tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-239349582508922972024-03-20T12:54:19.100+03:00johns epagei use my page to share my beliefs &reflections on life to motivate others with what has motivated me
i use it to share the best in my world...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-81034870031713711172014-12-30T14:22:00.000+03:002014-12-30T14:22:50.652+03:00Happy New Year 2015 - Time to beEvery New Year finds me coming up with a list of stuff to do... goals<br />
<br />
E.g. - get married (I didn't), build this or that business (I did) , build apps for this that the other (I didn't) , get into a regular prayer routine (Partially failed miserably in the second half).<br />
<br />
Which is pretty much okay - I mean it is what focused people do. They ready, take aim and fire... and more often than not I have pulled off a huge percentage of these things I set out to do and then evaluate at the end of year and here we go again.<br />
<br />
I want this year to be different... or rather I want to be different in this year<br />
<br />
<b><u>I WANT TO BE - I DON'T WANT TO DO</u></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQMYTLTHfWqTb_j02xLA8W4c3L4y43QVqe6oeEUI-MyryNfYXgRophqqQdJcMJSK4hcAtjJvgQFDV2V5zAe8pPDGdDTqaPlaw88jub1NpiDziciFw2rqwQ7uzJgUOAo2vhkkGXvMLLX4/s1600/CAM04100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQMYTLTHfWqTb_j02xLA8W4c3L4y43QVqe6oeEUI-MyryNfYXgRophqqQdJcMJSK4hcAtjJvgQFDV2V5zAe8pPDGdDTqaPlaw88jub1NpiDziciFw2rqwQ7uzJgUOAo2vhkkGXvMLLX4/s1600/CAM04100.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise somewhere in Nairobi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love taking pictures - I don't own a camera... I use my phone.<br />
<br />
Now I realize the depths in those moments... many of which I don't get to experience twice because things change - landscapes change, people move or die...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>I WANT TO BE DIFFERENT IN 2015</b><br />
<br />
I want to be different in 2015... to not be scared of not achieving, to not be scared of financial Insecurity or physical insecurity - it is a reptile's life being scared... I will not be afraid (What will I be?)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobpj-042kJAG7MidV4rCNDqdTFmUYLbNdGIc_-quT80hyphenhyphendxUl_gaDCSENcPeA9urF6HGM55m1wjQ3hifj0mRzeybuixNtFW7ZGiLsgi1Fafu_f65M5I_JA953S1bpMvvFhCWUhN1OgGM/s1600/CAM04074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobpj-042kJAG7MidV4rCNDqdTFmUYLbNdGIc_-quT80hyphenhyphendxUl_gaDCSENcPeA9urF6HGM55m1wjQ3hifj0mRzeybuixNtFW7ZGiLsgi1Fafu_f65M5I_JA953S1bpMvvFhCWUhN1OgGM/s1600/CAM04074.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will not be afraid - relax... I am alive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I want to be different in 2015... to not to rush seeking for the next target... struggling to achieve... struggling to make it so that I have that big car, afford that restaurant, get my wife this home... I will not lead a mammals life - seeking the things that give me pleasure and satisfaction... I will not be discontent (What will I be?)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZC_KgtIHcIsJ1aPCfNZZgq41z36tctOnbIhTV6H41JwiEwA-2JsV9xG8rUd4iUpCoJLm67CE6nahcCMqiYsk-GuCOptbJshOV41s-GGMNZqGO9XVi_wt8nCA6n1SfXmrwf-53W-BIotc/s1600/CAM03891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZC_KgtIHcIsJ1aPCfNZZgq41z36tctOnbIhTV6H41JwiEwA-2JsV9xG8rUd4iUpCoJLm67CE6nahcCMqiYsk-GuCOptbJshOV41s-GGMNZqGO9XVi_wt8nCA6n1SfXmrwf-53W-BIotc/s1600/CAM03891.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at life from a higher perspective - no more struggling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I want to be different in 2015... to not seek approval from others... getting affirmation... being liked... I will not be so pathetically human seeking attachment... I will not be selfish (what will I be?)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBPbyDEiu7154cC6H2xWm8ZuH42cwN_SbJHDNwF3Hcfr4gW0gxzHaqkQ4NN9Z_L85p-mfrbYPNpVtQi3W9LAEPQzDa4601r-KRMj5LgE__uRHrzY1ASDxfcWjzNZpKMPUrsg5TIbmVU8/s1600/CAM03861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBPbyDEiu7154cC6H2xWm8ZuH42cwN_SbJHDNwF3Hcfr4gW0gxzHaqkQ4NN9Z_L85p-mfrbYPNpVtQi3W9LAEPQzDa4601r-KRMj5LgE__uRHrzY1ASDxfcWjzNZpKMPUrsg5TIbmVU8/s1600/CAM03861.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on Lake Victoria - seeing the smallness of my humanity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>I WILL BE IN 2015</u></b><br />
<br />
I will be a child of God - I will know I have nothing to fear in this life except fear itself... because fear will deny me the complete experience of life<br />
<br />
I will be one with humanity - I will do and give things to contribute to humanity instead of taking things to me pleasure and contentment. We are one humanity.<br />
<br />
I will Love - because love gives meaning to life. No more attachments... no more me... I...<br />
<br />
I will Live in 2015<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/_0a3BjYNLG0/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_0a3BjYNLG0&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_0a3BjYNLG0&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-6965274227241617012014-10-17T17:27:00.000+03:002014-10-17T17:27:52.290+03:00Empowerment of Person as Affirmative Action<div>
The richest 1% of the world own half the world's wealth that is inequality.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But why would 99% of the world sit around and some in dire poverty and maintain a status quo. Why not demand affirmative action</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Affirmative action is defined as</div>
<div>
<ol style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="mod" style="border: 0px; clear: none; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 20px 0px;"><div class="_oDd _Sgc" data-hveid="28" style="font-size: 16px;">
<div class="_Tgc" style="overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px;">
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affirmative_action" target="_blank">Affirmative action</a></b> or positive discrimination (known as employment equity in Canada, reservation in India and Nepal, and positive <b>action</b> in the UK) is the policy of favoring members of a disadvantaged group who are perceived to suffer from discrimination within a culture.</div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div>
<u style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15.6000003814697px;"><b>PERCEPTION</b></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
As a first step to overcoming inequality it is important to understand who is the perceiving party. Does the person who appears to suffer from discrimination feel that they are disadvantaged or do they need us to tell them that they are badly off and life could be better for them.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture" target="_blank">CULTURE</a></b></u></div>
<div>
Within a culture - cultures are different. Colonialists in Africa believed that they were more civilized than their colonies hence a justification for colonialism. In Wikipedia defined as </div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">the distinct ways that people, who live differently, classified and represented their experiences, and acted creatively"</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>MY POINT</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>It is key to have a benchmark such as the 30 Articles on Human Rights (below) before judging that some sort of discrimination is happening and that the benchmark can be reviewed for inclusiveness </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/36CUlaqmFi4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<ul>
<li>It is key to understanding another's perception and another's culture before deciding that they suffer discrimination. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzm8zQAnIrRpfDIgzKZyL2PMv2e8L3D1T01KwSB0EYrOEx4WMOAP351jds4bDeP8-QMLCK7cd7r0E8SLcoGZ4bNjr7m3JPwyTu6pjco5jSHr_ZQKhbmIcl8mPw-0EiNIyvRW2FrtB31I/s1600/african+culture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzm8zQAnIrRpfDIgzKZyL2PMv2e8L3D1T01KwSB0EYrOEx4WMOAP351jds4bDeP8-QMLCK7cd7r0E8SLcoGZ4bNjr7m3JPwyTu6pjco5jSHr_ZQKhbmIcl8mPw-0EiNIyvRW2FrtB31I/s1600/african+culture.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>It is key for the discriminated party to feel that they need to change their situation otherwise any intervention will be unsustainable or useless</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECf73L6Q8DdBHNuj6ckTH5Yj7fHDuBAq1VJ00jf4IjztbZHGXWfm5RBzr09pV1JcsYEpHSNQWDZaomRcpJNHoDh9boGPQaz-8b_8zIJi1X5cgvpPoD2xdviJj8buJqrjRrjkSz-s-ofc/s1600/show+a+people+as+one+thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECf73L6Q8DdBHNuj6ckTH5Yj7fHDuBAq1VJ00jf4IjztbZHGXWfm5RBzr09pV1JcsYEpHSNQWDZaomRcpJNHoDh9boGPQaz-8b_8zIJi1X5cgvpPoD2xdviJj8buJqrjRrjkSz-s-ofc/s1600/show+a+people+as+one+thing.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>It is key for the discriminated party to feel they can get this equal treatment or equity by themselves rather than being dependent on other people to get this for them.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeHTLhzMIX0KEUFg4f0mLTXx03ELGjLfFAAmrDZYny_deKhhNcYpo4HBYzumEGJoByiRYjC6ID2k7bE1cSm0v0VIj6A1QN3tc5LCj6RxUEeeA9hiJUCixeMib0xvEAoZ6MI0qhiP4Ojk/s1600/script+in+your+mind+chimamanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeHTLhzMIX0KEUFg4f0mLTXx03ELGjLfFAAmrDZYny_deKhhNcYpo4HBYzumEGJoByiRYjC6ID2k7bE1cSm0v0VIj6A1QN3tc5LCj6RxUEeeA9hiJUCixeMib0xvEAoZ6MI0qhiP4Ojk/s1600/script+in+your+mind+chimamanda.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<b><u>EMPOWERMENT</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The discriminated party is able to challenge stereotypes E.g. of a stereotype Men make better leaders than Women</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVGlDX97YOqAP3emntdRp80hFvMU4zs0Q1RF2wtUJ8rHGIR_TFKU8rr6VOGlpOIsCfhkTBWC6RG9hC-nes0N2lcCvi6rwZOpdRMSPDk8S12iygz0k-riocL3dUbVsnbHEVlYFnoqgsqs/s1600/tell+the+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVGlDX97YOqAP3emntdRp80hFvMU4zs0Q1RF2wtUJ8rHGIR_TFKU8rr6VOGlpOIsCfhkTBWC6RG9hC-nes0N2lcCvi6rwZOpdRMSPDk8S12iygz0k-riocL3dUbVsnbHEVlYFnoqgsqs/s1600/tell+the+story.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The discriminated party is able to identify labels as false or not a complete definition of the human person e.g. Sex worker or prostitute describes my job not my parenting skills, not my personality, not my values </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSjPvDmPboGMWHpZW2eeQvHx-mqq1LTY-QKOa9ozgIZ96cx38IgLZeihY_Zu69U6g6ACayi_OKt2nPh-tUHjjuZtWYHkRqISHcDRJxpu2-lKiYQdfjYwtOjY8ZGTAGurkkHEj3PnyusA/s1600/african+women+okay+as+they+are.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSjPvDmPboGMWHpZW2eeQvHx-mqq1LTY-QKOa9ozgIZ96cx38IgLZeihY_Zu69U6g6ACayi_OKt2nPh-tUHjjuZtWYHkRqISHcDRJxpu2-lKiYQdfjYwtOjY8ZGTAGurkkHEj3PnyusA/s1600/african+women+okay+as+they+are.jpg" height="224" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The discriminated party is ready to take on cultural rebellion i.e. represent your experiences differently as you have been taught or as is conventionally represented </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrG4YGqSddtlYBYwTeX0Yy-pGP15G6M909Z9U5LMCB_mAyCLHZNNQ-L2769xamIvC_1HnBNMAiXFZU62nyHxGCCE2n7TRGN8LZKZGAzGpWZ1iV0ILz8YIn6jNaOjpTmUE0YB1jP3vi34A/s1600/knowing+the+path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrG4YGqSddtlYBYwTeX0Yy-pGP15G6M909Z9U5LMCB_mAyCLHZNNQ-L2769xamIvC_1HnBNMAiXFZU62nyHxGCCE2n7TRGN8LZKZGAzGpWZ1iV0ILz8YIn6jNaOjpTmUE0YB1jP3vi34A/s1600/knowing+the+path.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The discriminated party is ready to identify themselves as human with infinite possibilities e.g. even if you live in a third world country living under a dollar a day you believe that you can access learning and opportunity and you have a role to change your life</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eX2AKbcLSSjnoVP6N5uGxlE4Hz0TooJSwlcm_Fc6yoe_43zZmrgitcS0C_zu-f3fw7lv91p-FLXFJ-Ae5-n4n8w3I6e_zke4Gwtw3lYZmbfDQgzbliRlRJ11UpkpPkJiE1WNZ3yhBuE/s1600/rise+up+and+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eX2AKbcLSSjnoVP6N5uGxlE4Hz0TooJSwlcm_Fc6yoe_43zZmrgitcS0C_zu-f3fw7lv91p-FLXFJ-Ae5-n4n8w3I6e_zke4Gwtw3lYZmbfDQgzbliRlRJ11UpkpPkJiE1WNZ3yhBuE/s1600/rise+up+and+walk.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>END OF STORY</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If 99% of us feel that this story is not right and that the world's wealth is unequally distributed then we can change it. </div>
<div>
If 99% of us spend our lives trying to be like the one percent who own the world and do not really feel that this a bad balance then the status quo will remain</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If we want to help anyone through Non Governmental organizations and Social entrepreneurship then the greatest help we can give is seeing them want to help themselves and change their story</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-12044377200528733662014-02-20T23:26:00.001+03:002014-02-21T19:08:42.146+03:00THESE ARE NOT YOUR FUNDAMENTALS: Review of Ken Wa Maria on Churchill live I watched Churchill live Episode 49 a couple of weeks ago.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed the show especially the part of Karis and Tanzanian Musician AY it was really hilarious.<br />
<br />
However the interview with Ken Wa Maria really got me thinking... I know TV especially comedy and music is supposed to be fun and we are not really supposed to think about it. <br />
But on the flip side TV and music are a source of information, education and entertainment and it is a media that greatly shapes our perspective and view of life. <br />
If you don't agree with me just think about the last time you read a book, watched an online/offline educational, motivational or life skill video or audio compared to the number of times you watch TV soaps, comedies, news(which is always bad) and then make your own conclusion which of these two categories color your life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ljSMPZLcGg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Back to Ken Wa Maria and Fundamentos. I respect Ken and his profession... however I think his thinking on life is flawed. <br />
What he describes in his song as fundamentals of a man and fundamentals of a woman are a reflection of how we have devalued ourselves as human beings. This view of our "fundamentals" also is the cause of much unhappiness in our lives and the cause of strained, broken and abusive relationships.<br />
<br />
Ken describes a man's <a href="http://youtu.be/2ljSMPZLcGg?t=46m28s" target="_blank">fundamentals</a> as<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>The amount of land you have</li>
<li>The car you drive</li>
<li>The money you have in the bank</li>
<li>Where do you live</li>
<li>What is your position in the company</li>
</ol>
<br />
He describes a woman's fundamentals as<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Her ass</li>
<li>Her hips</li>
<li>Her boobs</li>
</ol>
<br />
Not so much from the woman's own perspective of these parts of her body but from the perspective of a perverted man and society. As he asks "what do you have to offer?"<br />
<br />
<b><u>WHY ARE THESE NOT YOUR FUNDAMENTALS?</u></b><br />
Clearly in Ken's interview he places a high regard for "fundamentos" for the car he drives and even mentions that some of his jealous ex band members envy his Mercedes Benz and find they can't afford a Toyota Premio. He emphasizes a lot on his educational achievements too which he says he will use to progress in life. At some point he states <a href="http://youtu.be/2ljSMPZLcGg?t=43m50s" target="_blank">"life is a competition"</a>.<br />
<br />
Probably you have never heard of Alfred Merckle - A Forbes top 100 billionaire who ended his life by suicide on a train track when his fortune fell from $12 billion to $9 billion. Of course he went from top 100 to position 174. He had more "Fundamentos" than anyone you or Ken and I know.<br />
<br />
My point is if land, the car you drive, money in your bank, your house, your company position are your fundamentals - if you lose them then you will have no meaning in life - you will kill yourself. If you lose control and your fortune plunges $4 billion in one year you won't see the $9 billion leftover you will be filled with fear and end this scary spiral (take your life). If your life is a competition "when do you win?" "who are the competition?" "what is the prize to be won? Fame? More Money? Sex? Power or Position?" "What will you do with the prize after you win it?" or will you wind up in an endless cycle of trying to preserve "your fundamentals" in order to keep the prize? It's a rat's life this kind of life and when its over it's a rats death<br />
<br />
If a woman thinks her physical appearance matched against some criteria is her fundamentals then she is in for endless boob jobs, hip enhancements etcetera and if the criteria is changed by the criteria makers then she goes for slimming pills, forced gym workouts etcetera. If your fundamentals are warped belief of what consists of a beautiful body when life takes a toll on this body then insecurity sets in a fear that our spouse will see others who have "better fundamentos"; insecurity results in mistrust; mistrust results in strained relationships; divorce and break ups occur due to "wrong fundamentals".<br />
<br />
Wrong fundamentals lead to unhappy people, who are continuously striving to have more, to meet others standards/approval, with a totally warped sense of self and self worth who lead stressful and strained lives to attain what is totally useless - this is the "vanity of vanities".<br />
<br />
Here is something that Ken's Italian priests (who taught him music) might have taught him about life's fundamentals but he chose to ignore. The real fundamentals.<br />
<br />
<b><u>WHAT ARE YOUR FUNDAMENTALS?</u></b><br />
Our prime identity can be described under two main headings - I am a child of God, I am human.<br />
<br />
<b>You are a child of God, a child of the universe you have a right to be here.</b><br />
This fundamental is the appreciation that we do not hold the world in our hands is very important for a stress free life. We are able to be thankful for our lives and existence and to learn and grow from bad experiences or situations. We are tiny in the great scheme of things yet absolutely valuable, valued and unique.<br />
<br />
<b>You are human</b><br />
This is fundamental helps us appreciate our unique endowments as human beings.<br />
The first is knowledge (sing, dance, write, calculate, talk, listen) and the sum of all spatial, numerical, organizational and literary abilities we have.<br />
The ability to love<br />
The ability to choose or free will<br />
The ability to follow through with a choice or willpower or the will<br />
The ability to think and forecast and estimate the future<br />
The sum of all feelings and emotions that only we are capable of.<br />
<br />
<b>WHO WE ARE COMES BEFORE WHAT WE HAVE</b><br />
If you look at my list immediately above and Ken's list further up you realize that everything in Ken's list is "what we have" and is a result of "who we are" which is in my list.<br />
<br />
An appreciation of "who we are" leads us to grateful and happy and confident lives. We know if we lose all our property we have it in us to create more wealth.<br />
<br />
An appreciation of "who we are" helps us appreciate diversity in our differences there is no human being of a lower status than we are - we are different and unique and precious. Regardless of what we have in terms of property, wealth and acquisitions we are all equal in "Fundamentals"<br />
<br />
An appreciation of our identity prime as children of God makes us comfortable in whatever else we chose to do with ourselves i.e. minor identities. Whether we take up roles as fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, friends, lovers, religious, careers, state in life e.g. single, level of study.<br />
<br />
An appreciation of the identity prime as human beings helps to comfortable in our minor identities and roles such as our career choices, career changes. Our secondary identity can change our prime identity never ever does/change.<br />
<br />
Ken's fundamentals aren't bad - they are really good things but for these things to be truly meaningful to our lives we have to detach from them firstly - embrace our true fundamentals then all of Ken's list our wealth, money and looks will be a cause for us to be happy. We will be "happy about" these things because we are already "happy in" who we are.<br />
<br />
Knowing our true fundamentals helps us lead lives of mindfulness<br />
Knowing our true fundamentals helps us be grateful lives<br />
<br />
Leading grateful and mindful lives makes us happy people<br />
Being happy people leads us to be successful people.<br />
<br />
Sad fact of life many of us want to do it the other way round - get success so that they can be grateful and happy.<br />
<br />
Choice is yours<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-20064406914195294022013-10-22T21:32:00.001+03:002013-10-22T21:37:58.612+03:00Deep Sea and the Depths of Poverty in Nairobi<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2lIZMk1viBw" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
The first time I heard of Deep Sea slums was when my sister and a group of fellow nurses visited the slum as part of their social work way back in 2009...I guess it was 2009.<br />
<br />
She narrated tales of the slum and ended her story with "Kibera must be 100 times better than what we saw".<br />
<br />
Deep Sea is sandwiched between fences of affluence literally the slum begins in between fences of rich homes. It is just in between Parklands and Limuru Road.<br />
<br />
Many of the residents single mothers do laundry in these homesteads for their upkeep. They leave behind toddlers to be taken care of by an elderly lady and they leave her with what they can and many times with nothing.<br />
<br />
During my sister's visit to the slum the only attempt at sanitation was an attempt by a religious congregation of priests the Consolata Fathers to put up a sanitation block which the residents could take a bath and use the toilet for a shilling - many of them could not afford this one shilling but to make the service free would encourage irresponsibility. The priests also had a clinic and a school right in the heart of the slum.<br />
<br />
Everywhere the slum told the story of an environmental hazard... signs of children with diarrhoea and cholera and adults with visible symptoms of being afflicted with AIDS (clearly they were not on ARVs or if they were their diet was nonexistent).<br />
<br />
My sister and her colleagues visited twice more the second time to take foodstuff to the lady who took care of infants and toddlers.<br />
<br />
I largely forgot about Deep Sea until this week when I saw an article by Amnesty International about planned evictions of the slum to pave way for a road.<br />
<br />
I am not anti-development but I would rather the government took all the funds given to them by the EU for this road and misappropriated the money to give these people a humane life...at the very least the children born to women in this slum or the women who are mothers in this slum<br />
<br />
Then again maybe our government is very conscientious and would not want to misappropriate money given for a road to other uses - then would it be too much to beg that part of the road budget be the cost of resettling residents of Deep Sea in a place where their children would know that toilets are not found only in the books their teacher reads to them... resettling them in a place where they would understand that the rest of the world does not wake up to the leaking sewerage from their neighbours and that there is such a thing as colorless water.<br />
<br />
Would it be too much to beg that as much force and manpower that has been used in evictions be used in building these people a place to call home?<br />
<br />
Would it be too much to beg my friends the affluent neighbours of Deep Sea to petition the government on behalf of their clothing launderers?<br />
<br />
Maybe we can't change the world but would it be too much to ask all of us to start caring about the world?<br />
<br />
At the very least if you read this please help by supporting Amnesty.org intervention on behalf of Deep Sea here <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/end-forced-evictions">http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/end-forced-evictions</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-3769622084651865612013-10-16T18:02:00.001+03:002013-10-16T18:02:41.050+03:00Consumer Information Should Become a Human Right - Right 32 Right To the TruthI think the most difficult thing to do in life right now is to become ascetic.<br />
<br />
Our world is powered by such a consumer culture that there is almost now way out for any of us.<br /><br />
Advertising will tell us what is sexy, what is not, what to eat, what to wear, where to go to have fun, whether it is fun at all, how to date, how to make love, how to have a great wedding, what is a great wedding, who is a good mother, what does an awesome boss look like, how to be an awesome boss, what to drive, what to ride.<br /><br />
I am not saying adverts are bad. I just think we are being bombarded with too much of it as opposed to actual facts on the products.<br /><br />
E.g. If Beats by Dre tells me their headphones are now sexier and give me an intimate, emotional experience. After Prime News I should have my local Consumer Association analyse all adverts for the day and tell me - If I wasn't sexy before I bought Beats - I won't be sexy after I buy them and if what I am listening to isn't intimate and personal then the headphones won't make it any more intimate than it is.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-cz5kMr8sNCJpM2ISMHlZZXNTx5h1XKBRAfhrh1UUv29RMC_srUv8kq6V3pC4EqnH1-cWDja4F9_4dlma4ngRjKv3tMbbU13ScWBk19NuZI8HDI73A0ZiXMW5uBa-Xlz_UdORFes1TQ/s1600/Beats-by-Dre-Studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-cz5kMr8sNCJpM2ISMHlZZXNTx5h1XKBRAfhrh1UUv29RMC_srUv8kq6V3pC4EqnH1-cWDja4F9_4dlma4ngRjKv3tMbbU13ScWBk19NuZI8HDI73A0ZiXMW5uBa-Xlz_UdORFes1TQ/s320/Beats-by-Dre-Studio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beats by Dre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If Johnnie Walker tells me to keep walking - I would like my consumer association to get some Airplay to tell me if I take too much of it then walking might become a difficult task<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/johnny-walker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/johnny-walker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnnie Walker - Keep walking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />If Victoria Secret tells me that Lingerie is sexy after dark - I would like my Consumer Association to get airplay to tell me that I am sexy not the lingerie. Sexy-me wears the lingerie NOT sexy lingerie makes the not-so-attractive me Sexy.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dm.victoriassecret.com/imagefeatures/940x520/1266714313191/20131015-bra-ftr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://dm.victoriassecret.com/imagefeatures/940x520/1266714313191/20131015-bra-ftr.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria's Secret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If my favorite cosmetic producers tell me that their product makes my skin fair in two weeks. My consumer association gets airplay to tell me that the claim has not been scientifically tested. If my cosmetic producer runs an advert showing me getting the job of my dreams due to my fair skin, my Consumer Association gets airplay to tell me that my CV also needs to look good to nail the job and dark skins have as good a chance at it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img2.nairaland.com/attachments/221943_light-skinned-vs-dark-skinned-2_jpg7b4eaeb28ecc8e7afd085efa9dc1d388" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://img2.nairaland.com/attachments/221943_light-skinned-vs-dark-skinned-2_jpg7b4eaeb28ecc8e7afd085efa9dc1d388" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><br />I don't think anyone will heed my plea - oh well. Anyway if you didn't know what rights exist out there... enjoy the video below on the 30 Articles of Human Rights</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/36CUlaqmFi4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-39888259834814279112013-10-08T12:46:00.001+03:002013-10-17T14:47:09.724+03:00BEND YOUR HEAD TV<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ignuZGVLWQs" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
I just watched the first episode of Bend Your Head TV - a Kenyan comedy show that pokes fun at ourselves.<br />
<br />
I laughed but at the same time I had a good think. I laughed at the M-hongo cops but at the same time I thought of how corruption is so endemic that we are tempted to think - no haikuwa hongo alinisaidia tu na nikampa kitu kidogo - ni kusaidiana.<br />
<br />
Translate - It wasn't a bribe the officer helped me out of my fix and I just gave back something to say thank you.<br />
<br />
Bend your head made me think about our media - they do a good job at times but many times they aren't Media they become Medio"crity".<br />
TV and media are our largest shapers of culture, perceptions, opinions, beliefs. On average every Kenyan is spending way more hours in front of the TV set; way more hours discussing what they saw on TV, heard on radio, saw in the paper than in their work, studying, hobbies, church or even on their relationships.<br />
What is trending on Facebook, twitter in Kenya starts first either in paper, radio and TV.<br />
<br />
But there is no Kenyan who critically thinks of their consumption - we are passive recipients. Who says we will not buy "Monkey Ball" Bites. Who says if Jay Z and Rihanna sport Illumi-natty I won't sport them.<br />
<br />
But all my thoughts aside Bend Your Head TV are what comedy is supposed to be - to help us laugh at ourselves, our culture, our perceptions.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-87511971218710570562013-09-24T08:51:00.000+03:002013-09-24T16:55:03.352+03:00Najivunia Kuwa Mkenya: Westgate Mall Attack brings us closer together62 people dead and 175 injured... and these people who call themselves warriors for an holy cause must be proud.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ysHvpaTWOeMag877wfaS-7bUyb858ezUb9Rzc3aEdxGLnb-XrUl3rwIEoZQCr-IcF3Z_WlZmy7SFmrm7tDB0OyoFB2kAMfZBSbgLoHRbTYOAnNOHxtUghj6WAiE5hPCGYRY2z1weWFU/s1600/Nairobi_Westgate_mall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ysHvpaTWOeMag877wfaS-7bUyb858ezUb9Rzc3aEdxGLnb-XrUl3rwIEoZQCr-IcF3Z_WlZmy7SFmrm7tDB0OyoFB2kAMfZBSbgLoHRbTYOAnNOHxtUghj6WAiE5hPCGYRY2z1weWFU/s1600/Nairobi_Westgate_mall.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
They should be ashamed - real warriors fight other warriors... like if they were real warriors they should have walked to the gate of DOD in Hurlingham firing not in a shopping mall shooting at children and shoppers.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They say for such deeds they get a reward in heaven with virgins - but surely even the most reasonable God knows if you did not appreciate this "temporary life" for its beauty then you do not deserve the "eternal life" if you spent your time hating instead of loving - how can you hope to live in a place where the language is LOVE. If you spent your time destroying God's beautiful presence here on earth how do you expect a reward of his eternal presence.<br />
<br />
But anyway no terrorist will read this - and if they did being as brainwashed and caught up in whatever pain that makes them who they are... they will not see sense. How twisted can you be to shoot an innocent child?<br />
<br />
PROUD OF KENYANS - PROUD OF NAIROBI</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But here is what the attack has done for me - it has helped me count my blessings. I am lucky to be in a country where people are brave to go on with their lives after they have been dealt such a huge blow - blood donations, food donations and people waking up to go to work - I Love Kenya I Love Nairobi</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbdeHUtJSaNwV0yYsHQu1CxdnptDj34LS0wbMPzeFhUe0j6LzGJRuBHdnvuipjLeEsJrue8opTGQH6kYLps7KaZbDim-8IO235hRUAmuvo8g6IccY-l-osaA8BKx6pmpbi9-gXaFnExo/s1600/CAM00323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbdeHUtJSaNwV0yYsHQu1CxdnptDj34LS0wbMPzeFhUe0j6LzGJRuBHdnvuipjLeEsJrue8opTGQH6kYLps7KaZbDim-8IO235hRUAmuvo8g6IccY-l-osaA8BKx6pmpbi9-gXaFnExo/s1600/CAM00323.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NAIROBI - we never say die</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
PROUD OF OUR MILITARY AND POLICE<br />
I like the bravery with which our forces Kenya Defence Forces and National Police took on the terrorists and the fact they finally subdued them. <br />
<br />
I also encourage professionals in other fields to consider volunteering our services to especially the Police Force - by professionals I mean hackers, computer programmers, biochemistry experts, pathologists, forensic experts, criminology experts, forensic accountants.<br />
This whole mindset of the Police force being for people who failed exams and only know how to shoot well and run after criminals is colonial and should go. We should be proud to work with the force.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY51px_Fv0HN1JeT_fKyU-oiNnTnMqBJPQCt-7wmqCea-dZdRUzxqRo_Wf90IsLVqQLCDwAqbfNRE8oYHwVWwshJaTiMVqFNzWqUxASNCHK00m_I3EWvuztHmv3YblDR2FBqX4YB3uFA/s1600/Nairobi-mall-attack-010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY51px_Fv0HN1JeT_fKyU-oiNnTnMqBJPQCt-7wmqCea-dZdRUzxqRo_Wf90IsLVqQLCDwAqbfNRE8oYHwVWwshJaTiMVqFNzWqUxASNCHK00m_I3EWvuztHmv3YblDR2FBqX4YB3uFA/s1600/Nairobi-mall-attack-010.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenyan Security Officer rescues hostages</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
PROUD OF OUR LEADERS<br />
I didn't vote for these two men but now I realize what calibre of leaders we have in-charge. Kudos to President Uhuru and Deputy President Ruto.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to see what they make of whatever number of terms they have ahead. As a word of encouragement when life deals you such bucketfuls of trouble - the test of who you are is staying the course... never giving up.<br />
<br />
These two men have dealt with challenges of personal criminal cases, the challenge of a burning airport, challenge of rising consumer good prices, challenges of wayward politicians who only clamor for pay-rises and County money allocations but do not clamor to do the work and take the responsibilities that come with these funds and keep clamoring for referendums and now they are dealing with a terrorist attack.<br />
<br />
If this is not trouble in bucketfuls I don't know what to call it. But my encouragement is if the airport burns then it is a chance for us to build better disaster preparedness - a fire department, police station and a hospital at the airport.<br />
If the terrorists attack then it is time for Kenyans to realize the important things in life - like life itself... the drama of money allocations and power games should stop or should not interest us anymore.<br />
<br />
To the President and Deputy President - take heart and may God give you strength.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3n5xuqgiVyM_AYJULe2X3e32x01z4XYoLUPaTsSu8SxF5tllc2UsSsZcAyYmt4dpkDBJATs3G3l43-ifwnt4xRkkzZq4kKVDK0YE0hVwVK3Upfb_0-kFLjMs7iTvCFXM5sbAE1y4P7s/s1600/Uhuru-ruto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3n5xuqgiVyM_AYJULe2X3e32x01z4XYoLUPaTsSu8SxF5tllc2UsSsZcAyYmt4dpkDBJATs3G3l43-ifwnt4xRkkzZq4kKVDK0YE0hVwVK3Upfb_0-kFLjMs7iTvCFXM5sbAE1y4P7s/s1600/Uhuru-ruto.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Uhuru and Vice President Ruto - the most energetic duo ever</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
PROUD OF OUR MEDIA<br />
<br />
I know one media house did disappoint us on Sunday by putting sensationalist and traumatizing pictures in their daily and I was really disappointed with that guy of "Ni kama video ni kama drama" for fooling around in a situation where his fellow Kenyans were losing their lives. Other than that I am quite proud of the kind of reporting our media houses did.<br />
<br />
My heroine for the day was Anjlee Noorani Gadhvi of K24 she was on the scene from day one - she truly empathized with the victims and did an awesome job of reporting<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPHDgfHmfAxcppLHsQ9WLSo-YBoK6aTWjuFTV66eDG-R2qfTAEhtn-QXZUxXte0A-pN8Gt7A_n6jmgLPvL9CZeWmU-hckId4zCjyXtFNYq6CBmVBm2WC60gao8oeVXUGueJ5B1gtQHYM/s1600/anjlee+nurani+gadhvi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPHDgfHmfAxcppLHsQ9WLSo-YBoK6aTWjuFTV66eDG-R2qfTAEhtn-QXZUxXte0A-pN8Gt7A_n6jmgLPvL9CZeWmU-hckId4zCjyXtFNYq6CBmVBm2WC60gao8oeVXUGueJ5B1gtQHYM/s1600/anjlee+nurani+gadhvi.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K24 - Anjlee Noorani Gadhvi - KUDOS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Anjlee back in the day used to be with KTN - always wondered why they never gave her a more prominent role as she was an excellent news presenter. She appeared sporadically in late night news and the longest periods we saw her on screen was during the 2007 elections.<br />
<br />
Anyway that is her past - With her stint in K24 - this great news anchor seems to have come of age - Kudos Anjlee Noorani Gadhvi.<br />
<br />
Song that is pulling my heartstrings right now<br />
<br />
DAIMA MIMI MKENYA - Eric Wainaina<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HWqjc0ZzHAs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-691535981380877432013-09-15T23:49:00.000+03:002013-09-19T16:21:26.704+03:00TRIBUTE TO HENRY RAICHENA<a href="https://www.facebook.com/henry.raichena.7" target="_blank">Henry Raichena</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkPv9N_giUwm-6FAGYnoXfFljcjzAUUVjOWQacrE_HXwmkcKNNTYi8jdhz7FJSgQyDg4fWhtuVfW7ZaR_ek7xrQXSfJfh3XLfhG8Z5RU3zzZE1Js__Q0mzr5UKl4XdBfEPGcmdrs5YIA/s1600/Raichena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkPv9N_giUwm-6FAGYnoXfFljcjzAUUVjOWQacrE_HXwmkcKNNTYi8jdhz7FJSgQyDg4fWhtuVfW7ZaR_ek7xrQXSfJfh3XLfhG8Z5RU3zzZE1Js__Q0mzr5UKl4XdBfEPGcmdrs5YIA/s1600/Raichena.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RIP Henry Raichena</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In life God's providence has ways of helping us out of our very "human fixes". God's providence sometimes works through people... sometimes works through situations. God's providence worked for me through Henry Raichena Chief Principal Mang'u High School - my Headmaster, Headteacher... Principal at Nkubu High School. So when he passed on this week - I do not know what to do to thank providence or to do the human thing - weep for loss.<br />
<br />
Pretty uncommon I know - not many of us owe anything to our HMs maybe some caning... making life "unnecessarily difficult or interesting - tis interesting to have a "bad cop". Well mine is a different story and I owe this HM.<br />
<br />
Raichena joined Nkubu High same year I joined in 1996 - so in a special way our class "Nkubu class of 99" were his first Form One class - he was new... we were new.<br />
<br />
<b>PERSONAL DEBT</b><br />
I owe Henry Raichena personally because I came into the school two weeks later than other Form one's reason - I didn't have money. He told my mum if we went home and came back with at least part of the fees we could talk... so that is how my four year story of a man who was patient with a financially challenged family begun... and so it stayed till I cleared my high school. So if I finished high school - I owe this man in a big way. God's providence brought him into my life - he stayed on in Nkubu only for one more year after I left - and he went to on to greater challenges "Mang'u Boys".<br />
<br />
<b>GUINNESS</b><br />
Raichena got the name Guinness as his nickname.<br />
Teenage boys are a troubled age - and physical size is a big achievement for a teen. So I guess it was really esteem bolstering for the big boys to see they were taller than their Principal hence the name Guinness - since it was the shortest bottle of beer the boys knew about.<br />
<br />
Anyway in retrospect I look back and think we may have unwittingly prophesied what Raichena was and what he would be - He was a Great Man and much later when I see the "Reach for Greatness" Ads I realize we had one such great man in our midst. The man we called Guinness<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS31ajuWrwdrVDZJmJcmhY2JMF5ObL4sXmZlmR0-GhWmFsRKHM5LvzrN1gInPxNTrW3zBUwbqH0MZBLNiyDpSIMggIYeC48aq1LDBJc7g_AckkE0NH8q4IscZB5rV6jcDg27qZ8WSn8k/s1600/guiness7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS31ajuWrwdrVDZJmJcmhY2JMF5ObL4sXmZlmR0-GhWmFsRKHM5LvzrN1gInPxNTrW3zBUwbqH0MZBLNiyDpSIMggIYeC48aq1LDBJc7g_AckkE0NH8q4IscZB5rV6jcDg27qZ8WSn8k/s1600/guiness7.jpg" height="320" width="289" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>LEADER</b><br />
Raichena did what leaders do. He changed our culture, our expectations of ourselves, appearance of the school. He left his mark.<br />
When Raichena came to Nkubu all our dorms and classes had "potholes". Okay this is not metaphorical - see the potholes you see on the road and pick that picture and put it in a dorm...that was Nkubu High. The school performed well in sports and academics but it was just guts and a great tradition - not infrastructure. We were so badly off and we assumed that is how things were supposed to be. Tree stumps were common in classes as chairs and sharing desks was common place especially for Form Ones. I had been to a posh primary school (story for another day) Consolata Primary School all my life - I didn't know sitting on a tree stump or a log could happen in a school.<br />
<br />
Raichena changed all that - we had new desks brought in for all Form Ones - that didn't make us favorites with other classes "We were Guinno's Monos" (Guinness's Form Ones).<br />
<br />
By the time I cleared Form Four in 99 I could not recognize the school I had walked in to in Feb 96 - transformation is the only word for what Raichena did. All floors had been repaired. We had a new one storey dorm complex - the first building in Nkubu high that rose above ground floor. The school even had its first computer (okay stop laughing - at least now you see from what depths we were at)<br />
<br />
The dining hall which had a collapsing roof... flaky green paint that looked black and grey and something in between ... mega pot holes and tables that scared the hell out of the phrase "sit down to lunch". (Actually most students used to sit outside on the grass and eat - can't blame them). When I left Form Four our dining room could actually host district level events it was well lit, had a stage to convert it into a hall for such events. All tables were new - had red Formica you could actually sit down to a meal.<br />
<br />
<b>CULTURE</b><br />
Somehow when your surroundings change your esteem is boosted - something about the way Nkubu boys carried themselves during his time was very telling about how they felt about their school. There was PRIDE.<br />
There was pride in the way prefects carried themselves in their new blue blazers with gold stripes (I never was a prefect - but I saw pride). Even us the non prefects started wearing our ties religiously on weekdays - dressing down only on weekends (Nkubu High before "Guinness" didn't have ties). We even got school IDs ... somehow it was quite a bother to us then but in retrospect I see now why we had to identify with something or learn the feeling of being someone... and Raichena did that for us.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UnmRUzN5QzbhabdftFTtxifezXaylY6HMyO1Pn02jNjKU2JYsqkkA5o64FnNSsGq1622f0qoOIAqS8H0FvYTajJjwbv3Ox9r08321IaO_D3QKZi4ZUjhsMBpR65jxSmbU7XYpBLfBjg/s1600/ID.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UnmRUzN5QzbhabdftFTtxifezXaylY6HMyO1Pn02jNjKU2JYsqkkA5o64FnNSsGq1622f0qoOIAqS8H0FvYTajJjwbv3Ox9r08321IaO_D3QKZi4ZUjhsMBpR65jxSmbU7XYpBLfBjg/s1600/ID.jpg" height="123" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NKUBU ID - finally we identified with being part of an institution</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6I3WRnjBNEuP1Q5Trz5YPpstvD7FJBP9XZDTIXwbsD1phcTzhRekGx62rwinfx6GduA7n-PLWZUOJ202HZu57XDSX6hYUyubUZkISTirbpVqUzeREjS-uGOBsFFjKuo39tNtt1gp7bI/s1600/motto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6I3WRnjBNEuP1Q5Trz5YPpstvD7FJBP9XZDTIXwbsD1phcTzhRekGx62rwinfx6GduA7n-PLWZUOJ202HZu57XDSX6hYUyubUZkISTirbpVqUzeREjS-uGOBsFFjKuo39tNtt1gp7bI/s1600/motto.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VERITAS ET FORTITUDO - Truth and Courage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoHkvODAqYmD4mGr64KMgC03eWOpnIPX17yi84yVKKQCrpBKJKl5DnkGBunr3xcBGNVuS8QdI9sULkKs_JvPJGabvaN6Jz2BulsyfLxbyKc3S82noPtCzV2beDTBRgAQJmJAJ6dwrglw/s1600/passport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoHkvODAqYmD4mGr64KMgC03eWOpnIPX17yi84yVKKQCrpBKJKl5DnkGBunr3xcBGNVuS8QdI9sULkKs_JvPJGabvaN6Jz2BulsyfLxbyKc3S82noPtCzV2beDTBRgAQJmJAJ6dwrglw/s1600/passport.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boys in ties - suddenly our mindsets changed about the sort of people we were</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
There was pride when the Soccer team in 98 in blue shorts and yellow T-shirts run down the steps of our tallest building (our one storey dorm) on to the field to win the Meru District Inter School sports which we were hosting and proceed to Provincial level as District Champions. There was pride in every event we attended because when you said "Nkubu High" you knew you were the best.<br />
<br />
Our anthem used to be something like<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh hail to dear Nkubu, school we all love<br />
Truth and courage is our battle cry</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
St. Joseph is our captain, Christ is our King<br />
We'll keep on fighting until we win</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Success in our studies, Victors in sports<br />
East of Mt. Kenya we are always top</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You will know us always as Nkubu Boys<br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: start;">I think I forgot a couple of lines or the sequence.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkMuLWfjjO1AZ9LKCCdwK_pjZ1u4gybZ7KtMV1Er4V4KYOZyKtNJsUNqGb8ETRHcnffoES0k6t-waDNDAeGwndn5NQuhSSMBFWE-7dQ9z6E1DgIXiu3NvE4B59WhFjKHZzIceQTRqQ-k/s1600/Image+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkMuLWfjjO1AZ9LKCCdwK_pjZ1u4gybZ7KtMV1Er4V4KYOZyKtNJsUNqGb8ETRHcnffoES0k6t-waDNDAeGwndn5NQuhSSMBFWE-7dQ9z6E1DgIXiu3NvE4B59WhFjKHZzIceQTRqQ-k/s1600/Image+(7).jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nkubu High Scout - Admin block in background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEDXoH_FbR758rWkrwBOSqRMgupacY71rT6S3PKZi0-Pdaj38Ge7-7OZ4VT1FsJv4ibEZ8ur3qgAvSTbgyI8uT8rdK6fgVRalC7yMlFUJ9RUufhN5sZ-CxQkUSge6hEp0Lp09wH9JIcw/s1600/Image+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEDXoH_FbR758rWkrwBOSqRMgupacY71rT6S3PKZi0-Pdaj38Ge7-7OZ4VT1FsJv4ibEZ8ur3qgAvSTbgyI8uT8rdK6fgVRalC7yMlFUJ9RUufhN5sZ-CxQkUSge6hEp0Lp09wH9JIcw/s1600/Image+(8).jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nkubu High boys - chilling on a weekend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But in Henry Raichena's time we actually believed our anthem and this paid off when the class of 98 were the 28th best school in KCSE nationwide that year.<br />
<br />
<b>LEFT HIS MARK EVERYWHERE</b><br />
Many of us may not have understood what transformational effect Raichena had on schools until his former school "Terige High School" from the Rift Valley sent a delegation of students to see where their Principal had gone to. Suddenly we realized we had a "prize possession" in our midst and loud arguments were heard in dormitories against any imaginary "enemy" who wanted to take our headmaster.<br />
<br />
<b>GIANT OF A MAN</b><br />
I know by this time next week we will have laid him to rest - the man we all loved to call "Guinness" but today with a bit of angst - I remember this man who made us the men we are today - men who are proud of who we are... men who know how to fight to win... men who believe that things can be made better... men who decades later still come together because we identify with a Nkubu he built - this Giant of a man.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-64720647382798446072013-09-01T17:15:00.001+03:002013-09-01T17:15:43.693+03:00Take part in Blog Action Day October 16, 2013<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RxzxupeCVSk" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
One month sixteen days to go.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-77238703746653768282013-08-19T00:42:00.001+03:002013-08-19T00:42:39.854+03:00Cavaliers Band - Dunia (One of my favorite throwbacks)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cSs0tlNMqO0" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
I must be aging - I am listening to very old songs from my childhood.<br />
In this song the subject recalls caution given to him by his parents about the people of the world (Walimwengu) and now in his prime finds that what they told him was true(the world holds for him the unexpected - dunia ina mambo)<br />
<br />
Of course I had to transcribe the lyrics - so if you find any mistakes please correct me<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Cavalier Band –
Dunia<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Baba na mama waliniudhia ewe kijana, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
kuwa mwana kujionea dunia ina mambo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nao siku yasikiza sasa mimi najuta,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
kweli najionea dunia
ina mambo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walinaambia kijana jihadhari na walimwengu<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hao walimwengu si wazuri kwako kijana<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nao siku ya sikiza, hata mimi najuta<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kweli najionea dunia ina mambo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>interlude<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
repeat verse one and two (look for rap/spoken interlude)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
oooh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dunia ina mambo oooh, dunia ina mambo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dunia ina mambo oooh, dunia ina mambo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ukiwa na cha leo marafiki ni wengi sana<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watakusifu oh, wewe kijana mzuri<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dunia ina mambo oooh, dunia ina mambo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dunia ina mambo oooh, dunia ina mambo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ukiwa huna oh, wengi wanakukimbia<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Na wengi kusema wewe kijana mbaya<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dunia ina mambo oooh, dunia ina mambo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dunia ina mambo oooh, dunia ina mambo<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Interlude<o:p></o:p></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-83117511235014913282013-08-19T00:30:00.000+03:002013-08-19T00:30:52.000+03:00Fantastic Kenyan track divas IAAF Moscow Athletics 2013Wow Moscow 2013 is over and Kenya is sitted fourth in the medal standings.<br />
<br />
So this is me paying tribute to Kenyan track divas. I am not saying the men didn't do well. They did fantastic Asbel Kiprop as usual was dominant in the 1500m his long frame belying his powerful sprint. Ezekiel Kemboi now has a mohican but he still wins 3000m steeplechase and we have a new kid - Consensus Kipruto in the same race and not to forget our own you-tube athlete javelin thrower Yego.<br />
<br />
So why am I paying tribute to the women - maybe it is because I have soft spot for Kenyan female athletes, maybe it is their spirit in the field - I am not really sure but they are a wonder to behold.<br />
<br />
Edna Kiplagat started off Kenya on the first day by defending her marathon title<br />
<br />
FANTASTIC EDNA KIPLAGAT MARATHON<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oX3qgfuVSV8" width="480"></iframe>
Milcah Chemos who everyone said was more of a hurdler than a jumper proved them all wrong. She did a fantastic piece of front running and she and Lydia Chepkurui did what Kenyans have come to expect of the men in the 3000m steeplechase. They bagged Gold and Silver. Milcah didn't even break sweat she was so happy and doing a jig at the end of it<br />
<br />
MILCAH CHEMOS 3000M STEEPLECHASE<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2vNW775Mq0c" width="459"></iframe>
<br />
Milcah said she was tired of playing second fiddle - tired of bagging bronze perenially. She did just that - she is the first ever Kenyan woman Gold medalist in 3000m steeplechase.<br />
<br />
Helen Obiri gave a valiant run but her superb kick could not match Jenny Simpson and Aregawi who now runs for Sweden. Simpson somehow managed to run in front and keep strength for a kick. Aregawi never lost her strength at any point - true dominance reminiscent of Nancy Jebet Lagat my last years heroine who didn't have it in her this time. Kipyegon also gave her best kicking with Obiri but fell to fifth place.<br />
<br />
HELEN OBIRI BRONZE 1500M<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Yi3rv8K_MtQ" width="459"></iframe>
<br />
But the highlight of the games for me was Eunice Chepkoech Sum. The media has had a field day playing with her name. Sum did sum it up though for Kenyans.<br />
<br />
After Janeth Jepkosgei and Pamela Jelimo no one thought we would ever see another great Kenyan athlete for a while in this distance 800women but Sum in her debut really surprised the world - she came, she saw, she conquered.<br />
<br />
All eyes were on home girl Maria Savinova, USA's Allysa Montano (who did some fantastic piece of front running) former champion Lupu of the Ukraine but no one paid attention to Sum and now the world has to stand up and take notice.<br />
In the absence of Rudisha in the men's race Sum just surprised the world in the women's version of events and totally made my day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/S_jqOK411gk" width="459"></iframe>
<br />
What a way to sum up a really fantastic IAAF Moscow 2013<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-4108602959166793562013-07-10T02:22:00.000+03:002013-07-10T02:22:48.935+03:00Upper Hill - Nairobi County's New Commercial Capital<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DfDA6DN76puqM36iNIHMq_Wy3aaG5nNKmvlCGNgk4SbBG66TaSq-eDt9OkmatBojG5MQdVILlASHEv9i1WmytIwP4J6bVKV7y3MC8gf3fWz9-EOqBJfKRuYtQgojRgfpuF-eeC6Qqb4/s1600/CAM00019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Just so you don't get my blog wrong... I am not a real estate broker. I am just a guy who likes nice landscapes and can't help notice when the skyline changes.<br />
<br />
This is what is exactly happening to Upper Hill in Nairobi. Once upon a time the most notable things in the skyline was the tip of Rahimtulla towers stabbing the sky and the statue of Mary Help of Christians looking down on the City, the uniquely designed Victoria Towers and the square solid 8 storied Kenyatta National Referral Hospital.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX0EnHpvrGa9EGKWfv5Ktv_x5O02kTk89YZWzuUkTR3P1wmcqw2Cpy-TMd-lbJrnilyEDqad_PRv9_FRRSByZHxL86gUQP8jCud3iNJ3OJ0t68hyXg8Twgj7H6aLfaJi5HqtoFG6tOXM/s1600/CAM00418.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX0EnHpvrGa9EGKWfv5Ktv_x5O02kTk89YZWzuUkTR3P1wmcqw2Cpy-TMd-lbJrnilyEDqad_PRv9_FRRSByZHxL86gUQP8jCud3iNJ3OJ0t68hyXg8Twgj7H6aLfaJi5HqtoFG6tOXM/s1600/CAM00418.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful Rahimtulla towers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHt32DYXq4LwqNz77i1qSX6m5A2jKJBQAfC_2VLVA70a2ZmbSOyG5r5faCIfsZxoD_v96Itkwg0-L3fVBe7lBhGFLSjypUIA5YFc-ck0SyQd44xaBhajj1_m3doSDAlbSuEXOFVqm7-A/s1600/CAM00393.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHt32DYXq4LwqNz77i1qSX6m5A2jKJBQAfC_2VLVA70a2ZmbSOyG5r5faCIfsZxoD_v96Itkwg0-L3fVBe7lBhGFLSjypUIA5YFc-ck0SyQd44xaBhajj1_m3doSDAlbSuEXOFVqm7-A/s1600/CAM00393.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Mary Help of Christians at Don Bosco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeK9cxl8CTADeg-poiTvShwhnauaa_CiRme5BMzVTKeDXgRG9ccLmdOZx2W4mVyQHvuGAyiTjln3D_Zqc_6aucz3ULDpKnVNiP3qXBtUaxKgl4fn_pnQUAQtz_rOMaYOSWIAMqH1CZM8/s1600/CAM00031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeK9cxl8CTADeg-poiTvShwhnauaa_CiRme5BMzVTKeDXgRG9ccLmdOZx2W4mVyQHvuGAyiTjln3D_Zqc_6aucz3ULDpKnVNiP3qXBtUaxKgl4fn_pnQUAQtz_rOMaYOSWIAMqH1CZM8/s1600/CAM00031.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqczmnf10VqONNVKETyX1G0xOdwbuBksXlE4v6U-QL-Y7r9kS1NkjWhc-jGM6MKgCIB4bdwxOBd1SjLxRsgxhoYRl16p6DT58eATI_ifS2CYdg8u4l_MyHPtHimoWonD0d77FQF9PKIMg/s1600/CAM00425.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqczmnf10VqONNVKETyX1G0xOdwbuBksXlE4v6U-QL-Y7r9kS1NkjWhc-jGM6MKgCIB4bdwxOBd1SjLxRsgxhoYRl16p6DT58eATI_ifS2CYdg8u4l_MyHPtHimoWonD0d77FQF9PKIMg/s1600/CAM00425.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Geomaps on Matumbato road a pioneer building in Upper Hill Right: Kenyatta National Hospital in the background and works on Mara road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGX9iRB2ngScPJ6m3VBwrYHJmPm0hAkbupT_HVx-OGYhRY91L_jsWqU5Lfaq0rBgLCMgm_cgELNw1pKj8kxZAQOe7v3kGL_1xWpSgq2bRhY48yd5_sJSOVqrdF3IjIHPBsAi_IdtUQAc0/s1600/CAM00419.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGX9iRB2ngScPJ6m3VBwrYHJmPm0hAkbupT_HVx-OGYhRY91L_jsWqU5Lfaq0rBgLCMgm_cgELNw1pKj8kxZAQOe7v3kGL_1xWpSgq2bRhY48yd5_sJSOVqrdF3IjIHPBsAi_IdtUQAc0/s1600/CAM00419.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pencil Holder shaped Victoria towers in the foreground and KCB head office skeleton in the back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now all that has changed the skeleton of KCB (Kenya Commercial Bank) new head office 22 storey towers on Ragati road in the face of it's competitor Equity Bank's head office and right behind them a new building by the World Bank. A few meters across from the three Britam (British American Insurance is putting up a new structure. Not to be outdone UAP provincial insurance is putting up their own building towering above Upper Hill high school which will hopefully be the last green "standing".<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DfDA6DN76puqM36iNIHMq_Wy3aaG5nNKmvlCGNgk4SbBG66TaSq-eDt9OkmatBojG5MQdVILlASHEv9i1WmytIwP4J6bVKV7y3MC8gf3fWz9-EOqBJfKRuYtQgojRgfpuF-eeC6Qqb4/s1600/CAM00019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DfDA6DN76puqM36iNIHMq_Wy3aaG5nNKmvlCGNgk4SbBG66TaSq-eDt9OkmatBojG5MQdVILlASHEv9i1WmytIwP4J6bVKV7y3MC8gf3fWz9-EOqBJfKRuYtQgojRgfpuF-eeC6Qqb4/s1600/CAM00019.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British American foundation being drilled on Ragati road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKMMYG01L4g7xP4WoyOFXOjcyxhzHXyVK4nAMWtlrEswhyphenhyphen0oxGowP9-Ohzpr986CREGVeYPpVi_oiTNFmnurWCfSq6bxCYbTgjgIm5ntYkNxytQcvd3MrfM3U49Wdy9a1yGrqGqvcsO0/s1600/CAM00020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKMMYG01L4g7xP4WoyOFXOjcyxhzHXyVK4nAMWtlrEswhyphenhyphen0oxGowP9-Ohzpr986CREGVeYPpVi_oiTNFmnurWCfSq6bxCYbTgjgIm5ntYkNxytQcvd3MrfM3U49Wdy9a1yGrqGqvcsO0/s1600/CAM00020.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World Bank building in progress</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAQup9OQcanfbJz1f01hw13bvXkFSmeXCVX7o_fVY5yY9SYrJgn33TYEVC08BCp7b04ZKtABKW45nprHfi1egf21zFSJJwXbi-r0oKszAZk03w6dU5nviS7ba280wFi1TJNgtvasDSTs/s1600/CAM00021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAQup9OQcanfbJz1f01hw13bvXkFSmeXCVX7o_fVY5yY9SYrJgn33TYEVC08BCp7b04ZKtABKW45nprHfi1egf21zFSJJwXbi-r0oKszAZk03w6dU5nviS7ba280wFi1TJNgtvasDSTs/s1600/CAM00021.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KCB head office still towering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgIGTy6jFlqSamq41MhqLLu-4WVpyFlOZpxm2HWFHZ7TOzZOtzhGZv_awt23wsdkhKoNJxkqP6_ARgMS71QJNb6G2bclqTATw52Wj0kT1LUj7o_AnUoXA1rFXSZfnxsaaCxLYZUIOekc/s1600/CAM00022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgIGTy6jFlqSamq41MhqLLu-4WVpyFlOZpxm2HWFHZ7TOzZOtzhGZv_awt23wsdkhKoNJxkqP6_ARgMS71QJNb6G2bclqTATw52Wj0kT1LUj7o_AnUoXA1rFXSZfnxsaaCxLYZUIOekc/s1600/CAM00022.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Equity Bank Centre right in the competition's face</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With Elgon Road from Oxford all the way down being expanded and various construction works along it's length including a shopping mall, a potentially star hotel to rival Crowne Plaza's dominance Upper Hill is about to claim it's place as Nairobi's commercial capital. Mara road is also being redone separating two members sports clubs Nairobi Sports Club and Public Service Club.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC_SAVZF94xnumFDjWAB0Nj0xa5AGvFxX82UjI3J7ZEK2XKClWbiX5J40mFM_89cqEjTMlS5KaRw9YpGGsLMYK2VhOmmm89CI93VWcCx-RrMR5eYt02HwQhqIV1EpAwq8zNz9wi6Lajg/s1600/CAM00420.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC_SAVZF94xnumFDjWAB0Nj0xa5AGvFxX82UjI3J7ZEK2XKClWbiX5J40mFM_89cqEjTMlS5KaRw9YpGGsLMYK2VhOmmm89CI93VWcCx-RrMR5eYt02HwQhqIV1EpAwq8zNz9wi6Lajg/s1600/CAM00420.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Developments on Elgon Road Oxford in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WLoG6iI2sEzMTJyM_4Lrq8o2GzN6X7rD3jCpEQK2k0VKHOX9bXVEyQw_NrqRdgD5DHqLMJWVrCROt3EBWirDo949ty87sj91LEgJoFpavjkjiA2Q2SWfJQ1IaOofkmZTLFhmhB5bAL4/s1600/CAM00027.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WLoG6iI2sEzMTJyM_4Lrq8o2GzN6X7rD3jCpEQK2k0VKHOX9bXVEyQw_NrqRdgD5DHqLMJWVrCROt3EBWirDo949ty87sj91LEgJoFpavjkjiA2Q2SWfJQ1IaOofkmZTLFhmhB5bAL4/s1600/CAM00027.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Developments on Elgon Road the expansion is set to take another year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6u4Z2ijmfmsrvb6G0HTZqEjd17d2mpaMfktLf57pEhik8akP44lh1dhy3frzMagQG7bY8RxjJ8WDjtZci6X4nNXL_7-LYb_pJ2DJNc5iKGNgeqYlMmR0d9eUaDkwqcSRO-ZDiHFk6nT8/s1600/CAM00032.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6u4Z2ijmfmsrvb6G0HTZqEjd17d2mpaMfktLf57pEhik8akP44lh1dhy3frzMagQG7bY8RxjJ8WDjtZci6X4nNXL_7-LYb_pJ2DJNc5iKGNgeqYlMmR0d9eUaDkwqcSRO-ZDiHFk6nT8/s1600/CAM00032.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Developments on Elgon Road seen from Matumbato Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYgeSbbUySz2WXsm6SHXojlwGoPJDCnny1XKSAAeffl0oUlOOCUMtS9C31MhMzdu3CEDwRJHeNxL5i3-aC2p6mfdmFPltAJcl-hUKgj95e48EOd0wvI3nddrh7bRAiLB8ypA9BBKzc9g/s1600/CAM00028.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYgeSbbUySz2WXsm6SHXojlwGoPJDCnny1XKSAAeffl0oUlOOCUMtS9C31MhMzdu3CEDwRJHeNxL5i3-aC2p6mfdmFPltAJcl-hUKgj95e48EOd0wvI3nddrh7bRAiLB8ypA9BBKzc9g/s1600/CAM00028.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Developments on Elgon Road Duplex in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvqowqO2c2ayGhNJm50JWnKaMFhH4L8T0WYIuxzt7ATN9L8v8Dkwo6VC3cP3FqB26FAFpYbnza_NYngRrE386nI_Tdco0LBilXlPVKccC4gIKMCnGWeoE393KjthfY3Tda5nw13ndts0/s1600/CAM00029.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvqowqO2c2ayGhNJm50JWnKaMFhH4L8T0WYIuxzt7ATN9L8v8Dkwo6VC3cP3FqB26FAFpYbnza_NYngRrE386nI_Tdco0LBilXlPVKccC4gIKMCnGWeoE393KjthfY3Tda5nw13ndts0/s1600/CAM00029.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Developments on Elgon Road Duplex in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Very soon it is bound to attract all the large food chain outlets and Supermarket Chains. Nairobi Java House has already got in early setting up shop at the Kenya Medical Association flats KMA flats.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFALLbFQEr4Mo5O553PpB-nXFkdvQCYyDB2YNkY_e6oi5b0ihWY3gHThANn0TsiyTo9J-yne9eZkr4XtYTCiBoQjM1l8JYFnvw-U2OXKyPxrFd_R0YxFGGSj1dNhN0vr8PpSRofabmaE/s1600/CAM00421.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFALLbFQEr4Mo5O553PpB-nXFkdvQCYyDB2YNkY_e6oi5b0ihWY3gHThANn0TsiyTo9J-yne9eZkr4XtYTCiBoQjM1l8JYFnvw-U2OXKyPxrFd_R0YxFGGSj1dNhN0vr8PpSRofabmaE/s1600/CAM00421.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nairobi Java House in Upper Hill with Kenya Medical Association's flats at the back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtY7ptVJtVl36O1F6SLvrORTRpz-F6FjXIU7N9U-xQqpGbFw7mzN1NfA-M7fkEUEJDWQgucY1v5dn_jsX0JU3ybVsSS3LkyWj9gU5P-_h8bDAz9VPf6qbpNgaonGo-xRA5BjnbpMqawA/s1600/CAM00422.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtY7ptVJtVl36O1F6SLvrORTRpz-F6FjXIU7N9U-xQqpGbFw7mzN1NfA-M7fkEUEJDWQgucY1v5dn_jsX0JU3ybVsSS3LkyWj9gU5P-_h8bDAz9VPf6qbpNgaonGo-xRA5BjnbpMqawA/s1600/CAM00422.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nairobi Java House in Upper Hill with KMA flats at the back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bfPoVs_GybS5HdS9TVPfGMiW6CLSsHICyzsglWFiIEqYQ3rE0SUtPprHqVGIwvK_C_Vc_FT6FV6XrxdlvTfzAS5tpkfXDgFGJRiDYu4pZrevaEb0XnCnuMGAyiVmofoOxFjYyCHz9z8/s1600/CAM00023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bfPoVs_GybS5HdS9TVPfGMiW6CLSsHICyzsglWFiIEqYQ3rE0SUtPprHqVGIwvK_C_Vc_FT6FV6XrxdlvTfzAS5tpkfXDgFGJRiDYu4pZrevaEb0XnCnuMGAyiVmofoOxFjYyCHz9z8/s1600/CAM00023.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaping up - additions to Real insurance building on Ragati road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDunGOGHpfBWS5sM8nfkekbPlIbIQ3KvpPN6Qp9cZf4MzLRF8A-FvkBCOdfVy7wJam8voNHEqpzReSVvkIuERXgXEFKi9u7Ffj4CKvVIDeU6Zr68BaEdBFo7AXCxJa-tkdB_nnbf298rs/s1600/CAM00033.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDunGOGHpfBWS5sM8nfkekbPlIbIQ3KvpPN6Qp9cZf4MzLRF8A-FvkBCOdfVy7wJam8voNHEqpzReSVvkIuERXgXEFKi9u7Ffj4CKvVIDeU6Zr68BaEdBFo7AXCxJa-tkdB_nnbf298rs/s1600/CAM00033.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The leafy suburb of Matumbato has seen many houses turn into offices: Above Swivel Marketing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Potential beneficiaries could include housing developments in Madaraka which is a railway crossing away though on the flip side house rents could go up.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYCUOOw-F5AVxqJQ4_Da4Oxe41AkFx7_Wg3JmyZ99Gn2IZbBqNvz1NGbNU9-QS7z6uDpDPTRcVrPyJBcNC1ONAYQBGn1iVHQ8UosoZkxOnkvtKy8i3YuNURsMLu3SmPVPx3inoo9xQNk/s1600/CAM00040.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYCUOOw-F5AVxqJQ4_Da4Oxe41AkFx7_Wg3JmyZ99Gn2IZbBqNvz1NGbNU9-QS7z6uDpDPTRcVrPyJBcNC1ONAYQBGn1iVHQ8UosoZkxOnkvtKy8i3YuNURsMLu3SmPVPx3inoo9xQNk/s1600/CAM00040.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Railway - stands between Upper Hill and Madaraka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDunGOGHpfBWS5sM8nfkekbPlIbIQ3KvpPN6Qp9cZf4MzLRF8A-FvkBCOdfVy7wJam8voNHEqpzReSVvkIuERXgXEFKi9u7Ffj4CKvVIDeU6Zr68BaEdBFo7AXCxJa-tkdB_nnbf298rs/s1600/CAM00033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglA4dSxIL1mvZmKMv-okTtbUnY1fq4Xm1L9EdJkwdSvQ8V9HG76PmMT7i26nE1G3xyBMJ3Z0TnBQMiajexHrtiuNOwZ5f6k8LCkJfOqHHWziTmRt2lCd2SA1XgkFIvB1yCmpx3z8pkUVw/s1600/CAM00034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglA4dSxIL1mvZmKMv-okTtbUnY1fq4Xm1L9EdJkwdSvQ8V9HG76PmMT7i26nE1G3xyBMJ3Z0TnBQMiajexHrtiuNOwZ5f6k8LCkJfOqHHWziTmRt2lCd2SA1XgkFIvB1yCmpx3z8pkUVw/s1600/CAM00034.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kanake Gardens one of the new developments that are on the rise in Upper Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqwELCbj-46e5Pfj63QBcBfOZYtfTj9VAK1R3tdSsuBUstNdQHf_aV_fOwXexld249DIh665iBB296bCn8pOIQhMl6nLoPbxnXW29s0g2DHKubjHVlPNKQSdXxxGP6GlG6srPqkM95bA/s1600/CAM00035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-59oU_WLfAqH3E_V7wpe_HK9_N72YgwAqeCQaoIoumXYwj8TNVn1q0IPKAN0Sm_BCyJPfzIPYPBwMO4R5Z_j9q013epWXC94uLh455GsnUnfU6QdYmVSnCMdfXTEkcgsfFEDQmUQtvSE/s1600/CAM00036.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-59oU_WLfAqH3E_V7wpe_HK9_N72YgwAqeCQaoIoumXYwj8TNVn1q0IPKAN0Sm_BCyJPfzIPYPBwMO4R5Z_j9q013epWXC94uLh455GsnUnfU6QdYmVSnCMdfXTEkcgsfFEDQmUQtvSE/s1600/CAM00036.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Madaraka with the new</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbPIetkzh5NO-EwaiWWJoLzGwXhcgwicx4-Ni7Z5NBMbmkBmG7YSxo4MWDmq8v5STayTuStII-A8wvhQN_LalCF-nbyBoOR9pZIWts1j-qCMmErXOy268mMbTn7_f_JE619AoZKY3BDE/s1600/CAM00037.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbPIetkzh5NO-EwaiWWJoLzGwXhcgwicx4-Ni7Z5NBMbmkBmG7YSxo4MWDmq8v5STayTuStII-A8wvhQN_LalCF-nbyBoOR9pZIWts1j-qCMmErXOy268mMbTn7_f_JE619AoZKY3BDE/s1600/CAM00037.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Madaraka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmA9NsnPkwuUQmouWJXkjg-85vtfe56yCxMRwa-aGjZZXLTe5KgD1zKjJsQDrBPOUNNCzeI-DoJJcGKakk_r8H7jsUj1KxtzzCmkE58BFHsJfAfrZhQxW7AshcvNrqaLotS8dJBI4YFo/s1600/CAM00038.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmA9NsnPkwuUQmouWJXkjg-85vtfe56yCxMRwa-aGjZZXLTe5KgD1zKjJsQDrBPOUNNCzeI-DoJJcGKakk_r8H7jsUj1KxtzzCmkE58BFHsJfAfrZhQxW7AshcvNrqaLotS8dJBI4YFo/s1600/CAM00038.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highrise apartments on Kiambere road and New Madaraka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag8UhZw79NDllCDBlopBxwAP6snHlnoHCj7Dq4sEFhKhlddF1BQ5ID7pWgyYJr4t76HUvTBTI3WK2Y9hKgjxROsYbHl0zUIKRQkRcj2A6uMp-PoGckELFB6ELGYZyQlufcxueCiA0SNw/s1600/CAM00039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag8UhZw79NDllCDBlopBxwAP6snHlnoHCj7Dq4sEFhKhlddF1BQ5ID7pWgyYJr4t76HUvTBTI3WK2Y9hKgjxROsYbHl0zUIKRQkRcj2A6uMp-PoGckELFB6ELGYZyQlufcxueCiA0SNw/s1600/CAM00039.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Housing Corporation's Madaraka Estate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYCUOOw-F5AVxqJQ4_Da4Oxe41AkFx7_Wg3JmyZ99Gn2IZbBqNvz1NGbNU9-QS7z6uDpDPTRcVrPyJBcNC1ONAYQBGn1iVHQ8UosoZkxOnkvtKy8i3YuNURsMLu3SmPVPx3inoo9xQNk/s1600/CAM00040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMyUsdM061C8gyseG6uqdYi-hJzbAh3xzuwH8MLd1-yzur0THwBp48gI1Y3jhUShozRysp6dkD5rsv05JYz1s30aBNR4SeEKbxj84HTLTzazSkknh84Rq-9C-kzhb2tBeTLSyR8axzzM/s1600/CAM00041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMyUsdM061C8gyseG6uqdYi-hJzbAh3xzuwH8MLd1-yzur0THwBp48gI1Y3jhUShozRysp6dkD5rsv05JYz1s30aBNR4SeEKbxj84HTLTzazSkknh84Rq-9C-kzhb2tBeTLSyR8axzzM/s1600/CAM00041.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old developments next to the railway upgrading to meet demand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9BBT2z1mGLcg2Tnw0XJbR0dmULeQwdypwvCV2KTPTA5rqQt4PYjK179-5ZA-vK48WKtMb2mg41V7eCa3vQylmy35qwe62oHFT7lkXI8Oon0kBD861SwGw-F7on7LAlz6N1QtbPtS8S8/s1600/CAM00415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Anyway as they say pictures say it better than a thousand words - so just don't do a word count because I hope I made it count for you with pictures of Nairobi's new commercial capital in the making.<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_53151459"></span><span id="goog_53151460"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-1947686566234814142013-07-01T08:12:00.001+03:002013-07-01T08:20:10.482+03:00Seefar Apartments Mbagathi Way - My Questions for your answersIf there was ever an industry in Nairobi to bank on then it would be real estate and housing.<br />
<br />
Everyone is chasing the dream of "get a beautiful house and settle down".<br />
<br />
Chasing
dreams ain't bad. I am also now trying to get excited about good and
normal things that everyone else is excited about. But anyway this
article is not about me.<br />
<br />
This article is about how much do you research the place you will get your "dream home" or at least your "dream rental".<br />
Last
year a small block of flats was completed just after Blue Sky estate on
Mbagathi Way. It used to be a laugh for everyone who passed by because
the ground floor of the flats kept caving in. But we aren't laughing
anymore. The three story flats are complete and have tenants... and
somehow I think the developer wants to proceed as he hasn't put a roof.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>SEEFAR</b><br />
The
apartments in my title are much the opposite of the above flats - they
are professionally built and have taken tremendous efforts to get to
12th floor - but I still have questions and unanswered issues.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="height: 695px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; width: 681px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0r_KUrv1gbCYYCFntIIvPtL0I2plEEBJvZWqZrdcRiWBAPhQQC-hcBu0ZoD0qTetG-h7KA3-YhAnqeQMFWe2_9e5Mr9W8XA-bsakBMUTVeoG3OhCDCloE97icbUCXIWMrbyMqVQfSYuk/s1473/seefar.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0r_KUrv1gbCYYCFntIIvPtL0I2plEEBJvZWqZrdcRiWBAPhQQC-hcBu0ZoD0qTetG-h7KA3-YhAnqeQMFWe2_9e5Mr9W8XA-bsakBMUTVeoG3OhCDCloE97icbUCXIWMrbyMqVQfSYuk/s1473/seefar.png" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SEEFAR APARTMENTS ADVERT</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they are professionally built and have taken tremendous effort to get to 12th floor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I wish my friend Joab S. Kola aka Jobby
had been elected as the representative for Nyayo Highrise then I would
just send him to ask the questions for me. But he wasn't...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1sDfcQOZDtEYk8ePNgpzEUaZ9yoHiy7yxhQ-J7C4wfOZDI2PG5Laanhc_QtcgfLoIzF3dL-VjazpXjNgXtRic9qHQnxakPlrXzLxbKUraTx1n99lpbT9Hg_yXU91bGyQ6kbVa38ca2w/s1600/CAM00043.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1sDfcQOZDtEYk8ePNgpzEUaZ9yoHiy7yxhQ-J7C4wfOZDI2PG5Laanhc_QtcgfLoIzF3dL-VjazpXjNgXtRic9qHQnxakPlrXzLxbKUraTx1n99lpbT9Hg_yXU91bGyQ6kbVa38ca2w/s1600/CAM00043.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highrise flats are three four storeys at best. Seefar has towered to twelve storeys currently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaV2eqX8LQazKWUHyUM2cKUY0OvDH5O27OY2OZnIzmiSy0l0RjQVzQJHkhXh7qyv7hvzYdN_sTh3BDgKVjocLlPZdDmc2a6peo1XoPVH299CXSX7fxJhLyPZanabxPyBNCuzT9DeNi6s/s1600/CAM00044.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaV2eqX8LQazKWUHyUM2cKUY0OvDH5O27OY2OZnIzmiSy0l0RjQVzQJHkhXh7qyv7hvzYdN_sTh3BDgKVjocLlPZdDmc2a6peo1XoPVH299CXSX7fxJhLyPZanabxPyBNCuzT9DeNi6s/s1600/CAM00044.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seefar apartments stand in between H Block and the Dam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Seefar
apartments are built at the end of H-Blocks of Nyayo Highrise. These H
blocks are in a valley bordered by the Nairobi Dam on one side. Seefar
just took the heat off us. They built right next to the dam. This was
not a very easy task. Three landslides, two times a collapsed
foundation, costly control of the dam waters (wah!! si the mosquitoes
had a ball when the dam was blocked - they really fed on us).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7NfS3P8LSV9UYHtmJGz01mTdssnegjx5N5kkgCguhDXisxGtcS531ONW3CBva4rbVPJat1rEsfNklX5PZDzoxNIPvEP9MMImsaFHmTtmtk2jFdorIQTDo4e7Bov1ar9jhdcKiakwvo4/s1600/CAM00048.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7NfS3P8LSV9UYHtmJGz01mTdssnegjx5N5kkgCguhDXisxGtcS531ONW3CBva4rbVPJat1rEsfNklX5PZDzoxNIPvEP9MMImsaFHmTtmtk2jFdorIQTDo4e7Bov1ar9jhdcKiakwvo4/s1600/CAM00048.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to die for?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhGa9n_p-7j_gy1qQQfXDX30YXvt8Bh9kiXpOsnI0BkAvAPXGyinkbZsEkri2WVk-UWsivWFlbkXOlA4_akIisnoPJmJsV_4OdDtcqMz03MaZnWxxSD-AUpi1Jriq3MpH1nU23qW0KEA/s640/CAM00105.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhGa9n_p-7j_gy1qQQfXDX30YXvt8Bh9kiXpOsnI0BkAvAPXGyinkbZsEkri2WVk-UWsivWFlbkXOlA4_akIisnoPJmJsV_4OdDtcqMz03MaZnWxxSD-AUpi1Jriq3MpH1nU23qW0KEA/s640/CAM00105.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foam from Nairobi Dam - our tourist attraction when it rains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PMl8AjKrJwC7asIz5-3eok_bM9rLBsvVmOVssRvTDSiIrTc2LvDk7dFTmhbwstcp2GBLwS0Bo7uP2Z2ad8vKqLjPchyphenhyphenvq53qDv4z4zqtUXC839lTUZ0wAiFm_ZhYh_o3f8RcfxqvVrQ/s1600/CAM00047.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PMl8AjKrJwC7asIz5-3eok_bM9rLBsvVmOVssRvTDSiIrTc2LvDk7dFTmhbwstcp2GBLwS0Bo7uP2Z2ad8vKqLjPchyphenhyphenvq53qDv4z4zqtUXC839lTUZ0wAiFm_ZhYh_o3f8RcfxqvVrQ/s1600/CAM00047.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nyayo Highrise at Sunrise above and a rainy morning right </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTSCSad_2FgWeo9hUoVNkTtcJ3_PvgaTlncXF-WpwDAnTIuCwtBUO01E2K12i9dzUNih__zdwDwQ_xgtqLCrKoSgWC044PMR-6JOyBuKjGipUT_35OquSwsXfNJ0yQNLkVR8VRLlKeD8/s640/CAM00104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTSCSad_2FgWeo9hUoVNkTtcJ3_PvgaTlncXF-WpwDAnTIuCwtBUO01E2K12i9dzUNih__zdwDwQ_xgtqLCrKoSgWC044PMR-6JOyBuKjGipUT_35OquSwsXfNJ0yQNLkVR8VRLlKeD8/s640/CAM00104.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1TVDgCSwjdUu0amcTj92XAb6eABqf2bjxbwuqmv8WxgVROWdRtQE0lvQI-v-UY-eWSavRkN6IvmyoBb-5N57ounCE7zx3cvlYjmpL0gvFetlpmrYMxYM02hDN5ObN6-kEeltl1ZhoLU/s640/CAM00106.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1TVDgCSwjdUu0amcTj92XAb6eABqf2bjxbwuqmv8WxgVROWdRtQE0lvQI-v-UY-eWSavRkN6IvmyoBb-5N57ounCE7zx3cvlYjmpL0gvFetlpmrYMxYM02hDN5ObN6-kEeltl1ZhoLU/s640/CAM00106.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same area when it rains - notice the white foam swelling above the fence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-nYJ3bPPEYXWzA6IgcBxb02qIjdxcm8wjhcKqfgpddXFeFVKDw2S5KbJ8iq2Ym5u-W4vj1gH3u6UuYTESs71bsx_Xn9J8nuothC2Ru2QielllyLcqOi45gkJWqHJzZuD_5c9DoGaB28/s1600/CAM00049.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-nYJ3bPPEYXWzA6IgcBxb02qIjdxcm8wjhcKqfgpddXFeFVKDw2S5KbJ8iq2Ym5u-W4vj1gH3u6UuYTESs71bsx_Xn9J8nuothC2Ru2QielllyLcqOi45gkJWqHJzZuD_5c9DoGaB28/s1600/CAM00049.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Sunrise in Highrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway troubles aside Seefar has beaten odds and it
has become the 12 story tower in our neighbourhood. The hardworking crew
work day and night. You can see in the short video below.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MQqzO1_TC9M" width="480"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So then what issues do I have
with a construction of beautiful apartments like Seefar - which are
really evidence of what man can do in overcoming obstacles and in the
efforts of making a living.<br />
<br />
<b>ISSUE NO 1 - NEMA</b><br />
The
Erdemann Properties quote a number 00008382 as the NEMA number to show
that the environmental watchdog evaluated and approved that the
construction of a 12 storey highrise building a stone's throw from the
dam and that it did not constitute an adverse impact to the environment.<br />
I
do not know what an EIA contains but in my layman's assessment - if you
have woken up to the scenes in my pictures above and you know how
Nairobi dam comes alive when it rains you would never advise anyone to
build that close to the dam. Secondly NEMA or no NEMA I saw the crew
struggle with two or was it three landslides. The land rebelled hurled
gabbions twice down the embankment and covered the foundations twice
before man mastered the land... or did he? Thirdly even if all the above
are settled - any resident of these blocks should know they have just
signed up to be part of mosquito menu.<br />
<br />
<b>ISSUE NO 2 - DAMAGES </b><br />
Highrise
roads are now one eyesore pothole due to the heavy machinery that had
the estate as the only access to the flats. I hope the owners have
thought about doing repairs when the houses are complete.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>ISSUE NO 3 - WATER</b><br />
Highrise has an acute shortage of water -
it has enough trouble getting to third floor. I hope SEEFAR truly have
boreholes unstable or stable ground notwithstanding. I can't imagine
someone in 12th floor lacking piped water.<br />
<br />
If Erdemann can answer these few question then they can complete their housing unit with my full blessings and well wishes<br />
<br />
<br />
. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-17348921027428033752013-03-09T10:34:00.001+03:002013-03-09T10:40:27.782+03:00Way To Go Kenya!!! Elections 2013 - Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu (Kenyan National Anthem) - annieSoulI think Kenyans have done an awesome job at the elections.<br />
<br />
<br />
The turnout was overwhelming the results were resounding and ...I know I have to wait for the IEBC announcement but hey... let me break the rule and congratulate the new president Elect of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta.<br />
<br />
My candidate of choice Martha Karua garnered 40,000 votes and of course like all good democratic people here I am "conceding" defeat and analyzing what learning points to take from all this.<br />
<br />
<b>GOOD POINTS</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It was awesome to have 51,000 votes for Dida Abduba he has just proven to all of us that "we are a president" each in our own right and we do not need to have been in politics for half a century to qualify to serve our people. We only need to believe </li>
<li> </li>
<li>It was great to have my candidate Martha Karua garner 40,000 votes. We have dared to be different not vote in bandwagon politics - "challenge the tyranny of numbers". We have also made it clear one day Kenya can have a WOMAN president. We believe change is possible</li>
<li> </li>
<li>It was great to have the numbers that voted for NARC K - we can have a valid point in asking the government to institute policy that favor Social Democracy and a welfare state for poor Kenyans. Our argument would be ... see how many of us believe this is needed</li>
<li> </li>
<li>It was great for us to vote in Uhuru &Ruto. We have proven to the world that so long as our constitution is in place, infrastructure and all other mechanisms needed to run a nation are set we are confident enough to allow our President and Vice President time off to attend personal matters like an International Criminal Court hearing. The times of "tunaomba Rais" are over. We believe in ourselves</li>
<li> </li>
<li>We believe in Peace and in one Nation. We have proven to the world that Kenya is one. Of course as usual in my love for music please <b><i>enjoy this piece in recognition of our peace</i></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>ANNIE SOUL - EE MUNGU NGUVU YETU</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pI7V324e1zg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<b>Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu</b>
<b>Swahili lyrics - English translation</b>
<b>First stanza</b>
<br />
<div class="poem">
<b><i>Ee Mungu nguvu yetu</i></b><br />
<b><i>Ilete baraka kwetu </i></b><br />
<b><i>Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi </i></b><br />
<b><i>Natukae na Undugu
Amani na uhuru </i></b><br />
<b><i>Raha tupate na ustawi.</i></b></div>
<div class="poem">
O God of all creation
Bless this our land and nation
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in unity
Peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our borders.</div>
<b>Second stanza</b>
<br />
<div class="poem">
<b><i>Amkeni ndugu zetu </i></b><br />
<b><i>Tufanye sote bidii </i></b><br />
<b><i>Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu </i></b><br />
<b><i>Nchi yetu ya Kenya
Tunayoipenda </i></b><br />
<b><i>Tuwe tayari kuilinda</i></b></div>
<div class="poem">
Let one and all arise
With hearts both strong and true
Service be our earnest endeavour
And our homeland of Kenya
Heritage and splendour
Firm may we stand to defend</div>
<b>Third stanza</b>
<br />
<div class="poem">
<i><b>Natujenge taifa letu </b></i><br />
<i><b>Ee, ndio wajibu wetu </b></i><br />
<i><b>Kenya istahili heshima </b></i><br />
<i><b>Tuungane mikono
Pamoja kazini </b></i><br />
<i><b>Kila siku tuwe na shukrani</b></i></div>
<div class="poem">
Let all with one accord
In common bond united
Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya
The fruit of our labour
Fill every heart with thanksgiving.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-50977163556251949152013-02-16T09:02:00.000+03:002013-02-16T11:07:25.265+03:00Why I will Ignore Opinion Polls in Kenya Elections 2013The reason why I am not going to listen to opinion polls on the elections 2013 is simple - because I took part in one a couple of weeks ago and if that is how they are conducted then opinion polls on elections are a sham.<br />
<br />
I am being specific that opinion polls on elections are a sham because I have taken part in opinion polls on other issues such as most popular TV station and one on Men and Women relationship from the same research company and I think the research on these others was well conducted. The particular one I did on elections went a little bit like this...<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>John, hello <br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Hello, good morning my name is XXXX from Ipsos Synovate can I take up a few seconds of your time to take part in a <b>(I forget what she said it was)</b><br />
<br />
(<b>NB:</b> <b>Just so we are clear I think Ipsos Synovate is one of the best research companies we have in Kenya - if it had been any of the others I would have told her no... I don't have time and I would have hung up)</b><br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Yes, sure a few seconds is okay.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Thank you. So my first question is what is the major problem facing Nairobi at the moment.<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>Well, I would say planning and management. See if there was good management of the city's resources we would not have drainage problems or water problems, traffic problems or most other problems. If there was proper policy on basic welfare then Nairobians would have less to worry about on education, health, shelter and food and people would use whatever earnings they had to get themselves out of the cycle of poverty and if these earnings were sufficient then levels of crime or the desperation that makes some of us criminals would be less.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> In the race for Nairobi Governor we have Ferdinand Waititu, Jimnah Mbaru, Dr. Evans Kidero, Phillip Khisia. Who among these do you think is able to solve Nairobi's problems<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> There is no one else running apart from these ones?<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>No<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Oh, okay ....based on my earlier answer I think Jimnah would make a better manager than the others, Khisia did a good job as town clerk and Kidero was a good manager for Mumias but I think Jimnah has done better in the corporate world in investments and business and he would make a good manager for the county. <br />
<br />
<b>Problem No 1: The researcher does not make it an open question as to who I think would solve Nairobi's problems she limits my choice to four individuals and also "lies" that there is no one else running for the gubernatorial race. <br />Of course I have since decided to vote for a 27 year old accountant Geoffrey Kobia who is running for governor. </b><br />
<b>Why am I voting for Geoffrey - he's younger than me and I think Kenyans should realize that this generation of young people who have grown up with modern day problems such as unemployment, poverty and are exposed to the fast changing technology and the new global village the world has become are the key to solving them. Think of it a little bit like immunization (once you are exposed to the germs your body is equipped to handle the disease)</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YudurEHEBi3J2RPMS4PkPRQK_rCxQNndKh2UwgAelkNGXOdBK7yCsQ6wgUcEyNf09qBDM2vK0jIdWg7iupvaRtaVlGU_L2K5vnprocfoC0Jd_MbDGZl0DYAbcQvayddNS-ymtuW-ix4/s1600/Geoffrey+kobia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YudurEHEBi3J2RPMS4PkPRQK_rCxQNndKh2UwgAelkNGXOdBK7yCsQ6wgUcEyNf09qBDM2vK0jIdWg7iupvaRtaVlGU_L2K5vnprocfoC0Jd_MbDGZl0DYAbcQvayddNS-ymtuW-ix4/s320/Geoffrey+kobia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geoffrey Kobia 27 year old aspiring to be Nairobi governor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Who best do you think would solve Nairobi's ethnicity problems<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> I think only Nairobians can solve this problem. You see this is an individual mindset I can't expect a leader to help me solve my own problems on how I think. I also think Kenyans should stop expecting leaders to solve all problems for them. The leader is supposed to implement structure and policy and create an environment where whatever occupation I am engaged in I can eke out a living for my dependents, I can get out of poverty and improve my living standards. I can't expect a leader to do these things for me...but I can expect them to make laws which allow me access to welfare if I need it if I can''t meet my basic needs. I expect them to have good fiscal policies that allow low income earners to keep more of their money to help themselves and also to access basic needs like food.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Okay, so can I go back to my question<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Yes, I am sorry.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> No, its okay you were just giving your opinion. So who do you think among these leaders can solve Nairobi's ethnicity problems?<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> None of them. I think Nairobians should change their own mindset.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Which of these leaders do you think is able to have the most impact in managing Nairobi county's new budget and to increase trade and investment.<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>Jimnah Mbaru<br />
<br />
<b>Problem: My answer was based on the limited selection she offered me. Of course you now know I believe Geoffrey Kobia while not as experienced as Jimnah can do as good a job</b><br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Okay, so I am going to mention each of their names and you will tell me what is good and what is bad about them.<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>Okay.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Ferdinand Waititu<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> I think he's okay. He is really a man of the people totally at the grassroots and understands people's problems. I have nothing against him.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Okay, Jimnah Mbaru<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>He is really done well in trade and in building up wealth you know with Trans Century and the like.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Bad points<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Well I think he is a little bourgeoisie<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> He is what?<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>Bourgeoisie ...you know like a man of certain class not in touch with the people down here.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Oh, okay. Dr. Kidero<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Oh he is fine I think he did a good job at Mumias but just like Jimnah he needs to be in touch with Nairobi's more poor population<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Phillip Khisia<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> I think he did a great job you know with the beautification of Nairobi. I have nothing personal against him. But you know he will always have to carry the reputation of Nairobi City Council around with him.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Okay, now in the race for Nairobi Senator we have Bishop Margaret Wanjiru and Gideon Mike Sonko who would you vote for?<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Is there no one else running?<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> No<br />
<br />
<b>Problem: The researcher again lies that there is no one else running </b><br />
<b>(Of course there is a bunch of other people including ex Mungiki Maina Njenga, Bishop Bonifes Adoyo etc)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Me:</b> Well these two are pretty much alike they are very much at the grassroots ....you know like if the hawkers are striking you will find Bishop Margaret there in the mix...if it is matatu's on strike you will find Sonko working to ferry people to work. So there is pretty little to choose between them ...very much touch and go<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> If you were at the ballot now who would you vote for<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> (laugh) that's a difficult one. Margaret is a woman ...I am a great believer in empowering women so I might vote for her. Sonko is young ...I really would like a younger generation of leaders....mmmhhh let me see - okay for today I will go with Bishop Margaret ...but if you call me tomorrow or on the day of voting I will probably vote for Mike Sonko it is really touch and go between them.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>So Bishop Margaret?<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>Yes, for today<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> With the same two Margaret Wanjiru and Mike Sonko what would you say are good and bad points for each. Mike Sonko<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> I have no bad points against him. I really like the way he stays true to his character. He is really interesting<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Margaret<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>Well like I said her and Sonko are really people persons. I like that about both of them. For Margaret I have only an issue with the fact that she didn't take time to improve her education credentials and was content with an honorary doctorate during her five years in parliament....unlike some of her counterparts who went back to school ....otherwise I think she is okay.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Okay, for women representative we have Rachel Shebesh and Cynthia <b>(I can't remember the name she said)</b><br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Cynthia who?<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Cynthia <b>(again I can't remember the name) </b><br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Well, I know Rachel this other one I don't ...but wait there are other people running for this position.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>No, we have these two.<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> No, I wasn't asking ....I am saying I know there other people running for this position. I know there is a Tabitha Wanjira on a Narc Kenya ticket and quite a few other people.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Well these are the front runners the most popular ones.<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>No but how do you decide who are the front runners. I thought you wanted to know from me who I am voting for ...I don't vote for front runners or popular candidates I vote for people I think we can sit down and have a conversation and a meeting of ideas on how to run a country.<br />
<br />
<b>Problem: The researcher lies that there are no other candidates ...only this time she is not able to get away with it because I happen to know the existence of other candidates.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Of course I have since decided I am voting for Esther Passaris ...I am really surprised in Synovate's Opinion she didn't rank as popular....she is the woman who made Nairobi come to light ...if you lived in Nairobi before 2002 you knew there were some hours of the night you had to walk in the middle of the road because you preferred being hit by car than mugged in the dark.</b><br />
<b><br />Seriously if Esther Passaris was running for Senator or Governor she is a woman I would vote for. But in Synovate's opinion - she didn't rank as popular. You know if they already had an opinion why ask for mine.</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="height: 277px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; width: 317px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD_a7CZl9UfuvJcj1S77le3FIPHEn5up0-yiyZlAbC2fpObWEsKTVU8-5oF3zK4J8ew83Z5-vgyyj5l2nPlyuFrnXdnsQA_N8H07EFnuaoVPj1f1-bY2LCyOuPfgsMfXOdyNVCoxV9aI/s1600/esther+passaris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD_a7CZl9UfuvJcj1S77le3FIPHEn5up0-yiyZlAbC2fpObWEsKTVU8-5oF3zK4J8ew83Z5-vgyyj5l2nPlyuFrnXdnsQA_N8H07EFnuaoVPj1f1-bY2LCyOuPfgsMfXOdyNVCoxV9aI/s1600/esther+passaris.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esther Passaris Nairobi County Women Representative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b> Researcher: </b>Oh, okay so between these two who would you vote for<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>None<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Oh, okay so do you have any good points and bad points for the two. Rachel<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> I think she is okay. She is very outspoken and I like that about her.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>The other one you said you don't know anything about her.<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> No, I don't know her.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Okay so for presidential candidate and running mate. Who will you vote for<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Martha Karua and her running mate<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Augustine Lotodo?<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Yes<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Why<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>Well for me I think Martha is someone who shares my ideas of what I want Kenya to be you know we can sit down and have a conversation and common ideas on welfare...I think she is honest and straightforward. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipzZFSrh_MJYuyRzxow4S0Cdxgk2ihW8uzF8ZjexgWby4F0IuBcTeuKeEdrws6-1PonMeBr7K-9fUNm4CWLutJkOm4dfDzNOrlGcQ8iywJkiqyDdsSWKVv6N8dKHqqzGQhtHl3hSqhK0/s1600/Martha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipzZFSrh_MJYuyRzxow4S0Cdxgk2ihW8uzF8ZjexgWby4F0IuBcTeuKeEdrws6-1PonMeBr7K-9fUNm4CWLutJkOm4dfDzNOrlGcQ8iywJkiqyDdsSWKVv6N8dKHqqzGQhtHl3hSqhK0/s1600/Martha.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha Karua President of Kenya aspirant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Okay, thank you for your time<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> That took more than a few seconds...<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Yes, but you see I had to listen to your opinion I couldn't cut you short or limit you to my questions<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>Yes, okay thank you.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>A few questions about yourself. Do you live in Nairobi county<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>Yes. I live in .....<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher: </b>Your telephone number<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> 073...<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> What is your ethnicity<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>Well I don't ascribe to any. I am not fluent in any mother tongue .... I am mixed Kalenjin and Meru I prefer to think of myself as Kenyan or Nairobian.<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Your name<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> John Paul<br />
<br />
<b>Researcher:</b> Okay. Thank you for your time. Have a good day.<br />
<br />
<b>Me: </b>You too.<br />
<br />
So what do I think opinion poll companies should do is ...when they release their poll results they should also provide a sample questionnaire that was used. <br />
<br />
If they don't I am going to treat every opinion poll I hear about with disregard because the questions are not open ...they lead the respondent to make certain choices and limit their scope to those choices.<br />
<br />
Like I said I think Ipsos Synovate is the one of the best market research company in the market and how this particular opinion poll was conducted disappointed me.<br />
Other opinion polls I don't even pay attention to ...they are a sham from the outset for example the one by Consumer Insight on the Presidential Debate.<br />
<br />
You know am not saying Mohammed Abduba Dida is going to beat Raila Odinga at the ballot box or pull greater numbers at a public rally but I dare say the leader for Alliance for Real Change makes a better debater than the latter.<br />
<br />
Here is the full video with Linus Kaikai and Julie Gichuru<br />
<br />
<b>KENYA PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE 2013</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/i89bSa88dOE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
So here is my opinion poll on the presidential debate. Martha Karua was the most practical, most genuine and the only candidate who displayed a proper understanding of issues facing Kenyans with ideas for welfare, a proper understanding of her party Narc Kenya ideology (Social Democrats) and a great insight on what are the mistakes done in the past and what is needed going forward in the future.<br />
<br />
Note I am not saying ignore economic surveys or Kenya Demographic Surveys ...or other serious studies done by market research companies and Public Policy Research companies or our universities. All I am saying is if this is how opinion polls are conducted then the only "Opinion Poll" I will not doubt is the one where we take a piece of paper called a ballot and vote for our candidate in a poll called an election. <br />
<br />
Something else we should take out of our mindset is this I told a couple of friends about my voting intentions and someone said "Kupigia Martha ni kutupa kura yako hawezi shinda" which translates to "If you vote for Martha it is a wasted effort she cannot win". <br />In my opinion if you vote for someone you believe you share ideals with, someone who has the same ideas on public expenditure as you do and the same aspirations for your country - then you have used your vote well. Even if you are the only one voting for this candidate.<br />
<br />
However if you vote for a candidate so that you are part of a winning bandwagon then even before you go to the ballot you have lost "umetupa kura yako" "you have wasted your vote" because the electoral process is not about winners and losers like a football match - it is about your life ...how your tax money will be used, how much help you can get from your government to meet basic needs if they are out of your reach (welfare)... how your ideals and ideas are implemented as policy.<br />
<br />
<br />
But that is my opinion ...what's yours?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-52402543974359008362013-01-18T01:33:00.000+03:002013-02-04T19:53:25.508+03:0010 Reasons Why I will Vote for Martha Karua<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MarthaKarua" target="_blank">Martha Karua</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD6TkHybOGg_ytluG4HP4Xj7DIG3D1TPmB6Gmc1h1sqrSjh50ce7lYCyBx534tGTfqPDsWQUlGrWbHFuaceA3fTobVLx1wf1fOoEyCf06bx3EvwfxC1sa8LVKFglNCQfaymDameGUeR0/s1600/Martha+Karua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD6TkHybOGg_ytluG4HP4Xj7DIG3D1TPmB6Gmc1h1sqrSjh50ce7lYCyBx534tGTfqPDsWQUlGrWbHFuaceA3fTobVLx1wf1fOoEyCf06bx3EvwfxC1sa8LVKFglNCQfaymDameGUeR0/s1600/Martha+Karua.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>1.She is a woman - she is Wangari</b><br />
<br />
I think in Kenya any woman who is bold enough to engage in politics and take on the "boys" in this men sports called politics deserves total support.<br />
That said Martha is a unique woman (otherwise you would have me vote for Kingwa Kamencu or any other woman). She is not just a pretty face - she is a "lioness". This mother of two, divorcee has seen it all that mothers and women in Kenya have to endure.<br />
She is an awarded woman, a rights champion <br />
<ul>
<li>In 1991 Karua was recognized by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Watch" title="Human Rights Watch">Human Rights Watch</a> as a human rights monitor.</li>
<li>In December 1995 she was awarded by the Federation of Kenya Women Lawyers (FIDA) for advancing the cause of women.</li>
<li>In 1999 the Kenya Section of the International Commission of Jurists
awarded her the 1999 Kenya Jurist of the Year and in the same year same
month, the law society of Kenya (LSK) awarded her the Legal
Practitioners Due Diligence Award</li>
</ul>
Kenyans only realized the full extent of the <a href="http://johnsepage.blogspot.com/2011/09/tribute-to-wangari-lets-see-what-we.html" target="_blank">late Professor Wangari Maathai's activity</a> when she died.<br />
We missed a chance at giving one Wangari the Presidency let us not make the same mistake twice. Here is Martha Wangari Karua.<br />
<br />
<b>2. She is a lone ranger</b><br />
<br />
In Kenya politics we have grown from days of ONE party rule of KANU to days when parties merge and coalitions form. However these parties merging and breaking up have only ONE objective - to get into power for self interests. These parties and coalitions are our "modern day KANU" where to benefit you have to be in the bandwagon.<br />
It is in this light that I am rooting for lone rangers such as Prof. Ole Kiyiapi and Winnie, Kingwa Kamenchu and most of all Martha Karua.<br />
Most of all Martha because she has always been a lone ranger.<br />
<ul>
<li>She walked out on President Moi political rally - a brave thing to do for any man or woman</li>
<li>She was the only member of the opposition who sat in the house (all others walked out) to present objections to the Constitution Review bill 2001.</li>
<li>She was willing to represent political prisoners for free (she represented Mirugi Kariuki in Koigi Wamwere's treason trial)</li>
<li>She was the only woman in the negotiations team after the Post Election Violence of 2007.</li>
<li>She is the only Minister who has chosen to step down when as Minister for Justice she found she could not execute her duties freely without interference.</li>
<li>She is the only Presidential candidate who has declared her wealth.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3. <a href="http://info.mzalendo.com/person/martha-karua/?gclid=CPTchvrF1bQCFSTLtAodUSgAXA#experience" target="_blank">She is hardworking</a></b><br />
<br />
While other members of parliament missed sessions or slept through them Martha Karua attended sessions and is one of the most active policy makers having spoken 2,953 times. <br />
She is one of the easiest members of parliament to contact cell phone, facebook - Martha is accessible.<br />
<br />
<b>4. She believes in the Law</b><br />
<br />
Martha is a true lawyer, a career advocate and a resident magistrate for part of her career.<br />
Martha has always believed in using the law to improve lives - that is why she works so hard in parliament. She helped formulate laws in administration of wealth a major contribution to Kenya's Family Law.<br />
As Minister of Water she was behind the Water Act 2002 which was a major milestone in managing Kenya's water resources.<br />
Martha stepped down as Minister for Justice in April 2009 when she felt due process was not followed in appointment of Judges.<br />
She is very outspoken on constitutionalism.<br />
In a Kenya where we are looking for a leader to implement a fledgeling constitution our best bet would be Martha Karua.<br />
<br />
<b>5. She is Passionate and youthful at heart</b><br />
Martha is my mother's age but I can't even begin to compare them. She is on facebook, she chats on SMS....she gives interviews on stations like Ghetto radio and she has taken part in a song done with Sudanese rapper Emmanuel Jal in his We Want Peace campaign.<br />
Martha has looked the way she does for the last 20 years - parliament and hefty salaries haven't changed her appearance and for a 55 year old she still has got the IT.<br />
<br />
<b>6. She is honest - She tells it like it is </b><br />
Martha Karua if she believes in something will say it.<br />
She engaged William Ruto in public over a maize scandal asking him to resign. Both were then Ministers in the Kibaki government and the president could only watch.<br />
She accused Raila Odinga of ethnic cleansing after the 2008 Post election violence. I am not saying he was responsible I am only pointing out that Martha believed it and she told him to his face.<br />
I don't know about you but I prefer someone who tells me a nasty truth to my face than someone who goes around my back or is not honest with me.<br />
When I vote Martha I know I will have a president who can tell me the truth good or bad to my face ...no false promises from her.<br />
<br />
<b>7. She loves Kenya and Kenyans</b><br />
I think Martha Karua is a true patriot. <br />
She is always trying to get people to be the best of themselves such as the recent incident in Korogocho where she tried to convince local youth that extorting money in the name of security wasn't a nice way to make money.<br />
In her arguments for the implementation of the constitution she had a consistent argument with the interest of Kenyans being the underlying thread.<br />
<br />
<b>8. She is articulate, she has poise and style and she looks good</b><br />
I think Martha will make a good President. <br />
I think as Kenyans we will not blush if she has to engage with President Obama in conversation.<br />
She can talk to him at a par level.<br />
She does not have evidence of excesses and overindulgence in the good things of life that many of our MPs and presidential aspirants have that are so obvious pot bellies and the like<br />
<br />
<b>9. This is where the world is at</b><br />
<span class="st"><em>Dilma Rousseff</em> - Brazilian president</span><br />
<span class="st"></span>Laura Chinchilla - Costa Rica president<br />
Michelle Bachelet - Chile president 2006 - 2010<br />
Cristina Fernandez - Argentina president<br />
Joyce Banda - Malawi president <br />
Johnson Sirleaf - Liberia president<br />
Park Geun-hye - South Korea president<br />
Angela Merkel - German Chancellor<br />
<span class="st"><i>Eveline</i> Widmer-Schlumpf - Switzerland Federal Council since 2008 (President 2012)</span><br />
<span class="st"> It is time for Kenya to do ourselves a favour and get a woman president - our own version of Margaret Thatcher or the late Benazir Bhutto </span>someone to lead us with a heart, someone with a strong spirit.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Honestly - she is the only candidate you can write 10 reasons about.</b><br />
Okay to be honest sit down and try to come up with ten reasons as to why you want to vote for a particular candidate.<br />
If you cannot then you are not using your head to vote. I have given you nine reasons to vote for Martha or rather the ten reasons why I will vote for her.<br />
The tenth reason is that she does not appeal to excitement or slogans or crowd entertainment.<br />
Martha is a serious woman - the kind we need to move the business of the nation forward. She is straight talking and will only give solid reasons as to why we need to vote for her in March. She is the only candidate who will give you food for thought from a campaign podium - everyone else seems to believe the less we think the better off we are.<br />
<br />
Now as usual I enjoy music so here is a song that really exalts strength in womanhood<br />
<br />
<b>Dolly Parton's Eagle When she Flies</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/V24FQRAvacY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>"Eagle When She Flies"</b><br />
<br />
She's been there, God knows, she's been there<br />
She has seen and done it all<br />
She's a woman, she know how to<br />
Dish it out or take it all<br />
Her heart's as soft as feathers<br />
Still she weathers stormy skies<br />
And she's a sparrow when she's broken<br />
But she's an eagle when she flies<br />
<br />
A kaleidoscope of colors<br />
You can toss her around and round<br />
You can keep her in you vision<br />
But you'll never keep her down<br />
She's a lover, she's a mother<br />
She's a friend and she's a wife<br />
And she's a sparrow when she's broken<br />
But she's an eagle when she flies<br />
<br />
Gentle as the sweet magnolia<br />
Strong as steel, her faith and pride<br />
She's an everlasting shoulder<br />
She's the leaning post of life<br />
She hurts deep and when she weeps<br />
She's just as fragile as a child<br />
And she's a sparrow when she's broken<br />
But she's an eagle when she flies<br />
<br />
She's a sparrow when she's broken<br />
But she's an eagle when she flies<br />
Oh, bless her, Lord<br />
She's an eagle when she flies<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-55787182096021817922012-12-12T22:12:00.000+03:002012-12-13T00:10:16.841+03:00On You and Me and Dates, Jamhuri Day, 12/12/12 the twelfth day of the twelfth month of the 12th year of the Century2012 is almost over ...and I am just trying to catch it by the tail as it whizzes past me trying to see what I can write about it ...put down on paper about my very interesting year.<br />
<br />
At the same time tis been a long time posting I could bore you with what old friends do if they haven't seen each other for ages (read from April 2012 in your case) I could tell you stuff like I got a new job (yep that's me back to employment which I told you I officially ditched in <b style="color: black;">11/11/11</b> that is November last year),<br />
<br />
I could also tell you I completed school which I started in <b style="color: black;">08/08/08</b> (or rather went back to after a long hiatus due to fees from around <b style="color: black;">03/03/03</b>) five years is a serious hiatus.<br />
I have officially become a "Nairobian" I mean I have lived here now for a decade from around <b style="color: black;">02/02/02</b> and in one estate from <b style="color: black;">06/06/06 </b>with only a few months exit from <b style="color: black;">09/09/09</b> - anyone who objects to my new status can launch a complaint to the Supreme Court.<br />
<br />
I am still doing my call center circuit (for the sake of my being employable I will not admit to how many call centers I have worked in) which I started in Sep 2007 I wish it was July 2007 then the date would be <b style="color: black;">07/07/07</b>. Well I can't blame myself for all this personal "high rate of being turned over" mostly tis the nature of the contracts ...always pretty much short term. Besides high tolerance for ambiguity is always one of my top qualities and being multi-skilled...okay I am not selling myself = unless you are buying.<br />
<h4>
Somehow I wish the hassle will end like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhXAAcnv444" style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">Eminem I can have my chance to blow</span> (yeah that is 8mile - smile)</a><span style="color: black;"> but even in </span><b style="color: black;">01/01/01</b><span style="color: black;"> I was on my first short term job...Jesus I am ancient. </span></h4>
<div style="color: black;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b style="color: black;">"Anciety" a</b>nd all - 2012 has also been special for me in love and life but that is a story for another day. So what is this article about - if you are nerdy or love numbers or you are just a keen reader you will notice this in my excerpt above<br />
01/01/01<br />
02/02/02<br />
03/03/03<br />
04/04/04<br />
05/05/05<br />
06/06/06<br />
07/07/07<br />
08/08/08<br />
09/09/09<br />
10/10/10<br />
11/11/11<br />
12/12/12<br />
<br />
Well you are a special lot of humanity because you are living in a time that is only repeated once in every century ...every hundred years.<br />
We will never have dates like this until the year 2100.
Just to show you the implication of this is if you have lived all the dozen years from 01/01/01 which could be your birth date then you have to live to be at least hundred years to see one out of twelve of these dates repeated and at least 112 years old to see all of them repeat ... a serious human feat to accomplish.<br />
But if your life has patterns like mine ...probably this is the only decade of its sort you will have in your lifetime - so celebrate it, take stock of it and say "I lived in a great time. Yeah! just poke your head out of your window and yell it out 12/12/12" - awesome!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
Well as Kenyans we are a lucky nation our National day Jamuhuri day falls on 12/12 and this year is 2012.<br />
<br />
So really time to ask yourself some serious stock taking questions before we hit our 50th birthday Jubilee year next year 2013.<br />
<br />
Here is my plea. <b style="color: black;">Plea number one</b> ESTEEM YOURSELF you are about to employ a large number of people in 2013 called "LEADERS"<br />
Please do not vote for leaders who regard you as a mere number i.e. the leaders who say I have numbers in Rift Valley, I have numbers in Central, I have numbers in Eastern, I have numbers in Nyanza, I have numbers in Western or Coast or North Eastern and so with my "numbers" I will form a merger with so and so to have greater "numbers". You and I are not numbers we are employers and we need results, we are living breathing human beings who are living in "the best of times and the worst of times...the age of wisdom and the age of foolishness" (- Yes Charles Dickens ...smile)
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<b style="color: black;">Plea number two</b><span style="color: black;"> </span>- If you want CHANGE please do not repeat yourselves...I know we love our leaders and they all have good hearts and want to serve us Kenyans but please ...please...please do not repeat yourselves.<br />
I have just showed you a set of 12 years that will never be seen till the next century. It is the same with every minute, every hour, every day. Time is dynamic it changes ...if we want change then change your set of leaders ...do not repackage them in new alliances, new political parties, new religious names ...no do not do this.<br />
RETIRE THEM if you have had a leader for the last 20 YEARS "serving you" I PROMISE YOU this leader will not "serve you" a different "dish" whatever has been your portion from 1992 is what they will serve you. They love you - Yes I can't deny that 20 years of service is LOVE.<br />
They are men of goodwill and even when they cause you to shed each others blood it is with best of intent...I totally agree with you on this point (just I will not join you at any public rally to cheer these men of goodwill who shed blood).<br />
If you want change in your country's situation the state of the nation please do not repeat yourselves. Pick the young person (who these leaders have paid school fees for via harambees) these educated young people we have watched mature and age (yet the leader still claims to be young 20 years later) and make him your Senator, President, Governor and Ward representative. Pick the local shopkeeper or business person or priest or teacher who always uses "personal resources" to help the community put in his or her hands "national resources" if you have always had a "man" pick a "woman". If you had an "octogenarian" pick a 21 year old. CHANGE.<br />
<br />
<b style="color: black;">Plea number three - PEACE</b> You can disregard all of the above three but please ...please do not Kill or Harm anyone else for voting differently ...because we are all special people ...we are the people of a beautiful decade or dozen (you choose)<br />
01/01/01<br />
02/02/02<br />
03/03/03<br />
04/04/04<br />
05/05/05<br />
06/06/06<br />
07/07/07<br />
08/08/08<br />
09/09/09<br />
10/10/10<br />
11/11/11<br />
12/12/12<br />
<br />
We are bigger than any political choice, party, nation, we are the human beings all these other things were created for us.
So that's that for Kenyans and 12/12/12.<br />
<br />
<br />
On a personal note you might want to take stock of your life the last 12 years and I am not a judge ...I can't call one lifestyle a good way of living or another a bad way of living but here is what I can say and tis something I have learned over the years - Live Intentionally ...do not let life happen to you (not that I haven't let it at times) set out missions for yourself...dreams...ambitions...make efforts...try what you believe is challenging...and fail and fall a million times...laugh when you need to ...cry if you need to ...love and break your heart...and tell us <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yvsU4SNWPA" style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">w</span><b><span style="color: blue;">here broken hearts go to</span> (Yep that's Whitney Houston loved her)</b></a><br />
<br />
Live your life - I mean it. If sleeping is what ticks you off please sleep for 24hrs and come tell me "OMG ...(this means Oh My God)can be GFF (means Gai fa fa) I just slept for 24hrs ...can you believe it?" wave your hands in the air and tell me excitedly about how you put all your alarm clocks in water, removed the battery from your cell phone put studio sound absorbers in your room to make your 24 hour sleep possible - I will applaud you for a successful project.
Why? Not because sleeping is an efficient use of time but because you put intentionality and effort and elaborate planning and execution for your 24 hour sleep.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: black;">
So Live every moment - and tell your story. Hopefully some of us might be around to tell this story of 12/12/12 and the next 12/12/12 i.e. from 2012 to 2112.
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-31827752729087559532012-04-08T11:20:00.001+03:002012-04-10T13:49:23.846+03:00Good Friday at Don Bosco Upper Hill<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Boj22_lX2lY?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>
As usual the Youth Group of Don Bosco Upper Hill brought to life the Good Friday celebration by re-enacting the Passion of Jesus Christ.
Hope you enjoy the vid of picture clipsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-89321801171816202512012-03-12T08:37:00.002+03:002012-03-12T08:49:49.457+03:00Kenyan Queens rule the track: Pamela Jelimo and Helen Obiri<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbWqxwzqyP363EBcetIlIvy1sDMP4P-7AjQ9ZaYppwy1Lm3y8n-_9puvTSCeUUZrOyclWa_awLw4SJITOXLku4CSapYk1QHPzHWcW-sY7dZa_Ze-J-S51T9_D4mJeTM4Gmwtm78DDRb4/s1600/Jelimo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="162" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbWqxwzqyP363EBcetIlIvy1sDMP4P-7AjQ9ZaYppwy1Lm3y8n-_9puvTSCeUUZrOyclWa_awLw4SJITOXLku4CSapYk1QHPzHWcW-sY7dZa_Ze-J-S51T9_D4mJeTM4Gmwtm78DDRb4/s320/Jelimo.jpg" /></a></div>
PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP Kenya's Pamela Jelimo (left) and Hellen Obiri celebrate after winning the women's 800m and 3000m finals respectively at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Atakoy Athletics Arena in Istanbul on March 11, 2012.
Kenya's Golden Girl Pamela Jelimo is back and she is looking forward to London 2012 as I am sure all her fans are too - four years has been a long wait.
Meanwhile fantastic Helen Obiri stunned the Ethiopian duo of Gelete Burka and Meseret Defar to take the 3000m title.
Don't our Kenyan queens rock?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-17564353993111114302012-03-10T22:36:00.000+03:002012-03-12T08:49:24.988+03:00Is Kenya's Golden Girl Back? Pamela Jelimo Qualifies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fSEoLioK55T10N5lxcVGONq9uu9YVNfSKd0i38G2WNgo7DxZwLk0zhfMh1xSxITtWKCqoR8PBEQonsRgemWFTpjn7NjiNurulcXGgyyXIt6brcIu4LlVDt7KV0lW4HqR9wdQPhbiQOU/s1600/Jelimo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fSEoLioK55T10N5lxcVGONq9uu9YVNfSKd0i38G2WNgo7DxZwLk0zhfMh1xSxITtWKCqoR8PBEQonsRgemWFTpjn7NjiNurulcXGgyyXIt6brcIu4LlVDt7KV0lW4HqR9wdQPhbiQOU/s320/Jelimo.jpg" /></a></div>
Istanbul, Turkey is becoming quite interesting. Kenya's men hopefuls Boaz Lalang and Kitum came third in their respective semi finals and will not be in the finals.
Kenyans medal hopeful remains the Kenyan track queens Sylvia Kibet will battle her nemesis Meseret Defar in a new duel in the 3000m and the competition between these two never tires athletic fans. Helen Obiri will take on Gelete Burka in the same race in a finals that is a must watch.
But the race everyone will be waiting for is the women's 800m because Kenya's golden girl Pamela Jelimo aka the Nandi express is showing signs of a comeback. Everybody loves a comeback story. Everybody loves a fairy tale and Jelimo is such a story she is the girl who won the Olympics gold at the Birds Nest in Beijing, won the IAAF Golden league made 67million KES and set a new world record in the 800m all in one year....and then vanished just as she had come. It's four years later the girl is a mature woman...but in our minds she is still Golden Jelimo and everyone is asking the big question. Is Kenya's Golden girl back?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-89143206747483299822011-12-21T19:33:00.000+03:002011-12-21T20:43:59.173+03:00O Holy NightMe getting in the mood of the season. Merry Christmas everyone
Two versions of my favorite Christmas song
You can read the full history of the song on Wikipedia
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Holy_Night">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Holy_Night</a>
Eimar Quinn
<iframe width="459" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FkdW0GyrI0M?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>
Kenny Rodgers
<br /><br /><iframe width="459" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-PqvAdz5cYE?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>
Lyrics of John Sullivan Dwights version
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hears the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall His break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise us,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-24983209451315207912011-12-12T22:00:00.000+03:002011-12-12T22:00:50.949+03:00Happy 48th birthday - Nchi Yetu by - Yvonne MumbiI didn't attend today's Jamuhuri Day celebrations I hope you did. Anyway I found this song on You Tube Nchi Yetu - Yvonne Mumbi. She was supposed to be one of the performers for the day so hopefully you got to watch her live.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="480" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UNDoCRhTuzY?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe><br />
<br />
Anyway reason I am posting the song is because it just captures all the things we want to see for our country. Things such as an implemented constitution, resettled IDPs (can you believe it is four years down the line and there are Kenyans still living such desolate lives.) Maybe Mumbi didn't mention this in her song but many of us want to see prices of basic commodities come down. <br />
<br />
We may also want to at least hear a viable economic explanation on these spikes.<br />
<br />
Finally a couple of things we might be able to do for ourselves. When we ask for pay rises whether we are lecturers or doctors let us just remember that wages, salaries are a reward for labour...if we have a pay hike and there is no change in quality or quantity of the services we supply then we are just helping push inflation in the country higher.<br />
<br />
If we are asking for pay hikes - the sky high prices should not be the only reason to want a pay increment...God knows we all could do with some extra cash. If we ask for a pay hike let us peg it against what greater performance and what better output we bring to the table. <br />
<br />
Second thing we should all do for ourselves before our country hits 50 is to get rid of all our current crop of leaders young who joined this current parliament, old, new and the ancient ones who have been in parliament from 1992 or since the times of our first president.<br />
<br />
I don't hate our leaders - some of them are really good hearted and have the right intentions but in this World, in the 20th Century or is 21st they don't have what it takes to lead a developing country to prosperity. If Kenyans want to achieve Vision 2030, if Kenyans want to achieve the MDGs by 2015 they need to bite the bullet and clean the August house of all of them. Do not spare a single parliamentarian at the ballot. Get yourself new leaders ...get your local Masters student who you have been paying for school through harambee, get your leader of the Women's Chamaa, get your Priest or Pastor, get the boss of a local company that's doing well - make them your Senators, Parliamentarians and Governors.<br />
<br />
Clean our system of career politicians - then we will have better lives.<br />
<br />
Okay I might keep going on and on but here are Yvonne Mumbi's lyrics to Nchi Yetu - ENJOY.<br />
<br />
<b>Nchi Yetu (our Country Kenya) lyrics<br />
<br />
Yvonne Mumbi</b><br />
<br />
<i>Intro<br />
<br />
Oh Lord of all creation<br />
Bless this our land and nation<br />
Justice be our shield and defender<br />
May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty<br />
Plenty be found within our Borders<br />
(taken from Kenya's national anthem)<br />
<br />
Kenya Kenya Kenya (x8)<br />
<br />
Chorus<br />
<br />
Kenya ni inchi yetu<br />
Kenya ni inchi ya amani<br />
Hapa ndio nyumbani<br />
Ata tukienda wapi<br />
<br />
<br />
Verse 1<br />
<br />
In 2013, it'll be 50 years<br />
50 years since our independence<br />
50 years we've been ruling ourselves<br />
tell me brother, sister what do we have to show for it.<br />
<br />
Are we together or are we still divided?<br />
Because divided we will always be conquered<br />
Are we enlightened or are we still in darkness<br />
because ignorance is the cause of all hatred<br />
<br />
<br />
Verse 2<br />
<br />
We have an opportunity<br />
to pursue a bright new destiny<br />
but each of us must take responsibility<br />
for the things that hold us back and keep us behind<br />
lets fight corruption in the ways that we can<br />
lets keep education as free as we can<br />
implement the constitution as soon as we can<br />
settle our IDPs as soon as we can<br />
<br />
Verse 3<br />
<br />
Kenya, Kenya<br />
Habari Zenu (swahili)<br />
Kenya, Kenya<br />
ado aitu muri'ga (Gikuyu)<br />
Kenya, Kenya<br />
Koro Bess (luo)<br />
Kenya, Kenya<br />
Habari gani (swahili)<br />
Kenya, Kenya<br />
Chamge (Kalenjin)<br />
Kenya, Kenya<br />
Uuvo wenu (Kamba)<br />
Kenya, Kenya<br />
Orie<br />
Kenya, Kenya<br />
ero, sobo (Maasai)<br />
Kenya, Kenya<br />
Jambo!</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-17682869652363610852011-12-11T20:29:00.001+03:002011-12-11T20:37:15.861+03:00Hypertension - with Dr. Paul Kioko of Mater HospitalNot to worry about me ...you know as to why I am posting about High Blood Pressure ...yes I have a work deadline that is two days overdue. I have some payments that my bank can't collect...I am thinking of moving house...and I have a tortured conscience over other things - all some great ingredients of anxiety and stress.<br />
<br />
But again like I said not to worry it's all part of life's "cest la vie" that's life for you.<br />
<br />
So if you really have to have a reason as to why I am posting on blood pressure...well let's see... maybe I like Dr. Kioko's fine looks and I stumbled upon a nice you tube video of him....or maybe I like <a href="http://www.citizentv.co.ke/">Citizen TV</a> and follow their channel on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">You Tube</a> ...or maybe I had a severe chest pain and run to <a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/about/corporate/index.html">Google</a> searching for a cause - your pick whichever makes it easier for you.<br />
<br />
So now after having appeased your curiosity I hope you get something out of what the good doctor says - it is in my opinion the most simplified explanation on blood pressure I have ha<a href="http://materkenya.com/"></a>d to listen to. - ENJOY<br />
<br />
<iframe width="480" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IxqmVv4eSd0?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-59245443421238453572011-11-14T09:33:00.001+03:002013-10-22T21:44:24.770+03:00Start-up profiles: 10 ways to prevent start-up exhaustion<a href="http://www.ihub.co.ke/blog/2011/11/start-up-profiles-10-ways-to-prevent-start-up-exhaustion/">Start-up profiles: 10 ways to prevent start-up exhaustion</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Just read a nice article on ihub blog on how to prevent start up failure or exhaustion or whatever it is you want to call it. Enjoy.<br />
<b><br />
Start-up profiles: 10 ways to prevent start-up exhaustion</b><br />
<b>Posted by Hilda Moraa<br />
On November 9th, 2011</b><br />
<br />
All businesses take a tremendous amount of time and energy, but for startups it can be totally consuming. To lead the road of success from a start-up to a mature Company, start up entrepreneurs would do whatever it takes to get there. The unending proactive participation in competitions to pitch to investors, sleepless nights of hacking code and developing their business idea on the ground, ends up being an exhaustion engine to themselves in this process of achieving success. Unfortunately, the results lead to huge consequences for their business and affects the health and safety of the individual members in the team.<br />
Adelaide Lancaster is an entrepreneur, speaker and co-author of The Big Enough Company, She is also the co-founder of In Good Company Workplaces, a first-of-its-kind community, learning center and co-working space for women entrepreneurs in New York City, proposes 10 ways to help entrepreneurs ensure they are in line to achieving business success by preventing startup exhaustion:<br />
<br />
1. Get in the Right Mindset. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Long-term success depends on your ability to maintain your stamina. You won’t get as far if you sprint out of the gate. Instead pace yourself, respect your limits, and keep the whole “race” in mind.<br />
2. Establish Fair Expectations. There is no such thing as an overnight success. Good things take time, plenty of research, and lots of tweaking. Be generous when you do forecasting, project planning and goal setting. Remember that things always take longer than you anticipate. When you hit a goal, celebrate. When you don’t, shake it off, consider it a lesson learned, and readjust your expectations for the next round.<br />
3. Make Progress with Small Steps. As exciting as the big vision may be, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by it especially when the path from here to there is unclear. Progress comes from moving forward everyday with small, persistent steps. When you feel stuck, break down your tasks into smaller chunks to make them even more actionable. Moving forward always feels good, even if it’s a tiny bit at a time.<br />
4. Keep Your Goals in Mind. It’s easy to get off track and distracted, taking your business in a direction that doesn’t work for you. Remember WHY you became an entrepreneur and be sure to prioritize these motivations as you build your business. That way it will always be rewarding for you, both now and in the long run.<br />
5. Prioritize What You Do Best. Everyone has to do a little bit of everything in the early days. But, in order to end up with a job you love you need to focus on your talents from the get go. Don’t hoard bad tasks or give yourself a job you don’t like. Instead leverage others and deliberately plan for the job you want. I guarantee that’s the only way you’ll ever get it.<br />
6. Create a Support Team. Your network is one of your greatest assets. Not only do they offer support but they provide a wealth of information, wisdom, experience, and resources. They will help lighten your work load and prevent you from reinventing the wheel. You don’t need to learn all your lessons the hard way.<br />
7. Set Strong Boundaries. The transition from startup to established business isn’t a discreet event. So the habits and routines you have in the beginning establish a precedent for years to come. A chief complaint of many entrepreneurs is that they are “always working.” Avoid this from the get go by setting and honoring clear boundaries. Off means off. On means on.<br />
8. Shake Up Your Routine. Nothing’s more exhausting than monotony. Sure you’ll be multi-tasking and trying your hand at all sorts of new things. But if the work looks the same, for example every day in front of a computer or on the phone, you’re sure to tire quickly. Change it up with some rejuvenating work-related tasks such as time out to read, take a field trip or meet a colleague. The list and the laptop can wait until later.<br />
<br />
9. Indulge Guilty Pleasures – Daily. It’s easy to get caught up in the ‘what must be done next?’ mode. It’s great to be efficient and productive but an all work and no play attitude can only last so long. Instead create a sustainable routine by integrating small mental or physical breaks into your daily grind. Whether it’s a quick episode of The Daily Show, some perusing of your favorite blogs, or a trip to the gym a shift in focus and some levity will do you good.<br />
10. Take Time Off. Aside from regular, short daily breaks plan to take some legitimate time off too. Time away from the business is actually quite productive. A break allows you to get out of the weeds and gain perspective on the business .Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23934958250892297.post-21816381171952128402011-10-27T08:33:00.000+03:002011-10-27T08:33:28.658+03:00Fast car -Tracy ChapmanStill looking for my fast car ... I got get out of this place my life is at ... at the moment. Yeah and it would be great to drive away with someone.<br /><br />Anyway enjoy the song forget my "feelings"<br /><br /><iframe width="459" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Orv_F2HV4gk?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01462370592448434437noreply@blogger.com0