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17:29
From: Black Looks
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After waiting 8 years, Chevron oil company is finally being brought to trial in the US over the murder of villagers in the Niger Delta in 1998 and 1999
“found evidence that CNL [Chevron Nigeria Limited] personnel were directly involved in the attacks; CNL transported the GSF [Nigerian government security forces], CNL paid the GSF; and [...]
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15:26
From: Black Looks
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Press Release by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) Thursday, 16 August 2007
In a landmark case, we, Ugandan lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people assembled at the High Court of Uganda two months ago to reinforce our right to privacy, dignity, and property. There were no charges against us. We had [...]
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14:46
From: Me, Life & Everything
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Rendezvous: 2246hrs
Prolixity: Ndefu
Mood: Raha
Whereabouts: Kwa hao….ya neiba…
Echelon: V
Track: No fear - The Rasmus
Sasa vile wiki imejikata…mazee na vile waSk ilikuwa imenilemea kiasi…mazee..tena vile ii wikendi iko chrome tena zaidi…sande niko na mbuyu huko Jamu…mathee anadai anataka ndae moja station wagon ili itoshee atubebee sisi watoi vile tuko kaa football team ivi…tuko eight…alafu sasa tuko tu [...]
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11:12
From: You Missed This
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archivePolitical temperatures in the country have risen considerably. Tribal chiefs have come out with both barrels blazing and each region is now strategizing on how best to come out ahead of the other. So where does Kenya feature in all this? Stupid question you ask. Kenya features nowhere. You think Kenya is more important that individual tribal and regional interests? You must be out of your mind. The Luhya community (all legislators from Western province) had a meeting yesterday where they announced that they will only support ODM if Musalia "Goldenberg" Mudavadi is declared the party's presidential candidate. They emphasized that any other candidate being selected would force the community to reconsider its' options. We all know who the ODM presidential candidate is don't we. One Raila Amollo Odinga, who by the way is yet to reply to Kiunjuri's accusations in parliament about oil deals and missing files. Read more
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11:10
From: You Missed This
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archiveIt must have been quite a sight witnessing the hanging of one Dedan Kimathi at Kamiti Maximum Security prison in 1952. I can imagine those penetrating eyes staring as if at nothing. Even as the heavy hood was thrown over his face and the rope fastened. When the trap door is opened what is supposed to happen is that the neck breaks, but death rarely comes quickly in hanging. People often urinate and pass feaces before the legs begin to jerk and kick incessantly signifying that death is close. Kimathi's only regret was probably the fact that he did not have the opportunity when dieing to clasp the soil and speak those famous words in Kikuyu signifying what that it was for the soil that belonged to them that they had died. Brave man, this guy although he was not fighting for independence. He was fighting for the land taken away by the colonialists to be restored to its; rightful owners. Still, there is no doubt that the Mau Mau uprising was very effective in attracting attention to the plight of the majority indigenous African Kenyan. This alone classifies Kimathi a true Kenyan hero. It would take over 50 years for Dedan Kimathi to be honored. But with what? Read more
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11:08
From: You Missed This
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archiveThe message is loud and clear. The 9th parliament does not think much of women and do not want more women in parliament. They probably believe that they have nothing to contribute. I say this because, if they were sensitive, they would have made every effort to have the bill adjusted so that the 40 new constituencies, which they were against could be removed and the new seats fro women remain. Instead this bone of contention was used as en excuse to throw out a bill that would have had far-reaching effect and very positive impact on the country. This whole episode has made nominated legislator Njoki Ndungu look a real heroine to have gotten her Sexual Offences Bill passed. But just look at the hard work she put in? She organized seminars for MPs and basically did everything to cajole, beg and so on to get the 9th parliament to pass the land mark legislation that is still having problems being enforced.
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11:06
From: You Missed This
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archiveThe Ugandan army (UPDF) recently crossed into the country in Pokot complete with military tanks and helicopters and made away with large herds of cattle. The defense minister's only comment; "We are talking." My question is; talk about what? When a neighboring country crosses the border with tanks and helicopters to attack a small village of unarmed Kenyans, is the thing to do, talk? Isn't the right action to ask them to give a good reason why we should not send our military complete with helicopters into their country to recover the said cattle. And such a message is not delivered in talks, it is sent as an ultimatum. Or even better declare war based on this act of extreme provocation? Read more
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11:04
From: You Missed This
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archiveAll over the world, whenever you see the CEO of a company appear in his own TV commercials, trying to sell products, then you know that all is NOT well. Lee Iacooca appeared in the Chrysler ads when the car maker was in serious trouble and as he attempted to turn it around. In the latest ads being run by Uchumi Supermarkets (I doubt whether they will cause anybody to have any confidence in Uchumi) the CEO appears himself and even talks. The difference between Chrysler and Uchumi is that the latter does not have any viable turn around strategy apart from wanting to raise more money to help the management team make the same mistakes their predecessors who failed, made. This is probably the clearest sign yet, to the public that all is not well once again at Kenya's oldest supermarket chain. Read more
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9:57
From: My part of the world.......
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My life is boring as watching paint dry but at least there is some action coming from home.......... There is this chic pal of my small sis, I'll call her J. You see J is a chic who is kinda rough around the edges, you know the kind of chic who is loud, doesnt hesitate to get into a fight, loves to drink and such. Anyway J works with my sis but a month or so left to go to Kenya on hols, so we decided to send her with some stuff to give my mum. My mum knows J, they met when my mum last visited us here and when they met J was on her best behaviour so my mum pretty much didnt mind her. But during the visit to Kenya the worm turned...... Like I said earlier, we had sent J with some things to give my mum; so he went to visit her. When she went it seems that she had left her good behaviour script at home. This is because when she went there it seems that she had one or two for the road and was very loud at the time. Oh she had come with her brothers who were driving her around, so she was also talking to them telling them who my mum was and how she knew her. What got to me is the way she had the nerve to blab how I'm going to get a major job and ish, yes I told her that I was job hunting; but I didnt ask her to go around spraying my business all over the damn place. This is the same chic who when she was here was complaining about how Kenyans are always in other people's business and can't shut up. Anyway here comes the icing on the cake, the chic brings up some long story about how they have to go see their mum in shags and how the car they have is someone else's and beg my mum for her car. So against her misgivings my mum hooks them up and tells them to bring it back by Sunday evening for servicing. No they didn't have an accident but she brought the car back one day late and it was smelling of cigarette smoke. Of course my mum really told her off, but for real; this was the chic who was always telling us about the ballers she knew in Kenya. Why couldn't she borrow one of their cars instead of borrowing my mum's car when she barely knows her and even worse bring it back late and smelling? The candles on the cake? After being told off and her "apologising", she has the bottle to tell my mum that they should get together and catch some pints. I was like wtf?! Even looking at my mum you would tell that she doesn't drink, my mum has no problem with other people drinking, she'll even buy you a beer but the only thing she ever drinks is the occasional Guinness ( she says it is good for iron) and those concoctions with brandy for your chest when you have a cold. Besides anyone who grew up in Kenya knew that older folk were the ones who would invite you to drink with them if they deemed you mature enough and not for you to take you ass there offering beers. Needless to say after that turn of events my small sis was sent e-mails telling her to put that chic at arms' length and when my sis called home after the usual niceties, she was given a long lecture about that because irregardless of those actions my mum also told my sis she just has a bad feeling about her. And you know about womens' intuition, it only gets better when women get older. So I guess in my case that is one less person to call a friend, and I guess she embodies the saying, " You can fake style, but you can't fake class." Moving onto more uplifting issues. For some reason my eyes were fixed on one section of this picture. I'm sure you don't have to guess.....  pic courtesy of C&D Regular programming will resume as soon as regular life resumes
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7:31
From: Mount Kirima
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Thats it!
Its all over now, to all those I have been bugging by just being idle for the last 5 weeks I would like to announce that this long vacation of mine is over. I can hardly believe it has been that long cos’ it has moved on pretty fast with lots and lots of activities. Of course there were those days that hours dragged especially during the day when most people were at work but it really started coming alive in the evenings and of course on weekends. It has definately given me the opportunity to recharge my mental batteries and get a fresh start for jobo. 5 weeks as many of you say is a long time but for those of us who have live upcountry where alot of the social ammenities we take for granted here in Nairobi are just not there it is too short a time. Coupled with the fact that there were alot of activities around home ensured that there was rarely a dull moment. Some of the activities I was up to include.
- I was a Bestman at one of my best pals wedding, It was a great experience which took me to Nakuru where I haven’t stopped in a very long time and the ceremony was one of those very small intimate ceremonies where you literally know everybody. Definately the pressure for me to follow suit was there as is in all weddings so I had to engage in a delicate balancing act of ducking relas who inevitably ask “Na yako ni lini?”
- I got back my reading habits. Its been a while since I’ve had free time to indulge in what used to be one of my biggest hobbies which is reading books. So during my free time during the day I was able to read several books not the ussual thrillers I used to love but this time I tried new authors and biographies and loved them these included , A brief History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, Unbowed by Wangari Maathai (if I knew how I would have done a review for HnH’s Bookworms), Losing my Virginity by Richard Branson and I have also bought 2 of the earlier Kwani Editions to keep me occupied when I get back to work.
- I got to discover new places to hang out in Nairobi and definately heard a good time in my several nights out therefore next time I am in town I definately know where to hang out.
- I had the opportunity to visit a childrens home - St. Francis in Langata which was a thoroughly humbling and touching experience it definately reminded me that even the simplest guestures can mean alot to those in need. I will definately be willing to support more of this.
- I got to meet several of my favourite bloggers during these weeks, this is particularly intersting because when I got into blogging I didn’t expect that it would be possible for me to interact with bloggers one on one due to distance and I worried about whether actually meeting them would in any way change my perception of them but quite pleasantly I was glad to find a close and decent fellowship of individuals who are quite easy to hang around with. It will definately be my pleasure to join in whenever it will be possible in future.
I don’t want to say too much but will definately be back to blogging once I get back to Embu so as to give you the pespective from up there. (At least less phone blogging from there!) For all those I met it was my pleasure and will definately look forward to repeating more of the same. For those I didn’t get a chance to meet especially those who are coming home this month I’m sure there will be a next time.
Cheers.
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7:05
From: My Africa Today
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As part of my research on the African brand, I interviewed a Nigerian Hollywood public relations professional recently. Though his clientèle doesn’t consist purely of Africans, being a Hollywood connector he frequently encounters Africans with a bit of money looking to use his services for something or another. As we talked, the topic of money came up and the gentleman expounded on the different groups of Africans with money and their attitudes towards wealth. What I found interesting was how the Nigerian connector classified the groups: hustlers, who will do anything for a buck, and dignitaries, whose source of wealth is questionable. In his experience these were the two types of people who make up the affluent African class. Of course I found his tales of the affluent African a little disheartening, but it brought to light the issue of options for African wealth. We all know that the continent is rich with resources, however the access to those resources and who benefits from it’s potential revenue is another story. The Wall Street Journal’s Informed Reader points to the recent release of Merrill Lynch and Cap Gemini’s 2007 World Wealth Report which reveals: Globally, the HNWI (High Net Worth Individuals) population grew by 8.3% in 2006, to a total of 9.5 million individuals. HNWI population gains were particularly strong last year in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, advancing by 12.5%, 11.9% and 10.2%, respectively, and outpacing more developed nations. These gains came amid these emerging markets’ attempts to solidify their infrastructures and become more developed economies. While this means there is more African representation in Robert Frank’s Richistan, many of us in lower to not-even-close Richistan, are beginning to ask even more questions about what role Africans play in the scramble for Africa’s resources. A BIG question raised in the conversation about African billionaires on Forbes’ list was, where are those billionaires getting their money? The wealth report hints that, China has been an active player in Africa, investing heavily in various sectors and showing particular interest in mining. Taken together, these factors bolstered the continent’s HNWI population, helping it grow by 12.5 percent in 2006 and increasing its wealth by 14 per cent. While this seems like a good answer, I’m not sure many Africans will buy it. But I don’t want to be labeled a “player hater” so I will point you to this statement by the Informed Reader: So when it comes to business and markets, the firms that cater to the top of the high end will continue to do the best in the coming years. Think megayachts instead of yachts, beachfront estates instead of McMansions, and Bentleys and Maybachs instead of Mercedes and BMWs. Paul Redfern adds, “The report says much of the income is spent on luxury items, art collections, jewelery and charitable causes.” Maybe this growing area will give enterprising Africans such as my Hollywood connector friend a green card to Richistan. As another hustler friend of mine said, “Don’t hate, participate” - legitimately of course. Customize your mobile with your Complimentary Ringtone!
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3:40
From: Cock And Bull
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Back when I was in boarding High School, the Saturday on which a person was to take a photograph used to be a very important day. Taking a photograph was relatively expensive and as a result, one could only afford to take one of two with the little pocket money that was supposed to last a term’s three months. And so, when the photographer finally made his weekly stop at the school, anyone whose photo would be taken that day went all out to leave the best impression in the huge Kodak camera.
Before that day came, a person would have identified all his friends that have pieces of clothing that he would like to borrow and wear for the photo session. And so when one eventually posed, he most probably would be wearing a hat, eye-glasses, t-shirt, jacket, trousers, and shoes that were all borrowed from different people. They say that a picture speaks a thousand words. Considering that one copy of the photo would most probably be mailed to a sweetheart in another High School, one could not take chances with the picture saying the wrong thousand words, and hence all the trouble.
During the photo session, the photographer would attach a big flashing unit on the Kodak camera that always dangled below his neck in a well worn black leather bag. After one posed – most probably next to a flower bush – the photographer would take a crouching position before saying a firm but slow, “1…2…3…”, that was immediately followed by a blinding flash of light, and the much anticipated photo session was over. There was only a chance for a single snap, and one would not get to see the print until the next Saturday when the photographer made his weekly visit. As a dazzled boy walked away from the photo shoot site to return borrowed clothes, he could only hope that the Kodak prints would come out looking as handsome as he imagined himself to have been when being photographed.
This memory reminds me of the times when people send their prayers to God. Sometimes, a person has an important request and hence calls upon the help of other spiritual partners to come together and pray with him or her, more or less like photograph collaboration buddies relied on one another for borrowed clothes. And in the same manner that the high school boys had to wait before they could see the print from the Kodak camera, people have to wait for prayers to be answered.
Faith is required to wait for an answer to prayer. Between the time that the prayer is done and the time that the answer is received, it is faith that makes a person wait upon God, never doubting His ability. As soon as a school boy’s photo was taken, he never had any doubt that he would promptly receive the print on the following weekend. However, once in a long while, the camera man would skip a weekend due to some unexplained reasons. When that happened, we only had to wait and trust that he would make it on the following Saturday. Imagine the joy that greeted him when he managed to come on the next Wednesday, much earlier than the expected Saturday! This is much in the same way that we might not know God’s timing. Sometimes prayers are answered later than we imagined, and it can seem like God has forgotten our request. Sometimes the answer comes even before we are prepared to receive it!
Another uncanny similarity between the Kodak photo and prayer is that sometimes, a boy’s photo would be ruined. When that happened, the photographer would calmly ask the distraught teenager to prepare himself once again for another photo session. Don’t we sometimes find ourselves summoning our spiritual buddies to make a prayer that we have already made before?
Many spiritual leaders concur that effective prayer should be a statement of thankfulness for receiving, rather than a request for getting what we don’t have. And that makes sense since whatever it is that we pray for is often out there, and our request only redirects it towards our direction. Take the often problematic area of money for example; isn’t there already so much of it all around us, even though a person might be suffering from its acute lack?
It might seem like a contradiction that we should be thankful for what we don’t have, but when given a chance it might start making sense. Take for instance a person who is praying God for a marriage partner. Even prior to meeting, a man should always pray in thankfulness for his wife, in the same way that a woman should pray in thankfulness for her husband. If you plan to get married and have not met someone yet, you can be sure that the man or woman is somewhere right now going about the business of life, expecting to meet you at some point in his or her life. Now, imagine if a man is to kneel down this evening and say, “God! I thank you for my wife, wherever she might be today. I pray that you lead her by your grace and bless her in everything that she does.” What if a woman is to kneel down this evening and say, “God! I thank you for my husband, wherever he might be today. I pray that you lead him by your grace and bless him in everything that he does.” Do you think this would make a difference in both your lives?
Modern technology might have replaced the old Kodak prints with the instant photo that does not require one to wait, but God has not changed. So, in the midst of modern technology promising instant answers to prayer and afternoons of miracles at the arena, remember to pray to God in thankfulness and you will not require to wire some hefty donation to a number given at the bottom of your television screen for God to take action.
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0:59
From: assidous
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This was in last week's EastAfrican paper and was redone by pesa tu blog in a way that is easily understood. Bamburi/EAPC merger Lafarge is a large and clever company.It has stakes in its Kenyan competitors' Athi River Mining(15%),East Africa Portland Cement (41%).Its main regional company is Bamburi Cement(63% stake).For a while,the Government has been eager to stop its ownership of competitors.It has been proposing the sale of the Lafarge stakes in EAPC and ARM, especially EAPC since only 6.3% is listed on the NSE contrary to listing requirements that 25% of a company should be listed. Regionally Lafarge have other holdings in the region i.e.Mbeya Cement-Tanzania(62% Lafarge held) and Hima Cement-Uganda(71% Lafarge held through Bamburi). The industry Right now there is a construction boom in the Middle-East so Eyptians are selling their cement to their brothers in the Gulf,at the same time the high freight rates and Port efficiencies make it expensive to import cement to East Africa.For now the two factors are saving the hides of our local cement producers. At the same time local cement demand is rising installed capacity in Kenya is at 3.3million tonnes(actual capacity is probaly 2.5-3.0 million tonnes),Annual cement demand excluding what we send to Sudan,Rwanda and Uganda is at 1.8million tonnes and rising at 10% per year. Eastern Africa Cement demand is rising all over the region DRC,Rwanda,South sudan, Uganda and Tanzania are all consuming more cement.So unless, we have more factories we will have a supply constraint sooner rather than later.Unless,the boom in China and the Gulf explodes and we have a glut coming our way. The issue The Government of Kenya wants to introduce more competition in the Kenyan cement market by forcing Lafarge to sell its stakes in EAPC and ARM.On the other hand,Lafarge sees the Eastern african region as a growing economic area and doesnt want to sell the stakes. The Proposition Lafarge offers to merge Bamburi and EAPC and add Mbeya and Hima Cement to the deal to create a super East african cement company to fight external competition.(think of it as an East African Breweries for cement). win-win for both parties i.e. Lafarge consolidates its holdings in the region and Government gets a large stake in a succesful East African Cement company. Other players The other players in the region such as ARM,Tororo Cement and Tanga may have to consolidate in order to achieve the size and scale necesary to compete with the new entity(if it happens) My take We should take the offer but ask Lafarge to add their other companies in Malawi and Zambia to the deal. Originally by pesa tu blog and re-blogged here by assidous
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