HUKAS CHRONICLES

EASTLEIGH

2011-06-20T04:02:00.000-07:00

When i am going home i have to go to Eastleigh. it is where i get my ride home. the crowded place that has more sellers than buyers could easily be the commercial hub of Kenya were it not for the poor infrastructure and ill designed business premises.

Dusty when dry, wet and filthy when it pours the place attracts traders of all manner like flies. people sell almost anywhere and the fact that they are still in business is nothing short of a miracle. simply because in eastleigh traders sale almost identical stuff.

well for me i had some minutes to kill as i wait for the ride hence this post here. the joke is you cant come to eastleigh and leave without impulsely buying something you don't need.

i got to go, later. cheers!

ONGERI AND COMPANY

2011-06-19T02:54:00.000-07:00

I my not responsible, it was others. there is no iota of blame on me. when you here some of the things Kenyan politician say when they are caught pants down on corruption allegations its just unforgivable.

whole ministers who think that theirs is to sit pretty and earn millions in tax payers money without being responsible for anything.

money meant to educate Kenyan children, that was loaned to us, has being misappropriate under your watch, billion has been stolen. but you are not responsible. what crap, what audacity.

Minister Ongeri you make me sick, people who have nothing to fear don't cling to office and blame others. they do the honorable thing. they step aside and let independent investigation take place. do yourself a favor ask for forgiveness from all the young Kenyans who wont get the rightful education because you were not guilty hence its was none of your problems.

the appointee authority must step in and take action. Minister were not asked into the office. they should not begged to take responsibility, they should be sacked and the law can take its natural cause.

GRADUATION

2011-06-19T02:36:00.000-07:00

many of my friends got their college degree yesterday. here we call it the order of the towel. For reasons beyond my control i was not able to do the same. sometime back i realized that it would not happen this year.

the whole not graduating thing was tough pill to swallow but the hardest part was feeling left behind by colleagues. after some self assessment i realized that that was not the reason i felt bad. i felt bad because in a way the system of education we have has a way of making one feel inadequate.

there is always this measuring of one self against the work of others. even though we clearly know that everyone is different and will only perform uniquely according to his/her ability.

i am at home today, i know the only person i have to please is myself. today i have something to look forward to and it is not permission to earn my keep .

ASSUMPTIONS

2011-06-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

we dont have to be the same
you know agree on everything
have the same mind
but we can do this
DISAGREE

Huh! yes, we can
DISAGREE
and on our own
somehow, someway
find our truth

again you know, i have a thing
for girls with big eyes
somehow i believe
the same extends to their heart
an assumption
but one I'm very comfortable with

see when they smile
and their eyes light up
or when they are keenly listening
their eyes a pool of possibilities
its a picture of beauty
you don't want to make her cry
coz that's not what her eyes are for
and when she lovingly looks you in your eyes
the is nothing you won't do for her

2011-05-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

SCENE ONE
“WHERE ARE YOU”

It’s almost night time in Amoco, people walk hurriedly to and fro as each tries to finish their business in town before night falls. On a sparsely crowded Kinjo street, a handsome woman of medium height walks leisurely smiling to herself. Rita, walks with a small confident stride, many turn and get a second glimpse as they pass her. Rita doesn’t mind this; she is used to the stares. Reaching the bus stop, she stops beside a small crowd that like her awaits the bus; for a ride home.

A few minutes pass and a few men try to catch her attention; she smiles and gives them no more. As the stares evolve into fulltime gaping she reaches into her handbag, retrieves her mobile phone and proceeds to listen to some music. With her earphones in place she retreats from the bus stage to her own little peaceful haven and prays that the bus comes quickly. But almost immediately her music is interrupted by a call; a quick check on the caller ID reveals that it’s her beau. Smiling even more she hurriedly receives the call.

Rita: Hey You! Where are you at?
Dante: Right behind you.
Rita: Stop playing, seriously where are you?
Dante: Check your rear view.

Rita: I see, you want to play games.
Dante: Games! I daren’t on my heart flame.
Rita: Ooooh! You, you got a way with words.
Dante: It’s easy with you; you make my heart
Flutter like a million birds.
filling me with joy like a flood.

Rita: (smiling) enough! I can’t take it anymore.
Just tell me where you are.
I’m touched to my core.

Dante: Not so fast, now look around you
If you want to find me, here is a clue
Find me in the stranger knowing smile
I’m in the couple’s blissful,
Oblivious love
Find me in the young man’s
Confident stride
Further look for me in a mother’s
Fretful nature and
A family’s unshakeable union
But to physically see me, look behind you.

Rita: (Turning around, she finds herself
Chin to chin with her love)
Oh! Sweet nectar bird,
How did you get here so fast?

Dante: On a chariot of fire of our love.
Come thee hither, and quench all your thirst.

Rita: (Hugging him tightly)
Stop, I can’t bear you talk
My legs have turned into jelly.
My heart drums furiously,
Threatening to explode and send me
Yonder into smithereens.
With your every word, I’m lifted.
You make me float in a daze so beautiful
I don’t want to wake up.
Oh! Sweet nectar bird, your honeyed words
Have overwhelmed my famished palate.

Dante: Say no more, I cannot……

Rita: Sshhhhh! Speak no more,
You’ve said enough to last me a lifetime.
Even though my ears crave more,
and my heart yearns the same
I think we have said enough,
come now, use you lips. Calm my
Excited body with your kisses,
caress me with strong arms. Loosen
Every tension in my tendons,
crush me to you. Lets mesh, merge if you
Will and make love.

Shuttle diplomacy round II

2011-04-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

The continued flogging of this dead horse by the VP and those supporting and willingly financing this futile endeavor clearly shows the misplaced priorities of our political class.
The support of China and Russia should not be seen as a light at the end of the tunnel but a possible opportunity through which these countries can further stretch their mighty and coerce our country to make bilateral commitments. They will not hesitate to milk every possible economical gain knowing very well our leaders are desperate and in that all that is needed is one veto, which America has promised to deliver.
It’s a great to be patriotic and fight for our sovereignty or whatever reason we may put forward for this futile attempt to remedy a situation that has gone beyond return but enough is enough. We had our chance, we failed, period! Let’s stop this chasing game, concentrate on important matters like the implementation of the constitution, poverty eradication, creating capacity for food security for our people.

+MTEJA+

2010-10-26T02:58:00.000-07:00

Waiting for you to call,
i hold my phone and move to a place
where the connection is stronger
i try to concentrate and do some work
but i cant, my mind keeps wandering

All i know is that i got to see you
i got to talk to you, i have to hold you
i got to give you the warmest of bear hugs
but you don't call, you don't keep your promise
i want to call you,and find out what is up
but i cant, i feel i am coming on to strong
i don't want to push you away

i want you to want me to do this things for you
the desire to be next to you overwhelms me and i call you
but you dont pick my call, now i am perplexed!
what could be the matter?
but i let you be, i tell myself-
you might not be in a position to talk
i let you be even though i am hurt
i let you be, hoping eventual you call

KAMUA KAMUA LEO

2010-07-23T05:13:00.000-07:00

Today is my day. Today is an opportunity from God to do something remarkable for humanity. I will do what I do best by writing to everyone who cares to read. Today is not only my day but yours also. Everyone has equal right to rejoice in today for each has the same amount of time to carry out what his or her purpose is for today. Do you have a purpose for today?

There is no unfairness today, only a short time to do the right thing. Maybe all you need today is to follow the right advice and make an informed choice. My friend, remember today is a day of investment in the future and a chance to learn from yesterday mistakes. It’s a new beginning to right all the wrongs we have done. Yes, today is that and more, today is a gift wrapped for us. Have you unwrapped and discovered what is in your package?

Today may be more simple than all this, it might be a chance to forgive those who have wronged us, a chance to make new friends and reconcile with old enemies. It could be a time to go back and seek out those we have wronged and ask for pardon. This may be the opportunity to kick that bad habit that has been pulling us back. Today could be this-it could be more, it your choice because today lies before you virgin and fertile with possibilities. Have you realize the possibilities in store for you if you were to exploit the generosity the today brings?

For some today would be a day to rejuvenate and gain back lost energies, for some it would be a day to say farewell to familiar surrounding, it might be a day to leap into the unknown or a day to turn and walk back home. be it as it may, today equalizes all in that it favors none and looks to give all an equal dose of everything in the store, are you ready to work with what today throws your way from it deep pockets of unfathomable realities?

I have done my purpose for today, I hope in some little way this piece will push you towards grabbing the infinite possibilities today throws you. We don’t have many guarantees in life, it short and fragile lets make it enjoyable and fulfilling by each day living like the next moment is our last.

RELATIONSHIP WOES AND WORRIES

2010-06-09T10:57:00.000-07:00

I promise to love, cherish, respect and adore you. I could have the whole world but if you were not in it I will spite it. Bitterness turns to sweetness when we fellowship together. Just the thought of having you in my corner gives me the courage and strength to go on. Your smile fortifies me and a simple hug from pushes me into over-drive.

The problem with most of our promises is that we do not intend to honor them. We say them for convenience, be it in a relationship or otherwise. We make promises because there is a time span between when the promise is being made and its actualization. This is mean and selfish, but it is also human. We can’t accuse and vilify a person for being human but this is not an excuse for us to continue dishing out lies and empty promises.

RELATIONSHIP WOES CONTINUED

2010-06-09T10:55:00.001-07:00

Someone once said that the best way not to break a promise is not to give it in the first place. Easier said than done, we find ourselves in moments of emotional euphoria and when the question is popped we simply answer in affirmative. Sometimes it crueler than that, we string people along, giving out false hope and aspiration knowing affirmatively that we don’t intend to honor our promise immediately we gain our hearts desire. This calculated also planned fraud is at the very least shameful and distasteful but when there is an office to be coveted, or a status to be raised this seems a small enough price to be pay.
Peter is what ladies would label a ‘player’; he uses his persuasive prowess and verbal skills to strings ladies along. His misdemeanors are known far and wide in the campus but this has not stopped ladies from falling into his sweet embrace. Maybe it’s the womanly nature to try and change men. Most ladies internal maybe attribute Martin failures to his lady friends. They say that a woman greatest enemy is another woman. I don’t believe in that but my believe or lack of it thereof has not stop the sun from setting in the west. Martin is rumored to be a smooth operator. His victims have even attested to the irresistible charm that he unleashes when he decides to. It is said that he is gentleman but cannot help himself when a beautiful woman challenges him with a flirt.

MUSKETERS CONTINUED

2010-06-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

The chairman of the party Mr. Timberlake took great issue with the current proposed constitution as non representative of the masses and accused the government for deliberately ignoring some sectors. He also said that the constitution as it is doesn’t cater for the special interests of women, children and the handicapped. Also he spoke of mismanagement of public funds, welfare fund for the unemployed and transparency and accountability in terms of resources mobilization and distribution. Mr. Timberlake hopes to clinch the Langata seat currently held by the Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Esther Adongo Timberlake started by stating that she has withdrawn the court case she had against her parents. She said that her parents forced her hand by not giving into her wishes and told girls to not let their parents make life changing decision for them. Esther had also harsh words for her former fiancée as a conman and threatened to take him to court if he doesn’t return her car’s log book. When challenged to produce evidence of this allegation she quickly said that she will do so in court if he does not return the said log book.

Listeners of the show congratulate the three for stepping up to the plate but warned them that elections are not won by staying in the city but by going to the grass root and meeting the electorate. Also, listeners wanted to know about the Manifesto, Their dismissed their detractors and promised changes if elected.

THE 3 MUSKETERS

2010-06-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

Today, while having my evening siesta to replenish ‘the lost energies’ as I like to call it i tried roaming the radio frequencies for something soothing to ease me to sleep. As I roamed through I bumped into this new local Fm station called Q Fm and was just in time for the most unlikely interview between the show presenters and three individuals aspiring to hold the mantle of leadership in this country Kenya.

These were, husband and wife Quincy Timberlake and Esther Arunga and their mentor Joseph Hellon were giving the views on the new found political aspirations, the Placenta political party the created and why the say NO to the proposed new constitution. The interviewer immediately took them to task on the name for their political party (PLACENTA) Hellon, informed her why they chose the name, he said that it was symbolic for a new beginning for Kenyans and meant the transition from the old guard to the young blood. The placenta represented the bridge that will facilitate this transition. He was quick to add that in the coming election held under the old constitution he will run for the presidency and also if elected become the Minister for Agriculture. He said that Kenyan have enough resources agricultural to become an economic power house under the right policies and leadership. Mr. Hellon is going to run for the Rongo constituency seat come 2012.

to be continued.......

MEDIA LITERACY: READERS DIGEST

2010-06-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

My favorite magazine is the readers digest. The reason I am fond of this magazine is because it contents encompasses almost all spheres of life. It deals with political issues, medical and technological advancement, humour, relationships and real life
issues. Secondly the presentations by different columnist are very precise and full of good research.

I like it for it wholesomeness and sensitivity to the different audiences it cares of with a subtle but authoritative analysis. As for my literacy in consumption of this medium message I am confident that I am reasonably literate. I do not for a fact accept any of the content as gospel truth I always have this skeptic and doubtful attitude towards it until I have confirmed that indeed the message are infact a fact. I have said reasonably literate because unfortunately my media skill does not free me from all my biases and prejudices. The readers digest as i mentioned earlier has a variety of content ranging from health, technology, fashion, true stories,sex and relationships.

There was a time I read about this woman celebrity in South African who alleged that she was abused by some members of her family as she was growing up. Then when
she was pressed and asked why she did not reveal this to someone close to her i.e. her mother or confidant she claimed that she did not have any such person to
tell. The interviewer further asked her why she did not do when she was afterwards, she claimed that she was better off forgetting that terrible part of her life. She further went to say that even today when she goes for family reunion she still sees those who molested her. She feels angry that they have the gut to be there after all they have done to her. At first it thought his could be one of those staged
performance by the media to attract audience i.e. the notion that when it bleeds it leads, but I was able to read further on rape and child molestation. Statitistics shocked me when it said that indeed children who undergo this most of the time go with it to the grave. Parents who are most of the time the perpetrators are supposedly protectors of this children. Girls who rush to the mothers to announce
the sad news of being raped by fathers are hushed or even beaten for trying to soil the good name of the father. Mothers protect the marriage and the other interest comes a distance second.

The fact that I can access the content from various point of access increases my enjoyment of the magazine. Most of the time I read Readers Digests to get information on the current advancement in disciplines of medicine and technology. I read to learn about what individuals are tying to do to curb global warming and international terrorism. But other times I just go to the library to peruse through a volume of the readers digests to read the humour and jokes column. I find that the humour and various anecdotes are not amusing but also real. The jokes and
humour columns are strategically placed to entice which I take note but all the same the content of the jokes are worth the entrapment at the end of the reading. Thirdly I sometimes come to read the readers digests for their inspirational real life stories that are encouraging and uplifting. The fact that it happened to someone else shows it could also happen to me and I could gained immensely from their experience.

KENYAN WINS SAFARICOM SEVENS

2010-06-07T01:42:00.000-07:00

The Kenya rugby team won the Safaricom Seven yet again. The team captained by Humphrey Kayange did so by winning all the matches. of note is the semi final playoff with the other Kenyan team Shujaa who they gave a rugby lesson on the way to the final.

The final an intense match with the South African Emerging Brooks was a nailing biting affair that was made even more tough by the torrential rainfall that flooded the pitch while the matching was on going. The Emerging Brooks who were younger and more aggressive and creative were outdone by the Kenyan experience and kicking game. The hosts were also buoyed by the great supports given by home fans.

the team finishes the season on a happy note after a not so great IRB seven rugby circuit which saw them demoted two places to No. 6. this will give the team a much needed psychological boost as they break camp and return to their respective teams.

AMERICAN VP EXPEXTED IN TOWN

2010-06-07T01:12:00.000-07:00

The American VP is expected to land in Nairobi today as a part of a tour of African countries. Mr. Joe Biden is expected to talk to the coalition partners; president Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga about the up coming August 4th constitution referendum and other economic and political reforms the government is supposed to implement.

The vice President will also meet other high ranking government officials and it is expected that he will make a stop at the speaker of the national assembly office to discuss parliament's work towards reforms.

American government has been criticized by the proponents of NO campaigns against the constitution to be forcing the reforms and passage of the bills down the throat of Kenyans. President Barrack has been accused of openly supporting the proposed constitution, which he did not deny in an interview recently but said that though he supports the process openly he will not do the same for the results.

American ambassador in Kenya Michael Raineberger recently said that the visit points to improved relations between the two countries and a future visit by the president himself is in the offing. Obama, did promise in the interview to do so before the end of his term but pointed out that he has had to cancel a tour because of growing oil spillage problem in the gulf of Mexico and is currently grounded at home.

THE MAIZE AFLATOXIN PROBLEM

2010-06-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

The Alfatoxin problem that farmers are currently losing maize too is not a new thing in Kenya. Long before the rains started, the meteorological department amid many doubts stated that there will be Elnino rains. Some farmers even went tried to sue the department when the rains gave a break. But this time the weatherman was right and the failure to take this into account has led to the current loss of maize to Alfatoxin. The farmers should have been assisted in harvesting and drying of the maize. Also, the government should have taken the maize off the farmers hand and ensured that both farmers and the exchequer will not incur the current loss.

It is what it is and now that we are here, the government is taking apoun itself the responsibility to rid the maize off the farmers hand in the Alfatoxin prone area amidst claims of loss of lives to the consumption of the ill fated corn. All this is happening as MPs from the area grumble that the compensation is not enough. This is a good example of the reactive nature of our leaders; waiting for something to go wrong and them trying to play devils advocate. This Mps should have monitored the situation, informed the farmers on better harvesting and storage methods and pushed the government towards action. What they are doing now is shedding crocodile tears for the farmers and polarizing the problem. Politics has no place in this issue and farmers should at least get the said compensation and surrender the maize.

Still I worry, because this is the kind of issue that will invite an even bigger problem. As the government confiscates the said toxic corn it is important that it is destroyed and done publicly in every district. I say publicly because someone might try to sell the same maize to millers or every reintroduce them directly back to Kenyans. Also, some officials in charge may try to mix them with the good maize in our government cereals board. Anything is likely, given prior experiences and it’s the responsibility of the government to ensure that none of these scenarios takes place and Kenyans are protected.

FROM DEEP DOWN

2010-06-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

When things are really bad and i cant see a way through

i am glad

when its all dark and i can light my way out

i rejoice

when all my efforts seem futile and i am distraught

i surrender

when people talk ill of me, and words like fire pierce me

i am in comfort

angry anxious, waiting in a line to get served, i am slighted

i smile

knowing that you think me a fool for being myself

i contradict you not

for in my weakness, his greatness beams brighter than ever
he comes through for me in ways i can even say.
taking me from nowhere to heights of great abundance
from little to all i even need he comes through and provides.
thanks for all the humbling lessons, teaching trials and strengthening times.

ADVERT CRITIQUE

2010-04-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

The Kameme Fm advert is well headed; the use of bolder type face in the heading both attracts and captures the attention of the audience.

Secondly the pictures used to show various presenters behind their popular shows not only gives the shows more publicity but connects the listeners with the presenters because now they can put a face to the Kameme radio shows.

The emblem at the bottom right also gives the advert a sense of authority and originality. The use also embeds the message of Kameme further into the listener ship creating more loyalty and following. The association between the logo and message is synonymous with having all messages of an organization abide by its vision and mission.

The target is clear since the presenter’s names and the message at the end “kameme FM- Kenya’s leading kikuyu language station” distinctly identifies this niche.

‘Rift’ a corruption of lift is used to again connect with the same listener ship. It also gives the advert a humor edge.

The message part is significantly short but gets the message home. The message with rhymes and rhythm gives the whole advert a music aspect as the reader gets to know what is on offer from dawn to dusk form kameme.

DICK WATHIKA LOSES SEAT

2010-04-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

In what is turning into a craze another MP in the 10th parliament lost his seat after a court found that his election to the seat was not without controversy. the MAKADARA mp is the latest seating member of parliament to lose his seat. he follows the likes of former TRANSPORT mister Chirau Ali Mwakwere and bishop Margaret Wanjiro who have recently been dethroned.

speaking to the media after the announcement Dick promised to file an appeal against the court ruling. while he was be mourning his loss supporters of his opponent reuben Ndolo were on the street singing and merry making.

ndolo told the press that justice had been done since he lost his seat in controversial circumstances. the loss of Dick who untroubled encoarage more petition filed to be rushed to completion.

the current phenomenon where sitting members of parliament are dethroned was in the past unheard off but since the last general election many a MP has been biting his/her lips fearing the loss of the seat at any single moment due to court ruling. where or not this new discovery will stop electoral theft remains to be seen.

STIMA VANDALS: THE NEED TO ACTIVELY STOP THEM

2010-03-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

It is 6:30 in the evening; many people are rushing to get home before a seemingly ominous rain falls. But Enemas Mambo Badd and his two colleagues are hovering around a Kenya Power and lighting cable line. The three are holding a crude pair of pliers, a makeshift ladder and a machete. They are in no hurry and wait for the dark before climbing the transformer and vandalize it.

The impact of their action is felt immediately when thousands of customers connected to that line lose their electric power and fail to carry out their daily activities. Kplc connects schools, individual homes, offices and health centres. The vandalism of Kplc cables, transformers and other property has a far reaching effect on the millions of people counting on these services not withstanding resources that have to be mobilized to identity and fix the problem; resources that could be used elsewhere.

Those vandalizing Kplc cables and transformers like Enemas are not only derailing the provision of much needed services by the Kplc but they are responsible for the increase in the electrical bills to the consumer since Kplc cannot shoulder all the cost of reinstalling vandalized property and part of the cost has to be shouldered by consumers.

It’s the right and duty of every Kenyan to report all cases of vandalism taking place. ‘Mulika Mwizi’ because the illegal enterprise he/she is undertaking will affect you one way or the other.

Also Kplc has fighting the war against unlawful power connection and dangerous unspecialized servicing and maintenance of these illegal connections might seem smart but in fact it may turn out to be very deadly. If you engage in such activities you are not only robbing the government of much needed revenue but you are putting yourself and your loved ones in peril way.

Today there are simpler ways of accessing Stima. Kplc has put in place the Stima loan for those who cannot afford to pay for the connection at once, visit our offices and we will serve you. Remember electricity vandalism is a crime and punishable by up to 10 years or a fine of half a million. Do not be caught on the wrong side of law, report all cases of vandalism through our toll free number provided below and visit our website to learn more about how you can benefit from the many services provided.

Remember ‘Mulika Mwizi’ , it is in your best interest, do not tamper with the meters it’s a criminal offence, say no to cheap illegal connection you may end up paying by a death of loved one, destruction of property and a cold jail cell for a home.

FORBES LIST: WORLD'S WEALTHY PEOPLE

2010-03-11T00:34:00.000-08:00

Carlos Slim Helu takes No. 1 spot on Forbes World's Billionaires list as a record 164 10-figure titans return to the ranking amid the global economic recovery. the Mexican holds various telecom holdings, including giant mobile outfit America Movil (AMX),

The Mexican dethrones Americans Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to become the wealthiest person on earth and nab the top spot on the 2010 Forbes list of the World's Billionaires. These year sees many past dwindling billionaires come back to the list after the economic down town the past two years. americans lead the list with 38% of the collective $3.6 trillion net worth of the world's richest, down from 44% a year ago.

Of the 97 new members of the list, only 16% are from the U.S. By contrast, Asia made big gains. The region added 104 moguls and now has just 14 fewer than Europe, thanks to several large public offerings and swelling stock markets.27 billionaires from China,

Finland and Pakistan both welcomed their first billionaires.

For the first time China (including Hong Kong) has the most billionaires outside the U.S. with 89.

Russia has 62 billionaires, 28 of them returnees who had fallen off last year's list amid a meltdown in commodities. Total returnees to the list this year: 164.

Eleven countries have at least double the number of billionaires they had a year ago, including China, India, Turkey and South Korea.

FLASH FLOODS AND MILK GLUT

2010-03-10T09:59:00.000-08:00

kenya is current experiencing flash rainfall that have caused flooding, mud slides and death through ligtening and drowning in rivers that have bursted there banks. the rainfall which was a welcome relief for farmers has turned into a nightmare as crop were destriyed, property damaged and a milk glut lowered the price of fresh milk to a all time low this decade.

the unexpected rainfall has claimed lives, across the country a number of people have been hit by lightening, drowned or smoothered by mud slides. the meterologial department has warned of more rainfall and a possible flooding in certain parts of the country.

KIBAKI SUSPENDS OFFICIALS OVER GRAFT CLAIMS

2010-03-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

The cemetery land scandal at City Hall has claimed Local Government PS Sammy Kirui and senior 12 officials.

Monday, President Kibaki interdicted the public servants, saying they were responsible for "fraudulent purchase of the cemetery land" in Mavoko Township."

Kibaki also directed the recovery of the "monies, overpaid" from beneficiaries.

Last week, a parliamentary report described Mr Kirui as the chief architect of the scandal in which City Hall bought 120 acres of land worth Sh24 million for Sh259 million.

Announcing the suspensions, Kibaki ordered the recovery of Sh259 million and prosecution of the implicated officials.

Others interdicted from Mudavadi’s office and the City Council are Reuben Rotich, Senior Deputy Secretary, Boniface Misero, Director of Planning and Herman Chavera who has been the Chief Financial Officer.

KENYA'S CEMETARY SAGA

2010-03-10T09:40:00.000-08:00

The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission is fighting perception it has been chasing small fish, but it now has Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi on its to-probe-list.

Apart from the 12 senior Local Government Ministry officials, including Permanent Secretary Sammy Kirui, and former Nairobi Town Clerk John Gakuo, also in a list of those under probe in the Sh283m inflated cemetery land purchase is Mayor Godfrey Majiwa.

"Out of the Sh283,200,000 there was a clear understanding among the various players that only Sh110 million comprised the actual price, Sh120 million was set aside as benefit to public servants at the council, Treasury, and the Ministry of Local Government that was to handled by Newton Osiemo and his brother Davies Osiemo," said the report.

Mudavadi, KACC acting director John Mutonyi, said, was under investigation because a lawyer alleged to have been at the centre of the inflation of purchase price for cemetery land, collected Sh59 million with the explanation it would be shared out among top ministry officials among them Mudavadi. But Mudavadi has denied doing business with Osiemo.

KACC Which has been recently revamped has endeavoured to crack high fraud cases in the country with the recent arrest and arrainment in court of high court judges and now the current top ranking implication of minister Ruto and vice deputy prime minister and Minister for local government Musalia Mudavadi. whether or not they may be able to pull this off depends on the coalition government willingness to fight graft and letting the matter not be mixed with politics

CULTURE & REMINCES

2010-02-26T05:29:00.000-08:00

Where I was born and raised people if not answer as dreams were narrated. Like any other culture it was unheard of for people to respond to a narration of previous night dream. We dint ask why, we couldn’t treat dreams like folklore. Dreams were the domain of the super natural. Back home it was believed that in your dreams if you saw terrible things it was well with you. But ironically seeing healthy people translated (fat) in my language was a terrible omen. It meant days of hardship and hunger. A thin person was a good if you saw them in dreams.

We don’t sweep our earthen floors at night; the name of the jungle king couldn’t be uttered at night. A safe word was used; he was called the big head. Laughter and merry making was not favored with praise. An over happy person was a sign of less merry time ahead. When strong winds blew, raising up dust and whirling fiercely it was noted and put down as a sign that a great famine or war was imminent. Children suddenly playing war games of arrows and bows meant that in the not so distant future blood would be shed and life lost for children were assumed a favorite vessel of the gods and ancestors when they wanted to warn the living. In fact the old men and women who could no longer move about and were left in the villages listen carefully when children played and talked among themselves. Words uttered in innocence and playfulness by kids had great impact on the wizened old people. Later they will quote prior such incidences and results.

If in your dreams a long dead relative appeared to you and talk or touched this was not held lightly. A person who died childless was mourned more bitterly than one with children and family. For the unmarried and childless were assumed who not have anyone to carry the legacy hence easily forgotten.

Over there one could not shave their hair or clip their nails lest the evil spirit collected them and used them against you as charm. Children were often scolded for using the wrong (left) hand to play, eat or work. A friend of mine who was a vegetarian baffled his mother at his insistence at eating greens at the expense of highly exalted steak. She use to force him, but for every piece he chewed and forcibly swallowed he immediately threw up two. This was the place I grew up.

Christianity thrived, Islam prospered and ATR bloomed. When a person died whether he be a Christian, Moslem he/she could not be buried until his/her body was brought back to the ancestral land of his/her birth and traditional rites were performed. At the grave side Christianity was incorporated as a preacher held a service, I Muslim cleric preached and when the individual is finally laid to rest his people go back home and initiate the post-funeral rites

PNU CAPITALIZES ON ODM'S WRANGLES

2010-02-25T10:25:00.000-08:00

Members of PNU, ODM-K and other parties who joined disgruntled ODM members to teach the PM a lesson were not looking at the bigger picture. The action only guarantees them a short time laugh at one man but in the process jeopardizes their image in the court of public opinion.

Leaders should learn that Kenyans can see right through this shenanigans and charade exhibited by the political class and only a few are fooled by this pretense. Just A few days ago, in his speech to the parliament president Kibaki warned politicians not to personalize or politicize the fight on graft.

But like bad school students who don’t listen to their teacher, his indiscipline students took the words with the left ear and it oozed out through the right one. The chest thumping and promise of more lessons to the PM indicates that the house will be used to settle dispute and in the process fundamental issues like graft, impunity and incapacity to handle our own produce will be lost.

A word to the MP’s: Kenyans are watching, what we need is not who is going to miss a seat in the powerful business committee, we don’t need to hear about lessons and setting of personal vendetta. We want a speedy delivery of the constitution, we want farmers to able to sell their produce, and we need better service delivery from our civil servants and security for every child education. Personal issues can be dealt with on your own time-on your own dime.

It’s only those in the wrong that fear investigations; think about that the next time you hear a person refusing to step aside. There are recent cases of ministers forcibly stepping aside but learning that in fact they had nothing to worry about because if there is something consistent with our leadership it’s the reinstatement of those who have been cleared of grant.

A GAME OF CHESS

2010-02-15T23:53:00.000-08:00

PM Odinga suspended two ministers amid corruption scandals, The two agriculture minister William Ruto and Education Minister Sam Ongeri were suspended for three months for corruption allegation in the respective docket.

the came after months of pressure from the media and stakeholders for the two to resign. for the education minister the scandal of millions of funds meant for primary education. the minister has refused to take responsibility hence leading to the PM actions since there was no actions forthcoming from the president office on the matter aside from verbal promises that the matter will be dealt with.

But the decisions were reversed immediately,by the president stating that the PM had no such powers to fight corruption and the matter of hiring and firing of corrupt officials laid squarely on his office and not the PM. further the president denied having any consultation with the PM over the matter.

President Mwai Kibaki annulled the suspensions, saying the Mr Odinga did not have the power to take the action.

The head of Transparency International in Kenya, Job Ogonda, said the political dispute in Kenya's coalition government was sending out a very dangerous message.

It was showing that the struggle for power was more important than the fight against corruption and this, he said, would have dire consequences come the next election.

"In 2012 it's very likely we're going to have a meltdown," said Mr Ogonda.

"We have the significant risk that Kenya will be generating to a failed state.

"This is how in Sierra Leone and indeed Liberia were fomented: the executive being eliminated and oblivious for the failed state risks that corruption causes especially where the population is young, educated and unemployed".

President Kibaki has called for a three-month investigation, the president apparently with his party seem to be the impediment to fighting of corruption and impunity in the country taking back fundamental changes and worth forward progress the coalition government has achieved. apparent what is more important to Kibaki his selfishly holding on to power to protect individual that have illegally and corruptly infringed on rights of Kenyans.

this is not the first time that the president has refused to partner with the PM to fight corruption. The president stayed away from the Mau conservation effort making the matter look like a PM personal vendetta against people of rift valley when it was in fact a unanimous decision by the government to save Mau. the president seems to be aiding some ambitious politicians that hope to succeed him by making the PM life a living hell. so far he seems to be doing quite beautiful.

Kenya has in the past been plagued by huge corruption scandals, but punishing the perpetrators is very rare. president Kibaki hands off, neck in the sand ostrich style seems to have given individuals bent on corruption a new leaf

Whilst the political dispute in Kenya has halted the suspension of two ministers, Job Ogonda said if they were to be suspended it would send out a positive message and would help end a deeply entrenched culture of impunity.

FIRST GAY MARRIAGE IN KENYA THWARTED

2010-02-12T10:18:00.000-08:00

Two men seeking to join in martimony in the coastal town of mtwapa in kilifi district may not have done it. this was after religious leaders came out firmly against any such ceremony.

the leaders blamed local bars and clubs for aiding and abeiting the illegal activity and asked the government to step in and closed down all bars that encoarage gay fraternations. the leaders gave the government one week notice to act or they will forced to act on their own.

Two men are said to have announced the wedding, to be held at a hotel. News of the nuptials is an open secret in the fast-growing town, famous for its vibrant night life.

Some gay couples from Western countries are among dozens of guests expected to witness the marriage. News of the wedding has rattled religious leaders — both Muslim and Christian — who have united in their vow to stop it “at all costs”.

Speaking after a joint meeting on Thursday, religious leaders condemned the planned wedding. Furious clerics from the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) and the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) met at Masjid Answar Sunna Mosque, Mtwapa and cursed the couple and the organisers of the unconstitutional marriage.

CIPK Kikambala region coordinator Sheikh Ali Hussein and Kilifi's NCCK representative Bishop Lawrence Chai said they had given the government seven days to close down night clubs they accused of fuelling homosexuality in the town.

The clerics claimed that a large number of youths were being recruited into gay clubs and warned that “God is about to punish the fastest growing town in Coast region”.

Stand firm

“Come night, come day, we shall not allow that marriage to be conducted in this town tomorrow (Friday). We shall stand firm to flush out gays who throng this town every weekend from all corners of this country,’’ the religious leaders said in a statement after their meeting.

The controversy comes amid opposition to a clause in the draft constitution which many religious leaders said could legalise same sex marriages. However, the clause that said every adult has a right to start a family has since been deleted from the draft.

In Uganda, rights activists are up in arms over an attempt by Parliament to pass a law, supported by some religious leaders, to make homosexuality a capital offence. The law proposes that serial homosexuals be hanged.

In Mtwapa on Thursday, NCCK and CIPK officials asked the government to “save the country from the shame of being used to conduct a marriage between people of the same sex.” They also warned the owner of a building in the town, who was allegedly renting rooms only to homosexuals, to evict them or face their wrath. They gave him a seven-day ultimatum to throw out tenants.

Sheikh Hussein and Bishop Chai called on the government to intervene and urged the provincial administration to take their calls seriously. They also demanded that a government institution in the town be investigated, for allegedly providing medical services to homosexuals.

“How can a State institution be involved in providing counselling services to these criminals. We ask the government to shut it down with immediate effect or we shall descend on its officials,” warned Sheikh Hussein.

They claimed that the clinic was being used as a recruitment centre where members gather every Sunday for treatment. The clerics asked the government to withdraw the licences of night clubs and bars linked to gay activities across the country.

Last year, two Kenyan men, Charles Ngengi and his ‘bride’ Daniel Chege Gichia, married in Britain under a controversial civic partnership Act that came into effect in 2005.

courtesy of the THE DAILY NATION

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/860254/-/vqhr6e/-/index.html

EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS

2010-02-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

i watched the other day horrified as armed Nigerian military, police cold-bloodily killed unarmed men in the street. the men were alleged to be members of Boko Haram group a religious group founded by Muhammad Yosef to fight police brutality and instituted some form of Islamic law in northern Nigeria.

the executions which took place after a battle by the military and police has a showdown with the group in July 2009 shows the police and military retrieving individuals from custody and shooting them.At the time, the Nigerian government denied that the police and army carried out illegal executions.Human rights organizations said that most of those who were killed were civilians and held government forces primarily responsible for what happened. the militarily has denied any involvement in the executions.

The Nigerian attorney general said that more than 100 individuals are facing death sentences for their involvement in the confrontations that took place with the Boko Haram group.

Among those executed was a local popular man identified as Baba Muhammad.throughout the executions the perpetrators unashamedly allowed filming of the whole dastardly act.the soldier could be heard being order to shot a man in the chest since the hat he wore on his head appealed to another soldier.

however disgusted i could switch of the telly and saw the Al Jazeera station play the clip over and over. the executioners had the audacity to shout at a man to lie down properly lest he spoiled the filming process.Many men and women have faced similar fate, brutality and murder at the hands of the government agents and military machinery who mandate is to provide protection to the same citizenry.

back here in Kenya over half the number of death during the PEV in 2007 were at the hands of police and government agents. even today individual thought to be threat to those who perpetrated the PEV are hunted and gunned down in broad daylight.

THE DIARY FARMERS DILEMNA

2010-02-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

diary farmers are not a happy lot in kenya, ironically the subject of the misery is an over-production in milk. Last year, drought ravaged the country, wiping out pasture and decimating livestock numbers.

Milk was suddenly in short supply and prices shot up, mainly to the benefit of the handful of milk processors.

Then came the rains and, suddenly, the country is flowing with milk, so much so that even the Government is ‘overwhelmed’ by the success of dairy farmers.the farmers who have just came through with the animals through a very harsh drought have complained that the price of milk 22 kshs a litre is just to little to off set the cost they incurred during the drought.

the problem has been made worse by the lack of capacity by the local milk industry to take the excess milk off the farmers hands. the government is said to surprised at the amount of milk the farmers have been able to generate.This is deplorable.

the actions of The Kenya Dairy Board has done some excellent work in educating farmers and trying to boost consumption of boiled milk. but this has not solved the farmers from losing profit because they cannot access wider markets. this is again a shame in this era of globalization but such is the case in kenya that even happy times turn into a loss.

Kenya produced 400 million litres of milk last year, 265 million more litres than it produced in 2002. This is largely due to interventions in the dairy sector, including use of exotic cattle genes to improve dairy cattle, revival of New KCC and investment in extension services.

MAIZE SCANDAL RESSURECTED

2010-02-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

Pricewaterhouse Coopers was appointed by the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance early last year to conduct forensic investigation in the wake of public outcry over the maize saga.

The series of events leading up to the so-called "maize scam" began in late 2008. At the time, the country was experiencing a severe maize shortage due to low yields and destruction of close to 3.5 million bags of maize during the post-election violence.

The country’s Strategic Grain Reserve held 1.6 million bags below the required four million bags, further compounding the problem.

With the maize shortage biting, prices of maize floor soared, prompting public outrage. Under pressure from public protests, in October 2008, the Government responded by directing National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to import three million bags of maize to ease the shortage.

The maize was to be sold to millers at subsidised prices in order to bring down the price of maize flour. The Government even launched a maize meal subsidy scheme that saw a 2kg packet of flour retailing at two different prices; Sh72 for up market and Sh52 for low-end markets.

Hundreds of metric tonnes of maize were imported but contrary to intended policy expectations, brokers who enjoyed political patronage turned the programme into a money-minting scheme.

With the influence of powerful personalities, allocations were made to companies and individuals who were either not millers or had no milling capacity.

These brokers subsequently sold the maize off to genuine millers at exorbitant prices hence defeating the purpose of the programme. Reports indicated at least 100, 000 bags were diverted in this way.

Agriculture Minister William Ruto, under whose docket NCPB falls, came under fire in Parliament following the scandal. But the Eldoret North MP decisively beat back a censure motion moved by Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale in February 2009.

The top management of the NCPB, led by its Managing Director Gideon Misoi, was named by Parliament’s Departmental committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Co-operatives as culpable in the irregular importation of maize.

courtesy of the East african standard

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000002947&cid=4&ttl=Audit%20firm%20shows%20big%20names%20involved%20in%20genesis%20of%20maize%20scandal

WRITING PROBLEMS

2010-02-08T23:57:00.000-08:00

I am trying to write an article I promised myself to write to one daily tabloid and one to a monthly men’s magazine. The article to the daily Kenyan tabloid was one to oppose the proposed idea that Kiswahili be made optional in the both the primary and the secondary school. I find the idea ridiculous and one that should not have been given any space in the mind of Kenyan educators. The reason why the said subject was to be dropped was because students have been performing poorly in this subject.

Now I believe the logical thing would have been to investigate the reason why the students are doing badly in the accepted lingua franca in east African. But no, the educators have decided that since the students are not willing to take the subject seriously it should be made optional. Alas! This is how we find our solution, something is too difficult we quit. Personally I believe that the reason that Kiswahili is not performed well is because of English stranglehold on Kenyan education system, Sheng (a colloquial mixture of English, Kiswahili, vernacular spoken by most youths in Kenya) and lack of enough reading resources for Kiswahili language. The language almost spoken and understood in most of east African though in varying dialects and slang is found in purest at the coastal towns of the Indian Ocean. The Tanzanians who have embraced the language better than the rest of the east African are proud of the language and is the official language. The language is used to teach most of the subjects largely due to the late president Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s effort in translated books in almost all subjects into Kiswahili for teaching purposes.

Now I said I was to write another article, this one was about the travel misadventures and it was for a men’s magazine. I was to write an 800 word article on a travel adventure and if published get a tidy some for my troubles. I did write the adventure since that exactly what I get every time I travel upcountry to my ancestral lands. The article is half way done and I am being stalled by information overload. I have written a load of story about how to get to the place but the problem arises when trying to describe the torturous journey. I am hoping I will be done and be to economical tell this story.

MESSING AROUND

2010-02-05T04:27:00.000-08:00

ADDICT

2010-02-04T23:10:00.000-08:00

Now Kamenchu was a grown man, stooped a little, spoke with a lisp and was dark as starless night. He never smiled, though not out of malice he had lost this mundane act when a quack purporting to be a plastic surgeon pulled his face almost of his head as he tried to push excess skin resulting from the fake b he had done. Kamenchu was once a well educated and respected in many a circle but he fell in love with alcohol and lost everything else.

His wife max, a beautiful peacock if I should add was the proudest when Kamenchu was man of men, but when his downfall came she left him faster than his money was leaving his pockets when he what one would call a baller. Kamenchu had a PHD, I have forgotten now in what. He brought the first and fast car in our village. One day out of the blue he built a four room plaster house in a village where the next in comparison was mud thatched house. Kamenchu used to be walked in the crooked village paths when he came for the Christmas holidays always followed by an entourage of gawking village folks. People used to point out Kamenchu when they wanted to advice others on what being successful meant. He would drive and sometimes walk, stopping here to be greeted by an elderly woman and there by a politician who wanted his support or just to be associated with him.
People used to swear by Kamenchu, information and rumors would be easily ratified if Kamenchu’s name was mentioned anywhere in the story. Syllabuses were dedicated to him, songs were written in his praise. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Kamenchu is no more the epitome he was. He no longer commands such dedicated followers. He has fallen from grace. Kamenchu now is a shepherd. He herds cows in the old cemetery.
Back in the days when Kamenchu smiled at you, it was like heavens had opened up on you and gave you a kiss. If He you shook his hands you status in the village will soar in days but if you were the ungrateful and liberal minded proud type and you manage to anger Kamenchu you fortune will plummet over night and you will become the village untouchable. Rubbing Kamenchu the wrong way was simply ill advised and dangerous for ones health.
Kamenchu hired people in places you will not begin to imagine, he found jobs for graduates, found internship position for those who needed them, chirped in the school fees for many poor a child and every Sunday people went to greet him when he was around and their were able to get between 50-100 Kshs for their troubles.
Kamenchu was even proposed twice for the local parliamentary seat and were it not for a single ethnic minority he would have made it to the house of the law maker’s kitambo. But how he was in a bad way. He has fallen from grace. When Dstv was first lauched and a few could afford the exorbitant prices Kamenchu had no problem getting so much more. With his Sanyo TV there were hitches but that was soon solved when Kamenchu bought a solar panel and a flat screen 14 inch TV. The solar warmed water and Kamenchu and his family were rumored to bath in the warm/hot liquid that jetted from the shawa.
Kamenchu girls were the first to wear demins and jeans which was reluctantly copied by other girls. The girls went as far as establishing a local saloon where hair was roasted to look like that of the women in the tube of so much more. Kamenchu was particularly proud of one particular girl, and she had the lastest gear that flew into town

To be cont…….

BROKEBACK ROAD

2010-02-04T22:58:00.000-08:00

Where I come from there are no buses no Matatus to board. No tarmac road period. Just a dusty potholed Murram road and Lorries. It takes over 25 hours to get there from Nairobi. There are no ticket offices, stages to alight and get on the lorry from. For dignity sake this place will be referred to henceforth as ‘the great nowhere’. The great nowhere is a large district in the northern part of Kenya popularly referred to as the forgotten north. The said town lies on the main highway that connects Cairo and Cape Town and was one of the first districts made by the colonial government. In squares miles it’s bigger than Nyanza and western provinces.

Crammed tighter than sardines in a can the journey starts in Eastleigh where pregnant women, children, old men and young people of all manner and sought are crammed and packaged. Legs interlocked, bodies’ shoving into each other with every forced intake of breath, personal distance becomes history as the lorry heaves and forces you into an unsolicited embrace with a stranger every three minutes. Woe onto you if you’re traveling with a child. you will weep, weep for yourself and your child.

The youthful resort to chewing of kyat and drinking to pass the long hours ahead. Many after one too many and false highs smoke indiscreetly and crack lewd jokes. They seem to enjoy the semi darkness provided by the lorry's canvas. Now to really understand how 'crammed up' the place is imagine this, someone is sitting on your legs, your shoulders are being held in a vice-like grip between the shoulder of two other passengers, you shift your ass an inch and you be displaced.

Seat belts, speed governors! well you are sitted on corner of a packet of Bamburi cement, holding a couple packets of oyo mchuzi mix ‘isikuangukie’ you have folded your legs lest in stretching you hit the opposite old man in the groin. thats how you will stay for the next day.

Complaints arguments swears make the main course of the journey, now I have watched movies and the only time people traveled like that was during wars, conflicts and genocides. The thing is the lorries are not for carrying people there are strictly for luggage but people are being carried illegally and hence must ‘pretend’ to hide from the law. Of course at every police road block the driver parts with a kitu kidogo.
For your pains you will part with 700-1000 Kshs, now for half the journey about 12 Hrs will ‘lay low’ crammed together like illegal immigrants. For the next twelve you will enter an area where the law does not exist. The NFD frontier districts.

To be continued…………….

EMOTIONAL TURMOIL

2010-02-04T22:42:00.000-08:00

Emotional turmoil is when you between two places, understanding and confusion. Understanding happens and confusion follows. You know what to do, the right thing per say but you don’t know how to do it. Emotional turmoil is when the truth aint so easy to say and the lie say a wayward way to go.

Emotional turmoil is when you best friend has forsaken you and you so pissed you can’t forgive the treachery. Emotional turmoil is the hard and the rock place together with only a crack for sustenance. Loving so hard you heart aches and feeling so afraid of rejection you have to stay bottled up that emotional turmoil.

Are you in some form of emotional turmoil right now? Are you held in a tough spot with little of no room to maneuver? Is it so bad you have shut your friends out and left the enemies laugh at you? You need emotional support, there is no two way about this, when in emotional turmoil you need emotional relief and that can only be got from friends and family. Don’t do the stupid thing by shutting them down, speak out and ask for help, let them be there for you. After all that what friends are for- being there during tough times?

You will be surprised at what a sympathetic ear will do, just someone to listen as you vent out may mean the difference between emotional freedom and imprisonment. A shoulder to cry on and some well meant advice or maybe someone to just sit with you. We are all surrounded by daily hustle that can bring almost anyone down with emotional stress and turmoil. It can happen to anyone, all of us are potential victims. The trick is to fight back, not to dwell on the sad misfortune that is our lives but try and be better. We can do this by asking and letting others be there for us.

THE BURDEN OF PROOF

2010-02-04T22:34:00.000-08:00

The year is 2051, Christianity has been banned and all Christian believers are prosecuted. Many have renounced their faith and the few practicing it are isolated and hidden away.
Surprisingly one man hands himself over to the authorities and proceeds to establish beyond any doubt his Christian status. This is the story of Daniel Huka Boru.

Scene 1

TAKES PLACE IN AN INTERROGATION ROOM, DANIEL SIT ACROSS A TABLE FROM TWO DETECTIVES. A GLASS OF WATER IS ALL THAT IS ON THE TABLE.

DET 1: So Daniel, you are a Christian huh!?

DANIEL: Yes, sir

DET 1:
You see Daniel it is not that we don’t believe you but our work demands that before we find you guilty we must prove that indeed you are what say you are.

DET 2:
Do you understand what we are saying, we need to proof you are guilty of being a Christian.

DANIEL:
Detectives I am aware of the requirement by law that an individual be assumed innocent until proven guilty and I am ready to prove to you that in fact I am a Christian.

DETECTIVES IN UNISON: please continue………………………

DANIEL
I am a Christian; I am a Christian because for one I believe in salvation. I believe that as stated in Roman 3:23 all have sinned and fallen short of Gods glory……but there is a solution and the solution is in the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal savior. I have done this hence I profess the faith that supplies this unique solution.

Secondly there say that a man name is his identity, I have taken upon myself a name. Not any name but a name that symbolizes my Christian identity. The name Daniel is a Hebrew word that means that Yahweh is my judge and I cannn……………...

DET 1:
Hold! On! There! Daniel, that is not entirely right, names can be taken today and dropped tomorrow. How do we know that you have not fabricated and fraudulent taken this alias?

DANIEL:
That is a good question; I have on my person valid documentation by the church of my baptism, salvation and confirmation. Also, to further prove that I am indeed Daniel I have witnesses to my salvation, baptism and confirmation who have signed an affidavit to all this. All of which can be verified.

DETECTIVES:
Ok, that seems fine enough continue…………..

DANIEL:
Detective’s people can be known by looking at their tools of trade, a policeman has a gun, a farmer has his tilling tools, and a Jew has his synagogue, a Moslem his mosque. I put to you that I am a member a church…….

DETECTIVES IN UNISON AND LAUGHING……..

Now we surely have got you, the government has all the records of the church that used to be and they were demolished to the last one. Pray! tell us sir, which church is this you speak of?

DANIEL
(Smiling) detectives you misunderstand, when I speak of a church I speak of the body of believers. The bible for those who read them like me, clearly states what constitute a church. It says that where two or three are gathered in my name- am in the midst of them. The church I speak of is a fellowship of believers, the natural fact that there are Christian out there means that the church exists and I am one of the believers.

DETECTIVE ONE TURNS TO DETECTIVE 2 AND ASKS HIM

DET 1: Do we have enough to put him away?

DET 2: I believe this is more than enough, Daniel do you have anything more to say?

DANIEL:
Yes, eh… just the concluding remarks, Christianity is not easily discernable because it’s more of personal relationship with God than a ritualistic act. It may seem foolish to many but Gods speaks to as all at our own level. He speaks to us all and all he asks is a heart that is willing and an ear that is grounded. When we have quieted our own disbeliefs, and left behind our logic, knowledge and science we let him work his miracles. Then we give room so that he can do the unbelievable, lift us to the unreachable and save us from the unfathomable. Most importantly God does not work in unbelief; we must have unshakable faith like that of Daniel and his friends. When we volunteer to do the unthinkable for him, we give him a chance to work his magic. And today I hope by doing what I have done I have invited him to work in this place. Amen!

PAN PAPER KENYA

2010-02-01T03:08:00.000-08:00

The western province based paper factory has been the latest victim of factories that have had to shut down because of financial troubles. the company that has for the last one and half decades being struggling amidst environmental changes, high cost of production and diminishing raw materials was forced to close early last year.

this took place amidst uproar and government promise to intervene and save the workers from the possible layoff if the company went under. The Orient Paper Ltd — the Indian conglomerate that has had a stranglehold on the running of the Webuye-based Pan African Paper Mills in Western Kenya for the past 40 years — is facing its severest test ever, with relations between the company and the government at their rockiest.

The Indian investors — who have been negotiating a revival plan for the troubled company with the government for the last three years — have demanded a wide range of concessions: A reduction of royalty on wood from Sh700 to Sh200; an increase in import duties on imported paper to 35 per cent; subsidized electricity; and an immediate injection of Sh500 million into the factory by the government.

these has been met with mixed reaction as some have strongly opined that the Indian contract to continue managing the company be nullified. the politics and boardroom politics has left many residence who depend on the industry for the daily upkeep in dire situation. according to permanent secretary Ministry of Industry, Mr John Lonyangapuo the government should appoint a new team of managers as the government seeks for alternative investors to buy off the Indians.

The Indians own 34 per cent of the company, while the government’s stake is 25 per cent. The rest of the shares are held by ICDC, East Africa Development Bank, Development Bank of Kenya and Barclays Bank Trust Investment Services.

Under the technical management agreement under which the Indians manage the company on behalf of other shareholders, all key management positions are occupied by expatriates from India.

The agreement, which is due to expire in 2010, also allows the Indian investors to earn huge fees that are calculated on turnover instead of profits — implying that the fees must be paid to Orient Paper — regardless of whether the company makes profits. PanPaper has not made profits for the past 15 years. By 2000, the situation became so grave that the company started defaulting on servicing most of its obligations.

EDUCATION IMPASSE

2010-01-28T02:56:00.000-08:00

the disappearance of 100 million shillings from the free primary education kitty is a sad story of corruption and impunity in Kenya.

it is alleged that ministry of education officials embezzled this funds meant to educate children to at least have the basic education. how low can some people go? of course the media and the development partners were the first to bring the matter to the public attention but nothing of substance has came out and both the minister and his permanent secretary have refused to own up and take responsibility for the matter.

the donor community has halted it share of kitty demanding that the embezzled money be returns and those officials responsible be brought to justice. the impasse threats the education of millions of kinds who depends on the free primary education. the Kenya Anti-corruption commission should step up and due the investigation but this maybe made difficult as those implicated are still in office and some have even been transferred to other departments.

as more time is spent dilly-dallying young girls and boys may fail to go to school.

NEW YEAR NEW THINGS

2010-01-28T02:37:00.000-08:00

Ii is 2010 and for many a Kenyan this is the year we expect a lot of changes to start taking place. two major issues that as Kenyans we are looking forward to is the new constitution that has been elusive for over two decades and the government efforts to reverse the effect of global warning by reclaiming back forest and water catchment areas.

on both fronts there seem to be a progress. the new constitution is on its final stages before implementation and though there are issues to be ironed out most of the material in the document is acceptable to a large percentage of kenyans and politicians have had to compromise there hard stance so that kenyans can have a new constitution.

these has not been without the efforts of donor communities who have put pressure on the government to be serious about reforms. still the government has a long way to go in terms of dealing with corruption and impunity. the new Anti-corruption team have started to prosecute with gusto but whether they will maintain this momentum remains to be seen.

RIVERHOOD

2009-12-10T03:14:00.000-08:00

Be as it may every time a watch a kenyan local drama series called Cobra Squad i swear it would be the last time i will ever do so. but again be as it may i find myself watching it again. one reason i am not over the moon about this local program is its lack of creativity. don't get me wrong inspector Ronnie and her pals are brilliant actors but its the lack of originality in the plot and idea that takes my cake.

i argue against people who say that the local production has nothing to offer. i refer them to the success of the Nigerian films and the TCM movies and past Indian and Chinese movies cannot be compared with the local production in Kenya that though it largely unsupported and a young industry is of better quality.

all i am saying is let the local production tackle original themes and ideas. we have our own experiences and stories. we don't need to rely on others for our ideas. just because it works in the west doesn't mean it will work everywhere.

WHO WOULD SALVAGE US

2009-12-10T03:06:00.000-08:00

Who would salvage us
from terrorism?
the terrorism of the mind and soul
who will salvage us from the bondage
of technology?

i guess we can safely say the super powers.

what about AIDS
20 plus years and we still not there
who would relieve us from this scourge
since science, scientists and doctors have failed

who will salvage us?

from global warming and eventual annihilation
G8 of course, they will save us, they have too or do they?
wars, conflict, untreatable diseases
what is happening to our planet?
more importantly where will our help come from?

i guess we can count on the super power and G8 for all the solution.

NIGERIAN FRAUDSTER

2009-12-09T08:38:00.001-08:00

Every once in a while i open my mail and i find that my filters have missed something. i also amused at the pain this fraudster go through to give the message a persuasive edge. i just thought i post a few to show your want i am talking about.

YOUR WESTERN UNION IMMIDIATE PAYMENT
...
From:
MR PETER JEFF
...
Add to Contacts
To:
Attn: My Dear

We have arranged your payment of ($3.5Million) One Million five hundred thousand united state dollars

Previously in ATM payment card to be sent to you through western union money transferpayment:

Your payment will be sent to you via western union. The amount you will receive per day is $10,000.00 The

minister trust funds and IMF boards will send you the current standard track details you will need to

pick up your ($10,000.00) payment by western union, you will receive every day till you receive the

$3.5Million united state dollars, now no need to send you this ATM card because you can not be able to

withdraw the ATM card due to the atm master card contain large money on it.The director administrtor trust

funds has already signed your payment, however, kindly contact the below person who is in position to

release your payment by western union per $10,000.00 a day.

MR PETER JEFF
western union department
Phone number: +234-8091576757
E-mail: moneytransfer.westernunion58@Safe-mail.net

The financial western union payment center has been mandated to issue out your payment and you have to

Stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitchesin receiving your

payment.
Note that the administrator payment need this details from you to process your payment and the only money

you will pay is the processing and administration fee which is only $200 usd before you will start

receiving your fund.
Receiver name--------------- Country---------------------

City------------------------Tel-------------------------Test question---------------

Answer----------------------Comply

Now because as soon as you send this required details to MR PETER JEFF he will start sending your payment

by western union.
Regards,

MR PETER JEFF

Don't fall for this fraudsters and warn your friends also. unfortunately there people who are sucked into this internet scum. just a month or so ago a Kenyan engineer was dumped,kidnapped and his family made to cough up all their live savings.

AND HERE IS EVEN A BETTER ALLEGEDLY COMPENSATING THOSE DEFRAUDED IN THE PAST. THESE FRAUDSTERS APPEAL TO GREED. DON'T BE GREEDY BE SAFE

GOVERMENT ATM COMPESATION PROMOTION.
...
From:
MRS. ROSEMARY ABIOLA.
...
Add to Contacts
To:
Attention: Benefactor;

I am Mrs. Rosemary Abiola, Chairperson Compensation and Image Laundering program Board. I was directed by UmaruYAR'ADUA President of Federal republic of Nigeria and the chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mrs. Farida Waziri, to notify you on the investigation that took place here in Nigeria.In regards with the investigation that has happened recently here in Nigeria we noticed that you were dealing with some Nigerians who claimed you have money with them and they have failed to make you get the money and you lost so much money during the process.

The Government is currently paying so many people with the same problem, but due to the late registration of your name on the list, we will not be able to pay you much because of insufficient fund, so you will only receive the sum 500.000.00(Five hundred thousand dollars only) as compensation to what has happened to you.An ATM CARD has been prepared in your name and I will advice you to contact the dispatching Bank DIAMOND BANK to enable them send the ATM CARD to your home. Below is the contact information of the Bank Officer who is incharge of dispatching ATM CARD, make sure you contact them and get the ATM CARD.

Bank Name: Diamond Bank Plc
Agent Name: Mr. Steven Udoji
EMAIL: govcompensationdpt1@officer.com
Telephone Number: +234-702-330-5400

You are also demanded to send your personal information's to them for more verifications.
i.e.

YOU’RE NAME:
RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:
MAILING ADDRESS:
YOU’RE PLACE OF ORIGIN:
YOU’RE AGE:
YOU’RE SEX:
YOU’RE OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS:
PHONE NUMBER:

So you are advice to disregard any email you get from anyone or co-operate bodies from today and forward the email to us for proper conduct, on behalf of the President of the federa republic of Nigeria, we are truly sorry for the inconveniences and for what you encounter from Nigerians that made you loose so much money. Please speak well about Nigeria in your country as soon as you get this ATM card and be quick about it.

Best regards,
Mrs. Rosemary Abiola

GATEWAY AWARDED NFP LINCENCE IN KENYA

2009-11-09T04:16:00.000-08:00

NAIROBI: Gateway Communications has been awarded three new licences, including the Network Facilities Provider (NFP) Tier 2 Licence by the Communications Commission of Kenya. In addition to the NFP, Gateway has secured its Application Services Provider (ASP) licence and its Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) licence.
The awards mean that Gateway can build infrastructure in Kenya and deliver telecommunications services to end users, to undertake the “construction, installation and operation of electronic communications systems in Kenya.”

Gateway now has a redundant MPLS backbone on SEACOM in Kenya, which interconnects South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya and Europe.

“Kenya has always been considered the hub of East Africa, which means a lot of multinationals are headquartered in Nairobi, but require reliable communications up and down the East Coast,” said Silvio do Carmo, managing director for Gateway East Africa.

“Gateway can now provide direct connectivity for businesses from Kenya to South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, as well as Europe and the US, with our MPLS network.”

Following gaining the licenses, Gateway plans to continue to invest in infrastructure in East Africa, and is installing its own satellite teleports in Kenya. The company is also building two terrestrial teleports in Nairobi to offer national and international connections for sectors such as banking, mining and retail. Gateway has also a reinforced fourth layer power back-up system.

“Opportunities abound in East Africa and we are very excited about the prospect for more and better connectivity improving access to education, information and global networks. Having opened offices in Nairobi and Kampala this year, we are already expanding our services and network. The license agreement in Kenya means that we can continue to offer communications across satellite, wireless systems or cable and providing the infrastructure to meet the ever-growing demand of carriers and businesses across the region,” added do Carmo.

KENYA NATIONAL EXAMS

2009-11-07T03:45:00.000-08:00

Cheats continuing to jeopardize Kenya's high national exams. The trend that has been growing over the years has taken a new form and a dangerous one at that.

Students are alleged to have been receiving exams questions 8-more hours before the exams courtesy of unscrupulous KNEC officials and a cartel of individuals who have incorporated technology to make the matter even hard to curb.

Papers going for between 7500-10000 a set were found available on the street by media investigators. the Kenya national examination also has been hit by controversy when members of the team have been suspected of leaking the information to cartels. the latest news is that a member of the team supposedly placed by the government as a spy. has himself turned the job into a cash cow as he commands a racket whose clients are the cartel itself.

but KNEC has denied that any official has been involved and points to the exams irregularities as cases where invigilators and supervisors have availed the information to students before the national exam time. the students then use mobile phones to send the information to their friends elsewhere or call them with the information.\

last year when there was the same problem KNEC asked for assistance from the mobile telephone service providers to help them track individuals involved in this vice. the mobile phone companies are tracking the individuals in conjunction with the police.

OCAMPO

2009-11-07T03:31:00.000-08:00

The ICC chief prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo arrived in Kenya on Thursday to spearhead cases against post-election master minds.

He comes at a time when the government is under pressure from the development partners and the international community to spearhead reforms and end impunity.

The two principles president Mwai Kibaki and prime minister Raila Odinga have promised to cooperate with the prosecutor to bring the master of the post-election violence to book.

Many have shown optimism in Ocampo arrival and the investigation team of detectives that have been camped in Kenya for the last 4 months but Kenyans know that this may yet be another of the political class hoodwinking the people and the international community.

Even as Ocampo was meeting the leaders yesterday hundred of internally displaced people held a demonstration to force the government to pay them the promised 35,000 Kshs.

COBRA SCUAD

2009-10-30T04:42:00.000-07:00

The photo above is self explanatory. this is the face of Kenya's movie pioneers. the fellows looking mean and ready to do damage are actually the recent Kenyas attempt at copying the Rambos and GI Jo's of the west.

the badly scripted, poorly produced and ill acted series of episode fortunately was brought to halt but not without fanfare and camaraderie of all sought. they producers even wait ahead to hold a sought of Kenyan Oscar here for the first time.

the series had a lot of sponsors and very little creative um mph. copying and aping the detective stories of Sherlock Holmes and such eventually brought the whole thing down.

i remember a very ridiculous episode where there was this cop from the Interpol trying to arrest a criminal in Kenya. The cop a European comes into the police headquarter. This guy who was familiar with the local 'lingua franca' was speaking to the cops in Swahili while the dudes at the police station were trying to speak queen English.

i am laughing now but i was greatly hurt that time. what kind of dastard act is this? how low can we go as a people that even when strangers delight in our tongue the best we can do is show how foolishly we think holding onto English or foreign culture is superb. shame on all those who perpetuate this lame and unhealthy practice. i watch variety of motion pictures from other part of the world like India, China, Italy and even Russia use the national languages. English is left to the subtitle front where it belongs.

WHAT NOT TO DO IN KENYA

2009-10-30T04:03:00.000-07:00

If you have never been to KENYA there are a few ground rules one should know. even those that live and have visited KENYA may still needs to learn a few things when it comes to relating better with Kenyans.

the unwritten rule in Africa about time is that it is modern and sophisticated to set time for events but it is not African to keep time. mostly African time is two or three hours behind normal schedules.

people get to work on average late and leave as early as possible.

during traffic jams its all about your creativity and innovation. anything is a fair game as long as you are moving and the other fools are in their cars struck.

when it rains public transport fare will automatically increase, double, triple and even more depending on the amount of rainfall

never ask for direction to place from strangers. if you must ask look for security guards, police men and ladies. even then treat this information with utmost suspicion and care until you have confirmed it with another person.

if you are looking lost and wandering aimlessly, 'Samaritans' will appear from nowhere and insist on helping you..u know with your bags, luggage or whatever. resists them.

if someone talk to you on the street ignore them, act dumb and don't look in their direction.

always walk purposeful and looking busy and in a hurry. never gaze at building or take pictures leisurely and with a tourist-kind of mannerism. you will be relieved of you equipment faster than logging into Google on a very fast internet.

never ask for a price naively you will double its price, learn the art of haggling. always quote the most ridiculous price and work yourself to meet the seller at half mast

never buy meat products like samosas from street vendors and hawkers. the meat could be from anything.

if you happen to board a public vehicle don't speak to any one but to the conductor, having given your fare ask for your balance immediately and persistently.

if you are the fun having type and you go out to clubs, beware of well-dressed women posing as independent single women out for fun. should they would demand to be compensated in the wee-hours of the next day.

if a deal is too good think twice, in kenya if a deal is slightly good run from it. it is a trap. dont try to beat the trap or act smart just excuse yourself and flee.

THE AMAZING RAT RACE

2009-10-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have been having a few stressful days lately. All things since to have colluded to make my life a living hell. I seem to have little time to do tones of work. I have to be in more than one place at the same time. Meetings, tasks and responsibility have overwhelmed me, its funny I am even getting time to post this article.

They say that when trouble comes it does so in DOZENS. It’s true, like today I had a million and one thing to do. I had a class in the morning; I had a photography assignment that was due the next day. I needed to go for my work study and still attend two club meetings and one class meeting. I was broke and the only cash I had on me was in my phone account, that I could not get because the mobile subscriber was having trouble with the network connection. I was hungry, I needed to be in other places so I left and tried to do the most sensible thing. I wanted to go and get the key to the dark room so I could work on the film and the photography project. But when I reached there, I couldn't get the key because someone had my ID and I could not trace him as much as I tried.

Fortunately the lab assistant allows me to pick the key if I could give him any identification. I rummage for my wallet and realized that I had left it on my bed in the morning when I found there were no bills in it. I try to tell the lab guy to take my phone but he is adamant and I have to start the long journey to my room to find the wallet and any document that can allow me access to the dark room keys. It almost 2:40 in the afternoon when I reach the room and I realize I don’t have the key with me. s****it...f****k....what the h****l is this? I am almost screaming but as I turn to go I remember that my roommate may be near by. I call him and fortunately he tells me that the spare key is under the door mat.

I rush to the door and I lift the door mat, half expecting nothing but hey!! I find the key and I am able to get in and get my wallet. All this time I am worried that other students will get to the studio before me and get the dark room keys. I get the necessary documents and rush to the studio. All this time my tummy is grumbling and I am missing my work study time. I reach the studio around 3:15 and the assistant gives me the key telling me that I have until 4:00 to process my photos since there are others who need to use the place too. I grab the keys and rush all the way to the place; hungrily i push in the key thinking that my ordeal is almost over. After a few second of fumbling with the lock I realize that the key has broken and cannot open the place. I am flabbergasted, is karma telling me not to do this assignment, I am being paid back for something I have done. No time to think, I rush back for the spare key....puffing and out breath I reach the place and to my horror..................

to be contd

.....................................................................................

NAJIVUNIA KUWA MKENYA

2009-10-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

NAJIVUNIA KUWA MKENYA
In a class discussion last week many of my colleagues were so fade up with the current crop of leaders some even promised not to vote in the coming election. Most of the speakers were arguing that it doesn’t matter who gets to be voted because as soon as they get into power history will repeat itself.

I sat back and listened, I listen because in such matters it is not enough to just speak but it is important to fill your head first with information, and then argue from facts. Now to say the current regime has not lived to its promises will be putting the matter lightly but naivety is not a virtue and we must examine the cancer at the core not the try to treat the symptoms that are manifesting.What we have now is compromise through consensus and though highly recommended a consensus in itself is not a perfect solution to a problem. The former PM of Britain Margaret Thatcher once said that;

“Consensus is a process of abandoning all our beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects.”

Now there is a lesson here for all of us, if we agree to something it should be something we all believe in. but with consensus we all don’t get what we want but a middle ‘win-win’ situation for all. We have already lost our perspective, through consensus we change everything. The goals, mission and strategies have to be remade if the new marriage should prove fruitful. But with every one trying hard to out do each other in the marriage, how can it have a fighting chance?

We to people get to wed for whatever reason; the wedding is only a single day but marriage is a bidding contract and for some it a lifetime thing. But what happens when we get down to the nitty gritty? If the dreams and ambitions of the persons involved are not integrated to come with a hybrid version someone is bound to feel left out, this will cause tension and strain that will eventually crack the partnership.

Our country took the consensus way and we are here, we can grumble and murmur but consensus demands that we throw away all our earlier perception, plans and expectation. Consensus demands we face the new challenge of this marriage with new ideas and strategies. Consensus demands different actions to solve old problems. Divorce is not an option, we have toil for so long to give up on each other now, and we won’t because deep down we know that there are better days ahead if we keep out heads down and continue working on this relationship.

Nothing good comes easy, and conflict and hiccups are sighs that we are heading ahead. We doing something different, we may be doing it right but we are doing it and one day we will get our acts together. When we do all this we seem so trivial because we will be basking in the victory of our new found strength. I chose to be optimistic, I choose to believe that we can as individuals bring change to our nation but be the change ourselves.
It is not going to be easy, it not going to merry but we can, yes we can. Like the Israel we are struck in the wilderness but eventually we will enter out Canaan.

HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS WORTH

2009-10-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

“You can’t work in a vacuum Dan! You have to learn how to relate with other people. No man is an island, others have what you need but cannot do for yourself.” Those were my grandmother’s words. My grandmother always talked to me about investing in people. She told me and still does that that is the only investment that one can always count on. The understanding of human relationship worth was so ingrained in her she adopted and raised eight children besides her six.

For an organization to succeed, it must invest in human relationship. Employees are the most important workforce in an organization and the kind of personal relationship between the organization and the employees and the employees and other employees will determine how the employees will treat the clients and customers.

People are not easy to get along with; they are complicated, each with their unique characteristic and ways of thinking. Each from a background that is different. How do you get along without brushing each other the wrong? How can each of you in your different ways work towards the same goals and vision and objectives of the organization? How can different department equitably distribute the available resource without seeming biased? These are questions managers must grapple with. But only those who manage to find workable answers to these questions can in the long run reap the benefits of a well tuned personnel.

Conflicts are a good sign in a relationship, it means that those in the relationship care about their work and also acknowledge the presence of others in an organization. The trick to conflict is not to let it get out of hand. Conflicts should be nipped in the bud as it were. Leaving it to fester will only poison the problem and blow it out of proportion. A good organization should have mechanism in place that will deal with all manner of employees’ issues as they arise. Here prevention is better than cure, in-house counselors, bonding session, games and outing should be incorporated in the organizational calendar. Anger management seminars and motivation speakers and mantra should be adopted and practiced to the latter.
A happy employee is a loyal employee; employees should feel that the organization is a family where they belong equally. No favoritism, nepotism or any other isms should be condoned. Each and every individual should be availed the same opportunity to expand in the institution.
Spiritual, physical, emotional employee growth should be sought at all cost. These are not robots; they are human being with ties, love and ambitions, hopes and dreams. They should be treated equally, fairly and most important respectfully. The same should be expected from each individual member if he/she wishes to ride to the ‘Canaan’ the organization is heading to.

CONFIDENCE

2009-10-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

With confidence comes opportunity, with opportunity comes responsibility. but to much responsibility is maddening and we can only pursue so much in so little a time. i am not one to shy away from work but i feel a bit over taxed this days. i am supposed to be in more than one place at the same time. i don't know what has happened but recently i found that all the free time i had was gone. i was busy busy busy.

i am not complaining, i just saying that i don't think all this is healthy. i am not telling you..no! this is just me trying to speak to myself. you know thinking aloud? some people run when they are pressured. others recoil into their comfortable zone when threatened. me, i speak to myself, i stand before the mirror and have what i call 'me-time'

i unwind, talk with my friends and let it all roll away. i have learnt through this experience that things may look mission impossible like at first. they may seem irredeemable at first glance. but step back, don't rush and let it all fall in place. let it cool down, gather yourself after a while and look at the situation afresh. come to it with an open mind

SEMENYA AN AFRICAN HEROINE MISUNDERSTOOD

2009-09-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

When we triumph after months and years of hard work, sweat and toil we except jubilations, remuneration and appreciation for the feat we have achieved. We don’t except our success to be the reason why we may start contemplating suicide or become subject of ridicule and malicious media circus.

When Caster Semenya, the 18-yr old SA running sensation won the IAAF 800M race little did she know that her success just opened a trying chapter of her life. From thence her sexual orientation has been the bone of contention for all and sundry. Semenya whose incredible pace left even legend killers like Jepkosgei gasping for breath has found little respite since her triumphs on the track that fateful August night. This is one race in her life that has taken so much from her and whose finish line looks invisible for the foreseeable future. Her gender has become the center of negative publicity that has prompted the SAAA (South African athletics Association) to put her on a suicide watch.

Societal intolerance and ignorance of her condition has led the international media to publicly cause her ridicule and harassment. The IAAF has also treated this champion with utmost disrespect and the most unsupportive manner. The institution has done little to protect Semenya as an athlete and most importantly as a human being. She has been made to undergo numerous tests and publicly and most unethically her medical records have been leaked. Shame on those who perpetrated this, it is criminal and the authorities should get those behind the leak and apprehend them. The unethical journalism by the Australian tabloid that published leaked medical information about her just goes to show how low some media practioners have gone.

So what if the lady has unambiguous sexual orientation? Whatever happened to common decency? Is this how we treat our fellow men? The South African Athletics Association did a poor job protecting this young lady too and someone must take responsibility and be accountable for the fracas this whole thing has become. It is little comfort that the chairman of SAAA made a public apology for how they handled the situation. Semenya was tested before going for the championship, but the nature of the test was that they couldn’t get the result before the race day. Semenya is no phony; she did not use any drugs, and was cooperative with all the dehumanizing tests that were piled on her. Yet even with this hanging over her head on the eve of d-day she still went and won the race. This is a true character of a real champion.

How we treat our heroes reflect greatly on our dedication to honor those ambassadors that go out of the way to promote and raise the flag of our countries. Kenyans may rejoice that Jepkosgei may win the Gold by default but the bottom line is that an African heroine in her own right has been sacrificed for this to happen. It is high time that we try to understand and empathize with the plight of this unsung African heroine.

PREGNANT WOMAN CONCEIVES AGAIN

2009-09-24T11:11:00.000-07:00

Can you believe this miracle of nature. I have heard about a man pregnant, miracle babies and even more unbelievable miracles of nature but this is new. a certain Arkansas couple Todd and Julia Grovernburg are bearers of this double bundle of joy. the couple who were pregnant with a baby named jilian were caught unawares when a routine check at the gyneacologist revealed that the couple were pregnant with another baby. imagine that, sitting before that doctor and listening to her telling you this.

The sonogram test turned out be the strangest for the couple. The doctors heard two heart beats when they examined Julia Grovernburg. The eggs have fertilized at different times and there are two sacks to accommodate them. All i can say is GOD works in misterous ways. doctors have confirmed that the two are not twins since they are in different stages of development. jilian is 2 and 1/2 weeks older than his sibling. the couple are expecting baby jilian at the end of 2009 and his sibling later on in 2010.

All i can add for now is to tell the couple to stay away from sex or practice some form of family planning. who knowS if they keep at it they might conceive even a third baby.

There are only 10 cases of superfetation until now, is how rare this is

OUR MONEY, MY MONEY

2009-09-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

This is for those women in a relationship that still believe their husband money belongs to them both but whatever she makes is exclusively hers. Now dont get me wrong i believe in chivalry and all that but a relationship is about trust and fifty fifty sharing of responsibilities.

Men have been breadwinners from time immemorial and ladies have always managed the resources of the family. With the recent changes in roles and responsibilities there is little distinction between what men and women do in relationship. women have fairly and responsibly fought for their share and many societies and institutions have recognised and delivered this overdue requests.

All this changes and still ladies have kept to the old ways of being on the receiving end when it comes to relationships and income distribution. Women still expect and believe that it is the man who should take her out, pay all the bills, service the mortage and still give her money for the upkeep. It is rare to find a woman picking a bill after a nice dinner or outing. Women even those with huge disposal income would rather open a secret bank account and hoard their income rather than chirp in to help their spouses. The man has even to buy the groceries and toiletries even though he may be ill equiped for this role.

women wake up!! it not a blessing to receive, take charge, be an active member of your marriage and relationship bY being active in all sectors that you can chip in. and that goes for picking the bills once in a while just to show your man that you are not just the take-girl and show that you appreciate your man.

KENYAN KILLED IN US FLOWN HOME

2009-09-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on this sad story of a kenyan killed in the US by two teenager under his care. The victim Mr.george Onyango succumbed to the injuries that he sustained when teengers under his care attacked and fatally wounded him. the 43 year-od was working at a juvenile centre in carlifornia.

His remain was jetted in yesterday from the US. Led by his brother, Mr Kennedy Omondi, the mourners expressed shock and disbelief at the sudden and tragic death of their kin on August 22.

“We are indeed very sad. We feel really shaken… it is something we were really not prepared for but it has happened. We have to move on,” said Mr Omondi, who was accompanied by Rev Dr Willie Kiilu and Mr Bosma Khakali from the US.Mr. onyango body will be taken for burial at his ancestral home in nyanza province as is the custom of his people.

Police reports indicate that Mr Onyango, a father of two, was an overnight counsellor at Yucaipa, a home for delinquent youths in California. the motive for his attack is said to be connected to his refusal to allow the teenagers to leave the facility. the deliquents then turned on him with a iron bar and wooden rod, trying him up and leaving him for dead. they escaped in his car but were apprenended by authourities.

Mr. onyango who won a green card and left to better his fortunes has been a victim of unfortunate circumstances and shows that it is not all bliss for those who win green cards and leave for the US of A. Ours is just to encoarages the authourities concern to put security measures to safely guard the life of innocent breadwinners like ONYANGO.

CONFESSION

2009-09-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

I once met a girl I liked
She didn’t feel the same; she told me ‘dude take a Hike’
So I did, you know just like Nike
Hurriedly I got on my rickety mountain Bike
And rode away to calm down my Psyche

I met the same girl the other night
She saw me and froze with fright
Her once White teeth, were now dull not bright
She wore a mini, darn! So tight

I couldn’t just pass, so I pulled up and said “hi?”
She feigned knowing me, I could see why
I insisted still, she yielded with a my oh! My
She lowered her eyes, I knew she was shy
I invited her for a cup of tea before I could say bye
She nodded her head, she was near cry

I led us to a warm little café outside town
As we talked a smile formed where once there was a frown
She was a black beauty then, now she was brown
She grew confident and no longer looked Down
As she talked her eyes glittered like a kings’ Crown

I asked what had happened to her
And after a long minute she spoke, with pain from a far
She spoke of love, fun and a man with a fancy car
Who unfortunately just disappeared leaving her with a scar
And two hungry mouths calling her Ma

A tear formed on one of her once dimpled cheek
A sob escaped her throat, she no longer could speak
In between the sobs, she told me her work was for their upkeep
There was nothing I could say, I was saved by my phone beep
As I rummaged for it I asked her not to weep
As I checked the caller ID, I found it was my fiancée

Who had just recently ‘baptized’ herself Beyonce
She was mad as hell; she asked where I was not once
I was about to answer when she threw me off balance
With voice like daggers, she spoke with menace
Fuming with fury she promised me furnace
If I dint get home that very instance

PLANT A TREE

2009-09-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

Plant a tree, you'll be free
The world needs it, do it with glee
Oh! a tree a today will take the earth pain away
Plant a tree a day, water it everyday
Plant a tree dear, show the world you care

I will do the same here, i will plant a tree
We have to do it all, there's is no other way
Our children would need the fresh water
Plant a tree my brother, water it everyday

I have see what a treeless world would look like
I have experienced what would happen without trees
I cannot emphasize enough, plant a tree, start this very day
Plant a tree, you will be free
Plant another, do it with glee

Stop the cutting, the forest is our friends
Stop the felling, the animals are our friends
In destroying the forest we destroy ourselves
The forest doesn't need us, we need the forest
Oh, stop the logging, we can do without the timber
We wont need the oak wall unit anymore

Lets plant trees and save the soil,
Stop the drills in the forest for oil
Can't we see we will forever needlessly toil
If we destroy the forest
Plant a tree, do it today
Plant a tree, you will be free
Plant a tree, its time
Plant a tree, the world needs it
Water it everyday, do it with glee

http://w.plant-a-tree-today.org/

DEEP THINKING

2009-09-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on you

this is a words came to me as i sat reading in the library one sunny evening. it hard me thinking, what is the meaning of this? is it saying that fooling people is an art? is it a challenge to those gullible believers to think twice? why is it my shame if i am continously fooled? shouldnt the this liar be ashamed for spreading lies?

two wrongs dont make a right and a tit for tat leaves everyone blind.

if one is in the habit of playing pranks anf deceiving people we have to understand that the victims are not at fault.

take the example of an individual who has been conned by a medical quack or a fake fraudester posing as a pastor. the 'fake' pastor lies to the victim and milks him reapetedly of financial material. are we to say that the victim is supposed to ashamed for believing in a doctor or God? for believing in the humann decency? for giving another human being the benefit of a doubt? is it foolish to want to obey God even when the message gets to us through mediums of doubtful character?

when people lie, people get hurt. truthcan huty too but in a different way. we all know that "knowing" has its consequences. for immeaditely we are enlightened we can nolonger claim ignorance. again you know that not knowing can be bliss e.i. free from worries and responsiblities but its not a situtation one should wish for: information is power. those who weld power call the shots.

now i think its fair to say thatits never artful and skillful to fool anyone but rather one can only cheat anf get away with it because of the human aspect of trust and wish to believe in other human beings

ANOTHA THINN' COMING

2009-09-10T06:28:00.000-07:00

There is nothing i can give that i have not already given. there is nothing u can ask me to do, that i will not have willingly already done. i have my all, i bled and suffer yet i have gladly taken it.

no pain surpasses your comforting hands, no hurt beyond your healing words. i have fully let me self at your service my sweeter comforter cum protector. i look up to you and i am proud of the image i see. you make life worth living, and i love you more because of that.

what can make us part? what can come between us? nothing, nada. no instrument natural or man made can prosper against us. no challenge derail us, no obstacle to high for ma dear.

Anytime you need someone call on me, i will be waiting. i promise

COMMUNIS' DEVELOPMENT

2009-09-09T05:06:00.000-07:00

Man is a social being. This implies that he has to communicate, man has relationships, needs and desires that he can not fulfill by himself. To meet all this, man has to share them with others who are around. Communication facilitates this process of mutual sharing of information and meeting of needs. Here one can ask face-to-face, write a request or send an email or call. The important factor is that the cause of the communication in whoever forms was due to the social nature of man.

Communication aspects, this includes, the need to inform, entertain, persuade or mobilize people for action. It is impossible to carry any of these communication aspects without conversations. Of course they are nowadays a better way to communicate all this over long distance using the internet and mobile telephony.

How does population growth lead to development of long distance communication? As a population grows naturally people disperse and end up in different location. Friends and family may find themselves far away from the relatives and friends. Because people are geographically far from each other doesn’t mean their need to communicate diminishes. In fact it said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Hence the need to get in touch with our relatives in far away places can lead to some forms of long distance communication.

Militarily, I guess as in all human institutions the military is ran by human beings. Again another factor maybe that since military bases may not be in the same region or position there may be a need to have a long distance communication that can help the militarily to stay in touch at all times. Information is power and any military that cannot communicate with its members across geographical position is handicapped. So it no surprise that it was a military institution that has satellites, started the internet or mobile telephony.

Depletion of local resource may lead to the development of long distance communication in that since the local resources have been depleted there will be need to know if the same can be found else where. Take for example water, if water becomes scarce in a region those facing the shortage have to get together and either find alternatives locally or try to find if other region have water. How do they find out? Communication, and since it’s over a distance this will turn out to be a future way to find out or resolve problems. Overtime a system of communication over a long distance develops as the communities share resources.

SOAP OPERAS

2009-09-08T06:18:00.000-07:00

Currently the male populations are disadvantage when it comes to the contents of TV programming in Kenya. most TV stations have soap of operas of all soughts, Philippines, Nigerian, Mexican,Chinese and even African. i used to love watching the soap opera like Passions, my three sisters and Maria Di Los Angeles. This days i am just nauseated by the ever increasing amount of air time this SOAP are getting on the local stations.

chances are i have been exposed a little bit and i have seen better production. maybe its is the monotony of the the same story plot and general structure of this programs that has made me unfriendly to them. i hate the ridiculous translation, the misery, dysfunctional family and relationships that seem to make the most of the plot.

Once i saw another show where the translation was being done by a dude with a Nigerian accent. the actor was white and the translator had a Nigerian accent. can you imagine that. nowadays there daily soaps on every channels. the is one that is even shown at almost midnight and then to make the matters worse repeated during the day. if you think that all you will surprised that the weekend is crammed with all of the weeks replays.the only consolation is the ladies love it.

RINGERA SAGA

2009-09-08T04:34:00.000-07:00

Kenya president Mwai Kibaki again stirred up controversy when he reappointed the anti corruption boss contract by another five years. members of the parliament were up in arms immediately citing that the president has done so in violation of the law. the board of commissioners also did not help matters when they went ahead and said that they will go ahead with the current process of finding a new boss for the position in an apparent disregard for the presidential decree.

the members of parliament set aside a whole day and debated the issue and the speaker promised to issue a ruling on the matter on tueday this week. members against the anti corruption boss say that he has little to show for the hefty salary he is paid ( KSHS 2.5 million) and the duration he is being in charge. the KACC(Kenya anti corruption commission) boss has not in his five year tenure brought any significant corruption player to justice. ironically this is the same period where there was cases of graft and corruption in the goverment.

those who support the president decision to hold on to the embattled Ringera say that it was in the president jurisdiction to reappoint and also that the lack of trials against individuals who were implicated in graft cases was not the responsibilty of KACC. The courts were blamed for not carrying out thorough prosection against those implicated. the ask that the commission be given more powers to carry out its mandate. Those supporting Ringera say that the issue is being politised unneccesarily by individuals out to get political milieage.

Kenya Shun Dependency: Pastor Advices

2009-09-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

An Anglican minister, James Kilomi yesterday warned against dependency syndrome in the African continent. The pastor speaking in Katoloni parish in Machakos district said that the time has come for the African continent to wean itself from the destructive habit of always rushing to the western countries for handouts to feed it citizenry.

“The time to beg belongs to yesterday; the present is not for bickering and fighting over the past,’’ the pastor warned the believers.

He pointed out the sober congregation that it was time to face today’s challenges head-on. He urged the faithfuls not to remain dependent but make it their responsibility to secure their children’s future.

“We will not fail, we shall not fail, and we cannot fail because the future of the African continent depends on us.” Kilomi reiterated.

He further said that Africa was a rich continent with the capacity not only to feed its people but even grow surplus for commerce. He pointed out that even in the days of biblical Joseph it was the African continent that saved the chosen of God. He gave instances where the African continent played a refuge when all others failed.

“Jesus was rushed to Egypt when Herod threatened his life, Joseph and many others were able to find safety and abundance in Africa when they were threatened.”
But today, the pastor held that African has fell from it former glory.

He advised that to fight dependency and hungers we must critically examined and find solutions to corruption, violence, poor governance and land and food policies. He challenged the government to deliver on their electoral pledges of fighting hunger and graft. He admonished those misusing the environment as the enemies of Africa and asked the government to act on the destruction of the forest and water catchment’s area with speed.

ARTIFICIAL SPERM

2009-08-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

With technology everything seems to be possible if at least not probable. The announcement by group of scientists recently in Newcastle that they have created artificial sperm. They "prompted" embryonic stem cells to divide their chromosomes, then grow tails and become sperm cells.They have named the cells they created "In Vitro Derived" or IVD sperm.

The technology ironically is meant to help infertile men father children in future but has been received with a lot of fear by the male populace especially here in Africa as a the straw that will wipe the male species out. Since most men have been reduced to sperm donors the entrance of the A.S will have reduce them to uselessness.

The discovery has been met with criticism and Other eminent scientists have urged caution saying that the breakthrough has not demonstrated that the artificial sperm cells are capable of producing a viable embryo.Dr Allan Pacey, Senior Lecturer in Andrology at the University of Sheffield, is not fully convinced and thinks that the sperm is not fully fuctioned. he said that even though the sperm may possess some of the distinctive genetic features and molecular markers seen in sperm, fully differentiated human spermatozoa have specific cellular morphology, behaviour and function.

This may be greeted with relief by many who may have thought that the end was near. of course again the procedure itself is nowhere near safe to practiced on human specimen and only when clinical trials have been established will if its safe. so ladies newsflash...it may sometime before u can pick your sperm choice from the supermarket shelf and smile all the way to maternity.

KENYAN CENSUS 2009

2009-08-22T04:49:00.000-07:00

Kenya is carrying out its every decade census next week. Starting from the night of Monday 24th - 31st August 2009. The census will cost the tax payers 7 billion Kshs.

According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)the census will be provided with adequate security and all stake holders will be will brought on board. they are currently carrying out a cartographic mapping country wide and expect to be through by May 2009 latest.Security has been enhanced in several parts of Kenya ahead of Monday night’s national census.special arrangements had been put in place to ensure that security personnel, prisoners and travelers are counted.also the government has intensified police patrols in banditry-prone areas to ensure that the census proceeds smoothly.

The National census implementation has been threatened with boycott by Internal refugees in Central Rift Valley and members of the Ogiek community in Mau Forest. also there have been discontent among those who have been temporarily employed by the government as supervisors and counting clerks over poor training services and renumeration.

but the most controversial issue has been that of the inclusion of the tribe question that has been included in the questionnaire. The issue has been discussed far and wide and many have dismissed as inconsequential but only serving tribal strife.During the census in 1989 and in 1999, respondents were asked their ethnic backgrounds. But whereas the data regarding ethnicity was made public after the 1989 census, the findings for the 1999 census were not, due to the “sensitivity” of the issue.

The government has supported the inclusion of the Question as a universal practice and that the information will be vital for state planning, update population and demographics and resource allocation.

USAIN BOLT a.k.a LEGEND killer

2009-08-22T02:27:00.000-07:00

Lightening fast 23 year old Jamaican has in the span of less than a year broken long standing records. he first came into the limelight with 200 m gold medal at the 2002 World Junior Championships, making him the competition's youngest-ever gold medalist.

In 2004 at the CARIFTA Games, he became the first junior sprinter to run the 200 m in under 20 seconds with a time of 19.93 s, breaking Roy Martin's world junior record by two-tenths of a second. He turned professional in 2004, In 2007, he beat Don Quarrie's 200 m Jamaican national record with a run of 19.75 s.2008, Bolt set his first 100 m world record with a time of 9.72 s.

he was at it again, this past week with a double triumphs in both the 100 and 200 meters men final. he clocked 9.67 and 19.19 respectively earning himself a pretty 200,000$ for his under 30 second troubles. The younger who in his earlier days concentrated on football and cricket was urged to find his destiny in track and field by his coaches. Usain Bolt runs his races so fast he has to slow down for others to catch up but still finish ahead. He has not only changed the face of athletics but his on and off the field antics has endeared him to his legion of fans not only as an world class athlete but a super entertainer of soughts.

This young man shows more promises and because he seems to be getting better at what he does the future could see he break more records before he quits or is beaten.

MUCH A DO ABOUT NOTHING

2009-08-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

The phrase above was popularized by the legendary William Shakespeare in his romantic comedy of the same title set in Messina, Sicily. The story concerns a pair of lovers named Claudio and Hero who are due to be married in a week. To pass the time before their wedding day, they conspire with Don Pedro, the prince of Aragon, to trick their friends, Beatrice and Benedick, into confessing their love for one another. The prince's illegitimate brother, Don John, however, jealous of both Don Pedro's power and his affection for Claudio, plans to sabotage the coming wedding. The story is then about how all this comes into play.

This are a few things i will consider a storm in a tea cup or much a do about nothing. Michele Obama hugged the queen! so what? in this era and age that should be the least of our surprises. if Obama could be elected, then a few adjustment by the queen of her usual protocol shouldn't excite so much.

THE GENDER TEST

2009-08-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

The question that has been brought to the surface by the current ongoing IAAF world athletic competition is not whether Bolt will be breaking records but the issues of the Caster Semenya's ( SA Teenage 800 METERS gold medalist) so what is a gender test?

according to geneticists specializing in sports, gender test is a series of both internal and external medical procedure that seeks to clarify the gender of individuals in question. geneticists in fact tell us that we are predisposed to be women at conception but those embryos that come into contact with the male testosterone hormones change and are thus born male. the process involves the physical examination of the genitalia, muscle and body structure, voice a DNA test to verify the components of the chromosomes. individuals have been found in the past to exhibit both the both male and female physical features.

Laboratory and genetic testing were introduced at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.Women typically have two X chromosomes and men have an X and a Y chromosome in each of their cells. The presence of two X chromosomes is taken as confirmation of the athlete's female gender. Test results for about one in 500-600 athletes are abnormal.

The International Association of Athletics Federations abandoned gender verification tests in the early 1990's concluding they were not needed. This was thought to be especially true because of the current use of urine testing to exclude doping: voiding is observed by an official in order to verify that a sample from a given athlete has actually come from his or her urethra.

courtesy of: http://in.reuters.com/article/worldOfSport/idINIndia-41867620090820

CASTER SEMENYA

2009-08-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

now, the IAAF world competition is currently underway and there have been quite a few suprises. The queen of the women high pole jump was for example beaten for the second time and Meseret Defar was beaten at the 10,000 by kenya's 19 year old Maasai. of course there was little suprise when Bolt won and broke the records but a SA teenage sensation has been turning the women's 800 metres and causing all sought of upset including and not limited to physically tripping the world champion Janet jepkosgei.

This alleged young lady with the demenour of a gentleman body builder runs the race so powerfully even the strong leaders like jepkosgei(a woman who single handely brought the reigh of Maria Mutola A.k.a Maputo express to end) gasping for breath and wobbling to the finish line.

BERLIN (AP) — Track and field's ruling body is investigating whether a South African teenager meets the requirements to compete as a woman amid concerns about her dramatic improvement in times, muscular build and deep voice.

a lot of questions have been raised about this lady and few answers have been forth coming. i hope for the sake of SA athletics and Semenya personally that this rumours are not true. That in due time all will come to light and she will not be on the wrong side of the law

MAU ISSUE REVISITED

2009-07-28T11:55:00.001-07:00

This week's outcry by rift valley politicians only goes to show the real nature of our political leaders. The practice of pack politics and vilification of the PM as being a traitor was not only misplaced but unfair. The rift valley leaders should know that Mau doesn’t belong to them and that the illegal enterprise of a few thousands is hurting millions of Kenyans. Also they should know that the PM is not there to serve the people of the rift valley alone but the entire country. The blackmail antics and vilification will only endear him to more Kenyans as a fair and responsible statesman.The destruction of the Mau water tower with some of these MP's participation and negligence is what is currently threatening the virtually existence of the Kenyan community. Those who legally or otherwise bought land in forest were neither blind nor daft but greedy and irresponsible. Their activities in this forest has injured not only Kenya but this region as a whole.

The support by the deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta is political motivated and in bad faith. The comparison of Kibera to Mau is grossly inappropriate. The Kibera slum may be in need of upgrading but the Mau issue is a matter of life and death for many Kenyans. Politician’s dilly dallying on this matter should know that time is of the essence and we cannot postpone this matter any further. Those who have encroached on the ecosystem have no choice but to leave.

This is not a war or unfair victimization of the Mau dwellers, the rift valley leaders should objectively look at the matter by putting the interest of the nation first and not talk of our people this and our people that. We are faced by many tough decisions in our country today, many of which are consequences of our own making. The Mau issue is no exception and we need to make the decision to save this vital ecosystem and the first step is for leaders to agree for the settlers to leave it unconditionally so that the healing process may begin.

SOUNDLESS SPEAKING

2009-07-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

If you watch me closely
you will notice that i am saying something
not through words but through my whole being
you will hear my silence
and be touched by my person
my fragrance will drift to you
you will feel my presence
taste my highs, lows and in-betweens

i will speak through my laughter
i will say something through my look
my facial expression will speak volumes
my mere presence will fill that space that will be
empty without me

so you see if you look closely
you will hear me speak
not in words but in being me.

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

2009-07-25T05:08:00.000-07:00

our leaders, the two principles yesterday did something that they should have been doing more often and together. they spoke in the same tongue and informed the multitude that had gathered that the water catchment areas will be saved regardless of any political cost.

This was nice and refreshing for a change for the grand coalition government that seems to be at each other throat in the past. What we learn here is that our country's interest is bigger than any individual and political party. The interest of the majority is always supreme.

This was greeted with relief by all players, those living in the Mau and other water catchment areas must leave. There are no excuses, those buying 'legal' land in forested areas knew what they were doing. They have stolen enough from this country and benefited more than they paid for the land at the cost of the majority's welfare. The taxpayers has now to dig deep into their pockets to rehabilitate this land to atleast what it used to be. shame on you who continue to politicise this issues and all those who have in one way or another destroyed our worldful ecosystem and left it bleeding.
i will finish this piece by quoting the environment minister john Michuki, he said recently, "we might loose political after the mau eviction and still come back, but once mau is gone it will never come back again."

LOOKING BACK

2009-07-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

As I Look Back

As I look back on my life
I find myself wondering.....
Did I remember to thank you
for all that you have done for me?
For all of the times you were by my side
to help me celebrate my successes
and accept my defeats?

Or for teaching me the value of hard work,
good judgment, courage, and honesty?

I wonder if I've ever thanked you for the simple things...
The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared?

If I have forgotten to express my gratitude
For any of these things,
I am thanking you now....
and I am hoping that you've known all along,
how very much you are loved and appreciated.

BLUE COLLARS

2009-07-24T11:13:00.001-07:00

last week it was declaired that all will be in blue collars at daystar university. literally that meant the student wil be wearing identification tags. the identity tag was enformed diligently by the security team and currently one can only get into the closed main get if your are spotting a blue-neck tag.

the move is supposedly to deal with some security issues that the univesity is currently facing where individuals not of the institution get access to the university and carry out crimininal activities.

the move seems similiar with the current presidential declaration that by the end of this year all mobile subscriber will have to have the information banked with their mobile service provider or risk being shut down. the move is to counter the current on-going problem where robbers,kidnappers,and even convicts have resorted to using mobile phones to carry out criminal activities. so from next month you cannot just buy a SIM card without proper documentation. those subscribers using Mpesa,Zap money transfer and telcom landlines are already in the government data banks.

the move has be deemed a little to late and probably ineffecient for the same reason that even though cars are registered there are still used for criminal activities. thieves will steal phones from legitimate owners and use them for other purposes. the police then will not identity real culprits but the victims.

the same way the tag thing is bound to fail because, first it has not been well received by the students who have resorted to calling it 'kipande system' reffering to the colonial practice of having all natives carry their pass cards on the persons at all times. also, anyone can get a hand on the id and tag and access the institutions facility convidently because as long as you are sporting a blue collar the security will not bother you. this will create some sought of fools pradise and a false sense of security.

my only hope is that there would not be a huge some of money on my invoice come next semester opposite the identification tag

LOVE

2009-07-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

Love.........!

The moment looks you right in the eye
You got no choice but to face the music
Stepping back, calculate you actions
Then deliver your response back with a bang
You choose the three words that says it all
I love you

Now it’s your turn to watch
For actions to the motion you have put into play
Will it be surprise? Will it be silence?
Would it be laughter or watery eyes?

Said and done you turn back, either
With your love in your arms or
With your head hanging down devastated
But you are a better human being
Because either way your life will not be the same again

thats love, that what life us all about

2009-07-18T05:20:00.000-07:00

FUNNY but SCARY

2009-07-17T04:20:00.000-07:00

Signs of Being In Love That Might Actually Be Symptoms Of Crippling Or Fatal Disease

1. Skippy heartbeat when you think of him/her.

You think it's: Love
Medical possibility: Tachycardia which may lead to ventricular fibrillation and myocardial infarction (heart attack)

2. Restless trembling of hands, feet and other body parts.

You think it's: Love
Medical possibility: Parkinson's Disease

3. Constant smiling.

You think it's: Love
Medical possibility: Bell's Palsy

4. Absent mindedness, forgetfulness, inability to focus on tasks at work or home.

You think it's: Love
Medical possibility: early onset Alzheimer's Disease

5. Frequent or constant sexual arousal.

You think it's: Love
Medical possibility: nymphomania

6. Weakening of knees and bursts of energy when he/she calls or comes over.

You think it's: Love
Medical possibility: multiple sclerosis

7. Inability to stop thinking about him/her.

You think it's: Love
Medical possibility: OCD

8. Bruising on neck, breasts and other tender areas.

You think it's: Love
Medical possibility: leukemia

9. Insomnia.
You think it's: Love
Medical possibility: benign prostatic hyperplasia

10. Feeling that you can smell/hear/feel him or her when not in his/her presence.

You think it's: Love
Medical possibility: schizophrenia

THE mteja CAMPAIGN

2009-07-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

Currently there is a campaign going on that has been dubbed MTEJA. The Kiswahili word means absent. The campaign was launched last week by International Commission of Jurists in collaboration with Kenyan artistes. Mission: to sensitize Kenyans on their rights by providing information. It is about mobilizing people to know their rights and tell them WHAT, WHERE, WHO AND WHY they should have this information.

Questions that were posed to Kenyans during the launch included

‘If I told you that your MP spends 100,000 on his/her mobile phone a month, would you know if I am speaking the truth or not?’
‘Do you know how much money from your allocated constitutional road budget was spent last year and how?’
‘Did you know that up to the recently read budget that "Maziwa Ya Nyayo" was still in the national budget?’

Literally speaking it is about empowering through information provision. Information is power and the campaign wishes to connect as many Kenyans as possible to this power grid. They have taken on board to accomplish this mission celebs and musicians who have created songs to transmit the campaign agenda. As they go round the Nairobi city for now they are making concerts and shows where as people are freely entertained the information is imparted.

For now they have held these sessions in areas like Kibera, Kamukunji, Jivanjee gardens and others and are planning to visit the coast and other provinces. The architects have also used the media platform to create awareness. The campaign is not only about providing information but also drum up support and advocacy for a information bill that is soon to tabled in the parliament.

The right to know is vital and the contrary to popular assertion ignorance is not always bliss. People need to know what they are constitutionally and legally entitled to. They need to know that a certain amount of money has been ear-marked for this and that and who is responsible for it.

artists involved are: Wahu, Juliani, Kanjii, Wenyeji, Roba, Lin

H1N1 FLU NOW IN EAST AFRICA

2009-07-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

The H1N1 swine flu virus has been detected in East Africa courtesy of our friends from London.

A group of students visiting from London on some humanitarian grounds had a extra baggage in form of the H1N1 swine flu disease. Ironically some of the students were medical students, here to assist treat some minor ailments. But unfortunately the activities were cut short when it was discovered that one of the friends was suffering from the ailment.

The students residing in a hotel in Kisumu city were immediately quarantined by the authorities and the hotel sealed off. The minister concerned released a press statement and inform the country that the case was under control and the Government was on top of things. The students activities were traced back and it’s was found that they were in contact with some high school students a screening was carried out to find if the were affected.

The city of Kisumu was gripped by fear and many residents were anxious and afraid for the life. Personally when I heard the news, I was very angry. This was the last thing that we need as a country. We had enough issues on our plate as it is and then this. I thought probably it might take our attention from national building into a frightened-mask-wearing nation. To make matters worse it was during the usual flu season and everyone was a potential H1N1 virus incubator waiting to blow. It was a trying time, but the authorities played down the treat and assured the Kenyans that this was just a mild case and very less deadly that the common cold.

Uganda followed suit and the bearer of the bad news was again a Briton who had passed through Kenya. When will this end?! Many Kenyans and even Uganda was angry like me, angry at the authorities for failing to detect the case earlier and angrier at the Londoners who came with the fearful and little known about disease. The anger was so pronounced the students In Kisumu had to be taken from the quarantine to the airport secretly and under tight surveillance.

If it was a Kenyan or Uganda group of students who took the disease to London they would probably be vilified and even label names. They would be deported after be tested and harassed. Britain would have travel ban and advisory for the rest of East Africa.

Now I just have to wonder is this some elaborate plan to have East Africa into the H1N1 vaccine buying market? Think about it, maybe not but it has some weight.

WATER IS LIFE

2009-07-15T04:28:00.000-07:00

Kenyans are facing a lot of crisis today but none is more pronounced and deadly than the problem of growing water shortage. According to UNEP Kenya was by the year 2000 among countries that were listed as water strained and will be water scarce by the year 2025. If you are keen that is just five years shy of the 2030 plan to make the country self reliant and developed.

The water problem is particularly more pronounced in the arid and semi arid areas of the country that accumulate a good percentage of land mass. The only meaningful economic enterprise in this areas is pastoralism. women and children trek the whole day just to find water for drinking and household activities. in district like Marsabit majority of the people have no access to clean water and share the little that is present with animals domestic and wild. the populace chief activity has become water hunting and business and other meaningful income generating activities. a 20 litre jerrycan sells for 50-100 shillings where most individuals live below the poverty line of a dollar a day.

Kenya has great water resource, it houses a part of the biggest fresh water lake, lake Victoria. but still resident of Kisumu and the environs have been complaining of water shortages. this gives as a glimpse that it not the absence of the resource but the management that is the problem. meanwhile as politicians dilly-dally water catchment areas like the Mau forest and others are being destroyed

the trend is worry and just this month two major hydro-electric generating dams were closed down for lack of water. the has promised to increase the electric bills and possibility of water rationing. more problems on the already overflowing plate of the poor majority. albeit all this all this Kenya have still to grample with the other problems like corruption, IDPS, the possibility of sending leaders to ICC, and the daily sky rocketing price of basic commodities.

for the water issues alternatives on hand as the government tried to salvage the situation is sinking of boreholes and the temporarily paying private borehole owners to provide the city resident with water at the subsidized rate of 2Kshs for 20 litre jerrycans. The president also earlier informed the nation on Madaraka day that the government was in the process of building 5 Mega dams. the industries that greatly rely on water for production will be at a disadvantage and as more water is diverted to the industries more citizens will suffer water shortage. the activities by NGO's to distribute water containers and education on better water harvesting method are a step in the right direction but the if the country is to achieve its 2030 goal more should be done to salvage this situation

TRAVEL TROUBLE

2009-07-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I was sitting In a PSV
To make matters worse
I was in a jam
That, as I found out was the least of my problems
A concoction of different scents people were wearing,
Was making me nauseous.
The dust from the by-pass was engulfing
I was sitting at the back sandwiched between-
A fat market woman and a rather well fed Kenyan gentleman
Nothing was gentle about the man, (he occupied half my seat)
The market woman (plumb as they come), perspired profusely; the heat seemed to squeeze the last bit of the body juice out of her.

As fate had it that day, the day broke with a few showers and an impenetrable mist.
I was wearing gumboots and my well worn but still functional jacket.
Around the time I was this close to crying I remembered something
It was a story of certain prison where prisoners were so over crowded that
When it was meal times the food was brought to the prison in big bowls
Now since the place was so overcrowded everyone tried to dig into the bowl
At the same time.
Rumours has it that those greedy hands scoped whatever was in the bowl.
But their was a catch and a catch it was
They were not able to transfer whatever they fished into the mouth
Why? I will tell you why
There was a lot of congestion and their hands interlocked
Why I am I telling you this-
Because that was exactly the way I was feeling
The insult was that I had paid a kings ransom to be there

It angered me
But I controlled it lest it consumed me
I was frustrated, but of what consequence is my frustration
And how would it have help me
But then I thought about all the people who would never get a ride anymore
I thought about those with cars
Never to ride them again
I thought about those without fare
Who would gladly take my place without complaining?
But then there were those who perished every other day
Due to one or another reason
I smiled ruefully, wiped away the perspiration and just for the joy of being alive
Threw back my head and laughed hysterically
Arios Amigos! So long Muchachos! Farewell compadres!

THE GIFT

2009-07-11T04:44:00.000-07:00

it has been alleged that the Kenyan prime minister sent to the Mungiki cult leader two books. this generosity did not move me because i knew this a gimmick to show that the guy knew how to play his cards. lately he has been trying to sweeten up to them and the move was a part of his reconciliation and dialogue tactic.

what was interesting was the book he sent, the machievili book 48 laws of power and the long walk to freedom. i was intrigued at the choice and sought to read them myself what i discovered was in fact that Raila himself has greatly put to use the antics in this book. whether he has using the book to come closer to his enemies with a single act to of generosity is anybodys guess.

if it is what i think it is a feel as an individual who voted him to power as manipulated. the laws that many on pretense at the cost of real and people driven were sad to read. i feel so cheap and cheated. if this is what it has come to them we greatly need a mind set overhaul. god save as and protect us from this lying and double crossing sycophants who say one thing and completely do another.

FANCIES GO WITH THE WIND

2009-07-11T04:43:00.000-07:00

All the good ones are taken, by good here i mean everything that each and everyone of fancies. the reason we want it in the first place is because somebody else has it. they say that the grass is always greener on the other side, it maybe but that does not release from the fact that our happiness greatly lies in basically wanting what we have rather than desiring what we no we could never have. but this is the world and even those who have it are not guaranteed eternal molopoly so after-all there is a point in wanting what others have. they might loose it and they do we should be ready to collect them. peace am out!

DEEP

2009-07-11T04:34:00.000-07:00

what is the point of gaining the whole world and losing your soul in the process? i ask myself what does the writer mean by gaining the whole world. is it possible? what i think he means is what if the desires of our souls are met. we do all things we wish to and in doing them gain maximum satisfaction. since we cant serve two masters we will forceit our spiritual inheritance. the driving force of a man life is the soul, and if it is lost then indeed no matter what earthly gain we have got, we have indeed lost.
Our Belief is that for everyone and anyone that we can pray for, a true miracle is about to and is waiting to happen.AMEN!

COWARD OF THE COUNTY

2009-07-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

The country music singer and songwriter Kenny Rogers sung once of a boy who was considered the coward of his county. Kenny starts his song by telling us about this boy and the agreement he had with his father. The agreement was simply for the boy not follow in his father footsteps. This might seem a little unorthodox but considering the father was a criminal it made plenty of sense.

Time rushes and Tommy comes into his own. Ordinarily like any other boy he falls in love and the love of his life happens to be a girl called Becky. The lovebirds become the talk of the town and Tommy naturally makes a few enemies. The gambler boys come into the picture by sexually assaulting Becky, Becky runs to her man and according to the singer he in turn takes the law into his hands and singlehandedly avenges his woman.

I don’t see it happening that way, of course it is possible to be stigmatized and to be ridiculed all your life but to out of the blue turn into Bruce-lee is not only unrealistic but out right devious. The leopard will never change its spots, No matter how hard it tries. That is why when I heard someone used this as a parting shot to his campaign for the office of the president, I was skeptical. I was skeptical and doubtful of the miracles that he was proclaiming. But time has indeed proved he was right and I was wrong, indeed he has found the gap and penetrated to the core as he prophesied.

But all the same I was right in the estimation that one cannot turn into a Bruce Lee overnight. The only place that righteous anger takes us is to the Morgue or if we are lucky the ICU. This is what I guess happened when Tommy stormed that pub. He comes in and notices the gamblers boys comfortably sitting on high stools popping bottles open with their teeth, one is having a smug look on his face and when the others see him their faces turn into hideous grins. They ensue to scoff at him. Tommy hurries towards them, with intentions to wipe the grin of their faces but mid-way through the floor his anger evaporates and he comes back to his senses and the implication of what is going to happen to him dawns on him. He has a mind to just desert the place and go away but he has already done a lot and walking away will only reinforce the point of the gambler boys. He stand and wish to leave but as he tries to turn around somebody pulls him back and he recognizes it is one of the gambler boys and he asks him what he was going too do. Tommy is tongue tied so he tells the gambler boy that it is okay and as an appeasement he offer to buy him a bottle of beer. This great pleases the gambler boy and Tommy at the end is made to sing for them and buy all of them beer.

Only when indeed they have proven that he is indeed what they are saying he is do they let go back home. Not before they make him the minister of their business. He is aloud as from the day of shameful collision with gambler boys to be doing all dirty work for them. He has no option but to agree. He walks out of the pub worse off than when he has got in and instead of going back to home he decides to run away.

He could not face himself and the idea that he was the greatest of the cowards the county has ever produced. He ran away on the next bus out of that town he was never seen again. It is rumored that he went to another town and when he reached there it was during the night and since he knew not of anybody he could trust he went and just sat by the bus stage. But that same night he was robbed of everything that he owned; he was bitten thoroughly by robbers and left for dead at the same stage. Luckily he was found by a prostitute who washed his wound and put him to rest in a stuffy apartment. He was out for many days and when he came around he was delirious and kept calling the name of Becky. The prostitute took pity on him and day after day nurses him back to health with her meager nightly earnings. When he was well enough it said that he had amnesia and could not be helped by doctors. He still lived with his only friend Jacky the prostitute. She was able to help get a driver license and other legal documents needed for employment.

Having still some skill in leatherwork and community development he started to work as a fighter for the right of prostitute to carry out their business without been heckled by authorities it is even said that he later married the prostitute and was able to start a brothel with her. There is the reason that when the rumors reached Becky that her man was in not so a distance country she was able to get a ticket and to this city to find out why he has deserted her. On reaching this place and getting direction from some well-wisher she was able to c come to this house and indeed find her lost long love. She rush to him and even though she was angry with him her love was greater than her anger and she rushed to hug her man.

Lord Most High

2009-07-08T07:40:00.000-07:00

From the ends of the earth,
From the depths of the sea,
From the heights of the heavens,
Your name be praised.

From the hearts of the weak,
From the shouts of the strong,
From the lips of all people,
This song we raise, Lord.

Throughout the endless ages
You will be crowned with praises,
Lord most high.
Exalted in ev’ry nation,
Sov’reign of all creation,
Lord most high,
Be magnified.

Lord Most High
Words & Music by Don Harris & Gary Sadler
©1996 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music / ASCAP

READERS DIGEST

2009-07-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

My favorite magazine is the Readers Digest. The reason I am fond of this magazine is because it contents encompasses almost all spheres of life. It deals with political issues, medical and technological advancement, humor, relationships and real life issues. Secondly the presentations by different columnist are very precise and full of good research. I like it for it wholesomeness and sensitivity to the different audiences it carters for with a subtle but authoritative analysis of this issues.

As for my literacy in consumption of this medium’s message I am confident that I am reasonably literate. I do not for a fact accept any of the content as gospel truth, I have this skeptic and doubtful attitude towards it until I have confirmed that indeed the message depicted is infact a fact. I have said reasonably literate because unfortunately my media skills do not free me from all my biases and prejudices. The Readers Digest as I mentioned earlier has a variety of content ranging from health, technology, fashion, truestories, sex and relationships.

There was a time I read about this woman celebrity in South African who alleged that she was abused by some members of her family as she was growing up. When she was asked why she did not reveal this to someone close to her i.e. her mother or confidant she claimed that she did not have any such person to tell. The interviewer further pressed and asked her why she did not do so afterwards; she claimed that she was better off forgetting that terrible part of her life. She further went to say that even today when she goes for family reunions she still sees those who molested her. She feels angry that they have the guts to be there after all they have done to her. At first i thought this could be one of those staged performances by the media to attract audience i.e. the notion that when it bleeds it leads.
But I read further on rape and child molestation. The statitistics shocked me; it said that indeed children who undergo this experience most of the time go with them to the grave. Parents who are most of the time the perpetrators are supposedly protectors of this children which makes it hard for the children to disclose. Girls who rush to the mothers to announce the sad news of being raped by fathers are hushed or even beaten for trying to soil the good name of the father. Mothers first protect their marriages and the other interest comes a distance second. The fact that I can access the content from various

Point of access increases my enjoyment of the magazine. Most of the time I read Readers Digests to get information on the current advancement indiscipline of medicine and technology. I read to learn about what individuals are tying to do to curb global warming and international terrorism. But other times I just go to the library to peruse through a volume of the readers digests to read the humor and jokes column. I find that the humor and various anecdotes are not amusing but also real. The jokes and Humor columns are strategically placed to entice, which I take note but all the same the content of the jokes are worth the entrapment at the end of the reading. Thirdly I sometimes come to read the Readers, Digest for their inspirational real life stories that are encouraging and uplifting. The fact that it happened to someone else shows it could also happen tome and I could gained immensely from their experience.

Setting me up for a fall

2009-07-02T05:58:00.000-07:00

U is so mean my dear

Knowing from the start that this would not last

U made me expect I will have a favorable outcome

But alas you’re just setting me up for a fall

I thought I was prepared for u

But I was like you, setting myself up to

Just as I had started trusting and falling for u

u go stab me in the heart

U meant no harm I know but with everything

You now do u are turning the hot knife in ma soul

Coursing thro’ma vein like a fire ball

U set me up for the fall

I was so high using u

I forgot it was just a temporary thing

Now I fallen and with a spin

Eating from the gutters where once I was king

U ma dear set me up for this fall

Come on dear don’t feel so sad

I have been through things twice this bad

I am not sure of what I now feel

But I don’t hate u that’s for real

I just need to leave and buy time to heal

I am glad u set me up

To show me I am no stone neither wood

U given me some soul food

Lemme me now retire and digest

What the future throws in ma face

colors: what they speak

2009-07-02T05:25:00.000-07:00

Tell me about colors

Give me a color

Green

Green huh! Lemme see.....

Green they say is the color of envy, jealousy and malice

What???????????? It can’t be

Yah that’s right but, green can also represent serenity, calmness and a healthy prospect

That’s better

Try and guess what blue stands for

I can’t tell me

Ok. Blue is a corporate color, the color that is strongly masculine, shows class, confidence, taste and a great fashion awareness but ukiclash na unaweza itwa mshamba.

Is that right?

Yes that’s right…

What about yellow?

Golden yellow- the sky color at sunset, romantic and inspiring, a powerful motivating scene but-

Again if u uses the color vibaya, it can easily messy u up so it can only be used with care and caution

Ha ok. Now it my turn lemme tell u about some colors and their meaning

I’ll start with ma favorite color

Black

Black is the color of strength, strength of character, strength of repute, black is an overwhelming color that’s is calm, sophisticated and deep

Cool what is the next color?

The color is the color red…red is the color of brightness, it shows danger and intensity, its blood and passion, love and heat that is strong and burning. Red is crackling strongly and passionate.

Whoaaa! That’s one hell of a dissection tell me another

Brown

Brown is the color of fertility, the color of mother earth generosity. Brown is beautiful and smooth. Easy on the eye and firm to the touch. Brown is compatible with almost all that it encounters. Brown is the color of harmony and cohesion.

What color are you?

a lil song for yah

2009-06-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

nah nah nah nah
who the hell do u think u are
blah blah blah blah
cant u see u aint ma pa
dah dah dah dah
gett the hell outta ma car

from then to right now
u been treatin me like a cash cow
runnin to me always wit an open paw
askin, demandin, takin and puttin on a show
u've been good with a skill of a pro
but now u just gotta to lemme go

u've been suffocatin me, u see
taking advantage of the honesty in me
but now i need to lock down and throw away the key
to gain back somthings u stole from thee
i demand u let me be
lemme heal n enjoy the feel
of not be atound u outta ma free will

2009-03-18T05:12:00.000-07:00

WHY YOU SHOULD EXPRESS YOU REAL THOUGHTS TO HER

Express your opinion on things.Don't worry that she may feel differently. As long as you're not obnoxious about it or feel that you are absolutely right and everyone else is absolutely wrong, expressing your opinion shows her that you're a real person with a real personality and a real mind.Many guys are afraid to state their opinions or beliefs, afraid they might say something wrong which turns her off. These guys often come across as dull, boring, and lifeless.Show her that you have both a personality and a mind. Tell her what you think.If she asks whether or not you like an outfit she's considering, tell her.If she asks where you want to eat, tell her.If she suggests going to see some lame romantic comedy and you don't want to, tell her.Believe it or not, telling her your opinion on things will actually make her like and respect you more.Note: during the early going stay away from controversial topics like politics, religion, etc. These are not appropriate topics for a date.

2009-03-18T05:01:00.000-07:00

Writing Reports

Using the Business Report Format

Keep reports concise by following a standard format.

Imagine this scenario: You're a busy, upper-level manager, and you supervise several junior managers. Every quarter, each member of your managerial team has to give you a written report on his or her department's progress. This report details profits, costs, productivity, and recommendations for the next quarter.

Reading all of these reports takes days, but what's even more frustrating is that they're all completely different. Some of your managers put the data and statistics right at the beginning, while others use appendices at the end. Some don't include an executive summary, or a section with details about recommendations for the next quarter. This means you have to spend extra time trawling through each report to find the information you really need.

How can you reduce the time you spend looking through all of these reports for important information? And how can you make sure that the reports you submit are read, digested, and understood? After all, readers will probably find what they need in half the time if everyone followed the same format.

This is why a standard format - often called the Business Report Format - has been developed over the years. In this article, we discuss why it's helpful to use this standard format, and then we'll outline what the format is.

Why the Format Is Important

One of the most important reasons to follow a standard Business Report Format is that people reading your report don't usually have a lot of time. Very few, if any, will read every word of your report from start to finish. However, using a clear, standard format allows readers to find the information they need quickly and easily - and skip what they don't need.

Following a standard format also helps you organize all the relevant information. The content of a report can be overwhelming, especially when you have a lot of data. This format ensures that your information follows logical steps that readers will be able to follow and understand easily. You're less likely to forget anything either, because the format gives you the structure you need to argue your case coherently.

The Business Report Format

Here are the main components of this standard format:

Title Page

Include the report name, author name, and date. If your report is quite long, your title section could also include a table of contents.

Executive Summary

Keep this to a maximum of one page. Summarize the problem you're trying to solve, list the most important information or results, and detail any action steps that you recommend.

For many people, this is the only page they'll have time to read. It's therefore a good idea to write it so that it argues your case in a standalone way. Use bullets and numbered lists to highlight important points.

Methodology
Describe the methods you used in your research to reach your conclusions. For example, did you talk with focus groups, conduct interviews, search the company archives, or use outside resources like consulting or research firms? Include the details of your research process, and explain why you used the sources you did.

Introduction
Tell readers why they need to read this report, and give a very brief overview of what you're going to cover in the main body of the report.

Main Body
This is the 'heart' of your report. Present your research and make your case - and remember to put the most important information first.

Conclusion
Analyze the results of your research, and bring everything together. Many people will read this section, so keep it short and simple.

Recommendations
List the actions you think readers - or the company - should take to solve the problem you're addressing. Ideally, use bullets or numbered points for this list.

This is another highly read section, so be very clear about your opinion. You've done the research, so tell people what needs to happen next. If you suggest major changes, then create a strategy to implement these larger changes on a step-by-step basis.

Appendix
Include all of your sources and research information in detail. Few people read the appendix carefully, but this is the information that supports your arguments, so it must be included.

Report Tips

Here are some additional suggestions for writing effective, well-organized reports:

Understand your objectives: Before you begin researching or writing, make sure you clearly understand why you're writing the report - and who will read it.

Use a relaxed style: If possible, keep your writing style simple and easy to read. Be professional, but always keep your readers in mind. If you write the way you speak, they'll probably have an easier time understanding what you're trying to tell them.

Keep it concise: Remember, people typically don't have much time. Aim to keep your sentences short and clear.

Use sources and data: Use statistics, and quote sources whenever you can. People tend to trust numbers more than opinions.

Organize your text with clear headings: Break up your text with headings and subheadings. This makes reading easier, and it allows people to find the information that's most relevant to them.

Start with the most important information: In every section of your report, put the most important information first. Again, remember that most people don't have lots of time. Tell them what they need to know as quickly as possible.

Keep 'backup' information: Once you've done your initial research, you'll probably have a lot more information than you really need. This means that you'll have to go through all that data to determine what needs to go in your report. Be careful not to 'cherry-pick' data: don't choose just what you like, or what supports your objective. Keep records of every piece of information you include (and what you don't include), just in case you're asked to defend your findings.

Do at least two drafts: You can marshal your arguments in the first draft. In the second draft, you can refine and polish the way you've expressed them.

Key Points

Following a standard Business Report Format makes it easier for the people reading your report to find what they need quickly. They'll know which sections will answer their questions, and they'll clearly see your recommendations. For people who are in a hurry, this is an absolute necessity.

Thank you!

my parents

2009-02-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

i salute them, i love them and respect them
i am awarding them in this piece in my small way

for the best human being i know
my mama

for the call and collectedness
my papa

for the most generous heart that beats
ma mama

for the humble,self giving,hardworking man
my pap

for the rock and soldier in our family
ma mama

for the strong willed,precise,straight shooter
my pap

for piousness, deliberative and joyful soul
ma mama

the roof that shelter us
my dad

our bread spiritual bread winner
mama

for the physical cover and provider
papa

the two i know i can always count on
my parents

this is but a small drop in the ocean for all you guys have done, i hope and pray that one day i might get a chance to prove to you that all this was not in vain. i love you and i am indebted to you eternally.

vision

2009-02-13T09:28:00.000-08:00

i want to see natural things, from a natives point of view
i want to loose this mentality of not appreciating ugly crude beauty
this hesitation that destroys and completely prohibits fantasy
i want to lose it

i don't want the half baked therapy
of religion and superstition
i want relief from binding myths
the freedom to be away and far
from the intricate nature of lowness
i want to be easy, i want to lose myself in freeness

my mind is over-crowded
my heart over-laden
i have a tired body and my head
is over-whelmed with information
i am sick to my Adam's-apple
sick of sacredness, monotony and sanctimoniousness
i want my swift feet back, my swaying arms i demand them back hitherto.

2009-02-13T05:37:00.000-08:00

Promises

The problem with most of our promises is that we do not intend to keep them. We say them for convenience, be it in a relationship or any other area. Promise because there is a time span between when the promise is being made and it actualization. This is plain mean and selfish but it is also human. We can’t accuse and vilify a person for being human but this is not an excuse for us to continue dishing out lies and empty promise

Someone once said that the best way not to break a promise is not to give it in the first place. Easier said than done, we find ourselves in moment of emotional euphoria and when the question is popped we simply answer in affirmative. Sometimes it crueler than that we string people along, giving out false hope and aspiration knowing affirmatively that we don’t intend to honor our promise immediately we gain our hearts desire. This calculated also planned fraud is at the very least shameful and distasteful but when there is an office to be coveted, or a status to be raised this seems a small enough price to be paid

2009-02-13T05:30:00.000-08:00

GREAT ADVICE

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.

6. Play more games.

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others'.

You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.

Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.

14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake.

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18. Forget issues of the past.

Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past.

That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.

Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and

Fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.

Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

37. The best is yet to come.

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

2009-02-13T05:23:00.000-08:00

I WILL DIE FOR YOU

I heard I man sing that song today.
He said everything he did he did for her
and everything she was he was too
it made me think
how realistic is that?

I mean it one thing to say it but another to walk the talk
if someone said they would die for me
I will thank them but will inform them that it would not be necessary
ha! now you think I am some sought of prideful idiot that thinks he is a cut above the rest
but all I am is realistic
I know my limits and strength
I know what I can and cant, promises I can make and those I cant keep
I know myself- I know human nature

if you trust in something well and good
if you don't fine too
but you must be ready for heartbreaks for failure
deception and cruelty
this is not a world for the gullible, the soft and the naive
it for the ruthless, thankless and immoral go-getters
I neither for the say that an extreme is never a good choice
I am not sitting on the face either
I have decided to plough my own way as I go along

2009-02-13T04:56:00.000-08:00

My purpose

I ask what my purpose in life is. You don't have to answer because it not you that I ask- it’s me. I ask myself Dan what is your purpose in life?

I get many conflicting answers; sometimes it is to get a good grade, sometimes to achieve a certain goal. Many times it is to be successful and leave a life of opulence. A few times it just to get a few deadlines met and a few problems sought. But is that all I was born to do. Was I made to go through life without having any unique effect on the world? Is my destiny same as many others- to leave and die without some sort of acknowledgment for my efforts?

Why do you live and toil? Dress up, go to class and learn things? Why is it important you get married and raise a family? Why work and take all sought of crap from people you don't even like? Is a ritual? Are you doing all this because you have nothing else to do? It may seem harsh but this is a we need to ask ourselves I am passing time before I did or I have discovered my purpose and I am doing something to realize it?

People like Hitler also went to school and got a job. Even the wicked and crooked wake and go to sleep get married and die. Accountants, lawyers and philosophers have jobs. Priests and politicians run the mouth and try to lie and tell people what to do. Teachers teach and police persons keep law and order. So are this life purposes? Are you aiming for one of this? To teach, preach, guard and what have you? Is this one of your goals that you are working hard towards?

You realize that I am asking many question, is life about asking yourself question and looking for the answers? It might well be something simple than that. Sometimes we just have to relax and let nature take its course. But we can’t afford to just exist and wander away from what life real is. I can’t say I know what life is but I know something that it is not and I think that's a start, don't you?

Untitled

2009-02-10T09:38:00.001-08:00