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22:46
From: Cock And Bull
Read This Entry & More At Cock And Bull
Have you ever read or heard about the encounter between Naaman the Syrian army commander with a prophet of God whose name was Elisha? The story is told in 2 Kings Chapter 5. Naaman was a great soldier who had led the Syrian forces to great victory and was the highest ranking officer in the forces. Unfortunately, Naaman suffered from a dreaded skin disease.
One day, Naaman heard that he could be cured of his disease if he went to Israel to see Elisha the prophet who was highly acclaimed for his astounding miracles.
So Naaman went with his horse and chariot and stopped at the entrance to Elisha’s house. And when Elisha leant that Naaman had arrived, he sent a servant out to tell him to go and wash himself seven times in the Jordan River, and he would be completely cured of his disease. But Naaman left in a rage, saying, “I thought that he would at least come out to me, pray to the LORD his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me! Besides, aren’t the rivers in Abana and Pharpar, back in Damascus, better than any river in Israel? I could have washed in them and been cured!” Obviously Naaman considered his own greatness and thought that the prophet was disrespectful for dismissing him so casually.
However, his servant went to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. Now why can’t you just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured?” So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child.
The story of Naaman in the Bible reminds me of the often talked about redemption from sins through accepting Jesus Christ as savior. Jesus Christ said that this is the instantaneous solution for anyone whose heart is suffering in bondage. And yet many people whose hearts are hurting greatly today will not accept this simple solution. Whenever told about it, a person will dismiss it without trying it or giving it much thought. And yet the same person would be willing to do something more difficult – say visit a therapist for years or spend an incredible amount of money – rather than take this free cure. Ironically (and annoyingly) after everything else has failed, the followers of Jesus Christ will still insist on the same simple and free solution of salvation through accepting the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse all the sins and give a new beginning.
Are you willing to consider this solution today?
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22:30
From: Black Looks
Read This Entry & More At Black Looks
Faces and Phases is a 2007 exhibition by South African photo activist Zanele Mutholi. Zanele describes the face as expressing the person but for her the face is her own face to face meeting with women in her community of lesbians in the Guateng townships of “Alexandria, Soweto, Vosloorus, Katlehong, Kagiso”. The [...]
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18:24
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
The recent political deal between Kibaki and Raila following two months of violence resulting from last year’s disputed elections has left Kenyans in deep reflection. Kumekucha readers and bloggers have recently initiated very insightful debates that examine our past with the singular aim of collectively chat a course for a united and prosperous Kenya.
Behind every suggestion on reshaping Kenya lies the call to foster unity in diversity. That Kenyan is a geographical accident populated by over 40 different nations is not unique to Africa. That same fact is also a principal cause of the continent’s perennial wars. Politicians have consequently exploited our ethnic differences to advance their selfish courses and resulting in very devastating tensions ready to explode at the spark the drop of a hat.
Most present great nations emerged from ashes of destruction and we can equally seize the present crisis to put Kenya on the right pedestal to EQUITABLE and sustainable prosperity. The success of such a venture is only possible with a new constitution that galvanizes Kenyan aspirations by recognizing her strengths to overcome commensurate weaknesses. But a constitution is as good as the people it is authored for. Kenyans must re-examine and define the basics to anchor their country’s success. Sample these three scenarios reflecting our sense of industry and success.
Warped sense of industry
Three Kenyan contractors (A B and C) are bidding to repair a government building. All the three are invited to view the building at the same same time by the PS in the ministry of Roads and Works. Contractor A rolls his sleeves with tools in hand then works some figures with a pencil. "Well", he says, "I figure the job will run about KES 9m – KES 4m for materials, KES 4m for my crew and KES 1m my profit."
Contractor B follows and does his thing with his tools too then says, "I can do this job for KEs 7m – KES 3m for materials, KES 3m for my crew and KES 1m my profit." Lastly contractor C makes no physical examination of the building in question but leans over to the PS and whispers, "KES 27 m." The astonished PS promptly asks, "You didn't did no examination like the other guys, how did you come up with such a high figure?". Contractor C whispers back, "KES 10m for me, KES 10m for you and we hire contractor B to do the job." To which the PS promptly responds "Done!".
Well folks unfortunately that is how it all works and we pride ourselves being industrious. True, there are exceptions to the above but that doesn’t make it any rosier. Kenyans generally live a life whose success is premised on DEALS, MORE DEALS and cutting corners. In the process we unwittingly rape our own country dry to feather our personal nests while complaining loudest about corruption. I guess this the unique Kenyan version of industry and success.
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18:00
From: Kikuyumoja's realm
Read This Entry & More At Kikuyumoja's realm
There’s this friend of mine with whom I was schooling until Abitur (~ A-levels). I know him since 18 years now and it’s a pleasure meeting him all the time - we currently work at the same company, his office is just one floor above mine.
He’s married with two lovely kids now and has already been working abroad for 5 years for an international organization.
There’s this age difference of 3 years between us and although he always used to be the youngest in our class, the age difference never mattered.
Today he told me he feels like being 40 years old whereas I feel like being something like 26 or so.
The truth is somewhere there in the middle.
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17:42
From: Cock And Bull
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If you ever find yourself needing to spend the night in any town in Kenya on a low budget, you might end up in what we Kenyans simply refer to as a ‘Lodging’. The ‘Lodging’ is usually a building that has several sleeping rooms for travelers and any other person who might choose to spend a night away from his or her own bed. All the ‘Lodgings’ are similar and if you spend a night in one in a particular town, be assured that you might as well have sampled the ‘Lodgings’ in all the other towns in the country.
Once you pay for your room – usually just a few hundred shillings – you will be given a key attached to an oversized wooden or plastic key holder with a number written on it. The clerk will then direct you to the room whose number is the same as the one on the key holder. On unlocking the room and entering, switching on the single naked bulb on the ceiling will reveal a small room with a smell you might never have encountered before. There will be a bed at one corner and on the other corner, a small reading table with drawers and a rickety chair pushed under it. There will most probably be an ashtray with numerous burn marks on it, mounted on a huge base with the initials of the ‘Lodging’ printed on it. The bed will have freshly laundered linen and a dirty mosquito net tied on a knot, dangling from the ceiling. In the adjacent toilet cum bathroom you will find a clean towel whose snow-white days are long gone and a tiny bar of soap that is just enough to wash your whole body once. There will also be a new roll of white tissue paper next to the toilet closet. The bed linen and the towel will have the name of the ‘Lodging’ printed on them in large conspicuous letters.
Under the bed, you will find a pair of mismatched rubber flip flops (bathroom slippers) – each with a different color. You might also be surprised to find that a tiny wedge has been nipped off at the heel of the flip flops. This extraordinary flip flops will discourage anyone who might be tempted to steal them, just as printing the name of the lodging house on the linen and mounting an extra base of an ashtray will do.
Next to the bed, you will see a small bedside table. On this table it is guaranteed that you will find two items; a well sized Bible and a packet of condoms. Perhaps the person who set the ‘Lodging’ standards in Kenya assumed that anyone who spends a night at the ‘Lodging’ without having sex must be a particularly holy person. Whatever the case, as in most places in life, these two items in the ‘Lodging’ will remind you about the choices that you have to make while going through life.
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16:54
From: Cock And Bull
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The rain suddenly poured this morning when people were going to work, and many were caught unawares. I only saw a few people shielding themselves under umbrellas. If it rains tomorrow at the same time, I bet more people will have their umbrellas as they make the gloomy morning trip to town. Being that mid-March is the advent of the long rainy season in Kenya, I am sure many people are now looking for their umbrellas in their homes while others will have to purchase new ones after being caught in a storm or two.
Isn’t this just the way that many people treat God? When everything is sunny in their lives, God is safely tucked away like a faithful old umbrella or even given up altogether. When the clouds gather and the storm comes that is when they make frantic efforts to recall God into their lives with rusty prayers or search for Him with panicky repentance.
But that need not be the case. Everyone can decide to carry God around every day. You know, like that favorite handbag that acts as the bank, contains the paraphernalia for re-assuring beauty, and carries many secrets that belong to its owner. That kind of handbag is never left behind, and nor does its owner leave it unattended for long. If allowed to, God can become a friend for all seasons.
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9:55
From: Kenyan Pundit
Read This Entry & More At Kenyan Pundit
I have yet another post cooking, but I need to go and grapple with dinner for a one-year old who will chew only certain foods, depending on her mood. So I’ll just put up these links and wonder how Kenyan newspapers are managing to outdo themselves when it comes to crappy, and yes, irresponsible [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Excuse me while I gag…", url: "http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=470" });
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9:17
From: Kenyan Pundit
Read This Entry & More At Kenyan Pundit
I know there are readers who have issues with my posting of “humanitarian” efforts, and who doubt the efficacy of these efforts, and who feel that what is needed is more “political” ways to engage the “people/masses.” I have a response cooking in my mind. In the meantime, I will keep the info. [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Peace Messages on Easy FM", url: "http://www.kenyanpundit.com/?p=469" });
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8:12
From: My Life is...Mochalicious!
Read This Entry & More At My Life is...Mochalicious!
So this nyagu decided to tag me…..here goes nothing.
First, the rules:
Link to the person that tagged you
Post the rules on your blog
Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their [...]
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8:01
From: bankelele
Read This Entry & More At bankelele
March 5 2008 marked the end of the 2nd 6 month statutory management period for after the collapse of Francis Thuo stockbrokers. It also came to mark the beginning of a 6th month statutory management period for another stockbroker - Nyaga Stockbrokers which was a much larger operation than the former. In the collapse of the second stockbroker, there is a failure to learn from the mistakes of the former, and also myopia in regulation and awareness. The CMA and NSE continue to treat Nyaga and FT stockbrokers like a rogue computer that has gone amok and chewed up stockbrokers funds. It was not - it had directors, managers, and employees. Who are these people? We have not heard any names or their stories, explanations, their questioning/arrest/convictions/disbarment's/fines etc. It’s a trend we have here: looking at all the recent financial scandals we have had Charterhouse, Invesco, Francis Thuo, Euro Bank, and even the Electoral Commission of Kenya (bad math in 2007) - an organization is condemned (after it collapses), a beautiful report is written (and filed away), while the principals/employees walk away scot free. From the big scandals of the past, over 40 bank collapses in the 1990’s, including giants Trade and Trust Bank’s not many lessons have been learnt. We have a culture that does not allow us to learn from the past, and dooms us to repeat those mistakes in future. It was only with Goldenberg (and to a lesser extent Anglo Leasing) where after the principals and officers were called forward to explain their odd (& previously secret) actions that some level of truth came out. That should be a model for dealing with other and future scandals; public hearings, not behind boardroom doors, and public reports, which will make it easier for anti-corruption prosecutors. It is a dark secret in banking that very few employees are ever convicted of financial crimes and scams at their place of employment. What happens to these bank and stockbrokers employees, and where are they now? I don’t want them to move to CFC, but chances are they will get jobs with other brokers and bankers. They will lie low, but it's only a matter of time before the easy money trap sets in again; if they have amassed enough, they may even dabble in politics, or go for MBA’s... There, I hope they encounter business classes looking at the past scandals, case studies on Goldenberg, Trade, Trust, Prudential Building Society, the genesis of Consolidated Bank, and the collapse of stockbrokers in 2007/08. Etc. Otherwise such events will recur in 2009 and 2010. But some things can’t be fixed, and one Kenyan bank will collapse about every other year, a trend that is likely to continue as the industry continues to absorb the shocks of the post election period. Other timely reading - Are the shocks over? Coldtusker hints at other brokers- Riba Capital’s infamous rogue broker alters from October 06 and April 2007, the second of which had Nyaga brokers at the top of the list - Nyaga Stock Brokers
Nyaga Stockbrokers has received a warning from Capital Markets Authority in regard to their issuing of Bouncing cheques something similar to what Francis Thuo and Partners did.
This broker has been struggling for several months to clean up its act to avoid being suspended but the problems have been running deeper with the MD claiming that the only bouncing cheques they issued were those of Eveready IPO refund a claim which Eveready refutes and which other stockbrokers disagree with.
There are reports also that this broker was involved in illegal ‘shorting of the market’ whereby they would sell clients shares without authority on a market peak and buy back on a market slump. The CMA is said to have summoned the broker 2 weeks ago and given them an ultimatum to clean up something which the NSE had raised much earlier. If this does not happen, then we could see another broker going down due to money trouble.
- How to change your broker
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7:42
From: My part of the world.......
Read This Entry & More At My part of the world.......
As time goes by I have been realizing some interesting things about myself, some new and some old. I've come to the realization that there is little that we can't stop doing if we put our minds to it. I have friends or rather acquaintances, who confess about certain habits that they have that are messing them up but they "can't" stop. I have had very negative habits that used to hold me back but like a drunkard waking up in a ditch, I often have a moment of clarity that brings everything to the fore and I walk away; not that it's easy of course. Some battles are harder then others. It's just that holding onto a bad habit is a crutch in itself, a way to avoid change; case in point people who use sexual relationships to avoid intimacy. It seems like much more fun to be screwing a new chic/dude every other day as opposed to working to build a relationship with someone and taking the risk of heartbreak and the other issues that come with a relationship. One of my interesting habits or quirks? I have borderline OCD, I have to check doors and locks 2-3 times before I can go; this also extends to light switches, taps, mail boxes and electrical devices. It sucks when I lock a door, walk several hundred meters and then turn around and go back to make sure it is closed even though deep inside I know I closed it. I also have this thing for bathroom sinks, my bathroom sink can't have any gunk of sorts in it, I have to have it as clean as possible. I leave it so clean that I can usually tell if someone else has been using it other than myself, it used to extend to kitchen sinks but sharing an apartment with slobs cured me of that because there was no way I was going to clean up after grown men. Yes that's me, your borderline OCD sufferer; now stop eyeing my gleaming sink and clean your own! I'm sure those of you who are in Kenya now must notice the way ethnicity has become such a charged issue almost like race here in America. Well the other day, I was on facebook and I was going through my Kenyan friends' profiles and I began noticing some interesting things, case in point was how with some people 99% of their Kenyan friends were from their tribe. This got me to wondering about a few things; did they make this choice consciously or subconsciously? Do they have friends from other tribes? What do they think about people from other tribes? Anyway at the end of the day someone's friends say alot about them and their lives so I guess at the end of the day, its' their lives and the people they choose to have in them is their choice. Interesting days we live in. I came to the fine realization that over time my American work mask has been slipping? What is this mask you ask? Well you see here in the States, people who work together are meant to be one big happy family or at least make the pretext of it. Well in the early days when I got my job, I used to make daily chit chat with people at work and listen to their stories and such, dont get me wrong they are nice people for the most part. I get along just fine with my supervisor and the Head of our Department; there was a chic who was a good pal and we used to share jokes but she left so for the most part I'm on a cordial basis with most of the people. So as time has been passing, I have been making less and less of an attempt to get chatty with people. I'm an introvert by nature and also this whole telling the whole office about the funny small things that are happening in your life isnt my thing; for example our Head of Department sent around an email asking people if they knew any natural cure for toothache; this is because his son had braces put in and due to the pain he has been on painkillers but they are tired of giving him Tylenol so he wanted some tips. I dont have a problem with the request for advice though, I do think at times that with my silence and "secrecy" some people at work must have a few things here and there to say about me; anyway let them talk. I just believe in having my home life and work life separate. I also came to the realization that there are some fights that you can't win. Case in point, the gay issue. If you don't like gays and are against the lifestyle; you are a closet homosexual and are scared of them. If you are for the gay cause then other people say you are just a homo waiting to come out and have no morals whatsoever. I think you all know that I' m the Prince of Apathy, what you choose to shove up your orifices is no concern of mine, nor is that fact that you feel that you were created the wrong gender and want to change that; do whatever you want. Please just keep the volume down if you decide to have a coming out rally somewhere around my block. Speaking about playing for the other team, Meshell Ndegeocello is in town this weekend and I may just go see her perform. Have a nice weekend!
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7:20
From: KA-INVESTOR
Read This Entry & More At KA-INVESTOR
 Resolution health, a health insurance firm, may be coming to the NSE in a few years time. At the moment they are considering a private placement to increase the number of shareholder and value of the company in preparation for listing in the NSE in a few years time. The insurance firm seeks to raise Ksh.600 million through this private placement. In their financial results for 2007, the company recorded a 63% increase in profit to Ksh.114 million. Their turnover increased to Ksh.591 million a 66% growth over the 2006 figures. The company projects a Ksh.910 million turnover at the end of this year and Ksh.300 million in net income. The insurer also expects to increase their member by over 175% from the current 19,600 to 54, 000 by year end. Resolution now join K-rep and Nakumatt who may be having their IPO's next year.
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5:19
From: KA-INVESTOR
Read This Entry & More At KA-INVESTOR
Equity Bank 2007 pretax profit jumped 118% to Ksh.2.4 billion, boosted by higher asset growth which was mainly supported by the increase in funding i.e
- capital injection of Ksh.11 billion (Helios EB)
- additional long-term debt of Ksh.4 billion
- growth in customer deposits of Ksh.15 billion (Ksh.31.5 billion from Ksh.16.3 billion 2006)
Other impresive figure inclide - Total operating income grew 73% in to Ksh.5.8 billion
- Total expenses rose 52% to Ksh.3.5. because of opening 28 additional branches, bringing the network to 98
- Interest income increased by 83% to Ksh.2.8 billion.
- Earnings per share rose to Ksh.6.96 from Ksh.2.77 in 2006.
- A total dividend payment of Ksh.543 million has been proposed compared to ksh.181 million last year.
- Market capitalization grew by 331% to Ksh.54.3 billion in from Ksh.12.6 billion
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4:16
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
What does Jeff Koinange's K24 Stand For?By Wanjiku of Mombasa Present Kenya is a battered nation albeit a hopeful one. But it is not bad luck or lack of resources that is plaguing us. Take Japan for example. About 70% of Japan is forested, mountainous and unsuitable for agricultural, industrial or residential use. Yet it is the second largest economy in the world and a world leader in technology. Is there any significant intellectual difference between their executives and our own? Is Japan any more blessed with resources than we are? Any reason why Kenya cannot hit those notes in future? Our woes are an obvious result of poor leadership, weak institutions, selfishness and impunity among a myriad other evils that cannot be listed on a single page. Our leaders have stashed our hard earned money in Swiss accounts, bought property abroad and acquired more land than their graves and those of all their future generations can ever fill. In parliament there have been thieves, murderers, drunkards, wife beaters, rapists, warlords, name it. They came, they stole but they will not conquer us. So first, I say we get over them and show them the door. Every Kenyan can and should do their part towards this. Second we should disconnect from our leaders and work to change our personal attitudes. Leaders cannot touch our attitudes towards one another unless we let them. It is not going to be easy considering these are beliefs and attitudes framed for years through education and culture. Besides, we’ve hurt each other real bad recently. But with collective willpower it can be done. Gradually, maybe slowly, but it can be done. Third, I dare say we embrace our ethnicity. Tribe is an identity and tribal identities are here to stay. We would best serve ourselves using ethnicity positively for personal as well as national growth. Judging from the number of inter-tribal marriages and mixed race children, the battle against negative ethnicity has been well underway on the family level. Now we take it national. Instead of fighting ethnicity, why not foster vibrant healthy competition among different cultures? Why not support each other in trade? Or intellectually? Why not learn what other communities do best and let them also learn what we do best? Fourth let us work on the children. Get them while they’re young. It is said that if you’re thinking 1 year ahead, till a field. If you’re thinking 10 years ahead, plant a tree. If you’re thinking 100 years ahead, raise a child. Let parents and teachers teach them to be proud of their cultures and appreciate other peoples’ cultures. Recently I watched sadly as displaced children were asked to express their feelings in drawing. Most of them drew fire, machetes, bows, arrows and blood. I shudder at the thought of what seeds have been planted in their minds. We need to mend these young minds for the sake of the future. There must be many other brilliant ideas out there. What sayest thou?
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3:58
From: Black Looks
Read This Entry & More At Black Looks
Rescue Kenya: Post Election Hubis a blog dedicated to collating initiatives, reports and resources on post election Kenya….
To provide an information & coordination portal for ALL those concerned with solving Kenyan post election issues.
To promote a RESULTS oriented approach to the crisis with the aim of moving Kenya & Kenyans forward from the post [...]
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2:00
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
Towards the end of last year, a brand new 24 hour news channel was quietly launched into the Kenyan market. Apart from a full page advertisement in the Standard newspaper, there was very little else in terms of promotion. Today barely 4 months later, this new TV station clearly modeled along the lines of Atlanta based CNN continues to quietly exist.  To be fair, K24 has had its’ moments. Many of these have emerged from their eyewitness news segment that brings breaking news. The idea is to evolve this into some sort of citizen journalism thing where virtually anybody can report from where it is happening. During the troubled times that our country has recently passed through there are many potentially award winning features that have been aired in this segment. One sticks out very clearly on my mind where host Jeff Koinange interviewed a German woman in the ruins and ashes of a burnt down children’s orphanage in Eldoret. Apparently what angered locals was the fact that children hailing from different tribes were happily interacting with each other. It was also on K24 that I saw an intimate interview with ODM’s William Ruto, expertly conducted by Jeff Koinange on the lawns of what is clearly the famous journalists’ favorite hotel, namely... Read more
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