This is a forward among many that fall into my inbox from many friends of mine. I thought it was thoughtful to share it with my readers.
MAMA'S BIBLE
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors
and lawyers and prospered.
Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together. They
discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who
lived far away in
another city.
The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."
The second said, " I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the
house."
The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."
The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know
she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this
preacher who
told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty
preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000
a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it Mama just has
to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed.
After the holidays Mom sent out her Thank You notes.
She wrote:
"Milton, the house you built is so huge I live in only one room, but I
have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries
delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could
hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and
I'm
nearly blind. I'll never use it. "Thank you for the gesture just the
same."
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a
little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."
Luv Ya
MAMA
Saturday, 30 June 2007
100 POSTS AND GOING.
On this last day of June, this post is the 101st post that i am doing. Its has been quite a trip, or is it a journey? But it has been great so far. I have learnt a lot and commented on so much too. The posts in this blog are not specific to anything. Rather, they are about what is happening all around me, sources of the posts are from newspapers, websites as well as other blogs.
With about 1690 visitors in slightly under 70days since its creation, this blog has lived on. Now, its the new chapter whose plan is to clock 1000 quality and well researched blogs to give the visitors a value of their time and make them click back again. While in the blog, click on the ads to have the cash flowing....... Ha Ha Ha!
To a new beginning.
With about 1690 visitors in slightly under 70days since its creation, this blog has lived on. Now, its the new chapter whose plan is to clock 1000 quality and well researched blogs to give the visitors a value of their time and make them click back again. While in the blog, click on the ads to have the cash flowing....... Ha Ha Ha!
To a new beginning.
Friday, 29 June 2007
WHY NAIROBI IS AFRICA'S CAPITAL
In today's EastAfrican Standard, i came across this article as to why Real Africa Eats, Sleeps and Drinks in Nairobi.
Here is the whole article:
Landing at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in 1996 was like stepping from Earth onto Mars — an alien land —watched by M-16 wielding airport security guards and a sizzling tang smell best classified as faecal matter.
Missionaries — Nairobi’s greatest import of white faces — rightfully swapped horror stories about walking in the capital after dark, cluttering their chatter with words like ‘robbery’, ‘murder’ and "leave the house after 6pm at your own risk".
In 1996, Nairobi was living in 1896. But thanks to the democratically elected President Kibaki, and the proud willfulness of Kenyans, Nairobi is now a thriving, modern and relatively safe gateway into East Africa. How times have changed in 11 years!
Now, Snickers bars and Smirnoff Vodka are displayed for sale in brightly lit airport shops, next door to a Java House, Nairobi’s emphatic answer to Starbucks.
While the availability of such status items of modernity may appear archaic to Chinese children accustomed to 10 per cent GDP prosperity, in Nairobi they are evidence that Kenya has arrived in a global world.
As advertised on monstrous Coca Cola billboards on Nairobi streets, Kenyans now aim to "Live on the ‘Coke’ side of Life". Kenya, like China, is modernising, and the evidence is in the cities. Nairobi’s main drag, four-lane Kenyatta Avenue, snakes through the city connecting the outlying slums and rich estates with the high-rise steel of downtown Nairobi.
Dotting the way are palm trees and lush green plants championed by the equatorial sun, and suicidal private buses called matatus — fast rides distinguishable by their splashy paint-on names such as Ice Cube, Manchester United, and Player Hater.
Most refreshing about downtown Nairobi, however, is the skyline. Nairobi may be a bustling metropolis of four million people, but the downtown still retains a comfortable charm, or quaintness, most notable when travelling from Beijing’s six-mile wide mega-tropolis to Nairobi’s half-mile city centre.
Here, the stampede of human feet still holds precedent over cars. McDonalds is non-existent, but Wimpy Burger isn’t, neither is the fake Hooters rip-off. Also absent is the exaggerated glam of Chinese dance-clubs, swapped for dark and frenetic and stripped-down joints like Taco, Zip, Tropez and Ibiza.
Speaking of the nightlife … I walk into Tropez Ibiza at 11pm on a Friday night, aware of my obtrusive whiteness, but not preoccupied by it. Like much of Kenya, Tropez lacks pretension, over-hyped attention to style, and all cynical hipster irony. When asked "How you doing?" you’re not "Doing good." You’re "easy". Here, Guinness bottles are served, but I am told it would be near sacrilegious not to try Tusker brand.
Winner of 16 Monde Gold Selection awards since its inception in 1922, Tusker is amusingly named after the elephant that killed its first hop creator. Spotting the bar at the corner, I walk over and order two drinks, only to realise the Sh500 I walked in with is no longer in my pocket.
I’ve been robbed already," I yell to my friend. Wrong. Before entering the club, I had hidden the cash in a secret pant-pocket, and had forgotten I had done so. Didn’t trick any pickpockets, but tricked myself. I blame the jet lag, and continue with the night…
Tropez Ibiza, I soon realise, is but an extension of a Nigerian-based culture of Cool emerging in Kenya. Leading the charge is a local TV station, a bad-boy channel showcasing hip-hop videos and culture and commercialism, helping define a divide between Kenya young and hip ‘have’ culture and their left-behind ‘have-not’ population.
In 1996, when SkyNews ruled local TV and the Internet had yet to explode, Nairobi’s self-identity was very insular. Now, characters like 2 Pac, Bob Marley, 50 Cent and Omarion are ambassadors. So is having the richest cell phone, the nicest weave and money to party.
In the middle of all this is a strong Chinese community in Nairobi. According to the Chinese Embassy, 7,000 Chinese nationals are registered in Nairobi. They have established construction companies, churches, textile shops, car dealerships and other businesses.
Yet, perhaps, the most authentic experience is to visit a Maasai village. The Maasai lay claim to Kenya’s most fresh scenery. But don’t be fooled: The tribe’s elders may boast killing lions at age 13 and drinking cow blood, but these are people confronting the reality and the dwindling vestiges of their existence.
The evidence is in their eyes and expression — half the population knows there is a world outside their village and want in. The other half also knows there is an outside world, but are happy staying put in their close community of friends and family.
Ultimately, what is most refreshing about Kenya is that it is still very African. There is no McDonalds or Starbucks to escape to. It may be modernising, but globalism is refreshingly taking baby-steps. Still, as in 1996, everywhere you go, everything you smell and everyone you meet is still African, foreign.
There is no feud in asking: "Where is the real Africa?" The real Africa eats, sleeps and breathes in Nairobi.
Article by Ted Fackler, an American Journalist in Beijing - China. Posted here by assidous.
Here is the whole article:
Landing at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in 1996 was like stepping from Earth onto Mars — an alien land —watched by M-16 wielding airport security guards and a sizzling tang smell best classified as faecal matter.
Missionaries — Nairobi’s greatest import of white faces — rightfully swapped horror stories about walking in the capital after dark, cluttering their chatter with words like ‘robbery’, ‘murder’ and "leave the house after 6pm at your own risk".
In 1996, Nairobi was living in 1896. But thanks to the democratically elected President Kibaki, and the proud willfulness of Kenyans, Nairobi is now a thriving, modern and relatively safe gateway into East Africa. How times have changed in 11 years!
Now, Snickers bars and Smirnoff Vodka are displayed for sale in brightly lit airport shops, next door to a Java House, Nairobi’s emphatic answer to Starbucks.
While the availability of such status items of modernity may appear archaic to Chinese children accustomed to 10 per cent GDP prosperity, in Nairobi they are evidence that Kenya has arrived in a global world.
As advertised on monstrous Coca Cola billboards on Nairobi streets, Kenyans now aim to "Live on the ‘Coke’ side of Life". Kenya, like China, is modernising, and the evidence is in the cities. Nairobi’s main drag, four-lane Kenyatta Avenue, snakes through the city connecting the outlying slums and rich estates with the high-rise steel of downtown Nairobi.
Dotting the way are palm trees and lush green plants championed by the equatorial sun, and suicidal private buses called matatus — fast rides distinguishable by their splashy paint-on names such as Ice Cube, Manchester United, and Player Hater.
Most refreshing about downtown Nairobi, however, is the skyline. Nairobi may be a bustling metropolis of four million people, but the downtown still retains a comfortable charm, or quaintness, most notable when travelling from Beijing’s six-mile wide mega-tropolis to Nairobi’s half-mile city centre.
Here, the stampede of human feet still holds precedent over cars. McDonalds is non-existent, but Wimpy Burger isn’t, neither is the fake Hooters rip-off. Also absent is the exaggerated glam of Chinese dance-clubs, swapped for dark and frenetic and stripped-down joints like Taco, Zip, Tropez and Ibiza.
Speaking of the nightlife … I walk into Tropez Ibiza at 11pm on a Friday night, aware of my obtrusive whiteness, but not preoccupied by it. Like much of Kenya, Tropez lacks pretension, over-hyped attention to style, and all cynical hipster irony. When asked "How you doing?" you’re not "Doing good." You’re "easy". Here, Guinness bottles are served, but I am told it would be near sacrilegious not to try Tusker brand.
Winner of 16 Monde Gold Selection awards since its inception in 1922, Tusker is amusingly named after the elephant that killed its first hop creator. Spotting the bar at the corner, I walk over and order two drinks, only to realise the Sh500 I walked in with is no longer in my pocket.
I’ve been robbed already," I yell to my friend. Wrong. Before entering the club, I had hidden the cash in a secret pant-pocket, and had forgotten I had done so. Didn’t trick any pickpockets, but tricked myself. I blame the jet lag, and continue with the night…
Tropez Ibiza, I soon realise, is but an extension of a Nigerian-based culture of Cool emerging in Kenya. Leading the charge is a local TV station, a bad-boy channel showcasing hip-hop videos and culture and commercialism, helping define a divide between Kenya young and hip ‘have’ culture and their left-behind ‘have-not’ population.
In 1996, when SkyNews ruled local TV and the Internet had yet to explode, Nairobi’s self-identity was very insular. Now, characters like 2 Pac, Bob Marley, 50 Cent and Omarion are ambassadors. So is having the richest cell phone, the nicest weave and money to party.
In the middle of all this is a strong Chinese community in Nairobi. According to the Chinese Embassy, 7,000 Chinese nationals are registered in Nairobi. They have established construction companies, churches, textile shops, car dealerships and other businesses.
Yet, perhaps, the most authentic experience is to visit a Maasai village. The Maasai lay claim to Kenya’s most fresh scenery. But don’t be fooled: The tribe’s elders may boast killing lions at age 13 and drinking cow blood, but these are people confronting the reality and the dwindling vestiges of their existence.
The evidence is in their eyes and expression — half the population knows there is a world outside their village and want in. The other half also knows there is an outside world, but are happy staying put in their close community of friends and family.
Ultimately, what is most refreshing about Kenya is that it is still very African. There is no McDonalds or Starbucks to escape to. It may be modernising, but globalism is refreshingly taking baby-steps. Still, as in 1996, everywhere you go, everything you smell and everyone you meet is still African, foreign.
There is no feud in asking: "Where is the real Africa?" The real Africa eats, sleeps and breathes in Nairobi.
Article by Ted Fackler, an American Journalist in Beijing - China. Posted here by assidous.
CIA 'FAMILY JEWELS'
The 'agency' as CIA is famously known has declassified documents and reports that detail its botched attempt to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro in the early 1960's. This is at a time that the Cold War was peaking up pace and CIA had a penchant for assassinating and initiating coups against Presidents and regimes that they perceived to be communist followers!
The documents were aptly named the 'Family Jewels'.
In the documents, CIA admits to have contracted a mobster of mafiosi member who was on the then US most-wanted list, to do the job in a 'gangster-type action.'
The financial backing of the project was coming from international firms that were suffering from Castro's actions to the tune of $150,000.00. The options were to use fire arms but was shelved for the half a dozen'high lethal content pills' which were to be put in his food or drinks. Of the two men contracted, one with 'access' Castro chickened out and the other tried severally before failing.
The CIA's attempts (which have been many) at Castro have always failed dramatically and always border on the bizzare and leave the agency with an egg on its face. There was , what i think to be the most bizzare where they planned to make an illusion of Jesus Christ over Havanah at night so that they could tell Castro that 'even God was against him!' How that was supposed to work baffles my simple mind. Or is it that the CIA well endowed in cash is denied the benefit of realistic minds, or is it Completely Insane Americans?
Thursday, 28 June 2007
CHRIS BENOIT IN MURDER-SUICIDE.
Chris Benoit a professional wrestling superstar killed his wife and 7 year old retarded son before hanging himself from his weight machine. He was nicknamed 'Rabid Wolverine' and 'Canadian Crippler.'
Benoit featured in the WWE, Canadian Pro Wrestling and the WWF Royal Rumble.
In Kenya, he hed ardent fans who were glued to the KBC TV on Tuesdays watching Wrestling. Its a terrible talent to waste.
BROWN NEW UK PM
Qoute: "This will be a new government with new priorities. I've heard the need for change, and this need for change cant be met by old politics. And now let the work of change begin." Gordon Brown New UK PM.
Qoute: "It is still the arena (politics) that sets the heart beating a little faster. I wish everyone - friend or foe- well. And that is that. The End." Tony Blair UN, US,Russia and Europe Middle East Envoy.
And that marked the end of Blairs era at 10 Downing Street.
THE ARSENAL DILEMMA
This blogger has repeatedly stated here that i couldn't identify an 'off-side' even if my life depended on it. But that doesnt mean that soccer news will pass me by. No, what with all the fanatics surrounding me.
One of my closest friends is an ardent Arsenal fan and that is to put it mildly. I think the word fanatic is an understatement!
Eversince the Premier League came to a close last month, its as if life came to an end. But thats neither here nor there as far as i am concerned. What bothers me or unsettles my simple mind is that the news coming out of Emirates is causing enough trauma as it were. Consider this: Thierry Henry has gone to Barcelona FC for $32.30M just when there were rumours that his friend Trezeguet would be signed at Emirates!
As if that isnt enough, Arsene Wenger has not extended his term basically because the former Manager David Dein's return is one of the conditions for him to guarantee his commitment for another season! Then there is the issue of Fabregas that Barcelona and Madrid are after him. Infact, it seems that the Spanish La Liga vultures are hovering for the kill, to get the best form the team that is said to play the sexiest game!
The million pund question is whether Arsenal will rise again. Its woes if that is what they are, are causing myriad migraines to my friend! Its the price of addiction to soccer!
But as one of the distraught fans was telling me last night, Arsenal has been in existance from the 1886 and Henry appeared on the scene close to a century later making it look as though he was the life and blood of the team. He wasnt trying to console himself, as he said, rather i took that as a very pragmatic look at reality.
But then, what do i know about the soccer madness?
Visit: http://themightyarsenal.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
NACADA NOW A PARASTATAL
Through the State House Website, Kibaki has transformed the drug agency into a parastatal. This came just before the International Day Against Drug Abuse was celebrated yesterday.
Nacada has been running a regular campaign on KBC radio and TV in the past week to sensitise the public on the substance abuse.
Nacada was formed by the former administration to help in sensitising the public about substance abuse and its effects on the individual, family, society and country.
It has been vocal about the war especially when the former PC Kaguthi was heading it, and with the transformation, its bound to place it on higher visibility standing in the fight against drugs.
Nacada has been running a regular campaign on KBC radio and TV in the past week to sensitise the public on the substance abuse.
Nacada was formed by the former administration to help in sensitising the public about substance abuse and its effects on the individual, family, society and country.
It has been vocal about the war especially when the former PC Kaguthi was heading it, and with the transformation, its bound to place it on higher visibility standing in the fight against drugs.
NEW MITSUBISHI PAJERO.
Simba Colt Motors the Kenyan mitsubishi franchise holders have unvailed the latest Mitsubishi Pajero. This is an improvement to the older model that looked so bulky and had a tendency of sagging at the rear as if it was carrying a lot of luggage.
The new 4X4 is cited as 'Croc - Torque' by Simba Colt. Its the fourth generation of the Pajero introduced into the market in September Last Year. Pajero has made a name for itself by conquering the Paris - Dakar Rally regularly.
http://www.simbacolt.com
QATAR AIRWAYS BOOSTS AIRBUS A350 BY ORDERING 80 UNITS
Qatar Airways one of the fastest growing airlines flying to over 70 destinataions across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East and India has confirmed the order of the Airbu A350's turning it to be the A350's single largestt customer.
The airline has also increased the orders of the latest A380 from two to five aircraft.
The A350 is an 'eXtra Wide Body' version of A350 coming in three versions of A350-800/900 and 1000. Qatar Airways is the launch customer of the A350-1000 XWB version. Deliveries will start in 2013 to gradually replace their backbone fleet of A330. The deal was confirmed at the Paris Air Show.
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
AFRICA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY OPENS IN JO'BURG - SA.
It will train potential leaders gaed between 15-18yrs on values and ethics, basically, about how to be leaders.
Out of 16 potential people to head the academy, Alliance High School's Principal Chris Khaemba may from next year become its inaugraul dean. This comes after 10 rounds of interviews targetting other education education based parties around the world, Alliance Alumni, teachers as well as the BOG.
It will be a loss for Alliance what with Khaemba's links with the Ivy-League Universities where Alliance students benefit from placements. However, Africa as a whole will benefit as he will chart the way forward for a premier academy with a projection to produce 6000 potential leaders in the next 50years.
Out of 16 potential people to head the academy, Alliance High School's Principal Chris Khaemba may from next year become its inaugraul dean. This comes after 10 rounds of interviews targetting other education education based parties around the world, Alliance Alumni, teachers as well as the BOG.
It will be a loss for Alliance what with Khaemba's links with the Ivy-League Universities where Alliance students benefit from placements. However, Africa as a whole will benefit as he will chart the way forward for a premier academy with a projection to produce 6000 potential leaders in the next 50years.
Monday, 25 June 2007
OF FOXES AND LIONS
On a Monday morning, nothing makes my day than Dominic Odipo's article on Kenyan politics. Today its about leaders who are foxes and lions aor a mixture of both. Its quite incisive and very informative. I have put it here for my readers to have an idea of what we need in Kenya.
The sly foxes and lions in our political landscape
By Dominic Odipo
As the General Election nears, would you like to elect a President who is a lion, a fox or both? According to the distinction by Michael Maccoby in his book, The Gamesman, lions are natural leaders, responsible, powerful, aggressive, courageous and at ease in the ways of their group.
The foxes are cunning, sly, quick and rather poor at group thinking though they may have to feign respect for it. At the very highest level, men or women sometimes combine the virtues of the lion and the fox to some degree.
How have some of America’s recent presidents fared against the Maccobian distinction? Franklin D Roosevelt, who led the US during World War II, was a lion in courage and ambition, but also cunning, sly and secretive — all fox-like traits — and the combination made him a formidable president.
Harry S Truman was a lion all through, a man eager to accept responsibility as indicated in his famous statement: "The buck stops here."
John F Kennedy was a lion in the making who, nonetheless, had fox-like qualities of cunningness, caution and fear of groups. Richard Nixon was all fox. He was hardly even able to put on a show of lion-like qualities. It is not clear whether the fox in the man contributed directly towards his involvement in the Watergate Scandal that led to his resignation from the presidency in 1974.
According to Maccoby, lions are natural responsibility takers; the foxes attempt to achieve success without taking on any more responsibility than they have to.
Lions move directly, the foxes indirectly — lions take stands, foxes make compromises. Ultimately, the ambition of every fox is to become a lion, and the secret of every successful leader is to combine both qualities in the right proportions.
Notice that in this distinction, being a fox or a lion is not something that is cast in stone at birth. A person born with predominantly fox-like qualities can become a lion and actually end up both as a lion and a fox and vice versa.
Looking at contemporary British history, the quintessential lions were Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Both ended up as prime ministers and were, incidentally, from the Conservative Party.
Kenyan foxes and lions
The undisputed lions of our independence struggle were men such as Jomo Kenyatta, Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro and Tom Mboya. The frontline foxes were Mboya, Mr Charles Njonjo and former President Moi.
Perhaps the top foxes were Moi and his sidekick, Keiyo South MP Mr Nicholas Biwott. And if you want to see the personification of the Maccobian lion, all you need to do is look closely at Mr William ole Ntimama, the MP for Narok North.
Chances are the next President will be one of four men: Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, Mr Raila Odinga and the incumbent, President Kibaki. How would the men fare against the Maccobian distinction?
It is clear that Mudavadi is neither a lion nor a fox. He does not move directly or take controversial stands. Neither is he cunning and sly as foxes would ordinarily be.
Kalonzo is harder to place. He is certainly not a lion in the Ntimama mould, but is clearly a lion-in-the-making — like Kennedy. He is more of a fox than a lion, but the capacity for metamorphosis is there for all to see.
Raila is probably the most interesting of the pack. The man is both a fox and a lion and has been almost all his adult life. He is a natural leader, aggressive and courageous and often moves directly and takes controversial stands.
Yet, at the same time, he is sly and cunning and nobody quite knows what he is likely to do next. In his courage and ambition, he is much like Roosevelt. And he is as cunning, sly and secretive as Mboya. This is obviously a man that opponents will have to watch very closely.
What about Kibaki? Certainly, he is not a lion. He does not move directly or take controversial public positions. If he sees a fence, he will probably sit on it. Like a fox, he is achieving success by taking on no more responsibility than he has to.
He is making compromises and moving indirectly. And, above all, he is already the President. Lion or not, this is the man every politician ought to watch.
This is article appeared in today's EAStandard and posted here by assidous
The sly foxes and lions in our political landscape
By Dominic Odipo
As the General Election nears, would you like to elect a President who is a lion, a fox or both? According to the distinction by Michael Maccoby in his book, The Gamesman, lions are natural leaders, responsible, powerful, aggressive, courageous and at ease in the ways of their group.
The foxes are cunning, sly, quick and rather poor at group thinking though they may have to feign respect for it. At the very highest level, men or women sometimes combine the virtues of the lion and the fox to some degree.
How have some of America’s recent presidents fared against the Maccobian distinction? Franklin D Roosevelt, who led the US during World War II, was a lion in courage and ambition, but also cunning, sly and secretive — all fox-like traits — and the combination made him a formidable president.
Harry S Truman was a lion all through, a man eager to accept responsibility as indicated in his famous statement: "The buck stops here."
John F Kennedy was a lion in the making who, nonetheless, had fox-like qualities of cunningness, caution and fear of groups. Richard Nixon was all fox. He was hardly even able to put on a show of lion-like qualities. It is not clear whether the fox in the man contributed directly towards his involvement in the Watergate Scandal that led to his resignation from the presidency in 1974.
According to Maccoby, lions are natural responsibility takers; the foxes attempt to achieve success without taking on any more responsibility than they have to.
Lions move directly, the foxes indirectly — lions take stands, foxes make compromises. Ultimately, the ambition of every fox is to become a lion, and the secret of every successful leader is to combine both qualities in the right proportions.
Notice that in this distinction, being a fox or a lion is not something that is cast in stone at birth. A person born with predominantly fox-like qualities can become a lion and actually end up both as a lion and a fox and vice versa.
Looking at contemporary British history, the quintessential lions were Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Both ended up as prime ministers and were, incidentally, from the Conservative Party.
Kenyan foxes and lions
The undisputed lions of our independence struggle were men such as Jomo Kenyatta, Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro and Tom Mboya. The frontline foxes were Mboya, Mr Charles Njonjo and former President Moi.
Perhaps the top foxes were Moi and his sidekick, Keiyo South MP Mr Nicholas Biwott. And if you want to see the personification of the Maccobian lion, all you need to do is look closely at Mr William ole Ntimama, the MP for Narok North.
Chances are the next President will be one of four men: Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, Mr Raila Odinga and the incumbent, President Kibaki. How would the men fare against the Maccobian distinction?
It is clear that Mudavadi is neither a lion nor a fox. He does not move directly or take controversial stands. Neither is he cunning and sly as foxes would ordinarily be.
Kalonzo is harder to place. He is certainly not a lion in the Ntimama mould, but is clearly a lion-in-the-making — like Kennedy. He is more of a fox than a lion, but the capacity for metamorphosis is there for all to see.
Raila is probably the most interesting of the pack. The man is both a fox and a lion and has been almost all his adult life. He is a natural leader, aggressive and courageous and often moves directly and takes controversial stands.
Yet, at the same time, he is sly and cunning and nobody quite knows what he is likely to do next. In his courage and ambition, he is much like Roosevelt. And he is as cunning, sly and secretive as Mboya. This is obviously a man that opponents will have to watch very closely.
What about Kibaki? Certainly, he is not a lion. He does not move directly or take controversial public positions. If he sees a fence, he will probably sit on it. Like a fox, he is achieving success by taking on no more responsibility than he has to.
He is making compromises and moving indirectly. And, above all, he is already the President. Lion or not, this is the man every politician ought to watch.
This is article appeared in today's EAStandard and posted here by assidous
Sunday, 24 June 2007
TERIOS 4X4
Ryce Motors a member of the Sameer Group has advertised again the Daihatsu Terios 4X4 again. I think that they will be bringing into the market the latest version of the same.
Daihatsu has had a career on the Kenyan roads and those who recall, they used to be the cars used by the former Kenya Posts and Telecomunication Corp before it was split into the current CCK, Telkom and Posta. Personally i think it looks more like the Toyota Cami, its like they rolled off the same plant.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
WHAT KISS MEANS TO A PROFESSOR
This mail landed into my inbox. Enjoy it.
Professors of different subjects define the same
word in different ways:
Prof. of Computer Science: A kiss is a few bits of
love compiled into a byte.
Prof. of Algebra: A kiss is two divided by nothing.
Prof. of Geometry: A kiss is the shortest distance
between two straight lines.
Prof. of Physics: A kiss is the contraction of mouth
due to the expansion of the heart.
Prof. of Chemistry: A kiss is the reaction of the
interaction between two hearts.
Prof. of Zoology: A kiss is the interchange of
unisexual salivary bacteria.
Prof. of Physiology: A kiss is the juxtaposition of
two orbicular ors muscles in the state of
contraction.
Prof. of Dentistry: A kiss is infectious and
antiseptic.
Prof. of Accountancy: A kiss is a credit because it
is profitable when returned.
Prof. of Economics: A kiss is that thing for which
the demand is higher than the supply.
Prof. of Statistics: A kiss is an event whose
probability depends on the vital statistics of
36-24-36.
Prof. of Philosophy: A kiss is the persecution for
the child, ecstasy for the youth and homage for the
old.
Prof. of English: A kiss is a noun that is used as a
conjunction; it is more common than proper; it is
spoken in the plural and it is applicable to all.
Prof. of Engineering: Uh, What? I'm not familiar
with that term.
Professors of different subjects define the same
word in different ways:
Prof. of Computer Science: A kiss is a few bits of
love compiled into a byte.
Prof. of Algebra: A kiss is two divided by nothing.
Prof. of Geometry: A kiss is the shortest distance
between two straight lines.
Prof. of Physics: A kiss is the contraction of mouth
due to the expansion of the heart.
Prof. of Chemistry: A kiss is the reaction of the
interaction between two hearts.
Prof. of Zoology: A kiss is the interchange of
unisexual salivary bacteria.
Prof. of Physiology: A kiss is the juxtaposition of
two orbicular ors muscles in the state of
contraction.
Prof. of Dentistry: A kiss is infectious and
antiseptic.
Prof. of Accountancy: A kiss is a credit because it
is profitable when returned.
Prof. of Economics: A kiss is that thing for which
the demand is higher than the supply.
Prof. of Statistics: A kiss is an event whose
probability depends on the vital statistics of
36-24-36.
Prof. of Philosophy: A kiss is the persecution for
the child, ecstasy for the youth and homage for the
old.
Prof. of English: A kiss is a noun that is used as a
conjunction; it is more common than proper; it is
spoken in the plural and it is applicable to all.
Prof. of Engineering: Uh, What? I'm not familiar
with that term.
AUDI Q7 COMES TO KENYA
Audi the carmaker now owned by Volkswagen will launch the AUDI Q7 in Kenya next month. Its a Luxury SUV-4X4 which will seek to compete for customers with the likes of Porsche Cayene and Volkswagen Touareg. These cars are in a class of their own and their takers are what i term as discerning drivers who know what they want in a marque. A hybrid of the car is going on sale next year.
DALAI LAMA MEETS AUSSIE PM
Australian PM Howard met The Dalai Lama amid China's condemnation of the meeting terming Lama as a 'political Exilee engaged in splitist acts over Tibet!.' No wonder Kenya's governement found it hard to accord him a visa to visit the country. The government sucks up to the Chinese! Hopefu;;y, this will all coome to an end and The Dalai will no longer become a hostage elements against his peace efforts.
Friday, 22 June 2007
FYI
One complete revolution of the earth takes 365.256 days, that is 29079Km per Second or 107,870.0Kms per Hour!
One complete rotation takes 23.9345Hrs!
Just food for thought.
PEUGOT 807
I came across this wheel when i was just waltzing or rather going from one blog to another with no serious mission. I thought that i may share it with my fellow bloggers.
Its like the Toyota Town Ace and i can term it as a MPV, the kind that Kenyans of Asian descent love.
Its only that Marshalls may not launch it anytime soon.
REVOLUTION IN POLLING IN KENYA.
Harris Poll the world's longest-running and most respected poll has landed in Kenya. Harris Interactive Global Network owners of the poll have joined the market by tying up with Infotrak Research a market and poll outfit.
Harris Poll is best remembered for accurately predicting the the US Presidential elections in 2000 and 2004 with a low margin of error of 2%!
What this means is that polls in Kenya are going a notch higher and competition to the likes of the Steadman Group getting stiffer. It also means that we will get amore accurate and well researched polls.
Coming at an election year, it couldnt have been more timely.
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll
Harris Poll is best remembered for accurately predicting the the US Presidential elections in 2000 and 2004 with a low margin of error of 2%!
What this means is that polls in Kenya are going a notch higher and competition to the likes of the Steadman Group getting stiffer. It also means that we will get amore accurate and well researched polls.
Coming at an election year, it couldnt have been more timely.
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll
MARRIAGE HAS BEEN MONETISED AT LAST!
I came across this article in Yesterday's DNation. This is just an excerpt.
Finally, here’s what love, marriage and friends cost
THEY HAVE DONE IT. Economists have finally put a cash value to love, happiness, friendship, and misery according to a report in The Times.
A few days ago, in the first research of its kind, economists in the UK found that regularly chatting to neighbours brings the same level of life satisfaction as earning an extra £40,000 (Sh5.3m) a year.
It’s almost as valuable as a successful marriage, with is reckoned to be bring a satisfaction level worth an additional £53,833 (Sh7m) a year.
However, excellent health beats all of them, as it brings a satisfaction level that is the same as what you get from earning an extra £300,000 (Sh40m) a year.
One of the most surprising findings was that moving in together was worth more than marriage. While marriage is worth an extra Sh7m a year, living together (in “sin” as the men and women of the cloth might say) is worth £82,500 (Sh11m).
Dr Nattavudh Powdthavee, an economist at the University of London and one of the main researchers behind the study, said they were not exactly sure why this was so.
Meeting friends and relatives twice a month is worth £35,000 (Sh4.6m) a year. Meeting them once or twice a week is worth £50,500 (Sh6.7m) a year; and meeting them on most days is worth £63,833 (Sh8.5m) a year.
It gets more interesting. The results also show that people who see less of their friends and relatives also appear to be more satisfied with their marriages. This suggests that social relationships outsides the home maybe a substitute for poor relationships at home.
So we now we have a fairly clear scientific road-map to happiness: Exercise and be healthy; meet your friends and relatives as often as you can (except if you are married); and live in “sin”.
But you also do lose money. Being separated is worth losing £57,667 (Sh7.6m) a year. You lose less when you are divorced – minus £24,500 (Sh3.2m) a year. And it is disaster to be widowed. That one is worth minus £200,000 (Sh27m) a year.
The researchers found that there was little difference between single people and divorcees, probably because both groups tend to live alone.
And the penalty for divorce is lower than for separation, because people who divorce gain some happiness from being rid of an unbearable wife or husband.
Story by CHARLES ONYANGO-OBBO | WHAT OTHERS SAY
Publication Date: 2007/06/21 reblogged here by assidous.
http://www.nationmedia.com
Finally, here’s what love, marriage and friends cost
THEY HAVE DONE IT. Economists have finally put a cash value to love, happiness, friendship, and misery according to a report in The Times.
A few days ago, in the first research of its kind, economists in the UK found that regularly chatting to neighbours brings the same level of life satisfaction as earning an extra £40,000 (Sh5.3m) a year.
It’s almost as valuable as a successful marriage, with is reckoned to be bring a satisfaction level worth an additional £53,833 (Sh7m) a year.
However, excellent health beats all of them, as it brings a satisfaction level that is the same as what you get from earning an extra £300,000 (Sh40m) a year.
One of the most surprising findings was that moving in together was worth more than marriage. While marriage is worth an extra Sh7m a year, living together (in “sin” as the men and women of the cloth might say) is worth £82,500 (Sh11m).
Dr Nattavudh Powdthavee, an economist at the University of London and one of the main researchers behind the study, said they were not exactly sure why this was so.
Meeting friends and relatives twice a month is worth £35,000 (Sh4.6m) a year. Meeting them once or twice a week is worth £50,500 (Sh6.7m) a year; and meeting them on most days is worth £63,833 (Sh8.5m) a year.
It gets more interesting. The results also show that people who see less of their friends and relatives also appear to be more satisfied with their marriages. This suggests that social relationships outsides the home maybe a substitute for poor relationships at home.
So we now we have a fairly clear scientific road-map to happiness: Exercise and be healthy; meet your friends and relatives as often as you can (except if you are married); and live in “sin”.
But you also do lose money. Being separated is worth losing £57,667 (Sh7.6m) a year. You lose less when you are divorced – minus £24,500 (Sh3.2m) a year. And it is disaster to be widowed. That one is worth minus £200,000 (Sh27m) a year.
The researchers found that there was little difference between single people and divorcees, probably because both groups tend to live alone.
And the penalty for divorce is lower than for separation, because people who divorce gain some happiness from being rid of an unbearable wife or husband.
Story by CHARLES ONYANGO-OBBO | WHAT OTHERS SAY
Publication Date: 2007/06/21 reblogged here by assidous.
http://www.nationmedia.com
Thursday, 21 June 2007
SAFCOM CHANGES LOGO?
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2rTd9aSAw-yv61XkG-OdRiPiOlfL_HaU2X4adCLQLLorSsRxR2hkLgyETeBoJ4s3z7SykQx9qLJED8qQ9haytWSorU5h69eX6qE4GAEVvCMkpGCcd1NThdMsN-gJ6G-MjxgM-6huukP2/s1600-h/prepaid1.gif">
Has anyone noted this or is it just me. That the logo that is now appearing in Safcom adverts isnt the one that we are used to. This blogger at least. I would wish that they would inform their clients about such a change.
Nevertheless, Safaricom has done it again. It has just announced Ksh17B in profits until March this year. Note also, that Safcom's Micheal Joseph had given a profit warning on the light of the new CCK directive to lower call charges by July 15th. This has made Safcom arguably the most profitable company in EAfrica not forgeting that its subscriber base is more that Ugand and Tanzania's combined cellphone subscribers.
Their new tariffs are now better arranged and one can now choose comfortably the tariff that suits one best.
Has anyone noted this or is it just me. That the logo that is now appearing in Safcom adverts isnt the one that we are used to. This blogger at least. I would wish that they would inform their clients about such a change.
Nevertheless, Safaricom has done it again. It has just announced Ksh17B in profits until March this year. Note also, that Safcom's Micheal Joseph had given a profit warning on the light of the new CCK directive to lower call charges by July 15th. This has made Safcom arguably the most profitable company in EAfrica not forgeting that its subscriber base is more that Ugand and Tanzania's combined cellphone subscribers.
Their new tariffs are now better arranged and one can now choose comfortably the tariff that suits one best.
NAKUMATT TOP 30 SUPERMARKETS
Nakumatt has been ranked 25th in the Annual Planet Retail List of top 30 retailers.
Planet Retail is a leading information provider on global retail and food service industries monitoring over 5000 retail outlets and market development in over 200 countries.
Nakumatt has expanded exponetially in the Kenyan market and capitalised on the misfiring of the Uchumi wagon. It controlls close 40% of the retail market in the towns that its located.
Nakumatt plans to be listed in the NSE by 2009.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
THE GUY'S RULES. NOT FUNNY!
This post landed in my inbox and i thought that the men out there need to read it for future use. Just a thought. I know the women will start hyperventilating. Sorry sisters.
AT LAST A GUY HAS TAKEN THE TIME TO WRITE THIS ALL DOWN
FINALLY, THE GUYS' SIDE OF THE STORY.
(I MUST ADMIT, IT'S PRETTY GOOD.)
WE ALWAYS HEAR "THE RULES"
FROM THE FEMALE SIDE.
NOW HERE ARE THE RULES FROM THE MALE SIDE.
THESE ARE OUR RULES!
PLEASE NOTE.. THESE ARE ALL NUMBERED "1"
ON PURPOSE!
1. MEN ARE NOT MIND READERS.
1. LEARN TO WORK THE TOILET SEAT.
YOU'RE A BIG GIRL. IF IT'S UP, PUT IT DOWN.
WE NEED IT UP, YOU NEED IT DOWN.
YOU DON'T HEAR US COMPLAINING ABOUT YOU LEAVING IT DOWN.
1. SUNDAY SPORTS. IT'S LIKE THE FULL MOON
OR THE CHANGING OF THE TIDES.
LET IT BE.
1. SHOPPING IS NOT A SPORT.
AND NO, WE ARE NEVER GOING TO THINK OF IT THAT WAY.
1. CRYING IS BLACKMAIL.
1. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT
LET US BE CLEAR ON THIS ONE:
SUBTLE HINTS DO NOT WORK!
STRONG HINTS DO NOT WORK!
OBVIOUS HINTS DO NOT WORK!
JUST SAY IT!
1. YES AND NO ARE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE ANSWERS TO ALMOST EVERY QUESTION.
1. COME TO US WITH A PROBLEM ONLY IF YOU WANT HELP SOLVING IT. THAT'S WHAT WE DO.
SYMPATHY IS WHAT YOUR GIRLFRIENDS ARE FOR.
1. A HEADACHE THAT LASTS FOR 17 MONTHS IS A PROBLEM.
SEE A DOCTOR.
1. ANYTHING WE SAID 6 MONTHS AGO IS INADMISSIBLE IN AN ARGUMENT.
IN FACT, ALL COMMENTS BECOME NULL AND VOID AFTER 7 DAYS.
1. IF YOU WON'T DRESS LIKE THE VICTORIA 'S SECRET GIRLS, DON'T EXPECT US TO ACT LIKE SOAP OPERA GUYS.
1. IF YOU THINK YOU'RE FAT, YOU PROBABLY ARE.
DON'T ASK US.
1 IF SOMETHING WE SAID CAN BE INTERPRETED TWO WAYS AND ONE OF THE WAYS MAKES YOU SAD OR ANGRY, WE MEANT THE OTHER ONE
1. YOU CAN EITHER ASK US TO DO SOMETHING
OR TELL US HOW YOU WANT IT DONE.
NOT BOTH.
IF YOU ALREADY KNOW BEST HOW TO DO IT, JUST DO IT YOURSELF.
1. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PLEASE SAY WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO SAY DURING COMMERCIALS.
1. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DID NOT NEED DIRECTIONS AND NEITHER DO WE.
1. ALL MEN SEE IN ONLY 16 COLORS, LIKE WINDOWS DEFAULT SETTINGS.
PEACH, FOR EXAMPLE, IS A FRUIT, NOT A COLOR. PUMPKIN IS ALSO A FRUIT. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MAUVE IS.
1. IF IT ITCHES, IT WILL BE SCRATCHED.
WE DO THAT.
1. IF WE ASK WHAT IS WRONG AND YOU SAY "NOTHING," WE WILL ACT LIKE NOTHING'S WRONG.
WE KNOW YOU ARE LYING, BUT IT IS JUST NOT WORTH THE HASSLE.
1. IF YOU ASK A QUESTION YOU DON'T WANT AN ANSWER TO, EXPECT AN ANSWER YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR.
1. WHEN WE HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING YOU WEAR IS FINE...REALLY.
1 DON'T ASK US WHAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO DISCUSS SUCH TOPICS AS BASEBALL, THE SHOTGUN FORMATION,
OR GOLF.
1. YOU HAVE ENOUGH CLOTHES.
1. YOU HAVE TOO MANY SHOES.
1. I AM IN SHAPE. ROUND IS A SHAPE!
1. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS.
YES, I KNOW, I HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE COUCH TONIGHT;
BUT DID YOU KNOW MEN REALLY DON'T MIND THAT? IT'S LIKE CAMPING.
AT LAST A GUY HAS TAKEN THE TIME TO WRITE THIS ALL DOWN
FINALLY, THE GUYS' SIDE OF THE STORY.
(I MUST ADMIT, IT'S PRETTY GOOD.)
WE ALWAYS HEAR "THE RULES"
FROM THE FEMALE SIDE.
NOW HERE ARE THE RULES FROM THE MALE SIDE.
THESE ARE OUR RULES!
PLEASE NOTE.. THESE ARE ALL NUMBERED "1"
ON PURPOSE!
1. MEN ARE NOT MIND READERS.
1. LEARN TO WORK THE TOILET SEAT.
YOU'RE A BIG GIRL. IF IT'S UP, PUT IT DOWN.
WE NEED IT UP, YOU NEED IT DOWN.
YOU DON'T HEAR US COMPLAINING ABOUT YOU LEAVING IT DOWN.
1. SUNDAY SPORTS. IT'S LIKE THE FULL MOON
OR THE CHANGING OF THE TIDES.
LET IT BE.
1. SHOPPING IS NOT A SPORT.
AND NO, WE ARE NEVER GOING TO THINK OF IT THAT WAY.
1. CRYING IS BLACKMAIL.
1. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT
LET US BE CLEAR ON THIS ONE:
SUBTLE HINTS DO NOT WORK!
STRONG HINTS DO NOT WORK!
OBVIOUS HINTS DO NOT WORK!
JUST SAY IT!
1. YES AND NO ARE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE ANSWERS TO ALMOST EVERY QUESTION.
1. COME TO US WITH A PROBLEM ONLY IF YOU WANT HELP SOLVING IT. THAT'S WHAT WE DO.
SYMPATHY IS WHAT YOUR GIRLFRIENDS ARE FOR.
1. A HEADACHE THAT LASTS FOR 17 MONTHS IS A PROBLEM.
SEE A DOCTOR.
1. ANYTHING WE SAID 6 MONTHS AGO IS INADMISSIBLE IN AN ARGUMENT.
IN FACT, ALL COMMENTS BECOME NULL AND VOID AFTER 7 DAYS.
1. IF YOU WON'T DRESS LIKE THE VICTORIA 'S SECRET GIRLS, DON'T EXPECT US TO ACT LIKE SOAP OPERA GUYS.
1. IF YOU THINK YOU'RE FAT, YOU PROBABLY ARE.
DON'T ASK US.
1 IF SOMETHING WE SAID CAN BE INTERPRETED TWO WAYS AND ONE OF THE WAYS MAKES YOU SAD OR ANGRY, WE MEANT THE OTHER ONE
1. YOU CAN EITHER ASK US TO DO SOMETHING
OR TELL US HOW YOU WANT IT DONE.
NOT BOTH.
IF YOU ALREADY KNOW BEST HOW TO DO IT, JUST DO IT YOURSELF.
1. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PLEASE SAY WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO SAY DURING COMMERCIALS.
1. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DID NOT NEED DIRECTIONS AND NEITHER DO WE.
1. ALL MEN SEE IN ONLY 16 COLORS, LIKE WINDOWS DEFAULT SETTINGS.
PEACH, FOR EXAMPLE, IS A FRUIT, NOT A COLOR. PUMPKIN IS ALSO A FRUIT. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MAUVE IS.
1. IF IT ITCHES, IT WILL BE SCRATCHED.
WE DO THAT.
1. IF WE ASK WHAT IS WRONG AND YOU SAY "NOTHING," WE WILL ACT LIKE NOTHING'S WRONG.
WE KNOW YOU ARE LYING, BUT IT IS JUST NOT WORTH THE HASSLE.
1. IF YOU ASK A QUESTION YOU DON'T WANT AN ANSWER TO, EXPECT AN ANSWER YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR.
1. WHEN WE HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING YOU WEAR IS FINE...REALLY.
1 DON'T ASK US WHAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO DISCUSS SUCH TOPICS AS BASEBALL, THE SHOTGUN FORMATION,
OR GOLF.
1. YOU HAVE ENOUGH CLOTHES.
1. YOU HAVE TOO MANY SHOES.
1. I AM IN SHAPE. ROUND IS A SHAPE!
1. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS.
YES, I KNOW, I HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE COUCH TONIGHT;
BUT DID YOU KNOW MEN REALLY DON'T MIND THAT? IT'S LIKE CAMPING.
GOODBYE BARCLAYS' EAGLE?
If and its a big 'if' when Barclays PLC takes over Dutch bank ABN Amro, it may be forced to use another logo and dump the eagle due to 'connotations with German Eagle emblem as adopted the Nazi who occupied Ntherlands (home to ABN Amro) during WWII.'
The Barclays Eagle dates back to the 1700's when the sign was a Black Spread Eagle later tempered down by brand consultants during the 1999 makeover.
The German Eagle is an old symbol used by the Emperors and Kings of the region and became adopted as the Imperial Arms after the German Unification in 1871.
During the Nazi Era, the Swastika was held by the Eagle.
Lets wait and see what will happen.
http:www.barclays.co.uk
http:www.abnamro.com
Info sourced from Reuters
RISE UP AND WALK.
In July 2005, millions of people filled stadiums for the Live 8 concerts in support of Africa’s people. It was also for ordinary citizens that African leaders traveled to Scotland to meet the G-8 heads of state that summer. It was for these same people that the Jubilee 2000 campaign for debt relief was carried out by many individuals and organizations all over the world. And in St. Petersberg in July 2006, the G-8 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the ambitious goals they had set the year before, although they did not go further.
Nearly a year and a half on, there are signs of progress toward fulfilling the commitments to Africa’s development made by world leaders and committed campaigners. But it is fair to ask when a sustainable solution to Africa’s dehumanizing poverty will be found, not only by the G8 and the organizers of Live 8, but also by Africa’s leaders and people.
Africa is a paradox. It is one of the richest continents on the planet, endowed with oil, precious stones, forests, water, wildlife, soil, land, agricultural products, and millions of women and men. Yet most of Africa’s people remain impoverished. I continue to ask myself, “Why?”
One reason is that many Africans lack the knowledge, skills, tools, and the political will to create wealth from their resources. They are unable to add value to raw materials in order to sell processed goods in local and international markets and negotiate better prices and favorable trade rules. Another reason is that ordinary citizens suffer when debts are not cancelled, when financial assistance is not forthcoming, or when trade barriers are raised.
I have also seen the need for ordinary Africans to embrace a set of values, like service for the common good, and commitment, persistence, and patience until a goal is realized. We also need Africans who love Africa so much that they want to protect their countries – their land – from environmentally destructive processes. The transformation of grasslands into deserts due to deforestation, encroachment into forests for subsistence farming, overgrazing, and loss of biodiversity and soil threaten the entire continent.
Another value Africans must adopt is love and concern for young people. One of the most devastating experiences is to see youth wasting away because they are unemployed, even after they have completed secondary and tertiary education, or because their health has deteriorated. African governments should give priority to investments in technical education and HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support programs.
Without skills, people find themselves locked out of productive, rewarding economic activities, leaving them unable to meet their needs for housing, healthcare and nutrition. They get trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty and, sometimes, crime.
Africa needs to prepare for the opportunities and challenges to come by deliberately working for peace and security. Much of Africa’s poverty is fueled by conflicts. In the course of my work over the past 30 years, I have observed that whether it is at the national or regional level, most conflicts are over resources. Who will control and utilize them? Who will be included or excluded?
When resources are scarce, or so degraded that they can no longer sustain livelihoods, or inequitably distributed, conflict invariably ensues. In Africa, we need to manage our resources sustainably, accountably, and responsibly. And we need to share those resources equitably.
Otherwise, we will continue to invest in wars and conflicts, or in fighting crime and domestic instability, rather than in promoting development and thereby eliminating poverty. African leaders should govern and serve for the benefit of the people, not themselves.
But perhaps the most unrecognized problem in Africa, especially at the grassroots level, is the disempowerment of ordinary people. This is one of the main reasons why so many people are unable to take advantage of the many opportunities available in Africa.
Africa’s people must be allowed to gain confidence, dignity, and a sense of self-worth. They must also be empowered with knowledge, skills, and tools to take action. This is why debt relief is so important. It provides governments additional resources to invest in initiatives that can empower their people.
Despite the many challenges that remain, there has been much recent progress in Africa. There are indications of good governance in many countries. In many others, civil society continues to grow, supported by national governments, the African Union, and the international community. Many countries are resolving their conflicts and working for peace and stability. We must appreciate and encourage those who are making bold decisions.
But much must still be accomplished, by Africans and with Africa’s many friends around the world. As in the Bible story, when Peter and John said to a beggar, “rise up and walk,” Africans are called upon to walk away from ignorance, inertia, apathy, and fatalism. To walk towards economic and political freedom. To walk to an Africa free of poverty.
Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate, is a member of Kenya’s Parliament
This article has been published with the permission of Project Syndicate.
http://www.project-syndicate.org
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
NEW VOLKSWAGEN JETTA.
In the past few weeks, CMC Motors has launched into the Kenyan market the latest of the Volkswagen Jetta.
These are its specs as per their adverts:
1.6 Petrol Engine,
6 Speed Tiptronic Gearbox,
Electromechanical Power Steering,
Radio/CD,
Cruise Controll,
ESP,ABS,HBA,EDL,
6 Airbags,
CMC has cited it as ....not nearly as expensive as it looks!
Truly, the marque looks expensive, but you have to go to the showroom to know it real cost.
WOMAN OF THOUGHT! FUNNY, HUH?
This landed in my inbox from a friend of mine. I think it may make someone's day.
One morning the husband returns after several hours of
fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not
familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the
boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors,
and reads her book.
Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up
alongside the woman and says, "Good morning, Ma'am.
What are you doing?"
"Reading a book," she replies, (thinking, "Isn't thats
obvious?")
"You're in a Restricted Fishing Area," he informs her.
"I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm
reading."
"Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know
you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you
in and write you up."
"If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual
assault," says the woman.
"But I haven't even touched you," says the game
warden.
"That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all
I know you could start at any moment."
"Have a nice day ma'am," and he left.
MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely
she can also think.
One morning the husband returns after several hours of
fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not
familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the
boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors,
and reads her book.
Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up
alongside the woman and says, "Good morning, Ma'am.
What are you doing?"
"Reading a book," she replies, (thinking, "Isn't thats
obvious?")
"You're in a Restricted Fishing Area," he informs her.
"I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm
reading."
"Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know
you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you
in and write you up."
"If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual
assault," says the woman.
"But I haven't even touched you," says the game
warden.
"That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all
I know you could start at any moment."
"Have a nice day ma'am," and he left.
MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely
she can also think.
ARTICLE ON KENYA.
I came across this article (KENYA GOING UP OR DOWN?) on Kenya from the Economist magazine online edition. I think it has some truth to it as well as some outright lies.
I will just try to make a copy and paste excerpt of the article and below it the link to the article.
Here we go:
.........Swathes of what should be one of the best tourist roads in the country, leading to the Masai Mara reserve, one of Africa's finest game-viewing sites, are barely better than a rock-strewn, muddily rutted farm track—that was once smooth tarmac. The government says it intends to spend $1 billion this year on improvements; at present, the road system is a bad joke.
Scambags galore
Why the mess? The answer is misguided economic policies, mismanagement, poor maintenance, sloppiness, tribalism and corruption. This litany of failings is almost entirely the fault of Kenyans themselves: the politicians they have allowed to rule over them and rip them off; the civil servants and road builders (some of them foreign) who have skimmed off contracts or simply not bothered to do the job; and the dishonesty, venality and fatalism that have gripped society at large.
Corruption took hold of Kenya almost immediately after independence,...........
http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9304146&CFID=5813077&CFTOKEN=32862030
I will just try to make a copy and paste excerpt of the article and below it the link to the article.
Here we go:
.........Swathes of what should be one of the best tourist roads in the country, leading to the Masai Mara reserve, one of Africa's finest game-viewing sites, are barely better than a rock-strewn, muddily rutted farm track—that was once smooth tarmac. The government says it intends to spend $1 billion this year on improvements; at present, the road system is a bad joke.
Scambags galore
Why the mess? The answer is misguided economic policies, mismanagement, poor maintenance, sloppiness, tribalism and corruption. This litany of failings is almost entirely the fault of Kenyans themselves: the politicians they have allowed to rule over them and rip them off; the civil servants and road builders (some of them foreign) who have skimmed off contracts or simply not bothered to do the job; and the dishonesty, venality and fatalism that have gripped society at large.
Corruption took hold of Kenya almost immediately after independence,...........
http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9304146&CFID=5813077&CFTOKEN=32862030
FIRST BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE WITH KENYA'S GOVERNMENT.
The Economist has sponsored what is dubbed as the First Business Roundtable with The Government of Kenya. Its motto reads 'Making Kenya the Undisputed Business Hub of East Africa.'
The roundtable will be held at the Inter-Con on 17th and 18th of next month(July '07). It has been cited as 'a high level meeting focused strategic issuesfor Kenyan Business.'
Among the confirmed government speakers is: President Kibaki, Finance Min - Kimunya, Trade- Kituyi, Energy - Kiraitu, Roads - Nyachae, Planning - Obwocha, EAfrica - Koech and CBK Governor Njuguna.
From the Corporate world we have Jeffrey Sachs from Columbia University NY, BBK Head Adan Mohammed, KenGen CEO Eddy Njoroge, Jimnah Mbaru of NSE among others.
This blogger hopes that the latter will influence the former to formulate and push for incentives to support the growth of SME's since that is what is needed here.
The roundtable will be held at the Inter-Con on 17th and 18th of next month(July '07). It has been cited as 'a high level meeting focused strategic issuesfor Kenyan Business.'
Among the confirmed government speakers is: President Kibaki, Finance Min - Kimunya, Trade- Kituyi, Energy - Kiraitu, Roads - Nyachae, Planning - Obwocha, EAfrica - Koech and CBK Governor Njuguna.
From the Corporate world we have Jeffrey Sachs from Columbia University NY, BBK Head Adan Mohammed, KenGen CEO Eddy Njoroge, Jimnah Mbaru of NSE among others.
This blogger hopes that the latter will influence the former to formulate and push for incentives to support the growth of SME's since that is what is needed here.
Monday, 18 June 2007
NEWS FOR THE LEFT!
I once came across this blog when Foley was the news in the US. I then lost its address and its only yesterday that i came across the page that i had noted it down in my diary. I would advise anyone to pay it a visit and see read for themselves. Its quite interesting.
Message to Dem Leadership: America is giving you a time table
Today's "deal" between the Democratic Leadership in the Congress can be framed in more than one way. At the end of the day, nothing has really changed the course of the war in Iraq. It's that simple.
The Democratic Leadership needs to understand something. In November, the American people elected you to control the United States Congress.That's a big deal. The number one thing they want you to do is change the course of the war in Iraq.
Thus far, you're failing. Now, you've got your own time table. If you aren't able to pass meaningful legislation in September that will begin the process of bringing our troops home, then you will lose credibility with us, the American People.
First blogged by Lane Hudson in his blog News For The Left and reblogged here by assidous.
Message to Dem Leadership: America is giving you a time table
Today's "deal" between the Democratic Leadership in the Congress can be framed in more than one way. At the end of the day, nothing has really changed the course of the war in Iraq. It's that simple.
The Democratic Leadership needs to understand something. In November, the American people elected you to control the United States Congress.That's a big deal. The number one thing they want you to do is change the course of the war in Iraq.
Thus far, you're failing. Now, you've got your own time table. If you aren't able to pass meaningful legislation in September that will begin the process of bringing our troops home, then you will lose credibility with us, the American People.
First blogged by Lane Hudson in his blog News For The Left and reblogged here by assidous.
MUNGIKI FORM A SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE!
This article appeared in yesterday's Sunday Nation. Its penned by Mutua Makau. I like Makau's articles because they always look at the issue under discussion with such open-mindedness that you are left knowing what is expected of you. In this article he looks at the social aspect of the Mungiki menace and how to attend to it and solve the problem. Problem is, we have a short-sighted cabal of government operatives who benefit from the mayhem and bringing it to an end isnt in their interest.
An excerpt:
Something is deeply wrong. The government seems to have no clue about who exactly is responsible for these savage acts. Even worse, the State appears not to know why the dastardly crimes are being perpetrated. It feels and sounds as though there is a security vacuum in the country.
Inexorably, Kenya is drifting towards a lawless culture, the type of malevolent condition that has devoured many an African state. Are these problems temporary, or do they signify an irreversible descend into utter chaos and State failure?
Read it here:
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=25&newsid=100460
Makau Mutua is a distinguished Professor at State University of New York, Buffalo and Chairman of KHRC.
An excerpt:
Something is deeply wrong. The government seems to have no clue about who exactly is responsible for these savage acts. Even worse, the State appears not to know why the dastardly crimes are being perpetrated. It feels and sounds as though there is a security vacuum in the country.
Inexorably, Kenya is drifting towards a lawless culture, the type of malevolent condition that has devoured many an African state. Are these problems temporary, or do they signify an irreversible descend into utter chaos and State failure?
Read it here:
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=25&newsid=100460
Makau Mutua is a distinguished Professor at State University of New York, Buffalo and Chairman of KHRC.
Sunday, 17 June 2007
DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD
June 16 every year is the day of the African Child. This is in memory of the kids killed by the Apartheid Government of South Africa as they demonstrated against its policies.
Three decades later, the African child is bogged down by many problems due to the child's vulnerability. Among the problems facing the children in Africa today are:
Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse/Rape Child Labour Conscription as Child Soldiers Incest Under age Prostitution Drought & Famine War and its Aftermath Disease like malnutrition Pandemics like HIV-AIDS. Child Traffiking
Lets hope that this year and the others to come will be better for the African Child so that he/she can rise to the highest level possible.
Saturday, 16 June 2007
US town set to ban saggy trousers
I was forwarded the article below by a friend of mine. As far as i am concerned, sagging makes one look stupid, sorry to say that.
A mayor in the US state of Louisiana says he will sign into law a proposal to make wearing saggy trousers an act of indecent exposure.
Delcambre town council unanimously passed the ordinance earlier this week making it a crime to wear trousers that show underwear.
"If you expose your private parts, you'll get a fine" of US$500 (£254) Mayor Carol Broussard said.
Offenders will also risk up to six months in jail.
Fashionable
Speaking of people who wear saggy trousers, Mr Broussard told the Associated Press news agency: "They're better off taking the pants off and just wearing a dress."
White people wear sagging pants, too 
Mayor Carol Broussard
Town attorney Ted Ayo said the ordinance expands on the existing state indecent exposure law by adding underwear to the list of forbidden exposures.
"This is a new ordinance that deals specifically with sagging pants," Mr Ayo said. "It's about showing off your underwear in public."
HAVE YOUR SAY I can't think of any fashion fad as staggeringly unattractive as this one Brian Phillips
Some residents say the ordinance targets blacks, as low-slung trousers are fashionable among hip hop fans.
Mr Broussard denied it was racially motivated.
"White people wear sagging pants, too," he said.
its originally from the bbc site
LONDON 2012 LOGO
No wonder the logo has brought about lots of acrimony. Is this how creative they could be? No wonder some want to see the other logos that were 'disqualified.' I think that maybe they should have used the London landmarks like Big Ben Clock or the Wheel of London, Westminster or other icons of London if not of the UK! HELL, they could have used the image if Diana or the Queen herself
Thanks to the anonymous tip.
For more: http://www.london2012.com
THE RETURN OF THE SOCCER MADNESS!
This blogger wouldn't lose a wink of sleep over soccer. I always tell my soccer fanatic friends that even if, by God's grace the World Cup were to be held in my town of resident, i would have to go on vacation to keep away from all that madness.
However, as a blogger willing to have traffic go up in the site, i wouldn't miss a chance to have the fanatics read this. The new Premier League Timetable is out here
Notable also is the news that DSTV
will only broadcast 20% of the matches while a new entrant into the Kenyan Market GTV will show 80% of them.
Due to my soccer foolishness which i wear like a badge of honour, am yet to understand which matches will be screened by who and when. I also cant envisage the effect that will have on the soccer craze fanatics!
GTV advert says '8 Live Barclays Premier League Matches Weekly!'
However, as a blogger willing to have traffic go up in the site, i wouldn't miss a chance to have the fanatics read this. The new Premier League Timetable is out here
Notable also is the news that DSTV
will only broadcast 20% of the matches while a new entrant into the Kenyan Market GTV will show 80% of them.
Due to my soccer foolishness which i wear like a badge of honour, am yet to understand which matches will be screened by who and when. I also cant envisage the effect that will have on the soccer craze fanatics!
GTV advert says '8 Live Barclays Premier League Matches Weekly!'
Friday, 15 June 2007
FIVE QUERIES OUR MPS SHOULD ANSWER!
When former British Labour MP Tony Benn was asked what he understood democracy to be, he summarised the concept into 'Five Democratic Questions.'
What is your Power?
Who gave it to you?
What are you exercising it for?
To whom are you accountable?
How can we get rid of you?
I think that these questions are as relevant today as they were then.
The above excerpt is from 'On The Carpet', an article in DN 14.06.07 by Dr.Kibiwott Kurgat a lecturer at USIU.
What is your Power?
Who gave it to you?
What are you exercising it for?
To whom are you accountable?
How can we get rid of you?
I think that these questions are as relevant today as they were then.
The above excerpt is from 'On The Carpet', an article in DN 14.06.07 by Dr.Kibiwott Kurgat a lecturer at USIU.
Thursday, 14 June 2007
GOOGLE COMES TO AFRICA!
| Is Africa ready for Google? |  |  |  |
| Written by Al Kags | |
| Wednesday, 13 June 2007 | |
| In a groundbreaking move, Google has employed its first African, Joseph Mucheru to help set up its Africa operations in Kenya. Clearly serious about setting up shop in Kenya, Google aims to achieve three things with the move: First, to optimise the use of its applications in Africa, to make Google maps (and earth, I believe) more useful in Africa and to work on Google advertising further to ensure that Google ads are better monetized in Africa. Mucheru: "Google understands that bandwith is an impediment and will purchase international bandwidth so that locals don't have to pay the current considerable premium they are." I should like to hear more about this for sure. Coupled with the fact that my favorite ministry, the Ministry of Information and Communications, headed by the indomitable duo, Mutahi Kagwe and Dr. Bitange Ndemo is working extra hard to get fribre optic connection in East Africa through Kenya by mid 2008, we are in for interesting times. However, we need to accept, Africa, that the largest impediment to our development is our cultural outlook - not the traditions and customs but the way we do business and our openness to new concepts. I recently had a meeting with a government official with regard to accessing some of the records that they have, digitizing it at my own cost and sharing the digital data with them for them to develop its use by wider sharing it. Amazingly, his first reaction was "absolutely not." Why? Because it is not done in government. When we got over that, we found that there is a huge fear with regard to what the information will be used for. The same is true for business leaders in Africa. Fears such as "if I have a blog and allow people a free hand to comment on my views, how can I protect myself?" My position is that you only need to protect yourself from obsene and crude remarks but not as a recent executive asked me, from critisism. In fact, if your staff thinks that you are afraid of critisism, then you need to actively change that. Of course information can be misused and so can the free use of applications such as the comments section of your blog. Of course a nicely elaborate Google Maps and Google Earth can be misused by say, terrorists. But then, that cannot stop us from developing. Cars can be used as getaway cars in bank robberies and the like, but that does not stop us from developing them? If your business is to develop, then sharing information and interacting with a wide community is the way to build it in the new era. Its the only way to be ready for the likes of Google and Multiple Choices. This post was Originally blogged by Kenyaimagine and reblogged here by assidous. |
LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS LOGO
This is the new London 2012 Olympics logo. Whether its good or bad seems to be what the preoccupation with most of British Press. Some even want to see the others that were not chosen! No wonder its very hard to work for the British.
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
Ati youre Going back to kenya ...
Attention Kenyans in US:
1. Nothing much has changed except better govt delivery and better economy .everything else is the same . You will not need a guide in downtown nairobi. mats of westlands are still 23 ,to Daggorreti they still are number 102 .So dont go asking ati number 11 ni za wapi they are still for south B /C and yes 33's still go to embakasi
.2- Dont go flashing your $$$.You will be surprised that there are young guys in jamhuri doing really well and that you are coming from stato means nothing to them. I know some guys who got jobs that By all standards kenyan or stato ,they are big rollers and can burn 6-10 k per weekend... can you afford that?
3 -Dont go sleeping around HIV is real
.4 Be Aware of mungiki Its not a joke its real and they dont care if you just landed from New York.They will chop off your gonads and the next day on eastandard.net the headlines will read "---US based kenyans' testicles cut off by Mungiki --" be wary of your company and surroundings.
5 - Avoid floss mode and many lies . Dont go feeling hot for everyone in the block. People in jamhuri know what kind of jobs "we" all do or have done to get those Benjamin’s .So if I was you , just keep a low profile, and keep off the floss lane.
6 - Dont land JKIA with all this sagging jeans bling and big ass shades .You look ridiculous and especially if you are of age + 26 going up .Be smartly dressed and relax on madoido mob .No one will be overly Impressed.Put your musical gadgets far away.
7 - Dont go Twenging for everyone. Nothing is as irritating as listening to a person forcing the Twang . Just be yourself of course except those ones which you can’t avoid e.g. <>
8 .Be sensible . Dont go spending extravagantly . If you dont have a car in Nairobi , Use a matatu .This business of a taxi for Ksh 3,000 - 4,000/ day just does not cut it. Its pure waste of money .
9 .Remember the bills of Uncle Sam await you in stateside and he does not forgive nor forget.
I lOVE nairobi regardless!!!!!!!!
1. Nothing much has changed except better govt delivery and better economy .everything else is the same . You will not need a guide in downtown nairobi. mats of westlands are still 23 ,to Daggorreti they still are number 102 .So dont go asking ati number 11 ni za wapi they are still for south B /C and yes 33's still go to embakasi
.2- Dont go flashing your $$$.You will be surprised that there are young guys in jamhuri doing really well and that you are coming from stato means nothing to them. I know some guys who got jobs that By all standards kenyan or stato ,they are big rollers and can burn 6-10 k per weekend... can you afford that?
3 -Dont go sleeping around HIV is real
.4 Be Aware of mungiki Its not a joke its real and they dont care if you just landed from New York.They will chop off your gonads and the next day on eastandard.net the headlines will read "---US based kenyans' testicles cut off by Mungiki --" be wary of your company and surroundings.
5 - Avoid floss mode and many lies . Dont go feeling hot for everyone in the block. People in jamhuri know what kind of jobs "we" all do or have done to get those Benjamin’s .So if I was you , just keep a low profile, and keep off the floss lane.
6 - Dont land JKIA with all this sagging jeans bling and big ass shades .You look ridiculous and especially if you are of age + 26 going up .Be smartly dressed and relax on madoido mob .No one will be overly Impressed.Put your musical gadgets far away.
7 - Dont go Twenging for everyone. Nothing is as irritating as listening to a person forcing the Twang . Just be yourself of course except those ones which you can’t avoid e.g. <>
8 .Be sensible . Dont go spending extravagantly . If you dont have a car in Nairobi , Use a matatu .This business of a taxi for Ksh 3,000 - 4,000/ day just does not cut it. Its pure waste of money .
9 .Remember the bills of Uncle Sam await you in stateside and he does not forgive nor forget.
I lOVE nairobi regardless!!!!!!!!
Originally from The Diary of one Black man by reBlogged by KenyaUnlimited on Jun 13, 2007, 6:50AM and reBlogged here by assidous
CORRUPTED MINDS!
When the gods single you out for destruction, they first drive you mad. Not mad in the real sense of the word, though they can do it, rather its hubris, pride and arrogance that they fill your mind with. Besides that, its common knowledge that pride comes before a fall.
Its in light of this that Kituyi's statement that the government will 'do all it can to win the 07 poll' must be looked at. True the government has done a lot, but saying that 'nowhere in Africa has a sitting President lost an election' is the height of arrogance.
The last time i checked there was no incubent president who had been won in a referendum before Kibaki came along. Olesugun followed suit. So i wouldnt be surprised if Kibaki becomes the first sitting President in Africa to be voted out. Kenyans are a very capable of doing that.
It takes such arrogant display of power for the public to show the powers that be where and who is the real McCoy as far as residual power is concerned. Ask Moi and he knows.
Its such a shame that power corrodes such otherwise great minds like Kituyi's.
Its in light of this that Kituyi's statement that the government will 'do all it can to win the 07 poll' must be looked at. True the government has done a lot, but saying that 'nowhere in Africa has a sitting President lost an election' is the height of arrogance.
The last time i checked there was no incubent president who had been won in a referendum before Kibaki came along. Olesugun followed suit. So i wouldnt be surprised if Kibaki becomes the first sitting President in Africa to be voted out. Kenyans are a very capable of doing that.
It takes such arrogant display of power for the public to show the powers that be where and who is the real McCoy as far as residual power is concerned. Ask Moi and he knows.
Its such a shame that power corrodes such otherwise great minds like Kituyi's.
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
EXPLOSION IN NAIROBI.
As of last night, there was no known reason for the explosion other than the fact that the only man who died at the scene worked nearby. Two Somali men are said to have been the carriers of the explosive. It is being said that they tried to board a JKIA bound bus but they failed after they were turned down because it was full.
For once, Kenyans at the vicinity fled away from the scene after the explosion rather than the usual herd mentality to run to the scene. I think we are learning to keep off from the explosion sites until the air is clear.
33 people have been treated at KNH and some of them have been released.
Whether to take this as a terrorist attempt or a mungiki re-invention is the moot point now.
Lets hope that the police will get to the bottom of this.
for more:
http://www.nationmedia.com
http://www.eastandard.net
http://www.marsgroupkenya.com
For once, Kenyans at the vicinity fled away from the scene after the explosion rather than the usual herd mentality to run to the scene. I think we are learning to keep off from the explosion sites until the air is clear.
33 people have been treated at KNH and some of them have been released.
Whether to take this as a terrorist attempt or a mungiki re-invention is the moot point now.
Lets hope that the police will get to the bottom of this.
for more:
http://www.nationmedia.com
http://www.eastandard.net
http://www.marsgroupkenya.com
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMES TO KENYA!
GE the worlds second largest corporation after Exxon-Mobil is to set up a multi-product manufacturing plant in the country to be completed in the next three years. It will manufacture locomotive parts as well as health imaging systems.
Last year, GE had consolidated revenues of its six branches i.e infrastructure, healthcare, finance, GE-Money, industry, and energy to the tune of Ksh11Trillion 6-7 times Kenya's GDP!
Quote: We can build a country within one month because we have the resources. GE Africa Region President - Yibra Tesfazghi.
Monday, 11 June 2007
SUICIDE BOMBER IN NAIROBI
1219Hrs:Still, there is no known cause of what happened in Nairobi this morning. One conspicous thing was that NTV caught KTN, KBC and CITIZEN TV flat footed. BBC was there live. I didnt check AlJazeera. All the earlier report may be treated as unconfirmed until i get what really happened from my hot wire.
0846Hrs: As i was updating my blog this morning at 0846Hrs, i was informed from very reliable sources that a suicide bomber has blown himself or herself injuring an unknown number of people near Ambassador House in Nairobi.
That is just the latest for now.
0846Hrs: As i was updating my blog this morning at 0846Hrs, i was informed from very reliable sources that a suicide bomber has blown himself or herself injuring an unknown number of people near Ambassador House in Nairobi.
That is just the latest for now.
CHARLES 'PAPPY' TAYLOR TRIAL BEGINS.
Last week Monday, Charles Taylor aka pappy trial opened at the Hague. He never appeared citing he had lost faith in the UN-based court.
Taylor is charged with a plethora of crimes ranging from Terrorism, murder,sexual violence, enslavement to looting as well as using child soldiers.
At least, we hope that the system will convict Africa's worst warlord who's child soldiers fondly referred to as pappy. Some of his child soldiers had equally funny nick-names like: peanut-butter, bald-boy, butt-naked etc.
UK has offered to imprison him if he is found guilty after a process that is to take 12 to 18 months.
Sunday, 10 June 2007
ACHIENG ONEKO PASSES AGED 87, THE END OF AN ERA!
The last of the Kapenguria Six has had his life come to an end. Achieng Oneko (left) died after suffering from hypertension for a long time. His paasing on marks the end of an era in which he was the last of the K6 who were Kenyatta, Kubai, Kaggia, Karumba and Ngei.
We should not mourn his life now that he is gone, we should celebrate his life in the struggle for independence and the role he played while at it.
Oneko has bestowed to Kenya a gift in his son, Dr. Ongonga who has in a relatively short time has taken Kenya's Tourism sector to new frontiers not seen before.
RIP ONEKO.
ANOTHER NEO-CON BITES THE DUST!
In a world that come to be against the neo-cons, another of their allied war-hawks has bitten the dust. Marine Gen. Peter Pace has been urged to step down as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in September to keep away from the Democrats Congressional Hearings on the Iraqi misadventure.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/08/AR2007060801537.html?referrer=email
Saturday, 9 June 2007
A GOOD LAWYER,ME THINKS A BRAINY ONE.
This mail also landed in my inbox some days ago. Some of these things are only possible when Lawyers are put into the picture.
New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client. He was told the
loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel of
property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated
back to 1803, which took the Lawyer three months to track down.
After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following
reply.
"Upon review of your letter adjoining your client's loan
application, we note that the request is supported by an Abstract
of Title.
While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and
presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared
title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803..
Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to
clear the title back to its origin."
Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows
"Your letter regarding title in Case No. 189156 has been received. I
note that you wish to have title extended further than the 202 years
covered by the present application.
I was unaware that any educated person in this state, particularly
those working in the property area, would
not know that Louisiana was purchased, by the U.S., from France in
1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the
edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S.
ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by Right of
Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by Right
of Discovery
made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who
had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the
Spanish monarch, Isabella.
The good queen, Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as
careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the
blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus'
expedition. Now the Pope, as I'm sure you may know, is the emissary of
Jesus Christ, the Son of God and God. It is commonly accepted that God
created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that
God also made that part of the world called Louisiana. God, therefore,
would be the owner of origin and His origins date back, to before the
beginning of time, the world as we know it AND the FHA. I hope you find
God's original claim to be satisfactory.
Now, may we have our requested loan?"
New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client. He was told the
loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel of
property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated
back to 1803, which took the Lawyer three months to track down.
After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following
reply.
"Upon review of your letter adjoining your client's loan
application, we note that the request is supported by an Abstract
of Title.
While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and
presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared
title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803..
Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to
clear the title back to its origin."
Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows
"Your letter regarding title in Case No. 189156 has been received. I
note that you wish to have title extended further than the 202 years
covered by the present application.
I was unaware that any educated person in this state, particularly
those working in the property area, would
not know that Louisiana was purchased, by the U.S., from France in
1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the
edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S.
ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by Right of
Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by Right
of Discovery
made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who
had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the
Spanish monarch, Isabella.
The good queen, Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as
careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the
blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus'
expedition. Now the Pope, as I'm sure you may know, is the emissary of
Jesus Christ, the Son of God and God. It is commonly accepted that God
created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that
God also made that part of the world called Louisiana. God, therefore,
would be the owner of origin and His origins date back, to before the
beginning of time, the world as we know it AND the FHA. I hope you find
God's original claim to be satisfactory.
Now, may we have our requested loan?"
PORSCHE CELLPHONE!
I came across this in my internet waltzing escapades. I don't know what will be next, maybe Boeing will also produce a cellphone too.
This modified handset has taken a liberal stance with the Porsche license, tacking a model of the classic 911 onto the cellphone. Strangely enough, the inventor has stuck the name of Porsche's vaunted 4x4 (Cayenne) on top of the 262k color display in perhaps an effort to throw Porsche's lawyers offtrack? Features of this homebrew dual band GSM handset includes MP3 and MP4 playback, a microSD memory card slot, and a 2 megapixel camera located behind the windshield. Pricing details are unavailable, and rightly so.
For more:
http://www.uberphones.com/2007/04/porsche_cellphone_an_accident/
http://www.porsche.com
WHY BULLS ARE BETTER THAN LITERALY CRITICS!
The letter below was found among others in Europe recently.
Bulls don't run reviews,
Bulls of 25 don't marry women of 55 and expect to be invited for dinner,
Bulls don't borrow money,
Bulls are edible after they have been killed.
Letter by Ernest Hemingway to American Poet & Critic Ezra Pound.
Bulls don't run reviews,
Bulls of 25 don't marry women of 55 and expect to be invited for dinner,
Bulls don't borrow money,
Bulls are edible after they have been killed.
Letter by Ernest Hemingway to American Poet & Critic Ezra Pound.
Friday, 8 June 2007
A FUNNY LETTER I WOULD SAY, CREATIVE EVEN!
The letter below landed in my inbox, quite ingenious i must say.
Read this "HATE letter". It is so funny and creative.
This is a love letter from a boy to a girl.... However,
the girl's father does not like him and wants them
stop their relationship......and so.. the boy wrote
this letter to the girl. he knows that the girl's
father will definitely read this letter
1 "The great love that I have for you
2 is gone, and I find my dislike for you
3 grows every day. When I see you,
4 I do not even like your face;
5 the one thing that I want to do is to
6 look at other girls. I never wanted to
7 marry you. Our last conversation
8 was very boring and has not
9 made me look forward to seeing you again.
10 You think only of yourself.
11 If we were married, I know that I would find
12 life very difficult, and I would have no
13 pleasure in living with you. I have a heart
14 to give, but it is not something that
15 I want to give to you. No one is more
16 foolish and selfish than you, and you are not
17 able to care for me and help me.
18 I sincerely want you to understand that
19 I speak the truth. You will do me a favor
20 if you think this is the end. Do not try
21 to answer this. Your letters are full of
22 things that do not interest me. You have no
23 true love for me. Good-bye! Believe me,
24 I do not care for you. Please do not think that
25 I am still your boyfriend."
So bad!! However, before handing over the letter to
the girl, the boy told the girl to "READ BETWEEN THE
LINES", meaning-only to read 1.3.5.7.9.11.13.15.17.19.21.23.25 (Odd No.)
This is a love letter from a boy to a girl.... However,
the girl's father does not like him and wants them
stop their relationship......and so.. the boy wrote
this letter to the girl. he knows that the girl's
father will definitely read this letter
1 "The great love that I have for you
2 is gone, and I find my dislike for you
3 grows every day. When I see you,
4 I do not even like your face;
5 the one thing that I want to do is to
6 look at other girls. I never wanted to
7 marry you. Our last conversation
8 was very boring and has not
9 made me look forward to seeing you again.
10 You think only of yourself.
11 If we were married, I know that I would find
12 life very difficult, and I would have no
13 pleasure in living with you. I have a heart
14 to give, but it is not something that
15 I want to give to you. No one is more
16 foolish and selfish than you, and you are not
17 able to care for me and help me.
18 I sincerely want you to understand that
19 I speak the truth. You will do me a favor
20 if you think this is the end. Do not try
21 to answer this. Your letters are full of
22 things that do not interest me. You have no
23 true love for me. Good-bye! Believe me,
24 I do not care for you. Please do not think that
25 I am still your boyfriend."
So bad!! However, before handing over the letter to
the girl, the boy told the girl to "READ BETWEEN THE
LINES", meaning-only to read 1.3.5.7.9.11.13.15.17.19.21.23.25 (Odd No.)
MUNGIKI MAYHEM GOES ON UNABATED
This is an excerpt from yesterday’s EAStandard front page Comment which was also the Editorial Comment.
‘Not since the infamous senseless and politically instigated so-called land clashes of 1992 and 1994 has so much fear been generated by so few at the expense of so many…………
……But this simple fact will always hold true: It is the principal objective of the Government to at all times and by all means protect the lives of its citizens and protect their property against grabbers and robbers, vandals and thieves……..’
There was also a great quote thrown in there: ‘First they came for the Communists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestsnt. Then they came for me and by that time, there was no one left to speak for me’ Martin Niemoller – Holocaust Victim
For more:http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143969620&date=7/6/2007
Thursday, 7 June 2007
LIBBY COOLED FOR2.5 YRS!
‘Scooter’ Lewis Libby, he who of the CIA Officer leak was sentenced to 30mths in the coolers and $250,000.00 fine for his role. The sentencing judge said the evidence was overwhelming and that he has slim chances of having the sentence overturned on appeal!
Libby was an aide to Chenney the
For more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/05/AR2007060500150.html?referrer=email
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
THE AL GORE DILEMMA
There is absolutely no doubt that the next US government will be formed by the Democrats. Its also in this party that competition is vicious between two candidates in a very historical way. Apart from the fact that Democrats will give Americans either the first BlackPresident in history,they may also shape history if they vote in the First Woman President! So by all means, its an epic and historical election!
But some Democrats feel that Obama and Hillary are not the best candidates hence the need to have another candidate and this is where Al Gore comes in. He seems to be the best bet with Obama's traits and Hillary's experience. Whether Gore will go for it or not is yet to be seen in any case,he was denied victory at the last minute by the courts and that left him a badly bruised man. Once beaten very many times shy!
Here is more
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1622009,00.html
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
US CONGRESSMAN FACES 235YRS IN THE COOLERS!
I came across this article in my random browing in the net.
The Louisiana Representative Bill Jefferson is said to have received in excess of $500,000.00 and was in the process of getting more millions. The Congress Speaker Pelosi has castigated him for failing to uphold the Democrats Ideals and is to push for his resignation.
Get more on that here
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/04/AR2007060400714.html?referrer=email
The Louisiana Representative Bill Jefferson is said to have received in excess of $500,000.00 and was in the process of getting more millions. The Congress Speaker Pelosi has castigated him for failing to uphold the Democrats Ideals and is to push for his resignation.
Get more on that here
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/04/AR2007060400714.html?referrer=email
Monday, 4 June 2007
KARIBU KENYA VIRGIN ATLANTIC
On the 2nd of June, Virgin Atlantic touched down at JKIA at 0605Hrs from London Heathrow. Aboard it were the Kenyan team accompanied by its CEO, Sir Richard. It brings real competition to one of the most competitive and lucrative rotes out of JKIA. Among Its competitors here will be BA and our very own KQ! From me, its KARIBU VIRGIN!
Sunday, 3 June 2007
JEFF KOINANGE PLOT THICKENS WITH HIS EXIT AT CNN!
In the past few days, Jeff Koinange has left CNN quietly and this has come amid date rape claims by a certain Marriane Breinner she of the Ouko Inquiry fame.
This are various sites to which more info is availabe:
http://distantlovers.blog.com/
http://www.kumekucha.blogspot.com/
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/cnn/jeff_koinange_no_longer_employed_by_cnn_59885.asp
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