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16:59
From: Kenyanentrepreneur.com
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanentrepreneur.com
I just finished reading this great article in Fortune magazine about how Dubai is expanding it’s global reach beyond it’s borders and it’s doing it in poor, third world countries. What caught my attention were some of the countries it has selected: Djibouti and Rwanda. Huh?? (Full article here: Camels, Gorilla’s and skyscrappers)
Basically, the government [...]
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13:50
From: White African
Read This Entry & More At White African
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Build an App in 40 minutes (panel), originally uploaded by whiteafrican.
Ending just now, this group of highly respected web application developers brainstormed ideas and then outlined an application.
It ended up being “Mailr.com” or “MailModel”, an application to help people who get tons of email a day keep track of them and keep their contacts updated on when they might expect an email.
Panelists:
Ryan Carson (FOWA)
Erick Schonfeld (TechCrunch)
Blaine Cook (Twitter)
Kevin Hale (Wufoo)
Leah Culver (Pownce)
Alex Bard (Goowy)
Gary Vaynerchuk (WineLibrary.tv)
Kevin Rose (Digg)
Carlos Garcia (ScrapBlog)
Cal Henderson (Flickr)
Matt Mullenweg (WordPress)
I actually really enjoyed this panel, just for the thoughts and comments bouncing around between these high profile web guys.
 
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11:25
From: Walk of Kings:
Read This Entry & More At Walk of Kings:
When it comes to finding peace as a nation, I think Jesus said it best... "every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." This saying is found in three gospels--Matthew 12:25; Mark 3:24, 25; Luke 11:17. The new peace deal in Kenya between Opposition Party Leader Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki seems a lot like setting up a divided kingdom to me. The Associated Press reports... Under the agreement, Odinga will become prime minister and have the power to "coordinate and supervise" the government - more authority than Kibaki wanted to yield. Perhaps someone out there can explain the difference between what Odinga and Kibaki will be doing in their jobs, because I don't see how this isn't the same as having two Presidents. Here's the thing, these guys HATE each other! They have leveled accusations against against each other that would be hard to forgive and even more difficult to move beyond. Kibaki and Odinga have essentially called each other thieves and malcontents. They also have accused each other of destroying the country. The challenge for these men will be to set aside their personal issues and govern justly. But will these be able to care more for their countrymen than they do about their careers? For Kenya's sake, I hope so. But the truth is...running a divided kingdom may be too big of a challenge.
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10:04
From: Kenya Imagine
Read This Entry & More At Kenya Imagine
27 years ago I promised myself that I would write a book when I turned 50. I am 4 years late and not quite ready to write an entire book. Here I am though, sitting down with a pen and paper because my son-in-law asked me a question the day before he lawfully wedded my daughter. "What was it like, raising her?" I am tempted to laugh at him. Things had changed, and now it was up to him, and not me to deal with her. And he had asked for it. I pause however, to remember what it has been like, raising a girl child without her mother around to help. Read more from Warorua Gichanga here.
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10:01
From: Kenya Imagine
Read This Entry & More At Kenya Imagine
I must, we must all, be optimistic about this new agreement. It is a chance for transparency in the short term but unless we put in place stringent accountability measures, the evils brought on by mistrust, corruption and tribalism will return and rise to new heights. This coalition agreement represents for me the culmination of a political journey. Initially I supported Kibaki's government. It is true that he has put in place a macroeconomic policy framework that has the potential to greatly improve Kenya's fortunes.
Read more from Kipchirchir Boit here.
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9:19
From: White African
Read This Entry & More At White African
The Future of Web Apps (FOWA) has started. Tantek Çelik and Brian Oberkirch are MC’ing the event, and doing a good job. Both are witty and have plenty of credentials to be here talking.
One of the main reasons I decided to attend the Future of Web Apps in Miami today was because of two speakers: Kathy Sierra (of Creating Passionate Users) and Matt Mullenweg (of WordPress).
Kathy Sierra is up now, talking about how the brain, technology and human interaction. I still think she’s one of the top communicators online with her visuals, now I know she’s equally adept offline and in-person. Her visuals in the presentation are quick, interesting and applicable. Lastly, if you’re looking to learn HTML/CSS, she has written the best book I’ve seen on it (book link). It’s a real treat to be here and worth my time and money.
Some Kathy quotes:
“It’s not about the tools we build… it’s NOT about beinga “tool” expert. It’s about what the tools let them DO. People don’t become passionate about the tool, they become passionate about what the tool lets them do.”
“Usability is merely a prereq.”
“What do you help your users kick ass at?”
Matt Mullenweg, the creator of WordPress (what this blog and millions of others are built on), just took the stage. I last heard him talk at the first FOWA conference in San Francisco. Besides being a wunderkid, he comes across as really laid back and down-to-earth.
Listening to Matt talk about scaling large web applications has become suddenly interesting to me, due to my recent thoughts on a global, open-source version of Ushahidi. Those who I’ve had a chance to chat to about this project have heard me spout endlessly about using the “WordPress Model” (more on that some other time).
Some Matt quotes:
“One of the most important items that developers need to do to scale is separate their static from their dynamic content.”
“As the founder, you have to be the most passionate user, because everyone who comes on after you will be less passionate. This means you need to be in the community answering questions and helping solve problems.”
“I recommend you stay away from locking yourself into particular revenue levels (ex: $15 for x level of goodies). With WordPress we’ve set it up like a good buffet where you can just pick up an upgrade from a big group of options. However, that didn’t work perfectly, so we added non-intrusive ads as well.”
Matt just mentioned that it’s actually kind of sad how the CNN political blog that he serves on WordPress.com VIP system still gets less votes that Icanhascheezburger on its worst day… (sad, funny, and I’ve been looking for a reason to link to that site for a while). 
[My Flickr Pictures of FOWA - Pictures by everyone else]
 
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8:55
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
 Orange family feud continues The signing of an agreement on the contentious agenda three of the Kofi Annan peace initiative between Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki could not have come at a worse time for ODM-Kenya and its leader Kalonzo Musyoka. To begin with, Kalonzo is currently facing mounting internal rebellion within his own party as party MPs are publicly accusing him of selfishness and highhandedness. Some ODM-K MPs are already warming up to Raila’s ODM in anticipation of cabinet posts. Even more significantly, in a move that could undermine Kalonzo's presidential ambitions, NARC Chairperson and Pentagon member Charity Ngilu is reportedly forming an alliance with wealthy businessman John Harun Mwau whose purpose is to curtail Kalonzo’s influence in Kambaland. The two MPs survived the Kalonzo wave during the last general elections and were elected on their own party tickets and their alliance is rumoured to be supported by the higher echelons of ODM.
As if these threats are not enough headache, Daniel Maanzo and Julia Ojiambo have filed a case in court challenging Kalonzo’s move to nominate third-parties to parliament when a deal was reached last year that nomination slots would be reserved for them.
Back to the Raila/Kibaki agreement, this new development that gives PM-designate Raila Odinga sweeping powers as Head of Government and supervisor of all government ministries, has effectively stripped Kalonzo of his Leader of Government Business title in parliament and also placed Raila at par with Kibaki and high above Kalonzo in terms of hierarchy. And to add insult to injury, unlike Kalonzo who can be sacked through 1pm news bulletin, Raila is his own boss who can only be relieved of his duties through a vote of no confidence in parliament. What will certainly make this a bitter pill for Kalonzo to swallow is that, the agreement compels Kibaki to seek Raila’s consent on any appointments or sackings
When Kalonzo and his party Chairman Samuel Poghisio were appointed to the cabinet last month, it was a move by a politically desperate Kibaki who at that time was badly in need of numbers to boost PNU’s parliamentary strength. At that time, very few people thought that Raila Odinga’s ODM could hold out its protests against the disputed elections this far, and that the international community would put sustained pressure on Kibaki for a coalition government.
In the not-so-distant past, Raila and Kalonzo were in a single ODM-K that was at that time tipped to take over government if they remained united. As fate would have it, there were serious disagreements concerning the mode of nomination for the party's presidential torch bearer, with a Kalonzo backed Maanzo refusing to resign as the registered Chairman in favour of secretariat officials. Kalonzo defected from LDP to LPK, while Raila took over ODM and two parted ways. It is quietly said in some circles that Kalonzo was paid huge sums of money to split the original ODM-K by insisting on a still-born presidential bid. ODM insiders have accused Kalonzo of looking the other way when during the elections, ballot boxes were being stuffed in favour of Kibaki and himself in the Ukambani area just to fix Raila.
Today, matters have turned full circle and if there has to be a Leader of Official Opposition in parliament, then it will most likely be ODM’s Kalonzo Musyoka. In other words, Raila's entry in government will be at the expense of ODM-K and its leader Kalonzo.
Since yesterday when Annan met Raila and Kibaki privately, political players have intensified lobbying and it is likely that both Kalonzo and Poghisio have their fingers tightly crossed that PNU’s Mwai Kibaki does not reshuffle his part cabinet and in the process appoint him to a lesser position or even worse, send him to the back benches.
Vice President Kalonzo has been quoted on several occasions expressing misgivings about rushing into a coalition arrangement before thinking it out. Kalonzo has also extensively travelled overseas in largely unsuccessful missions of attempting to get foreign governments recognise the the now moribund PNU president and his government.
It will be interesting to watch Kalonzo’s next move this weekend especially if he is scheduled to attend any public baraza or church service within his bedrock support region of lower Eastern province.
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8:12
From: Marian's Blog
Read This Entry & More At Marian's Blog
In recognition of our colonised status, people around the world can help by taking a symbolic break from even uttering the words "Washington" and "Washington, DC." Leave our name out of conversation and put a blank space in print. Besides...
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6:34
From: bankelele
Read This Entry & More At bankelele
 Peace be upon you, Kenya Small is big: The whole country is focused on exam results (and peace deals) but my focus is on the banking sector: How do the four banks that have reported compare with estimates earlier estimates? - 10. NIC - profit 1.05 billion realized against 1.1 billion estimated - 3 Standard Chartered - 4.9b exceeds 3.5b - 2. KCB 3.5b underachieving 4.3b - Barclays 7.08b underachieving 8.5b* The Kenyan corporate banking market is saturated and banks may have to go after smaller customers (personal banking and SME's) to continue to achieve super-profits. To prove it, look at KCB and Standard Chartered – Kenya’s No. 2 and 3 banks'. Two years ago (2005) they were virtually the same size 70 billion, and two years later (2007) KCB is 20 billion shillings larger in assets (112b ~ $1.6b) than standard chartered (91b) (corporate focus), This vindicates Barclays who have gone for personal business and can expect an even better 2008/09 and, of course Equity Bank - who have overhauled the entire mid-size banks sector in four years) I love exams: For some reason KCPE and KCSE results bring this blog's biggest single-day traffic - 5X normal (thanks to an obscure post) as parents and students hit google to search for how they can get results online. opportunities (some fin jobs, most from the daily papers)- African Development Bank Young Professionals Program.d/l is 15/3 (details at the Economist ) - APA Insurance: head of business development, chief underwriter (general insurance) business developers (2). apply to recruitment@apainsurance.com - Director of internal audit at East Africa development bank (based in Kampala). Apply through Deloitte - esd@deloitte.co.ug by 14/3 - Gulf African Bank: relationship managers, business bankers, credit analysts, database admin, IS auditor. Apply to Recruitment@gulfafricanbank.com by 5/3 - KCB: branch managers, call center manager, product development manager (S&L). apply to recruitment@kcb.co.ke by 5/3 - Kenya Airways: Commercial Director, Group Finance Director, Chief Operating Officer (and others) - Kengen: business development & strategy director, operations director, finance & commercial director, internal audit manager, company secretary/legal & corp. affairs director, regulatory affairs director. apply through KPMG esdkengen@kpmg.co.ke by 14/3 - KIPPRA - young professionals (11). Apply to hr@kippra.org by 20/3 – KPMG: senior advisor – public sector & development, advisor – public sector & devt. (2) - talentrecruit@kpmg.co.ke by 3/3. also manager corporate finance & transactions services/l 12/3 – Safaricom: Business Intelligence Developer, Retail Sales Manager, Retail Centre Manager, Area Retail Manager (and others)
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3:32
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
One of the things that I find the most fun in this mostly thankless task of running Kumekucha is when an intelligent and alert reader blows holes all over my well-thought out and supossedly rock-solid post. The intellectual challenge turns me on so. And I am also sure that therein lies one of the less obvious reasons for this blog's immense popularity and addictive nature.
For instance one or two of our readers here noticed yesterday that out of the many posts and even articles in the mainstream media on the Anan breakthrough, all failed to answer one nagging question; What was this magic key that Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete brought with him that succeeded where Anan had previously failed miserably?
While neither party will issue a press statement explaining that, we are aware of a few facts. We know for instance that President Kikwete who is the current EU chair carried a message with him from the Americans. It is fairly safe to assume that it was that message that made a difference. We also know (at least this blogger does) that Condi Rice openly threatened President Kibaki when she was last here to deliver a message from President Bush. The message was that Kibaki would be "personally held responsible if he refused to play ball.
That was the significant first step because it represented a major shift in Washington's position. The Americans fully supported Kibaki and there is evidence that senior officials linked to the Washington administration "knew" that Kibaki was going to win the elections long before the controversial December 27th polls (remember the Collin Bruce leaked memos?). Condi's threats in Nairobi clearly demonstrated to Kibaki that the one-night stand was not only over, but it never happened in the mind of the other partner.
Kikwete's message reinforced the earlier one by indicating that the planned military action was all set and ready to roll. There are whispers that the Tanzanians would have played a major role in it. In all likelihood it would have been done under AU auspices.
Chances are that it finally dawned on Kibaki that he had been cornered. It is no accident that the president was in the company of security heavyweights the day before the peace deal was signed. This included The Chief of general staff, Maj Gen Jeremeiah Kianga, police commissioner Hussein Ali, NSIS chief Michael Gichangi etc.
And as if to confirm everything, the message of cautious congratulation from the Americans shortly after the Anan peace deal was signed. Emphasized that the implementation was crucial. Almost as if to say, "we are still watching YOU closely."
The Kenyan political class is usually very fast to accuse the Western world for attempting to colonize us again. I will be blunt. Considering the way our politicians have behaved, I would gladly welcome the re-colonization of Kenya by the British (my first choice because they understand Kenya) or the Americans. Surely they would not be as bad as Anglo Leasing, political assassinations and all the other evils much worse than colonization ever was that Kenyans have been subjected to by her indigenous ruthless colonial masters.
Taabu's Proposal
Taabu's bold suggestion in his post yesterday to Kenyans to fo a good deed to a fellow Kenyans as the beginning of healing should be taken very seriously by every patriotic Kenyan. I would go further and suggest that Kikuyu's go out of their way to do a good deed to a Kalenjin and a Kalenjin go out of their way to do a good deed to a Kikuyu.
I hereby reproduce that all-important paragraph from Taabu's post of yesterday;
Making a difference
We have a unique opportunity to redefine Kenya. Such luck never knocks at anybody's door twice. As a Kenyan start now by doing whatever is within your powers to make a difference. Ask yourself each day what small thing you have done to any other Kenyan to his or her life better. I rest my case and over to you Kenyans.
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3:17
From: Eyes on Kenya
Read This Entry & More At Eyes on Kenya
ACTING TOGETHER FOR KENYA: AGREEMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES OF PARTNERSHIP OF THE COALITION GOVERNMENT.
Preamble:
The crisis triggered by the 2007 disputed presidential election has brought to the surface deep-seated and long-standing divisions within Kenyan society. If left unaddressed, these divisions threaten the very existence of Kenya as a unified country. The Kenyan people are now looking to their leaders to ensure that their country will not be lost.
Given the current situation, neither side can realistically govern the country without the other. There must be real power-sharing to move the country forward and begin the healing and reconciliation process.
With this agreement, we are stepping forward together, as political leaders, to overcome the current crisis and to set the country on a new path. As partners in a coalition government, we commit ourselves to work together in good faith as true partners, through constant consultation and willingness to compromise.
This agreement is designed to create an environment conducive to such a partnership and to build mutual trust and confidence. It is not about creating positions that reward individuals. It seeks to enable Kenya’s political leaders to look beyond partisan considerations with a view to promoting the greater interests of the nation as a whole. It provides the means to implement a coherent and far-reaching reform agenda, to address the fundamental root causes of recurrent conflict, and to create a better, more secure, more prosperous Kenya for all.
To resolve the political crisis, and in the spirit of coalition and partnership, we have agreed to enact the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008, whose provisions have been agreed upon in their entirety by the parties hereto and a draft copy is appended hereto.
Its key points are:
* There will be a Prime Minister of the Government of Kenya, with authority to coordinate and supervise the execution of the functions and affairs of the Government of Kenya.
* The Prime Minister will be an elected member of the National Assembly and the parliamentary leader of the largest party in the National Assembly, or of a coalition, if the largest party does not command a majority.
* Each member of the coalition shall nominate one person from the National Assembly to be appointed a Deputy Prime Minister.
* The Cabinet will consist of the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the two Deputy Prime Ministers and the other Ministers. The removal of any Minister of the coalition will be subject to consultation and concurrence in writing by the leaders.
* The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers can only be removed if the National Assembly passes a motion of no confidence with a majority vote.
* The composition of the coalition government will at all times take into account the principle of portfolio balance and will reflect their relative parliamentary strength.
* The coalition will be dissolved if the Tenth Parliament is dissolved; or if the parties agree in writing; or if one coalition partner withdraws from the coalition.
* The National Accord and Reconciliation Act shall be entrenched in the Constitution.
Having agreed on the critical issues above, we will now take this process to Parliament. It will be convened at the earliest moment to enact these agreements. This will be in the form of an Act of Parliament and the necessary amendment to the Constitution.
We believe by these steps we can together in the spirit of partnership bring peace and prosperity back to the people of Kenya who so richly deserve it.
Source: Reuters AlertNet
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2:11
From: Black Looks
Read This Entry & More At Black Looks
Third International Day of Solidarity with the People of Haiti & for the safe return of disappeared human rights activist Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine. On the 12th August 2007 the car of Lovinsky was found abandoned on a street in Port-au-Prince and he has not been seen or heard of since. No one has claimed [...]
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1:11
From: Kenya Imagine
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1:08
From: Kenya Imagine
Read This Entry & More At Kenya Imagine
On Saturday the 24th of February, 2008, I went to a meeting of women in Kibera, Nairobi. It was in the open, in the field next to the Kibera D.O.'s office. Under a tree, next to a dusty soccer pitch on which a few energetic children were playing, sat some women listening to the meeting's moderator, Ms. Jane Anyango. Read more from Wambui Mwangi here.
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1:02
From: Kenya Imagine
Read This Entry & More At Kenya Imagine
Nairobi news services are reporting that the 2007 KCSE results are out. Mang'u High School top the rankings, ahead of the Starehe Boys Centre and Precious Girls High School, Riruta. Loreto Limuru and Limuru Jigh School rounded off the top five, followed in the remaining top ten positions by Nairobi School, Strathmore School, Alliance High School, Sunshine Academy and Light Academy.
As always at this time of the year, the results throw up questions of fairness in the location of the top schools, whether or not the school's reputations are worth it given the results and also whether the tuition fees charged by the top schools to the parents are justified by the outcome of the exams. Discuss here.
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0:52
From: Hapa Kenya
Read This Entry & More At Hapa Kenya
In deed February 28th 2008 will go down in the History books of Kenya as a day when the political class did put aside their differences and put on paper an agreement intended to end the bloodshed that had threatened to shake the foundation of a rather quiet and lovable nation. In an unexpected turn of events, Emilio Kibaki agreed to sign an agreement that he had disowned just five days earlier. Many analysts are still trying to understand the reasons behind the change of heart. In this post, I intend to point out the key contents of this agreement that could turn out to be trouble if goodwill does not reign.
One such clause is the section on what the holder of the PM should be. Below is an excerpt from the signed agreement that touches on the holder of the position of the Prime Minister:
(2) The person to be appointed as Prime Minister shall be an elected member of the National Assembly who is the parliamentary leader of -
(a) the political party that has the largest number of members in the National Assembly; or
(b) a coalition of political parties in the event that the leader of the political party that has the largest number of members of the National Assembly does not command the majority in the National Assembly.
It is important to appreciate that the talks were more about Raila and Kibaki than Kenya as a whole. With that in mind, it follows that if the agreement does not guarantee either one of them some power then it could easily be dishonored. From this excerpt and the basic mathematics in our parliament at this point in time, Raila could be the leader of the largest party in parliament but that party(ODM) does not control the majority in that parliament. What this means is that the PM could be the leader of a coalition if we go by part 2a of that clause. In a nutshell, the PM could be from either PNU-driven coalition or ODM-driven coalition. Whoever comes up with a coalition with that commands majority in parliament could be the PM, meaning there are no leadership guarantees here for Agwambo.
The second clause that could project problems for this agreement is the section on the dissolution of the coalition:
6. The coalition shall stand dissolved if:
(a) the Tenth Parliament is dissolved; or
(b) the coalition parties agree in writing; or
(c) one coalition partner withdraws from the coalition by a resolution of the highest decision-making organ of that party in writing.
One omission in this clause is what follows after the coalition is dissolved. Should there be an election or does the current life of parliament continue as it is? Part 6a has that taken care of by the current constitution which prescribes that in the event that a parliament is dissolved, then a general election shall follow. The subsequent areas of that clause (6b and 6c) are silent on what should follow this dissolution. The flipside of this is that even a day after this agreement is put in place and Raila becomes the PM with his ODM brigade having 50% of the government positions, PNU could withdraw or better still ODM could withdraw.
The last clause that was agreed on and could be tricky is the 8th Clause on the lifetime of that act:
8. This Act shall cease to apply upon dissolution of the tenth Parliament, if the coalition is dissolved, or a new constitution is enacted, whichever is earlier.
In the disgraceful event that PNU withdraws from the coalition, then the whole agreement/act becomes trash.
Am no lawyer but this agreement has quite a number of loopholes that give the political class room to play around with the intelligence of peace loving Kenyans. Too much room has been given to whoever feels like going against this hard earned consensus.
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0:43
From: What An African Woman Thinks
Read This Entry & More At What An African Woman Thinks
Everybody in my parts is wishing everybody a Happy New Year.
So, Happy New Year.
Today is when 2008 begins for us.
I read from Oyunga Pala that Dr Frank Njenga, probably Kenya's most reknown pyschiatrist, had listed 'not being able to stop talking about politics' as one of the symptoms of post-election trauma in Kenya.
Well, then, Traumatised Are Us.
But now, we have a deal. Sigh.
The journey to healing can begin.
There's much to be done to resettle the displaced, to disarm militia, to rediscover or invent nationhood. Building what we've destroyed will be a long and arduous task.
I worry that we have at the helm leaders who are not up to the task. But, they're all the leaders we have for now so they'll have to do. And they deserve some credit, at least, for getting us to this place of compromise, even though it should have happened much sooner.
I worry also, about loosing the momentum. I do hope we're not deluded enough to imagine that we can now just go back to 'business as usual.' And I pray that we have the courage to resolve the issues that have boiled viciously onto the surface these past couple of months.
I don't want to ever come back to this place again, so I'm willing to spend a little more time here, this time around, poking and probing, trying to get to the bottom of the matter.
Someone reminded me the other day about a prophecy that did its rounds in the Christian circles in Kenya in the late nineties: that Kenya was destined to be a great nation in the 21st Century; that we would be amazed by where we would go and who we would be.
Everything that happened these past two months seemed to fly in the face of this prophecy. But perhaps it was about the seed dying so that an oak could grow out of it.
I'm with June Jordan, Alice Walker and Barack Obama:
We Are The Ones We Have Been Waiting For.
And, our time has come. Time not to celebrate, but to roll up our sleeves and get to work.It's my window, but I don't own the view.
Read the complete article at
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