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20:26
Fat Thumb Trading Comes To Nairobi Stock Exchange
» For Love and Money Fat Thumb Trading Comes To Nairobi Stock Exchange
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19:28
Kenyan Tribal Politics Ignores True Heroines
» You Missed This 
Ms Nazlin Umar must be one bitter Kenyan reeling from the negative effects of our ethnicized politics. Madam Umar is one presidential candidate who made her name in the NGO circles long time ago in championing women rights but have no significant tribal voting block to call her own.
And the Kenyan version of resilient Bhutto is determined to go all the way despite all the odds stack against her. Having been booted out of both ODMs (please spare me the petty whys) she found political accommodation in the fringe Workers party whose flag she is flying and seeking to secure Kamkunji constituency seat. But what can we learn from Nazlin's political tribulations?
Depending on your political leaning she is either one who banked on a facade of importance derived from her feminine course or an astute and principled Kenyan out to prove a point no matter the consequences.
Shame on violent men
But one thing is clear. Kenyan politics has not weaned itself off gender biasness. This year's campaigns has witnessed some ugly scenes of violence perpetrated against women aspirants of political posts. We must turn this ugly primitive page in our infant democracy and empower the women power who may be holding the key to our elusive prosperity.
We must not be tempted to resign to the defeatist adage that women are their own worst enemies because almost all violence on them are meted by men, shame of them all. As they say behind every successful man there is a woman in the shape of a mother or wife or sister or all the three. Our acts must be the epitome of political bad manners, aren't they?
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14:46
Africa at DEMO ‘08
» White African I’ve been sitting on this little nugget of information for the last month, but am happy to finally announce that I’ll be going to the DEMO ‘08 conference in January. DEMO is the leading conference for new technologies to launch. It’s generally packed with a ton of VC’s, startups and some really interesting people. DEMO is one of the very best conferences in the tech space and one that I’ve always wanted to attend.
“DEMO is the premier launch venue for new products, technologies and companies. For more than 16 years, DEMO has established a reputation for identifying and presenting to an elite audience the products most likely to have a significant impact on the marketplace and market trends in the coming year. “
Africa: The Untapped Continent
I was initially approached because of my writing on AfriGadget and WhiteAfrican - where I try to cover the spectrum of low-tech to high-tech innovation happening in Africa. Juliana (aka: Afromusing), another AfriGadget editor and also an editor of Global Voices, will be on the panel as well. [Update: Mike Stopforth will be there to represent some of the views from the South African community as well - which I’m thrilled to hear!]What they want us to discuss is the future. Specifically, this audience is highly interested in investment, so we will be discussing how Africa is a virtually untapped region, areas of growth, and we’ll be filling them in on companies and ideas that they had no idea existed.
My goal, as many long-time readers will expect, is to get the audience to understand that there are huge opportunities in Africa. This runs the gamut - from low-tech innovations that can be scaled for distribution globally, to high-tech mobile phone services that grab millions of consumers in Africa.
Needless to say, I’m really excited about this. It puts me right in front of an audience who have the resources necessary to make the ideas that I talk about everyday into reality. These are the people who can help African companies grow and become players on the world stage.
If you want to see more of what types of things go on at DEMO, check out their past DEMO videos.
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6:52
Monday Moanings Part XIV
» My part of the world....... I know people in America love their pets but I was reading this story and I was like enough is enough! How does someone who lives half way across the country invite you over and you decide to bring your dog without their permission and expect the dog to get 5 star treatment? If you told them or they asked you to bring your pet, all well and good but in any other situation that is sheer stupidity to say the least. Anyway people here love their pets to a fault, I think we all read about how Leona Helmsley left her dog millions and left her remaining family members next to nothing. Anyway the dog now has bodyguards due to death threats, were in that fam I too would plan a hit on it. Love for your pets is great, but the overt devotion people out here have is too much!
Talk about being left without a leg to stand on! I think it takes a special kind of brute to decide to chop off someone's leg. What happens if they find out the leg doesn't do what they thought it would do? Will they go back for his other leg?
Last week I learned the importance of listening via hearing. You see I sent an acquaintance a happy Jamuhuri day text and he texted me back asking me if I wanted to go to Opera. I pondered the question for a few moments and I was like, "Yeah, why not? Tell me the time and the venue."
I never thought there was an opera in Atlanta, so if there was this was going to be something interesting for me to do. It is when he called me later on and told me about the time, place, dress codes and all the rest of the information is when it hit me that he was talking about a new nightclub called Opera that is in midtown ATL and is barely a year old.
Since I had already agreed to go with such fervour earlier, I masked my reluctance and decided to get ready for my FIFO. What does FIFO mean, well it means; Fast In Fast Out. I dislike clubs so I usually set things up very well so that I can make my time there as useful as possible and make it pass as fast as possible. My maximum time in most clubs here in the States is 2 hours, in the pre-driving license days it would be much longer because of course I was at the mercy of whoever was driving and I could also drink the boredom away. But as a driver, I dont take risks; two drinks max. So I met my pal at 11 pm and I was in my car at 12.45 am revving it for the drive home. Clubs here just don't do anything for me, I don't begrudge anyone who goes but for me I think I'll pass. Give me my bars, bashes and BBQs anyday!
I don't know if I have ever blogged about this, but I detest Christmas with a passion. I am happy that the enthusiasm here has also been dying down with the recession and all. It is with that in mind that I am happy to have come across the perfect gift for the occasion. I know it won't get to me in time for the big day, so I will get some for next year. Screw Christmas!
Anyway Monday is here, back to the grind...........
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6:08 The Vanished Burden
» Cock And Bull 
The sea in Mombasa is playful at this time of the year. The waves are gentle and ride on top of one another like playful kittens. When the waves break, they make the sound like the one a huge banana plant makes on hitting the ground – complete with the coordinated ruffle of the leaves slapping away the dust. And then the water will spill onto the sandy beach and retreat immediately with the sound of a fizzled drink pouring onto a formica table. The suddenness with which the water creeps up to your ankles will make you instinctively retreat higher aground. And in an instant, you footsteps on the sand are wiped out of existence. And time and again the impressions of your footsteps are cleaned from the golden sands and vanish, like the burden of sin each time it is confessed.
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Kumekucha Latest Polls
» You Missed This Compare these estimates to the actual election results
Raila - 67%
Kalonzo Musyoka - 17%
Mwai Kibaki - 15%
These are my findings and a reflection of exactly what the situation is like on the ground. Kindly restrain yourself for a few days and then make your comments after the 27th as the results are trickling in.
The big surprise is the big margin Raila is expected to win with and the other is Kalonzo Musyoka defeating Kibaki.
Interestingly if you check the so-called NSIS figures tied to voter turn out they are some similarities assuming high voter turn out.
What the opposition need to be very careful about is the fact that PNU and the Kibaki think tank are now playing a game of pure mathematics in a last gasp attempt to win the elections. Meaning that the higher the voter turn out in President Kibaki’s strongholds, the bigger a chance he has of somehow stealing these elections from Raila.Naturally the lower a turn out in Raila's strongholds the better for PNU.
Internal Security minister John Michuki has directed chiefs to identify sickly, elderly and disabled voters with a view of providing transport for them to go and vote. Michuki even suggested that whistles be used to wake up people on the 27th so that they go out and vote.
Naturally certain tactics will be used in ODM strongholds to limit the number of people who will vote. The whole process can be deliberately slowed down with voting starting late. There can be deliberate shortages of ballot papers etc.
If the NSIS figures are to be believed then this is very serious business and the election can be won or lost by PNU totally based on voter turn out. And if you were PNU you would use every trick in the book would you not?
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5:50
Getting Caught In The Rain
» Cock And Bull 
I think the rainfall in Mombasa is considerate. Though heavy, it falls for only a short time. I think the clouds in Mombasa are kind for even during a storm, they do not completely obliterate the sunlight. And so if you are caught in the rain, you will be thoroughly soaked within a few minutes, but will be dry before you get to your destination.
If you still have a sense of humour after being poured on, you might be amused by the fact that your clothes and body will be steaming as they rapidly dry in the ferocious heat of an African coastal afternoon.
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Book Gives Clues On Lucy Kibaki’s Condition
» You Missed This What causes Lucy Kibaki to slap full grown men without a second thought? Is Lucy’s a medical condition or is it just her character?
Even as the general elections draw nearer, this is the heated debate that has been going on between Kenyans from all walks of life and based in all parts of the world.
But unknown to many there is an amazing fictional account by Sam Okello that may shed a lot of light into the whole matter. Although the fictional account does not use real names, there is no mistaking who is being referred to here. Then it is also pretty clear that a lot of research went into the book, which makes it a very pleasurable as well as informative read.
Sam Okello
President & CEO
Sahel Books Inc.
P.o. Box 6451
South Bend IN, 46660-6451
USA
Phone: Toll Free: 1.877.297.2435
samokello@sahelpublishing.net
www.sahelpublishing.net
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Increase Your Vocabulary
» You Missed This THE 2007 KENYA POLITICAL WORD A DAY CALENDAR
word for today: - corruption - pronounced co' rap' sh' on' - a word describing how nothing that could be done before suddenly can for money -a unique ability
word for tomorrow: -slap
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4:49
Dressing For The Office
» Cock And Bull The well-dressed gentleman who caught my attention was carrying a black polythene bag. And after easing himself into an empty parking slot outside Taco Bell Club (formerly Arturo) along Moi Avenue in Nairobi, he proceeded transforming himself into a woman.
First, he fished out a black skirt from the polythene bag and wore it over his pair of trousers. He then carefully folded each leg of the pants upwards so that it was completely covered by the skirt. In doing this, he uncovered a pair of socks that denied him a few points from the intended feminine look. Next, he removed a headscarf from the plastic bag and carefully tied it around his head ‘shags woman’ style.
He then proceeded to smooth out the new attire over his non-existent curves, leaving him looking like a careless woman who left the house in the clothes she slept in.
Satisfied with the desired effect, the man moved a few paces to an open space next to the big City Clock near the Kencom bus stop where he loudly proclaimed that his name was ‘Nyengese’, and that he had just reported to his ‘office’. And within a short while, the man had attracted a sizeable crowd of Nairobians to benefit from his verbal and gestureculatory comedy.
And soon, coins were dropping around his feet, decorating the concrete floor of his ‘office’ with shiny spots of copper and silver.
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ODM is Calling on Patriotic Volunteers
» You Missed This THE COALITION OF ODM VOLUNTEERS ELECTION MONITORING SUPPORT (26TH TO 28TH DECEMBER 2007)
Dear members and supporters of ODM,
You are requested to kindly provide ODM with the following support:
1. Material, logistical and financial resources to monitor the General Elections; and
2. Volunteer Monitoring at the polling station where you will be voting, and real-time relaying of intelligence and vote tallying results to ODM’s main Call Centre.
ELECTION MONITORING DEMANDS ON ODM
• There are 23,000 polling stations countrywide;
• Each polling station has upto 5 voting streams, thus up to 115,000 ballot boxes;
• ODM requires 2 Agents per ballot box, so upto 230,000 Agents countrywide;
• Each Agent requires the following so as to operate efficiently:
- A cellular phone loaded with sufficient airtime to liaise real-time;
- Food, water and refreshments during their 48-hr stay at on the job; and
- Intelligence on relevant election activity that they should look out for.
• ODM requires back-up Agents to fill in vacancies that may arise between 26-28th Dec.
• The ODM Call Centre requires an alternative channel of both verifying and receiving election intelligence and vote tallying results so as to reduce the risk of sabotage.
HOW YOU CAN ASSIST ODM IN ELECTION MONITORING SUPPORT
You can participate in providing Election Monitoring Support as follows:
1. Volunteer and also recruit others volunteers to be ODM’s Agents and Support Monitors countrywide. The criteria being:
a. You must have both an ID card and a voters card;
b. You must be registered as a voter in the particular polling station that you intend to volunteer as an agent or a monitor; and
c. You should preferably have a cellphone.
To volunteer email or sms of your Names (or names of those you have recruited), Constituency and the Polling Station at which you will be voting, and your cellphone numbers to Logistics@odmprofessionals.co.ke or to Donald (0722-834194), Eric (0722-262738), Chris (0729-761973) or the OPN Secretariat PREFERABLY BY MON 17TH DEC & LATEST BY WED 19TH DEC.
2. Donate financial, material and logistical resources. And the following are required by ODM:
a. Safaricom and Celtel Airtime in millions of shillings. ‘Sambaza’ or ‘Me2You’ airtime to the following mobile numbers 0711 649817 and 0736-978149;
b. M-Pesa or Sokotele donations to 0711-64 98 17 and Contact James Mwanjau (0736-978149) or Paul Mekubo (0722-861214) or email Finance@odmprofessionals.co.ke
c. Professional services to the Call Centre, motor vehicles, cellphones, computers/laptops, printers, stationery and many more;
d. Food (preferably packed), water and refreshments;
As ODM’s Support Monitor, you will play the following roles:
a. Act as alternative liaison persons between ODM’s Agents at the polling station and ODM’s Call Centre;
b. Gather and relay intelligence (to both ODM’s Agents and our Monitoring Centre) on the activities outside and around the polling stations that may negatively impact on ODM’s chances of success in the polls;
c. Distributing/offering food, water, refreshments, cellphone airtime and other relevant assistance to ODM’s Agents at the polling stations;
d. As permissible by the respective ECK Returning Officers relieve any ODM Agent who being overwhelmed by the task must take a break; and
e. Reminding constituents and the supporters of ODM, to GET OUT AND VOTE, and this may depending on circumstances and resources include assisting the infirm, the weak and the old to go and vote.
For More Information Contact:
ODM Professionals Network (OPN)
C/o M&O Advocates
20th Floor, View Park Towers
Utalii Lane/ Monrovia Street
P.O. Box 13724-00800
Nairobi, Kenya
Landline: 24 87 31 / 2
Wireless: (020) 201 64 92
Cellphones: 0722 83 41 94
0721 66 66 70
0736 97 81 49
Fax: + (254) (20) 24 87 33
E-mail: network@odmprofessionals.co.ke
ODM Professionals Network (OPN) is an integrated volunteer network of professionals and industry players who desire real change in the political, economic and social arena of the Republic of Kenya as perpetrated in the ODM Manifesto, and intend to pursue the same both before and well beyond the 27th December 2007 elections. Email network@odmprofessionals.co.ke to join the Network and support real change.
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0:21
Storm brews at the newly re-opened National Museums over a mural
» Kenyanpoet Storm brews at the newly re-opened National Museums over a mural