The Test

The Pastor made it very clear to us that, as a prerequisite, we had to go for a HIV test before we got married. The results of the test would determine whether the church would marry us off or not. If either of us tested HIV positive, then, that would mean the end of the journey to conjugal bliss.

That was three weeks to the publishing of the banns. Never had there been a harder time in our lives than at that very time. The task that we had to accomplish was almost daunting.

Our minds were abuzz trying to figure out our pasts: had we slipped in our earlier trysts? And if so, had we contracted the HIV virus? What would happen if the tests confirmed our worst fears?

After lengthy deliberations, we decided that taking the test was the only way of either confirming or allaying our fears.

The next day we headed to a Voluntary Counselling and Testing centre that was in town. We were received cordially, and, after the preliminaries, we were ushered into a room where a counsellor was waiting for us.

I’ll never forget the cold chill that ran down my spine when I entered the room. I felt like a cow that had entered an abattoir. My face was flushed and my lips felt dry. I tried to compose myself to no avail. The feeling I had could only be equated to the feeling of an accused man feeling guilty before being pronounced so.

With a warm smile, the counsellor led us through the counselling session which included questions posed at us and explanations she gave for the questions we asked her.

Then came the question: “Are you ready for the test?” My wife-to-be and I exchanged glances and, almost in unison, we said, “Yes.”

We were led to a room that was adjacent to the office. This was the ‘testing room’. Blood was removed from the big veins in the crooks of our arms. Then we were told to wait in reception while the tests were made and results processed.

The fifteen minutes in reception were an eternity to me. There were a number of magazines on the table. I took one of them in the pretext of reading but in real sense it was to camouflage the fact that my mind was in turmoil. All manner of wild ideas and thoughts were doing their rounds in my head.

“What if I am found to be HIV positive, what will become of my life? What will come of my wedding bid? What will people say and how will my parents take it?” My head was spinning. My mate was going through the same motions.

When our names were mentioned we jumped up in unison almost leaving our hearts on the seats! The counsellor, with two spring files in her hands, led the way into her office. We followed suit, our steps almost faltering.

Once inside the office, she asked us to be seated. With a disarming smile playing on her lips, she told us that she had the results. Our hearts missed a beat.

With the precision of a marksman, she opened the two files and looked into them. At the back of our minds we knew that the contents of the files held the key to our fate.

She looked at us and, as she was about to say something, she stopped and cleared her throat. Was that hesitation? We felt the air in our lungs being forced out.

“Both of you are HIV negative. You don’t have the HIV virus. Here, have a look at the results.”

For a split second we could not believe our ears. Then we stood up, with tears of joy coursing the breadth of our cheeks, hugged each other and thanked the counsellor profusely.

As she handed us our result certificates (the key to our marital bliss and ‘happily-ever-after’ story), she quipped, “These results are very different from the ones that show academic qualifications. You can depend on your academic certificates to open doors for you tomorrow i.e the qualifications don’t change. The certificates show the skills you have acquired. The results you have received today, on the other hand, can change at the flash of lightning if you don’t take care of yourselves.”

Vernacular lingua franca?

The aim of this article is not in any way to fan the smoldering embers of tribalism to a roaring fire nor to stoke the hearth of tribal prejudice. Far from that.

There are some of us who are so much in ‘love’ with our tribal languages that we feel inclined to use them to communicate even in public places and offices – oblivious of the fact that it doesn’t rest very well in the ears of the people who can not help but hear what you are talking with your mate.

Some of the proponents of this ‘system’ find it very easy to gossip about people in and around the office by using their vernacular other than the standard Kiswahili or English that is normally supposed to be used (to communicate in offices and public places).

It incredibly irks me when I hear people talking in their mother tongue in an office oblivious of who is around them and what discomfort they leave in their wake.

But the results of using the mother tongue in public places do sometimes turn out to be amusing and embarrassing all in one pot.

This reminds me of a certain incident which took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania some years back. Two Kenyan ladies (from the same tribe) had boarded a bus to town one Saturday morning. As they were settling in the vehicle (Daladala), a burly man got into the vehicle and sat close to them.

One look at the man and one of the ladies almost instantly started telling her friend, in mother tongue, what she thought of the man: a big, good-for-nothing man. In the same vein and tongue, the other lady, tongue-in-cheek, said that she wouldn’t date a guy his size. And she also thought that he wore smelly socks.

And the undue criticism of the man went on and on.

The man got off the vehicle first. As he was alighting, he turned to the two ladies and, in their mother tongue, he wished them a good day. This struck the ladies and they realized that what they had all along said about the man had been understood by him. With egg on their faces, they just looked down and felt immensely foolish.

Glorifying the inglorious

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why some of the vices we stand on the roof tops to discourage are the very ones we contentedly sit down to watch on TV (to our detriment, no doubt)?

We grin, laugh, smile and purse our lips when we watch steamy love scenes and passionate kissing courtesy of the manifold soap operas that grace our sets. What would prevent a teenager from experimenting with what they watch?

During the day we rebuke immorality, promiscuity and other such ‘vices’; In the evening it is served hot(on TV) for us to savour and join in the fray. Why this ambiguity? What message is being delivered to the multiple audience stake holders at the end of the day?

The soaps ‘teach’ us that having multiple sexual partners is alright as long as you have the money to keep the ‘relationship’ going. They also aim at making us believe that divorce is the sure-fire way of dealing with issues in marriage. Patience and perseverance in marriage are no-go zones according to these programmes that have taken Kenya by storm, of late.

Western mentality is being slid down our throats (without our noticing it) through these programmes. We open our arms to welcome their insidious notions and ideals. We try as much as we can not to miss watching them.

I know of a certain woman who sulks the whole evening if she is ‘disturbed’ as she watches her favourite soap. When her husband wants to talk to her or asks her for food or bath water she gives a thousand and one excuses just to make sure that she watches the soap without missing any action. Talk of disrespect and disregard!

Where are we headed if this is the status quo? I dare say, homes are crumbling and disintegrating thanks to the aforementioned. Though their story lines are very interesting and spellbinding, there is a dark abyss under their seemingly harmless façade.

Virginity: Presence of the Hymen?

As I was preparing to post the virginity piece yesterday (Click here to read it), my loving wife happened to come by my desk to see what I was about to post. She read the first two sentences and decided to sit on the arm of my chair so that she could get the gist of the piece. All this while, my eyes were trained on her face. I was eager to know what she thought of the piece. She maintained a bland face and when she was through , she turned and faced me.

“Ritch, what would you have said if I had told you that I tore my hymen during sports in high school?” she asked me. “Would you not have raised a fuss?”

For once, I didn’t know what I would have done or even how I would have behaved. I smiled and brushed the question aside.

Today let us look at another angle of this shooting match. To some people, virginity and presence of the hymen are one and the same thing. In yesterday’s post I tried to discredit that notion for there are other known reasons that could cause a virgin to have no hymen and thus not produce blood on the wedding day (or rather during the first sexual experience).

Most of the time we forget that there are other ways of sexual experience apart from vaginal penetration. For instance, there is oral sex on the one hand and anal sex on the other. The question that’s racking my mind: Should a woman who has engaged in either oral or anal sex but, however, ‘produces’ blood on her wedding night, be considered to have been a virgin on her wedding day?

I am made to understand that there are so many young women and ladies who have resorted to this form of ‘chastity’ to preserve their ‘virginity’ in Zanzibar. They engage in high scale ‘anal’ sex with their ‘boyfriends’ and some of them still crave ‘it’ when they eventually get married. Thus, most of these kind of women would receive a ‘barrage’ of adulation from their families and the parents of their husbands for having presented themselves unadulterated to their sons. If only the dark of the night could talk; it would tell of the ‘amazing’ actions of people who are held in high esteem. Such hypocrisy would be smashed to smithereens.

A character in Norman Mailer’s novel Harlot’s Ghost states that in Italy, an unmarried woman had to be "a maiden before and a martyr behind," which implied that such women often resorted to anal sex, and anal sex was consistently painful (thus the usage of the word martyr).

What Some Communities Still Hold Onto (And Kill Many a Marriage and Relationship)

This is despite all other reasons that could give rise to such a state

“David, David! We are waiting for you and your wife in the sitting room. Don’t forget to come with the proof,” Mzee George, David’s father, said loudly outside the bedroom of his son.

Assembled in the sitting room were elders of the clan, uncles, aunts and David’s mother. The day before they had witnessed the colourful wedding of their son to Susan, a tall beautiful lady. This is the same one they were all gathered to ‘crown’ as their ‘new’ daughter. But first, “Had she passed the acid test?”

The people gathered in the sitting room were growing impatient. David’s mother broke the silence by mumbling something about David and his wife taking too long, and shuffled her feet towards her son’s bedroom to remind them of their critical obligation to the ‘clan’!
David, in response, asked to be given 2 minutes for they were still preparing themselves. “Mum, you know it has been a long night. We’ve hardly slept a wink.” Even in the heat of the moment, his mother understood, or so she thought, that that was a joke and laughed heartily, in spite of herself.

“Two minutes! We don’t have the whole day here. Your uncles and aunts have to travel back to their homes today. You know what I mean.”

Inside the room, David and his wife were confused. They didn’t know what to do. The white sheets they had been given the day before had no other ‘foreign’ colour on them. There were no stains of blood on them. That alone proved to David that Susan had not been a virgin when he married her. David did not know what to think. His heart was in turmoil. Anger, confusion and a feeling that he had been lied to were the ingredients of the turmoil.

“David, sure as I told you earlier, I have never had sex with any other man apart from you. You’ve got to believe me,” Susan implored.

David shouted out, despite himself, “You lied to me you were a virgin! How many other guys have you ever slept with? Tell me, eh.” He said this as he menacingly edged towards her. Then came the strident bang on the door.

“David, we are running out of patience,” Mzee George said, rather angrily.

Without thinking, and amid the gentle sobs of his wife, David took the sheets and stormed out of the room. When the people gathered in the sitting room saw him, they sat upright and expectantly waited for good news. But one look at his face, they sensed trouble. His father nudged the clan elder who was in attendance to take it from there.

“David, go and bring your wife with you,” he said.

When both David and his wife were in front of them, the elder of the clan took the sheets and spread them on the sitting room floor. All three sheets were as white as they had been the day before. David’s parents were as wide-eyed as the other people present in the room. They had expected to see blood on the sheets to prove that Susan had been a virgin on her wedding day.

After a lengthy deliberation, it was agreed that Susan was not worthy to be their son’s wife thus she had to go.

“Susan, we are a respected family and will not agree to be party to the dishonour that your acceptance into this family would have brought us. So pack your bags and leave our house and our son,” David’s father pronounced the harsh judgement.

Susan had to leave, after all. One tumultuous day was the number of days their marriage had lasted.
…………………………..

Such crude actions are driven by ignorance of the bare facts about what is ( and what is not) virginity. Virginity, in this context, is the state of having no sexual experience. Again, people wrongfully think that they can prove a lady’s virginity simply by ‘the production of blood during sexual intercourse’.

Even some of those who do not ‘produce’ blood during their ‘first’ sexual experiences are virgins. Here’s why I say so:-)

A hymen is the fold of skin partly closing the entrance to the sex organs of a virgin.
Thin Hymen: Most girls have a thin hymen with a hole of about 2 cm diameter. A man’s hard penis is 3 or 4 cm diameter, and so the hymen will stretch or break during first-sex. This may cause a little bleeding and pain.

No Hymen: Some girls are born without a hymen. So they have no bleeding during first sex.

Broken Hymen: Sometimes, a girl’s hymen breaks before marriage, and so she has no bleeding on her wedding night. There are two ways that a girl’s hymen can break:
a) Having sex
b) During sports such as horse riding or through the usage of menstrual tampons.


So, really, there is no need to raise a fuss (i.e. , of course, if you don’t have the facts!) if your newly wedded wife does not bleed on your first wedding night. She may have broken her hymen during sports or may not have been born with one in place.

Condoms and More Condoms

Yesterday I listened to a very interesting advert on condoms. It got me thinking that this whole ‘campaign’ of wear-a-condom-during-sex-to-avoid-getting-Aids is a mere advertising gimmick. Well, this is my own opinion and I have a very good reason for thinking the way I do.

In the advert, a certain woman is asking for something from a certain man (let our woman be Jane and our man be John). Since John has things in his hands he asks Jane to take out what she is asking for from one of his pockets. She plunges one of her hands in his pocket and when it emerges, alas, there is a packet of condoms among the things removed from the pocket. Jane becomes very interested and asks when they can go to John’s home so that they can try out the condoms. John, happy that he’s found a sure lay, says that they’ll go after work.



If condoms are designed in such a way that when you see them you think of sex, then God knows where we are headed.
• Is this justifiable especially in this era of Aids?
• Are we being fair to the school-going teenagers and youth whose emotions are flying high ( and who feel and are convicted that they can not engage in sexual activity because Aids is lurking somewhere out there)?
• How many lives will be ‘lost’ in this way (either through death or moral decadence)?
• Some years ago we were preaching “use a condom to prevent Aids infection”. Are we going to change our tune and song and start preaching “If you have lost sexual interest, use a condom and you’ll regain it”?

These are the questions that should be in the heads of these condom manufacturers as they sit in their board meetings. Otherwise, they’ll be offering quack cures for old ills and this is not what we need.

Tribalism: Kenya’s Undoing in the 21st Century

Tribalism in Kenya started in the Kenyatta era. The same was made a household name in the Moi era. I could not eat with you because you were Kikuyu; I could not marry you because you were Luo; The best jobs went out to the Kalenjin and the Nandi. And the list of shame is endless…

I wrote on the same here sometime last year. Read the post Tribalism: Kenya’s Oldest ‘Living Skeleton’ in the Closet to see what I wrote.

Recently someone sent me his own analysis of how far the tribalism bug has dug in the some sections of the government. Here’s it is in its entirety…

It appears that the media are following Kikuyus everywere. Even if a Kikuyu gets appointed to the position of Director of Public Toilets, they will criticise it as further evidence of tribalism. It is as if Kikuyus are not Kenyans.

Kibaki's government is different from Kenyatta's as those who were there will attest. It is also radically different from Moi's. I was surprised to find that some of the leading institutions are not being run by Kikuyus, given all the reports about Kikuyu domination: NSSF, Kenya Airways, Defence, Police, Kenya Ports Authority, University of Nairobi, Kenya Polytechnic, Public Prosecutions, Kenya Wildlife Serivice, KARI, TSC, etc.

The appointment of Prof. Ndung'u has been used to show that non-Kikuyus have been sidelined and have not been appointed to any important position in the government and its institutions. Nothing could be further from the truth as the list below shows clearly.

Note: The so called GEMA people are not included and not all the parastals, directorates and departments are represented here. Also not included are lots and lots of Chairmen appointed by the President.

Judge for yourselves

Managing Directors/Chief Executives of Government firms

Hosea Sitienei, MD, Kenya Seed Corporation
Ongonga Achieng, MD, Kenya Tourist Board
Terry Davidson, MD, Kenya Commercial Bank
Titus Naikuni, MD, Kenya Airways
Kioko Mangeli, MD, Kenya Bureau of Standards
Evans Kidero, MD, Mumias Sugar Co
Mr. Steven G. Smith,MD, Eveready Limited
Mr. V.D. Saboo, Executive Director, Panafrican Paper Mills, Webuye
Mr. Joseph Lithimbi, General Manager of Associated Vehicle Assemblers, Mombasa
Mr. Wasiu Bayo Ligali, Chief Executive Officer , Unilever Kenya
O.P. Narang, MD, Agro-chemical Food Company
Davy Koech, Director/CEO, Kenya Medical Research Institute
Victor Kidiwa, MD, Development Bank of Kenya
Mr Matanda Wabuyele, CEO, Kenya Export Promotion Council
Susan Kikwai, Managing Director, Kenya Investment Authority
Philp Kisia, MD, Kenyatta International Conference Centre
I.B Mogaka, Executive Secretary, ICDC
Albert. O. Gumo, CEO, Export Processing Zones Authority
George Okungu, MD, Kenya Pipeline Company
Obondo Kajumbi, MD, Kenya Tourism Development Corporation
Rachel Lumbasyo, Managing Trustee, NSSF
Julius Nyabundi, MD, Chemilil Sugar Company
William Kirwa, MD, Agricultural Development Corporation
Wilson Songa, MD, Horticultural Crops Development Authority
Ambrose Otieno, MD, South Nyanza Sugar Company
Nicholas Keya, MD, Kenya Sugar Research Foundation
Josphat Okoyo, MD, Nzoia Sugar Company
Tirop Kosgey, MD, National Cereals and Produce Board
Abdalla Mwaruwa, MD, Kenya Ports Authority
Martin O. Owiti, MD, Pyrethrum Board of Kenya
Francis Oyugi Okuku, MD, Kenya Wine Agencies
Emanuel Charo Birya, MD, East African Portland Cement Factory
James Abok Odera, MD, National Housing Corporation
Juma Lugogo, MD, Coast Development Authority
Bartholomew W. K. Wanyama, MD, Lake Basin Development Authority
John Omutia Murunga, MD, Kerio Valley Development Authority
Francis M. Nkako, MD, Uaso Nyiro South Development Authority
Abdulrazaq A. Ali, MD, Uaso Nyiro North Development Authority

Vice-Chancellors of Public Universities

Prof. G.A.O. Magoha, Vice-Chancellor, University of Nairobi
Prof. James Kiprop Tuikoek, Vice-Chancellor, Egerton University
PROF. RICHARD K. MIBEY, VICE CHACELLOR, MOI UNIVERSITY
Frederick N. Onyango, Vice-Chancellor, Maseno University
Prof. B.C.C. Wangila, Vice-Chancellor, Masinde Muliro University

Principals of Public Middle-Level Colleges and National Polytechnics

Dr Timothy Kingondu, Director, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)
Mr.Charles Imbali, Principal, Kenya Technical Teachers College
Mr G M Muthwale, Principal, Kenya Polytechnic
Mr. C.K. Lagat, Principal, Eldoret Polytechnic
Mr Francis Imbo Awuor, Principal, Kisumu Polytechnic,
Mr.Matu Nguli, Principal, Kenya Institute of Mass Communication
Mr C T Owour, Principal, Mombasa Polytechnic
Philemon Mwisaka, Principal, Kenya Utalii College

Permanent Secretaries

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of State for Public Service: MR. TITUS M. NDAMBUKI, H.S.C.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of State for Special Programmes: MRS. RACHEL A. ARUNGAH
Permanent Secretary, Immigration and Registration of Persons: MR. EMMANUEL M. KISOMBE
Permanent Secretary, Public Service Reform and Development Secretariat: MS. JOYCE NYAMWEYA
Private Secretary/Comptroller of State Houses: MR. HYSLOP IPU
Principal Administrative Secretary, Cabinet Office: MR. FRANCIS K. MUSYIMI
Public Communications Secretary/Government Spokesman: DR. ALFRED N. MUTUA
Inspector General, Inspectorate of State Corporations: MR. PETER B. ONDIEKI
Permanent Secretary, Office of the President, AMB. NANCY C. KIRUI
Permanent Secretary, Office of the Vice-President: MRS. ALICE KEMUNTO MAYAKA
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government: MR. SOLOMON S. BOIT
Investment Secretary, Ministry of Finance: MRS. ESTHER KOIMET
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health: (DR.) HEZRON O. NYANGITO
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Roads and Public Works: AMB. MOHAMED MAALIM MAHAMUD
Education Secretary: (PROF.) GEORGE IMBANGA GODIA
Permanent Secretary, Science and Technology: (PROF). CRISPUS MAKAU KIAMBA
Permanent Secretary, Livestock Development: (DR). JACOB OLE MIARON
Permanent Secretary, Justice & Constitutional Affairs: MS. DOROTHY N. ANGOTE
Permanent Secretary, East African Community: AMB. (DR.) HUKKA WARIO
Permanent Secretary, Gender Sports, Culture and Social Services: RACHEL B. DZOMBO (MRS.)
Permanent Secretary, Information and Communications: (DR.) BITANGE NDEMO
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water: ENG. MAHBOUB M. MAALIM
Permanent Secretary for Regional Development: ENG. DAVID STOWER
Permanent Secretary for Trade and Industry: MR. DAVID S.O. NALO
Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife: MRS. REBECCA M. NABUTOLA
Permanent Secretary for Lands: MR. KOMBO MWERO,
Permanent Secretary for Housing: MR. TIROP KOSGEY
Permanent Secretary for Environment: (PROF.) JAMES OLE KIYIAPI
Permanent Secretary for Labour and Human Resources: MR. MARK K. BOR
Permanent Secretary, Cooperative Development and Marketing: MR. PATRICK S. KHAEMBA
Permanent Secretary: (DR.) EDWARD SAMBILI
Secretary, Public Service Commission of Kenya: MRS. BERNADETTE M. NZIOKI

Directors of Government Departments:

Director of National Youth Service: MR. JAPHETH K. MWANIA
Director of Medical Services: (DR.) JAMES W. NYIKAL
Chief of Protocol: AMB. BRUCE M. MADETE
Director of Kenya Wildlife Service: DR. JULIUS K. KIPNGETICH
Commissioner of Lands: MRS. JUDITH MARILYN OKUNGU
Director of Housing: (DR.) JULIUS M. MALOMBE
Director of Public Prosecutions: MR. KERIAKO TOBIKO
Director of E-Government: DR. SYLVANUS JUMA OKECH
David Isoe, Director, Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) Coordinating Board
Johnson Kazungu, Director, Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute
P.K. Konuche, Director, Kenya Forestry Research Institute
Idle Omar Farah, Director, National Museum of Kenya
Avington Muusya Mwinzi, Director, Kenya National Environment Management Authority
Dr. Ephraim A. Mukisira, Director, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
C.J. Kedera, Director, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
G.K. Kingoria, Director, National Council of Science and Technology
Philemon Arodi Abong’o, Director, Kenya Sports Stadia Management Board

Defence

Chief of General Staff: GENERAL JEREMIAH MUTINDA KIANGA
Commander, Kenya Air Force: MAJOR GENERAL HAROLD MWAKIO TANGAI,
Commander, Kenya Navy: MAJOR GENERAL SAMSON JEFWA. MWATHETHE

Police

Commissioner of Police: MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMED HUSSEIN ALI
Commandant, Anti-Stock Theft Unit: MR. NICHOLAS NYAKWAMA OMBATI
Commandant, Traffic Police: Mr. Daudi J. Kyalo
Commandant, Kenya Police College: MR. BERNARD K. KEMEY
Commandant, Kenya Railways Police: Mr. Francis Changwany
Commandant, Central Province: MR. PETER M.LEIYAN
Commandant, Rift Valley Police: EVERRET WASIGE
Commandant, Nyanza Police: GRACE SYOMBUA KAINDI
Commandant, Western Province Police: Mr. ABDUL MAKA MZEE
Commandant, Eastern Province Police: JONATHAN KIPKURUI KOSKEI
Commissioner of Prisons: MR. GILBERT MIDHUNE OMONDI

Speaker of the National Assembly

Speaker: THE HON. K.F.X. OLE KAPARO, E.G.H.

Head of Government Specialized Agency

Samuel Kivuitu, Executive Chairman, National Electoral Commission
Priscilla Komora, Controller and Auditor-General, Kenya National Audit Office
JIbrahim Hussein, Executive Chairman, Teachers Service Commission
Prof. Everett Standa, Secretary, Commission for Higher Education

Judiciary

Judges Court of Appeal

Judges of Court of Appeal
Hon. Mr. Justice E. Kubasu
Hon. Mr. Justice R.S.C. Omolo
Hon. Mr. Justice S.E.O. Bosire
Hon. Mr. Justice P.K. Tunoi
Hon. Mr. Justice Philip Waki
Hon. Mr. Justice J.W. Onyango Otieno
Hon. Mr. Justice William Deverell

Judges of the High Court (Puisne Judges

Hon. Mr. Justice John. M. Khamoni
Hon. Lady Justice J. Aluoch
Hon. Mr. Justice John. A. Osiemo
Hon. Mr. Justice John. W. Mwera
Hon. Lady Justice M. A. Ang’awa
Hon. Lady Justice J. W. Lesiit
Hon. Mr. Justice Muga Apondi
Hon. Lady Justice H. M. Okwengu
Hon. Lady Justice R. P. V. Wendo
Hon. Justice Kaburu Banui
Hon. Mr. Justice B.K. arap Tanui
Hon. Mr. Justice William Ouko
Hon. Lady Justice K.H. Rawal
Hon. Mr. Justice A. R. M. Visram
Hon. Mr. Justice D. A. Onyacha
Hon. Mr. Justice N. R. O Ombija
Hon. Mr. Justice J. K. Sergon
Hon. Lady Justice J. N. Khaminwa
Hon. Prof. Justice O. K. Mutungi
Hon. Mr. Justice B. K. Kubo
Hon. Mr. Justice M. K. Ibrahim
Hon. Prof. Justice J. B. Ojwang
Hon. Mr. Justice David K. Maraga
Hon. Mr. Justice George M. A. Dulu
Hon. Lady Justice Mary M. Kasango
Hon. Mr. Justice Daniel K. Musinga
Hon. Mr. Justice Isaac Lenaola
Hon. Mr. Justice J. A. Emukule
Hon. Mr. Justice F. Azangalala
Hon. Mr. Justice F. A. Ochieng
Hon. Mr. Justice S. A. Makhandia
Hon. Mr. Justice M. A. Warsame
Hon. Lady Justice Ruth Sitati

Central Bank of Kenya

Deputy Governor: Mrs. Jacinta Wanjala Mwatela, Appointed May 12, 2005
Mr. Jones Makau Nzomo, Director of Finance and Resource Planning Department
Mr. Aggrey Jonathan K. Bett, Director, Banking Department
Mr. Nicholas Bartuiyot Tirop Arap Korir, Director, Economics Department
Mr. Jackson M. Kitili, Director,Monetary Operations & Debt Management Department
Mr. Edwin Luke Ogola, Director,Currency Operations & Branch Administration Department
Mr. Cheloti Kakai, Director, Director, Deposit Protection Fund Board
Mr. Charles Onami Maranga, Director of Administration & Human Resources

Chairmen

Hassan Ole Kamwaro, Chairman of the Transport Licensing Board

Chancellors of Universities

Prof. Bethwel Ogot, Moi University
Prof. Ali Mazrui, JKUCAT
Dr. Wamalwa, Maseno University
Dr. Philip Mule, Kenyatta University
Eng. Hon. Samuel K. Arap Ng’eny, Masinde Muliro University
Dr. Mohammed Isahakia, Vice-Chairman, Masinde Muliro University

KENYA AMBASSADORS

1. ADDIS ABABA -H.E. MR. FRANKLIN ESIPILA
2. CAIRO -H.E. DANIEL OCHIENG MACDWALLO
3. DAR-ES-SALAAM- H.E. MR. BOAZ K. MBAYA
4. GABORONE- H.E. MR. CHARLES ALBERT MBAKA
5. HARARE-H.E. JOHN ABDUBA
6. KAMPALA-H.E. MR. JAPHETH RATEMO GETUGI
7. KHARTOUM-H.E. COL. (RTD.) ELIJAH MALEKYA MATIBO
8. KIGALI-H.E. MR. ALEX A. KETTER
9. KINSHASA-H.E. MR. KARUCHU SYLVESTER M. GAKUMU
10. ABUJA- H.E. MR. DANIEL MEPUKORI KOIKAI
11. LUSAKA- H.E. MR. LAZARUS O. AMAYO
12. UNEP- H.E. MR. WELLINGTON P. GODO
13. HABITAT-H.E. MR. SOLOMON KARANJA
14. SOMALIA -H.E. MR. MOHAMED ABDI AFFEY
15. PRETORIA-H.E. MRS. TABITHA JEPTOO SEII
16. WINDHOEK-H.E. MS. ROSE BOIT
17. BEIJING-H.E. MRS. RUTH SERETI SOLITEI
18. CANBERRA-H.E. MR. JOHN LEPI LANYASUNYA
19. ISLAMABAD-H.E. MRS. MISHI MASIKA MWATSAHU
20. KUALA LUMPUR-H.E. MR. DAVID GACHOKI NJOKA
21. NEW DELHI-H.E. MR. FRANCIS BAYA
22. TOKYO-H.E. MR. DENNIS AWORI
23. BRUSSELS -H.E. MR. MARX GAD NJUGUNA KAHENDE
24. BERLIN-H.E. MR. HARRY MUTUMA KATHURIMA
25. GENEVA- H.E. PROF. MARIA NZOMO
26. HAGUE-H.E. MS. KALIMI MUGAMBI MWORIA
27. LONDON-H.E. MR. JOSEPH K. MUCHEMI
28. MOSCOW-H.E. DR. SOSPETER MAGITA MACHAGE
29. PARIS-H.E. MS. RAYCHELLE AWUOR OMAMO
30. ROME-H.E. MRS. ANNE BELINDA NYIKULI
31. STOCKHOLM-H.E. MRS. PURITY WAKIURU MUHINDI
32. VIENNA-H.E. MR. JULIUS KIPLAGAT KANDIE
33. NEW YORK- H.E. ZACHARY D. MUBURI -MUITA
34. OTTAWA- H.E. PROF. JUDITH M. BAHEMUKA
35. WASHINGTON- H.E. PETER NICHOLAS RATENG’ OGEGO
36. ABU DHABI- H.E. BISHAR ABDIRAHMAN HUSSEIN
37. RIYADH -H.E. MR. ABUBAKAR ABDI OGLE
38. TEHRAN- H.E. MR. ALI ABBAS
39. TEL AVIV- H.E. MS. FELISTAS VUNORO KHAYUMBI
40. KENYA CONSULATE , LOS ANGELES- MS. MARY NYAMBURA KAMAU
41. LIBYA -H.E. MR. EPHRAIM WAWERU NGARE
42. BRAZIL- H.E. MR. PIUS NAMACHANJA
43. THAILAND -H.E. DR. RICHARD TITUS EKAI
44. JUBA- P. K. ANGORE

Ministers

VICE-PRESIDENT AND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS: THE HON. DR. ARTHUR MOODY AWORI,
Minister of State, Ministry of State for National Heritage: THE HON. SULEIMAN R. SHAKOMBO,
Minister of State, Ministry of State for Youth Affairs: THE HON. DR. MOHAMMED A. KUTI,
Minister for Local Government: THE HON. MUSIKARI N. KOMBO
Minister for Health: THE HON. CHARITY KALUKI NGILU,
Minister for Roads and Public Works: THE HON. SIMEON NYACHAE
Minister for Science and Technology: THE HON. (DR). NOAH M. WEKESA
Minister of State for Public Service: THE HON. MOSES AKARANGA, E.G.H
Minister of State for Immigration and Registration of Persons: THE HON. GIDEON S. KONCHELAH
Minister for Agriculture: THE HON. KIPRUTO RONO ARAP KIRWA
Minister for Livestock Development: THE HON. JOSEPH KONZOLLO MUNYAO
Minister, Foreign Affairs: THE HON. RAPHAEL TUJU
Minister, East African Community: THE HON. JOHN KIPSANG ARAP KOECH
Minister for Transport: THE HON. (AMB. ) CHIRAU ALI MWAKWERE
Minister for Water Development: THE HON. JOHN MUTUA KATUKU
Minister for Regional Development Authorities: THE HON. MOHAMED ABDI MOHAMUD
Minister for Trade and Industry: THE HON. (DR.) MUKHISA KITUYI
Minister for Tourism and Wildlife: THE HON. MORRIS M. DZORO
Minister for Lands (ag): THE HON. (PROF.) KIVUTHA KIBWANA
Minister for Housing: THE HON. PETER SOITA SHITANDA
Minister for Environment: THE HON. (PROF.) KIVUTHA KIBWANA
Minister for Labour and Human Resources: THE HON. (DR.) NEWTON KULUNDU
Minister for Planning and National Development: THE HON. HENRY O. OBWOCHA
Attorney-General: THE HON. S. AMOS WAKO,

Assistant Ministers

Assistant Minister for Provincial Administration: THE HON. JOSEPH KAHINDI KINGI, M.P.
Assistant Minister for Public Service: THE HON. BONIFACE MGANGA, M.P.
Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Defence: THE HON. STEPHEN K. TARUS, M.P.
Assistant Minister, Immigration and Registration of Persons: THE HON. ANANIAH MWABOZA
Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Special Programmes: THE HON. WARIO ALI, M.P.
Assistant Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs: THE HON. SAMUEL MOROTO,
Assistant Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs: THE HON. HUSSEIN MAALIM MOHAMMED,
Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Youth Affairs: THE HON. KATOO J. OLE METITO,
Assistant Minister for Urban Authorities: THE HON. ISAACK A. SHAABAN
Assistant Minister for Medical Services: THE HON. (DR.) WILFRED G. MACHAGE
Assistant Minister for Public Health: THE HON. (DR.) ENOCK W. KIBUNGUCHY
Assistant Minister for Public Works: THE HON. HUSSEIN T. SASURA,
Assistant Minister, Science and Technology: THE HON. UKUR KANACHO YATANI
Assistant Minister for Research and Extension Services: THE HON. PETER KAINDI
Assistant Minister for Livestock Development: THE HON. STEPHEN OLE NTUTU, M.P.
Assistant Minister for Fisheries Development: THE HON. MOHAMED ABU CHIABA
Assistant Minister, Justice and Constitutional Affairs: THE HON. DANSON B. MUNGATANA,
Assistant Minister for International Affairs: THE HON. MOSES WETANGULA,
Assistant Minister, East African Community: THE HON. ((DR.) BONI KHALWALE
Assistant Minister for Gender and Social Services: THE HON. MRS. ALICEN J.R. CHELAITE
Assistant Minister for Sports: THE HON. JOEL O. ONYANCHAH
Assistant Minister for Communications: THE HON. DAVID WERE
Assistant Minister for Water Services: THE HON. MAJOR (Rtd.) ADEN A. SUGOW
Assistant Minister for Water Resources Management: THE HON. RAPHAEL WANJALA
Assistant Minister for Trade: THE HON. ABDIRAHMAN ALI HASSAN
Assistant Minister for Wildlife: THE HON. RICHARD KALEMBE NDILE
Assistant Minister for Lands: THE HON. ASMAN A. KAMAMA
Assistant Minister for Labour Relations: THE HON. SAMMY P. LESHORE,
Assistant Minister for Manpower Management: THE HON. ADELINA N. MWAU
Assistant Minister for Planning: THE HON. DAVID EKWEE ETHURO
Assistant Minister for National Development: THE HON. JOHN B. SERUT

This is what Odero and other ODM-Kenya diehards would not have us see. The name of the game is trying to win votes using fear and disinformation, apparently the focus of the campaign being illiterate Kenyans. Kenyans are in dire need of a party that has a roadmap for building Kenya and uplifting its citizens. Unfortunately both Narc and ODM lack in these aspects.
The future does indeed seem bleak.

Rising Spate of Crime in Kenya: the Hard Questions

Recent days have seen the rising of an unprecedented wave of crime in Kenya. This has caused foreign nationals to be put on high alert by their respective countries when visiting Kenya.

These gun-toting criminals have been harassing (and often killing!) Kenyans and foreigners alike. God knows what these goings-on have dealt on the country's economy (tourism and the like) and image.

This state of affairs has come up at a time that the country has some serious political and socio-economic decisions to make. In addition, this being an election year, things will not go down so well for some individuals in the present government come election time. The electorate wants answers and solutions to their problems, including solutions to the rising crime rate in the country.

With the East Africa Federation becoming a reality by the day, the other East African countries are jittery about having such a closer union with Kenya given its present lack of security.

Tanzania, for one, is worst hit. There has been an influx of criminals from Kenya into this proverbial peaceful country of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere. Arusha and Moshi, towns in northern Tanzania, are known to harbour criminals of Kenyan descent, according to police sources. These hard core criminals have taken part in a number of bank heists, robberies and violence.

A number of people I have talked to tend to believe that some of these perpetrators of crime are ex-service men. This opinion has been occasioned by the view that most of these violent criminals are very good at handling guns of high calibre. They are also in possession of weapons that are found nowhere else but the army and police force arsenals. Whether these criminals work in tandem with some unscrupulous force men is still to be brought out in black and white.

Reminisce: Kubaff Matatu Operators and the Dubious Christmas Season

Some things beat the sense of reason and logic. The past three weeks have seen the recrudescence of some of these things and events in Kenya.

Matatu operators have had a field day and have fleeced 'innocent' Kenyans of their hard-earned cash. Maybe these individuals think that Kenyans 'reap' money from trees and that we are very happy, even elated, to part with this 'scarce' commodity to satiate their latent whims.

Matatu fares these past weeks have been too astronomical as to be logical. In fact, they seem to have jumped off a Hollywood film script.

When I asked one of these Matatu operators the reason for this daylight robbery, he threw me a threatening look and blurted, rather annoyingly: "Ni sikukuuu, wewe huelewi!" (This roughly translates to mean: It is celebration time and you surely ought to know how things work with us guys round about this time of the year! )

However, unlike what most Matatu operators 'believe', Sikukuu is not for Matatu operators only, it is for all Kenyans to celebrate and be happy (with no one taking advantage of anyone). Christmas is a time of giving and showing love and Jesus, whose birth we celebrate during Christmas, does not stand for fleecing but for liberation. Someone please drum this into the heads of these Matatu guys.

Few of us guys have come out of this quagmire unscathed. What with the 'unthinkable' sugar prices, rising fares and 'servicing' of Christmas and New Year celebration costs. We are smarting from these goings-on and the injuries are far-reaching.

Kenyans are crying out to their government angling for respite.
i) Can a Fare Regulatory Body be established to make sure that passengers are not charged unfair fares?
ii) Can something be done about the price of sugar? Tea is becoming more expensive by the day!

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

It's been nice and, let me say, encouraging to have had your company for most of this year (as I started this blog in May). It's been a pleasure to have been writing my blog posts for your eyes only: I have loved it every bit of the way.

Why am I writing all this? Is it that I am throwing in the towel on blogging and indirectly bidding you goodbye?
No, never! Once you have been bitten by the blog bug it becomes pretty difficult to wean yourself off blogging. It is one of the best addictions I have seen around for a long time (at least better than drug addiction, what do you reckon?).

The reason for writing this: I'll be travelling upcountry to visit family during this festive season. For this reason, I'll not be able to blog for a week or so.
"Why?" you ask.
The 'upcountry' where I am travelling to is not well served with Internet facilities. Internet 'access points' are few and far between. Anyway, I'll miss you all.

Feel free to visit my other blogs (links below):

On Drifting, Wavy Words

Career and Workplace

Fgm: Down With It!

Finally, I wish you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Till we meet again: Take care and God bless you!

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 4)

This is yet another post that endeavours to look at the differences between the peoples of these two East African countries. My aim here is neither to create acrimony between Kenyans and Tanzanians nor to make people of one country feel inferior to people of the other country. That has never been my aim. Neither will it ever be the aim of these series of posts in particular nor this blog in general. We are different, there's no doubt about that. Nevertheless, we ought to accept each other, our differences notwithstanding, and work towards a common goal.

Signal to driver or Kiss?

If you have ever been to Dar es Salaam, then you have ever seen and heard what I'll mention here shortly.
Daladala (or Matatus/Mathrees as they are popularly known in Nairobi) touts mostly use their mouths to signal to the driver to stop and/or to start moving the vehicle. You don't get the drift, I know.
These Kondas (touts) twist their mouths (almost pouting the lips) and try to suck in air between their lips to produce the sound that tells the driver what to do! If you were not looking at the conductor, then you would think that he is kissing a woman – 'serving' a kiss with the lips of both parties tightly pressed together (for that is how it sounds like!).

Some Europeans were travelling to Posta (where most of the important offices are located in Dar es Salaam) some years ago. Out of the blues, they heard a strident sound reminiscent of some bedroom sounds that they were used to hearing. All of them turned almost instantly and in unison. They faced the Daladala's doorway from whence the 'sound' was coming. They saw the conductor, a lanky man, theatrically producing the sounds (effortlessly, it seemed to them) signalling the driver to pull into the lay-by for there was a passenger alighting. (A lay-by is the space next to a road where vehicles can park out of the way of traffic). These Europeans had little else to do but to shake their heads in wonder and grin like a Cheshire cat.

In Nairobi, touts and conductors whistle, "bang" the vehicles or talk loudly (shout is the word to use here) to signal the driver to stop to pick a passenger (or to allow a passenger to alight) or even to start moving the vehicle. None of the sounds they produce sound anything close to a kiss!

Are You a Tanzanian or a Kenyan?

In Kenya, the citizens are issued with National Identity Cards (mandatory for those Kenyans who are 18 years old and above). It also goes without saying that one has to carry it around, especially if one anticipates to be out late at night. It saves face when one meets with those guys who are eager to arrest guys 'on sight'. When they ask: "Wapi Gibande yago?"(Where is your identity card?) You flash the small card that says you are a Kenyan and they let you walk away.

In Tanzania, there are no national identity cards (but the government is planning to start issuing its citizens with the cards in the near future. At least that is what Tanzanians have been promised by the Fourth Phase Government).
Some of the Tanzanians I asked how they would tell a Kenyan from a group of people said they would listen to the people speaking and voila! they would pinpoint the Kenyan to me. This interested me and I asked one of them to tell me how he would do it. "I would listen to the people talking. I know a Kenyan's Kiswahili and English. It would not be hard to get 'your guy'."
Incidentally, even the Tanzanian immigration department has perfected the art of listening to the Kiswahili (Or English) of a person and instantly state whether that person is a Tanzanian or a foreigner. Another method these immigration guys use is to ask you where you come from. If they have doubts with what you state to them (especially if you tell them that you are a Tanzanian and they smell a rat), they ask your district of birth, village and even the name of your chief. By then, if you are not a Tanzanian, you will be squirming in your shoes.

Read the previous posts on the differences between Kenyans and Tanzanians by clicking on these links:
Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 1).

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 2).

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 3).

Africans, Let Not Your Greed For Money Make You a Victim of Such a Scam

I found this e-mail in my inbox. Most people have fallen for such internet scams. Please, don't be one of them. Think twice before you engage in any internet business or transaction: You just might be hoodwinked.

Dear Beloved,

Due to the sudden death of my husband General Abacha the former head of
state of Nigeria in June 1998, I have been thrown into a state of
hopelessness by the present administration.I have lost confidence with
anybody within my country. I got your contacts through personal
research,
and had to reach you through this medium. I will give you more details
when
you reply. Due to security network placed on my daily affairs I cant
visit
the embassy so that is why I have contacted you.

My husband deposited $12.6million dollars with a security firm abroad
whose
name is witheld for now till we communicate. I will be happy if you can
receive this funds and keep it safe I assure you 20% of this fund. I
will
need your telephone/mobile numbers so that we can commence
communication.

Sincerely Yours.
Hajia Mariam.

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (Talk Back)

Today I received some very interesting comments/observations about what I have been writing here in the recent past (the differences between Kenyans and Tanzanians). Here I share with you the same in its entirety. These are the comments by one Isibingo. Read through and see what you think.

Isibingo says:
"In Kenya, we take Eight years in Primary school, Fouryears in Secondary school and Four years in University (i.e. for most of the degrees courses).
In Tanzania, they take Seven years in Primary school, Four years in Secondary school, Two years in High school (Forms 5 and 6) and Three years in University (i.e. for most of the degree courses)."

ANSWER:
FYI 8+4+4 = 16 years and 7+4+2+3 = 16 years , now whats the defference?


You said "In Kenya, things are different. Wedding contributions are not as hyped up. In most cases, the families of the bride and groom do the contributions amongst themselves. Occasionally, input from outsiders is sought." why do not ask yuorself about expensive and for-show LUO and GIKUYU weddings, are they hyped up?

"You may hear this:Mwanangu, hiyo suti imekupendezesha k_m_ ya mama yako! ("Mwanangu" here has not been used by a parent to his/her son but by a friend to a friend).
To a Kenyan, this would sound like an earth-shattering insult but to a Tanzanian, this is an earth-shattering compliment! . Come to think of it."

ANSWER:
kuma###### word depends on hoew it is bring used,FYI ,it can be used as insult OR compliment in tanzania.

you said "Still on education, pupils and students in Public (and Private) schools in Kenya stay in school from morning to afternoon (after 3pm). Thus, it is rare to see students and pupils roaming the streets when classes are on."

ANSwer:
IF The issue of GOING TO SCHOOL in shift in TZ WILL may cause students/pupils to roam in the streets when classes are on THEN this is also in KENYA. (back in 2002 Kibaki did it as education policy).

You said "Most Tanzanians use water in the toilet (to do the work of a toilet paper!). You see them going to the toilet with small containers (kopo, as they are called in Tanzania) filled with water."

ANSWER: MAJI NA KARATASI IPI BORA, wakati KIBERA SLUMS with 1.5 million people{more than half of NAIROBI}wanatumie maji kutawaza.


you said "In Kenya, when you are cooking sukumawiki (kales) and meat, you mix everything in one sufuria.
Things are done differently in Tanzania. Sukumawiki and meat stews are cooked in different pots. "

ANSWER: this is because Tanzanians can afford good food/meals. mixing everything in one sufuria is sign of extreme poverty, especially when 1.5 millions of them lived in NAIROBI(Kibera),the second largest slums in africa.

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 3)

As we continue to look at the differences between Kenyans and Tanzanians, today we look at still some more of these disparities.

Water or Toilet Paper?

Most Tanzanians use water in the toilet (to do the work of a toilet paper!). You see them going to the toilet with small containers (kopo, as they are called in Tanzania) filled with water.

Kenyans use different materials as "wipers" in the toilet. Some use toilet paper while others use old newspapers, pages of exercise books and a motley of other materials as long as they can wipe.
This reminds me of something we used to do when we (my friends and I) were young. We used to keep the "Jogoo" and "Jimbi" maize meal papers. Anyone who has ever seen these maize meal papers knows how hard they are.
Before going to the toilet, we would energetically "rub" the paper between our hands to remove the "hardness" so that our a**** (!) would not be hurt in the process of "wiping". That's how crude some of us were (and are).

A Kenyan friend of mine visited a Tanzanian family sometime last year. When he came back to Kenya, he shared his experiences with me. He shared one experience with me more than once. He told me: "There was no toilet paper in the family toilet. Instead, there was a big bucket filled with water and a 'mug' inside the bucket. This is what those people used to use instead of toilet paper. I could not bring myself to using that (mind you, I feared to ask). So, I bought my own TP (toilet paper) and 'hid' it in my bag. Once, a big piece of TP fell on the toilet floor without my knowledge. Imagine the hullabaloo when the housemaid found the wet piece as she was cleaning the toilet!"

Education

In Kenya, we take Eight years in Primary school, Fouryears in Secondary school and Four years in University (i.e. for most of the degrees courses).
In Tanzania, they take Seven years in Primary school, Four years in Secondary school, Two years in High school (Forms 5 and 6) and Three years in University (i.e. for most of the degree courses).

Still on education, pupils and students in Public (and Private) schools in Kenya stay in school from morning to afternoon (after 3pm). Thus, it is rare to see students and pupils roaming the streets when classes are on.

This is quite different from what happens in Tanzania. It is a common sight to see students and pupils roaming the streets when classes are on. Why? Pupils and students go to school in shifts. This means that some go to school in the morning while others go to school in the afternoon (or "mchana" as they call it in Tanzania): When the 'afternoon students' come to school, the 'morning students' leave for home.

====================================================
This is the end of the third part in a series that endeavours to look at the differences between Kenyans and Tanzanians.
Have your shout out. Send your views and observations on this issue to undaunted_2006 at yahoo dot com and I'll post your observations here.
====================================================

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 2)

This is the second part of a series of posts focusing on the differences between Kenyans and Tanzanians. In the last post, I wrote on how Tanzanians and Kenyans differ in matters of Courtesy and Food sense.
Today, we look at even more differences.

The Kiswahili F*** word
In Kenya, if someone directs the Kiswahili f*** word at you, he is exceedingly annoyed with you. Thus to mollify his anger, he uses the f*** word to show you the extent of his anger. (A person who uses such a phrase is thought (by the majority of Kenyans) to have "porous" morals)!

I know you are asking yourself what word I am talking about here. You'll have to forgive me because my conscience is threatening to haunt me if I write the phrase in black and white.
Why? This is simply because I am a purebred Kenyan.

The phrase is: K_m_(a woman's private part) ya mama yako. (My fingers are shaking as I type these words on the keyboard of my computer). You catch the drift!

In Tanzania, the aforementioned phrase is used, in street talk, to emphasize a certain point. It is, basically, used (by some Tanzanians) to drive a point home and also as an exclamation! (I do not refute the fact that, in some instances, it is used as an insult!)
You may hear this:Mwanangu, hiyo suti imekupendezesha k_m_ ya mama yako! ("Mwanangu" here has not been used by a parent to his/her son but by a friend to a friend).
To a Kenyan, this would sound like an earth-shattering insult but to a Tanzanian, this is an earth-shattering compliment! . Come to think of it.

Wedding Contributions and Wedding Ceremonies
Wedding contributions in Tanzania are taken very seriously. Infact, one would rather contribute for a wedding than for someone's school fees. "Kadi za harusi" and "vikao vya harusi" are the key words associated with weddings in Tanzania.
In Kenya, things are different. Wedding contributions are not as hyped up. In most cases, the families of the bride and groom do the contributions amongst themselves. Occasionally, input from outsiders is sought.
In Tanzania, wedding ceremonies are strictly for those who contributed for the wedding! A wedding invitation card is the "Identity Card" that shows that you contributed and are therefore "eligible" to taste the wedding cake. No gatecrashers are allowed whatsoever.
In Kenya, most wedding ceremonies (except private weddings) are for virtually anyone and everyone. Even passers-by can 'pop in', take a bite, sip a drink and take their leave without anyone raising as much as an eyebrow.
When I was a young boy, my friends and I used to keep " a diary" of wedding ceremonies to attend. On days when two or more weddings appeared in our "diaries", we would arrange who would attend which wedding ceremony. Our main aim of attending these ceremonies would not be to see the bride and groom exchanging wedding vows but to partake in the 'wali', 'mchuzi' and 'soda' that would be served at the wedding reception. We would do this without the slightest tug and pull of guilt at our conscience. Talk of living in two, totally different, worlds!

This is the end of the second part of this continuing series of posts. Keep it here for more.

Are there any other differences you have noticed? Send an e-mail to (undaunted_2006 at yahoo dot com) and I'll post your observations here.
**I have written my email address this way to prevent it from being picked by Spam robots that are roving the Internet looking for e-mail addresses to send Spam to.

Kenyans and Tanzanians: the Disparities (part 1)

There are some behaviours, reactions and ways of life that are uniquely Tanzanian and Kenyan respectively. In this post (and subsequent ones), I endeavour to look at how these two East African peoples are different.

COURTESY:
Ask any Tanzanian and you'll be told one thing about Kenyans: "Kenyans are very rude, arrogant and not courteous."
"Why?" you may ask. It is said that Kenyans use rude, commanding language when they are asking for something (and they mean to be polite!).
Picture this:
A.
In a restaurant in Nairobi, a Kenyan is asking to be served a cup of tea.
Kenyan: Hello, we leta chai ninachelewa. Harakisha basi!
In a restaurant in Dar es Salaam, a Tanzanian is asking to be served a cup of tea.
Tanzanian: Habari za saa hizi. Naomba kikombe cha chai ya rangi.
B.
In a mathree (matatu) in Nairobi, a conductor is asking for fare from the passengers.
Conductor: Leta pesa yako na ufanye fasta (bring the fare and be fast at that). Fare ni mbao (twenty shillings) sitaki mtu ambaye anajifanya hajui fare ni chapa ngapi!
In a Daladala in Dar es Salaam, a conductor is asking for fare from the passengers.
Conductor: Naomba nauli yako. Nauli ni mia mbili hamsini (approximately Ksh 14).

In Tanzania, it is an unstated 'law' that you have to greet each and every person you come across as you go about your business. Greetings for people who are older than you start with "Shikamoo". For example, " Shikamoo Mzee Juma."
In Kenya, things are virtually different. It is "not a must" for one to greet everyone they meet on the way. You greet only those who are your acquaintances and are familiar to you. There are no specific greetings for people who are older than you. There are two widely used greetings in Kenya (and to people of all ages and sizes). These are:
i). (If one says "Sasa" you say "Fit"). This is akin to the "Mambo" "Poa" that Tanzanians use.
ii). Habari gani? (This is akin to the Habari za saa hizi? or Za saa hizi? that Tanzanians use.

For those Kenyans who are planning to visit Tanzania, please learn the art of greeting people often and to those older than you say "Shikamoo."
For those Tanzanians who are planning to visit Kenya, please don't get angry when someone walks past you without exchanging 'pleasantries'. That is our way of life here.

I had a rough time once (when I was visiting Tanzania) due to not greeting some old men who were seated somewhere as I passed. Incidentally, I didn't know the exact location of where I was going (somewhere at Kunduchi) so I had to go back the way I had come and at least ask someone to direct me. I remembered that I had seen some old men somewhere along the way. When I got to where they were seated I greeted them (with a humble Shikamoo!) and asked them for the direction of where I was going. They exchanged glances, scowled their faces and continued talking. I stood there awkwardly waiting for God-knows-what. One of them cleared his throat and told me:" You passed here without even greeting us and now because you have a 'problem' you have come to us. What do you expect us to do? Do you want us to associate with a rude fellow like you? I don't think you are a Tanzanian. Next time greet people whether you need their help or not. African culture dictates this!" And with that he directed me to where I was going (he literally took my hand and led me to where I was going). Before leaving, I 'served' them with my profuse apologies.

Do you have more you can share with us on Courtesy?Send Your Email Here(undaunted_2006 at yahoo dot com) and I'll post your observations.

FOOD:
In Kenya, when you are cooking sukumawiki (kales) and meat, you mix everything in one sufuria.
Things are done differently in Tanzania. Sukumawiki and meat stews are cooked in different pots. During mealtime in Tanzania, there are more bowls on the dining table than on an average Kenyan's table. These bowls may contain i) Maharage (beans)* (Kenyans call it Maharagwe).
ii) Mchicha *(Kikuyus call it Terere).
iii) Dagaa *(Kenyans call it Omena).
and
iv) Meat stew

My take is that Tanzanians are more nutrition conscious than Kenyans. Another thing, They use coconut "milk" in most of their food preparation and the food that is cooked with this "additive" is wonderful to the taste, take my word for it!

I know of a Kenyan couple who crossed the border into Tanzania with the sheer intention of looking for a maid from Tanzania. When I asked them of their reasons for going to such lengths and incurring all that cost, they looked me straight in the face and said: "We went to Bagamoyo (in Tanzania) for our honeymoon. We loved the food we were served. It was a whole new experience. We need this Tanzanian touch in our very home in Nairobi thus the need for a Tanzanian house maid."

This is the first part in a series of posts looking at the differences between Tanzanians and Kenyans.
Do you have more you can share with us on Food (or any other difference you have noticed)? Send me an Email and I'll post your observations here.

Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise - Accountability

The title of this blog post is, incidentally, this year's World Aids Day theme. This theme is designed to inspire citizens across the world to hold their political leaders accountable for the promises they have made on AIDS.

Here in Africa, our leaders have helped set up so many Aids-related funds, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) and institutions. For that, and myriad more, we laud them. But there is still so much that has to be done for our people and to our people.

The HIV prevalence rates are growing grimmer by the day.
According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 39.5 million people living with HIV, including 2.3 million children, and during 2006 some 4.3 million people became newly infected with the virus.
It is estimated that around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and die of AIDS before they are 35. (The sixty-four-thousand dollar question: how many of our youth can boast of a HIV free status?)

If these statistics are anything to go by, then our leaders should devote more of their time, energy and resources in addressing the Aids scourge and come up with better ways of combating the spread of the disease.
Our leaders should borrow a leaf from Senator Obama, if they must. The said US Senator took an HIV test in full public view when he visited Kenya sometime this year.

If our leaders decide to take a similar a stand, it will help accentuate (to the citizenry) the importance of knowing one's HIV status so that one can take better charge of life.
The line would run something like this: Mr. ***, my Member of Parliament, took a HIV test last week. This is two weeks after the president took such a test too. Therefore, it is equally important for me to know my status! .

The destinies of our nations are greatly hinged on our leaders' decisions, attitudes, what they take seriously and whether or not they live up to what they proclaim. This is proof enough that they should be epitomes of moral perfection and integrity.

With so many people looking up to you, Sirs, you have so much to deal with on your plates that you can not possibly afford to be complacent and vacillate on matters of national interest.

HIV/AIDS is one such matter. Our leaders ought to live up to what they promise the people they lead. Accountability is of utmost importance in this respect.

· We have been promised better health care: please make good your promise.
· We have been promised more campaigns to sensitize people on HIV/AIDS prevention: please deliver the goods.
· We have been promised more interactive approaches to HIV/AIDS prevention and education: please keep your promises.
· We have been promised more aid to the needy and poor who are HIV positive: please, please, please don't let us down.
· We have been promised anti-retroviral drugs that will be given free of charge: please, just know that millions of lives are hanging in the balance.

As we go into World Aids Day tomorrow let us endeavour to keep our promises and, as a result, build accountability.

My Son, Take It Slow: Aids is a Rapacious Prowler

As we mark the World Aids Day this year, we ought to think and rethink the strategies that we are using to combat the spread of the Aids virus. Above all, behaviour change should be accentuated and re-emphasized. This is simply because without behaviour change we are almost hitting a brick wall with bare fists.

My son, I am now an old woman,
I feel the ancestors beckoning to me,
My heart is punctured and frayed,
My body: old and frail.

In the years I have been around,
I've learnt so much 'bout the world,
I feel the time is ripe,
To share with you my arsenal.

In recent months, I've been watching you,
Watching you keenly; watching with eyes of steel,
My eyes have not slumbered in my watch,
My guard has not dropped in my sentry.

My son, I am afraid of what I see;
I am afraid of what I dream;
I am afraid of what I see in your eyes;
I am afraid of your zest and vim.

My son, I am afraid,
The more I think of what you are doing,
The more I age past my age,
The more people comment on how old I look.

These are dark days, my son,
Days your grandpa and I never dreamt of,
Days graced by pitch darkness,
Days I constantly try to wish away.

My son, don't get bored; keep still,
I am not vacillating, be sure of that,
Listen to me this once,
Listen to the drawl and drag in my voice.

This is the third month since I started my 'vigil',
My son, I see different ladies at your side every passing day:
Ladies fabulously endowed with 'well-rounded bums';
Ladies with earth-shattering smiles keep you company.

They call you 'Mr. Chics – the guy with the move',
Thanx to the innumerable sexual partners you keep,
This is sickening, my son:
Downright filthy and inglorious is what I call it.

My son, do you want to see me going to an early grave?
Do you want me to talk myself hoarse – and go insane in the process?
Do you want me to wet my pillow with tears into the wee hours?
Do you want me to see you crumbling like a fallen block of granite?

When Aids smiles at you, my son,
There'll be no turning back,
It will eat and gnaw at your every marrow,
It will turn you inside out – Please spare me the pain!

I don't want to imagine (but it's part of the nightmare I can't ward off),
The tall, handsome son I know,
Being reduced to an emaciated sculpture,
A sculpture with sores, boils and falling hair.

My son, Aids is for real,
It's prowling the neighbourhood with a vengeance,
Please sit down and rethink your behaviour,
An HIV free generation starts with you, my son.

Teachers, Hold The Cane Carefully: It is Lethal

Of late, there have been cases of teachers accused of inflicting untold suffering and injuries on students and pupils.
Instrument of torture? The good old cane.

One is left wondering what the intention of the teacher was prior to the 'accident'. Did the teacher intend to correct a misdoing (by use of corporal punishment) or to maim the student to show that he/she is in control of the class. These thoughts are doing their rounds in my head.

I remember when I was in school in the eighties, the cane was the trademark of any 'proper' school. In other words, cane and school were twin brothers. When I was in Standard Four, for instance, my Mathematics teacher used to 'burst' into class, a nyahunyo (Maasai whip made from car tyres) dangling under his arm and he would menacingly blurt, "Stand up...Tables!" By this he meant that we were to start reciting the Mathematical multiplication tables. Anyone showing signs of not knowing what was going on would be descended upon by his whip.

I was a victim of the swish of his whip almost everyday: numbers and mathematical signs were Greek to me. We got used to such treatment and never at one time thought that our rights (what were children's rights at that time – they were gathering dust in the United Nations books – or were they?) were being infringed.

When I was in Standard Eight, my English teacher decided that using the cane was a thing of the past and instead resorted to using his fists and legs. He would get into the classroom (the sight of him would send chills of terror down our spines) and we would stand in unison. Our greeting to him would reverberate throughout the block: "Good Morning Mr. Mbugua." He would look at us as if we had insulted him and, with the ferocity of a bull, he would come towards us.

For no reason at all, he would rain blow after blow on our small forms (especially around our stomachs) and no one would dare cry out for fear of stoking his latent fury. All that was in the name of corporal punishment. In retrospect, that was terrorism!

Sometimes I doubt whether some of that was punishment to rectify behaviour or an avenue for someone to vent his/her pent up heartaches on young, innocent and undeserving pupils.

Fast forward to the present...
Most of those dubious forms of corporal punishment have died down, thanks to Human Rights activism. 'Exploded' cases of a teacher punching and kicking a student are few and far between. But, of course, there are exceptions to every rule.
Carrying of canes, let alone using them, in schools is not allowed. This is a trend that is catching on in Africa. But sometimes you find some teachers carrying 'small canes' (literally folding them to fit in their coat pockets) for emergency, as some are heard to say. Circumstances for such 'emergencies' are as ambiguous as the word "emergency" itself.

Although this is the status quo that teachers in Africa are trying to come to terms with, we still hear of some isolated cases of teachers 'beating to the point of death', 'injuring', or even 'killing' students. The 'crimes' that warranted such outbursts range from not respecting the teacher (rudeness), failure to attempt assignment, an untoward brush with the teacher and so forth.

The Nyeri (a district in Kenya's Central Province where President Kibaki hails from) incident this week where a pupil collapsed after being punished, speaks volumes of such a state of affairs. I don't think that those were just 'some' inconsequential strokes on the bums. There must have been some brutality somewhere somehow.

I know of a case where a teacher was so irked by a student that, in a stroke of 'genius', he reached for his leather belt and let out his steam on the student. Unfortunately, the metallic buckle hit the student on the head with such a force that the next thing the teacher knew was the student reeling and falling to the ground, head first. He was rushed to hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.

Although banning corporal punishment is not a cure-all, it sure will save our children from emotional trauma and fear. (I found out that a bigger percentage of the fear I had emanated from the crude forms of punishment I received when I was in school!).

This ban will also help mould students and pupils who can think on their feet (by this I mean that there is no coercion used to initiate decisions).

A better Africa is what we need and this is the way forward.

Yet Another 'Invention' from TANESCO: Now Power Cuts Up To 10 P.m.

President Kikwete in a sombre mood

The Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO) yesterday announced an even 'grievous' loadshedding than the one that has been in place for months on end now. Homes and industries will see the advent of the new (what's new about the whole shebang!) rationing schedule as from tomorrow 20th November.

Among other things, the rationing schedule stipulates that loadshedding will run up to 10pm instead of the usual 6pm. This has been occasioned by:
i) The closure of dams (Mtera dam being one of them) due to drought. These dams were used for the generation of electricity.

ii) One of the 'kingpin' generators is out of kilter thus destabilizing the national power grid.

iii) The government being duped into buying an aeroplane's engine to serve as generators. Whether the government had a hand in this is still to come to the fore.

iv) Corruption in high places (TANESCO would never accede to this). How else would you explain the government's involvement with a company that has no physical address in the USA. The self-same company was not registered. The company was to deliver equipment to the government for the generation of electricity.
This rings closer home. It reminds me of the dubious Anglo Leasing deals that soiled the Kenyan government's hands!

Anyway, the 6am to 10pm power rationing will have serious economic ramifications (of course this is an obvious result given the situation!). With the Tanzania shilling plummeting, then the implications of this new development on the shilling could be combined to make a horror movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Please make sure your seat has strong legs or else...

Questions are doing their rounds in the heads of Tanzanians. They are asking: "Why didn't our esteemed government not do anything about the 'umeme' thing before things got out of hand. They knew things would turn out this way, or didn't they?"

However, others, instead of asking questions, are jumping to conclusions at the speed of lightning. With contorted faces, angry guttural voices and creased shirts and trousers (thanx to 'mgao wa umeme') they quip: "Maybe this is the Kasi Mpya, Nguvu Mpya and Ari Mpya that President Kikwete has brought onto the scene. If this is the tip of the iceberg, how, then, does the whole iceberg look like?"

Tougher Times Doing an Advent on Tanzanian Soil.