Investment News Magazine - AUG 2015

NAIROBI AUGUST 2015 

KEY TO INVESTING, LIVING AND TRAVELING IN KENYA. PRICE SHS 300/-

Business opportunities start here! 

Investment News 3 

Investment News 

Business Opportunities Start Here 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE August 2015 

Special Reports 

REGULARS 

Nigerian billionaire 

Dangote 

MINING IN KITUI: WHAT IF 

D A N G O T E I N V E S T E D 

BILIONS? 

Now that Nigerian billionaire Dangote 

is a front runner in mineral 

exploitation in Kitui, it is important 

to estimate the influence 

he could have in Kitui, Ukambani 

and Kenya in General 

Publishers View……….. 4 

Minerals are now pointing 

to the future of Kenya‘s 

economy 

The Last Word…… 30 

What do the rest of the 

world think about Kenya. 

Is it reflecting the reality 

on the ground? 

Quick News…………5 

Do not miss our current 

news coverage. 

Books and the Arts.24 

We discuss the question 

of Indian contribution to 

Kenya‘s independence. 

Artist‘s impression of 

the Kenya-China Dubai 

city in Machakos 

One of the castles in 

Machakos County. It 

belonged to MacMillan. 

CHINESE INVESTMENTS IN AFRI- 

CA: ARE THEY A BLESSING OR A 

CURSE? 

This is the question the world is 

asking everywhere the Chinese 

are investing. In Africa, the answer 

is even more urgently needed. 

And applied to Kenya where 

they are already investing in projects 

that say: We are here to stay! 

INVESTING IN MACHAKOS 

COUNTY 

Machakos County has many advantages 

to become a key destination 

of investors. These include 

proximity to Nairobi, to major 

communications facilities such as 

the airport, Mombasa Road and 

rail lines.

4 Investment News Business opportunities start here! 

Investment News 

Editor 

Muli wa Kyendo 

Contributors 

Uncle Sandu 

Marketing 

Charles Kavuu 

Sylvia Njuguna 

Investment News is 

p u b l i s h e d b i - 

monthly by Investment 

News Ltd, 

P.O. Box 20257- 

00100, GPO, Nairobi, 

Kenya, Tel: 

0 7 7 3 9 9 1 8 2 0 , 

0721302418, 

Email: Editor 

@machakosoutlook.c 

o.ke 

ISSN 1814 

The Editor welcomes 

contributions 

but takes no responsibility 

for loss or 

damage. 

All rights reserved 

Copyright: Investment 

News Ltd 

PUBLISHERS VIEW 

The Future Can be 

Bright for Kenyans 

A few years ago, Kenya was 

thought of as one of the 

countries without minerals. 

In deed, the only minerals 

widely known was gold in 

Kakamega whose exploitation 

was poor. 

Today that image has 

changed. And as everyone 

knows, Kenya is teeming 

with mineral wealth. 

In Turkana, in Baringo, in 

Kitui— all originally marginalized 

by the colonial 

government after being classified 

as semi-desert, enormous 

wealth has been found 

deposited underground. 

Even up above, wealth has 

been discovered in the form of 

wind. And the wind blows 

above the ground, sufficient to 

create enough electricity for 

Kenya. 

In this issue of Investment 

News, we look at one international 

investor Mr. Dangote 

and ask the question: How 

will his investment affect the 

politics of Kitui, Ukambani 

and Kenya, in general? 

So far, we have seen the negative 

impact made by Chinese 

investors— acerbating corruption, 

smuggling of wildlife 

products and an increase in 

racist investments. What will 

Nigerians bring along? 

Killing African Traditional Industries 

Many Africans do not believe 

that the basis of ―modern‖ 

medicines is African. Most of 

the medicines that we buy in 

glittering packages have been 

―stolen‖ from African traditional 

medicines. Many were taken 

to the USA by slaves from 

whom they were stolen by their 

―masters‖ who were registered 

as the inventors. 

The effect has been to kill the 

African medical industry. And 

worse, it has contributed to the 

general impression that the 

African has contributed nothing 

to human civilization. 

On page 14, we carry a story of 

the fight between the pharmaceuticals 

and the alternative 

medicine practitioners in the 

USA which throws some light 

on the unethical behaviors of 

companies. Now turn to page 

14.


Quick News 

International Coffee Day 

to Celebrate 

The International Coffee Organization (ICO), 

has announced that its 74 Member States and 

27 coffee associations from around the world 

have joined forces to celebrate the first official 

International Coffee Day on 1 October 2015. 

International Coffee Day is a celebration of the 

coffee sector‘s diversity, quality and passion. It 

is an opportunity for coffee lovers to share their 

love of the beverage and support the millions of 

farmers whose livelihoods depend on the aromatic 

crop. 

An online campaign will be launched in August 

to spread the word about the October 1 date 

and encourage coffee lovers to participate in the 

celebrations. The campaign includes a website 

to feature events and other online campaigns 

dedicated to International Coffee Day. 


Coffee lovers around the world will have an opportunity 

to show solidarity with smallholder 

coffee farmers. Kenya is a major produce of 

quality coffee. 

Looking Abroad for Kamba 

Language Teaching Jobs? 

Advertisement are out for Kamba language 

Teachers to “teach Kamba to motivated 

Kamba learning students in Nicaragua” in 

South America. 

You can contact Kamba learning students 

and meet for customized one to one Kamba 

lessons in Nicaragua. Alternatively start online 

Kamba lessons using SKYPE or 

Webcam. 

If you are a freelance Kamba language 

teacher, tutor or run your Kamba language 

school in Nicaragua, and looking for great 

students or Kamba teaching jobs, just create 

your professional profile and advertise 

yourself online. 

Fighting NHIF: 

‗The poor will pay 

only Sh300‘ 

President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Barack Obama 

GES Ends with Great Promise 

The much publicized Global 

Entrepreneurship Summit 

brought together an estimated 

4,000 entrepreneurs. The summit, 

held at Gigiri in Nairobi, 

was opened by Kenya‘s President 

Uhuru Kenyatta and the 

American President Barack 

Obama. 

The two president underlined 

the important role played by 

entrepreneurs in in changing 

communities and the world at 

large. Obama said he had 

brought along the best brains 

from the United States as well 

as US$1billion to assist entrepeneurs 

around the world. . 

Read a review of the summit 

and its implications for Kenya 

in the next issue of Investment 

News. 

A group of MPs have told Nation 

Health Insurance Fund 

the highest amount that people 

should be charged if they don‘t 

have a steady monthly income 

is Sh300. 

―The committee agrees that the 

rich must pay for the poor and 

the payment must be attractive 

to those who are paying to get 

more people into the scheme 

Kitui South MP Rachel Kaki 

Nyamai said on behalf of the 

MPs. The payment must be 

supported through actuarial 

studies so that we ensure it 

works,‖ she said 

―We do not agree to charging 

volunteers Sh500; they will pay 

Sh300 and that is what we told 

NHIF,‖ Nyamai said.


Quick News 

Ancient „Pharaoh‟s Oil‟ Takes America by Storm 

The alternative health community 

in the USA is abuzz 

about Black Cumin 

Seed being a "miracle" 

herb. Although the herbs 

many health benefits have 

been known since ancient 

times, it is only now the 

world is beginning to appreciate 

it. 

The rich golden oil derived 

from black cumin seed is 

mentioned in The Bible, in 

the Book of Isaiah. Also 

known as "Pharoah's Oil,"it 

was used by Egyptian Pharoahs 

to nourish the skin and 

aid in digestion. Ir was so 

treasured that King Tut was 

buried with a bottle of it. 

Now the alternative medicine 

world in the USA are 

producing the oil (pictured) 

where it creating a lot of 

excitement. 

The specific benefits of the 

A major new award, the 

Mabati-Cornell Kiswahili 

Prize for African Literature, 

has been established. Supported 

by Mabati Rolling 

Mills in Athi River and administered 

by the Cornell 

University in the USA, the 

prize recognizes excellent 

writing in African languages 

and encourages translation 

from, between and into Afrioil 

are derived from 5 major 

ingredients: 

Mabati Rolling Mills Starts Prize for Kiswahili 

Nigellin and Melathin 

help support healthy 

intestinal elimination. 

Sterols may help enhance 

healthy elimination 

throughout the 

body, a process that naturally 

removes biological 

waste products.* 

Nigellone and Thymoquinone 

are two volatile oils 

known to help relax 

muscle spasms and support 

open bronchial 

tubes for comfortable 

breathing.* 

Essential Fatty Acids aid 

in the regulation of normal 

metabolism, help 

eliminate toxins, and 

may help support normal 

blood circulation and 

healthy liver function.* 

Prostaglandin produces 

E1, which helps support 

the body's normal regulation 

of blood flow balance 

and hormonal balance.* 

(See our story 

on page 14) 

can languages. 

Renowned author Ngugi Wa 

Thiong’o, a Board member, 

said that the Mabati-Cornell 

prize is a “major intervention 

in the struggle for writing 

in African languages, for 

their place and visibility in 

the global sun of literary 

imagination. 

Prizes have generally been 

used to drown African Literature 

in African languages under 

a Europhone flood. I 

hope that this prize becomes 

an invitation for other African 

languages to do the 

same and much more.” 

Over 140 million people 

speak Kiswahili in Eastern 

and Southern Africa.



ENTREPRENEURSHIP 

Three Valuable Lessons on 

Investing from Bible Parable 

An entrepreneur‘s interpretation 

of the great scripture and how it 

applies to you. By FRED MWEU 

I fell upon an interesting 

parable in the Bible that I 

wish to share with you. 

What I intend to impart is 

related to entrepreneurship, 

and it came from the Master 

himself. 

The subjects in this parable, 

which you will find in the 

Bible book of Matthew 

Chapter 25 from verses 14 

to 30, capture just the kind 

of audience that Investment 

News targets only you just 

have to replace ―servants‖ 

w i t h ― w o r k e r s ‖ o r 

―employees‖, because at the 

time (back in time), servants 

were more or less, the 

―employees‖ of the day. 

Jesus told his disciples this 

parable—a tale about Man 

travelling into a far country, 

who called ―his own servants, 

and delivered unto 

them his goods.‖ (Verse 14). 

Jesus goes on to say, ―…unto 

one he gave five talents, to 

Turn to page 29


TECHNOLOGY 

The 

Power 

of Mobile Phone in Business 

Technology has changed our lives. And it has profoundly done so in industry 

where the mobile phone is quickly taking the central role. Its 

ease of use and portability has ensured an increasing umber of users. 

Fewer and fewer people are accessing the internet through computers 

mobile phones that make it possible to surf the net and transact business 

on the go. 

Recruitment sector has been the most impacted world wide. And it is 

being predicated that within a few short years, the mobile will constitute 

the most important recruitment strategy. By not having a mobilefriendly 

web presence, you are reducing your potential to connect with 

top candidates and reducing your reach significantly. Here, we look at 

what is happening in recruitment industry worldwide.

We live in an increasingly mobile-centric world, 

with people spending more and more time on 

their mobiles each day Not surprisingly, therefore 

, a 2014 survey found that 89% of the employees 

and job seekers surveyed use a mobile 

device during their job search. 

Despite this, a survey found that, “more than one 

-quarter of large businesses don’t have a single 

portion of their job sites optimized for mobile use. 

More importantly, 80 percent don’t have career 

sites that are mobile-friendly.” 

So why exactly is mobile recruiting the way forward 

for agencies and how can you make your 

business mobile friendly? 

Have you checked to see if your website can be 

displayed properly on a mobile phone? If not, it 

may be a good idea to optimise it for use on mobile, 

so that users are able to view and navigate 

around the site correctly, as well as being able to 

search & apply for jobs directly from their phone. 

By optimising your website for use on mobile, it 

will tailor the content so that it fits the display 

area of the mobile phone being used to access it 

and ensure that it can be viewed properly no matter 

what device is being used. If you’re unsure 

about whether it’s worth the time and effort to 

make your website mobile friendly, you can find 

out how many people access your site via mobile 

through analytics sites such as Google Analytics. 

You may be surprised to see how high the figure 

is! 

An alternative option to altering your website for 

mobile use, is to create a dedicated mobile recruiting 

application for use on smart phone and 

other mobile devices. These can be downloaded 

from App Stores such as iTunes and have been 

specially designed for use on mobile. 

Mobile apps may be better suited for larger businesses 

with lots of job openings at one time due 

to cost and upkeep. International firms such as 

Nestle and PepsiCo are among those who have 

introduced mobile apps to manage their recruitment. 

These apps make it quicker and easier to 

browse and apply for jobs within the companies 

and in addition to the improved access to job information, 

these apps can also send out alerts to 

users when a new vacancy has been added.

10 Investment News Business opportunities start 

MINING IN KITUI 

What if Dangote invests billions? 

Aliko Dangote is a businessman based in 

in Lagos. He is the owner of the Dangote 

Group, which has operations in Nigeria 

and several other countries in West Africa. 

A wealthy supporter of erstwhile President 

Olusegun Obasanjo and the ruling 

People's Democratic Party (PDP), Dangote 

controls much of Nigeria's commodities 

trade through his corporate and political 

connections. With an estimated current net 

worth of around US$17.1 billion, he was 

ranked by Forbes as one of the richest men 

in the world and the richest black person 

in the world ahead of Mohammed Al 

Amoudi ($9.0 billion) and ahead of Oprah 

Winfrey ($2.5 billion), Mo Ibrahim ($2.5 

billion) and Patrice Motsepe of South Afri-



In whatever it 

trades in, Dangote 

in a near monopoly 

in Nigeria. 

Dangote Quarries 

Company (DQC) 

will explore limestone 

resources in 

Kanziko area. 

Dangote says investing 

in the sector 

the project will 

ease cement shortage 

in the country. 

ca ($2.4 billion). Now Dangote wants to set 

up the largest cement factory in Kitui, 

where, last year he put up a party for the 

County residents. But only a few people 

are asking what kind of change he would 

bring to Kitui—and to Kenya in general— 

if he controlled such huge investment? 

Aliko Dangote is 

reputed to be a nonpartisan, 

detribalized investor who offers 

employment opportunities to elite graduates 

from different ethnic backgrounds. His 

companies have reduced the level of crime 

by engaging youths who are school leavers 

in the area of transportation, product packaging, 

security and others. 

Dangote: A man of Superlatives 

Dangote Cement is a fully 

integrated cement company 

and has projects and operations 

in Nigeria and 14 other 

African countries; Dangote 

Cement's current total 

production capacity in Nigeria 

from its three existing 

cement plants namely Obajana 

(10.25MMTPA), Ibese 

(6.0MMTPA) and Gboko 

( 4 . 0 M M T P A ) i s 

2 0 . 2 5 M M T P A . 

The Obajana Cement 

Plant (OCP) located in Kogi 

State is reputed to be 

one of the single largest 

cement plants in the world 

with a combined capacity 

o f 1 0 . 2 5 M M T P A . 

A fourth line which add 

3.0MMTPA to the existing 

capacity will bring the total 

capacity of Obajana to 

13.25MMTPA by 2015. 

Dangote Cement is also the 

biggest quoted company in 

West Africa and the only 

Nigerian company on the 

Forbes Global 2000 Comp


Supporting the Future 

Makueni Youth are now appreciating that ‘Wealth is in the soil’ 

Wycliffe Kyalo Waema 

(pictured) is a young man of 

23 years. But he is also a very 

serious farmer. When he 

completed his secondary education 

in 2009, he decided to 

stay home and do farming. 

“All my brothers had gone to 

Nairobi, leaving behind a 

good piece of land,“ he says. 

Due to lack of funds, he started 

planting French beans on 

only a quarter of an acre using 

a generator. Then he became 

a member of Kimwango 

Horticultural Farmers Association 

which enabled him to 

get seeds and advice on farming 

and 

m a r k e t - 

ing. It also 

e n a b l e d 

him to access 

loans. 

Kamwango, 

which 

is supported 

by 

MESPT, requires all members 

to become members of 

Universal Traders Sacco so as 

to access loans for farming. 

Titus Mbai is the chairman 

of the Association which covers 

a sizeable area of Makueni 

County. Like Kyalo, 

Mbai, now 60, was interested 

in farming but he had no capital. 

Unlike Kyalo, when he 

completed school, he went to 

Nairobi and found work. 

He raised some money from 

his employment, bought a 

generator to pump water and 

returned home. 

“I wanted to be a farmer, and 

with water now I was ready.” 

When he started farming, 

however, he realized that generators 

were very expensive 

to run. 

“I needed Shs4,500 every 

week for diesel alone.”



That is when he 

learned that he could 

get a loan to lay pipes 

and construct storage 

to get free flow 

water to his farm. 

In his farm which 

was lush with tall 

healthy maize plants 

nearly ready for harvesting, 

Mbai plants 

French beans, water 

melon, green grams, 

tomatoes, cabbages 

and passion. 

Titus Mbai shows his free flow water irrigation 

in his flourishing maize farm (above) 

while Kyalo Waema takes a visitor through 

his French beans farm (Facing page) 

The association is 

encouraging the 

youth like Kyalo to 

take up farming. So 

far, more than a 

quarter of its members 

are youth. 

Kyalo’s is a success 

story that has influenced 

other youth. 

Before he started getting 

loans, his income 

was only Shs10,000 

a month. Now his 

monthly income is 

Shs120,000. He 

p lants s u kuma, 

French beans and 

maize. 

“Water is very important 

for horticulture 

crop farming. 

Some crops such as 

water melons have 

demand when it is 

hot and there is no 

rain,” says Kyalo. 

He plans to increase 

his farm size from the 

current five acres to 

10 acres. 

And he is hoping to 

influence more youth 

to realize that 

“wealth is in the soil”.


THE DEADLY PHARMACUTICAL DEBATE 

How Medicine Firms Make 

Big Money at your Risk 

Only recently, the Catholic Church in Kenya was up in arms against 

an ―unethical‖ tetanus vaccine. But now doctors in the USA say, 

‗Much of what the drug industry does fulfills the criteria for organized 

crime in U.S. law.‘ This articles shows how far these multinationals 

are willing to go to protect their incomes. 

The American Medical Association 

(AMA) is upping 

the fight to gain total control 

over the medical industry. 

The fight is between the 

AMA and doctors who support 

effective ways of treating 

diseases which do not 

necessarily use manufactured 

medicine– the type 

commonly known as alternative 

medicine but which 

Kenyans refer to as traditional 

medicine or herbs. 

In the USA, the supporters 

of traditional medicine are 

exemplified by a physician 

Dr. Mehmet Oz who runs a 

popular TV show called The 

Dr. Oz Show who openly 

traditional medicine. Such 

support of traditional medicine 

could lead to diminished 

profits for pharmaceuticals 

and also for regular 

doctors. Through the AMA, 

the pharceutical multinantions 

hope to stop the 

spread and adoption of traditional 

medicines. 

One way is by expelling 

member doctors who support 

traditional medicines 

such as Dr. Oz. To this end, 

the AMA has proposed new 

"ethical and professional 

guidelines" for physicians 

that threaten to censor doctors 

who deviate from what 

the AMA deems as medical 

g o s p e l . 

A group of medical students 

joined by residents and fellows 

from the AMA recently 

introduced a proposal before 

the AMA's House of Delegates 

that outlines how 

physicians are to conduct 

themselves when speaking 

through mass media. Because 

they have the power 

to influence millions of people 

when speaking on television 

and radio, physicians 

like Dr. Oz "cannot function 

under the same guidelines 

as a physician counseling 

individual patients," the 

g r o u p c o n t e n d s . 

So in order to maintain control 

of the conversation, the 

AMA is developing a new set 

of guidelines to govern what 

it has dubbed "mass medicine," 

disparagingly referring 

to people like Dr. Oz as 

"quacks" who will "no longer 

... be able to benefit from a 

lack of specific standards 

and professional codes." And 

doctors who fail to abide by 

the new guidelines, which 

are technically just recommendations, 

could face discipline 

for allegedly "violating 

medical ethics in the media." 

"The AMA will create a doc-



ument clarifying what disciplinary 

actions may be taken 

against a physician who uses 

the media unethically," reports 

the site Doctors in Oz, 

which is an obvious play on 

words referencing Dr. Oz. 

"There are avenues for redress 

available through the 

legal system, licensing 

boards, and the medical societies 

to name a few." 

E v e n t h o u g h 

the AMA represents as little 

as 17 percent of all practicing 

MDs - and this number 

continues to decrease - the 

organization seems to think 

that it deserves full authority 

over what doctors say and 

how they advise the public 

on the latest food and medicine 

science. And it spends a 

pretty penny to maintain 

this medical monopoly, 

shelling out nearly $20 million 

annually to lobby Congress 

to do its bidding. 

"Keep in mind that the 

AMA is not the voice of the 

medical profession," warns 

the Alliance for Natural 

Health USA (ANH-USA), a 

health freedom advocacy 

group that is standing up in 

defense of medical free 

s p e e c h . 

"Its membership has slipped 

to the point where it represents 

only 17 percent of 

MDs, and many of those are 

free memberships given to 

medical students, yet it remains 

the fifth most powerful 

special interest in USA. 

This gives it the clout to influence 

Medicare prices, 

make recommendations 

that shape national policy, 

and rake in about $218.8 

million a year from its government-granted 

CPT medical 

code monopoly." 

What the AMA is attempting 

to do here represents 

nothing short of medical 

tyranny. One of the resolution's 

authors, a medical 

student from the University 

of Rochester, actually referred 

to the AMA in the 

media as "organized medicine," 

which ironically 

sounds a whole lot like organized 

crime. How can this 

membership-based organization, 

which holds no actual 

legal authority over the 

medical profession, get 

away with trying to assume 

c o n t r o l o v e r 

what doctors say and do in 

t h e m e d i a ? 

The answer to this question 

is that the AMA operates 

much like the mafia, backed 

by an extensive network of 

crony allies in the pharmaceutical 

and vaccine industries. 

AMA member doctors 

are notorious for accepting 

payouts from drug reps 

(sales staff) to push the latest 

pills and jabs on patients, 

even when safer, 

more natural, alternatives 

are widely available. 

This is part of what got Dr. 

Oz in so much trouble with 

the medical cartels - he 

openly talks about natural 

remedies on his show and 

during media interviews, 

and isn't afraid to call out 

industry kingpins like Monsanto 

for poisoning the 

planet and the food supply 

with deadly chemicals like 

Roundup (glyphosate). So, 

to silence him and any others 

who might try to follow 

in his footsteps, the AMA is 

now playing hardball. 

"Much of what the drug industry 

does fulfills the criteria 

for organized crime in 

U.S. law," says Dr. Peter 

Gotzsche, director of the 

Nordic Cochrane Center in 

Copenhagen, and author of 

the book Deadly Medicines 

and Organized Crime: How 

Big Pharma has Corrupted 

Healthcare. "And they behave 

in many ways like the 

mafia does, they corrupt 

everyone they can corrupt, 

they have bought every type 

of person, even including 

ministers of health in some 

countries ... The drug industry 

buys the professors first, 

then chiefs of departments, 

then other chief physicians 

a n d s o o n . . . "


The debate still rages on about the Chinese investing i 

Is China empowering 

or exploiting Africa? 

In Machakos, China has planned a Shs65 billion 

mega city styled as a Chinese-controlled economic 

zone to compete with Dubai to provide over 

200,000 jobs. Going by their practice of bringing 

along even the sweepers, Kenyans have a good 

reason to wonder whether Athi River will not become 

another Chinese colony and what the future 

will eventually be like. Many are already asking: 

How will it sit in relation to other proposed 

cities—Machakos 

City and Konza City? 

This analysis gives you 

the world view of Chinese 

investing in Africa. 

China is today Africa‘s third 

largest trading partner and 

second-largest export destination. 

And while some argue 

that it is using a neocolonial 

approach, others see 

it as an alternative to several 

Western condition overloaded 

aid. But the question 

is still in the air: Is 

China empowering or exploiting 

without concern, 

opportunities in Africa? 

In the years 2002 to 2007, 

China offered over $33 billion 

of government - 

sponsored aid – over half 

for infrastructure 

projects – 

to Africa and 

$107 billion-ayear 

bilateral 

trade, quadrupled 

between 

2000 and 2008. 

The three main 

areas of trade are: primary 

resources from Africa to 

China, cheap manufactured 

goods and foreign Domestic 

Investments ( FDI) from 

China to Africa. In FDIs, 

China has ventured into 

new investment opportunities 

such as land acquisition 

and outsourcing of farm production. 

By 2009 almost 

one million Chinese farmers 

were working in Africa. 

Led by its two largest economies, 

South Africa and Nigeria, 

Africa is probably one 

of the last major regions on 

earth that remain unexplored, 

as shown in The 

Plundered Planet by Paul 

Collier. It is supposed that 

what is actually under the 

soil in the average square 

kilometre of Africa is at 

least twice as valuable as 

what is known to be still 

available in the western 

countries. 

Top: Arti 

impressi 

Chinese 

Left: Art 

impressi 

Machako 

Right: Ar 

impressi 

Konza C



n Africa even as it remains a key partner 

sts 

on of 

city. 

ists 

on of 

s City 

tists 

on of 

ity 

Clearly, there will be a big 

wave of resource discoveries 

and Africa and the continent‘s 

commodity exports 

will be five times their present 

level, ending up in a 

phase of rapid growth. 

Since 2004 economic 

growth across Africa has 

increased by an average of 

6% annually, while poverty 

has substantially decreased. 

This is contrasted 

with the fact that Asian 

economies are in constant 

need for commodities, not 

only for new channels of oil 

and mineral resources, but 

also to mitigate their foodsecurity 

concerns, and gain 

a strategic position in the 

continent. 

Moreover, Africa will be 

soon among the last remaining 

low-wage regions. The 

effect of this will be to move 

good production activities to 

the continent where the returns 

on investments will 

remain higher than anywhere. 

Three main reasons 

have let 

China succeed in 

Africa. Firstly, 

its credibility, 

gained since it 

shares with the 

latter a common 

experience as a 

developing country. 

Africans see 

in China a people who have 

overcome oppression to become 

one of the richest 

countries within a few decades. 

Second China‘s businesslike 

approach to development 

and focus on infrastructure 

projects means 

hope for the Africans. 

Thirdly, Chinese aid generally 

focuses on development 

projects, aimed at satisfy 

immediate needs, rather 

than long-term investments 

typically taken into more 

consideration by Western 

countries. 

The fourth reason is China‘s 

broad-based interests: China 

is involved in almost every 

sector, with engagement 

growing not only in sectors 

and geographies but also in 

a broader strategic commitment. 

The flip-side of Chinese investment 

in African is its 

apparent over concern with 

its own needs. In many African 

countries, China is seen 

as supporter of dictatorial 

and oppressive governments 

and corruption and illegal 

trade. An example is Libya 

where it continued to support 

the regime of Muamar 

Khadafi even when it was 

obvious that the regime had 

lost touch with the ordinary 

Libyan. In Uganda, Rwanda 

and Ethiopia the Chinese 

have invested heavily although 

these are ―hesitant 

democracies.‖ 

Secondly, Chinese often rely 

on their own labor, hiring 

Chinese workers rather 

than local ones, and using 

Chinese materials, thus 

making their projects of little 

benefit to African communities 

and industries. .


In Migeria, the Dangote 

Group has nationwide staff 

strength of 22,000, which 

clearly puts him among the 

most significant employers. 

One analyst says, ―It may 

possibly not be a wild assumption 

to say that all Nigerians 

have heard of his 

name due to the impact of 

his businesses. His goods 

are practically in most 

homes across the country. 

People who may not use his 

products might have passed 

a few of his trailers by the 

way.‖ 

Some statistics here will underline 

this impact: 

The Dangote Group imports 

400,000 metric 

tonnes of sugar annually 

which makes up about 

70 % of the total requirements 

of the nation. 

It is a major 

supplier of 

the product to 

the manufacturers 

of Coca 

Cola, Pepsi 

Cola and Seven-Up 

in Nigeria. 

It imports 

200,000 metric 

tonnes of 

rice annually just as the 

company imports tonnes 

of cement and fertilizer 

and building materials. 

Dangote Group also imports 

fish and owns 

three big fishing trawlers 

chartered for fishing 

with a 5,000 MT capacity. 

The group exports cotton, 

cocoa, cashew nuts, 

sesame seed, ginger and 

gum Arabic to several 

countries globally. 

A vehicle leasing unit 

with over 100 fully airconditioned 

commuter 

buses, is also part of the 

Dangote Group. 

It is also into real estate 

with luxury flats and 

high rise complexes in 

Ikoyi, Victoria Island, 

Abuja and Kano. Dangote 

Foundation is the 

philanthropic arm of the 

group where yearly he 

spends millions for worthy 

causes such as contributions 

to educational 

and healthcare institutions, 

sinking of boreholes 

and giving of 

scholarships. 

In all, Dangote is into exporting, 

importing, manufacturing, 

real-estate and 

philanthropy. All of these 

are combined together to 

form what is known as the 

D a n g o t e G r o u p . 

At the helm of its affairs as 

president and CEO is the 

―humble person called Aliko 

Dangote.‖ 

Born in Kano, his grand father, 

the late Alhaji Sanusi 

Dantata provided him with 

a small capital to start his 

own business, as was the 

practice then. He thus 

started business in Kano in 

1977 trading in commodities 

and also building supplies. 

Alhaji Aliko Dangote moved 

to Lagos in June 1977 and 

persisted in trading cement 

and commodities. Encouraged 

by tremendous success 

and increase in business 

activities, he incorporated



two companies in 1981. These 

as well as others that followed 

now make up the conglomerate 

known as The 

Dangote Group. 

Aliko Dangote is alo reputed 

to be one of the few Africans 

who had not looted their 

countries and stashed billions 

of dollars in foreign 

bank accounts. 

Of this, Dangote says, ――If 

you give me today $5 billion, 

I will not invest any 

abroad, I will invest everything 

here in Nigeria. Let 

us put heads together and 

work.‖ 

His stories evoke a lot of 

positive response in Nigeria 

. So what do the ordinary 

Nigerians say of him? 

Here is a sampling: 

Aliko Dangote is a man 

of inspiration, a man 

who has risen above 

scholars, politicians fake 

pastors and thieves, he 

is my mentor. I pray 

that God‘s continues to 

bless and guide him. 

Kudos to Alh. Aliko 

Dangote, an icon in Nigeria 

economy. Your story 

always gives hope 

that with hard work and 

perseverance, anybody 

who dream of becoming 

great can make it. Longlife 

and more grease to 

your elbow with little 

effort and much result 

its good to invest in our 

country rather than outside 

because there is unemployment 

in the here. 

Please graduates don't 

wait for the government 

to give you work. Learn 

from Dangote. Employ 

yourselves.


Cooperatives on the Move 

Taifa Sacco Expands to Nairobi 

‗It has always been our dream‘ 

Taifa sacco wasn‘t confortable 

without a presence in 

Nairobi. ―We have to be at 

the centre of financial powerhouse 

of East Africa,‖ its 

General Manager, Mr Samuel 

Ngugi says. ―The sacco 

has gained value, it has 

improved its image by moving 

to Nairobi.‖ 

The Nyeri-based sacco 

started off as Murata Sacco 

Society and was registered 

in 1997 as a farmers 

cooperative. 

But it wasn‘t happy to operate 

in an enclave. It had 

a big ambition—to improve 

the lives of its members ―in 

Kenya and other parts of 

the world.‖ 

But conditions of cooperatives 

were such that it confined 

itself to its registered 

area of operation. Now, 

with the change of laws of 

cooperative, the sacco is 

ready to take on the world. 

―We are strategically ready 

(to open a branch in Nairobi). 

It‘s a dream come 

true.,‖ 

To take on Nairobi, the sacco 

has established an elaborate 

ICT management system, 

rolled out M-Taifa mobile 

banking and interlinked 

its branches. It also 

General Manager Mr. Samuel Ngugi: “We have what 

it takes to achieve that dream.”



specially trained its staff to 

serve the new branch in the 

capital city. 

Recently the sacco celebrated 

its 40th anniversary and 

rebranded as Taifa Sacco to 

give it a national image that 

allows it to operate all over 

the country. 

Why does the sacco want so 

desperately to be in Nairobi? 

Apart from the fact that 

Nairobi is the business hub 

of Eastern Africa, Taifa Sacco 

has many customers in 

Nairobi, according to the 

General Manager. 

―We have many customers 

in Nairobi who operate accounts 

in various Taifa Sacco 

branches. 

―They are happy that they 

will no longer be visiting 

branches for financial services 

that require them to 

travel to the branches. We 

are now taking the services 

right to their door steps. We 

shall engage in intensive 

customer recruitment exercises 

to win many more customers.‖ 

The sacco has branches in 

Nyeri, Nyandarua and 

Laikipia counties. Following 

closely after the Nairobi 

branch, the sacco will open 

a branch in Nakuru. 

The Marketing Manager 

Mr. G.M. Riitho says, ― As 

we move on, we urge all 

players to embrace the bigger 

picture and come together 

to take to the highest 

levels of performance 

and service delivery. 

―We are thinking big, and 

focusing on the future with 

confidence.‖ 

And Mr. Ngugi says ―We 

shall continue sharing our 

dreams and aspirations of 

our members. It is our 

dream to become one of the 

largest most successful and 

well run saccos in Kenya 

and possibly in Africa. We 

have what it takes to 

achieve that dream.‖ 

Wecome to MCU 

Brand of Coffee 

Machakos Cooperative Union - the umbrella 

organization for coffee farmers in Machakos and 

Makueni counties - is pleased to announce that 

it will launch is brand of coffee soon. Coffee is a 

major cash crop in Machakos and Makueni 

counties, and therefore the Union is working 

hard to add value to what farmers produce. 

Plans are already at an advanced stage for 

roasting, packaging and selling our own branded 

coffee, both locally and globally. As the CEO 

Mr. Martin Malila says, ―The cooperative mood 

in this region is full of excitement following the 

installation of the mill.‖ 

With the help of the Union, the Lower Eastern 

Coffee Mill, which is owned by members of the 

Union, individuals and corporates, has installed 

a coffee milling plant in Machakos town in order 

to help coffee farmers add more value to their 

coffee. One of the important things the mill has 

done is to reduce the distance farmers‘ travel to 

have their coffee milled. Shorter distance reduces 

costs and wastage that occurs in travel. 

Secondly, farmers are milling their coffee at 

rates lower than those charged by any other miller 

in Kenya while at the same time eliminating 

wastage and thefts that occur in milling. In 

their own milling plant, farmers are sure to get 

the same amount of coffee as they brought for 

milling.


INVESTING IN THE COUNTIES 

Review of Investment Opportunities 

In Machakos County 

Unveiling its programs and 

investment opportunities 

recently was the Machakos 

County. The opportunities 

were contained in the 

Machakos Vision 2020 

Strategic Plan for 2015 – 

2020. 

The County outlines seven 

strategic goals that the 

County will pursue in the 

plan-period. There are improved 

health, Food security 

and nutrition, Water and 

sanitation, Enhancement of 

security, Promotion of Education, 

Development of 

youth, sports and recreation 

facilities, and Identification 

and support of vulnerable 

groups. 

With a population of nearly 

1.2 million, Machakos 

County has a literacy rate 

of 88 per cent. Some 76 per 

cent aged below 18 years 

attend school. 

Energy supply 

When it comes to infrastructure, 

paved roads cover 

only 7 per cent while 

roads classified as good cover 

27 per cent of the County‘s 

road network. 

And electricity access is only 

17 per cent. 

These are some of the areas 

that spell great investment 

opportunities. Emphasis in 

the Kenya is being laid on 

alternative sources of energy 

because of the unreliability 

of water as a source of 

power. Solar power and 

wind are some alternatives 

that investors can explore, 

with high returns if successful. 

Tourism 

The plan says, ―The beautiful 

hilly scenery of the 

County of Machakos is 

perfect for tourism related 

activities such as camping, 

hiking safaris, ecotourism 

and cultural tourism, 

dance and music festivals 

among many more.‖ 

Machakos County has a 

wealth of creative tradi- 

Lord Macmillan building at the foot of scenic Kilimambogo 

(Kyanzavi) Hill was the expansive home of a flamboyant 

American in the colonial period. It is among the things upon 

which tourism can be built.



tions and cultural industries. 

World famous wood 

carvers have their home in 

Wamunyu in Machakos 

County where the industry 

was started by Mutisya wa 

Munge. Syondo traditional 

baskets and a myriad other 

traditional crafts trace 

their home to Ukambani, of 

which Machakos is a part. 

Dances like kilumi are dramatic 

and are famed for 

their therapeutic qualities. 

In deed, kilumi is like meditation 

which has created 

enormous wealth for Asian 

countries including India. 

Ndanu Musau is one of the 

many researchers on Kumi. 

In her research The religious 

significance of kilumi 

rituals,songs and dances 

among the Akamba of Kitui 

district (Kenyatta University 

library) she says, ―... kilumi 

rituals and dances fall 

into four main groups, 

namely: ( 1) Worship -k-i - 

l.-u-mi (2 ) Therapeutic 

kilumi ( 3 ) Cleansing 

kilumi (4) Initiation kilumi.‖ 

Yoga falls into similar 

categories, but it is 

the therapeutic aspects 

that are empahised for 

the international community. 

Similarly, kilumi 

should be organized to 

serve a similar purpose. 

Kilumi is one of the traditional 

Kamba dances popu- 

Kilumi can bring wealth to Machakos County just as Yoga 

has done for India, but we need investors to modern- 

larized for national entertainment 

during the era of 

President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta 

and are well-known 

for the rhythmic drumming. 

All these can form a 

basis for a modernized entertainment, 

therapy and 

keep fit exercises which can 

attract both local and international 

tourist. They can 

Wide famous wood carving: They offer 

excellent investment opportunities for 

exporters 

also be exported abroad to 

earn investors greater incomes. 

The Machakos government 

has achieved great success 

in creating an environment 

in which these industries 

can flourish to being great 

returns for investors. 

The Machakos People‘s 

Park, located at the foot of 

the internationally 

f a m o u s K a p i t i 

plains, is one of these 

enabling government 

investments. 

Heavy promotion by 

the government 

and sheer fun and 

freedom offered by 

the park has made 

it a leading choice 

for many entertainment 

events around 

Turn to page 26


Books and Culture 

The Indian Question in Kenya’s 

Independence Struggle Answered 

Review of the book: Brown Man, Black Country. 

Author: J.M. Nazareth 

Pages: 540 Publisher: Tidings Publications, India 

If you want a good example of a 

book which has made no impact 

because of poor editing, then 

you should look up J.M. Nazareth's 

Brown Man Black Country. 

The title starts the series of 

inept editorial mistakes. Surely 

the title Brown Man, Black 

Country is hardly creative at all. 

Were there no women among 

the brown men? And which 

country is black? I am not being 

flippant, but underlining the fact 

that the editors of this otherwise 

very informative book didn't try 

at all. 

The book is one of the few that 

detail Asian contribution to Kenya's 

freedom struggle. The author 

Jon Maximian Nazareth 

(better known as J.M. Nazareth) 

was born in Kenya—in fact Nairobi—in 

1908. After studying 

law in India, Nazareth returned 

to Kenya in 1934 where he became 

a Puisine Judge. 

A man imbued with great political 

ambition, Nazareth became 

the president of the East African 

Indian National Congress in 

1950. He also headed the Law 

Society of Kenya in 1954, was 

elected member of the Legislative 

Council (better known as 

Legco) for Western Electoral 

Area in 1956 and became the 

president of the Gandhi Memorial 

Academy at the University of 

Nairobi. ..... : 

In these capacities, Mr. Nazareth 

was able to witness or even take 

part in some of major political 

issues that today we are still 

struggling to resolve. And he 

gives 

Jomo Kenyatta (left) and Tom 

Mboya; They refused to honor 

an agreement to nominate JM 

Nazareth an MP in exchange for 

Indian support against White 

colonialists 

lots of information with excerpts 

of the Hanzard, his own letters 

and even newspaper cuttings as 

proof for the audacity of his narrative. 

He interacted very closely with 

the political stalwarts of the independence 

era such as Mzee 

Jomo Kenyatta, Tom Mboya and 

Julius Cikonyo Kiano with 

whom he was, as he says, on 

first-name terms. 

Indian Congress and African 

Aspirations 

At independence in 1963, his 

Indian Congress had identified 

itself with the aspiration of the 

Africans. In one resolution, the 

Congress said, "That a drive be 

launched immediately to encourage 

large scale enrolment into 

the ranks of Kanu and active 

support of Kanu and active par-



ticipation in its work by the Indian 

community so as to make 

Kanu a strong and f u 11 y 

representative organization." 

Indians were also to help fund 

Kanu. 

When Tom Mboya learned of 

this he wrote a letter to Nazareth 

to express his gratitude which 

started with, "Dear J.M" and 

ended with "Yours sincerely, 

Tom." 

And Nazareth wrote back to 

Tom Mboya with a letter that 

started with. "Dear Tom." and 

went ahead to request for Kanu 

receipt books to "hasten the recruitment 

of Indians." 

Then things started to happen. 

While waiting for the letter, 

prominent members of the Congress 

were deported, starting a 

campaign to reverse the deportation 

and scattering Indian support 

tor the Kenyatta Government. 

White Highlands and Indian 

Land Question 

Mr. Nazareth. starts chronicling 

the Indian role in Kenya politics 

almost from the start. As early 

as 1902. Whites in Kenya had 

formed what they called the Colonialists 

Association "to save 

the Highlands for White settlement." 

The Highlands, latter 

known as White Highlands, according 

to the Whites lay between 

Kiu (beyond Machakos 

Town on the way to Mombasa) 

and Fort Ternan in Kericho. 

Land in these areas was reserved 

for Whites only. Indians were 

barred from owning any land in 

any part of the country. "The 

Land Board in 1907 resolved 

against allowing Indians to take 

any government land." 

These two decisions—to reserve 

the White Highlands tor Whites 

and exclude Indians from land 

ownerships started the land campaigns 

that we arc still involved 

in. The Indians stood with the 

Africans against the Whites. 

This land problems is now baptized 

"land clashes/' and involves 

local communities facing 

off each other with some taking 

the role of the Whites and others 

the role of the Africans. 

What Churchill Said of 1906 

Kenya 

The famous British Prime Minister, 

Winston Churchill visited 

Kenya as the British Undersecretary 

of State in I906 and reported 

that. "Every Whiteman in 

Nairobi is a politician, and most 

of them are leading parties." 

That's exactly the situation as it 

is today. Some people say that 

we have more than 100 registered 

and unregistered parties - 

some are "pocket parties" which 

although they have been registered 

have only the man or 

woman who registered them as 

the members. That's the best part 

of it- that you keep your party in 

the pocket to scare politicians 

and negotiate Government jobs. 

The worst is when these parties 

become tribal like happened in 

the last General elections. This 

problem too, we bequeathed 

from the White colonialists. 

Tom Mboya ‘Lies’ Dim Indian 

Support 

In addition to these, Mr Nazareth 

has personal stories which 

may explain the Asian attitudes 

towards indigenous Kenyans. 

For example, he tells the story 

of how he was persuaded to stay 

away from active politics so that 

he could be nominated as an MP 

or to any other equivalent position 

by the then powerful cabinet 

minister. Tom Mboya. However 

when the time came for the 

nomination, nothing was forthcoming. 

He was naturally deeply hurt 

and begun considering leaving 

Kenya tor good. "Such hopes as 

I had of finding African leaders 

prepared to work towards such 

ends (of including Indians in the 

government) and whom I could 

assist perished in the second half 

of 1975, in particular the government 

reaction to the report of 

the parliamentary select committee 

on the murder of J.M. 

Kariuki and the detention of 

Deputy Speaker J.M. Seroney 

and a member of parliament 

Martin Shikuku, events considered 

by some quarters to be in 

connection with proceeding in 

parliament." Finally, he resolved 

to stay. "And so, born in Kenya, 

1 hope to continue to live in 

Kenya and to die in Kenya." 

Eventually, of course, Nazareth, 

left Kenya for India.


Investing in Machakos 

From page 23 

the country. 

According to government 

statistics, more than 5,000 

people visit the park every 

weekend. 

The Machakos Stadium, 

which was renovated to international 

standards, has 

hosted many local and international 

events. 

The net effect of these strategic 

investments has been 

the pulling into Machakos 

of other events such as the 

motor and cycling rallies as 

well as flurry of media attention 

Real Estate and Industry 

Perhaps this is the most obvious 

opportunity for investors. 

Machakos County offers 

large flat and empty 

spaces for real estate and 

industrial investments. In 

deed many real estate developers 

are already taking 

advantage of this and giant 

estates are coming up in 

Athi River all the way to 

beyond Kangundo road. 

Predictions are that within 

a few years, the entire Kapiti 

plains formerly occupied by 

European farms will be covered 

with giant estates to 

serve the needs of expanding 

Nairobi population. 

The plains also offer opportunities 

for investments that 

require large flat spaces 

such as hospitals and educational 

institutions. Already 

there are a number of universities 

and secondary 

schools located in the County 

which target the middle 

class population of Nairobi 

City. 

Its nearness to Nairobi coupled 

with security, has in 

deed helped in this regard. 

The Machakos County Government 

is working hard to 

maintain and improve the 

investment environment for 

real estate investors. 

Among the top priorities outlined 

in its Strategic Plan is 

fast tracking issuance of title 

deeds, increasing coverage of 

street lights in towns and 

trade centres and installation 

of CCTV surveillance 

camera and policing 

Other Investment Opportunities. 

Other investment opportunities 

include water and sanitation, 

agriculture and 

health. 

The County Government has 

been active in providing 

health services especially 

targeting women, but there 

is still a wide room for investors. 

In deed, several private 

hospitals have invested 

heavily in the County. 

Investors interested in 

farming will join a growing 

number of large scale farmers, 

especially flower farmers. 

Perishable farm products 

that need to take advantage 

of quick, and low 

cost transport to national 

and international markets 

will find the County most 

appropriate investment destination 

because of its proximity 

to the Jomo Kenyattta 

International Airport. They 

can also take advantage of 

the Mombasa Road and the 

railway line which traverse 

the County to reach markets 

in outlying cities and town 

such as Mombasa, Kisumu 

and Nakuru. 

Sahelian Solutions (SASOL) 

Foundation has over 20 years 

experience in Food Security 

interventions in Kitui Kenya 

and selected countries in Africa, 

reaching over 400,000. SA- 

SOL leads in development of 

water structures for food production 

among others. SA- 

SOLis headquartered in Kitui 

town.

ack 



Kick 

with NGULI MULI 

Keep Your Hands on Your Wallet Even 

as You Cheer Up in these Crowds 

After losing a couple of 

items to conmen at the 

Masaku 7s rugby tournament, 

I think I am qualified 

to join other journalists in 

saying that the tournament 

is anything else but a sports 

event. At the end of the day, 

no one knew – or was even 

interested to know – which 

team won or lost. 

The Masaku 7‘s rugby tournament 

means different 

things to different people. 

While one man could easily 

have spent more than Ksh. 

100,000 in hard-earned 

money just to have the time 

of his life, another man easily 

made the same Ksh.100, 

000 during the same event 

through thieving. 

Conmen exist everywhere 

on the planet. In such big 

events, they will always 

show up in large numbers, 

regardless of the location or 

type of event. Though times 

change and technology revo- 

lutionizes the scams and ripoff 

games, the rules and 

tricks of handling such people 

will more or less stay the 

same. Being cautions and always 

considerably suspicious 

of the next man will usually 

be of help; but does not guarantee 

the safety of your money 

and property. 

Here are some popular ways 

thieves have been making big 

bankrolls out of the unsuspecting 

public. 

The hype moment 

The well-trained conman has 

a good idea of how the human 

mind works. He knows that 

the best time to make his 

move is when your mind is 

distracted by the hype of the 

party. In a match, this could 

be when the teams score and 

you‘re all up celebrating. He‘ll 

be celebrating with you all 

but at the same time, his 

hand is in your pocket. By the 

time you are done clapping, 

your wallet and phone are 

in his pocket. He is obviously 

more focused on 

meeting his daily robbery 

goals. Most people know of 

the New Year festivals 

where phones and wallets 

are snatched just when the 

year is seconds old and the 

crowd is madly jubilated. 

The crowd 

The thief knows that your 

primary concern when 

you‘re in a crowd is getting 

through. Your hands are 

rarely anywhere close to 

your pockets and your 

mind is much further. 

That‘s the moment you 

won‘t even feel his hands in 

your pockets as everyone is 

also trying to push 

through. You will only realize 

you got robbed minutes 

after you‘re out of the 

crowd. 

The street hustlers 

These have considerably


faded off the scene but few 

cases still get reported. These 

ones lack tact and will 

simply rob you in broad daylight 

or in the dark night. 

Especially when you‘re all 

alone, they will bank on 

your fear. They‘ll usually 

start off by demanding for 

some money to buy marijuana 

or cigarettes and once 

you show them how rich you 

are, they can even get violent. 

They‘ll usually move 

around the town as a group 

and can be identified by 

their dressing mode. They 

could have a black or brown 

trench coat with lots of 

pockets to store the ―fruits 

of their labor‖, or just a 

hooded jumper to conceal 

their identity. Usually, they 

don‘t have much worry as 

they‘ll take some hard drugs 

before reporting to their 

hustling stations. 

The fake officer 

Known more commonly in 

the city as ‗kanju‘, these will 

come and attack young boys 

in public places. Normally, 

there are two uniformed 

men without uniform and 

will show up in the park at 

odd hours or in the streets 

when you break simple 

rules. They will threaten to 

have you arrested and, just 

to make their game stronger, 

could even hand cuff you 

and seemingly lead you to a 

police station. This can‘t follow 

through so they‘ll ask 

for a bribe and if you become 

too smart for them, 

they‘ll quit playing around 

and simply rob you honestly. 

The list is virtually endless. 

In events, this is a simple 

rule to go by: Leave your 

expensive property at home. 

A flashy watch could get 

your wrist cut off and a pure 

gold chain could easily put 

you on your deathbed the 

following day. The more expensive 

you look, the easier 

it is to be targeted by robbers. 

Why would they go for 

less when they could get 

more anyway? Carry just 

sufficient money well separated 

in different pockets 

just in case pick pockets 

catch up with you. Also, going 

out with reliable friends 

is helpful. 

When confronted by the 

street gangs or single hustlers, 

don‘t be quick to show 

fear. A little fear makes 

their work easier and they 

wouldn‘t mind letting you 

go safely if you give them 

everything you have. With 

that said, know when to 

give in. Some of these people 

are already high on 

hard drugs when they‘re on 

the streets and will easily 

murder a man who makes 

their job harder. 

With strangers, trust your 

instincts. Generally, a thief 

would rarely ever grow fat 

or have a smooth-looking 

face. They will often have a 

rough expression that‘s never 

relaxed as they expect to 

meet someone who might



Lessons of 

Parable 

another two, and to another 

From page 7 

one;‖ (verse 15). 

Like those servants in that 

part of scripture, we all 

come endowed with one or 

other ―talent‖ but whether 

we discover that is another 

matter entirely. Another is 

to know that one may have 

the talent and not put it to 

good use Many times we 

stray from our talent to do 

other things for many reasons, 

ranging from what our 

parents want, peer pressure, 

available space for another 

course of study after 

failing to meet the cut-off 

mark for a desired course of 

study, or the profitability of 

adventuring into a career 

associated with the talent. 

Some find their way back, 

like many doctors I know 

who are doing everything 

else but that which they 

spent an average of six 

years studying in medical 

school for. 

So Boss gave the talents to 

the servants, ―…to every 

man according to his several 

ability; and straightway 

took his journey.‖ (Verse 

15). Some people refer to 

talent as gifts and need I 

stress anymore that we all 

aren‘t equally gifted, even 

in the same area, field, occupation 

etc (the fingers are 

not equal things). 

We are then told that, ―…he 

that had received the five 

talents went and traded 

with the same and made 

them other five talents.‖ 

(Verse 16). So did the 

one to whom two talents 

were given, for he made another 

two. But the one who 

was given one talent, ―… 

went and dug in the earth, 

and hid his master‘s money.‖ 

(Verse 18). And this is 

the crux of the matter. 

Money works very little in 

storage. Even in the modern 

economy, if you keep your 

money in the bank, you will 

not profit much. You should 

trade with your money. Consider 

the entrepreneurs who 

multiply their money. As an 

employee, you cannot multiply 

your money. This is the 

great lesson Jesus is teaching. 

Trade with your money. 

Again he is teaching that 

there is no amount too small 

t invest. The money with 

one talent could have made 

money, but he chose not to. 

He chose to complain. 

See how the servants with 

five and two ―talents‖ made 

something off the bit they 

were allocated, while the 

one allocated a talent, probably 

felt the little he had 

couldn‘t be invested. 

The master soon returned 

and was full of praises for 

the servants who had 

―traded‖ with the talents 

they had been given saying 

to both of them- ―… 

Well done, thou good and 

faithful servant: thou hast 

been faithful over a few 

things, I will make thee 

ruler over many things: 

enter thou into the joy of 

thy master.‖ (Verse 21 

and 23). 

To the servant whom he 

gave a talent to, he had 

nothing but harsh words, 

describing him as, ―… 

wicked and slothful servant, 

…thou oughtest 

therefore to have put my 

money to the exchangers, 

and then at my coming I 

should have received mine 

own with usury.‖ (Verses 

26 to 27). 

In his fury, the master 

ordered that the talent 

with the erring servant be 

collected and given to the 

one who had ten talents., 

―for those that are given 

he shall have abundance 

but from him that hath 

not it shall be taken away 

even that which he 

hath.‖ (Verse 29) 

The secret Jesus is stating 

is that the rich will continue 

getting richer, and 

the poor getting poorer 

unless we learn to recognize 

opportunities and 

invest in our talents.


What others are saying about 

Kenya and Kenyans 

This time I'll take a break and 

listen to what others are saying 

online about visiting and trading 

in Kenya. I want you to ask 

yourself if these are genuine answers 

(or even genuine portrayal 

of Kenyans) Is the picture being 

painted of Kenyans flattering? 

QUESTION: 

I am traveling to Kenya in September. 

Several years ago, I read 

somewhere that the native Africans 

really like to receive new T 

-shirts with American type logos 

printed on them as "gifts". Is 

this still the case? Also, I understand 

that one can sometimes 

"trade" for handmade objects 

such as spears or crafts etc. Are 

there specific western things that 

the locals particularly like that 

would be good for trading? Is it 

better to refrain from spoiling 

the culture with such things as 

logo shirts, etc.? Thanks for your 

advice and opinions. 

REPLY 1: 

Children will ask you for pens 

and bonbons (candy). They are 

also very glad with the soaps, 

shampoos etc. that your hotel 

provides you with. Trading for 

handmade objects is indeed very 

common. You pay partly in money, 

partly in western objects like 

T-shirts, baseball caps, sports 

shoes, branded socks, etc. These 

things do not have to be new 

(though clean of course). 

You will get lots of addresses 

everywhere you come and people 

will ask you to send them things 

from your country. I however 

doubt that these things will ever 

reach the people they are meant 

for. Kenya is great, were there 

last September and we left a 

piece of heart there. 

REPLY 2: 

I think it really depends on where 

you're going. We were in Kenya 

and Tanzania last month - people 

in the outlying areas were more 

amiable to exchanging gifts, but 

in the city - Mombasa, Nairobi 

they want the cold hard cash. 

Those that would exchange for 

something in the city generally 

wanted money as well. Check 

prices in your hotel gift shop first 

and bargain accordingly. While 

we did bring some pens -Bic ballpoints 

for the kids, there is also 

the theory that Westerners 

shouldn't constantly give stuff 

away because it promotes a begging 

mentality among the children. 

Too late in most cases... 

You can e-mail me if you want 

some more info. 

REPLY 3: 

We were in Kenya and Tanzania 

January 2009. I too had heard 

about trading US objects, so 

brought lots of pens, pencils, 

baseball caps, ribbon, etc. I was 

severely scolded by our driver 

for giving pens & pencils to the 

children. He tells that they 

sharpen the ends and use them 

as weapons against each other 

and he also scolded the children 

for begging. I was told that the 

only acceptable way to donate 

such items was through a school 

or mission. Donations to schools 

are gratefully appreciated. As 

far as trading for gift items, you 

will find that the prices are the 

same with or without the trade. 

Several times the "do you have 

something to trade" routine was 

used as a ploy to hook us into 

buying and thinking it was a 

great deal. It wasn't. The one 

thing that is acceptable is giving 

US shirts or hats to your driver 

as a gift (along with the usual 

tip). All the drivers seemed to 

be proud of their US hats.


Investment News 31

Investment News Magazine - AUG 2015

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