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19:19
Fed Rate Cut Folly
» For Love and Money Fed Rate Cut Folly
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18:34
Will 10th Parliament Now Change MPs Work Ethic?
» You Missed This 
The official state re-opening of the 10th parliament was historic, not least because it featured for the first time in post-independent Kenya’s history a grand-coalition Government of president, vice-president and prime-minister(X2) not present during the 1st session, and born out of necessity from the post election crisis that rocked the country during the early part of this year arising from last December’s sham of a general election.
Ordinarily, the opening of parliament following an adjournment is characterised by the traditional week long debate into the President's speech, marking the start of the house's official calendar of business for the year. However, as you well know the 10th parliament is no ordinary sitting and first on the immediate agenda of MPs is to agree on fast-tracking implementation of the new executive power-sharing deal by passing into law the crucial National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008, together with several other draft bills namely the constitutional Amendment, the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation, and Ethnic Commission Bills
Difficult tasks ahead?
Judging by their previous track record, it remains to be seen whether or not our MPs will pass these and other all-important bills to come in record time, or even whether they will miss the boat completely and allow themselves to become side-tracked by other pressing yet secondary issues which are sure to arise during these early stages as the house gets down to business.
Kenya’s parliament has a poor legislative track record in comparison to other African countries we compete against (e.g. Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria) and we Kenyans hungry for change and massive reforms may all be waiting a long time yet before any urgent & pressing bills are actually made into laws (e.g. one example is the bill seeking to grant Mombasa and Kisumu city status-anyone recall that?)
Remember that in the previous past their first port of call for newly-elected MPs has traditionally been to increase their salaries while consequently saying goodbye to the sight of the toes on their feet which inevitably fail to effectively compete against the rapid forward expansion of their middle abdomens in the course of their short stays at house of parliament.
In 2007, the 9th parliament worked for a period of 27 weeks, and started with an agenda of 20 bills awaiting debate as part of business in the house. Throughout the whole of last year, their apathy during house debates was roundly condemned by the public at large, and more than once in the life of the 9th parliament business had to be interrupted due to a lack of quorum. In spite of this, amazingly they managed to pass 17 bills into law! including the monumental Njoki Ndungu Sexual Offences Bill in 2006. Compare that to 2005 where out of 25 bills that were presented to them for debate and enactment, concluded only seven, Just goes to show that when they want to, our politicians can actually do some work
In developed countries e.g. that “bastion of democracy” the USA, Britain etc, MPs tend to earn more but they also produce more, meaning they enact more laws through the high number of bills that they pass. However so far in Kenya, our members of parliament have enjoyed remuneration with little to show to justify for their pay by way of performanceHow hard is your MP working? Like a donkey
It’s known that our MPs split their time between sittings in parliament, working in the constituencies that elected them (standing waist-deep in mud, soiling their hands with bribes bricks) and in addition as Government ministers working within their appointed portfolios. Not to mention various functions to conduct harambees, the occasional (cough) government sanctioned business trips abroad, and the rare (double cough) “pretty-boy” press conference appearances before media houses to address the public. But the days of deception conducted behind closed chambers while speaking in foreign tongues as the case has been is over; the past 45 years has simply amounted to a total defrauding of the Kenyan tax-payers’ money worth which unfortunately has gone to fund the hefty salaries and perks which our politicians and their significant others have grown accustomed toToo long have Kenyans have suffered lightly the lot of clowns in charge of the destiny of our nation. Already the first chapter of Kenya’s history has been written and closed twice in blood, and none among the living can be said to have qualified for deserving a glowing tribute as very little positives can truthfully be said about them without sounding like a sycophant.
Its time for the people’s duly elected representatives to become a hard-working parliament,and I sincerely hope that they will have little time for sleeping before the TV cameras- they need to roll –up their sleeves and........wait for it............extend-yes extend.......both their sitting and opening hours, so that they can get more work done by debating and passing more bills into laws that will greatly enhance our independence and development.
All 210 MPs should be made to sign people perfomance contracts which set the bar on how high the need to jump if they are thinking of seeing the inside of parliament again come the next general election. we always like to say "wembe ni ule ule" lakini ule wembe tuna sema ni wembe gani? We been giving our MPs Gillete shaving blades to shave their faces with-indeed we've given them the best a man can get. Let us now give them machetes that are truly "wembes" which will not provide any sort of smooth shave unless they work for it
Coming soon: -dealing a deathblow to tribalism
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17:54
Selling stuff online to Kenyans
» Startups in Kenya You might not know this but my love of entrepreneurship is fuelled majorly by my love of computer programming. My first exposure to computers was in 1988 when I played shuffleboard on an Atari. Having been raised in the boondocks I was utterly spellbound with the concept of a video game. In 'shags' we hardly ever got toys from the shops; instead we would create our own toys using locally available material. For toy cars we twisted and shaped wire coat hangers and cut out rubber tires from old (and sometimes mom's new) bathroom slippers. For planes, we stuck a stalk of grass through a dried maize leaf and made our 'propellers' rotate by holding them out in front and running into the wind (incidentally this was my all-time favourite). For marbles we hunted for used and discarded bottle-tops (beer bottle-tops were coveted). In fact we had so many toys that our game time never felt inadequate. That was until I discovered video games.
Hard as I thought I didn't see how I could recreate the video game using local material. My wait however was not to be long. One year later I started my first computer class on an Apple Macintosh; and in barely less than one year I was already into BASIC programming. It didn't take long to discover that with BASIC I had the material to create video games. It was like a door had been opened to a whole new world for me. I stepped into this world and saw endless opportunity to create. Even at that age, I realised that the only thing that could hold me back was my creativity.
BRAKES....Now I'm getting excited so allow me to stop here and save 'My Life with a Computer' (soon to be written post) for another day; let me get back to topic. I find my love for start-ups and programming intricately linked; in fact most of the new products I have come up with involve some level of computer programming i.e. SoftLaw Citator, LawsofKenya.com, Genius Executive Centre.
One area of netpreneurship however has always eluded me and that is selling stuff over the Internet to Kenyans. The problem as I've seen it as been two-fold: settlement and delivery. However with the abundant variety of courier firms that have sprung up recently and with a new and easy way to transfer money I see a light at the end of the tunnel.
At the risk of giving away a perfectly good business idea let me say now that online purchases/settlement (Kenyanised for mobile phone use) is the next big thing. The next E-bay or Amazon or even Google is just waiting to be launched; and the platform will be driven by M-PESA, Safaricom's rapidly growing money-transfer service (note to self: remember to write post on how Safaricom is transforming into a financial services company).
I tried Sambaza for online purchases on LawsofKenya.com with some moderate success but its problem was always convertibility of airtime into cash. With M-PESA however, this is not a problem and I've already started experimenting by selling an e-book online (The Secret Opportunity of Forex Trading by Genius Forex at http://www.forexkenya.com). The response so far has been encouraging and I'm now working on tweaks to improve the buyers experience.
M-PESA is a runaway hit, and when a smart entrepreneur starts selling a basic commodity through M-PESA it will be the beginning of a revolution. So popular is M-PESA that it has totally eclipsed its rivals from Celtel and Telkom ($1,000 for anyone who knows what the competing products are called!) and I plan to be in smack in the middle of the gravy train.
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17:09
From Crisis to Opportunity: Sustaining Kenya on Its Democratic
» Kenya Imagine Published here is the speech given by the American Ambassador Michael Ranneberger at the Law Society of Kenya dinner yesterday.
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16:42
a million lies but still we singing
» Black Looks Tags: Jean “Binta” Breeze Grenada Share This: -
Sex workers excluded at IWD march London
» Black Looks The “Million women rise” march organised as part of the IWD event in London and supposed to be a day of solidarity between women and women’s group from across Britain ended with one group of women being silenced. The march started in Hyde Park and ended in a rally in Trafalgar Square. Whilst [...]
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10:48
Dear Nairobians,
» Kikuyumoja's realm Ever wondered what happens to your *waste*?
…and that’s just Dandora.
Now, since an agreement to form a great coalition gov. has been found, maybe the Deputy of the Deputy to the Deputy Vice Mheshimiwa will eventually put this on the national agenda.
In reality, those who can afford to worry about the environment just don’t care or have not enough influence, and those who actually have to deal with the waste (even if it secures their income), prefer to dream about multimedia entertainment instead of such burning issues.
Sure, this is just one landfill out of many, out of many places, out of many countries, who just don’t do enough (or anything) on this issue. You’ll find similar landfills in the greatest democracy (sic!) aka USA and even in the UK. But it is one planet.
So why did I blog these pictures here?
- in reference to this comment
- to raise some awareness, similar to this approach
- sustainable tourism: maybe the Tourism Industry should take this restart after the post-election violence to remarket their holiday destinations and come up with a solid concept on what to do with their *waste*.
Again, governments just provide the legal framework - it’s up to us on how to turn this into a win-win situation for everyone involved.
I’ll start reposting these stories just like EthanZ keeps on repeating his Tripod & activists stories and will only stop once I see some real progress. Pole :-)
All pictures courtesy of MB, February 2007.
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ODM, PNU Boys Alone In A Room With 10 Ravishing Virgins
» You Missed This …but some naïve Kenyans are still screaming; “we trust you guys”
I’m really sorry guys to spring up a post like this one you are about to read on you on a Sunday of all days, but I really can’t help it. I am one of those guys who hate bad news on a Sunday. Let it wait with everything else until Monday, I always say.
But duty calls and so here goes.
Ravishing Virgins, but we trust "the wolves" alone with them in a room
For days now many analysts have been worried sick about the political situation in Kenya. I am talking about analysts who are realists and understand human nature and the fact that hardliners don’t just disappear into thin air. In fact when they become suddenly so quiet, trust me that is the time to really get worried, sick.
Actually on the outside, everything looks quite okay. In fact almost too good to be true.
The mystery was solved for me by one of our writers in Kumekucha called Phil. I have cross checked the earth-shaking information he posted in a comment here on Saturday with some of my most impeccable sources and I can now confidently confirm to Kumekcuha readers that what he says is true. And that is, Hon Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki have struck a “secret” deal. The kind of deal that will make the pair stick closer to each other than super glue. That deal was good for peace in Kenya and we are all very grateful that it happened when it did.
The deal is that Mwai Kibaki will name Raila Odinga his heir when he exits from the presidency in the next 2 years or so...
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The Power Of Words
» You Missed This Special guest post
“The right word at the right time can change a life for the right course and the right cause.”
What is it in words that make some people heal by words, yet others hurt with words? What is it in words that make us find something to laugh at in insults yet frown at truth?
We all basically have access to the same repertoire of words, regardless of language, yet the manner and style we pick, organize and use them can earn us enemies, create us fools or present us wise. Some people may describe hell in a manner that leaves you curious and longing to be there, yet others may describe paradise in a manner that gives a totally boring impression that makes you feel like hell might be more exciting estate to rent an apartment in – of course you know which way to go.
What is it in words that made Jesus prophet, Plato philosopher, Cicero an orator and Shakespeare Shakespeare? What is it in words that make us speak without saying a word? Ever wondered? There is more to words than just mere sounds. Words are more powerful than any atomic bombs. Words are not just words – they are thoughts evaporating from the heart cauldron. Words are expressions of the heart and that’s why the Proverbs rightly observes that out of the heart’s abundance, speaketh the mouth. Some people use words to gossip fulltime, yet some others employ them to encourage and uplift the low in heart. Some use them to blow their own trumpets, yet others employ them to praise excellent achievements. How we use words matter a great deal.
Sometime we may talk because we have something to share; other times we may talk because we just have to talk; yet some other times, according to Kahlil Gibran, we may talk simply because we have ceased to be at peace with our thoughts; and when we can no longer dwell in the solitude of our hearts, we live in our lips and sound is both a diversion and a pastime. And in much of the talking, thinking is half-murdered since much of the time is spent on expressing ourselves in words. Some people may seek to talk in order that they avoid loneliness. One beauty about talking to oneself, though, is the fact that at least you can be certain that someone is listening. Some time it can be a very healthy practice.
Our spring of words should tap from the aquifers of truth of our hearts so that, in Gibran’s words, the voice within your voice will speak to the ear of your friend’s ear. For his soul will keep the truth of your heart as the taste of wine is remembered when the color is forgotten and the vessel is no more.
In the kernel of wise words there is pure knowledge and great wisdom. Listen to the voice of counsel in the Proverbs: “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you; understanding will guard you; delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech…”
In the words there is the secret of life. Listen and live!
At all times, we must strive to speak enriching words, for the wisdom therein is both a roadmap and lifeblood to life. Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
and the man who gets understanding, for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Wisdom is long life; wisdom is wealth and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. By words, we can teach and inspire.
See how the Proverbs 4 stresses passionately on the value of words: Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight; for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching…Let your heart hold fast my WORDS; keep my commandments, and live; do not forget, and do not turn away from the WORDS of my mouth…Hear, my son, and accept my WORDS, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered; and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life…My son, be attentive to my WORDS; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to him who finds them, and healing to all his flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Clearly, from this passionate prose, wise words are not merely a cage of wisdom, but in them resides pleasant life and longevity.
The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are treacherous. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers men. Through words, men of good sense are commended while those of perverse mind are despised. The scriptures reveal to us that in the beginning there was The Word; The Word was with God, and The Word was God. By words, God said, “Let there be light and there was light…” The Gospel itself is often referred to as The Word. By words, great men and women of the past, prophets and philosophers have been able to share with the world the pith of their thoughts. Wars have been brought to peaceful ends, not by the use of more artillery but by the power of dialogue. Words can make a child live ahead of his age while at the same time they can reduce a king to a mere village wag. As my Nigerian brothers say, “When a child washes his hands, he may dine with the elders.” Such is the potency of words. Their power is tremendous.
Drink more and drink long from the great proverbs, for their words are a healing ointment to the wise hearts; take time and soak your dry soul in the great counsel: An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent man ignores an insult. He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Speak sparingly and weigh your words. Know all you say, yet say not all you know, for a prudent man conceals his knowledge, but fools proclaim their folly. Your words can make you or destroy you and that’s why King Solomon is quick to implore you to guard your lips, lest your words return to haunt you; He who guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. The talk of a fool is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. Words can make peace; at the same time, words can ferment war. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. And there is a promise for one whose ear heeds wholesome admonition – he will abide among the wise.
And now let us turn and listen to words of wisdom by one Abioseh Nicol, the late Sierra Leonean literature professor and poet as he shares on the value of words through one of my favorite poems – Words of Wisdom and Love:
In the poem, Abioseh likens words to oyster shells. As he says, “Many see only their outer hardness. But, the wise hold and open them and sometimes find within them hidden pearls.”
Dr. Nicol draws a rare comparison between words and lightning strokes because many people see only the frightening flashes. But, the wise pause and wait and hear the echo of their great thunder.
In the poem, Nicol further compares words to moonflowers by day because, in his own words, “Many see only their bunched leafy fists, but the wise linger after twilight and watch them open, spilling out their sweet fragrance.”
In a final, yet rare parallel, Abioseh likens words to high towering waves because many persons see only the hurl of their long angry curl, but the wise stand waiting by the white sand and feel the soothing trickle of their spent force.
Dr. Nicol taxies to a graceful conclusion, laden with words of wisdom. He pauses and ponders, stops and wonders and then finally his heart reveals to him that in words exists some gleaming pearl, some future majesty, some strange sweet fragrance, and even some promise. And with a total surrender, Nicol gives a parting shot, “I have gained wisdom and shall wait.”
May we all equally gain the heart of wisdom to have the patience; to pause and ponder; to stop and wonder. Perhaps the words we just heard hold within themselves some gleaming pearl, some future majesty, some promise, and not just hollowness. We may just unravel the unspoken words of spoken words because therein lies wisdom beyond vocal expressions.
Now then, let us strive to use words to counsel; to heal distraught souls; to imbue upon the hearts of men and women great principles and tenets of life that will change their world for the better. Let the wisdom and love in our hearts foam out in words of wisdom and love to those around us. Let us seek to cultivate the patience that absorbs the wisdom in words and disposes of their unpleasant coatings.
May your words help you to inspire and sow the seeds of your life purpose!
Taken from the book, Inspire Your Life And Soar The Majestic Heights
Chrisogonas O. Mc’Odhiambo
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7:48 Australian Doesn’t Want Us Africans Any More
» The Displaced African Hello,
Today I came across this article that looks like it was written by an Australian man and I just thought I would share it with y’all to look at and make your own conclusions on below that I have attached my comment that I left on his post: (more…)
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5:19
The Boatman
» Mshairi A scholar asked a boatman to row him across the river The journey being long the scholar begun to blather “Mr. Boatman,” he called out, “Let’s have a conversation.” Self-serving and pompous he asked in eager anticipation “Eh, Mr. Boatman, ever read poetry or erudite epics Or sat down to study grammar and learn phonetics” “No, I never did [...]