Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ke
Nairobi |
May 17, 2014
No. 17941
Amazing hustles
P. 3 From Nameless, Amani to Wahu
Jaguar, Juliani and Daddy Owen, we
reveal the side jobs that keep mu-
sic stars
aoat
Queen of crop
breeding: Dr Jane
Ininda has devel-
oped more than 180
crop varieties and
counting ...
The blunder-
ing ministers
P. 10 Economist
David Ndii on why
Jubilee is tumbling
one scam to another
SECURITY | Kenyatta defends move to empower county commissioners even as Nyongo says its in bad faith
Uhuru and Cord face o
as 12 killed in city blast
ISHMAEL AZELI & DENISH OCHIENG | NATION
The aftermath of twin blasts at the popular Gikomba Market in Nairobi, where 12 people died and 78 others were injured
yesterday afternoon. Right: One of the survivors at Kenyatta National Hospital. The attacks happened a day after the UK
government started evacuating its citizens from Mombasa over insecurity.
Two men arrested
after twin explosions
hit popular Gikomba
market, leaving
more than 70 people
seriously injured
Big losses for hotels
and other businesses
as US, UK and other
European countries
evacuate their
citizens
Railas party
accuses Jubilee of
laxity and deceit in
paying Anglo Leasing
debts, threatens to go
to court
Stories and pictures
on pages 2, 4 and 5
INDEX News P. 1-18 Opinion P. 12-14 Letters P. 15 Weekend P. 19,22,37-41 International P. 42-46 Business P. 47 Sport P. 51-56
INSECURITY | President appeals for calm as UK evacuates its nationals on holiday
BY ANGIRA ZADOCK
zangira@ke.nationmedia.com
AND THOMAS KARIUKI
TKariuki@ke.nationmedia.com
T
wo terror suspects were ar-
rested after twin explosions
left 12 people dead and more
than 78 injured in Gikomba market,
Nairobi, yesterday.
The attack came as panic spread
through the international community,
with Britain evacuating more than
600 tourists mainly from Mombasa
and cancelling, with immediate eect,
all scheduled ights from that coun-
try until October 31, this year.
The Kenya Tourism Federation es-
timated the loss expected after the
cancellation of tourist arrivals at Sh5
billion and accused the government
of not taking adequate measures to
deal with terrorism.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, who
spoke a few minutes after the twin
explosions, called on the international
community to instead work with
Kenya to tackle what he described
as fast-rising worldwide evil.
Four people died instantly and
more than 80 others were injured in
the back-to-back explosions at the
crowded Gikomba market shortly
after 2pm, a few metres from the
Machakos Country Bus Station.
Eight more succumbed to injuries at
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Police said the blasts two minutes
apart were caused by improvised
explosive devices.
Nairobi County Police Commander
Benson Kibue said detectives were
questioning two people arrested at
the scene by the public shortly after
the blast.
Buying second-hand clothes
They were positively identied and
they are in police custody, he said.
Police had, however, not linked the
two suspects to the attack. Accounts
of eyewitnesses interviewed by the
Saturday Nation were contradictory,
but police maintained that they were
holding the key suspects.
The two were apprehended as they
tried to escape amid the confusion that
befell the unsuspecting shoppers.
The first blast went off near a
structure where people were buying
second-hand clothes. Two men and
a woman were killed instantly while
30 others were injured.
A matatu belonging to Jesmat Sacco,
which was carrying passengers next to
the makeshift structure, was wrecked
by the impact that left the passengers
with shrapnel injuries.
As the public ed towards Pumwani
78 taken to hospital after
twin terrorist attacks
at the busy Gikomba
market near the citys
central business district
Nairobi terror attack leaves 12 dead
Road, another blast went o about 70
metres away. One person was killed
and 40 others injured in the blast.
The two explosions left two holes
about 30 cm deep and 45cm wide
on the ground.
Police had a dicult time control-
ling the crowds at the scene.
Second-hand clothes some
soaked in blood were strewn all
over the place. Others hang on the
overhead electricity cables.
Mr Fred Majiwa from the Kenya
Red Cross conrmed that dozens of
people were injured in the explosions
and were taken to Kenyatta National
and Guru Nanak hospitals.
Mr Stanley Karanja, owner of a
kiosk next to the scene of one of
the explosions, said that when he
heard the blast, he thought it was a
tyre burst.
Then I heard the second explosion,
only that this time it was louder than
the rst one. I saw people lying down,
some of them bleeding, he said.
Preliminary investigations showed
that the attackers targeted people
who frequent the busy market to
buy clothes and food.
The rear windscreen of a white sa-
loon car parked next to a structure
where one of the devices went o
was shattered.
Another businessman, Mr Peter
Ndegwa, who was unhurt, said the
assailants were dressed normally.
I sell shoes next to my friend who
has just passed on; he was killed by
the explosion.
A statement from Kenyatta National
Hospital chief executive Lily Koros
Tare said: Patients sustained mul-
tiple fractures and shrapnel injuries.
Eight patients have died (four men
and four women).
Seven patients were transferred to
other hospitals with Aga Khan Hos-
pital taking four, Nairobi Hospital
two and Mater Hospital one, leaving
69 at the countrys premier referral
hospital.
I heard the second explosion,
only that this time it was
louder than the rst one. I
saw people lying down, some
of them bleeding
Stanley Karanja, kiosk owner
ISHMAEL AZELI | NATION
Detectives at the scene of the explosion that happened in Gikomba, Nairobi, yesterday. Twelve people
were killed and dozens injured.
DENISH OCHIENG | NATION
A victim is tagged at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi,
yesterday.
DENISH OCHIENG |
NATION
A Kenyatta
National Hos-
pital guard
restrains the
public at the
institutions
emergency
and accident
reception.
ISHMAEL AZELI | NATION
A young girl is assisted at the scene of the explosion.
GERALD ANDERSON | NATION
Police clear the scene of the explosion.
DENISH OCHIENG | NATION
A victim arrives at Kenyatta National Hospital. Scores were seriously injured in
the blast.
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
2 | National News
SHOWBIZ | Many in the local entertainment industry agree that income from performances alone is not enough
For Kenyan artistes, music
alone cannot pay the bills
BY JOHN MUCHIRI
@moshiiri
T
he Kenyan entertainment
industry has turned into a
multi-million-shilling busi-
ness in the last decade.
Popular musicians such as
Jaguar and P-Unit say they can
now charge up to Sh300,000 for
a one-hour performance. Others
earn between Sh100,000 and
Sh200,000 a far cry from the
paltry rates of yesteryear.
Despite the rising popularity
of local pop music, many artistes
confess that the frequency of
shows in Kenya and East Africa
is wanting.
It is dicult for a musician to
earn a living from performances
and music sales, hence many nd
it necessary to supplement their
income.
For Jaguar, whose real name
is Charles Njagua, to maintain
his four fuel guzzlers and ashy
lifestyle, he needs more than just
performances.
I have invested in other busi-
nesses so I dont have to wait for
performances in order to pay my
bills, he says.
The Kigeugeu singer owns a
garage on Nanyuki Road in Nai-
robis Industrial Area. He has
also invested in a security rm
that provides guards for oces
and homes, and in real estate,
with apartments in Kileleshwa
and Pangani.
Im also importing top range
cars and have a eet of taxis in
Nairobi and Mombasa. I have no
reason to wait for performances
to pay my bills.
Singer Kunguru is also in busi-
ness he has a garage besides
working at Standard Chartered
Bank.
Showbiz couple Nameless
and Wahu too run businesses
when they are not performing.
We co-own an audio visual
company, Alternative Concepts,
where we produce music and both
radio and TV commercials, says
Wahu, adding that shows alone
cannot help them to provide for
their children.
Constant ow of income
We have to think of other
ways of getting a constant ow
of income, even if the shows may
pay well. Wahu also runs a beauty
parlour, Afro-Siri, in Westlands.
Julius Owino aka Juliani decided
to open an entertainment-related
business. I have an oce at the
Godown Arts Centre, with a team
that creates concert concepts, he
says.
Gospel act Daddy Owen runs
an events company called Loud
and Clear. Performance income
is not enough in this industry, he
says. One must look for other
ways to pay bills.
Boniface Chege, who is Bon-
Eye in the group P-Unit, is into
green building solutions. He is the
managing director of a Muthaiga-
based construction consultancy
company, Web Limited.
We are the only company
in East Africa that consults on
sustainable construction (solu-
tions), he says. We are currently
consulting on the construction of
the upcoming Garden City mall
in Ruaraka.
He sits in the Kenya Green
Building Society committee,
which seeks to create a unique
building rating tool for Kenya,
and he is the champion for the
National Coalition for Green
Schools movement.
This keeps me busy and pays
my bills when we are not perform-
ing out there as P-Unit.
One of the most financially
successful musicians in Kenya is
Wyre, who makes a pretty penny
from corporate endorsement.
His two-year endorsement
deal with Samsung ended last
year, but he has just been signed
up as brand ambassador for
Sport Pesa.
When one invests heavily in
their brand, its easy to eat the
fruits much later, he says. I have
worked hard to build my brand
and in the process, I have gotten
a nod from the corporate world.
I no longer wait for performances
to pay my bills.
Besides, he owns a recording
studio, Love Child Records.
Many other artistes remain in
employment. Peterson Githinji
(Pitson) popular for his song
Lingala Ya Yesu, works at
Standard Chartered Bank, while
others such as Sanaipei Tande
and Mimmo Wanjuhi are radio
presenters.
Local pop musicians must have
full-time jobs or engage in
businesses to supplement income
We have to think of
other ways of getting
a constant ow of
income
Singer Wahu Kagwi
300,000
The amount, in shillings, that
local musicians can now charge
for a single show. Despite that,
they have to seek other sources
of income to survive.
Juliani: Owns a company that cre-
ates concert concepts.
Jaguar: Has investments in secu-
rity and real estate, among other
sectors.
BY NATION
CORRESPONDENT
Grief engulfed residents of Ka-
tilini in Kitui County at a joint
requiem Mass for 10 victims of
poison drink.
Relatives and friends of the
victims wailed uncontrollably
when the bodies were lowered
from trucks at Katilini Primary
School in Ikutha District.
Among the victims were Mr
Muinde Munyao, the deputy
principal of Monguni Second-
ary School, and primary school
teachers Onesmus Maingi and
Muinde Munguti.
The teachers consumed the
killer liquor on the opening day
of the second term two weeks
ago.
The regions leaders, among
them Kitui Governor Julius
Malombe, condemned the drinks
that caused the tragedy in which
18 other people became blind.
Dr Malombe said the tragedy
had amplied the need for county
and national governments to put
in place a comprehensive strategy
for dealing with disasters .
We must accept the bitter
truth that these deaths were
caused by negligence, corrup-
tion, bribery and incompetence
in our institutional framework
as well as careless living at the
individual level, said the governor
in the company of his deputy, Ms
Penina Malonza, and Kitui South
MP Rachael Nyamai.
He reminded mourners that a
similar tragedy happened a few
years ago at Kyumbi in Machakos
County, when drinks laced with
methanol claimed 52 lives.
The victims were fathers,
husbands, brothers and guard-
ians whose deaths were needless
and could have been avoided, he
lamented.
The governor pledged to coop-
erate with government agencies
to seal all loopholes and tighten
mechanisms to regulate the trade
and consumption of liquor.
Kitui Catholic Bishop Anthony
Muheria, who conducted the Mass,
said it was sad that among the
dead were parents.
The bishop urged the commu-
nity to extend compassion to the
bereaved families in the spirit of
good neighbourliness to enable
them to overcome their loss.
The bodies were transported
to their respective villages
in Maunguni, Yolomuni and
Athi, for burial after the Mass.
Shock and grief as county prays for victims of toxic alcohol
We must accept
the bitter truth that
these deaths were
caused by negligence,
corruption, bribery and
incompetence
Kitui Governor Julius
Malombe
KITAVI MUTUA | NATION
Solemn moment as Katilini villagers pray for the 10 victims of poisonous liquor at the local
primary school in Kitui County yesterday. The bodies were later buried in Maunguni, Yolomuni
and Athi villages.
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
National News 3
SCANDAL | Settlement of contracts will burden an already strained economy, coalition says
BY JOHN NGIRACHU
@JohnNgirachu
jngirachu@ke.nationmedia.com
T
he opposition yesterday
strongly opposed President
Uhuru Kenyattas directive
to the Treasury to pay two Anglo
Leasing-type companies Sh1.4 bil-
lion for suspicious deals.
The Coalition for Reforms
and Democracy (Cord) accused
the President of breaching and
undermining the Constitution,
and said they would go to court to
stop the payments in the interest
of the public.
Cord also protested at the
Presidents decision to delegate
executive powers to county com-
missioners. By doing this and also
authorising the payments to the
two shadowy rms despite Parlia-
ments disapproval, the President,
had broken the law with impunity,
the opposition leaders claimed.
It is regrettable that the Presi-
dent has turned into a rodent that
is eating away at the very core of
the Constitution that he swore to
protect. We wish to remind him
that our Constitution is not a
lifeless piece in a museum, Cord
said in a statement read at a Press
brieng at the Serena Hotel in
Nairobi by ODM acting party
leader Peter Anyang Nyongo.
It is our considered view that
the Presidents decree in favour
of Anglo Leasing is inadequate
even to invite our conscience;
impotent to warrant payment
from the Exchequer; ridiculous
for sanitising fraud; scandalous
if brought forward to earn public
support and monstrous enough
to ruin our already strained
economy, he said.
But asked what action they
would take, Prof Nyongo said
they would consider whether to
take their case to the law courts
or leave it in the court of public
opinion.
Cord co-principal Kalonzo
Musyoka added: Peaceful dem-
onstration is a right of every
Kenyan under the Constitution.
Nobody should feel threatened by
that because what else do you do
when you have a government that
is not listening to its own people.
A peaceful demonstration is an
option.
The Wiper Party leader went
on: We hope Jubilee is not doing
things that are going to get us to
go to the streets, because that is
as far these things have gone.
Prof Nyongo quipped: You
know this Constitution was
brought about by demonstra-
tions and it will be defended by
demonstrations. We have profes-
sional demonstrators here.
The Cord leaders described
President Kenyattas decision to
have the two rms paid as the
lowest ebb in our struggle to
combat corruption and engender
prudent management of public
resources in this country.
The opposition leaders pointed
out that given the central role Mr
Kenyatta played as the Leader of
the Ocial Opposition during the
investigations by the Public Ac-
counts Committee in 2006, it
was shocking that he would be
the same person to authorise the
payments.
We wonder what spiritual bap-
tism the President has undergone
to rationally demand the clear-
ance of the fraudulent sums.
But speaking in a televised
address at State House, Nairobi,
President Kenyatta said he made
the painful decision on which was
the greater evil; to pay the money
or put the economy at risk.
But the Cord leaders insisted
that the deals were fraudulent,
and, therefore, could not be
honoured.
Some members of the
parliamentary Budget and Ap-
propriations Committee, who
attended a meeting with the Presi-
dent at State House, Nairobi, on
Thursday, told the Saturday Na-
tion that he would rely on Article
223 (2) of the Constitution, which
provides for Parliaments approval
to be sought for any payment out
of the Consolidated Fund within
two months after the rst with-
drawal of the money.
Committee chairman Mutava
Musyimi said he stood by the po-
sition taken by the joint Budget
and Finance committees that the
country ought to pay.
These are debts that have chal-
lenges, but failure to pay would
provide greater challenges. We are
choosing between bad and worse.
Its not a choice between good
and bad, the Rev Musyimi said.
He said President Kenyatta was
within the law in authorising the
payment and Parliament would
rightly be asked for its approval
when it resumes.
As soon as we go back, we
shall do what we need to do, in
accordance with the law. It is in
the interest of the country that
we make the payment, get closure
and move on, he said.
DENISH OCHIENG | NATION
ODMs acting party leader Anyang Nyongo addresses a Press confer-
ence called by Cord at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi yesterday. On the
left is Cord co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka.
Opposition
leaders
accuse
President
Kenyatta of
breaching
supreme
law
Cord denounces
payments to Anglo
Leasing companies
Its in the interest of the
country that we make the
payments, get closure and
move on
The Rev Musyimi, Budget
Committee chairman
Payment of the contracts
is not in the interest of the
public
It amounts to sanitising
and honouring of fraudulent
deals
It could undermine further,
an already strained national
economy.
It is a setback to ght
against corruption
Its shocking for Uhuru to
pay now yet he opposed the
same when he was Leader of
Opposition
RESPONSE
Coalition
states its stand
WAR ON POVERTY: LAND REFORMS YET TO HAVE IMPACT
AROUND AFRICA Central Africas crisis worsening despite a weakened LRA Pg 29
Q&A
AfDB to make economic growth an agenda for Africa Pg 23
DEVELOPMENT Africa losing $17 billion annually to illegal loggers
Pg 28
SCIENCE
New drug brings hope for faster cure for drug-resistant TB Pg26
Dead capital: W
hy land titles wont end poverty in Africa
Economists say that land owneship is
one of the tools of empoweing the poo,
but studies show that the cost and ed
tape involved in obtaining documentay
poof of owneship is pohibitive fo the
continents poo
TURN TO PAGE 24-25
JUST A PAPER?
One of the central arguments for handing titles to the poor is that they can access credit and improve their productivity. But even for those who have acquired titles, their lives have not necessarily become better. Studies show that poor people with titles are no more likely to obtain loans than those without.
MAY 17-23,2014
25
O
U
T
L
O
O
K
AFRICAN AFFAIRS, ECONOMICS, TRADE, SECURITY, ENVIRONMENT
www.theeastafrican.co.ke MAY 17-23, 2014
BOOKS | LIFESTYLE | TRAVEL | THE ARTS | HEALTH & SCIENCE | SPORT
books
NO PLACE TO
HIDE: AN ENCOUNTER
WITH SNOWDEN
P. III >
food
RECIPE: THE SIZZLE
MAKES THE STEAK
P. XI >
MAGAZINE
Beathing life
into stone, one
chip at a time
FRED OLUOCH speaks with enowned Kenyan
sculpto Elkanah Ongesa on his commissioning
by the Smithsonian Museum to ceate a sculptue
that celebates the ght to save the elephant
TURN TO PAGE VI-VII
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
4 | National News
standing, there is a ruling in
an international court that has
made demands that Kenya
must pay. We lost the case, we
didnt win it. The fact that we
didnt win it doesnt mean that
I have changed my position, I
maintain my position.
The President said it was
better to pay and clear the
way for Kenyas issue of a
Euro Bond which the govern-
ment hopes will fetch Sh132
billion to finance the next
budget. Failure to pay would
mean Kenya would not secure
approval to issue the bond as
it would be deemed to have
dishonoured its international
obligations, he said.
On the possibility that the
payment could open up an
avenue for other rms to sue
for compensation, claiming
they were not paid, President
Kenyatta said it was the duty
of the Attorney-General to pre-
vent such an eventuality.
Anglo Leasing involved
contracts entered in between
1997 and 2003 for the deliv-
ery of security services for the
government which included a
forensic lab, passport equip-
ment and technological
improvement for the Postal
Corporation. They were worth
Sh55 billion.
But the government then
did not have money so it
entered lease-financing and
credit and supplier credits to
circumvent the departure of
financial donors. According
to the Treasury, 11 contracts
(Sh30.5 billion) were partially
completed, four of which worth
Sh18.9 billion were cancelled
and three worth Sh6.8 billion
were fully delivered.
However, of the ve remain-
ing (Sh13.8 billion), Kenya paid
contractual penalties worth
Sh7.9 billion to two, one is
still being negotiated while
two were subjected to court
proceedings in London and
Geneva.
BY AGGREY MUTAMBO
@agmutambo
amutambo@ke.nationmedia.com
I
nternational pressure and
second-rate performance
by the State Law Office
condemned Kenya into pay-
ing for the controversial Anglo
Leasing contracts, President
Kenyatta said yesterday.
He tore into the Attorney
Generals oce and demanded
that they up their game in
fighting the countrys legal
battles abroad.
The revelation formed the
core of the Presidents argu-
ment that Kenya had no choice
but to pay Sh1.4 billion to two
controversial rms, after los-
ing cases to them in London
and Geneva.
We must up our game so
that our counsel can stand by
what all Kenyans including
myself believe that we should
not be paying this and we need
to be able to win all those court
battles in the courtroom, he
told journalists at State House,
Nairobi.
Unfortunately, out there in
the international community,
they are not interested in our
debate here; they are interested
in the ruling of the courts and
whether Kenya has obeyed the
ruling of the court or not, said
the President, who on Thurs-
day authorised the National
Treasury to pay Sh1.4 billion
to First Mercantile Securities
Corporation and Universal Sat
Space, which took the country
to courts in London (2013) and
Geneva (2012), for breach of
contract. First Mercantile won
$10.6 million while Sat Space
was awarded $7.8 million.
The two companies had
signed contracts worth Sh2.9
billion with Kenya but the court
awards meant Kenya had to pay
an equivalent of Sh1.6 billion.
Treasury ocials have argued
they negotiated the gure down
to Sh1.4 billion, but which
would balloon to Sh96.6 bil-
lion including interest rates,
if Kenya failed to pay.
When he tabled a Parlia-
mentary Accounts Committee
report on the procurement of
passports in 2006, President
Kenyatta, then the committees
chair, observed that the con-
tracts represented impunity,
negligence and recklessness
in the management of public
resources. He called them a
scam given the way insiders
in government colluded with
faceless rms to dupe the gov-
ernment into paying interests
and fees on items that were not
delivered.
Yesterday, Mr Kenyatta said
he still stood by those words
since only the circumstances
have changed.
That position still stands,
but the fact of the matter
is, that was a parliamentary
report. I was not counsel
representing this nation in
the courts in London and in
Geneva at the arbitration. We
didnt lose our battle in the
National Assembly; we lost
our battle in the courts out
there.
Despite that particular
Uhuru blames Anglo Leasing pay on AG
State Law oce was
sloppy in defending
the Governments
position on contracts
SALATON NJAU| NATION
President Kenyatta addresses
a press conference at State
House Nairobi yesterday. He
blamed lawyers in the State
Law Oce for failing to defend
the Governments position on
the Anglo Leasing contracts
competently.
SCANDAL | President at pains to explain his decision on the security contracts
What the Government is paying
two companies in the Anglo
Leasing contracts after losing
two court cases
Sh1.4bn
Enforcement of court rulings
No recourse for appeal
Failure to pay would block-
the sovereign bond process
Negative impact on sovereign
rating
Interest charges on the
judgments would be too
high
BILLIONS SETTLEMENT
Reasons for
paying up
BY NATION REPORTER
County Commissioners will
be expected to exercise their
new powers in line with the
Constitution.
The Cabinet Secretary in
charge of Devolution, Ms
Anne Waiguru, said yesterday
that the commissioners would
not be allowed to misuse the
powers and would be dealt with
if they did so.
While addressing editors at
the Ministry of Information of-
ces yesterday, Ms Waiguru
(right) said delegation
of powers was meant to
ensure proper coordina-
tion at the grassroots to
optimise on resources and
avoid wastage.
She added that the
move was part of a
wider plan
to decen-
t ral i se
management and create a
lean, rationalised and well-
coordinated government.
A key plank of the plan will
be pooling of resources, both
nancial and human, at the
grassroots with the commis-
sioner exercising oversight,
she added.
Consequently, a county
commissioner will have a big
say in the way government
functions are undertaken and
will be answerable to
the Executive.
According
to the CS,
the commis-
sioners will
be expected
to work har-
moniously
with the
devolved units
where decisions will be by
consensus. If there will be no
agreement, the commissioners
word would be nal.
In such a case, commis-
sioners will be expected to
escalate the matter to their
superiors who will then de-
termine whether it was the
right decision. They can over-
rule it if the situation demands
but the commissioners will be
expected to ensure there is con-
sensus, Ms Waiguru said.
Later, while addressing
a Press conference at State
House, President Kenyatta
defended the move, saying it
was meant to ensure eciency
and better coordination.
It is not about control. We
recognise that we live in a new
dispensation. It is the people
arguing the opposite who still
have a mind of control. We left
that when we passed the new
Constitution, he said.
Minister defends new structure
Pursuant to Article 196(1) (b) and 221(5) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and Section 207 of the Public Finance Management
Act no. 18 of 2012, The Committee on County Budget & Appropriation of the County Assembly of Turkana will be conducting Public
Consultative forums on the County Budget Estimates for the Financial year 2014/2015 as forwarded to the County Assembly by the
Executive Committee Member for Finance and Planning on the 30
th
April, 2014.
The dates and venues for Public Participation are as indicated below.
DATES SUB - COUNTY TIME AREA/WARDS VENUE RESPONSIBILITY
3
RD
4
TH
JUNE,2014
TURKANA NORTH 9.00 a.m Lapur, Kaeris,
Lakezone,Nakalale, Kaikor/
Kaaleng, Kibish
Lokitaung
(DC Hall)
Sub County
administrator and
Ward administrators
5
TH
-6
TH
JUNE
2014
TURKANA WEST 9.00 a.m Kakuma, Letea, Kalobeyei,
Lopur, Lokichoggio,Songot,
Nanam
Kakuma
(Kakuma
multipurpose hall)
Sub County
administrator and
Ward administrators
7
TH
- 9
TH
JUNE, 2014
TURKANA CENTRAL 9.00 a.m Township,Kanamkemer,
Kerio Delta, Kangatotha,
Kalokol
Lodwar Town
(Ceamo hotel)
Sub County
administrator and
Ward administrators
10
TH
11
TH
JUNE,2014
LOIMA 9.00 a.m Turkwel, Loima, Lobei/
Kotaruk, Lokiriam/Lorengkipi
Lorugum
(DC office hall)
Sub County
administrator and
Ward administrators
12
TH
13
TH
JUNE,2014
TURKANA SOUTH 9.00 a.m Lokichar, Katilu, Lobokat,
Kaputir, Kalapata.
Lokichar
(RCEA hall)
Sub County
administrator and
Ward administrators
14
th
16
th
JUNE,2014
TURKANA EAST 9.00 a.m Lokori, Kapedo, Katilia Lokori
(DC Office)
Sub County
administrator and
Ward administrators
NOTE:
* Submission of Memorandum by persons should be done in writing to the Clerk, County assembly of Turkana. Or send to
miinyanl@gmail.com
* The ward administrators and the sub county administrators to take lead in Sub County and Ward discussions.
* Copies of the Budget estimates can be accessed at the assembly and Ward offices.
* Members of the County Budget & Appropriation committee will guide discussions and presentations during consultative forums.
* Members of County Assembly from various sub counties are encouraged to be present during consultative forums at sub counties
headquarters.
Mr. L.L. Miinyan.
Clerk, County Assembly of Turkana.
THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY OF TURKANA
PUBLIC NOTICE
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
National News 5
In your
Tomorrow
Nairobi Governor Evans Kideros political career was thrown into
a tailspin this week when he lost his seat in an election petition
at the Court of Appeal. He rushed to the Supreme Court and
appealed the decision and will stay in oce until a decision is
made. Should the Supreme Court judges endorse the decision to
send him back to the electorate, he will run headlong into political
waters far more turbulent than last years general election. Find
out why this is a moment of truth for the Nairobi governor.
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defeating Argentinas resilient World
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earned Mayweather Mr Money to his
friends a massive $70 million, or Sh6
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with the boxer and what she is doing
for him.
Only in the SUNDAY NATION. Dont miss your copy
P
resident Uhuru Kenyatta ended his week with
an address to the nation that was punctuated
by blasts in Gikomba market. It was the same
day that he was painstakingly explaining to the public
why he had to pay Sh1.4 billion to the infamous
Anglo Leasing companies against positions he had
taken as Opposition leader and as Finance minister.
News of the controversial payout came as British tour
operators evacuated their nationals from the Coast
over terrorism fears, striking a major blow to local
tourism. We take a closer look at these events and
explain what they really mean for Kenya.
The week Uhuru
would rather forget
Why Kidero is at a crossroads
lifestyle
BY NATION TEAM
newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
B
ritain yesterday stepped up the
evacuation of its citizens tour-
ing Kenya as the Government
and tourism ocials protested, term-
ing the decision unfair and harmful
to the economy.
More than 600 tourists left the
Coast for the UK in two chartered
planes yesterday as British tour rm
Thomson Holidays informed its cli-
ents that all ights up to October 31
had been cancelled.
Kenya Tourism Federation vice-
chairman Adam Jillo accused the US,
UK, Australia and France of failing to
consult them before making the deci-
sion to pull out their citizens.
Mr Jillo, who addressed a news
conference in Nairobi, criticised the
Government for not doing enough
to reassure tourist markets that Kenya
was a safe destination. He warned that
the tourism sector would collapse if
the government did not respond to
the travel warnings, noting that the
economy would lose more than Sh5
billion and 500,000 jobs over the
period of the cancellations.
Tourist are now being airlifted out
of Mombasa without any consulta-
tion with the private sector; we are
greatly disappointed by this move,
said Mr Jillo, who urged the Govern-
ment to consider increasing funding
to the tourism sector to ensure its
sustainability.
All indications are that the travel
warnings were based on security-
related information. As citizens
and investors in the sector, we are
greatly disappointed in the Govern-
ments inaction because they should
be handling this and reassuring citi-
zens, investors and our tourist source
markets, he added.
Federation chairman JS Vohra,
said their members at the Coast had
reported losing about 900 guests,
who were all set to leave the country
last night.
Thomson Holidays posted an alert
on its website saying; As a result of
the change in Foreign and Common-
wealth Oce advice, the decision has
been taken to cancel all our outbound
ights to Mombasa.
The alert explained that all the
rms customers on holiday in Kenya,
including air fare passengers would
be own back to the UK on Thursday
and yesterday while all ights to the
country before October 31 had been
cancelled.
We understand that many custom-
ers will be very disappointed about
the cancellation of their holidays
but in these types of situations we
PHOTO LABAN WALLOGA
Tourists wait to board the Thomson ight back to the UK at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa
yesterday.
Tourists y out
as travel rms
heed warnings
TERRORISM | Tour company bans all bookings to Kenya until October 31
have to follow the FCO advice, the
notice said.
Australia also updated its travel ad-
vice, urging its citizens to reconsider
their need to travel to Mombasa and
Nairobi in the wake of recent terror-
ist attacks.
Britain warned its citizens against
travelling to Mombasa, Eastleigh in
Nairobi and areas within 60 kilome-
tres of the KenyaSomalia border
unless travel was essential and una-
voidable.
Safe destination
The top ve tourist source mar-
kets for Kenya are UK with 149,699
arrivals, US with 115,636, Italy with
79,993 and India and Germany at
64,887 and 60,450 respectively ac-
cording to the tourism performance
results in 2013.
Mombasa County Commissioner
Nelson Marwa sought to assure Ken-
yans and foreigners that Mombasa
was a safe destination contrary to the
warnings and that security had been
beefed up in hotels, ferries, airports,
supermarkets and entertainment
spots.
Mr Marwa said activities at the
Moi International Airport were nor-
mal. There is peace in Mombasa
and foreigners should continue with
their normal business without being
frightened.
Moi International Airport, Area
Manager Yatich Kangugo said the
airport was secure.
According to the BBC, the warning
against non-essential travel covered
Mombasa Island, Kiwayu and coastal
areas north of Pate Island, the Gar-
issa district, Eastleigh, the slums of
Nairobi and areas within 60km of the
Kenya-Somalia border.
The advice did not include the
Diani beach resort or Moi Interna-
tional Airport.
British tourists expressed disap-
pointment at the abrupt interruption
of their holiday at the South Coast.
Some of them had only been in
the country for three days and were
yet to tour national parks and herit-
age sites.
Mr Stefan Arlow, who was vaca-
tioning at Amani Tiwi, said he was
informed that tourists were to quickly
leave the country and return home
and that he ew back home against
his wish.
I am disappointed to be told that
I should be evacuated yet I was to
relax after working and saving for
the holiday, he said while waiting to
board his ight.
Mr Gary Roberts said he was gut-
ted by the requirement to go back to
England after a short time on holiday
in a beautiful country.
He said: I am angry that I have
to return home prematurely without
completing my holiday.
A disappointed Sheila Simon said:
I had to obey the directive to go
home but this decision is not good
for me.
Reported by Lilian Onyango, Yvonne
Kawira and Bozo Jenje
I am angry
that I have to
return home
prematurely
without
completing
my holiday
Tourist Gary
Roberts Flights lined up to take
UK tourists back home
amid fears that the
move would lead to
losses of Sh5 billion
Low funding causes
crisis in day schools
BY NATION CORRE-
SPONDENT
Public day schools have
been thrown into a crisis
after the Government re-
leased less money for the
free learning.
The Ministry of Education
has disbursed only Sh1,550
instead of Sh3,000 for each
child as the second tranche
due to the day schools.
In total, the government
has disbursed Sh2.7 billion
against the expected Sh4.7
billion for 2,057,198 students
in secondary schools.
Each day secondary school
student is allocated Sh10,265
a year. The amount is paid in
three tranches.
According to the govern-
ments schedule, the first
tranche to be paid out is
50 per cent of Sh10,265
which is sent out in Janu-
ary. Second term allocation
is 30 per cent which is sent
out before schools open in
April. The rest 20 per cent
is released in August for
the third term.
Many heads of secondary
schools contacted by the
Saturday Nation said the
money released early this
month was too little to run
the schools with.
Most headteachers will be
forced to beg the suppliers to
be patient with the arrears and
also to pick new merchandise
without paying. It is a chal-
lenge we are facing, we are
being pushed to debts, said
the Kenya Secondary School
Heads Association chairman,
Mr John Awiti.
The funds go into pur-
chasing learning materials,
pay non-teaching sta and
run the school feeding pro-
gramme.
Mr John Awiti, KSSHA Chair-
man
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
6 | National News
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
7
PAUL WAWERU | NATION
Top: Security guard Stephen Maigwa Kamau swears before
testifying yesterday at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi,
in the inquest into the death of Olympic marathon champion
Samuel Wanjiru. Also in court were Wanjirus mother Hannah
Wanjiru (left) and widow Trizah Njeri. Chief magistrate Hannah
Ndungu is conducting the inquest.
INQUEST | Probe into Wanjirus death
Attacks leave
11 dead in
two counties
BY NATION
CORRESPONDENT
The death toll in the inter-
clan clashes along the Wajir
and Mandera counties border
yesterday rose to 11 with the
death of two more people.
The clashes between the
Garre and Degodia clans have
also left scores injured and
displaced.
The victims of yesterdays
attacks died in the hands of
gunmen in Gunana location
of Tarbaj district in Wajir.
The clashes started on Tues-
day when three men from the
Degodia clan were killed in the
border location of Burmayow,
as they worked on a road
project that the rival clan was
opposed to.
On Thursday gunmen
from the Degodia clan on a
revenge mission opened re
on a matatu in the outskirts
of Rhamu division in Mandera
County killing six people.
Two grass-thatch houses
were also torched in Waberi
location, Wajir East District,
last night by unknown peo-
ple prompting the locals to
vacate the village in fear of
attacks.
Wajir Deputy county com-
missioner Jacob Narego who
visited the scene linked the
arson to the border dispute.
BY WALTER MENYA
@menyawalter
wmenya@ke.nationmedia.com
T
he trial of Deputy
President William
Ruto and former radio
journalist Joshua arap Sang
has been adjourned to June
16 as the prosecutions case
nears closure.
The withdrawal of Witness
P-0025 by the prosecution led
to the adjournment.
In its request to withdraw
the witness, the prosecution
said he was unable to accu-
rately recall or give a coherent
and consistent account of crit-
ical parts of the evidence that
it had intended to lead from
him, hours before he was set
to begin his testimony.
Mr Ruto will be required
to be present for the first
two days when the session
reconvenes, the court ruled
yesterday.
However, presiding judge
Chile Eboe-Osuji, who read
the decision on behalf of
judges Robert Fremr and
Olga Herrera, expressed the
Chambers serious dissatis-
faction with the prosecution
over the earlier-than-expected
adjournment.
The session was to run for
four weeks but has only lasted
three days following the wit-
ness withdrawal.
The judges directed the
prosecution to use all avail-
able means, including seeking
summons for witnesses, to
ensure the case is not put o
again when it resumes.
Release this witness
Yesterday, the defence
requested the prosecution to
present its four remaining wit-
nesses to testify at once in the
next session. We want this
case to close before summer
break, said Mr Rutos lead de-
fence counsel Karim Khan.
The four do not include the
eight the Chamber directed
the Kenya Government to
compel to testify.
The defence has asked to
appeal the ruling and the State
also wants to take part as a
friend of the court.
Mr Sangs lawyer, Ms Caro-
line Buisman, supported that
the four witnesses testify in
one formal session.
Judges grant
prosecutions
request and
postpone hearing
to June 16
ICC TRIAL | Bench dissatised with early adjournment
Ruto case put o as
court drops witness
It is the constitutional
obligation of
governments to
ensure no citizens die
of starvation. If it fails
in this cardinal duty,
then it has no reason
for being
This country has enough
resources to feed its 41
million inhabitants if only
the wastage and corruption
in government was checked
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
12 | Opinion
DIFFERENT STROKES | Gabriel Dolan
O
ne of the more interesting and un-
usual aspects of Kenyan life is that
the most popular TV programmes
are the evening news. Crowds huddle
around noisy TV sets in village markets
while fathers ensure that their small chil-
dren are sleeping before news time. The
evening news tops the polls ratings and
also provides top income to the media
owners by way of commercials during the
intervals.
It is hardly surprising then that com-
petition among the channels is intense
and that newscasters, commentators and
documentary makers hop between sta-
tions like EPL footballers, always seeking
the best contract. Extraordinary that folk
who do such a mundane job as read the
news prepared by someone else can
be given celebrity status and strut the
studio as if it were a catwalk. Anyhow,
while the overall presentation is quite high
standard, there is a growing tendency to
juice up the days events and convert the
tragedies, misfortunes and mistakes of
the public into entertainment to keep rat-
ings high and prots mounting.
Last week, TV crews accompanied
police in raids on liquor dens in another
knee-jerk operation this time over the
deaths of over 100 from illicit and poi-
sonous brew. The sight of drunken men
and women unable to climb on to police
vehicles and their subsequent degrading
treatment by the ocers is someones
warped notion of entertainment and news
reporting. The camera crews followed
those arrested to court to record drunken
mitigants making fools of themselves and
become the laughing stock of the nation.
Not so funny, however, for their families.
This trend of television crews team-
ing up with police ocers to embarrass
the public was very evident when the Al-
coblow was rst introduced, and TV crews
became judges and jury over drivers be-
fore they could ever defend themselves in
court. Exposing hypocritical and promis-
cuous pastors in busted operations may
interest the public and even titillate them
but is hardly in the public interest. This is
the stu of tabloid news and gutter press
and Kenyans deserve better. Makes you
wonder why these crews never accessed
Kasarani or Bamburi detention centres
when hundreds were detained a few weeks
ago. That would have been in the public
interest.
Maybe there is a market for sleaze and
reality TV but the national news is not
the place for it. Reality TV is anything but
real as it encourages the public to sit in
judgment and to feel superior at watch-
ing their fellow Kenyans make fools of
themselves in their most embarrassing
moments. Someone once said that reality
TV only looks in one direction, down, and
it is fast replacing soap operas for enter-
tainment. The evening news should not
be promoting voyeurism or sadism but
uncovering truth and enhancing human
dignity not jeering at it in its misery.
Our newscasters too are often conde-
scending and judgmental. With their large
salaries, luxurious lifestyles and expensive
fashions they symbolise the great divide
that exists in this very unequal society.
They should not fall into the trap of an
us and them culture but present the
news in a balanced, non-prejudicial man-
ner.
gdolan54@gmail.com. @gabrieldolan1
Evening news turning into reality TV
I believe in a fair
process. I will not go
to court because I have
faith the Senate will be
fair and exonerate me
Chepkwony
BY NATION CORRESPONDENT
The businesses community in Busia
has suered huge losses due to persist-
ent power blackouts.
Businesses that depend on elec-
tricity have had to close for most of
the day while other have had to buy
generators.
Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has
now raised concern over the problem
of blackouts and demanded prompt
intervention of the Kenya Power
Company.
Mr Ojaamong said insecurity had
also been increased in the county due
to the blackouts.
We are concerned about the laxity
exhibited by the power rm. Over a
week, we have lost four people in-
cluding a Kenya Power employee,
he said.
The governor said he had on several
occasions called the company to have
power connected in some of the areas
after day-long outage.
He urged KP to nd a lasting solu-
tion to the problem that has made it
a laughing stock among residents and
investors in the region.
Business owners said they had
incurred losses as customers seek
services in neighbouring Uganda.
We are asking Kenya Power and
relevant stakeholders to address the
menace which is killing our business,
said Mr Stephen Obala, the Busia Busi-
ness Community chairman.
Another trader, Mr David Irulu, said
the most aected people were jua kali
artisans, hotel owners and dealers in
electronics.
Traders incur losses due to blackouts
BOMET
High cost of inputs
hurts sh farming
Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto
has queried the high cost of
inputs for sh farming, saying
it was a drawback for growth
in the sector. In a speech read
on his behalf by the county
executive committee member
in charge of sheries Eliza-
beth Langat, Mr Ruto said de-
spite the challenges, some sh
farmers in the region were
expanding their businesses.
The speech was read during
the areas sh marketing day
at the Sigor trading centre
in Chepalungu sub-county.
He said many maize growers
were turning to sh farming.
BY NATION
CORRESPONDENT
Former minister Nicholas
Biwott has said the law was fol-
lowed in the eviction of a man who
held his fathers land for almost
30 years.
Recent media reports said that
retired police ocer Kigen Maina
bought a plot from Mr Joshua
Kiprono Cheserem, Mr Biwotts
father, in 1963. He was, however,
evicted 30 years later after a court
ruled he lacked proper documen-
tation.
Declaring that he was not party
to the dispute, Mr Biwott (above)
said it was wrong for Mr Maina to
lay claim to land that is now under
his ownership following the death
of his father.
The parties rights to the dis-
puted property were determined
by a court of law and not myself.
At no time during the legal proc-
ess was I approached by anyone
nor did I approach anyone else
in respect of this matter, said
Mr Biwott.
According to media reports, Mr
Mainas eldest son approached Mr
Biwott in 2005 over the dispute
but he is yet to hear from the
former minister.
Biwott denies
wrongdoing
in land tussle
KAKAMEGA
Commission wants
list of grabbed land
The National Land Com-
mission has asked counties
to submit lists of public land
that has been grabbed in their
jurisdictions to enable it start
the recovery process. NLC
chairman Mohamed Swazuri
said much of the land set
aside for development in the
county had been grabbed,
disrupting plans for construc-
tion of sewerage system. The
commission was also address-
ing disputes involving Nubian
community in Mumias town. BY NATION
CORRESPONDENT
The family that slaughtered
and fed on a neighbours cat due
to lack of food will soon have more
conventional meals on the table fol-
lowing an overwhelming response
from well-wishers.
Early this week, the Nation re-
ported the familys plight in Tiaty,
Baringo County.
Since then Kenyans said they
would raise money for the family
and others oered to buy food.
Mr Joseph Nyandieka M-Pesad
Sh600 to the writer and followed
with an SMS: Please use this to
buy anything that can sustain them
for some days. I grew up in a poor
family but God has helped me.
Mr Harrison Kipyatich said on
his Facebook page: It is very sad
for a family to feast on a cat in this
21st century.
Baringo County Senator
Gideon Moi is to tour the area
next week.
Baringo Governor Benjamin
Cheboi said the county govern-
ment and the central government
is already distributing relief food
in the worst-hit areas.
Baringo family
that feasted
on cat get aid
COMRADE POWER! | Trainee engineers take on oversight body
KEVIN ODIT | NATION
Engineering students of the Technical University of Mombasa chant slogans after boycotting class yesterday over reports that
the institution was yet to be recognised by the Kenya Engineers Registration Board. TUM was initially a constituent college
of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology before becoming a full-edged university.
BRIEFLY
NYERI
Coee woes: House
summons minister
Agriculture Cabinet Sec-
retary Felix Koskei has been
summoned to appear before
the National Assembly on
Wednesday to shed light on
marketing of coee from Ny-
eri County, which has caused
controversy. Mathira MP
Peter Weru said the minister
is expected to explain agree-
ments among the county,
marketers and millers that he
witnessed. He is also expected
to shed light on sales made so
far and payment released to
farmers.
NYERI
Man ned Sh50,000
for illegal logging
A man who was caught
cutting down trees in a forest
without a permit has been
ned Sh50,000. Mr Sammy
Marangu, who pleaded guilty,
will serve two months in
prison if he fails to pay the
ne, a magistrate ordered
yesterday. He was found with
two logs of cypress valued
at Sh10,000 on April 27 at
Ndathi Forest. He said that
he was hired by people who
escaped when they saw police
arresting him.
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
National News 17
I
f the Ministry of Foreign Aairs
Principal Secretary, Mr Karanja
Kibicho, wants to blame anyone
for the travel advisories imposed
this week, he should start with his
colleagues in government.
The United States, Britain, Aus-
tralia and France issued advisories
or updated existing ones to take
account of threats in the north-east,
Nairobi and Mombasa.
He is right to point out the hypoc-
risy of Western governments; there
were no advisories issued after the
9/11 attacks in the US or the bomb-
ings in Madrid and London in 2004
and 2005 respectively.
But such hypocrisy is not new. The
British governments reaction to the
resumption of an ICC investigation
into the conduct of its troops in Iraq
is evidence of this.
Mr Kibicho says the advisories are
only adding to fear and panic. But
what is likely to cause more fear and
panic: a government that has little
apparent idea on how to respond to
threats or foreign states telling their
nationals to avoid Eastleigh?
Watching Kenya in the last few
weeks has been disquieting. Every
new security strategy announced
by the likes of Inspector General of
Police David Kimaiyo and minister
Joseph ole Lenku only creates the
impression that this is a government
that does not know how to protect
its people.
Newspaper readers dont need
to be told that banning vehicles
with tinted windows is absurd. But
this ban is likely no less eective
a response to a terror threat than
demanding matatu crews to screen
all passengers or indiscriminately
interrogating thousands of Kenyans
on the ground that they are likely to
be Muslims.
Explaining such inconsistent,
counterproductive and ineffective
policies is easy. As Michaela Wrong
recently argued, Anglo Leasing left
the security services ill-equipped to
investigate and prevent the kind of at-
JACOB OWITI | DAILY NATION
Mr Stephen Okoth removes tint lm from a car window on Oginga Odinga Street in Kisumu to
comply with the new requirement.
A litany of rules
alone will not
end insecurity
TRAVEL ADVISORIES | Dan Branch
tacks being witnessed. That taxpayers
will foot the bill for that crime only
compounds the insult.
With the defence of the border
and capacity of security forces
undermined by graft, citizens and
corporations are providing the last
line of defence. Matatu crews are
expected to act like the police while
Safaricom will build a modern intel-
ligence and surveillance network at
its expense.
The only saving grace of the policies
introduced to counter terrorism so far
is that they will prove short-lived. Po-
lice do not have resources to maintain
mass arrests of Somalians.
The ban on tinted windows will
be forgotten like earlier attempts to
introduce speed limiters. Matatu and
bus crews will also ignore the require-
ment to check ID cards.
Far more dangerous in the long-
term than any of the recent temporary
populist anti-terror measures are the
new powers for county commission-
ers. There are reasons to object to
the resurrection of the Provincial
Administration.
The rst is disregard for constitu-
tional reform. A county commissioner
representing the Executive at the
grassroots is incompatible with
devolution.
The second reason is the doubt
about the judgment of those appoint-
ing people charged with security.
Whatever one might think of
Jomos presidency, his Provincial
Administration and civil service of-
cials were drawn from the ranks of
the brightest and best. The likes of
Simeon Nyachae, Duncan Ndegwa
and Charles Njonjo left an indelible
legacy.
By contrast, some of Uhuru
Kenyattas appointments have been
disastrous.
There is no reason to believe that
the quality of appointments of county
commissioners will be better. Kenya
deserves, and needs, more from its
public servants.
Prof Branch teaches history and
politics at Warwick University, UK.
dan.branch@gmail.com
The only
saving
grace of
the policies
introduced
to counter
terrorism so
far is that
they will
prove short-
lived
Dan Branch
Past experience shows
that the ban on tinted
windows or screening
will be forgotten soon
RELIGION | Walk to Uganda
SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION
Catholic faithful pray as they walk on Njoro-Molo Road
near Elburgon town yesterday on their way to Namugongo
shrines in Uganda. Some started the walk in Mtito Andei
some weeks ago and all are expected to reach Uganda on
June 1, after covering over 1,000km.
Ex-soldiers want to serve security
chiefs with court orders in Press
BY NATION
CORRESPONDENT
Some 27 former soldiers
want the High Court to allow
them to serve orders of their
release to Defence Cabinet
Secretary Rachel Omamo,
Chief of General Sta Major
Gen Julius Karangi and Kenya
Navy commander Ngewa
Mukala through newspaper
advertisement.
In the application, Mr
Gabriel Krigha Chawana
and his 26 colleagues told
Justice Edward Muriithi that
all eort to personally serve
the respondents have hit a
snag.
On May 7, while armed
with the court and release or-
ders, we proceeded to Kenya
navy base to serve the base
commander but we couldnt.
We made similar unsuccess-
fully attempt on May 8 to
serve the chief legal ocer
Brigadier Kenneth Ndidi at
the Department of Defence
where we were told he is
the only person to receive
court orders on behalf of
respondents, the soldiers
told the court through their
lawyers.
Lawyers Michael Mwanyale,
Charles Mwalimu, Henry
Kurauka and Daniel Kamunda
told Justice Muriithi that sub-
stituted service through local
dailies with wider circulations
is the only available option to
serve Ms Omamo, Mr Karangi
and Mr Mukala with orders
to release the 27 former
servicemen fighting court
martial trial.
They added that all eorts
to serve the respondents per-
sonally have been met with
diculties and frustrations.
It is imperative, therefore,
to have the respondents served
by way of substituted service
through an advertisement in
the national daily newspapers
with a wide circulation, they
added.
The court heard that 20
former soldiers have complied
with all requirements set by
the court to be released on
bond, including depositing
Sh500,000 bond and surety
of similar amount and their
passports with the High Court
registrar.
In their grounds of opposi-
tions to the application, Ms
Omamo, Mr Karangi and Mr
Mukala argued that the peti-
tioners have not used all due
and reasonable diligence to
serve them.
Senior legation counsel
Oscar Eredi from the At-
torney Generals oce said
the AG has not be person-
ally served and that the
application was deliberately
brought to institute contempt
of court proceedings against
the respondents.
Mr Eredi further indicated
the petitioners were informed
to serve the respondents
through KDF chief legal of-
cer, but they have not made
any eorts to do so.
Three appeal court
Judges on Tuesday grilled
lawyers representing the
Kenya Defence Forces over
failure by their clients to
obey their orders
Judges Hannah Ok-
wengu, Fatuma Sichale and
Milton Makhandia ques-
tioned why Defence Cabi-
net Secretary Raychelle
Omamo and Chief of De-
fence Forces Julius Karangi
had not complied with the
court order issued on May
2, by Mombasa High Court
Judge Edward Muriithi.
QUESTIONS
Judges quiz
lawyers
Parent fumes
at teacher
over supply
of food
BY NATION
CORRESPONDENT
As hunger continues to bite
in Turkana County, a parent
is now accusing headteachers
of taking food meant for their
school-going children.
The parent yesterday said
that headteachers have sud-
denly stopped supplying food
to nursery schools leading to
a huge dropout rate.
Ms Hellen Kuyia, claimed
that teachers were hiding food
meant for their children.
Satellite schools
But Mr Bernard Abong,
the headteacher at Kanam
Kemer Primary School, said
since World Food Programme
stopped supplying food to sat-
ellite schools the situation has
degenerated.
I can not supply food to
the eight centres despite ac-
cusations from parents who
dont understand this. Mr
Abong said.
World Food Programme
reportedly decided to exclude
nursery schools from getting
food due to an increase in
number of children turning
up at the gates to eat rather
than learn.
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
18 | National News
BY AUSTIN BUKENYA
satnation@ke.nationmedia.com
E
choing the likely senti-
ments of the classical
victim of romantic love, I
recently wrote: Ikiwa umeniroga,
basi ongeza urogi (if you have be-
witched me, ne then, increase the
dose of your charms). As is often
the case in such circumstances,
the utterance may have been
addressed to a real-life person,
but well skip the identication
parade for now.
What I can confess and admit
to is that, from me, these words
would be a sincere crie de coeur to
Kiswahili. If any one passion has
dominated the latter years of my
life and career, it has, curiously,
been Kiswahili. Mwalimu Joseph
Mwamburi, my friend and co-au-
thor, with Wallah bin Wallah and
Henry Indindi, of the Kurunzi ya
Kiswahili course, once suggested
that I should be given the nick-
name Mswahilisti.
This was at an East African
Kiswahili teachers conference
in Kampala, where, with a few
loyal friends, I have for over a
decade now been conducting
an evangelistic campaign for
the acceptance and promotion
of Kiswahili in Uganda. It is, ad-
mittedly an uphill task, but my
fellow Waswahilisti and I are not
just about to give up the ght.
And, thankfully, it is slowly but
steadily beginning to bear fruit.
Of course, we cannot arrogate
to ourselves such fundamen-
tal developments as the 2003
constitutional amendment that
proclaimed Kiswahili as the sec-
ond ocial language of Uganda
or the now fairly fast-moving
process of setting up a National
Kiswahili Authority. But we are
encouraged by the fact that we
are now regularly consulted by the
policy makers on most matters
regarding Kiswahili.
Thus, we participated in the
teaching of the Basic Kiswahili ori-
entation course for the Members
of the Eighth Parliament, in the
development of the primary and
secondary school syllabi through
the National Curriculum Develop-
ment Centre, and in the formation
of the National Kiswahili Author-
ity, mentioned above, through the
Ministry of Gender Labour and
Social Development.
The reader may wonder what
gender and all that has to do with
Kiswahili. Well, it just happens
that in Kampala this ministry,
currently headed by my long-
time friend and literary colleague
at Makerere University, Ms Mary
Karooro Okurut, also houses the
Department of Culture, which is
responsible for language develop-
ment in the country. Ms Okurut,
also the founder of the famous
FEMRITE, the Uganda Women
Writers Association, of which I
am an honorary member, last
month launched the nal stage of
establishing the National Kiswahili
Authority, where the Waswahilisti
will certainly feature.
In any case, we are already
well-known, whether famous or
notorious, to the ministry for our
activism. Some time ago, when
my friend, Mr James Mugume,
the Permanent Secretary for
Foreign Aairs, introduced me
to his counterpart in the Gender,
Labour and Social Development
ministry, his colleague, she paid
me a rather curious compliment.
She said something like, Ive
heard about you. Youre the gen-
tleman who would wake up at
three in the morning to go and
work for Kiswahili.
I suspect that the PS had
received this impression of my
enthusiasm or is it madness
for Kiswahili from my dear
friend Juliana Naumo, now the
Commissioner for Culture, with
whom I worked closely on our
contribution to the formation
of the East African Kiswahili
Council.
It all started in 2004 when I
received a letter from the East
African Community secretariat at
Arusha, through the ministry, that
I had been designated to represent
Uganda, along with my beloved
comrade, Prof Kimani Njogu, from
Kenya and Dr Anna Kishe from
Tanzania, on the Task force for
the formation of the East African
Kiswahili Commission. Dr Kishe,
who was then Executive Secretary
of the Tanzanian National Kiswa-
hili Council (BAKITA), was to be
our chairperson.
I went to the ministry to seek
facilitation to attend the task
forces inaugural meeting in
Arusha but, not surprisingly, no
funds were available for that
project. I thought the opportu-
nity for Uganda, and for me, was
too good to let pass without a try.
So, I scraped a few coins from my
pocket and caught the good old
Akamba Bus, through Nairobi, to
Arusha. The rest, as they say, is
history. Uganda participated fully
in the work of the task force, and
the East African Kiswahili Com-
mission is an entity assented to by
all the states of the East African
Community.
(By the way, I sorely miss the
Akamba Bus Service. It was an
institution with which many of
us had grown up, and in its own
way it, too, symbolised the East
African spirit. I lived and taught
in Machakos, the birthplace of the
Akamba Bus, between 1977 and
1978, and I was both surprised
and amused to actually see in the
town some of the elderly drivers
and conductors who had ferried
me scores of times on their buses
between Kampala and Nairobi.
So, the Akamba buses were re-
ally as Akamba as they were East
African!)
Anyway, the story soon spread
along the corridors of the ministry
that Bukenya had actually found
his way to Arusha on foot! Well,
if the guy could walk all the way
from Kampala to Arusha for the
sake of Kiswahili, waking up at
3am to run a small errand for it
wouldnt be that much of a big
deal.
What, however, the story-tellers
didnt tell us is why a 60-year-old
man, as I was then, should think
nothing of tearing across three
countries, at his own expense,
for the sake of a language, and
especially a language that is not
that highly thought of in Uganda.
I, too, am sometimes tempted to
wonder why I go banging on
every door in sight for the sake
of Kiswahili.
Often, indeed, it feels like
banging ones head against a
wall when one runs into the
thick indierence or even deri-
sive decampaigning (as the
Ugandans say) that characterise
attitudes towards Kiswahili. In
such moments, I try to brace my
faith in our language by thinking
back on the events that triggered
my awareness of the priceless gift
of Kiswahili to all East Africans.
To me, this awareness, not to say
fanatical love, of the lingo is the
magic, the urogi that wouldnt
let me either rest or relax in the
quest for its recognition.
For me, it all goes back to the
19th century, when my grand-
mother, Hajara Binti Ramadhan,
was born, most probably in
Bagamoyo. Her father was one
of the rst converts to Islam in
Uganda, and when their leader,
Prince Nuhu Kyabasinga Mbogo,
Weekend
PLO: THE DAY I WAS
KICKED OUT OF JOB
Former anti-graft czar on
his life since in the political
hotbed.
Page 39
CONTINUED ON PAGE 38
For over a decade now, a campaign
has been raging on the acceptance
of Kiswahili in Uganda, an uphill
task that is beginning to bear fruit
Why I knock
on every door
for Kiswahili
REFLECTIONS OF A RETIRING SCHOLAR | Thoughts of an East African elder and pioneer man of letters
What, however, the
story-tellers didnt
tell us is why a 60-
year-old man, as I was
then, should think
nothing of tearing
across three countries,
at his own expense,
for the sake of a
language thats not
highly thought of in
Uganda
Prof Austin Bukenya
Year Prof Austin Bukenya
represented Uganda at
the East African Kiswahili
Commission meeting in
Arusha
2004
FILE | NATION
Mr Wallah bin Wallah
FILE | NATION
Prof Kimani Njogu
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
19
networks, making it affordable and
universally accessible.
Not only does broadband secure inclusion
within the global economy, but it goes a long
way to underpin the competitiveness of a
nation. In a developing nation like Kenya, the
success of broadband connectivity lies in the
progressing the realization of the Millennium
Development Goals.
As such, there is need for a broadband
ecosystem in Kenya to meet the demands of
Vision 2030 that seeks to provide Kenyans
with a lifestyle that is only experienced
in a newly industrialized country. The
Constitution of Kenya 2010 anticipates
information access to all citizens as a basic
right; as well as the recognition that Kenya
aspires to be a globally competitive and
prosperous nation.
Currently, broadband connectivity in Kenya
delivers a minimum of 5mbps (in rural areas)
and 40 mbps (in urban areas) to homes and
businesses for high speed access to voice,
data, video and applications for development.
It is expected that by 2017, 35 per cent of
the household in Kenya, and all schools and
hospitals will have been connected to the
internet.
There are some key gaps in broadband
research and development that need to
be sealed if the adoption of broadband
technologies will be an enabler in the
attainment of Kenyas Vision 2030. A
whooping 90 per cent of Kenyans do not
have access to broadband, students do not
have access to computers. Many Kenyans
do not have skills to use the internet. Unless
these gaps are addressed, Kenya will fail as a
country to take advantage of opportunities
to uplift Kenyans socio-economic status
and adversely affect the countrys global
positioning and competitiveness. The
country therefore needs a very clear road-
map towards the realisation of a knowledge-
based economy.
A technician xes bre optic cables on Lusaka Road in Industrial Area, Nairobi.
The future of broadband connectivity in Kenya
BY MILLICENT MWOLOLO
mmwololo@ke.nationmedia.com
T
he World Telecommunication and
Information Society Day (WTISD)
is held on 17 May to focus on the
importance of ICT and the wide range of
issues related to the Information Society.
This days objective is to help raise
awareness of the possibilities that the use of
the Internet and other IT technologies (ICT)
can bring to societies, as well as of ways to
bridge the digital divide. This years theme is
Broadband for Sustainable Development.
Kenya and the rest of East Africa is at a
developmental phase and its leadership
has realized the role of digital development
to transform and fast-track sustainable
development. Broadband is a strategic
infrastructure for a 21st century economy.
Broadband is the platform for Kenya to
develop and register economic growth and
innovation. Broadband enables healthcare,
education, employment and government
service delivery. This will give Kenya a
competitive edge in the region as very few
countries in Africa have established a similar
framework.
There is a multi-stakeholder commitment
to achieve universal access to broadband
connectivity and content in the country. The
government and the private sector have been
in consultations chatting the way forward
for enhanced broadband connectivity in
Kenya. In order to realize its full potential, it
is essential to roll-out high-speed broadband
BY MILLICENT MWOLOLO
mmwololo@ke.nationmedia.com
The future of broadband in Kenya shall be more
than viewing television, surng the internet and
making phone calls. It shall be about new forms
of communication and mass collaboration
through the virtually un-limited potential
for sharing information, storage capacity,
processing power and software made possible
through high-capacity bandwidth connections.
This collaboration will generate new ideas,
accelerate economic development and lead
to opportunities for wealth creation, social
development and personal expression.
It is expected that ubiquitous broadband
services lower the cost of communication and
attract investment particularly in rural areas.
This will stimulate local economic environments
and increase economic growth.
Broadband networks have been shown to have
a direct impact on employment. An increase in
broadband penetration will have an increase in
jobs in the country.
Broadband will facilitate the roll-out of e-health
applications in the country. This will provide
solutions to the constraints of health care
delivery systems in the rural and marginalized
areas.
The development of broadband infrastructure
and ICT skill within the country shall promote
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). This will
greatly impact the success of the BPO sub-
sector.
Broadband will unlock opportunities and
investment competitiveness in the country.
Economic linkages will be enhanced through
access to new domestic and international
markets. Businesses in the rural context will also
benet by gaining access to more suppliers and
more competitive inputs. This will consequently
increase the competitiveness of their products.
A well-developed ICT infrastructure will provide
a conducive environment for business incubation
in the country. This will nurture the development
of entrepreneurial and ICT-oriented companies.
This would provide Kenya the opportunity to
ascend to the level of technological hub in Vision
2030.
Access to fast speed internet in all parts of the
country is essential to the success of county
e-governments. Efcient backhaul, last mile
broadband network and end-user devices will
support the efciency of e-governments.
The virtual working environment will be
realized as broadband would likely increase
telecommuting. This will cut travel time
and expenses to employees and reduce
environmental pollution- boosting societal
welfare.
Broadband is likely to promote inclusion of
persons with disabilities in formal employment
and access to education. Access to advanced
technology at home would increase the
availability of distance learning programmes
and job certications to persons living with
disabilities.
Broadband network within Kenya and the East
African region would support security agencies
and other agencies to respond faster to
emergencies and natural disasters. This will aid
in the communication of national security alerts
to serve public interest.
e-learning will be revolutionalized as more people
engage in on-line and distance learning. The
availability of low-cost and quality education in
the internet will expand education opportunities
in the country.
The benets of broadband
connectivity in the country
WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION &
INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY
THEME: Broadband for Sustainabl Dvlopmnt
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
20 | Advertising Feature
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
Advertising Feature 21
BY SITAWA NAMWALIE
satnation@ke.nationmedia.com
F
irst, I started to read. I was 10
years old and a friend brought
me a book for my birthday.
I sat down and started to read this
book and the birthday was history. I
could no longer hear the noise of my
many friends as they played in the
background. I was hooked and ad-
dicted to reading from the very rst
book I read.
I still remember the title of the book,
Secret Island, by Enid Blyton. Many
years later, when it was no longer po-
litically correct to say you liked Enid
Blyton, because some of her stories
are steeped in racism, (the gollywogs
are apparently negative caricatures
of black people), I still keep a warm
place in my heart for her.
I read to gure out life questions. I
was one of those kids who thought and
thought about everything and looked
for answers for what I now know is the
human condition. I looked for answers
to questions you cant ask your father
or mother or teacher without making
them suspicious of your intentions.
Started to wonder
I remember the time I looked around
me and started to wonder how I was
supposed to know if anything around
me was real. Was I real? How was I
supposed to tell if I was real?
I would sit in class and look at my
fellow students, watch the teacher
speaking and wonder, what if nothing I
was seeing was real, what if it is nothing
but a gment of my imagination? I kept
this strange inquiry to myself.
I knew instinctively it was something
that would mark me out as a weirdo.
Later, I found out that this was a
quest that had held the attention of
many philosophers, including Rene
Descartes, he of I think so I am
fame.
Books helped me to gure my many
questions out. I read everything,
newspapers, novels, encyclopaedias,
(the original Google). Later on, as I
grew up, I read to gure out my place
in the world.
Writing is part of the same pursuit.
It is me trying to gure out the human
condition. I watch the contradictions,
complexities, inconsistencies, outright
hypocrisy that bedevil our lives and I
spend time thinking and asking ques-
tions and, best of all, coming up with
answers for myself that I can then share
with other people.
Writing has helped me to understand
the value of thinking. Think long-term
on a single topic and more and more
of the subject comes into view. Tribe,
race, ethnicity and tribalism is one of
my many enquires. I watch and listen to
people, to hear and see how they relate
on tribe, race, ethnicity and tribalism.
I remember my utmost surprise when
I realised that Kenyans of all ethnic
groups perceive themselves as victims
in the context of tribalism and have
elaborate stories about the nature of
their tribal victimhood.
And then I have come to understand
how tribe, tribalism, ethnicity, racism;
the negative aspect of all these human
expressions of diversity, represents one
of the negative pillars on which the
Kenyan nation has constructed itself.
In its negative manifestation, it is a
place from which we reap pain and
suering, from which we victimise,
from which we discriminate and from
which we perpetrate.
Ideas for my poetry comes from
everything going around me. Writing
poetry comes from my love of words,
language and love of telling stories. I
also write essays, short stories and I
am working on a new play.
I love writing for performance and I
love performing. An audience lights me
up and my work truly comes alive.
Writing has opened up a whole new
world for me with so many new op-
portunities. In April, I went to Berlin,
Germany, to participate in the Spoken
Words project, which was an exchange
between Kenyan and German poets,
spoken word artistes and hip-hop
artistes.
I met the most amazing Kenyan and
German artistes. The best part of this
project, for me, was that it allowed me
to get to know Kenyan artistes from dif-
ferent genres and it really helped me to
understand and appreciate what these
young people are doing. I am looking
forward to working with some of them
to infuse new genres into my work.
Sheng, in particular, interests me for
its sheer energy; it is such a testament
to the genius of our young people.
My new show, Silence is a Woman,
played at the Goethe Institut in Nairobi
on Saturday, May 10, at 7pm.
Are you an author with a story to tell?
Please write to satnation@ke.nationm
edia.com.
I write my poetry to gure out
humanity and to understand
the value of thinking
Read this book
and always trust
your instinct
BY MARION WAKAHE
mwakahe@gmail.com
We are bombarded daily with situations that require
decisions. Just this morning, I had to choose from an
array of clothes what to wear. My decision was inuenced
by things such as the weather, comfort, and appeal,
among others. Then I had to choose what to have for
breakfast; bread, cereals, pastries, etcetera. As with my
choice of what to wear, my decision on breakfast was
driven by forces such as what I felt like, energy con-
tent, healthiness etcetera. We generally make such
decisions easily without even thinking about them.
However, there are times when we are forced to make
decisions and act in moments that can quite literally
change our lives.
Malcolm Gladwells book, Blink, looks at how we make
decisions and draw conclusions in dierent contexts. He
poses that we are aected by two main forces: Careful
analysis and instinct. He looks at the pros and cons
of each and attempts to determine when best to apply
careful analysis and when to apply instinct.
The book starts out with a story of a kouros that
didnt look quite right. A kouros is a sculpture of nude
male youth standing with his left leg forward and his
arms at his side, believed to represent the god Apollo.
These pieces are few and quite pricy. In 1983, the kouros
in discussion was priced at just under $10 million. As
expected, tests had to be undertaken to determine its
authenticity.
From these tests the kouros appeared authentic, until
experts were brought in. These were people with years
of experience in historical artefacts, such as Italian art
historian Federico Zeri, Evelyn Harrison, an expert on
Greek sculptures, and Thomas Hoving, the former di-
rector of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Federico had an issue with the sculptures ngernails.
They appeared wrong to him. Thomas said the sculpture
was fresh. Fresh is a problem for a statue that was sup-
posed to be 2,000 years old. The Getty Museum the
likely buyer of the kouros concerned by the reaction
of these experts, convened a symposium on the kouros
in Greece. It was trashed as an absolute fake and further
enquiry attested to this, such as a letter that was used
to trace the kouros to Swiss physician Lauenberger
(a well-known art dealer) dated 1955. In addition, the
kouros was aged using potato mold.
These experts underwent what is referred to in Blink
as intuitive repulsion. Though they could not articulate
their concerns clearly, something was o. Initial tests
proved the kouros genuine, but expert instinct rubbished
the kouros and so begins the whole journey into the book.
In this particular instance, instinct beat analysis. But
then again, this might not be the case really. Experts
showed concern over the kouros. These were individu-
als who had the advantage of dealing with all sorts of
artefacts over many years. As such, the moment they
looked at the kouros and felt something was o, they
relied on years of experience meeting intuition. From
my observation, neither instinct nor careful analysis
can be the winner; both apply.
A number of other analogies are given throughout
the book where Malcolm ponders if its best to rely on
instinct or careful analysis.
I recently nished reading Stiegg Larssons The Girl
with a Dragon Tattoo, the story of Mikael Blomkvist
tasked with nding a missing niece. The niece in ques-
tion had a brother named Martin Vanger whom, after
some serious detective work, Mikael suspected to have
killed a woman. On the night this insight came to him, he
went to Martin Vangers house to scan it for anything
suspicious. As he was doing this, he heard Martins car
approaching and quickly ran out. Unfortunately Martin
caught a glimpse of him and invited him in. Mikael
acquiesced and went in only to be tied up and tortured
like the many other female victims that Martin had
taken to his house. Martin asked Mikael one question,
Why did you come in when instinctively you could tell
it was the wrong thing to do?
My belief is one. Right instinct is followed by careful
analysis. As was the case of the experts who felt some-
thing was wrong, Mikael was scared of Martin after he
analysed the Vanger family history. I have two pieces
of advice: read Blink, and always think twice.
Tell us about a book that changed your life in not
more than 800 words. Send your story to satnation@
ke.nationmedia.com
MY FAVOURITE BOOK
The
audience
lights me
up and
my poetry
comes alive
IN THEIR OWN WORDS | Kenyan authors speak
Poet Sitawa
Namwalie dur-
ing a past per-
formance. She
says poetry has
opened many
doors for her.
FILE | NATION
One of the rst
poems I wrote
A Gifted Almost-Fifty
By Sitawa Namwalie
What do I do, now that I have
found,
a gift at almost-fty.
Writing angry young poetry,
A air I should have used up at
twenty.
At least uncovered back then!
Fresh, new, demanding, to be
known,
Gnashing your teeth at fty?
Do I hide it from mortication?
Or expose it and subject myself
to explanation.
Why now?
You see it was like this your
honour.
It wasnt my miscalculation,
There was Moi.
A regime that did not tolerate
vocalization,
No irate self-expression,
24 years of blundering terror
your honour.
It stole my fuming twenties,
Rolled over my barely mellow
thirties,
I gave up in my forties.
And then he left your honour,
Moi!
For no reason I can fathom.
At once the rage inside me
churned.
Poetry erupted, spewing on its
own,
Brimming, your honour,
I couldnt help myself,
My angry overdue gift,
Exposed at going on almost
fty!
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
22 | Weekend
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NICHE IN
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HOW TO PICK
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FOR SEMEN
EXTRACTION.
PAGE 26
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MAY 17, 2014 the weekly farming magazine
BUTTERFLY BREEDING
AND EXPORT
Hello,
I live in Nyeri and I would like advice
on buttery breeding and export. I
plan to empower the youth in this
location through this venture.
Wangui Ndungu
Thank you Wangui. Buttery
farming is among the untapped
livestock potential in the country
and an avenue to economically
empower the youth. For more
guidance on buttery farming and
breeding, kindly consider contact-
ing ICIPE in Nairobi or buttery
farms such as Kipepeo Project
around Arabuko Sokoke Forest
at the Coast or community-based
buttery farming groups around
Kakamega forest.
Seeds of Gold Team,
Egerton University
CHICKEN FEEDS HAVE
BECOME EXPENSIVE
Hallo, my name is Stephen Gakuhi,
I work at Egerton University as an
electrician and I am interested in
rearing chicks. I already have 200
hens, which have already started
laying eggs.
My big problem is the cost of feeds,
which are too expensive. I want to
learn about the following.
i. The ratio of making all the three
types of poultry feeds
ii. The raw materials and where I can
get them.
Seeds of Gold has come to ll a gap
that many farmers have been fac-
ing - lack of adequate information
on agribusiness. Many thanks to
Nation Media Group and Egerton
University.
Intensive poultry farming is an im-
portant livestock enterprise supply-
ing protein diets to many Kenyans,
providing employment and income.
However, this enterprise is highly
dependent on external inputs such
as feeds whose price has been on
the rise. Due to the sensitivity of
poultry on diets, poultry feeds for-
mulations require intense training.
Kindly contact Department of Ani-
mal Sciences, Egerton University
for further guidance.
Mugatha Anthony, Research As-
sistant, Department of Animal
Sciences, Egerton University.
anthonymugatha@yahoo.com
FISH FARMING
I am planning to engage in sh
farming in Nanyuki. The soil is black
cotton and thus is able to hold the
water in the pond without the use
of polythene paper. I, however,
require help on the suitability of
tilapia farming in Laikipia, due to the
weather conditions (semi-arid area).
I would also like to know where I
can get extensive research on sh
farming in Kenya to assist me in my
research.
Mwangi Sammy
The type of sh to farm depends
on water quality and temperatures.
Some sh types dwell best in clear
and cold water while others do best
in warm and turbid water. Water
temperature also inuences oxygen
concentration. Tilapia and cat sh
are best suited in warm areas but
dier in their need for water qual-
ity. Kindly visit Sagana Fish Farm
for further training on sh farming
enterprises.
Wangui Chege and Mugatha M,
Livestock Research Assistants, De-
partment of Animal Sciences, Eger-
ton University. prejaw@gmail.com
I WANT TO PRODUCE
OWN POULTRY FEEDS
Hello,
I own a hammer crushing machine
in Vihiga County, which is able to
crush granite rocks up to sizes of
between 10mm and 5mm. My ques-
tions are: i) Can I produce chicken
grit from these rocks? ii) What is the
quality required for chicken grit for
digestion? iii) I have read that gran-
ite dust can be used as soil nutrient,
so how can I produce and market
this? iv) What are the qualities for
the granite rocks used for the above
purposes and can they be found in
Vihiga?
I currently use this machine to crush
ore for extraction of alluvial gold.
Andrew Chanda
Thank you Andrew for your interest
in chicken nutrition. Poultry should
always have access to grit espe-
cially if they are conned indoors.
Grit aids their digestion because it
acts as the hens teeth in the crop
to grind the food. Grit size should
not exceed 2mm diameter. The ma-
jor compounds in granite rock are
Silicon oxide (72 per cent) and Alu-
minium oxide (14 per cent). Com-
pounds of nutritional signicance
in granite include Calcium oxide (2
per cent) Magnesium oxide (1.4 per
cent). Composition, however, varies
with geographical location. Con-
tact your nearest geological oce
(probably at Kakamega) for more
advice on qualities of the rock.
Seeds of Gold Team,
Egerton University
KARI CHICKEN
Kindly advise how I can get those
Kari chickens in Kakamega. I am
interested in rearing them.
Festus Ngaira
Kari is still in the process of
establishing an improved indig-
enous chicken breeding centre in
Kakamega, but for now, you can
only obtain their day old chicks
from Kari Naivasha centre.
Seeds of Gold Team,
Egerton University
BEEKEEPING
I am Erastus Okoth Obongo. My
home town is Muhoroni in Kisumu
County. I am interested in beekeep-
ing and rearing Kari kienyeji chicken.
Please advise
Hi Erastus, Muhoroni has suitable
environment for the two enter-
prises. You can source improved
chicken day-old chicks from Kari,
Naivasha. Kindly contact your sub-
county livestock production oce
for enquiries of where and how to
source for bee colony and apiary
tools. You may also consider visit-
ing Department of Animal Sciences,
Egerton University for more infor-
mation and short course training in
apiculture.
Wangui C, and Kimitei K, Live-
stock Research Assistants, Animal
Science Department, Egerton
University. prejaw@gmail.com,
ronaldkimitei@gmail.com
I NEED A LOAN
Hello, I am a young and passionate
Kenyan who for long has developed
interests in farming. We have 2.5
acres in Subukia, Nakuru County
and I have been asking myself how I
can venture into agriculture.
I would like to seek your advice in
terms of how I can jump-start my
dreams and more so if there are any
organisations I can talk to for credit.
Harun
Land is a prime capital in any agri-
cultural enterprise, however, there
are various enterprises one can
venture in depending on the geo-
graphical location. Kindly consider
saving some of your income in a -
nancial institution, where they may
lend you enough nance to start
an agricultural enterprise. Alterna-
tively, consider other sources such
as Uwezo Fund.
Musyoka D, Research Assist-
ant, Animal Science Depart-
ment, Egerton University.
dunmusyoka@gmail.com
I WANT TO BUY
DORPER SHEEP
Hi, I read your articles in Seeds of
Gold every Saturday. They are very
informative. I would to like to start
sheep farming business. Are you
able to provide a contact for some-
one who can sell me dorper ewes?
Im currently based in Machakos.
Eric Kiilu
Dorper breed does well across the
dierent ecological zones in the
country and are suitable in your
area. Kindly visit the Kenya Live-
stock Breeders Organisation oces
in Nakuru or your sub-county live-
stock production oces for further
guidance on farmers keeping dor-
per sheep in your area.
Wangui Chege
GREENHOUSE
I am grateful for Seeds of Gold team
and Egerton University. The articles
are very interesting and informative.
I am requesting for information on
how to make a greenhouse more
productive and the variety of crop
one can plant for more yield. Also,
I will appreciate to know more
about goat keeping for commercial
purposes.
Paul
It is unfortunate that you did not
specify your location. Therefore,
contact your nearest sub-county
livestock production oce for
more directions. Alternatively,
contact the Animal Science Depart-
ment of Egerton University to give
you more details on short courses
on sheep and goats.
Felix Akatch Opinya,
Livestock Research Assistant,
Egerton University, Njoro.
akatchf@gmail.com
TRAINING
Thanks for the informative articles
Having a rst degree in econom-
ics, what postgraduate/masters
programme can equip me with best
agribusiness skills.
Daniel Okwach Kisumu
Egerton University has various
postgraduate programmes of inter-
est to you. We oer in the Faculty
of Agriculture, MSc in Agribusiness
Management, Agricultural Value
Chain Management, Agricultural
Economic and Collaborative Mas-
ters in Agricultural Economics. You
have to apply to registrar academic
aairs. Application forms can be
downloaded from the website or
obtained from Egerton campuses in
Nairobi, Nakuru or Njoro at a fee of
Sh2,000. Kindly get in touch with
admission oce or visit Egerton
website at www.egerton.ac.ke for
more details and contact informa-
tion.
Charles Wanjohi, Research
Assistant, Animal Science De-
partment, Egerton University
cwanjohi@egerton.ac.ke
HOW CAN I ACCESS
FINANCES
Thank you for Seeds of Gold. I am
kindly requesting for nancial help
besides banks since I dont have
security that can assist me start and
grow my business. I have a business
plan for poultry and rabbit farming. I
have been doing pig farming.
Frashia Kiarie
Most nancial institutions request
for collateral, however, you can try
the following organisations Uwezo
Fund, Women Fund or Youth Fund
depending on your qualications to
each. Kindly note that you can also
access loan through the traditional
nancial institutions without col-
lateral if you are a member of a mi-
cronance group where members
act as guarantors.
Francis Kigen, Research Assistant,
Animal Science Department,
Egerton University.
kigenfrancis@yahoo.com
Butteries, nance and dorper sheep:
ASK THE EXPERTS
Do you have any question or enquiry on agribusiness, marketing, logis-
tics, processing, innovation, and technology? Our pool of experts from
Egerton University will respond to your questions with proper advice.
Please send your questions to: satnation@ke.nationmedia.com
I am Henry Gichuhi from Mombasa
and many thanks for Seeds of Gold.
I want to start goose keeping. What
are the best breeds to rear. And
Kari improved kienyeji chicken in
comparison to other layers/boilers,
which is the best?
Since goose breeding is mainly in
the hands of private farmers, we
advise you to contact your near-
est livestock production oce to
provide you with more advice on
breeds as well as linkage. The ad-
vantages of the improved kienyeji
chicken developed by Kari include
being dual purpose, that is, it can
be kept for both meat and eggs and
are hardy.
Ronald Kimitei, Research As-
sistant, Animal Science De-
partment, Egerton University.
ronaldkimitei@gmail.com
feedback
Prof Omedo Bebe Prof J. Ondura
KEEPING GOOSE AND
KARI CHICKEN
JOSEPH KANYI | NATION
24
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD
Experts oer tips
SOIL FERTILITY
Thank you for the good work. I
am writing in response to your
article on soil fertility on April 26.
I come from a farming area in
Kirinyaga County and for sure our
soils are dying. I am glad because
there is hope as long as farmers
are educated on how to replenish
nutrients in the soils. Professor
Nancy Karanja said something
that caught my eye. That young
people can be trained on how to
make use of urban waste from
harvesting, processing, bagging
and selling it. I am one of those
young people who would love to
know where I can get this kind of
training. Please give suggestions.
EDITOR: Please contact
Prof Nancy Karanja on
N.Karanja@cgiar.org or
Dr Richard Onwonga on
dronwonga@gmail.com.
APPRECIATION
I really want to appreciate the
experts from Egerton University
for tirelessly answering our ques-
tions. This magazine is rich with
information.
Rev Avudiko Georey
EDITOR: We appreciate your
support. Keep reading and ask
questions on any problems you
encounter in your agribusiness.
I would like to congratulate eve-
rybody who contributes to Seeds
of Gold, especially Egerton Uni-
versity, the kiboko ya ukulima and
Nation Media Group. The mes-
sages are fascinating. Its upon
readers to take action.
I wish you all the best for your
hard work. May the Almighty God
bless you and your families.
Nyagah Mbogo
EDITOR: We deeply appreciate
your support. Keep reading
HONEY FROM
COCONUT SYRUP
I am an avid reader of Seeds
of Gold. I read your article My
natural honey from coconut juice
with keen interest.
For your information, making
honey from coconut syrup is
not new technology in Kenya.
This technology has been used in
Lamu for decades.
My disappointment is on informa-
tion you received from Kenya
Coconut Development Authority
acting managing director Ray-
mond Kahindi that they bor-
rowed the technology from Asia.
My memory on this product goes
back to my childhood in 1950s
up to date. We have been using
coconut syrup (ngizi) as a refresh-
ment or as candy.
In giving more avour to ngizi,
some people add cinnamon, cadi-
mon and black paper.
Ngizi is commonly sold at Lamu
Sea Front between Hapa Hapa
and Mangrove Restaurants. You
can also nd this product from
Shee Baoni Cold House in Lamu.
Let us get it right in promoting
the product. We cannot call it
coco honey. This is misleading
also. This product does already
have a Swahili name, Ngizi. In-
terpretation in English should be
coco syrup.
Omar Bwana
EDITOR: We are grateful for
helping us educate the Seeds of
Gold family.
Kindly connect us with Renson
Mbaji, who produces coconut
honey in Kili County.
We are interested in how we can
borrow from his experience and
expertise since we are in the same
business in Coast.
Esther Amani
EDITOR: Kindly get in touch with
Mbaji on 0729279232.
CUCUMBER FARMING
Seeds of Gold, you are doing
great work in educating farmers. I
must say that I never miss to read
your articles. I come from Eldoret
and on April 19, you featured
Larry Keya who grows cucum-
bers. I would appreciate if you
help me with his contacts since
I reside in the area and wish to
learn from him.
Raphael
EDITOR: You can reach Larry
Keya on 0718423635.
BIOGAS UNIT
INVENTOR
Hi, please assist me get in touch
with the biogas unit inventors. I
have tried to get in touch with
them through the telephone
numbers and email addresses
you gave us without success.
EDITOR: Please contact Do-
minic Wanjihia (Flexi- biogas)
on 0722 700530 or 0705
921611, info@biogas.co.ke
RABBIT KEEPING
Hongera Seeds of Gold for your
information on farming. Kindly
inform me on how to get con-
nected to Rabak to register
for membership. I recently
embarked on rabbit farming
and would like to get market
through them.
New farmer
Thanks for your features Seeds
of Gold. I am interested in rabbit
farming and I want to start small
since I dont have enough capital
to venture into contract farming.
Is there a place I can get the right
breed at a fair price?
EDITOR: Kindly contact Rabak
on 0721219092 or 0722277523.
sungurakenya@gmail.com
YOUNG FARMERS
Hi, my name is Gabriel from Nai-
robi. I am inspired by your publi-
cation. It has changed my way of
thinking and may you continue
with the good work. I am humbly
requesting for contacts of the
young farmers from Runyenjes
namely Eric Maingi and Cosmas
Kavinda, who are farming cour-
gette, capsicum and coriander.
Hi, Seeds of Gold has made us
think about farming. I would like
to get in touch with Erick and
Cosmos to learn more.
Many thanks for your continued
enrichment. Please assist with
Erick Maingi and Cosmus Kavin-
das contacts.
Farmer
I am very much interested in
wanting to get into agribusiness,
specically in farming. Please link
me up with the contacts of Erick
and Cosmas to enquire more on
the courgettes and probably be
mentored by them.
Charles.
EDITOR: Please contact Cos-
mas on 0711738512 or Erick on
0728585933.
I M READY TO START
AGRIBUSINESS
I am pleased about your re-
sponse. Thank you Seeds of Gold.
Thanks for your suggestion to see
an agriculture extension ocer.
I am particularly drawn to plants
because of the lower maintenance
as compared to livestock, which
I can probably incorporate much
later when I can aord. About the
level of investment, I have been
researching around and I see
the cost varies with location and
proximity to water sources to the
leased land. Id prefer a location
not too far away from where I re-
side because of cost of movement
during monitoring.
EDITOR: Wish you success as you
venture into agribusiness.
ARE YOU SELLING OR
BUYING?
If yes, tell us on
satnation@ke.nationmedia.com
Your commodity/service
(produce, farm inputs, animal
feeds, farm machinery and agro-
chemicals etc)
Your quantity
Your price
Your location
Your contact
Seeds of Gold will publish this
information every Saturday, FREE
OF CHARGE, to link you up with
potential buyers or sellers.
BY EVERLINE OKEWO
eokewo@ke.nationmedia.com
Every morning, as dairy farmers
across the country wake up to milk
their cows, Margaret Abich, a resi-
dent of Awendo in Migori County,
normally wakes up too.
However, the farmer does not
wake up to milk cows, but to make
milk from soya beans.
Its very simple to make milk
from soya beans. The procedure
takes less than 15 minutes. It is
easier than milking a cow, says the
farmer.
Margaret is among dozens of
farmers in the county, who have em-
braced growing of the crop and they
are making milk from it, and other
products that include soya beverages
and soya meat.
To make milk, Margaret starts by
boiling the soya beans for 10 min-
utes to soften them.
I then pour the boiled beans into
a small portable posho mill-like ma-
chine called a mincer. I, thereafter,
ground them until they turn into a
ne powder. Thereafter, she mixes
the powder with a little warm water
and sieves for the milk to come out.
The powder is normally thick. So
one must add some water. The prod-
uct is then allowed to settle for ve
minutes and then sieved. The milk
will be ready for consumption.
Margaret, 40, mainly sells the
milk and other products she makes
from soya at Nyakuru trading centre,
over 5km away from her home.
They are branded Awendo Soya
Products and are sold to small-scale
traders and individuals. They cost
between Sh50 and Sh500.
Majority of residents buy my
milk to make tea because its af-
fordable and has more nutrients
than cow milk. Some villagers also
ferment.
A litre of soya milk retails at
Sh60. On the other hand, residents
buy cow milk at between Sh80 and
Sh100.
Margaret also makes soya nuts
popularly known as njugu soya.
Soya nuts are made by frying the
beans and adding salt for taste and
avour. She also makes soya man-
dazi (doughnut).
I make the mandazis and sell
them daily at Sh5 each. I also sell
between 20 to 30 litres of soya milk
daily.
In a month, she earns between
Sh30,000 to Sh50,000 from selling
the products.
Margaret and other farmers in
the region got the knowledge from
Kenya Industrial Research and De-
velopment Institute (Kirdi), which
trained farmers on how to add value
to the food crop in 2008.
From her five-acre farm, she
harvests about eight tonnes of soya
beans after every four months.
Johnson Agwaya, 49, is another
soya beans farmer in Migori.
From his ve-acre farm, he har-
vests nine tonnes of soya beans in
four months. Soya takes only four
months to mature and oers better
returns than sugarcane, which we
used to grow, says Agwaya, who
started growing the crop in 2011 and
also processes milk from soya.
Sugarcane and tobacco have been
the dominant crops in Awendo for
many decades. But due to falling
prices and delay in payments, farm-
ers have switched to soya.
Daniel Midoda of Migori County
Soya Beans Farmers Cooperative
says soya changes the fortunes of
farmers in a short time.
Since we have identied ready
market for farmers, we encourage
them to grow soya on large-scale,
he tells Seeds of Gold.
Elisha Onyango, a research scien-
tist at Kirdi, says 40 per cent of soya
nutrients are proteins.
The milk processed from soya
has 9.5 per cent nutrients than cow
milk, which has only 3.9 per cent,
says Onyango.
He adds that soya is a legume
crop that adds fertility to the soil.
We get all our milk
from soya beans
Margaret
and fellow
villagers
make
plenty
of milk
every day
from soya,
which they
sell at
Sh60 per
litre
NUTRITION 40 PER CENT OF SOYA NUTRIENTS ARE PROTEINS
ITS SIMPLE TO MAKE MILK
FROM SOYA BEANS. IT IS
EASIER THAN MILKING A
COW
Margaret Abich
Margret Abich with
soya beans she uses
to make milk. Right:
Farmers are taught
how to make milk
from soya beans at
Kirdi, Kisumu. EVER-
LINE OKEWO AND JACOB
OWITI | NATION
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD 25
BY MARY MUCHUNGUH
drmary.muchunguh@gmail.com
Some drivers of the livestock sec-
tor such as globalisation, population and
income growth are bound to change the
dynamics in the livestock sector.
The rise in demand for animal products
will boost productivity as well as competi-
tiveness.
But how can smallholder farmers con-
tribute to growing livestock markets? Can
this be made possible by utilising tech-
nologies such as articial insemination to
improve and increase production?
Articial insemination (AI) is a com-
monly used practice in animal breeding.
This reproductive technology has slowly
taken root in many developing coun-
tries and governments as well as private
companies, which are preserving semen
collected from a varied range of beef and
dairy cattle breeds.
It is no longer uncommon to spot agri-
cultural extension ocers out in the elds
carrying out AI on local or indigenous
animals.
A percentage of smallholder farmers
have embraced this technique. The desire
to improve their production is evident.
Articial insemination oers a relatively
quicker option for farmers who would
like to improve their herd but do not have
a good performing bull.
It also gives the farmer a chance to
choose her preferred breed. AI is advanta-
geous as the semen is collected from se-
lected bulls with high genetic potential.
With the latest improvements in sexing
technologies, female and male semen
can be isolated and provided to farmers
thereby inuencing the sex percentage in
their herd.
Unfortunately, this is still a relatively
new technique and a considerably expen-
sive service to source.
More often than not, however, farmers
are inadequately equipped with the knowl-
edge to choose from which breeds semen
to serve their cows.
Important factors to consider include:
Matching genotype to phenotype: One
should ensure that the desired crossbreed
can survive or easily adapts to the prevail-
ing environment and is productive.
It is important to note that high-yield-
ing animals can be reared but will require
intensive management that comes with
huge nancial requirements to ensure the
desired outputs are realised.
However, in situations where a small-
holder farmer is keen on undertaking AI
services, then one must consider the pre-
vailing environment as well as the produc-
tion systems in place before selecting the
desired bulls genetic material.
Dystocia: This is a condition commonly
associated with diculties in calving. The
common cause of dystocia is a small-
framed cow trying to give birth to a large
calf. For example, the common Small East
African Zebu, which is typically small-
framed inseminated with Holstein Frie-
sian or the improved Kenyan Boran semen
would be recipe for disaster.
However, the Boran x Angus cross
would pose no diculties in calving for a
Boran cow.
AI is a reproductive technology that
should be encouraged and supported
as its huge benets are evident in some
developed countries such as France and
Brazil, which have embraced the technique
nationally.
These countries are presently placed
among the top 10 milk producers. In-
creased advocacy on the increased and
guided utilisation of this technique should
be undertaken more extensively.
Dr Muchunguh is a livestock expert.
How to pick breed for semen extraction
One
should
not obtain
semen
from a bull
with a big
frame and
inseminate
it in a
small-
bodied
cow
TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IS A STEPPING STONE TOWARDS QUALITY BREEDS
breeding
FARMERS ARE
NOT EQUIPPED
WITH THE
RIGHT
KNOWLEDGE
ON AI
Dr Muchunguh
A crossbreed bull.
AI oers a relatively
quicker option for
farmers who would
like to improve their
herd.
FILE | NATION
EGERTON UNIVERSITY
Transforming Lives through Quality Education
Baringo Campus
(Classes start May 26, 2014 and Registration for September 2014
intake is in progress)
Faculty of Commerce
1. Master of Business Administration
(Option: Entrepreneurship. Global Business Mgt.
Human resource Mgt, Insurance and Risk mgt,
Marketing, Strategic management, Accounting, Project
management, Finance, Operations management, MIS,
Procurement and Supplies Management)
2. M.Sc. in Human resource Management
3. Bachelor of Commerce (Options: Marketing,
Accounting, Finance, Operations management,
Procurement and Supply Chain Management,
Business Information, Cooperative and Micro financing,
Entrepreneurship, Human resource management,
Insurance and Risk management)
4. Bachelor of Procurement and Supplies
Management
5. Diploma in Procurement and Supplies
Management
6. Diploma in Business Management
Faculty of Education and Community Studies
1. Bachelor of Education (Arts)
2. Bachelor of Education (Primary)
3. Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Development
and Education (ECDE)
4. Bachelor of Science in Community Development
5. Bachelor of Psychology
6. Diploma in Education (Primary)
7. Diploma Education Arts (secondary)
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
1. Bachelor of Arts (General)
2. Bachelor of Arts in Library and information Science
3. Diploma in Library and Information Science
4. Certificate in library and Information sciences
Institute of Women, Gender and Development
Studies
1. Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Women and Development
Studies
2. Diploma in Gender, Poverty and development
3. Certificate in Gender, Peace and Security
Faculty of Science
1. Certificate in Computer applications
2. Bridging Courses in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics
and Physics
More programmes coming soon in the Faculties of Science;
Agriculture, and Environment and Resource Development.
Egerton University currently offers 20 Diplomas, 68 Bachelors,
5 Postgraduate Diplomas, 70 Masters and 49 Doctorates in its
nine (9) Faculties. School Based Programmes in Education
Continue to be offered in Moi Teachers Training College,
Baringo.
Egerton University has responded to access to higher education by establishing a Campus in Kabarnet, the headquarters of
Baringo County. The campus is located 140 Km from Nakuru Town, in Kabarnet CBD, one (1) km along Kabarnet- Kabortonjo
road opposite Kabarnet Hotel.
Self-Sponsored Certicate, Diploma, Degree Programmes for Sept 2014
For more Information contact:
The Director
Egerton University Baringo Campus
P.O. Box 100 30400, KABARNET KENYA, Tel: 254 726 698 699
Email: baringocampus@gmail.com or bck@egerton.ac.ke
Website: www.egerton.ac.ke
26
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD
BY PAULINE KAIRU
pkairu@ke.nationmedia.com
The herd of elephants raise
their ears after hearing the sound
of buzzing bees. Fearing danger,
they scamper in the opposite
direction.
This incidence recorded in
a documentary as part of re-
search ndings is guiding the
implementation of a conserva-
tion programme in parts of the
country where elephant habitats
and agricultural land overlap, to
ensure co-existence.
The story of conict between
farmers and elephants as they
compete for limited land and
water is not new in Kenya. But
thanks to this innovation, farm-
ers are putting this interesting
fact about the beast being scared
sti of bees to good use through
a programme dubbed Elephants
and Bees.
One of the beneficiaries,
Hezron Nzumu, a farmer in
Sagalla, Taita Taveta in the envi-
rons of the Tsavo Game Reserve
recounts of sleepless nights
watching over his crop against
elephants incursions.
We used to stay awake most
nights in the hope that we will
hear elephants approaching our
farms, especially when crops
have matured, he recounts.
Once we heard them, we
would beat drums, light fire-
crackers around the edges of
the shambas, and use whistles to
scare away the elephants. It was
so much work.
Despite this, says the farmer
with a six-acre piece of land,
they often lost entire crops to
the ravenous beasts. I think the
animals can smell mature crops
from afar. They particularly love
maize, but they will uproot even
cassava and ravage an entire
green pea or green grams gar-
dens, he says.
This was before 2012 when
Nzumu and other farmers
adopted the elephant deterring
bee-hive booby-trapped fencing
around the borderlines of their
farms.
The fence consists of hives
interlinked with trip wires every
30 feet, so that if an elephant at-
tempts to go through any of the
wires, then beehives all along
the fence swing and release the
stinging insects, which in turn
attack and chase them away.
The beehives are suspended on
wires between posts with a at
thatched roof above to protect
the bees from the sun.
The initiative by Dr Lucy King,
which started as a trial for her
PhD work, has become a trail-
blazer. She is the leader of the El-
ephants and Bees Project having
started research on the concept
in 2007 in Samburu and Laikipia,
both of which have game re-
serves. With support from the
University of Oxford in the UK,
the charity Save the Elephants,
the Disney Worldwide Conserva-
tion Fund and the Kenya Wildlife
Services, she has been able to
complete studies on how to use
honey bees (Apismelliferascutel-
lata) to prevent elephants breach-
ing farmland boundaries.
The farm-based trials were
conducted in two small Turkana
farming communities that are
within the elephants range. The
communities are located 2km
apart, within the greater Ngare
Mara Community, Meru North.
Elephants here migrate be-
tween Shaba, Samburu and Buf-
falo Springs National Reserves
and Meru National Park to the
south.
Her involvement was steered
by research done earlier pro-
claiming that elephants avoid
feeding on acacia trees with
beehives. This was followed
by behavioural experiments
demonstrating that not only do
elephants run from bee sounds,
but they also have an alarm that
alerts family members to retreat
from a possible bee threat, she
says.
According to research find-
ings, upon monitoring elephant
raids over three crop seasons, it
was discovered that 97 per cent
of raids were aborted if the eld
was protected by a fence contain-
ing a beehive every 10 metres.
She says that a pilot study she
led involving 34 farms on the
edge of two farming communities
in northern Kenya found beehive
fences to be an eective elephant
deterrent compared to traditional
thorn bush barriers.
Dr Lucy says in the study
which was published in 2011 in
the African Journal of Ecology
that elephants made 14 attempts
to enter farmland and 13 of these
were unsuccessful. In each case,
the elephants were forced to turn
away from the area after con-
fronting a beehive fence or walk
the length of the fence to choose
an easier entry point through a
thorn bush.
Only once did elephants break
through a beehive fence to eat
crops, according to the paper.
It is this that is informing
the progressive roll out of the
measure. She has rolled it out in
the coastal region with additive
nancial support from individu-
als with more being built in ve
African countries, including
neighbouring Uganda, Tanzania,
Botswana and Mozambique.
In Samburu and Laikipia, 18
farms have benetted from the
project and now we have 12 in
Tsavo, she says of the strategy,
which not only keeps the destruc-
tive animals o the farms but
is also complementing farmers
livelihoods through apiculture.
Dr Lucy says the concept is an
attractive one. Not only do farm-
ers benet from reduced crop-
raiding but such beehives oer
an additional income through the
sale of honey and wax products.
Nzumu, who has 12 hives, har-
vests at least 10 litres of honey
from each hive in four months.
Every one kilogramme unproc-
essed honey is bought back by
the project at Sh200.
Dr Lucy notes that, in Kenya,
electrication projects often fail
because of poor maintenance,
spiralling costs and the lack of
buying capacity among the com-
munities where the elephants are
common.
BENEFITS KEEPING BEES EARNS FARMERS ADDITIONAL INCOME THROUGH SELLING HONEY AND WAX
Bees save crop farmers from elephants
The
insects are
all farmers
need to
save their
crops from
the beasts,
scientist
nds out
innovation
NOT ONLY DO
ELEPHANTS RUN
FROM BEE SOUNDS,
BUT THEY ALSO
HAVE AN ALARM
THAT ALERTS
FAMILY MEMBERS
Dr Lucy King
A herd of
elephants in a
farm in Burgret,
Nanyuki
FILE | NATION
Dr Lucy King in Tsavo East
National Park where the bee
technology is used to stop
elephants from invading farms.
COURTESY | NATION
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD 27
to helping her determine what
experiments and projects she will
take up.
We meet farmers and they tell
us issues on the farm. They want
maize that can be processed eas-
ily, tastes good and can grow in
their areas. You have to work with
them. That way, youll always be
up to date with whats going on.
Looking at the current situa-
tion of food security, Ininda men-
tions the impact climate change
has had on local farmers.
It has caused the weather to
change and we tend to have drier
seasons. We, therefore, need to
focus on drought-tolerant and
early maturing crops. We look
at long-term aspects of things,
to tailor our research to t the
present. You cant tell farmers to
use the same seeds they were us-
ing 40 years ago.
Symbol of quality
The scientists improved and
certied breeds, however, go for
a higher price than regular seeds,
retailing at Sh150 per kilo as
compared to uncertied regular
seeds, which would sell at Sh30
per kilo in the market.
Ininda, however, says that
the dierence is vast between
the two. What they sell is not
seed but grain. The word seed
is a symbol of quality and po-
tential. Improved seed is always
expensive because it has to be
produced and packaged hygi-
enically and ensure it meets the
standards. It must be certied
by the Kenya Plant Health In-
spectorate Services (Kephis).
For products so cutting edge,
it would appear that the seeds
are only to be found in exclusive
and reserved institution. This is
actually not so.
Farmers can nd the seed at
their local agro-dealers where
the seed companies stock them.
For farmers to know which vari-
ety they need in their village and
region, they can go to their local
agro-dealer and get the informa-
tion or get in touch with Kephis,
Ininda says.
In addition, farmers can also
send an SMS to Kephis to inquire
what variety would work best in
their area. To receive an SMS for
the recommended maize varie-
ties in their division, They go to
Write message on their hand-
sets, type MAIZE#DIVISION
(Maize#Lanet) and send the
message to 20354 after which
they will receive the details of
seed varieties, she says.
Some farmers want quirky
preferences, Ininda says on a
light note. In Uganda, they tell
us that the aroma and taste of the
rice is the most important thing;
in Malawi they say they need bit-
ter tasting cassava with a very
pronounced avour.
As for the magic that has ena-
bled her succeed in plants inno-
vation, she cites determination,
passion and hard work as the key
attributes, as well as encourage-
ment from parents and family.
BY KINGWA KAMENCU
satnation@ke.nationmedia.com
Soft-spoken and humble, you
can easily surmise that she is a no
huckster, but just an earnest, pas-
sionate scientist, keen on making
a dierence.
Dr Jane Ininda is a plant breeder
and has been doing the work for 30
years in a career straddling science
and agriculture worlds.
The researcher has produced
and commercialised 26 dierent
maize strains on her own and in
partnership with other scientists,
released over 180 improved crop
varieties.
These hybrids provide dierent
tastes, give resistance to crops and
pests and result in increased yields.
Apart from coming up with the new
breeds, the wide networking, which
her job as a programme ocer
with Association of Genealogists
and Researchers in Archive (Agra)
and founder of the Maize Breeders
Network for Eastern and Southern
Africa (it also incorporates rice,
beans, cassava, sorghum and mil-
let), have seen her add value to
the lives of farmers all over the
continent.
Ininda cites a project in land-
scarce Rwanda where farmers
sought to grow bush beans in a way
that they could maximise space.
The experiment took place in
Ruhengeri, a region in the northern
part of the country and the result-
ant seed ended up spreading across
the country.
We introduced some bean
varieties, which grow upwards,
produce more yield and take less
space. You just stake it on a stick
and it produces four times more
than the regular type. Now it has
transformed the food situation.
This means that Rwanda has four
times the amount of food it had;
families there are even more food
secure than Kenya.
The agriculturalist also cites
a farmer in Githunguri, who had
given up on her millet farm. We
started doing some trials and if
you go there now, its dierent.
Before, she was harvesting barely
half a basket of millet; now she is
harvesting six. Before we went,
she believed that she had been
cursed.
Inindas main role at Agra is to
oer technical expertise and over-
see the authorisation of new seed
strains in conjunction with other
scientists. Her zest in seeing pro-
ductive farms was born out of the
precarious food situation she had
faced as a child.
Her parents were peasant farm-
ers in the dry Mbeere District. I
remember as I was growing up
that there wasnt enough food; we
used traditional methods and you
could never be sure there would be
enough food in the year.
The alumna of Kaaga Girls High
School, therefore, chose to study
agriculture once she joined the
University of Nairobi for her un-
dergraduate course, to nd a way to
help her community get more food.
She then proceeded into the world
of research, focusing on wheat at a
Kenya Agricultural Research Insti-
tute station in Njoro between 1983
and 1985 before returning to her
alma mater for a Masters degree,
where her focus was on amaranth.
The scientist attained her PhD
in Plant Breeding at Iowa State
University in the US, where she
focused on maize seed.
I found maize streak virus
had ravaged the crop in the then
Central, Rift Valley and Eastern
provinces. That is why I chose to
focus on it.
Her eorts have led to the exist-
ence of crop varieties that provide
higher yields and hence increased
production. This way, the goal to-
wards food security is made more
viable on a national level, and farm-
ers can get higher prots from their
crops at individual level, she says.
Apart from maize, wheat and
soya bean breeding are also her pet
specialisations.
Ininda worked on getting early
maturing varieties because of
drought. Many of the hybrids she
introduced have been adapted by
farmers and are stocked by com-
mercial rms such as East Afri-
can Seed Company, Olerai Seed
Company, Dryland Seed Company,
Freshco, Leldet Seed Company
and in Uganda, Victoria Seed
Company.
They are resistant to diseases, are
higher yielding, have good taste and
some are early maturing, she says.
Prior to Agra, the scientist
worked at Kari for 24 years. They
hired me to scale up what I was
doing in Kari, and do it in other
countries.
Ininda works in Kenya, Uganda,
Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Mo-
zambique, Malawi, Zambia and
South Africa.
Agra provides training for re-
searchers, research grants, and
linkages between research institu-
tions and commercial seed com-
panies. Does she consider herself a
passionate person? She laughs.
My career as a plant breeder is
something I enjoy so much. When
I was young, I was very accurate at
measuring where to plant the seeds
and my parents preferred me to
be the one doing the work as they
would always come out in the right
order. I actually liked agriculture,
and I didnt even think I would do
it professionally.
Academic achievements
As a graduate student in Iowa,
she received the universitys C.
R. Weber Award in recognition
for outstanding achievement. She
was named the Best Scientist of
the Year at Kari in 2003, and won
a two-year fellowship in the G&D
Pilot fellowship programme in
2005, which aims at enhancing the
careers of women crop scientists.
Ininda, however, downplays
the high-powered research, elabo-
rate experiments and academic
achievements that she has spent
a lot of time in, evidenced by the
over 30 published research papers
in journals, stating her work as she
sees it. Thats what I do and have
always been doing; helping farmers
get food.
She emphasises that receiving
information from farmers is key
Dr Jane Ininda has produced and commercialised 26 dierent maize strains
and 180 other crop varieties with fellow scientists, which are planted in Kenya,
Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi and South Africa, and she is not about to stop
SUCCESS>> TO TRIUMPH AS A CROP SCIENTIST, ONE MUST ALWAYS WORK WITH FARMERS TO KNOW THEIR ISSUES
the scientist
Ininda, the scientist with a knack
for turning every seed into gold
I FOUND
MAIZE
STREAK
VIRUS HAD
RAVAGED
THE CROP
IN THE THEN
CENTRAL,
RIFT
VALLEY
AND
EASTERN
PROVINCES.
THAT IS
WHY I
CHOSE TO
FOCUS ON
IT.
Dr Jane
Ininda
30
The number of research
papers the agricultural
scientist has published in
dierent respected journals
locally and abroad.
28
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD
toes are lost.
Therefore, instead of harvesting
40 tonnes of tomatoes, he har-
vests 28 tonnes, which translates
to a loss of Sh240,000 going by
the current average market price
of tomatoes.
However, with seed propaga-
tion, if a farmer gives us 10,000
seeds, he will get 10,000 seedlings
with a promise of 99 per cent ger-
mination rate. For my seedlings, I
charge at least Sh4 each (depend-
ing on the variety), which will cost
the farmer Sh40,000 against a
loss of Sh240,000 if he plants the
seeds directly, says Malde.
Specialised care for seedlings is
no longer a preserve of large-scale
farmers, says Madle. It has also
become a necessity for small-scale
farmers, who want to guarantee
maximum germination rates.
This is particularly important if
unnecessary crop failure is to be
avoided.
While most farmers have em-
braced the new technology of
using seedlings vis a vis direct
planting of seeds, many continue
to experience dismal harvests.
Many Kenyan farmers want to
plant tomatoes this season, and
then capsicum the next season.
Most dont understand the value
of crop rotation. You cannot ro-
tate plants of the same family like
tomatoes and pepper or capsicum.
Farmers need to learn the art of
crop rotation, he says.
It is for this reason that Malde
resorted to oering before and
after sales services to farmers who
had the best seedlings but with the
worst crop yields.
The greatest challenge facing
farmers is that they do not have
enough information, especially
regarding the basic, initial steps
of farming such as soil and water
analysis. We have been helping
farmers.
The rst question Malde asks
a farmer is, Have you ever done
farming before? And if they have
practised farming, the next ques-
tion would be, what did you plant?
We like to know the history
of their farms so that we can do
a soil analysis. Many farmers will
plant tomatoes for two or three
years and the soil goes bad. That
is why we need a soil and water
analysis because we want farmers
to achieve success. Afterwards, we
will know which variety of seed-
lings we can give them, he says.
Malde also teaches farmers what
he calls smart farming which in-
volves how to stagger their crops
to achieve consistency and make
more money.
If a farmer comes to me and
asks for 20,000 seedlings, I ask
them why that number. This
is because a farmer will plant
20,000 seedlings but where will
he sell them? Does he have the
market? Smart farming includes
planting weekly and monthly to
avoid waste, and to allow farmers
to sustain produce throughout the
year, he says.
Plant Raisers also does trial
planting for seed companies on its
ve-acre eld to assess dierent
varieties of vegetable seeds.
Earlier last week, the farm
hosted over 100 farmers for an
exhibition to learn about various
varieties of seedlings.
Although he does not divulge
details of how much he makes,
Malde says that farming is a lucra-
tive business.
BY NJOKI CHEGE
nchege@ke.nationmedia.com
Sanjay Malde has been in
business for a long time to know
when to quit or continue with a
venture.
So when his gut feeling told
him in early 2010 that it was time
to quit the textile business, he did
exactly that.
After months of research,
Malde decided to try his hand in
agriculture. He had seen a gap
in vegetable seedlings, which he
decided to ll using his company
Plant Raisers, which he set up in
May 2010.
With a starting capital of Sh10
million, he hired one-acre of land
in Isinya, Kajiado, put up 480
square metres of a greenhouse
and hired four employees.
He also used the money to buy
the equipment such as plastic
trays which he uses to grow the
seedlings.
Today, Plant Raisers is worth
about Sh30 million with 15 em-
ployees and has a propagation
unit of 2,000 square metres with
a capacity of over 20 million seed-
lings a year. In a week, Malde sells
over 320,000 seedlings and sup-
plies over 100 dierent varieties of
vegetable seedlings.
We buy certified vegetable
seeds of all varieties from compa-
nies like Kenya Highlands, Simlaw
Seeds and Amiran for propaga-
tion. Some farmers also bring
seeds for us to propagate for them
at Sh2 per seed. However, most
farmers rely on us to give them
the seedlings, he says.
A farmer runs the risk of up to
30 per cent germination failure
rate when they use conventional
methods of growing vegetables
from seeds. Seeds grown using
modern technology in green-
houses have a germination rate of
between 85 to 90 per cent.
Seedlings grown in greenhouses
also have a bigger root mass,
which makes the plants stronger
and lowers their chances of dying.
We have our own growing
media, which includes a cocopit
mixture locally available, mixed
with our secret formulae that
helps us achieve 90 to 95 per cent
germination rate for hybrid seeds
and 80 to 90 per cent germination
rate for the open-pollinated varie-
ties seeds, says Malde.
He specialises in producing
seedlings for tomatoes, cabbages,
cauliower, broccoli, pepper (hot
and sweet), onions, and cucurbits,
among others.
It normally takes four weeks
for tomato, cabbage, broccoli,
watermelon, kales and spinach
seedlings to be ready for trans-
planting. Onions take about ve
weeks while hot and sweet pep-
pers seven weeks.
Watering of the seedlings de-
pends entirely on the weather.
We arrange delivery to Nairobi,
but upcountry order deliveries are
normally made through a courier
service for our clients who cannot
come to Nairobi, says Malde.
Many farmers growing seeds
using conventional methods have
poor germination. For example,
a single plant of hybrid tomatoes
yields about 4kg.
When a farmer plants 10,000
crops, he expects 40 tonnes of
tomatoes. However, because he
has used the conventional method
of planting, he loses 30 per cent of
the seeds, which is 3,000 plants,
which means 12 tonnes of toma-
For only Sh2, Ill grow
you the best seedlings
Malde saw
a gap in
seedlings
sector,
now his
rm, Plant
Raisers,
breeds
over
320,000
tomato,
broccoli
and onion
plants for
farmers
seedlings
Using seedlings is cheaper in the
long-run because farmers do not need
to buy excess seeds. Seedlings also
save time and ensure optimum plant
population.
To prevent young vegetables plants
from deteriorating, unpack the seed-
lings immediately and ensure they
do not dry but also do not overwater
them.
Transplant within 24 hours of receipt
of the seedlings.
Better option Why use seedlings
THE GREATEST
CHALLENGE
FACING FARMERS
IS THAT THEY DO
NOT HAVE ENOUGH
INFORMATION
REGARDING THE
BASIC, INITIAL STEPS
OF FARMING SUCH
AS SOIL AND WATER
ANALYSIS
Sanjay Malde
Sanjay Malde,
the owner of
Plant Raisers,
tends to his
seedlings at the
rm in Isinya,
Kajiado County
EVANS HABIL |
NATION
Sh10m
The amount of money the
businessman invested in his
company Plant Raisers after
quitting textile business.
CROP ROTATION>> YOU SHOULD NOT ROTATE PLANTS OF THE SAME FAMILY LIKE TOMATOES AND PEPPER OR CAPSICUM
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD 29
BY DOROTHY KWEYU
dkweyu@ke.nationmedia.com
@DorothyKweyu
At 27 and 70, Dennis Andaye
and Michael Ruchu are unlikely
team mates. Their bond lies in their
common passion preaching the
organic food gospel.
Seeds of Gold found them at the
Talisman Organic Market in Karen,
Nairobi, where they are publicist-
cum-market manager and vice-
chairman, respectively.
Andaye abandoned journalism to
pursue a two-year entrepreneurship
course at the Hi-EYEQ institution in
Johannesburg, South Africa, which
he completed last year to take up his
current job.
And Ruchu is a
founder mem-
ber of the
market that
has been
in opera-
tion since
M a r c h
2011 and serves a growing clientele
for whom organic food is synony-
mous with health and vitality. Al-
though he has no scientic evidence
to link his autoimmune disease,
myositis, to anything he ate, he has
a nagging feeling that he is a victim
of chemically adulterated food.
Andayes vegetables are grown
on tiny patches of land around his
home in Kabete to meet his subsist-
ence needs, while Ruchu farms in
Mangu, Kiambu County and he
is reaping big from sale of organic
crops.
Ruchu did not say how much he
earns from the Thursday market at
the US embassy, which opened early
this year to spare diplomatic sta
the weekly drive to the Karen mar-
ket. He grows sukumawiki (kale),
spinach, terere (amaranth), managu,
avocados, pawpaw, sweet potatoes
and cabbages.
Ruchus weekly deliveries to the
US embassy market are 20 pineap-
ples, 15kg of nduma (arrowroots)
and a similar quantity of sweet
potatoes.
Becoming an organic farmer is
not a walk in the park. You have to
be certied as an organic farmer to
use the Kilimohai trademark. And
because the certicate has to be
renewed yearly, concern is emerging
that consumers could be eating in-
organic food from farmers who have
not renewed their certicates.
Nesvax Control Limited manag-
ing director Sylvester Gule one
of the two local organic certiers
said that inspection fees range
between Sh7,000 and Sh200,000,
depending on what one is growing.
The upper margin, he said, would
usually relate to an enterprise group-
ing 300 to 500 farmers.
Musa Njoka of Encert another
certifying company told Seeds
of Gold that once farmers have ac-
quired the initial certicate, they
dont bother to renew it.
They just sell without the Kili-
mohai mark, or without any mark.
If you go to any of the shops or
supermarket where they say they
are selling organic, you will not see
anybody using any mark. They just
say it is organic, he said and added:
That is where the problem is.
The Kilimohai mark is adminis-
tered by the Kenya Organic Agricul-
ture Network (Koan), and according
to Njoka, you wouldnt get it with-
out being certied.
As things stand now, nobody can
assure you (that you are buying or-
ganic) because people just wake up
and say, Im organic. They sell their
produce as organic. They are not
certied, Njoka said, and blamed it
on regulation.
At the Talisman market in Karen,
where vendors proudly display their
Cheap, healthy way to minting cash
Number of organic
farmers is rising with
demand, but lack of
policy is stiing sector
EXPORT>> POLICY VACUUM HINDERS LOCAL FARMERS FROM ENTERING THE HIGHLY-LUCRATIVE INTERNATIONAL MARKET
organic farming
ACCREDITATION
Sh7,000
The minimum amount of money
one can pay to register as an or-
ganic farmer
STEPS TO ACQUIRING ORGANIC CERTIFICATE
The road to getting organic certication is
not for the faint-hearted. We check right
from land preparation methods and the
seeds planted, Musa Njoka of Encert
a local certication rm told Seeds
of Gold.
What fertiliser are you suing? is
another vital question. You may not use
chemical herbicides for weeding or apply
chemical pesticides. Harvesting and storage is
checked to ensure you do not contaminate your pro-
duce. The entire production process is checked.
Below are some essential steps to becoming a
certied organic farmer under the East African Organic
Standards, with authority to use the coveted Kilimohai
mark of the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network, which
groups farmers, trainers and marketers.
- Get a registration form from an ocial certier
- Fill the form providing information on fertilisers and
pesticides you have been using, among others
- Stop use of any chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
This may take six months to three-to-four years for land
that needs detoxifying of chemical fertilisers.
- Dig deeply and apply organic fertilisers and prod-
ucts for repelling pests.
Dorothy Kweyu
WE WANT ORGANIC
FARMING TO BE KNOWN
AND PROMOTED BY
THE GOVERNMENT. IT
SHOULD BE PUT TO
POLICY Michael Ruchu,
founder member of
organic market
Kilimohai banners next to their pro-
duce, Ruchu complains about the
policy gap that hampers the growth
of organic farming.
We want organic farming to be
known and promoted by the gov-
ernment. It should be put in policy.
I remember in 2012, we had a meet-
ing in Nairobi, and the Ministry of
Agriculture sent the PS. They told
us they were going to develop a
policy, which they have never done,
Ruchu said.
In an interview with Agriculture
Principal Secretary Sicily Kariuki,
she conrmed that the policy on
organic agriculture is under prepa-
ration by the ministry together with
other stakeholders and that the
initiative to develop it started in
2010/2011 nancial year.
The biggest problem about Ken-
yas policy vacuum is that it hinders
local farmers from entering the
highly-lucrative export market.
Njoka, who has been part of the
eorts to create a policy on organic
farming in Kenya, said the Koan-
driven initiative, which endeavoured
to rope in Agriculture ministrys pol-
icy section, appears to have stalled
fears the PSs response appears
to forestall.
Even then, the policy vacuum has
prevented growth of a potentially lu-
crative sector, as testied by Univer-
sity of Nairobi soil scientist Richard
Onwonga.
Dr Onwonga told Seeds of Gold
in a recent interview that use of
chemical fertilisers and other inputs
cannot be relied upon to feed a fast-
growing population.
We miss the point, he said, and
added: Organic agriculture depends
on ve capital assets that are central
to producing high-yielding crops
and livestock, and listed them as
natural capital to include soils and
water, social, physical, nancial and
human capital, he said.
What organic farmers believe in
and are committed to is enhancing
the natural capital particularly the
soil. So feed the soil with right com-
bination of organic inputs to in turn
feed the crop, he said.
Because of its labour-intensive na-
2012
The year organic farmers say gov-
ernment promised it will create
a policy for the sector
ORGANIC
AGRICULTURE
DEPENDS ON
FIVE CAPITAL
ASSETS THAT
ARE CENTRAL
TO PRODUCING
HIGH-YIELDING
CROPS
Dr Richard Onwonga
CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
Sellers and
buyers at the
Talisman Organic
Market in Karen,
Nairobi.
JENNIFER MUIRURI
| NATION
30
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD
MAMA SOPHIAS Zebu bull forced its way into Mzee
Karanis farm by destroying a fence. The bull mated with
Karanis Friesian cow and consequently impregnated it.
Karani wants to take legal action against Sophia.
What legal recourse should he seek?
The cause of action here is founded on trespass. Tres-
pass of cattle and the consequences thereof are treated
as torts, which are civil wrongs and are compensatory in
nature for the damages suered.
While we know that cattle are not reasonably ex-
pected to understand the concept of trespass, the
owner of the animal is obligated by law to understand.
The owner owes the duty of care failing which she
should be responsible for the act of negligence. Hence
trespass by cattle is generally treated as sole responsi-
bility of the owner of the cattle.
What compensation should Karani claim?
He is entitled to the exclusive use of his land and
cattle without interference. Karanis right was interfered
with when Sophias Zebu bull was left un-attended,
which facilitated it to destroy the fence on his neigh-
bours land forcing his way in and while there, mingled
with the cow causing pregnancy.
The law provides that a party who suers damages
due to the wrongful act of another person must be put
in the position he would have been, had he not suered
the wrong. Under the circumstances, Karani is entitled
to reasonable compensation for the damage and in-
convenience suered. His fence should be reinstated
as it was before the destruction. He should also be
compensated for impregnation of the cow and the dam-
ages that will be caused during the pregnancy such as
care costs, loss of milk while about to give birth and the
milking period and the adulteration of his cattle by an
un-wanted breed.
Onus of prove
The following are the acts of trespass and conse-
quences. That Sophia owns a Zebu bull; the destruction
of the fence; the impregnation of the Friesian cow;
damages that may be caused by the pregnancy and the
birth of an un-wanted cross-breed.
The onus of prove lies on Karani. He should adduce
evidence to support his claims; that his fence was de-
stroyed, his cow was impregnated, that damages were
caused by Mama Sophias failure to properly enclose
and contain his Zebu bull and that this was caused by
her failure to observe due care.
Witnesses should be provided if available. The court
may visit the scene of the event and any observation
noted and recorded.
Mama Sophia may also raise and prove fault caused
by Karani if any to reduce the damages. Credibility lies
on where there is greater weight in evidence and facts
in law. Damages will be assessed and awarded by the
court
It is advisable to rst present your trespasser with
your claim for damages and negotiate. If you cannot
reach a reasonable agreement or if there is denial of
the trespass and arising damages, then a legal recourse
should be sought.
STRESS IT CAN CAUSE A HEN TO EXPEL AN EGG BEFORE SHELLING IS COMPLETE
Causes of egg defects
and how to cure them
BY SOPHIE MIYUMO
miyumz@yahoo.com
Once in a while, every poultry
farmer nds her birds have laid ab-
normal eggs. Abnormal in the sense
that the eggs have weak shells or
internal defects.
An occasional egg abnormality
from the ock is no cause for panic,
however, its persistency should be
a matter of concern. Egg abnor-
malities in chicken can occur due to
various factors.
In the absence of obvious disease
symptoms such as sudden drop in
production, respiratory problems
and weight loss, potential environ-
mental and dietary issues should
be explored and once identied,
remedied. While these abnormali-
ties greatly aect the hatchability
of the eggs, abnormal eggs can
be consumed but those caused by
infectious diseases are not safe for
consumption and, thus, should be
disposed.
Thin-shelled eggs or shell-less
eggs are the most common defects
in poultry farms. Young hens usu-
ally produce the rst few eggs with
shell defects since their reproduc-
tive tract is not fully matured. Upon
maturity, the defect ceases and egg
production peaks.
During this period, an occasional
shell defect may occur and is noth-
ing to worry about. It is mostly
caused by temporary malfunctions
in the shelling gland, the uterus or
for some reason an egg is rushed
through the uterus and laid pre-
maturely.
Since the shell forms just before
an egg is laid, stress induced by
fright or excitement can cause a
hen to expel an egg before the shell-
ing process is nished. However,
if these shell defects persist, they
may be a sign of a serious disease,
especially infectious bronchitis,
which is accompanied by a drop
in production and is highly-conta-
gious with an infection rate of 100
per cent. However, if some hens
are unaected, this disease can be
excluded.
Nutritional deficiencies, espe-
cially lack of Vitamin D or calcium
impact the formation of the egg-
shell, resulting to abnormalities.
Calcium requirements in laying
hens increase by age and warm
weather. High temperatures reduce
appetite, therefore, hens eat less
and get less calcium from their ra-
tions. Nutritional deciencies can
be remedied by appropriate supple-
mentation of the layers diet with
crushed eggshells, limestone or
Occasional abnormalities in eggs
should not raise alarm, but when they
are persistent, a farmer should act
poultry
Yes, you can sue
when neighbours
animal trespasses
You and the law
By Rosemary Mugwe
SMALL-SIZED EGGS OF
LESS THAN 35 GRAMS
USUALLY DONT HAVE
YOLKS AND SUCH EGGS
CANT BE USED FOR
HATCHING BUT MAY BE
CONSUMED
Sophie Miyumo
Lack of Vitamin D or calcium impact
on the formation of the eggshell.
DOUBLE YOLK EGG
Eggs with defective eggshells. LEFT: Janet
Otieno at her poultry farm in Karachuonyo.
COURTESY AND FILE I NATION
limestone our, and Vitamin A, D&E
powder added to drinking water three
times a week.
It should be noted that excessive
consumption of calcium or phos-
phorus is likely to result in eggs
with an abnormally thick or rough
shells. Genetic defect could also
be a cause for shell abnormalities.
Bloody shells sometimes appear when
pullets start laying before their bodies
are ready, causing tissue to tear.
In mature birds, this could be
caused by excess protein in the lay-
ers ration or coccidiosis, a disease
that causes intestinal bleeding,
though not common in adult birds.
Odd-shaped or wrinkled eggs may be
laid if a hen has been handled roughly
or if for some reason her ovary re-
leases two yolks within a few hours
of each other, causing them to move
through the oviduct close together.
The second egg will have a thin,
wrinkled shell thats at towards the
pointed end. If it bumps against the
rst egg, the shell may crack and
mend back together before the egg is
laid, causing a wrinkle.
Small-sized eggs of less than
35grams usually dont have yolks and
such eggs cant be used for hatching
but may be consumed. This is com-
mon among young hens whose laying
mechanisms have not fully matured.
In matured hens, this could be indica-
tive of pieces of reproductive tissues
breaking away and stimulating the egg
formation process in the reproductive
tract.
Double yolk eggs occur when ovula-
tion happens too rapidly or when one
yolk becomes joined with another.
This is mostly seen in young hens
that have not reached reproductive
maturity yet and have unsynchronised
reproductive cycles (roughly, it takes
22 25 hours to form and lay an egg).
Blood spots inside the egg can be
genetic, as well as sudden environ-
mental temperature changes. The in-
cidence of blood spots inside the egg
also increases with age.
Miyumo is a research assistant, Animal
Science Department, Egerton University.
The writer is a lawyer
satnation@ke.nationmedia.com
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD 31
BY BONIFACE MWANGI
mwangib@ke.nationmedia.com
As land shrinks in urban
areas, many families are nd-
ing it dicult to have kitchen
gardens, where they can grow
vegetables and other crops for
subsistence.
They, therefore, rely on food
from grocery stores, some of
which is costly.
But researchers are working
on new technologies to encour-
age urban dwellers to engage in
farming to boost food security.
John Wambugu is among
the researchers and has come
up with what one may call a
perfect urban garden.
The garden, which he has
christened Linear Multi-Storey
Garden (LMSG), can be used
to grow vegetables, tomatoes,
capsicum and even maize.
The garden is made up of
timber, binding wires and old
mosquito nets. The amount of
the materials used depends on
the size of LSMG one wants,
explains Wambugu, an agrono-
mist.
The garden has about half-
a-metre vertical columns made
up of polythene papers with
stones placed in the middle.
The columns are used to
feed the crops with water and
are placed at a distance of a
metre apart. While making
the columns, one should make
sure that soil doesnt enter in
them but only stones to create
air spaces.
Wambugu says he came up
with the garden to help those
living in urban areas to grow
vegetables and spices, thus re-
duce the cost of buying food as
well as ght food insecurity.
The garden is shaped like
a pyramid to allow slow and
smooth ow of water down-
wards as well as create more
space for growing vegetables.
The LSMG can be used in
urban areas just like the sack
garden reputed for utilising
minimal space and water, but
it is also suitable for regions
dependent on livestock and in
semi-arid lands.
The development and ad-
aptation of LSMG will address
food insecurity. And if Kenyans
living in urban areas can utilise
the small spaces they have with
such a technology, the cost of
expenditure will be minimised,
says the researcher who works
at the governments Wambugu
Agricultural Training Centre
in Nyeri.
To make the garden, one has
to have a mound of fertile soil,
where the plants would grow.
You begin by constructing
the structure that would hold
the soil using timber. Then you
put in columns and pebbles.
Thereafter, you put in the soil
and wound around the mos-
quito net, explains Wambugu
of the technology currently
being used in Nyeri by about
10 farmers.
The mosquito net is used to
hold the soil with the support
of binding wires, which are
nailed rmly on the pyramid-
shaped timbers.
His technology requires lit-
tle technical and nancial sup-
port. Small holes are made
on the mosquito net where one
will plant crops. Depending on
the size of LSMG one has, one
can plant as many crops as the
space allows them.
Wambugu is optimistic that
come next month when the
centre will be training farmers,
he will be able to sell the idea
to many people.
The contribution of urban
farming to food security and
nutrition is critical. The gov-
ernment and its partners have
pushed for the growth of veg-
etables using sack gardens.
Multi-storey gardening, ac-
cording to Wambugu, is an
exciting technology for anyone
who wants to grow vegetable
all-year round.
After one plants crops, just
like other gardens, watering
and removing of weeds is es-
sential and this can be done
manually by one person.
The agronomist notes that
similar garden technology
has been used to grow green
leafy vegetables, tomatoes,
cabbages, carrots, tubers and
indigenous vegetables.
The technology, according to
him, can be used in schools to
provide vegetables and teach
science and nutrition.
It is also a good income-gen-
erating venture for people who
own groceries and who want to
engage in agribusiness.
By using old mosquito
nets, I am playing a big role in
cleaning the environment by
recycling the equipment.
To have a good harvest, he
says one needs to use manure.
You mix manure with water
and pour in the column twice
a day for one week so that
it spreads in the soil before
planting any crop. This is to al-
low the manure to decompose
and the nutrients to mix prop-
erly with the soil.
Harvesting should be done
two to three times a week after
the vegetables mature.
Alex Wanjohi, a farmer who
has adopted the new technol-
ogy, says he is eagerly waiting
to harvest.
The crops have done well.
I am even hopeful that I will
start selling the surplus to
the nearby groceries in Skuta
estate, Nyeri.
Forget the sack, here is
the new garden in town
RECYCLING AN OLD MOSQUITO NET IS USED TO KEEP THE SOIL INTACT
urban farming
Wambugu, an
agronomist, has
developed Linear
Multi-Storey
Garden for farming
in urban areas
John Wambugu teaches students at Wambugu Agricultural Training Centre
in Nyeri how the garden works. JOSEPH KANYI | NATION
BEST SYSTEM
WHY EMBRACE URBAN FARMING
Urban farming, according to
Food and Agriculture Organisa-
tion, improves social well-being of
town dwellers.
This is because the gardens can
facilitate positive social interac-
tion between people in cities as
they come together to harvest
their crops.
It also leads to improved health
and nutrition.
The gardens promote nutri-
tion and families can generate
incomes by selling produce.
John Wambugu
waters sukuma
wiki seedlings
planted on his
linear multi-
storey garden in
Nyeri.
JOSEPH KANYI |
NATION
ture, organic farming relies heavily on social capital.
Up to very recently in my rural area, Onwonga remi-
nisced, I saw our parents work in groups a sign of
strong social cohesion. You would nd a group of ve,
10, or even 20 people and it used to take a very short
time to carry out farm operations.
Where labour shortages occurred, for example when
people are ill or in times of hardship, the scientist saw
social capital, one of the pillars of organic farming, as
the way to sustain agricultural productivity even when
the household head is incapacitated.
If you get sick today, he said, It means your land
is not going to be prepared; it will lie idle. But if it was
those days, you will still be on your sick bed but your
land will be prepared by other community members
because of the social cohesiveness based on trust and
collective action.
Physical capital, he said, comes into play when
farmers are always working as a group, and are, there-
fore, in a position to force counties to develop physi-
cal infrastructure (transport and communication)
because of the dire need to access markets.
Because they are producing and they have to mar-
ket, the government and sub-counties will be forced
to make roads, the don said, adding that the value of
what the farmers produce and their direct and indirect
contribution to the economy has the potential to force
infrastructure development.
He also talked of the nancial capital involved in
organic agriculture. Organic farmers do not rely on
chemical inputs in their production practices, so it
means they save. The money they would have used
to buy the chemical inputs is saved and can be put to
other uses and with the premium prices organically
produced foods fetch, whichever way you look at it is
a win-win situation, he added.
On human capital, the don said, Organic farming
leads to increased knowledge and skills; it challenges
farmers to be innovative, experiment and nd solu-
tions to their own problems. It also leads to improved
health and increased self-esteem among vulnerable
and marginalised groups. According to Onwonga, the
rst step to transition to organic farm-
ing is detoxifying the soil, which can
be achieved in one to three years,
and thereafter with the right
mindset, focus and determina-
tion, farmers will start reaping
the benets.
So, why despite its many ad-
vantages, is Kenyas organic agri-
culture lagging behind Uganda and
Tanzania? Gule of Nesvax, who has
been involved in certication work
in the three countries, blames it on
a sti regulatory framework. In
Uganda, there is a lot of support
from the government and there
are universities that actually
offer organic agricul-
ture as a degree course
something that we
dont have here.
He also reads pol-
itics in the under-
development of
the sector, noting
that in the three
countries, it
was promoted
by Sweden
and Denmark
in the 90s when
the countries were
not in Kenyas good
books.
Chemical fertilisers
and inputs also mean
big cash for the importers.
Lack of ocial
support stiing
lucrative sector
Fertiliser free
Organic farming
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28
Dennis Andaye
32
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD
LESSON THE ANIMALS ARE GOOD AT KEEPING GRUDGES; AVOID WHIPPING THEM
My donkeys, my wealth
BY LYNET IGADWAH
ligadwah@ke.nationmedia.com
Reuben Kinyanjui guides
one of his donkeys to a shade
under a tree as he says, Baby,
baby, follow me.
Listening to him, one may
wonder why Kinyanjui, who
is based in Salama, Elburgon,
is calling the animal the pet
name.
In fact, you may dismiss
him as being too soft on the
animals.
But the trader knows the
secret of making the animals
work harder for him.
You call them nice names,
they will oer you their best,
says Kinyanjui. The other
donkeys are called Kijana,
Mheshimiwa, among other
names. The animals have
mastered my voice and they
respond when I call then even
when they are in eld graz-
ing.
Kinyanjui says he would
never mistreat his donkeys as
they are the foundation of his
wealth.
The 33-year-old is a proud
owner of eight donkeys, which
he uses to ferry various com-
modities for residents.
That the donkeys have given
him a fortune is not a secret.
He has three pieces of land in
the area and he has built rental
houses, all which have come
from the donkeys.
I have acquired the prop-
erty from my donkeys. I use
them to oer transport serv-
ices, a job that many people
may not like.
Economic activities in
Elburgon include charcoal
burning, selling timber and
water. He uses his donkeys
to help residents perform the
activities.
I cannot complain. I make
more than Sh5,000 from my
eight hardworking donkeys
a day. Prior to venturing
into the business, Kinyanjui
worked as a casual labourer at
a local saw mill.
He earned a paltry Sh120 a
day, but this did not dampen
his spirit. He saved part of his
pay and bought the animals.
Discipline and persever-
ance enabled me to save
Sh4,500 and in 1999, I bought
my first donkey using the
money. I bought another one
and the animals have since
multiplied. A donkey now
goes for Sh10,000.
Kinyanjui says the secret to
making a fortune from don-
keys lies in treating them well,
feeding them properly, allow-
ing them time to socialise and
calling them by their names.
You also have to feed them
properly. Give them good
grass. I also feed them on hay
to assist in dental hygiene. I
further give them supplements
that include salt. You also have
to keep the feeding area clean.
This helps in curbing worms.
Besides that, he provides the
donkeys with clean water.
What annoys him most is
seeing someone beating a
donkey to make it run faster.
To me, a donkey shows
gratitude by serving me bet-
ter, and helping me gather
wealth. I must, therefore, treat
it well.
Kinyanjui learned how to
treat donkeys well and reap
from them from Farming Sys-
tems of Kenya (FSK), which
oered him and others train-
ing on the benets of being
kind to the beast of burden.
Donkey owners should
know how to avoid causing
stress to the animals so that
they can maximise on their
economic value, says Daniel
Muiruri, a programmes man-
ager at FSK.
Molo, Njoro and Naivasha in
Nakuru County have the high-
est population of donkeys in
the country. Muiruri discour-
ages farmers from overloading
the animals with luggage.
Njoro sub-county veterinary
ocer Peter Ngugi says there
has been a commendable
improvement over the past
year in how farmers handle
donkeys. We have witnessed
fewer wounds on the animals,
proper hold trimming and
more people call a veterinary
when the animal falls sick.
Kinyanjui gives his
donkeys best care,
including taking
them to a dentist,
and he has reaped
huge from them
Daniel Muiruri of FSK. LEFT: Re-
uben Kinyanjui attends to one of
his donkeys at his farm in Elbur-
gon. LYNET IGADWAH | NATION
transport
Sh5,000
The money the farmer reaps
from his donkeys in a day
Irrigation
TIRED OF ERRATIC RAINS? TRY
THIS SOLAR IRRIGATION KIT
NEWS THAT THE RAINS may fail this planting season
have made farmers restless. Majority of farmers have
crossed their ngers hoping that the sky would open
and the rains would pour in torrents for their crops to
grow.
However, as a good number of farmers across the
country pray for the rains, Peter Kimani, 45, is not wor-
ried about crop failure.
On his three-and-a-quarter-acre farm in Ngecha loca-
tion, Kiambu County, Kimani is using an irrigation kit that
has made his crops, which include cabbages, carrots,
kale, spinach and coriander ourish.
The rains have become too erratic. You cannot de-
pend wholly on them as a farmer and excel. They once
failed me and I learnt my lesson.
Kimani says he embraced the solar irrigation kit from
Sun Culture, an agro-solar company, about a year ago.
A team from the company came in this area to con-
tact a pilot project among farmers. After seeing how
it works, I embraced the kit. Using the equipment has
made farming easier for me.
The kit, according to the farmer, has cut his expenses.
All one needs to have is a borehole or any other source
of water. Then the machine will use solar power to pump
water from the source to the farm.
Kimani has a 35 metres deep borehole, three 100
watts solar panels, a pump and a tank.
The energy comes from the sun through the panels,
which pump water from the borehole that goes straight
to the tank. Afterwards, the water comes out with grav-
ity and goes to the farm, he explains.
According to Kimani, he bought the solar irrigation kit
at Sh360,000. I was among the pioneer farmers who
acquired the gadget. The money might seem much but
if you compare to losses farmers make when rains fail, it
is worth it.
The irrigation kit has enabled him plant his crops
round the year.
I always alternate dierent crops on my farm. I can
plant 6,000 heads of cabbages, and once they mature
and I harvest, I move to onions and so forth, says Ki-
mani, who sells the cabbages for at least Sh30 per head.
If it is the season of onions, Kimani will earn
Sh150,000 a month from the 25 tonnes harvested. Nai-
robi town, Wangige and Ngache are the main places he
sells his produce.
Charles Nichols, one of the co-founders of Sun Cul-
ture, tells Seeds of Gold that lack of use of irrigation in
the country is what made them come up with the solar
irrigation project.
One of the pressing issues is lack of irrigation; we live
in a country that does not have reliable rains. Thus, we
need irrigation to boost our food production.
With the solar kit, farmers dont incur high costs asso-
ciated with electricity, petrol and water pumps.
A farmer does not have to start with the Sh360,000
kits. There are smaller kits that go for Sh10,000, says
Samir Ibrahim, Nichols partner at Sun Culture.
- Gerald Bwisa
SHOW LOVE
HOW TO TAKE
GOOD CARE OF
DONKEYS
Shelter: Donkeys prefer
warm weather. They do not
like wind or rain and will seek
shelter from both. Unlike
horses, rain seeps into the
donkeys skin and makes it
uncomfortable. The shelter
should be adequate.
Socialisation: Donkeys en-
joy company. Companionship
should be from fellow don-
keys, human beings and other
animals, with the exception
of dogs. This is because dogs
scare donkeys.
Vaccination and deworm-
ing: The animals must be vac-
cinated annually against u
and tetanus. They should be
dewormed quarterly and their
hooves trimmed.
Teeth: A veterinary dentist
should check the animals
teeth annually, says Kinyan-
jui. The idea is to spot sharp
enamel points, waves, caudal/
rostral hooks and periodical
diseases.
Whipping: Avoid beating
the animals. Besides, donkeys
can keep a grudge.
The National Donkey Day
Welfare celebrations will be
held today in various parts
of the country. This month is
set to appreciate the value of
donkeys.
A man enjoys a ride on a
donkey cart in Nyeri town
in June last year.
FILE | NATION
Peter Kimani,
a farmer
in Ngecha,
Limuru
shows how
he uses solar
pumps to
irrigate his
farm.
DENISH
OCHIENG |
NATION
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD 33
BY DOROTHY KWEYU
@DorothyKweyu
dkweyu@ke.nationmedia.com
W
hen President Uhuru
Kenyatta and his deputy
William Ruto launched
the Ministry of Agricultures rec-
ommendations on the types of
fertilisers for the dierent zones
in Kenya, it was an acknowledge-
ment that all is not well with our
soils.
Indeed, scientists at the Land
Resource Management and Ag-
ricultural Technology (Larmat)
Department of the University
of Nairobi have raised the alarm
that Kenyas soils are in the
intensive care unit and need ur-
gent remedial action.
According to Agriculture
Principal Secretary Sicily Kari-
uki, the types of fertilisers used
in most parts of the country are
not the right ones.
Increased use of fertilisers,
she said, is a key factor (in real-
ising crop production and food
security), hence the Abuja Dec-
laration of 2006, which states:
Fertiliser is crucial for achiev-
ing an African Green Revolution
in the face of a rapidly rising
population and declining soil
fertility. It was in recognition
of the crisis of our soils that
the president and his deputy
presided over the high-prole
launch of the ministrys recom-
mendations on the types of
fertilisers for the dierent zones
earlier this year.
To increase production and
ensure food security and in-
comes at farm level, the country
aims at increasing fertiliser con-
sumption from the current 10kg
to 31kg per acre by 2015.
The government is imple-
menting various programmes
to spur growth in fertiliser use
and stabilise prices, and, accord-
ing to the PS, the notable ones
include bulk fertiliser procure-
ment; increased fertiliser use
by resource-poor farmers; and
a regional/national fertiliser
manufacturing plant.
On bulk procurement, the
programme that started in
2008 has already bought over
400,000 tonnes of various
types of fertiliser, which has
been sold to farmers at subsi-
dised prices. It is estimated that
bulk procurement meets 30 per
cent of the annual national ferti-
liser requirement while the rest
is procured by the private sec-
tor, according to the PS.
The National Accelerated
Agricultural Inputs Access Pro-
gramme (NAAIAP) was started
in 2008 to increase fertiliser
use by resource poor/vulnerable
farmers and since 2008, $57
million (Sh4.9 billion) has been
pumped into the project.
Through this programme,
an input package consisting
of fertiliser and seed is given
to selected farmers. To date,
500,000 farmers out of a tar-
geted 2.5 million have been as-
sisted.
In a recent interview, Lar-
mats Prof Nancy Karanja and
Dr Richard Onwonga stressed
the importance of replenishing
soil carbon, which has seriously
been depleted by conventional
methods of agriculture.
Prof Karanja believes in inte-
grated soil fertility management
that recognises a mixture of
articial fertilisers and soil car-
bon for optimal soil fertility to
increase grain production.
Perennial complaints about
delayed or poor distribution of
fertilisers, especially to farmers
in Kenyas Rift Valley breadbas-
ket, conrms that farmers need
to be equipped with the ability
to produce and be in control of
their own fertilisers.
Maize production in Kenya
has been declining over the
years and soil acidity has been
identied as one of the major
causes of declining yields.
Maize production requires
an optimal soil pH of between
5.5-6.5 and currently, soil test-
ing results so far done in many
agricultural regions in the coun-
try, for example Trans Nzoia
County, show the area has a pH
ranging between 4.6-4.8 which
is unsuitable for maize produc-
tion.
Furthermore, farmers have
been using DAP which is an
acidifying fertiliser, leading to
a buildup of acidity in the soil
and consequently nutrients get
locked up in the soil resulting to
declining soil fertility.
By increasing the pH of the
soil to an optimum level of
5.5-6.5, you can neutralise the
acidity caused by nitrogenous
compounds, eliminate the
toxic eects of Aluminium and
increase the crops uptake of es-
sential nutrients.
Quality fertiliser key to
rise in food production
The
country
aims at
increasing
fertiliser
use
from the
current
10kg to
31kg per
acre by
2015
soils
34
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD
BY EUNICE KILONZO
ekilonzo@ke.nationmedia.com
A
thi River Mining (ARM)
Cement Ltd produces
and sells Mavuno ferti-
liser that assures better yields
due to deliberate eorts by the
rm to provide products that are
crop and soil specic at pocket-
friendly prices.
Vuna Zaidi na Mavuno is
the products slogan, which
shows the company formerly
known Athi River Mining Ltd
has the farmer at heart.
Mavuno fertilisers cater for
dierent market segments be it
horticulture, wheat, barley, cot-
ton, tea or coee farmers. This is
because each crop has particular
nutrients it requires and thus
their products are made speci-
cally for dierent soil conditions
and crop nutrient requirements.
ARM works closely with ag-
ricultural experts, researchers,
government and scientists to de-
velop and improve the fertilisers,
which enhances quality.
Started in 2003, ARM set up
its Mavuno fertiliser division
that manufactures the product,
which contains 11 essential plant
nutrients such as nitrogen, phos-
phorous and potassium, among
others key nutrients. The min-
eral elements are combined in
various formulations and blends
that create tailor-made fertilis-
ers that have been proven to give
superior crop yields by over 40
per cent.
Other than yields, the fer-
tilisers improve soil fertility,
rectify acidity and improve soil
pH for higher crop production.
Micro-nutrients present in
Mavuno improve colour, taste,
texture and nutrient value of
produce.
Mr Pradeep Paunrana, the
managing director of ARM, says:
We have worked with farmers
for over 40 years in providing
them with the best fertilisers for
their farms.
Kenya has acidic soils and
the well-established farms can
put this acidity in check. Our
products are cost-eective and
can be aorded by any farmer
at their kiosks or supermarket
at reasonable packaging of 1kg,
10kg, 25kg, and 50kg.
He adds: We are cognizant
that there are farmers who may
not be informed of the best fer-
tilisers in the market. Therefore,
we help the local farmer check
their soil acidity and advise
them to use the right fertiliser
and farm inputs for better
yields. Farmers can use Mavuno
fertiliser during planting time
and for top dressing.
With Mavuno fertilisers,
farmers can expect fast and
continuous nutrients supply to
their crops annually. This is a
sure way to be food secure. For
a farmer to harvest 20-30 bags
of maize on an acre of land for
instance, they can invest about
Sh7,500 (Sh5,000 for 100kg
fertiliser and about Sh2,500 of
good seed). But the returns will
be almost ve times their initial
investment.
ARM admits there are some
challenges that they encounter
in their provision of fertilisers,
notably distributors.
We still want more people to
come and join our team and dis-
tribute our products to areas we
are yet to explore, he says.
Considering that ARM ferti-
lisers are founded on research,
Paunrana shares his vision: I
am passionate about science
and manufacturing technol-
ogy. I know Kenya has some of
the best scientists yet very few
translate their knowledge into
practical deliverables in research
on fertilisers. They should con-
tribute to this research pool.
Mavuno oers farmers the best deal
The
fertiliser
betters
soil
fertility,
recties
acidity
and
improves
soil pH
for higher
crop
production
advertorial
A farmer in Nandi County plants maize. He harvests an average of 30 bags from an acre. Like many others, one of his
challenges is access to quality fertiliser and seeds.
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD 35
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36
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION
SEEDS OF GOLD
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
37
BY WANDIA NJOYA
jsigei@ke.nationmedia.com
O
nly dons in the University
of Nairobis Literature De-
partment seem to have the
privilege of writing scathing reviews
such as Dr Tom Odhiambos, and
speaking in the name of book re-
viewers and critics.
After all, the UoN literature lectur-
ers are more likely to get published
than the rest of us mere mortals
teaching literature in other public or
worse, private universities. With the
legacy of a historical accident and big
names such as Ngugi wa Thiongo, a
nod from UoN faculty is something
that Kenyan writers crave, but is often
dicult to come by.
The story of Kwani? probably best
embodies this elite status. When
Kwani? came into being, its books
were scowled at as literary gangster-
ism. Yet last year, when Chimamanda
Adichie came to Kenya, Binyavanga
Wainaina waxed about being hosted by
the University of Nairobi as a zenith
of literary achievement, and then, ap-
parently realising how unpolitically
correct that sounded, hastened to
add Kenyatta University to the list
of prestigious hosts. But the damage
had already been done. A few days
later, Prof Chris Wanjala penned an
article which revealed that he had
not experienced a change of heart.
He said that Kwani? targets low-
brow readers, and excused writers
such as Binyavanga, Tony Mochama
and others for not being graduates of
English and literature departments,
exposed to a proper literary educa-
tion, for not mastering Western
standards of literary criticism and
creative writing, and for not show-
ing a depth of knowledge of African
culture beyond names of members of
their family trees.
And so, the real tragedy here is
that while weve been shaken by Dr
Odhiambos harsh assessment of Ken-
yan books, we will still be begging
for recognition from the institution
he represents.
In his latest article published in the
Sunday Nation (April 20), Dr Odhia-
mbo basically depicts reviewers as the
quality assurance police of literature.
They judge the readability of the book,
and they insert books into a countrys
literary canon. Books published with
grammatical errors and basic mistakes
like a change in character name,
therefore, put forward a poor face of
the country. Thats a fair assessment.
What I disagree with is Dr Odhiambos
vision of the critic as a co-creator,
even if of the vulture kind.
First of all, a co-creator of the vul-
ture kind is an oxymoron, because
while a co-creator participates in
bringing forth life, the vulture par-
ticipates in the nality of death. In
contrast to the life-arming ritual of
mourning, the vulture is deaths last
laugh. The vulture pursues self-inter-
est at the expense of another animals
tragic fate. That is why it is chosen
to symbolise people who make a kill
from the misfortune of others.
Over the years, our dons have not
been vocal in supporting Kenyan
writers as the latter struggle to get
publishers interested in their books,
and as publishers remain obsessed
with school text books. When Kwani?
opened up a new literary space for
a new generation of Kenyan (urban)
writers, the university dons came
down on them like a hammer. Many
Kenyan fiction writers now have
resorted to self-publishing, unfortu-
nately, because they cannot wait for
four years for publishers to release a
book. Authors are now more involved
in marketing their own books because
publishers marketing resources are
committed to camping outside KIE
now KICD oces for school text-
book endorsements.
Critics as co-creators
With all these struggles, the release
of ction by Kinyanjui Kombani,
Stanley Gazemba and other bud-
ding writers is a major feat. In fact,
Gazembas experience with publishing
The Stone Hills of Maragoli is a heart-
wrenching story to which Kenyans
who value literature should respond
by saying Never again.
Critics who are co-creators or
literary midwives should be holding
writers hands through the dicult
process of birthing a book, not
waiting until the process is over
to chest-thump about standards,
although that is partly motivated
by academics need for material to
boast about in international academic
forums. With all its problems, Kenyan
literature is ours, and, we, academics,
must account for those problems and
imagine solutions.
I also take issue with Dr Odhia-
mbos insistence on standards,
without an acknowledgement of the
readers of the books. He needs to
account for why Kenyan readers are
buying the books that are apparently
bad for the critics, and so should be
bad for the readers. I must admit
that like Dr Odhiambo, I do nd the
resolution in Kombanis two novels
problematic against the realities of
the Kenyan landscape. But contrived
or not, Kenyans are buying the books,
reading and enjoying them, and that
indicates that there is a need for such
books. In fact, several ordinary read-
ers have said on social media that
they have read Den of Inequities in
one sitting.
Moreover, all happy endings are
contrived, whether in Kenya or in
Hollywood. Who honestly believes
that the stu of romantic comedies
and soap operas is reality? Or that
the cars driven by James Bond or the
stunts of the Fast and Furious series
are real? Yet Hollywood movies, Nol-
lywood cinema and Mexican soaps
remain popular in Kenya. Why not,
then, have happy endings collared by
Kenyan sensibilities, and the world
will be better for it?
In fact, Kombanis books have
achieved an interesting feat of tack-
ling political and institutional violence
which many writers have not done
while entertaining readers at the
same time. His novels are better ap-
preciated as thrillers than as novels
like Things Fall Apart that depict
historical landmarks.
Another reason why we should
embrace happy endings is that
they help us imagine a different
Kenya, which is partly why we teach
literature in the rst place. We Ken-
yans have been unable to resolve our
essential problems mostly because we
lack imagination. We cannot visualise
what a dierent Kenya would look
like, and so every ve years, we vote
in the same thugs, for the same ethnic
reasons, who go on to perpetuate the
same problems of corruption, greed
and social stagnation. Our writers
should be commended for daring
to dream a dierent Kenya where
systems actually work.
The bottom line is that the Kenyan
writing and reading landscape has
changed. Kenyans are buying more
books, self-publishing is easier with
computers, and marketing of books
is faster with social media. We live
in a global environment where our
reading and cultural tastes are increas-
ingly inuenced by cultures of other
countries.
Festivals and groups like Kwani?
and Story Moja promote reading for
life, rather than for exams. So, gone
are the days when academicians domi-
nated conversations about books. And
that is the real birth that critics should
be midwing, even as they remind
writers and publishers that correct
grammar, visually appealing books
and a coherent and credible plot must
remain part of the package.
While there is a need to push for
higher standards of published works,
there is no need to magnify errors into
a condemnation of the entire literary
establishment, or into a lament for
the Kenyan critic. But the bastion of
literary criticism that Dr Odhiambo
represents seems stuck in the past,
reluctant to address Kenyas new
literary realities.
The writer is the head of the Depart-
ment of Language and Performing
Arts at Daystar University in Nairobi.
The landscape has changed, critics have not
Gone are the days
when only academics
dominated the
conversation about
books as a new
generation of
writers has emerged
FILE | NATION
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (centre) when she visited Kenya in November 2013 for the 10th anniversary of
Kwani? She gave a series of lectures during her visit.
LITERARY DISCOURSE | There is no need to magnify errors into a condemnation of an entire establishment
Battle for acceptance of Kiswahili in Uganda is being slowly won
was exiled by the British to Zanzibar,
a large number of his followers accom-
panied him, among them Ramadhan
Mukasa, my great-grandfather.
He was one of those who didnt
cross to Zanzibar but remained on the
Mainland, a distinct group that was
teasingly called Waganda wa Migo-
mbani by the locals. He eventually
became a mubaliya (as the Waganda
say baharia), a seaman, and he didnt
return to Uganda, even after the peace
agreements there. But his wife Zubeida
did get back, with Hajara, then a nine
or ten-year-old little girl, who wore a
khanga, spoke Kiswahili and, to the
horror of the Baganda traditionists,
had pierced earlobes with rings in
them.
When I rst returned to Uganda
from Dar es Salaam on a short univer-
sity vacation, Hajara, then in her late
70s or early 80s, was keen to try on
me the few Kiswahili utterances that
she could remember from her child-
hood. I thought they sounded pretty
genuine. Then, remembering the tides,
she asked me, Does the sea still go
on visits? This, for me, was iconic of
how deeply the Swahili coast and its
worldview ran in my grandmothers
consciousness. With what justication
could I, her descendant, claim that
Kiswahili was foreign to me?
But most of my wake-up moments
to Kiswahili were of a fairly practical
and utilitarian nature. Our rst arrival
in Dar es Salaam was itself dramatised
by two events. One was that we, the
Ugandan truants who had missed
our ight from Nairobi the previous
day, did not know how to get to the
campus at Ubungo from the airport,
and we could hardly express ourselves
in Kiswahili.
Secondly, the Kenyan second-year
student who had oered to help us
get there was totally intoxicated and
hardly able to utter a word when we
got to Dar es Salaam. He had been
gorging himself on alcoholic refresh-
ments all the way from Nairobi, a
process aggravated by the three-
quarters of an hour which we spent
on the tarmac at the Zanzibar Airport
without leaving the plane. We counted
ourselves lucky when we were able
to shake our guide awake and get
him o the plane. But it would have
been a little too much to expect him
to negotiate a safe passage for us to
the university.
I cannot quite remember how we
finally got to the campus, around
9.30pm. I believe it was still by cour-
tesy of the ever-solicitous East African
Airways ground sta, a few of whom
might have condescended to listen to
our Kizungu pleas for help. But the
point had been impressed upon us, I
believe, as it should be upon todays
Kiswahili-shunning Ugandans, that
you couldnt get very far in East Af-
rica without a working prociency in
Kiswahili. My big plunge into Kiswa-
hili, however, was yet to come. This
included the hilarious incident, which
I recently narrated to Ken Walibora on
a ight from Kisumu, of my having to
read Muyakas mashairi (poetry) in
the original when I could hardly write
a correct Kiswahili sentence. But we
will leave that for another day.
Prof Bukenya is one of the leading
African scholars of English and lit-
erature in East Africa. He taught for
many years in Kenya.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
It is, admittedly an
uphill task, but my
fellow Waswahilisti and
I are not just about to
give up the ght
Prof Austin Bukenya
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
38 | Weekend
H
e is, perhaps, the most elo-
quent Kenyan alive. For
Prof Patrick Loch Otieno
Lumumba, the former anti-graft
czar hounded out of oce in 2011,
is a master orator in English and
Kiswahili, who wows his listeners
wherever he speaks.
The walls in his Upper Hill,
Nairobi, law offices speak for
him on who his real heroes are.
Portraits of Martin Luther King
Jnr, Tanzanias founding father
and philosopher, Mwalimu Julius
Nyerere, and Indias Mahatma
Gandhi peer at you. PLO, as he is
popularly known, this week spoke
candidly about his dramatic exit
from the Kenya Anti-Corruption
Commission, blaming his naivet
and politicians from the Nyanza
region for hatching the plot to
topple him three years ago for
his predicament. Now the direc-
tor of the Kenya School of Law,
PLO believes President Kenyatta
is lukewarm in the ght against
corruption.
Question: Reading maketh a man.
What kind of literature made you what
you are today?
Answer: I read very widely
across disciplines. I read the
arts, sciences, philosophy, soci-
ology and even anthropology to
understand what the world is all
about. Reading is what energises
a mans mind and vision. It also
makes one humble. If you see
any person who is arrogant and
claims to be knowledgeable, you
must question that knowledge.
When the oracle of Apollo went
out to ask who was the wisest
man in Greece, the verdict was
Socrates, because he said the
only thing he knew was that he
knew nothing.
I am fascinated with all kinds
of knowledge. When you look at
the plays, the Greek tragedies and
read Sophocles and his Theban
plays, it is fascinating. When
you go to science and read peo-
ple like Einstein and Newton, it
is fascinating. When you go to
economics and read John May-
nard Keynes and Thomas Mann,
it is fascinating.
Q: What are you reading now?
I am reading The New Harvest
sent to me a while ago by Prof
Calestous Juma of Harvard
Kennedy School. I am also
reading God Is Not a Christian
by Desmond Tutu; Ngugi Wa
Thiongos Decolonising The
Mind; Kidagaa Kimemwozea by
Ken Walibora and a little play by
Okoiti Omtatah on the life of Lu-
anda Magere, the Luo hero. Then
there is Heaven and Earth, a dia-
logue between Pope Francis and
a Jewish Rabbi called Abraham
Skorka, Salt of The Earth by Pope
Benedict XVI and Kusadikika by
Shaban Robert.
How do you juggle all that reading
with your day-to-day work?
At any one time, I will be read-
ing very many books because they
are placed in dierent places, in
my car, my room, my library and
when travelling and almost eve-
rywhere. I pick up a book, read it
up to some level and when I think
Ive stopped, mark the chapter
and then pick up another title.
So within one month, I will have
read anything between 10 to 15
books because of my reading
style. When I wake up in the
morning, I read for one hour.
Your stint at the defunct Kenya
Anti-corruption Commission (KACC)
was as brief as it was dramatic, lend-
ing credence to those who say good
speakers are rarely good leaders.
The world does not have a place
for men and women who speak
the truth. And I have discovered
that being honest and truthful is
a very painful and lonely aair.
An honest man has the chance
of a snowball in hell to survive
in this country.
It is only by Gods grace that
some of us continue to survive,
given the number of threats I used
to receive. You have no shortage
of enemies, particularly in the po-
litical class. They want material
things they think will give them
happiness and should you stand
on their way, they will annihilate
you, they will consume you.
Did you talk yourself out of the
job?
I took the view that corruption
is a sin that we must talk about. I
remember some politicians used
to say he is talking a lot but I
used to respond that I have not
talked enough because as long
as the sin is there, weve got to
talk about and against it.
The current style taken by
EACC is very different from
ours and I have no problem
with them. When talking, you
also say many things which
annoy people. In fact, I was the
rst Kenyan to be removed from
oce by a bill of a tender. Par-
liamentarians sat down and took
the stand. I knew it six months
in advance that I was going to
be removed. One MP said that
if we allow this man to remain
in oce, all of us will be in jail.
And the House was unanimous
on this. It demonstrated that
even the ethnic equation could
take a back seat on this. All the
people who have been removed
in public before and after me
were defended on the basis of
their ethnic extraction.
The people who attacked me
the most were Luo MPs.
And what is the genesis of the
bad blood between you and Luo
politicians?
So many of them fell under
our anti-graft radar and they
thought I would handle them
with kid gloves. I am also told
that because I denied them
the chance to speak during
my mothers funeral, they vowed
to kick me out. Why would you
really want to politic at a funeral?
It is one of the grudges they held
against me. That is how banal
they were.
But some thought that you were
engaging in too much activism at the
expense of your work.
A good anti-corruption boss
must be an activist. Those who
want to change the society must
be activists. Martin Luther King
Jnr was an activist, Jesus Christ
was an activist, and Mother Ter-
esa of Calcutta was an activist.
I was not an armchair ghter
of corruption. I put my body
and life in the streets and that
is what they dont like because
such an individual is irritating.
But when you get too cosy with
people in government, then it
becomes dicult to investigate
and prosecute them.
At KACC, you were the highest paid
public servant, how did it feel like los-
ing all those millions?
I have been a lawyer for over 20
years and not a bad lawyer at that.
I have also been an academic for
over 20 years. Some of us, when
we seek public oce, we do not
seek it for the salary. I was earn-
ing Sh1.9 million a month, but in
my law rm I have earned reason-
able amounts of money and my
lifestyle has never changed; we
live as modestly as we must.
There are people who
think that when
you leave a
public office
Luo MPs hounded me out of KACC
LITERARY DISCOURSE | President Uhuru Kenyatta is lukewarm in the ght against corruption
By Justus Wanga & Julius Sigei
CONVERSATIONS WITH BOOK LOVERS
conversations@ke.nationmedia.com
then that is the end of your life.
After I left KACC, I have been
doing consultancy locally, in
Tanzania, South Sudan and I
have made more income with
greater freedom.
Do you regret your style of leader-
ship given the manner in which you
were hounded out of oce?
Perhaps, I was a little nave.
The basis of my navet was the
assumption that the political es-
tablishment was supporting the
crusade against corruption, that
what they said in public is what
they meant.
The truth is, politicians in this
country say with one side of the
mouth what they dont mean,
and with the other side of the
mouth they mumble what they
truly mean.
My purported great supporters
in public who were saying let him
prosecute were the same persons
who, when we started investigat-
ing, hatched the plot to remove
me in South Africa. The plot was
hatched in one of the politicians
house there. It is because we had
started investigating the relative
of that individual.
So I was nave in that sense.
The tolerance for corruption
in this country is very high. The
Department of Immigration was
allowing people to come into the
country irregularly just because
they could part with cash at our
borders. Strangers were issued
with identity cards and passports,
and we were opening oodgates
for danger.
Now, the chickens are coming
home to roost and it is a tragedy
of gigantic proportions. It is now
a cancer in our bodies.
Is President Uhuru Kenyatta commit-
ted to the ght against corruption?
What we have now is a luke-
warm approach to corruption. I
want to hear my President say
corruption is a national disaster
because it is, the same way we
said HIV and Aids was a national
disaster.
It must be fought at two levels:
Eliminate individuals who abet it
in oces and then re-examine the
anti-graft law. The President must
lead from the front. He must be
the crusader, like President Paul
Kagame of Rwanda, Ian Khama
of Botswana and even Michael
Sata of Zambia, so that he is the
chief warrior in the ght against
corruption.
Together with John Githongo
and Tom Mboya, we wrote to him
over the Standard Gauge Railway
project and as law abiding citi-
zens, we wanted him to convince
us that this is a good deal.
Did he respond to your letter?
The following day, he gave the
State of the Nation address. As
to whether it was because of our
letter or it was pre-planned we
do not know but in his address,
he said that the project would go
on anyhow.
My view is that nobody can
quarrel with the railway project,
but to the extent that Kenyans
within their constitutional rights
have raised issues with it, you
must bring the details before
the public so that the doubting
Thomases can be ashamed and
then you become stronger.
Senior lawyers have painted a
grim picture of the young generation
of Kenyan lawyers, saying they lack
the intellectual rigour betting their
high calling. What are you doing as the
Director of the Kenya School of Law to
reverse the situation?
There is a crisis in the sense
that we have too many law schools
that are accepting into the study
of law men and women who may
not have been motivated to study
law. Remember in the olden days
we admitted the very best.
Because of the numbers of
students and the lack of lectur-
ers now, the quality has been
suffering. Going forward, as
law schools, the Judiciary and
The Law Society of Kenya and
the Kenya School of Law, we
must rethink and reorient legal
training to focus on skills and
ethics to produce a lawyer who
is powerful.
What book would you recommend
to President Uhuru Kenyatta?
He should read Shaban Rob-
erts Kusadikika. It is a book that
explains visionary leadership and
how a country can be destroyed if
the leadership is retrogressive.
Another I would recommend for
him, the Deputy President and the
Cord leadership, and which they
must watch its movie version, is
the Hindu epic The Ramayana and
Mahabharata, which comes in 28
compact discs. The writer of the
epic summarises it by saying, he
who has not read Mahabharata
has read nothing and I agree
with him.
Your critics argue that your elocu-
tion is articial
Ha ha ha. Of course, if it is
articial it disappears. I started
reading very early on and I
remember my Indian teacher
in Form One, who taught us
Literature in English, called Mr
Ashraf. He could ask us to read
The Concubine by Elechi Amadi,
in rounds and after I had read
for the rst time, he said that no-
body else should read except me
and a classmate called Gishinga
Kariuki. He said we articulated
and pronounced the words cor-
rectly.
So it is something I have
acquired over time but not
consciously. When you read and
are condent, it gives you the
energy to speak with authority
because you know. I dont write
my speeches.
Do you speak like that in your
house?
People ask me that. But, of
course, I am not giving speeches
in my house. The truth is that I
believe in articulation and elocu-
tion at all levels.
What one lesson did you learn from
your stint at KACC that you can share
with current civil servants?
When you enter into any pub-
lic oce, you must have an exit
strategy. Never have photos of
your family there or personal ef-
fects because in Kenya you can
be removed from oce any time
for no reason. So you live by the
day. That is the tragedy in this
country.
I used to walk with a briefcase
with all my personal eects so
that when I am sacked, I dont
need to go back to that oce. This
I also learnt at Constitution of
Kenya Review Commission. Its
a lesson that can help those in
oce now.
What are you reading now?
At any one
time, I will be
reading very
many books
because they
are placed
in dierent
places, in my
car, my room,
my library
and when
travelling
and almost
everywhere
PLO Lumumba
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
Weekend 39
Two Kenyan writers shortlisted for the 2014 Caine Prize
BY KINGWA KAMENCU
kkamencu@ke.nationmedia.com
Two Kenyans, Billy Kahora and
Okwiri Oduor, have been shortlisted
among the ve for the annual Caine
Prize for African writing.
The awards patron, Nigerian great
Wole Soyinka, made the announce-
ment on April 22. However, it was
notable that this years shortlist did
not have a Nigerian writer.
The previous year had featured four
writers from the West African country,
out of a possible ve.
Of the Kenyans, this is Kahoras
second shortlisting, his rst time hav-
ing been in 2012 with the story Urban
Zoning. Billy Kahora is managing edi-
tor at Kwani Trust and is famous for
the investigative non-ction work, The
short life of David Munyakei. He has
also been involved in scriptwriting,
Soul Boy and Nairobi Half Life being
part of his oeuvre.
Okwiri, who previously used the
name Claudette Oduor, has also been
active on the local writing scene in
Storymoja and Amka events, recently
directing the Writivism Festival in
Uganda.
She has published with Kwani?,
Amka, Saraba, FEMRITE, The New
Inquiry and African Writing online.
Her novella, The Dream Chasers, was
highly commendd in the Common-
wealth Book Prize 2012.
Kahora and Oduors styles are far
apart. Kahoras writing lets in large
swathes of light and is slightly up
tempo. The deft portrayal of character
and use of symbolism are some of the
shortlisted storys strengths.
The Gorillas Apprentice is set in
Nairobi during the 2007 post-elec-
tion crisis. In the story, the gorilla
ostensibly dies from taking upon
itself the psychic load of the Kenyan
collective at the time.
Meanwhile, Oduors My Fathers
Head is a surreal and haunting nar-
ration of a young woman whose dead
father has returned to visit. The story
explores the themes of ageing, belong-
ing and the meaning of family. The
younger writers strength is in the
sheer exquisiteness with which she
spins words: smiles that melted
like ghee, that oozed through the
corners of their lips and dribbled
onto their laps long after the thing
that was being smiled about went
rancid in the air.
Other Kenyans that have been
shortlisted since the inception of
the Caine Prize 15 years ago have
been Lily Mabura, Muthoni Gar-
land, Parsalelo Kantai and Mukoma
wa Ngugi. Only two Kenyan writers
Binyavanga Wainaina and Yvonne
Adhiambo Owuor have previously
won.
This years award ceremony takes
place on July 14 at the Bodleian
Library at the University of Oxford
in Britain. Apart from Okwiri and
Kahora, the other writers that made
the short lists this year are Diane Aw-
erbuck (South Africa), Efemia Chela
(Ghana/Zambia) and Tendai Huchu
(Zimbabwe).
Efemia Chelas Chicken is a strong
contender for a win due to the storys
strong voice, vivid description and
jaunty tone; it could very well take it.
Okwiri Oduors is another very strong
contender. Kenyan writing quality is
looking good; do not be surprised if
either of these writers brings the prize
home this year.
Billy Kahora
Okwiri Oduor
BY DAVID ADUDA
daduda@ke.nationmedia.com
P
rof Austin Bukenyas
treatise last week amply
demonstrated the tran-
sition that has taken place in
literary scholarship milieu in East
Africa. It brought to the fore the
question; what is the position of
literature in university scholarship
and national economies? Is it just
literature personalities who are
vanishing or is the discipline also
losing its lustre?
From independence in the early
1960s to the mid-1980s, literature
departments in East Africas univer-
sities were hotbeds for intellectual
discourse. They had a mission and
a purpose that served to coalesce
the scholars and inspire them to
pursue higher ideals.
Literature provided a tool for
cultural renaissance after colonial
subjugation. It provided a frame-
work for analysing and tackling
emerging challenges emerging
after independence, among them,
betrayal of the masses by the
political leadership, emergence
of corrupt bourgeois class, eco-
nomic exploitation and political
suppression.
For instance, in 1968 African
lecturers at the then departments
of English studies at the then
University College Nairobi, Dar es
Salaam and Makerere mounted ag-
gressive campaigns to revolutionise
and Africanise their departments
in protest against the patronising
and colonial heritage inherited
from the University of London,
to which they had been aliated
until Independence. The campaign
culminated into the introduction of
African Literature, which put the
African experience at the core of
the syllabus.
The campaign trickled down to
high schools and in 1974, a con-
ference was convened at Nairobi
School for high school teachers that
reviewed the content of English and
literature is schools. Organised
under theme: The nature and
role of African Literature in Kenya
educational system, the conference
was addressed by, among others,
Ngugi wa Thiongo, Chris Wanjala,
Eddah Gachukia, Micere Mugo and
Ciarunji Chesaina, and the rallying
call was to nd a role for literature
in a new nation.
Clearly, there was a determina-
tion to give literature its place
in society, namely to provide a
compass for cultural reawaken-
ing and help Africans redefine
themselves and through that
confront challenges of their time,
a theme well-articulated by the
revolutionary Guinea Bissau
scholar Amilcar Cabral in a speech
National Liberation and Culture
delivered at Syracuse University,
US, in 1970.
Invariably the intellectual dis-
course transcended into political
sphere since East Africa states
were in a state of ferment. Not
only did it fall on the intelligent-
sia to lead the process of cultural
reawakening and moral rearma-
ment, but also to sign-post political
danger spots.
Although the political ag had
been won, the democratic one
was agging. The countries were
rising from the ashes of colonial-
ism and the new crop of leaders
was experimenting with various
socio-economic and political
models. Regrettably, corruption,
nepotism, tribalism and oppres-
sive practices were slowly taking
root and citizens were beginning
to feel a sense of betrayal.
Signicantly, these provided the
fodder for literary themes. Ngugis
Petals of Blood and Devil on the
Cross, Francis Imbugas Betrayal
in the City, John Rugandas The
Burdens and The Floods, are among
a raft of literary works that emerged
during that era and encapsulated
the frustrations with the post-in-
dependence leadership.
Simultaneously, the theatre
scene was abuzz with political
productions in the mould of Ngugi
wa Thiongos and Ngugi wa Mir-
iis Ngaahika Ndenda (I Will Marry
When I Want), which had to be
proscribed allegedly for exciting
dissatisfaction against the politi-
cal establishment.
But things have changed since.
Literature departments are no
longer the citadels for high-oc-
tane intellectual contests. They
no longer attract dyed-in-the-wool
scholars who pursued the discipline
for its intrinsic value.
The rigour of literary scholarship
that encompassed creative writing,
theatre art, stylistics, among others,
no longer obtains. It is not uncom-
mon to nd post-graduate students
who leave literature departments
without reading Bukenyas Peoples
Bachelor or The Bride or the com-
plete works of Ngugi wa Thiongo,
let alone the complete works of
Shakespeare, which some scholars
have condemned as obsolete.
Worse, most universities do not
have recognisable faculty at the
departments of literature. In fact,
Prof Bukenya should have counted
himself lucky that at least there
were some names he could recog-
nise at the University of Nairobis
Literature Department, like the
venerable Prof Henry Indangasi,
Prof Ciarunji Chesaina, who had
a stint in the diplomatic service
as Kenyas High Commissioner
to South Africa, Prof Wanjiku Ka-
biru, who also took time o at one
time to work with the Constitution
Review Commission, Prof Hellen
Mwanzi, and Prof Chris Wanjala,
who was recently honoured by
Masinde Muliro Universitys Lit-
erature Department.
At least, he could have also found
soul mates at Kenyatta University
where the likes of Dr Waveney
Olembo, Dr Kisa Amateshe,
among others, are still teaching,
Moi University where we have
the likes of Prof Amuka, Masinde
Muliro where we have the likes of
Prof Egara Kebaji, who regularly
contributes on this column.
But the situation is worse in
some of new universities, where
literature departments are staed
with lecturers hardly known in
literary cycles.
Admittedly, the pressure for uni-
versities to generate incomes has
seen departments embroiled in a
rat-race to oer the so-called mar-
ket driven courses at the expense
of rigorous scholarly programmes
and literature is one of the casual-
ties. Experiments have been made
in some literature departments to
introduce journalism and com-
munication units to make them
attractive.
It is also not lost that the teach-
ing environment at the universities
has forced a number of literature
scholars to scatter to all the four
corners of the world in search of
better incomes.
Ultimately, the question is not
just the vanishing cadre of litera-
ture scholars, but circumstances
are changing in such a way that
the departments are nding them-
selves in a x. Prof Bukenya, my
good literature teacher, should
not feel deated when he hardly
nds his peers and acquaintances
at the literature department, for a
number has moved on due to the
exigencies of the day.
Mr Aduda, a manager at the
Nation, was for a long time the
Groups Education Editor and au-
thor of literature texts.
Pray, where did the
irreverent literature
scholar of yore go?
Univers-
ities are
no longer
citadels
for high-
octane
intellectual
contests
FILE | NATION
A lecture hall at a local university:
What is the position of literature in
university scholarship and national
economies?
LITERARY DISCOURSE | Is the discipline also losing its lustre?
Prof Bukenya
should have counted
himself lucky that
at least there were
some names he
could recognise at
the University of
Nairobis Literature
Department
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
40 | Weekend
BY JOHN ONKANGI
F
ather, what is the dif-
ference between the
sun and the moon?
This question was posed to me
by my son as we went to close the
gate to my home one night. The
moon is as bright as the sun,
he continued. As I reected on
the question, another was raised
between the sun and the moon,
which one is more important to
humanity? My simple answer
was the sun.
I have developed an insight,
equating the sun to literary form
and content and the moon to lit-
erary theory. We can survive in
the world if the moon was not
there; but without the sun, we
will perish.
Form and content are the key
pillars in any literary work. Liter-
ary theory is only an appendix
whose role in the literary world
can be contested.
Literary theory gets plenty of
emphasis that it doesnt deserve.
In undergraduate, Masters and
PhD classes, literature students
are expected to master all liter-
ary theories including Marxism,
formalism, structuralism,
deconstruction, sociological,
post-colonial, psychoanalysis and
post-modernism. I appreciate the
minimal role these theories play
in literature, but I can say that
literary theory is a waste of time
in literary scholarship.
When defending a thesis,
every candidate meets the
question: From which school
of thought. Are we not allowed
to come up with our own schools
of thought? Why should we be
forced to think the same way as
Srauss? Literary theory is like a
castrated husband who wants his
children to posses his physiologi-
cal traits despite knowing that he
is not the father of these children.
Allow me to illustrate.
Many literary writers have no
knowledge of literary theory.
Shakespeare, Conrad, Dickens,
Maillu, Wright, Kasaya, Mphelele,
among others, never based their
works on any school of thought,
yet they wrote magnicent works.
We have doctors and engineers
who have turned writers. Are
their works bad because they lack
knowledge on literary theory?
Literary theories have reduced
literature students to mechani-
cal writers. They strain to write
within certain schools of thought
and end up producing novels,
plays and poems that are ex-
tremely boring. Writing is natural.
I have read some novels written
by professors of literature, and
they are pathetic.
Secondly, these literary theo-
ries were propagated by scholars
who were never students of lit-
erature. Some were linguists
and sociologists like Karl Marx,
Sassure, Strauss and Sigmund
Freud. I am yet to trace the
point of convergence between
literature and these theories. The
few similarities I noticed cannot
establish a marriage between lit-
erature and literary theory. This
forced marriage was intended to
bring up methodology, which is a
crucial tool in research. I am sure
that we can carry out research
in literature without resorting
to methodology. Methodology
is best left to sciences.
Lastly, some scholars of
these theories have recanted
their earlier postulations, hence
rendering them useless. For
example, Sigmund Freud took
a u-turn from his theory. Why
are we still stuck on psychoa-
nalysis? Marxist ideologies of
power struggle and the use of
violence to counter oppression
have been overtaken by events.
In the 21st century our focus is
peace and diplomacy.
To conclude, The time has
come for us to make a paradigm
shift and approach literature from
its form and content. Theoriz-
ing literature is obsolete and
misleading.
The writer is a PhD student
at the University of Leceister.
onkangi.john@yahoo.com
Literary theory is obsolete
in the world of literature
Literary critic Chris Wanjala of the
University of Nairobi.
Readers corner
Literary Discourse
BY EDWIN OTEYO LUNYIRO
A re that is denied rewood will denitely die
out. But if re wood is added to it and fanned, it
will burn well. This is what literature needs. I would
equate literature to the Nigerian kola nuts, hence the
proverb, kola nuts stay longer in the mouths of those
who enjoy them.
Literature is alive, and it can die as well. Without
writing, reading and discussing it, it will surely die.
For the eight years that I have taught literature, all
the workshops and seminars I have attended have
always been facilitated by examiners, lecturing us on
how to make students pass examinations. Never have
I attended one where the set texts were discussed or
debated. Is this justice to literature?
Secondly, limiting literature especially in some
English examination papers is akin to murdering
it. For example, examiners only recognise regular
and irregular rhyme schemes in poetry. What about:
rhyming couplet, alternating and plain rhyme, ottava
rima, rhyme royal, and terza rima? We should expose
the learners to all that they can grasp.
Literature is moribund. When students are en-
couraged to read questionable guide books, some
super-summarised, we will end up producing lazy
readers who only want to be spoon-fed, later to re-
gurgitate in examinations. Let students discuss the
texts with the teachers guidance. Let us keep the re
of literature burning by showing its applicability and,
after analysing a text, drawing parallels between it
and the contemporary society.
As much as theatrical performances enhance
the learning of set books, only plays and oral
literature genres should be performed, not nov-
els and short stories. Such productions should
be produced and directed by qualified litera-
ture specialists, and not money-minded chaps.
The writer is a journalist and English literature
teacher based in Nairobi.
We should keep the
literature re burning
BY FRANKLINE MUKEMBU
The ministry of Education has passed a policy to
implement the teaching of local languages in lower
classes in primary schools. A big dilemma, however,
hangs on this sensitive issue.
The million dollar question is whether this policy is
workable, owing to the fact that the structure of our
schools has drastically changed. Some schools are
situated in urban, cosmopolitan areas. Most pupils
do not speak any native language due to inter-mar-
riages, among other factors.
The government may be coerced to employ as
many teachers as there are native languages in a
particular school to cater for this need. The teach-
ing of these local languages may not appropriate as
it may breed tribal animosity among the 42 tribes
in Kenya today, among other vices that come along
with tribalism.
Kiswahili is both the national and the ocial
language as per the Constitution . Our sole aim
of teaching languages in our schools is to promote
language policies and for examination. We aspire to
achieve Vision 2030 and a proper education policy
is crucial.
Why the teach local languages which will never
be examined instead of embracing those that will
benet us?
The ministry should review this policy and em-
phasize the teaching of Kiswahili in lower classes.
Meanwhile, parents can play the role of teaching their
children their respective local languages and dialects
for identity purpose and cultural propagation.
The writer teaches Kiswahili and Georgraphy at Mu-
nithu Day Secondary School in Meru County.
Teach Kiswahili instead
of vernacular in school
BY SAMUEL CHEGE
The irony surrounding our edu-
cation system is that year after
year, the number of those joining
it in search of knowledge keep ris-
ing yet the challenges facing the
society increase day by day.
Curriculum is developed from
the society. Students come from
the society, are taken through the
education system and then sent
back to the society to provide
solutions to the challenges bedev-
illing it. Why is it, then, that the
society is still facing numerous
challenges ranging from corrup-
tion, tribalism, nepotism, crime,
disease, ignorance, drug abuse
and the like?
Where does the buck stop? Is it
with the curriculum developers,
curriculum implementers or the
society itself?
I think our education system is
squarely to blame. It just doesnt
live up to its expectation. The
emphasis on papers as a proof
for knowledge acquisition is the
cause of this predicament, as
far as I am concerned. People
dont seek to know but to be
seen that they know. Papers tell
others we know while the real-
ity on the ground could be very
dierent.
Education should equip people
with knowledge, skills, attitudes
and values. However, it seems
we are only interested in pass-
ing knowledge. Skills, attitudes
and values are left out since they
are hardly tested in the process
of evaluation. This explains why
potential employers would rather
employ a quack at the expense
of a professional who does not
posses the relevant skills.
The other challenge facing the
system is that those charged with
the responsibility of developing
values suffer from their defi-
ciency themselves, right from
the institutions of learning to
the society itself. The teacher
who is supposed advocate
against drug abuse is an addict
himself. The police ocer who
is supposed to arrest criminals
is a criminal himself. The judge
who is prevailed upon to convict
corrupt individuals is himself
corrupt. The clergyman who is
supposed to teach selessness
is selfish and greedy. And as
one young musician put it, ni
system ya majambazi (it is a cor-
rupt system). We all suer from
these shortcomings.
No wonder tribalism still reigns
supreme even to the respected
members of our society. Corrup-
tion , civil wars and insecurity are
still evident in our institutions.
Concrete and visible action needs
to be taken urgently or else our
society will go to the dogs.
The writer teaches at Stepping
Stones Preparatory, Makongeni,
in Thika, Kiambu County. He is
also a school-based Bachelor
of Education student at Mount
Kenya University.
Our education system unable to resolve
problems bedeviling the bigger society
To contribute to this page,
please send your comments
to satnation@ke.nationmedi
a.com or write to The Editor,
Saturday Nation, POB 49010,
Nairobi 00100.
Maths is
not that
dicult
BY ANDOLO AMBASI
The article by Prof Egara
Kabaji and Dr Misigo (Satur-
day Nation, May 10, 2014) was
great. Many of us who took up
professions that are regarded
as dicult are left to sympa-
thise with the people who have
high mental abilities but have
been made to think they are
mathematical dwarfs.
We concur with Prof Kabaji
and Dr Misigo, that mathemat-
ics is a very simple subject and
should be demystied.
I would propose that we team
up and form an organisation
that will popularise mathemat-
ics. As stated in the article, the
curriculum should be such that
the mathematics taught should
be in line with a students in-
tended career.
The writer is an engineer.
Writing
requires
patience
BY GRIFFIN LUKE AWINO
Reading some manuscripts
intended for publication can
leave one with jaundiced eyes.
The current crop of budding
writers lack patience and ac-
curacy. We are a nation of the
fast-lane lifestyle.
Many aspiring authors wake
up write in the morning and
want to have their manuscripts
published before the sunsets.
That is a pipe dream that can
only be answered by a letter
from the publishers saying, we
like your story but we cannot
publish it.
Regret letters from the pub-
lishing rms kill the morale of
untapped talent.
No publisher should be
blamed for rejecting stories
that do not meet the publish-
ing threshold.
Writers should blame them-
selves for not having taken their
time to present their stories in
catchy and captivating prose.
This newspaper has a col-
umn, In their own Words,
dedicated to authors.
Budding writers should read
it to realise that it requires
patience to get your work ac-
cepted by strict publishers.
Most of these authors had
story after story rejected be-
fore they nally had their books
published.
Writing is a skill that can
only be honed by patience,
exposure to reading material
from different authors and
regular practice.
The conributor is a freelance
writer.
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
Weekend 41
ABUJA, Friday
N
igerias President Good-
luck Jonathan on Friday
cancelled a visit to the
hometown of more than 200
schoolgirls who were kidnapped
by Islamic militants, sparking
fresh criticism of his handling
of the crisis.
A senior government ocial
told AFP that Mr Jonathans trip
to remote Chibok in Borno state
was on (the presidents) sched-
ule up to this morning but the
visit had been scrapped.
No reason was given but se-
curity concerns were reportedly
blamed.
Instead of visiting Chibok,
Mr Jonathan is now due to head
direct to a security summit in
Paris on Saturday to discuss the
Boko Haram threat to regional
stability.
Jonathans administration has
been widely criticised for its slow
response to the kidnapping on
April 14, which saw 276 girls
abducted by militants. A total
of 223 are still missing.
But they were forced to act
in the face of a social media
campaign and street protests
that won global support and at-
tracted the attention of foreign
powers, who have now sent
specialist teams to help in the
rescue eort.
The cancellation prompted
immediate criticism on social
networks and others who claim
the president has shown indier-
ence to the mass abduction.
If, as the commander-in-chief
of the armed forces, he is afraid
to visit Chibok because of secu-
rity fears, he is simply telling the
hapless people in the northeast
that he cannot protect them and
they should resign themselves to
their fate, said Debo Adeniran,
of the Coalition Against Corrupt
Leaders pressure group.
In the United States, which has
sent drones and surveillance air-
craft, the chairman of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations
said Nigeria had been tragically
and unacceptably slow to tackle
the crisis.
Show leadership
I have called on President
(Goodluck) Jonathan to demon-
strate the leadership his nation is
demanding, Democratic senator
Robert Menendez said.
Others raised the Nigerian
militarys human rights record
after well-documented claims of
abuses carried out by soldiers,
including arbitrary detention
and summary execution of
civilians.
The Principal Deputy Assist-
ant Secretary of State for African
Affairs, Robert Jackson, told
senators: Resolving this crisis
is now one of the highest priori-
ties of the US government.
A state of emergency was
imposed in three northeastern
states worst affected by the
violence on May 14 last year.
Special powers were extended
for a further six months in No-
vember.
President Jonathan requested
the extension on Tuesday, call-
ing the security situation in
Borno, Yobe and Adamawa
daunting.
More than 2,000 have been
killed this year alone, most of
them civilians, in increasing
violence across Muslim-majority
northern Nigeria that has seen
churches, schools and entire
villages attacked.
Police in northern Bauchi
state, where Boko Haram gun-
men previously attacked a girls
school, said about 30 gunmen
destroyed two village primary
schools late on Wednesday but
no one was injured. (AFP)
Members of civil
society groups sit
to protest the ab-
duction of Chibok
school girls during
a rally pressing for
the girls release
in Abuja on May 6.
Nigerias President
Jonathan Goodluck
has come under
erce criticism over
the slow response
towards the stu-
dents kidnap. He on
Friday cancelled a
trip to Chibok.
PHOTO | AFP
Security
concerns
blamed
for last
minute
change
of plan
to visits
students
hometown
If, as commander-in-
chief of the armed
forces, he is afraid to
visit Chibok because
of security fears, he
is simply telling the
hapless people in
the northeast that
he cannot protect
them
Coalition Against
Corrupt Leaders
member Debo Adeniran
CRISIS | President widely criticised for slow response to a situation that has drawn the worlds attention
TO COMMENT ON THESE
AND OTHER STORIES GO TO
www.nation.co.ke
Nigerias Jonathan cancels visit to
abducted girls town amid protests
WORLD
NEW ERA FOR INDIA AFTER
LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR MODI
Indias triumphant Hindu nationalists
declared a new era after win. Page 45
HARARE
Zimbabwe deation
persists, ination gains
Zimbabwes annual ination for
April climbed by 0.65 per cent to
-0.26 per cent from -0.91 percent
in March as the country remains
in deation, the statistics agency
said on Thursday. Monthly ina-
tion gained 0.81 per cent to 0.58
per cent in April, up from -0.22
per cent the previous month.
Zimbabwe, which is facing a seri-
ous liquidity crunch worsened by
acute shortage of lines of credit
and foreign investment, plunged
into deation in February this
year after several months of dis-
ination. (Xinhua)
JOHANNESBURG
S.Africa briey detains
DR Congo prophet
South African authorities
on Thursday detained for a few
hours a self-proclaimed prophet
who is wanted by Kinshasa over
his role in violence that claimed
more than 100 lives in DR Con-
gos two main cities. Mr Joseph
Mukungubila Mutombo, who
describes himself as Gods last
envoy to humanity after Jesus
Christ and Paul of Tarsus, was
arrested at dawn at his house in
the suburbs of Johannesburg. We
managed to get him out on bail,
his South African lawyer Ashraf
Essop told AFP. The lawyer said
the charges against Mutombo
are outlined in an Interpol arrest
warrant following a complaint
by the Congolese government.
BRIEFLY
BENGHAZI
Fierce clashes erupt in
Libyas eastern city
Fierce clashes erupted in Lib-
yas eastern city of Benghazi on
Friday between Islamists and
forces led by a retired general
seeking to purge it of terrorists,
an AFP journalist and witnesses
said. The witnesses said a group
led by Khalifa Haftar, a former
rebel chief in the 2011 uprising
that toppled Muammar Gadda,
was backed by warplanes that
pounded a barracks occupied
by the Islamist February 17
Brigade militia. Militiamen re-
sponded by opening up with anti-
aircraft re. The two groups also
clashed in the Sidi Fradj area of
south Benghazi, the AFP journal-
ist said. (AFP)
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
42
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
43
CAPE TOWN, Friday
S
outh Africas biggest opposition out-
t, the Democratic Alliance, said it
will intervene following the news
that the Cabinet Security Cluster intends
to take a report on the presidents home
for a judicial review.
This decision by the Security Cluster is
a transparent case of the executive trying
to interfere with the independence and
impartiality of a Chapter Nine institu-
tion (the Public Protectors Oce), said
James Selfe, chairman of the DA Federal
Executive.
The Security Cluster had said earlier on
Thursday that it will refer Public Protector
Thuli Madonselas report on the Nkandla
scandal to the High Court for review of
its inaccuracies.
The security cluster ministers have
resolved to take the Public Protectors
report on the security upgrades installed
in the private residence of the President
(the Nkandla report) on a judicial review
by the High Court, government spokes-
woman Phumla Williams said.
Mandonsela issued the report on March
19 on the nal ndings into the security up-
grades of Zumas private home in Nkandla,
KwaZulu-Natal Province, a project that al-
legedly cost 245 million rand (about 23
million US dollars) in public funds.
The Public Protector claims that Zumas
family unduly beneted from the project
and wants Zuma to pay part of the money
spent on the project, a request rejected by
Zuma. It is the ministers view that the
Public Protectors report and the inves-
tigation she conducted trespass on the
separation of powers doctrine and oend
against section 198(d) of the Constitution
which vests national security in Parliament
and National Executive, Williams said in
a statement.
Remedial action
The grounds of the review will be fully
canvassed in the review papers, she said.
It is also the ministers view that some of
the ndings and remedial action proposed
by the Public Protector in her report are
irrational, contradictory and are informed
by material errors of law, said Williams.
In response to the government move,
the DA has already begun consulting its
lawyers with the view of joining as inter-
vening party, Selfe said.
The Constitution requires organs of
State to assist and protect the Public
Protector for the independent impartiality,
dignity and eectiveness of the Consti-
tution. In the light of the aforegoing the
threatened review application is inconsist-
ent with the Constitutional imperatives,
Selfe said. He said the DA believes that it
is part of a greater plan to try and block
the reappointment of an ad hoc commit-
tee to consider this matter on the grounds
of it being sub judice. To the extent that
there are any inaccuracies in the report,
a parliamentary ad hoc committee is the
correct body to consider such arguments,
Selfe said.
The committee, he said, will be able to
listen to input from the Security Cluster
as well as seek answers to questions which
were not fully answered by the report. The
DA will be considering the application by
the Ministers as soon as it is available and
make a decision on what steps to take,
Selfe said. We will not hesitate to approach
a court to become an intervening party if
needs be. A Parliament ad hoc committee
set up to consider submissions by Zuma
on the Public Protectors Nkandla report
was dissolved last month before the May 7
general elections on the grounds that there
was not enough time for it to do justice to
the task at hand. The matter is left for the
fth Parliament to be sworn in later this
month. (Xinhua)
SA party to intervene in
suit on Zuma home report
PHOTO | AFP
South African President Jacob Zuma waving at his supporters after casting his vote on May
7 at Ntolwane Primary School in his rural village of Nkandla. The Public Protector wants him
to pay part of the cost of upgrading his Nkandla home.
SCANDAL | Ministers in court for a judicial review of report on the presidents Nkandla home upgrade
This
decision by
the Security
Cluster is a
transparent
case of the
executive
trying to
interfere
with the
Public
Protectors
Oce
Democratic
Alliance party
ocial James
Selfe
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
44 | Africa News
NEW DELHI, Friday
I
ndias triumphant Hindu national-
ists declared the start of a new
era in the worlds biggest democ-
racy on Friday, after hardline leader
Narendra Modi propelled them to a
stunning win on a platform of revital-
izing the sickly economy.
Preliminary results at the end of the
marathon six-week election showed
the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led
by prime ministerial candidate Modi
on track for the rst parliamentary
majority by a single party in 30 years.
Most of the poverty-wracked countrys
1.2 billion people more than half
of whom are under 25 have never
witnessed such dominance having
grown up in an era of fractious coa-
lition politics.
Modi, the 63-year-old son of a tea
seller tainted by anti-Muslim riots in
his home state of Gujarat in 2002,
wrote on Twitter that India has won.
Good days are coming.
The stunning results exceeded
all forecasts. Firecrackers exploded
at BJP oces around the country
and sweets were handed out in
celebrations that began only a few
hours after the rst gures ltered
out. The triumph redraws Indias
political map, elevating the BJP to a
pan-national power, handing Modi a
huge mandate for change and heap-
ing humiliation on the ruling Gandhi
political dynasty.
The immediate change Modi will
need to deliver is an improvement in
the economy, growing at its slowest
rate in a decade, but his past as a re-
ligious hardliner means he is viewed
with suspicion by Indias 150 million
Muslims.
This is the beginning of change, a
peoples revolution and the start of a
new era, senior BJP leader Prakash
Javadekar told AFP at party headquar-
ters in New Delhi.
Preliminary gures from the Elec-
tion Commission showed the BJP
winning more than the 272 seats
required for a majority on its own
in the 543-seat parliament, with vic-
tories by its allies taking it easily in
excess of 330.
The Congress Party, the national
secular force that has run India for
all but 13 years since independence,
was set to crash to its worst ever result
after a decade in power.
Modi promised the moon and
stars to the people. People bought
that dream, senior Congress leader
and spokesman Rajeev Shukla told
reporters as preliminary results
showed the party winning only 45
seats. (AFP)
ELECTION RESULTS | BJP in historic landslide win for rst parliamentary majority in 30 years
New era for India after Modis victory
Ruling Congress party
concedes poll defeat
and outgoing PM
congratulates winner
Chief Minister of western Gu-
jarat state and main opposition
Bharatiya Janata Party prime
ministerial candidate Narendra
Modi ashes the victory sign in
Vadodara yesterday. Right: Mr Modi
(centre) with former Prime Minister
Raila Odinga (left) and industrialist
Manu Chandaria when he visited
Kenya in 2008.
PHOTOS | AFP AND NATION FILE
I
n his recent talk at the Woodrow
Wilson School of Public and Interna-
tional Aairs in Princeton, New Jersey,
former Prime Minister Raila Odinga gave
an insightful speech on the place of Africa
in the world today.
Among the notable points he raised
was the need for Africa to be able to
speak about its own hunts. He rightly
observed, using the familiar story about
the lion and the hunter, that as long as the
lion cannot speak, hunters will continue
to tell its story.
Yet, perhaps aware of the diculty
of not just speaking about the hunt but
actually knowing what that story is, Raila
did not elaborate. Similarly, in his speech
on World Press Freedom Day, President
Kenyatta emphasised the need to tell the
African story from an African point of
view. He did not provide any details. Oth-
ers have been less circumspect, but with
rhetoric that although easy on the ears,
remains fundamentally impractical.
It is true that the representation of Af-
rica in the international media remains
primarily rooted in a colonial master nar-
rative. The African story in world media
is typically rendered in its simplicity.
Africa is discussed on the twin premises
of sameness and dierence. The latter is
especially signicant, for as anthropolo-
gist Kelly Gillespie observes, Africa is
easily understood to many as not-Europe.
Its wars are therefore unique, its problems
chronic and intractable. The reaction to
this representation has however, been at
best profoundly reactionary.
Rather than construct an alternative
narration of the continent, we continue
to contest the master narrative, but often
on the enemys terms; We are not incom-
petent and we are not corrupt. But what
then are we? More importantly, who are
we? A number of these contestations
often start from a position that renders
our response inherently contradictory
and ineective. In fact, by imagining
and constructing an undifferentiated
we, we validate the very contentious
narrative we seek to contest.
The failure to acknowledge the instabil-
ity of the referent Africa, or of its story,
partly legitimises the very essentialisation
of a diverse continent as an undierenti-
ated space and culture. Precisely because
of this, we paradoxically end up with
Africas misrepresentation in the very
attempts to revise the same. Erasing
dierences to create a single Africa is
problematic as it validates sameness.
African Al-Jazeera
We have even heard fervent calls for
the creation of an African Al-Jazeera.
While the impact that Al-Jazeera has
had in (re-) positioning the Arab world
in international media is indisputable,
whether it has changed the discursive
practices with which the Arab story is
told remains a subject of debate. In ad-
dition, the funding model of Al-Jazeera
- for this cannot be divorced from what
it says- is certainly not one to be paraded
as a success story.
The largesse of Al-Jazeeras benefactors
should not be taken for peerless magna-
nimity. Inuence and self-preservation is
often at the heart of such benefaction.
Indeed, looking back at the recent AU
Summits in Addis Ababa, the prospect of
an African Al-Jazeera sounds frightening.
We saw leaders of some of Africas most
despotic regimes known to kill political
opponents for sport, who have amassed
themselves odious wealth, jailed journal-
ists and shut down media organisations,
trump up the need for a pan-African news
media controlled by them.
It is worrying that at this point in time,
the main response to Africas negative
characterization in world media still
tends to gesture towards unbridled
nationalism.
Much older pan-Africanist movements
no doubt provide us a useful archive from
which we can learn about ourselves and
indeed, be. These movements, as the
scholar John McCall delightfully de-
scribes, wanted to discover and cultivate
a common cultural core a poetics that
could ring as true in a Congo village as
on the streets of Johannesburg.
But such poetics was equally prob-
lematic as it homogenized experiences,
criminalised dierence and closed pos-
sibilities for diversity. That past is laced
with understandable sentimentality.
A similar approach to Africas rep-
resentation today is ideologically and
practically redundant. I am African, but
I am also a son of many worlds. The anxi-
eties that are part of the contemporary
African experience are a function of a
variety of factors, the most dominant of
which may not necessarily be the obvi-
ousness of being African.
For this reason, I nd a more persuasive
argument in Valentine-Yves Mudimbes
calls for Africa to be more epistemologi-
cally inventive in expressing the self.
There is a very real danger of a new
African narrative being colonised by
the African elite. What Africa needs is
not a giant pan-African media but its
many radio and TV stations and its
numerous newspapers. It is on these
platforms that the African story is and
will be told. These stories elaborate on
the falsehood of a centralised identity.
An African Al-Jazeera will be distinctly
un-African!
Who are we? Let us tell the African story
ANALYSIS | George Ogola
Dr Ogola teaches at the University of
Central Lancashire, Googla@uclan.ac.uk
SANAA
Yemen leader vows
raid on Qaeda dens
The Yemeni president has
vowed to clear Al-Qaeda from
all its remaining bastions, say-
ing that an oensive launched
by the army in the south last
month would be extended na-
tionwide. The battle against
the terrorist organisation is
open-ended, President Ab-
drabuh Mansur Hadi told se-
curity chiefs late on Thursday.
The armed forces and the se-
curity services should prepare
operations to clear these ter-
rorists from Abyan, Shabwa,
Baida, Marib and everywhere
they have set foot, he said in
comments carried by the of-
cial Saba news agency. The
southern provinces of Abyan
and Shabwa and the neigh-
bouring central province of
Baida have been the focus of
the oensive which the army
launched on April 29. (AFP)
BRIEFLY
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4. KBR 594M TOYOTA FIELDER S/WAGON
5. KBN 540A TOYOTA CALDINA SALOON
6. KBP 375G NISSAN X TRAIL S/WAGON
7. KBS 297G TOYOTA VOXY S/WAGON
8. KAL 273Y SUBARU LEGACY S/WAGON
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10. KBT 766A TOYOTA AVENSIS S/WAGON
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SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
45
BUSINESS
TOYOTA SIGNS SH129M FARM
MACHINERY DEALERSHIP
Japan rm gets exclusive rights to
distribute Case IH tractor brands in
Kenya. Page 47
Portland issues
prot warning
after loss of
market share
BY NATION CORRESPONDENT
Portland cement company has
issued a prot warning, saying
its earnings will decline by over
a quarter in the full year ending
June 2014.
The management cites a raft of
challenges that have depressed
its business in the period under
review. The cement maker has
been grappling with low prices
of the commodity occasioned by
increased competition and loss of
market share to rivals.
The company has faced chal-
lenges characterised by increased
competition that depressed prices,
loss of market share due to new
entrants into the local market,
the cement maker said in a state-
ment.
Increased sta costs and high
interest rates coupled with depreci-
ation of the Kenya shilling against
major world currencies are also to
blame for expected poor perform-
ance in the year ending June, the
management said.
Unfavourable developments in
the companys export markets in
the East African region resulted
in drastically reduced sales for the
period, the rm said.
In the rst half period of the
accounting year that ended De-
cember 2013, the cement markers
prot after tax declined by 44 per
cent to Sh283 million compared to
Sh327 million recorded in a similar
period in 2012, a move that ana-
lysts say that the prot warning
comes as no surprise.
Boardroom wrangles
Despite all the uncertainty
surrounding East Africa Portland
Cement Companys current and
future operations, even without the
boardroom wrangles, the rm is
still the least ecient operator
amongst key industry players,
said Standard Investment Bank
analysts.
The government is also planning
to ooad the cement maker to Ni-
gerian billionaire Aliko Dangote.
Last year, Mr Dangote announced
plans to invest Sh35 billion in
Kenyas cement industry. His
rm, Dangote Cement, recently
acquired business licence and
mining rights in Kenya.
Portlands operations have
been frequently interrupted by
boardroom wrangles between
management, Lafarge and the
government.
The company has faced
challenges characterised
by increased competition
that depressed prices
Portland statement
BY NATION CORRESPONDENT
Keroche Breweries was given the green
light yesterday to sell its drinks by the
National Authority for the Campaign
Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
This comes a day after the Nacada
ocials said the company had failed
to provide samples and documents to
be cleared. Nacada ocials visited the
Naivasha-based brewer and gave its
products a clean bill of health.
Weve cleared the issues that were
there between us (Keroche) and Nacada,
managing director Tabitha Karanja
(right) told Nation.
Nacada chairman John Mututhos call
went unanswered when Nation contacted
him for comments. However, earlier in
the day, he told the Press that he had
no grudges with Keroche adding that
his team would visit the plant on a fa-
miliarisation tour.
The development removes anxiety
from the workers, distributors and
customers some of who had reacted
strongly over the move to stop sale of
Keroche beers.
On Thursday, Mr Mututho had warned
the brewer that its products would not be
allowed in the market as the company had
failed to provide documents and samples
but Ms Karanja argued that the rm had
done that to the Kenya Bureau of Stand-
ards for verication. Keroche said it was
shocked by Nacadas action.
Keroche gets green light to sell its beer brands
BY ZEDDY SAMBU
zsambu@ke.nationmedia.com
D
r Silas Simiyu has won
the battle over control
of Geothermal Devel-
opment Company that pitted
him against chairman Simon
Gicharu.
In a reshue announced
yesterday, President Uhuru
Kenyatta moved Mr Gicharu
to the Rural Electrication
Authority (REA) in a similar
capacity and replaced him
with Mr Faisal Abass. Mr
Abass was the chair of REA.
The two were handed a one
year contract.
Yesterday, reports sug-
gested that Mr Gicharu
had actually been removed
in a boardroom coup. Mr
Gicharu, who is the founder
of Mt Kenya University, de-
manded the removal of GDC
chief executive, Mr Simiyu,
accusing him of corruption.
The standoff came barely
three months after Mr Gi-
charu was appointed to head
the company on December
27 last year.
In a confidential report
sent to the Head of Public
Service Joseph Kinyua, Mr
Gicharu accuses Mr Simiyu
of mismanagement, nepotism
and dishonesty. He had de-
manded GDC audited while
Mr Simiyu is out.
Mr Gicharu has been em-
broiled in a tussle with the
firms CEO over a tender
revolving the purchase of
an electrical rig which was
awarded to Sichuan Hong-
hua Petroleum Equipment
at Sh2 billion ($21.5m). The
anti-corruption commission
then started investigations
into the parastatal.
GDC gave China Petroleum
Technology and Development
Corporation an additional job
in a contract worth Sh6 bil-
lion to put up three rigs after
initially winning the tender
for two in 2011.
Members of the Public In-
vestments Committee said
the deal would be contrary
to the Public Procurement
and Disposal Act, the Public
Finance Management Act and
the Law of Contract.
However, Dr Simiyu said
the procedure was in line
with the rules of the African
Development Bank which had
given the government the
money partly as a loan and
as a grant. The government
then gave GDC the money
as a grant.
The shake-up came as Mr
Kenyatta directed policy mak-
ers in the Ministry of Energy
to fastrack new generation and
transmission programmes to
cut the cost of power. At a
meeting, Cabinet secretary
Davis Chirchir led nine par-
astatals chiefs in the energy
sector to give an update on
the power supply status and
projections for the period of
May to September.
Contacted, Mr Gicharu
said the work at GDC was
still wanting. We resolved
the issues and issued a joint
statement with the CEO.
However, I am still not
proud of the work output
by GDC.
Sh6bn
Value of tender GDC
awarded to Chinese rm
to put up three rigs
GDC chief executive Silas
Simiyu retains post.
Simiyu wins GDC power tussle
Gicharu edged out
of geothermal rm
after three months
battle with CEO
Mr Simon Gicharu now be-
comes REA chairman.
Mr Faisal Abass replaces Mr
Gicharu at the helm of GDC.
CHANGES | Mt Kenya University founder swaps places with REAs Faisal Abass and contract cut to one year
PUTTING HEADS TOGETHER | Human resources managers sharpen skills at conference
Delegates follow pro-
ceedings during the
2014 Human Resources
Congress at Serena
Beach Resort in Mom-
basa. Organised by
the Institute of Human
Resource Management,
the conference brings
together personnel
managers from various
parts of the country.
PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT
SATURDAY NATION
May 17, 2014
46 | Business News
NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE
Last 12 Mths Security Prices
High Low Yesterday Previous Shares
Agricultural
57.00 21.00 Eaagads Ord 1.25 29.50
123.00 80.00 Kakuzi Ord.5.00 132.00 132.00 100
167.00 110.00 Kapchorua Tea Co Ord 5.00 144.00 144.00 200
625.00 450.00 The Limuru Tea Co. Ord 20.00 670.00
30.00 19.40 Rea Vipingo Plantations Ord 5.00 27.50
19.95 11.25 Sasini Ltd Ord 1.00 17.00 16.90 5,700
350.00 210.00 Williamson Tea Kenya Ord 5.00 272.00 280.00 200
Automobiles & Accessories
50.00 21.00 Car & General (K) Ord 5.00 33.50
- - CMC Holdings Ord 0.50 13.50
13.50 9.00 Marshalls (E.A.) Ord 5.00 9.30 9.20 700
7.70 4.50 Sameer Africa Ord 5.00 8.65 8.75 42,700
Banking
19.15 15.00 Barclays Bank Ord 0.50 17.00 17.00 245,500
155.00 54.00 CFC Stanbic of Kenya Holdings Ord.5.00 139.00 142.00 29,800
248.00 141.00 Diamond Trust Bank Ord 4.00 237.00 236.00 200
42.25 29.50 Equity Bank Ord 0.50 39.00 39.75 510,100
42.50 22.00 Housing Finance Co Ord 5.00 39.25 42.00 89,200
145.00 85.00 I &M Holdings Ltd Ord 1.00 128.00
51.00 35.50 KCB Ord 1.00 46.75 47.00 179,700
39.25 18.50 NBK Ord 5.00 33.50 32.00 89,800
68.00 48.50 NIC Bank Ord 5.00 59.50 60.00 19,200
340.00 271.00 StandardChartered Ord 5.00 309.00 309.00 2,300
25.00 14.50 Co-op Bank of Kenya Ord 1.00 22.50 22.50 869,100
Commercial & Services
5.10 3.40 Express Ord 5.00 5.00 4.80 38,100
- - Hutchings Biemer Ord 5.00 20.25
14.70 8.30 Kenya Airways Ord 5.00 12.80 12.80 166,500
16.50 5.00 Longhorn Kenya Ord 1.00 13.00 13.00 16,500
400.00 271.00 Nation Media Group Ord. 2.50 322.00 319.00 1,100
247.00 44.00 ScanGroup Ord. 1.00 47.00 47.50 2,700
39.00 24.50 Standard Group Ord 5.00 35.00 35.50 2,900
56.50 40.00 TPS EA (Serena) Ord 1.00 41.50 40.75 7,400
24.00 14.00 Uchumi Supermarket Ord 5.00 13.35 13.20 20,500
Construction & Allied
98.50 60.00 ARM Cement Ord 1.00 83.50 83.50 2,700
225.00 170.00 BamburiCement Ord 5.00 175.00 173.00 42,400
96.00 75.00 Crown Paints Kenya Ord 5.00 93.50 95.00 1,300
18.00 13.80 E.A.Cables Ord 0.50 14.55 14.75 17,300
110.00 56.50 E.A.Portland Cement Ord 5.00 92.50 92.50 2,400
Energy & Petroleum
17.90 10.00 KenGen Ord 2.50 11.05 11.05 267,000
11.80 7.90 KenolKobil Ltd Ord 0.05 9.15 8.50 4,919,800
20.75 13.50 KP&LC Ord 2.50 14.90 14.85 257,600
- - KP&LC 4% Pref.20.00 8.00
5.50 5.50 KP&LC 7% Pref.20.00 5.50
28.75 12.65 Total Kenya Ord 5.00 26.25 26.00 2,800
13.00 13.00 Umeme Ltd Ord 0.50 13.00
Insurance
20.00 7.30 British American Investments Co.0.10 17.70 17.80 386,600
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334.00 217.00 Jubilee Holdings Ord 5.00 328.00 326.00 17,300
21.00 13.10 Kenya Re Corporation Ord 2.50 19.90 19.95 213.700
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145.00 51.50 Pan Africa Insurance Ord 5.00 125.00 126.00 3,500
Investment
41.00 17.05 CentumInvestment Co Ord 0.50 40.00 40.00 652,500
6.00 3.50 Olympia Capital Holdings Ord 5.00 4.80 4.70 9,900
37.75 20.00 Trans-Century LtdOrd 0.50 23.50 22.75 1,300
Manufacturing & Allied
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190.00 100.00 B.O.C Kenya Ord 5.00 140.00 139.00 83,700
635.00 521.00 British American Tobacco Kenya Ord 10.00 600.00 600.00 100
67.50 30.50 Carbacid Investments Ord 5.00 33.50 33.00 37,600
426.00 212.00 East African Breweries Ord 2.00 297.00 300.00 59,700
4.00 1.90 Eveready EA Ord 1.00 3.60 3.75 92,400
8.60 4.40 Kenya Orchards Ord 5.00 8.60
5.05 2.85 Mumias Sugar Co. Ord 2.00 3.10 3.10 1,288,800
27.50 14.00 Unga Group Ord 5.00 26.00 25.50 4,900
Telecommunication & Technology
13.40 6.15 SafaricomLtd Ord. 0.05 12.85 12.60 57,811,000
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25.00 4.40 Home Afrika Ltd Ord. 1.00 5.25 5.20 1,013,700
NSE All Share Index(NASI)-(1 Jan 2008=100 Up 0.42 points to close at 151.15
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ARAB CURRENCY/$
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Currencies are quoted against the US Dollar
BY RAMENYA GIBENDI
@ramenyagib
rgibendi@ke.nationmedia.com
T
oyota Tsusho has upped investment
in its Kenya agriculture unit by sign-
ing a Sh129 million dealership deal
with a farm machinery giant.
The Japanese company has acquired
exclusive rights to distribute Case IH trac-
tor brands in Kenya targeting maize, rice,
wheat and cane farming. The deal comes
two months after the company won a Sh103
billion government tender to construct the
regions rst fertiliser factory by 2016, a
move that promises to bring down the cost
of the key farm input.
We shall deal in Case IH tractors used
for harvesting, planting, tillage and spray-
ing. We will be in Mwea rice elds, Narok
wheat farms and Western Kenya Sugar
cane farms, said Toyota Tsusho East
Africa director Dennis Awori.
Entry into the agriculture sector is the
latest diversication strategy by the Japa-
nese car maker as it seeks to cut reliance
on saloon cars that has hitherto been its
niche business.
The agriculture division was launched
late last year and has been selling Yanmar
brand of tractors as the company prepares
for increased demand for tractors by the
government and private sector investors.
Wider presence
While Yanmar tractors target small-scale
farmers due to their relatively smaller diesel
engines, the Case tractors and harvesters
could be targeting large-scale farmers thus
giving Toyota a wider presence in the farm
machinery segment.
The automaker last year diversified
into the commercial vehicle division with
introduction of the Hino brand of trucks
and buses to ride on increased transport
demand in the country.
Previously CMC holdings held the ex-
clusive dealership agreement with Case
Toyota signs Sh129m
farm machinery deal
INVESTMENT | Company has already won Sh103 billion tender to construct East Africas rst fertiliser plant in Rift Valley
Japan
rm gets
exclusive
rights to
distribute
Case IH
tractor
brands
in Kenya
targeting
grain
and cane
farmers
IH but the shift to Toyota Tsusho leaves
it with the Holland brand of tractors that
dominate large-scale farms.
Mr Awori said that Toyota Tsusho shall
ride on the existing branch network owned
by Toyota Kenya to gain market traction as
opposed to establishing new ones.
We will also be opening branches in
Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret and Mombasa to
ensure accessibility besides our partner-
ship with Toyota Kenya, he said during
the partnership launch.
A feasibility study for the construction of
a fertiliser plant in Rift valley is expected
to be complete next month. The rst phase
of the set up shall involve the construction
of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium
fertiliser plant. The second phase is meant
for production of Diammonium Phosphate,
urea and Calcium Ammonium Nitrogen fer-
tilisers, with the rst production expected
in 2016. Besides considerably cutting down
the cost of fertiliser since 40 per cent of
the total cost emanates from port charges,
Toyota has plans to get the larger East
Africa market as none of the member
countries has a fertiliser factory.
Subsidise input
East Africas economy is heavily reliant
on agriculture but depends on imported
fertiliser, a factor that forces governments
to subsidise the input so as to cushion farm-
ers from high costs.
We are currently searching for land
between Nakuru and Timboroa where the
rst phase of this project shall commence,
said Mr Awori.
O
T
O
I C
A
R
L
E
S
K
A
M
A
U
Reasons
ou should
sober up
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 saturday magazine 5
I
t is a cool Wednesda morning in a boardroom at the
Nairobi ospital where a ver bubbl meeting of roughl
twent women (and two men) is going on. For a moment,
amidst the upbeat spirit, it is dicult to imagine that
these oung, vibrant and health-looking women suer from
a sometimes debilitating disease. And even as the discuss
their fears and challenges, their emotions rarel betra them
because the take a light-hearted approach to everthing.
There is constant laughter and encouragement.
When ou meet them one-on-one, the situation is no
dierent; the give such little room for pit parties that ou
would think that the are narrating another persons stor and
not their own. That is the impression I get when I talked to
three women who suer from lupus, a chronic and incurable
disease that is 10 times more common in women than men.
Genevieve Wasonga, Wend Gikono and Gertrude Osore sa
that despite often being misunderstood because the have an
uncommon condition, the have found a wa to live a full life,
with lupus. The share their ups and downs.
Genevieve Wasonga
Before Genevieve, a 28-ear-old advocate, was diagnosed with
lupus four ears ago, she had never had an health problems.
Then all of a sudden she was in hospital ever other week for
si months, with smptoms for ailments that doctors couldnt
reall pinpoint. She did so man tests, including testing for
IV three times, but nothing conclusive came up. But one
morning of sickness led her to the right diagnosis.
I was pued up all over. I felt terrible and had a ver
fast heartbeat. At the hospital, after tests, I was referred to a
kidne specialist. I was ver sick and m kidnes were on the
verge of failing.
Genevieve and her parents sought a second opinion from
a bigger hospital. There, the amount of mone required for
admission and to run tests was prohibitive so her parents
took her back home where Genevieves condition worsened.
She was rushed to hospital once again. When a famil friend,
who is a doctor and who had admitted Genevieve to the
hospital saw her, he referred her to another phsician who
ran some tests and diagnosed her with lupus, a condition in
which the bods immune sstem attacks health cells, tissues
and organs and it is thought to be triggered b genetic and
environmental factors. Common smptoms of lupus include
fatigue, joint pain and swelling and skin rash.
For Genevieve, the diagnosis came as a relief.
It was dicult not knowing what was going on with m
bod. I did not know if I had cancer or whether I was going
to die, so when the doctor put a name to m condition, I was
relieved. e eplained that lupus has no cure, but now that
I knew what it was, I could work towards getting better, she
recalls.
Genevieve was put on medication (immunosuppressants
to stop her immunit ghting her own bod, and steroids)
and though the treatment regimen was harsh, her health
improved. But that rst ear after the diagnosis was dicult.
She could no longer eat just anthing with abandon, and she
could not aord to eert herself because people with lupus
are prone to becoming fatigued and that can cause a are-up.
A are-up can also be triggered b a change in environment
or weather, phsical or emotional stress, among other things.
As a result of the lupus, Genevieve has had four surgeries.
It alwas takes longer to heal than normal, but she alwas
bounces back and gets on with her life. owever, Genevieves
good das outnumber the bad ones.
Lupus comes with a fatigue that is beond
comprehension. Some das I wake up feeling more tired than
when I went to bed, or wake up to a sti bod that cant move.
There are das when Im at work and all I want to do is go back
home and sleep because I feel so tired and m whole bod
aches.
Thank God I have an understanding boss who is ver
accommodative of the adjustments I sometimes have to
make.
M boss knew me before I was diagnosed and he knows
that when I sa I am sick or fatigued or that I need to go to
hospital, I am not faking illness or just being laz. e also
knows that I do qualit work and knows that when I need to
get work done even if I get to the oce at 10am, m work will
be done b deadline.
Although as a result of her condition Genevieve cannot
take up strenuous jobs, she has managed to do well at her
relativel strenuous job as an advocate of the high court. She
sas that the secret is to nd a wa to strike a balance, adding
that eercise helps to bring the fatigue down and also makes
her bod stronger so that she can endure more.
The tough part is tring to keep a lid on stress, but I
counter that b doing something fun like going out to dance
or meeting a friend for a cup of coee and laughter. If I feel
burnt out, I ask for a few das o, she sas.
Genevieve hasnt had a are-up for a few ears now and
she doesnt take immunosuppressants anmore. Apart
from a good diet, eercise and stress management, the
trick in managing lupus lies in sticking to a strict regimen as
prescribed b the doctor and going to the doctor ever time
ou start feeling unwell.
Naturall, dating when one has a poorl understood and
sometimes aggressive and erratic chronic illness like lupus can
be a challenge. Genevieve isnt seeing anone special now,
but she is condent that there are men who can handle her as
she is.
Yes, in our support group there are women who were
dumped because their partners couldnt deal with lupus, but
there are also women whose husbands love them even more
now that the have lupus so getting a man who loves me as
I am is not one of m worries.
What bothers Genevieve is that the disease is ver
epensive and health insurance for it is either lacking or
inadequate. She also worries about death. While everone is
going to die, death is more of a realit for me. M immunit
can kill me. I alwas wonder if I will be oka and alive
tomorrow.
But instead of making me depressed, what this does is
that it makes me live harder because a positive outlook is ver
important in managing lupus. I live life to the full.
Wend Gikono
Twent-one-ear-old accounting student Wend was
diagnosed with lupus eight ears ago. er smptoms, in form
of ineplicable joint pains and swellings, began during her
rst ear of high school, but like most other lupus suerers,
doctors couldnt nd anthing wrong with her, but kept giving
her anti-inammator medication. er smptoms would
MAINFEATURE
Three women disclose how
their lives have changed after a
diagnosis of lupus disease. B
Felista Wangari
ow we live with lupus
Genevieve Achieng Wasonga / Photo Evans abil
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION 6 saturday magazine
worsen during the cold season and at some point her hair
started falling o. It got to a point when she couldnt even
walk without the help of crutches and ever month she had
recurring infections that saw her spend more time at hospital
than at school. B then her doctors had decided to treat her for
rheumatoid arthritis.
er saving grace came two ears later when her fathers
friend referred him to a rheumatologist who diagnosed her
with lupus after taking her medical histor and doing some
tests. owever, some of her other smptoms suggested that
it was not just lupus that she was suering from. (This is not
unusual in lupus patients. It tends to come with one or two
other health conditions and over time doctors have discovered
that Wend suers from si other conditions, which are
secondar to lupus, in what is called Mied Connective Tissue
Disease MTSD.)
It was hard because I was alwas ver sleep and everone
thought I was just laz. M self-esteem also took a hit
especiall because of the hair loss and because I ballooned
when I was put on steroids. owever, nothing beats knowing
what ou suer from because then ou can eplain that the
reason wh ou eperience more fatigue than other people is
because ou have this condition.
Wend nished high school in 2011 and due to the memor
loss that came with the lupus, she had to change her career
choice from law to accounting because she feared memor
loss would impede a career in law. Wend has also had to
change her diet (she can basicall onl eat meat without a
problem) and learn to live in the moment.
Lupus limits ou because ou cant make plans ou dont
know what is going to happen tomorrow. You can be ne now
and the net minute ou are terribl sick.
And the thing with lupus is that no one understands ou
tell people that ou have lupus and the sa but ou dont
look sick. What the dont realise is that the onl reason I look
health (chubb) is because the steroids I take pu me up, and
when ou see me looking happ and getting on with m life
during the good das, ou might have diculties believing
that lupus is a serious disease.
Wend sas that she has had to accept that there are
things that she might not be able to do. She cant stand for
long, for eample, or walk for distances that other people ma
nd comfortable. She cant wash dishes or clothes or bend.
She cant swim or do man other things that people take for
granted. Moreover, lupus makes her life reall unpredictable
and thinking about the future makes her have morbid
thoughts.
I constantl struggle with the fear of not knowing what
will happen tomorrow. It is as if ou are almost holding our
breath waiting for anthing to happen and it can make ou a
bit paranoid. When ou feel a small pain our mind goes riot as
ou wonder if it is something serious. But I am learning to go
with the ow and to sa that Ill just go where God takes me.
Wend still has two more ears in school, but she is now
more condent about going into the workplace.
When I did an internship two months ago, m faith
in humanit was restored. I eplained to m bosses and
colleagues about m condition and the were all ver
understanding. When I graduate, I hope I can get a boss who
understands that I can fall ill an time and that I ma need to
take leave suddenl at times.
Wend has someone special who has stood b her ever
since she was diagnosed. At rst he was terried, having seen
what it did to her. But tagging along for her hospital visits and
interacting with her doctors has given him a chance to get
more acquainted with the disease. e is not oka with it, but
he has come to terms with it, she sas.
Although life handed her lemons quite earl on, Wend
sas that living with lupus has taught her to appreciate life
more, and not take anthing for granted. Wend keeps her
moods up b hanging out with upbeat friends and watching
comed. When I was diagnosed I lost friends, hope, faith in
God, m dreams and faith in people. I became distant and
secluded mself because I felt like a burden, but I couldnt live
like that forever. I now live one da at a time because all I ever
reall have is the present moment.
Gertrude Osore
Gertrude, a 48-ear-old senior immigration ocer, was also
diagnosed with lupus eight ears ago after ears of suering
from joint pains, chills, rashes, bod aches, pains and ailments
that led most people to believe that she was IV-positive.
She alwas felt tired and couldnt swim in cold water without
running a fever and shivering uncontrollabl.
Lupus aected her temperament and mental health, her
skin, and caused her to have general bod aches. An time she
got stressed she would run a high fever and start trembling. A
small scratch or mosquito bite would leave her with wounds
that took long periods of time to heal. owever, doctors
did not know what was wrong with her and her smptoms
were alwas eplained awa. er rst pregnanc, as a rst-
ear student, was problematic and she was ver mood, but
everone said that was normal for a pregnant woman and
that she was just an eplosive person. er second pregnanc
during her nal ear at universit was even more problematic
she eperienced the same old smptoms but this time the
were more intense. No one realised that these were smptoms
of a serious disease. After graduating and getting into the
workplace, things got worse because she couldnt cope with
anthing stressful.
I was hpersensitive and ver irritable and ever time I
got annoed I would run a high fever. Most people thought I
needed to see a pschiatrist or go for counselling. I couldnt
handle the pressure at m job at an insurance agenc. I was
seven months pregnant then and I almost lost the pregnanc,
though when doctors found protein and blood in m urine,
the said it was a normal occurrence in pregnanc.
Because of her terrible temperament at work, Gertrude was
red. As her condition worsened, she lost weight and became
dark and had spots on her face so she started suspecting
that mabe what everone was whispering was true mabe
she had IV. owever, tests showed that she wasnt positive.
Something was wrong but no one knew what it was. I
thought I was ding, but I did not want to die. I sunk further
into depression and had a ver low self-esteem, Gertrude sas
with emotion.
One morning after she woke up with a pu face, looking
like she was a victim of domestic violence, a friend took her
to hospital. The doctor said that she probabl had a kidne
problem; tests conrmed his
diagnosis.
I had been jobless for si
ears and had lost interest in
appling because I didnt think
anone would want to emplo
me. But in 2005, m husband
convinced me to appl for m
current job.
She got the job, but with
it came challenges that
worsened her condition. She
would react to dust, pollen
and the bitter cold of the night
shift at the airport that left her
in great pain. When she went
to hospital, at rst she was
diagnosed with rheumatoid
arthritis, ulcers and other conditions, but not lupus. owever,
one da she was referred to a neurologist and after some tests,
he told her that she had lupus.
I was relieved to nd out what was ailing me all these
ears, even though it could onl be managed but not cured.
owever, it felt like a death sentence.
When she told her boss about it, he understood and
took her o the night shift, and made the necessar
accommodations for her at work so that she would not suer
fatigue.
With lupus the fatigue can be so overwhelming that even
something as simple as making the bed can be impossible.
For most people this is a sign that I am laz; the just dont
understand. I also suer memor lapses and Im allergic to
sunshine and the cold. I am supposed to lead a stress-free life,
even though that is challenging because stress is a part of life.
Gertrude adds that lupus can also put a strain on
relationships and on the se life of a couple, causing
relationships to break. There are people who have been red
or retired on medical grounds or divorced because of the
eects of lupus. We are erratic people who suer sudden are-
ups but not b choice. There are people who think it is all an
act.
When ou see someone acting temperamental, dont
be quick to judge them. It could be an eect of lupus or
something else. What people need to understand is that we
dont choose to have lupus. And ou never know, ou could
also suer from something else tomorrow, so ou should treat
people the wa ou want to be treated. We have good brains
and we have something to oer to, so dont write us o.
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
Wend Gikono / Photo Ann Kamoni Gertrude Sakwa Osore / Photo Martin Mukangu
With lupus,
fatigue
can be so
overwhelming
that even
making the
bed can be
impossible.
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 saturday magazine 7
C
hris leaves the oce soon
after our meeting. I watch him
through m open door, walk-
ing towards Louises desk,
straightening his tie as he briefs her on
something I watch him as he walks
out, shoulders slightl hunched over, as
if he is carring the weight of the world
on his shoulders.
Then m view of his retreating gure
is blocked b the hulking frame of one
Ciru; m nemesis number one. The
reason wh I hate coming to the oce
these das because I have to deal
with her instead of Louise.
Anwa, there she is, standing in
the doorwa, looking rather sheepish
instead of the usual combative twist
to her facial epression that she wears.
What did ou forget to do this time,
Ciru, I sa, wiggling m ngers in the
air quote-mark stle.
I was, um wondering if we could
talk she sas. Theres something
almost apologetic about the wa that
she sas it, and I have to pause and
look her in the ee to see if she is being
genuine or if this is et another one of
her new games.
What do ou want to talk about? I
frown. She takes a hesitant step inside
m oce.
Its reall quite private she sas.
er bod language is matching up with
her words, for once, and I am overtaken
b a sudden sense of compassion for
her. In an case, what could it hurt to
just hear what she has to sa? Its m
decision, after that, whether I should
let it aect me or not.
Ok, I sa, waving towards one of m
guest chairs. Sit. She sits down and
stares at her lap for so long that I am
compelled to take back m warmth
and welcoming-ness. Look, if ou have
nothing to sa then I would rather ou
didnt waste m time I snap.
No, no, I have something I think ou
need to know. She looks up at me, and
now that she is closer, I can see that
her ees are red from a what is clearl a
bout of cring.
Oh m goodness, Ciru, whats
wrong? I ask her, feeling genuinel
concerned. She doesnt repl. Instead
she snis, taps at the cell phone in her
lap for a few seconds and then hands
it to me.
Read that, she sas.
Its a tet message. It sas, You know
I love ou. But I cant leave m wife for
ou when she just tried to kill herself.
The room gets blurr and suddenl,
I feel ver hot and dizz. This tet mes-
sage sounds etremel familiar to a
conversation I just had last night. No.
It cannot be. I look at the name of the
person who sent it to Ciru: She has
saved him as Bab. I look
at the time stamp: 11:
30pm last night. Just
after he left m
house, clearl.
Scroll
down, she
sas. er
voice
jolts me
back into
the room.
I nod, and
scroll a
little
lower.
What
I re-
all need
now is
some
com-
fort
the kind
onl ou
can provide.
Come over?
Painful
realisation
M ees open wide and
m heart is beating like I have just run
a full marathon. I cant even read an
more, the dizziness is getting to me.
Did ou go? I ask her, and I am
surprised she understands me be-
cause m voice is breaking so much it
sounds like I have swallowed a chain-
saw.
She shakes her head. I look back
down at the messages. The one after
that reads, Ok. Night night. Sweet
dreams of me.
A stab of pain goes through m
chest like a pick; I cannot count how
man times Chris has sent me this
ver sentence. I alwas thought he
meant it for me and me alone. Now,
to discover that he couldnt even be
bothered to tr fresh lines on dierent
women well
Ciru clearing her throat brings me
back to earth, and I look up and si-
lentl hand her her phone. Were both
wearing the same epression of pain
and sadness now.
I think we need to talk, she sas.
I agree.
But not here
Yes.
And for the third time this week,
I nd mself leaving the oce to go
and have one of m private meetings
at the caf down the road. I have no
idea what Ciru is going to la on me,
ecept for the fact that I am sure it will
be painful to listen to. But if I am go-
ing to nd a wa to get over that ling
bastard of a man, then this is m onl
hope.
We need to talk...
WIT LIZ LUNDI
Sharing house
chores will keep
ou married
RESEARCHCENTRE
WIT JOAN TATIA
S
eeking a long-lasting marriage? Go for a partner
who believes in sharing house chores and is like-
l to follow through even after the children ar-
rive. This is according to new scientic research
from the Universit of Illinois. Findings of the stud
which involved measuring marital bliss of 220 hetero-
seual newl married couples showed that newl-wed
couples who started o and continued sharing house
chores were the ones who staed married for longer.
The chances of marital bliss were found to be high-
est when both partners believed in equall sharing the
house chores. The found that the happiness will not
last long if one partner is perceived as not doing their
fair share, especiall after the couple has had children.
Marital satisfaction
After eamining the beliefs, behaviour and marital satis-
faction of the couples, it was established that division of
chores was crucial for the marital satisfaction of women,
not men. When couples divided the chores across tradi-
tional lines, the attitudes and beliefs did not aect the
level of happiness.
Brian Ogolsk, a professor of human development
and famil studies at the universit, said that how a
couple opted to go about the division of house chores
in the rst two ears of marriage was vital because this
is the period when patterns were established and the
persisted throughout the marriage, either bringing
more happiness or increasing the level of conict lead-
ing to decreased levels of happiness.
Generall, there was found to be an issue when cou-
ples attitudes on this matter were varing. If a woman
for instance believed in sharing equall and the adopt-
ed a traditional approach on the matter where the man
does the masculine chores while the woman does the
feminine chores or where a man thinks that the home
shift belongs to the woman, there was bound to be dis-
satisfaction.
The happiest couples were those that had similar
epectations on the matter and those that followed
through with them. In the light of these ndings, man
marriages could be saved if couples discuss the issue
of chore sharing from the onset to make sure that the
are on the same page in regard to this matter which ap-
pears to be crucial in a married womans happiness. This
will avoid the partner from getting disillusioned with
time.
What could it
hurt to hear
what she has
to say?
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
IL
L
U
S
T
R
A
T
IO
N
I J
O
S
E
P
N
G
A
R
I
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION 8 saturday magazine
I
used to be a customer care
agent with Safaricom. I had
worked with the compan
for just under a ear, having
joined them in Ma 2011 when I
was three months pregnant with m
rstborn.
When I returned to work after m
three-month maternit leave, I decided
to quit m job. I had just got to work
that morning when m house help (a
mature woman who had taken to m
son) sent me a tet message that I am
certain several working mothers have
received at least once. The message
read: I am leaving right now. I have
left the bab in the house.
Out of panic, I wrote m
resignation letter that da. M
husband supported m decision
as we had agreed from long before
our son was born that I would be
a sta-at-home mum to raise our
children. But that did not mean just
sitting prett in the house. During m
rst ear out of work, I tried m hand
in business: I supplied groceries to a
handful of high-end hotels
and restaurant chains
across Nairobi,
and it worked
for a while.
owever, I was operating m business
based on hearsa and I reall did not
know how the market worked, so si
months later, I counted m losses and
closed shop. But I had not given up
net, I tried m hand in suppling
eggs to a handful of cafes in Karen
and Westlands. owever, because I
did not factor in operating costs when
calculating m margins, this second
business also did not work. I was in
business but it wasnt putting an
mone in m pocket. Again, si months
later I had to close shop.
This one ear of failed businesses
taught me how to run a successful gig.
I also got more time to spend with
our son, just as m husband and I had
envisioned. And above all, it held me
make an assessment of the house helps
I was hiring I noted three things: First,
I hired and red with as much frequenc
as I changed m sons diapers. In that
one ear alone, I had had a total of eight
house helps. Something was amiss,
either with them or with me. Second,
I didnt know what the house helps
wanted for themselves when the came
to work for me. The didnt seem to have
a greater purpose for their lives beond
providing domestic help. Last and most
important, I realised that I needed help
with taking care of the bab and with
cleaning the house, not with cooking
or preparing meals.
Wrapping these three
observations up into one sparked
the idea to start m business, Aunt
Ann Agenc. Aunt Ann nds girls
from rural and urban areas,
including homes in Nairobi,
and trains them to run things
and give help in the home,
focusing mostl on taking
care of children and cleaning
the home. I opened shop in
Februar 2013.
Each girl goes through a vetting
process before she is admitted to the
training programme I learnt that
vetting is important the hard wa after
two securit incidents with girls I had
placed in two homes. After a successful
vetting process and before training
begins, each girl pas a commitment
fee. The training is a week-long half-
da course that focuses on housework
and childcare. Using a curriculum that
I developed and that I keep revising
and updating along the wa, I train
the girls on personal and household
hgiene and how to clean the house,
wash clothes and utensils, and how to
take care of children as well as rst aid
skills. I also guide the girls in discovering
their life purpose b asking them what
the want for themselves. After Aunt
Anns training, I place the girls in homes
according to a clients preference. After
placement, the girl is put on one-month
probation before I can conrm her.
As with an other venture, mine
is not without challenges, and m
major challenge has been handling
the girls I train as well as nancing
the programme. The girls come with
misguided notions about the women
whose homes the will be assisting
in running. Also, before I got a stead
stream of girls to train, I faced nancial
diculties. owever, I recoup m mone
b charging a fee to place a trained
house help in a clients home. To add to
that, the good thing about this business
is that the running costs are minimal
apart from a personal secretar to assist
me with the m da-to-da running of
the business, m onl other emploee is
m husband, who comes in monthl to
assist with the bookkeeping.
I believe the future of m business is
bright and to help me take it to greater
heights, I am currentl pursuing an
online diploma in human resources.
This, coupled with m undergraduate
qualication in business management,
are crucial for managing m business
and its people better.
Above all, I am happ that I am
making a living from m passion. M
passion has alwas been about helping
people nd their purpose. And through
Aunt Ann Agenc, I have helped over
50 house helps nd theirs through the
work the are doing in homes across
Kena.
WOMANOFPASSION
WIT FLORENCE BETT
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
Persistence pas o
After tring her hand in
business and failing two
times, Grace Wanjiru Muchiri,
27, found her sweet spot
in the business of training
house helps.
This one
year of failed
businesses
taught me how to
run a successful
gig
HOW SHE DID IT:
You dont need onl mone to start a business ou need an idea.
Do the market research about our idea before ou embark on
starting the business.
Nurture our passion. That is where ou will nd our business idea.
Persist. Even if ou dont make mone from our passion right awa,
mone will soon follow if ou keep at it.
POTO I CARLES KAMAU
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 saturday magazine 9
Women and their debt
WIT JACKSON BIKO
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
W
omen prefer men
who have something
tender about them
especiall the legal kind.
- Ka Ingram, American
publisher
Mone isnt the root
of all evil, women who
owe ou mone are.
Lending mone
to fellow men is
as complicated
enough as it is;
now throw in
lending mone to
a woman friend
or lover and
things go tits up
prett fast.
I submit that as ou grow older ou
slowl learn that when ou give a woman
mone its not eactl lending, because
lending means that it will actuall be
given back. To be fair, mabe I should
disclaim here that not all ladies fall into
this categor; some are prett good at the
whole borrowing-paing arrangement,
but a good number just want to sit on our
penn.
Of course its alwas something urgent
school fees that has to be paid or she
will be locked out of eams; rent that is
due and her salar is delaed; a cheque
that is clearing in a few das (havent we
all heard that one?), a sick relative, a car
involved in an accident, an ATM card that
got swallowed... Sometimes its something
cosmetic she has just seen this nice
outt that she reall has to have before its
bought, could ou throw her Sh6, 000 that
she will pa the net da when she goes to
do her banking because she doesnt believe
in carring her ATM cards around?
And because she is our ver good
friend, and she is in a jam and she sounds
desperate and at the ver end of her tether,
and because she has never reall borrowed
mone from ou so ou arent aware of her
tattered credit histor and ou are all about
trusting folk to honour their promises,
ou sa sawa and Mpesa her the mone.
Something Jesus would approve. But here
is what will happen net: nothing. Zilch. She
will never talk about it again at least not
with ou. Its almost like she woke up from
a coma and ever debt that she incurred
before that coma is forgotten forever. If
this is a woman ou were seducing and
ou gave her the mone because ou were
inspired b her long legs, then thats not
even a loan ou fronted her, thats a gift.
Forget about it. Think of it like our good
deed for the month.
Elephant in the room
Part of our problem is that we just
cant face women who owe us and
ask for our mone. We pussfoot
around the debt, as the women
act ignorant of the elephant in
the room. Its almost like we are
embarrassed to ask for our mone
back. As if asking for our mone is akin
to be being pett, or cheap, trivial or
even uncool. So we sit tight and continue
waiting for Godot.
Some will drop hints hoping that the
debtor will pick up on them and act. So
ou will mention dramaticall how ou
rammed into some gus car taking out
his whole bumper, and now ou have to
his car and ours and look at the
time of the month, wh does miser love
compan? She will sigh smpatheticall
on the phone and sa something helpful
like, I know, thats just messed up, please
let me know how it goes, sawa? And then
ou are on our own. Just ou and our
ctitious bumper.
The ver bold souls who subscribe to
the tenets of the Roman mtholog of
valour will sa sod it and ask for their
mone back. Of course, the women
might not take it kindl. The will be
aggravated, aronted even: how dare
ou ask for our Sh11, 000 back? Kwani
how much is Sh11, 000? ow cheap can
ou get? I cant deal with ou hounding
me for onl Sh11, 000 (hounding? e
asked once!) Then she will pa grudgingl
and sulk for a month.
Ladies, just pa up, will ou? Dont wait
to be asked. Dont wait for it to become
uncomfortable. Dont wait for it become
embarrassing. And if ou know ou arent
planning on paing up, wh dont ou just
not sa ou wont pa up in the beginning?
Just sa ou are in the trenches and ou
need a hand because our nances are a
mess. Who hasnt been there? Its easier to
deal with that level of honest than phon
posturing.
Women ma borrow
mone, but the men
who lend it to them
should know the
are giving a gift
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION 10 saturday magazine
I
am a 24-ear-old woman and
I am in love with a 30-ear-old
man whom I met just recentl
at a certain rm. It was love at rst
sight, though I never told him about
it immediatel, but instead told him
when I was leaving the compan. e
took it positivel and told me that
he is married and has no children,
but that his wife is abroad. owever,
because I promised mself never to
date a married gu I told him I would
do m best to get rid of the feelings
I had for him. We talk and meet in
public but I dont think he feels the
same about me so I have been tring
to avoid him but he still checks on me.
I respond to him because Im tring to
act mature. Im in love with this gu
and I dont know what to do. I also
dont know what his intentions are.
Sometimes I think he just wants to
sleep with me and dump me so Im
tring m best to avoid him. Please
help me. What should I do? Should I
keep him around? And could it reall
be true that he is married? Please
advise me because I feel confused.
READERS ADVICE
Wake up from our dream. Yours is
a straightforward case. It is oka to
fall in love with a man, but once ou
realise that he is married our onl
option is to move on and look for
another man to love. A married man
is never ours, unless ou desire to be
a second wife. Otherwise if ou keep
relating with him ou will be breaking
his famil, so keep o! Denis Namu
It was good that ou epressed our
feelings and that ou are tring to do
things the right wa i.e. ou waited
until ou left the compan before
telling him how ou felt and ou meet
him in public. You dont want to break
our vow never to date a married
man, but at the same time ou are
not even sure about his feelings for
ou. But think about this: is wife is
abroad and perhaps he is lonel and
needs someone to ll the gap she
left. You ma decide to keep him and
mess around with him, but when his
wife comes back, he wont leave her
for ou. So unless ou want to be his
clandestine lover, cut links with him.
Kithinji Naga
You need to have a serious talk with
the gu to nd out about his feelings
towards ou. t is up to ou to make a
decision based on this information.
The law allows for polgam so if ou
are oka with being a second wife,
go ahead, but this must be agreed
among the three of ou this man
and his wife and ou. Calvin Queens
It is obvious that he is not interested
in ou, so stop da dreaming and get
back to realit. You still dont believe
this man is married because ou have
feelings for him. You are not being
sincere with ourself. Get to know
what ou want from life and go for
it. This man will never make ou his
second wife; the best ou can be is his
mistress. There are good single men
out there, so just give them a chance.
You are still oung and there should
be no rush to get into a relationship.
Shinanda Wilbroda
Whether married or not, it is clear that
the man was never interested in ou,
but ou want to force ourself onto
him. Stop chasing this man and get on
with our life. Andrew Kiriago
The man was honest with ou and
told ou he is married, and since ou
promised ourself never to date a
married man, stick to our vows. I am
sure ou would not be amused if ou
were married and some other woman
started dating our husband. Annet
Amukaga
B telling ou that he has a wife, he
was basicall saing that he is not
interested in ou. e just sees ou as
a friend. Set our sights on somebod
else and move on. It ma be hard to
do that, but ou can do it. All the best!
Maurice M
If he has alread made it clear to
ou that he is married, what else do
ou want to hear? You will make a
sill mistake b going against our
principle not to date a married man
and regret for the rest of our life. I
hope ou will settle where ou have
moved to and nd true love. Dont onl
show our maturit b responding to
him, but also b living according to
our principles. Makuba Francis
Send our questions and feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
I am confused about dating this married man
EPERT ADVICE
Maurice Matheka, a relationship
counsellor answers:
You claim to be in love with a
man ou recentl met. owever,
the realit is that ou are onl
attracted to his manl traits and
in love with the kind of man ou
think he is or could be. Lets not
forget that he is married which
means ou should keep o unless
ou wish to start an aair that will
most likel give ou heartache
instead of bliss. If ou continue
to communicate with that man it
will develop into a relationship,
which for him will be more seual
than anthing else. e was honest
enough with ou and told ou
that he is married, but as loal as
he ma be to his wife, if ou keep
contact with him, lust will prevail
and ou will receive the short
end of the stick. Cut ties with him
before one thing leads to another
and ou get hurt .
NET WEEKS
DILEMMA
M husband and I
have been married for
two ears. Over the
past few months he
has been pushing me
to open a joint account
with him, but I keep
refusing. I do not think it
is a good idea because
he is wasteful and
etravagant. I earn more
than him and I feel that
if we pool our mone,
he will waste it on things
that are not important
and leave us broke. e
likes hanging out with
the bos all the time
and I dont want to see
m hard-earned mone
going to waste ever
weekend or even being
used to entertain other
women. I also believe
that if I manage m
mone b mself, I will
be able to invest so that
we can get a nancial
cushion for the future.
The problem is that
ever time I tell him that
I would rather not open
a joint account, he gets
upset and angr and
this is putting a strain on
our relationship. Do we
reall have to operate a
joint account? ow can
I convince him that we
dont need one? I need
to protect mself. Please
advise me.
Will me and m married lover last?
F
rom the look of things, ou are in
a relationship of convenience. You
met our bofriend immediatel
after our divorce, which shows that ou
had not even healed from the loss of
our marriage. What this means is that
ou are in a rebound relationship. You
entered it to ll an emotional void and
this prevented ou from eperiencing the
natural pain that one eperiences after
the loss of a marriage. This time of pain is
ver crucial because this is where healing
starts. Therefore there is urgent need for
ou to reect and assess what eactl
ou want in a relationship. You state that
our bofriend is waiting for his wife
to sign the divorce papers. Remember,
relationships born out of aairs often
have low chances of survival. In the
meantime, ou are putting our life on
hold for a married man. I am wondering
what will happen if his wife decides not to
sign the papers after all ou will be hurt
more. You therefore need to make a rm
decision and get awa from this man. Take
some time to get reall clear with ourself
about who ou are and what ou want.
This time will help ou restructure our
self-esteem and make ou a better person
read to date again. This, of course,
will need ou to take our time lest ou
fall into a rebound relationship again.
Eventuall, ou will fall in love again with
someone who is willing to make ou his
rst spouse. You ma also consider visiting
a counsellor. I wish ou success.
Q
I was married to m e-husband for ve
ears, and we divorced after a lot of conict. I
was hurting and conded in one of m famil
friends. e reall understood where I was coming
from. Then we became close, and although he is
married, he asked me to marr him. I reall love this
man; he has promised to settle down with me and
m two children but the problem is that his wife has
refused to give him a divorce. Im worried because
this is taking too long and I want settle down. I feel
that I cant leave him but I am worried his wife might
never leave him either. Is there an hope?
PROFESSIONAL ADVICE FOR YOUR LIFE PROBLEMS
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
This week we
advise a oung
woman who is in
love with a married
man
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 saturday magazine 11
FASHION&STYLE
EXPERT
TIPS
Whether ou want to jazz up our look or cover up during a bad hair da head wraps are a must-
have item in our closet. ead wraps are not snonmous with drab, so ou need to be creative
and plaful as ou wrap our head around one. There are man ideas for ou to tr and modif all
over the Internet, but here are a few to start ou o.
Choosing
the perfect
cocktail dress
Street chic
HANDY FACTS
POINTERS
A
classic cocktail dress allows ou to be
comfortable while bringing out our stle
and personalit. owever, nding this closet
essential can be a daunting task. To get
a timeless piece that suits ou just ne, ou should
choose one that highlights our best features. ere
are ve basic pointers to help ou:
Length: Length is ver important and it all
depends on our height. Petite women can
easil get awa with shorter lengths which give
an illusion of height. Taller women have more
eibilit when it comes to the length of their
dresses, but for a balanced look, the should not
wear dresses that are too short.
LBD: Ever woman should own a little black dress
preferabl in an A-line cut because it emphasises
the feminine gure. This cut is versatile and also
more attering for most bod shapes because
it downplas the stomach and hip area which
is usuall a problem area for man women. Pla
around with the are depending on our bod
shape.
A great cocktail dress should not be restricted to
evening parties onl. Pick one that ou can dress
up or down. Downpla a cocktail dress with casual
jackets and cardigans. Use dierent accessories to
achieve the desired
look for both dress
and casual looks.
Alwas
pick a cocktail
dress that
emphasises and
enhances our
best features.
Man women
spend a lot of
time looking
for clothes that
hide their aws
instead of looking
for those that
showcase their
best features. It is
ver important to
know our bod
shape and dress
accordingl.
Do not let
the dress wear
ou, wear it!
Do not bu a
dress because
it is trend; instead
opt for what works
for ou. Your skin
tone plas a huge
part in the colour of
dress ou choose.
Solid colours are a
safer bet but this
doesn`t mean ou
compromise on stle.
You should alwas
aspire to bring out
and epress our
personal stle.
UNDER WRAPS
Canvas shoes are perfect
for a casual look. The
are versatile and
shouldn`t be
restricted to pants
onl.
The are perfect
wa to dress down
dresses and skirts.
Pla safe with
plain colours with
minimal detailing if
ou don`t want to go
grudge.
Opt for colour for contrast.
1.Black canvas shoes with
print, 2.Black canvas high
tops, 3. Yellow canvas with
stud detail, detail, Sh1, 500,
each from Eli Street Stle.
1 2
1
2
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION 12 saturday magazine
FASHION&STYLE WIT LYDIA OMOLO
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
STOCKISTS
Jade Collection, Tom
Mboa st opp. Fire
station, Nairobi, tel:
(020) 235 0296/ (020)
2337 7845 / 0724 524
718
Eli Street Stle,
Nairobi, tel: 0716 598
430
Mr Price, The
Junction, Nairobi, tel:
(020) 386 1894.
Vitambaa, Nairobi,
tel: 0738 269 931
Pictures b: Duncan
Willets
Shoot Assistant: Moses
Kamaka
Make-up b: Glads
Githegi
air b: Richie for the
Strand Group Africa.
www.strandgroupafric
a.com
Model: Ruth Mumbi
Profession: video editor
obbies: Travelling,
reading and watching
movies
Whether ou want to jazz up our look or cover up during a bad hair da head wraps are a must-
have item in our closet. ead wraps are not snonmous with drab, so ou need to be creative
and plaful as ou wrap our head around one. There are man ideas for ou to tr and modif all
over the Internet, but here are a few to start ou o.
1
Floral print cotton scarf used as
headwrap, Sh750, denim shirt
,Sh2, 300, both from Mr Price.
oop earrings, Sh500 each, Jade
Collection.
2
Petrol blue, ellow and sk blue
turban, Sh400 each, Vitambaa.
Silver satin top, Sh2, 500, Clothing
Garage. Blue chunk stud
earrings, Sh350, Mr Price.
3
Burnt orange pashmina used as
headwrap, Sh600, Vitambaa. Gold
chunk stud, Sh750, plaid shirt,
Sh1, 600, aqua oral neckpiece,
Sh1, 400, all from Mr Price.
4
Multi colour scarf, Sh600,
Vitambaa. Green top, Sh700, Mr
Price.
5
Purple turban, Sh400, Vitambaa.
Print head scarf, Sh250, gold stud,
Sh750, gold plate neckpiece, Sh1,
200, green top, Sh700, all from Mr
Price.
UNDER WRAPS
3
4
5
3
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 saturday magazine 13
FASHION&STYLE
EXPERT
TIPS
Whether ou want to jazz up our look or cover up during a bad hair da head wraps are a must-
have item in our closet. ead wraps are not snonmous with drab, so ou need to be creative
and plaful as ou wrap our head around one. There are man ideas for ou to tr and modif all
over the Internet, but here are a few to start ou o.
Choosing
the perfect
cocktail dress
Street chic
HANDY FACTS
POINTERS
A
classic cocktail dress allows ou to be
comfortable while bringing out our stle
and personalit. owever, nding this closet
essential can be a daunting task. To get
a timeless piece that suits ou just ne, ou should
choose one that highlights our best features. ere
are ve basic pointers to help ou:
Length: Length is ver important and it all
depends on our height. Petite women can
easil get awa with shorter lengths which give
an illusion of height. Taller women have more
eibilit when it comes to the length of their
dresses, but for a balanced look, the should not
wear dresses that are too short.
LBD: Ever woman should own a little black dress
preferabl in an A-line cut because it emphasises
the feminine gure. This cut is versatile and also
more attering for most bod shapes because
it downplas the stomach and hip area which
is usuall a problem area for man women. Pla
around with the are depending on our bod
shape.
A great cocktail dress should not be restricted to
evening parties onl. Pick one that ou can dress
up or down. Downpla a cocktail dress with casual
jackets and cardigans. Use dierent accessories to
achieve the desired
look for both dress
and casual looks.
Alwas
pick a cocktail
dress that
emphasises and
enhances our
best features.
Man women
spend a lot of
time looking
for clothes that
hide their aws
instead of looking
for those that
showcase their
best features. It is
ver important to
know our bod
shape and dress
accordingl.
Do not let
the dress wear
ou, wear it!
Do not bu a
dress because
it is trend; instead
opt for what works
for ou. Your skin
tone plas a huge
part in the colour of
dress ou choose.
Solid colours are a
safer bet but this
doesn`t mean ou
compromise on stle.
You should alwas
aspire to bring out
and epress our
personal stle.
UNDER WRAPS
Canvas shoes are perfect
for a casual look. The
are versatile and
shouldn`t be
restricted to pants
onl.
The are perfect
wa to dress down
dresses and skirts.
Pla safe with
plain colours with
minimal detailing if
ou don`t want to go
grudge.
Opt for colour for contrast.
1.Black canvas shoes with
print, 2.Black canvas high
tops, 3. Yellow canvas with
stud detail, detail, Sh1, 500,
each from Eli Street Stle.
1 2
1
2
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION 12 saturday magazine
FASHION&STYLE WIT LYDIA OMOLO
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
STOCKISTS
Jade Collection, Tom
Mboa st opp. Fire
station, Nairobi, tel:
(020) 235 0296/ (020)
2337 7845 / 0724 524
718
Eli Street Stle,
Nairobi, tel: 0716 598
430
Mr Price, The
Junction, Nairobi, tel:
(020) 386 1894.
Vitambaa, Nairobi,
tel: 0738 269 931
Pictures b: Duncan
Willets
Shoot Assistant: Moses
Kamaka
Make-up b: Glads
Githegi
air b: Richie for the
Strand Group Africa.
www.strandgroupafric
a.com
Model: Ruth Mumbi
Profession: video editor
obbies: Travelling,
reading and watching
movies
Whether ou want to jazz up our look or cover up during a bad hair da head wraps are a must-
have item in our closet. ead wraps are not snonmous with drab, so ou need to be creative
and plaful as ou wrap our head around one. There are man ideas for ou to tr and modif all
over the Internet, but here are a few to start ou o.
1
Floral print cotton scarf used as
headwrap, Sh750, denim shirt
,Sh2, 300, both from Mr Price.
oop earrings, Sh500 each, Jade
Collection.
2
Petrol blue, ellow and sk blue
turban, Sh400 each, Vitambaa.
Silver satin top, Sh2, 500, Clothing
Garage. Blue chunk stud
earrings, Sh350, Mr Price.
3
Burnt orange pashmina used as
headwrap, Sh600, Vitambaa. Gold
chunk stud, Sh750, plaid shirt,
Sh1, 600, aqua oral neckpiece,
Sh1, 400, all from Mr Price.
4
Multi colour scarf, Sh600,
Vitambaa. Green top, Sh700, Mr
Price.
5
Purple turban, Sh400, Vitambaa.
Print head scarf, Sh250, gold stud,
Sh750, gold plate neckpiece, Sh1,
200, green top, Sh700, all from Mr
Price.
UNDER WRAPS
3
4
5
3
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 saturday magazine 13
W
omen have come a long wa
in regard to social gender
equit. A woman is now
almost equal to her male
counterpart at the work place but in
the to world, gender segregation is still
deepl ingrained. To test the stereotpes, I
walked into a bab shop in Nairobi posing
as a mother shopping for a to for a si-
month-old bo. As soon as I picked out a
pink one, the helpful attendant was quick
to ask me if I wanted the same in blue.
Dolls and pink tea sets are marketed
at girls, while cars and action gures are
marketed at bos. Sometimes, even the
least gender chauvinist parent will raise an
eebrow at a little bo plaing with a doll.
Liz Tielo, a mother of a four-ear-old
bo, argues that gender segregation is
natural. In fact, she shares that when her
son was ounger, she was so upset that
someone in church mistook him for a girl
that she began dressing him in bagg dark
blue trousers, a cap and boots.
Does tpe of to matter?
Gender specication isnt something that
occurs naturall in children. Its something
that a child picks up from parents and
siblings. Once a child knows that he or she
is being judged, the refrain from making
the choices that the would like to and
instead make the ones that will not attract
unpleasant social consequences.
For parents, squirming when our little
bo shows interest in a cooker set is a
subconscious reaction stemming from the
aniet that others will perceive him as
abnormal.
Child pschologist Julius Gitari sas
that pla is crucial in how children
develop, thus the tpe of tos a child
plas with is important. Each tpe of to
serves a particular purpose in a childs
development. Guns and trucks, which
are associated with bos, he sas, often
involve aggressive pla. A child plaing
with them learns competitiveness. In
addition to beaut, tos associated with
girls involve role pla and a child plaing
with them learns imaginative pla as well
as nurturing.
The problem with restricting our child
to gender specic pla, he sas, is that it
keeps a child from eperiencing a wide
range of eperiences. The purpose of
tos should be to open a childs mind. A
bo who is eposed to onl construction
based tos will be brilliant at problem
solving but because he missed on role
pla, he will most likel be lacking in
social and interpersonal skills, he
eplains.
No seual damage
Consolata Nambua, a mother of
two bos and one girl born in mied
order sas she prefers that her children
pla with gender specic tos. Seeing as
the girl is in the middle, its been hard for
her to pass on tos and each child has
had to get a fresh batch of tos. It isnt
something that she is comfortable saing
out aloud but she worries an alternate
arrangement might warp a childs
seualit.
Grace Karani, a counseling
pschologist with eperience working
with children and teenagers, observes
that children, especiall those below
the age of three, do not understand
the permanence of se. A child
ma think that if a bo plaits his
hair and wears a dress, he becomes
a girl. She agrees that socialisation
during pla is one wa that children
learn gender roles. Letting a child
eplore during pla however, she
sas, will not warp their seualit.
On the contrar, providing an arra
of eperiences lets children know
that these gender roles are not
rigid that men can be nurturing
and women can be assertive
and adventurous.
Similarl, just as stopping
a child from plaing with his
to of interest will have ill eects,
ou shouldnt impose on a child
tos that have been marketed to
the opposite se. What is crucial
is that a child is given choice.
Avoid labeling tos as bo
or girl tos; let the children
decide for themselves what
interests them. Your role as a
parent is to provide support for the
choices that he or she makes.
Children are dierent. What a
child likes toda he ma not like
tomorrow. Just let him be, she
sas. This kind of environment
lessens the social impact;
children will not be bullied b
their peers for liking what the
like. Let a child decide what is
fun for her to pla with while
epanding her horizons
and enabling her
creativit.
Let tos be tos
Theres nothing wrong
with letting our son
pla with dolls or our
daughter with cars,
argues Joan Thatiah
Monda, 10:55am: We ventured out into
the neighbouring estate and walked up to
the brightl coloured school gate and rang
the bell. The school is more like a home, and
thankfull, the under four-ear-olds sta
downstairs. The class had less than 10 children
and their teacher was seated in the middle of
them all. The all shouted i! to us when we
walked in. Alright then, I guess this and the
proimit of the school to home sort of calms
m nerves but she has to be there at 8am?
Tuesda, 7:43pm: New Nann (es, new) is
a gem! I have never seen anone sort out a
house, compound and kitchen so well, even
folding all of the das laundr and putting
each pile in its respective room or shelf before
end of da. I had gotten so used to piles an d
piles of freshl done laundr in the corners of
the other room I have a good feeling about
this one.
Wednesda, 8:06am: Siji was asleep when I
got home last night so I did not see the state
of her teeth till just now. I know the are
milk teeth and the are not intended to last a
lifetime but surel! The had lots of brown and
stick stu caught in between them and her
breath! No! Nann had not had the child brush
her teeth all da esterda and she had been
giving in to Sijis demands for a lollipop or
chewing gum ever da that week.
Thursda, 12:13pm: Siji wants a scooter. No,
she does not want a triccle, thats for babies,
and she is not one in her ees. I asked her to
tell her dad and ever since, not a da goes b
that she does not tell me to come home with
a scooter when I call home in the afternoons. I
think her dad should call home more often
Frida, 10:32pm: We have moved on up from
the matuta stage of hair design to the more
intricate, patience-demanding pusscat stle.
She described what she wanted done after I
had washed and conditioned her hair and we
got everthing together and sat down to start.
Then she started moving! You can imagine
how hard it is to plait a cornrow when the
head ou are working on keeps turning this
wa and that. I eventuall nished when she
had fallen asleep and made good of the near-
hair disaster b topping the two ends with
loads of beads. Beautiful! Now we are reall
read for school.
DIARY OF A WORKING MOTHER
Siji wants a scooter!
WIT MARIA MWONGELI
Siji is
three years
and 17 days
old today
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION 14 saturday magazine
N
ine months into marriage,
Luc missed her periods. It
was an eciting time for all
of us. During her wedding
an old lad from her husbands village
proclaimed that a woman who has gone
through universit without getting
pregnant had a problem and would
never conceive. She has swallowed all
the pills and done all the abortions,she
said sarcasticall. er womb is rotten.
So man girls get pregnant and
fall out of school so often that this
abnormalit has become the norm in
some communities. Others conceive
while in college, and leave with a
certicate and a bab. Luc on the other
hand, made the decision to follow a
dierent route. She wanted to nish
college, get a job, get married and then
have a bab.
She nished her course at the
universit and started the dicult job
search. She got a job two ears later after
a series of attachments and volunteer
duties in a number of organisations.
Then she agreed to discuss wedding
plans with Erick, her bofriend of over
seven ears. She felt luck that Erick was
such an understanding man and let her
go through her process. B the time the
wedding came she was 29.
Getting anious
I hope ou trust me and
know that I am not
part of the agenda
of those relatives
of mine peddling
mths against
ou,Erick, would
reassure her. But as it happens, when ou
are described b people in a certain wa
over time, it sticks in the heart and in the
mind and ou begin to believe them. You
actuall begin to question ourself and
it falsel occurs to ou that the majorit
cannot be wrong.
When I failed to conceive in the rst,
second, third and even fourth month, I
got anious and I began to believe that
there was a problem with me,Luc told
me. If anthing, over three quarters of
m cohorts had children.
It is in the fourth month that Luc
therefore decided to seek medical help.
A medical eamination that I conducted
showed she had no problems; she was
health, I and advised her to have se
two to three times a week and wait
eight more months for conception.
Conventionall, the denition of
infertilit is failure to conceive in 12
months despite having unprotected se
two to three times a week.
Two months after reviewing Luc, I
got a call from a doctor colleague. Luc
was in his oce seeking treatment for
infertilit. She is anious and is asking
for fertilit pills,said the doctor. She sas
she will visit a herbalist if we dont help
her.
We made a decision to refer Luc to a
counselor. The dela in conceiving was
reall getting to her. She spent
most of her seventh month
in marriage undergoing
counseling. M once
joll wife is no longer
happ,reported
Erick in
one of the phone calls. She is missing
meals and her weight has gone down.
She breaks down and cries easil.
Luc went through the eighth month
without seeing a herbalist, but I began
to wonder whether she had a point: Was
one ear actuall not too long to wait for
a pregnanc? I wondered whether we
needed to break the rules of medicine
and just diagnose her with infertilit.
I was crossing m ngers b the da,
hoping that the pregnanc would come.
I was becoming part of Lucs aniet
and feeling pressured to do something.
I will not break the rules, I will stick
to the guidelines, es, it will be ne,I
found mself mumbling as I walked to
the oce one morning, not sure that
I believed m own words. It was the
beginning of Lucs ninth month in
marriage and the pressure was building
from all over the place. I started to
imagine that the 12 months would soon
be over and Luc would remind me that
she had known better all along.
And so it was a great relief to me and
to everbod when the pregnanc test
turned positive that Monda morning.
So ou have proved that science is right
and we should follow it,Luc reminded
me. It happened within the 12-month
window!
Even if ou are bus we must just
have lunch together toda,added Erick.
We can carr it to our oce if that is
what works for ou.
As we enjoed the three-course lunch
together, I remember the words of m
professor in medical school: as much as
one act of se can lead to pregnanc,
man acts of se can also fail to cause
pregnanc for a whole ear. Pregnanc
happens when it happens and when it is
least epected and unplanned.
In fact, said the professor,
man of us came as
accidents when
our mothers least
epected it.
Dont judge ourself
infertile before giving
nature time to work.
B Dr Joachim Osur
Rela, bab will come
A health
approach to
comfort food
HEALTH&NUTRITION
Nutritionist
Nduta
Wambura
oers a
dierent wa
of looking at
those salt,
sugar,
fatt
snacks
ou
like.
www.nutritionbsona.com
Pregnancy
happens when
it happens and
when it is least
expected. C
omfort food is, well comforting. Whether
ouve had a hard da at work, trouble in
our relationship or just need a lift, it is often
almost instinctive to reach for a packet of
crisps or a bowl of ice cream to take the pain awa.
After indulging comes the guilt associated with
eating it because comfort food is almost alwas high
in calories, salt, sugar and fat. But what if ou could
evade the guilt and still enjo our comfort food?
The truth is, there is no bad comfort food; if it gives
ou comfort it must be good, es? But just because
ice cream makes ou feel good doesnt mean that ou
should eat a litre in one sitting. If ou want to enjo
our comfort food in our down moments without
feeling like ou are committing a crime, here are some
things to do.
When portioning our comfort food, divide our
plate into two; one half will constitute the comfort
item, and the other half, a health alternative. Lets
sa ou have a sweet tooth and like our ice cream;
have one scoop of ice cream and dedicate the other
half to some fruit that goes well with it, such as peach
slices or warm apple chunks sprinkled with cinnamon.
This wa, ou will enjo a healthier alternative to our
comfort food.
If ou love deep-fried, fatt foods, complement
them with some vegetables or a salad, which will help
in digestion. Ask for etra salad to go with our French
fries or fried chicken, or ask our butcher to provide
some salad to go with our mutura. But remember,
this does not give ou license to eat fries ever da
just because oure eating a salad on the side. Restrict
ourself to indulge, at most, twice a week, to ease our
digestion and avoid fat being stored in our bod.
If ou have a craving for pizza or samosas, look for
veggie options to corner our pschological needs.
If our tooth is salt and ou prefer snack items
such as crisps and popcorn, avoid adding salt directl
to them as this will increase our risk of hpertension.
Popcorn is a healthier snack than crisps, but ou
should alwas restrict ourself to 50 gms at the most.
Crisps and popcorn are ver high in calories, and a
large portion ma provide all the energ ou need for
the da without the nutrients ou will need from
other food groups.
If our comfort food of choice is cake or chocolate,
rather than eat a slice or bar ever da, limit ourself to
once a week usuall a sin da such as Sunda.
Whatever ou are craving, remember this rule:
Restrict or complement and all should be oka.
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 saturday magazine 15
regenerating ingredients. The help prevent
the loss of the skins natural moisture. Co
Enzme Q10 - Used in anti-ageing creams to
reinforce collagen and elastin production.
Protects skin and lessens the appearance of
wrinkles. Emulsifing wa Used to bind
oil and water together and keep them from
separating. Used in hair products, creams
and lotions. The are listed under an of
the following names: Stearl Alcohol, Cetl
Alcohol, Cetearl Alcohol, Stearl Alcohol,
Ceteareth-20, and Polsorbate 60. Glcerine
A safe and non-toic ingredient used to
keep products from dring out. It softens skin
and prevents moisture loss. aluronic acid is
used in some of the best moisturisers to keep
the skins natural moisture at a peak level.
It is absorbent and non-greas. Lanolin A
widel used ingredient derived from the oil
glands of sheep, used in man hair and skin
care products. It is one of the main triggers
of skin irritations and ma cause allergic
reactions and skin rashes. Petrolatum Used
as a base for most hair foods, it is greas and
coats the skin with a lm. It is a b-product of
petroleum. Provitamin B5 (Panthenol) Used
in the formulation of more epensive hair
and skin products as a deepl moisturising
agent. Preservatives Used to inhibit the
growth of bacteria and other microorganisms
in products. Listed as formaldehde,
triclosan, triethanolamine, methl and
propl paraben. Shea Butter Obtained
from the Shea tree of West Africa, it is used
to prepare moisturisers. It has soothing and
healing properties. Stearic Acid Emulsifing
and thickening agent. It is the base of
most vanishing creams. Sodium Laureth
sulphtate A strong detergent that is the
basis of all shampoos, washes, toothpastes,
and personal cleansing products. Titanium
Dioide - A natural material, used in sun
blocks. It is a non-chemical, common agent
works b phsicall blocking the sun. It gives
the skin a characteristic whitish appearance
upon application. Water Usuall listed as
Aqua or De-ionized water. Used as a base for
water based formulations.
Know our labels
SKIN SELECTION
If ou have sensitive skin,
select products with the
fewest ingredients. Do not
select products with perfume,
as this tends to aggravate
sensitive skin.
Which are the most basic of
ingredients to look out for
when selecting face cream?
Angela, Nairobi.
For cream to work properl,
it should contain at least
glcerin to moisturise, stearic
acid to act as a base, and
preservatives.
The author is a cosmetolog lecturer
and skincare consultant.
NATURALHAIRCORNER
All our natural hair questions answered.
POTOS: ANTONYNJOROGE. Product images courtes of Supercosmetics Westlands branch, WoodvaleGrove.
Q
: ow do I remove lint
from m locks? It seems
deepl embedded in the
actual lock, and I am tempted
to colour m dreadlocks to
disguise them.
A: Lint build-up in locks can be
a real nuisance. Colouring is
denitel an option but it comes
with its own complications as
well. The rst recommended
step to remove lint is usuall to
wash vigorousl in a solution
of water and bicarbonate of
soda. Follow with a rinse of
apple cider vinegar mied with
water (four parts water to one
part vinegar.) owever, some
sa that this is not a strong
enough solution when the lint
has accumulated over time. Lint
gets onto clothes, onto shoes,
onto furniture and onto our hair.
The problem is when our locks
alread have product build-up
as this attracts and binds to the
lint. One line of defense is to use
ver minimal products on our
locks. The crochet method of
retightening has this advantage
over palm rolling, because the
use of strong gels and waes
are not necessar. You might tr
changing our products to see if
there is an improvement. Avoid
cream conditioners, butters
and treatments. To remove the
actual lint several people swear
b using vodka in combination
with a good clarifing shampoo.
Mi the two and gentl scrub
our locks to remove residue and
lint. Follow with a conditioning
spra to avoid dring. Another
potent solution is bentonite cla.
It draws out dirt and build-up like
a magnet. Finall ou could use
tweezers or a straightened paper
clip to pick out the lint lock b
lock. To save ourself the hassle
of lint in the rst place, alwas
sleep with a satin bonnet or
scarf, and cover our locks when
cleaning, lounging at home or in
a dust area.
TRICIA WANJALA
Removing lint from dreadlocks
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
NET WEEK: LATEST BRIDAL
AIRSTYLES SOWCASE.
A
s we become more aware of our
bodies, it helps to understand
the most common products we
use on a dail basis and how the
ingredients aect our hair and
skin. The most important information to look
out for is the following, as stipulated b the
Kena Bureau of Standards. If our products
do not have the following information, the
are contradicting the law.
Name and address of the manufacturer or
distributor.
Net contents.
Usage and storage instructions.
Epir date.
List of ingredients in order of
concentration.
The most commonl used ingredients
and what the do in various products include
some of the following (in alphabetical order).
Aloe Vera - Used to soothe and condition
the skin. It is often used in small quantities in
lotions. Acetone A strong ingredient found
in nail polish removers. It is ver dring to the
nails and is ammable. Look out for formulas
that include oil to help counteract the dring
eect. Beeswa Used widel in hair care
products. It is an emulsier that keeps oil and
water in the formula from separation. Also
acts as a hair and skin softener. Candelilla wa
A naturall occurring wa of Meican origin.
It is used in lotions and hair products to make
the products stable. It has emollients to soften
the skin. It is a main ingredient in lip balms
and lipstick and gives them a sti consistenc.
Ceramides - Used in anti-ageing products as
Figure out what ou are
putting on our skin and
in our bod with this
guide.
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION 16 saturday magazine
T
here is a lie we have been fed for
a ver long time. A lie that we
have bought into and continue
to live out. A lie that some
people die believing. A lie that prevents
people from coming up with solutions
to their problems because the think it is
out of their hands.
For eample man times people have
written to me about their debt problems.
The have cut all the epenses the
can cut but the are still stuck. Other
people wonder how to manage school
fess. Others want to start a business
but dont seem to be able to raise the
capital. Others realise that the are
coming close to retirement and dont
have enough investments. When we
nd ourselves in these situations we
want someone else to tell us what to
do. We believe someone else has a
magic formula that we dont seem to
have. We think if someone else just
paid us more mone i.e. our emploer
or our clients, we would be home free.
In school we were taught to work hard
so that we can get a job that will pa us
enough mone. The fundamental aw
with this principle is that we depend on
someone elses decision to give us that
job and consequentl be able to earn
that mone. We go through life knowing
that the amount of mone we earn is
dependent on someone elses decision.
Thats the big lie!
We have to change that thinking and
decide to be in control of how much
we earn. Thinking that the power is in
someone elses hands is a ver dangerous
place to be. In fact its a mental prison. It
keeps us in environments that we dont
want to be in. Your boss, emploer or
client will never relate with our struggle
with debt. e will never understand our
fears about retirement.
e is not in snc with our dream to
start a business. e doesnt care about
the school ou want to take our child
to. The pressure of ination on our
lifestle is the least of his concerns. Yes,
I am saing do not epect to get a salar
increase because of ination. We have
to break this chain that subtl tells us
ou will earn more when somebod
else approves it. This is wh we are
not able to come up with solutions to
pa our debt, because we cannot think
beond the monthl salar we get. So
we hope for a salar increase. This is the
eas wa out because we do not have
to think for ourselves. We are able to
blame everbod else emploer, KRA,
ination, government, etc.
If ou have challenges like these or
nancial goals ou want to achieve, m
question to ou is, What are ou going
to do about it? If ou need more income
than ou are currentl getting, what
are ou going to do about it? You have
to take responsibilit. I am et to meet
people who have created wealth b
complaining or waiting for someone else
to do something for them. What can ou
do to create more income? I can almost
hear ou saing but I have a fulltime
job? Fine, but what are ou doing with
the time ou are not at work? What are
ou doing with our weekends? What are
ou doing with the skills ou have?
In our course we run something
called the Sh20 million challenge
where groups come up with ideas to
generate this amount of mone. The
are usuall surprised at the knowledge
and dormant ideas the have that the
have never pushed themselves to think
o. Im going to let ou in on a secret:
The amount of mone ou can generate
has nothing to do with our salar but
everthing to do with our abilit to
think, be creative, be consistent and use
time wisel. One of the students in our
class gured she could use her skills to
make muns to sell at work. Another
realised she has some space in her
parents backard that she could use to
rear chicken. Another student gured he
could breed and sell dogs. The have not
left their jobs but the have started the
process of taking control of how much
mone the earn.
If ou decide that our route to more
income is through our job, then the
same principle applies. What are ou
doing at work to justif a salar increase
or a great bonus? To earn more than ou
are earning now, ou will have to do
more than ou are doing toda. Are ou
eceeding our targets? Are ou making
ourself known to the relevant people?
Are ou showing greater initiative?
Even if our current emploer does not
recognise this, b changing our own
mentalit and taking back nancial
control, ou will instill condence and
create value in ourself. You can use
this to move and negotiate in another
job. If ou believe our clients should be
paing ou more, what are ou doing to
our product or service to justif that?
As ou start working on taking back
control do not neglect the opportunities
to make small amounts of mone. You
onl made Sh5, 000 etra. That is good
because it was mone that ou made;
it was not given to ou. That process
of generating a little income will teach
ou what ou need to do to get Sh10,
000 and more. Though our current job
ma not be paing ou what ou want,
ou ma nd it gives ou the kind of
environment and eibilit ou need
to pursue other income generating
ventures. Take back control of our
earning power. Trust me when I sa
that ou alread have what it takes to
multipl our income.
Waceke runs a program on personal
nancial management. Find her at
waceke@centonom.com| twitter
@centonom
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
PERSONALFINANCE
Are ou waiting for
someone else to come
rescue ou from our
nancial problems?
Dont take comfort
in this delusion. The
power is in our hands.
B Waceke Nduati
Omanga
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
Take control of
our earning
power
If you need more
income than you
are currently
getting, what are
you going to do
about it?
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 saturday magazine 17
A
t a glance, 40-ear-old Tom*
seems like ever girls dream
come true. e is good looking
and successful. owever his
ance, a 26-ear-old woman, can be best
described as unhinged. She was ruined
from ears of drug use and lack of a proper
career or business direction when he met
her. e took her in, cleaned her up and set
her o on a career. For four ears, he has
been there during her relapses, holding on
even when she tells him o. e is the clas-
sic white knight.
What is he about?
What is wrong with a girl getting help from
her man? Isnt propping up our partner
what health relationships are about? ou
ma ask. e seems like what she needs.
In this era when violence is being in-
creasingl perpetuated against women,
men like Tom who appear to follow the d-
ing code of chivalr will be easil mistaken
for the good gu. Unlike the good gu
however, the white knight doesnt know
when to stop.
Tom has made it his lifes mission to
rescue his girlfriend. e seems to be deriv-
ing a sense of self-worth from helping her
make the right decisions. Wh is he like
this? According to Dr. Mar Lamia, a clini-
cian and therapist, in her book The Knight
Sndrome: Rescuing Yourself From Your
Need to Rescue Others, more often than
not, the white knight has self-worth issues
and needs eternal validation. Instead of
facing his own issues, he is attracted to
need or damaged women thinking that
he can rescue them and hoping that his
victim of choice will be eternall grateful
to the man who rescues her. e hopes to
gain an ego boost from her gratitude.
All this is in his subconscious, of course,
and his conscious intentions are usuall
noble. Still, there are man was that this
sort of relationship could go wrong. First,
this desire to constantl save is a reection
of his unresolved issues. A man who can-
not meet his anieties about his failings
isnt a good choice of a partner for an
woman.
Marriage therapist Ezekiel Kobia de-
scribes this sort of relationship as one with
heav emotional dependenc. The white
knight lives o rescuing a need woman.
To get this high, he needs her to be in
need. What will happen if the woman fol-
lows his wise counsel and gets back on
her feet? What happens if she becomes
stronger, surer and more
condent in her abilit
to make her own choic-
es? The white knight will
have nothing to live for
and ma subconsciousl
tr to put her back in a vul-
nerable position so he can
continue rescuing her.
On the ip side, taken b
his zeal to her, a vulner-
able woman ma get comfort-
able in the routine. e continues being
her caregiver, defender and aid, making
himself indispensable until she begins see-
ing this as normal and epected and stops
being grateful for it. Without the gratitude,
her needs eventuall leave the white
knight feeing ehausted and he outgrows
the relationship. When she feels him slip-
ping awa, a woman ma do something
drastic or slip back into her earlier was so
that he can maintain his role of rescuing
her. Meeting a man who wants to lift her
burdens would be a relief to the average
woman at rst. But when he starts be-
coming a stead factor in her life, his con-
cern can feel smothering.
Smothering concern
White knighting might also make it hard
for a woman to recognise herself as strong
and independent. Take Martin* for in-
stance. The 33-ear-old seems like a good
bofriend, but all the women he dates, in-
cluding the one he nall married, all seem
to t in a similar pattern the are passive
and need.
Throughout their short lived marriage,
his wife was unstable, even leaving him in
the night to fend for his newborn a couple
of times, but he made ecuses each time.
e saw her as a work in progress saing
that she would settle when she grew older.
Eventuall, she got pregnant b another
man and blamed him saing that he hadnt
been there that night to keep her in line.
The sad thing is that like Martin, most
white knights are unaware that the have
the hero sndrome. e shares that some of
his female cousins repeatedl take advan-
tage of him nanciall but he reckons that
it is because he is nice.
ealth relationships require a health
dose of selshness and a relationship with
this man is evidentl unequal and frustrat-
ing. ow can a woman get rid of the white
knight? According to Dr. Lamia, this sn-
drome is pschological and the onl wa
a man can get cured of it is to look within
himself and deal with the fears that make
him feel inadequate. A woman can how-
ever get him o her back b demonstrat-
ing that she is in no distress at all. This ma
feel selsh but less so if ou look at it this
wa: tring to rescue ou so as to hide his
feelings of inadequac is selsh, even if he
doesnt know it
*Names have been changed.
RELATIONSHIPS
A man who wants to
rescue his partner from
her problems is reall a
problem in himself. B
Joan Thatiah
Wh that good gu is
actuall a bad gu
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
SIGNS THAT HE IS A
WHITE KNIGHT
Men with the destructive white
sndrome are often mistaken for
being the good gu. eres how to
tell them apart. e is a white knight
if:
e is chronicall attracted to
women who are nanciall
emotionall or phsicall need.
e is overl keen on oering
help and might be forceful and
controlling while at it.
e is staing or stas in
relationships out of guilt or worr
about his partner.
As soon as he meets a woman, he
suggests an alternative lifestle
as what he deems better for her.
It might be a red ag if a man is
overl emotional and sensitive.
e also ma be insecure or
insanel jealous.
When his woman is in a , he
takes matters into his own hands
without stopping to ask her what
she needs.
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION 18 saturday magazine
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
EATING&OUTING
EATINGIN
Ingredients:
250 gms sliced chicken
breast
2 tbsp coconut cream
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp red curr paste
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp crushed peanuts
(garnish)
1 tbsp lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
10 gms coriander
leaves (garnish)
Donn Signe,
eecutive chef, Zen
Garden restaurant
ow did ou become a chef? I was a
seaman at the age of 19 and worked full
time in the kitchen where I developed m
interest in cooking and creating dishes with
the available produce. After four ears I got a
land-based job in Manila as a Japanese chef
and then moved here to Kena.
What would ou be doing if ou were not
a chef? I would denitel be a farmer.
Who is our mentor? M mentor is m
partner m wife who alwas inspires me
thanks to her strong will. She is determined
and passionate about everthing she does.
What is the strangest thing ou have
ever eaten? The farm insects cooked b m
grandmother when we were kids. The are
stir-fried in garlic and salt.
Which dignitar anwhere in the world
would ou like to cook for? I would sa
Ko Annan. I have cooked for him before
and never had a chance to take a souvenir
photo.
What do ou enjo doing in our spare
time? I do a lot of mechanic jobs in m o
das. I enjo having time to laze in m bed if
theres a chance.
What tips would ou give our readers for
their food preparation at home? Alwas
go for the best and freshest produce. A good
meal alwas depends on the qualit of raw
materials ou use.
If ou were asked to choose our nal
meal on earth, what would ou eat? The
shellsh from the island where I come from.
Simpl steamed with lemon, so and chilli on
the side... with a ver cold San Miguel Beer.
Which ve ingredients are never missing
from our kitchen? Garlic, so sauce,
lemon, vinegar and onions.
MEETTHECHEF
POTO I CARLES KAMAU
Simple chicken sata
skewers
Method:
n Mi all the ingredients and appl to the chicken.
n Marinate overnight. Grill on both sides.
n When cooked through, sprinkle with coriander
and peanuts. Serve two to three people.
N
airobis Fairview hotel has four
restaurants - the high-end
Pango brasserie for ne dining,
Mitende atrium restaurant
that mostl serves buets, Pwani pool
restaurant and a delightful outdoor
garden restaurant known as Mukutan.
The location at Upper ill is etremel
convenient; not far from the CBD or the
Kilimani area. Mukutan in particular has
a relaing ambiance ideal for lunch and
afternoon tea amid the lush garden and
its soothing fountains.
When I visited, the securit guards
and waiters were all ver friendl. A
hostess was ver quick to greet me and
help me nd seating. You can choose
from outdoor shaded tables or indoor
seating in the bright marble-oored
dining room. Mukutan has an open
plan kitchen behind the glass counter
and an adjacent baker so ou can see
the chefs preparing our food. From
what I observed it looked quite clean
back there, so the get good marks
for hgiene. The bathrooms were also
impeccable.
I watched as the assembled large
sandwiches using their freshl baked
bread. The price for one of these
would cost upwards of Sh600 from
the menu. The menu had a variet of
oerings, and it mentioned that their
speed is notable, under the heading
quick lunches. I ordered a Thai green
curr with rice. Indeed it came quickl
which was impressive.
The presentation was
good it came in two
rectangular bowls and
the light green chicken
curr was garnished with toasted
coconut shavings. The food came hot
and the portion size was medium. It was
accompanied with freshl squeezed juice
which was to order in the open plan
kitchen.
In spite of the great ambiance and
prompt service, the main meal was rather
uninspiring. The rice had no aroma and
the curr was rather bland. A reviewer
mentioned that the food here can
sometimes be inconsistent. Some das
it is no doubt amazing, while other das
there is evidentl something missing.
This was not m rst visit to Mukutan
but the previous occasions were not
particularl memorable.
Their famous gourmet sandwiches
and pizza seemed to be quite popular
among customers so perhaps I should
have ordered from this part of the menu.
Most of their clientele appears to be the
business crowd from nearb oces in the
Upper ill areas, and tourists resident at
the hotel.
On weekends there is a mi of local
residents, and the pool makes for a
famil-friendl outing. Including dessert
m bill for this quick lunch would come
to almost Sh2, 000, which is rather price
compared to some of their ve-star
competitors in Nairobi. Based on m
eperience here I would not sa this
was the best value for mone. owever,
Fairview otel still has three other
restaurants to tr perhaps these would
make for much better reviews.
In spite of the great
ambiance and prompt
service, the food itself
is rather lacklustre. B
Bon Vivant
Uninspiring and price
Mukutan
Garden Caf,
Fairview otel,
Nairobi
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 saturday magazine 19
O
n our wa to Olare-
Motorogi Conserv-
anc which borders the
northern side of the
Maasai Mara National
Reserve, we come across a pride of
lionesses in deep slumber with their
cubs. It is a beautiful sight after a 45-
minute ight from Nairobis mad trac
to the tranquilit of space in a matter
of two hours. Ours is the onl vehicle
around and for the net quarter of
an hour were mesmerised b Africas
regal cat. The conservanc boasts the
highest densit of lions per square
kilometre in the Mara. The cubs charm
us with their antics before we move on
for a sundowner on the vast plains of
Olare-Motorogi.
The sun ares its last light and her-
alds in the night. The bar is open on
the grasslands with cocktails to beat
those in the best sleek cit lounges.
Local Maasai morans in their signature
red shukas set the mood, showing o
their prowess b jumping metres high
above the ground singing songs of
braver.
Driving through the plains at night,
a sea of ees shines through the dark-
ness. There are hundreds of zebra mov-
ing together one of the most amaz-
ing sightings Ive seen. The nocturnal
hare, nicknamed the African kangaroo,
hops around while the hippo silentl
grazes with the oung in tow. This is
the prelude to dinner at Kempinskis
new luur lodge, Olare Mara.
With the sound of the river ow-
ing past, we dine heartil. In the
moonlight, shadows of the trees line
the river and on the last morsel of
dessert, the resident monkes on the
trees chatter aloud, made nervous b
a prowler. It turns out to be a leopard
that sensibl retreats after realising
that the game is up.
Plent to do
Spoilt in luur m gigantic tented
abode boasts a private deck, bath tub
with lion paws (not real), shower and
a great big bed that could sleep more
than two. I indulge in a leisurel start
to the da, followed b an even more
leisurel breakfast b the river. And
then to add some sun to m morn-
ing after all the lounging, I stroll back
even more leisurel to the camp, stop-
ping to watch the giraes, the scat of
a hena lled with tin bones of its
pre, White-backed vultures adrift in
the blue sk and the bateleur eagle. If
oure a bird watcher, theres plent to
keep ou bus. Olare-Motorogi Con-
servanc boasts a list of 50 species of
just raptors.
Opened in 2006, the conservanc
boasts 35,000 acres to add on to the
reserve. The Maasai-owned communi-
t wildlife conservanc was at one time
overgrazed b cattle with little benet
to the wildlife on its land. Toda, it has
a management plan with zones for
livestock to graze and a movement
pattern that the grazers can follow. It is
a case of science and communit com-
ing together for mutual benet.
With time to kill before a late lunch
and the ight back to Nairobi, l treat
mself to a Thai massage. Done in the
comfort of the tent, the masseuse mas-
sages the muscles and stretches me,
to the soothing sound of water drops
in the background. Everthing evapo-
rates from m brain leaving me totall
refreshed and revitalised.
After that I stroll around, reaching
the honemooners tent that boasts
an outside shower and plunge pool
on the deck with a clear view of the
meandering river. David Ndirangu,
who is in charge of keeping the tents
in top shape is also a keen birder and
we hang around b the plunge pool
together, where we spot the purple
grenadier, ellow bishop and giant
kingsher. Back in the lounge thats
canvassed and open to show-o the
great outdoors, its lled with para-
phernalia from the earl das a selec-
tion of topis hung on the wall to shield
the sun awa and travel cases. A water
feature cools the hot air during the da
while on the upper lounge ou can
view the savanna through the power-
ful telescope.
M 24 hours at Olare Mara Kempin-
ski pass in a ash. After another grand
food aair b the swimming pool, our
drive back to the aireld is interrupted
b migrating herds of wildebeest from
the Loita hills. These are resident
wildebeest,sas Raphael Mutula, our
driver and guide.
Fling above the Mara in the late
afternoon, I spot a herd of elephants
from the air in a green swamp and
across the dramatic etchings of the
Great Rift Valle, and soon enough
were back in Nairobi. Its Africa in a
time capsule.
Send our feedback to satmag@ke.nationmedia.com
With the
tranquilit
of space,
unparalleled
views of
wildlife and
pampering
like ouve
never
eperienced
before,
Ole Mara
Kempinski is
just the place
to be. B Rupi
Mangat
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT IGLIGTS
Ma 17
Music: A Tribute to Bob Marle
Band: Danger & Friends.
Venue: Tamambo Village Market
Time: 8.30pm
Contact: 0722 385 089, 020 7124 005
Ma 17-18
156th Championship Dog Show
Venue: East Africa Kennel Club
Show catalogues are available at the gate for
Sh200. There is a bar, aordable catering and
also booths with pet items for sale. Dogs not
entered for the contest are not allowed on the
show grounds.
Time: 9.30am
Entr: Sh100 adults, children free
Ma 13- June 1
23rd European Film Festival
Nairobi
The Festival is a meeting for lovers of
European cinema Participating countries are
: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark,
France, German, Greece, Ital, Netherlands,
Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, United
Kingdom and guest countr: Switzerland.
Venue: Alliance Franaise, Nairobi
Time: 5.30pm Entr: Sh50
Ma 6 June 2
Transient: Inspired b Turkana
Ehibition
This is an ehibition b Kuona resident artist
Josena Munoz, with a selection of drawings,
photograph, light boes, and installation
work. Venue: Nairobi National Museum
Time: 7pm Contact: 020 374 2161
June 12- 18
Walk With Rangers
Kena and Tanzania iteam up to raise
support for the establishment of three
mobile veterinar units in the Tana Delta (KE),
Serengeti and Manara/Tarangire (TZ) areas.
Costs (covers walk epenses)
Tanzania Leg (140 km) Sh20,000
Kena Leg (181 km) Sh20,000
Full epedition Sh35,000
Deadline for registration: Monda 26th Ma.
Email info@walkwithrangers.com;
info@beond-wilderness.com
Compiled b WANGUI TUO
IGEND LUURY
Olare Mara Kempinski in the Maasai
Mara is a high-end camp for the trav-
eller who is looking for a lot of luur
in the wild. For more information
about ing packages and bookings
log on to www.kempinski.com. You
can keep ourself informed about
the dnamics of the conservanc,
its research projects and the life of
the wild animals b logging on to
www.mmconservanc.com.
P
O
T
O
S
I C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y
Spoilt in luur
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION 20 saturday magazine
Sudoku with Steers
ACROSS
1. To divide or assess according
to relative size, amount, etc.
7. Ordinary spoken or written
language, not verse
9. An Islamic commander
11. Corn loaves of bread
12. To hinder or delay
13. Strong alkaline solution
prepared from wood-ashes
14. To poke or thrust something
sharp into
16. Having limit(s) or restricted
17. Subdivision of a biological
family, itself divisible into
species
19. Born of
20. Come to pass
21. Asylums
DOWN
11. A small rounded lustrous
gem formed within the shells of
a bivalve
2. Egg-shaped
3. Assessed the value, worth or
quality of
4. Trampled
5. Vast ages
6. It is so
8. The governing body of a
university
10. A hot-water heater
14. Ugandas industrial town on
the shores of L. Victoria
15. Type of plants cultivated
for their edible roots, a source
of sugar
16. To join or blend by melting
17. A hiatus or lacuna
18. The tip of a pen
Each number in our Codeword grid represents a dierent letter of the alphabet. For example,
today 3 represents A so ll in A every time the gure 3 appears. You have two letters in the
control grid to start you o. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use
your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get
the letters, ll in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check
o the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.
YESTERDAYS SOLUTION
Two winners win a Free Meal
with Steers daily on 20567!
Fill in the 3 shaded digits and send the
values ABC to 20567 for your chance
to win a Free Meal with Steers. Start
the SMS with the word Sudoku e.g
Sudoku 1,2,3. Check your wenesdays
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Winners will be contacted directly by
Steers within 2 weeks to receive their
prize. SMS cost: 10/=
COMPLEX CROSSWORD
SIMPLE CROSSWORD
CODEWORD
SUDOKU
ACROSS
2. Concise
8. Thaw
9. Iron
10. Instead
11. Errs
13. Duo
14. Pet
17. Mode
18. Stripes
20. Elan
21. Sift
22. Wettest
DOWN
1. Steed
2. Cairo
3. Owns
4. Cite
5. Ire
6. Soaked
7. End
12. Rustle
14. Posit
15. Testa
16. Mint
17. Mess
18. Sew
19. Rat
ANDY CAPP
ACROSS
1 Leak stopped by retired
lawyer in adventure (8)
5 Leap a risky proposition, we
hear (6)
9 Complain freely with volume
down? (5,3)
10 Rick beginning to
recuperate in country (6)
12 Festivity containing posh
cooked meat in country (9)
13 Source of light in loft or
chamber (5)
14 Satirical work lacking any
money? Thats not new (4)
16 Gentleman taken aback by
German dish (7)
19 Slate a revolutionary style (7)
21 Something carrying current
and old message (4)
24 Tea provided by sailor in
mess (5)
25 A gull hid after ying around
large municipal building (9)
27 One cadging food in pub (6)
28 Lofty gure from Scottish
mountain defending a
European (8)
29 Turn over books penned by
judge (6)
30 A top duet being played is
current (2-2-4)
DOWN
1 Points on token to get ag (6)
2 Cat in cargo unloaded
around bend (6)
3 Father connected ultimately
with military outt? (5)
4 Notes found on Scot featuring
in paper being bold (7)
6 Peer is apt to order early bit
of food (9)
7 Drinking venue anking
independent hotel in French
resort (8)
8 Formal fare produced by a
French church in Spanish city (8)
11 Noise of hen in animal
enclosure (4)
15 Thrills needed on sharp
sudden impulse (4-5)
17 Source of room with keys?
(5,3)
18 Due to meet objective like
a bull? (2,6)
20 Advantage shown in
nancial document when
uncovered (4)
21 Review immediately heard
and promoted (5-2)
22 Greek island associated
with a savoury snack (6)
23 Record-holders a bit of a
jumper (6)
YESTERDAYS
SOLUTION
1 Prelate
5 Genesis
9 Relic
10 Situation
11 Annodomini
12 Herb
14 Easter Monday
18 Borrowed Time
21 Dean
22 Cloistered
25 Ephemeral
26 Erase
27 Our lady
28 Sit on it
DOWN
1 Pariah
2 Faling
3 Archdeacon
4 Epson
5 Get in a rut
6 Noah
7 Stipends
8 Sandboys
13 Commitment
15 The Clergy
16 Abednego
17 Preacher
19 Ordain
20 Advent
23 Isles
24 Emma
YESTERDAYS
SOLUTION
YESTERDAYS
SOLUTION
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 Leisure 21
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YOUR STARS
To receive NATIONmobile horoscopes on your mobile, SMS the Star
you want, eg LEO
to 20667 at 10/- above normal rates.
AQUARIUS (JAN 21-FEB 19)
The stars will be encouraging your imagination and
your urge to take the initiative. However, make sure
that you keep a civil tongue in your head when meet-
ing up with strangers: you could oend someone only
to nd out that they are a potential new workmate,
and then you will have egg on your face.
PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20)
There is a danger of you robbing your own bank ac-
count by giving to one of your extravagant moods.
Naturally you have a free will and you dont have to go
with this, but dont allow other people to tempt you
into doing so.This is an important day for you on both
a nancial and spiritual level. You can let go of old
hurts and losses now.
ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20)
Your passionate enthusiastic approach to love and life
is certainly making everyone around you sit up and
take note. No- one is going to get in your way as you
speed around looking for excitement. Make sure you
are not reckless if you are playing any kind of sport.
TAURUS (APR 21- MAY 20)
You must build on opportunities that come your way.
If you let them pass you by, you may not get another
chance. Be positive in your attitudes, especially to-
wards those at work. If you are in a relationship, it is a
slightly niggling evening; so a trip out of the house will
do you both go.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JAN 21)
Your attempts to get to the bottom of a certain
issues seems to be frustrating, and unrewarding
and with each day eorts you, are likely to become
more confused. This isnt a reason to give up, though,
because very soon others are more likely to be in a
cooperative mood, and then you can pounce.
CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 22)
There is a lively feel about this particular day. Those
of you who are travelling on business should have a
successful time, whilst others may meet an interesting
person this evening. Dont get carried away, though, as
its likely that they are not telling you the unvarnished
truth.It will be best today to plan to get some hard
work done around the house.
.
LEO (JUL 23- AUG 22)
A steady diet of catering to other peoples whims cer-
tainly justies your impatience with them. Before you
do anything too drastic, though, consider this: once
the issue in question are resolved, you will no longer
have to accommodate them and a balance relationship
can at least be achieved.There may be something that
has been bothering you for sometime and you have
been trying to avoid coming to grips with it.
VIRGO (AUG 23-SEPT 23)
There are those who happily proclaim their feelings,
such as fears of vulnerability or of being trapped in
restrictive situations. This probably applies to those
you are dealing with rather than to you, so your rst
challenge is likely to be nding a way to deal with such
demanding emotions.
LIBRA (SEPT 24-OCT 23)
Your condence is bouncing back as you discuss your
personal nances with a great deal of enthusiasm. Your
negotiation technique seems to be paying dividends.
Give yourself a rest at some point during today as
most of your friends appear to be rather busy.
SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22)
The stars today could make you somewhat overactive
and very talkative too, but this doesnt seem to be
doing you any harm .You can now move round on
almost any social front in the certain knowledge that
you will get a positive reception.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23- DEC 21)
You are likely to feel that you must lie low and be very
discreet at the moment. Family relationships do seem
to be improving may be because you are being less
outspoken. Listening carefully and sympathetically to
their problems is the way to get closer to them.
CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 20)
There is a lively feel about this particular day. If you
have an Aquarian or a Leo in your life, they will be
playing a prominent role, and whatever they suggest
should at least be given a hearing. This evening you
want novelty, so go where you can nd it. Do not trust
oral arrangements.
CITIZEN TV
5:00 Pambazuka
8:00 Knowzone
9:00 Wedding Show -
Omnibus 11:00 Great Debate
Contest 11:30 Xtreem Request Live
1:00 Live At 1
1:30 Shamba Shape Up
2:00 Dear Mother
2:45 Tabasamu
3:00 Spider
3:15 I Stand Accused
3:45 Living Hope 5:00 Habibu
5:30 Kaa Rada 6:00 Jastorina
6:30 Saida
7:00 Nipashe Wikiendi
7:45 Naswa
8:15 Wild at Heart
9:00 Citizen Weekend
10:00 Corona de Lagrimas
11:00 Afrosinema
01:30 Afrodizzia
KTN TV
6:00 A Moment With God
6:30 Joyce Meyer 7:00 Cartoons
8:00 Club Kiboko 9:00 Cartoons
11:00 Straight Up Live 1:00 Lunch
Time News 1:30 Africa Speaks
2:00 Movie 4:00 Mbiu Ya KTN 4:
10 Tendereza Live 5:00 Behind the
Music 6:00 Ideal Space 6:30 KTN
Leo 7:30 Project Green 8:00 Food
Heaven 8:30 Just for Laughs
9:00 KTN Weekend Prime 10:05
Rasharasha/Baseline/CNN
K24 TV
4.00 Nu Soul Music. 6.00 Praiz 6.30
Turning Point 7.00 K24 Alfajiri 9.00
Just Kids 10.30 Mishoni 11.00 Riddim
Up live 1.00 K24 Newscut 1.30
Wrestling 2.30 The Loop Live
4.00 Gospel Music Mix
4.30 Mishoni 5.00 Withiout You6.00
Baada Ache 7.00 K24 Wikendi
8.05 Kilimo Biashara 8.30 Mke Ni
Nyumba 9.00 K24 Weekend Report
9.50 Classic Box Oce Movie 11.20
Nusoul Mashup
EBRU AFRICA TV
5:30:The Global Kitchen
6:00: Persuasion Man 6:30: Chopper
Rescue 7:00: Kids Shows
10:00: Junk D 11:00: Blank Canvas
11:30: Rhythm and Roots 012:00:
World of Mysteries 1:15: Mending
Hearts 2:30: Cold February
4:00: Catalyst magazine5:00:
Helicops 6:00: Family Footsteps
7:00: Weekly Report 7:30: Call Of
The Wild8:30: Ebru News 9:15: World
of Football 9:45: Movie
11:00: Podium
KBC TV
05.00 BBC World News
7.00 Fire Ministries 7.30 Miracle in
the Villagei 8.00 Neno Litakuweka
huru 8.30 Jesus is Comng
8.45 Nguvu za Miugiza
9.00 Jesus Winner
9.30 Sunrise Avenue 10.30 J,ambo
Toto 1.00 Angaza Live 1.00 KBC
Lunchtime News
1.30 Legends
5.00 Art and Culture
6.00 Tajj 7.00 Taarifa
7.30 Street Court
8.00 Angels Diary
8.30 House of Payne 9.00 KBC
News
9.45 Weekend Movie
11.30 Club 1
12.30 BBC World News
TELEVISION
5:00am
One Cubed
6:00am
AM
Live
9.00am
Generation
3
10:00am
The Penguins Of
Madagascar
10:30am
Cool Catz
11:00am
Teen Republik
1:00pm
NTV at 1
1:30pm
Prankstars -
RPT
2:00pm
Legacy
3:00pm
Scandal
- Omnibus
5:30pm
Fear Factor
International
6:30pm
Malimwengu
7:00pm
NTV Jioni
7:30pm
Shark
Tank
8:30pm
OSide
9:00pm
NTV Weekend
Edition
10:00pm
Movie: Guess
Who
11:30pm
Stop
Suering
12:00pm
CNN
5:00am AL-Jazeera
6:00am Tumsifu
7:30am Wimbo Mtamu
8:30am Christ Embassy
9:00am Kamusi Ya
Changamka
11:00am Mwana Spoti
12:00pm Bunge La Wazalendo
12:30pm Face to Face
1:00pm Toleo La Mchana
1:30pm Jambaz
2:00pm Malimwengu
3:00pm Mombasati
4:00pm Vipasho
4:05pm Sakata Rumba
5:00pm Vipasho
5:05pm Sifa
6:00pm Mkulima Ni Ujuzi
7:10pm Tujuane
8:00pm Mwisho Juma na
Walibora
8:30pm I-Seme
9:00pm WWE:Bottomline
10:00pm Irie-Reggae
11:00pm Signs of Time
12:30am AL-Jazeera
SHARK TANK 7:30PM
Shark Tank is an American reality competition series that
premiered in 2009, on ABC. It is the American version of the
global Dragons Den franchise and features business pitches
from aspiring entrepreneurs to a panel of potential investors.
TODAYS HIGHLIGHT
8:30PM - OFFSIDE
10:00PM MOVIE: GUESS WHO
TREAT OF THE DAY
NAIROBI
FOX CINEPLEX-SARIT
CENTRE
SCREEN I
RIO 2 (3D) (G/E)
11AM
GODZILLA (3D) (TABA)
1.45PM, 6.55PM, 9PM
AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2 (3D)
(P.G)
4.10PM
SCREEN II
AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2 (3D)
(P.G)
11AM, 1.45PM, 6.40PM, 9.15PM
THE OTHER WOMAN (U/16)
4.30PM
CENTURY CINEMA-JUNCTION
SCREEN I
LEGO (G/E)
10AM
CAPTAIN AMERICA:THE WINTER
SOLDIER (2D) (U16)
12PM
THE OTHER WOMAN (2D) (16)
2.30PM, 4.40PM, 7PM, 9.20PM
SCREEN II
AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2
(3D) (P.G)
11AM
GODZILLA (3D) (16)
1.40PM, 4.20PM, 7PM, 9.40PM
SCREEN III
RIO 2 (2D) (G/E)
10.30AM, 12.30PM, 2.30PM,
4.40PM
CAPTAIN AMERICA:THE WINTER
SOLDIER (2D) (U16)
6.50PM, 9.30PM
SCREEN IV
NON STOP (2D)
(P/G)
10.30AM, 7.40PM
ENDLESS LOVE (16)
12.20PM
DIVERGENT (2D)
(P/G)
2.20PM
AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2
(2D)
(P/G)
5PM, 9.40PM
IMAX XX CENTURY
CINEMAS,20TH CENTURY
PLAZA
AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2
(3D)
7:00AM, 9:50AM, 12:40PM ,
3:30PM, 6:20PM, 9:10PM, 12:
000AM
PLANET MEDIA CINEMAS,
NAKUMATT MEGA CITY MALL,
KISUMU
SCREEN I
300 RISE OF AN EMPEROR
(16)
3.40PM, 5.45PM, 8.30PM
SCREEN II
THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2
(3D)
1.20PM, 6.10PM
GODZILLA
(P/G)
11.10AM, 3.50PM, 8.40PM
MOMBASA
NYALI CINEMAX-MOMBASA
RIO 2
(2D)
2PM
GODZILLA
(3D)
4.15PM, 6.45PM
THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2
(3D)
6.15PM
2 STATES
9PM
GODZILLA
(2D)
9.15PM MOVIE: GODZILLA
May 17, 2014 SATURDAY NATION 22 Leisure
WOMEN SEEKING MEN
I am Wanja Juliet. I would like to engage in
a relationship focusing on marriage with a
gu from the Gema communit, aged 32 - 37
ears. e should be working or in business,
godl and honest. Call 0789 547 578 or email:
wanjaliet@gmail.com.
I am Ann, 36 ears old, working, decent and
self-respecting. I would love to meet a serious
gentleman strictl over 43 ears, residing
either in western Kena, Nanza or Rift Valle.
e should be in a career, romantic, open
minded and nanciall stable. Medical tests are
mandator. No calls. Tet onl 0737 636 315.
I am Lisa, a single 32-ear-old teacher in
Nairobi. Im looking for a single, serious, god-
fearing, loving and committed man. e should
be from central, eastern or the coast area of
Kena, read to settle down in marriage soon,
aged 33-40 ears and nanciall stable. IV test
is a must. Call/ SMS prole to 0736 001 642.
Carol Nduta, a single born-again 34-ear-old
with a stable job in the Rift Valle wishes to
fellowship with an unattached working man
aged 38-50 ears. e should be born again and
strictl childless. I prefer language-compliant
gents. For m character reference, access
Covenant Marriage Pastor Facebook page or
call 0725 290 624. e runs a Protestant ethics
singles forum in Thika.
Diarvin is a 33-ear-old businesswoman. She is
looking for a serious African man who is read
to settle down in a relationship that will lead to
marriage. e must be humble and born again
Call/SMS 0706 195 955.
Diana Baile, 36, lives and works in Kena. She
is looking for a man who is read for a serious
relationship that ma lead to marriage. Call/
SMS 0711 253 935/ +44 123 432 8740 Email:
bailediana354@ahoo.com
I am Cecilia, a 43-ear-old from Central Kena,
working as a subordinate sta in a secondar
school, and mother of a grown-up daughter.
I am looking for a serious life partner aged
45 ears and above. e should be single and
nanciall stable, and if widowed, he should
have grown-up kids. IV test is a must. If
interested and serious call/SMS 0726 245 625.
MEN SEEKING WOMEN
A Kenan man who can speak German is
looking for the raisin in the cake. Email: asanti_
3@ahoo.de
James, 39, would like to meet a humble and
mature woman for a relationship that ma lead
to marriage. She should be god-fearing and
read for marriage. SMS onl to 0702 714 282.
I am Charles, a 52-ear-old widower. I am
looking for a mature woman to mould me
again for the better part of m life. Call/SMS
0722 807 612.
I am Michael, a salesman. I like swimming,
listening to music and watching
documentaries. I am looking for an outgoing
girl from central Kena, Embu or Meru who
is not necessaril working. Send me a tet to
introduce ourself. M number is 0707 911 614.
AGENCIES
Meet hundreds of serious beautiful, handsome
and outhful singles of all ages starting
from 20, for friendship, marriage, love and
compan. Our members come from all
faiths, tribes, races and professions within
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contacts condentl, call/SMS 0720 800 344
Braque Precious Communication. Email:
bracom2002us@ahoo.com.
Love Springs International dating club is run
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Chapchap dating agenc oers dating services
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email chapchapdating@ahoo.com
Get condential dating at Datend, for
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marriage. We have suitable and nel selected
partners. SMS our prole (e.g. name, gender,
tribe, age, education level, career, residence,
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weight/height, compleion, etc.) and prole
of lovers/relationship ou need. Or SMS
Loveto 0722 244 271 or 0733 222 008.
www.datend.webs.com
Roals Dating Agenc specialises in dating
services for lonel hearts. Condentiall
contact us if ou are lonel and we will link
ou with an appropriate partner/spouse
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Majests International Dating Club is run
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our relationship? Leave the search to
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LOVE IS ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY
TO HAVE YOUR MESSAGE PUBLISHED IN
SOULMATES: Pa Sh1,000 for individual
adverts and Sh2,000 for agenc adverts
at the advertising centre on the ground
oor, Nation Centre, or our regional oces.
Messages should be no more than 60
words. Disclaimer & caution: Be careful
when meeting someone for the rst time.
Meet in a public place, let a friend know
where ou will be and carr enough mone
to take care of our epenses and transport
back home.
N
o two people are eactl
the same and an health
relationship is bound to
have fallouts. While some
mistakes are small and eas
to let go of, our signicant other ma
wrong ou in such a wa that ou will
have a hard time moving on from this
hurt. Forgiveness is hardl ever eas but
its a necessar ingredient of a thriving
relationship. eres how to let go of a hurt:
Make the choice Forgiveness is
not a feeling. It is a choice we make. If
ou desire a long-lasting relationship or
marriage, ou need to recognise the need
to forgive not because the other person
deserves it but because ou deserve to be
free of old heartaches. Forgiving means
acknowledging that ou are also not
perfect and letting go of grudges. Also,
realising that some hurt was unintentional
will go a long wa in enforcing this
decision.
Share After our signicant other
has apologised and asked for our
forgiveness, ou need to accept their
eplanation and tr to practise empath.
This means attempting to put ourself
in his shoes in a bid to see the situation
from his perspective. Also, ou need to
talk about our hurt. Acknowledge the
hurt that the wrongdoing caused. Do not
point ngers at this point; just share our
feelings so that ou can identif eactl
what ou are forgiving him for. To be able
to move on, ou need to feel heard and
to accept that ou cannot change what
happened in the past. owever, there are
times that he will not know or will refuse
to acknowledge that he has wronged ou.
Other times he will not have a credible
eplanation for his hurtful actions or he
will come armed with ecuses to defend
his actions. Youll need to forgive him even
then.
Vengeance It ma be tempting to
sweep the hurt under the rug but hold
onto the card of the wrongdoing so that
ou can throw it in his face as ammunition
in a future argument or to hold onto the
hurt so that ou can make ourself feel
better should ou hurt him in the future.
It is important at this point to remember
that vengeance though seemingl
alluring will onl hurt ou. It ma give
ou temporar relief but it keeps ou in
a vicious ccle and keeps ou focused on
the hurt.
Forgiveness is for ou When
ou decide to let go of a hurt, ou are
doing it for ourself to free ourself from
resentment and anger. Sometimes the
incident is so bad that a relationship
cannot be restored. Even then, forgiveness
is necessar for our own peace of mind
lest the resentment wears ou down.
Recommit to our relationship
Make a conscious eort not to let that
particular incident derail ou from our
quest for a fullling relationship. Stop our
mind from re-running the hurt over and
over. When our mind wanders, nudge
ourself back or distract ourself from
dwelling on those thoughts. Enable our
signicant other to reconnect with ou
b allowing communication and having a
sense of determination.
Give ourself time Making
this mature decision to forgive will not
instantl rid ou of the feelings of hurt.
These will dull with time but onl if
ou make an eort not to dwell on the
negative feelings. Sometimes, it works
when ou use the forgiveness of others
to inspire our own. Think of the times
that ou have had others forgive ou,
think of the fact that ou ma also need
forgiveness from this person in the future.
When ou look at it this wa, ou ma
even be grateful that he also tolerates
some of our traits.
Do not become a victim You
have a dut to protect ourself. You need
to step up should our signicant other
continue to hurt ou in the same wa
without making an attempt to change.
Pa attention if most of his hurtful actions
are intentional and planned or pre-
meditated. If ou cant, a professional will
help ou recognise when ou ought to
leave a relationship that is harming ou
mentall and/or emotionall.
ow to let go of past hurt
RELATIONSHIP
TIPS
WIT JOAN TATIA
SATURDAY NATION May 17, 2014 saturday magazine 23