Monthly Archives: April 2009

Re: trigger happy police, think twice.

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Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 12:36:43 +0300 [04/03/2009 04:36:43 AM CDT]
From: Odhiambo Washington
Subject: Re: trigger happy police, think twice.

On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 12:30 PM, steve ogeda wrote:

@Jimmy,

Anything in that cap about denying the said firearms were used?Guys picked up by the
police but not recorded at any police station ending up in mortuaries?Residents
terrorised in the name of pursuing cattle rustlers?

@Ogeda,

You are diverting from the original topic.
There is no need to introduce sarcasm on serious issues like the one that was being
discussed.

Are you in support of Judy Miriga?

If you are a true professional, then you need to ask intelligent questions.

—
Best regards,
Odhiambo WASHINGTON,
Nairobi,KE
+254733744121/+254722743223
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
“The only time a woman really succeeds in changing a man is when he is a baby.”
– Natalie Wood

–~–~———~–~—-~—–

Kuria-Mwangi; Thank you

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Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 01:52:58 -0700 [04/03/2009 03:52:58 AM CDT]
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Kuria-Mwangi; Thank you

KCDN has today received 50USD [Kshs 3,856.00] from Migosi Kuria-Mwangi, a prolific comic
relief and satirist, a Friend of KCDN. Migosi Kuria is a Friend who has been following
our postings and he has decided to support the KCDN Child Support Initiative.

We have also received Kshs 1,500.00 from Dr Edwin Otieno, a Consultant Surgeon in
Nairobi. Mr Luke Ogono, a Friend of KCDN has also given us Kshs 500.00.

To all of you we say; thank you. Your support gives us hope.

We have a lot going on at our office, and it is only through such friends that we can be
of support to the many children visiting our office. Your support comes closely on the
heels of a Kshs 10,000.00 donation from the President- Kenya Community in Ontarion Mr.
Ben Ondoro, and a donation of Kshs 7,000.00 from Migosi Zedekiah Nyanchama from the US.

To all Friends of KCDN, it is your support that gives us strength to mobilize and be of
help to the many orphans and vulnerable children.

Let us all join hands and be of help to each other.

Our regards and blessings,

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel; 0735 529 126, 0724 365 557,
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com,
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com

?AIDS RIGHTS? Supporters recruitment for taking photos to fight against

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Supporters recruitment for taking photos to fight against abductors
action,protest,picture,volunteer,Global Fund
Host: To Support Chang-Kun’s Ideal and Actions? AIDS,Freedon,Equity,justice
Type: Causes – Protest
Network: Global
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: In front of Starbucks at Aztec Center,SDSU
Email: changkunchina@gmail.com

Description
Thank you all very much for supporting us for the dignity and independence of China AIDS
NGOs, the basic hunman rights!

www.changkun.org/aids www.aidsirghts.net

*** If you are not in San Diego,you can download the pictures and take photos whit those,
than send the photos to me. That also will have power!

1,I had maken some posters, please reading some information and looking over those
pictures below

2,Supporters recruitment (5-10 people)

3,April 25, 3 PM, All suporter will be being took pictures together

Three Grass-roots AIDS organizations were threatened to cancel theirs supporting
signature on appealing to change the SR in Beijing District of China Global Fund Program
Round 6.

The Global Fund has the responsibility for the relations between China Global Fund
Propram and China AIDS community, especially the dignity and independence of China AIDS
NGOs.

Voice of America: China AIDS community is disputing on a retired official abducting the
China Global Fund AIDS Programme

21 Mar / 09

Voice of America: China AIDS community is disputing on a retired official abducting the
China Global Fund AIDS Programme

Journalish: Hai Tao

HongKong
Mar 15, 2009

China AIDS community is involved in dispute on a sum of tens of millions dollars because
of the management problems of China Global Fund Round 6. Some activists are asking the
director of the program retired official to resign, but there are also some people that
relevant parties hope to stop the argument, and keep harmony.

At present, some people are having heatedly debated about fund management issues that is
in relation to one more than ten millions dollars in China AIDS community. Some activists
think, the program director Guan Baoying should step down, but it was also suggested that
no action was better than this, everyone should be suffering from the people living with
HIV/AIDS and a whole harmonious community as the most important benefits.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Programs was launched to channel
additional resources by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annancalled in 2002. The
Fund invested in China Global Fund Round 6 AIDS Programme is one more than ten millions
U.S. dollars.

Fund managers around the conflict

The one of directors of ?China Global Fund Round 6 AIDS Programme? is related Guan
Baoying, former director of CDC in Beijing Municipal Health Bureau Chang Kun from
Xinjiang has been a Chinese AIDS activist, in his view, Guan Baoying who is suppressing
dissidents should step down:?the programme director in Beijing district, she is a retired
official, she does not consider the Fund?s work in dealing with a lot of problems. When
she faces different voices, her attitudes are to ask some AIDS-related agencies to
suppress those different voices and their voicers. She does not allow others to put
forward different views. She has made mistakes, and should face the wrong errors, correct
those errors, to refer the voices form AIDS community properly.?

Chang Kun said, Guan Baoying is a retired government official and controlling
international AIDS preventions and treatment funds, repressing the developing of civil
society, abducting the non-governmental organizations, and even making use of political
means.

A reporter tried to contact Guan Baoying, but the office telephone was not working.
Chang-Kun said that the argument around the programme management has been for some time.
But Guan Baoying has not given any response to the public.

From some views of websites about the work of China AIDS prevention and treatment, the
one of this focuses is caused around the Beijing AIZHIXING Institute and its director Wan
Yanhai. Some people of Guan Baoying?s supporters think, Wan Yanhai and Chang Kun who are
polity, should be stop AIDS work. Xiao Dong, from Beijing Chaoyang AIDS Work Group, said
on a statement, opposing to any organizations and individuals will put the introduction
of political issues into China AIDS prevention work.

Susu, from Hebei Langfang Brothers Group, think that, at present such this case, should
not be entangled in the problem of Guan Baoying to resign. He said:?I think some people
should not blindly follow to do this kind of things. Should have their own position. Why
do I say so? Because although we are the grass-roots organizations, but we still have to
rely on the local government department, if we completely oppose the government, I think
the government will very much dislike you!?

Susu said that, such as these grass-roots organizations in all provinces and cities in
China, are not their registrations and account numbers. An organization must be attached
in a government in order to obtain the help from foundations. Previous they closed to
Beijing AIZHIXING Institute, but this time, they think they should keep distance so that
they can get the funds from the China Global Fund Programme.

Susu said that, his organization is being attached unit is related Guan Baoying, was the
director of Beijing CDC, rather awkward identity: half of them are official, half of them
are unofficial. In his opinion, Guan Baoying, as the programme director, also did a lot
of practical works. He is worrying about that, if following some people to run to sign on
statements of human rights can be easily as instrument.

However, Zhejiang Love Working Group Wang Long said, Beijing AIZHIXING Institute did
nothing wrong. That Guan Baoying are treating grass-roots organizations is indeed
mistakes, should resign.?because her work is unfair, for example, some organizations are
linking to AIZHIXING Institute, a lot of government agencies feel angry. Beijing
AIZHIXING Institute provides free help, what a good thing! But, as Guan Baoying think you
are linking to AIZHIXING Institute is a problem.?

Wang Long said, there is a very ?frightening? to say in China: dividing the grass-roots
civil organizations two categories, support government or oppose government. Wang Long
also said, their Zhejiang Love Working Group has more than 300 members, most of the
members are living with HIV/AIDS. If the Funds will not give their funds because they are
linking to AIZHIXING Institute, they would be dire.

However, the leader of Guizhou QIANYUAN Working Group Nong Zhijun think that, such as
this dispute, the people in the local place do not to be involved, should keep neutral.?A
related meeting will be held, I think that, at present I probably should out stand now
before things do not investigate in any clear.?

Nong Zhijun also said, the Global Fund has offices in Beijing, they have begun an
investigation on this dispute. In this case, it would be best discussed after the results
of the related issues was published.

– – –
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 05:33:22 +0800 [04/02/2009 04:33:22 PM CDT]
From: ?? Chang Kun
Subject: ?AIDS RIGHTS? Supporters recruitment for taking photos to fight against
abductors

KENYA POLITICIANS PAY DAMN TAXES LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE!

2 Replies

I wish all Kenyans can grow up to be: President, PM, VP and MP but this is NOT the
case. Mr. Mauthaura’s testimony to tribunal dealing with MPS salary and tax issue (
see Standard March, 31) leave a lot to be desired … if these are the leaders and the
intellectual thinkers in this country!. If politicians salaries were not high enough to
one day run this country into bankruptcy, now Mr. Mauthaura is suggesting and proposing
retirement benefits that poor “Wanainchi” in this country CAN ONLY dream. I urge some of
you to visit the “Animal Farm story” again to better understand the salaries and
benefits for Kenya politicians as envisioned by Mathaura. Here is Mathaura’s genius
Ideas and testimony on salaries and benefits for politicians before (Justice Akiwumi
Tax/benefit Tribunal hearing):

“* 20% benefits paid to politicians out basic salary of 850,000++++++++ per month! for
the years served after they leave office

* Benefits for spouses and children under 18 years..numbers???
* Spouses of deceased PMs and VPs to inherit 50% of all benefits
* PMS and VPs to be given two vehicles… one of these cars MUST be four wheel and
must be replaced every four years…for life!
* Ksh. 50,000 fuel allowance for the cars
* Full medical coverage for these leaders and their family
* 25,000 fuel allowance for spouses”..number of spouses???

Kenyans from all walks of life should be OUTRAGE with this nutty proposals from this MR.
Mathaura character. I hope the sitting tribunal of justice Akilano Akiwumi take Mr.
Mauthura’s benefits package proposal with with “grain salt” and NOT to take it
seriously. What is so special about these leaders/ politicians that: they cannot pay
taxes on their salaries in the first place and in the second place they must rely on
public funds after they leave office?. One may wonder if Mathaura is telling the
country that these leaders don’t save money from these hefty payments that they can leave
on after they retire from government payroll?. What is so special about the ” four wheel
vehicle” that these leaders must have after they retire?. When you are it, why don’t
they be provided with Hammers or helicopters to avoid “great Kenya roads and traffic!.
On serious note, people like Mauthura are the ones perpetuating African mentality of
dependency theory where individualism is neglected. Politicians depend on public
resources until the day they die and their government always depend on foreign donors
and hand outs from other well wishers like orphans.

Kenya people have nobody to blame but to themselves. When it comes to election or
choosing leaders, each tribe chooses one of their own regardless of: how corrupt or
damn these politicians may be. At this time KRA Commissioner has only two MPs and one
minister who are voluntarily paying taxes. These are the type of leaders this country
need regardless of their tribal or party affiliation in this country.The three leaders
paying taxes should be the one this country should be paying attention to because they
are leading by example. Some excuses the MPs are coming out with NOT to pay taxes are
even nuttier than Mauthura’s. For example to year mark MPs taxes back to their district
will the biggest colossal mistake any living government can make in this country. If you
think about it, the corruption in the usage and control of CDF by these MPs is bad
enough… imagine what these leaders would do with use of their taxes in these
constituencies. I don’t know how long or what other excuses the MPs who don’t want to pay
taxes will come up with in the on going tax hearing tribunals. I hope Mr. Ngungi MP
for Kinangop is NOT speaking for all Kenya MPs when he says ” ..their hefty salaries and
benefits..are meant to attract skilled people to Parliament..,to insulate MPs from
manipulation by the executives..(whatever this means!). Further more, Mr. Ngugi to claim
that he ” spent a fortune to get elected to Parliament ” .. now he should earn high pay
and not pay taxes is crazy idea!. Does this mean that the privileged political class
in Kenya cannot pay taxes because they want (ROI)return on investment for running for
public office?. I thought politicians in this country are here to serve the public NOT
personal interest.
The KRA authority estimates that if MPs and other leaders Mr. Mathaura is advocating for
pay their fair share of public taxes, the country will raise at least Ksh. 670
million per year. The argument here is NOT how much Kenya MPs and other political leaders
are paid..the primary issue is PAYING TAXES ON THESE SALARIES AND BENEFITS!!.

Lately Kenya has politicians have been emulating US and other Western government pay
public pay structure. Here are the salary scale of US Public officials: Representatives,
VP and and the President:

* US President $ 471,000 per year
* VP 227,300
* Representatives 169,000

NOTE: From these salaries, these US politicians MUST pay taxes according to their tax
income brackets. Furthermore these politicians do contribute to charities from these
salaries and from other family incomes. Nutty arguments by Kenya politicians like Mr.
Ngungi ( from Kinangop) not to pay taxes will NEVER ..NEVER get you elected in any
public offices in the US!. If these Kenya politicians are going to adopt Western country
pay scale, they should also adopt paying taxes on these salaries. Yes, it is true
that US Representatives do get life time benefits: like social security, Health and
pension after they serve five years in office but because they do pay into these benefits
from their salaries when they are in office. There is a say..if you are going to “run
with the big dogs”..you must also learn to p…like the big dogs!. If Kenya politicians
are adopting US politicians public salaries regardless of the size of these two
economies, they must also pay taxes like every one else in their country.

Here a solution that the Tribunal and Kenya people should consider in setting up MP’s
salaries. Reduce MPs salaries by 35% pay (no taxes) and pay them allowance of 15% on
top on their new base salary to cover all expenses. During these economic hard times
these politicians need to scarify like the general population who are sometimes going
without food. I don’t know requiring MPs to come testify before the tribunal that is
deciding their benefits will do any good to bring these salaries and benefits down in
line with what the country is going through economically. I will be the first one person
not to blame Nyanza MPs who have avoided to testify before the tribunal on this issue..
it is like having “foxes guarding the hen house”. Why should these MPs testify to the
body that may reduce their hefty benefits and why should they like other MPs from other
areas care about what the public think on getting higher salaries and hefty benefits!
When election comes around each tribe will be voting for their own. By reducing or
getting pay cut these politicians will NOT lose anything because at the end of the five
year term, they will get massive severance pay. Does anybody in this country now
remember the severance pay that were given to politicians who lost the election on top of
their base and benefits last year?.

The voters in Kenya should NOT blame these politicians in attaining these high salaries
or NOT paying taxes. It is damn for the public to expect different results ( tax
fairness) from these MPS if they keep voting them in office because ( ONE OF YOUR
OWN..YOUR TRIBE) that permeate Kenya politics.

JD Brown Social Economic Commentary

– – –
Date: Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:16:46 -0400 [04/02/2009 04:16:46 PM CDT]
From: Dan Orao
Subject: KENYA POLITICIANS PAY DAMN TAXES LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE!

Pecha Kucha Night, art shows, theatre, cinema listings and more

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WELCOME
We apologize: due to bugs in our newly launched website, there are no links to “more
info” for any of the events in this newsletter. However, the event calendar on the
website is working so you can check the relevant date on the calendar for more info on
events of interest.

Speaking of, have you seen our new website – www.kenyabuzz.com? It has a fab new design.
We are most proud of our business directory which can be accessed through the yellow
buttons on the bottom of the homepage (Entertainment, Baby & Children etc) or click here
to have a look. We appreciate your patience as we iron out our technical difficulties
and request feedback (send to alix@kenyabuzz.com) if you are having trouble with any part
of the new site.

In this Week’s Issue
:: Art & Art Classes
:: Photography & Exposition
:: Theatre & Dance Lessons
:: Music
:: Weekly Updates
:: Hot Property of the Week
:: Fox Movie Listings
:: Upcoming Events

Hot Travel Deal of the Week
With Easter round the corner, have you made your holiday plans yet? Why not call into
one of our offices and take advantage of the special Easter and low season offers we have
valid to 30th June 2009.
Our low season leaflet is now posted on our website.
Log onto www.letsgosafari.com and go to the residents page and click on download HERE for
the current Resident Rates.

Or
Visit us at any of our branches for your hard copy.
Uniglobe Lets Go Travel
ABC Place, 1st Floor (above Chandarana Supermarket), Waiyaki Way, Westlands.
020 4447151/4441030
info@letsgosafari.com
www.letsgosafari.com
Karen Crossroads, 1st Floor. 020 882168/882505
Karen Connection, 020 883410/883412/883410

Art

“Stereotypes”, an art exhibition addressing the common stereotypes (gender, sexuality,
race…) will be at the Kuona Art Centre until Thursday April 2nd.

The ISK FOTA (Friends Of The Arts) Art Show/Sale, featuring over 100 local and
international artists, will be at the International School of Kenya until Saturday April
4th.

Art by City Primary School’s “Special Unit”, a group of children who deal with the
challenges of Downs Syndrome, Autism and other neurological problems and the associated
stigmas, will be displayed at RaMoMA until Thursday April 9th.

Mixed media art by Beatrice Njoroge will be exhibited at RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art
until Thursday April 9th.

Otieno Kota’s ‘tin art’ will be exhibited at RaMoMA until Thursday April 9th.

Sculptures by Anthony Wanjau will be exhibited at RaMoMA until Thursday April 9th.

“This and That”, an exhibition of paintings by Mary Collis, will be at RaMoMA until
Thursday April 9th.

Print artwork by John Silver and Gudlaug Sigurdar will be exhibited at Le Rustique
Restaurant until April 30th.

Art Classes

Nairobi Art Centre will have Drawing and Painting I beginner classes for adults and
teenagers on Thursday 2nd and Saturday April 4th from 10am.

There will be Drawing & Painting II, advanced-level art classes, for adults and teenagers
begin on Saturday April 4th at the Nairobi Art Centre from 2pm.

Photography

“Kenya Burning”, a photographic exhibition of Kenya’s elections and post-elections, will
be at the Nairobi Gallery (next to the GPO) until May 20th.

Exposition

9th Kenya Homes Expo will be at KICC from Thursday 2nd to Sunday April 5th.

The Uganda Education Expo will be held at the Sarit Centre from Thursday 2nd to Sunday
5th April.

The Kenya Rugby Sevens Expo continues at the Nairobi National Museum until April 14th.

Theatre & Dance

A Festival of Creative Arts production, Will You Still Love Me In The Morning? will be
showing at Alliance Française on Thursday 2nd, Saturday 4th and Sunday April 5th.

Fanartics Kenya presents the stupendous and dramatic play, A House Divided, on Friday 3rd
and Saturday April 4th April at the Nairobi Museum from 6.30pm.

First Things First, a comedy by Derek Benfield and a DHL Production, will be showing at
the Phoenix Theatre on Friday 3rd and Sunday April 5th.

Phoenix Players will stage Moment of Weakness by Donald Churchill from Saturday 4th to
Saturday April 18th.

Dear Diary, a play based on a true story inspired by Nafisa Khanbhai, will be showing at
the Kenya National Theatre on Saturday 4th (6pm) and Sunday April 5th (3pm).

Dance Lessons

Dance House-Nairobi will have morning, afternoon and evening dance lessons at the Kenya
National Theatre. Top Kenyan choreographers will be teaching traditional ethnic,
contemporary, hip hop and salsa dances.

Music
Hot Sounds Band will be playing Pop and R & B at the InterContinental’s Safari Bar on
Thursday April 2nd.

Groove Smiths Inc will be playing Afro and Latin Jazz at Zen Garden on Thursday April 2nd
from 8pm.

Mutinda will launch his Matopeni album on Friday April 3rd at Alliance Française from
7.30pm.
Get wild at the Dass Restaurant with Murfy’s fLaw on Friday April 3rd from 9pm.

Danger The Bass Player will be playing funky jazz at the Tamambo Tapas Bar on Friday
April 3rd from 9pm.

Sven Kacirek, a passionate percussionist from Germany, will give a concert at the Goethe
Institut on Saturday April 4th from 7pm.
It’s a Downtown Jazz Night at the Tamarind Restaurant with mellow jazz tunes on Saturday
April 4th from 8.30pm.

There will be a choral concert by the Nairobi Music Society and Nairobi Orchestra on
Saturday 4th (Brookhouse School, 3pm) and Sunday April 5th (Oshwal Auditorium, 3pm).

Kenya Conservatoire of Music’s End of Term concert will be held on Sunday April 5th at
the GoDown Arts Centre from 3pm.

GogoSimo will be performing Jazz, Soul and Afro Beats at the InterContinental on Tuesday
April 7th from 8pm.

Listen to live jazz and blues played by the Azure Moon Quintet on Wednesday April 8th at
the InterContinental.

WEEKLY UPDATES

The Dish:
the Latest on Food and Eating in Kenya
______________________

I have recently perfected the art of cooking pork ribs in the oven or on the barbeque.
Here are the secrets I have learned. First, large ribs taste better than the baby ones.
Second, boil them, completely submerged in water for at least an hour to make them tender
and reduce the fat on the ribs. Third, mix up this simple marinade and let the ribs (1.5
kgs) sit in it for at least one hour. ½ cup hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon of ginger, ¼ cup
soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, ½ cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar. Hoisin sauce
is easily available in Nakumatt and Chandarana. Cook the ribs in the oven for 30 minutes
at 180 celcius, flipping and brushing them with marinade once. They are even more
delicious if cooked on the barbeque. Don’t forget that they have already basically been
cooked when they were boiled in the water, so you just need to char them a bit to give
them the barbeque flavor. Serve with chopped fresh coriander on top.

Biz Buzz
______________________

Two major employers this week have announced plans for job cuts. Zain intends to axe 20%
of its Kenyan workforce, as does East African Breweries. They did not however announce
the expected numbers or timeframe. Whilst Zain attributes its decision to achieving
economies of scale in its African operations, EABL has clearly been affected by increased
production costs, higher taxes and reduced consumption. The company however is
innovatively defending its market share with plans to train bar owners in customer care.
Manufacturing, tourism and agricultural sectors foresee further job cuts as the year
progresses, but are also drawing on innovation and exploring new markets to save the day.
Althea McCourt ABIS Limited

Glen Edmunds Security Tip
______________________

The Daily Nation reported on 24 March, 2009 that muggings (Ngeta) are on the rise in
Nairobi with up to six reported per day at some police stations such as Central and
Kamakunji, while police stations near shopping centres in residential estates receive up
to three reports per day. The Daily Nation says that muggers usually operate in gangs of
between 3 and 10 people and usually strike before dawn and after dusk. The report says
that the Police have identified 10 Hot Spots around Nairobi including 1) The area around
Haile Selassie and Moi Avenue roundabout is one of the most dangerous spots for
pedestrians, especially between 6:30pm and 8:30pm 2) Globe Cinema Roundabout near the
junction with Kirinyaga Road 3) Two spots on River road at the junction of Accra Road and
near the Oil Libya petrol station at the intersection with Ronald Ngala Street 4) Tom
Mboya Street near the Ambassadeur hotel at the junction with Accra Road and at the
intersection with Ronald Ngala Street 5) Mfangano Street (all) 6) Juakali Market at the
junction of Kirinyaga and Voi Roads 7) Kaka Stage near the Kenya Planters Cooperative
Union HQ 8) Between Serena Hotel and Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway Roundabouts 9)
Uhuru Park at night 10) Mbagathi Way footbridge near the roads to Highrise and Ngumo
Estates.

EcoBuzz
____________________

Whale Shark tagging season is over. This year there were only 8 sightings and 3 taggings
during the 3 week expedition period. Although not many gentle giants showed up this year,
we have still achieved a lot on their behalf and everyone who joined us on the expedition
had a fantastic time. We were overwhelmed by the amount of interest and support from the
public. We had full boats everyday allowing us to conduct the longest and most cohesive
aerial survey of the Diani Beach area. We had no less than 4 different film crews
including ones from Germany and from Australia. The media interest was huge with
reporters from Reuters, Associated Press, KTN, The Standard Group and Africa Journal. We
are working on getting whale sharks legal protection in Kenyan waters and would be the
first country in East Africa to do this. We strengthened our working relationship with
the Kenya Wildlife Service and with the Wildlife Conservation Society and Dr Rachel
Graham the scientist in charge of the research and tagging. We wish to thank our main
sponsors, our fantastic pilots, and most of all every expedition member who contributed
the running costs of the expedition. We could not have done it without you! On behalf of
every whale shark out there, many heartfelt thanks to you all.

Coast Buzz
____________________

There is the very welcome news, announced at the ITB trade show in Berlin last month,
that from the 1st April 2009 up to the end of 2010, the cost of tourist Visas to Kenya
will be reduced by 50% to $25 per person, with children under the age of 16 being exempt
from needing a visa at all. This is news that needs to be spread far and wide to get
more visitors to both the Kenya Coast and across the country – an extremely welcome
initiative. We are, however, coming to the end of the season with Easter just around the
corner. The winds are changing and dark clouds are looming. It is all a bit ominous.
So, now is the time to check your roof for leaks before you pay for it later.
Sara Engel, Watamu Property Services

Pet Buzz
____________________

Some human foods are toxic to dogs such as onions, grapes or raisins, macadamia nuts,
fruit pits, chocolate, especially dark bakers chocolate and rich holiday truffles, and
food or beverages containing caffeine or alcohol. The jury is still out on avocados;
some folks have been feeding (or letting their dogs eat) avocados seemingly without
detriment for years, and some lists say they are toxic. Check with your vet for the final
word on the safety of avocados. Also, you shouldn’t feed spoiled food to dogs; if you
would not eat it, throw it out! Nicotine is one of the most powerful natural poisons,
pipe tobacco, cigarette and cigar butts should not be left in outdoor ashtrays or thrown
in the yard where pets can eat them. If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic,
don’t waste time. Collect a small sample of the vomit in a plastic bag or container,
bring along any packaging that’s left if your pet has eaten a chemical or medicine and
rush to the vet. Never give human medicine to a pet without consulting your vet first to
see if it’s safe and what the correct dosage should be.
Amy L. Rapp, Custom Made K-9 Supply
CustomMadeK9@aol.com

Gardening Buzz
__________________

Now that the rainy season is upon us, we hope everyone will plant at least one tree. The
larger the planting hole the better. One metre by one metre, by one metre deep is
recommended. Discard any poor soil, i.e. stony murram. The depth of this hole will be
deeper than the underside of the bag containing the tree to be planted, so make good the
level with good soil mixed with well rotted compost and two handfuls of bonemeal. Remove
the plastic bag from the young tree and plant to the right level, complete the filling
and compact by treading around the tree. Finish off by shaping the backfill to a saucer
shape so that rain water will collect naturally and soak in around the tree. It can be
advantageous, before backfilling, to add a plastic watering pipe into the hole excavated
for planting the tree, to allow water to be poured down the pipe right to the root of the
tree. Place a few rocks and stones around the bottom end of the pipe so that it doesn’t
get blocked up when backfilling. Water the tree thoroughly once a week after planting if
there is no rain, and continue for the first few months until the tree is well
established.
Plants Galore Garden Centre
020 2446103
info@rosesgalore.co.ke

NATURE

Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary Trust forest walk will take place on Saturday April 4th from
9am.

Enjoy a morning bird walk at the Nairobi National Museum on Wednesday April 8th from
8.45am.

Glen Edmunds Performance Driving School April Courses

Two-day Drive to Survive! Defensive Driving course on Wednesday 15th and Thursday April
16th.

One-day 4WD Off Road course on Saturday April 18th.

Greystone Ltd and Glen Edmunds will have a three-day Personal Security Awareness training
course from Wednesday 22nd to Friday April 24th.

Two-day Drive to Survive! Defensive Driving course on Wednesday 29th and Thursday April
30th.

The Kikoy Company

The Kikoy Company is delighted to announce its Happy Easter offer; THREE items for the
price of TWO. Buy any three items in any of our shops and pay for only two*. Make your
Easter Holiday one to remember with this tempting offer from Kikoy! Gorgeous holiday
wear and always something for everyone at Kikoy. The offer is available in all of our
Kenya shops; The Junction, The Village Market and Diani Beach Shopping Centre. Email
info@kikoy.com for more information.
*the offer will be applied to the cheapest item, only applicable to the items bought at
the same time.

Mukima House

Mukima House, Nanyuki, was constructed on a grand old-world scale and has been
beautifully refurbished. Surrounded by 360 acres of private woods and grasslands, it
offers a luxurious, peaceful retreat with spectacular views of Mount Kenya across a dam
full of birdlife.
There are 8 ensuite bedrooms, wood-burning ?replaces and generous verandahs. Guests can
enjoy the swimming pool, sauna, tennis court, croquet lawn and boats, plus excellent
country cuisine.
Excursions to local game ranches and fishing/walking trips up Mount Kenya are easy to
organize, together with horse riding and helicopter trips!
info@mukima.com
www.mukimakenya.com

HOT EVENT OF THE WEEK

The Fabulous Fable Factory will be showing at The ISK Arts Centre. Come enjoy the musical
as well as the FOTA Art Show & Sale. This musical tells the story of Monroe; a
12-year-old girl who wanders into an abandoned factory and accidentally trips a lever
activating the living factory of fable creators. The factory owner, Aloysius A. Aesop,
explains that the factory has been idle for 2000 years because it is missing the most
important part, a “Moral Maker”.
This musical adventure follows Monroe as she helps the fable makers re-create some of
Aesop’s most famous fables, such as The Ant and the Grasshopper, The Tortoise and the
Hare, and The Lion and the Mouse. It is an enjoyable show for the young and the young at
heart. The bright and charming songs will intrigue the entire family and the morals will
invite thought and discussion.
Thursday April 2nd
Friday April 3rd
Saturday April 4th
All shows at 6:30pm

Adults 400Ksh
Students 300Ksh

Other Events

Kuruka Maisha Trust will have their weekly presentations at the Nairobi National Museum
on Sunday April 5th from 4pm.

There will be a Kwani? Open Mic session on Tuesday April 7th at Club Soundd (Hamilton
House, Kaunda Street) from 7pm.

Night Life
Urban Legends at the Carnivore’s Simba Saloon will feature Kanji Mbugua – Live at the
Village – on Thursday April 2nd from 6pm.

The Carnivore’s Rhumba Night will be on Friday April 3rd at the Simba Saloon from 6pm.

The InterContinental will have Salsa night with the Swing Salsa Sextet on Friday April
3rd.

Dance to “Ol’ Skool” Soul at Kengeles, Lavington Green on Friday April 3rd.

The Carnivore has lined up “Bollywood Nation”, a night of music and dance for the Asian
community, on Saturday April 4th from 9pm.

Sway to live salsa this Saturday April 4th at the Nairobi Serena Hotel’s Aksum Bar.

Dance to African Rumba and Benga beats at the InterContinental on Saturday April 4th from
9pm.

DJ Stone will be on the decks at the InterContinental’s Top of the Pops night on Sunday
April 5th.

Carnivore DJs will take you back to the music of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s on Sunday
April 5th at the Sunday Soul Night.

It’s a Soul and Pop night with the Smooth Licks Duo at the InterContinental on Monday
April 6th.

Live recording of Churchill Live will be at the Carnivore’s Simba Saloon on Tuesday April
7th from 6pm.

Wednesday April 8th is Rock Night at the Carnivore, with the best of rock music from back
in the day to today.

It’s a Ladies Happy Hour every Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm at the Karen Blixen Coffee
Garden.

Courses/Lectures/
Workshops

Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre’s beginners’ 7-Day Meditation Course continues until
Sunday April 5th.

Keith Pearson of The Theatre Company will offer weekly 4-hour sessions for performance
practitioners at the Italian Institute of Culture every Tuesday from 9am.

Gardening: Plants Galore Garden Centre (off Limuru Road) will have a gardening course for
gardeners (shamba men) from Tuesday 7th to Thursday April 9th.

Sales & Festivals

Kenya Horticultural Society’s plant sale will be on Saturday April 4th at the Ndani
Interiors grounds (Racecourse, Ngong Rd) from 10am.

Visit the colorful and dynamic Maasai Market every Friday at the Village Market, every
Sunday at Yaya Centre, and every Saturday and Sunday at the High Court parking.

Just for Kids

SwimAfrica will have holiday swimming lessons at the Montessori Learning Centre
(Grevillea Grove, Kyuna) until Thursday April 9th.

SK8Inline’s Race Day will be on Sunday April 5th at the Oshwal Primary School.

Marula Studios -The Eco Hub, will have eco-Easter creative activities for children aged 3
to 14 until April 16th, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am.

HobbyCraft Creations will have holiday classes for children and adults in decoupage, card
making, scrap-booking and jewelry making.

Kibobo Art Club for children aged 8 to 12 will have art classes on Saturday April 4th at
the Nairobi Arts Centre from 10am.

Arabuko Sokoke 3-day Art Camp for children will be at the Nairobi Art Centre from Tuesday
7th to Thursday April 9th.

Sk8Inline will have a children’s skating holiday camp at the Kabete Junior Academy until
Friday April 17th (except weekends, April 10th and 13th).

Children’s World Adams Arcade will have children’s activities in April.

Fazilah Bazari will conduct YogaToto classes for children aged 3 to 12 on Wednesday and
Friday afternoons.

Children’s World – Adams Arcade have Playtime sessions for children on weekdays from 9am
to 12pm.

SPORTS

Golf: The KSPCA (Kenya Society for the Protection & Care of Animals) will have a
fundraising Golf Day at the Karen Country Club on Friday April 3rd.

Horses: The Pony Clubs of Kenya will hold their annual Easter Horse Show at Jamhuri Park
from Friday 3rd to Sunday April 5th.

Motor sports: KCB Safari Rally will flag off at the KICC grounds on Friday 3rd, and
continue until Sunday April 5th.

Rugby: Lions will play Scorpions at the Bamburi Rugby Super Series 2009 on Saturday April
4th at the RFUEA grounds, Ngong Road from 2pm.

Football: Sofapaka will be playing Gor Mahia at the Coca Cola Stadium on Saturday April
4th from 3pm.

Cycling: Escape to Shompole Bike Tour is set for Saturday 4th and Sunday April 5th at the
Olloregesaille pre-historic site.

Horse racing: Catch the live racing action at the Ngong Racecourse on Sunday April 5th
from 1pm as the horses compete in the Kenya Derby/Derby 24.

Football: Mathare United will be playing against Chemelil Sugar at the Kasarani Stadium
on Sunday April 5th from 3pm.

Didi Ruchira and Didi Sarvagya, trained meditation instructors, will hold meditation
sessions at Abha Light College of Natural Medicine on Mondays from 5.45pm.

Oriane Torode’s Yoga classes are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in
various locations around the city.

Ketan Ram’s Qi Gong and T’ai Chi classes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Capoeira Balanco Negro, afro-Brazilian martial arts classes for men, women and children,
will take place at the Kenya National Theatre on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6.30pm.

Kenya Bridge Association will hold duplicate bridge sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays at
the Oshwal Centre.

Kartik Masters’ Yoga class will take place on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings at
the Holiday Inn’s Fitness Centre.

Hot Job of the Week
Are you looking to hire professionals?
At The Career Link we offer professional services to meet all your recruitment needs
contact us on corporaterecruitment@langatalink.com or call us on 020 883443/6 or 0710
88877
Drop your CV at The Career Link to ‘Jump start your career’ by sending it to
corporaterecuitment@langatalink.com.

Hot Property of the Week
140 acres of land with stunning views of Mt. Longonot and Lake Naivasha, available as a
whole or a minimum of ten acre plots. There is an airstrip close by. More Info

Hot Self-Catering Property of the Week

Mimosa Cottage, located in Naivasha, is a luxurious and fully furnished cottage that
overlooks the magnificent Lake Naivasha from a distance. It sleep a maximum of 8, with a
large common room that can accommodate extra people if you come with sleeping bags. More
Info

Hot Coast Property of the Week

Have you ever dreamed of owning your apartment or house at the beach? If you are
traveling to the coast for Easter, why not visit Lantana on Galu Beach, South Coast to
view this exciting new development of fully furnished and serviced beach front holiday
homes for sale. For more information: info@lantana-homes.co.ke

KSPCA Hot Pet of the Week

Yazoo: has a lovely personality – her owner left her behind when they moved.
To adopt this pet call 020 2430318 or email info@kspca-kenya.org
www.kspca-kenya.org

Fox Theatres

To find out what’s playing at Sarit Centre, 20th Century, Kenya Cinema and Capital
Centre, click here:Cinema Listings

Fox Buzz

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Rebecca Bloomwood is a sweet and charming New York City girl
who has a tiny, little problem that is rapidly turning into a big problem: she’s
hopelessly addicted to shopping and drowning in a sea of debt. While Rebec.ca has dreams
of working for a top fashion magazine, she can’t quite get her foot in the door – that
is, until she snags a job as an advice columnist for a new financial magazine published
by the same company. Overnight, her column becomes hugely popular, turning her into an
overnight celebrity, but when her compulsive shopping and growing debt issues threaten to
destroy her love life and derail her career, she struggles to keep it all from spiraling
out of control – and is ultimately forced to reevaluate what’s really important in life.
Starring: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, John Lithgow

Silverbird Cinemas

To find out what’s playing at Prestige Plaza, Westgate, Village Market, Junction and Mega
City – Kisumu, click here: Cinema Listings

Silverbird Buzz

Monsters vs. Aliens: When California girl Susan Murphy is unwittingly clobbered by a
meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to
49-feet-11-inches tall. Alerted to the threat of this new monster, the military jumps
into action and Susan is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound.
There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of other
monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape,
half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot
grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious
alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation,
the President is persuaded by General W.R. Monger to enlist the motley crew of Monsters
to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction. Starring: Reese
Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Rainn Wilson, Kiefer Sutherland,
Stephen Colbert

Upcoming Events

Join Checkie Wood for an Easter Yoga Safari in Laikipia from April 9th to 13th.

Kenya Museum Society will have a trip to Marich Pass from April 9th to 13th.

It’s a fun Easter at the Ocean Sports Resort from April 10th to 13th.

Jason Corder’s Earth Painting Workshop in Nairobi will be from April 17th to 19th.

Wildman Kenya Triathlon is on April 18th and 19th.

For more upcoming events visit www.kenyabuzz.com

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www.kenyabuzz.com and click on the “Post New Event” button at the bottom of the Buzz
Events Calendar. It’s quick and easy.

For more information or to post free classified ads or list your business for free, visit
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– – –
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 21:33:27 -0400 [04/01/2009 08:33:27 PM CDT]
From: KenyaBuzz
Subject: Pecha Kucha Night, art shows, theatre, cinema listings and more

INTRAREGIONAL TRADE AMONG THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY COUNTRIES UP BY SIX PER CENT IN 2007 ON A PROMISING NOTE TO FURTHER UPWARD TREND.

Leave a reply

Regional Economic News By Leo Odera Omolo
DESPITE of petty squabbles her and there on some issues which looked rather trivial, trade between East African Community’s five member countries is steadily increasing paving the way for quicker formation of a common market.
According to statistics recently released by the Arusha based EAC secretariat show that the region proposal of investment and job creation is projected to increase.
Overall, the EAC recorded an average of real growth of 6.8 per cent in 2007 and an average per capita income of USD 424.
Kenya which is the economic powerhouse of the region registered USD 725.5,Uganda USD 473,Tanzania USD 440,Rwanda USD 365 and Burundi USD 119.
Total growth for the region was USD 491 million in 2007, compared with USD 52,328 million in 2006.The figures for the year 2008 are yet to be made public.
The average annual underlying inflation rate increased to 7.6 per cent in 2007, from 5.4 per cent in 2006.The highest increase was in food prices. On average EAC’s fiscal deficit, excluding grants, as a ration of GDP, rose from 9.4 per cent in 2006 to 11.1 per cent in 2007.
These figures are likely to drop to subsequent years because of the on-going global economic recssi0on.
In 2003,tourism grew an average 12.5 per cent down from 13 per cent in 2006.Coffee production in the region has been on the decline since 2003, while tea production has risen tremendously.
In 2003-2007, there was a decline in hydropower generation as a proportion of total generation.
The decline has been offset by a gradual rise in thermal power generation in the region, while investment in mineral exploration declined from USD 72 million in 2005 to USD 13.7 million in 2007.
The survey by the EAC secretariat forecasts deeper integration of the region. Total intra-EAC trade has grown from USD 1,526 million in 2004 to USD 1,973 million in 2007.
Uganda’s exports to Kenya have increased from USD 14 million in 2004 to USD 110 in 2005.Tanzania’s exports to Kenya in the same period under review grew from USD 27 million to USD 127 million in 2007.
Uganda and Kenya had registered a revenue growth of 32 per cent Tanzania 35 per cent.
According to data on inward investment from EAC shows that from 2005 to 2006 ,the total investment flows among partner states increased in number and value of projects.
Cross border investment indicates predictability of policy and confidence among the five countries, especially when customs tariff on imports and exports are completely removed.
East African leaders say deeper integration will be enhanced by political will globalization, strengthening of small economies and expansion of markets to avoid marginalization.
Integration will be beneficial since it will create trade and improve welfare and industrial development.
Infra-EAC trade is still long way to go, despite growing from 6.5 per cent in 2005 to 41.3 per cent in 2007. For instance, Tanzania sources between 5.6 per cent and 5.7 per cent of its imports from the region. It sourced 1.3 per cent and 1.5 per cent of its imports from EAC in 2007, of which 97 per cent are f rom Kenya.
Kenya is the least depended to imports from the region. It sourced 1.3 per cent and 1.5 per cent of its imports from EAC in 2007.
Uganda sourced 15 and 37 per cent of its imports from EAC, 97 per cent of it from Kenya.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

– – –
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 07:37:31 -0700 [04/01/2009 09:37:31 AM CDT]
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: INTRAREGIONAL TRADE AMONG THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY COUNTRIES UP BY SIX PER CENT IN 2007 ON A PROMISING NOTE TO FURTHER UPWARD TREND.

THE FUTURE OF THE TEA INDUSTRY IN SOUTH RIFT IS LOOKING BLEAK AS LEADERS TURN THE HEAT ON FOREIGN OWNED MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES

2 Replies

Business Feature By Leo Odera Omolo in KERICHO Town.
The Te industry, which of late has become Kenya’s golden cash crop is facing a bleak future as the senior politicians in the South Rift region where the crop is grown in abundance have of late turned the heat on the British owned multinational manufacturing companies.
Tea is now the country’s golden cash crop because it is fetching billion of shillings in the much scarce foreign exchange for the country. The industry, however is facing a lean time due to several factors, which include the wanton destruction of Mau Forest Complex, which is one of the country’ major water tower, and recent wave of political agitation over the ownership of land on which the tea bushes stands in three administrative district of Kericho, Bureti, Bomet and Sotik.
The effect of Mau Forest destruction is felt a far field as well as in the South and Central Nandi districts where there also large scale tea plantations and processing factories are also located.
In the South Rift region where tea is grown in abundance, and where most of the large plantation owned by foreign multinational companies and green leaves processing factories are based is currently facing fresh waves of politically motivated attacks.
These attacks are bad for the future of this highly lucrative industry. This is so because the industry has employed a combined labor of force of over 40,000 thousands people. These threats of possible eviction of the investors from their property, though looking rather insignificant, but have the potential danger of scaring away investors in this important sector of Kenya’s economy.
The leaders mainly from the populous Kipsigis community have increasingly agitated and adopted tough stand. They are questioning the legitimacy of close to 100 year land leases for the tea farms.
The leaders are not comfortable with the information available, which states that the thousands of fertile land on which tea bushes stand were dished out to the pioneer white settlers on 999 year leas instead of the usually acceptable 99 years.
These leaders have targeted the two multinational tea companies, namely Finlays Tea and Flower Company{formerly the Africa Highlands Produce Company Ltd} a company with its origin in Scotland in the UK, and the Unilever Corporation Ltd, {formerly Brooke Bond Tea Company ltd}. The two multinational firms owned close to 40 large tea plantations and over thirty tea processing factories, scattered in Kericho, Bureti, Bomet and Sotik districts.
And while these multinational tea companies owned by foreign investors, mainly British entrepreneurs, are feeling the heat of incessant scathing criticism by local politician and community leaders, the environmentalists experts have predicted that as the result of wanton destruction of Mau Forest Complex and human encroachment to the water catchment areas is likely going to have a devastating effect on tea farming in the region.
A damning report recently compiled and handed to the Prime Minister Raila Odinga detailing the wanton destruction of the Mau, Kenya’s largest water catchment area s bleak.
Report has yet to be made public, but members of the Task Force that prepared the report say th forest has lost hundreds of thousands of acres of trees, with devastating impact on the tea industry in th South Rift region.The effect of the destruction of forest is also likely to have negative impact on tea crop in the South Rift and in a fa field as south, Central and north Nandi ditricts.
A scientist employed as a technicaldirecto0r of one of the biggest tea companies in East Africa has expressed fears that continued destruction of the Mau Complex could lead to the firm abandoning tea production altogether.
“If the Mau Complex disappears, I don’t think we can grow tea in this area any more,”said Mr Hugo Douglus-Dubresne, the technical director of James Finlays Tea Company in Kenya.
Globally Finlays produces about 45 million kilos of made tea each year with Kericho-based outfit producing 23 million kilos annually and employing about 34,000 people.
“The tea require regular rainfall and dies out whenever rain fail. The combination of the prevailing prolonged drought and the dwindling of the Mau Forest Complex is affecting tea production increasingly and negatively.”says the expert.
And for the first time, the region witnessed some of the harshest comments about the tea industry by politician in the South Rift. These comments were characterized with the condemnation of the multinational tea com0-panies in the region, and were unleashed before a capacity crowd of Kipsigis people and their leaders wh0 attended the home-coming party for the Buret MP Franklin Bett at Kor9ngoi School in Bureti district. Bett is the Minister for Roads.
These harsh public pronouncement against the multinational tea companies were mad in the presence of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the man who is crusading for the conservation and preservation of the important Mau Complex, which is an important water tower in Kenya.
The first salvo was fired by the Assistant Minister for Energy Charles Keter who charged that James Finlays Tea and Flower Company, a British firm was behaving badly
And when it come the turn of the Road Minister Franklin Bett to address the gathering, he too scathingly attacked Finlays Tea Company and warned the multinational tea companies operating in the region to tread carefully.
It would not escape the intelligent guesswork of the observers the senior mot Kipsigis politicians were linking the impending Mau Forest eviction of illegal squatter, of mostly member of the Kipsigis community to the compulsory land acquisition by the colonialists to plant tea bushes that led to the current sh0rtage of land for the indignant people of the region.
It became obvious that many people, including the local leaders were dispossessed of their ancestral land. The Kipsigis people were forced to move into the same-arid in strange villages in Bomet and Chepalungu. This was the reason that forced them to move into the forest in search of green pasture for the livestock and arable fertile land for cultivation of domestic food crops
“It should be made categorically to the owners of the tea companies that the land on which tea bushes are planted was forcefully grabbed by colonialists from its rightful owners, the Kipsigis sub-clans, and that the families of those affected have not been settled or compensated,” Minister Bett said.
Finlays Tea company was also accused for rushing int9 mechanized tea plucking system that would see more than 3,000 workers being declare redundant and for the hiring of senior expatriates to replace the local experts seemed to have irked both Bett and Keter.
“These tea plucking machines will render many workers in the tea plantations redundant because most of the will not have met their target by 11.am, when plucking gren leaves manually stops, the Assistant
According to the year 2006 statistics released by the Kericho based Tea Growers Association of Kenya {KTGA} the tea companies have combined labour force of 40,000.
The Kipsigis leaders have also expressed their vehement opposition of the 999-year land leased, which is being enjoyed by the foreign owned multinational tea companies. They also faulted Finlays Tea Company for hiring foreigners for simple duties that could be competitively undertaken by the Kenyans.
The leaders claimed that sections in the company’s key management positions are held by expatriate. The company, they said, is flouting the immigration regulations by hiring more ten expatriates to run key sectors of production as if Kenya is short of qualified personnel to run those sectors.
Finlays company has recently introduced stavia plant into it its least of cash crops and this would offer more jobs opportunity for locals, says one of the coim0any’s operational directors. Defended his com0any saying it was law abiding and operating within the laid down laws of Kenya.
These kind of tough talking by the local leaders are only serving to scare the investors away, particularly the potential foreign investors. Tea is an important sector of the economy.
These remarks implies that thousands of the close to 20,000 families living in the Mau Forest are people who were made landless by the colonialists who took away their land forcefully and handed it to the white settlers who in turn invented tea plantation in the region at the opening of the 20th Century. Tea planting in the South Rift began in earnest in 1909 and the full production started between 1920 and 1922.
The recent remarks not lost to political pundits that the Kipsigis leaders were only amplifying the relationship between land grabbing by colonialists to increase space for tea plantation and encroachment of the Mau Forest by the Kipsigis families.
And the last week,the Wildlife and Forest Minister Dr Noah Wekesa added his weight to the controversial Mau Forest issue when he scathingly criticized an unnamed South Rift MPS who he accused of frustrating the government efforts to restore the Mau Complex.
And the fact that the Minister in-charge of the Forest chose not to name the deserting local leaders is a clear indication that the fate of Mau Complex will be determined politically and not by executive proclamations.
The Prime Minister Raila Odinga made a juicy statement when he assured the local community that he would not carry out an exercise that would hurt them.
The two issues of multinational tea comp0sny,lsndlessness in Kipsigis region and the conservation of Mau Forest Complex definitely feature prominently in the year 2012 general elections. This is because the Kipigis leaders seemed to have dug themselves in ready for confrontation with the government over the three contentio9usisues.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

– – –
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 04:50:06 -0700 [04/01/2009 06:50:06 AM CDT]
From: leooderaomolo@ . . .
Subject: THE FUTURE OF THE TEA INDUSTRY IN SOUTH RIFT IS LOOKING BLEAK AS LEADERS TURN THE HEAT ON FOREIGN OWNED MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES

KENYA IS ABOUT THE MUSIC TOO

Leave a reply

The Kilimanjaro Entertainer Newsletter Vol. 10 2009

THIS WEEK ON KE411

AFRICA

While Benga is the most popular music genre in Kenya, it has not made much headway beyond the country’s borders. What is Benga music and is it the next African music phenomenon?

REGGAE

Luciano is probably one of the more popular contermporary reggae artists but is fame worth the trouble?

KENYA

From Kenya to Malaysia and Atlanta. The man from Thika town continues to chase his dream.

MINNESOTA SCENE

Jamaican Dancehall reggae artist Mr. Vegas to perform in Minneapolis .

VIDEOS OF THE WEEK

Every week, we scour the internet and pick the most interesting music videos. Here are the picks of the week.

AFRICA: We were in Egypt, North Afria last week. This week, our cyber video search takes us to Congo DRC to meet Montana Kamenga.

REGGAE: Girly Girly by Jamaican sinjay Sophia George was the reggae club anthem back in 1985. The song was on the charts in Jamaica and England concurrently.

KENYA: Mr Lenny’s songs are commonplace on Kenya radio. Helena is yet another hit from the high-pitched singer.

MARKETPLACE

Hip Hop Colony is an award-winning documentary by Kenyan filmmaker Michael Wanguhu about the African Hip Hop explosion in Kenya. Kenya is about the animals, safaris, marathon runners and yes, music and studios.

GET THE DVD FOR YOUR COLLECTION OR AS A GIFT FOR ONLY 9.99 THROUGH APRIL 5TH

PICK OF THE WEEK CD

NARE by Kenyan Swahili ragga artist Daddy V

ON SALE FOR ONLY $8.99 THROUGH APRIL 5TH

The Kilimanjaro Entertainer is a weekly online newsletter by kilimanjaro Entertainment that focuses on African and reggae entertainment news, events and merchandise.

Contact us with any questions or suggestions: KilimanjaroEntertainment@gmail.com

Jojo

KilimaNjaro Entertainment

WWW.KE411.COM

BE IN THE KNOW

– – –
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:31:08 -0700 [03/31/2009 08:31:08 PM CDT]
From: Kilimanjaro Entertainment
Subject: KENYA IS ABOUT THE MUSIC TOO

Re: Where is the security apparatus in Kenya?

2 Replies

Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:43:04 -0700 [02:43:04 AM CDT]
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: Re: Where is the security apparatus in Kenya?

President Kibaki as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Kenya, is a big let down to our military personnel.

He has made them to be ornaments best used at passing out parades.

Oto
— On Mon, 3/30/09, john vorster wrote:
From: john vorster
Subject: Re: Where is the security apparatus in Kenya?

Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 10:03 PM

Ndugu Fred,

It sounds very interesting to keenly read your unanswered questions but for somebody with the stake of the country at hand, will surely do. Just to remind you and others, while Kenya was burning-up during the 2007 Elections, Kibaki took his unofficial visit to Uganda and in no seconds we had the Ugandan soldiers presence in Kenya??????? ? given same orders of shoot-to kill…….. Could it be that was part of diplomacy to contain the riots in exchange of the lake Victoria waters which serves no purpose to the commander in chief of armed forces. On the other hand, Museveni might be like someones quotes him “Nyamgondho Wuod Ombare”. Not long ago did Field Marshal Idi Amin declared that Nyanza and part of Rift Valley are territories of Uganda…..Folks, I could be wrong to have worked with both Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya Marine officers within Lake Victoria issues and Migingo Island was part of the Kenya sampling points. Our limnological and aquatic surveys in both countries does give Kenya the right to document on the disputed island. We all know it that Uganda made Fisheries a higher ranking and would do any unorthodox means to scoop its resources. There is already the sounding alarm of Lake Victoria water level fall of which Uganda is on the blame game for mass hydro-plants in Jinja among other issues. I stand to be corrected, with the current government, Kibaki has given the node on this a fertile fishing ground to Museveni period…..

Regards

Vorster
JAKISUMU

— On Tue, 3/31/09, fred O aboge wrote:
From: fred O aboge
Subject: Where is the security apparatus in Kenya?

Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 2:51 AM

Folks, it defies reason to see how Kenya security personnel are beingbullied by rag tag Ugandaforces! Is this administration only capable of killing activists butcannot defend its own territorial integrity? Folks, who is the head ofsecurity in the country and why would he still be employed?If Kibaki cannot defend 35 yards of stone in the country, why arecalling this man the President?Say what you will about Kenyatta, but this would not have happenedunder his watch!A– A good sermon should have a good beginning and a good ending, and theyshould be as close together as possible———— ——— ———

THEY CAME..THEY WENT..MIGINGO ISLAND IS STILL UGANDA RULE!

9 Replies

I would like to be a fly on the wall in the military jet that flew Kenya and Uganda
ministers to worthless trip to Migingo Island the other day. I wonder what these
ministers were talking about or who was hosting who on the Island. May be Kenya ministers
wanted to see how Uganda flag was flying over their land. If these same ministers had
the current map showing where Migingo is located they might have not given Uganda
ministers a ride to the Island. It is only in Kenya where occupiers are given royal
escort to the land that does not belong to them. Why didn’t Uganda ministers fly from
Bugiri where they are launching/staging their occupy force to Migingo Island?. These
Kenya ministers who came to Migingo Island reminded me of some one “coming to the gun
fight with knife or club” It as unconscionable for these ministers to travel to their
own country under Uganda army control. Weather these ministers want to admit or not,
Kenya flag in NOT flying on Migingo Island and Uganda is now calling shots in Migingo.
If these Ministers were serious why didn’t they bring at least token military contingency
fore with them to send the message to Uganda army on the Island?, why didn’t these
ministers stay on the Island over night to send the message that this is their country?
and why didn’t they even open central government local office on the Island to show
that..every piece of land in Kenya counts regardless where it is located?.

Mr. President Sir you recently said that..Migingo issue will be solved peacefully..” when
are you coming to the Island to deliver this message to Kenyans in this lake region
area?. Your Ministers were here but their visit did not accomplish anything Uganda flag
is still flying over our land. Mr. president Sir take a look at the map again and you
will see that Migingo Island belong TO YOU.” It has been said that “possession is
nine-tenths of the law”… right now Sir you and your government do NOT own this Island.
Please, Mr. President don’t even wait for the new map to be drawn to determine which
country owns Migingo Island. Migingo Island is in Kenya! and you have the right under
international law to protect this island regardless of its’ size. Kenya citizens living
in this lake region areas and on the Island don’t want to be occupied by another
country. Our fishermen and traders are not asking you and your government for loans to
further their trade. Only the protection and security that they are entitled to as Kenyan
citizens.

Mr. President your armed forces SHOULD NOT ONLY be responsible to protect major cities
, land borders or be used during election seasons but must be used to protect the
Island regions regardless of their remoteness or greater distance from the mainland
region areas of this country. How long can you believe what the government of Uganda is
telling you in private. Recently Kenya delegation was sent Uganda and the communique was
from the meeting was for Uganda to pull out their military personnel from the Island .
The other day ministers from your government came to the Island and Uganda Military are
still occupying your country Sir..how long can our country wait to get our Island back?
Again, this is the time we must put our differences aside to protect the country we all
love.Letting the lake region people on their own be occupied by Uganda will NOT benefit
the remaining regions of Kenya who are currently are not affected by Uganda aggression.
Yo were elected and took oath to protect this country and now you must take action to
bring our Island back.

JD Brown

– – –
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:37:10 -0400 [03/30/2009 03:37:10 PM CDT]
From: Dan Orao
Subject: THEY CAME..THEY WENT..MIGINGO ISLAND IS STILL UGANDA RULE!

Regional News

1 Reply

Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

Sunday, 29th March 2009
Unholy wind blowing in Nairobi as priests accuse Njue of ruling with an iron fist
Updated 8 hr(s) 57 min(s) ago

By Martin Mutua

A row has erupted between Nairobi Archbishop Cardinal John Njue and priests who are now up in arms against his leadership style.

The priests, who spoke to The Standard on Sunday on condition of anonymity, are accusing Njue of being “dictatorial, arrogant and proud”.

The priests said they were angered by a move by the cardinal to limit their monthly allowances and control offerings from their parishes.

“There is a serious crisis in the Catholic Church and I think the cardinal has come to rule us with an iron fist and doesn’t want to listen to anyone,” a priest in one of the parishes in Nairobi, said.

The sources said the cardinal recently met with priests in the entire Archdiocese, which comprises 12 deaneries. On Wednesday he was at Thika Deanery where the priests are said to have rejected his decrees.

The priests say Njue has come up with a decree that priests be drawing a flat rate monthly allowance of Sh10,000, which has never happened since the inception of the Archdiocese. The decree also extends to missionaries in the Archdiocese.

Insatiable Appetite

He has also decreed that the yearly offerings and contributions, which parishes submit to his office, be raised from five to 30 per cent.

“What is wrong with our cardinal? Why has he all of a sudden developed this insatiable appetite for money?” asked one of the priests.

The priests said the sudden appetite for money was bound to weaken the Catholic Church and scare away Christians.

The priests said when the cardinal took over he sanctioned that the parking lot at the Holy Family Basilica, which is used by worshippers, be paid for.

“It is the most outrageous thing to have happened since the establishment of the Catholic Church. We have never seen or heard that there is another parish in Kenya which charges its members parking fee,” added the priest.

The clergyman further said the faithful contributed towards putting up a public toilet yet ended up being charged for using the facility.

“Are we going to come to church with money for offering or are we going to be carrying parking and toilet fees when we come to the Holy Family Basilica?” asked Joan Waweru, a faithful who has worshipped here for years.

Several people interviewed by The Sunday Standard were disappointed with the manner church affairs are run.

Christians and the priest said for the first time they are having a bishop and a cardinal who operates contrary to their expectations.

Sources within the Church said immediately Njue took over from Archbishop Ndingi Mwana a’Nzeki he fired two drivers employed by the church. He drives himself.

By virtue of his office, Cardinal Njue — as the Head of the Catholic Church in Kenya — is supposed to have a driver because of his status.

The 27 bishops countrywide, though junior to Njue, have drivers the dioceses employ. The late Cardinal Otunga also had a driver.

“We as priests of this Archdiocese have told him this, but he is a person who does not listen to anybody. You might become his enemy when you attempt to correct him. We have left him to do what he pleases since he believes he knows everything,” adds another priest.

The move has fuelled suspicion among the faithful with some taking the matter personally and questioning their shepherd’s behavior.

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya

E-Mail news@ppa.or.ke
Tel 254-20-4441372
Website : www.ppa.or.ke

– – –
Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:11:54 -0700 [03/29/2009 02:11:54 AM CDT]
From: People For Peace
Subject: Regional News

Re: I wish I knew!

Leave a reply

If there is one sad expression of regret and disappointment that I have so often heard, then it must be this: “I wish I knew!”

Chances are that by then, its too late!

The two areas where such regrets are often heard is in marriage and traveling to a new location, far away from home! Such an expression would signal two things:

-Either the person was told but decided to ignore, or
-The person was denied some basic but crucial and essential information!

If I were to chose, I would have chosen to know something and decide otherwise than to do something for lack of information.

Perhaps the greatest regret will be when Jesus finally returns and you find your name missing? I don’t want to even think about it! But is that for real?

According to Mathew 7:21-23, some of those who have over the years been actively involved in preaching the good news will be left out by the Lord himself. It’s indeed sad to note that the Lord will deny having
a knowledge of such! Why? “Because they did their own things and not what God expected of them.

But it will even be worse to those who passed the information. The word of God says that such will be condemned. If you have time, read Mathew 5:17-19 and see what the good Lord told His disciples while on earth.

So, for those of us who share this word, there are several points that we need to recall.

-You and I must continue learning at the feet of the cross
-You and I must preach and teach what the Bible says. If you and I don’t believe what the Bible teaches how then can we teach others?
-We must stay away from the traditions. If any doctrine is not supported by the sure word, then we should re-examine it
-You and I must stay away from condemning anyone.
-If you and I believe that we are on the right path, then we should go
a head while leaving everything to the good Lord

What about the hearers?

-They should be careful not to believe anything.
-It becomes each ones responsibility to examine himself/herself daily to see if they are in the faith. You must be willing to put all things into test
-Ignorance will never be an excuse for entry into the kingdom
-Spend time with the word and plead with the good Lord to help you understand Him better
-When it comes to our salvation, its an individual thing. We are saved as individuals and not as a family, community, etc

As we near the end of time, let us pray for one another so as not to be found wanting. Let us take all precautions now than regretting at the last minute! Shall we?

Just a thought.

Pr Birai
612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org
– – –
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:08:12 -0700 [03/30/2009 06:08:12 AM CDT]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: I wish I knew!

Mr.Vegas Live in Mpls April 4th at Loft Bar fly on Henepin and 7th st. Dwtn Mpls

Leave a reply

Dancehall/Reggae Artist Mr Vegas Live In Concert at Loft Bar Fly on Hennepin and 7th April 4th.Music by Sound Of Fujun, special Performance by Muja Messiah.

Tickets are available at the Following Locations;
A Cup Of Joe
3445 Cedar Ave.
South Mpls 612-353-5945

Urban Lights Music
1449 University Ave
W St Paul,55104 651-647 9650

For more info 651-592-7679, 612-423-9503 and 612-867-9744

Tickets are $25 advance or $30 at the Door.
18+ Tickets are $30 advance $35 at the Door.
Vip Tickets are $50
Much Love.
Josiah

www.accentstelecom.com

– – –
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:11:23 -0400 [03/30/2009 02:11:23 PM CDT]
From: Josiah Rasugu
Subject: Mr.Vegas Live in Mpls April 4th at Loft Bar fly on Henepin and 7th st. Dwtn Mpls.