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15:14
Kenya Cup Results
» Rugby in Kenya Kenya Cup Results
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14:27
A Bit of Everything
» Kikuyumoja's realm I’ve recently developed an interest in….metal detectors.
That’s right. Metal detectors that enable the search for metallic objects hidden some inches below the surface. Contrary to other places, the geographical middle of Europe seems to be blessed with archaelogical treasures.
Which leads me to the actual dilemma:
1. I actually don’t have any time to waste on another hobby.
2. There are so many other interesting hobbies I have.
3. I’ve always thought it may be better to limit myself to a few leisure activities (due to 1. & 2.) and focus on them only.
4. Most of my friends are academics or intellectuals who aren’t as geeky as I am and/or won’t have an interest in …strange….hobbies such as using a metal detector to search the nearby forest for Roman coins.
So I did a quick test and asked the freakiest freak-friend of mine who usually rumbles around in military clothes all day long and looks like a potential metal detector freak (he actually looks a lot like Al Yankovic in UHF) if he would be interested in joining me on such a hobby.
“Naa…”, he said, “…not really”.
See? This is the same reaction I received from most of my friends in 1994 when I started being interested in amateur radio. Or fishing. Or guitar playing. Or shooting. Or blogging. Or while repairing my old ‘89 VW Golf. Or repairing electronics with a jua kali approach. Or my recently aquired toy helicopter. Or other handicrafts….
I’ve always been interested in geeky stuff – which isn’t that bad – but I’ve so often been alone on this. And then I’ve chosen those activities although there are other things I would really like to spend more time on. Like improving my guitar playing. Or learning more foreign languages. Reading the pile of books that’s next to my table – not fiction but books related to water & sanitation or political issues.
Well I am not complaining – for I am still free at this (advanced) age to do whatever I want to (uhuru!) and actually created this space in order to enjoy this variety. It’s only that I am wondering why I’ve always chosen such rather geeky hobbies instead of playing soccer with my mates or clubbing with the fiancée*.
What a luxurious dilemma this is! Get a life…
I know. I’m just sayin, u know…?
Oh, and btw, would you join me on a walk to the forest? Hey this is really cool, we can find great stuff!
*fiancée isn’t into clubbing and also says that metal detectors are for Spanish grandmothers who are combing the beaches, improving their pension.
[Disclaimer: I am yet to decide whether my I can afford to cough up USD 200 on such a metal detector if in the end I'll only use it about 20x and then sell it on eBay...]
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13:47
The downtrodden are the future: remembering Father Gerry
» Black Looks Memorial for Father Jean-Juste Saturday, June 27, 7 p.m., at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison, Berkeley Pierre Labossiere with his daughter Malaika glow in the presence of Father Gerry Jean-Juste when he spoke on Sept. 9, 2006, at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Berkeley. This historic interview by Minister of Information JR for Block [...]
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12:11
Nairobi Photos - 2
» Diary of a gay Kenyan Some pictures of Nairobi following on from a previous post.
The Courts where justice is served (don't make me laugh!)
A deserted Biashara Street, shops mainly dealing in fabrics.
Haile Selassie Avenue seen from a pedestrian bridge.
Above is a view of the City Hall.
Street views (old) taken behind the City Hall.
Last picture shows the Village Market a mall in the Gigiri area hosting shops, foodcourt, a recreation complex and even a nearby luxury hotel. A favourite of recession-proof Kenyans and expatriates. Take a peek.
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10:53 Kenyan Stock Market Update
» johnkaranja.com 
Nairobi Stock Exchange
Our markets have been unpredictable for the last couple of months and many analysts have fallen over themselves trying to determine which direction it will take. Many have tried to call its bottom-line and failed miserably because apparently, our market is like a pendulum, swinging daily in different directions at the behest of various market dynamics such as supply, demand, investor sentiment, grand coalition government woes and company key fundamentals.
An analysis by Hidalgo Investments picks these companies as the top ten stocks to watch in the next quarter (and especially the next one month):
1. Kenya Airways
Low P/E – Upcoming poor results already factored in to the price. Will recover from effects of post-election violence for now and grapple with the current economic downturn which has made traveling only essential, thus cutting its passengers by 17 percent. Fuel prices are cheaper now, and hedges which they had gotten themselves into must have run out direct flights from JKIA. This will mean more connecting flights from Eastern/Central Africa. The worst of the financial crises is however over thus making KQ a good buy for the long term.
2. Centum
Low P/E – Upcoming bad results already factored in to the price. Their big loss will be a one off; will not affect next financial period, and their rebranding seems to be paying off.
Their application to buy into carbacid shares will be a definite boost since it will be an opportunity to unlock millions in investment options held by the company. Their holdings will appreciate starting April (except RVR), but hoping that RVR does get a strategic partner in South America, Brazil. Solid company, good management, have learnt their lesson through the rebranding issues.
3. AccessKenya
High P/E – AccessKenya has its own network of fibre optic cable, something no other ICT company, save for Safaricom through sea cables has. It also bought a stake in the undersea cable and currently has the largest satellite download. They could look at leasing out some of their bandwidth in the future, something which competitors Kenya Data Networks (KDN) until recently had a monopoly on. Key difference in their internet offering with Safaricom is that theirs is guaranteed speed, while Safaricom’s go by how many users are logged on and targets the mass market. AccessKenya targets mainly high net worth individuals and corporate. I think the high P/E is more reflective of the growth potential on this company. From a price perspective, the stock is also quite stable technically on pricing.
4. 4. Sasini
Low P/E – Low price; can rise 50 percent without breaking a sweat; diversification into the hospitality business with its brand name, ‘Savannah”. The re-strategy of its core business to factor with the global crisis thus keeping it ahead of its peers in the same industry. Tea output has suffered in Kenya, so it will be interesting to figure out if its farms have suffered the same. On the plus side, the Shilling has lost value against the dollar and tea prices globally are high (on account of reduced supply); it is also not clear if its diversification initiatives have borne any fruit thus far – that is, Savannah’s contribution to the bottom line. Speculative buy for me based on low price.
5. Equity
Low P/E – They are opening 500ac’s/day in Uganda. The best bank in terms growth and client acquisition; regional expansion working for them; incredible marketing strategies to stay ahead of the rest; impressive results and prudent management. The three year lock in period for majority foreign shareholders did elapse. The split is their best ever strategy to make the share more affordable to the local retailer and increase its supply at the market. World Bank and IMF support.
The aforementioned are companies that deserve a second and third look when investing and the short notes below each company represent the issues of sentiment, fundamental and fact about each company that one needs to consider. As an analyst, I stand to be corrected especially in a market like ours.
Steve Wafula C.E.O of Soko Directory
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10:27
Whive.com to launch Swahili social network.
» johnkaranja.com 
Whive.com is about to launch the first swahili social network that will allow millions of Africans who speak Swahili to access the social networking platform. These will enable these people to interact with each other for both business and social purposes. You can preview the new Swahili Network at this link [Whive.com Swahili].Please see the mobile network being used by hundreds of Kenyans to send SMS.
This is bound to increase the creation of Swahili Content and improve communications amongst a people who have been in the dark technologically.
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6:52
The Power Of The Internet
» For Love and Money The Power Of The Internet
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5:44
My Journey to Neo Soul…
» Still Proud to be Kenyan. We all love music, don’t we? The only difference is in the different kinds of music that we find ourselves taking to. But whatever the case, the genre of music that we settle for has that thing that appeals to something greater in us and not just the ear. I was born some time in the [...]
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5:29
unemployment in the US
» Kenyantykoon's Blog I was just passing through the Daily nation(kenya) and there is an article about foreigners in the US being sent packing. It made me remenber a piece i did about unemployment in theUS. Its basically the same thing but mine came first. Don’t say i didnt warn you……
4:17 
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Interactive map of Niger Delta
» Black Looks An interactive map of the Niger Delta by the Financial Times showing oil fields and conflict zones -See MAP // 0){if (nl.getElementsByTagName("p").length>= paraNum){nl.insertBefore(tb,nl.getElementsByTagName("p")[paraNum]);}else {if (nl.getElementsByTagName("p").length == 3){nl.insertBefore(tb,nl.getElementsByTagName("p")[2]);}else {nl.insertBefore(tb,nl.getElementsByTagName("p")[0]);}}}} // ]]> Umaru Yar’Adua, Nigeria’s president, offered an amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta on Friday as part of his strategy for ending attacks on Africa’s biggest oil [...]