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22:32 Book Review: “How To Get Rich” By Felix Dennis
» Kenyanentrepreneur.com How to Get Rich: One of the World’s Greatest Entrepreneurs Shares His Secrets I’ve been reading this book by Felix Dennis, the multimillionaire British magazine magnate and I have to say, it’s a must read for anyone who is thinking about starting a business or anyone who is already running a business. The reason I’m enjoying reading [...]
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22:11
Out of Office Message
» White African 
See you Monday.
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15:11
failing management in Kenyan schools
» Kenya Imagine The recent spate of violent strikes in public secondary schools brings into sharp focus the role of Ministry of Education in the management of Kenya's public education system. Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Management is the art of getting people together to accomplish desired goals through planning, organizing, sourcing, leading or directing, and controlling an organization or effort for the purpose of accomplishing a goal. Education management attends to strategies that keep education resources current and accessible; it ensures that people have the most recent and suitable education to do their work.
Read more from Capt. Collins Wanderi Munyiri here.
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imagine diaries
» Kenya Imagine
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12:17
36 Methods of Mathematical Proof.
» My Africa Today Proof by obviousness
"The proof is so clear that it need not be mentioned."
Proof by general agreement
"All in favor?. . . "
Proof by imagination
"Well, we'll pretend it's true. . .
Proof by convenience
"It would be very nice if it were true, so . . .
Proof by necessity
"It had better be true, or the entire structure of mathematics would crumble to the ground."
Proof by plausibility
"It sounds good, so it must be true."
Proof by intimidation
"Don't be stupid; of course it's true."
Proof by lack of sufficient time
"Because of the time constraint, I'll leave the proof to you."
Proof by postponement
"The proof for this is long and arduous, so it is given in the appendix."
Proof by accident
"Hey, what have we here?!"
Proof by insignificance
"Who really cares, anyway?"
Proof by mumbo-jumbo
" (B Ì P ) , $ (C Î W )
Proof by profanity
(example omitted)
Proof by definition
"We define it to be true."
Proof by tautology
'It's true because it's true."
Proof by plagiarism
"As we see on page 289......"
Proof by lost reference
"I know I saw it somewhere......"
Proof by calculus
"This proof requires calculus, so we'll skip it."
Proof by terror
When intimidation fails ...
Proof by lack of interest
"Does anyone really want to see this?"
Proof by illegibility
(scribble, scribble) QED
Proof by logic
"If it is on the problem sheet, then it must be true!"
Proof by majority rule
Only to be used if general agreement is impossible
Proof by clever variable choice
"Let A be the number such that this proof works. . "
Proof by tessellation
"This proof is the same as the last."
36 Methods of Mathematical Proof
Proof by divine word
"And the Lord said, 'Let it be true,' and it was true."
Proof by stubbornness
"I don't care what you say-it is true!"
Proof by simplification
"This proof reduces to the statement 1 + 1 = 2."
Proof by hasty generalization
"Well, it works for 17, so it works for all reals."
Proof by deception
"Now everyone turn their backs. . ."
Proof by supplication
"Oh please, let it be true."
Proof by poor analogy
"Well, it's just like . . . "
Proof by avoidance
Limit of proof by postponement as it approaches infinity
Proof by design
If it's not true in today's math, invent a new system in which it is.
Proof by authority
"Well, Don Knuth says it's true, so it must be!"
Proof by intuition
"I just have this gut feeling. . ."Customize your mobile with your Complimentary Ringtone!
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10:50
Nairobi City Council Finances
» bankelele Amid the record half year bank profits, local authorities (town, municipal, county) are also releasing their year end numbers (June 08)
The finances for the Nairobi City council showed revenue of Kshs. 8.1 billion ($123 million) which came from the following sources; government 2.53 billion, (Nairobi) water company 147m, borrowing of 505m, 772m from business permits, market fees 325m, 1.72 billion ($26m) from property rates, and 649m from parking collections.
Expenditure was the same 8.1 billion shillings comprising payments to councilors of 71 million, salaries amounting to Kshs. 3.7 billion ($56m), operations & maintenance 1b, capital projects (investments) 1.1 b, and debt repayment of Kshs. 2.1 billion)
The popular and celebrated town clerk John Gakuo (who’s vilified by others) remains in office despite a change of guard in the chaotic politics of running Nairobi City.
Also, the local government minister published new accounting rules last month for councils to follow which they must as they on average get about 60% of their revenue from the government, and most are dependent on the Government (taxpayers) for their continued operations.
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8:42
Ugandan LGBT activists acquitted
» Black Looks The case against three Ugandan LGBTI HIV/AIDSactivists has been dismissed. The three were arrested on 4th June 2008 during the HIV/AIDS Implementers meeting in Kampala. They were objecting to the exclusion of Sexual Minorities from the HIV/AIDS Prevention programmes in the country. After two days and nights of detention in police [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Ugandan LGBT activists acquitted", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/08/ugandan_lgbt_activists_acquitted.html" });
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6:56
If only we had known…
» Mshairi The first time it happened
She wore dark glasses, wept all day
Hormones, we sniggeredThe second time it happened
Walked into a wall she said
Alcohol, we smugly declared
Signed her cast, wished her wellThe third time it happened
Fell down the stairs she said
And wouldn’t smile
Lover’s tiff, we winkedThe fourth time it happened
A bee stung her she said
Frolicking in the park, we laughedThe fifth time it happened
She didn’t come in
We heard she was broken
Like a toy
Which no-one could
Ever
Put back together againIf only
We had known
We criedRe-posted for D.M.
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Lagos Grids and Swerves
» Black Looks There’s a tune by Midival Punditz, Bhranga Fever, which always reminds me of Lagos, a city of both grids and swerves. It’s loud, fast, uplifting but tiring, contradictory, polarised and expensive! Expensive in Lagos is scary, especially when you consider that the majority of people exist on less than $2 [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Lagos Grids and Swerves", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/08/lagos_grids_and_swerves.html" }); -
Africans in Mexico
» Black Looks Haiti is well known as the sight of the first successful slave revolt which resulted in independence in 1804. But African slaves, brought to Mexico by the Spanish in the late 16C , also have a history of rebellion and at the time Mexico had the largest African population outside the continent. [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Africans in Mexico", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/08/africans_in_mexico.html" });
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4:18
Is Kenya Ready For A Woman President?
» You Missed This You've heard it said that any Kenyan above thirty five and with certain attainments is capable and free to run for President of East Africa's most strategic nation, and no doubt the region's strongest economy. In the books, and thank God it is so, that's indeed the case. But in life things never fall neatly in place like water down a predictable line of weak resistance. On the contrary, the laws we place in our books are merely a road-map to what's possible if goodwill were brought to bear. In that respect, our constitution has paved the way for the eventual realization of a dream. A dream to elect the first female president in Kenya. But will it ever happen? And just how soon?
When you slap a map of the world on the table and start pinpointing the nations that have been brave enough to experiment with the leadership female chief executives, you'll be stunned by just how few they are. In Africa, we have Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson in Liberia. After years of men running that nation down, spilling blood and plundering the nation's resources, this
Harvard-educated lady took over and brought back sanity into the affairs of government. I've watched her at rallies in her devastated nation and seen how the adoring people of Liberia look up to her. I've seen children reach out to hold her hand, and I've seen her lean in to plant that cherished kiss on a child with dirt on their cheek. It's just lovely to watch.
In neighbouring Uganda, Strongman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, had the foresight to bring in East Africa's first female vice president. You may argue that her powers were only limited, but you can't argue with the symbolic importance of being the second most powerful person in that landlocked nation. What it did was to shatter a glass ceiling, as Hillary Clinton would say. It made the girls in Uganda realize that a woman could do anything men could do...and do it even better.
We've all heard about Britain's Margaret Thatcher. This iron lady led her nation through the war with Argentina and actually won. Can you see in the eye of your mind Maggie sitting in that meeting, directing her commanders to draw a war plan, to present to her a plan of attack within days? Can you see her addressing the British people, telling them that the nation had to go to war over the Falk Islands? And finally watch as the British war planes drop bombs and subdue the Argentinians...all in the name of Margaret Thatcher. And lest you forget, the neat thing about a war planned by a lady is that care is taken to minimize collateral damage, which is another term for civilians caught up in the crossfire.
Back to Kenya. Are we ready for a woman president? When I look around, only two women at present seem like they could mount credible presidential campaigns. There's Martha Karua and Charity Ngilu. Are they qualified? Yes, they are. But if we were to seriously assess their chances, what would Kenyans be looking for in order to feel comfortable with female leadership?
Here is what I'd be looking for.
1. Beauty. Hold on, hold on. Before you call me fickle, let me ask you this question. How would you like to watch the face of a woman who is not pretty for the next five years? Personally I'd like to watch on TV a pretty woman. It just makes it a lot easier when a hot mama is the chief executive, especially when she has to persuade the nation to do something drastic like budget cuts or go to war. So is Charity cute? Just look at her, man. She's cute. How about Martha? Me thinks she's another cutie. If Phil and Chris don't think those two are beauties, tell me who is, guys.
2. Grit. What I mean here is toughness. In most traditional societies, men have always been wary of strong women. Women have always been cast as the fairer sex, people who were supposed to smile and look sweet. But you all know that Martha and Charity don't play that game. Those women are tough. Just think back to the days of the grand bargain that gave us the coalition government. Do you remember how Martha was out there telling off foreign envoys? Do you remember how she took on Orengo and Ruto and all the big boys? How about Charity? Weren't you impressed when she took on the Kalonzo wave in Ukambani and won? How about that day at the airport when she caught the VP trying to catch a government plane for a non official event? Didn't you like it when she called him up on it and forced him to issue a statement? Yes, those two women are tough and ready to lead.
3. Sober and Pragmatic. Can a woman be tough and sober at the same time? Of course a woman can. I take it you've been impressed by the juggling act in Liberia, where Madam Sirleaf has synchronously shown her tough side by taking on male-dominated institutions and making them work for Liberia and at the same time presenting a softer, sweeter side to her burdened people. Okay, has Martha ever shown a sweeter side? Sure, haven't you seen her smile? Haven't you caught her dancing with the folks, her eyes sparkling with childlike joy? And lately haven't you seen her try to get into alliances that are in sync with her presidential aspirations? How about Charity? What I've seen in her is a calculating, sober assessor of situations. I saw her walk out of Afya House on her terms. Saw her join the ODM Pentagon on her terms. And now she's running her ministry with pragmatism and efficiency. So again, can these two women lead?
4. Communication. One of the areas where our leaders have fallen short is in communicating their policies and intentions to the people. President Kenyatta was a master of intrigue. He never let Kenyans know what he was up to. In fact, even when he died we couldn't be told straight out that the president was dead. Moi was no better. To know what was on Moi's mind, Kenyans had to listen to the pronouncements of people like Shariff Nassir, Mulu Mutisya and Kariuki Chotara. What a way to communicate! Now there's Kibaki. Who the hell speaks for this President? Is it the perpetually hilarious Dr. Mutua or the super-secretive and assertive Muthaura? Whoever it is, they have done a lousy job. Now, has Martha communicated her intentions to the folks? Here is what she has said. I'm running for president in 2012. How clearer can a girl be? Charity has been equally succinct. Watch her as she talks to her teary-eyed staff on her last day at Afya. I will be back! again, how clearer can a girl be?
5. Faith. A president who doesn't pray for his nation and for wisdom from God has no business leading a nation. It's always nice watch a president pray. I liked it when Kenyatta was in a house of worship. I was moved whenever I saw Moi with a hymn book in hand, singing praises to the Lord. And I set my disagreements with Kibaki aside whenever he is before the throne of grace. Prayer is power. So do the two women I've been talking about pray? Yes, they do. But just imagine what it would mean for Kenyans to watch on Sunday TV as the president, a sweet motherly figure, kneels down in plea with God to bless Kenya. Don't you long to see that day come?
I do.
But 2012 is years away. We have a chance to evaluate all our presidential candidates. I'd love to see Martha Karua give the boys a run for their money, become Kenya's first female president. I'd love to see Charity Ngilu go all out to capture the presidency of Kenya and help us make positive history. That said, Kenyans are not going to elect somebody just because we yearn for female leadership. We are going to elect the best candidate out there.
Ladies, make 2012 your time to shine. If you don't become president, you'll have paved the way for the brave Kenyan girls who will come after you.
For Love of Country,
Guest post by Sam Okello
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In your Kumekucha Weekend Special tomorrow:
The Truth About Kibaki's health and the serious danger for Kenya
Using sources deep inside State House we have unearthed the terrible truth...
you will go numb with shock. Wherever you will be make a date with Chris this weekend.
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0:02
One Thing We MUST Begin Doing NOW As African Immigrants
» The Displaced African So What Must We Begin Doing NOW as an African Immigrant Community
We must make it a habit and/or a ritual to record any and all successes we have as African immigrants AND share them with our fellow African immigrants who may not be “up to our level”, no matter how small or large our successes.
Why is This Important?
Let me ask you a question: How many of you STRUGGLED when you first landed abroad?
You struggled to understand the weird words that were coming out of the foreigner’s mouth. You struggled to understand why they weren’t talking and acting like normal people would.
You struggled with public transport. You struggled getting your first job. You struggled on your first day of class. You struggled to understand all the paperwork and documentation necessary to make things happen.
Important Question
Now, how many people came before you and went through just what you went through? How many do you think took as much if not more time to get to pretty much where you are?
Reducing a Learning Curve
What if JUST ONE of those people who came before you said:
OK! I am now relatively settled in this place. Boy that adjusting and acclimatization process was rough. I don’t want other folks to have it that hard, spending 3 years just to say “they got here”. I think I will put this down into a free manual and just share it with all the new arrivals when I pick them up at the airport or see them in the church or community gatherings.
Though the Above Idea is Just an Abstract Example…….
….it’s not a ridiculous impossibility. Just think about how much quicker the learning curve would be for the incoming immigrant had JUST ONE guide from JUST ONE immigrant.
Now imagine if 5 immigrants got together,exchanged notes and did the exact same thing. So where one person was weak, or wrong or went the long way, someone shows them the alternative better or shorter way. Where there were other holes in one view of the world, someone else covered them up. How much shorter would their learning curve be?
This Happened For Real
By far, one of my least popular, “but so useful I think it should do well” series is How to Immigrate to Australia within a week (most of the hyperlinks above are from that series). That guide actually got written after I helped a new person settle into the country.
The first day she arrived in the country, she already had a job. Within a fortnight she had:
a) A bank account that was transferring money to and from her country.
b) Accomodation and all the accomodation accesories bought and paid for.
c) An understanding of how to get around by public and private transport.
d) Knew the websites and places where one could find work.
Now, when I started job hunting, it took me close to 6 months to find my first job. She managed to get a job on HER FIRST DAY.
This simple habit can save people so much on time, money and emotional energy it’s not even funny.
Don’t We Already Do This?
Now to a large extent we as an African community already do this in a very informal person-to-person way. When my family and I first arrived, there was a family that showed us around and told us things like:
People will always want to touch your hair. They love natural African hair.
But what I am talking about is:
a) Sitting down putting it into a form that can be mass distributed and mass consumed.
b) Distributing it so that one man’s insights can reduce the learning curve of many, not just immigrants.
In short, how the lessons from one man can help elevate the consciousness and decision making of other children of the soil about to make a trans-ocean migration.
On the next article in this series I will talk about HOW we can go about doing this effectively.
To become a part of my attempt at doing what I have just described check out:
The Newsletter
If you are a fan of this article or blog, I encourage you to join and give me feedback (
I Hate Spam, So I Won’t Share Your Email With Anyone.
) on my Immigrant Survivor Guide Newsletter by putting your first name and email address in the boxes below.
In newsletter, once a week I send you short emails that give you actionable tips that you can immediately apply to make your immigrant experience better including tips on:
i) Making friends
ii) Finding employment
iii) How to stay healthy on the run
iv) Things to prepare before you immigrate
v) Staying in touch with people from your home country
v) Tips on how to transition from a student to a permanent resident and/or citizen in Australia etc etc.
So please join, and give me feedback, by putting your first name and email in the boxes below:
I Hate Spam, So I Won’t Share Your Email With Anyone.