Wednesday 30 July 2014

Obama cites Kenya’s Luo culture in talk on polygamy

Wednesday, July 30, 2014
US President Barack Obama speaking during the Fellowship for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in Washington, DC on July 28, 2014. He referred to polygamy in traditional Luo culture and said while the practice might have made sense years back, it may not be useful in contemporary society. AFP PHOTO | MANDEL NGAN
US President Barack Obama speaking during the Fellowship for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in Washington, DC on July 28, 2014. He referred to polygamy in traditional Luo culture and said while the practice might have made sense years back, it may not be useful in contemporary society. AFP PHOTO | MANDEL NGAN 

In Summary

  • Mr Obama said taking more than one wife might have made sense in a particular setting.
  • He, however, said that what worked then might not work today.
  • He reiterated his commitment to fight for human rights.
  • Obama said problems of the colonial era should not be an excuse for Africa's underdevelopment.
By KEVIN J. KELLEY
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Washington DC
President Barack Obama on Monday cited the example of Kenya's Luo community in criticising the contemporary practice of polygamy.
Mr Obama said the tradition in parts of Africa of taking more than one wife might have made sense in a particular setting.
He was speaking in Washington to a gathering of young Africans chosen to take part in a US-sponsored leadership initiative.
The Young African Leaders Initiative's 500 participants included 46 Kenyans.
“In Kenya, for example, in the Luo tribe, polygamy existed,” the president said after noting that his father was Kenyan.
“It was based on the idea that women had their own compounds, they had their own land, and so they were empowered in that area to be self-sufficient.”
But with men moving to cities to work and perhaps starting other families there, women left behind in villages may have lost that power, Mr Obama continued.
LIVING IN DIFFERENT TIMES
“So what worked then might not work today — in fact, does not work today. If you try to duplicate traditions that were based on an entirely different economy and an entirely different society and entirely different expectations, well, that’s going to break down. It’s not going to work,” the president emphasised.
At the same time, President Obama announced the opening next year of a US-sponsored regional leadership centre in Nairobi.
He also referred to his administration's efforts to bolster the East African trading bloc which includes Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Asked about US trade initiatives, Mr Obama said flowers grown in Kenya will mainly be exported to wealthy countries while other goods could be sold within Africa at a much lower cost to producers.
“If I am a Kenyan businessman, it is going to be easier for me to sell my goods to a Tanzanian or a Ugandan than it is for me to try to compete with Nike or Apple in the United States,” Mr Obama said.
He also fielded a question from a Kenyan woman chosen to take part in the leadership programme.
MAASAI DRESS
The president said he had chosen the woman, who was wearing a traditional Maasai dress because she looked so nice.
“We’ve got a Maasai sister right here,” Mr Obama exclaimed.
On the issue of women’s rights, Mr Obama reiterated his commitment to defend the interests of women.
“You will not find anybody more committed than I am to this issue,” Mr Obama said.
“One of the single-best measures of whether a country succeeds or not is how it treats its women,” the US president said.
Failing to give equal status to half a country's population was equivalent to a football team playing a match with only half its players, he said.
“If you are not empowering half of your population that means you have half as few possible scientists, half as few possible engineers. You are crippling your own development unnecessarily,” Mr Obama declared.
DENOUNCED FGM
He went on to denounce female genital mutilation calling it a tradition that was barbaric and which should be eliminated.
He also termed violence against women as another tradition that needed to be eliminated.
In response to a question about whether the US would support a move to forgive Africa's debts, Mr Obama said he did not regard either the debt burden or the injustices of colonialism as the primary cause of Africa's contemporary problems.
“There is a legitimate discussion to be had around debt forgiveness,” the president acknowledged.
“But I will challenge the notion that the primary reason that there has been a failure in service delivery is because of burdensome debts imposed by the West,” he said.
He reminded the young leaders that problems plaguing Africa and which can be attributed to the colonial era should not be an excuse for failure to develop.
“There is no doubt that you can trace many of the problems that have plagued the continent back to the colonial era.
But as powerful as history is, at some point you have to look to the future and say, okay, we didn't get a good deal then, but let’s make sure that we are not making excuses for not going forward,” said Mr Obama.

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Dr Adhu Awiti is dead

Former Karachuonyo MP Dr Paul Adhu Awiti has passed on after prolonged battle with Cancer. Awiti died Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Avenue Hospital in Kisumu. He was the Minister for Planning between 2001 and 2002. Condoling with the family, CORD leader Raila Odinga described him as a staunch believer in the possibility of a better, more equal, just, and fair and free Kenya. “The entire pro-change movement in our country is deeply saddened by his passing. He leaves a deep void in the ongoing struggle for total emancipation of our people and the fight for a just and equitable society where all citizens enjoy equal freedoms, rights and opportunities”, Raila said in a statement sent to newsrooms. He was a great proponent of Trade as the basis for development, as opposed to Aid, during his tenure in the Planning Ministry.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000128311/former-karachuonyo-mp-dr-adhu-awiti-loses-battle-to-cancer

Saturday 12 July 2014

travel advisories

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Divock Origi weighs up offers from Liverpool, Tottenham after World Cup exploits

Thursday, July 10, 2014
Divock Origi greets King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium during Belgian football team’s reception at the royal palace in Brussels on July 7, 2014. PHOTO | BENNOIT DOPPAIGNE
Divock Origi greets King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium during the Belgian football team’s reception at the royal palace in Brussels on July 7, 2014. PHOTO | BENNOIT DOPPAIGNE  AFP
By Paul Redfern
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Divock Origi says he will take a little time to weigh up which English Premier League club he will be moving to next season after Tottenham Hotspur matched Liverpool’s £10 million offer for the striker.
Origi, the son of former Kenya international Mike Okoth became the youngest scorer at this year’s World Cup when he scored Belgium’s 88th minute winner against Russia on June 22.
Liverpool were thought to have finalised a deal for Origi from French side Lille two weeks ago but late interest from Spurs means he has a difficult decision to make.
The Anfield-based club are thought to have promised Lille he would be loaned back to them next season while Tottenham want Origi to supplement their forward line and provide competition to Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado.
A move to Spurs might appeal to Origi as the London-based club already have a number of Belgian internationals, among them Mousa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen and Nacer Chadli.
But Liverpool have the lure of Champions League football if they decide to keep him at Anfield rather than loan him out. The 19-year-old says his decision will be based on which club will be the best place for him to develop: “I’m still thinking about it,” Origi told Belgian television channel TV Limburg.
“It is true there are offers from all over Europe. Now I have to look carefully where I will grow as a player and as a person. All will be clear within two weeks.”
Origi came on as a substitute for Romelu Lukaku in the 58th minute of the opening Group H game against Algeria in Belo Horizonte on June 17.
He comes from a Kenyan footballing family. His father Okoth played for Belgian teams KV Oostende and Racing Genk as well as Harambee Stars.
His uncle, Austin Oduor, played for Gor Mahia. His other uncles Gerald and Anthony played for Tusker and his cousin Arnold is goalkeeper for Norway side Lillestrøm.

Wednesday 9 July 2014

From Raila Odinga’s office to the venue


Cord principals met for several hours on Monday at Raila Odinga’s Capitol Hill Centre office before driving to Uhuru Park, the venue of the Saba Saba rally.
At the centre – where they were flanked by more than 30 leaders including MPs, senators and MCAs, they went through their proposed 13 resolutions and agreed on regional speech makers.
Each speaker was to deliver a specific message – with some addressing devolution, others the electoral agency, corruption, the cost of living and insecurity among others.
THREE WHITE SHIRTS
It was here that a new idea of a movement called Okoa Kenya (OK) or “Save Kenya” was mooted and launched at Uhuru Park.
Three white shirts with messages and decorated with national colours were also given to Mr Odinga, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka and Mr Moses Wetang’ula – the Cord co-principals.
“We hope the event will be peaceful. All our rallies have been trouble-free. It is shocking that security of this magnitude has been unleashed here to scare people from coming,” Suna East MP Junet Mohammed said.
Others at Capitol Hill were Senators Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Johnstone Muthama (Machakos), James Orengo (Siaya), Otieno Kajwang’ (Homa Bay), Hassan Omar (Mombasa), MPs Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem) and John Mbadi (Suba).
While at Mr Odinga’s office, the leaders monitored events at Uhuru Park where they also received reports of a brief confrontation between security officers and Cord supporters that led to the police firing tear gas canisters.
They also received briefs on crowd flow to the venue and general security.
Unlike in past rallies when the place is normally filled to capacity by lunch hour, the heavy police presence appeared to have discouraged many.
Before driving to Uhuru Park the leaders went to Crowne Plaza for lunch. It is here that they put on the white shirts.
Mr Musyoyka said the message advocated peace.
“Our mission all along was to conduct a peaceful rally. We have done that before and this was not going to be any different,” said the former vice-president.

Monday 7 July 2014

Cord to push for referendum on key issues

Cord leaders on Monday said the opportunity for dialogue with the government had passed and they will now push for a national referendum on 'critical challenges' facing the country.
The leaders led their supporters in holding the Saba Saba rally in Uhuru Park which was characterised by a heavy deployment of anti-riot police.
They announced 13 resolutions at the end of the rally which included the formation of Okoa Kenya movement.
The movement will "defend our Constitution, protect the gains we have made in democratic governance and rededicate ourselves to national unity and peaceful co-existence."
They also resolved to convene a National Referendum Committee (NRC) to push for a national referendum on challenges facing Kenya.
The mandate the National Referendum Committee will be to ensure 'participation in the proposed referendum, formulation of the referendum question and collecting and collating one million signatures to initiate the referendum.'
They also demanded for the immediate disbandment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the establishment of a new electoral body.
The opposition leaders also demanded the Jubilee government to review taxes and threatened to lead a boycott of 'consumption of goods and services whose prices are beyond the reach of the common mwananchi and commence commercial sanctions against companies which continue to ignore our plight.'

Sunday 6 July 2014

Uhuru should fire security chiefs for negligence and incompetence now



By Makau Mutua, July 5th 2014.

It’s not my position to advise President Uhuru Kenyatta, but today I am compelled to offer him several nuggets. That’s because the son of the Burning Spear is caught in the eye of a deadly storm — literally. I deeply care about my native country. I can’t let it go to the dogs without a fight. President Kenyatta sits at the pinnacle of the state, and what he thinks and does could possibly make, or break, the country. Yes — don’t doubt it. Sovereigns have that much oomph. That’s why anyone with two cents worth of advice should offer it to Kamwana. President Kenyatta is steering the ship of state, but many of his critical navigators are rudderless. This is why. Kenya faces existential threats in two key areas — security and corruption. Officials in these dockets must be sitting on hot coals. But President Kenyatta can’t curb these threats one-handed. The head of any state is a figurehead, but not in the sense of a mannequin. He must be a visionary and broad thinker who conceives great ideas. But — and this is critical — he can’t be the implementer. That task falls to his lieutenants and foot soldiers in the state. The key ones here are the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence Service, the Director of Criminal Investigations, the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Kenya Defence Forces, and the Interior Cabinet Secretary. Let’s dig deeper. First, I don’t think there’s anyone who’s more important in the security apparatus than NIS Director General Michael Gichangi. It’s General Gichangi’s job to know everything. I mean literally everything that has a security connotation. This includes domestic and foreign security questions and threats. He must traffic in the world of information and gossip. His job is to listen, and listen carefully and analyse what he’s heard and seen — and then separate the noise from credible information. It’s his job to give actionable intelligence to President Kenyatta and other security organs pronto. He can’t say he didn’t know. Every successful terror attack is either a failure of intelligence or lack effective prevention. Second, Inspector General David Kimaiyo can’t appear — and be — clueless. The men and women under his command can’t flee a fight at the first sight of an al-Shabaab terrorist. That’s what happened in Mpeketoni. The police abandoned their stations and fled in the face of enemy attack. Nor can Mr Kimaiyo be given actionable intelligence and fail to prepare to thwart, capture, or kill the attackers. It’s no use issuing tough-sounding statements after the fact. Who gives a damn after they’ve been killed by terrorists? Mr Kimaiyo must either admit his troops are not up to snuff, or he’s an incompetent leader. If poor training and obsolete equipment are to blame, he must own up and prove it. See also: Team on coalitions talks fails to meet President Third, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku looks like a man lost in the wilderness. He makes wild statements and issues threats to politicians when he should be concerned about criminals and terrorists threatening the country. I think Mr Lenku knew zilch about security before he was planted there by President Kenyatta. I don’t know why President Kenyatta made such a poor choice in such a commanding docket. It’s even more shocking that he hasn’t relieved Mr Lenku of his responsibilities after all the attacks. How many people must die before a key official resigns in disgrace, or is fired by the President? President Kenyatta can appoint Mr Lenku to a post in tourism to soften the blow. Fourth, CID Director Ndegwa Muhoro and AG Githu Muigai must come in for drubbing. Prof Muigai advises the President on legal matters, including on corruption and criminality. Mr Muhoro is the boss of criminal investigations. This one-two punch can only be described as shoddy and lax. Prof Muigai has either given faulty legal opinions to the government, or ducked the issues before him. Mr Muhoro’s office is infamous for conducting incompetent and shoddy investigations that can’t stand up in a court of law. That’s why suspects — who are guilty as sin — easily beat the rap. Then the government accuses judges of letting crooks walk scot-free. Hello — there’s something called the Constitution. Judges can’t convict or hold suspects on zero evidence. Finally, KDF Chief Karangi deserves scrutiny. I have nothing but respect for the general, but this is the question — if his men and women were so effective in Somalia, why have they been so ineffective at home? Exhibit number one was Westgate. His troops performed dismally there — and in the border areas. The President promised an investigation, but none has commenced. General Karangi should do more. At the very least President Kenyatta should fire AG Muigai, General Gichangi, Mr Lenku, Mr Muhoro and Mr Kimaiyo.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000127129/uhuru-should-fire-security-chiefs-for-negligence-and-incompetence-now

State complies with ICC directive on Uhuru’s cash, property records

Saturday, July 5, 2014


PHOTO | AFP ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda (left) with Phakiso Mochochoko, the Head of Jurisdiction Complementarity and Cooperation Division. A status conference on the charges facing President Uhuru Kenyatta will be held on Wednesday in The Hague.
PHOTO | AFP ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda (left) with Phakiso Mochochoko, the Head of Jurisdiction Complementarity and Cooperation Division. A status conference on the charges facing President Uhuru Kenyatta will be held on Wednesday in The Hague.  AFP
By Walter Menya
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The government has complied with an ICC directive and partially furnished Chief Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda with records of property and financial records associated with President Uhuru Kenyatta ahead of the status conference on Wednesday.
Ms Bensouda confirmed to the Trial Chamber V (b) on June 30 that she had received some of the records she requires for the case.
“Following an agreement reached between the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) and the Government of Kenya at a meeting in May 2014, the OTP has received a quantity of material from the GoK.
The OTP is currently analysing the said material, and assessing it for disclosure, and expects to conclude and summarise that analysis in time for the Status Conference hearing scheduled for July 9, 2014 (Wednesday),” Ms Bensouda informed the Trial Chamber on June 30.
The meeting between Attorney-General Githu Muigai and the OTP took place on May 21-22 at an undisclosed location. Ms Bensouda added: “The OTP and the GoK agreed that, following the provision of this material, they would consider further their positions with regard to the remainder of the material requested.”
The items Ms Bensouda’s office has so far received were filed with the chamber ex-parte, meaning only the judges and government authorities are allowed access to them, according to the “Prosecution update on the status of co-operation between the Office of the Prosecutor and the Government of Kenya due on 30 June”.
“The reason is that the Annex contains details of inquiries made by the OTP and of materials recently provided by the GoK,” Ms Bensouda said in the filing.
Prof Muigai is expected in The Hague on Wednesday to update the chamber on the status of cooperation with the prosecution during the status conference.
The status conference is scheduled for Wednesday “in order for the prosecution and the Kenyan government to provide an update to the chamber on the status of the execution of the Revised Request, any consultations, and any other relevant issues.”
President Kenyatta’s trial is tentatively set to begin on October 7.
Ms Bensouda wants extensive records concerning Mr Kenyatta, including his assets, phone details, M-Pesa transactions and value added tax information as she attempts to prove he financed the post-election violence that happened in 2007-2008.
The records Ms Bensouda is demanding, some of which she has now received, will determine whether she proceeds with the charges against President Kenyatta after a series of disappointments with some witnesses who have either withdrawn or have been dropped.
Among the records Ms Bensouda is demanding are information on all the companies or businesses owned by President Kenyatta between June 1, 2007 and December 15, 2010, according to a letter addressed to Interior and Coordination Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku on April 8.
The letter that was signed off by the Head of Investigations Michel De Smedt also listed details of such businesses even if ownership is through third parties such as family members, political associates or business partners.
“The OTP requests the assistance of the competent authorities of the Republic of Kenya, pursuant to Articles 93(1)(i) and 93(1)(l) of the Rome Statute, to provide the information requested hereafter and transmit the relevant documents,” the letter states.
Ms Bensouda had requested the government’s assistance in identifying and providing copies in an electronic format of “records relating to companies, businesses, partnerships or trusts in which Uhuru Kenyatta had an ownership interest, directly or indirectly, whether as a shareholder, director, officer of the company, partner, trustee, beneficiary or otherwise, between June 1, 2007 and December 15, 2010”.
The prosecution also asked Kenyan authorities to furnish it with details of all land or real property  registered in President Kenyatta’s name either personally or through third parties which might have been transferred to any other person or entity between June 1, 2007 and December 15, 2010.
Other items Ms Bensouda wants are details of all the vehicles President Kenyatta owns or regularly used between November 1, 2007 and April 1, 2008 that belong to companies associated with him during that period, as well as reports, in an electronic format, on payment of Income Tax and Value Added Tax (VAT) by Mr Kenyatta and his companies between June 1, 2007 and December 15, 2010.
Ms Bensouda also asked for bank statements of current or saving accounts belonging to Mr Kenyatta “personally, or through third parties or by any corporate entities” associated with him six months before the 2007 elections and three years after the elections.
This information, the letter stated, should include all transactions Mr Kenyatta may have done at foreign exchange institutions during the period.
Furthermore, the ICC wanted details of all the people Mr Kenyatta might have sent money via M-Pesa between June 1, 2007 and December 15, 2010.
“To identify all telephone numbers ascribed to, used by, or associated with Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and provide copies of complete call data records including calls made and received, SMS or other messages sent and received together with financial details held by the service providers between June 1, 2007 and December 15, 2010.”
Mr de Smedt also asked Mr Lenku to release any information held by security agencies and the National Intelligence Services (NIS) on activities of Mr Kenyatta or companies associated with him six months before the 2007 General Election and three years later.
Though Mr Githu had protested on April 10 that “it has become difficult” to implement the order due to the complexity of the information sought, it appears the meeting of May 21 and 22 thawed relations.
The Trial Chamber V(b) had given strict timelines for the prosecution and the government representatives to consult and update each other on the progress of implementing the request, failing which, the judges had cautioned, Kenya risked being cited for non-cooperation with the ICC.
The judges had also told the government that the failure to observe the timelines could alter the conditions under which President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto will be tried during the hearing of their cases at The Hague.
At the moment, Mr Ruto is only required in The Hague for the first five days after a long recess or as the chamber may decide. The ICC had also agreed to alternate the trials of Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto so that they cannot be at The Hague at the same time.
This was to enable them carry on with their State functions. But with the warning by the judges on non-observance of the timelines, such conditions could change to perhaps include issuance of warrants of arrest.

Ruto gives security chiefs 48hrs to arrest Lamu attackers or quit

Sunday, July 6, 2014
Deputy President William Ruto consoles Mama Odipo one of the homes that was torched by the attackers in Hindi, Lamu County. He gave top security officials Kimaiyo included 48hrs to arrest attackers or quit. PICTURE REBECCA NDUKU/DPPS 
By GALGALO BOCHA
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By DPPS
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Deputy President William Ruto has given security agencies 48 hours to flush out attackers who killed eleven people on Saturday night at Lamu.
"The security team must get these criminals, starting from Inspector General David Kimaiyo to the police constable down here...these people must be arrested," said Ruto.
Addressing a public gathering at Hindi Trading centre in Lamu, Mr Ruto said that deputy inspector general in charge of administration police Samuel Arachi will oversee the operation until all attackers are flushed out of the forest either dead or alive.
“It is impossible in the independent Kenya to have criminals and terrorists coming and killing innocent people. We have given instructions to security officers to ensure the criminals are brought to book alive or dead, ”Mr Ruto said.
He noted that he has left CID, NIS and other police chiefs in a meeting to strategize on how they would arrest the criminals hiding in the forest within the next 48 hours.
He noted that the government will take an elaborate action to ensure the criminals who perpetrated violence in Mpeketoni, Poromoko , Witu and Hindi attacks are brought to book.
Accused the Cord coalition
Mr Ruto accused the Cord coalition of allegedly dividing the country along ethnic and religious lines.
“We want to tell our friends they cannot blackmail us. They should wait until next elections because it is impossible to ascend to power at this time. There will be a government of the people and by the people,” he added further stressing that Kenyans want to live as indivisible and united country.
He appealed to the farmers who are fleeing their homes not to do so adding that the government will put in place adequate security measures to ensure they are safe.
The Deputy President said that all leaders should be accountable for what they say and do and those who want to ascend to leadership through backdoor should wait until 2017.
Ruto also visited the scene where eleven people were murdered and held a four hour security meeting with Lamu leaders and security officers.
Interior security Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku assured locals that police will do all within their power to deal with attackers.
Issa Timmamy
Tana River governor Hussein Dhadho who also chairs a security meeting in the governors council urged Kenyans not to allow themselves to be divided along religious and ethnic lines.
Lamu Governor Issa Timmamy and his deputy Eric Mugo also addressed the gathering and called for drastic measures from the national on the matter of insecurity in the county.
But Lamu Senator Abu Chiaba and Women representative Shakila Abdalla decried the slow responses by security agencies to pursue the criminals.
“The government should show action instead of rhetoric. They have the capacity to deal with these criminals. They should go to the forest and arrest them.”
Lamu West MP Julius Ndegwa called for calm among the locals saying the government will handle the situation.
“This is a criminal act and has nothing to do with religion,” the MP said.

Ruto cancels Mpeketoni tour to visit scenes of fresh attacks

Sunday, July 6, 2014
Deputy President William  Ruto during his visit at Gamba police station on July 06, 2014. PHOTO |DPPS
Deputy President William Ruto during his visit at Gamba police station on July 06, 2014. PHOTO |DPPS 
Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday cancelled a planned visit to Mpeketoni to tour scenes of the latest attacks in Hindi in Lamu county and Gamba in Tana Delta.
Mr Ruto was scheduled to attend an inter-denomination prayer service at Lake Kenyatta Primary School in Mpeketoni.
On Saturday, Mr Ruto presided over two fundraisers in Kwale and Kilifi counties and appealed to Kenyans to focus on peace.
The death toll in the Hindi attacks have risen to 11.
The Nation crew of reporter Galgalo Bocha and photographer Kevin Ondit counted 11 bodies.
Eyewitnesses say the attackers were young men dressed in jungle-wear uniforms. They carried machetes and guns and spoke mainly in Somali language.
The victims, 10 men and one boy, were either hacked to death or shot dead by the attackers in Malamandi, in Hindi division of Lamu West.
Two people, a man and his son, were admitted at Lamu's King Fahd hospital with serious gun shot wounds.
Lamu governor Issa Timamy, who visited them at the hospital on Sunday morning, directed that they be transferred to the Kenyatta National Hospital for specialised treatment.
They who are still unconscious have been identified as 51-year old Stephen Kangethe and his son Daniel Kimani said to be in his early twenties.
According to the area's chief, a group of more than 10 armed gunmen raided and started shooting aimlessly at people.
Several houses in the town were also set on fire. Some bodies were burnt beyond recognition.
County Commissioner Miiri Njenga urged residents to remain calm as more security was sent to the area also confirmed about the raid and said that he sent AP and GSU Police officers to the scene.

Saturday 5 July 2014

HYPOCRITES PRAYERS @UHURUPARK

HYPOCRITES PRAYERS @UHURUPARK
1. When the state stole from the widow (Joyce Ngugi) NCCK, did not stand with the widow....
2. When the state makes tribal appointments, they do not stand with Kenyans
3. When People were killed at the Westgate, they did not stand with the widows, orphans, and pray for Kenya.
4. When People were killed in Baragoi,Garrisa,Mombasa,Lamu, they did not pray for Kenya.
5. When people are starving in Baringo and Turkana, they've not given nor stood with the poor.
6. When the cost of living rose, they did not pray for Kenya,
7. When Muslims were locked up and tortured in Kasarani, they were no where to be seen

When someone stands to raise these issues to help Kenya, they are paid to pray against it, and now who funded you to send
Matthew: 23:
14"How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You devour widows' houses and say long prayers to cover it up. Therefore, you will receive greater condemnation...
25” Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self –indulgence
26”Blind Pharisees, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean”
27” Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
‪#‎hypocritesprayersUhurupark‬
SABA SABA LAZIMA!!

Machakos governor Alfred Mutua forces Sauti Sol to cancel flight

Saturday, July 5, 2014Last Sunday, Dr Mutua got Sauti Sol to cancel their flight to Amsterdam just so they could surprise his wife Lilyanne Nganga as she celebrated her birthday. PHOTO/FILE
Last Sunday, Dr Mutua got Sauti Sol to cancel their flight to Amsterdam just so they could surprise his wife Lilyanne Nganga as she celebrated her birthday. PHOTO/FILE 
Why Diamond refused to go on stage at the BET Awards
Tanzanian singer Diamond was among the nominees in the Best African Act category in this year’s BET awards, held in Los Angeles, California, last Sunday.
However, when Nigeria’s Davido scooped the award, he invited his fellow nominees to go on stage and take a group photo. Only Mafikizolo, Tiwa Savage, Sarkodie and Toofan went on stage, but not Diamond. However, his manager Babu Tale has explained to Tanzania’s Bongo 5 blog that Diamond had not arrived at the venue yet. “He didn’t even know that Davido had won, so I had to tell him,” said Tale.
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Machakos governor Alfred Mutua forces Sauti Sol to cancel flight
One of the most celebrated governor in Kenya, Dr Alfred Mutua knows how to impress his wife.
Last Sunday, Dr Mutua got Sauti Sol to cancel their flight to Amsterdam just so they could surprise his wife Lilyanne Nganga as she celebrated her birthday.
The strictly “invite only” affair was held at Tamambo, Karen Blixen. The boyband had to reschedule their flights to Amsterdam and travelled two days later. All the ladies say “Awwww”.
________________

Celebrities help fight jiggers in Gatanga
For a very long time, Gatanga constituency has been in the news as one of the most developed constituency in the country but that has not prevented jiggers from invading.
Ahadi Trust, which has been fighting jiggers across the country was at Gatanga Primary School together with several comedians and musicians to help fight scourge.
With the anti-jigger ambassador Cecilia Mwangi present, comedian Jalang’o, singer Size 8 and hubby DJ Mo were present and helped treat those infested with jiggers.
They also donated shoes to the affected and entertained them later.
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Dng officially off the market
Looks like radio presenter and event organiser DNG will be walking down the aisle with his girlfriend Yvette Nungari soon.
The two got engaged last week and according to sources close to the couple, they could get married before the end of the year.
Last month, DNG went to Dubai to celebrate his birthday with Nungari, whom he has since introduced to the public and media and is always talking of her on social media. Congratulations to the couple. 

From Sh15,000 per month, to Sh10,000 every day

Friday, July 4, 2014
Susan Chesyna in her tomato farm in Nakuru. PHOTO FRANCIS MURIITHI 
By SUSAN CHESYNA
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I became a farmer seven years ago after I relocated from Baringo to Nakuru County and settled at Kiamunyi, in Rongai.
When I arrived in the county, where I had earlier bought land, I could not stop marvelling at its beauty. The land was fertile and the crops were growing well unlike in Baringo, where erratic rains and drought were regular.
I began with planting maize on about five acres of my 10-acre farm.
Seven months later, I harvested 30 bags. I was happy then, but I later realised I had incurred a huge loss.
After deducting cost of seeds, labour and fertiliser, I realised I had made about Sh80,000, yet I had spent over Sh100,000.
I did not despair. In fact, I thank the loss because it opened my eyes. It made me realise that I should not depend on maize alone.
So the next year, I decided to diversify into tomato farming. I took a Sh100,000 loan from a bank in Nakuru, built a greenhouse and prepared it for growing tomatoes.
Greenhouse
Construction of the greenhouse took 80 per cent of the loan, but it was not much compared to seeking the services from a company.
I built the greenhouse myself using ordinary poles and some polythene materials I bought from a shop in Nakuru.
I was working under the direction of an agricultural officer.
Many farmers believe they must go for the commercial greenhouse, which costs upwards of Sh300,000. You can build your own as long as you get the design right and the materials. My greenhouse measures 12 by 24 metres. I first planted tomatoes.
Tomatoes do well in greenhouses because you control the temperature, protect them from pests like butterflies and when you apply pesticides, they are effective.
I harvested the tomatoes after three months and took them to several supermarkets in Nakuru town, about 10km away.
I could not believe it when later the cheques I collected from the supermarket added up to Sh450,000.
I was selling 2kg of the tomatoes at Sh200. I had harvested over 2,000kg. I remember clearly when I went for my cheques after the supermarkets that include Ukwala and Gilanis in Nakuru called me. I was shocked.
As a teacher, I was earning Sh15,000 per month, which translated to Sh45,000 in three months. But here I was getting 10 times that amount in three months. I was encouraged by the money and decided to build more greenhouses where I planted capsicum, carrots, onions and cucumber.
My produce increased and so were my clients and earnings. From the sale of my produce, I am now earning between Sh10,000 and Sh15,000 each day. I have also ventured into dairy farming, where I have 10 cows, which produce 200 litres of milk.
I normally ferment  part of the milk and make mursik, the popular Kalenjin traditional drink, which I sell at between Sh60 and Sh65. This earns me between Sh4,800 and Sh5,200 per day.
Not a smooth ride
Farming, however, is not a smooth ride. During the rainy season, the supply of fresh vegetables surges, which leads to low prices.
Another big challenge in Rongai is lack of adequate water. This has forced me to construct an underground water tank with a capacity of 400,000 litres to irrigate the crops. This tank cost me Sh800,000.
Before I constructed the tank, I was spending up to Sh5,000 on water in a day, which I would buy from vendors.
One of the things I have learned from farming is that certified seeds are key to better harvest.
When you plant seeds that are not certified, you are likely to end up with losses since they are prone to pests and diseases.
My advice to anyone who wants to go into tomato or vegetable farming is to use greenhouses.
With greenhouses, you are assured of a good harvest as long as you use quality seeds and protect your crops from diseases.
To cushion myself against a low season, I keep birds. I have 3,000 Kari Kienyeji chicken, which upon maturity, I sell to supermarkets at between Sh700 and Sh1,000. I have a plan to extend to flower farming as the area is favourable for the venture.
Are you engaging in any agribusiness? Tell us how you started, where you sell your products, challenges, and lessons you have learnt. Send us your story in 700 words to satnation@ke.nationmedia.com Please include your telephone number.

President Uhuru Kenyatta mourns Ida Odinga’s mother

Friday, July 4, 2014

Ida Odinga and her husband Raila on July 4, 2012.  Photo | FILE | JAYNE NGARI
Ida Odinga and her husband Raila on July 4, 2012. Photo | FILE | JAYNE NGARI 
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President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condolence to the family, relatives and friends of the late Rosa Oyoo, mother to Ida Odinga.
He said Mama Oyoo will be remembered for her outstanding service to the community and the nation having been the first African trained nurse in Kakamega.
The President noted that she was a humble, industrious and kind-hearted person who served her family as well as the nation with a remarkable sense of duty.
EMBRACED EDUCATION
President Kenyatta added that Mama Oyoo was a diligent and hard working lady, who at the time when women were relegated to cultural duties, decided to embrace education and the culture of saving by opening a bank account in Kakamega in 1937.
She will be remembered for her simplicity and generosity which earned her the respect and friendship of many, he said in a statement to newsrooms on Friday.
He said he would pray that God gives the bereaved family fortitude to bear the tragic loss of their loved one.