JULY, 2010

Dilemma of mother whose son, 13, has more kidneys than he needs

When Maclaud Chakara suffered severe stomach pains, his mother could only think that he had eaten contaminated food — until a doctor did an ultrasound scan on the 13-year-old and found he had three kidneys.

Sarah Ambogo tends to her son Maclaud Chakara at Vihiga District Hospital.  

The boy’s mother, Mrs  Sarah Ambogo, said the Standard Five pupil in Mbale had no health complications since birth. But one day, he went to fetch water and experienced a sharp pain in his stomach. “Two weeks ago, I decided to take him to hospital,” Mrs Ambogo said on Wednesday last week. Doctors at Vihiga District Hospital suspected he had malaria and gave him drugs, but even after three days, he was still in pain.That is when they carried out an ultrasound on him. In a telephone interview with the Nation, Dr Ahmed Swahir of the Kidney Centre in Nairobi said the existence of more than the normal two kidneys is rare but need not cause alarm.

“Some people have even four while others have only one. Many people live a normal life until an ultrasound is conducted on them. That is when they discover they have extra one or more kidneys,” Dr Swahir said.An extra kidney does not have to be removed urgently, unless it is not functioning well or is infected. He said the boy should be examined well to establish if one of the kidneys had duplicated or he was born with three. ““The boy could be having a duplex collecting system where every work done by one side of his body is doubled,” he said. In a duplex collecting system the ureter drains the top half of the kidney while the duplicate may drain the lower half. Most people who have three kidneys have good body metabolism, only that they might constantly get urinary tract infections. However, he said it was illegal for the boy to donate the kidney since he is only 13. Maclaud’s mother said she wished they could get rid of the extra kidney. Her challenge however is that they do not have enough money to enable him to undergo check-up and surgery. Her wish for the boy to donate the kidney is however not allowed by the Kenyan law. Only when he attains the age of 18, will he decide whether or not to donate the kidney. Ms Jean Orwa, Kenya Kidney and Lupus Foundation director, said having an extra kidney was not risky, so long as metabolism was normal. In Kenya, the age bracket of kidney donation is between the ages of 18 and 60, although doctors say that the law on donation and use of human organs is not well stipulated. “Legally, no one is authorised to certify the donation of internal organs on behalf of another. Despite the high demand for organs at national hospitals, principles have to be observed,” Mrs Orwa said. A few years back, she said, the sale of organs was possible until crime rate in Kenya increased. It was presumed that criminals killed their targets and sold their organs to ailing people.

Pea plant grows inside man's lung

A Massachusetts man who was rushed to hospital with a collapsed lung came home with an unusual diagnosis: a pea plant was growing in his lung.

                                  Ron Sveden had been battling emphysema for months when his condition deteriorated. He was steeling himself for a cancer diagnosis when X-rays revealed the growth in his lung. Doctors believe that Mr Sveden ate the pea at some point, but it "went down the wrong way" and sprouted.

"One of the first meals I had in the hospital after the surgery had peas for the vegetable. I laughed to myself and ate them," Mr Sveden told a local Boston TV reporter.   

Mr Sveden said the plant was about half an inch (1.25cm) in size. "Whether this would have gone full-term and I'd be working for the Jolly Green Giant, I don't know. I think the thing that finally dawned on me is that it wasn't the cancer," Mr Sveden said. He is currently recovering at home with his wife Nancy, who joked that God must have a sense of humour. Read on.....                                                                                                             

Best and worst paying university degrees

We look at the value of a university education, tell you which degree is the best value and explain the premium you earn for post-graduate training. Do degrees always pay off in the long run, despite the costs associated with them? And what are the best and worst paid subjects to study? All the comparisons we make in this article are between graduates and those who could have gone to university but didn't (i.e. they had two or more A levels or equivalent qualifications). Subject matters

It's no surprise that there are wide variations in average earnings depending on the subject studied. Arts graduates earn just £35,000 extra (compared to non-graduates) whilst medicine graduates earn a massive £340,000 extra, on average, during their lives. Average extra earnings for graduates by subject studied

Data from 2005 and 2007

Earnings growth steady in early years Regardless of which degree you take, earnings grow at a constant rate in the first few years. However, they typically balloon in the mid-years in some subjects, such as chemistry. Averages can be misleading... ...to say the least. There is massive variation within each field, which explains why some people get irate at so-called 'average earnings'. One graduate working in the same field or even the same job as another can easily earn one-third less than some colleagues. Average graduate earnings While graduates often start off earning a similar amount to non-graduates, this changes quickly over the years. For example, in 2008 (the latest statistics we could find), a typical 21-year-old graduate earned just £17,472 a year, while a non-graduate with A levels earned £15,912 a year. However, the typical 33-year-old graduate earned £37,960 a year, while the typical 34-year old non-graduate earned just £27,768 a year.

Source: Prospects.ac.uk

Average extra lifetime earnings

On average, graduates earn an extra £160,000, or 23% throughout their lifetime (which is even greater after tax). That's an extra £3,600 per year, compared to non-graduates. That's despite increasing numbers of young people getting degrees: a third now do, compared with just 15% 20 years ago.

Public sector benefits less visible

Most graduates in the public sector seeing earnings statistics over the years will probably conclude they are unrealistic, but in return for a lower income most get greater job security and pension benefits.

Do degrees always pay off?

No, not always. The evidence is limited, but it seems that men with arts degrees usually earn slightly less than their counterparts who chose not to go to university. A case of those who can, do - perhaps?

It's also true that, without a degree, you can still earn more than the average graduate. Those taking training places from one of the big accountancy or law firms, for example, can circumvent the need and cost of a degree.

Also, degrees are expensive. The average student leaves university with debts totalling £15,700 and the current average graduates starting salary is just £22,300. Even if your salary goes up every year by almost 5%, it will still take you around 12 years to pay off your debt, which will cost you even more than you think.

Finally, it's worth bearing in mind that 20% of students drop out of university and a third of graduates end up with non-graduate jobs. On the plus side, graduates are less likely to be unemployed.

Degrees are more beneficial for women

On average, research shows that women gain greater financial benefits from a university education than men do. Women who don't go to university tend to earn a great deal less than men who don't go to university. However, women's incomes, on average, are boosted more by a degree to make it a more level playing field. To take an example, men's incomes are boosted 43% by an economics degree, but women's are boosted 63%. Similarly, men from poorer backgrounds also benefit more from university than men from affluent ones. Discrimination, it seems, is more difficult for employers when you've got a degree.

There is still discrimination towards graduates

However, there is still a big difference in average earnings between male and female graduates, with men earning at least £14,000 more over their working lives. (We suspect it's quite a bit more on average, but unfortunately there seems to be little research on this topic. If you know a better statistic, please share it on lovemoney.com using our comments section.)

Law comes top

This is the most important section in the article. Whilst medicine earns more, it also costs more. What's more, you lose out on income, because you're studying (and so not working) for more years. When you factor all these things together, law is the better investment with an average rate of return of more than 17% per year:

The annual rate of return on your degree

The average rate of return for all degrees is 12.1% per year. This makes a degree the best possible investment (on average), trouncing the stock market or property over the long term.

Surprisingly, medicine has a lower return than the average at 11.6% (although dentists were excluded from the figures) meaning that perhaps we focus too much on doctors' wages and not enough on support staff.

However, weI suspect that these figures (from 2005) will be out-of-date now. 130,000 doctors earn now, at the very least, £13bn between them, with many earning as much as £380,000 per year.

Also the figures in the above table may come down now that the cost of university is going up (to an average £23,000 for students starting this year, it's estimated). However, some researchers believe the reverse will happen!

The post-grad premium

Some - but far from all - employers offer a premium for those who go beyond a Bachelor's degree. If you're lucky enough to get work for an employer that pays such a premium, those with doctorates could earn an extra £6,000 from the start. Those with master's degrees could earn an extra £4,000 and those with an MBA an extra £12,000 (although very few employers offer a premium for MBAs).

That's a lot of statistics. You may need a degree just to take them all in!

Missing French Chef's Body Found In Freezer

Missing French Chef's Body Found In Freezer

Detectives discovered the frozen corpse of Jean-Francois Poinard after his girlfriend Guylene Collober, 51, told her daughter "something unfortunate" had happened to him. The 71-year-old's body is believed to have been secreted in a freezer at their home in Lyon for up to two years. He was found in the foetal position and covered with plastic bags. Ms Collober is said to have made the revelation to her daughter during a night out. Her daughter told police, who found Mr Poinard's body at the flat. 

Ms Collober is said to have collapsed in tears when officers arrived, saying: "I think you'll find what you're looking for." A police spokesman said: "An initial examination suggests the body could have been there for up to two years. "A full post-mortem examination will be carried out to discover the precise cause of death." He said Ms Collober had been taken into custody and charged with hiding a body and that further charges would depend on the findings of the post-mortem. Mr Poinard was a famous chef in the 1970s and 80s, and ran a series of restaurants in the French culinary capital of Lyon. He has been described by food critics as one of the 'great names' in gastronomy.

Judges are ready to be vetted under new law

President Mwai Kibaki and appointed Court of Appeal and High Court judges at State House Nairobi. The bench felt that claims that they would quit rather than face the investigations, wrongly implied they were unclean.

Judges on Wednesday declared they were ready to be vetted before resuming office as required under the new constitution. They said they were not afraid of the outcome of such vetting, as long as the process was carried out transparently, fairly and in adherence to the rules of natural justice. They spoke a day after the Daily Nation reported that they would meet to agree on whether or not they would submit to the vetting. Five of the six judges earlier interviewed by the Nation had indicated they would opt for early retirement.But on Wednesday, the judges meeting in Mombasa unanimously agreed to be vetted. The 11 Court of Appeal and 45 High Court judges took the decision after deliberations in their ongoing conference at Serena Beach Hotel.

 “We have discussed the issue this morning and passed a resolution that we are ready to be vetted and are not afraid of the outcome,” Mr Justice William Ouko of the High Court told journalists.

“I am speaking on behalf of all the judges and I must say that we are celebrating with the rest of Kenyans with the passage of the new Constitution and are happy with the proposals it has made.”

Mr Justice Ouko chaired a task force whose report catalogues wide ranging reforms to the Judiciary. He said the new constitution would transform the Judiciary. The bench felt that claims that they would quit rather than face the investigations, wrongly implied they were unclean. According to the new Constitution, all judges will within three months of the effective date of the Constitution opt to retire from office with full benefits or subject to being cleared of any graft by the Interim Judicial Service Commission, retain their jobs. In considering the case of any judge, the commission will explore whether such a judge has a formal complaint before the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission; Advocates Complaints Commission or Advocates Disciplinary Committee; Public Complaints Standing Committee; Judicial Service Commission and the Office of the Attorney General.

Nurse Stabbed To Death In Hospital Car Park

UK, Monday, July 26, 2010. A murder hunt has been launched after a 26-year-old nurse was found stabbed to death in the staff car park of a Blackpool hospital. Lancashire Police have appealed for help in tracing a white man, described as being in his 30s and stocky, who may have been on a bicycle. Police believe the woman knew her attacker.

Police believe the woman knew her attacker

Officers received a call at 8.25pm reporting that a victim had been stabbed at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in Lancashire. By the time officers arrived, her death was confirmed. A spokesman for the hospital said the woman was taken to A&E, where she died. Detective Superintendent Ian Critchley said: "We have launched a murder investigation following this incident and I would appeal for anyone with information to get in touch with us as a matter of urgency."Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Blackpool police on 01253 407 236.

Chopper stoned as 'Yes' rivals face off

A helicopter takes off after dropping members of Parliament for a past referendum rally. On Sunday, a chopper carrying Forestry and Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa and former Kimilili MP Mukisa Kituyi was blocked from landing by villagers in Bungoma.

Nairobi, Sunday, July 25, 2010. Villagers on Sunday pelted a campaign helicopter with stones to block the pilot from landing, risking the lives of passengers, among them a Cabinet minister.

The chopper, carrying Forestry and Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa and former Kimilili MP Mukisa Kituyi was coming in to land at Chwele Market in Bungoma West District when a group blocked it.

On the third attempt, the pilot was able to land safely after a rival group overpowered and chased away the stone throwers. Three people were injured in the confrontation, though there were no details of how badly hurt they were.

Earlier, an announcement was made that the meeting, called to drum up support for the proposed constitution had been postponed. The group that did not want the meeting to go ahead was said to be made up of supporters of Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula, the area MP.

Mr Wetang’ula is away in Uganda attending the African Union heads of state meeting with President Kibaki. There is rivalry between Mr Wetang’ula and Mr Wamalwa with both being potential candidates for the presidency on a Ford Kenya ticket in 2012.

Police had not provided security and the lone Administration Police officer on duty had a difficult time controlling the clashing groups.

The Chwele meeting was one of the scores of rallies across the country as campaigns for and against the new constitution hit top gear. A referendum is scheduled for Wednesday next week.

In President Kibaki’s Othaya constituency, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta led 11 Cabinet ministers and more than 30 MPs in campaigning for the proposed constitution.

In Kitui, retired President Moi, addressing “No” supporters, argued that the new constitution ought to garner 65 per cent of the vote for it to have credibility. The law requires a simple majority.

At Moi Stadium, Kinoru in Imenti North District, Higher Education minister William Ruto led “No” team of Information minister Samuel Poghisio, Assistant minister Margaret Wanjiru and MPs Silas Muriuki, Mithika Linturi and Charles Keter in accusing the government of rigging by using the provincial administration and permanent secretaries in the referendum campaign. There were other “No” rallies in Machakos, Nakuru, Keiyo and Tigania, among others.

In Nairobi, a Cabinet minister and two MPs addressed a big meeting in Kangemi, Nairobi, called by Mr Maina Njenga, the former Mungiki supremo who claims to have quit the illegal sect, and called on Nairobi residents to turn up in large numbers and vote for proposed constitution on August 4.

Regional Development minister Fred Gumo, Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua and nominated MP Rachel Shebesh, spoke at the meeting that was also attended by former Starehe MP Maina Kamanda.

Obama to seize tax cash stolen from Africans

US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington,

US President Barack Obama on Sunday announced that Washington would seize money stolen by corrupt African leaders and hidden in the America and the West. The announcement was made in a special message delivered for him by US Attorney General Eric Holder at Speke Resort Munyonyo where African heads of state are meeting. Mr Holder was part of the American delegation to the Kampala summit led by Mr Johnnie Carson — America’s top diplomat in Africa. In a wide-ranging speech which touched on the terror attacks and America’s help to Uganda, Mr Holder — the first black man to hold the position — then delivered a stinger on the touchy issue of corruption.

“The Kleptocracy recovery effort” he said would target large-scale corruption perpetrated by foreign nationals.

“ I have assembled a team of prosecutors (to deal exclusively with this)” he said. According to him, the US was also willing to support the development of African judiciaries to deal with corruption.

International corperation over money leaving national treasuries and entering tax havens and western banks has long been a sticking issue. The United Nations in 2005 pioneered the Convention Against Corruption, which sought to cast a wide net against criminality across borders. Sunday’s announcement, coming amidst the focus on security corporation to fight terrorism, could be seen as an attempt by Mr Obama to stay on governance issues despite Washington’s more pronounced interests on transnational terror. Many African leaders some of who were present have long been accused of personal extravagance at the expense of their populations. Gabonese president Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba, whose father Omar Bongo was till recently the longest-serving president, sparked outrage when just months after his election he bought an $85 million house in Paris. On Sunday, Mr Holder, however, promised more support for the African Union force in Somalia saying that America was bound “not only by friendship and partnership but loss’ from the 7/11 attacks.

Kibaki: Let’s answer the call of history and enact new constitution

President Kibaki during the interview with Sunday Nation at his Harambee House office. 

Nairobi, Kenya. Striking a relaxed, confident, even light-hearted pose, President Kibaki used his first in-depth media interview to urge Kenyan voters to come to the right side of history and endorse the new constitution.

“I have been overwhelmed by Kenyans’ reaction as we went around the country in recent weeks,” he said. “In the next few days, we will work hard to make sure that those opposing it over one or two little things change their minds and support us.” Mr Kibaki addressed a broad range of issues, including a review of his first term, an assessment of his achievements and missteps and an appraisal of the challenges that lie ahead in the remaining years of his final term in office. But the constitution was the main item on his agenda as he explained why he has been a robust advocate of the document in an aggressive style that has caught both friend and foe off balance. “A new constitution is not about Mwai Kibaki,” he said. “By 2012, I will have done my bit for this great Republic of Kenya. The new constitution is about the future. When I read the (proposed) constitution, I am confident that it will take our country to that future that the Kenyan people envision. A future of great economic prosperity, greater social equity and political stability. We want a country at peace with itself and enjoying great respect among the family of nations.” Mr Kibaki said the next few days would be focused on drumming up turnout and making sure the margin of victory for the ‘Yes’ side is convincing. More...

Museveni urges battle against terrorism as meeting opens

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (L) is greeted by wellwishers upon his arrival at Entebbe international airport on July 24, 2010. Ugandan forces imposed tight security as more than 30 heads of state began converging on Kampala for an African Union summit barely two weeks after deadly suicide attacks.

Kampala, Sunday, July 25, 2010. Uganda’s president urged African Union leaders at a summit here today to “sweep the terrorists” out of Africa, following recent deadly attacks by Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels. “Let us now act in concert and sweep them out of Africa,” Mr Yoweri Museveni said, referring to the perpetrators of the July 11 blasts in Kampala that killed 76 revellers watching the football World Cup final.

“Let them go back to Asia or the Middle East where I understand some come from,” he said at the opening of the three-day summit. More than 30 heads of state from the AU’s 53 members gathered amid unprecedented security in the Ugandan capital, with a debate on boosting the organisation’s troops levels in Somalia and crushing the Islamist insurgents in the war-torn nation top of the agenda.

The AU summit observed two minutes of silence for the victims of the attacks two weeks ago. “The African Union stands with you, my brother President Museveni, and with the people of Uganda,” Bingu wa Mutharika, Malawi’s president and current chairman of the AU, said in his opening remarks.

Museveni also said many of the organizers of the attacks in Kampala have been arrested. “Their interrogations have yielded very good information,” he added. Ugandan authorities have not been precise regarding the number of people detained for their suspected involvement in the blasts. Last week the inspector general of the Uganda police force, Kale Kayihura, put the figure at “more than 20” but several of those individuals have since been released. The two bombings were meant to bully Uganda into pulling out of the AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the last thing standing between the Shebab and total power. Uganda reacted by saying it could send 2,000 more troops and urged more decisive international support, while the embattled Somali government argued the attacks were evidence Somalia required the world’s attention. AU chief Jean Ping said on Friday Guinea was ready to send troops to Somalia. “We are going to quickly top the 8,000 mark... I think the current trend could take us over 10,000.” Angola, Mozambique and South Africa may also pledge troops, whose current deployment consists of just over 6,000 Ugandans and Burundians, according to diplomats.

Mr Ping also reiterated that the African Union was seeking a tougher mandate for AMISOM under the United Nations Charter’s chapter seven, allowing it to take more aggressive action. “If this request is answered positively, our troops will attack,” he said. The Shabab leadership has proclaimed its allegiance to Osama bin Laden and the group’s first bomb attacks outside Somalia renewed fears that the Horn of Africa country could become a new safe haven for Al Qaeda.

Barking Rotary Club Holds its 82nd Induction Ceremony

Uk, July 2010. The Rotary Club of Barking held its 82nd Induction Ceremony for its New President and board members at the Fairlop Waters Restaurant, in Barkingside, Essex, UK, on the night of Wednesday, 7th July, 2010.

Rotarian Duncan Githu Ngari, who has been a member of the Club since 2002, was elected as the New President. This was the 82nd Induction Ceremony to be held by the Barking Rotary Club which was started in 1929. The appointment is not made lightly as it is the highest honour within the powers of the Club to bestow upon a Rotarian as it is made in recognition of his service to Rotary in general and to the Club in particular.

The Immediate Past President, Rotarian Med Bucktowonsing, right, (picture on the left), holding the 'Regalia'- the Rotarian's Chain of office, in preparation of inducting Duncan G. Ngari as the New President of Barking Rotary Club, for the year 2010-2011, and in the picture on the right, Mrs. Med, 2nd right, hands-over and pins the Rotalian Lady's Badge of office to the Newly inducted President's wife, Mrs Norah Githu, 3rd from right.

The Immediate Past President, Med, congratulated the Newly elected President, Mr. Ngari, and said, “With the Presidency you are assuming new duties, new obligations and new responsibilities, which will make severe demands upon your thoughts time and energy. We are confident you will carry out your tasks with the same zeal you have always shown in Rotary and you are assured of the utmost cooperation from every one of your members’''

Mr. Ngari, in his capacity as the newly elected President of Barking Rotary Club, immediately, named his Committee Chairmen who will make up the board for the 2010-2011 year. Rotarians, David Burns, President Elect, Ben Aimuan, Vice-President, Laurie Ford, Secretary General, Nigel Schulz, Treasurer, Allan Cooper, Sergeant-At-Arms, Med Bucktowonsing, Membership Specialist, Robert Hunter, Foundation Specialist, Alec Everitt, Communication Specialist, Malcolm M. Brockman and Dennis Bloomfield were named as the heads of International Services and Community & Vocational Services respectively.

The Newly elected President, Mr. Ngari, prepares to induct his board members

President Ngari congratulates David Burns after inducting him as the President Elect, and on the right, he is seen inducting/putting the chain of authority to his Vice-President, Rotarian Ben Aimuan.

The President inducts/puts the chain of authority to his General Secretary, Rotarian Laurie Ford, right, and to his Treasurer, Salvation Army Major, Rotarian Nigel Schultz

Lastly,but not the least, The Newly elected President, Mr. Ngari inducts/puts the chain of authority to his Sergeart-At-Arms, Rotarian Allan Cooper.

Present during the colorful occasion were, the Kenya High Commission representative, Mr. Abraham Mwaura, who is the Immigration Attachés in the Kenya High Commission’s office, Councilors Elizabeth Kangethe and Ashraf, both from Barking & Dagenham Wards, among the others.

Mr. Abraham Mwaura, left, being welcomed to the Induction Ceremony by the Immediate Past President, Med Bucktowonsing. Mr Mwaura, who is the Immagration Attache in the Kenya High Commission's office had been officially sent to represent the Kenya High Commision. On the right are Councilors Elizabeth Kangethe, left, and Ashraf, both from Barking and Dagenham Wards.

Mr. Ngari congratulated all those who attended the occasion and urged the Professionals and business people to come out and support the work of community. He concluded by saying that, ‘The President’s Charity of the year is Richard House Hospice in Beckton’.

Mr. Ngari was, also, in a colorful ceremony, made a member of a Kikuyu Council of Elders in recognition of his services to the community in general.

Mr William Munene, who had come all the way from Nakuru Kenya, to oversee and conduct the colourful ceremony of making the Newly Elected Rotary President, Duncan Ngari, a member of a Kikuyu Council of Elders, seen explaining the eldership status

Mr. Duncan Ngari, the newly elcted President of Barking Rotary Club, being made a member of a Kikuyu Council of Elders.

The newly elected President of Barking Rotary Club, Mr. Duncan Ngari after being made a Member of a Kikuyu Council of Elders (left), and with his wife Mrs. Norah Githu (right) wearing a traditional dress of an elder's wife.

The Newly Elected President of Barking Rotary Club, Mr. Duncan G. Ngari, after being made a a member of a Kikuyu Council of Elders. With him in the picture on the right are the Immediate Past President Med Bucktowonsing, right, his wife, Mrs. Med, left and Mrs. Ngari, centre, in his Kikuyu Eldership status.

The guests were entertained with a three course dinner before the Induction ceremony.

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