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21:09
From: Kikuyumoja's realm
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I’ve attended the IFAT 2008 today - the “15th International Trade Fair for Water - Sewage - Refuse - Recycling”. There’s an IFAT in China and one in Munich, Germany. I had already attended the last IFAT in 2005 and was once again invited to Munich this time around, with my focus being set on low-budget solutions.
As you may already know, I am active in the field of sustainable sanitation and consequently tried to spot those solutions that go beyond the typical high-tech gadgets one would expect to (and will) find on such an international trade fair. The IFAT really is THE fair for all technical solutions with 2.560 exhibitors and 120.000 visitors from all over the world. Think of waste collection, recycling machines, complete sewage treatment plants with all their pumps, screening plants and technical state of the start guidelines. In short: if you’re into environmental engineering, this is your fair.
I was still a bit dissappointed though to find almost the same products I had come across in 2005 and, obviously, most of them being from the high-tech range. In other words: high-tech = $$ (€€), but not necessarily sustainable.
For example, most sewage treatment plants still produce lots of sludge that needs to be processed, i.e. dried, composted or incinerated. To my mind, such a procedure is far from following any sustainable concept. The only sustainability to that is that it provides a secured income to those companies active in the sale of treatment options. The utilisation of sewage sludge on the other hand is still discussed on local levels though, which each federal state (in Germany) having his own perception of what *should* be done with it and how the law should be adjusted to provide a legal framework aka the pressure on the industry to act accordingly. A ticking time bomb, I think. But anyways, politics are an evil game and there sure are lots of different interests at stake here.
Another example could be the availibilty of various sorting machines used in recycling different fractions of plastics, glass, metalls and so on. Nice. But will they also allow an upcycling of products? What they won’t tell you, is that most recycled materials only provide enough quality for a downcycling process. Or take the refuse incinerators. You mean we should burn all *waste* to generate thermal energy? Is that sustainable in any way? Again, there’s a huge industry behind this - and they will make sure that this technology will always be sold.
Well, instead of elaborating any further criticism, lemme switch to the interesting part and show you some mixed visuals I had captured on the IFAT 2008:
One crazy exhibitor put up this masive ice block on their stand. It lasted from Monday to Friday (5-9 May) to melt approx. 20cm on each side. An impressive way to attract visitors…
The battery recycling booth. As mentioned earlier, I am dreaming about an Africa-wide battery recyling system which would help us remove ticking time bombs from your local shamba. Let’s face it: most ppl (world-wide) just dispose of their empty batteries in the next takataka site. Would you want to have leaking batteries sitting next to your sukuma plants? Well - this scenario is still the norm, and ppl can’t be blamed for it because a) they were previously used to organic waste (maize combs, goat bones, etc.) and b) were given toxic products. Batteries are harmful to the environment! So as long as they aren’t produced of environmentally friendly materials, we will need to collect them and, if possible, try to recycle them. Problem is: Only the contained nickel will be of interest and already is a commodity with limited availibility. Hence any battery recycling system would have to be big enough to cover a critical mass and also require the support of future generations who are well sensitized to this matter.
The Stiftung Gemeinsames Rücknahmesystem Batterien (GRS) is a foundation for the recycling of batteries and financed by all manufacturers of batteries in Germany. Again, there are those batteries for sale in Europe (and Kenya, for instance) which were made in China. Those Asian manufacturers never paid their contribution to this foundation, but an up-coming law will change this in future where those who put any batteries on the market will have to pay a levy. Good.
One of those HUUUUGE self-propelled compost turning machines.
Nice little colour-coded plastic containers used for the separation of household waste fractions, made by an Italian company. Those grey coloured versions are already in use in an Italien city - adjusted to the colour of the pavement so that they aren’t that obvious (in regard to the Italien waste collection system which is different from the German, also due to climatic differences). Liked those very much and thought that these sizes would prolly sell quite well if sold through IKEA (hint, hint). Customers in Europe want this (really!) to sort their household waste.
A dinousaur made out of old printed circuit boards and other electrical materials. Obviously, this company is into the E-Waste business.
The Talking litterbin! Took this pic for fellow blogger Afromusing :-)
The product manager of this company - OTTO - the biggest and best known manufacturer of public waste collection systems (see picture below with a wall full of this well-known black 2-wheel container almost every private household in Germany owns) told me that a customer had the idea of fixing solar panels on top of this litterbin and putting a motion sensor inside so that it actually talks to you (e.g. “thank you, have a nice day”, etc. - adjustable). Well, I think that is a very smart and simple idea. Imagine this version in Kenya! Yani, it would “walk away” within a matter of 2 days, sindiyo? ;-(
Still, the idea of combining (simple, polylithic) solar cells with approved litterbin systems is smart. I like it.
Talking of this well-known “Großmülltonne”, there was this 30 year old, used 2-wheel container on display. Silke volunteered to jump in on the picture as both were “born” in 1976 (this container is as old as she is and it is STILL in good condition). Impressive.
Yeah - that’s an old VW Golf II on top of this Hammel Primary Shredder.
Silke then told me: “Hey, you just took that pic because of that *girl* in front of the machine.”
Being the nerd I am, I only then realized her sitting there and consequently told Silke: “Hmm…ati, it’s true, there’s this beautiful blonde vamp in front of the machine. What a waste. This sure is one machine that will attract any man just because it crushes cars. We like demolition. But it’s an interesting sight. Lemme blog this.”
So here you go.
I actually combed through all stalls at IFAT to find this interesting piece of “furniture” I had already seen way back in 2005. That’s a 4-wheeled metal container normally used for collecting waste - turned into a comfy sofa. Smart!
My new friend Keith from seepex.com. Keith is a Sales Manager from the US who doesn’t speak German, but he sure had an interesting product. See these two stator pumps? The one on the right side is the conventional product, the one on the left is the newly improved version coming with a 4-piece cover that may be dissassembled within 6 minutes. The old one within 20 minutes. If you’ve ever worked with such pumps, you will know the pain such a system will give you. With the new rubber housing, the exchange of parts on this pump is such an easy game.
Keith gave me a ring spanner to test it myself and hey - I had lot’s of fun dissassembling and reassembling it within the given timeframe. This inconspiciuous improvement will be LOVED by many many frustrated fundis out there….now that’s what I call a Smart Stator Pump.
Eventually, “our” little jua kali model of a Urine Diversion Dehydration Toilet (UDDT) on display at the booth of newly founded German Water Partnership (GWP). Imagine the faces of these guys from GWP when we turned up with our improvised UDDT - a …..*ahem*….low-budget? solution on display in a smaller scale, because these approaches may not be a guarantee for huge revenues, but they sure close the nutrient loop and provide an efficient use of waste streams (faeces, urine, greywater). This is a model for sustainable sanitation. And besides, such toilets are already in use all over the world (the model above was prepared by students from The Philippines, for instance) and provide sanitational facilities to those areas where ppl just can’t afford access to conventional sanitation systems. And that’s about 2,4 billion people out there who are still lacking access to a decent toilet.
Ok, enough for the day. Hope these pictures could provide you with some insight into the world of evironmental gadgets, even though I believe the real technical solutions are still to be developed and will hopefully provide much more sustainability than what’s currently for sale. As long as low-budget / DIY solutions are still considered to be somewhat “inappropriate” for “developed” countries, we’ll prolly continue running sites like Afrigadget because that’s where technology meets people’s needs. There will probably always be a market for each niche, but let me be honest: the World’s environmental issues won’t be solved by high-tech machines ONLY, but by smarter products and brothers and sisters who will actively walk their talk on environmental protection and start with cleaning their own backyard.
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18:27
From: Stuff Kenyans Like
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 First of all we have to make a good distinction from a watchman, security guard and an askari. An askari is the guy you pay to watch over your home while you are gone during the day (please note, during the day because in the evening someone else comes to take over from the Askari). He really has no purpose, his job is to be a buffer of sorts. He makes thieves think twice because he will be a little bit stubborn going down. Because lets face it any thieves who come stealing during the day are ready to go down for whatever so they are armed and ready for the tasks at hand. So you hire an Askari to make sure the grass is mowed, the lawn is clean and watered and occasionally ask him to keep your housie busy with manly duties and vibes. A Security guard (pictured above) is a formally trained personnel, most of these guys were army officials or soldiers in their past, but couldn't secure proper jobs after their terms in the infantry so they had to fall back on Security jobs. These individuals are normally hired by Group four, or Sunset Securities or Alarms or Falcon ama Knight Frank for all the jisty guys. A security guard may carry a gun from time to time and or a baton, either way most of these guys hang around a small pick-up with Dogs just waiting for things to go down. Its relatively expensive to hire a Security guard to watch over your home.. so often they are hired by the group (estate management, complex management or rich folk around runda or lavington who can afford their services) Now the last person is the Watchman. Watchmen normally come in two calibers, the Luhya Watchman and the Maasai Watchman. Anything in between is a thief pretending to be a watchman. (Not to be tribalist _ but hey - I remember when you could have tribal jokes and things would be okay, but these days you have to be extra sensitive waaa!!!) The Maasai watchmen are well respected, they report to work around 6:32pm and come equipped with bows and arrows. Some come with a shield which is normally fichwad behind the watchman hut. They don't take nonsense and a quick to cock the Bow to shot on anything that moves in the middle of the night. The key difference between the Maasai watchman and the Luhya is the price differentials. The Maasai watchman is expensive because thieves are scared of Maasai's in general, but otherwise they both perform the same tasks amicably. The Luhya watchman normally carries a club and is very good at opening the gates and watching over things. Kenyans couldnt do without watchmen in the 80's and there was no way we could continue with this post without putting them on the TOP TEN list of Stuff Kenyans like.
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18:15
From: Stuff Kenyans Like
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 I selfishly added this to the list because it what I grew up reading. While the rich kids were reading TinTin and Asterix and Obelix (those were expensive comics, hard covers - glosssy). I was busy with the 2 shillings Beano and Topper. With the Bash street Kids. Most Americans have no clue about these comic magazines because they were mainly British Mags. For the few fans out there I have good news for you, I will have you know that BEANO is very much alive, you can catch their new stuff here BEANO TOWN. However the classic old school stuff was probably more influential to me or anyone who grew up in the 80's in Kenya. Other Magazines existed such as the local Pied Crow which I think was like a PSA and Stano and Gitonga, Bogi Benda and the likes....  But thats all old news now.... Speaking of comics.. PLEASE can someone bring back BIG BEN... Big Ben was a picture esq Comic which was simulated as a Kenyan Thriller action packed Comic. Ben was a Kenyan warrior (Otero, Jaribosi - proper swahili for a starring role) .. Ben was the Tereng tereng in all ways. He was the messiah.. When he jumped, you could see text coming out of his mouth "HIKARAAAA!!!" 
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18:03
From: Stuff Kenyans Like
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 I really was torn between what Kenyans really like or what I personally like: On one hand I grew up around bougainvillea flowers which were sorta the status symbol of beauty in Kenya. They were all over, next to Kay Apples (the trees that we used to insinuate a fence with, that had yellow lovely poisonous fruits) and black jacks. So for a long time I though that bougainvillea plants grew in the wild, they easily got unmanageable after a while if neglected or not pruned properly. They had thorns.. so I am torn.. However The money plant, which thank God my mom never had the guys to bring into our home and let it crawl around the house like it was part of the furniture, just so happened to be a Classic Kenyan phenomenon. I hate to be tribal, but next to the drum coffee table, you could almost guarantee to get a Money Plant at any successful Kyuks hao, or more less wanna be successful Kyuks hao. Albeit a lot of Kenyans thought it would bring luck or was a sign of some good things to come, because we really planted those things around the house and at times it just was nasty. Between the Money Plant and the Crochet table cloths I think living in a small home and growing up in Kenya wasnt that bad :) 
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17:46
From: Stuff Kenyans Like
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 One thing Kenyans and Hispanics have in common is their love and fear for GOD. A great symbol of this fear and respect comes from trying to demarcate your home with any memorabilia and art of Jesus (please note, not Jesus - HESUS, I mean the real Jesus). Many Kenyans felt that having numerous pictures of Jesus or the Virgin Mary around the home would sorta protect the home and maintain the family values around religion or the stigma around faith. The more popular framed picture was the "CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THIS HOME" piece that I believe was in virtually every house hold. Some catholics would call in the pastor (father) to come and bless their homes from time to time, he would sprinkle holy water through out the entire house, pray for the home. Sometimes when one of the children in the house became more deviant - prayers were the only way to go. Way before Kanye West coined the TERM " Jesus piece" I think all Kenyans were rocking it in their homes! ps. in the Late 80's one of the few things that freaked me out was this multi dimensional (2D) Jesus picture that would close and open Christs eyes based on what position you were looking at it from. So I recall my mom putting this picture ontop of the fridge and often before I stole something I would feel as though Jesus was watching me. It totally freaked me out... I eventually countered that by wearing a rosary all the time - and probably not stealing, but hey.. I was young.
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17:24
From: Stuff Kenyans Like
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 Contrary to popular belief amongst most Kenyans, the ordinary individual will think that the most popular car in Kenya was the PIJOT (Peugeot) or Chevrolet (yes there were there in Kenya in the past). Sure enough there were more exciting cars such as the UHURU, or the failed MOI project Nyayo Pioneer. But nothing came close to what Kenyans epitomized as the ultimate Floss mobile like the Citroen Sedan pictured above. The Citroen was a sign of Status - it was a symbol of arrival, some people get to destination, but with a Citroen you would arrive. This car was so cool because of the hydrolic shock absorbers that would push the car up or down depending on the ignition mode.  Most Kenyans on the come up owned a Citroen or a Datsun (coincidentally for all folks who didn’t know that Datsun was actually a Nissan). Soon after the Kenyan Market was flooded by reconditioned cars and the Nissan Bluebird became the big mwananchi car.
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12:54
From: Words Much Like Poetry
Read This Entry & More At Words Much Like Poetry
i have struggled, father,
since the conclusion of your account,
and most times, when my eyes opened
upon dreadful way stations,
skin stretched tight over a belly rounded by new life,
hope seemed like forgotten lore,
a tale vaguely remembered from early years
spent in the company of eternal dreamers.
but hope is surprisingly resilient,
and has no predetermined finale,
believers will carry it with them
unto planes intangible to mortal flesh
and will be born and reborn upon this
the realm of our existence,
returned to those of us who have lost faith
by wielders of infinite possibility,
fragile vessels conceived of obliged procreation,
of dutiful continuance.
of father, do not doubt,
the long years have returned hope to me,
embodied in progeny much labored for—
son who is now as a sapling, limbs long and bare,
fresh,
daughter who is as the essence of simplicity and delight,
what glory—
and misery be damned!
take flight an go you to reaches beyond,
i will not suffer your tainted love
for even one sunrise more!
and father, i forgive you the long years,
i forgive your abandonment of me
while still i moved through the haze of youth,
know that you were as to me a mountain,
all that held me together while you were still alive.
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12:33
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
Kibaki has been telling us that his government has set aside billions upon billions of Kenyan shillings for the purposes of resettling IDPs. Fat checks will be distributed to a segment of our population who were suddenly and violently impoverished in the aftermath of a stolen election, jealousy, historical injustices, land issues, war mongering etc. The recipients of these monies may use it to rebuild their lives, homes and businesses. Any astute Kenyan citizen privy to the daily unending struggles being relived in IDP camps must agree that it is indeed prudent to financially assist our fellow brothers and sisters achieve some kind of pre-election normalcy. It is such welfare programs that identify progressive governments. It is in fact the duty of any government to ensure and protect the sanctity and continuity of life after natural and man-made calamities. All humane taxpayers must support and approve the endeavor to save our little innocent girls from the rape and mayhem associated with life in the IDP camps scattered all over the country. Now back to Kenya. Sadly, most of us are currently preoccupied with arguments of whether or not IDPs should be welcomed back to their homes without local consultations. What of the sanctity of title deeds? Historical injustices? So who are IDKs? Constant security? These are all important questions that must be debated, however, we are neglecting the one billion dollar question that is bound to alienate our displaced folks to perpetuity. The way I see it, while land and death are extremely emotional issues, neither is more explosive than money. Yes folks, money is the common denominator. We may have a government with progressive ideas but I wonder how progressive the minds of it's citizens really are. A time is coming when the fat checks will start trickling down to the freshly resettled neighbors. Now we all agree that 99.9% of the IDPs are GEMA related. Even if the other 0.1% got double doses of IDP cash, the perception among other Kenyans is obvious. My intention is not to excite emotions, rather it is to prepare you for the coming years of increased resentment. Stories of how Kibaki stole the elections with intentions of pumping billions upon billions of taxpayer monies to Kikuyus will never end….especially if this money is used wisely to further increase the domination of the economy. People will easily forget the burning of citizen in churches and instead dwell on the brand new shiny mabati roofs spotting the Rift Valley scenery. For understandable security reasons, tribal gated communities may even prop up in some areas. Of course there are other underlying issues, such as why the money should go through Equity Bank or who will steal what at what time. Picture this: For assorted reasons, Kiptanui violently evicts his neighbor Kamau, taking over his partially burnt house and land. A couple of months down the line, Kiptanui is arrested and jailed as Kamau is resettled and given enough money to put up a semi permanent home with shiny mabati roofs. The remaining cash is used to educate Kamau's children and possibly start a prosperous matatu business. In the meantime, the Mungiki leader is released as Kiptanui continues to rot in prison. While in prison, Kiptanui's wife secures a housemaid job in Kamau's prosperous household. Here, she is made to eat while seated on the kitchen floor as she's reminded of the evils of her husband and the fact that her kids cannot afford education. Time goes by and the police believe that Kiptanui has learnt his lesson. He's then released. A few weeks later Kiptanui and Kamau meet at the market and in the spirit of coalition, they hug and pretend to forget past injustices. It's obvious that Kiptanui is twenty times worse off financially while Kamau, despite loosing a few relatives, is ten times richer. Naturally, as Kiptanui sits on a stool under his leaky grass thatched hut, he sharpens his arrows in readiness for the next opportunity. This time, he'll take over a mabati roofed house. Kamau on the other hand keeps vigil armed with an arsenal of the best firearms money can buy. Having been given a second chance at life, he's well aware a third one will never come. Now multiply that story by about a million times. Is it possible to permanently appease both Kamau and Kiptanui? Is Kibaki (and Raila) expected to provide guidance and can he do so with gusto? It's my sincere hope that we choose the progressive way and allow our friends to be resettled in peace. Check out Kasarani.com, a new way to meet and keep in touch with Kenyans worldwide. You can even start your own blog on Kasarani! Click here to go to Kasarani.com now
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12:04
From: The Displaced African
Read This Entry & More At The Displaced African
Hope you are enjoying your day of rest! I have already expressed my opinions on gangsta rap, and those opinions definitely do not extend to the 7 artists I talk about below. These artists are actually part of the reason it’s close to impossible for me to take a lot of gangsta rap seriously.
After all how can you settle for less when you have seen musicality at its finest. Long ago I promised I would do a post of this nature….the promise is now fulfilled.
1) Lauryn Hill
Lauryn is like that really clever cousin that everyone has. You know the one who has flashes of absolute brilliance that from time to time are marred by minor errors in judgment (in my fam, that would be me!). In spite of her erratic behavior, her talent, graceful beauty and musical skills are undeniable.
2) Black Star
Just in case people forget why hip hop got started in the first place, there is Black Star to remind you. Yes they talk endlessly about their skills as MCs. Yes they talk about drug dealing. But they rhyme, bend and manipulate words as though they are clay in their hands. They talk about the beauty and wonder of the human experience and African experience.
Talib is the philosopher who takes himself and his words so seriously that you can’t help but do so as well. Mos on the other hand is that ever smiling, ever rhyming MC who can’t help but make you feel good inside. Forget reading the above just listen to the two tracks below
3) Tupac Shakur
No discussion of hip hop can begin or end without mentioning Pac. I will admit it, I am a selective fan of 2pac. The tracks below have my ear any day. “Hit em up”? not so much.
4) Dead Prez
I have already written my stalker ode to Dead Prez, so I will just give you two more tracks to enjoy.
You’d rather have a Lexus,
Or Justice,
A dream,
Or some substance,
A Beamer,
A Necklace,
OR FREEDOM
5) LL Cool J
I know a lot of you didn’t expect this guy to be on the list. Heck even I didn’t. Another case of selective listening when it comes Mr. Smith.
I must give credit when it’s due: For those times when you have no lines or don’t know quite what to do to turn your Don Juan on, do as L would do. No one does smooth better:
The Lord works in mysterious ways,
He must have put you on this Earth,
For all men to praise
(With proper delivery what can’t words like these achieve?)
6) Lupe Fiasco
Lyrics! Lyrics! Lyrics! He is mellifluous! He is floetry! His rhyming is off the chain! Don’t believe me, explain the lyrics below:
I’m fearless
Now hear this
I’m earless
And I’m peer-less
That means I’m eyeless
Which means I’m tearless
Which means my iris resides where my ears is
Which means I’m blinded
7) Da Truth
Inspirational through and through and through.The song that really resonated with me by this talented theologian-on-the-mic was ‘My Story’. In this world where apparently Akon faked his criminal record, just to gain more acceptance, how relevant is a track like that? You be the judge:
So pull a chair, something to drink and enjoy some real music.
If you enjoyed this list and want lists like this don’t forget to subscribe to the site via RSS or email to receive the latest lists first.
Da Truth - My Story
I thought my testimony was less the holy, I thought I was less blessed then my homies, just confessing only the big sins, I thought that was a badge of honor, I thought that I had to have a story that was packed with drama, But I aint ever been shot, no big crimes, never smoked weed, never drank, I never did time, I grew up with both parents both cheering me on, teaching me basic things like no swearing (no swearing son),
It’s so apparent I came up in the church, socially this is where I gave my worth, learned to pray and assert my self for God displaying its worth, upon living without playing in the earth, just the average kid, you know the type that like to play in the dirt, came home with dirt stains on my shirt, reciting the same old verse, at the table no games no hurts, And I knew I was called before the day of my birth, And its like that,
I aint got no horror story Go kept me in my youth I give him all the glory I thought my story didn’t flow, But now I know the blood of the lamb has saved my soul and that’s my testimony, I aint got no horror story Go kept me in my youth I give him all the glory I thought my wasn’t dope but now I know the blood of the lamb saved my soul and that’s my testimony
I aint no gangster I aint tough cause of rap, never been cuffed and stuffed in the back of a patty-wagon, I aint never cuss in my raps, I started gospel most aint accustom to that,
Let me get back, when I was young I used to think I was corny, Cause I aint grow up in the projects drinking a 40, And I aint never had no thug dude sneaking upon me, And every buddy had the name brand sneakers before me, And it made me really made but as I bugged my mom and pops taught me never to chase silly fads, they told me focus and bought me note books, I really had brilliant parents they introduced me to Billy Gram
See I aint got no horror story God kept me as a buck I give him all the glory, In high school all the pretty girls ignored me called me church boy, I wasn’t bothered normally though, Sometimes I would hate living the life of a saint, They saw the Christian boy and light right from the gate, thought I would preach so they tried to escape but I guess that’s just the price of pronouncing your faith, and its like that
I aint got no horror story Go kept me in my youth I give him all the glory I thought my story didn’t flow, But now I know the blood of the lamb has saved my soul and that’s my testimony, I aint got no horror story Go kept me in my youth I give him all the glory I thought my wasn’t dope but now I know the blood of the lamb saved my soul and that’s my testimony
Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying I’m prefect, Matter fact I took thoughts and conveyed about cursing, I was saving my pain it was worse then it should have been man I was ashamed just to say I’m a virgin, plus I was too afraid to admit I was a Christian, I spent most of those days trying to prove I was hip, plus trying to prove I was cool, trying to move like a pimp, My testimony wasn’t cool enough yet, Then I came to my senses I put my brain to the scriptures, Thought of how Christ was blameless to sinners, He didn’t grow up on the corner fornicating with sisters, A good Jew grew in favor of wisdom, That gave me relief , rearranged my belief no longer thinking what I’m saying is weak, I aint never been sprayed in the street but saved by his grace plus raised to my feet, And its like that,
I aint got no horror story Go kept me in my youth I give him all the glory I thought my story didn’t flow, But now I know the blood of the lamb has saved my soul and that’s my testimony, I aint got no horror story Go kept me in my youth I give him all the glory I thought my wasn’t dope but now I know the blood of the lamb saved my soul and that’s my testimony
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10:02
From: KA-INVESTOR
Read This Entry & More At KA-INVESTOR
Finally, Safaricom IPO has been oversubscribed and we are set for the minute allocations we are used to. Despite the instability witnessed in the country at the beginning of the year, the IPO was surprisingly oversubscribed by 382% - raising Ksh.119 billion. To some extend I feel duped. I was basing my investment decision on the fact that many people will not buy into it because of the post election chaos. So what could have happened if these IPO had come last year when everybody was itching for it? What about if BoT had allowed Tanzanians to participate in the IPO? Probably we would have seen a 500% oversubscription.
With Ksh.50 billion safely in the net, the IPO has surpassed its goals; namely: maximizing revenues for the Treasury, increasing international investor interest in the NSE and deepening the market. Safaricom IPO is now the Largest Sub-Saharan IPO ever completed (previously SANLAM and Telkom S. A from South Africa were the largest). In Africa as a whole it’s now the third largest IPO after those of Maroc Telecom and Telecom Egypt. Safaricom will most probably announce their ever impressive year end results this May. The company had Ksh.16 billion profits before tax for the 9 month ended December 2007 (almost equal to ksh.17 billion full years profit in 2007), up from Ksh.12 billion last year – 2008 full year pre-tax profit may hit ksh.22 billion. So will the dividend only accrue to the old shareholders (GoK, Vodafone & Mobitelea) or will the new shareholders also be included? I would advocate for the latter to sooth the bitter retail investors – like me - that feel they have been taken for a ride.
What options do retail investors have now? Looking at the small number of shares we will be allocated we don’t have many options: Option 1
Stay put – the bog boys and the QII will – and then when short term speculators will be selling @Ksh.10, top up your account with as many shares as you can using your refund. Then enjoy the ride to supernormal gains. Option 2
Swallow your anger (asira za chura na ng’ombe) and reinvest your refund in the shares once they start trading on June 9th and wait for an opportune time (probably before Telkom K and Celtel K catch up) and price to cash out. Option 3
Wait for your CDS account to be credited and sell the shares as soon as they hit Ksh.10. then chase around for your refund and invest in the next big thing (Coop bank IPO, KCB & HFCK right issues, NMG share split or Equity bank, which is definitely headed for a split).
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9:45
From: KA-INVESTOR
Read This Entry & More At KA-INVESTOR
 Starting at 18:00 GMT on May 10, 2008, locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro will be linked for a live program of powerful films, live music, and visionary speakers. The entire program will be broadcast – in seven languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet, television, and mobile phones.
The 24 short films to be featured have been selected from an international competition that generated more than 2,500 submissions from over one hundred countries. The films were chosen based on their ability to inspire, transform, and allow us see the world through another person's eyes. Details on the Pangea Day films can be viewed here. The program will also include a number of exceptional speakers and musical performers. Queen Noor of Jordan, CNN's Christiane Amanpour, musician/activist Bob Geldof, and Iranian rock phenom Hypernova are among those taking part. About Pangea Day: Inspired by the 2006 TED Prize wish of documentary filmmaker Jehane Noujaim, Pangea Day endeavors to bring the world together and promote understanding and tolerance through film. Pangea Day is a celebration of what unites us, rather than what divides us. Movies can't change the world. But the people who watch them can. After May 10, Pangea Day organizers will facilitate community-building activities around the world by connecting inspired viewers with organizations doing groundbreaking work. For more information, please visit For more information see; http://www.pangeaday.org/
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8:28
From: Kenya Imagine
Read This Entry & More At Kenya Imagine
I go dumpster-diving so you don't have to. The second wave of ODM responses to IDP resettlement has ranged from James Orengo's relatively erudite call for permanent resettlement of Gikuyu IDPs outside the Rift Valley - segregation in other words - to naked incitement of ethnic hatred from Taabu at Kumekucha . In between, we have Job Obonyo at Jukwaa. Lest I convey the wrong impression, let's note that sensible noises have been heard in the RVP recently. Read more from Daniel Waweru here.
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0:36
From: Stuff Kenyans Like
Read This Entry & More At Stuff Kenyans Like
 The two things that were synonymous with Kenyan Breakfast back in the day were Blue Band and Bread. You could never have bread without Blue Band. Sure enough there were other types of Bread spreads available, Marmalade Jam, Butter, Peanut Butter. But nothing tasted as good as Blue Band. Blue Band become such a BRAND name in Kenya so much that people never really know that Blue Band was just a type of Margarine, and that there were or could have been other types of Margarine available in the market place. It was all too late for any other Brand though to introduce anything to the Kenyan consumer as far as Bread spread is concerned. KCC had a butter brand that was slightly pricey and had to remain cold, so that wasnt going to work. BLUE BAND really was the best option - that stuff lasted for weeks. Besides they had that cool youthful boy insinuate that if you ate blue band in the morning with your tea, you were guaranteed to ran as fast as the kid. So trust every boy and his cousins uncle had a can of Blue Band in their homes. The old School Blue Band came in a TIN (Metal TIN) that you had to rip out open with a CAN opener. The new school blue band comes in a plastic bowl with a silver foil for hygiene purposes.
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0:15
From: My part of the world.......
Read This Entry & More At My part of the world.......
The end of another week. I was watching the video below and the only thing I can say is that Sean Connery is one harsh man, what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall of his house. I wonder if any dudes from our generation think the same way he does? I wonder what Sean Connery would do if he sat on the same council with the woman in the video below? Usual Disclaimer - I am in no way condoning slapping of women unless it is in self defence.... I was just looking at some new cars recently and does anyone remember how in the pre Y2k days many cars and other products had suffixes like X9000, 2000ZX and such? Was this to give people the impression the car or machine was futuristic or what? Speaking of which shouldn't the owners of Florida 2000 rename it Florida 3000? Yes instead of working I sit at my desk and think of such things. For some reason, once more Standard decided to write another story about the meteoric rise of strip clubs in Nairobi. I think the corporate office of Applebees would be shocked to know that their trademark is being used for a strip club, I think just to even things out strip clubs called T.G.I.F or Chilis should also be opened too. Anyway let me round this off with some interesting quotes; "As I sit here with a couple of world class hookers..." Gaby Logan after the France-Ireland rugby match. (She was referring to co-commentators Wood and Ibanez.) (Aaron, England). I often follow English Premier League games live via game cast of the soccernet site since I dont have expanded cable that let's me watch the games live. So there is this commentator who seems to harbour a major dislike Dirk Kuyt. Now Kuyt tries to wrestle the keeper out of the way as a looping ball dropped underneath the bar. Blatant free kick, blatant waste of money. What was he , 10m?! Ha! Breaking News - Kuyt nearly gets a shot on target! Fear not though, it went wide. Dirk Kuyt is hopelessly offside but for some reason he still sticks the ball in the back of the net when everyone had stopped. Is he stupid as well as ugly and talentless? Another comical slice of play from Kuyt there who tries an effort with the outside of his right boot at an impossible angle which trickles into Brill's arms. He really is useless. Talk about bile now won't you? Anyway it just hit me that despite 18 years of school, the topics on the top of my mind were slaps, suffixes, strippers and soccer. I think I really do need to find some lofty calling or passion, I guess that's this weekends' homework. Have a nice weekend people!
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