Guess who else said Devil? Watch the Trailer of Mugabe to know

Jubilee presidential candidate has been hitting the airwaves with his 'the devil made me sign the pact with Musalia Mudavadi' comment. We'll he is not the ONLY one to come up with such comments. A sitting African head of state has attributed the devil with phenomena happening in his country.
Mugabe "Villain Or Hero" Trailer from undertheradar on Vimeo.

Creative use of online space to pass message to Kenyans [Wanyonyi the Superstar]

Came across Wanyonyi the Superstar yesterday while watching television and instantly liked the way one part of what is turning out to be a two horse race went about in announcing their rally. I think Jubilee should borrow leaf from CORD.


If we follow this route then chances of hate campaign like in the US will not come to this part of the world.

Other Wanyonyi Stunts

Peaceful Demo: Polisi ni Rafiki, Dec. 6 2012 @ Uhuru Park’s Freedom Corner

Polisi ni Rafiki

The Kenya Ni Kwetu lobby, invites you to a peaceful demo in support of Kenya’s police force.

Dubbed “Polisi Ni Rafiki,” the demo is organised in support of the force’s quest for better terms of service and working conditions. The event, which will take place on Thursday, December 6, 2012, at 10am, at Uhuru Park’s Freedom Corner, Nairobi, will be graced by Kenyans from all walks of life.

The climax of the peaceful demo shall be at police headquarters (Vigilance House), where Kenya Ni Kwetu members and supporters will present flowers and a large mural to the Commissioner of Police. The peaceful procession will end at 12 noon.

Our support for the police is a “call to action” for Kenyans everywhere to reflect on the important role of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and who continue to offer the essential service of protecting the citizenry—but who continue to languish in poverty and privation.

Kwani Lit Fest 2012: Stories of the Horn of Africa, Dec. 9-16 2012 @ Various Venues

The Kwani? Literary Festival is organised by Kwani Trust on a biennial basis where the literary leaders of Kenya, enriched with visiting writers from around the world, turn their attention to one salient subject and explore it through the lenses of the continent’s past, present and emerging literatures. In 2012, the Litfest will focus on several geopolitical trends and shifts in Kenya’s immediate north to host literary conversations with the Horn of Africa.

It thus aims to act as a platform where the story of the Horn of Africa can be told, to an extent, not taking the political crisis narrative as the only story that exists.

Poster

Additionally, the pan-African exchange programme of Goethe-Institut Moving Africa will bring a further eight African writers to Nairobi.

The festival will take place from December 9 to 16, 2012 at various venues

Venues around the city

Programme Highlights

Date: December 9, 2012

Festival Opening: Kifaru Gardens, 2-10 pm

Entry: Free

Date: December 10, 2012

Screening/Reading from the Moving Africa participants @ Goethe-Institut Auditorium
Time: 4 pm
Entrance: Free

Screening of Nairobi Half Life

Date: December 11, 2012

Venue: University of Nairobi, 2-7 pm

Entry: Free

Date: December 12, 2012

Venue: Louis Leakey Auditorium, 2.30-8 pm

Entry: Free

Date: December 13, 2012

Venues: Hotel Intercon, Taifa Hall & Louis Leakey Auditorium

Date: December 14, 2012

Venues:  Louis Leakey Auditorium & Kuona Trust

Date: December 15, 2012

Venues: Louis Leakey Auditorium & KICC Helipad

For the exact programme please visit the 2012 Kwani? Litfest website: http://litfest.kwani.org
More information on Moving Africa: http://www.blog.goethe.de/moving-africa/

Excellent read on Nation Newspaper on Nov. 15 2012: A National Agenda Elections 2013

The nation newspaper carried a great excerpt yesterday which in my opinion has been one of the most comprehensive and biased look at issues as we approach the election next year. I have been seeing politicians launch their party to great pomp and color but lacking has been substance in form of manifesto’s with a clear road map of what presidential candidates wish to do given a chance. Two of the politicians gunning for president have come up with their 5 point agenda’s. In my opinion some of these agenda’s are very shallow and are not informed by population needs but you can give these two politicians Charity Ngilu and Peter Kenneth for trying.

The following we’re the issues which according to nation newspaper should be addressed by the next chief executive;

1.       Job Creation

2.       Food Security

3.       Health Care

4.       Education

5.       Energy

6.       Water & Environment

7.       Social Protection

8.       Public Infrastructure

9.       National Security & Foreign Policy

10.   Boosting Exports

11.   Devolution & Public Service Reform

12.   Ethnicity

Compare this with what presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth wishes to address;

1.       Water

2.       Infrastructure

3.       Health care

4.       National Security

5.       Education

You will find he falls short in a great deal. The issue of job creation in my opinion is cardinal in this campaign which is lacking in peter Kenneth’s agenda. It is now four months to election date and other major presidential aspirants TNA’s Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM’s Raila Odinga are yet to present a clear agenda as to what they intend to do for this country.

So what have these aspirants been doing?

What I have been observing in the last few months;

·         Presidential candidates have been going across the country populising themselves

·         Coalition talks have been taking center stage with breakfast meetings & lunches and night meetings between different presidential candidates

·         Regional offensive travels. This has been true for TNA’s Uhuru Kenyatta who has visited Tanzania, Sothern Sudan and Burundi while Narc Kenya has been to Southern Sudan 

Presentation by Chris Taggart Co-Founder of Open Corporates on: Holding Companies & their Directors to Account - An Open Data Solution

Imagine a situation where you could search company director’s names and find out which companies they sit on across the world. Well imagine no more. In today’s globally interconnected world where companies have more financial muscle than some governments it is ideal to know these things.

I was therefore happy to sit and listen to Chris Taggart of OpenCorporates.com make his presentation at 88 mph on his initiative to build an open access database with basic information on every corporate entity in the world which can then be remixed and combined with other data, such as government contracts.

What was happening before Open Corporates?

Journalist and researchers had to do manual investigation to track even the most basic facts about a company, such as whether it exists, and who owns it. 

What I took home from this Presentation

Taggard’s presentation opened my eyes on how interconnected companies are in this day and age and how they are using this to their advantage. Some of the things companies are doing are;

·         Registering in multiple countries therefore becoming more complex resulting to their operations becoming even more opaque.  This enables tax avoidance.

·         Colluding with weak governments. This is because ministers of government usually make deals with global businessmen. Open Corporates can help check on some of this incidences.

The other take away of the evening was how to use powerful data-driven tools and open access databases to mine company information from across the world. Though some of this tools one is able to get basic company information and with background data or other sources of information, such as government contracts or regulatory filings, one can gather new insights.

Opportunities that exist on Open Corporates Portal

Some of the opportunities that arose from this presentation are;

·         How Kenyan Hacks can use this portal to check on elected or government officials and interests they may have on companies

·         In an election year. Hacks can check on interests different politicians have across the world and use this for meaningful engagement.

·         Africa is currently having a massive Chinese confluence. Most of these Chinese Companies usually register companies in these countries. If made open, this data can help us understand the Chinese companies and shed light to money flow between Asia and Africa.

Bottom line is that Open Corporates can help check on corruption and make our societies more transparent.

Problems

Kenya though a signatory of Open Data is yet to release the company registry data. I learnt that monies to this effect we’re allocated by World Bank. What remains is how soon this information will be made public. 

Events: Annual Seminar of Observatory of the Great Lakes in Africa, Nov. 29 2012 @ the Institut Catholique de Paris

IFRA is pleased to invite you to the annual seminar of the Observatory of the Great Lakes in Africa to be held at the Institut Catholique de Paris

Date: Thursday, November 29, 2012. 

The presentations and discussions will be held in French and English. The seminar will be organized along three axes: 

1.       The evolution of political regimes in the Great Lakes

2.       Challenges of regional integration

3.       The current crises in the Great Lakes

The full program is available on the IFRA website

President Barack Obama to American People: 'Thank you. This is your victory'

Should Magical Kenya utilize this opportunity & offer Donald Trump a Safari to Kenya

The internet was abuzz last week first with the major announcement that was expected from Mr. Donald Trump. Second, with the response from the president that followed Mr. Trump’s 'big announcement'.

The US  president appeared on Jey Leno Late Night Show and gave his response to Mr. Trump. This response should make a good campaign platform for Brand Kenya to exploit. The US President offered what in politics can be equated to an ‘endorsement’of growing up in Kenya. Here is the verbatim plus the extract from his appearance on Jay Leno.

‘This all dates back when we we're all growing up in Kenya’

In my opinion Brand Kenya through Magical Kenya should offer both Mr. Trump & the president a Safari to Kenya. That way Kenya can ride on top of this wave of this publicity.

This visit would also offer Mr. Donald an opportunity to have a good time and also ‘catch-up with his childhood friends’. Also, I would be prepared to take him around to some really good galleries should he accept the offer pro-bono. I know he is a collector and perhaps Kenyan Art can bring to rest his problems with the president.

Dispatches from Addis Ababa: 4 Days of Conference Proceedings, Visit to the AU HQ and Ethiopian Nights

FES last week brought together young leaders from East and Central Africa for a four days conference in Addis Ababa. This conference incorporated presentations from guest speakers, deliberations from the participants and a visit to the African Union Headquarters. In we had dinners so as to socialize and get to know about each other’s countries in an informal setting.

Kenya was ably represented by a contingent of five [three gents and two ladies] who hail from various backgrounds. This was my first time in Addis and in the wake to the visit I had got different perspectives as to what to expect in Addis Ababa. Some of the things I had been told to expect turned out to be true while others we’re NOT. 

Better Understanding of East African Region

One of my main take-away from this conference is a better understanding of this region. I greatly appreciated presentations and talking to Rwandan delegation. This folks have a lot going on in their country. I also learnt of their two months initiative where they crowd source monies from the populace to fill in the gaps of donor money. I thought this is a pretty good nation building tool where you have folks from all social structure contributing money to build their nation. I also got to appreciate the leadership of HE Paul Kagame. The folks in Rwanda approach things in a different way as opposed to us!

The Southern Sudan delegation also caught my eye. The delegation was made up of US and British educated young lads. These guys also are NOT politicized as we are and are time conscious and have a western look. We talked at length with this delegation and I got an insider’s perspective into happening in Juba.

The other insights generated are how outsiders perceive Kenyans especially Ugandan’s. The Uganda delegation had this joke

 ‘I have finished my diner as fast as the swearing ceremony of Kenya’s president’

If you are an Investor Ethiopia is the place

In Addis Ababa you will not miss seeing rapid infrastructure development. Just to drive the point home from my hotel lobby I was able to spot more than ten building being out up. Also during our visit to the AU hq we saw the building of Sheraton Hotel next to the AU hq.

However, this said I experienced problems of changing my foreign currency. If you are visiting Ethiopia then it is best advised you change your currency at the airport. Otherwise you risk exchanging your cash in the black market which charges a premium of about 10%.

In terms of the media I had a look at the hotel newspaper and it seems very small and only does reportage with very few opinion pieces.

The town has a huge Chinese influx. The road from the airport is being constructed by the Chinese.

China Aid Plaque at AU Hq

The African Union Visit

AU Hq

There is lots happening at the African Union and as a citizenry we should ask for more reporting. I learned of the ‘I am African Project’ there plus in my opinion there are lots of opportunities which Kenya can tap into at the AU.

I am African Project

In the arts, I was able to see a quite a few paintings which had been donated by Northern African states namely Egyptian & Algerian government.

Art at the AU Hq

Ethiopian Nights

Ethiopians unlike Kenyan’s really appreciate their culture and you will notice despite the economic growth the country is experiencing it is still a melting pot of rich traditions. In fact most of the Ethiopians prefer to speak in their dialect and English I came to learn is taught from secondary level of education.

Ethiopian Nights

Bottom Line

Young leader and youth should be given more chances to interact so that the region can forge cohesion from an early age. If it could be possible to begin such initiatives from as back as high school it would be great. Also, more chances for citizens from Africa to visit the AU HQ’s are needed.

Attention Kenyan Bloggers: Are you Spinning Hate Speech?

If you are a blogger and you are spinning hate speech then know iHub research is trolling the blogosphere checking out for  instances of hate speech. The research is not exclusive to blogs only BUT also extends to social media platforms [Facebook and Twitter] through their Umati [crowds] project. So now you know.

Dispatches from Addis Ababa: Day 1 – First Impressions Do Matter

These are my impressions of Ethiopia in last 24 hours I have been here in Addis Ababa;

Meles Zenawi is King!

Once you land in Addis Ababa airport you have portraits of the former prime minister everywhere. The people here also hold their former PM in high regard.

The Chinese are in Town

The Chinese are in Ethiopia just like any other African capital. Their presence is seen immediately you land on the arrivals. You also have a glimpse of their activities. Currently, they are building the road from the airport.

Addis Ababa is the New York of Africa

In the evening we we’re taken to Yod Abyssinia cultural restaurant and the melting pot Addis Ababa become crystal clear. This restaurant was full house with visitors from all over the world. The Ethiopians despite western influences have managed to preserve their culture.

GDP growth at 11%

I was surprised when someone pointed to me that Ethiopia has a GDP growth rate of 11%. This is one of the highest growth rates in Africa. This is evident from the construction I see around me.  

Ethiopians are Reading

I observed quite a number of bookshops yesterday and on my evening walk. I popped into one bookshop and I saw quite a number fiction books by Mario Puzo.

The Taxi Drivers

The reputation of Taxi drivers in Ethiopia precedes them! Yesterday I experienced it firsthand.

#OccupyAddisAbaba: Off to Young leaders Regional Forum on Participatory Democracy in Eastern Africa

Google Map Of Addis Ababa

Dates: October 23-25, 2012

Venue: Addis Ababa

Participating Countries: East Africa Countries

Theme: Young leader’s roles and positions

Today I am flying to Addis Ababa to join other young people from this region to discuss what are our roles and position in participatory democracy. The East African region is going through major changes. One of these changes is demographics. Young people now form the majority in the society.  Hence the question we will be trying to answer is what are the young leader’s roles and positions in this part of the world.

Some of the things I am looking forward to are;

·         conversation and perspectives from other young leaders from the region

·         contributions of young people in the democratic spaces

·         Share my insights from Kenya

Outside the forum I am looking forward to;

·         Seeing the new AU headquarters built by the Chinese

·         The arts and cultural scene in Addis Ababa. [I have been given the heads up in this area by James Mweu who is a dance choreographer.]

·         Ethiopian Cuisine. I am not a big fan of spices BUT I am willing to go all the 9 yards!

·         Also, If I get some time I will try to go to the Orthodox Church

·         And lastly, try their beer ;)

Adiós Nairobi.

Presentation: Regional Economic Outlook by IMF Staff, Oct. 22 2012 @ University of Nairobi

Date: October 22, 2012

Venue: Education Building - ED II

Location: University of Nairobi, Main Campus

Time: 2.30pm

Presentation by: Antoinette Sayah, Director – African Department, IMF and Sean Nolan, Deputy Director – Africa Department, IMF

Topics

Maintaining Growth in an uncertain world

Structural transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Kofi Annan Attacks: The worrying Trend I have been observing

Reading this week’s edition of the EastAfrican one gets the impression that we have a section that is after Kofi Annan. Don’t get me wrong I am NOT against criticism but when one goes about criticizing someone just as we are about to go to the election. Then something is amiss. The timing of these criticisms looks suspicious.

This is after the head of the executive snubbed him on his most recent tour of the country with fellow elder, former president Mkapa of Tanzania. The two we’re in the country to get a view of the progress of the country in the count down to the March 4, 2012 election.

I have read Mutahi Ngunyi who has also criticized Kofi Annan’s frequent visit to the country on the grounds that they border to interference of a sovereign state. I think the good diplomat has not been reading the writing on the wall and if he has then he daggers are now out.

Attacking a Peace Envoy

Reading Gitau Warigi’s article I picked out three fonts of attack. These are

1.       Rwanda

2.       Somalia

3.       UN reform

Other attacks lines have been fronted by bloggers who are associated with TNA. They border on his latest mission to find peace in Syria which he resigned and the other is his son’s corruption deals while he was sec. gen of the UN.

@OleItumbi rt @nyarigoti KOFFI ANNAN'S SON WAS INVOLVED IN CORRUPT DEALS. @OleItumbi @TeamUhuru

Also President Mkapa is NOT left behind in this attacks which appear targeted to the mediators.

@OleItumbi rt @nyarigoti ....and Mkapa' s wife was involved in corrupt deals too. @OleItumbi @TeamUhuru

Kofi Annan's Book

I am yet to read the new book by Kofi Annan – Interventions and the memoirs by former secretary of state C. Rice to fully comment on some of these issues. However, looking at these attacks they look like cheap shots at the guy who saved our country from brink of war.

Kofi Annans 10 minutes interview with Jeff Koinange

The Presidential Debate 2013: Meet the Presidential Candidates

Presidential Debate Poster

We have been living in some pretty exciting times as a country. These developments we all agree are the fruits of enacting a new constitution in 2010. One of this has been the opening up of democratic space and decentralization of power in to the counties. These lead to Nation TV to launch governor debates in some counties and since these are new positions you had all the aspirants open to this idea. These, in my opinion, lead to the launch of presidential debates idea by eight media houses.

These Media houses are;

• 1KTN
• Citizen
• NTV
• Kass TV
• K24
• KBC
• KISS TV
• QTV

Now that we have the guys behind the debate, we need to know who are the candidates and their odds in debating. The presidential field is crowded with more than 15 presidential entries so far. So what do we know about this folks. In this post I will begin by enumerating all the presidential candidates. Then in subsequent posts will try to dig more on each presidential candidate. Also, I am interested in finding more information on Key figures behind these parties since under the new constitution dispensation parties will NOT be rubber stamps as was previously the case.

1.       Kalonzo Musyoka - Vice President [Wiper Party]

2.       Raila Amolo Odinga - Prime Minister [ODM party]

3.       Uhuru Kenyatta - Deputy Prime Minister [TNA party]

4.       Musalia Mudavadi – Deputy Prime Minister [UDM Party]

5.       Martha Karua Former Justice & Constitutional Affairs Minister []

6.       William Ruto – Former Agriculture Minister and Higher Educational Minister [URP]

7.       Charity Ngilu – Minister of Water

8.       Eugene Wamalwa – Justice & Constitutional Affairs Minister [New FORD Kenya]

9.       Peter Kenneth

10.   James Ole Kiyapi – Former Educational Permanent Secretary

11.   Raphael Tuju – Former Foreign Affairs Minister and Presidential Advisor

12.   Cyrus Njirongo – Former Youth for KANU operative

Presidential Debate

Website: www.presidential debate.co.ke

Email: info@presidentialdebate.co.ke

SMS: 2282

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/presidential.debate

Presidential Debate 2013: Will the Presidential Candidates Show up?

Presidential Debates 2013

The Kenyan Media announced the entry of presidential debates in Kenya on October 10, 2012. The big question that remains to be answered is whether the presidential candidates will show up. The presidential debates initiative by Kenyan Media is a noble idea whose time has come. However, it seems the media have stolen the thunder from the executive who would have come up with a commission to run debates like the US.

The doubts I have with this media lead initiative is whether the organizers will remain neutral. Given the fact that they are organizing the debate, choosing the moderators [in our case they have already chosen the moderators] and airing the content. In the unveiling they announced PWC will be involved in checking the overall transparency of the process BUT do they have the competency to do this and have they done this anywhere else?

The other scenario I foresee is this presidential debate in Kenya will be one huge advertising festival.

The Existing Gaps

The media seemed to have been in a hurry in coming up with this initiative because one week after the big announcement we are yet see a website. It could be in beta stage though.

The other sentiments I have picked up is that some presidential candidates are NOT so much into this debate idea. Going by tweets from bloggers close to the main presidential candidates, the might pass off the debating idea.

Sentiments on Twitter: #PresidentialDebateKe

@OleItumbi @bettymurungi @PeterOpondo Media develop dates, announce them in press ads & then plead with candidates to appear,there will be a major snub
@OnyangoRachael It willl fail. RT @OleItumbi The media decided there will be a Presidential debate, chose moderators, set dates.... thats Media Dictatorship
@syindu_mutongoi @Oleitumbi and Media should stop this nonsense of having 11 Presidential Candidate on a debate. That is a market #PresidentialDebateKe
@KohadhaRoy As much us #PresidentialDebateKE is a MOA initiative, dictating the moderators isn't a good idea. Julie Gichuru and Linus Kaikai Naaaa!
@LarryMadowo So we're going to have a #PresidentialDebateKE with 17 candidates. Death by debate, last (wo)man standing wins

Other Outstanding Issues

How do you moderate a debate of twelve presidential candidates in one and half hours?

Some of the presidential candidates might gang up on the front runner. How do you prevent that?

How do we get this culture of presidential debate because what the media are doing is they are taking advantage since the incumbent is NOT running?

Mulika MPigs: The MP’s who voted for the retirement Package

The economist visualization of legislatures pay around the world

Kenyan are angry with their members of Parliament and rightly so.. Our MP’s are taking us for fools by one having a remuneration package beats what MPs in the developed world are paid. In one of their audacious moves they moved and passed unto themselves a gratuity or retirement package.

So naturally a ‘few’ emails have been going round and the one that caught my eye was this;

Is your MP among these bandits who voted for the villainous bill?

This email goes on to name all the MP’s who voted to pass this package. Their names are listed below

1. Abdalla Amina Ali.
2. Abdi Nasir.
3.  Abdul Bahari.
4. Abu Mohamed Chiaba.
5. Adan Keynan Wehliye.
6. Alex Muthengi Mburi Mwiru.
7.  Andrew Calist Mwatela.
8. Asman Abongotum Kamama.
9. Atanas Manyala Keya.
10. Bare Aden Duale.
11. Barnabas Muturi C. Mwangi
12. Beth Wambui Mugo.
13. Bifwoli, Wakoli Sylvester.
14. Boni Khalwale (Dr.)
15. Cecily Mutitu Mbarire.
16. Charles Cheruiyot Keter.
17. Clement Muchiri.
18. Daniel Mutua Muoki.
19. David Njuguna Kiburi. 
20. Elijah Kiptarbei Lagat. 
21. Emilio MureithiKathuri. 
22. Empraim Mwangi Maina. 
23. Erastus Kihara Mureithi. 
24. Esther Murugi Mathenge. 
25.  Ethuro, David Ethuro. 
26. Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa.
27. Francis Chachu. 
28. Francis S. K. Baya 
29. Frankilin Mithika Linturi. 
30. Githae Robinson Njeru. 
31.  Githu Muigai (Prof.) Attorney General Ex-Officio. 
32.  Hellen Jepkemoi Sambili. 
33. Hussein Mohamed Abdikadir. 
34. Hussein Tarry Sasura. 
35. Ibrabim Elmi Mohamed. 
36. Isaac Kiprono Rutto. 
37. Isaac Mulatya Muoki. 
38. Jackson Kiplagat Kiptanui. 
39. James G. Kwanya
40. Jamleck Irungu Kamau. 
41. Japhet M. Kareke Mbiuki 
42.  Jeremiah Ngayu Kioni. 
43.  John Michael Njenga Mututho. 
44. Johnson Nduya Muthama.
45. Joseph Nganga Kiuna. 
46. Josephat Nanok Koli. 
47. Joshua Serem Kutuny.
48. Kilimo, Linah Jebi. 
49. Kilonzo Charles Mutavi. 
50. Kiunjuri, Festus Mwangi. 
51. Kuti, Mohammed. Abdi 
52. Lee Maiyani Kinyanjui. 
53. Lenny Maxwell Kivuti. 
54. Lewis Nguyai. 
55. Mahamud Muhumed Sirat. 
56. Maitha Gideon Mungáro. 
57. Manson Nyamweya. 
58. Mbau, Elias Peter. 
59. Mohamed Hussein Ali. 
60. Mohamed,Muhamud. 
61. Moses K. Lessone 
62. Moses Somoine ole Sakuda. 
63. Mungatana, Danson. 
64. Munya Peter Gatirau. 
65. Musila, David. 
66. Mutava Musyimi. 
67. Mwalimu Masudi Mwahima. 
68. Mwiria, Valerian Kilemi.
69. Ndambuki, Gideon Musyoka. 
70. Ndiritu Muriithi. 
71. Nemesyus Warugongo. 
72. Ntoitha M"Mithiaru. 
73. Peter L.N. Kiilu 
74. Peter Mungai Mwathi. 
75. Peter Njoroge Baiya. 
76. Peter Njuguna Gitau. 
77. Richard Momoima Onyonka. 
78. Robert Onsare Monda. 
79. Samuel Kazungu Kambi. 
80. Shaban, Naomi Namsi. 
81. Silas Muriuki Ruteere. 
82. Tirus Nyinge Ngahu. 
83. Wavinya Ndeti. 
84. William C. Kipkiror
85. Yakub Mohammad
86. Yusuf Hassan

The good news is that the president refused to ascent to this piece of legislation. But that is NOT the end of it because it still has to go back to parliament and should 2/3 of the MP's voted for it. Then it becomes law and the MP's get to retire with tax payers money.

What’s on my Radar? Innovative Stuff happening in Nairobi

• Taka Taka Solutions – Garbage Collection Solutions for Nairobi

Last month I made an acquaintance at iHub. In one of those random collisions, where you have a visitor in the space looking for the WiFi Password! After this we naturally become friends and in subsequent meetings I asked him what he was doing in town apart from working in his master’s thesis. That is how I came to know about a really cool project taka taka solutions. A garbage collection solutions in it’s pilot phase in Nairobi.

Currently, one of my interests has been Mungiki. This is as a result of sitting down to presentations at BIEA which have touched on post election violence and role of Mungiki. My former lecturer Dr. Musambayi Katumanga has been a trailblazer on this subject of gang and economics behind it. Mind you we even have some European Scholars trying to unpack this subject and one of their reference points has been how organized gangs in Europe resulted in the formation of a social welfare state!

If you know about informal gangs in the city then you will know that one of their primary revenue generation channels is waste disposal. This is because the state through the city council has removed itself from this space. This is as a result of inefficiency coupled with economic factors. I was recently surprised to learn the City Council of Nairobi has less than 3 refuge collection trucks. This explains the eye sore we experience in the city.

So what happened when we have a breakdown in bare essential services like waste disposal? Someone has to fill that space and what happens is contractors are sub contracted to do this by city council. How do they carry out this? They engage street children to do the basic work [at a bargain of course]. The problem is compounded when the refuse is taken to one central place [Dandora Dump Site] without considerations of recycling or best practices.

Other problems that come out of this are;

1. Some of these youths ‘contracted’ to do the ground work ‘transform’ themselves into gangs.
2. There is NO consideration for recycling. What emerges is a ‘vulture ecosystem’ best exemplified by Dandora dump site.
3. Residents of Nairobi pay ‘crazy amounts’ for waste disposal. Currently we pay Kshs 300 per Month for waste disposal!
4. Gross in efficiencies occur along the way and recyclable materials are NOT recycled

Enter Taka Taka Solutions

So when I heard of Taka Taka Solutions I was amazed by what they are doing. The information I have is that they are currently in the pilot phase. However, they have made some strides and have the right mindset of solving the Dandora dump site menace.

This company is a social enterprise providing affordable and environmentally friendly waste management services. They charge Kshs 80 per month and provide the tenants with different waste refuse baskets which they collect every fort night. Some of this waste is then taken to a compost pit from which compost manure is made.

So at the end of the day you have nutrients and food coming to the city and in turn the city provides the compost manure to the rural areas. So this in turn solves the problems of soil fertility occurring in rural areas. Going by the tweet I was from the PS Ndemo

@bantigito Today, Africa uses less than 3% of global fertilizer, if we doubled that to 6%, plus better seed, we can improve crop production by 50%.

At the end of the day we reduce our reliance on fertilizers and save some foreign currency

Use of Technology

Taka Taka solutions have also embraced technology [MPesa payment platform]. To add some cherry to the cake, the customers who pay through MPesa get a percentage discount [20% if I am NOT wrong!]. That way you remove the ‘garbage landlords’ whom I am told make Kshs 100, 000 a month!

Find more information about Taka Taka Solutions on their Facebook Page

• Beba Card

Beba Card advert

The other innovate stuff in my radar is the Beba card which has been in the market from May this year. A Google and Kenya Bus Service Urban transport payment solution. Good stuff has been written on it here: link.

The other day I had discourse with a friend and we we’re trying to look at the impact of this card should it be successful. Our musing was will it;

1. Result in job losses for conductors?
2. Result to better cash flow management for public transport vehicles? [A lot of leakage happens when conductors collude with drivers to fleas matatu owners]
3. Reduce corruption in our high ways [however, little police corruption occurs in urban commute]

Photos: Facebook and Beba website

Game Changing Partnership? EatOut Kenya, Google & Wazi WiFi bid to have Tech Savvy Kenyan’s visiting Restaurants

We all know Kenyan’s are NOT French and that we hardly go to hang out in restaurants.  This is partly due to our culture. I for starters do know that when I was young I was advised to have my meals at home and we would go out to have meals in a restaurant occasionally. However, that was then and the context was rural Kenya.

Enter Nairobi, you have a significant number of Kenyan’s patronizing beer establishments especially weekends. So who patronizes Nairobi restaurants? Apart from the Somali community whom you will see having business deals in restaurants most middle Kenyans’ will be found in coffee shops. This was a popular trend a while back. I do not know if it is still there.

Other folks known to patronize restaurants are the expatriates but these folks also have specific joins they frequent. These are the Art Cafés and Java which are mostly located in malls. So what happens to those restaurants outside this jurisdiction?

That is why I think this partnership between Eatout Kenya, Google and Wazi Wifi might get some tech friendly folks moving out of the offices with the knowledge that they can have their meals or drinks while having a pulse of what is going on in their businesses. Hopefully their WiFi solution will NOT be crap. If one can do some business in a restaurant at good prices then we are all going to be hanging out more often in restaurants.

I remember last Saturday we’re doing Mindspeak in a 5 Star Hotel and I couldn't believe the amounts being charged by this establishment for internet. Later that evening I saw some tweets which I believe hammer this point home.

 ‏@coldtusker @Ramah_Nyang @karisamf I tried to use Intercont's wifi. I think 400/hr. lousy 

@karisamf @Ramah_Nyang @coldtusker I agree, Hotel Cybers are expensive...a Good example Hilton Nairobi is 1K per hour 

‏@Ramah_Nyang @karisamf KES 1000? What's the rationale for that sort of pricing when hotel net speeds are usually crap? @coldtusker 

@coldtusker @Ramah_Nyang @karisamf At least with @SafaricomLtd bundles on my phone... Not an issue in KE. Don't roam elsewhere! 

‏@coldtusker @karisamf @ramah_nyang In US, best wifi speeds at biz friendly 'budget' hotels not the pricier ones! Go figure 

@Ramah_Nyang: Clearly the 5-star name writes a check it's 1-star wif-fi can't cash

This had me thinking it is high time perhaps Eatout Kenya which does Restaurant Ranking introduces a new category. A rank of Nairobi restaurants in a new category of ‘hotels with the best WiFi’ because some of these restaurants have connections that really suck. A ranking will result to them pulling up their socks in this category. Also while at that a list which shows internet pricing if it exists would be really useful because some establishments in Nairobi are charging an arm and leg for internet. 

Book Launch: South Sudan - from revolution to independence, Oct. 19 2012 @ British Institute In Eastern Africa

Book Cover: South Sudan - from revolution to independence

Date: Friday October 19, 2012
Venue: at the British Institute In Eastern Africa

Location: Laikipia Road, Kileleshwa.

Time: 6 - 8pm

Entry: Prior Reservation [seminars@biea.ac.uk]

In July 2011 the Republic of South Sudan achieved independence, concluding what had been Africa’s longest running civil war. The process leading to independence was driven by the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement, a primarily Southern rebel force and political movement intent on bringing about the reformed unity of the whole Sudan. A story of transformation and of victory against the odds, this book reviews South Sudan’s modern history as a contested region and assesses the political, social and security dynamics that will shape its immediate future as Africa’s newest independent state.

About the Author

Matthew LeRiche is a Fellow in Managing Humanitarianism at LSE. He will be launching his book in Kenya which will be prefaced by a few words on the importance of South Sudan to both academicians and practitioners followed by an exposition of the book.

An interlocutory session with the audience will follow thereafter and copies of the book will be available for sale.

Master Class: After the crisis-the world at a crossroads, Oct. 15 2012 @ Intercontinental Hotel Nairobi

Master Class

IE university is having a Master Class in Nairobi this month

Date: October 15, 2012

Time: 6.30-8pm

Venue: Intercontinental Hotel, Loita Room

Entry: Prior Registration Required. Registration link here

Master Class

The financial crisis and long-term demographic trends have transformed the future of the global economy. In the short term, petroleum price trends, a definitive solution to the Euro-zone crisis and the outcome of the U.S. elections will determine the economic performance of the world´s developed economies.
But over the longer term, events in the developing nations, especially demography, the resolution of their institutional issues and the pace of globalization, will be decisive for the future of the developed world.
What are the prospects for the United States and the Euro-zone over the next few years, and what new opportunities will their future open up for the rest of the world, particularly for Africa?

The Master Class will be delivered by Gayle Allard Professor of Economic Environment and Country Analysis at IE Business School, Madrid

Opinion: The selection of three fellows for 1beat Program is evidence of #Kenya’s rising status as a cultural hub

One Beat Festival

What happens when you bring musicians from different continents in one country for a tour and residency program? Well, you have yourself smart power and that is what the United States of America has been up to of late. This is through the 1beat program that brought together 32 fellows from 21 countries to the US for tours and residency program.

What is 1beat?

OneBeat 2012 from Found Sound Nation on Vimeo.

OneBeatSM is an international music exchange that celebrates musical collaboration and social engagement through innovative people-to-people diplomacy. From September 10 – October 7, a group of exceptional young musicians from around the world will collaboratively write, record, produce, and perform original music in venues ranging from concert halls to city parks to rock clubs.  In addition to creating new work, OneBeat Fellows will partner with community organizations, schools, and socially-engaged local musicians to offer workshops, performances, and public dialogues.

Which Musicians Represented Kenya

Kenya is a bastion of sports especially track races and marathons but what is now emerging is that Kenya is also rising as a cultural hub. This is evident in selection of three Kenyan musicians out of eight who represented Africa. The musicians who represented Kenya are;

1. Nina Ogot: http://www.1beat.org/artists/nina-ogot/
2. Muthoni the Drummer Queen: http://www.1beat.org/artists/muthoni-ndonga/ and
3. Kato Change: http://www.1beat.org/artists/kato-change/

Other countries represented are Democratic Republic of Congo (with two musicians), Nigeria, Mozambique and Senegal each with one representative.

Check the photos and updates from 1Beat tour on their Facebook page

This post was first published on NairobiNow

Social Media Campaigns in Kenya: Is DPL Festive Bread Pushing the Envelope?

Campaign Poster

DPL Festive Bread has an ongoing campaign on social media that has me musing. The campaign involves one posting a photo of self consuming bread and having it put to a democratic vote of most ‘likes’!

I am not against such campaigns but is social media in Kenya pushing new boundaries?

Their Preposition

By posting a photo you get a chance to win Kshs 5,000 and a gift hamper daily if your photo has the most likes.

This campaign is giving us new insights as to how people like their bread buttered in Kenya!

it goes with everything!

Other interesting Social Media Campaigns

Safaricom Okoa Newbie

The other interesting social media campaign is the ‘okoa’ newbie. Okoa means save for those who do not know Swahili. This would translate save a newbie who has been employed in the social media arm of the company that helps tech Savvy customers. Another first in corporate Kenya by Safaricom.

Okoa Newbie campaign

 Can you pay okoa jahazi using Bonga points? Take one for the team, answer this one and save our Newbie on her first day.

This campaign targets techies and young demographics. This is evident from the photo’s. These in my opinion looks very creative from Safaricom.

Okoa Newbie Campaign

How do you subscribe to the SMS bundles? Our Newbie is a bit swamped; help him sort this problem out. Get the correct answer and he could swing some show of appreciation in the form of a Samsung Galaxy S3 and airtime your way.

The social media in Kenya is emerging as one of the last frontiers by companies especially for Kenya's young and connected demographic

Photos from DPL Festive Bread and Safaricom Facebook pages

Out of Town: 12th Edition of Lamu Cultural Festival, Nov. 15-18 2012 @ Lamu

Lamu Festival Poster

The Lamu Cultural Promotion Group is proud to present the 12th edition of the annual Lamu Cultural Festival.

The Festival continues to promote a World Heritage Site that constitutes the common heritage of humanity, and share its distinct Swahili traditions with the world.

For more information contact Lamu Cultural Promotion Group on Tel. 0722 476219 / 0733 660216 or Email: lamuculturalfestival@gmail.com

For those planning to make reservations this might help:http://www.lamu.org/index.html

Karim Sadek MD Citadel Capital at #Mindspeak on Sept. 29 2012 @ Intercontinental Hotel

Mr. Karim Sadek gave a very insightful presentation at Mindspeak which touched on Citadel Capital activities in this region.

In his candid presentation ‘the role of private sector in accelerating development’ he opened Citadel Capital up to the public. This is the story of Citadel Capital in figures

• It has $ 9.5 Billion in investments under control as of end year 2011
• $ 940 Million in Principal investments
• Operates in 15 industries: from Agriculture, Financial Services to energy distribution
• Has 19 specific funds as per end year 2011

Sadek also espoused Citadel capital track record and their business model. However, what was most insightful we’re his observations on African investment climate. From his position, managing a capital fund, he was of the view that of late Africa has been attracting substantial interest from the rest of the world. However, writing of Cheques for Sub Saharan Africa outside oil and gas is still lacking.

Egypt before and after the revolution

Since Citadel is head office is in Cairo we got a business 101 on Egypt. Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has been in the news complaining of imports from Egypt which are substantially cheaper than Kenyan products because of power/energy subsidies. Well the good news for KAM is the regime of subsidies is coming to an end in Egypt.

The other interesting piece of information from Sadek was insights before the Arab spring. Citadel Capital was two weeks to finalizing a deal for a stake in Egyptian Refining Company before lady liberation came calling. Also, the change in attitudes and perceptions in Egypt, this days young people have no respect for authority. The other interesting insight was the East Africa compared to Egypt had better industrial relations. Egypt is now in the initial process of coming up with an independent workers union.

Citadel’s interest in Kenya

Citadel interest in Kenya came through an opportunity that presented itself in Rift Valley Railways [RVR] which won a 25 year concession on Kenya-Uganda Railway. After the turbulent times RVR has been through it seems with the entry of citadel capital the century old railway is up to some good times ahead.

The Preposition

Citadel capital together with its partners came up with a $ 300 Million preposition to turn around the railway in the next five years. Under the three point turn around based on;

1. Upgrade of operationn
2. Rehabilitation of existing assets
3. Additional of new assets [2014 onwards

Some of the Partners in this Turn around Endeavour

Prominent names stand out in this deal which means this is a success story in the making. These institutions underwriting the success of our railway are;

• African Development Bank
• KfW Entwicklungsbank (Germany)
• International Finance Corporation
• FMO (Dutch)
• Equity Bank (Kenya)
• ICF Debt Pool
• BIO (Belgium)

This here might be the next success story in Kenya if Citadel Capital can hack it.

Kenyan Olympic Outing in London: Did Kenya have two missed chances?

The general sentiment in our country is that we had a disastrous Olympic outing in London. These sentiments are partly based on the high hopes we had prior to the London games. We’re of the opinion as a country that we would better our previous Olympic outing in Beijing. A post mortem of the Olympic outing has been ordered by the executive to find out why we performed below our par. Also, some insights are publicly available [Elias Makori’s blog] as to what may have constituted our dismal performance. All indication leads to weak leadership from the sports officials accompanying the athletes. However, I will disqualify myself from having the last word on this because I was not privy to the happening in London and I am NOT a sports analyst.

Fundamental Questions

However, that said I will seek to raise some fundamental questions on the subject of sports and national building. If you looked carefully at the London games you will notice the British used the Olympic Games to;

1. Re-introduce London back to the world centre stage [For two weeks London was at the centre of the world]
2. Come up with a national narrative of unifying the country #teamGB
3. Showcase Britain’s new economic narrative [creative economy]
4. Carry out diplomacy with the rest of the world. The British used this occasion to reset their strained relationship with Russia.

This was London’s chance to shine and surely they did. So what lessons can Kenya lean from this?

In my opinion if we had clearly planned for the games both on track and off track we would have been able to come up with; 

David Rudisha after his win in the olympics

1. A nation building narrative. It is pretty sad to witness clashes in Tana River in the wake of Olympic Games. Given the fact we are going to stage an election in 6 months we might just have thrown a golden chance of creating a more coherent society
2. Sell ourselves to the world. Here credit must be given to the authorities for setting up a Kenyan House. However, I have reservation when you had a delegation of government upstaging the private sector in making contact with investors. There is a famous quote that ‘the government has no business being in businesses’. It should only provide a conducive environment for business persons to carry out their trade. Therefore, it was preposterous to have a huge delegation lead by the prime minister made up entirely of government bureaucrats going out to London at taxpayers’ expense to ‘source foreign investments’. It would have been sensible to have the government subsidizing the private sector to attend the games because they have the motivation and desire to see and carry out these contracts.
3. Avoid embarrassing ourselves. Going by Elias Makori’s accounts, the Kenyan sporting officials lacked some basics. If we have a rigorous process of selecting our sporting officials the way we select our athletes then we can save ourselves some embarrassment in future. I have spoken to colleagues who are of the opinion of ‘vetting’ our sports officials.
4. Invest in Sporting infrastructure. One of the stories that came from London was Julius Yego used YouTube to train for Javelin Throw because he did not have a couch. Also, we have missed chances since we do not make efforts to participate in certain sporting disciplines.  [The jokes going around the tech community was that we could tech ourselves a new discipline say diving before Rio!]

Despite my pessimist look I must give credit to our athletes who did us proud in London lead by their captain David Rudisha.

Julius Yego, Kenyan Javelin Throw athlete