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21:39
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
Following violence in South Africa targeting African immigrants, IDPs is acquiring new meaning for INTERNATIONALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE. Already more than 3000 Kenyans have fallen victims of the orgy of violence in Johannesburg and Pretoria. ODM's detractors will readily jump into snide conclusion that the party has successfully exported its brand of violence to demand EQUITY. The scenarios may be very different but the common thread between the SA violence and our local version following stolen elections is SENSE of INEQUITY and domination. Call it whatever you fancy but every geographical local on this planet has its ANCESTRAL and IMMIGRANT owners. No amount of selective application of the law can effectively address such feelings. SA may be excused for they may be considered still smarting from apartheid and white domination. But there lies a potent lesson on how to harness peaceful coexistence among a people. I pray the violence gets contained and our fellow Kenyans continue with their daily lives out there. Their home country is a flame already and the imagination of coming back is just too grim. PS: Less than 20 hours to Moscow glory and counting. Poor brother Drogba. The guy is marvelous but unfortunately he is playing for the runners up. THERE IS ONLY ONE UNITED. 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 nowGuy Abandons His Family And Marries First Cousin
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19:04
From: Black Looks
Read This Entry & More At Black Looks
A sentimental post
afropanavisions left this thoughtful comment on South Africa
I was so saddened, that the very people who received international solidarity to help bring about the end of the dreadful system of apartheid would turned into such monsters to hurt those who are foreign born.
What a sad day it is indeed.
Despite this [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ""the world is tragic by nature" so things fall apart?", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/05/the_world_is_tragic_by_nature_so_things_fall_apart.html" });
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18:16
From: Stuff Kenyans Like
Read This Entry & More At Stuff Kenyans Like
 If you never got the opportunity to grow up in Kenya then you probably will never notice how many Kenyans are fond of their Calendars. This is not to mean that Kenyans are keen on marking dates and times - because we know Kenyans will always be late for appointments, interviews, work, weddings, lunches - practically everything. But Kenyans for some strange reason will keep Calendars in their homes even after the year has passed. I think mostly for decor purposes but truthfully there has to be something wrong with keeping a 1988 calendar on the wall in 1999. I think picture frames were scarce in the past and basically the freebie Calendar giveaways were the only means to demarcate your walls and cabinets so many people ended up leaving their Calendars to carry on the legacy. Kenyans love Colorful Calendars, anything with a family a house and some Animals is very very impressive. We have to put this down at number 11
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17:49
From: Kenyanentrepreneur.com
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanentrepreneur.com
I must say, BDAfrica is becoming one of my favorite reads (who edits that newspaper? they deserve a big clap for doing a good job with their reporting).
So, they have another interesting story about this guy called John Kiarie who is suing Dyer & Blair, claiming that they did not give him a return on [...]
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14:53
From: Stuff Kenyans Like
Read This Entry & More At Stuff Kenyans Like
 I would like to say this is another of those colonial things that we borrowed from the mzunguz, however I would gladly say it is one of the few things that I don't mind them leaving behind as part of our overall culture. KENYANS LOVE TEA!! Tea in the morning, Tea at lunch time, Tea in the afternoon and then some Goodnight Tea. You cant have a meeting with a Luhya and expect him not to offer some Mutyape!! (Tea) Chai. Koreans love TEA, but not like Kenyans. In Nairobi around the CBD area, offices have actually hired a tea lady who brings tea at 10am (with Sconce or loaf where available) and then at 4pm she brings the evening tea. Government offices are really big on TEA breaks as if they are in school. School teachers have their own Staff room Thermos's that never leave the Staff Room. Kikuyus drink tea some magical unbreakable glasses without shame, the glasses never have handles, but the patrons enjoying the tea never seem to care really. Tea with a Chapati can really go a long way to fulfilling a Kenyans dreams. (Especially when the Chapo is rolled up and stabbed with a fork) Kenyan tea made from the official KETEPA tea leaves, has to be brought to boil at least six times before the tea leaves settle and the foam is blown away. (My mouth salivates at the thought of TEA)... Let me just say - TEA is undoubtedly something Kenyans like
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12:32
From: Black Looks
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More presidential madness this time it’s the Gambia. The president has ordered all “homosexuals, drug dealers, thieves and other criminals, to leave The Gambia or face serious consequences if caught“. This is so ridiculous, so bloody stupid, breaks every law that exists in Gambia and human rights laws everywhere. So what happens in 24 [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "presidential madness and stupidity", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/05/presidential_madness_and_stupidity.html" });
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11:50
From: The Displaced African
Read This Entry & More At The Displaced African
When I wrote about Coach Carol’s book, one of the things that came up was the fact that there aren’t that many people for the African boy-child to look up to and the general lack of support that African boys have from their peers.
Anyway I was browsing around the blogosphere, and while I was checking out Africabeat, I found this Youtube video where this young African man was asked to justify why he supports Obama. I must say, I have been absolutely blown away!
This brother actually made American politics make sense.He actually made me start believing that American politicians can exist for anything other than corporate or self-interest.
Most of all, he moved me. So check him out and let me know what you think and what you know of him.
The fourth video is by Kirk Nugent. Over the course of this blog, I will post up that video A LOT. I don’t think “Pursue your passion” will ever go stale. Do you?
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10:46
From: You Missed This
Read This Entry & More At You Missed This
David Goldsworthy never met Tom Mboya and yet the Australian political scientist penned a classic work on the brilliant politician; Tom Mboya: The Man Kenya wanted to forget that is an absolute must-read for anybody who wants to understand Kenyan politics. In that fascinating read (now sadly out of print) Goldsworthy notes the most serious mistake the otherwise brilliant Tom Mboya made. In fact it was the mistake that cost him his life. The Kiambu mafia used Mboya to deal with what was the most serious threat to the Kenyatta presidency—the Luo threat through the then community leader Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. Mboya saw Jaramogi as nothing more than a tribal chief. Jaramogi saw Mboya as a young upstart who though he was too smart. There was absolutely no love lost between the two. This was probably one of the reasons why Mboya used his brilliance to finish off Jaramogi politically in the most ruthless manner. That was Mboya’s big mistake because as Goldsworthy notes, when the job was done and Jaramogi was safely out of the way, this in fact paved way for the assassination of Mboya. He had finished his assignment and was the only threat remaining in the horizon for the Kiambu mafia who were at the time already accumulating wealth like Kenya was about to shut down. In other words, in politics it is not a good thing to finish off your enemy completely because as long as they exist there is work for you and therefore your long term survival is guaranteed. Fascinatingly the son of Mboya’s arch enemy is in that exact position now that Mboya was in 1969. Raila Odinga as Prime Minister is rapidly proving that old adage that it is what you make of the office that determines exactly the kind of power one wields. But one of the assignments that the Prime Minister has found increasingly placed on his laps is that of sorting out the mess in the Rift Valley. His close supporters are enraged that Agwambo should end up being asked to clean up the mess that was in fact caused by the decision to steal the presidency from him. But then that is life. Raila is the Prime Minister of Kenya and he has to deal with the most serious problem facing Kenya today. Already retired president Moi is busy building up dissent against Raila within ODM and the high noon of Raila versus the Kalenjin is rapidly approaching (see my latest raw notes for details). I am of course aware of the statement that Raila made yesterday which caused a lot of panic in the PNU camp, asking for the release of those arrested in connection to post election violence. That does not change the fact that we have a showdown looming very soon. Raila will want to re-read Goldsworthy’s book, assuming that he has already read it at least once. He should then note that the Kalenjin community even in the days to come as they rise against him, are very important for his long time survival. I have no doubt on my mind as to who the winner will be in such a contest and neither should anybody who understands the current political situation in the country. Hate him or like him, but the fact is that Raila has outsmarted many and will continue to do so for many days to come. But Raila must be careful to appreciate the largest community in the Rift Valley, even as his political enemies. And in the contest to come must make sure that whatever he does, and whatever the government that is part of does, the Kalenjin should not be defeated completely. His political partners at PNU are already eager that the “Kalenjin threat” is dealt with once and for all and have already assigned huge sums of money to the project and have made all sorts of promises which I discuss in great detail my raw notes this week. 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
Traffic Generation! - Get *free* traffic to your Website Guaranteed! Check it out - It's free! Couple's midnight row over strange sms
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8:00
From: What An African Woman Thinks
Read This Entry & More At What An African Woman Thinks
Ndumiso Ngcobo can become the kind of habit that’s very difficult to break. Just, the way he puts things. Anyway, about the xenophobic attacks in South Africa and the media’s treatment of the same he has this to gripe: When our “leaders” do not condemn stuff, we get really upset. Our president could take two minutes between the 17th and 18th holes of his golf game to condemn the burning of innocent people and do bugger-all about it and we’ll all let out a collective sigh of relief. “Phew! Well, he condemned it in the strongest possible terms.” These re the great analytical angles emanating from our newsrooms; compiling a Great Condemners’ list.
There’s been a great deal of talk about 'condemning' in the world press lately, no? I’ve wondered too. Condemn and then? Talk is so ‘dime a dozen.’ Where’s the walk? Talking about talk: there’s been a great deal of it going on in Kenya’s political circles lately. Not much walking, far as I can tell, but a whole lot of talking. Still, I should be grateful: better people talking than people fighting. Which takes me back to what is happening in South Africa: it's difficult to think what to say except, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Because really, I worry.It's my window, but I don't own the view.
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7:13
From: Kenyan Pundit
Read This Entry & More At Kenyan Pundit
Thanks for the emails, sms’s, comments etc. Me and the fam are safe and sound.
Most of the targets of the attacks have been those who were already vulnerable and living in the townships/poorer parts of town. That’s no comfort to us though, because the violence seems to be spiraling out of [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Xenophobia in SA", url: "http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/05/20/xenophobia-in-sa/" });
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7:05
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
Thanks to Buddah Blaze of WAPI, I got to learn that Yossou had expressed regrets in performing during the Sawa Sawa festival scheduled to happen at the end of the month(check previous post). It can now be confirmed that Senegalese Maestro Baaba Maal is the next big attraction during this year's Celtel Sawa Sawa Festival brought to you by Sarakasi Trust and the Netherlands Embassy.  Baaba Maal will be headlining the Saturday May 31st performances slated for the Nairobi Arboretum from noon till 6pm. WAPI will also grace the Arboretum venue with 'Sawa Mtaani', aimed at showcasing underground performing and fine artists as well as an open mic session.Ghetto Radio will also be present. About Baaba Maal Baaba Maal is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. In addition to acoustic guitar, he also plays percussion. He has released several albums, both for independent and major labels. In July 2003, he was made a UNDP Youth Emissary. Born 12 November 1953. Since his father was a fisherman, Baaba Maal was expected to become a fisherman as well. However, under the influence of his lifelong friend Mansour Seck, Baaba Maal devoted himself to learning music from his mother and his school's headmaster. He went on to study music at the university in Dakar before leaving for postgraduate studies on a scholarship at Beaux-Arts in Paris. He has become quite famous in Africa and is also the most internationally famous musician from Senegal, with the possible exception of Yossou N'Dour. Baaba sings primarily in Pulaar and is the foremost promoter of the traditions of the Pulaar-speaking peoples who live on either side of the Senegal River in the ancient Senegalese kingdom of Futa Tooro. On 7 July, 2007 Maal performed at the South African leg of Live Earth. “It strengthens my determination to work harder to contribute more to improving the living conditions of disadvantaged people of the African continent, especially young people, whose future is seriously threatened by illiteracy, poverty and HIV/AIDS. When I am talking about Africa, it is about how Africa will grow into the new millennium.” Baaba Maal “As to the pure mind all things are pure, so to the poetic mind all things are poetical”
  
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6:41
From: Black Looks
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Zoliswa Nkonyana was a 19 year old lesbian woman who was brutally murdered on 4 February 2006 by a mob of 20 men of which only 9 have so far been arrested and charged. The trial has faced delay after delay and has now been scheduled for August 22nd with instructions to all defense attorneys [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Update on the Zoliswa Nkonyana murder trial", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/05/update_on_the_zoliswa_nkonyana_murder_trial.html" });
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6:36
From: Kenyanpoet
Read This Entry & More At Kenyanpoet
What is Spoken Word? Is it really hip hop??? One thing that’s certain is that more and more hip hop fans are allowing Spoken Word into their cribs. Does Spoken Word have what it takes to make it mainstream?  Poetry slam; ideas of dimly lit cafes, mahogany tables, free spirited individuals of all colors, dreadlocked hair humbly standing on a stage in front of others like them, speaking of oppression, struggle, history, and truth - Not exactly the image that record labels try to market within the rap and hip hop genre, huh? But despite not being the most known sect of hip hop, spoken word continues to push forward through the waves of marketable mainstream music and make its’ presence felt within the worldwide urban community.
Now, before we can hop into the “locks” of spoken word, we need to travel right to the roots and explore the core of the art, and the long history which surrounds spoken word poetry. The true essence of music isn’t built on the instrumentals, or flashy marketable stereotypes, and infectious hooks; instead the essence of music finds its’ roots right within the words, and in order to take an actual look into the heart of music we have to look past the catchy beats, and “blinged” filled videos, and peer right into the words that the artist speaks… hence, spoken word.
Simply seeing the term, “spoken word”, images of a lone man or woman on stage with nothing but a microphone, and a voice box to produce rhythm come to mind, allowing us to relive a moment in time, or experience an emotion; that essentially is the definition of Spoken Word poetry, the act of reading a literary work or poem out loud. However, we have to keep in mind that Spoken Word poets do not necessarily follow the conventional “guidelines” of poetry (remember trying to count syllables and stanzas in the back of your grade 11 English class during the poetry unit?).
Guidelines don’t exist within Spoken Word, instead a different approach is taken, which offers a more free flowing, and open ended style of poetry where there are no real limitations, and a poet is essentially able to do what they please. In fact, Spoken Word extends itself into all different artistic styles, ranging from the recitals and performances of poetic works by Shakespeare and further manifesting itself into hip hop music, all through the use of rhythm and words.
As far as looking at where it all started, there really isn’t a specific time, or group that opened up the world of Spoken Word, but it can be said that it’s most basic form has existed for centuries, ever since mankind learned how to communicate with those vocal chords (Rahzel would have had his own shrine back then).
But, we can still attribute the creation of Spoken Word back to times of ancient chants, and tribal story telling that have swayed generations, which really is the epitome and true primal nature of Spoken Word, the act of communicating with others through words. Read more from DropMagazine
“As to the pure mind all things are pure, so to the poetic mind all things are poetical”
  
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6:34
From: My Life is...Mochalicious!
Read This Entry & More At My Life is...Mochalicious!
Where were you last year?
Where will you be this year?
Well…..don’t wait to ask the people who will be there “How was it?”. Be there!
Lots of Kenyans are travelling from far and wide to be there…..if not both events at least one. So, UTASHANGILIA UKIWA WAPI???
Here are a few details regarding the event:
Full fixtures and pools [...]
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4:40
From: What An African Woman Thinks
Read This Entry & More At What An African Woman Thinks
So, finally, I've discovered, unravelled, bumped into, discerned (insert your choice of terminology here) the junction where my bliss resides.
To explain:
I've been poised to leave my current gig, but I haven't been able to define what I want my next gig to be. It's a very 'wandering aimlessly in no man's land' sort of feeling. Most of the time it's been relegated to the background by a lot of other urgent stuff that's been happening around me and to me. But it's been there.
I've been lucky: I've had an offer on the table for a while from a group of people I love and who have been absolutely patient with me. And I've attended a couple of job interviews besides.
But I've just had the sense that none of these opportunities are right for me. And, over the years, I've learned to trust my instincts.
Except whereas I've had a very strong sense of where I don't want to go and what I don't want to do next, I haven't had a good sense at all of what I want, what the right step to take from here is. Which has been frustrating me no end and making sound like a rudderless bungling idiot to me. Just so you know, I don't much like to sound like a rudderless, bungling idiot, especially to myself.
Then yesterday: Aha moment.
Driving home, turning it over in my head for the umpteenth time, I was able to boil down to a list of four my musthaves for the next gig. And to explain to myself, clearly and concisely, why. With examples and illustrations where necessary, thank you very much.
And I have Nairobi's notorious traffic congestion to thank for it.
Four roads bringing traffic from different aspects of my experience, inclination, personal style and preference, and worldview. And me standing right there at the intersection, at the point where these roads meet.
(If you don't see it, maybe you just had to have been there.)
Sigh. Progress. There's hope for R, yet.
It's taken me only eight and a half months.It's my window, but I don't own the view.
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3:42
From: Black Looks
Read This Entry & More At Black Looks
Kameelah adds to the discussion on xenophobia in South Africa by linking to a number of articles in Pambazuka News and by making a connection between the violence, poverty and global food crisis.
connected to this food crisis is the rise in violence against immigrants especially in south africa–joburg to be specific though cape [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "more thoughts on anti-immigraton violence ", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/05/more_thoughts_on_anti-immigraton_violence_.html" });
Read the complete article at
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