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DECEMBER 2007 - PART ONE
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The Seeds takes Christmas Gifts to the orphans
After successfully climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for the charity, the Seeds were joined by their mum and Rev. Elizabeth Wahome among others to take Christmas Gifts and money to New Hope Orphan Childrens Home in Limuru, where Mrs. Anne Chege is the patron. The team were given a van to transport the gifts by Rev. Wahome who also joined the team. She made good of her office to sell the goods with whole sale price as she has a wholesale shop in Nairobi. Mrs. Wahome also donated books worthy more than KShs. 50,000 to the home as well as over KShs. 10,000 for herself and the husband. The Seeds took gifts worthy more than KShs. 50,000 to the children. This excludes the cash money given by different people among them Matrix Systems/Mr. Seed Money Transfer who donated KShs. 25,000 which they presented in cash. The total amount will be known the when donations on the website closes down in a months time. The children were excited to see the team and they had prepared themselves with songs and food. Among the items donated to the home by the Seeds include sodas, bread, biscuits, chocolate, sweets, and money among other items. It was big shopping because every item must be enough for 120 children. You can still donate to the children. Those who would like to donate through PAY PAL can do so at misterseed@hotmail.co.uk - CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE -
Joseph Njiiri (left photo) removing some Christmas gifts from the car while the children are eagerly waiting.
On the right Pastor Jane Njiiri being helped by the children to remove the gifts
Rev. Elizabeth Wahome posing the children after donating school books to them and on right are some of the gifts
Mr. Seed's mum (white) was not left behind to present her gifts and on right Pastor Jane Njiiri present some of the cash money donated
by family, friends and sponsors. Among the cash was KShs. 25,000 from Matrix Systems/Mr. Seed Money Transfer
Daughter Seed (Margaret Njiiri) distributing some gifts to the children and on the right the children helps to remove the drinks from the van
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Jamhuri day 2007 celebrations in
London hosted by The High Commissioner
Jamhuri days 2007 celebrations took place in London on Wednesday 12th December, 2007 at Hilton Hotel, in Park Lane, in Central London. The ceremony which was hosted for the diplomatic circles by the Kenya High Commissioner in the UK HE Joseph Muchemi. A well attended ceremony by different diplomatic representative started with a high note as a team from Kenya High Commission arrived early to see that everything went as planned. The High Commissioner arrived at 12.30 p.m. and his tough day of welcoming his guests. With him to welcome the guests was his deputy commissioner Mr. Kinyoru and the new defence attaché Mr. Njoroge. Before the party, the high commissioner made a brief speech about Kenya and the progress President Kibaki government has made since he took over. He explained that the Kenya government has initiated a 2030 vision where the government expect the country to have an economic turn-round for the benefit of all Kenyans. He concluded by saying that Kenyan is now a part of the seven wonders of nature at Maasai Mara and everyone is welcomed to see the wonders. The high commissioner was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Cecilia Muchemi who stood next to him as he gave his speech. "You have to be next to your man" Mrs. Muchemi joked as she smiled to Mr. Seed.
2007 JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON - PART ONE
2007 JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON - PART TWO
2007 JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON - PART THREE
LEFT: Sam Ochieng of Sacoma being welcomed by the Kenya High Commissioner and on right the High Commissioner welcoming the Ambassador or Guyana
Mr. Lawson Kamau being welcomed by the High Commissioner and on right the Ambassador of Sudan being welcomed by the High Commissioner
LEFT: Ms Wanjiru a banker in London being welcomed at the ceremony and on the right the High Commissioner welcoming Saudi Arabia Ambassador
Kenyan music group "YUNASI" entering the venue. They won a BBC World Service’s world wide talent search, ‘The Next Big Thing’ last week and on right is the High Commissioner address the guests
A large number number of guests turned up for the occasion.
LEFT: Pastor Kamau of Deya Ministries, Lawson Kamau, Col. Kamau, and Brig. Gen. Ananias. On right is the new Kenya defence Col. Njoroge and Tanzanian defence attache Brig. General Ananias Mwanga
Col. Njoroge and Mr. Rapha and on the right hand is the wife of High Commissioner Mrs. Cecilia Muchemi, Ms Agatha Auma, Linda and her friend
LEFT: Kenya Airways Station Manager in London Mrs. Ng'ang'a and the High Commmissioner and on the right is the Kenyan musician "Yunasi"
LEFT: ODM team - On left is Pastor Gitau, Concillor Alapini of Royal Borough of Kesington and ODM UK chairman Paul Otieno. On right is First Secretary at the Kenya Embassy Mr. Tipis, Mr. Mutinda and Frank Nzioka of Bettavision Travel
LEFT: Councillor Alapini and Ruth Kirima and on right is Mr. Wanjohi and his wife
LEFT: David Njenga and Steve Njenga from Scotland posing with a Kenyan flag and on right is Rhoda Sempele dressed in a Maasai attire
WE ARE FROM SCOTLAND: A team from Scotland lead by Rev. Lukas Njenga (red tie) posing
with the Kenya High Commissioner and his wife Cecilia
A team from Northampton lead by Mr. Mungai (far left) and Mr. Ken Kiarie - second right)
Caught by Mr. Seed at the ceremony is Pastor James Gitau with a special tie. On right is Mrs. Cecilia Muchemi, High Commissioner, Councillor Alapini now going for Parliamentary seat and she is the Labour candidate for Woking, Col. Njoroge and his wife
2007 JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON - PART ONE
2007 JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON - PART TWO
2007 JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON - PART THREE
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IDA ODINGA ADDRESSES UK KENYANS
By Shad Bulimo, London, Nov 26 2007
The debacle over the nominations of ODM parliamentary aspirants will be addressed in a special conference to be held in Nairobi this week. Addressing hundreds of Kenyans in London over the weekend, Mrs Ida Odinga, the would-be first lady said ODM had 2,000 candidates vying for 200 seats which means 1,800 candidates knew they would lose. Mrs Odinga said ODM is a home which accords equality and protection to everyone, young and old, victor and the vanquished. Hence the losers should never see themselves as losers in the first place – they participated in a process in which the outcome could go either way.
Mrs Odinga likened political evolution to a small fish the Japanese keep as a pet called koy which is rather like omena. Most Japanese keep it a small bottle where it grows to a maximum size of one inch. But if you keep it a bigger bowl, it can grow to three inches. Still, if you keep it in a fish tank, it will grow to six inches and further still in a pond, it can grow to up to six feet.
A group of supporters posing with the Mrs. Odinga at the dinner venue
What does this mean? The size of the fish is in direct proportion to the space in which it operates. In relation to politics, Mrs Odinga said Kenyans had been bottled up like koy where their political aspirations were limited to the controlled mechanics of the small bottle. An ODM government will free koy to swim and prosper in a larger pond called Kenya where there is enough food for everyone to grow to a size that suits their circumstances. “Growth doesn’t always come from outside. Like koy, Kenyans can grow and prosper economically given the right conditions,” she said.
She said Kenya is a unique country blessed not just with abundant wildlife but a diversity of cultures. The 45 tribes of Kenya is a source of strength not a weakness, she said and an ODM government will commit to tap into the strengths of all the 45 tribes. Among other things, she said, ODM commits itself to delivering a new constitution within six months and has put together an economic blueprint that guarantees universal healthcare, education and infrastructural improvement. On majimbo, she said, Kenyans should not be confused by rival political parties out to score cheap points. “Majimbo does not equal balkanisation; it simply means equal distribution of resources,” she emphasised.
Mrs Odinga said there is an estimated 1.8 million Kenyans living and working abroad whose remittances account for 3.8% of national income. She said an ODM government recognises this important constituency and measures are in place to enhance these efforts. Besides legitimising dual citizenship and according voting rights, an ODM government will have special initiatives to help Kenyans who wish to relocate or start businesses in Kenya through tax waiver schemes.
A section of the Kenyans at the dinner
Mrs Odinga said she is disturbed by constant reports in the media concerning Kenyan women being battered, tortures or killed by their foreign spouses. She said, an ODM government will put in place measures to help such women return to a welcoming home. Quoting her husband, ODM presidential candidate, Mr Raila Odinga she said “Our word is our bond.” Details of the ODM manifesto can be accessed at http://www.raila2007.com
Mrs Raila was a guest of the ODM UK Chapter Women’s League headed by Ms Rose Ochwada. Other speakers included Mr Charles Konyiego Bosire, the Chairman of ODM UK and Doctor Mary Thompson, the ODM UK Youth Coordinator. The Master of Ceremony was Doctor Abdi Greek.
Shad Bulimo is the editor of www.abeingo.org
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Kenya wins IMO position
By Shad Bulimo, London, Sunday 25 2007
Kenya has been re – elected to the decision making organ of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Kenya saw off stiff competition from countries such as Nigeria to clinch the coveted position during the 25th General Assembly of the IMO that ended in London over the weekend. This is the third time that Kenya has been elected to the Council. It was first elected in 2001 for tenure of two years but lost in the subsequent elections of 2003-05. It bounced back in the elections of 2005-07 and has been lucky to retain the seat.
The Kenyan team toasting after the winning the seat
So what swung things for Kenya? In June 2007, for the time in its history, a major IMO conference was held in Nairobi to discuss an issue that had been on the agenda for the last 35 years. “The International Conference on Wreckage Removal which adopted the Nairobi International Wreck Removal Convention may have been the turning point for us, “said an ecstatic Mr Gerrishon Ikiara, the permanent secretary in the ministry of transport who was heading the Kenyan delegation. The two year-tenure means Kenya sits on the decision making organ of international maritime affairs and benefits from a technical cooperation fund.
The Council has 40 members tiered in three categories – A, B and C on account of tonnage and shipping fleet. Among other things, Kenya has used its position on the Council to advocate successfully for changes in the configuration of the Council. For instance countries like Singapore were sitting in category C rather unfairly because they have one of terh largest ports in the world. “ They were competing for resources with less endowed countries but we have argued successfully and now Singapore is in category B,” said Mr Ikiara.
Kenya’s presentation was brilliant. During the Nairobi Conference, they had Kayamba to entertain guests. Apparently the guests were so were thrilled Kenyans delegates thought they would capitalise on that and charm their way into the delegates hearts. So they organised for Kayamba to come to the UK and perform at the Kenya Reception Party.
Sadly, group members were denied visas by the British High Commission in Nairobi. The high powered Kenyan delegation included, Mrs Nancy Karigithu, the Director General of Kenya Maritime Authority, Mr AH Mwaruwa, the Managing Director of Kenya Ports Authority, David Ojwang’, the Managing Director of Kenya National Shipping Line Ltd, Mr John J Ria, the Managing Director of Kenya Ferry Services Ltd, Captain TA Khamis, Harbour Master and Chief Operations Officer, KPA and Peer Thuo, Director of Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Transport.
Shad Bulimo is the editor of www.abeingo.org
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In full: Brown anti-terror speech
Here is the full text of prime minister Gordon Brown's Commons statement on anti-terrorism measures.
Mr Speaker, in advance of the National Security Strategy which will be published in the next few weeks - and following the statement by the head of MIS about the potential threat from UK-based terrorists - I want to update the House, as I promised in July, on the measures we are taking at home - following the incidents on June 29th and 30th - both to root out terrorism and to strengthen the resilience of communities to resist extremist influence measures that to succeed will require not just military and security resources but more policing and intelligence, and an enhanced effort to win hearts and minds.
And let me first of all thank the police, the security services and the armed forces for their vigilance, their service and their courage in facing up to the terrorist threat.
Mr Speaker, the terrorist attacks in June revolved around an attempted bomb attack on a London venue where hundreds congregated and a vehicle bomb attack on Glasgow airport.
The conclusions today of the review by the Noble Lord West on the protection of strategic infrastructure, stations, ports and airports - and of other crowded places - identifies a need to step up physical protection against possible vehicle bomb attacks.
This will include, where judged necessary, improved security at railway stations - focusing first on those of our 250 busiest stations most at risk - and at airport terminals, ports and over one hundred sensitive installations.
The report proposes the installation of robust physical barriers as protection against vehicle bomb attacks, the nomination of vehicle exclusion zones to keep all but authorised vehicles at a safe distance, and making buildings blast resistant.
While no major failures in our protective security have been identified, companies responsible for crowded places will now be given updated and more detailed advice on how they can improve their resilience against attack, both by better physical protection and greater vigilance in identifying suspicious behaviour.
New guidance will be sent to thousands of cinemas, theatres, restaurants, hotels, sporting venues and commercial centres, and all hospitals, schools and places of worship - and this will include advice on training staff to be more vigilant.
Up to 160 counter-terrorism advisers will train civilian staff to identify suspect activity and to ensure premises have secure emergency exits, CCTV footage used to best effect, and regular searches and evacuation drills.
From now on, local authorities will be required as part of their performance framework to assess the measures they have taken to protect against terrorism.
We will now work with architects and planners to encourage them to "design-in" protective security measures into new buildings, including safe areas, traffic control measures and the use of blast resistant materials - and on this I am grateful for the recommendations of the Hon Member for Newark, whom I thank.
And following further work we will report back soon on what more we need to do to strengthen security to protect against the use of hazardous substances for terrorist purposes.
Mr Speaker, just as we are constantly vigilant to the ways in which we can tighten our security, so too we must ensure that the travelling public are able to go about their business in the normal way. In the most sensitive locations, for example some large rail stations - and whilst doing everything to avoid inconvenience to passengers - we are planning additional screening of baggage and passenger searches.
But in the last few months at key airports there has already been additional investment in new screening capacity and we have been able to review the one-bag per passenger rule.
The Transport Secretary is announcing today that as soon as we are confident that airports are able to handle additional baggage safely, these restrictions on hand baggage will be progressively lifted.
Starting with several airports in the new year, we will work with airport operators to ensure all UK airports are in a position to allow passengers to fly with more than one item of hand luggage.
Mr Speaker the security budget - which is two and a half billion pounds this year - will rise to three and a half billion pounds in 2011.
Because of the terrorist threat, the size of the security service - which was under 2,000 in 2001 and is 3,300 now - will rise beyond 4,000, twice the size of 2001.
I can report that we have now constituted dedicated regional counter terrorism units - with in total more than 2000 police and support staff - responsible for overseeing investigations into those who recruit terrorists and promote hate.
From the Home Office budget, from now until 2011, an additional £240 million pounds will finance counter terrorism policing - focused as much on preventing the next generation of terrorists as pursuing current targets.
And this will include additional funding for further training of our 3,500 neighbourhood police teams to deal with radicalisation in their local communities.
The scale of our international effort is such that around £400 million pounds over the next three years will be invested through the Foreign Office, DfID and the British Council to tackle radicalisation and promote understanding overseas.
And the Government will report back on action overseas with other countries to counter extremism when we launch the National Security Strategy.
I can confirm £70 million is being invested in community projects devoted to countering violent extremism.
So in total we are now investing nearly three times as much in security now compared with six years ago.
Mr Speaker, in line with the measured way we responded to the terrorist incidents in June, we will only seek new powers that are essential to the fight against terrorism.
I can tell the House that in the forthcoming Counter Terrorism Bill - to be introduced shortly - there will be stronger sentences for terrorist-related offences and, where terrorists have served sentences, new powers for the police to continue to monitor their activities.
Asset freezing is an important tool in the fight against terrorists buying weapons or using money for terrorist purposes. Sophisticated evidence gathering of financial transactions can both deny terrorists finance and locate the sources of terrorists plots.
Current legislation makes it difficult for us to take preventative action, so the new Bill will give us new powers to ensure we can use all available information to pursue those who finance terrorist attacks.
In addition to measures to process terrorist cases more efficiently and reduce the time between arrest and trial - including 14 new specially protected courtrooms - a single senior Judge has been nominated to manage all terrorism cases.
And there will also be a single senior lead prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service responsible for cases relating to inciting violent extremism.
Mr Speaker, to ensure we protect our borders and detect possible terrorist suspects, members of the new UK Border Agency will have the power, from January next year, to detain people not just on suspicion of immigration offences or for customs crime but also for other criminal activity including terrorism.
Powers are also being given to airline liaison officers to cancel visas where justified.
In line with my statement of July, there will be one single primary checkpoint for both passport control and customs; and the UK Border Agency - which will have 25,000 staff - will now apply controls at points of entry and exit on people and goods, into and out of the UK, as well as working throughout the world.
The new Agency will enable us to transfer intelligence from UK operations overseas to those making visa decisions, and to check biometrics taken from visa applicants against criminal and counter-terrorism records.
Further details of the new Border Agency - which has been welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers - are published in the Cabinet Office report issued today.
This will go hand in hand with what is increasingly necessary - biometric visas for all applicants from March next year, biometric ID cards for foreign nationals introduced from the end of 2008, and a strengthening of the E-borders programme, with the contract to incorporate all passenger information awarded today.
Having agreed repatriation arrangements for foreign terrorist suspects with Jordan, Lebanon and Algeria, work is underway with a number of additional countries with a view to signing new agreements.
In addition to the nine foreign nationals recently deported under immigration powers on grounds of national security, a further 24 foreign nationals are currently subject to deportation proceedings on national security grounds. And 4000 foreign prisoners are likely to be deported this year.
Mr Speaker, all faith communities in the UK make a huge contribution in all spheres of our national life and are integral to our success as a society.
And as we found - listening to all communities in June - the vast majority of people, of all faiths and backgrounds, condemn terrorists and their actions.
But the objective of Al Qaeda and related groups is to manipulate political and humanitarian issues in order to gain support for their agenda of murder and violence - and to deliberately maim and kill fellow human beings, including innocent women and children. We must not allow anyone to use terrorist activities as a means to divide us or isolate those belonging to a particular faith or community.
And to deal with the challenge posed by this terrorist threat we have to do more, working with communities:
This will be achieved not by one single programme or initiative and it won't be achieved overnight.
This is a generational challenge which requires sustained work over the long term and by a range of actions in schools, colleges, universities, faith groups and youth clubs; by engaging young people through the media, culture, sport and arts; and by acting against extremist influences operating on the internet and in institutions including prisons, universities and some places of worship.
As part of intensifying measures to isolate extremism, a new unit bringing together police and security intelligence and research will identify, analyse and assess not just the inner circle of extremist groups but those at risk of falling under their influence - and share their advice and insights.
Building on initial roadshows of mainstream Islamic scholarship around the country, which have attracted over 70,000 young people, and an internet site which has reached far more, we will sponsor at home and abroad, including for the first time in Pakistan, a series of national and local events to counter extremist propaganda.
The next stage will draw upon the work commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council, Kings College and the Royal Society for Arts on how best to deal with radicalisation both at home and abroad.
One central issue is how to balance extremist views supporting terrorism which appear on the internet and media.
The Home Secretary is inviting the largest global technology and internet companies to work together to ensure that our best technical expertise is galvanised to counter online incitement to hatred.
I also welcome the decision by the Royal Television Society and Society of Newspaper Editors to hold a conference and regional debates on how to ensure accurate and balanced reporting of issues related to terrorism in the media.
To ensure charities are not exploited by extremists, a new unit in the Charity Commission will strengthen governance and accountability.
A specialist unit in the Prisons Service will be tasked with stopping extremists using prison networks to plot future activities. And because young people in the criminal justice system are especially vulnerable to extremist influences, we are making further funding available through the Youth Justice Board, the National Offenders Management Service and the many voluntary agencies that work with young people in trouble to support young people who may be targeted for recruitment by extremist groups.
Following evidence that some of those involved in promoting violent extremism have made use of outdoor activity centres and sports facilities, we are working with Sport England to provide guidance for the sector to ensure that these facilities are not abused.
Backed up by a new website to share best practice, a new board of experts will advise local authorities, local councillors and local communities on tackling radicalization and those promoting hate.
We have had mosques in the UK for more than a hundred years, serving local communities well.
And these communities tell me that mosques have a much wider role beyond their core spiritual purpose in providing services, educating young people and building cohesion - and the majority already work hard to reject violent extremism.
As the newly constituted Mosques and Imams National Advisory Body recognises however, the governance of mosques could be strengthened to help serve communities better and challenge those who fuel hate.
Our consultations with Muslim communities emphasise the importance of the training of imams, including English language requirements - and the Secretary for Communities will be announcing an independent review to examine with communities how to build the capacity of Islamic seminaries, learning from other faith communities as well as experience overseas.
In addition to updated advice for universities on how to deal with extremism on campus, the Secretary for Skills and the Higher Education Minister will later this month invite universities to lead a debate on how we maintain academic freedom whilst ensuring that extremists can never stifle debate or impose their views.
And we will now consult also on how to support further education colleges.
And the Secretary of State for Culture is working with the museums, libraries and archives council to agree a common approach to deal with inflammatory and extremist material that some seek to distribute through public libraries, whilst also protecting freedom of speech. We know that young people of school age can be exposed to extremist messages.
The Secretary of State for Children will be convening a new forum of headteachers to advise on what more we can do together to protect young people and build bridges across communities.
To ensure young people have the opportunity to learn about diversity and faith in modern Britain, we will work in partnership with religious education teachers to promote the national framework for teaching religious education in schools including making sure children learn about all faiths.
An advisory group will work with local communities to promote the citizenship education classes run by mosque schools in Bradford and elsewhere.
And I can announce that one essential part of this will be to twin schools of different faiths with our new £2 million pound school linking programme, supported by a new national website and School Linking Network.
I am also announcing today a youth panel to advise the Government - learning from youth projects like the Youth Debating Circles in Birmingham, Tag TV in Tower Hamlets, the 'Extreme News' educational website in Oldham and the Green Light Project's 'one stop' website in Dudley which all enable young people to debate and discuss issues of concern - as does the work of the Youth Parliament who have been running debates about the impact of terrorism on young people.
And we are sponsoring and encouraging a series of national and local mentoring programmes for young people:
After discussion with Muslim women, a new advisory group has been set up by the Secretary for Communities.
This will advise on the access of women to mosques and their management committees.
Mr Speaker, it is by seeking to build on shared interests and shared values that we will isolate extremists and foster understanding across faiths.
Following the recent remarkable letter by 138 Muslim scholars - from a diversity of traditions within Islam - which paid tribute to the common roots of Islam, Christianity and Judaism and called for deeper dialogue, we stand ready to support in Britain new facilities for multi-faith scholarship, research and dialogue.
A green paper will be published to encourage interfaith groups to come together in every constituency of the country.
I am also inviting the Higher Education Funding Council to investigate the idea of setting up in Britain a European Centre of Excellence for Islamic studies.
And in addition to joint work with the French and German governments on building an appreciation of Islamic and Muslim heritage across Europe, the Arts Council England, Tate Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum and British Library will all be taking forward projects to promote greater understanding of the contribution of Islam to European history and culture.
And just as the British Council is connecting young people across the world through school twinning and volunteering exchanges, I am announcing that we will finance a rising number of young people from all communities to volunteer overseas.
Finally Mr Speaker, the intercept review will report in January, we believe a consensus now exists on post-charge questioning and the Home Secretary is beginning a new round of consultations with parties and communities on detailed proposals on pre-charge detention where we believe we can establish a cross-party consensus.
Mr Speaker, there is no greater priority than the safety and security of our people and building the strongest possible relationships across all faiths and communities - and I believe it possible to build a stronger consensus that will both root out terrorist extremism and build more vibrant and cohesive communities.
About Kshs. 10 million at collected at PNU dinner in London
Over £68,000 (about Kshs. 10 million) was contributed at the PNU dinner in London on Saturday 10th November, 2007 as the rally scheduled for Sunday 11th November, 2007 at Wembley was posted for a later date. Friends and supporters of PNU and Kibaki Tena team teamed up together to go ahead with the dinner after the much awaited PNU team from Kenya failed to arrive. The team from Kenya who had planned to join at the London dinner was summoned from State House in the last minute in order to participate at the launching of the PNU manifesto on Saturday 10th November, 2007 (see below). The dinner, which was held at The Rembrandt Hotel, Knightsbridge London was selling promotional materials for PNU and one supporter bought all the "Kibaki Tena" T-shirts to be given to all the guests attending. The Kenya High Commissioner in the UK HE Joseph Muchemi who attended the dinner in his capacity as a Kenyan citizen was among the guests. Dinner hall was all in praise of the good work President Kibaki has done and the slogan of "Kazi iendelee" dominated the air everywhere.
PNU DINNER IN LONDON PHOTOS BELOW:
PNU DINNER VIDEO CLIPS
PNU DINNER, LONDON, ON SATURDAY 10TH NOVEMBER, 2007 PART ONE - BY PICHAVISION
PNU DINNER, LONDON, ON SATURDAY 10TH NOVEMBER, 2007 PART TWO - BY PICHAVISION
PNU DINNER, LONDON, ON SATURDAY 10TH NOVEMBER, 2007 PART THREE - BY PICHAVISION
SPEECH BY THE CHAIRMAN OF PNU DR NDEMO IN LONDON
MEGA Chairmain Mr. Maina Gatangi (left) a supporter of Kibaki Tena buying a T-Shirt as he joins the dinner and on the right is some ladies who had dressed for the occasion. A team from Leeds lead by Mrs. Karanja (far right) with Pastor Jane Njiiri on far left.
Rev. Lucas from Scotland (left) and on the right are two PNU supporters - laywer Kirugara who was a classmate to the former Kenya Attorney General, Kamere and Mr. Maina Gatangi
PNU Chairman Dr. Ndemo (left) and HE Joseph Muchemi the Kenya High Commissioner (right) at the dinner
Caught at the dinner was Mr. Njindo (left) and her mum who visiting UK from Kenya. Njindo's mother is a sister Hon. Matiba and on right a team displaying Kibaki's T-shirts with their moto "NA KAZI IENDELEE".
PNU MANFESTOR - Nairobi, November 10, 2007
President Mwai Kibaki distributes the PNU Manifesto to Kenyans shortly after launching it at KICC, Nairobi. PNU manifesto launched, President Kibaki says the party represents the best hope for the nation. President Mwai Kibaki today launched the Party of National Unity (PNU) manifesto saying the party, which stands for a prosperous, secure and equitable future represents the best hope for this nation.
The President said the manifesto contained the most comprehensive and inclusive vision for making Kenya a stronger and more accountable democracy with a stronger and more equitable economy that is built on a more cohesive and just society. Speaking during the launch at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, the President made it clear that PNU will provide every Kenyan with equal access to economic and social opportunities so that they can contribute towards baking a larger and richer national cake.
Said the President, “I want all Kenyans to know that we are the party that brings together all communities and regions, giving each one of them a political voice and place at the table in decision-making and in baking the national cake.” He added, “Today, we will set forth a bold platform as the Party of National Unity that will change the lives of every Kenyan forever. We will map out a bright future for this great nation that is real and tangible, and one that will be realized because we as people and a nation have the will and the resources to make it happen.”
To achieve this, the President noted, the PNU wants a strong central Government that protects and provides for all Kenyans justly and fairly, and strong and accountable devolved structures at the grassroots that ensure that economic, financial, and social development is promoted equitably in every constituency, local authority, and district of the country. He said the PNU viewed Kenya as one body, with many organs and limbs made up of different communities, regions, and institutions, but all of which work together for the good of the Republic and the People of Kenya.
Said he, “Let us desist from trying to dismember this body by majimboism, for just as all the organs, limbs, and tissues of the body must work in harmony to ensure a healthy and productive individual, so must all of our people, communities, and regions work in harmony to ensure the common good and equitable welfare of the people of this great country.” The President emphasized that the Party of National Unity government will implement policies that will ensure that no Kenyan is left behind, and that no corner of the country is treated better or lesser in terms of economic and social development.
He stated that all Kenyans are equally important which is why PNU will pay special attention to developing the country’s human capital with a dedicated focus on the youth, women, the physically and mentally challenged, and the children. President Kibaki said the ultimate objective is for all Kenyans to receive a 14 years basic education, access decent shelter, obtain enough food, have decent job with a decent wage, and live in a peaceful and secure society. To this end, he noted, the Party of National Unity had developed ten pledges that they shall implement once PNU forms the Government.
Pledge No. 1: The PNU will ensure that every child, poor or rich, normal or with special needs, will receive free basic education that will include free primary education as well as free secondary and pre-primary education.
The PNU will also ensure that the youth receive tuition-free technical training in youth polytechnics that will be established in every constituency. For higher education, he said PNU will provide affordable student loans for youths in national polytechnics and both public and private universities.
Pledge No. 2: A PNU Government will provide every child under five years of age, those enrolled in primary and secondary schools, and children with special needs with free treatment in public health facilities, thus giving every single Kenyan child the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong.
Pledge No. 3: A PNU Government will provide every pregnant woman with free antenatal clinics, free and safe maternity delivery, and free postnatal clinics in public dispensaries and health centers because the party values the lives of every mother and newborn child.
Pledge No. 4: To finance social services and create decent jobs for the youth and good incomes for urban and rural families, the PNU will grow the economy to double its current size in the next five years.
Pledge No. 5: To create decent jobs, the PNU Government will double investments in infrastructure so as to build and maintain world-class networks of roads, railways, airports and seaport, power and communications, water supplies, and low cost housing over the next five years.
President Kibaki pointed out that this would create a globally competitive environment for local and international investments in tourism, manufacturing, communications, financial and social services, and value adding industries in agriculture, livestock production, and fishing in various parts of the country.
Pledge No. 6: To create employment and business opportunities for millions of young people, a PNU Government will invest in developing the million stalls and sheds programme by building hawkers’ markets, jua kali parks, and small business parks in every city, town and municipality so as to support and encourage investment and employment in the informal sector with the intention of getting half of them to graduate into formal enterprises.
Pledge No. 7: The PNU Government will recognize community and cultural interests, while at the same time striving to promote cohesion, tolerance and mutual respect for the cultural diversity of the people so that every Kenyan feels free, respected, and secure wherever they are in the country and will not be discriminated or harassed on the basis of ethnicity, religion, race, gender or social status.
Pledge No. 8: The President said his administration will ensure that women are assured of more than 30 percent representation in all public appointments and elective positions, and that all minorities are fully represented in public appointments.
Pledge No. 9: The PNU government will ensure the security of all Kenyans and their property by providing for effective security through joint efforts by the police and provincial administration as well as local communities, and by observing and upholding the rule of law, and the sanctity of property rights.
Pledge No. 10: Our Government will implement a devolution strategy that ensures that each part of the country receives its equitable share of economic and social development opportunities, so as to build a society that is cohesive, secure and tolerant; so that it will no longer matter which tribe one came from, which religion he or she belonged to, or which region they came from.
President Kibaki made it clear that the Party of National Unity will not make pledges they cannot fulfill or mislead the people of Kenya through empty promises and rhetoric. “Nor will we keep changing and contradicting our promises and commitments at every occasion for political convenience. Everything that we have pledged today will be achieved because it is what we truly believe as being good and necessary for this country, and not what we must say to win your votes.” he said.
Noting that the achievements made in the last five years were a clear testimony of the seriousness of the PNU’s intentions, President Kibaki observed that the achievements in economic, social, and political progress made the PNU members confident that Kenyans will put their trust in the Party to run the affairs of this nation for the next five years.
Said he, “We promise to perform twice as well for the good of Kenyans in the next five years, because of the experience and skills we have acquired since December 2002.” President Kibaki said he was aware that the ability for PNU to win the coming general elections, and fulfill the pledges, depends on the Party winning and retaining the confidence of the youth.
He therefore encouraged young men and women to run for parliamentary and civic nominations under the Party of National Unity throughout the country so that they will be instrumental in the party’s victory on 27th December. He expressed his desire that the next Government will be one with the face of Kenya that includes youth, women, and minorities in positions of leadership, so that PNU can take the country to greater heights of political, economic, and social development in the next five years.
President Kibaki urged Kenyans to make this vision a reality, by voting for him next month as the President of the country, and for Party of National Unity as the next Government of the Republic of Kenya. Speaking during the occasion, Narc-Kenya Chairman Raphael Tuju, Shirikisho’s Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Ford Kenya Chairman Musikari Kombo, Ford People’s Simeon Nyachae, TIP Chairman Kalembe Ndile, Kanu Chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, Safina Chairman Paul Muite and DP Secretary-General George Nyamweya endorsed the PNU manifesto and their support for President Kibaki.
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London's first £10m restaurant
Wolseley restaurant in London
It opened only four years ago but has already sealed a reputation as one of London's finest restaurant. Now it can be revealed that the Wolseley is proving as big a hit with its shareholders as with regulars who include Kate Moss, Hugh Grant and Sir Elton John. New financial figures seen by the Evening Standard show the Piccadilly restaurant has joined the ranks of a tiny global elite of dining rooms with takings of more than £10 million a year. The Wolseley's European brasserie formula, combined with the stardust applied by the founders, former Ivy proprietors Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, means that it is almost always full. It is open 18 hours a day, from 7am to 1am, seven days a week and is staffed 24 hours a day. As well as being a staple of the A-listers, the venue is also popular with Mayfair's hedge fund community who meet there for power breakfasts.Tourists love it for afternoon tea and cakes, while the post-theatre brigade can take advantage of its policy of taking orders up to midnight.
The accounts for parent company Rex Restaurant Associates show that the Wolseley's turnover rose by eight per cent in the year to the end of March to £10.28 million, producing a profit of £689,727. The company's figures do not include takings from the latest addition to the King and Corbin stable, St Alban. The business partners would not comment but are said by friends to have found the success of the Wolseley the most gratifying achievement of their careers. The former car showroom is probably the West End's highest grossing restaurant. By contrast, Quaglino's, another of central London's busiest large dining rooms, has annual revenues of around £5 million. Gordon Ramsay's empire takes about £ 30 million a year but that is spread across eight London and two American restaurants. Caprice Holdings, which owns The Ivy, J Sheekey and Scott's, had revenues of £22.5 million from its stable of eight restaurants last year.
Richard Harden, co-founder of the Harden's Restaurant Guide, said: "The Wolseley has established an unrivalled position as the grand café of the nation. "The food is not the primary attraction - we rate it only a three - but it fulfils the function of a grand Parisien-style brasserie that is remarkably under-supplied in London. "It is highly visible, it is in a fantastic location and it has what few places in London have - an impression of lofty space." The world's biggest-selling restaurant, Tao in Las Vegas, had a turnover last year of $55.2million (£26.5 million).
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Bizarre cobra theft that left snake handler in shock
Snake handler Samuel Mwangi alias Kanji is a worried man. But his worry has nothing to do with the dangerous nature of his profession. Rather the “business empire” he has painstakingly put together in his sunset years has almost crumbled. In his humble abode in the quiet village of Kongoni on the outskirts of Naivasha town, Kanji as he is commonly known, has put up a makeshift snake park that is his source of livelihood. At the park, he rears deadly vipers that have seen local and foreign tourists flock to the homestead to see the rare spectacle. During the inception of the park years back, many thought his action was weird — rearing dangerous reptiles that are associated with evil since the creation of the universe and biblical times.
Over the years, Kanji has endured taunts and name-calling, but despite the odds, he has soldiered on, attracting admiration from friends and foes alike.
Snake handler Samuel Mwangi shows off a giant python in his makeshift park in Naivasha.
But last month, something bizarre happened that continues to baffle him. A daring thief raided his park and stole his treasured creatures rendering Kanji hopeless. In the dead of the night, the thief stealthily made away with three puff adders, three spitting cobras and a Kenyan horn viper, among other treasured snakes. The thief’s attempt to steal a lone crocodile in the makeshift park nearly ended tragically, when the ferocious animal bit the intruder. To attest to this, the shallow water pool was bloody the following morning. “Even in my wildest dreams I never thought anybody would dare steal the dangerous reptiles,” says Kanji.
The incident has sent shockwaves in the village, awakening even the most skeptical, with many of the locals trooping to Kanji’s home to ascertain the truth about this rare theft. “I have always maintained that snakes are human beings’ worst enemies and somebody stealing them is unimaginable,” commented a local man. True to his words, many peoples’ instincts on spotting the stealthily reptiles is either to flee and those courageous enough, to try and crush the head. For Kanji, his fortunes have nose-dived forcing him to endure sleepless nights now that his business that raked in hundreds of shillings a day is headed for the rocks. “I used to earn between Sh2,000 and Sh3,000 a day which is no more,” lamented Kanji during the interview.
He had not put up any security measures round the park owing to the nature of his trade. “In fact snakes can comfortably take care of their own safety,” he said. So what happened that night? I ask him. “Well, I believe the thief must be a skilled snake handler because they managed to tame even the highly-poisonous spitting cobra, one of the deadliest snakes around,” he says. The thief broke into the makeshift structure that houses the vipers and managed to steal 15 of them and disappeared into the darkness. But Kanji is not one to give up easily. He recently travelled to Baringo district and came back with more snakes including the rare Egyptian cobra. The short profile pinned onto the cage describes the reptile as handsome, much like the forest cobra with a hood.
A few metres away, a profile on the puff adder sounds a scary: “Most dangerous snake in Africa, highly toxic, sluggish and irascible, coupled with its penchant for popping up in villages and cities . . .” During the interview, Kanji spots a snake slithering away in the nearby bushes and with speed and guile, jumps over and holds the mesmerised animal by the neck. Smiling sardonically, he has managed an easy catch of a red spitting cobra which he will gladly add to his diminished stock. “I’m now hunting for the reptiles all around in the bushes since the tragedy struck,” he says.
Kanji vows never to give up on a job that continues to earn him a living since he ventured into snake rearing more than a decade ago. He then delves into the genesis of the journey that took him to the reptile world. The year was 1974, when renowned conservationist and film actor Joy Adamson granted him an audition, in the movie “Born Free”. “I was only 24 years old when I was taken to the Sanctuary Farm for auditions,” he recalls. In the forest he came face-to-face with the deadly spitting cobra making his legs turn jelly. He attempted to flee. “I almost dropped dead with my frail frame coming into contact with a hefty cobra,” he remembers. “My co-actor Julius Sylvester burst out laughing and urged me on,” he narrated. Kanji gathered courage and stopped as the serpent charged at him. “I got hold of its head, easily subduing it,” he remembers. During the shooting of the movie he plied between Kongoni, Thompson Falls in Nyahururu and Naivasha town.
For the role, Kanji earned a cool Sh15,000 a day for the several days it took to shoot the famous movie. When Kanji watched his performance, he knew this was the place to be. The force behind his destiny confirmed, he was easily initiated into the world of reptiles. Before his snakes were stolen recently, Kanji used to stage a cameo performance for his visitors. He would, with the batting of an eyelid, let the African rock python coil around his leg. Unperturbed by the snake’s antics he would uncoil it without breaking a sweat, sending visitors retreating. Due to his famed hunting skills Kanji was recruited to the Kenya Wildlife Service where he worked for eight years before venturing into the private business of rearing snakes.
The 58-year-old Kanji is married to three wives and has nine children. His family, he says, has no problem with the kind of business he engages in. However, Kanji has suffered serious injuries while hunting for his pets-snakes over the years. And two years ago, he was gored by a rogue buffalo that left him for dead.
“A neighbour alerted me that there was a snake in the neighbourhood and I decided to track it down only to walk into the path of the buffalo,” he recalls. He was hospitalised for two months at the Kijabe Mission Hospital following the incident. His left index finger is severed after a deadly rhinoceros viper bit him. The Kongoni police led by Inspector Japheth Kioko have been unsuccessfully trying to track down the strange thief for the last one month. But even for the police the case is a strange one to have entered in their Occurrence Book. “The police have been of great assistance since the snakes were stolen and will soon close in on the suspect,” says a hopeful Kanji. - Daily Nation.
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