NAIROBI’S GOVERNOR EONOMIC PLAN

When the two bumped heads for the first time in January 2013; meeting for a national televised debate, based on his grasp of factual and statistical knowledge, Dr. Evans Kidero (ODM) got the better of his opponent.

But then again, the populist “Man Of the People”; Ferdinand Waititu (TNA) commanded a legion following based on the majority of social media websites.

March 4^th and Kenya voted. Dr Evans Kidero ended up as the last man standing when Nairobi voted him in as their new governor elect.

A Mang’u High school “Old Boy”; Kidero (56) graduated from the University of Nairobi with Bachelor of Pharmacy and holds masters in Business Administration from United States International University (USIU).

Kidero id the former CEO of Mumias Sugar Company(2003-2012) and banks on his ability as a former MD of GlaxoSmithKline- having successfully managed Smithkline Beecham’s establishment in over 40 African countries.

Back at home; his record speaks for itself. He is held in high esteem especially in the business circles; as he is credited for bringing Mumias Sugar back to profitability and status as a major Sugar miller in East and Central Africa.

Kidero comes in with an economic plan that though untested; it is policy to match and compete globally; and in the long run benefit the nation as a whole. His proposal is to raise the GDP per capita of the city to match the “Asian Tigers”. He argues; “the only difference between Singapore and Kenya is management and governance…”

On infrastructure; Kidero points out that one of the big challenges is improving infrastructure in the slums; since they are actually not included in any plans.

For him; the city’s blueprints for infrastructure will target a comprehensive development plan on: slums, informal settlements, expanding the road network and sealing potholes.

The business world thrives on the assurance of security. The governor intends to address the insufficient police-to-civilian ratio as a method of reducing crime; especially within the C.B.D. According to him, the ratio now stands at 1:1150; instead of the 1:450; recommended by the UN.

And that is not all; Mr. Kidero also intends to set up a metropolitan police in the city.

As a governor; Kidero also outlines a comprehensive healthcare policy in his vision; though not expounded on the implementation. His education plans include- doubling the number of secondary schools; addressing pupil-teacher ratio and setting up more polytechnics.

Well that is a brief breakdown of your new governor’s vision for the city under the sun.

-engage your governor: Facebook: EvansKidero/ Twitter: Kideroevans/ email: ekidero@ekcentre.com

PAUL “THE GENTLEMAN”TERGAT JOHNNIE WALKS WITH GIANTS

2012 saw world athletics record holder Paul Tergat named to the Johnnie Walker Whiskey’s hall of fame which shares and celebrates the life stories of some of the world’s most inspirational men through the global ‘Walk With Giants’ campaign.

 The campaign; featuring the brand’s iconic striding man, celebrates individuals who can be considered “Giants” in their fields and who share their personal stories to inspire others to take the next step on their personal journey and calling.

43 year old Tergat is respected globally for his exploits on the tracks and is one of the marathon legends across the world. He is a five-time world marathon champion who between 2003 and 2007; held the world marathon record.

Reacting to his recognition as a Johnnie Walker “Giant”, he said; “it is humbling that the story of my life can be used to inspire people across Africa and the world.”

The long distance runner becomes the first East African ‘Giant’ and the 5^th one from Africa after fellow athletics legend Haile Gabrselassie from Ethiopia; entrepreneur Prince Kofi Amoabeng from Ghana; musician Manu Dibango from Cameroon; retired soccer player Samson Siasia from Nigeria.

They go ahead to join other ‘Giants’ from beyond the continent: business magnate Richard Branson; formula one world champions, Lewis Hamilton an Jenson Button; advertising creative, John Hegarty; fashion designer, Ozwald Boateng and explorers Ranulph Fiennes an Amyr Klink.

Johnnie Walker is the world’s most awarded scotch whisky brand and is globally renowned for the Red Label blend- the most popular premium scotch whisky in the world and Black Label; the bestselling 12-yeara old blend as well as their collection of rare super-premium blends.

-Additional insights from the East African Breweries Limited (EABL)-www.eabl.com

DEMARCO "COOLE COOLE" KENYA

Coole coole, coole coole 
coole. coole, coole coole 

Busta whine Touch Your Toe 
6:30 the way You know 
dirty dancing private show 
oh, she a whine so must me be a pro. 

Coole coole look how she dashy weh 
coole coole me whine the body there 
coole coole me whine for take you there 
coole coole you make me off and say 

Puffi yeah real girl is nuh play 
whinin them girl them say 
right away no delay 
find out the xray 

Girl whine and don't stop 
girl steady whine and don't stop 
girl steady whine and don't stop 
the way she a whine she have whining in luck 
alright 

bend over gal badman a weh 
when you're whine girl you offer me a.. 
she chop a grow me a, me a.. 
wow there goes the blow out there 
me she vbimin i knw u wan mi 
because she bubble and whine Punjabi ... 

Those are the lyrics that are said to drive the ladies mad on the dance-floor and the "big kahunna" himself was in Nairobi Kenya over the weekend to perform at the carnivore grounds.

But who is Demarco?

Born in Portmore, Jamaica, singer, producer, and songwriter Demarcobegan performing at the island's famous Cactus nightclub when he was only 15. A year later he moved to the United States, first landing in New York City and later settling in Baltimore. It was there he began to learn about music production. He began to work boring day jobs, earning a living and spending every bit of extra cash he earned on studio equipment. Demarco began selling his beats to various hip-hop and dancehall artists, eventually attracting names like Styles P andElephant Man. Two of his riddims landed on Elephant's 2003 albumGood 2 Go, then Demarco's songwriting began to take hold withBounty Killer recording his songs "Warlord Reloaded" and "Hey Sexy Baby." Work for G-Unit associateOlivia plus reggae singer Sizzla followed, then Demarco began to focus on his own singing career. He released a couple moderately successful dancehall singles before breaking through with his 2007 cut "Fallen Soldiers." With its vocoder-driven hook and moving lyrics, Demarco's tribute to soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty was an instant Jamaican hit and topped the country's singles chart for over a month. Koch Records soon signed the artist and announced they would be releasing his full-length debut album in partnership with the Epic label.

Here are some photos courtesy of EYE-CON PHOTOGRAPHY on Facebook:

THE RELUCTANT OUTLAW; WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THE COUNTRY’S BLACK SHEEP; THE STORY OF A KENYAN MATATU DRIVER.

photo:Matwana ( matatu culture ) on facebook

I can say they hate us. I know they do! My son goes to school and says; “my dad is a matatu driver.” He is like, “what? A matatu driver?’’ it hurts and one is never proud.

I am one of those you just love to hate. We are the backbone of Kenya’s black market. Expected to pay off everyone from police to criminal gangs. Perhaps you don’t have any idea what it is like to be the black sheep of a country.

But let me explain. We wake up every morning at 3 to bring milk to Nairobi. From there; we take cops who have been on night duties home. Then, we pick up newspaper vendors, company drivers, office workers and your school kids.

After we are done with you; we take your housewife or houseboy to their secret lovers. Then comes Sunday and the entire Christian community depends on us. The pastors ought to pray for us; seeing we are assisting in their missionary work. But instead; they condemn us for missing the Sunday service.

We are lucky that it is not them but God judges us. Otherwise, we could be the most cursed human beings on the face of the earth.

-donda254.wordpress.com

-facebook.com/matwana or facebook.com/matatu

-wambururusblog.wordpress.com

HOW TO ADRESS MR RAILA ODINGA

My elders; I greet you! My village people and fellow country me; shalom! You must have seen or even heard the empty gibberish that hit the Son of the Bull last week in Nyando; Kisumu county.

Some say; the decision by the former (I’m still on that debate; whether to call him former) Prime Minister Raila Odinga; while addressing mourners at the late KNUT secretary General David Okuta’s burial; to implore Kenyans to identify him by his name was courageous; strategic and commendable.

I don’t know about you but I disagree. Raila may be content with his current status and probably even moved on with life. But have his supporters moved on?

I agree with Mr. Barrack Muluka; writing on the standard newspaper; “so take our message to those big people. Tell the big chief that here in Emanyulia; we can accept what the judge says; but that does not mean we believe it. In fact; tell him we promised to accept the election results. But we never promised to believe them. We also promised to accept what the court says. But we did not promise to believe it. The court is the law. Is the law the truth?”

But then again; this is the reality on the ground. See; the people of Emanyulia; where Mr. Muluka is from; and many CORD supporters have now come to terms with the march 4^th election outcome. They have accepted that Uhuru Kenyatta is the 4^th president of Kenya; with William Ruto as Deputy President. But with all these; we still know that they were confident that the election outcome would be in line with what pollsters had been saying all along. That is that; the Son of the Bull was the man to beat.

Over the next few day; it seems if what we witnessed at Nyando is anything to go by; it will be hard to address Raila Odinga. One used the phrase: “his Excellency the President Raila Odinga.”

Finally; to the twirra (twitter) community; he will simply remain to be #RAO.

To the comrades; he remains Baba or as they call him Jakom. To the people of Emanyulia; he is simply The Son of the Bull!

THE KENYAN NDULA

“The Nairobi fashion scene has become a hustling fad designed (pun intended) to extort money out of a populace that wants to look good. If we want our beloved Nairobi to rise to the level of Cape Town or Lagos; then we as consumers have to demand better”, those are the passionate words of Nigel Mwaura; a fashion enthusiast; blogger and stylist.

So, we all love it when a young and hype designer brings in a fresh feel in the fashion world.

The name “ndula” is Sheng for shoe. The inspiration for KenyanNdula came from the desire to promote local fashion; taking the everyday loafer or brogue; to create a unique edge that is stylish.

The touch is unique. It has a traditional feel and that local “mtaani” (hood) touch; while still oozing a contemporary urban touch.

This fashion fad comes with a variety of comfort shoes ranging from the traditional kitenge; Maasai cloth; leather and more fun colorful and locally inspired fabrics.

Plus; their recently launched Fashion for Peace collection will leave you speechless and we bet will be big this year.

The pieces are unisex, which makes it even a more plus! Pair these up with your everyday casual wear; your pair of slacks; jeans or even maxi dress, for the ladies and you are good to go.

KenyanNdula is for the fashion conscious since they are comfortable; easy to wear and very trendy.

-additional insights from the Pulse Magazine Kenya.

-for orders, visit Facebook page: kenyanNdula.

THE KENYAN NDULA

“The Nairobi fashion scene has become a hustling fad designed (pun intended) to extort money out of a populace that wants to look good. If we want our beloved Nairobi to rise to the level of Cape Town or Lagos; then we as consumers have to demand better”, those are the passionate words of Nigel Mwaura; a fashion enthusiast; blogger and stylist.

So, we all love it when a young and hype designer brings in a fresh feel in the fashion world.

The name “ndula” is Sheng for shoe. The inspiration for KenyanNdula came from the desire to promote local fashion; taking the everyday loafer or brogue; to create a unique edge that is stylish.

The touch is unique. It has a traditional feel and that local “mtaani” (hood) touch; while still oozing a contemporary urban touch.

This fashion fad comes with a variety of comfort shoes ranging from the traditional kitenge; Maasai cloth; leather and more fun colorful and locally inspired fabrics.

Plus; their recently launched Fashion for Peace collection will leave you speechless and we bet will be big this year.

The pieces are unisex, which makes it even a more plus! Pair these up with your everyday casual wear; your pair of slacks; jeans or even maxi dress, for the ladies and you are good to go.

KenyanNdula is for the fashion conscious since they are comfortable; easy to wear and very trendy.

-additional insights from the Pulse Magazine Kenya.

-for orders, visit Facebook page: kenyanNdula.