabele the popular Paris based musician will be performing in Kenyan Club in London, the Pigeons on Friday 10th October, 2003 as from 10.00 p.m. to 4.00 a.m. The charges for the  Francosphonie music which is being promoted by Vincent Mpiana is £10. The club is located at 120 Romford Road, London E15. Aurlus-Mabele and his dancers visited the club on Monday 29th September, 2003 and was welcomed by the club's patron Mr. Duncan Ndegwa.  Nearest tube station is Stratford. For booking you can call 07932252409. (See the advert)

The patron of Pigeons Club Mr. Duncan Ndegwa (right) welcomes Aurlus-Mabele (centre) and his promoter Vincent (left) at the club

The popular Zairean musician new what to ask for at the club - JO2 orange and passion juice as he declares that he want to be sober

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Daughter Seed off to Portsmouth for pharmacy

It was a joyous day for the Seeds in London on Saturday 27th September, 2003 as they joined hands to encourage Daughter Seed. The entire Seeds family gathered for a get-together farewell party for Daughter Seed who is going to the University of Portsmouth to study pharmacy for the next four years. The family reminded daughter to work hard at the university in order to accomplished her goal. On Sunday 28th September, 2003 the family and friends escorted the lady to the University of Portsmouth where she is expected to start her studies on Monday.

The Seeds family presenting a laptop to Daughter Seed (centre holding the laptop) as a send off gift

Family and friends of the Seeds pose for a photo at Portsmouth on Sunday 28th September, 2003 as they escorted the lady

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A father of a 16-year-old girl jailed for life after cutting her throat

A Muslim father unable to tolerate the westernised lifestyle of his 16-year-old daughter was today jailed for life after cutting her throat. The murder of Heshu Yones is being treated by the Met as an "honour killing" because she was perceived to have brought shame on her family. After killing the girl, Abdullah Yones then jumped from a third-floor window. The schoolgirl had formed a sexual relationship with a Lebanese boyfriend who was a Christian and her father had found out. Yones, 48, who survived the fall, had pleaded guilty to murdering his daughter at their flat in Acton last October. Yones's counsel Icah Peart told the Old Bailey: "This really is a tragic story of irreconcilable cultural differences between a father with a traditional Kurdish upbringing and values and his beloved daughter who was a thoroughly westernised young woman." Yones sat in the dock as horrific details of his daughter's injuries were read out. She was found lying in the blood-spattered bathroom of the third-floor flat with multiple stab wounds, including a cut throat and wounds to her back, breasts and chest. More injuries to her hands and forearms showed she had tried desperately to defend herself. Immediately after killing her Yones left the flat, locking the door behind him, and leapt from the balcony, sustaining severe injuries which required four months in hospital. As he lay being treated by paramedics he could be heard saying repeatedly that he wanted to die. "He said he had done a terrible thing," said John McGuinness, QC, prosecuting. He said of Heshu: "The picture that emerged was that Heshu was a bubbly, cheeky, fun-loving girl, popular at school and with her friends. "Her father, a strict Muslim, didn't approve of her more westernised lifestyle - wanting to be with friends and having a mobile phone. "There was tension at home. Her father wanted her to live according to a strict Muslim lifestyle and cultural traditions."

Last summer the family went back to Kurdistan for five weeks and Heshu feared that her father was going to try to arrange a marriage for her. However, this did not happen. Initially she did not tell her parents of her relationship with her boyfriend. "She was extremely anxious that her father shouldn't find out about the relationship," said Mr McGuinness. "Sex before marriage was strictly forbidden, certainly with someone of the Muslim religion. She was extremely fearful of her father finding out." He said there was "... some evidence that the defendant might have discovered that she had a boyfriend and she was no longer a virgin. "This would have made an arranged marriage to a Muslim virtually impossible." The court was told that Yones was given political asylum in Britain when he arrived from Kurdistan 10 years ago. He and his family and many of their friends had suffered greatly at the hands of Saddam Hussein. Mr Peart told how Yones had never fully recovered from injuries sustained in a chemical weapons attack and although his daughter and sons had fully adjusted to European life he had been unable to do so. Outside the court Detective Inspector Brent Hyatt said: "If Heshu had gone to the police people could have recognised the extreme danger she was in. It is vitally important that anyone who thinks they are at risk should get in touch with us."

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Reviving Kenya tourism in Europe

Kenya's minister of tourism and wildlife Hon. Raphel Tuju and the entire tourism team have been in London for the week to promote the revival of Kenya's tourism industry in Europe. After several meetings in London the team crowned the campaign by the minister displaying the Kenyan tourism sceneries at the Kenya High Commission offices in Central London. Accompanying the minister were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Mrs. Rebecca M. Nabutola and Joan Mwangi. The minister continued to emphasise to the world that Kenya is safe to visit.

The minister of Tourism Hon. Tuju (second left) showing the tourism team the sceneries of Kenya tourism as they launched the revival of the Kenya tourism in Europe. From left is Joan Mwangi, Hon. Tuju, acting High Commissioner HE Daniel Koikai, John Dffy and PS Rebecca Nabutola

Later they visited the offices of the acting Kenya High Commissioner, HE Daniel Koikai at 45 Portland Place.

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Bye bye London after eight years

It started as joke on 14th April 1996 when Micah Karanja who had stayed for a year in London by then, met Mr. Seed on the streets of London and told him. "You know I feel like going  back home in Kenya to join my family - and you know what? You are the one who will escort me to the airport when the  time comes. I will keep you informed". A year passed and in 1997 he wrote in his house calendar that he was leaving on 11th December, 1997. Come 1997 he changed his mind to 1998. In September, 1998 he bought an air ticket for October 1998 and as usual he never left for Kenya. Everyone became tired of his false promises. In 2001 August, again he revived the issue assuring everyone that he was to leave in December 2001 and he bought  an air ticket,  not forgetting to mark the date in his house calendar for all to see.

He bought a new luggage case and box,  but when the date came , he changed his mind. When friends asked him what was  happening he wrote on the calendar where he had marked these words: "MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS". In October, 2002 he bought another ticket now declaring for sure that he was leaving in December 2002. As his usual habit he marked on the calendar. A week to the date he added the wordings "BUT NOT A MUST". December came and he never left for Kenya as he had explained it was not a must. Come to July, 2003 he bought yet another  ticket paying it in  instalments, to clear it by September 2003 declaring that he was to leave on 26th September, 2003. This time nobody wasted their time listening to him. On 4th September 2003, he visited Mr. Seed informing him that the time had come for him to go and as agreed in 1996 you were  to escort me to the airport. Mr. Seed agreed but after he left Mr. Seed commented to his wife "I don't think this man is serious and if he leaves I bet £20 pound". The man kept constant contact with Mr. Seed, and eventually he  left for Busia, Kenya. At 05.10 a.m. on Friday September 2003, Mr.  Karanja left through Heathrow Airport after staying in the UK for the last eight years.

This brings in mind the story of a Caribbean man who's a good friend of mine, One day he overheard me say; "You know one of these fine days I will be leaving for Kenya." The man replied: "Mr. Seed, you are my friend, let me tell you something, never tell me that you are leaving for Kenya again. I am  fed-up with such stories. My father came to UK in 1955, and I was born here in 1958. Every week, every month since I was young my father talks of going home and up to today he talks of going home and he has never gone home."

Micah Karanja's (left) and friends as they escorted him to the airport

"Kwaheri ya kuonana" as Karanja joins other travellers at the departure entrance at Heathrow Airport

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