Monthly Archives: June 2009

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Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:03:03 +0000
From: ologaoywo62@ . . .
Subject: eastandard.net – Just what happened to youth fund millions?

Why go after my husband

19 Replies

—– Forwarded message from joycewaithaka@ . . . —–

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:19:47 +0300
From: Joyce Waithaka
Subject: Why go after my husband

I found out my husband had a brief affair with someone I thought was my friend. She was someone I confided in and trusted. The affair started and ended within a month. We are in marraige counseling and my husband is very sorry for his actions. I am VERY angry.

I want to know why. I would like to hear why other women knowingly go after somelse’s husband. I would like to hear a reasonable answer on how anyone can be willing to hurt other’s for their selfish enjoyment.

How can a woman ever think it’s ok to sleep with another woman’s husband? Why would anyone be so selfish and self absorbed to hurt not only their own family but some elses? What are you thinking when it all breaks apart?

I have a million questions. I do not understand how a woman can do this to another woman. Can someone please help me understand?

LOve
Joyce

—– Forwarded message from cirumariga2007@. . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:32:57 +0100
From: Maryann Wanjiru
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Joyce

As much as you are very angry, do u pose to think maybe the other woman is not the problem but your husband, he could still have done it with some other lady anyway, not really your friend? yaani she didnt go after him but the other way round?
try and look at both sides of the coin, and anyway men cheat at somepoint so expect more.

and focus on the reason(s) that made him stray and address them, that way u r more likely to prevent future recurrence of the same.
Blame games will hurt you more.

or alternatively kuwa na mpango wa kando to be even,

Best of luck.

—– Forwarded message from arniewam@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:39:22 +0300
From: Arnette Wambaire
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Joyce,

Welcome to the harsh reality that is LIFE!!! Men will always have affairs whether they are married, engaged or searching. The sooner you accept this fact and stop blaming ONLY the woman when there were two people involved (your hubby & the sidekick of the moment), the faster you will heal emotionally & live with caution and zero trust in ur husband. Its a TOUGH LIFE we live in!!

—– Forwarded message from nginaelizabeth@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:40:58 -0700 (PDT)
From: Ngina
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

I think the most stupid response a woman will give for going out with a married man is that they are stable. Me I believe karma is real, so what goes around, definatey will
come around and with all the single people around, why choose to go to one who is already in a relationship? I think its sad and pathetic for someone to date someone in an already existing relationship

Just understand, we know our true friends based on their action and from this one, she wasnt your friend. I am so sorry for what happened to you and pray to God to give you grace to handle this matter

—– Forwarded message from kjayanoris@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:32:53 +0300
From: Kelvin
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Pole Joyce.

Sina words hata. Perhaps it was not a malicious act? Perhaps just one of those things that happen in the heat of the moment?

Kelvin
www.likechapaa.com

—– Forwarded message from pepity@. . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:55:51 -0700 (PDT)
From: Janet mafunga
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Dear Joyce,

I am sorry that a friend can betray you in this way. Unfortunately one thing i have learnt is that women are their own worst enemies. It is something I have also never understood why some women find it more appealing to go after a married man.

Some would do it just out of spite. Even when you are not married. I had a “friend” once who after we had a fallout did tell another friend that she would show me that she could take my man from me… and she actually tried and failed. And I wondered why on earth would she think that getting my man would be the absolute pain she would inflict on me.

Had he gone,, then they would totally have deserved each other.

Jealousy that your family and marriage is going well according to her when hers is falling apart can also be a reason.

But that does not warrant someone especially one you have been confiding in as a friend to come in and wreck your marriage. But again on the other hand, the blame is on both sides. The man should have run in the opposite direction when it started showing signs of happening. He accepted and most probably gave her the greenlight to continue in the affair. There have been articles in newspapers in this regard but honestly let it be far from me that I am the cause of another woman’s misery because of her husband. What goes around, does come around.

Joyce take courage and try to work things out with your husband. I understand your anger and feeling of betrayal. Pole, and I hope you have written that “friend” off.

Jeanette M. Khaoya

—– Forwarded message from mkivanda@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:44:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: mercy kivanda
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

hello Joyce,

Sorry for the situation you are going through,i know its hurting but you just made the
wrong conclusion.Your husband is the one Married to you and not your friend,so your husband is the one responsible for the having the affair,If he had said NO (i am imagining your friend made the advances)there could have been no affair,but am guessing he is the one who let the affair go on.Well women always make the mistake of blaming the wrong person,the other woman. But the truth is that your husband is the one who has wronged you here, am imagining if he could have wanted after your counselling he will have yet another woman, will go ahead and blame the next woman?

I just hope you find the root and uproot it,instead of cutting off the branches.Sorry
joyce,i am saying this cos iam single and the number of married men hitting on me (some i even know their wives) is worrying,i just dont date married men!So the answer here is not why women are selfish or not,its why your husband cant respect your home.

Mercy

—– Forwarded message from Esther.Muriithi@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:10:20 +0300
From: “Muriithi, Esther”
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Joyce

You mean this lady has a family? I do not take sides when it comes to this. They both participated willingly and are both sorry soo pliz cut out the sorry part of it and let your partner explain willingly how and why it happened on his part and then the two of you can seek a lasting and workable solution . If you forget to ask him now that you have the opportunity you will have to live with soo many ananswered questions. I’d also like to hear the ladies part.

—– Forwarded message from moses.edmoses.ed@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:47:15 +0300
From: ed moses
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

*Pole sana but I was just wondering, could there really be a reasonable answer? Whoever,I dare say, will manage to come up with a reasonable answer will just fall short of condoning the vice.*

—– Forwarded message from nemyisaacs@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:34:11 -0700 (PDT)
From: Nemy Isaacs
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

hi,

someone said a husband can be replaced but a father cant.come out of that shell and stop thinking he is your husband.in fact, he is our husband.

thanx.

God is always by your side even when it seems so hard on you.

You ought to know that even when friends are not there for you, He loved you before hey did.

Take heart and move on.

—– Forwarded message from caroline.ngare@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:33:05 -0700
From: Caroline Ngare
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

forbiden fruit is always the sweetest

—– Forwarded message from moses.edmoses.ed@ —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:36:40 +0300
From: ed moses
Subject: Why go after my husband. What if its right?

*Haya, this piece here would elicit as varied & relative opinions as there are people on the forum holding divergent views but seeing that the author is laden with many questions regarding the ‘reasons’ behind such a move, allow me to borrow a leaf from someone and see it this way:*
**
*1.One’s reason may overide one’s conscience*
**
*2.If it be that way (1 above), when faced with an ethical dilemma like your friend perhaps was at that moment in time, and being committed to a good vs right decision through the use of reason,all previous convictions held were altered, so she ‘fell’*
**
*3.People do not make decisions because they are cheap, easy or popular but because they are right. How then would she have determined the ground rules to follow in order to determine what was ‘right’ and what was ‘wrong?’*
**
*4.It is said joyce, that irrespective of our inclinations, people believe that they are behaving ethically by their own standard*
**
*5.Hence, there is not a single right and correct way to make ethical decisions and no best moral viewpoint except our own*
**
*maybe thats why she did what she did*
**
*my two cents*

—– Forwarded message from blessingnatasha@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:46:22 +0300
From: blessing natasha
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

If you can tune in to hope fm tomorrow between 11.00am to 1.00pm you will definitely get a reasonable answer.They deal with this problem like everyday.the frequency is 93.3fm .Pole,but there is hope coz atleast you are going for counselling and he is sorry .Don’t let the enemy destroy your marriage .Its ok,to be angry you are only human.

—– Forwarded message from Nicholas.Odhiambo@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:01:52 +0300
From: “Odhiambo, Nicholas”
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Joyce.

Sorry. I think you are the problem. Do you give your husband the following;

Water for bathing,
Leading him to the bathroom,
Smiling with him when he comes to the house or when you meet,
Hugging him
Massage a little bit( the whole body with baby oil.
Cloth ironing
You dont restrict him in the betroom( no timetable). Varieties of sex styles. not the traditional one everyday.
No nagging good diet ( proper food cooked by you) praying together in the house + going to church together.

Note: The above are preventive measures not a cure.

The cure is a prayer to God very religiously.

Dr.Manyasi mar Kawili.

—– Forwarded message from v.mbeca@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:55:33 +0300
From: vicky mbeca
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Joyce

What you are facing many women before you, with you and after you will continue to face it. I am lucky to have a frank mother who bluntly told me men are men even your own father was one. She further went and told me focus on what really made you get into it and forget roadside distractions. I always wondered but now i know what it means.

Dr Myles Munroe, yes the great teacher from Bahamas in his book love and marriage said, sex does not make a marriage neither does it break a marriage, he further goes on to say though he does not condone infidelity, but that is no reason to break a marriage over it. He further says that sex and marriage are not the same thing though they are related but do not depend each other, thats why you have singles that sexually mingle with no strings attached. Sounds strange but this book is a great read, its puts the union of two people in proper perspective and you need to get it.

It hurts i know, but thats no reason to break beyond repair. If many women were to tell you what they go through you would be in shock, and i mean shock. I have a gal friend who the hubby used to practically bring his catch home, imagine that. But today i cant tell a more happier home. Its like they fell in love over again. The man has over and over told me he regrets and now is doing everything to make it work.

Marriage is an institution just like any other in society. When we get into it we commit to its challenges and successes. The thing this current generation seem to be getting different from our parents, is the magnitude of sacrifice you have to make.

Unlike other institutions where we commit to work, in marriage we vow, thats the key. This means that we need as couples to love marriage more than our partners in order to make it work. Sounds strange i know but when we begin to Love uphold and value the territories of marriage as couples we will begin to abide by the rules and make them work. Marriage is greater than you, your partner and thats why its here to stay and people will continue to enter into it despite all the negative things they hear about it. But if those in it can look at it as an institution that has rules, code of conduct, salary, job description, appraisals and the works we will begin to get the gist of it. Thats why our mothers and fathers stuck into it for the long haul.

Don’t make the mistake of blaming the lady, she made no vow to you, and neither has obligations in terms of marriage. Look at your man, he is the one that looked you in the eye and vowed, he should have upheld his promise to you. Am no marriage counselor or one for that matter, its just my understanding of it. i hope i have helped you.

Vicky Mbeca

—– Forwarded message from odhiambo@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:58:31 +0300
From: Odhiambo ?????
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

On Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 2:47 PM, ed moses wrote:

*Pole sana but I was just wondering, could there really be a reasonable answer? Whoever,I dare say, will manage to come up with a reasonable answer will just fall short of condoning the vice.*

Ed,

That is quite true. Noone really knows why the said act was committed, under
what circumstances, bar for the two who were involved. Every other reason being given only serves to console/condone. I think there is one reason that is plausible but wrong: When God gave the Decalogue, He knew so well that man will break them, hence falling short of the Kingdom of God.

There is a swahili saying *”kikulacho kinguoni mwako*”. I think it’s a call to choose your friends wisely.

—
Best regards,
Odhiambo WASHINGTON,
Nairobi,KE
+254733744121/+254722743223
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
“If you have nothing good to say about someone, just shut up!.”
— Lucky Dube

—– Forwarded message from mauricejoduor@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:03:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: maurice oduor
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Joyce,

I feel for you sis. It is very painful to discover that someone you have given your heart to betrays your trust in this manner. The fact that he did it with a friend is like adding salt and pepper to a wound. The very first action you should take is to fire this friend. The second is to discuss the issue with hubby.

The primary culprit is your hubby and the two of you must sit down and talk about this – but with a referee (a priest, a counselor etc.). Find out how it happened and get to the root cause of his actions. If you still love him, put him on probation for a while.

The worst thing you can do now is to deny him the ‘priviledges’ or do a tit-for-tat. Your relationship is way too important to be playing revenge games as some people on this forum are advising

Let us know how things turn out Joyce. We are praying for you sis.

Courage,
Maurice

—– Forwarded message from wilsonowuor@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:25:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: Wilson Owuor
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

wahenga walisema “kuchambaa kwingi kutoka na mavi” – chunga dada usije ukatoka na mavi!

hivyo msamehe mmeo, sahau yaliyopita and forge a loving and lasting marriage. especially now that you are saying your hubby is very sorry. – we all have sinned and fallen short..

you know! sahau yaliyopita

Willy

—– Forwarded message from henryouma2002@ .. . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:45:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: henry ouma
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Joyce,

Best thinking is that a husband/man can never be yours alone.What then did you expect your own friend to do ? to seek your permission? .This is how our grandmothers led their lives happily—no man is tied to you to death and vice-versa .Much as present life is marked by lots of risks and costs associated with infidelity, a lot of women cant just escape the reality of being…..Take the case of Wanjala why an’t his wives bothered ? aren’t they married women and wives?. As long as there will be unmarried women in this world, your complaints will always be there if you keep on listening to whatever you are told.

Since your husband already did it, I dont see him stop it.Dont even accept that he is sorry for what he did intentionally and what he will just continue doing behind your
back. Instead, learn to ignore all those who tell you about your hubby’s affairs outside and carry on with or without him.

—– Forwarded message from wnzuve@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:28:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: Washington Nzuve
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Dear Joyce,

Sorry for what happened to you. When I hear of such things I fear. First let me start by recommending that you do not pay attention to the following advice:

?Joyce,

Welcome to the harsh reality that is LIFE!!! Men will always have affairs whether they are married, engaged or searching. The sooner you accept this fact and stop blaming ONLY the woman when there were two people involved (ur hubby& the sidekick of the moment), the faster you will heal emotionally& live with caution and zero trust in ur husband. Its a TOUGH LIFE we live in!!?

?Joyce

try and look at both sides of the coin, and anyway men cheat at somepoint so expect more. and focus on the reason(s) that made him stray and address them, that way u r more likely to prevent future recurrence of the same.

Blame games will hurt you more.

or alternatively kuwa na mpango wa kando to be even,

Best of luck. ?

I will add that your husband: Has done a grave wrong, cares about you and would not want to loose you (otherwise he would have denied and left the relationship to the dogs) wants things to change for the better (thats explains why he has agreed to attend counseling)I would also say that you: Deserve to be very angry, have been deeply wronged and now have a scare that may never disappear, care about your family (otherwise you would have dismissed that Casanova summarily) I am not very old (married though) but I know a few things:

The best principle here is ‘try as much as possible to keep the bonds of your marriage
together. Don’t if possible walk out of your marriage.’Many people today just look at the negative side of marriage – the limitations, the spouses’ misgivings, etc and have forgotten that a marriage can be enjoyed. Please; if if you will stick to this man then try and forget the negative side and try and enjoy your marriage. I can tell you that loneliness is much worse than that. If you do not trust him insist on a condom. This way you will not get death dealing sicknesses. I would not rule out you and him visiting a VCT center. Then when yo see the test turning blue thank God and never be ignorant again.

We are talking about your life here!Regards,

Washington Nzuve

—– Forwarded message from jombok@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:28:53 +0300
From: John Ombok
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

I have seen so much reaction from the ladies with so much anger and trying to blame the other party.

I would say pole to Joyce but I think all this is because guys we have fallen short of the glory of GOD

We have looked away from the old good guidance that we found our parents had followed and try to be ‘Wakisasa zaidi’

To sort this problem of adultery and promiscuity we need to learn from the good old guys and turn to God Almighty and repent our sins.

That is the only way Joyce and your hubby can be happy.

I wish you all a good blessed week.

Ombok

“Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning

GLORIA STEINEM

—– Forwarded message from flogero@ —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:29:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: FLORENCE GERO
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

I agree with you Mercy, I think the husband has a problem and i’ll not be surprised if Joyce found out more hurting stuff about him ie maybe he’s even been hitting on her own sisters as well as her other friends etc..Am not saying what the ‘friend’did was right but…. think again.

Flo

—– Forwarded message from FNdungu@ —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:44:53 +0300
From: Florence Ndungu
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

They are both grown ups they are both to blame. There is no way that this chik dint know that the dude was married, besides there are women who just have a bad spirit of going out with married men. Joyce am so sorry for what you are going through but you shouldn’t give up with your marriage and please hakuna mpango wa kando as you will be punished together with him. Take heart my dear, just ask God for strength and wisdom to handle this situation. All the best.

Regards

Florence N.

—– Forwarded message from powiti@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:21:27 +0300
From: Philip Owiti
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Joyce,

Although i feel you, the problem lies in between the two of you. Sit down together (without a counselor) and chat the way forward.

But on the other angle, Him being with her for like a month is JUST OKAY.

Kwani change of diet is that bad?/?

—– Forwarded message from totiaa@ . . . —–
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:22:17 +0300
From: Josh
Subject: Re: Why go after my husband

Ever realized that as a woman disclosing to your female friends how good you man is to you either in bed or how he treats you makes them jealousy and to some extent they might want to have what you having thus end up having an affair with him?When a man is good to another,,,,all women love and adore him….

To me,,,,you also might have been the cause somehow.

Obat Masira ensembles

1 Reply

THE ROLE OF MUSIC IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN KENYA REGION

BY PROF: CHARLES NYAKITI
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

Introduction
The discussion on the role of music in the region here refers to the functions or uses of music. As for the region, I am not sure whether our discussion should cover Africa; observe that music like language is a universal human phenomenon, which operates at both the biological and cultural levels. Biologically, a normal human baby is born with ability to make music, but the music that the baby makes when it grows up into an adult, is determined by the culture in which it is born and bred. The use of ‘vocal cords’ to produce ‘song’ and the body movements in space and time to produce ‘dance’ are the core original activities of music. Although research has revealed that their no society in the world without phenomenon, most if not all, have never agreed on what is or is not music. At the same time, most of the world societies do not have the equivalent of the word ‘music’ in their vocabularies. This has prompted editors of music dictionaries and encyclopedias and music scholars in general to avoid defining the word in their pubilation, unless the work refers to a specific music culture.

Music Region
In our discussion, we shall define music religion in terms of socio-cultural instead of socio-political one. But such discussions are bound to be problematic. This is because the overbidding socio-political conditions that led to the creations of the regions by the colonist did not take into consideration the existing culture boundaries. We find, for example, that the boundaries of Kenya, Uganda and Uganda and Tanzania (then Tanganyika) were drawn without considering the culture boundaries of the communities of the region. This resulted into cultural communities residing in more than one country. At the same time, the so formed, have so many cultural religions that is becomes almost impossible to think cultural regions but instead, cultural regions as the basis of discussion. In our discussion was to be based on East Africa Religion, then, we would discuss music culture of all the communities living in the region; If we decided to consider the lake region then, we would be talking about all the cultural grouping living around the lake, but if we were to consider Kenya as a cultural region, then, we would be talking about forty two cultural groupings in the country; we could as well be talking about Western Kenya Region as occasion suggest, then, we would be talking about the music cultures of the communities found in the region.

In whatever culture, the inhabitants have always created and used music for various purposes. Different genres have been composed and performed under labels such as traditional contemporary and others. Originally, the rituals genres were participatory and functional with the purpose per see. Of late, some of them are performed out of context hence they lost the purpose for which they were created.
Change of Song-dance Scenery.
Since the coming of foreigners into this region, the song-dance scenery has greatly changed. The change was hastened by the invention, development and acquisition of new technologies. Song–dance styles and instruments of foreign were adopted and adapted by the talented natives resulting into new genres. These formed the contemporary song –dance traditions of the region. In Kenya, for example, the adaptation resulted into genres such as the Kikuyu Mwomboka, the Luo Kinanda, orutu, gita, the Luhya omotibo and the costal Taarab. Bands such as Lake Victoria band, Kindu Band and others came into being. Solo guitarists such as Olima Anditi, Otina Mariwa, Oyugi Tobi and George Mukabi displayed their talents. The invention and development of radios, television sets, gramophones, records, cassettes, and video player to name a few helped promote the new genres and musicians. Educational Institutions and musical festivals took the lead the curricula and musical activities respectively encouraged little of the song-dances of the community in the region. The former President (Daniel Arap Moi) instituted a Music Commission (PPMC), which has so far been headed by three chairmen. It is unfortunate that the commission has yet realized its goals as it has so far failed to address the objectives for which it was created. Despite PPMC’s noble objectives, its second Chairman concentrated his efforts in vetting and marshalling choirs and dance troupes to perform for the then the head of state. The third chairman on the other hand, continued with what his predecessor did, but went further to invite choir leaders to practice hyms and other Christians songs and to some extents, a few patriotic songs to the head of state. He was more of a choir leader than a chairman of the PPMC. He resign to contest for a parliamentary seat. On the same note, the PPMC has yet to realize the objectives for which it was formed. It would note be too harsh to say that the three commissions chairman have not performed as well they should have. This means that some of the qualifications required for future appointments to the head of the Commission should include dedicated personalities; preferably music researcher scholars will love an d foresight for music of this region. This is because there is more to music than what meets the ears and the eyes.

History of Music
Music, Mathematics and astronomy were the fist three core subjects any learned person was expected to have studied among the Greeks. This role, although not taken seriously at the surface level, is quite alive and strong in major activities of the societies residing in this region. In Kenya, for example, the best performing schools in National Examinations have music in their curricula. Blacking (1976: vii-vii) in his book ‘’How Musical is Man?’ wondered how it was that at has preparatory school most of the scholarship were won by choristers, who represented only a third of the school and missed more than a third of the classes
– – –
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:44:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Obat Masira
Subject:Obat Masira ensembles

The Lake Basin Jewel Magazine

3 Replies

WESTERN KENYA UNTAPPED TOURIST JEWEL

Western Kenya is fast opening up to the world of Tourism. An established tourism circuit offers tremendous scope to the international tourist and the domestic tourist alike, to learn observe and experience the diverse cultures and rich and rare fauna and flora. And in spectacular millieus, eco-tourism offers unusual panorama in relaxed setting that are more than therapeutic and also leaves on e in awe.

Western Kenya untapped tourist jewel is an open window to everybody-local families and entrepreneurs, farmers, school children college and universities and of course the international tourist. And the wonders are unlimited-historical sites, village museums, mouseliums of famous person, rock art, cultural heritage, shrines and the local people in their diversity by rich flora and fauna.

Human activity too is unlimited, as one traverses the vast plain, valley and coombs; the geography, topography and the diverse terrains through vast sugar and tea plantations, rumbling hills, crossing major rivers full of aquatic life and then taking a spectacular motor boat ride on the world largest fresh water tropical lake hosting little famous islands abounding in fish (Nile perch) and fishing trips are arranged. Along the shores there is the occasional glimpse of heads of hippopotamus and Mfangano Island can be found the giant Nile alligators and huge arrays of birds perched on fig trees.

Choices are many, It could be Ruma National Reserve where game reviewing is major and the pick-nick sites; it could be mount Elgon and the elephant cave; it could be the Kakamega National Reserve the only remnant in Kenya of once great tropical rainforest that stretched across Central Africa. As a relic of this Africa equatorial jungle is now famous around the world for being home of several species of birds. As far as bird conservation is concerned it is one of the important Birds Area (IBA in Kenya with a prolific record of over 330 species. Turners’s Eremomela, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Aworgen’s greenbul birds are found only in Kakamega Forest neighboring South Nandi Forest in the whole of East Africa. Other birds to be found only in this near by forest Western Kenya include Black –billed wattle-eye, southern Hyliota, African Shrike-Flycatcher, white-tailed ant-thrush, petits cuckoo-shrike and cassins honeyguide.

Among the mammals known to live in the forest are the Bush pig Duikers, Bushback, clawless otter, mongoose, Giant water shrew, squirrels, Tree pangolin. Porcupine, Bats and primates. Among the primates to be found here are the Black and white colobus monkeys, De Barazza’s monkeys, the red-tailled, the potto and olive Baboons.

Twenty seven species live in the forest. And true to the forest continental origins, the snakes of Kakamega are mainly from West Africa. They include the forest cobra, the black-lipped cora, Jameson’s Mamba, the Bush viper, the rhinocerous-horned viper, the cobra viper and the gold cobra.

The most common terrestrial lizard one is like to come across is Jackson Lacerta. Others lizards are Agame, Peters long tailed skink and the Nile monitor among other lizards. Other interesting animals are amphibians, mollusks, butterflies and other insects.

For a superb view of the forest to the Nandi Hills a short climb up Buyangu Hills well is well worthwhile. It’s easily accessible and worth a visit. Other interesting spots include Lihandra Hills Isiuku water falls within reached provides pleasant spot for picnic

At Kakamega Forest, there are other activities options such as forest walking and linking: Birds watching; primate watching and butterfly watching.

Regarding where to stay there are Kenya Wildlife Society (KWS) self –catering facilities udo Bandas, Isukuti Gues House and camping which is more adventurous.

In Mbita in South Nyanza, one could find both sun, sand and fun at the Lake Victoria safari village with quite and nice surrounding just of Rusinga and Mfangano islands.

The village consists of attractive round traditional hats and is also having a lighthouse on the lake shore with honeymoon suite. All rooms have its own bathroom and private verandah overlooking the lake. It is just the most perfect place for any tourist to sniff the soothing breeze while gazing out on the lake and the islands beyond.

The people are hospitable and are unspoiled by modern tourism. One can go to the village to relax or use it as a base to explore the various attractions of the area and for ecotourism activities.

One could undertake fishing for Nile perch (Mbuta), bird watching and there are more than 160 species of birds observed, sight seeing trips by road to the near by Ruma National Park where Roan antelopes and blue swallows abound in plenty for curious eyes; there is also the Lake safaris to visit colorful
Luo fishing beaches.

The Western Kenya tourist circuit offers a great deal to the ideal tourist, because every little single activity has just that appealing to artistic touch,; there is poetry everywhere; in the caves with rock hearts; in the peoples song and dances; in their conversation and artifacts peculiar to a region; the sky and the land to bear their mysteries

AKECH OBAT MASIRA & OMAR NASSER
(THE LAKE BASIN JEWEL MAGAZINE)
Coming Soon!!
Tel:+254-0726164954
Google search: obat masira

Website:http/misangoarts.blogspot.com

Email:obatmasira@yahoo.com

– – –
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:44:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Obat Masira
Subject: The Lake Basin Jewel Magazine

The KCDN Calender of events

Leave a reply

Dear Friends,

We have 2 major events remaining in our calender of events this year;

1] Greening the Nairobi East; A KCDN Initiative. We will host this on 5th September 2009 in Komarock and on this day, the pupils, the youth and their parents will plant 15,000 see………. Follow us here; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com

Blessings as we also count on your blessings,

Odhiambo T Oketch,

– – –
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:22:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: The KCDN Calender of events

Energy conference held in Tanzania ended with far reaching policy

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FAR REACHING POLICY ON EAST AFRICAN ENERGY HATCHED AT THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF ITS KIND HELD IN DAR ES SALAAM.

News Feature By Leo Odera Omolo

The first East African Energy Conference held recently in Dar Es Salaam came up with a call on private sector to design innovative business models to address the region’s energy challenges.

Tanzania’s Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, in a keynote address while opening the three-day conference at the Movenpick Hotel, said private sector participation was key to realizing benefits from exploitation of the energy resources the region is endowed with.”For our East African region, private sector participation in the energy sector is a key bridge towards development in this {energy} sector. The private sector has a catalytic role to support rural electrification programs which started operation in late 2007. What of the five Partner State governments, representatives from the East Africa Community and the East African Business Council and the business people from outside the region?”, PM Pinda asked.

The conference was being held under the theme “Energy ,A viable Business Opportunity”. And because energy is a prerequisite for the proper functioning of nearly all sub-sectors of the economy, and that it’s a failure of development initiatives. PM Pinda noted that the importance and timing of the Energy Conference couldn’t have been more appropriate, more so coming at a time “when our countries in the region are facing power gaps”.

PM Pinda told the delegates that East African Community states governments are making efforts to create a conducive environment for the private sector through the development of appropriate energy policies, regulatory and institutional frameworks, while reminding the meeting of the existence of the East African Power System Master Plan, which is due to be updated to include the republics of Rwanda and Burundi. One of the outputs of that process will be a Least Cost Power Development Plan and a Grid Code that will be used to govern trans-boundary power exchanges in the Eac region.

The Prime Minister also noted that the Regional Strategy to address all aspect of petroleum distribution system in the region, and a Regional Emergency Petroleum Supply Plan to govern petroleum products in the event of a disaster or emergency had been developed. “Realizing that full benefits of these efforts”, Pinda said a requires “innovative business models by the business community including working within the private public partnership framework”.

He rallied the business community to embrace the energy sector as a viable area of investment just as they do in the case of other sectors.

The Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community Jean Claude Nsengiyumwa, in his speech, reiterated the EAC’S commitment to supporting initiatives in the East African energy sector, noting that developing the energy sector was way key to realizing the Community’s mission of widening and deepening economic,political,social and cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production , trader and investment.

Delegates at the conference also included William Ngelela Minister for Energy in Burundi,,Dr Caoleb Nyamajeje Waggoro, Director of Production and Social Sector and the chairman of the East African Business Council, Mr. Regional Mengi, the executive director of the East African Business Council Mr. Charles Mb, representatives of the permanent secretaries from the Ministries of Energy for the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Tanzania ,private sector players and business people from within East Africa.

Some of the activities that also took place during the meeting included country’s presentation on investment in energy projects, energy conservation, a two-day exhibition by vendors of energy products, showcasing various energy technologies. Plenary seasons and field trips to various energy fixtures projects.

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
– – –
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:17:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: Energy conference held in Tanzania ended with far reaching policy

Time to roll up your sleeves

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Dear Friend,

Last week, I announced United We Serve – a nationwide call to service challenging you and all Americans to volunteer this summer and be part of building a new foundation for America.
. . .

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– – –
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:22:55 -0500 [13:22:55 CDT]
From: President Barack Obama
Subject: Time to roll up your sleeves

Black Youth Makes Medical Breakthrough

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The media constantly bombard us with news stories depicting the negative aspects of Black youth. Most stories never fail to mention “gang related” or “drugs are suspected to be involved”. Well, this is a very different type of story. This story profiles a Black youth that seems to be headed in the right direction and at a very young age. Let’s send this one around the Internet and give some props to a young man that has restored some faith in today’s youth and made us all proud.

Black Youth Makes Medical Breakthrough
By BET.com Staff

Tony Hansberry II, a 14-year-old, African-American high school freshman, has developed a surgical stitching technique that can ease post-surgery complications and lessen the chance of errors among physicians, Black America Web reports.

Tony Hansberry has been working with Bruce Nappi, the administrative director at the University of Florida ‘s Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research, on a new technique for sewing up hysterectomy patients. “I’ve always had a passion for medicine,” he told reporter Jackie Jones in a recent interview. “The project I did was, basically, the comparison of novel laparoscopic instruments in doing a hysterectomy repair. The youth presented his findings in April at a medical conference at the University of Florida before an audience of doctors and board-certified surgeons. “I just want to help people and be respected, knowing that I can save lives,” said Hansberry, who attends Darnell-Cookman, a special medical magnet school that allows him to take advanced classes in medicine. He hopes to become a neurosurgeon some day.

One of his teachers at Darnell-Cookman, Angela TenBroeck said, “He’s an outstanding young man, and I’m proud to have him representing us.”
Hansberry was an intern at the University of Florida ‘s Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville when he came up with the concept. At the time, he was responding to a challenge to improve on an endo-stitch procedure used in hysterectomies.

It took me a day or two to come up with the concept, Hansberry said. His discovery earned him second place at the regional science fair in February 2009.

Tony’s mom is a nurse and his dad pastors an African Methodist Episcopal church.

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

– – –
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:03:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: Black Youth Makes Medical Breakthrough

Not just any day

Leave a reply

Happy Father’s Day,

I’m writing to share a special video of Barack talking about fatherhood, but first I want to share some thoughts of my own.
. . .

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– – –
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:55:41 -0500 [06/21/2009 10:55:41 CDT]
From: First Lady Michelle Obama
Subject: Not just any day

Kenya Leadership have Failed to Put their Acts in Order

1 Reply

Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:59:57 -0700 [06:59:57 PM CDT]
From: jbatec@ . . .
Subject: Kenya Leadership have Failed to Put their Acts in Order

Folks,
If Kenya’s Coalition Government has failed to curtail the monster they created (instead it is feeding the country with fearful endless agony, pain and stress) then they have no business staying and hanging in the leadership they cannot manouver and offer the much needed services, protection and security the public need. We cannot trust anything from this Coalition Government unless they allow the FBI and assistance from the International Community and the Foreign Nations Diplomatic Commission security intelligence to jointly assist in the immediate investigation of these recent crimes.

The public are traumatized with these recent spate of killings and panic is felt everywhere and people are worried who will be the next target? Something must be done and done immediately, things must not remain the way they are anymore.

This Coalition Government cannot be trusted anymore. They are all selfish and concerned with themselves. Someone need to intervene quickly. We should not wait to see more killings because this was anticipated that this Leadership will kill to destroy evidence of genocide, corruption and impunity. They created the monster and if they have no remedial measures, then they should be forced out of leadership because they cannot lead anymore they have failed completely, nothing good will ever come from them except pain and more frustration.

We are all helplessly worried, where do we turn?

Thanks,

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

Inside story of Kenya’s killer gangs
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/613340/-/item/3/-/4ndare/-/index.html

By DAVID OKWEMBAH and DOMINIC WABALAPosted Saturday, June 20 2009 at 21:17
In Summary

Security experts say weapons are being smuggled in from war-torn Somalia

Saturday’s shooting of permanent secretary Kinuthia Murugu is the latest demonstration of a resurgence of gun crimes in the country, especially in Nairobi.

GOVERNMENT MUST COME OUT CLEAN ON THE EXISTENCE OF A SERIAL PSYCOPATH

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Dear Sir,

Allegations abound of highly placed individuals within the Government who wish to engage assassins to “silence” politicians with well meaning criticism against the Coalition Government. Whereas some people may be quick at rubbishing such allegations as sensationalist, provocative, slanderous and unwarranted, it would be to miss the point for one to wish away such threats, as contained in the anonymous letter, as mere works of a serial psychopath.

Indeed, there is nothing that is intentionally alarmist as much as the admission by the Minister of Internal Security, Prof. George Saitoti, of the existence of a faceless serial psychopath who has allegedly over the years perfected the art of selectively authoring threatening anonymous letters aimed at intimidating Members of Parliament from engaging in proper and genuine legislation. It would be useless for one to be elected to Parliament only to fear for his life or that of his family members. It is in the greater good of the public that such allegations are accorded the seriousness they deserve considering that insecurity in the country is currently at an all time high.

Saitoti`s admission of the inability of the Government to apprehend this Psychopath is in my opinion, an inappropriate statement since it only serves to exacerbate the public`s fear of the safety of their legislators just as it also raises the much larger question of the capacity and integrity of the country`s Security Intelligence Organs. It is unimaginable that the country`s Security Intelligence has been and is still unable to zero down on such a serious security threat. Criminal minds in our midst can take advantage of such threatening anonymous letters to assassinate key political figures in the country with serious repercussions on our social and political stability.

Given that the country has in the recent past witnessed a spate of mysterious murders of Members of Parliament like the late Hon. Mellitus Were among others and considering that a number of human rights activists have also died under very suspicious circumstances, Hon. Saitoti`s explanation of “a serial Psychopath author on the prowl” cannot be used as a basis of de-legitimizing the concerns of the affected Members of Parliament nor will it appease their respective constituents and the public at large.

Of much concern too, is the precision with which the so called serial psychopath makes use of factual and classified Government information in the threatening anonymous letters. This is a pointer to the real possibility of complicity among Government`s Security agents. This alone is enough to jolt any Government into an instantaneous move to forestall any further subversive activities by elements within its security ranks. The Government must institute the necessary and urgent reforms in its security forces to restore their credibility.

The Government must also work hard enough to dispel the public`s fear of the existence of a well orchestrated fear-campaign against political elites engaging in rational and civil dialogue with basic modicum of honesty to the country`s citizenry. In order that the MPs continue to act in their proper capacities as elected leaders, a 24 hour state security must henceforth be accorded to them to guarantee them their safety in the face of such veiled threats. Political intimidation must not be allowed to infringe on our expanding democratic space.

TOME FRANCIS,

BUMULA CONSTITUENCY.

– – –
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:29:38 -0700 [06:29:38 PM CDT]
From: Francis Tome
Subject: GOVERNMENT MUST COME OUT CLEAN ON THE EXISTENCE OF A SERIAL PSYCOPATH.

The Kenya PM Raila Odinga and Dr Kofi Annan, the main obstacle for Justice in Kenya

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By Rev Okoth Otura

The apparent manipulation and the continual conspiracy of Mr Kofii Annan and the Kenya PM Raila Odinga to avoid the Kenya post election perpetrators to be charged at the “The Hague”, ICC, is conspiracy to pervert the course of justice for the helpless Kenyans who died or lost their love ones in the post-election violence.

The continual threats and killings of the dissident voices has rendered the detailed, convincing and overwhelming evidences collected by Waki and Prof Philip Alston on the Extra-Judiciary killings by the police death squads useless, since the main perpetrators ( Police Commissioner Ali and AG Wako) are still in government.

This can be confirmed by the recent assassination threats to disgruntled MP’s ( Hon Imanyara, & Dr Khalwale ) and the murder of University Don, Prof Kenya, and therefore the Police death squad still operates with explicit orders from Coalition Government and are still free to kill at will. The ODM leadership in the current ICC debate is questionable.

Millions of Kenyans are living under dehumanised conditions and are heavily being taxed to maintain the lucrative reckless lifestyle of the government ministers and parliamentarians; this is an act of economical plunder and must be treated as an extension of economical crime.

The current coalition government does not have political will to persecute the past and the ongoing extra-judicial killings in the country; neither do they have concern about the very many Kenyans still living as (IDP’s) in and outside the country.

The idea of commissioning a new constitution experts is mere nostrum, and waste of tax payers and donor funds.This is actually a desperate move of power hungry political tyrant’s tactics to keep hanging unto power through twist and turn of political gimmicks.

Mr Kofi Annan respect the voice of the people of Kenya and stop blocking the justice by voluntary forward all the names of the proprietors to the ICC or risked being accused of blocking the justice and misuse of power, causing unprecedented suffering and deaths of Kenyans.

– – –
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:09:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: ndebele okoth
Subject: The Kenya PM Raila Odinga and Dr Kofi Annan, the main obstacle for Justice in Kenya

Pecha Kucha Night, Safari Sevens, concerts and more

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ref: kenya buzz weekly; th18june2009
:: Art & Art Classes
:: Theatre, Dance & Dance Lessons
:: Music
:: Photography, Exhibition & Exposition
:: Weekly Updates
:: Upcoming Events
:: Fox Movie Listings

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– – –
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:36:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: KenyaBuzz
Subject: Pecha Kucha Night, Safari Sevens, concerts and more

Kids and Adults BBQ and Unity-Cultural Day. Sun 06/21/09

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You are invited to come or bring your child to our inaugural Annual Kids and adults Cultural Day on Sun 06/21/09. This event will proceed every year.

Where: Kildare Farms Racquet and Swim Club on Sun 6/21/09 from 12 noon till-

Located: 162 Pebble Creek Drive, Cary NC 27511.(From Raleigh take US 1 South towards Sanford, Exit Cary Parkway –exit 99 turn Rt then about 2 miles turn Rt on Two Creeks then a second left in 1 minute onto Pebble Creek- its that easy).

There will be various park activities for you or your child not limited to but including swimming at a gigantic pool overlooking a lake (lifeguards provided), sizzling Nyama choma, Kachumbari and kids meals, an extra large air conditioned hall for you or your child to dance to various African beats both for kids and for adults, inflatable bouncers for the kids to exercise their jumping skills, swings and slides, basketball court, Tennis court and plenty of tra il to walk. Now remember to bring your swim wear and good dancing shoes. This cultural day is intended to bring mostly kids of Kenyan origins to interact with one another . In order to defray the costs incurred in organizing this event we ask that you donate $5 voluntarily. The founding members would also like to invite those who want to be part of organizing this event to freely call any of us for details. Once again let me reiterate that this event is open for all and not just kids so don’t shy away if you don’t have kids, instead of building walls lets us build bridges.

For more info consult:
Juma : (919)271-6657
Amimo : (919)539-1000
Tiego : (919)656-9750

– – –
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:34:59 -0400
From: kibos@ . . .
Subject: Kids and Adults BBQ and Unity-Cultural Day. Sun 06/21/09

Re: AFRICANS ARE ROYALTY

2 Replies

Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:25:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: juliachumba2002@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: AFRICANS ARE ROYALTY

Haha,So what has grooming(Most likely the knife) done to the beauty queens living in the west? I am scared of beauties and handsomes because more often than not there character is the exact opposite.

Africans are the BEAUTIFULEST PEOPLE ON PLANET EARTH because true beauty is of the heart but a little enhancing won’t hurt. haha

Julia,
Cleveland

— On Wed, 6/17/09, Lee Makwiny rote:

From: Lee Makwiny
Subject: Re: Kenyans Voted ugliest in Africa!
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 5:37 AM

This things depend on the beauty of your prezy and the first lady.

If they are beautiful like the one who went for the beauty contest like Wipe, then the country will be number one. The people’s president will only move the lader up ten steps from the bottom. If this really matter, then we can vote Balala and i am sure we will be at top 3 in Africa. What do you think?

On Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 4:42 PM, Rhoune Willis wrote:

THIS IS SIMPLY PROVOCATIVE, OUTRAGEOUS AND RIDICULOUS, CAN’T BELIEVE THIS! IT’S OUTRIGHT DEFAMATORY INNUENDO!

August 28, 2007
Kenyans voted ugliest in Africa

Posted by maik under Life
[17] Comments

http://kenyanexpressions.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/kenyans-voted-ugliest-in-africa/

Kenyans were last weekend voted the funniest looking people in Africa .

With 48 participating nations in the Annual Most Beautiful People of

Africa

Awards, held at the Gregor Theatre in Bloemfontein SA, Kenya took the

last position, dislodging Zambia and reclaiming the title it held in 2000.

It posted 7pts out of a possible 540. The top position was taken by Rwanda , followed by Cameroon and then Ethiopia as second runner up. The last three positions were Kenya at 48, Zambia at 47, then Gabon , at 46.

The judges said they gave their points based on presentation, physical appearance, grooming, communication and other areas. They say that Kikuyu women and Luo men pose the most weird features.

Read this:

”Women from the Kikuyu community have small legs, totally no figures, and a little exaggerated heads. They lack good behinds and those who have them look like inflated balloons. They are shaped like pyramids turned upside down. A big upper frame and an almost invisible lower bit.

Luo men on the other side have distorted facial features..say big lips and huge noses or should we call them knobs.

Kikuyu men are also un proportional, and most of them are stunted.

They walk leaning forward. Plus they have long rusty teeth.”

“Those from Kisii Districts are small people, the average Kenyan man will stop growing at 5?2?…5?4? tops.

Kisii men have mango shaped heads, and bowed legs, a feature also common in their Luhya counterparts.”

He goes on to describe Kalenjins as “Funny little pitch black emaciated fellows, raking in millions from the track. However long they’ll remain in Europe , their features never improve”.

“Nandis will have rounded foreheads and thin, long arms”. While

occupants at the coast province are said to have “Wide faces, almost like a widescreen telly, especially taitas, and durumas”

Luhyas are the most weird creatures on earth. Men have very big noses and big lips while their partners have big funny looking hips and legs like those of animals.

“Kenyans do not know the meaning of good grooming” The writer says. “The women hate their dark skins and opt for mercury bleaches which mess them up. The result: A scary (unpigmented) light face, black legs, and a black back”. As much as the Kenyan accent, of standard English is admired, “there’s too much mother tongue interference, common in Merus, Kisiis, and Kikuyus”. While Luos were pointed out to be suffering from chronic ‘braggartitis’.

Kind regards,

Sharonewetu

— On Tue, 6/16/09, Mathews wrote:

From: Mathews
Subject: To Omeras In the house —-HAHAHAH
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 5:01 AM

“JUST FOR LAUGHS” BUT IT HAPPENS

May all the Luos in the house stand up, including my good friend Obama!

Guest: Excuse me sir; may I have your contact no.
Luo: Which one; Landline, Safaricom, Zain, Telkom wireless or Orange?

Guest: Safaricom Sir

Luo: Office or Home?

Guest: Home

Luo: The one in Black Berry, Samsung, Siemens, Motorola, Nokia or Sony Erickson?

Guest: Any will do for me sir

Luo: You are ok with Nokia!

Guest: Yes Sir.

Luo: Nokia Twin Sim or Single Sim?

Guest: Any will do for me sir

Luo: You are ok with Twin Sim!
Guest: Yes Sir.

A Luo: Post paid or Pre-Paid?

Guest: Sir you better just give me your email… ehh

Luo: No problem my dear; now which one do you prefer; yahoo.com , gmail, . co.ke , or .co.uk?

Guest: Sir lets stop it there, I’ll always come to see you whenever I need your attention.

Luo: You are at Liberty my dear to choose how you contact me; but will you be coming to my office, residence or in the restaurant?

Guest: Eiiishh Yawa Bye………….
—
=============================
Mathews O. Ogutu
ICT Consultant
P.O.Box 3337 00100
Nairobi
Cell:
254-723-714 000
Alt E-mail:- mathewsogutu@yahoo.com

Discovering Kikwete: Is he a “brand” politician?

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In marketing branding reigns supreme. Branding is one of the most effective marketing tool (not the only one) used in business for marketing and selling products. Branding is first and foremost about recognition and acceptability. When customers, for instance, fall over each other to buy a Mercedes Benz, a Calvin Klein item, Coca Cola drink or Kilimanjaro lager, etc, it is possibly more to do with a “brand” than other product attributes. This, however, does not necessarily mean that these brand merchandise, for example, are the best in the marketplace. It is quite possible that there could even be better products out there but because they lack brand recognition they are not sought after that much.

In the human world we have brand personalities who command a lot marketing power but in actual fact may not be the best. Examples abound. Take the former Spice Girls of United Kingdom for starters. This was a group of four British girls (including Victoria Beckham) who took the music world off its feet in the 1990s. It is arguably said that the spice girls were quite successful as a “brand” and less as a singing outfit. In other words their record sales were boosted by the “euphoria” about the spice girls than the appeal (if you like) of their songs!

Soccer Superstar David Beckham is more of “brand” than a real soccer sensation in the likes of Pele, Maradona or Zenadine Zidane. Beckham is reportedly earning more than any footballer in the world at his current American soccer club namely Galaxy in the USA. In fact Galaxy lured Beckham from his former club, Real Madrid not because of his soccer talents he could bring to the club but it was anticipated that because of his brand power he could invigorate the soccer interest in the USA which is currently lacking. If my memory serves me right, actor Will Smith has never taken a prestigious Oscar prize home but his “brand” supremacy makes him the highest paid actor in Hollywood. The list goes on and on. By the way this is not to take anything away from these great personalities. Indeed what they have achieved individually is no mean feat. However, it simply underscores the fact that some people can be more successful as a “brand” and not what they can actually deliver in their actual work.

This brings me to politics. The recent visit to the USA by President Jakaya Kikwete has raised a lot of eye brows. The local newspapers have reported that while President Kwikwete was in the USA for a non-state visit he was invited to pay a courtesy call to the White House. This act alone was enough to send political jitters and cause tantrum particularly in Kenya with the Kenyan press going berserk, screaming and cursing! Reason? Why should Kikwete be the first African President to have a “cup of tea” with USA President Barack Obama? Why not President Kibaki or even Prime Minister Raila Odinga( who happened to be in the USA at the same time) who should automatically be given the priority of meeting the USA President whom they consider to be a man from their soil? Does President Kikwete merit this honour in the first place?

In my view the Kenyan Press was just created a storm in a tea cup for nothing. For many, Kikwete’s visit to the White House was not a complete surprise. Over a decade Mr. Kikwete has created for himself a niche on the international political landscape. Firstly, as a foreign minister of Tanzania (1995-2005) , arguably one of the African countries highly regarded in the world, Mr. Kikwete’s face is very familiar in the corridors of power the world over compared to that of his counterpart across the border. I believe we are the same hymn page with our Kenyan friends on this particular aspect.

Secondly, unlike the Kenyan President our President is a globe trotting socialite. President Kikwete’s critics accuse him of leading a jet-set kind of life at the expense pressing domestic issues. However, State House and his dyed-in-the-wool supporters are adamant that indeed Kikwete’s foreign trips are not in vain after all. That while he is abroad the President is not on a sojourn as such but he is always busy passing around a “bowl” whose benefits are obvious for all who have “eyes” to see. We can debate the merits and demerits of President Kiwete’s frequent trips abroad until the cows come home without reaching a consensus. However, me thinks that these trips have helped Mr. Kikwete to develop a strong rapport and network (mtandao!) with his counterparts around the world which has gradually given him a recognition of some sort. Kikwete is now a kind of politician whom world leaders would like to meet when such a chance arises. In my view that is how President Kikwete found himself at the Oval office, so our Kenyan compatriots should not loose sleep over this.

On the domestic scene, Mr. Kikwete’s likeability and charm is simply mind boggling. Listen to this. In 1995 Mr. Kikwete missed the Presidency just by a whisker! From relative obscurity Kikwete suddenly become a front runner during 1995 CCM primaries in Dodoma to determine the CCM presidential candidate for 1995 general elections. In the first round he trounced seasoned politicians including former Prime Minister Clleopa Msuya and Benjamin Mkapa only to be persuaded by former President J.K Nyerere to step aside. The rest as they say is history. This alone was enough to leave political observers completely bewildered!

Mr. Kikwete is a patient bird. He bid for his time and during 2005 CCM primaries fought a mother of all political battles. With former Prime Minister and once upon a time eminent person, John Malecela down and out of the race to determine the presidential candidate for CCM for 2005 general elections, Kikwete not only outwitted former Prime Minister who never made it to final round but was triumphant by giving his two opponents a bloody nose. Both Ambassador Salim H. Salim and Hon Mr. Mark Mwandosya came a distant first and second runner up respectively in terms of casted votes. How could Kikwete edge out a political pedigree like Dr. Salim? Granted, there are serious allegations of mud slinging and other under hand methods during the campaign but can this alone explain a wide margin of the votes between the victor and the vanquished? Your guess is as good as mine.

Enter 2005 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. The debate-shy CCM candidate (Kikwete) even went on to dodge the Presidential Debate on very flimsy excuses. Critics attacked him of fearing to take the heat from his fiery and eloquent opponents like Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba, Augustine Mrema and Freeman Mbowe. This weakness alone could have been sufficient to blemish his chances of getting a clear cut victory. Well, not according to the Tanzania electorates because Mr. Kikwete went on to win this election big time. He got a landslide of over 80%, just to be precise! The results shocked and awed political observers. Was this victory a product of Kikwete’s political astuteness, hard work or something else?

However, the opposition and critics contend that Kikwete and CCM stole 2005 election through bribery and rampant misuse of public resources. Although there is some merit on these allegations but this could only be one of the factors in Kikwete’s favour, not the decisive one. Truth to be told, the elections polls had consistently indicated that Kikwete was heading for a landslide victory. Part of answers to his conquest, by and large, lies somewhere else as we shall discern shortly.

Fast forward. Assured of mass support and riding on immense popularity, President Kikwete entered State House with gusto and his political engine machine firing on all six cylinders. Kikwete hit the ground running and in a short span of time his administration was able to clamp down on armed robbery. A crime which had been a menace during President Mkapa’s tenure. The President went into overdrive mode by launching a major campaign to raise funds to build more class rooms for secondary school pupils who have hitherto missed out due to lack of facilities. Everything seemed to be in tandem with his new rule book entitled “new vigour, new zeal and new speed”.

But alas! This was short lived because severe drought struck soon thereafter resulting into serious scarcity of food and water in the country. The country was plunged into darkness and industrial production slumped to low levels due to inadequate electricity. As the say, misfortunes don’t come in singles. The administration’s endeavors to acquire emergency power to alleviate the power crisis was bungled and one thing lead to another until the buck stopped at the Prime Minister. As a result Prime Minister Lowassa was went packing, unceremoniously, so to speak.
Without his most right hand man, President was badly handicapped. Dear reader let us pause and reflect for a moment. President Kikwete without Lowassa at his beck and call is like the biblical Moses leading the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan without Aaron. Just imagine if Aaron went missing at the critical moment at Mount Sinai! Yes, you guessed right because it would have been disastrous for Moses. No wonder the promised “better life for all Tanzanians” ( manna from heaven ?) has turned into a pipedream because Lowassa (JK’s Aaron? ) is “missing in action” . The ensuing corruption scandals exposed by the opposition has, to a great extent, rolled Kikwete’s administration into the mud. As a result of the foregoing the population is apprehensive and disenchanted with his administration’s performance this far.

However, according the recent research done by Research And Education for Democracy in Tanzania ( REDET) found out that the ruling party CCM has gradually (since 2005 general elections) been losing ground in terms of popularity to the opposition because the population is generally getting disillusioned by its policies and conduct. Similarly, Kikwete’s administration especially his ministers have come under spotlight for not being able to perform and deliver. Ironically, while Kikwete’s party and ministers are getting a flak from the public, the President’s popularity has somehow remained unfazed!

According to REDET, President Kikwete, for good measure, would in fact win landslide if the presidential elections were held at this point in time! Question is: Why is President Kikwete still popular with the public while his party, CCM and his ministers are doing so badly? It is simple. Kikwete has over the time created an image of acceptability and adorability forte for himself. Results or no results, love or loathe him, Kikwete is a “brand” in himself which resonates very well with the public mood at large. Kikwete is a brand politician, no more no less and that what makes him tick.That is why, in my view, if Kikwete stands again on a CCM ticket he will win 2010 elections hands down. Not because he can deliver but due to his brand power.

—
Yona Fares Maro
I.T. Specialist and Digital Security Consultan

– – –
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:20:49 -0700
From: Yona Fares Maro
Subject: Discovering Kikwete: Is he a “brand” politician?

BIG TROUBLE IS BREWING IN KERICHO TEA INDUSTRY AS POLITICIAN ISSUES THREAT

1 Reply

BIG TROUBLE IN KERICHO TEA INDUSTRY AS LOCAL POLITICIANS ISSUES THREAT TO BURNT DOWN THE RECENTLY INTRODUCDED MECHANISED TEA PICKING MACHINES.

Writes Leon Odera Omolo In Kericho Town.

TROUBLE is brewing up with the tea industries based in the South Rift following a recent threats issued by local politicians who vowed to mobilize their followers to invade the tea estates and burnt down the recently introduced tea picking machines.

The politician have allayed the fears that the gradual introduction of the green tea picking machines would eventually render their people jobless once the program is fully implemented

The tea industry is, arguably still the largest employer in the region, engaging more than 20 thousands workers in Kericho, Bomet, Bureti and Sotiuk districts alone..

A number of the multinational tea companies operating in Kericho, Bureti,Bomet and Sotik have already put in use the mechanized tea plucking system, which the politicians argues, would render their people jobless. But the number of machines in use are negligible, and in most estates, the green leaves is still being picked manually.

It is also imperative to remember that when Francis Atwoli strongly opposed the introduction of mechanized tea picking by the industry player, it was this same politicians who vehemently opposed his move and sided with the companies.

Sources in the industry says, it is only at Sotik Highland Tea Company based in Sotik district where the introduction of mechanized tea plucking system is almost attained 50 per cent. But other firms such as Unilever and Finlay’s tea company still relied on manual tea picking.

the introduction of mechanized tea picking system is almost 50per cent. But in Kericho and Bureti where the bulk of major estates are allocated, mechanized green leaves tea picking is only in small scale. The rest of the green leaves picking work is done manually

The resolution to invade the tea estates by demonstrators and forcefully dismantle and destroy the tea plucking machines was passed at a public rally attended by hundreds of workers at Kabororet Stadium, Which is owned by James Finlay’s Tea Company, one of the largest tea manufacturing multinational company. The firm is also involved in the large scale production of flowers in the region.

The Harambee meeting was attended by the Belgut MP Charles Keter, who is also an Assistant Minister for Energy in the coalition government. He was accompanied by 16 civic leaders from both Kericho Municipality and the County Council of Kipsigis.

It emerged that the management of James Finlays Tea Company Ltd in whose workers had called the harambee meeting for their own welfare did not send a senior manager, but had posted its donation of Kshs 10,000, which was conveyed at the meeting by one of its junior managing staff. This provoked angers of the local leaders who vowed to teach the company a lesson.

The invasion of the estates by local people was slated for last Tuesday June 16. But it was later postponed indefinitely after the reported intervention by the Minister for Roads Franklin Bett who asked the politicians and the management of the company to hold a joint meeting for the purpose of dialogue..The meeting took place on Thursday 18,2009, but its deliberations have yet to be disclosed..

The Union of Kenya Plantations and Agriculture Workers Kericho branch supported the action, but the branch secretary Joshua Owuor Otieno said he did not approve the use of force and destruction of the tea picking machines. He said, however, that the Union did not approve the use of force in resolving what is the real sense, could be termed the issue as an industrial dispute, and which could only be resolved through the laid down industrial regulations as opposed to the use of violence The Union’s Secretary General Francis Atwoli could not be reached for his immediate comment.

Interviewed local leaders, however, described the politicians action as unacceptable and amounted to intimidating the industry operators. One of those who spoke to this writer advised the politicians to leave the industrial issues to the unionist.

Lt. Gen {rtd} John Koech, the national chairman of the United Democratic Movement{UDM}, which is the second party after the ODM with sizeable following among members of the Kipsigis community told those advocating the use of violence to desist as such actions could be counter-productive, and to find the way of living in harmony with the multinational tea companies, which he said were playing vital role in the country’s economy.

.A survey carried out by this writer indicated that the workers in the tea companies did not approve the use of violence in resolving any industrial dispute, and felt that the dismantling of the tea picking machines by means of force could jeopardize their chances and perhaps cause them their jobs.

The workers wanted the politician to steer clear of the tea industry and to leave the matter or whatever dispute to be tackled by their Union and not outsiders or a gang of organized youths hired like mercenaries to invade the tea estates and cause mayhem.

He relations between one of the major tea companies, James Finlays, which is the largest tea processing companies has not been so cordial in recent months following allegations that some of the company senior managers were colluding with politicians for the purpose of harassing its management.

It is also being alleged that some of the issues involved the disagreement could be traced to tribalism and clannish. Some of the company senior manager, who could not secure quick promotion to the top have allegedly resorted to feeding politicians with pack of lies about the operations of the company. Other, have become jealousy to any non-Kipsigis promoted to the top and have resorted to peddling of distorted information given to politicians for their own selfish interests and survival.

Other sources are pointing an accusing finger to some of the retired former senior managers of the company, who are said to be still interested in controlling the company’s day to day management activities from outside, and are allegedly working with their cronies. .still in the service of the company..This is one of the reasons why the locals politicians have been advised to go slow on contentious issues, which are the sole responsibility of the union, and not the politicians have been accused of hypocrisy.

IT HAS ALSO EMERGED THAT Hon Keter has been involved in private business of transportation with the Finlay’s Tea Company for a long time, and that the company has contributed immensely towards certain development projects in Belgut such as schools, water supplies and schools and many other of important projects, which are useful for socio-economic of the local people..

Introduction of clannish and tribalism in the services of the tea companies is described by level minded members of the Kipsigis elite as dangerous and unacceptable. They want the company to be set free to hire qualified personnel of their own choices. If the trend of pressurizing these companies to hire only relatives and friends of certain people irrespective of their qualifications and ability to do the job, then these firms headed for dooms,” commented one civic leader in Kericho..

Ends

ledoderaomolo@yahoo.com

– – –
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:55:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: BIG TROUBLE IS BREWING IN KERICHO TEA INDUSTRY AS POLITICIAN ISSUES THREAT

Re: US to deport Kenyan over scam at Embassy

Leave a reply

From: jbatec@ . . .
Subject: Re: US to deport Kenyan over scam at Embassy
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 8:14 AM

Folks,

Once upon a time, there was a fall-out in Dec. 2007. Election was stolen by Kibaki and PNU. I stayed tuned participating very actively in the network forum from election campaign to election day. I was well aware monitoring election counts from station to station. Without a pinch of doubt I knew ODM had won the election, but Kibaki and cronies maneuvered in a coup, stole the election and in a hurry to State House declared Kibaki won the election and is the President.

As we were monitoring election results, me, my husband and Dickens Odhiambo kept consulting and updating each other. The former US President Bush and Museveni were the first to announce and congratulate Kibaki for winning the election. In a spar of moment, I knew If I kept quite it will be treated as true to stay result and many already were unhappy and tempers flaring up. I knew Jendayi Fraser gave misinformed Condoleezza Rice. The truth had to come out. President Bush had to reverse the announcement but something had to be done quickly. I confronted President Bush Administration and complained.

I made frantic calls to those whom I knew and finally conversed with the Intelligence Security who cleared us to apply for Demonstration permit. We demonstrated after I
requested Dickens Odhiambo to send emails to Kenyans in Diaspora, friends and sympathizers to come and join us for the demonstration. The impact was great even those who opposed us that Kibaki won and is the then President of Kenya and nothing will change joined us. They tried to push me out of leadership immediately after demonstration but they failed. My leadership sprang as a result of something gone haywire and someone had to step up leadership to achieve order and organization to Kenyas stability.

Thank God to intervention of Kofi Annan with eminent leaders who intervened and structured the Reform Peace Accord Agreement signed by the two Kibaki and Raila, that which was meant to nullify election on a be a temporary measure to calm the explosive condition in Kenya, and to provide for meaningful dialogue and way forward. The Reform Accord was to fix loopholes that which provided for the stolen election, so that when a repeat election is called, there should be some Constitutional and fair Legal provision that which will guard against falsification and graft.

Since then I became the Diaspora Spokesperson because of leadership vacuum which I filled and things begun to take shape. Those who are challenging my position, where were they then, when their services were badly needed? I have to make sure I am in control as a Diaspora Spokesperson until Kenya and Africa settles to a true Democratic Governance. That is my mission and my call.

I attach footnote of my communication with the Intelligence for all to be satisfied with my statement.

I hope this will settle more questions about my position of Diaspora Spokesperson.

May our good God keep you safely focused on Hope to a better future.

Sincerely,

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

Attachment…………

From: Bultrowicz, Scott P
Subject: FW: KENYAS IN WASHINGTON DEMO (01/02/2008) 10:00AM
Date: Monday, December 31, 2007, 3:53 PM

Ms. Judy,

Per our earlier discussion the two organizations you need to contact for the protest at the Embassy of Kenya on Wednesday are the Secret Service Uniformed Division at (202) 243-6016 and the Metropolitan Police Department, Special Operations Division at (202) 671-6522.

I also understand that you plan on delivering letters to the White House and the State Department on Wednesday. You should also discuss this with the Secret Service (White House) and I will advise the Diplomatic Security Service for the State Department.

I also understand that your demonstration will be peaceful and that there are no plans to be disruptive.

Scott Bultrowicz

Director
Office of Invesitgations and Counterintelligence
Bureau of Diplomatic Security
U.S. Department of State

— On Wed, 5/20/09, Lee Makwiny wrote:

From: Lee Makwiny
Subject: Re: US to deport Kenyan over scam at Embassy
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 5:54 AM

Judy has been the “Spokesperson” for the Diaspora for along time now and whether she appointed herself we won’t know from Kenya. It’s upon the “Diaspora” to disown her, which has not happened. But I like her approach, she is combative, we need people like her, that the only way people can be heard in Africa and the good part with her she is not a “romour” miller. I have followed this Ratego Ogego issues on other forums and I personally believe there are issues that need to be addressed. And remember the way this guy and Mutua ridiculed Obama and supported Bush!!!!!! They’ve made Obama skip Kenya.

On 5/20/09, ed moses wrote: with care not to attack any persona; lets be honest, the way Judy advocates for issues and calls for actions is quite oftenly alarming. I dont see conscious weighing of options and a methodical decision making & consultative process in many of those
outbursts-something so critical to leadership

On 5/20/09, Odhiambo wrote:

On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 11:25 PM, john kamau wrote:

Who is this Judy when did Kenyans in the Diaspora commission her as a leader of us all?

What was the composition?. How many Kenyans participated in this so called Elections, and How many Kenyans are in the diaspora according to the all powerful Judy?For those of us who have followed M/s Miriga we are so scared that if she got any where close to power she would be a worse dictator than any one leader in Kenya. she is a loss canon ready to spread mayhem and should be stopped.

When did Kenyans in the diaspora meet and agree that we will cloud the streets in protest over Ogego? Why should I or You demonstrate against the ambassador???? what evidence do we have of his culpability in any ills against a Kenya, Kenyans or otherwise???

Hi John,

If you ignore the title Judy has, or even if the diasporas had some elections, do you believe what Judy is saying about the management style (and scam) at the Kenyan Embassy in Washington does hold some water? That is what matters, not who Judy is. Being in the US, surely, you should have an open mind.

—
Best regards,
Odhiambo WASHINGTON,
Nairobi,KE
+254733744121/+254722743223
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”
— Mark Twain

So Called “Peace” groups Promote War In Uganda

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Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:08:45 -0400
From: milton allimadi
Subject: So Called “Peace” groups Promote War In Uganda

http://www.blackstarnews.com/news/135/ARTICLE/5781/2009-06-17.html

[Publisher’s Commentary]

“Peace” Organizations Promote War In Africa
By Milton Allimadi
June 17th, 2009

Two American organizations that claim to fight human rights abuses in Africa are functioning like public relations agencies on behalf of the Ugandan dictatorship during what’s been billed as “Lobby Days” from June 22-23 in Washington, D.C.

The two organizations may stoke the flames of conflict rather than resolve the calamity in Central Africa.

Resolve, which once had a semblance of respectability, is the official host; John Prendergast, the leader of an outfit called Enough! is one of the speakers and his organization advocates for a military solution to Central African conflicts on its website. Please see http://www.enoughproject.org/

So what could have been a serious gathering to address the conflict in Central Africa –Uganda, DR Congo, Rwanda, and the Sudan— has been reduced into a public relations fest on behalf of the Ugandan dictatorship.

By logging on Resolve’s glitzy website, the keen observer can sense the lack of seriousness. The bright colors; the smiling images; the flashy displays; all are more suitable for a website promoting a rock concert rather than a gathering to help explore the roots behind genocide in Central Africa and possible solutions. Please see http://www.resolveuganda.org/ The more serious conference awaits to be organized.

Under the heading “How It Ends,” in reference to Uganda’s 23-years of militarism that has claimed perhaps 10 million civilian lives and that of very few combatants, the organizers boldly proclaim: “Come to our Lobby Days in Washington, D.C. this June 22-23rd and help stop the one man holding an entire region hostage. It’s time for Africa’s longest-running war to be over, and this is how it ends….”

“With your help, the biggest lobby day in American history will be history in the making, leading to long overdue peace and safety for the children caught in the crossfire of Joseph Kony’s war,” the organizers claim. While cross-fire implies that Kony, who is the Leader of the notoriously vicious Lord’s Resistance Army, responsible for so much atrocities, is shooting at another combatant, the organizers deliberately omit the name of his nemesis; Uganda’s president General Yoweri Museveni.

The difference between the two is that Kony has been indicted by the International Criminal Court; Museveni has not yet been indicted. So how can “one man” be responsible when there are two combatant armies? The malicious dishonesty and duplicity starts early. There are many reasons for this propaganda ploy; we’ll address two of them. By omitting reference to Museveni –or claiming that Kony is the “one man” holding the region hostage, Resolve, possibly out of its own accord, more likely due to influence of Enough! wants to divert attention away from Museveni’s own role, which is much larger, in the atrocities and bloodletting that has blanketed Central Africa since the 1980s; not only Uganda.

There’s no question that had Uganda not invaded Rwanda on October 1, 1990, there never would have been genocide in 1994; there’s no question that Uganda’s army committed genocide in eastern Congo, as affirmed by the World Court in 2005, when it occupied the region from 1997-2003; and there’s no question that the Museveni regime, by confining two million civilians in concentration camps in the northern part of the country, where about 520,000 may have died over a 10 year period, using World Health Organization estimates, has committed what a critic Olara Otunnu, former United Nations Under Secretary General responsible for children in conflict areas has called “slow motion genocide.”

Please see http://www.who.int/hac/crises/uga/sitreps/Ugandamortsurvey.pdf
Yet Resolve –and Enough! – reckon, it’s Kony who is “the one man” holding the region hostage. Not the one who has presided over possibly 10 million deaths: one million in Rwanda; seven million in Congo; and two million in Uganda.

The second reason why Museveni is omitted in the “cross fire” is the fact that Museveni does not sell as well as Kony. Even though Museveni is responsible for the deaths of millions of Africans, he does not have the demonic popular media characteristic, such as, for example, the late Idi Amin, whose excesses now pale in comparison to Museveni’s, has; or that Kony has.

More Americans know who Kony, the “evil” leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army is, and many more still recall Amin, compared to the numbers that know Museveni. The Ugandan dictator is educated, well read and pays millions of dollars to public relations agencies in Europe and the United States to brush up his image. Museveni is what one might call, a brainy, meticulous and scholarly killer; unlike the buffoonish Amin or the unread and messianic Kony, both of whom never attempted to generate an aura of plausible deniability.

Besides, it takes a special skill.

So while Michael Poffenberger, the co-founder and executive director of Resolve, knows in his heart that Museveni’s militarism has caused the most destruction in Central Africa, he chooses to indulge in fantasy. He pretends that merely by eliminating Kony, peace will be restored, and, celestial choirs will sing, to borrow a term from Hillary Clinton. Moreover, Poffenberger knows that Kony sells. Who wants to come to a conference to “Examine The Roles Played By Museveni and Kony In Central Africa’s Genocide” even though that would be a more honest theme?

Kony is a “monster” in the popular Western psyche—comparable to one of those macabre characters in Hollywood horror movies. A character who would steal American children at night; after all he has kidnapped Ugandan children into the ranks of his army.
So, Poffenberger knows that he has to sell his gathering around Kony’s name. People who attend and who send money will be contributing to “fighting Kony” the purported “one man” holding the region hostage. Even Museveni invokes Kony’s name to gain military hardware and training from the United Kingdom and the U.S.; notwithstanding the fact that the weapons are rarely used to pursue Kony, but in wars of conquest and pillage, in Rwanda and Congo. Who can blame Poffenberger for invoking Kony’s name in vane? On Resolve’s website there is a “donate” button. “Will you donate $25 today, and help make peace possible for the victims of this war?” states the appeal, “Your donation is crucial to the success of our work. Your generosity makes a difference.”
Potential donors have the option to donate as much as $50, $100, or $250, if they prefer.

Nowhere is it explained how money to Resolve can “make peace possible for the victims of this war.” Will Resolve give the money to Kony and plead with him to take it and lay down his arms?

Perhaps to Museveni to persuade him to retire having been in power for 25 years and seeking more? Only Poffenberger knows. One thing for sure; Kony and Museveni have created a global multi-billion dollar industry through the years. Should Kony demise the scene eventually, many blood-stained jobs will disappear.

If Resolve and Enough! were serious would they not say something about the recent report by Human Rights Watch detailing how the Bush Administration worked with the Museveni regime, which engages in torture?

In “Open Secret” issued on April 8, 2009, Human Rights Watch disclosed that the United States provided $5 million in military assistance to President Museveni’s government in 2008 even though it engaged in torture. The Leahy Amendment bars U.S. military assistance to such countries.

Please see http://www.hrw.org/en/node/82072/section/6 “Uganda’s foreign partners have largely failed to address serious human rights violations by security forces in Uganda, including its counterterrorism forces,” says the Human Rights Watch report, which is ironically, a critique also befitting Resolve and Enough!

Make no mistake Resolve will resolve nothing during “Lobby Days” and beyond except build up its own reputation and gain further fame for Poffenberger; a “courageous young man” engaged in the fight against the “evil” Joseph Kony.

Yet, it’s a dangerous approach.

By pretending that it’s only Kony’s LRA which engages in human rights abuses in Uganda, when Poffenberger knows that the atrocities also committed by Museveni’s army have been well documented by Uganda media and by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, it complicates the work of others that are more serious in resolving the war in Uganda. Activists and champions of peace, democratization, and accountability, know that the atrocities committed by both sides need to be exposed to the maximum, to force both sides to eventually negotiate in earnest.

So, if one were in Museveni’s shoes today, with organizations such as Resolve and Enough! doing the public relations work on his behalf and ingratiating his regime towards American lawmakers, what incentive would one have to engage with Kony’s LRA?
In fact, there had been peace in Uganda and Congo’s Garamba province for as long as Museveni’s government and Kony’s LRA were engaged in talks from mid-2006 to the end of 2008.

A stalemate ensued in mid-2008 and Kony refused to sign a final peace deal, claiming he wanted the arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court quashed. Even though members of parliament from Acholi, the war affected area pressed for more dialogue, Museveni sent his army into Garamba with the involvement of U.S. military personnel. It was a gift from George W. Bush; from one militarist to another. And as often with Bush’s gifts –remember the Iraqis were supposed to greet American troops with flowers?—the mission blew up.

The so-called “Operation Thunder” backfired and Kony eluded capture, embarrassing both President Bush, and the Ugandan military. And as always, the civilians paid the price, when Kony’s LRA reportedly resorted to vengeance massacres against Congolese civilians.

Now Resolve –and Enough!—clearly not bothered by the lives of African civilians are actually calling for the President Obama Administration to team up with Uganda’s dictator to launch further military operations in pursuit of Kony. If the collateral damage –civilians—that will occur from more warfare were Europeans, Resolve and Enough! would not be advocating such preposterous insanity. Senators Russ Feingold and Sam Brownback have introduced a Bill dealing with Uganda, with the name, “Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009.”

Who is naive enough to believe that it’s by mere coincidence that the Bill also sees only one party as the source of conflict? Was this drafted by Resolve? By Enough? With input from Kampala?

The Bill contains some carrots, as when it calls for a multi-million dollar financing of recovery in Uganda’s devastated Acholi region. But the most insidious measure would have the United States align its government and military with Museveni’s army in combat against Kony.

Section (3) of the Bill states that it’s U.S. policy, in furthering the goal to end the conflict in northern and eastern Uganda and other affected areas by “eliminating the threat posed by the Lord’s Resistance Army to civilians and regional stability through political, economic, military, and intelligence support for a comprehensive multilateral effort to protect civilians in affected areas, to apprehend or otherwise remove Joseph Kony and his top commanders from the battlefield, and to disarm and demobilize Lord’s Resistance Army fighters…”

Why would the United States want any association with Uganda’s military establishment when the International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating Uganda’s army for alleged war crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a Wall Street Journal front page story from June 8, 2006? How serious are the allegations against Museveni and his army? In its article The Wall Street Journal reported: “President Museveni of Uganda asked U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to block the Congo investigation, according to one person familiar with the matter.

Mr. Annan replied that he had no power to interfere with the court, this person said.” Museveni tried to sabotage the investigation into the alleged mass murder because he knew that Uganda’s guilt had already been affirmed. In 2005, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which investigated the civil aspect of the war crimes allegations –massacres, mass rapes, and mass plunder of Congo’s natural wealth– found Uganda liable and awarded $10 billion to DR Congo in compensation.
Please see http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/116/10455.pdf

Are Senators Feingold and Brownback not aware of the ICC’s probe into Uganda’s alleged war crimes in the Congo?

After all, Jean Pierre Bemba, the warlord and former Congo vice president whose militia was trained, armed, and financed by Uganda is already on trial at the Hague on war crimes charges; he is said to have been spilling the beans on Museveni.
Resolve and Enough!’s claim that Kony is the “one man” holding the region hostage is preposterous. Not even the Uganda government newspaper, The New Vision, has ever made such an assertion. The Ugandan authorities know that lies have to be credible in order to be effective.

The Resolve and Enough! ploy also insults President Barack Obama; it teats him as if he were on the same intellectual level as President Bush, a war monger easily manipulated by Museveni.

Fortunately, not every Senator has been duped –or perhaps bought. Just before Museveni met with Bush for the last time at The White House on October 30, 2007, Senator John Kerry sent Bush a letter dated October 29, 2007 in which he observed that Uganda’s February 2006 election was “marred by intimidation, various voting irregularities, and a show of force by the government.”

“The main opposition candidate was harassed and put on trial,” Kerry wrote. “Regrettably, these events came on the heels of President Museveni pressuring the Ugandan parliament to lift the Constitution’s two-term limit on the presidency. Breaking his express promise to abide by the terms of the Constitution allowed President Museveni to seek reelection for a third time in 2006.”

“Given our strong interest in promoting democracy in Uganda and elsewhere around the world, I hope you take this opportunity both to ask President Museveni to reaffirm his commitment to the rule of law and to understand the steps he has taken since 2006 towards this end,” Kerry urged of Bush, who obviously ignored the advice.
President Obama, in his outreach towards North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba, has already made it clear that his Administration will always exhaust dialogue and diplomacy first. His government deserves to give it a try with respect to Uganda.
The best thing that President Obama could for Uganda and for all of Central Africa is to appoint Senator Kerry a Special Envoy to see if he can help restore the Peace Talks to end 25 years of war in Uganda.

Please post your comments directly online or submit them to milton@blackstarnews.com for publication “Speaking Truth To Empower.”

Milton Allimadi, Publisher/CEO
The Black Star News Publishing Co.
P.O. Box 64, New York, N.Y., 10025
(212) 481-7745
Please visit also visit www.blackstarnews.com

Economic Crisis on Africa

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Folks,
Meeting is tomorrow but I will share Kenyan and African perspective in a private folder…..please Spread this to the discussion forum for brainstorming and revert back……….

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

The Institute for Policy Studies and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Present:
Roundtable Discussion on the Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on Africa

Thursday June 18, 2009 1:00pm – 2:30pm
George Washington University
Amphitheatre, Marvin Center
800 21st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
Nearest Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU located on the Orange/Blue lines

SPEAKERS:
Jose Gijon, Chief Africa economist and=2 0Head of the Africa Desk, OECD Development Centre
Regina Amadi, Former Head of Africa, International Labor Organization
Tony Avirgan, Economic Policy Institute
Briggs Bomba, Associate Director, Africa Action
Leonce Ndkumana, Director of Development Research, African Development Bank

MODERATOR:
Emira Woods, Foreign Policy In Focus, Institute for Policy Studies

This lunchtime briefing will spotlight the impact of the global financial and economic crisis on Africa. What is the impact on women, workers, small-holder farmers? What are the challenges but also20the opportunities that the crisis presents for the continent? What is Africa’s economic Outlook? Is the continent in a better position to weather this crisis than it was in the 80s and 90s? Could the crisis bring an end to the Washington Consensus? What are the opportunities for structural change that meets the needs of people and the planet?

This event is co-sponsored by Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, Africa Action, Transafrica Forum John Hopkins School of Advanced Studies, Association of Concerned Africa Scholars, American University’s Africa Council, Foreign Policy In Focus

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

– – –
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:47:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: Judy Miriga
Subject: Economic Crisis on Africa

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Monthly Archives: June 2009

eastandard.net – Just what happened to youth fund millions?

Why go after my husband

Obat Masira ensembles

The Lake Basin Jewel Magazine

The KCDN Calender of events

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Time to roll up your sleeves

Black Youth Makes Medical Breakthrough

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Kenya Leadership have Failed to Put their Acts in Order

GOVERNMENT MUST COME OUT CLEAN ON THE EXISTENCE OF A SERIAL PSYCOPATH

The Kenya PM Raila Odinga and Dr Kofi Annan, the main obstacle for Justice in Kenya

Pecha Kucha Night, Safari Sevens, concerts and more

Kids and Adults BBQ and Unity-Cultural Day. Sun 06/21/09

Re: AFRICANS ARE ROYALTY

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BIG TROUBLE IS BREWING IN KERICHO TEA INDUSTRY AS POLITICIAN ISSUES THREAT

Re: US to deport Kenyan over scam at Embassy

So Called “Peace” groups Promote War In Uganda

Economic Crisis on Africa