assiduous

The Nancy Baraza fiasco....

2012-01-05T10:21:00.000+03:00

I can only call it a fiasco.....since there are so many versions of it, if Kenyan dailies are to be believed.

Look at The Star version Deputy CJ in Gun Drama

Daily Nation version Deputy CJ in exchange with security at Village Market

which seemed to be a one sided article.

Today morning Standard version Deputy CJ speaks out on gun drama with guard which seems to be a story that is playing as 'setting the information straight' after The Star ran with it yesterday morning.

A lot has been said on this Baraza issue, but the most sober of it all was by Diasporadical on their last evening post Nancy Baraza: The Power of Words & the Danger of Power.

My take is that Baraza should apologise to this lady publicly and raise the bar of public servants' a notch higher as her selection as Deputy CJ did.. Waiting for the police to 'investigate' this issue is defeatist at the very least. Whichever way this pans out, public servants better be warned...... it is no longer business as usual, literally.

Teacher's Strike

2011-09-09T15:08:00.000+03:00

*I will not put a photo for this!

I wouldn't know where to start....you know, striking teachers, happy kids, some even teaching themselves.......it third term remember. And the exams are next month for Secondary Schools and Nov for Primary Schools. Talk of the teachers best laid plan.....just as exams are due...poof, strike!

The GoK has been very amateurish in dealing with this issue, from Uhuru insisting there is no cash, Ongeri pleading with teachers to cancel strike and PM, VP failing in their 'mediation' talks. It will be one long holiday for students.

Be that as it may, the quality of education is at the lowest point that it can be. A study by uwezo an NGO dealing with education matters stated that a Std 8 pupil can't understand a Std-2 story..... that and a plethora of other pitiable findings show that we are indeed throwing good money after bad. A complete rethinking of this 844 needs to be done. It's time people accepted that 8-4-4 has done more harm than good to Kenyans. A whole generation is getting lost.......... and for what?

~~iRest.~~

What is High School for?

2011-05-19T11:07:00.000+03:00

I am a regular reader of the Seth Godin blog. This is a blogger with very thought-provoking ideas and questions. Makes rethink any of the topics he chooses to handle. and example is the following on the use of High Schools and what is supposed to be taught therein:

What's high school for?

Perhaps we could endeavour to teach our future the following:

How to focus intently on a problem until it's solved.
The benefit of postponing short-term satisfaction in exchange for long-term success.
How to read critically.
The power of being able to lead groups of peers without receiving clear delegated authority.
An understanding of the extraordinary power of the scientific method, in just about any situation or endeavour.
How to persuasively present ideas in multiple forms, especially in writing and before a group.
Project management. Self-management and the management of ideas, projects and people.
Personal finance. Understanding the truth about money and debt and leverage.
An insatiable desire (and the ability) to learn more. Forever.
Most of all, the self-reliance that comes from understanding that relentless hard work can be applied to solve problems worth solving.

Sourced from Seth Godin Blog

5 - Reasons Twitter makes one a better person.

2011-04-22T22:25:00.000+03:00

I came across this post while on twitter and it got me thinking.

Besides these reasons, I think that Twitter plays a big role in connecting people, give tweeps an opportunity to be who they are and follow people they admire. But most of all, its the conversations that take place therein.

It was something I have asked myself a lot recently: Can a Social Media Tool, as powerful as Twitter might be really help you with personal development and make you a better person?
The short answer I concluded: Yes, it most certainly can. Here are 5 reasons that make me think it does:

1.) Everything is public – Being nasty can backlash.
Twitter’s openness is the first and foremost reason I believe it makes as better and nicer people to converse with.
We can develop a manner of appearance where even though it will not happen very often, we are prepared that everyone can see and follow your conversations.
It taught me that being open to no matter what sort of tweet shows up in my stream will bring me to far more places than I ever imagined. Twitter’s openness is a big winner here I think.

2.) Sharing is caring – I mean it
It is a reason some might even classify as childish, yet the ability to share what we found helpful is definitely something that makes me more attentive as a person on Twitter.
Now, that we can even tell everyone who it was that created this great piece of text, video or picture lies at the heart of developing a skill to care for others and their work.

3.) At Twitter no one is in charge – Jump in whenever you want
Well technically there is ;). Yet, what I mean is there is no boundary for you to become part of the Twitter family.
It is something I will never get tired of saying or writing about. A system that allows everyone to be treated as equal individuals is definitely another reason Twitter helps us to learn more about human interaction.
What counts are the conversations and relationships we are building. That’s all.
It’s also interesting to note that unlike FB, where newcomers are starting out with a disadvantage because of the algorithm of status updates this is not existent on Twitter.
No matter how long ago you have joined, there is nothing holding you back from starting conversations right away.

4.) Meet an incredible amount of different people
On Twitter the feeling that the whole world is a village is more prominent than anywhere else. The instantaneousness of the service allows us to meet more people than anywhere else given a short space of time.
More encounters means more opportunities to learn about people and human relations. It’s definitely a winner in making us a better person. The understanding for others can only increase in that way.

5.) There is no right way
The reasons we are on Twitter are so diverse that the question “What is the best way to use Twitter” can happily remain unanswered.
In this way it teaches us a great deal about respect for what others are up to and which goals they might pursuing with using Twitter.
It is another reason that creates a deep connection for me to stay with Twitter for a very long time.

Sourced from: Bufferapp Blog Post

Now Watching Dresden Files.

50 New Rules of Work by Robin Sharma

2011-04-19T09:28:00.000+03:00

Am a regular reader of Robin Sharma articles which I find to be very deep and practical. Yesterday I came across this one on 50 New Rules of Work in his blog

Here they are:

The 50 New Rules of Work

You are not just paid to work. You are paid to be uncomfortable – and to pursue projects that scare you.
Take care of your relationships and the money will take care of itself.
Lead you first. You can’t help others reach for their highest potential until you’re in the process of reaching for yours.
To double your income, triple your rate of learning.
While victims condemn change, leaders grow inspired by change.
Small daily improvements over time create stunning results.
Surround yourself with people courageous enough to speak truthfully about what’s best for your organization and the customers you serve.
Don’t fall in love with your press releases.
Every moment in front of a customer is a moment of truth (to either show you live by the values you profess – or you don’t).
Copying what your competition is doing just leads to being second best.
Become obsessed with the user experience such that every touchpoint of doing business with you leaves people speechless. No, breathless.
If you’re in business, you’re in show business. The moment you get to work, you’re on stage. Give us the performance of your life.
Be a Master of Your Craft. And practice + practice + practice.
Get fit like Madonna.
Read magazines you don’t usually read. Talk to people who you don’t usually speak to. Go to places you don’t commonly visit. Disrupt your thinking so it stays fresh + hungry + brilliant.
Remember that what makes a great business – in part – are the seemingly insignificant details. Obsess over them.
Good enough just isn’t good enough.
Brilliant things happen when you go the extra mile for every single customer.
An addiction to distraction is the death of creative production. Enough said.
If you’re not failing regularly, you’re definitely not making much progress.
Lift your teammates up versus tear your teammates down. Anyone can be a critic. What takes guts is to see the best in people.
Remember that a critic is a dreamer gone scared.
Leadership’s no longer about position. Now, it’s about passion. And having an impact through the genius-level work that you do.
The bigger the dream, the more important the team.
If you’re not thinking for yourself, you’re following – not leading.
Work hard. But build an exceptional family life. What’s the point of reaching the mountaintop but getting there alone.
The job of the leader is to develop more leaders.
The antidote to deep change is daily learning. Investing in your professional and personal development is the smartest investment you can make. Period.
Smile. It makes a difference.
Say “please” and “thank you”. It makes a difference.
Shift from doing mindless toil to doing valuable work.
Remember that a job is only just a job if all you see it as is a job.
Don’t do your best work for the applause it generates but for the personal pride it delivers.
The only standard worth reaching for is BIW (Best in World).
In the new world of business, everyone works in Human Resources.
In the new world of business, everyone’s part of the leadership team.
Words can inspire. And words can destroy. Choose yours well.
You become your excuses.
You’ll get your game-changing ideas away from the office versus in the middle of work. Make time for solitude. Creativity needs the space to present itself.
The people who gossip about others when they are not around are the people who will gossip about you when you’re not around.
It could take you 30 years to build a great reputation and 30 seconds of bad judgment to lose it.
The client is always watching.
The way you do one thing defines the way you’ll do everything. Every act matters.
To be radically optimistic isn’t soft. It’s hard. Crankiness is easy.
People want to be inspired to pursue a vision. It’s your job to give it to them.
Every visionary was initially called crazy.
The purpose of work is to help people. The other rewards are inevitable by-products of this singular focus.
Remember that the things that get scheduled are the things that get done.
Keep promises and be impeccable with your word. People buy more than just your products and services. They invest in your credibility.
Lead Without a Title.

This is sure to change the workplace since its quite easy to execute.

Sourced from Robin Sharma blog.

Inspiration.

2011-03-15T10:04:00.000+03:00

Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something ~ Henry David Thoreau

Love and Lust

2010-09-19T12:39:00.000+03:00

Love, that feeling that eluded even the wisest of Men, Solomon. He couldn't understand how people in love function. It evaded him it eluded him.

However, after observation and interacting with the wise, I have come to a simple conclusion. That Love = Lust.

Please indulge me:

You meet a lady. As a man the first thing that crosses your mind is the woman's body. This is natural. The idea of having her in your hands, the idea of holding her and how it would feel.

She arouses certain instincts in you, instincts that progress to wishing that you can have her.

If getting her, happens, the next progression may be into sex. From where feeling of owning her arise. Its only then that you can claim to have known her and fallen in love. Seeing someone for the first time and claiming you have fallen in love is hogwash.

In the real scheme of things, its obsession that is uncannily mistaken for love. This I say with a full conviction that love has to grow on/upon you. Its something/feeling that has to take time to build up in you.

Thus, my final submission is that, for one to fall in love, there must be that lust, lust in its raw form from a male instinct's point of view.

Anything else is balderdash

Mobile Wars Celebrations Premature

2010-09-03T18:49:00.000+03:00

Zain lowered its calling costs to 3/- pm and sms at 1/-. This came after CCK the industry regulator lowered the interconnection rates to 2.21 and 0.1 for calls and sms respectively.

A lot has been said on this topic but my point of interest is different.

Caroline Mutoko in her article on Monday said clearly after quoting Micheal Joseph Safaricon CEO, that for the Telcos to make the same cash they were making before Zain muddied the waters, it will require 65% increase of calls from the customers. This is definitely not going to happen. In fact, looking back, Zain is bound to suffer more for that for the simple reason that 80% of their calls terminate at Safaricom. So, while Zain will be haemorrhaging cash, Safaricom will be gaining from Zain. How uncanny.

For these companies to make cash, innovation is the way out. MPesa is doing great changing lives and there is no doubt about that. Its now available in UK ans South Africa. ZAP meanwhile, is struggling, for the simple reason that they can't facilitate sending cash to other network numbers unlike Safaricom.

Next year Safaricom is unleashing the 4G, quite a feat considering that they have locked the data market through their modems which are now the data entry point for new PC users if not cellphones.

This is the trend that Zain ought to follow but thinking that they will transform the Kenyan market Indian way, that will be a very tall order their tactics are usually short lived.

For now, Safaricom is mulling the next step after Zain muddied the voice prices leading to a loss of 2% traffic. The effects of this will not be immediate, rather they will be visible in due course and this may lead to a closure of two companies to leave the market to two well established Telcos.

If this happens, Safaricom and Orange have the best opportunities to survive, but only of they are focused on reengineering their products and innovating new services for their target clientèle.

Assenting to the Alcohol Bill-2010

2010-09-03T11:16:00.000+03:00

Kibaki assented to the Alcohol Control Bill 2010. This legalises all traditional liquor as long as it is packaged hygenically. What this portends is simply a mind-boggling game changer in Alcohol sales in Kenya. Will EABL and Keroche the major beer sellers revert to production of traditional-cheaper liquor? Only time will tell, but opportunities galore.

On the Facebook and Twitter world, hilarious and absurd discussions have emerged on this new craze - Chang'aa Cocktails Names to be found at a pub near you. Some of these are quite innovative but other border on weird.

Here they are:
Slippery Eyes, Blindness on The Beach, Migingo Iced Tea, Kisii Anti-Witch Rum, Blind Mary, Crooked Walker, NyanzaPolitan, Morgue Pop, Single Shot, Famous Cham, Shauri Moyo Gin, Red Eye Shot, Chamnorff, Fire Lighter Graves Dry Gin.......!

And here is the wackiest of them all so far:

TANGAZO!
Je unauhaba wa stairo za kisasa wakati upo na mwendani wako? Usiwe na hofu-Mama Pima Ent, wagema wa chang'aa maarufu kumi-kumi na kuona-mbee sasa wakutangazia uzinduzi mpya wa chang'aa aina ya Promulga Brandy, Watermelon Ice pamoja na Mututho Gin yenye ladha ya vanilla zisizo pofusha wala kuathiri afya ya uzazi kwa bei nafuu
ONYO: Usiinywe kabla ya kufunga kamba kwenye magoti.
Sheria na masharti kutumika... [From FACEBOOK.]

Only Kenyans are this creative.

The Bashir Debacle.

2010-08-30T11:11:00.000+03:00

Bashir at the Promulgation in Uhuru Park.

In yesterday's Sunday Nation, someone wrote an article on the Bashir's escapade and why its in Kenya's interest to keep the man around. I had been one of the most angry people on seeing Bashir at Uhuru Park on Friday. But that article in yesterday's Nation, tanked me out and changed my opinion.

Bashir is indicted by ICC for genocide and crimes against humanity meted out on the hapless Darfur region inhabitants. This wasn't done by himself but by the guerrillas he supported for this mission since the Darfuris are against anything that Bashir and his Khartoum gvt stands for.

Bashir is president of Sudan and Southern Sudan and is deputised by Slava Kiir who is the president of Southern Sudan[GOSS].

Next year, South Sudan will go to a referendum so as to decide if they will wnat to remain part of greater Sudan or to be autonomous. Its a foregone conlusion that South Sudan will be the newest country in Africa. And this is where Bashir's safety is tagged.

The gist of the article is that; by arresting Bashir, the referendum will not be safe and fair meaning that Kenyan's interest therein will be at risk. The Kenyans who are in South Sudan for business opportunities are simply mind boggling and if a referendum isn't conducted peacefully, so much will be at risk. It now then, becomes important for Kenya to ensure that Bashir is not arrested so that South Sudan is safe and joins the EAC. This will also ensure that economically, it will depend on Kenya for oil export be it through Lamu or Mombasa. Do not forget that a refinery is in the works either at Lamu or at Lokichigio for oil from Uganda or better still S.Sudan.

Therefore, it becomes very imperative for Kenya to keep Bashir safe in the interest of the greater region, politically and economically.

After the referendum is done away with in South Sudan, they can then intercept him in air while to any Arab Summit in the region. At least, he will have served his purpose as far as Kenya is concerned.

The Raila Odinga Show.

2010-08-28T15:02:00.001+03:00

As the local cameras canvased every face on the stage and the international lens stayed focused on Bashir, all Kenyans in attendance were watching one man.
It makes a statement when your entrance causes noticeably more cheer than that of the President of a nation. Say what you will about Raila Odinga, the people love him and swear by his every word.
So much so that he couldn’t even read his Oath of Allegiance without the crowd punctuating every comma with a cheer and every sentence break with an ovation. It was a sight to behold: every which way he strolled, dignitaries reached out to shake his hand. In the distant crowds, grown men and woman, jumping out of their seats reaching towards the man as though he were not hundreds of metres away and could indeed somehow reach out and touch them back. All this as he calmly waltzed the stage, commanding more power with every step. You would soon forget that he had just had brain surgery. You would even sooner forget that a certain Mr. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic, was actually the most important man on that stage.
More important, Yes. More powerful, maybe. But when it comes to popularity in Kenya, Tinga sets the bar way too high to conceptually comprehend. Put it this way, if there were a Solar Eclipse right now and this man climbed on stage and began talking about it, the rest of the world would witness the eclipse; we’d hear about it from Odinga. He is a veritable force of nature. This is evidenced by the roars that follow every entrance he makes, the fact that he clocked in as a higher ranking trending topic on twitter than both Kenya and Bashir. And maybe even the fact that, two years out, a lot of people have already decided that he’s going to walk away with the elections.
I wasn’t around for the 2007 elections. In fact, at the time they were going on, I was pinballing between Europe and the US, trying to make some money. So it was that I spoke with a Kenyan colleague in Germany who said something to me that I will never forget. Before the post-election violence even erupted, he said: “People won’t just vote for this man, they will do whatever he says. Win or lose, his power is scary.” True to this fact, we’ve witnessed him shepherding the nation, time and time again, and then walking away as though all he did was raise a finger.
So for as much as we are celebrating a New Constitution and a New Kenya as we march towards our chance at new leadership in 2012, it seems that our government will yet again been headed by familiar faces.
Perhaps the most familiar face in the land.
It’s his country; we just live in it

Sourced from http://www.zuqka.com/dricon/external/raila-odinga-show

New Era.

2010-08-27T17:10:00.000+03:00

This is a new day.
This is a new beginning.
This is the beginning of a new era.

When the song by Sarafina in the movie by the same name 'Freedom is Coming Tomorrow' was played back then, few would have thought that it would ring true to Kenya in the future. Now the future is here and freedom has indeed come home.

The promulgation was done at 1025hrs by Kibaki in presence of visitors and Kenyans either at the Uhuru Park or tuned in through TV or Radio, but tuned in nevertheless.

It was colourful, it was heart rending, it was touching, just as it was historical. Never before has the National Anthem been so apt as it was today.

And Kenya was literally trending news thanks to tweets from Kenyan twamily. Then Raila overtook Kenya to trend and Martha Karua was tweeting from the centre of action at Uhuru Park. Quite tellingly, the Song - All Eyes on Me was apt.

Now the mega-swearing-in of all constitutional office holders are taking place, from President who did it in the morning, to MPs in Parliament and Military Commanders, Judges and PSs at StateHouse.

To paraphrase Jeff Koinange of K24, "Good Grief, What a Day, What a Show, What an Event....." Indeed, it was All Kenyan, All Day!

A spoilsport was the appearance of El-Bashir at the ceremonies.

A New Era Beckons

2010-08-26T13:09:00.000+03:00

A new day beckons.

It has been an extremely long journey. Tears have been shed, blood spilled, limbs broken if not maimed, friends became enemies and beck to friends again. It has been, in all honesty, a journey of two decades. A journey that is coming to an end, an end that will signify a new beginning.

The promulgation of the newly passed constitution gives us a new slate from which to start re-plotting our trajectory to where we want to go. To re-chart our course, our destiny and influence our fate.

If the twenty year fight was hard, then what has just begin will be even harder. Political will notwithstanding, we are on a new footing. A footing that will influence and change the course of Kenya forever. Forget about the most progressive Bill Of Right therein, the first chapter in the Constitution on the Sovereignty of The People is the real game-changer. - [All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and shall be exercised only in accordance with this Constitution].

That my fellow Kenyans is where the real clinch is. For now, power has returned to where it rightfully belongs - To the Kenyan People.

God Bless Kenya.

Untitled

2010-07-29T08:02:00.001+03:00

THE COUNTDOWN: 6 Days to go; Kuweni Serious, Vote and Save Yourself.

Uhuru does it right.

2010-07-03T10:25:00.000+03:00

I have been away from this forum for quite sometime.. Close to three years to be precise. And quite a lot has happened since then.

From stolen elections, mid-night swearing-in ceremonies, post election violence which is now a cliche. From Agendas one through to four to appointment of PM Odinga, Sachagwan suicide mission for thats what it is. We then had a rise in accidents the aftermath of Michuki's exit from Transport Ministry and a whole host of political happenings and shenanigans.........! It hasn't been dull and thats for sure. Now we have a referendum coming soon to either vote YES or NO.

I will say it upfront, its a YES for me. We need change ASAP, and we need revolutionary change like yesterday so that this country can go to the next level. But I digress.

This post is about Uhuru. That he has refused to follow the way of the greedy MPigs is telling. Beyond that, he is on the right side of history to use Obama's phrase.

I can only urge him on. For nothing is more indecent than a Kenyan MPig asking for a salary increment in the current socio-econo-political situation that we find ourselves in.

But we must recall that someone once said that "...they who the gods want to destroy, they first drive mad...."

And am back.

DATING KENYAN CHICS IS BOUND TO CAUSE YOU R HEAD SPIN

2007-10-10T09:08:00.000+03:00

Dating in kenya is shit!!!!!!

( Drama from REAL life experiences ....read on..)

Chic: (calls Guy ): "Hello... Sasa Jamo.. its Sato bana.. si we do some
nyama .. ?"

Guy: Thinking he will get some that night quickly agrees... "Sawa sweetie..how about Buffet Park ....Shall I pick u at 2 ..?"

Chic: "Sawa.. laterz."

(Guy amukas from Friday's hengies, showers, puts on jeans and polo shirt, pockets a pack of condoms, then drives to the Chics crib...)

So at 2-ish they drive into Buffet park and pitia the butchery to order the nyaks.

Guy (to Chic): So what do u want to have .. ?

Chic: just anything...(aki these women are just thick at times... sasa hiyo ni jibu gani ..?)

Guy (to butcher): Weka hizo mbavu, kilo moja na nusu, choma, ...ikuje na kachum... (chic interrupts Guy.. ! )

Chic: Apana.. eeiishh..! ..Si you know I don't eat goat meat..!

Guy: (thinks to himself...("Really..!... then why didn't you say so in the first place, nugu hii") (To Chic) .. How about beef then..?

Chic: Its ok so long as it is not fat and not the legs. I dont like mathunya...( Guy looks away and rolls eyes up .. thinks to himself..."ati fat,you are already carrying a 40 kilo MATAKO, surely ... 2 grams of fat are negligible..")

Guy: (to an already impatient butcher) basi si unitafutie ngombe haina mafuta. (butcher chucks a ki-nice piece from the hangers hapo nyuma and holds it up for Guy to see)

Guy: "Weka hiyo nione...(as the butcher is weighing it on the scale... the Chic points at a small..... very very small piece of fat on the meat)

Chic: "Hiyo iko na mafuta mingi sana , tuonyeshe ingine..."

(Butcher curses .... under his breath. Other hungry buyers who are waiting hapo kando start to curse . Guy feels like he should just have ordered fish fry from those fat jang'o women they pitad on their way in. Chic points at a fresh carcass of meat ... somewhere near where the meat is hanging from such that is impossible to extract a piece without the entire carcass falling down on the floor.

Chic: "Kata pale.. ..."

Butcher: "Hapo haiwezekani mama .. kula hii ndio fiti ..(butcher attempts to return the piece back on the scale)

Chic: "Apana..!.. Hauna nyama zingine kwa store..."

Guy: (to Chic) " Eeh ..lets do this... let him fry that one, I will eat the mathunya pieces ama... ?"

Chic: "OK"

Guy: (to butcher) "Fanya iwe fry na uweke nyanya, dhania na spinach.Ongeza ugali mbili..."

Chic: .. "Ugali..? me I dont want ugg..Dont they have Chipos..?"

Chic: (to butcher) "Leta na ugali moja na chips mbili..."

Guy: ( thinks to himself... no wonder her butt is 40Kgs.. sasa u avoid animal fat then u kula half a gunia of chipoz .. talk about nyani haoni kundule ..)

Butcher: "KAMAU...!!! Oya nyama ino..! ..ni furae, na wikire nyanya, dhania na spinashi... ndugekire waaru..(butcher pins the meat with a tag and tosses it to kamau in the kitchen behind him)

Butcher: "Sawa... shika resiti .. namba yako ni 53 ... Itachukwa ithaa
moja ...."

Guy pays the butcher and chukuwas the receipt and tag..So we enter the open space of the club and sit down. Waiter comes,Guy orders his cold Tusker,

Chic orders her malt. We kunywa kidogo.. storoz panda... then there is this mama who pitaz a tray of oil oozing samosas, sausages and mshikakis..

Chic: "Wewe ..psst ppstt.. nipe samosa mbili na hiyo nini ..."

Guy: (shocked).. "Haiya, si u wait for the meat.."

Chic: "I will still kula the meat..."

Guy: ok (and she proceeds to kula 3 samoz and 3 mshikakis)

One hour 20 minutes later .. the Waiter comes round with maji moto for washing hands.. we wash our hands and the the meat checks in with the chipos and the Ugali all hot steaming and looking nice... "Bonne Appetit"..! ..

Karibu Nyama " ... Guy invites the Chic and thinks to himself.. now she will really shiba... LAKINI WAPI..! Yaani after all that shiet, she just hen pecks about the platter of meat here and there BUT proceeds to maliza the 2 plates of chipoz having eaten only 3 pieces of nyama. As if that is NOT ENOUGH ... 3 minutes later:...

Chic: "tsk! tsk! chief...tsk! tsk! Waiter! niletee serviettes pliz..na toothpicks..."

Guy: (cursing silently ) " Why arent you eating nyama...."

Chic: "I have shibad deadly plus I started feeling my ulcers ... Si u jua the way they can be nasty ..??.

Without another word Guy proceeds to kula what he can and asks waiter to pack the rest of the meat in a juala , patias waiter the now wrapped remaining meat to peleka to his car ...... Then he fungulias the carburetor

... "Leta TUSKER mbili na MALT Mbili" as they wait for the Arsenal Match coming on the screens in about 20 mins..

Beers, Storoz, the game.... more beer flows... After kindu like 2 hours... to the amazement of the Guy ...

Chic: "tsk! tsk! chief...tsk! tsk! ..niitie yule mama wa sambusa....(Guy closes his eyes and thinks silently... we should just have headed to Topaz....Fish and Chips...! ).

So later on at around 12:30 pm Guy takes the chick to the car and starts being naughty kidogo. the chick responds well and before long they are catching rubs like .....)

Guy : " Baby .. baby .. si we go to somewhere more private ..??"

Chic: "Aaaah.. aaah... you naughty boy..!!! ..rrrrrrr... sure , whats on your mind...?"

Guy: " Ill show you ...! ( Guy drives like a mad man in anticipation of what is at stake ..40 kgs of pure booty ... occassionaly missing the gears and going way up her tiny skirt) .

Before long they get to Guys crib , struggle and grope all the way to the third floor.

Guy :( Panting , both already half naked, he tries to remove her panties).

Chic: "Wweeee..!!.. iz how ??....what you trying to do..?"

Guy: (amazed) " Kwani what do you think ..?"

Chic: "Bilaz ..!!..I dont want..!!"

Guy: " Come on babe..!.."

Chic: (pulling a very serious look) " NO..! ..Dont do that..!.."

Guy: " Hala..! ..whats the matter..!.. ( thinking ... si thambutha umekula ? .. na viazi vya mafuta ?..)

Chic: " I can't..! .."

Guy : ( thinking ....Tusker Malt tano na nyama ya ngombe fry ? ... APANA .... Shuma lazima ilale ndani..!..)

Chic: " I'm rolling ...!!!..

Guy: " SH*T ..!!!.."

ELECTION MONITORING JOBS FROM KNHRC.

2007-10-09T08:25:00.000+03:00

>The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is a public body
>established by Parliament with the mandate of leading the protection
and
>promotion of human rights in Kenya by, inter alia, challenging the
>culture of impunity, and inducing accountability of the political
class
>to the voters.
>
>In furtherance of this mandate, the KNCHR plans to monitor the conduct
>of the politicians during campaigns for the General Elections, with a
>view to strengthen democratic governance in Kenya by creating and
>enforcing disincentives for politicians and public servants to misuse
>state resources in partisan political campaigns or incite the
citizenry
>to violence.
>
>Towards this end, the KNCHR invites applications from qualified,
>committed and readily available persons to urgently fill the following
>vacancies in the elections monitoring project:
>
>Project Coordinator
>
>Duration of Contract: 5 months
>
>Key Result Areas
>
>* Coordinating the day-to-day implementation of the election
monitoring
>project
>* Preparing periodic project reports.
>* Prepare a summative report at the end of the project.
>* Managing and supervising project staff and monitors
>* Providing technical expertise on project matters
>* Convening periodic meetings of the project
>* Quality assurance of the programme outputs
>* Liaison and consultations with the project coordinator
>* Ensuring adequate and effective flow of information within the
project
>
>
>Desired Qualifications:
>
>* Bachelors Degree and/or Masters Degree in Social Sciences.
>* Good understanding of human rights issues
>* Knowledge of the Kenyan electoral process and environment
>* Good organizational and analytical skills
>* Skills in managing large sets of data
>* Good interpersonal and people management skills
>* Demonstrable research, writing and communication skills
>* Demonstrable solid commitment to human rights and social justice
>* Experience in lobbying and advocacy work
>
>
>Data Analyst
>
>Duration of Contract: 5 months
>
>Key Result Areas
>
>* Assist Coordinator to verify information
>* Create a functional and effective elections monitoring database
>* Create reporting formats based on the data gathered
>* supervise data entry and data processing
>* assist the project officer in analysis and compilation of project
>reports
>* To perform any other lawful duties as may be assigned from time to
>time by the Program head.
>* Report to Program Officer
>
>
>Desired Qualifications
>
>* Bachelors Degree and/or Masters Degree in information technology or
>social sciences.
>* Skills in database management
>* Knowledge of the Kenyan electoral process and environment
>* Skills in managing large sets of data
>* Good interpersonal and people management skills
>* Demonstrable research, writing and communication skills
>* Demonstrable solid commitment to human rights and social justice
>
>
>Election Monitors
>
>Duration of Contract: 4 months
>
>Key Result Areas
>
> * To monitor and accurately record incidences of
>
> * Incitement to violence
> * Occurrences of violence
> * Abuse of public office and misuse of
>state resources
> * Hate speech on the basis of race,
>colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, as well as religion
>
> * Prepare and submit weekly monitoring reports to the
>project coordinator
>
> * To perform any other lawful duties as may be assigned
>from time to time by the project coordinator.
>
>In order to undertake the assignment, the monitor shall:
>
> * Participate in the induction training that will be
>organized by KNCHR
> * Not delegate the assignment to any other person
> * Use the monitoring tool provided by KNCHR.
>
>Required Qualifications
>
> * Bachelors degree or diploma
> * Knowledge of the Kenyan electoral process and
>environment
> * Demonstrable research and interviewing skills
> * Demonstrable writing and communication skills.
> * Ability and willingness to work in difficult situations.
>
> * Demonstrable solid commitment to human rights and social
>justice
>
>Data Entry Clerks
>
>Duration of Contract: 4 months
>
>Key Result Areas
>
>* To enter data field into the election monitoring database
>* To assist the data analyst and the project coordinator in collating,
>analyzing and producing periodic reports on the project.
>* To perform any other lawful duties as may be assigned from time to
>time by the project coordinator.
>
>
>In order to undertake the assignment, the monitor shall:
>
>* Participate in the induction training that will be organized by
KNCHR
>* Not delegate the assignment to any other person
>
>Required Qualifications
>
>* Bachelors degree or diploma in a relevant field.
>* Proficiency in data related computer operations.
>* Demonstrable computer typing skills.
>* Knowledge of the Kenyan electoral process and environment
>* Ability and willingness to work in difficult situations.
>* Demonstrable solid commitment to human rights and social justice
>
>
>
>Interested applicants are urgently invited to forward their
applications
>plus CVs to the address below with the envelop clearly indicating the
>interested position. Applications should include telephone contact and
>can also be submitted electronically to the email address given below.
>Only candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted via email or
>telephone.

Kenya National Commission On Human Rights
>1st Floor, CVS Plaza , Lenana Road
>P.O. Box 74359-00200, Nairobi-Kenya
>Tel: 254-20-2717928/2717256/2717908/2712664
>Fax:254-20-2716160
>Email: haki@knchr.org
>Website: www.knchr.org

WATU WOTE NA KIBAKI

2007-10-06T07:55:00.000+03:00

Vijana na Kibaki,

Warembo na Kibaki,

Wanawake na Kibaki,

Makanga na Kibaki,

Wezi na Kibaki (Anglo-Leasing),

Moi na Kibaki,

Uhuru na Kibaki,

na Kadhalika na Kibaki.

Sasa watu wote na Kibaki.

Kibaki akibaki atamaliza mali yote iliyobakishwa na AngloLeasing!

Humanity will not come of age with science, but rather by shedding religion!

2007-10-02T08:42:00.000+03:00

Food For Thought.

** Perhaps the greatest sin of the Western churches (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) has been the particular brand of narcissism that impels so many to feel they have God all sewn up and put in their back pocket. People who think that they not only have a ticket to heaven, but anyone who disagrees with them is going straight to hell!
They believe in God, but do not believe that God is bigger than their own theology. In their arrogance they do not realized that God is not theirs to possess! -Paraphrased from M. Scott Peck

sourced from http://god-101.blogspot.com by allan.

CHECK YOUR VOTER'S CARD STATUS.

2007-10-01T08:06:00.001+03:00

We are nearing the 10th General Election and as it were, its important that you verify that indeed you are in the voter's roll and that your voter's particulars are correct.

Just key in your ID or Voter's card number and check your voter status from the comfort of your desk.Or rather grab a colleagues ID card and log just to know.

Check where you will vote in December now and confirm if it is correct!!

You can now confirm voter registration on the ECK website by entering your ID or voter card number in the top right hand corner of the web page.. Click on the following link:

http://www.eck. or.ke/component/ option,com_ frontpage/ Itemid,1

If you are captured as a double registered voter, go and sought out it out at Nyayo house 7th floor room 13.

CHECK YOUR VOTER'S CARD STATUS.

2007-10-01T08:06:00.000+03:00

CHARTER HOUSE BANK NOW ON WIKILEAKS.

2007-09-22T08:38:00.000+03:00

Charter House Bank that saw the exit of Mullei as the CBK Governor has now had its story told in the wikileaks, the one that leaked the Kroll Report on Moi and his cronies theft tendencies in their quest to bring this beloved country of ours down.

Here are the links:

http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Charterhouse

THE WEIRD IRAQ!

2007-09-19T08:26:00.000+03:00

1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq
2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq
4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq
5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!
6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq!
7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq
8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq
9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel
10. Amos cried out in Iraq!
11 Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem
12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!
13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the Fiery Furnace!)
14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq
15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq
16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq...
17. The wise men were from Iraq...
18. Peter preached in Iraq
19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon, which was a city in Iraq!
And you have probably seen this one: Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible.
But do you know which nation is second?
It is Iraq!
However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible.
The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris
And Euphrates Rivers...
The name Iraq means country with deep roots.
Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.
No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated
With it than Iraq
And also, this is something to think about: Since America is typically represented by an eagle.
Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...
The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)
Quran (9:11) – “For it is written, that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah”
And there was peace.
(Note the Quran verse number!)

Genesis of Kenya Police's Utumishi Kwa Tumbo!

2007-09-18T08:06:00.000+03:00

KENYAN POLICE

KAMANDE PETER KINYANJUI

PAYSLIP MONTH: JUNE 2007

Basic Salary 15,000.00
Hse allowance 0
Gross salary 15,000.00
Deductions
Magereza SACCO 3000.00
NHIF 320.00
NSSF 200.00
PAYE 2740.00
Loan repayment 3260.00
KCB LOAN 2250.00

Total Deductions 11770.00

Net Pay 3230.00

I rest my case!

ELECTION REALITY: BEING GIKUYU ALONE IS 'SINFUL'..

2007-09-13T07:42:00.000+03:00

ELECTION REALITY: BEING GIKUYU ALONE IS 'SINFUL'..

Even as politicians refuse to discuss a Bill on tribalism in Parliament my heart would still be broken after all.

As an ordinary buff I find the previous and current governments being assertive and full of pro-trial rhetoric. As true Kenyans we have become the missing pieces of the Kenyan jigsaw (scrabble) puzzle.

Personally, I’m no longer Gikuyu but Kenyan of Gikuyu origin and with inalienable rights like any other Kenyan. These include the rights to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness. It is surprising that many of my country men would still refuse to live by the true facts. This scourge is being perpetuated by us and it is here with us.

Let me pose the following. When you look at yourself on the mirror, what do you ‘choose’ to see? Is it the image of a Kenyan that you would see or that of a Gikuyu around Nairobi or Central Province? If that image is that of some Gikuyu then you are that heartless victim that I’m describing. Certainly, you may agree with me that being Kenyan is a dream and being Gikuyu alone is a nightmare. I have experienced it and I know it.

The Kenyan broom is more effective than separate tribal straws. It is time to strip ourselves of the cloak of over-inflated false-pride than to live and always face the haunting past.

The tribal independence and current histories would menacingly glare at us behind the façade of change. Let us outsource our politics of leadership nationally and with one voice. The older generation politicians’ petulance should cease from visiting the sins of their fathers onto their children.

Currently the youth only suffer yet they are not responsible for their grandfathers’ tribal-laced political and leadership affiliations.

Just like napkins majority of the youth are unemployed and have thus become cheap to buy, quickly to use and to be literally disposed of. For the current tribal politicians, there is no shortage of such a supply for campaign and electoral purposes.

Though this may sound bitter for mentioning the Agikuyu, it is only but a reflection of the non-prosperous but seemingly seismic tribal imperialism that is still within our systems including political and leadership.

This tribal interface being perpetrated by my fellow countrymen is a hotbed for inter-communal bigotry that needs to stop forthwith.

We shouldn’t be tribal genetically just because ethnically we are.

Posted by Mundia Mundia Jnr in jaluo.com blogged here by assidous.

Late Extra: Who Broke Into ODM Offices And WHY?

2007-09-11T07:37:00.000+03:00

Some person or persons broke into Raila Odinga's ODM offices last night and it is clear that this was no ordinary break-in.

What political analysts are now asking themselves is who broke in and why, since it seems pretty obvious that the motive was political. This is of course a very difficult question to answer, but there is growing suspicion amongst certain very informed sources that the reason for the break in was to search and retrieve the controversial top secret delegates list.

Naturally this is one list that would embarrass the ODM top brass, why else have they insisted on keeping it such a secret. However if this suspicion is true then it also becomes pretty obvious as to who broke in.

Tujienjoy, the season of political high drama is with us only that this time what we have ahead of us is the mother of all general elections. Time will of course prove if I am correct in dubbing the forthcoming polls so.

Sourced from kumekucha and posted here by assidous.

REAL BARBEQUE RULES

2007-09-08T07:47:00.000+03:00

We are about to enter the summer and BBQ season. Therefore it is
important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime
outdoor cooking activity, as it's the only type of cooking a 'real' man
will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved.

When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are
put into motion:

Routine...

(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes
dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along
with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man
who is lounging beside the grill - beer in hand.

Here comes the important part:

(4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.

More routine....

(5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
(6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He
thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with
the situation.

Important again:

(7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.

More routine....

(8) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins,
sauces, and brings them to the table.
(9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.

And most important of all:
(10) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.

(11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed "her night off." And, upon
seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing
some women....

CIRCUMSICION AND HIV-AIDS

2007-09-07T07:44:00.000+03:00

The Circumsicion Library

Scientists Discover 'Natural Barrier' to HIV
By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay Reporter Mon Mar 5, 2:02 PM ET
MONDAY, March 5 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have discovered that cells in the mucosal lining of human genitalia produce a protein that "eats up" invading HIV -- possibly keeping the spread of the AIDS more contained than it might otherwise be.
Even more important, enhancing the activity of this protein, called Langerin, could be a potent new way to curtail the transmission of the virus that causes AIDS, the Dutch scientists added.
Langerin is produced by Langerhans cells, which form a web-like network in skin and mucosa. This network is one of the first structures HIV confronts as it attempts to infect its host.
However, "we observed that Langerin is able to scavenge viruses from the surrounding environment, thereby preventing infection," said lead researcher Teunis Geijtenbeek, an immunologist researcher at Vrije University Medical Center in Amsterdam.
And since generally all tissues on the outside of our bodies have Langerhans cells, we think that the human body is equipped with an antiviral defense mechanism, destroying incoming viruses," Geijtenbeek said.
The finding, reported in the March 4 online issue of Nature Medicine, "is very interesting and unexpected," said Dr. Jeffrey Laurence, director of the Laboratory for AIDS Virus Research at the Weill Cornell Medical College, in New York City. "It may explain part of the relative inefficiency of HIV in being transmitted."
Even though HIV has killed an estimated 22 million people since it was first recognized more than 25 years ago, it is actually not very good at infecting humans, relatively speaking.
For example, the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, is nearly 100 percent infectious, Laurence noted. That means that every encounter with the sexually transmitted virus will end in infection.
"On the other hand, during one episode of penile-vaginal intercourse with an HIV-infected partner, the chance that you are going to get HIV is somewhere between one in 100 and one in 200," Laurence said.
Experts have long puzzled why HIV is relatively tough to contract, compared to other pathogens. The Dutch study, conducted in the laboratory using Langerhans cells from 13 human donors, may explain why.
When HIV comes in contact with genital mucosa, its ultimate target -- the cells it seeks to hijack and destroy -- are immune system T-cells. But T-cells are relatively far away (in lymph tissues), so HIV uses nearby Langerhans cells as "vehicles" to migrate to T-cells.
For decades, the common wisdom was that HIV easily enters and infects Langerhans cells. Geijtenbeek's team has now cast doubt on that notion.
Looking closely at the interaction of HIV and Langerhans cells, they found that the cells "do not become infected by HIV-1, because the cells have the protein Langerin on their cell surface," Geijtenbeek said. "Langerin captures HIV-1 very efficiently, and this Langerin-bound HIV-1 is taken up (a bit like eating) by the Langerhans cells and destroyed."
In essence, Geijtenbeek said, "Langerhans cells act more like a virus vacuum cleaner."
Only in certain circumstances -- such as when levels of invading HIV are very high, or if Langerin activity is particularly weak -- are Langerhans cells overwhelmed by the virus and infected.
The finding is exciting for many reasons, not the least of which is its potential for HIV prevention, Geijtenbeek said.
"We are currently investigating whether we can enhance Langerin function by increasing the amount of Langerin on the cell surface of Langerhans cells," he said. "This might be a real possibility, but it will take time. I am also confident that other researchers will now also start exploring this possibility."
The discovery might also help explain differences in vulnerability to HIV infection among people.
"It is known that the Langerin gene is different in some individuals," Geijtenbeek noted. "These differences could affect the function of Langerin. Thus, Langerhans cells with a less functional Langerin might be more susceptible to HIV-1, and these individuals are more prone to infection. We are currently investigating this."
The finding should also impact the race to find topical microbicides that might protect women against HIV infection. Choosing compounds that allow Langerin to continue to work its magic will enhance any candidate microbicide's effectiveness, the Dutch researcher said.
Laurence did offer one note of caution, however.
"In the test tube, this is a very important finding," he said. "But there are many things in the test tube that don't occur when you get into an animal or a human. Having said that, though, this is a very intriguing finding."

Citation:

* E.J. Mundell. Scientists Discover 'Natural Barrier' to HIV. HealthDay, Monday, March 5, 2007.

Sourced from Circumcision News Library and posted here by Assidous

GITHONGO AND KROLL REPORTS.

2007-09-06T08:20:00.000+03:00

We are being led by criminals from the highest office in the land.

Check this sites and read for yourself:

http://wikileaks.org/wiki/The_looting_of_Kenya_under_President_Moi

http://wikileaks.org/wiki/KTM_report.pdf

INTERESTING WHAT WOMEN TAKE MEN TO BE

2007-09-05T07:48:00.000+03:00

1. Men are like...Laxatives...They irritate the crap out of you.
2. Men are like...Bananas...The older they get, the less firm they are.
3. Men are like...Weather...Nothing can be done to change them.
4. Men are like...Blenders...You need One, but you're not quite sure why.
5. Men are like...Chocolate Bars...Sweet, smooth, & they usually head right for your hips.
6. Men are like...Commercials...You can't believe a word they say.
7. Men are like...Department Stores...Their clothes are always 1/2 off.
8. Men are like...Government Bonds...They take soooooooo long to mature.
9. Men are like...MascarA...They usually run at the first sign of emotion.
10. Men are like...Popcorn...They satisfy you, but only for a little while.
11. Men are like...Snowstorms...You never know when they're coming, how many inches you'll get or how long it will last.
12. Men are like...Lava Lamps...Fun to look at, but not very bright.
13. Men are like...Parking Spots...All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

Attn Mr. Kibaki

2007-09-03T07:47:00.000+03:00

'................................................................................
....By contrast, Kiraitu Murungi seems incapable of any kind of finesse. He just doesn’t know that it is vital for a leader to weigh his words before uttering them. He cannot open his mouth without unleashing the filthiest and most offensive air.

Thus his reappointment did not endear many Kenyans to Mr Kibaki’s system. In the Cabinet, Kiraitu Murungi is equalled, in his hawkishness and absence of savoir faire, only by Ms Karua (who replaced him at Justice) and Mr Michuki (who replaced Mr Murungaru at Security).

Mr Michuki remains completely impervious to public criticism, completely thick-skinned to other group interests, completely committed to the master-servant attitude he learned from the colonial regime. Ms Karua is a bull in china shop completely devoid of tact in her treatment of colleagues.

In a word, they appear totally unaware that, by their chest-thumping heroics and cantankerousness, they are doing irreparable damage to President Kibaki’s image. Were I the President, I would long ago have flashed the red card at John Michuki, Kiraitu Murungi and Martha Karua.'

Article by Philip Ovhieng in yesterday's Sunday Nation posted here by assidous

SAFCOM IPO TEAM

2007-08-30T12:52:00.000+03:00

Lead Transaction Advisors:

Dyer & Blair Consortium - Morgan Stanley, Faida & Asbhu Securities, D&B Inv Bank - Ksh 0.05

Legal Services:

Muriu Mugai - Ksh 2.4M

Receiving Bank:

Citi Consortium - Citi, Equity, K.P.O.Savings Bank - Ksh 94M

Advertisers:

Red Sky - Ksh 2M

Public Relations:

Gina Din Comms

General Motors Kenya Launches Hummer 3 into the market.
('suddenly nothing seems good enough' is the call)

CMC launches New Polo and New 2008 Touareg.

A MILLION FOR LUNCH?OR ONE MILLION LUNCHES?

2007-08-30T08:28:00.000+03:00

PRESS RELEASE ON 29TH AUGUST 2007

A MILLION FOR LUNCH?OR ONE MILLION LUNCHES?

‘Those with money have access to the president… those without have
the votes to elect the president” Civil Society, Nairobi Kenya

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has today (29th August 2007)
given the OCS Central Police Station notice, under the Public Order Act,
on behalf of the Kenya Human Rights Network (K-HURINET) of a public
event to be held at Jeevanjee Gardens on Saturday the 1st of September
2007. KHRC has also obtained the necessary consents from the Nairobi City
Council and the Friends of Jeevanjee Gardens.

*******************************************************
Say NO! to poor service and substandard goods in Kenya.

Visit here and make your complaint at www.complain2me.wordpress.com

Fighting to have service that is our money's worth.

Join the fight.

*******************************************************

The meeting shall be held from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Activities will
include a public forum where snacks will be offered to an approximated
1000 people.

Please note that the function shall be preceded by a procession from
the Globe Cinema Roundabout to the above mentioned venue. We shall
assemble at the Globe Roundabout at 8.30 am and start the procession at 9.00
am.

Sourced from Mars Group updates and posted here by assidous.

SAFARICOM-THE LAST WORD

2007-08-29T08:02:00.000+03:00

I blogged on this issue last November.I notice its been the top content on this blog ever since.It never leaves the top 10 list.After many comments on my blog i.e. Patriotic Kenyan,Gathara and many others, i give you my final thoughts on it in a Q & A format.

How many shareholders does Safaricom K Ltd have?
Two,-Telkom(K) Ltd(60% of Safaricom) and Vodafone (K) Ltd(40% of Safaricom).

What about Mobitelea?
Mobitelea is a shareholder in Vodafone(K) Ltd which is a Private Limited Company.

What about Mobitelea's stake in Safaricom?
Its an Indirect stake, Mobitelea owns 12.5% of Vodafone(K) Ltd while Vodafone Plc holds 87.5% of Vodafone(K) Ltd.Vodafone(K) Ltd main asset is the 40% shares in Safaricom(K) Ltd.
If you take 12.5% of 40% you get the 5% indirect stake Mobitelea has in Safaricom.

How was business was done in the Third World during the 20th Century?
In those days there were no worldwide Mergers and Acquisitions firms,lawyers or clients to perform proper due dilligence and show you the ropes.Think Morgan Stanley,Citibank,PWC and lately Rennaissance.Most firms were based in the WEst and 1 or 2 Asian Capitals i.e. HongKong and Tokyo.Mumbai was the name of some exotic perfume.

If you wanted to take over a local firm or go into a joint Venture with a Third World Government,you allied yourself with a local political operative and he did the 'due dilligence' opened the right doors and he got a stake in the new firm as his Partnership contribution.

********************************************************************************

Say NO! to poor service and substandard goods in Kenya.

Visit here and make your complaint at www.complain2me.wordpress.com

Fighting to have service that is our money's worth.

Join the fight.

********************************************************************************

If you doubt me just look at the list of top civil servants and politicians of the 1960s Kenya and compare that with their business interests.

Why the IPO must go own
The Safaricom IPO will ignite significant foreign interest that will grow our markets and put Kenya in focus of all the top markets.The market Growth will create more jobs for everyone and grow the economy.

If we stop the IPO we can get back Mobitelea's stake
Ha, Not a chance the Mobitelea stake is parked in a private company Vodafone(K) Ltd.Government cant interfere with private property that is unconstitutional
Let me put the point across using a story:
There was once an old mzee who had 10 acres of land.He sold 4 acres to his Best Friend.The Best Friend then sold 1 Acre to a stranger the Mzee didn't like.The Mzee wanted that particular 1 Acre(that was sold to the stranger back).Do you think he got it back?

This is unfair Mobitelea's owners are getting away with free money
Life is unfair that why some people have first class degrees and are clerks while others have Certificates and are millionaires.Thats the case whether in USA or Kenya.
Apparently,this is the crux of Muthoni Wanyeki's Article in this week's East African.I respect Muthoni and she is one of the people i admire but i doubt her capacity to look at the big economic picture.
This is the best time to list Safaricom, you can never wait for the best time to do something..that time may never come.

What about the Privatization Act 2005?
It gives the Minister of Finance the power to Gazette it and decide when it shall come into effect.By the way Laws are never applied RETROSPECTIVELY.Do you know who the Minister of Finance is? i rest my case

The post above is by pesa tu and blogged here by assidous. I must give it to him, he has the real final word on the ownership controversy.

BROADBAND COMING AT KPLC METER NEAR YOU

2007-08-28T07:55:00.000+03:00

KPLC and Swedish power giant Asea Brown Boveri have signed a Ksh1.8B agreement to boost fibre optic installation on the main power lines. This is part of the ESRP meaning that broadband will reach us the end-users faster than anticipated. Its bound to bring the cost of connecting to the net down.

Work begins immediately and will be completed in the last quarter of 2009.

HIV & PETROLEUM JELLY

2007-08-27T08:07:00.000+03:00

This is cause for alarm!

Petroleum jelly makes you a target for HIV
BY DR. ALIKI MAHINDA

Dr Hulda Clarke, a Canadian biologist, has been doing research on HIV and other conditions and diseases for many years, mostly in New Mexico. To get the full benefit of her findings, it would be advisable to buy her books, "The cure for all diseases," and "The cure for HIV." She has another on the cure for all cancers. Her books recommend that you continue being in the supervision of a doctor and continue with the medications that the doctor is giving you. Then she explains how you can help yourself by avoiding toxins and killing all the parasites in your body.
Dr Clarke did numerous tests before she came to the conclusion that all diseases have a parasite and or a toxin behind it. When you remove them, the diseases go away. Clearly, the diseases need them to thrive in a patient. A very good example is the parasite needed for diabetes to thrive in the human. The "Pancreatic fluke of cattle" is a big parasite and should not be in humans in the first place. When it attacks our much smaller pancreas, it renders it incapable of producing its own insulin. This causes the blood sugar to go very high, making the human being ill and unable to defend the body.
For HIV, the parasite is a human fluke that likes to attack the thymus gland. This parasite, fasciolopsis buskii, is actually quite common in human beings who are supposed to carry only the adult stage of this fluke. It was not intended to hatch in our bodies, but in snails. Unfortunately, due to our "modern life" our bodies are loaded with toxins, thereby allowing these parasites to hatch inside us. This creates a big problem because the parasites are small enough in their other stages, they can travel and attack the other organs instead of sticking to the bowels where they belong.
The toxin you need to become a HIV virus host is benzene. This clearly explains why there are couples where only one of the spouses has contracted the disease even though they were having unprotected sex. This has been a mystery for the medical field. Benzene is a petroleum product that we all have in every Kenyan home. We apply benzene daily on our lips, our children's bodies, our cows tits for milking, we even use it as a personal lubricant.
This toxin, which gets to us as petroleum jelly, works so beautifully on our skin that it took me a long time to find an alternative. I wish they could come up with the same product minus the benzene, the way they decaffeinated coffee. It is all very well to use petroleum Jelly if you are celibate, or can vouch for your partner not playing outside the marital bed. However, if you have HIV or you are at risk of contracting it, then avoid getting in contact with all petroleum products. If you are working in a petroleum filling station, or you are a mechanic, change career if possible. Do not use paraffin for cooking or apply liquid paraffin.
HIV patients need proper detoxification. The programme should kill parasites and also empty your bowels well. Eat foods and herbs that are good at boosting immunity. This will help your thymus gland to start fighting for your body again, thereby restoring your much needed health. Parasites are nasty creatures and know how to survive in the worst of conditions, so be vigilant in your fight and take nothing for granted.
One round worm in our brain is enough to make you go schizophrenic. I believe our people are getting more and more dementia and epileptic cases because the toxicity levels in our food, air and body chemicals have risen alarmingly. It is good to get out of the city from time to time to the villages and live as naturally as possible. This will give your body a chance to rest and rejuvenate itself. This is too large a topic and cannot be covered in one column, so watch this space for other crucial tips on this.
Dr Hulda Clarke advises the use of a "zapping machine" to help get rid of the fasciolopsis buskii and other opportunistic parasites and bacteria. The Zapper needs to be used correctly for it to be useful, so we shall expound on this later.
This article is intended to give information, but not to treat or diagnose any disease or condition. Do not neglect to see a healthcare professional if you have a problem.

Sourced from SmartBiz Africa and posted here by Assidous.

TWO MAJOR CLAUSES.

2007-08-23T12:18:00.000+03:00

The first notorious clause that brought the media against the government:

' When a story includes unnamed parties who are not disclosed and the same becomes the subject of a legal tussle as to who is meant, then the editor shall be obligated to disclose the identity of the party or parties referred to.' Mutahi Karue.

The one that spoiled the broth of Karue, Karua @ Co.

' The clause can be construed to include subjects of a story as well as sources of information. This could act as a great inhibition of press freedom and undermine the democratic strides we have made as a nation' President Kibaki.

Couldn't have been put better.

SOME 45 QUESTIONS.......

2007-08-23T08:20:00.000+03:00

1. Why does the sun lighten our hair, but darken our skin?
2. Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
3. Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
4. Why don't you ever see the headline Psychic Wins Lottery?
5. Why is abbreviated such a long word?
6. Why is a boxing ring square?
7. Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?
8. Why is it that doctors call what they do practice?
9. Why is it that rain drops but snow falls?
10. Why is it that to stop Windows 98, you have to click on Start?
11. Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?
12. Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
13. Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
14. Why is the third hand on the watch called a second hand?
15. Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
16. Why isn't there a special name for the tops of your feet?
17. Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
18. If you throw a cat out of the car window, does it become kitty litter?
19. If you take an Asian person and spin him around several times does he become disoriented?
20. Is it OK to use the AM radio after noon?
21. What do people in China call their good plates?
22. What do you call a male ladybug?
23. What hair color do they put on the driver's license of a bald man?
24. Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
25. Why do they call it a pair of pants, but only 1 bra?
26. Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?
27. Why do you need a driver's license to buy liquor when you can't drink and drive?
28. Why isn't phonetic spelled the way it sounds?
29. Why are there Interstates in Hawaii?
30. Why are there flotation devices in the seats of planes instead of parachutes?
31. Why are cigarettes sold at gas stations where smoking is prohibited?
32. Have you ever imagined a world without hypothetical situations?
33. How does the guy who drives the snowplow get to work?
34. If the 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why does it have locks on the door?
35. You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of it?
36. If a firefighter fights fire and a crime fighter fights crime, what does a freedom fighter fight?
37. If they squeeze olives to get olive oil, how do they get baby oil?
38. If a cow laughs, does milk come out of her nose?
39. If you are driving at the speed of light and you turn your headlights on, what happens?
40. Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of a drive-up ATM?
41. Why is it that when you transport something by car it is called shipment, but when you transport something by ship it's called cargo?
42. Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
43. Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
44. If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
45. If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

Sourced from mimi pekee and re-blogged here by assidous.

GIRL vs GROWN WOMAN - SERIOUS STUFF THIS ONE!

2007-08-22T08:16:00.000+03:00

Girls leave their schedule wide-open and wait for a guy to call and
make
plans.
Grown women make their own plans and nicely tell the guy to get in
where
he fits.

Girls want to control the man in their life.
Grown women know that if he's truly hers, he doesn't need controlling.

Girls check you for not calling them.
Grown women are too busy to realize you hadn't.

Girls are afraid to be alone.
Grown women revel in it-using it as a time for personal growth.

Girls ignore the good guys.
Grown women ignore the bad guys.

Girls make you come home.
Grown women make you want to come home.

Girls worry about not being pretty and/or good enough for their man.
Grown women know that they are pretty and/or good enough for any man.

Girls try to monopolize all their man's time (i.e., don't want him
hanging with his friends).
Grown women realize that a lil' bit of space makes the 'together time'
even more special-and goes to kick it with her own friends.

Girls think a guy crying is weak.
Grown women offer their shoulder and a tissue.

Girls want to be spoiled and 'tell' their man so.
Grown women 'show' him and make him comfortable enough to reciprocate
without fear of losing his 'manhood'.

Girls get hurt by one man and make all men pay for it.
Grown women know that that was just one man.

Girls fall in love and chase aimlessly after the object of their
affection, ignoring all 'signs'.
Grown women know that sometimes the one you love, don't always love you
back-and move on, without bitterness.

Girls will read this and get an attitude.
Grown women will read this and pass it on to other Grown women and
their
male friends.

MICROSOFT IN KYUK! Huh!

2007-08-20T19:56:00.000+03:00

1. Ndirisha ngiri igiri na ithatu cia mutumikiri wa minyamu ya mbumbui (Windows 2003 Web Server)

2. Ndirisha ngiri igiri mutumikiri (Windows 2000 Server)

3. Ndirisha ngiri igiri - mutaalamu (Windows 2000 Professional)

4. Nduti wira ya gukuonereria njira (Active Directory)

5. Nyamu hinyu ya kurora na nja (MS Outlook)

6. Kurora na nja guteng'eretio (Outlook Express) - Ngai kurateng'erio nu!!!!!! ni thigari cia Kanju ya Nyeri ii kana ni kuguruka?

7. Mashini yaku ni irateng'era na igathirirwo ni hakiri iria ciihithite (Your system is running low on Virtual Memory)

8. Nyihia tutumikiri turia tuhingure, yaani hinga tumwe! Reduce the number of open applications)

9. Mashini yaku ni ngoroku muno, ni jishi ta gikuyu kiria kingi na kwoguo ni ikuhorio.Iria cioooothe iiyite itekuiga fengi ndigaciona ringi jishi ino. utafungwa ( This application has performed an illegal operation and will close down, all unsaved work will be lost)

Ni thengiu muno .

Hilarious huh?

SAY NO TO SLOPPY SERVICE AND GOODS IN KENYA

2007-08-18T15:31:00.000+03:00

I found this blog and thought it wise to share with you my readers. I think its a noble initiative.

My dear readers, after much thought and contemplation after getting sloppy service and mediocre goods from assorted sellers, some of whom claim to be the best of the pack, i realised that we need to come out and literally turn the tide against this charlatans. Otherwise how does one explain a lack of a consumer agency to fight arbitrary price rises, sloppy or non existant customer service?

In this category dear readers are shops, dukas, grocers, supermarkets, government agencies, politicians and anyone and everybody who is tasked by virtue of being in business, to serve the public but deals with them , us, like we are scum yet we pay fro the services and goods they are dealing with.

This is the place to rise against them, slowly but surely. For i have a dream that we are going to ensure that we only get the best from them otherwise they close shop.

And this is how you are going to do it easily:

1. Create a comment to this post.
2. Let the subject/topic/title be the company/individual but the company name is much better in this case.
3. Post the complaint - (get your facts right about the person/company/product/attendant and any other relevant info.)
4. Be as brief, detailed and to the point as possible.
5. If you have the contacts of the culprit, post them as well as how they can get in touch with you so that we can try to get in touch with them and get their attention to your complaint.
6. If you have evidence, photos, documents, just send them over to our mail address: complaintome at gmail dot com
7. The rest, you leave to us.

With time, its my dream that we can grow to a formidable website that will fight for the consumer interest and ensure that we get the best.

In any case, i believe that we sincerely deserve it for we aren’t on a witch-hunt mission.

Complain2me

complaintome at gmail dot com

Posted in complain2me blog and re-blogged here by assidous

BAMBURI AND EAPCC MERGER

2007-08-17T08:59:00.000+03:00

This was in last week's EastAfrican paper and was redone by pesa tu blog in a way that is easily understood.

Bamburi/EAPC merger

Lafarge is a large and clever company.It has stakes in its Kenyan competitors' Athi River Mining(15%),East Africa Portland Cement (41%).Its main regional company is Bamburi Cement(63% stake).For a while,the Government has been eager to stop its ownership of competitors.It has been proposing the sale of the Lafarge stakes in EAPC and ARM, especially EAPC since only 6.3% is listed on the NSE contrary to listing requirements that 25% of a company should be listed.
Regionally Lafarge have other holdings in the region i.e.Mbeya Cement-Tanzania(62% Lafarge held) and Hima Cement-Uganda(71% Lafarge held through Bamburi).
The industry
Right now there is a construction boom in the Middle-East so Eyptians are selling their cement to their brothers in the Gulf,at the same time the high freight rates and Port efficiencies make it expensive to import cement to East Africa.For now the two factors are saving the hides of our local cement producers.
At the same time local cement demand is rising installed capacity in Kenya is at 3.3million tonnes(actual capacity is probaly 2.5-3.0 million tonnes),Annual cement demand excluding what we send to Sudan,Rwanda and Uganda is at 1.8million tonnes and rising at 10% per year.
Eastern Africa
Cement demand is rising all over the region DRC,Rwanda,South sudan, Uganda and Tanzania are all consuming more cement.So unless, we have more factories we will have a supply constraint sooner rather than later.Unless,the boom in China and the Gulf explodes and we have a glut coming our way.

The issue
The Government of Kenya wants to introduce more competition in the Kenyan cement market by forcing Lafarge to sell its stakes in EAPC and ARM.On the other hand,Lafarge sees the Eastern african region as a growing economic area and doesnt want to sell the stakes.

The Proposition
Lafarge offers to merge Bamburi and EAPC and add Mbeya and Hima Cement to the deal to create a super East african cement company to fight external competition.(think of it as an East African Breweries for cement).
win-win for both parties i.e. Lafarge consolidates its holdings in the region and Government gets a large stake in a succesful East African Cement company.

Other players
The other players in the region such as ARM,Tororo Cement and Tanga may have to consolidate in order to achieve the size and scale necesary to compete with the new entity(if it happens)

My take
We should take the offer but ask Lafarge to add their other companies in Malawi and Zambia to the deal.

Originally by pesa tu blog and re-blogged here by assidous

Warren Buffet

2007-08-15T08:07:00.000+03:00

This is a forward that landed in my inbox:

There was a one hour interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet, the second richest man who has donated $31 billion to charity Here are some very
interesting aspects of his life:

1. He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late!
2. He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.
3. He still lives in the same small 3-bedroom house in mid-town Omaha , that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has
everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence.
4. He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him.
5. He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's largest private jet company.
6. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals
for the year. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis. He has given his CEO's only two rules. Rule number 1: do not lose any
of your share holder's money. Rule number 2: Do not forget rule number 1.
7. He does not socialize with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch Television.
8. Bill Gates, the world's richest man met him for the first time only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with
Warren Buffet. So he had scheduled his meeting only for half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates
became a devotee of Warren Buffet.
9. Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor has a computer on his desk.

His advice to young people: "Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself and
Remember:
A. Money doesn't create man but it is the man who created money.
B. Live your life as simple as you are.
C. Don't do what others say, just listen them, but do what you feel good.
D. Don't go on brand name; just wear those things in which you feel comfortable.
E. Don't waste your money on unnecessary things; just spend on them who really are in need .
F. After all it's your life then why give chance to others to rule our life."

KENYA'S 4TH PRESIDENT

2007-08-14T07:56:00.000+03:00

This is a dated post by kumekucha which is quite revolutionary by Kenyan standard, and he rightly says so. For this blogger, its not really so farfetched. The qualities i must say are what we really need to get to the next level.

Here it is:

The charade in Mombasa involving presidential hopeful Kalonzo Musyoka and a highly charged jeering crowd and the rest of the high drama revolving around ODM's selection of a presidential candidate is really occupying many Kenyans. One of the reasons for this is that many believe that if ODM sticks together and supports one candidate for the presidency, they will win the presidency hands down.

What we have all failed to do is to soberly look at the work that needs to be done so that we may seek the candidate best suited for the office of president. Many Kenyans choose to be "realists" instead and in the process we fall neatly into the plans of the political ruling class. I urge all you "realists" out there to spare a moment to read this article and also our guest post by a Michael Mundia Kamau. It is my hope that your eyes will be opened.

At the very least I beg you to think outside the box. Because we have some extraordinary challenges and problems facing us in Kenya just now, which cannot be solved using the same old tricks which have failed us in the past.

Many times, my ideas here have been dismissed and I have been called a dreamer. And yet the saddest thing that can ever happened to a human being is for them to stop dreaming. I once met an old man in his late 60s at a jua kali garage where I had taken my ramshackle of a vehicle for repairs. It was a time in my life when I was facing so many problems and auctioneers were around the corner waiting to pounce on my car at any time. The man looked at my car admiringly and said to the mechanic in Kikuyu that in his entire life he had never owned a car. That’s statement struck me and I realized that every little kid dreams of owning a car, but what happens along the way? Many of them become "realists" and they lose the dream and in many cases the chance to own their own car. I hope I am not getting too deep when I say that life gives only that which you demand and nothing more, nothing less. What a man can dream of having, deeply desire and even imagine having, life will always give. But "realists" true to their realism receive only what is within their realistic reasoning.

My question here has always been; even after the harsh reality and hard knocks of this life, can you dare dream? Are you man enough to dream of something bigger than a car? Can you dream big dreams? Like a just government led by a fearless courageous president (preferably not older than 45) ready to give all for the cause of a better Kenya? Can you dare dream of playing a part in installing such a president as the fourth president of Kenya?

But let us start with a job description. What is the job on hand waiting for the 4th president of Kenya? Here is a short list;

1) Must be courageous enough to constitute a truth and reconciliation commission to bury all the skeletons in Kenya's closet because that is the only way we can have a truly new beginning.

2) Be courageous enough to take some tough decisions that will be politically unpopular but will be for the greater good of the country, like 1) above which will mean various popular tribal chiefs confessing their terrible sins and thus destroying their future political careers to stay out of prison. Others will refuse to confess and will have to be jailed or punished according to the law.

3) Be courageous enough to end corruption from the top. President Kibaki sounded very determined making his acceptance speech shortly after being sworn in as the 3rd President on that unforgettable December day, 2002. So what happened after that? I will tell you. Powerful forces came into play and the president had to survive. He had to abandon the dream and be a realist. Kenya cannot afford a repeat in the fourth president, we are rapidly running out of time here.

4) Be courageous enough to tackle tribalism head-on. For starters by appointing persons from as many different tribes across the country as possible to key positions. And also by passing laws that will clamp down hard on tribalism and any future administration that will "want to do things the way they have always been done."

5) Courageous enough to tackle the huge land crisis which is a time bomb waiting to blow this country into many tiny fragments if it is not dealt with quickly, like yesterday.

6) Courageous enough to implement new creative (out of the box) ideas that will make use of the resources that we have in plenty lying idle in the country while Kenyans suffer. Resources like lots of idle land and idle labour (Kenya's labor force is the most highly skilled and qualified on the continent today). We also have plenty of sun that can be turned into electricity. Enough rain to end all our water problems with the right rain harvest and storage strategy and policies etc.

7) But most of all courageous enough to start their administration with one priority. To get Kenyans working whether it is abroad or locally, to create laws and policies that encourage existing employers to employ more people and also to grow small businesses dramatically with a lot of help from the government because small businesses are the largest creators of employment in the world (not big foreign investors establishing factories in Kenya. Did you see what happened with the EPZ's.)

With all due respect to my dear readers and their preferred presidential candidates, let us remember that what we are doing here is not the same thing as naming our favorite soccer striker in the English premiership. Or our favorite ice-cream flavor. This is a matter of grave importance. A matter of life or death for many ordinary voiceless Kenyans. In fact the lives of millions of Kenyans hangs on it and that of your children and great grand children many generations to come. We cannot afford to get it wrong this time. Resigning ourselves to 2012 is suicide because one wrong move and we will not have a country left by 2009 let alone 2012. Can't you see the writing on the wall?

With this in mind I respectfully disqualify the following candidates;

Raila Odinga: does not qualify because despite his demonstrated courage, there is no way he will be able to deal with corruption with the current structure in ODM because many (if not all) of his tribal chiefs he is relying on to corner votes in various parts of the country are suspects of grand corruption. William Ruto should tell us how he made his wealth. Sally Kosgei whom Raila has been warning up to also has scandals linked to her. Musalia Mudavadi knows a thing or two about Goldenberg (the single scum that impoverished and killed the largest number of Kenyans in the history of our country). The same thing that happened to President Kibaki's resolve is bound to happen to his come March 2008 when the pressure will be unbearable.

Kalonzo Musyoka: I do not want to repeat that it is a fact that he hid in the National assembly toilets to avoid voting on important matters of national importance in parliament. Mr Musyoka told the Sunday Nation that he is a revolutionary. I'm sorry but that is laughable. These are not the Kanu days when mere words and slogans were peddled countrywise as the gospel truth and Kenyans were forced to swallow it hook line and sinker or else… I have tried very hard to look for something courageous that this fellow tribes-mate of mine has done in his life and the only one that comes close was his attendance of the controversial ODM rally in Mombasa last weekend. And the fact that he asked a hammer wielding charged, emotional man in the crowd to pass the hammer to him. That was brave.

I can't imagine this guy driving out the influential drug Lords who control Kenya at the moment and have made the country one of the major transit points in the world for all sorts of illicit drugs. Or saying "No" to the corrupt moneyed and very dangerous individuals who are the real rulers of Kenya.

Let me stop there and drop names of two individuals who have proved their bravery and ability to risk everything on a matter or principal. This is what we badly need in Kenya today.

John Githongo: John Githongo's Dad is a close friend of the President. Imagine that! Githongo was so principled that he was willing to say "No" to his own family and close friends. In fact many Kikuyus view him as an enemy instead of the national hero that he is. Believe me it would have been very easy for John to just turn the other way and play ball and he would have been a very wealthy man today and comfortably living in his own country instead of in exile. And amongst other things his father's outstanding bank loan would have quickly been paid off a long time ago. It is not an impossible dream to get John Githongo elected the 4th President of Kenya. It can be done. All we need to do is agree and the means will be found quicker that you think.

I dream of a Githongo presidency that will give Kenya the true new beginning that we all seek.

Stephen Muiruri: The former Nation crime editor is an example of the kind of character that we should be thinking of for this high office. Don't laugh. Remember we agreed to think outside the box here. If you carefully study the kind of wars this brother of ours is fighting, you will begin to understand where I am going with this.

The 4th president will need to be a courageous fighter. This is not the time to dream of long motorcades and everybody calling you "your excellency" which is what the ODM brigade and everybody else is dreaming about.

I bet you none of them are thinking about the ordinary Kenyans who have lost all hope and now have to face the prospect of losing their head even when they are desperately confronting the challenge of putting food on the table amid record economic growth figures.

Somebody has put it in the minds of Kenyans, and sadly including readers of this blog that to be president somebody needs to be very well known and already a politician. I put it to you that as per the current constitution anybody can become president. ANYBODY. All he needs are votes. Al we need is a people-driven wave to sweep our chosen candidate to victory. We can put anybody we want on that seat as long as enough of us have unity of purpose. All we have to do is reach across all the imaginary tribal boundaries like we are starting to do in this blog and seat down and agree.

I dream of a situation where the Nark-Kenya brigade will be busy fighting amongst themselves over parliamentary seat nominees for the party as ODM holds endless discussions over which one of them will be the party's presidential candidate (the reason why they can't decide is because of GREED, nothing else) and meanwhile we ordinary folks say enough is enough and make our own plans. After all it is we who have the voting cards, is it not?

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

There is nothing, which the mind of a man can imagine and dream about that cannot be turned into a reality.

Most of all my friends, I dream of the day when all of you will abandon your preferred presidential candidate for us to join together to change our country.

The above article was blogged by Kumekucha on July 10th 2007 and re-blogged here by Assidous.

ROVE QUITS!

2007-08-13T13:03:00.000+03:00

It seems that the Bush administration cookie is still crumbling. With Carl Rove, the master architect of the administration quitting, it looks like the end of the beginning of party has not only began, but is still on.

Here is the real story:

Monday, August 13, 2007; 4:57 AM

WASHINGTON - Karl Rove, a political adviser to U.S. President George W. Bush and a lightning rod for anger among Democrats, will leave the White House at the end of this month, Rove told the Wall Street Journal.

"I just think it's time," Rove said in an interview with the newspaper published on Monday.

"There's always something that can keep you here, and as much as I'd like to be here, I've got to do this for the sake of my family."

Article in washingtonpost.com blogged here by assidous

POETIC WEEKEND

2007-08-10T12:42:00.000+03:00

A Thought provoking poem.

I Wanna Be Yours

I wanna be your vacuum cleaner
Breathing in your dust,
I wanna be your Ford Cortina
I will never rust,
If you like your coffee hot
Let me be your coffee pot,
You call the shots,
I wanna be yours.
I wanna be your raincoat
For those frequent rainy days,
I wanna be your dreamboat
When you want to sail away,
Let me be your teddy bear
Take me with you anywhere,
I don't care
I wanna be yours.
I wanna be your electric meter
I will not run out,
I wanna be the electric heater
You'll get cold without,
I wanna be your setting lotion
Hold your hair in deep devotion,
Deep as the deep Atlantic ocean
that's how deep is my devotion.
~ John Cooper Clarke

TELKOM BIDDERS INVITED.

2007-08-09T08:25:00.000+03:00

On Tuesday this week, there was the Telkom (K) bidders conference. The government incresaded Telkom's equity for sale from 26% to 51% to make the offer attractive. Among those interested in the former monoploy are British Telcom, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Commuincations, VTel Holdings. Later on, about 19% will be off-loaded via NSE with both shareholders reducing their %age considerably.

Stanchart has recorded a Ksh2.3B pre-tax profit for the first six months of the year. Its a 21% increase.

KARUE vs MEDIA

2007-08-08T08:03:00.000+03:00

The media bill pending presidential assent seems to have turned to a tsunami of proportions that cant be quantified at the moment. And trust the media and all goodwill Kenyans to milk as much political capital as is possible.

In yesterday's papers for instance, the editorial as well as the opinions were all about the bill as well as reasons why Kibaki shouldn't assent the said bill. One even told him that he was 'child of the media freedom', reminding him about one press conference in the early nineties when he went on holiday to Mombasa and returned to Nairobi as the DP chairman! Very True.

But its the man who sneaked the infamous clause on the 'news source' revelation if an article became a point of a court case. The man, Muriuki Karue is better known for the CDF bill that has indeed changed the way politics in Kenya is done as well as decentralising development financing.

Karue should not have sneaked the clause but since great minds are at times known to act irrationally, hence the debacle and fall out with the media. By his coming out and saying that he and the clause was misquoted reeks of the highest form of stupidity.

He has started to feel the heat on him and political embers licking at his heels.

He may have created the best form of decentralisation in Africa yet, but when matters of his political shenanigans with the media bill come to fore, the cloud an otherwise bright legislative job. And the good thing is that he has realised this and the danger he put himself to.

Unfortunately, no one in the world has fought the media nd lived to tell the story. For they represent the power of the masses which some say that is 'the voice of God! Its a lost war already.

What we need is a comprehensive list of the 27 MPs who were in the chamber on that day, then we the voters can show them who really has the final say on matters legislative!

2007-08-06T07:54:00.000+03:00

Yesterday was the last weekend that this blogger would experience peace as it were. But that was not to be. What with the Man U and Chelski as Smitta is wont to call that team that is owned by the Russian mobster Abramovich!

The madness that was exhibited yesterday yet it was only a friendly made me cringe. It has been a cool three months without premier league and assorted madness around. My friends cry, sulk, scream and do all manner of things that they would otherwise think twice before doing when their team is hit or when the coach does something that they consider to be bad, whatever that means. Yet we are talking about teams which are three thousand mile away. Advise me if am wrong!

But my simple mind fails to understand that leave alone hypothesise it.

So, for those like this blogger who are soccer-aloof, get busy somehow, someway or whatever.

HOT ECONOMY!

2007-08-04T14:30:00.000+03:00

* KCB posts Ksh2.1B pre tax profit.

* Celtel International relocates its Africa Office from Netherlands to Nairobi.

* BBK posts a Ksh3.5B pre tax profit.

* KRA de-registers 200+ cars that whose duty and taxes was under-paid when they were having teething problems with the Simba Sytem. Most of the cars are KAU and KAV prefixed.

GLAMOUROUS SAFARICOM IPO ATTRACTS GLITTERATI INVESTMENT BANKS

2007-08-03T07:57:00.000+03:00

The Safaricom IPO which is billed to be the mother of all IPO's Kenyan has attracted some the most sophisticated Investment Banks in business. But what does one expect when the company is a Vodafone offspring raking in profits to the tune of billions per month?, has the fastest growning customer base in the region and has become the lifestyle of millions subscribers?

In other words, we are talking about a marketing behemoth which is why the government is trying to think of an IPO in Kenya and in another country like UK. Offloading the whole 25% of the stock in Kenya is bound to disrupt the local money market hence the LSE probable thinking.

With that in mind here are some of the consortia that have bid for lead advisors, lead brokers, receiving banks and public relations:

* First Africa Consortium:
StanChart, PKF Kenya, First Africa, Drummond, Goldman Sachs Int'l.

* Citi Consortium:
Sterling & Discount Securities and Citi NA Kenya.

*Dyer & Blair Inv. Bank Consortium:
Dyer&Blair, Faida & Asbhu Securities and Morgan Stanley Int'l Plc.

*SRK Consortium:
KPMG, Apex Africa & Africa Alliance Inv Bank and Renaissance Capital.

*CFC Financial Services Consortium:
Stanbic Kenya, Suntra Inv Bank, Kestrel EA, Credit Suisse Europe Ltd, Standard Bank Group Ltd and DCDM Advisory Ltd.

The Receiving Bank Shortlist:

* KCB, StanChart and Posta.

*CitiBank NA, Equity and Kenya Post Office Savings Bank.

Public Relations Shortlist:

*Gina Din,
*Ogilvy,
*Scanad
*Exclamation

Indeed, the very best are courting the most beautiful lass around and that happens to be none other than Safcom. May the best suitor win for there is an unprecedented financial as well as goodwill windfall coming ahead.

A FIRST FROM EASTANDARD

2007-08-02T08:02:00.000+03:00

It all started with a full page with pencils and a sharpener. Actually, i thought it was an Ad Agency making some adverts on their company, product or vacancy.

Only yesterday did Eastandard unleash their latest in their magazine pullout stable The Eastandard Election Platform.

Clearly, five months to the election, they have started a noble project and they say it will go all the way to after the creation of the Cabinet. As they said, the decision on who will be in parliament starts with the inaugral issue of the pullout.

Its first page on Raila 'Can't Touch This!' by Mochama was as incisive as it was hilarious and informative. So was the Gender Agenda which showed what all along had been my observation - that women are their greatest enemies and giving them freebies in the name of seats is bad, bad, bad! They have to fight for them like Karua, Ngilu and others.

The pages on Nakuru constituencies was also well researched, so was their political crossword puzzle.

To say it honestly, EAStd has set the trail on the platform of the 10 General Election in Kenya's History. Am just hoping that they will in due course give Jeeh Wanjurah a political satirist in their Sunday Standard a page to pen some of his witty observations.

How to recognize individual aptitude and recruit ..interesting !

2007-08-01T08:36:00.000+03:00

This is a forward that is going round the net. I think it has a ring of truth to it.

HOW TO RECRUIT THE RIGHT
PERSON FOR THE JOB?

Put about 100 bricks in some
particular order in a closed
room with an
open window.

Then send 2 or 3 candidates in
the room and close the door.

Leave them alone and come back
after 6 hours and then analyze
the situation.

If they are counting the
bricks.
Put them in the accounts
department.

If they are recounting them..
Put them in auditing.

If they have messed up the
whole place with the bricks.
Put them in engineering.

If they are arranging the
bricks in some strange order.
Put them in planning.

If they are throwing the
bricks at each other.
Put them in operations.

If they are sleeping.
Put them in security.

If they have broken the bricks
into pieces.
Put them in information
technology.

If they are sitting idle.
Put them in human resources.

If they say they have tried
different combinations, yet
not a brick has
been moved. Put them in sales.

If they have already left for
the day.
Put them in marketing.

If they are staring out of the
window.
Put them on strategic
planning.

And then last but not least.
If they are talking to each
other and not a single brick
has been
moved.

Congratulate them and put them
in top management.

WORLD'S TOP 100 BRANDS.

2007-07-31T09:02:00.000+03:00

These are the latest stats on the Top 100 Brands by Businessweek. Its notable that among the top 10 of the top 100, no oil company is in. The first oil company we have here is BP at 76 cited ‘Not even an Alaskan oil spill or an explosion at a Texas refinery has put a dent in BP's strong performance’ That Coca Cola is the most valuable brand worlw-wide isn’t in doubt. Position 1 to 9 seems to rotate among the leaders of the industry while Mercedes Benz comes in at 10 from 11 after the drop to 12 of Marlboro the cigarette maker mainly due to the global onslaught against smoking. Marlboro has maintained its good brand thanks to its rising sales outside US where sales can only go one way – up.

And How does Businessweek get to the value of the brand? Here: “BUSINESSWEEK CHOSE Interbrand's methodology because it evaluates brands much the way analysts value other assets: on the basis of how much they're likely to earn in the future. The projected profits are then discounted to a present value, taking into account the likelihood that those earnings will actually materialize.
THE FIRST STEP IS figuring out what percentage of a company's revenues can be credited to a brand. (The brand may be almost the entire company, as with McDonald's Corp., or just a portion, as it is for Marlboro.) Based on reports from analysts at J.P. Morgan Chase, Citigroup, and Morgan Stanley, Interbrand projects five years of earnings and sales for the brand. It then deducts operating costs, taxes, and a charge for the capital employed to arrive at the intangible earnings. The company strips out intangibles such as patents and management strength to assess what portion of those earnings can be attributed to the brand.
FINALLY, THE BRAND'S strength is assessed to determine the risk profile of those earnings forecasts. Considerations include market leadership, stability, and global reach—or the ability to cross both geographic and cultural borders. That generates a discount rate, which is applied to brand earnings to get a net present value. BusinessWeek and Interbrand believe this figure comes closest to representing a brand's true economic worth.”

1 1 Coca-Cola
U.S. 67,000 67,525 -1% Flagging appetite for soda has cut demand for Coke, but the beverage giant has a raft of new products in the pipeline that could reverse its recent slide.

2 2 Microsoft
U.S. 56,926 59,941 -5% Threats from Google and Apple haven't yet offset the power of its Windows and Office monopolies.

3 3 IBM
U.S. 56,201 53,376 5% Having off-loaded its low-profit PC business to Lenovo, IBM is marketing on the strategic level to corporate leaders.

4 4 GE
U.S. 48,907 46,996 4% The brand Edison built has extended its reach from ovens to credit cards, and the "Ecomagination" push is making GE look like a protector of the planet.

5 5 Intel
U.S. 32,319 35,588 -9% Profits and market share weren't the only things slammed by rival AMD. Intel's brand value tumbled 9%, as it loss business from high-profile customers.

6 6 Nokia
Finland 30,131 26,452 14% Fashionable designs and low-cost models for the developing world enabled the mobile phone maker to regain ground against competitors.

7 9 Toyota
Japan 27,941 24,837 12% Toyota is closing in on GM to become the world's biggest automaker. A slated 10% increase in U.S. sales this year will help even more.

8 7 Disney
U.S. 27,848 26,441 5% New CEO Robert Iger expanded the brand by buying animation hit-maker Pixar and beefing up digital distribution of TV shows through the Internet and iPods.

9 8 McDonald’s
U.S. 27,501 26,014 6% A new healthy-living marketing campaign—and the premium-priced sandwiches and salads that came with it—have led to a fourth year of sales gains.

10 11 Mercedes-Benz
Germany 21,795 20,006 9% The new S-Class sedan and M-Class SUV are helping repair a tarnished quality reputation. High costs and weak margins will take longer to fix.

Sourced from Businessweek and posted here by assidous.

AN ANGRY KENYAN

2007-07-30T08:22:00.000+03:00

I received this mail from a friend far away. Methinks he couldnt have put it better.

I was appaled to observe that the opposition
lumineries didnt have time to take note of the
country's new status from LDC to DC.They are busy
throwing punches,mudslinging and whataview on each
other as usual.I always try as much as possible to
call a spade in its own name and not a big
spoon.Everyone,in govt or opposition,willing or
unwilling contributed to this.It really amazes that we
are still centuries back in our kind of politics.And
it wont change sooner.Why?If Lancaster house members
participants are still calling shots,even after their
sell by date,then the political quagmire will still be
in our shadows.Wait,look again.
If i tell you we have the best laws its only that we
never implements them maybe you can faulter me.Forget
about all these political bickering on clamour for
power.The law as it is spelled in the constitution,if
the founding fathers followed it to the letter after
independence,we could have been very far.I remember
the sessional paper of 1965 in my history class.A very
ambitious developement plan,which even the just
unveiled 2030 vision will never match.If its what my
history teacher described,though we didnt see it but
we believed,hatungekuwa pale pale to mimic your
granny.But as the saying goes,if wishes were
horses.......
Due to greed and love for power,the successive govt
has killed agents of change.Look back about T.J
Mboya,J.M Kariuki,Gama Pinto and all other folks you
know during Kenyatta era,Ouko,Bishop Kipsang
Muge,akina Njindo Matiba and all folks you may know
whom Nyayo govt did at it own will to destroy,Githongo
in Narc govt.We kill the only best and remain with
trash.Selfless,honest and great thinktanks have gone
down the drain.And we glorify their persecuters.Thats
why these successive govts found their "time to eat"
and the coming elections is a clear manifestation to
that.Its their time to vomit,not on donors shoes as Mr
Clay said but to Wanjiku for that 5yr more time of
"finishing developement projects" as they will be
pleading.And wanjiku as expected,customarily will 'eat
their vomit' for only a mere day and give them chance
for 5yrs more.

HIT JOBS FOR MUNGIKI

2007-07-28T17:08:00.000+03:00

Last night i was sending a text message to one of my friends concerning the curse that has become the current lot of MP's and their hunger for money, money and more money.

Actually he told me that he as calling upon the God who killed Cain and burnt Sodom and Gomorrah to come from retirement so that he could practice on this shameless lot that was planning to rob us again.

Another one was so agitated that he called me and said that we needed to either send a suicide bomber to parliament when the lot is busy discussing the bill since they will not miss it, and we will be assured that they will all perish for we can do without about 250 morons to save the lives of 34Million Kenyans! He also came up with another witty suggestion that the men and women need to sterilised to save Kenya from their demented offspring in the years to come. What really made me appreciate the seriousness that the issue has raised and the so called leaders have failed to see coming by sneaking their greed into the Misc Bill is that he went further to suggest a more radical way to rid Kenya of the morass that is the ninth parliament: Since Mungiki is so good at beheading those who fail to comply with their rules, we should commission then to deliver the 210 heads of these thieves and robbers and line them up in Uhuru Park so that they serve as a warning to others who will try to rob the hard earned cash of Kenyan taxpayers.

Rationalising his views, he said, Kenyans dying in Elgon are more than 210, Kenyans displaced by floods are more than 210, Kenyans dying of hunger are more than 210, Kenyans suffering from poverty are more than 210....... If that is the case, cant we do away with the 210 and save 30 million plus Kenyans? He rested his case!

THE END OF THE WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION

2007-07-26T08:14:00.000+03:00

With Kibaki's re-appointing Mwiraria to the Cabinet, he has with a stroke of a pen struck off his reformist credentials. As if that is not enough, he has show clearly that the public funding of the anti-corruption efforts are just a waste of funds.

But he will have to live with his decisions and more to that, the label as the president who had overwhelming support and mandate to rid Kenya off the vice, but failed when the interests of his clique were threatened. Here was a president with so much goodwill that he could have ordered the arrest, prosecution and confiscation of the corruptly acquired cash and property, but decided to play with that at a great expense to the public public for his own political survival.

If there ever was a failure, its Kibaki. Politically, he may have scored a goal and ensured that maybe, just maybe he may return for a second term, but at what cost.

Would he stand with his two feet and say proudly, that he came, got a clear mandate to fight corruption and he conquered?

Can he claim in front of the hungry and destitute that indeed, he has fought for their welfare when he has reinstated all those who were implicated in the corrupt scandals to their cabinet posts?

With Ringera's outfit guzzling billions in annual budgets, can Ringera claim not to have the arsenal to fight the proverbial dragon?

Can we also say categorically and equivocally that indeed the dragon has fought back the efforts to kill it and won the war. Methinks that Mwiraria's reinstatement is the last nail on the coffin that the anti-corruption crusade has been banished to.

But let them not delude themselves, as i said earlier in an article, when the bell tolls for them, they will indeed have some explanation to do.

For now, lets watch the saga unfold for i think that there is nothing that we can do at the moment till December when they will troop back for jobs from the you. Then you can sort the wheat from the chaff literally.

VOTE OR DIE

2007-07-25T08:12:00.000+03:00

I was just talking to a newly registered voter who did so after i prodded him incessantly to get a vote. My was it not a hard job. Trying to convince someone that a vote is absolutely necessary and as they say in the ECK advert, you literally get your voice.

Now that got me thinking. Why the apathy to register as voters, why the apathy to actually cast the vote when the day comes? Why is there no apathy to condemn the actions of the fools that lead us?

This year, as i told my friend, the slogan should be 'vote or die' and ECK should criminalise failure to vote as the only way to curd that kind of voter apathy! At least it will solve some problems like someone having to make up his or her mind on the candidate to vote for.

And for those who are waiting for money from the charlatans who wish to be kanjuras and MP's, get the money and vote with your head! These morons need to be taught a lesson.

Remember that voting impacts on your life literally.

ADVERTS GONE BAD

2007-07-24T07:40:00.000+03:00

I was watching Vitimbi on KBC last night. They haven't lost much of their act but when Mama Kayai the veritable Matriarch doesn't make an appearance in whole episode, one feels short-changed. At least thats what i feel. With Mwala poached by Citizen, the Mogaka fellow has quite some big shoes to fill into and his efforts to ape ace comedian Nyambane falls flat! But thats comedy for us in Kenya. But i digress.

I have beef, what or who to direct it at is the problem. The programme producer or the advertisers, am lost.

For the keen observers like this blogger(but do i say), the cameraman focus was last night taken from the actors and directed to the programme sponsors' products in the setting. The first time i noted ws when the cameraman zoomed on the wall clock in Mwende's house which is a 'Postal Directories - Yellow Pages' souvenir.

The second time was in Ojwang's restaurant where the cameraman again zoomed on the Royco container for close to 10 seconds!

Am not sure if there is a logical explanation to this but it shows how unprofessional the production department can be at times. Also, the advertising house which handles the accounts for Royco and Postel Directories serioUsly need some advise on advertisement placements especially so if the products are being used by a cast like Vitimbi. By doint it the way the did it yesterday, it cheapens a rather well thought out story.

But thats KBC for us, instead of watching the programmes, we watch the adverts and view the adverts instead of the other way round! How do you fix 8-15 adverts in a 20-30min programme?

NGILU ON CROOKS IN CABINET NOT NEWS!

2007-07-23T07:55:00.000+03:00

That Ngilu came out firing from all cylinders and talked about wahuni in Cabinet is not new. Actually, when you look at it, it was just a matter of time before someone said what is obviously an open secret.

The most unfortunate thing since independence is that we have repeatedly been dogged and lead by fellows of dubious character. Fellows who one cant trust to take care of their teenage daughters or with the keys to one's back door. Reason being that what comes to their mind first of all is me, myself and i, everything else thereafter!

The current cabinet even has self-named slithery reptiles of the viper kind. These are the greatest problems we are facing as Kenyans today and the faster we realise this fact, the better for our own good.

But Ngilu is also in good company, she has become one who blows hot and cold simultaneously, madam of double-speak as well one who speaks from both ends of her mouth. Remember Kiraitu he of 'raping an already too willing woman' epithet?

By god, even the head of the pack froths at the mouth calling his sublects pumbavu, mavi ya kuku et al.

For how long we will continue to be saddled with this crisis, for that is what it is, is upon us. We can choose to follow the blind purporting to lead us or we can break this cycle of foolishness and send the whole lot home! At least the incoming lot will have some manners and a lesson to learn for gerrymandering is their game rule.

An Ethnic Joke Taken To Far. Dont you think so?

2007-07-21T17:14:00.000+03:00

This is a loaded ethnic joke taken too far. It demonstrates what the
common man has been primed to fear about a Luo presidency however
qualified
the candidate might be. Unfortunately there are too many ignorant
people
out there who believe the ruse and a few luos who perpetuate the
stereotype. I have always wondered why Raila is considered head over
shoulders the â€˜bestâ€™ Kenyan candidate for executive Prime Minister
(check
all polls on this) and with the same breath a Luo when it comes to the
position of President even with reduced powers!! I am lost.

This is Raila's Speech

Thank u for voting me as the Kenya No.1, though I think u should have
done it long time ago. I wonder why it took u so long to allow me be
the president, but anyway, this is how am going to work:

1) All roads must be carpeted............no pot-holes...........if u
spot any pot-hole please sack the minister via SMS............I will
approve it and pay u his benefits because u shall have saved us from
constituting a commission of enquiry.

2) All Children in School must be No.1 and share the same
grades...those who don't perform well should be given free Government
Scholarships to India, Dubai, and the rest of the world because my
government will deal with the best.

3) All Employers advertising jobs must indicate that they are looking
for PhD holders. Basic degrees should be left for messengers so that
people can work harder and be professionals.

4) There will be free medical cover in all public hospitals and no
private clinic will be allowed to operate unless it is run by a Luo
Professor who went to school in Alliance, Makerere, Maseno or Harvard
as any other person could be a Kikuyu conman.

5)You do not need a license to demonstrate or protest in the street as
that will be licensed opposition since after I take over Government,
there won't be any known opposition. The demonstrations shall help me
know I need to improve

6) Every constituency must have its own University so that immediately
from 4th Form...our children just join University.

7) Its going to be Majimbo system with all Government organs
decentralized....all landlords in Nairobi be warned the Government will
regulate all house rents.

8) Garbage collectors be warned and start looking for other jobs
because garbage collection will be a thing of the past.

9) Chokoras...Get ready to join schools because it will be illegal to
be seen begging and hanging around in the streets of Nairobi.

10)Policemen- there is no more toa kitu kidogo as it will carry a death
penalty since corruption will be a thing of the past.

11) Thugs get ready- there will be no need to steal since all of us
will be having jobs and not struggling.

12) Pastors- there shall be no more messages of "Receive, plant a seed
for your financial breakthrough", because your members will start
asking you where u take all that money to and yet the Government pays
for free Education up to University and free medical care while the
churches don't pay Orphans school fees. Church will be a place of
Worship
and
Worship alone.

13)If u don't drive a Mercedes Benz or GMC Hummer ....u will be
required
to contact the government to assist u obtain one from Germany

14) Collapsing Houses- That will be a thing of the past as only Luo
Engineers from Makerere and Harvard will approve house
constructions...not crooks.

15) Water Rationing - Lake Victoria will supply all ur water needs as
the Government will embark on serious water supply measures to ensure
that all have water in their homes.

16)Electricity Rationing:- If u can't access Electricity, then solar
panels will be available at Government Offices free of charge...u only
need to confirm which Engineer is installing it for you.

17)Political Campaigns- that will be a thing of the past as this nation
will engage every idle MP and get them better jobs if serving as an MP
is not enough.

18) My Term in Office - Lifetime because u will never think of
Replacing Raila....as u cannot find his match.

19)Prisoners - You will miss Moody Awori with his empty dancing tactics
and yet he still leaves u in jail and drives out in sleek Mercedes
Benz.
Being jailed will carry the instant death penalty like the Sadaam case
so as to decongest our prison cells and so nobody will desire to be
jailed. All Kenyans will work harder and avoid committing crimes.

20) Business Men - No clearance problems at the airport as all our
Goods and products will be locally sourced and processed. We are going
to promote local industries to thrive from within.

21) Mtumba Bizness- start looking for something else to do because
everybody must wear Kenyan made designer label clothes, only Ministers
and I will be allowed to import from Paris.

22)Fuel Hike - the Arab nations are my friends and I have promised them
cheap Fish and a few Luo think tanks like Anyan'g Nyon'go to help them
manage their billions in exchange of cheap or almost free Oil.

23)Evading Tax - how do u evade paying tax when there will be KRA
officials employed to collect tax and VAT from every building in the
country, each building that comes up must set aside an office for a KRA
official to vet and control Tax for the Government.

24) Foreigners doing our Jobs - Not anymore as we have locals who can
perform, the only foreigner we might employ to supervise them would be
Senator Obama who will be flying in and out Daily.

25) Mungiki Killings - Who do they kill and we shall employ at least 2
policemen in every home and Ndura Waruinge made Internal Security
Minister because he knows all the thugs.

26) Mismanagement of Funds & Terrorism - It will be a thing of the past
since George W. Bush & Tony Blair shall have retired and will be hired
to work as a consultants in Kenya.

27) My Running Mate - I don't need one I can do all things alone.

Signed :
Raila Amolo Odinga
Engineer, Langata MP and President of Kenya 2008 & beyond .

THE FUTURE HAS TAKEN THE SHAPE OF SAFARICOM

2007-07-20T18:16:00.000+03:00

Indeed the future has taken shape of Safaricom. The question is, which shape suits your predicament at the moment?

* An endless CIRCLE of poverty?

* A disentangled TRIANGLE of corruption?

* An OCTAGONAL scheme of money making scams? or

* A bunch of politicians who never think outside their SQUARE shaped boxes?

BlogCatalog Community Organ Donation Awareness Campaign.

2007-07-18T08:11:00.000+03:00

Currently all over the world, we are facing a shortage of organ donors to a point that hospitals are having long waiting lists for patients awaiting transplants. Even those whose relatives tissues match their needs, are having to wait for long before the operations can be carried out. These are the world’s stats as per blogcatalog: In Australia, more than 1,700 people are waiting for organ transplants. In Latin America, more than 50,000. In Europe and the United States, more than 170,000. In China, more than 2 million. In Africa, there isn't enough organization to really know. Without an organ transplant, these people will die.

In Kenya today, those who have eye problems are now hopeful following the establishment of the eye-bank at Nairobi Hospital which is supported by Rotary Club. Its billed to be the only one of its kind in East and Central Africa.

Organ and tissue donation is a very contentious issue especially where religion comes in. But also notable is the lack of cadavers to help in the study of medicine in universities.

One individual who has touched the eyes of men and literally given them sight is Dr. Mukesh of Laser Eye Clinic in Nairobi. He has undertaken over 1000 eye transplants in the past two and a half decades. To say that he has touched peoples lives would be the years understatement.

As the organ donation campaign goes on, we need to know that we can touch someone’s life my making a donation of our bodies or organs once we pass on. At least on that front, we will still be living though in someone else’s body.

To see more of organ transplant success visit here

Organ Donation Awareness Campaign

KIBAKI'S STORY

2007-07-17T18:34:00.000+03:00

This is an email going round the net. I take it to be an election ploy. My advice, think when Dec29th comes.

THE KIBAKI STORY

Kamau wa Njoroge, (not his real name) who happens to own five
acres
of
land somewhere in the Rift valley - tuseme Laikipia - will this
year
sell his maize, yes! Maize for Kshs. 1,300 a bag. He sells his
produce at the local cereal board (NCPB). Right across the street
from the NCPB, Mr. Kiptoo is doing a roaring business akisiaga
posho.
He even mills the sifted unga and hence no need for rural folks
to
buy Hostess from Unga limited.

Five years ago, he got about shs. 400 for the same if he even
dared
plant
it in the first place.

His five cows give him an average of 25 kilos/litres of milk per
day.
He
reserves 5 litres for subsistence and sells 20 everyday at a
price of
Kshs. 18 per litre. That is kshs. 360 daily and since cows give
milk
even
on Christmas day, it is kshs. 10,800 every month.

He has three kids in primary school. He is a reasonably young man
and
since he is not paying school fees, he is busy saving money for
their
secondary education.

Across the road from Kamas's shamba, his neighbor James Koske has
10
acres. He has put 5 acres under wheat cultivation, 2 under maize,
2
under
other cash crop like potatoes, oranges and other types of
vegetables.

HE will be selling his wheat for about Kshs. 1,500 a bag. That is
about
700 more than what he'd have received 5 years ago.

Wheat yield is about 15 bags per acre. That will give him about
Kshs.
108,000 per year.

He has 7 cows. That gives him over 12,000 shillings monthly. He
sells
oranges and other vegetables. He is smiling because he is getting
rewarded for his efforts.

That is the same case for Simiyu in Mumias and his sugarcane
farm.
Chacha
and his tobacco is getting the same.

Otieno the Jua kali artisan and panel beater has just taken up a
small
loan from Equity bank to expand his business. He has actually
hired
three
more guys, two panel beaters and a painter man.

Mama mboga is doing roaring business at the soko and so is
Joseph,
the
owner of Hilton hotel across the market.

Mwalimu ameongezewa mshahara and so is the civil servant. He now
has
more
disposable income and some of it is being left at mama mboga's
and
Joseph's kiosk.

Dr. Ogeto, a Veterinary Doctor is doing roaring business at
Nyahururu
town
selling Adamycin, anti bloat medicine and Nilzan dewormer to
farmers.
Wakulima wameongeza mifugo coz KMC is doing roaring business and
so
is
KCC.

All these are common dudes. They are the small guys, the small
trader.

ODM, tafadhali acheni fitina. You look bad. Try something else.
The
economy is our strength; it is Kibaki's strength.

The economy is not doing well for two kinds of people;
1. Those who wait for free things, for manna to fall from above.
2. The lazy idlers.

For everyone who has a body temperature and willingness as well
as
the
initiative to take a risk, something is happening.

There are so many University graduates who are unemployed in
Kenya
today.
They are still waiting for those six figure income jobs.

They should go get a life. Start farming. its the easiest way to
make
some
money. Some of them have land lying idle (their parents), but
can't
even
educate their parents on what should be done. Hang on Matatus as
manambas and save some money and do something.

For anyone who had saved kshs. 12,000 last year, that was enough
money to
buy 1,000 shares of KENGEN. (@Kshs. 12.00). He would have made a
cool
8,000 shillings any day after the shares were floated in the
market
for
doing nothing. Reinvest the same money in something else and the
money
would have given 50% yield (shs. 4,000) giving him Kshs. 12,000
or
double
what he had saved. He now has 24,000 shillings in less than six
months. That is enough to secure him a loan at the bank or
something
else.

Remember the woman who borrowed kshs. 100,000, bought 6400 KENGEN
shares for approximately 77,000, sold the shares at Kshs. 40 each
making 28
shillings per share or 180,000 shares, repaid her 100,000 loan
and
made
Kshs. 80,000 ALL THAT IN A WEEK????

Why wouldn't a university graduate do that?

Remember the Chokora who saved Kshs. 50,000 and bought the same
leaving
Kimunya impressed?

Watu! Stop whining. It only makes you look bad.

Finally, everyone has a story of a small trader be it mitumba,
bike
repairer, shopkeeper e.t.c. who has made it in the last 4 years
in a
way
he could only have dreamt of.

Remember, there are no two economies in Kenya. There is just one
economy.

You don't have to be a genius to realize that if all sectors of
the
economy are growing including major employing sectors such as
agriculture and tourism then automatically jobs are being
created.

E.g. 5 new KTB employees go to Europe to promote tourism = Mr.
Shah
gets
10000 tourist through his hotel this year= Mr. Shah needs to hire
cooks,
watchmen waiters entertainers, drivers etc =Mr. Shah also needs
support
services a company to do his laundry and provide supplies.

Mr. Shah also needs to feed the tourist: enter Mr. Kamau. Mr.
Kamau
needs
to supply the fruits eggs milk for Mr. Shah he also needs people
to
go
buy the stuff from the farms clean package and deliver them to
Mr.
shah.
Enter Mr. Mwachofi he knows all the right people to do this job.

While the touristâ€™s are in Mombassa Salim the local has a tour
guide
company
that guides touristâ€™s around the coast, he also has a small
kikoi
shop and
curving he employs Mutiso Kilonzo and Mwangumi. Later Mahanga and
his
friends the local beach boys troop in to go sell the carvings.

Meanwhile Mr. Shah, Kamau and Mwachofi need to operate offices to
deal
with billing, payment, taxation to deal with KRA etc by DEC 2007,
600,000
JOBS CREATED NAHIYO NI MAENDELEO SIO MAANDAMANO.

Meanwhile Onyango is still living in Kibera and attending endless
ODM
rallies. While Mr. Shah, Kamau, Koske, Mwachifi, Kiptoo, Salim,
Mutiso
Mahanga and Nyongesa make some money and vote for Kibaki in 2007
and
dont
forget the women Mrs. Shah, Kiptoo, Kamau, Salim and Nyongesa.

CDF projects have also created jobs especially in the
construction
sector, but in some areas MPs resorted to buying lab items from
their
own companies and also spend all the money in giving bursary to
private students attending their private owned schools. People in
such areas will never feel or see the impact of the money.

President Kibaki promised that he would steer the economy to
create
500,000 jobs annually.

Kenya has 210 constituencies.

Each constituency receives approximately Kshs. 20 million
annually in
CDF.

On average, each constituency needs to create 2380 jobs to attain
the
desired goal.

Granted, some constituencies will definitely create more jobs
than
others
for example, Nairobi. This is the hub of commerce and industry as
well as
the service sector be it tourism, banking, hotel etc.

Some areas like the Rift Valley and Central Province are also
very
vibrant
in terms of the economy and will see a disproportionate job
growth
than
other areas.

I believe that we are very close to the said target and in two or
three years, if the status quo holds, we will definitely surpass
it.

KIBAKI'S DETRACTORS

ODM is so discomfited by the good economic news that they are
groping
in
the dark looking for answers.Why not just give credit where it is
due?

If you think about the ODM big 6 (or seven if you add Dr. Julia
Ojiambo),
you'd be forgiven for making the assumption that they are not in
the
country.

When there is good news, they are absent and notably very quiet.

Some days ago, Equity bank announced its profits and the story is
the
same. This is how the bank CEO summarized the rosy picture. This
excerpt is direct from the Kenya Yimes.

"Equity Bank's snowballing profit for the third quarter has
spiraled
by
120 per cent to Sh774 million from Sh351 million recorded for the
same
period last year.

The soaring profitability, attributed mainly to a surge in volume
of
business, is certain to boost investor confidence among the
bank's
shareholders following its listing at the Nairobi Stock Exchange
(NSE)."

He said that it was due to a surge in volume of business.

It wasn't EABL, KENGEN, SafariCom, Mumias and other blue chip
companies
that borrowed all this money; it was you and I, the small guy.

It is good to be objective. It is by being objective that we can
be
proud of being Kenyans. Subjectivity has turned people into
pessimists who cannot see light at the end of the tunnel. This
pessimism has been spread to many ignorant Kenyans
who have fallen prey of selfish politicians. For example Hon.
Musa
Sirma was sarcastic in his criticism of the NARC government. But
today he has seen what KANU was saying was impossible e.g. free
primary education is now possible. We are no longer kneeling down
to
donors yet every constituency including his Eldama Ravine is
getting
something. However there are some who still cannot
appreciate any of these goodies yet you cannot trace any
performance
record when they had a chance.

For Instance:

(1) Hon. Kamotho was Minister for Education,
Transport, Local Government, Trade, and Environment
What legacy has he left in all these ministries? What can you
remember?
Coups in local authorities, chaos in transport, and Oh! What
about
Karura forest? Hon Michuki was in transport for only two years
and he
has made history although Hon. Kajwang calls him - Muchuki.

(2) Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka has been in parliament since 1988. When
expressing himself he has always referred to himself as a
lawyer....
As a
lawyer he advised Kibaki to dissolve parliament and call fresh
elections.
As lawyer he predicted that 2006 would be a year of elections.
Kenyans
need to see his legal competence in parliament. Dont forget Njoki
Ndungu
joined Parliament recently yet she will go into history books
because
of
her contribution in parliament. Kalonzo needs to understand that
Kenyans
need more of actions and less of empty talk. Again he was
Minister
for
Foreign Affairs, Education, Wnvironment etc. Tell me something
unique
we
can remember him for.

(3)Hon. Raila Odinga was made Minister for Energy during the Moi
regime. As a minister during that time do you remember him beyond
landing in
Kisumu in a helicopter? Later he was appointed Minister for
Public
Works.
Do you remember him beyond bringing down buildings on road
reserves?
Give
performance a chance mheshimiwa!

(4) Hon. Balala was made minister for Sports and National
Heritage.
As minister he could not bring order to KFF. Hon. Maina Kamanda
was
recently
appointed Minister for Sports and we can see what is happening to
sports
in this country.

(5) Hon. Ruto can be best remembered in 1992 as a Kanu Activist.
You
remember the economy came to its knees as millions of shillings
were
looted for campaigns and for years Kenyans have paid for this
economic
crime. Anything you can remember him for as Minister? However
within
a
very short time as Minister, Hon. Kirwa has brought sanity in the
agricultural sector.

(6)Hon. William Ole Ntimama became Minister in 1988. However I
tend
to remember him more issuing threats and insults than working as
a
minister.
During the Narc era he was Minister for Public Service. Do you
recall
him
beyond threatening public servants. In the short period Moses
Akaranga
has been Minister do you see what he has done?

Actions speak louder than words. We have seen the likes of
Munyes,Obwocha, Tuju, Karua, Ngilu, Kagwe, Soita...their actions
are
louder than their words.
WE ARE NOT BLIND WE HAVE SEEN AND WE ARE NOT DEAF WE HAVE HEARD.
Does the ODM have an agenda for Kenya or these people have an
agenda
for themselves?

We can differentiate between competence and incompetence,
selfishisness
and selflessness. Can these people be trusted in their
incompetence
and
inconsistency?

You and other Kenyans should advice me. Send this to them and ask
them
to advise a Kenyan who wants to be proud of being a Kenyan. A
sample
of
ten is reasonable.

President Kibaki is going to be re-elected with a landslide,

Wait and see...

AND..
That is the story!

My philosophy remains ''WACHA KIBAKI ABAKI

DRIVER'S TEN COMMANDMENTS

2007-07-17T13:50:00.000+03:00

The Vatican released what is now termed as the Driver's Ten Commandments. Here is the list:

'Drivers' Ten Commandments'
The "Drivers' Ten Commandments," as listed by the document, are:
1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.

How Heartless Can A Woman Be?

2007-07-14T08:13:00.000+03:00

In a fit of anger after a disagreement about the husband's wish to take time and catch up with the boys at the local pub, a woman poured petrol on her husband when he returned as well as the two kids and set them all on fire.

One of the kids died and though the other lived to tell the story, literally, he is deeply traumatised and suffers from nightmares.

The husband, or rather the man in this case, was disfigured to an extent of being in and out of hospital for the past one year. Even his old friends cant recognise him and he has to re-introduce himself to the boys.

No matter the seriousness of the crime, this beggars belief. It escapes this bloggers mind, how a woman can be so callous yet find in herself, the strength to stand in a society?

POSTA GOES ON THE OFFENSIVE

2007-07-13T07:50:00.000+03:00

When Kenya Posts & Telecommunication Corp was unbundled, it bore three entities. Among them, only CCK hit the ground running what with the revolution in mobile telephony which seemed to have been the last straw that would have killed Telkom the landline sibling with a record 1000 watchmen in its payroll!

Then there was Posta, the mail and parcel service who seemed to limp from one error of parcel loss to the other opened mail. While carrying out business this way, private entities realised that there was money in courier business that was the preserve of Posta and Securicor Courier. The gave the postman a run for his money with innovative same-day delivery and overnight delivery where the postman took a week or more to deliver.

Now the postman seems to have got their groove back, if the adverts running in the media are anything to go by. And they are using some very touching ads which resonate with those of us who used the service before the advent of the sms and email services in Kenya.

In the dailies, it says ' nothing says 'I Love You' like a letter...' like a letter '....we deliver emotions.' Reminding me of the high school days, donkey years ago when it was the only way to send the missive to that girl one had 'hooked' in the last Rally or drama fests.

The TV ad is more to the point, with the dove flying next above the mail delivery van as well as when one is reading the received letter, it lets you know that you can not only deliver a letter anywhere, but that Postal services are just next to you. Truly, Posta is the 'heart of the community.'

Lets hope that Posta keeps up the ante and delivers on time. I can say that the delivery time on their part has somehow improved but they cant rival parcel couriers like G4S, Coast Bus and the ilk.

A BANANA COSTS MORE THAN MY HOUSE

2007-07-12T13:43:00.000+03:00

This landed into my inbox and i thought it wise to share it with my readers. I will not say 'enjoy it' because its a pity how low a country can sink just to soothe someone's cathedral-size of an ego!

There has been a wave of panic buying in many shops in Zimbabwe as the government enforces radical price cutting measures to try to tackle the world's highest rate of inflation - more than 3,700%.

One resident of Harare describes how the inflation is making life difficult for everyone, even those who are relatively well off.
At the pharmacy, I wait again in the gloom to have a repeat prescription filled.

It is for Phenobarbital tablets for my partner's mentally handicapped son, who suffers from epilepsy.

The tablets have gone up by 30,000 Zimbabwe dollars ($0.93 at the official exchange rate; $0.10 at the dominant black market rate) in a single day.

Hundreds of people are clamouring around the supermarkets, so I assume there has been one of the rare deliveries of basics like sugar or salt.

There is nothing I can afford.

A single banana costs 15 times more than I paid for my four-bedroom house seven years ago.

One candle now sells at 120,000 Zimbabwe dollars (US $3.70; $0.42).

That is twice as much as the government's stipulated farm worker's wage.

"This isn't living, it's barely surviving," I tell myself, but I know that so many Zimbabweans are not even surviving.

They are dying of hunger, malnutrition or preventable diseases.

This post is from bbc news and blogged here by assidous

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALBERT LUTULI'S DEATH

2007-07-12T08:10:00.000+03:00

Forty years ago yesterday, Albert Lutuli (Luthuli) died in a mysterious car accident near his home in Stanger.

Born in 1898, Lutuli, a teacher, was known for his fight against the excesses of the Apartheid regime which jailed him severally in an effort to silence him. He was also a one time chairman of the ANC after he accepted the offer to become a tribal chief which he had resisited for over two years. He was later dismissed from being a chief after the government cited conflict of interest in his ANC membership and chieftainship.

In 1961, he became the 1st South African to win a Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against apartheid a move that was termed as 'an inexplicable pathological phenomenon' by Die Transvaler a local Apartheid Daily.

To Lutuli, his was a 'spirit that refused to submit to tyranny.'

2007-07-11T08:39:00.000+03:00

Upon importing a used car or purchasing one from any dealer, one has to use the red 'KG' plate until the licence plates are issued.

Now KRA in its effort to net more tax has, and it has been successful so far, has started enforcing some laws that were ignored for quite some time. To buy a used car, make sure you get one from a licenced dealer or individual by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles which is an arm of KRA. This is under the little known and applied Second Hand Motor Vehicles Purchase Tax Cap 484 sec 4(1) of Kenya's Law.

They have also set their eyes on gar garages where repairs are done. They also have to be registered by the ROM and have a Dealer's General Licence for 'KG' plates under Traffic Act cap 403 sec 23-29.

Now the reality of KRA hitting the Ksh409B in the next financial year doesnt seen to be farfetched.

2007-07-09T08:23:00.000+03:00

GlaxoSmithKline is the maker of the second leading pain-killer in Kenya, Hedex. After Panadol Extra was introduced into the market, they followed the same way and made a Hedex Extra tablet.

Sometimes in the last two weeks, a recall of the Hedex Extra has been initiated by the drug maker due to public outcry of its poor state especially in and around Mombasa areas.

The tablet was found to have crystals on it causing discolouration. When it was opened from its blister pack, it smelled bad and crumbled to powder form. The crystals were said to be salicylic acid whose toxicity levels couldn't be announced for reasons best known to the drug makers and the drug Board in Kenya. But for Obvious reasons!

In a GSK ad, the drug maker claimed 'there were no reported side-effectd/symptoms occasioned by the use of the affected product by consumers'! How true this is cant be verified.

But what can be verified is that the drug maker is the one that has gone public only in the print media but after the news was carried in the media, while the Poisons Board nor the Pharmacy Board have seen it fit to inform the public. To say that they are acting in public interesting is stretching a fact for so long! They act in the interest of the drug lords. Why haven't they gone on national radio and TV to inform the public on such a health risk. In developed countries, such a move is bound to have the drug pulled out of the market and the tests carried out on it ascertain the real cause of the crystallisation!

So GSK saying that 'they are committed to ensure that patient/ consumer safety is not compromised at anytime' doesn't wash with this blogger.

Am not a drug maker basher, but i can only trust them as far as i can spit them. Look at the drug fiasco in Nigeria and you will begin to understand why i view them with little respect.

And what a joke passes for the Poisons and Pharmacy Boards.

BEETHOVEN'S LOVE LETTER.

2007-07-07T17:34:00.000+03:00

This love letter by Beethoven landed in my mail inbox. I think it's worth sharing.

"Immortal Beloved"
c. 1811-12

Even when I am in bed my thoughts rush to you, my eternally beloved, now and then joyfully, then again sadly, waiting to know whether Fate will hear our prayer--To face life I must live altogether with you or never see you. Yes, I am resolved to be a wanderer abroad until I can fly to your arms and say that I have found my true home with you and enfolded in your arms can let my soul be wafted to the realm of blessed spirits--alas, unfortunately it must be so--You will become composed, the more so you know that I am faithful to you; no other woman can ever possess my heart--never--never--Oh God, why must one be separated form her who is so dear. Yet my life in V[ienna] at present is a miserable life--Your love has made me both the happiest and the unhappiest of mortals--At my age I now need stability and regularity in my life--can this coexist with our relationship?--Angel, I have just heard that the post goes every day--and therefore I must close, so that you may receive the letter immediately--Be calm; for only by calmly considering our lives can we achieve our purpose to live together--Be calm--love me--Today--yesterday--what tearful longing for you--for you--you--my life--my all--all good wishes to you--Oh, do continue to love me--never misjudge your lover's most faithful heart.
ever yours
ever mine
ever ours.
Ludwig van Beethoven

VERY SERIOUS BUT FUNNY!

2007-07-07T08:12:00.000+03:00

This post landed in my inbox, and as i have done before, i share it with you my readers now.

WE shouldnt laugh but its funny.....

A study was conducted recently to determine the average crime rate at
international airports around the world.

The study made use of an ordinary looking man standing in the airport
terminal and reading a newspaper. He had an empty briefcase next to him,
which he would ignore. Observers then recorded how long it took for the
briefcase to be snatched.

In Amsterdam the case was stolen within 4 minutes and 20 seconds.

In Washington DC it was stolen within 3 minutes and 16 seconds.

At Heathrow, London the briefcase was snatched in less than 2
minutes.

In New York , the case was stolen within 1 minute and 5 seconds.

In Los Angeles it took only 43 seconds before the case was snatched.

In Nairobi the people conducting the study were robbed on the way to
the airport at Imara Daima and the briefcase was stolen along with
their car! The man meant to pose reading a newspaper was shot dead at
point blank range. Two people walking on the side walk were injured. The
briefcase was again stolen from the thugs at the police block and the
car re stolen. The first thiefs were shot dead and the new thugs crashed
the car near the entrance to the airport whereupon the good samaritans
stole the briefcase and the thug's mobiles, clothes e.t.c.

EDUCATED BUT RUDE TO THE HILT

2007-07-06T17:52:00.000+03:00

We Kenyans pride ourselves in our high levels of literacy which is very true. We can hold converstions with anyone on anything under the sun.

But when it comes to the basic etiquette, ours stinks to the highs! We are rude, impolite and ride roughshod over one another. Simple words which mean a lot like sorry, please, excuse me, thank you dont exist in our vocabulary at all.

Go to any kiosk and chances that you will hear ' nataka mkate' (give me bread)from a buyer is 99%. Our motorists have a world class rudeness: they don't use indicators, cut into lanes, jump lanes, hoot uncontrollably and what have you. In banks, we all want to jump queues while the banks themselves will not even have washrooms for their customers!

This is unlike our Tanzanian brothers who are in a class of their own when it comes to politeness. Words like 'naomba, tafadhali, kwa hisani yako........ are normal day to day lingua franca. Try it here in Kenya and heads will turn, in any case we have a President who insults the very people who have put him in a job 'pumbavu' (fools)!

Being polite costs nothing but the benefits are immense. There was an advert that used to go ' a little courtesy wont hurt...'

I rest my case.

BEER PROBLEM?

2007-07-05T08:16:00.000+03:00

This post landed in my inbox and since i found it humorous, i thought i would share it with my readers.

A man, sitting outside his home about to be evicted from his house,
was contemplating what the future would be
after he had divorced his wife,
lost his children and his job...
He notices a crate of beer bottles
and walks up to it.
He takes out an empty bottle,
smashing it into the concrete wall swearing,
"You are the reason I don' t have a wife",
second bottle, "You are the reason I don't have my children",
third bottle "You are the reason I lost my job".
He notices the fourth bottle is sealed and still full of beer.
He takes the bottle, puts it aside and says

"Stand aside my dear friend, I know you were not involved."

CNBC TV IN KENYA

2007-07-04T08:23:00.000+03:00

Sometimes back, i was scrolling the free TV channels and i happened to come across CNBC TV African running a programme about some mines in Zambia or something to that effect. I noted that it was showing the various Stock markets figures at the bottom of the screen.

It never caught my mind until the NSE figures started running and i got interested. Along the way, due to the weather, i got a bad signal and that was the first and last time to watch it again. I tried even asking around for the channel that was running the programme buti hit a wall.

That was until i came to know that it was indeed CNBC TV which is opening in Kenya and may be going on air in 3mths time. It will be Kenya's premier business and finance news network on 24/7 basis. CNBC TV will be a free channel.

CNBC TV is part of NBC a wholly owned subsidiary of General Electric who are also in the process of opening a major multi-factory in the country.

Watch out for that channel.

KHALWALE'S TIRADES ON EQUITY

2007-07-03T08:18:00.000+03:00

To open a bank account with Kenya's big three banks KCB, BBK or StanChart is a job that calls for sympathy and lots of effort. One is asked for a plethora of documents and while at it referee's who should be account holders at the said bank. Don't be surprised if a birth certificate is required or a letter by your area chief. As if this isn't enough, they will ask you so many questions as if you are prisoner instead of a customer.

By the end of it all and so many days later, you are exhausted and have to wait for the account to be activated, then wait for the ATM card for weeks on end! That was and is still how they operate here, with little or no regard for customer satisfaction. You either put up with them or you take a hike. I will not even go into the loan application process. The thought itself is mind boggling!

While they were in their free money minting zone, they forgot about competition and slept on their laurels. Then one day, a small entity known as Equity Bank came and upset the apple cart and by the time they realised, Equity was amending the game-plan as well as the rules of engagement.

You only needed to fill a form and they would take care of the rest. They take your photo using the latest Motorolla phone or a digital camera in minutes and you have your account up and running! Talk of using the available technology to the maximum.

With the two scenarios, i need not tell you who people decided to walk into if only to spite the old order. Thus, Equity boast a third of all the accounts in the country. With this in mind, i don't think that 1.5M account holders daft to be there. There must be something that equity is doing right.

So when Bonny Khalwale he of the bull-fighting refereeing antics wastes taxpayers money by opening his mouth and demanding that Equity start demanding referees for their new account holders, you can only sympathise with his archaic thought processes. Why, pray i ask, have we cursed ourselves with such a lot full of self-importance that they don't care about the mwananchi trying to make ends meat? I think that as an MP one should try to promote the least bureaucracy if possible to ensure that life goes on and productivity is enhanced. I wouldn't be surprised if that sounds as Greek to him.

That Equity has not responded to him is acknowledges the fact that he deserves to treated with utmost contempt.

RUSHDIE KNIGHTED.

2007-07-02T12:38:00.000+03:00

The Queen knighted Salman Rushdie he of the 'Satanic Verses' notoriety in her mid-June birthday honours for 'his services to literature.'

Satanic Verses is a work of art (literature) that satirised Islam and created an unprecedented furor that is unmatched by any recent book. This led to the then Iran's Spiritual Leader Ayatollah Khomeini to issue a 'fatwa' against him calling for his execution.

The knighting thought leave alone the act itself was bound to raise tempers and has now precipitated a diplomatic row.

Truth be told, he is now officially Sir Salman Rushdie.

MAMA'S BIBLE

2007-06-30T19:17:00.000+03:00

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

100 POSTS AND GOING.

2007-06-30T18:42:00.000+03:00

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.

WHY NAIROBI IS AFRICA'S CAPITAL

2007-06-29T18:59:00.000+03:00

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.

CIA 'FAMILY JEWELS'

2007-06-29T07:43:00.000+03:00

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?

CHRIS BENOIT IN MURDER-SUICIDE.

2007-06-28T18:06:00.000+03:00

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

2007-06-28T12:45:00.000+03:00

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

2007-06-28T07:40:00.000+03:00

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

NACADA NOW A PARASTATAL

2007-06-27T18:41:00.000+03:00

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.

NEW MITSUBISHI PAJERO.

2007-06-27T13:23:00.000+03:00

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

2007-06-27T07:48:00.000+03:00

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.

AFRICA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY OPENS IN JO'BURG - SA.

2007-06-26T08:09:00.000+03:00

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.

OF FOXES AND LIONS

2007-06-25T13:07:00.000+03:00

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

TERIOS 4X4

2007-06-24T18:51:00.001+03:00

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.

WHAT KISS MEANS TO A PROFESSOR

2007-06-23T19:42:00.000+03:00

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.

AUDI Q7 COMES TO KENYA

2007-06-23T18:57:00.000+03:00

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

2007-06-23T08:12:00.000+03:00

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.

FYI

2007-06-22T19:40:00.000+03:00

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

2007-06-22T19:09:00.000+03:00

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.

2007-06-22T12:23:00.000+03:00

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

MARRIAGE HAS BEEN MONETISED AT LAST!

2007-06-22T08:10:00.000+03:00

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

SAFCOM CHANGES LOGO?

2007-06-21T13:07:00.000+03:00

href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BA_ZuU4mrOI/RnpQwtnK1dI/AAAAAAAAADg/wrQwfnkHw9s/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.

NAKUMATT TOP 30 SUPERMARKETS

2007-06-21T08:48:00.000+03:00

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.