karibu magazine 3rd edition

SOUVENIR EDITION 30TH JULY 2018 

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FROM A 

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MUDHOUSE TO CEO 

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MY LIFE STORY 

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(VOICE OF THE YOUTH) 

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2 www.kenya-airways.com 1ST EDITION | JULY 2016

EDITORIAL 

Greetings and a warm welcome to our third 

edition of the Karibu Magazine 

As the Kenyan community continues to grow 

in the diaspora, the Karibu Magazine continues 

to bridge the gap of Kenyans living in the UK 

and beyond. Changes in the social, economic, 

environmental and political arenas means that 

there’s never a better time than now to focus on 

the different areas such as investment, publicprivate 

partnerships, youth engagement and 

governance to strengthen our community. 

Events such as Kenya and friends in the Park 

which attract over 7000 Kenyans and friends 

of Kenya each year works together with the 

community to facilitate the integration of 

Kenyans into the diaspora lifestyle by harnessing 

the diverse skills, knowledge and expertise of 

different stakeholders. 

As part of this great event and for the first time, 

in 2019, Kenya and friends in the Park will be a 

2-day event affair. Another great opportunity 

to bring the Kenyan community together to 

socialise and network with each other; a platform 

to showcase our culture and brand our Nation 

Kenya to other Countries, no other place better 

than Kenya and Friends in the park forum to 

guide help you with finding information and 

investment opportunities. Our main focus is to 

make sure by the time you leave the event or by 

reading our Magazine, you should be Motivated, 

Transformed, Educated, Entertained and feel 

Inspired. 

Karibu Magazine values the contribution of 

Kenyans and Friend’s Living Abroad and we look 

forward to continued collaboration. 

________________ 

Lydia Tett Olet 

Chief Editor

CONTENTS 

»» 

p.12 

»» 

p.07 »» 

p.19 

»» 

p.52 

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p.56

EDITORIAL 

TEAM 

Publisher. (Mrseed) 

Mr Peter Njiri Karanja 

Tel: +447951220695 

admi.karibu@gmail.com 

Editor in Chief: 

Lydia Olet. 

Tel: +447853207075 

info.karibu@gmail.com 

Editorial Director. 

Alex Kamau 

Graphics & design. 

mrkeya (Noah Keya) 

mrkeya@gmail.com 

+447401307994 

Marketing, Advertising 

and Circulation. 

Mercy Kiminta. 

Tel: +447403159285 

sales.karibu@gmail.com

6 

3RD EDITION | JULY 2017

HIGH COMMISSIONER 

OF KENYA TO THE 

UNITED KINGDOM 

KENYA-UK 

EVENT UPDATES 

KENYA TO HOST HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE 

BLUE ECONOMY FROM 26TH -28TH NOVEMBER, 2018 

Kenya will host a High-Level 

Conference on Sustainable Blue 

Economy from 26th -28th November, 

2018 in Nairobi. The intention to 

host the conference was announced 

during the Third Session of the 

United Nations Environment 

Assembly in Nairobi by President 

Uhuru Kenyatta in December 

2017. The Ministerial Conference 

will provide a forum to promote 

global conversation on sustainable 

development of the Blue Economy. 

The event is expected to attract 

about 6000 participants from all 

UN member States, UN Agencies, 

Regional Economic Communities, 

International Organizations, Civil 

Societies and the private Sector 

engaged in the Blue Economy 

activities. 

The theme of the Conference is Blue 

Economy and the 2030 agenda for 

Sustainable Development. It will 

focus on new technologies and 

innovation for oceans, seas, lakes 

and rivers as well as the challenges, 

potential opportunities, priorities 

and partnerships. The conference 

is anchored on the two conceptual 

pillars of: Sustainability, Climate 

Change and Controlling Pollution, 

and Production, Accelerated 

Economic Growth, Jobs and Poverty 

Alleviation. 

The sub-themes include 

Transportation and Global 

Connectivity; Employment, Job 

Creation and Poverty Eradication; 

Cities, Tourism Entertainment and 

Blue Economy; Energy, Mineral 

Resources and Sustainable 

Development; Ending Hunger, 

Securing food supplies, and 

Promoting good health and 

dietary practices; management 

and sustaining of marine life, 

conservation and sustainable 

economic activity; climate action, 

agriculture and pollution free oceans; 

maritime security and enforcement; 

people communities and societies: 

the inclusive blue economy. 

By hosting the conference Kenya 

affirms its appreciation of the 

importance of conserving and 

sustainably using our oceans, seas, 

lakes, rivers and marine resources 

through enabling cooperation for 

shared prosperity. 

To ensure ownership of the process 

for hosting the Conference by all, the 

Government of Kenya has invited 

co-hosting and Co-Sponsorship from 

Governments and other Institutions. 

Visit www.kenyahighcom.org.uk or 

contact the Kenya High Commission 

through info@kenyahighcom.org.uk 

for more information. 

KENYA JOINS WORLD 

COMMONWEALTH 

LEADERS IN LONDON 

Kenya was among the 53 

countries that attended the 

25th Commonwealth Heads of 

Government meeting (CHOGM) held 

in April in London. The bi-annual 

CHOGM, together with associated 

forums (Youth, Business, Peoples 

and Women’s) provides a regular 

opportunity for Commonwealth 

Leaders to take stock of progress 

or constrains in the achievement 

of its goals and objectives for the 

intervening period and to set 

agendas for the succeeding period. 

It also serves as an ideal forum for 

Leaders to reaffirm the member 

countries’ shared history and their 

commitment to the organisation’s 

common values, ideals and guiding 

principles. CHOGM provides a 

platform for leaders to discuss and 

review shared global challenges, 

and agree on how to work together 

to create a better future for all their 

citizens, particularly the youth. 

The agenda of the meeting 

was the promotion of inclusive 

and sustainable economic 

growth, supporting small and 

vulnerable states and recognition 

of opportunities for economic 

development from the oceans. 

Among the issues agreed on by the 

Commonwealth leaders include: 

to unite and promote economic 

CONTINUES PAGE 14 

3RD EDITION | JULY 2018 7

e 

Daysrtar Hostels 

G. B August 2016 

G B Price: 

Bedsitter: 1.2 M 

1 Bedroom: 1.8 M 

Current Price: 

Bedsitter: 2.2 M 

1 Bedroom: 3.2 M 

300 units of student accomodation 

complete 

furnishe bed sitters 

Green area 

Furnished one bedroom 

Kikuyu Road Phase1 

G. B September 2015 

G.P Price: Ksh 2.6 M 

Current: Ksh 5.5 M 

63 units of two bedrooms- fully occupied 

8 

still numerous opportunities ample basement parking tenants using the lift

email: mary@herihomes.co.ke 

HERI HOMES DILVERS 371 HOUSE THIS YEAR!! 

Last year, 63 houses where handed over to the investors. 

CEO HERI HOMES 

MR KIMOTHO KIMANI 

Heri Homes is a company that develops houses 

in areas that have high rental yield, through the 

use of a law finance strategy ensuring quality 

and affordable house units are delivered. 

It has delivered houses in low end, low-middle 

class and middle- upper class. 

for further information contact 

Kitisuru Phase1 

G. B March 2016 

G.P Price: 

2 B/R 4.5 Ksh 

3 B/R 6.5kSH 

3B/R + DSQ 7.5KSH 

CURRENT 

2B/R KSH 8M 

3B/R KSH9M 

3B/R + DSQ KSH12M 

Kitisuru phase1(71 units now complete)closed 

chapter. Watch this space is perhaps a better 

way of saying it. 

Large kitchen with fitted cabinets 

open plan kitchen- dining 

-- 

MARY NJONJO, 

HEAD OF DIASPORA UK/ 

EUROPE REGION. 

HERI HOMES 

321-323 Chadwell Heath, 

Office 1, RomfORD, RM6 6AX 

Contacts : +44 7568 752 228, 

+44 74O4 679 182 

Email: mary@herihomes.co.ke 

www.herihomes.co.ke 

Kitisuru phase2 - nickname 

diaspora village as all house 

9

EMPIRE COLLEGE LONDON 

WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS YOUR FUTURE 

Message from Lydia Tett olet 

People often ask me where I 

get my skills from, especially 

when it comes to marketing. 

As an entrepreneur, I see 

no problem, no matter your 

age, in seeking education 

to help with your business or 

projects, adding on to the 

skills you already have. Here is 

my secret: Although I 

have been in business and 

self-employment most of my 

adult life, I decided to take 

a business management 

course. Furthermore, 

finding a place that could 

accommodate my hectic life 

style and schedule, being 

a mother to 3 gorgeous 

girls as well as a full time 

entrepreneur always on 

the move, I chose Empire 

College London. 

Empire College London was 

able to fit right into my hectic 

schedule in 

terms of time table and 

flexibility, the friendliness 

and helpfulness of the staff to 

the different courses 

offered. I thoroughly 

enjoyed the one on one help 

and support from teachers, 

employment weeks, field 

work, 

which includes interacting 

with real businesses. I 

definitely recommend Empire 

College London to anyone 

who wants to further their 

career and 

higher education. I am 

currently studying Higher 

National Diploma (HND) in 

Business Management to 

enhance my business skills. 

For more information on 

Empire College London, 

go to www.ecl.ac 

Empire College London 

Forest House 

16-20 Clements Road Ilford, 

Essex, IG1 1BA 

Phone: +44-208-5532683 

Fax: +44-208-5532684 

Email: info@ 

empirecollegelondon.co.uk 

Courses details information 

Level 5 Diploma in Education 

and Training (DET) 

Become a qualified teacher in the 

Learning and Skills Sector 

Overview: This qualification is suitable 

for those who work or want to work 

as teachers in the Learning and 

Skills Sector, i.e. further, adult and 

community education, work-based 

learning and the voluntary sector. 

Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National 

Diploma in Business (Business 

Management) (RQF) 

Enhance you Business Skills and 

Knowledge 

Overview: The HND in Business (Business 

Management) course covers a broad 

range of business and management 

modules from information systems to 

market economics and financial decision 

making. This means that you will have a 

wealth of knowledge to take into your 

employment or to enable you to carry on 

and top up your HND to a 

degree at University. An HND in 

Business (Business Management) 

is a perfect introduction to 

working in financial services, 

business administration or a 

career in management. The HND 

programme is an equivalent to 

a 2nd year of a UK University 

Degree. This course leads to a 

recognised qualification which is 

accepted by several universities 

for direct entry into the final year 

of a Degree programme. 

10 


Send money home to Kenya the fast, low cost way 

WorldRemit offers you an instant 

way to send money online and stay 

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home. 

Take sisters, Linda and Jackie. 6,000 

miles separates them, but they stay 

connected thanks to WorldRemit. 

Linda who now lives in the UK regularly 

sends money to Jackie back in 

Kenya - money she and her children 

really couldn’t do 

Send money home to Kenya the fast, 

low cost waywithout. 

“The money I get from my sister 

means I can maintain myself in school, 

do some shopping and pay my house 

rent.” The money goes instantly 

to Jackie’s M-Pesa Mobile Money 

account. She uses it to pay bills, rent 

and school fees, directly from her 

mobile phone. 

Why does Linda choose WorldRemit? 

Because it’s fast, low cost, simple and secure.Visit 

www.worldremit.com 

and see for yourself 

3RD EDITION | JULY 2018 

11

Angelina Namiba 

What is HIV and AIDS? 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV) - is a virus that that 

damages the cells of your immune system and weakens 

your ability to fight everyday infections and disease. 

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS) is the 

condition that comes from HIV after your immune system 

stops working. The correct term to use when referring to 

people who have the virus is, people living with HIV, not 

AIDS. These days we have highly effective Anti-Retroviral- 

Treatment (ARVs), medication which can control HIV, 

making it a long term manageable condition. 

Today, someone living with HIV who takes their ARVs 

every day, on time and as advised by their healthcare 

provider and has an undetectable viral load, cannot 

pass HIV onto either their unborn child, or their sexual 

partner. This concept is known as U=U (Undetectable = 

Untransmissible) It is important that all people are aware 

of this, as it has the potential to make a difference in how 

we think about and treat people with HIV. 

12 3RD EDITION | | JULY 2017 2018

Focus on Talking frankly about HIV 

Why do we still need to talk 

about and to care about HIV? 

Because, amongst others, there are 

still widespread misconceptions 

about HIV. All these combined, 

fuel HIV stigma, which is killing 

our communities. Stigma prevents 

people from testing for HIV, from 

accessing the vital health and 

social care services they need in 

order to live well with HIV, from 

talking to their significant others 

about their HIV status for fear that 

they will be rejected or ostracised, 

and stigma prevents people from 

staying engaged in live-saving 

healthcare services that are 

essential for their health and wellbeing. 

The reality today is that, with 

access to treatment care and 

support, people living with HIV 

can have a life expectancy similar 

to people not living with HIV, they 

can have relationships and families 

and they work and contribute to 

society. People living with HIV are 

just like you and me. 

UNAIDS (The Joint United 

Nations Programme on HIV and 

AIDS) estimates that there are 

approximately 36.7 million people 

living with HIV worldwide, many 

Kenyans either live with or know 

someone who is living with or 

affected by HIV. 

And I should know. I have been 

living with HIV for more than 2 

decades. 

I was diagnosed at a time when 

the highly effective ARVs were not 

available. I watched many friends 

and close relatives get ill and 

pass away. But I consider myself 

very lucky, because I had access 

to three very vital things which 

helped me cope with my status, 

get the support I needed and 

subsequently start working in the 

HIV sector. 

I was offered a job in almost the 

same week I was diagnosed – 

meaning, I didn’t have to spend 

time in the house worrying 

about my HIV; I had access to 

peer support who gave me the 

motivation to carry on; and I was 

blessed with a beautiful baby girl 

– born 5 years after my diagnosis. 

She was born HIV negative, 

because by then I had access to 

treatment care and support. That 

is how far we had come from those 

early days of having no treatment. 

So just how far have we come 

in terms of HIV prevention 

treatment and care? 

It’s been just over 30 years into the 

epidemic and we have come a long 

way indeed. We now have more 

than 30 effective drugs to treat & 

control HIV. It means that people 

have more options to change their 

treatment if one is ineffective. The 

reality today is that, someone living 

with HIV who adheres to their ARVs 

and has an undetectable viral load 

cannot pass HIV on. 

Scientifically therefore, we have 

made great strides in the right 

direction. We now have effective 

treatment to treat and manage 

HIV; we have a diverse toolbox of 

prevention options, and amongst 

others, testing for HIV. The only 

way you can find out whether 

you have HIV is to test. Treatment 

not only controls HIV, it can also 

prevent someone who is not living 

with HIV, from catching HIV. This 

is known as PrEP (Pre-Exposure 

Prophylaxis). It is however 

important to note that taking 

ARVs is not just about preventing 

onward transmission, it is, first and 

foremost about enabling a good 

quality of life for the person living 

with HIV. 

Stigma on the other hand, has not 

yet caught up with the progress 

of science. Stigma not only exists 

within wider society, it significantly 

affects individuals at a personal 

level. We all have a role to play in 

order to take steps to challenge 

stigma both and an individual and 

at a societal level. 

We all need the Knowledge – 

correct information, the Will – to 

test and access services if need 

be and the Power – to continue 

engaging in health and social care 

services and to support those 

living with or affected by HIV. 

At an individual level we can: 

Change the way we think about 

HIV. HIV is virus, it does not define 

who you are. Kick stigma out of 

our lives, by not accepting the 

negativity that people project 

about HIV. HIV is an equal 

opportunities illness, it does not 

discriminate, young or old, rich or 

poor, black or white, anyone can 

get HIV: Mind the language we use 

when we refer to HIV. Instead of 

saying someone has AIDS, say they 

live with HIV; instead of saying I 

want to disclose to you, say I want 

to talk/tell share something with 

you… 

We can shift the way we 

use Social Media - instead 

of sharing scary incorrect 

information why not try 

sharing inspiring, positive 

stories about people living 

well with HIV? 

At a societal and wider level, 

institutions like the media and 

churches to name just a couple, 

can do a lot of good in addressing, 

challenging and shifting the 

paradigm around HIV stigma. 

These institutions have the power 

and potential reach out to and 

change the minds and attitudes of 

millions. They can lead by example 

by spreading the real facts, and 

not fear about HIV. Asanteni sana 

Kenya in the Park for leading by 

example and publishing this article. 

For someone newly diagnosed 

with HIV today, my message to you 

would be; you are not alone, there 

are millions of us living well with 

HIV today. Find an organisation 

that can link you to other people 

living with HIV as there is no 

underestimating the value of peer 

support. And finally, take your 

medication and stay engaged 

in health care. HIV is a tiny virus, 

it does not define who you are. 

With access to treatment care and 

support, you can lead a healthy, 

fulfilling life, have a relationship, 

start a family and have a job, just 

like any other individual in society. 

END 


FROM PAGE 7 

growth through 

exploitation 

HIGH COMMISSIONER 

OF KENYA TO THE of enormous 

UNITED KINGDOM resources 

domiciled in 

the oceans, 

mechanisms to boost trade 

within the group to $2 trillion and 

confronting the security threats. 

At the meeting, Kenya offered to 

champion the development of 

‘the Blue Economy’ provided for 

by Commonwealth Blue Charter 

adopted in CHOGM 2018. Kenya 

and Canada will co-host the Blue 

Economy Conference in November 

26-28, 2018 in Nairobi. 

The Cabinet Secretary for Foreign 

Affairs Amb. Monica Juma said the 

focus on oceans was more critical 

for Africa where at least 50 percent 

of cities are located at sea level. 

She said threats and opportunities 

related to the oceans have a direct 

effect on at least half of settlements 

on the African Continent. 

During the Commonwealth Meeting, 

Kenya was appointed to Chair the 

Commonwealth Ministerial Action 

Group (CMAG) dealing with issues of 

conflict and governance. Kenya will 

chair CMAG for two years deputised 

by Australia. 

While in London one of the 

President’s priority agenda was trade 

and investment between Kenya and 

Britain since the United Kingdom 

is one of the biggest trading 

partners of Kenya. In this regard, 

His Excellency the President held a 

Roundtable discussion with key UK 

based Business Executives where 

he highlighted legal and policy 

reforms which have contributed 

to the improvement in the World 

Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ 

ranking of the Country and called on 

them to increase their investments 

in the country. The Head of State 

emphasised that UK is an important 

and leading investor in Kenya with 

at least 220 British companies 

operating in Kenya running business 

valued at more than 2.7 billion 

Sterling Pounds and providing both 

direct and indirect employment to 

over 250,000 Kenyans. 

During the 2018 CHOGM the 

President met the UK leadership 

including Her Majesty Queen 

Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince 

William and the Prime Minister Rt 

Hon Theresa May. 

On the side-lines of CHOGM 2018, 

the President met with the Canadian 

Prime Minister, Justine Trudeau who 

invited President Kenyatta for the 

June 2018 G7 Summit to be held in 

Quebec. The summit main focus was 

climate change, security and trade. 

This underscored Kenya’s role as a 

Key player in search for stability in 

the East Africa Region. He also met 

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pakistani 

Prime Minister with whom they 

agreed on the need to urgently 

review bilateral trade engagements 

since the trade volumes between the 

two countries have been reducing 

over the last few years. The Head of 

State had an opportunity to deliver 

an address at Chatham House, 

London on “Kenya’s priorities for 

inclusive growth: towards domestic 

development and regional peace” 

as well as attend a live interview by 

CNN. 

KENYA’S DEVELOPMENT 

AGENDA 2018-2022: 

THE BIG FOUR 

Following his re-election, 

His Excellency President 

Kenyatta shared his focus 

on the “BIG FOUR” Agenda 

aimed at improving 

livelihoods, create jobs and 

grow the economy of Kenya 

by focusing on the critical 

areas of the economy in the 

next five years. 

1. Food Security & 

Nutrition: 100% Food 

and Nutrition Security 

commitment 

2. Enhancing 

Manufacturing: From 

9.2% to 20 % of GDP by 

2022 

3. Universal Health 

Coverage: Achieve 

100% Universal Health 

Coverage by scaling up 

NHIF uptake 

4. Affordable Housing: 

New 500,000 affordable 

homes For more info. 

Visit: www.president. 

go.ke 

14 


KAWELE 

MISTONY 

ZANGI 

Kenya & Friends 

in the Park 

2019 

2DAYS EVENT 

27TH - 28TH JULY 2019 

___________________________ 

ENTRY FEE: 

£15 for one day only 

£20 for two days 

under 18’s free 

___________________________ 

We celebrate Africa as we embark on our 

5years journey. 

Sunday special is a full house with Artist 

performing from all over African. 

________________________________ 

For tickets call: 

+44 0 785 320 7075 

+44 0 7403 159 285 

+44 0 7446 082 958 

________________________________ 

EMAIL: 

Kenyainthepark2016@gmail.com 

Online booking: TBC 

________________________________ 

More information: 

www.kenyainthepark.com 

________________________________ 

Venue to be confirmed 


16 



FROM A GRASS- THATCHED MUDHOUSE TO CEO 

Ezekiel Mutua 

Kenya Film Classication Board (KFCB) 

CEO Ezekiel Mutua casts his mind back 

to an impoverished childhood when 

his family floundered. His resilience 

and audacity to dream big enabled him 

to see beyond the grim narrow view 

presented to him and today, his sweat 

has paid off 

People know you as the stern KFCB 

boss, but please allow us to dig 

deeper, decades back into your 

childhood. How was it back then? 

Well, I was born half a century ago (I’m 

that old) in Kaloleni, Machakos county 

to peasant farmers, Joseph and Esther 

Nyithya. I think when I was born, they 

probably thought I would be the last 

born boy but they ended up with two 

more. We had nothing at the time. Living 

in a grass-thatched mudhouse, we 

survived on handouts from well-wishers 

and the resilience of my mother. My 

father was polygamous and a drug 

addict. He would get violent and 

it was terribly hurtful. We grew up 

in a very oppressive environment. 

We were so poor we could not pay 

attention in class. Poor people used 

to call us poor. My mother borrowed, 

begged and did chores for people 

in the village to make ends meet. 

Sometimes the land wouldn’t give 

anything. 

That sounds awful. Were you able 

to stay focused at school with all 

the chaos at home? 

I worked very hard in school 

regardless of the turmoil at home. 

In fact, I was taken to school really 

late when a teacher, who was my 

father’s drinking buddy, told my 

father to do so because (he said) I 

was intelligent and wasting away 

at home. I enrolled at 10 years old 

and topped my class every term 

despite that gap of missing school. 

My teachers wanted me to skip a 

grade but I chose to go through the 

normal system until 1983 when I did 

my Certificate for Primary Education 

(CPE). My excellent grades landed 

me an offer at Machakos High 

School but my parents could not 

afford it. The following year, I ended 

up in a school called Popular High 

School in Kangundo, where I would 

sometimes go hungry for days, 

before finally transiting to another 

school. Despite the hardships, it 

gave me bearing and I performed 

really well in the end and seized a 

place at Kenyatta University to study 

BA in Sociology and Linguistics in 

1992. I was later on called to do 

18 


masters but I couldn’t afford it because 

I had to support my five siblings and so 

I deferred. 

This must have been a defining 

moment for you. Coming from an 

underprivileged background and 

working your way up diligently to a 

college education was no mean feat. 

It was a very important period that 

changed the course of my life. While in 

Uni, I used to speak in meetings and at 

one time, the late luminary politician 

Mulu Mutisya was impressed by my 

oratory skills and before long, I was 

invited to State House in the presence 

of the former President, Daniel Arap 

Moi. It wasn’t just a one-time thing. 

By the time I graduated, I was very 

exposed and got posted to Siaya as a 

district officer. Six months afterwards, 

I came back to Nairobi to figure things 

out and again landed a job with Nation 

Media Group. This was in 1994, a time 

when the political arena was shifting 

with the advent of multi-partyism and 

expansion of the democratic space. 

Journalism in the country was growing 

and liberalized. It was a time when 

journalists were getting incredible 

training and could challenge the status 

quo. I benefited from these trainings 

and rose through the ranks to become 

an editor and simultaneously got 

appointed head of Kenya Union of 

Journalists (KUJ) in 1998. I however 

had to resign from my employment in 

2002 and focus on KUJ as the secretary 

general. In 2007, I applied for the 

position of director of information and 

public communication as advertised by 

the State and got the job. 

Wow. That must have been a 

controversial turn of events. 

It was. I was from the trade union 

fighting for rights of workers and 

now I was in the government doing 

policy. The media called me a sellout 

for joining the people I had been 

opposing. Let’s just say it was another 

chapter of my life. I finally registered 

for my Master’s degree that year and 

my Phd four years later. To enrich 

myself and serve my country well, I 

took on more courses at the School of 

Government, in relation to my work. 

In 2011, the president recognized 

you for your industriousness. Was it 

surreal? 

It was a humbling honour that nobody 

would have predicted. I had toiled 

so hard all my life, scaled the fringes 

of poverty that had once devastated 

my family, to receiving a Moran of the 

Order of the Burning Spear (MBS). It 

was heartwarming. 

It is remarkable that as someone 

who was born into hardships 

without sufficient resources, you 

have channeled your way up to 

become the CEO of Kenya Film 

Classification Board. What comes 

to your mind when you take a trip 

down memory lane? 

It reminds me that where you are 

born does not always determine your 

destiny. You have to find your bearing. 

We’re all born with our destinies set 

in the hands of God but, it’s up to us 

to work it out. We have to identity 

this opportunities. A lot of things 

shape our destiny. With resilience, 

perseverance and focus, you can thrive 

in an environment that someone else 

cannot. God has been with me. I like 

encouraging other people. I’m actually 

a motivational speaker who reaches 

out to the youth and sometimes 

preach when invited to churches. 

Not only have you advanced in your 

career but you have a family of your 

own now. Have your childhood 

experiences shaped the kind of 

husband and father you are today? 

Even before I got married to the love 

of my life in 1997, I had vowed to be a 

better partner and father. My first born 

son was born a year after we tied the 

knot and his brother came 10 years 

later. They have brought us so much 

joy and they will never go through that 

lack of basic needs, love and emotional 

support as long we’re alive. They don’t 

have to go through the narrow view of 

life that was presented to me because 

I couldn’t get exposure. I encourage 

them to have values of hard work, 

knowing that nothing comes easy in 

life. They must strive for their success. 

If I live for nothing else, I would be so 

proud to say that my children have 

been insulated and protected from 

the hardships I went through. My 

family comes first and my extended kin 

understand that. 

Incredible. How did you and your 

wife meet? 

We met in Uni and were good friends. 

We maintained our friendship 

even after college and years later 

we reunited and as they say, the 

rest is history. She is my friend and 

confidante. 

Has fatherhood been kind to you so 

far? 

I realize that parenting has no experts. 

I have my own challenges, failures and 

limitations but every day, I try to be 

the best father and husband. I try to 

provide them with the space they need 

to grow and be happy. I feel humbled 

because my children find inspiration in 

me. They get the opportunities they 

want through our support. As long as 

it’s something that adds value to their 

life then it doesn’t matter how much 

it will cost. I’ve gone through lack and 

want, and I know how it feels when you 

cannot get access to opportunities that 

could thrust you to a better platform. 

My kids have people they can look up 

to and I try to make sure they are in the 

right environment. I never want them 

to walk alone in life. 

Name one aspect, among the many, 

about your children that fascinates 

you? 

I feel so proud to see them pick 

themselves up when they sometimes 

don’t get good grades in school. I 

encourage them not to look at what 

other people have and compare 

themselves but to run their race. It’s 

a task to teach kids that because 

we (parents) also fail. They see us 

comparing ourselves to others, going 

for likes on social media and seeking 

approval from society. Parents struggle 

with their own weaknesses but still 

want to be a role model to their 

children. I think it’s about being open, 

appreciating that you could still fail at 

your best and it’s a normal part of life. 

You only have to keep going. 


THE 

JOURNEY OF 

RADIO 

AFRICA 

NETHERLNDS 

I’m Abeka S. Abdallah, Graduate 

of Media studies and meticulous 

Media driven and digital 

marketing practitioner with 

excellent communication and 

organisational skills of over 

10yrs, having worked in Africa 

for different local and leading 

international media houses 

as content creator to program 

director and host. Working on 

different projects from hard 

news, live coverage, investigative 

pieces, commercial and 

infomercials and documentaries. 

I was seconded to the European 

Union by AP( Associated Press), 

working on African stories on 

the development projects of 

EU. This made me understand 

and realize how information was 

being distorted when it comes 

to media reporting ,more to the 

African in Europe especially in 

Netherlands where language 

barrier is a big stumbling block. 

African and Kenyan in the 

BENELUX region have no source 

of information dissemination 

and if there was then it was 

not accurate to the reality or 

happening on the Continent . 

My short stint at the regional 

broadcaster here in the 

Netherlands open my eye to the 

need and demand of African 

broadcaster with African content 

created by African. 

This was due to how our stories 

are being told and produced. 

Our stories are being told 

from touristic point of view , 

where African countries are 

viewed from the lenses of 

20

poverty, corruption and poor 

leadership, irony we have most 

of Africans in diaspora are 

doing commendable jobs either 

privately or publicly. They are 

influencers when it comes to 

policy making, though their 

voices sometimes lack channels 

to share and sensitize fellow 

Africans. 

There was need for sensitisation 

and appreciation amongst the 

Kenyan and by large African 

community in Netherlands, 

hence the born of African Radio 

NL. We are glad to be discussing 

topical issues and stories of 

human interests where we share 

our stories freely and motivate 

each other. 

Radio Africa NL focuses mainly 

on the prevailing technological 

presence and boom to reach 

the targeted audience, that 

is through social media. We 

have seen the growth of our 

listenership going beyond 

Europe and this motivates us to 

how there was need for online 

Radio 

I believe in 5 years we will have 

a full broadcast station for the 

whole of Europe and true source 

of information for the Africans in 

Europe. We thrive to be accurate 

in our reporting and change 

narrative of African stories. 

We have grown from a one 

person concept to a team of 

4 people currently working at 

Radio Africa. The growth can only 

signify one thing, there was need 

and demand 

For information dissemination. 

21

Thanks to all ourVolunteers 

22 



Design by Alex email: lensdesign07@gmail.com 

For latest news and happening in our Communities 

www.misterseed.com 

WHO WE ARE 

The biggest community website outside Kenya 

Over 5,000 people have bought properties 

through the website 

Peter Karanja well known as 

Mr. Seed of www.misterseed.com is 

the first Kenyan to create a community 

website since 1999. 

Over 40 couples have met and married through 

the website 

Hundreds of lost friends have met and reunited 

through this great website 

Hundreds of emotional and life changing stories 

through these one stop shop 

Hundreds of orphans and poor children have 

greatly benefited from www.misterseed.com 

“It is the most talked website in the Diaspora” 

GET INFORMATION 

ABOUT WHATS HAPPENING 

IN YOUR COMMUNITY 


24 


FROM A GRASS- THATCHED MUDHOUSE TO CEO 

Ezekiel Mutua 

As the head of the State’s content 

regulating corporation and a parent, 

how do you ensure your children’s 

use of the internet does not corrupt 

their safety? 

It’s a very difficult aspect of parenting. I 

always pray for them and advise them. 

In respect to social media, I know that 

you can’t win the war by denying them 

this access. It only spikes their curiosity. 

We have conversations about the good 

and the bad. Internet is powerful, 

good for information and education, 

which definitely opens their world 

view. I’ve given them access to all the 

technology kids can have at their age, 

legally, and with guidance and proper 

surveillance to ensure it is not harmful. 

My wife is a career educationist who’s 

very good at detecting things and 

having these conversations. We do it as 

a team. I want them to have the best 

and interact with technology but also 

understand that it’s a double edged 

sword. We teach them to avoid harmful 

content such as detecting bullies and 

saying no to online harassment, of 

not only them but other people too. My 

youngest son has a phone but he knows 

when to deliver it to our bedroom. He only 

gets it over the weekend. Even then he has 

to balance its use. There is a time to play 

outside with other kids and time for family 

games. 

What other rules do you have in place? 

Right now we’ve put a caveat that there 

are no sleep overs and not because I don’t 

trust their friends’ parents. They will grow 

up, leave home and sleep wherever they 

want to, but for now, I just want to spend as 

much time as I can with my kids knowing 

that they are safe under our wing. Of course 

they protested but they understand that 

you don’t always get what you want in life. 

That brings us to discipline which some 

people often confuse with punishment. 

How do you go about it? 

I don’t believe in crude methods such as 

physical or emotional abuse as forms of 

discipline. The idea of discipline is to restore 

not to destroy. Punishing is not the way 

to go. We always talk about things. Life 

is about rules and regulations and there 

are consequences when they are broken. 

Children need to be taught that we are all 

accountable for our deeds. There are rules 

at home and they have to be followed as 

long as they are under my roof. I make sure 

I’m present in their life in order to guide 

them. Because of the nature of my job and 

my wife’s, we may occasionally spend long 

hours at the office or even travel but always 

ensure we spend quality time together. 

Do you ever worry that they may get a 

wrong image of you from what they see 

on TV or social media? 

No, I don’t because my family knows me. 

Sometimes I end up in the media where 

people may be bashing me and my 

younger son will come to me and reassure 

me that it’s going to be okay. And in that 

moment, those words are so powerful and 

mean the world to me. 

There has been a public outcry that you 

stifle local content but allow foreign 

material to air even when they bear 

the very nature that you censor the 

former for. Is it true that the yardstick is 

unequal? 

We fairly analyse all content. We block a 

lot of foreign content if it doesn’t abide 

by the rules, which are universal. We are 

not against the local creatives. People 

want to create content that is against the 

dominant values of our people and that is 

not acceptable. Our decisions are informed 

by law, rationality and fairness. Sometimes 

we make mistakes and it’s normal but we 

try to minimize such issues. We are only 

encouraging a space where art and film 

speak to the dominant values of the Kenyan 

people. Film and media set the agenda. 

The fact that we are against homosexual 

content doesn’t mean we have a personal 

vendetta against the LGBTQ community. 

We don’t hate them. We are going into a 

direction where we are amending some 

rules so that our work becomes advisory 

and inclusive but still protect children from 

mature content. 

Lastly, do you feel like your work as KFCB 

chief is unappreciated by the people you 

serve? 

Our role as regulator of film and broadcast 

content is very important. As the CEO 

and accounting officer, I take the blame if 

anything goes wrong. Regulation is about 

dos and don’ts and that is not an easy job. 

I’m aware of my mandate and you can’t be 

a regulator if you want to be liked. Most of 

the time, regulation is not popular because 

you are denying people something and 

especially in an industry that is on a free-fall 

like media. I’m here trying to promote our 

culture, national aspirations and morality, 

in a world bombarded with foreign 

content, negative ideologies and mediocre 

sensationalism. I’m not looking for approval 

from people, but I appreciate that there 

are people who see what I do. People who 

matter to me, my wife and sons appreciate 

the work I do. I want to make a difference 

by balancing between regulation and 

freedom of expression. Sometimes we have 

to make hard decisions and that naturally 


Kenyans in 

Hertfordshire 

I came to Watford in the mid 90`s. My aim was 

to study acquire more skills and head back to 

homeland Kenya where I would use my skills to 

better myself, support my parents and my family. 

I was still very young having just completed my 

National Diploma in Electrical Engineering at the 

Mombasa polytechnic and the UK was the perfect 

destination for me to realise my dream 

Life in the UK was not easy. I did not have many 

Kenyans or African friends therefore most of 

my spare time was spent indoors watching telly, 

reading magazines with the occasion listening to 

the radio. The internet was not yet developed, 

the music was different, the food was not what 

I was used to, making a call back home was very 

expensive and therefore it felt very lonely and 

homesick but I was somehow lucky because my 

brother was already studying here and through 

him I had met other Kenyans some who are still 

in the UK and we have maintained our friendship 

to this day. 

My wife joined me in 2000 and between n 2003 

and 2007 we were blessed with two children. 

The year 2000 saw a big change in lifestyle. Unlike 

the mid 90`s the Kenyan population in Watford 

had grown significantly but there was still 

no cohesiveness and even though Kenyans knew 

each other we never came together with an aim 

of supporting each other. Looking at my young 

children I realised that part of their identity as 

a Kenyan would vanish and they would remain 

Kenyan only by virtue of having been born of 

Kenyan parents. I shared this thought with a 

few friends and we agreed to form a group that 

would unite us, celebrate us and support each 

other in times of need. This was not straight 

forward as not all Kenyans bought into this idea. 

Most people were happy to carry on as they 

did, working and supporting themselves the 

best way they knew. However, in 2012 we had a 

breakthrough and majority of Kenyans living in 

Hertfordshire bought into the idea prompting the 

formation of Kenyans Hertfordshire Association. I 

was nominated Chairman of the group a position 

I hold to this day. 

Some of the aims of our group are: 

1. To bring together all people from 

Kenya and people of Kenyan heritage 

living in Hertfordshire for a 

united Kenyan community. 

2. To identify members’ needs and 

offer support where necessary. 

3. To educate members, including 

our youth the different Kenyan cultures 

and importance of National 

unity. 

4. To Promote economic, Social, Cultural, 

and Civic activities among 

members and communities, and to 

the extent possible, seize opportunities 

to display and teach Kenyan 

culture to the larger communities 

26 3RD EDITION | | JULY 2017 2018

of Hertfordshire and 

the United Kingdom. 

5. To act as ambassadors 

for both nations 

The United Kingdom 

and Kenya. 

6. To mentor our young 

men and women 

teaching them the importance 

of unity and 

our Kenyan culture 

We have continuously engaged 

our community through 

a wide range of events; projects 

and social and emotional 

support to our members and 

the wider society. 

Some of our previous events 

include; 

· Kenyan Cultural Day at 

Watford Elim Church. 

· Annual “Nyama Choma 

Festival (Goat eating 

party)” in Watford and 

at Nash Mills, Hemel 

Hempstead. An annual 

event since 2014. 

· International Food day 

at Nash Mills C of E 

Primary School (an annual 

event) 

· Annual Kenyans in 

Herts Christmas party 

two consecutive years 

2016 and 2017 both in 

Hemel Hempstead. (In 

2017 it was graced by 

His Worship the Mayor 

of Dacorum David Collins). 

· In 2017 we sent a 

team to represent the 

group in the black history 

month where we 

showcased Kenyan 

culture through outfit, 

ornaments and had 

one of our youth recite 

a poem. 

· In addition to this event 

we act as a point of 

contact linking the 

Kenyans in Hertfordshire 

with other Kenyan 

groups in the UK 

e.g. Kenya Community 

Rebuild and Kenya in 

The Park. 

Kenyans in Hertfordshire 

communicates to Kenyans 

mainly through Facebook, 

WHATSAPP, direct texting and 

word-of -mouth. We have over 

300 Kenyans in our database 

that we can reach out using 

our various media. 

I enjoy working for my community 

and would not have 

accomplished my role as 

chairperson without the wonderful 

support from my Kenyan 

brothers and sisters to 

whom I am always grateful. 

My wife and children understand 

and share my vision 

always ready to support me 

with an aim of bringing the 

community together. 

My vision is to see the young 

men and women embrace the 

unity and culture of Kenyans 

as envisaged by the founding 

fathers of our great nation. 

3RD EDITION | | JULY 2017 2018 

27

Voice of the youth 

SAM ANDRE JACKSON 

Name: Sam Andre Jackson 

Age: 19 

Location: Coventry, Warwickshire 

Actor, Extra, Model, Dancer 

I was born in Barking East London where I lived 

with my mum and siblings before moving to the 

city of Coventry. At a young age, I realised that I 

had a natural intelligence. This realisation mostly 

happened at school, I enjoyed learning but I 

wasn’t always attentive, however, I understood 

things quickly and managed to get high marks 

in my studies with minimal revision. Despite my 

intelligence, I felt like I was different from other kids 

at school because of my race. Though I was born 

in the UK, I didn’t know where I would fit in and be 

completely accepted, as I grew older in primary 

school, I felt like I was starting to fit in and I was 

interacting more with my fellow schoolmates. 

When I started high school, I was one of the only 

black people in the entire school, at first I didn’t 

think I would fit in or be able to relate to them, 

but now I would say it Is a factor which actually 

helped with my confidence. I was very well known 

at the school, and people wanted to be my friend 

and learn about the culture, people approached 

me freely and I got a lot of attention, this led to 

many relationships being formed with people and 

my confidence continued to grow around them. 

Because of the situations I’ve been in, I am able to 

relate and understand all different types of people 

and cultures. 

I have always been a free soul and have a passion 

for basketball and acting, my interest in acting has 

always been there, but I had never actually acted 

on it. It was a subject that I completely enjoyed, If 

I heard about a school play or audition, you would 

find me there. I enjoyed acting so much I tried to 

get into it outside of school, but breaking into it 

always proved to be a problem. 

I would say I’ve experienced many things in my 

life and they have shaped me to be the man I am 

today, every experience leads to a new product, 

which Is why I don’t regret or wish things could 

have happened differently, and I thank God that 

I’m fortunate enough to be able to think like I do. 

I have been set up to have a good career and a 

comfortable life. 

I have always been a highly motivated individual 

and always push to achieve what I want in life, this 

dedication is showcased through things like my 

YouTube channel, I wanted to show off my talents 

and YouTube was the easiest way to do so. I started 

my channel by creating African comedy videos 

which received a lot of love, this motivated me to 

carry on. 

My lifelong love for music began to creep into 

my channel, I began listening to and reviewing 

different types of music which started to slowly 

gain an audience, the start was slow but the more 

videos I put up the more I was noticed, within 

a few weeks I was gaining thousands of views. 

I continued to create content and within a few 

months of hard work, I was gaining thousands of 

views per day! I continued to grow and my channel 

was gaining 100s of subscribers per month. The 

400+ videos I’ve created is just a single example 

28 


of my dedication and perseverance. 

Within a year I had over 1 million 

minutes of content watched and was 

easily gaining thousands of views per 

video. 

But like many situations in life things 

don’t always go to plan, my channel 

was disabled because of a few minor 

problems, it was a shame that the hard 

work didn’t mean much in the end. I 

knew I had a large impact on people 

when I could see that fans were having 

a harder time dealing with it than me. 

Many people would have been 

completely demoralised because of 

this, but I have always been a positive 

person, instead of thinking about the 

negatives I thought about all the skills 

I had developed and the impact I had 

on others. I became able to effectively 

promote myself and others through 

social media, my knowledge on media 

and editing were much greater, I was 

much more confident in front of a 

camera and it also translated into my 

everyday social interactions. I laugh 

when I think about how crazy I must 

have looked to people who walked 

past my living room window and saw a 

man talking to himself. 

People from around the world looked 

at me for help when creating their 

own brand, I became much more 

than a person who just made videos, 

I have always said that people should 

use the influence they have to spread 

as much positivity as possible and 

create good mindsets in people. I 

remember one time there was a music 

artist who was bullied by another for 

wearing a tracksuit which wasn’t a 

designer. I couldn’t understand why 

people were so ignorant to reality and 

quickly became sheep, to combat this I 

made a video talking about how large 

franchises rip off their consumers and 

how these people who were bullying 

were actually the ones being scammed. 

Many large companies do not care 

about their consumers and have no 

moral code, money is their motivator, 

and if they cared for their consumers 

they wouldn’t lie to them through 

advertisement and make them believe 

that a logo is really worth £200. By 

promoting these companies directly or 

even indirectly by putting others down 

you’re only making them richer, people 

do all of this while the same brand they 

are promoting is ripping them off. 

This is one of the many topics I have 

talked about on, I want people to 

always look at the positives in life, look 

at what you gained from a situation 

rather than what you lost, some losses 

are harder to take than others, but 

a lot of the time the losses build our 

character more than the victories. Think 

as individuals and be leaders, stop 

discrimination, prejudice and injustice, 

spread positivity and always think 

about the bigger picture rather than 

just temporary little pleasures in life. 

My advice to the youth in the UK Is 

to not forget our customs, values, 

let us the youth from Kenya set a 

good example to the youths in other 

countries and make them want to 

strive to be like us. 

Most of us from the minority ethnic 

background identify as British citizens. 

We have a dual nationality and we 

are indeed so lucky. As minorities let’s 

have a vision of taking our rightful 

place as fruitful members of the society 

and make the most of the available 

opportunities we have without 

adversely affecting the strong family 

and community network that Africans 

are known for. Let’s refrain from the 

abuse of substances which put our 

health at risk, maximise our emotional 

and psychological well-being, and let’s 

improve our academic learning. 

We should all infuse our life with 

action, don’t wait for it to happen, 

make it happen. If you want something, 

go for it, believe in yourself and believe 

that anything is possible. If you want 

to achieve something, work harder 

and remember, success is walking from 

failure with no loss of enthusiasm, you 

may fall down but pick yourself up 

again and remember, all progress takes 

place outside the comfort zone. 


29

The new upcoming clothing 

brand created by Allieu koroma 

and Dennese Manyasi. 

What kind of style is this 

brand producing you may 

ask? 

We are looking to produce a 

variety of clothing suitable for 

all seasons and all occasions 

from the gym, casual wear all 

the way to fun night out. But 

don’t only think this is brand for 

the youth. Yes it was created by 

the youth but we aspire to see 

our band on all ages. 

What Inspired you to start it.? 

The black youth in today’s 

society are struggling more 

and more with the stigma 

attached to them . Myself and 

Dennese decided that this 

brand should represent the fact 

that not all youth are the same 

and there are some out there 

trying to make a better life for 

themselves. Also to show that 

not everyone’s path is the same. 

For some , university may be 

the option but that isn’t the 

only option. Apprenticeships 

are available , go into your 

chosen field and ask if you can 

gain experience by doing small 

jobs around the place and 

working your way up the ladder. 

Go out and find opportunities 

they won’t find you and always 

make sure you’re doing what 

you love. We’ve taken it upon 

ourselves to start a charity in 

our countries, Sierra Leone and 

Kenya, to help the children 

back home who may have 

dreams and show them that 

if you work hard and put 

your mind to something , 

anything is possible. We’re both 

planning on travelling home in 

December where our journey 

and steps to success begins. 

For the youth reading this we 

want to inspire and show you 

that anything is possible. If you 

set a goal, you can reach it . 

Don’t be afraid to be different. 

Nothing under the sun is new 

but you can take an idea and 

make it yours , don’t just copy 

, make it special to you so that 

way no one can steal it. 

We aspire to see our brand go 

global. Nike , you’ve heard of 

that, Adidas, you’ve heard of 

that. Well Mash Work, you WILL 

hear about that too. But this is 

only be possible with your help 

so we’re asking you to take that 

first step and follow us on all or 

socials 

Instagram: MashWork 

Twitter: Mash_Work 

Email: mashwork365@gmail.com 

Mash work will also be having 

a live launch to celebrate the 

opening of the brand mid next 

year so stay posted on our socials 

for many more updates. 

30 


THE 

PHOENIX RISING 

WATCH OUT FOR THIS 

PHENOMENAL MOVIE COMING 

YOUR WAY SOON. 

A young girl who had a gift and 

talent in singing but the parents 

had different option for her, 

definitely not singing as that’s seen 

as a taboo and waste of life. She is 

young and the journey begins with 

her life as a young girl to success 

someday when she is older. 

Through the journey her dad 

passed on. 

After the dad passed on, she and 

the brother are divided, they were 

very close, a very bitter separation 

while the mum takes her to live 

with her very rich Aunt who turns 

her into a house girl, very sad story, 

but with the help of the other 

house helps she still manages to go 

to school without the Aunt finding 

out. 

On the school competitions, the 

teacher invites the rich promoter 

who was reluctant in helping 

previously as he thought it will 

be a waste of his time for this 

poor children can not amount to 

anything. He attends and spots 

Miriam who lead the school 

competitions for her school. 

A different journey starts with 

rehearsals, the Aunt finds out 

about her going to school and 

throws her out of the house, she 

ends up in the street, eats from 

the bins but never gave up on her 

dreams, we see how tough street 

life is. On all this, she never told 

the promoter she was living in the 

streets. 

....the teacher invites the rich promoter who was reluctant 

in helping previously as he thought it will be a waste of his 

time for this poor children can not amount to anything... 

The promoter gets her contacts to 

come to London and she makes 

it, in London she lives with a very 

nice lady who helped her with her 

gift. The woman has 2 children 

who are very hostile towards her 

because she is from Africa and she 

is fresh, they make her mockery 

of her taking her out and leaving 

her in the streets of London where 

she doesn’t know the road, but 

in all that, she kept her faith up 

and worked so hard towards what 

her goals are. This is a journey of 

success for her at the end. 

Goes back to Kenya, at the airport 

is her former school mates, mum, 

promoter, she is all over the 

newspaper and TV, we see the 

Aunty crying and asking God for 

forgiveness. 

She buys her mum a big house, 

builds a big school for music and 

employs all the maids that helped 

her in her Aunties house.Now!!! 

we see her in her big house at the 

swimming pool, the house she 

always use to see in her dreams. 

TO ALL KENYANS AND FRIENDS 

OF KENYA, LET’S TELL OUR 

OWN STORIES. 

For more information: 

Lydia Olet: +44 7853207075 

Dennese: +44 7429692561 

SUPPORTED BY: 


31

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AFRIKA JAMBO 

Kawele 

Finger Printer 


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36 


PCEA WOMAN’S 

GUILD WEEK 

2017 

LONDON 


37

KENYA 

COUNTRYFILE 

How much do you now about 

Kenya? The following summarizes 

key aspects about our country and 

we hope you and your children can 

benefit from it. 

Independence from Britain on 12 th 

December 1963. 

Geography & Demographics. 

Kenya is the 49 th largest country in the 

world covering an area of 581,309 km 2 . 

With a population of 45 million the 

overwhelming majority of whom are 

below the age of 50. 

Administration. 

The country was previously divided into 

8 provinces- Central, Rift-valley, Coast, 

Nyanza, Western, Eastern, Nairobi and 

North Eastern. 

After the new constitution in 2010, the 

country is now divided into 47 countieseach 

headed by a governor akin to the 

ones we have in the US- or Nigeria. 

Nairobi remains the political, economic 

and social capital of the country with 

very limited effort to move any national 

foundations elsewhere. 

Politics and governance. 

A presidential system with a president 

elected after every 5 years. 

Two Legislative houses-the Lower House 

- Parliament with 349 members and 

the upper house- The Senate with 67 

members. 

Membership is by election through 

some members are nominated directly 

by their political parties. 

All counties have elected members 

who form regional parliaments and 

governments. 

Kenya has had 4 presidents since 

independence: 

ü 

ü 

ü 

ü 

Jomo Kenyatta who led the 

country to independence until 

his death in 1978. 

Daniel arap Moi from 1978 to 

2002. 

Emilio Mwai Kibaki- from 

2002-2013-todate. 

Uhuru Kenyatta (son to the first 

president)-2013-todate. 

*Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga served as the 

second prime minister of the country 

from 2008-2013. 

Regional hub. 

Nairobi remains a regional and the 

African headquarters of many global 

corporations such as GE, Google, GSK, 

and Microsoft; as well as scientific 

and research organization such as 

the International center for inspect 

physiology and ecology-ICIPE. 

It is the only third world country with 

a UN headquarters-the United Nations 

environmental program located in 

Nairobi along Limuru Road 

Major exports 

· Tea, coffee, horticulture (flowers 

and fruits), pyrethrum, tourism and 

manufactured goods to the region. 

· Sports especially athletes, rugby 

and recently footballer(s). 

key economic sectors 

1. Agriculture, horticulture and food 

processing. 

2. Banking and insurance. 

3. Technology and mobile 

communication. Among the country 

with the highest mobile phone 

connectivity with 35 million active 

mobile phone handsets. 

4. Dairy farming. 

5. Kenya will soon be a major exporter 

of valuable minerals, oil and natural 

gas. 

Major tourist attractions/Places to 

visit: 

· The spectacular and beautiful Great 

Rift Valley. 

· The great Mount Kenya (the second 

highest mountain in Africa). 

· Maasai Mara Game Reserve and 

specifically the wildest migration 

across the crocodile infested Mara 

River. 

38 


· The Nairobi National Park in the 

outskirts of Nairobi. 

· Beautiful and spectacular beaches 

at the Kenyan coast. 

· The Fort Jesus along Nkrumah 

Road in Mombasa -Built by the 

Portuguese explorers and opened 

in 1593. 

· Bullfighting in Western Kenya. 

National Anthem. 

The Kenya national anthem expresses 

the convictions and aspirations of the 

Kenyan people. It was commissioned 

in 1963 – Originally in Swahili and was 

based on a traditional tune sung by 

mothers of the Pokomo Community to 

their children. 

Key personalities: 

· Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi 

Waciuri (deceased)- A brilliant 

military organiser who led the 

Mau Mau uprising against the 

British. Captured and executed by 

the British on 18 th February 1957; 

and sadly still buried at the Kamiti 

Maximum security prison to this 

day. 

· Jomo Kenyatta (deceased) - 

Founding prime minister and 

president of the Republic of 

Kenya. 

· Oginga Odinga (deceased) 

– Freedom fighter and 

independence icon. 

· Masinde Muliro (deceased) 

– Freedom fighter and 

independence icon. 

· Daniel arap Moi- Second president 

of the Republic of Kenya. 

· Mwai Kibaki- Third president of 

the republic of Kenya. 

· Raila Amolo Odinga- second prime 

minister of the republic of Kenya. 

· Kipchoge Keino- Most famous 

athlete and sports administrator. 

· Martin Shikuku (deceased)– 

Independence icon and renowned 

MP. 

· Professor Wangari Maathai 

(deceased)- First female 

professor of veterinary medicine, 

environmental campaigner, and 

winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. 

· Professor Ngugi wa Thiongo – 

Renown writer and professor of 

English and literature. 

· Professor Francis Imbuga 

(deceased) – Professor of 

literature and renowned writer. 

· Thomas Joseph Mboya 

(deceased)- Trade unionist, MP, 

Minister and brilliant architect of 

the Kenya’s early economic plan 

and strategies. 

Kenya’s Timeline. 

1. 1952- Mau Mau uprising- the 

bloody uprising against colonial 

rule. 

2. 1963- Country defeats the British 

and gains independence 

3. 1978 - First president of the 

country dies in his sleep. Daniel 

Arap Moi takes over. 

4. 1982- Attempted coup d’état to 

overthrow the government of the 

day. 

5. 1991- The law changed to allow 

the registration of more political 

parties. 

6. 1998 – A bloody terrorist attack 

in the middle of the capital leaves 

230 dead. 

7. 2002- President Moi retires 

and Mwai Kibaki takes over as 

president. 

8. 2007- Disputed elections results 

in very bloody skirmishes and 

the unfortunate death of 1,600 

Kenyans many killed with 

unimaginable brutality. 

9. 2013 – President Kibaki retires 

and Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta takes 

over as president. 


CMI CHILDREN 

Changer Makers Initiative 

CMI CHILDREN 

RESIDENCE 

We are an orphanage 

driven by a simple 

desire to make a 

difference in the 

lives of abandoned 

children. Our belief 

in God has driven us 

to witness Christ to 

these very vulnerable 

children. 

It’s a most challenging 

undertaking and there 

are times when we’ve 

felt like giving up. We 

have had times when 

we didn’t know where 

the next meal will 

come from. 

We have had times 

when we thought they 

are going to throw 

us in the streets over 

unpaid rent. We have 

had times when a 

child is sick and due 

to lack of funds often 

making a choice as 

to whether to buy 

medicine or food. 

The hard times when 

we’ve been through 

so much making it 

hard to gather a smile 

on our faces. Tears, 

sorrow and sadness 

have often been rather 

common. There are 

times I have thought 

of giving up but 

remembered we have 

vulnerable children to 

look after-where do 

they go to? 

OUR FUTURE. 

The children we 

look after have been 

abandoned by a 

community that saw 

them as a burdens and 

hopeless failures. We 

saw in them a future of 

possibilities with them 

as doctors, lawyers, 

engineers, chefs, 

pilots; artists etc. That 

is why l can’t give 

up on these angels 

because years from 

now, l will be walking 

in one of their clinics 

where l will receive a 

VIP treatment as an 

old man who gave 

all to look after the 

unwanted. 

For the stone that 

the builders rejected 

has now become a 

capstone 

ON FINANCES. 

Finances remain a 

challenge. We requests 

for your financial 

support and welcome 

donations such as 

clothing, food and 

volunteers to help. 

We would be most 

grateful if you would 

consider giving us a 

regular amount even 

20 pounds a month. 

It would make an 

enormous difference. 

We have monthly 

bills to pay such as 

rent, hospital costs, 

medicine and salaries. 

Please channel any 

help to the following: 

Account Number: 

Change Markers 

Initiative 

Bank Name: KCB Bank 

Account Number: 

1172556482 

Mpesa no: 0701751386 

Name: Geoffrey Kamau 

or 

Name: Lydia 

Olet/+447853207075 

Mpesa Number: 

0714063162. 

40 

Contact: +254701751386/0727493916 


Email: info@cmiresidence.org 

www.cmiresidence.org

GOOD HEARTED FRIENDS 

GOOD HEARTED FRIENDS is a 

community based charity which is 

registration number NDO/CBO/9372. 

It was started in November 2014 

with an aim of solving some of the 

social problems affecting those 

living in and around Ahero, Kisumu, 

Kenya. It also works belong borders 

hence serve the western Kenya 

region at large 

The charity relies on volunteers with 

the heart to assist the less fortunate 

in the society. The organization 

relies on well-wishers for its 

sustenance and finance remains a 

major issue. 

The organization has 

FOUR OBJECTIVES: 

Voluntary advocacy for anti-jigger 

drive in western Kenya region. 

Offering scholarship to bright and 

needy students as well as promoting 

the girl child education. 

Offering quick response to 

emergencies e.g. accidents and 

health issues. 

Offering training to widows and 

single families on how to engage in 

business and earn a living. 

MISSION: 

SERVING THE LESS FORTUNATE 

Challenges: 

Lack of adequate funding running 

the organization, adequate facilities 

in our rescue center, sanitary towels 

for the girl child, food, settle the 

hospital bills, resources to motivate 

the volunteers. 

We request you to consider 

supporting our charity to help us 

meet our objectives and help more 

people. 

CHARITY NAME: 

GOOD HEARTED FRIENDS 

PHONE NUMBER: 0714 714 715 

EMAIL: 

goodheartedfriends@gmail.com 

MPESA NUMBER: 

0723-396383 

SILAS ODHIAMBO 

LIPA NA MPESA NUMBER: 762014 

FRUITFUL TALENT CENTRE (F.T.C) 

was founded in 2007 following the 

post-election violence that claimed 

many lives in the country with 

Kibera being one of the most hit 

areas.The majority of the victims 

were orphaned children who needed 

a safe refuge. 

Today the Centre is home to over 

30 children aged between 8 months 

and 18 years and the number keeps 

growing. The Centre also supports 

eighty nine (89) children in daycare 

and primary school and further 

supports eighteen (18) more in high 

school. 

The center runs four (4) programs 

namely: 

1. Children’s’ home 

2. School and daycare 

3. Feeding program 

4. Dance and acrobatics 

The Centre aims to offer a long 

term solutions to the children by 

reuniting them with any existing 

family members with the support 

of local authorities. The center 

depends on donations and wellwishers 

support. It also raises funds 

through merchandising hand-made 

craft products. 

Volunteers help with teaching, 

playing, cleaning and mediation 

with families of the children. 

Other activities and programs that 

promote social and educational 

wellbeing received are yoga for 

children. 

Please contact us welcome for 

donation or any other help: 

TELEPHONE: +2547 2131 7484, 

+254714500815, +254726961719 

FACEBOOK: https://web.facebook. 

com/fruitfultalentcentre/ 

BANK: EQUITY BANK 

ACCOUNT NAME: 

FRUITFUL RESCUE CENTRE 

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1170165744206 


THE KENYA NATIONAL ANTHEM. 

KISWAHILI 

Ee Mungu nguvu yetu 

Ilete baraka kwetu 

Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi 

Natukae na undugu 

Amani na uhuru 

Raha tupate na ustawi 

Amkeni ndugu zetu 

Tufanye sote bidii 

Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu 

Nchi yetu ya Kenya 

Tunayoipenda 

Tuwe tayari kuilinda 

Natujenge taifa letu 

Ee, ndio wajibu wetu 

Kenya istahili heshima 

Tuungane mikono 

Pamoja kazini 

Kila siku tuwe na shukrani 

ENGLISH 

O God of all creation 

Bless this our land and nation 

Justice be our shield and defender 

May we dwell in unity 

Peace and liberty 

Plenty be found within our borders 

Let one and all arise 

With hearts both strong and true 

Service be our earnest endeavour 

And our homeland of Kenya 

Heritage of splendour 

Firm may we stand to defend. 

Let all with one accord 

In common bond united 

Build this our nation together 

And the glory of Kenya 

The fruit of our labour 

Fill every heart with thanksgiving. 

42 


Own a home at 

0% deposit for as low as 

70,000 ksh 


43

BEGINNING TO GOD OF BE THE THE JOURNEY GLORY 29TH IN JESUS AUGUST NAME 2015 

MC LARRY MADOWO 2015 

MC JAMES SMART 2017 

MC NANCY 2016 

MC GIDI GIDI 2018 

Look out for our 2019 MC as we celebrate and begin a new chapter in our events in the park

... 2018 

IT CAN ONLY 

BE GOD!

Shammah Splendid Centre and school 

Designed And Determined To Achieve 

Our Vision, “To provide holistic education to the underprivileged in Kibera slums and its environs with complete 

honesty”. 

Mission, “To give opportunities for learning to the less fortunate in the community to enable individuals to 

access adequate knowledge and skills, creativity and change of thoughts to producing better and responsible 

citizenship in this dynamic world”. 

Core values: Discipline, honesty, humility, God reverence and cleanliness. 

OVERVIEW: 

Shammah Splendid Centre is located 

at a strategic niche in Kibera slums 

where several families have been 

coerced to live in dismal poverty. Kibera 

is Highly Populated with a Population of 

One Million Plus, occupying one square 

mile. S.S.C advocates for Christian 

values and principles of integrity.We 

possess a big dream for the society and 

education is the pillar upon which this 

bright future is laid. Due to the difficult 

situation and challenges in kibera slums; 

we apprehended that the only way 

to help these children is by providing 

quality, reliable, holistic and sustainable 

education. We listen to them and give 

them hope. The students participate in 

co-curricular activities besides academic 

pursuit. We realized that a good number 

of the students if not in school may go 

on streets and engage in evil acts.A 

good number of the students are orphaned, 

have a single parent as a result 

of HIV/AIDS pandemic, some of them 

are molested in one way or the other. 

We have realized that; Success is not 

what you accomplish in life but what you 

aspire others to do. We have made several 

achievements and besides growth 

we have needs and we may not stand 

alone, for sure in unity we stand. We are 

willing and ready to offer our services 

with volunteers from different background 

and scores of life in the provision 

of holistic education to this generation 

with an aim of churning them into better 

and responsible citizenship in future. 

We are in need of partnership to impact 

this young people today. Your partnership 

will reduce issues affecting the 

youths such as poverty, illiteracy, crime, 

school drop-out due to insufficient basic 

needs, the use of drugs and substance 

abuse, acts of hooliganism and thuggry. 

We empower the students to become 

self-reliant. They acquire knowledge and 

skills in school to enable them create 

jobs and solve problems. 

You can support us in the following: 

Feeding programme, construct a laboratory 

and a library, sanitary pads for 

girls, stationery and furniture’s, school 

transport, computers and staff remuneration. 

Cell: +254 706- 064-759,Email:shammahsplendidcentre@gmail. 

com 

Website: WWW.shammahsplendidcentre.org 

FACEBOOK: Shammah splendid 

centre and school. 

M-pesa : +254 728-268-880 or contact 

the vision bearer and the founder via 

mail: 

isaacomondi12@gmail.com. 

A/c name: Shammah splendid centre 

a/c No: 01134596046100, Co-operative 

bank Kibera branch. 

46

Sam Ochieng and other guests 

MRS. ROSE NJUGUNA 

Left: Lydia, Gathoni, Njoki 

& Muthoni Kangethe 

MRS. ROSE NJUGUNA 

47

48 


MERCY 

KIMINTA 


HEALTH ZONE 

DR MARY 

THOMPSON 

DIASPORA 

HEALTH MATTERS 

Cosmetic and non surgical skin treatments 

Non-surgical cosmetic 

procedures are big news 

nowadys and the industry 

specialism is booming; it’s 

grown phenomenally over the 

last decade. It’s no surprise 

that people want to look good – 

and with non-surgical cosmetic 

treatments more accessible and 

affordable, they’ve become the 

norm not only for celebrities, but 

for the population in general. 

But which of these procedures 

are the most popular? And what 

kind of effects do they have? 

Are they affordable? 

We are happy to inform you that 

we have proffesionals within our 

community within the industry 

who are accessible and able to 

answer your questions and help 

you deal with all issues related 

to skin treatments. 

In this edition we introduce to 

you Dr Mary Thompson, who 

has almost 20 years in the 

Medical profession. During 

an extremely varied career , 

she has worked in hospitals, 

research publishing in British 

medical journals, teaching, 

public and global health. She is 

passionate about cosmetic and 

non surgical skin treatments 

having also been a patient 

needing several skin treatments 

that top dermatologists were 

unable to treat. She offers a 

range of dermal fillers, skin 

laxity and lines treatments, as 

well as acne and pigmentation 

problems. She has several 

qualifications in Aesthetic 

Medicine and is teaching at 

Harley Academy ( the largest 

cosmetic training academy in 

the UK. 

She will provide you with a 

consultation and recommend 

the best treatment tailored to 

your individual needs. The full 

treatment range is available at 

www.alsonltd.co.uk. 

Alternatively contacts. 

Email: drmary@alsonltd.co.uk, 

Tel: 0775 463 7487 

MODELS 

WANTED 

If you are interested in having treatments to soften facial lines, beautification or 

replace facial volume loss then get in touch . We will have sessions in Central London 

(Dates to be confirmed). Contact us at drmary@alsonltd.co.uk or 0755 463 7487 

MODELS WILL RECEIVE A DISCOUNTED PRICE. 

50 


www.alsonltd.co.uk.

RUGBY 7’S 

PARIS 3RD YEAR 


51

OLIVIA & LISA 

SISTERS AT A BEAUTY CONTEST IN GERMANY 2017 

Almost two thousand children 

aged 2 to 14 years from 

Belgium, the Netherlands 

and Luxembourg signed up 

for Top Model Belgium Kids. 

In the meantime 150 boys 

and girls remain, divided 

over different categories 

by gender and age. Among 

them are two sisters from 

the Kempen: Lisa (9) and 

Olivia Van der Werf (5) from 

Arendonk. 

The fact that boys and 

girls are being sent to the 

catwalk at a young age for 

a beauty contest does not 

make everyone enthusiastic. 

But Lisa and Olivia think it’s 

all fantastic. “The best thing 

I liked to walk across the 

red carpet in my princess 

dress was a large stage with 

lots of people in the hall. 

Everyone clapped hands in 

front of us. Super nice was 

that “, says 9-year-old Lisa. 

The parents are also proud 

of their two beautiful 

daughters. “Of course everyone 

thinks their own children 

are the most beautiful 

in the world”, says Marco 

Van der Werf (49). “But 

winning is not important to 

us. Everything is possible 

and everything is allowed, 

but nothing has to be done. 

It should only be fun. “ 

52 


Lisa and Olivia’s mother, Hellen 

active in modelling and contest. 

In 2017 she won Miss Africa 

German. 

She likes photoshoots and catwalk 

and she do this for several years 

now. 

In 2018 she decided to change 

her career and use her talent for 

helping the children in Kenya, she 

won the contest of Face of Kenya 

Belgium/France. 


53

TAKING KENYA 

AND FRIENDS 

IN THE PARK TO 

EVERY EVENT 

54 


55 


55

MY HISTORY AS A BOXER 

When I was younger, I never saw myself being a boxer 

or doing any sport. I wasted my time hanging out with 

my friends and causing trouble. It was not long after I 

left secondary school, a good child hood friend who was 

older kept asking me to join him at the club but never 

bothered then, my friend once again approached me and 

told me “Floyd you are young, you should use your time 

wisely, you should not be causing trouble”. That’s when he 

introduce me to Richard, Ken and Jay. They spoke with me 

about Bromley and Downham Boxing club and told me 

about its history about they started Lewisham Boys Boxing 

club and how the club dates back to 1970’s. 

5 years later, I am still at the same club with the same 

coaches who helped me start off. Over the years, these 

guys have held my back through highs and lows in boxing. 

I take them as a family because of the way they have 

looked after me. 

Many boxers have tried to discourage me from the club, 

but I have remained with the same club. “why would I go 

to another club when I can get everything in my current 

club” Those were my thoughts. 

After a tough 

fight with 

gumshield 

2015 

56 (Bromley 3RD EDITION and Downham | JULY vs 2018 fitzroyal lodge 2014)

FLOYD NJENGA MY STORY 

My current and future Goals 

I am currently with Bromley and Down club as a captain 

and I have been with them for last 4 years. In November 

2017, I won the Novice ABA class B middle weight 

championship making me a national champion, then 

from that point, I have moved to national elite boxer 

which means I am ranged as one of the skilled boxers 

in the country and I am able to fight anyone regardless 

of their record and experience. In mid April 2018, I 

joined the Senior ABA Elite championship where I had 

a fight and during this fight, I fractured my wrist and I 

struggled, I continued and won it. 

After this fight, I had to make a serious decision of 

withdrawing from the championship because the injury 

left me in a bad state. 

Despite the injury I still have the ambition to push 

myself further. 

My future ambition is to fight in international 

championship which will make me an international elite. 

Hopefully, I will join to be able to join GB squad and win 

a gold trophy for them. 

Motivation 

Being the eldest in the family, I would love to set a good 

example to my siblings to show them that hardwork and 

determination pays off. My brother who is 14 is inspired 

and he would like to join me in boxing and built his 

career like me and to be somewhere some day. 

I am currenty the Bromley & Downham boxing club 


Anne Wafula Strike 

Anne Wafula Strike MBE (born 

8 May 1969) is a Harlow-based 

British Paralympic wheelchair 

racer. Born in Mihuu, Kenya, 

she contracted polio at the 

age of two, resulting in a later 

Royal National Orthopaedic 

Hospital diagnosis of below T7 

paralysis. Arriving in the UK in 

April 2000, she was introduced 

to wheelchair racing in 2002 

and in 2004 became the first 

Kenyan wheelchair racer to 

represent her country, competing 

in the T53 400m finals at the 

Paralympics in Athens. Following 

a successful application for British 

citizenship in 2006, she became 

a member of Team GB and, after 

reclassification, now competes 

in the T54 racing category as a 

British athlete. A past winner of 

the BBC’s ‘My Story’ competition, 

her autobiography In my Dreams 

I Dance was published by 

HarperCollins in 2010.[4] 

She was appointed Member of 

the Order of the British Empire 

(MBE) in the 2014 Birthday 

Honours for services to disability 

sport and charity. 

Inspiring 

Achievement, 

Encouraging 

Excellence ...' 

Anne Wafula Strike MBE, 

provides a personal example 

of courage, commitment and 

determination that challenges 

misconceptions about 

disability. Athlete, author, 

and sporting ambassador, 

she inspires achievement 

and excellence across a 

broad range of life situations 

through motivational talks and 

appearances that encourages 

others to overcome difficulties 

and maximise their potential. 

58 


57 UNION STREET 

GLASGOW, UK 

@CALABASH.RESTAURANT 

0141 221 2711 

KENYA & FRIENDS 

IN THE PARK 

_________ 

If you’re 

interested in 

sponsoring, 

please contact 

_________ 

Lydia Olet: 

+44785 320 7075 

kenyainthepark@gmail.com 


59

DAVID ETALE 

In 1986 a young boy 

was born in the slums 

of Nairobi, Kenya that 

boy was me David Etale. 

Life growing up was not 

easy at all, it was a real 

struggle, all I wanted to 

do was be a professional 

footballer just like every 

other boy in the slums. My 

dad was a construction 

worker who tried so hard 

to make sure me, my 

mum and my sister we 

would have something to 

eat everyday but despite 

all his efforts we were still 

struggling. During my 

childhood I grew up not 

knowing what a pair of 

shoe looks like we used 

to play football in the 

streets bare feet but to 

me that was my normal 

life. At the age of 18 I was 

lucky enough to get my 

first professional contract 

I was so excited that this 

time I would be able to 

help my dad put food on 

the table for the family, 

but still it was enough 

as I would only get paid 

60 


MY STORY 

per how the team would perform 

per match, if we would win a match 

we would be paid £8 if we would 

draw a match we would be paid £4 

and if we lost we would go home 

empty handed. Lucky enough for 

me because of my performances 

I got signed by a better club that I 

would increase my earnings to £100 

a month but still it wasn’t enough. 

Because of the financial strain I got 

involved with wrong crowd and 

started doing things which were not 

right to make ends meet but no one 

knew what I was doing but my mum 

knew and she warmed me it was 

only until when I lost a friend that 

I realised that what we were doing 

was not right. 

Lucky for me a friend approached me 

and he told me the British Army are 

recruiting commonwealth people, so I 

took that opportunity and applied for 

the British Army and I was selected to 

come over to the UK and join the British 

Army. I started my infantry training 

at the end of 2006 and passed out in 

2007 and later joined 3 Rifles based in 

Edinburgh. 

In 2009. we deployed to Afghanistan, 

four months in the tour, one early 

morning as we were preparing to go for 

patrol I remember I was so nervous, I was 

a driver of vehicle called the Jackal this 

is an open roof armoured vehicle, but 

surprisingly that day was so quite until 

18:30 pm when we got ambushed by 

the Taliban, we tried our best as we had 

a fire fight with them until my boss who 

was a captain instructed me to drive so 

we could leave that area. I remember it 

was pitch black but I had my night vision 

on which was attached to my helmet 

that aided me to see the road. About 50 

meters away from our previous location 

I drove on an I.E.D (Improvised explosive 

device) from that point I couldn’t 

remember anything I was unconscious 

and the next minute I remember waking 

up in the UK in Birmingham hospital, as 

I woke up I was so shocked and started 

shouting for my weapon as I thought 

I was still in Afghanistan, it was only 

until the nurses assured me that am in 

hospital. From then my body was not 

the same I had fractured vertebrae son 

my lower lumber spine and my left side 

of the body was so painful, I stayed in 

hospital for a month and later sent home 

and started rehab at the rehabilitation 

unit which was in our camp base in 

Edinburgh, I was on treatment for a year 

and half I tried my best that I even went 

back to work. 

In 2014, I was diagnosed with PTSD, 

(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Life was 

so difficult for me and my left side due 

to the blast was deteriorating slowly, in 

that period I had 12 surgeries to repair 

my leg, unfortunately I had to come to a 

decision where it was either I stay with 

my leg and be confined to a wheelchair 

or I get my leg amputated and get a 

prosthetic leg and be able to have my 

life back. In 2016, 28th January my leg 

was amputated, it was so tough due to 

my PTSD, I attempted suicide twice as I 

felt so useless, anxious and vulnerable. 

One day as I was in my bedroom my 

daughter Ashley walked to my room 

and said ‘dad despite you having one 

leg I still love you’ that made me feel so 

guilty and from that point I never looked 

back, I looked at my two beautiful kids 

and said to myself ‘I will never look back 

again.’ 

The same year of 2016, I was admitted 

at Headley Court Hospital to start my 

rehabilitation of learning how to walk 

again with a prosthetic leg, I worked so 

hard and managed to get back on my 

feet once again, I had a reason now to 

enjoy my life again. 

In 2017 July I went back to Kenya, my 

country of birth and I was interviewed 

by several media stations sharing my 

journey, so many people got inspired 

and it really gave me a purpose to look 

forward and be positive with my life. 

spartansfc striker 

currently doing duty 

in Afganistan was 

injured yesterday 

along with two of his 

colleagues in a bomb 

blast. 

British Army 3 

Rifles based in 

Edinburgh 


61

CALL: 

07401 307 994 

4 ideas beyond a few 

months and in 

season 

62 

‘ 

WEB GRAPHICS AND MAINTAINANCE, 

PRESENTATIONS 

i DESiGN 

BUSINESS CARDS, FLYERS, 

E-FLYERS, BANNERS, BROCHURES, 

MAGAZINES, ANNUAL REPORTS, TSHIRTS 


‘


63

Sabadema Multicultural Cuisine 

(Founder and CEO, Sarah Okello) 

64 

Sabadema Multicultural 

Catering (SMC) is a family 

based entity where mum 

choreographs and cooks and 

husband applies his culinary 

expertise on the BBQ’s. 

Originating late in 2015, we 

took pride in venturing into 

the diverse Afro-Caribbean 

rich dishes where we tailor 

the menu to meet the client 

preference. 

Our aim is to reach and 

encompass different cultural 

cuisine in in-doors and outdoors 

events sharing our 

mouth watering multicultural 

dishes with the cosmopolitan 

nation. 


Hospitality work hours can 

sometimes be demanding. 

With young children on board, 

flexibility of work pattern 

was much sort for and that 

bore Sabadema Multicultural 

Catering (SMC) in 2014. It 

all started by just making 

Mandazi (African doughnuts) 

and supplying to a shop in 

Brixton. A few months down 

the line, the supply increased 

to five shops. Then, there 

was the additional supply of 

chapatti. This too stormed the 

shops with a bang. 

In 2015, we diversified into 

street cooking by participating 

in what’s now known as 

Europe biggest Kenyan event 

“KENYA AND FRIENDS IN THE 

PARK”. After a very successful 

day, Sabadema was ready to 

venture into all categories of 

catering. 

In 2016, we ventured into 

festivals, where we participate 

in designated markets such as 

Spitalfield’s Market, Camden 

Market and also other themed 

festivals around London. Our 

favourite is “Kenya and Friends 

in the Park” 

We are available for bookings. 

We cater for birthdays, 

christenings, graduations, 

weddings and many different 

occasions. No ceremony too 

big or too small. Individual 

orders are also accepted. 

If you would like us to cater for 

an event, please do not hesitate 

to contact us via phone, email, 

Facebook or website; 

Tel: 07940188413 

F: @sabadema93 

E: sabadema93@gmail.com 

www: 

sabademamulticulturalcuisine.com


EMPOWERING 

AFRICAN WOMAN 

Sheila Gatonye 

Sheila Gatonye is a name synonymous 

with women empowerment from her 

powerful, raw and open life stories on 

social media that almost any woman 

can relate with to her annual African 

Women’s Dinner event with a mission 

to CONNECT, INSPIRE, EMPOWER and 

CELEBRATE the African woman. 

Born and raised in Kenya before 

relocating to the UK when she was 

15yrs, Sheila Gatonye is a mother of 3 

and the founder of AWD International, 

a brand that believes in the importance 

of building, promoting and maintaining 

meaningful women’s networks 

through women empowerment and 

Entrepreneurship. “My aim in life has 

always been to create a positive impact 

on people’s lives. There is nothing more 

empowering than to uplift another 

woman or a young person” 

Tell us a little bit about AWD 

International 

The AWD Journey has been a long 

road that has taken me to different 

paths along the way. Starting out 

as just The African Women’s Dinner 

in 2014, i created the event as an 

inspirational platform to bring people 

from all walks of life together through 

dining and entertaining to reduce 

social isolation and provide a positive 

enjoyable experience inspired by my 

own journey as an African woman living 

in the diaspora. The event attracts 

women from all corners of the African 

Continent and has grown each year 

In January 2018, The African 

Women’s Dinner changed names 

and incorporated the name AWD 

International as an umbrella to cover all 

the work that we do. Our core brands 

include AWD Expo, AWD Retreats, 

AWD Ladies Club and The African 

Women’s Dinner. This change created 

a framework where we could continue 

with our work 

AWD International also gave me a 

platform where i could give back to 

our community through the “Elimu 

campaign; a charitable initiative with 

an aim to support women and children 

living in extreme poverty through 

education and skills development to 

break the cycle of poverty. We work 

in partnership with several registered 

charities in the UK 

Empowering women is an issue you 

often talk about and advocate for. 

What inspires and motivates you 

66 


African women suffer systematic 

prejudices in making their way to 

the top as the traditional African 

society is still hedged by a myriad 

of barriers designed to maintain 

women’s subordinate status in 

society. Growing up, I was always 

surrounded by strong-willed, 

hardworking and purpose-driven 

women and it is through that i am 

a firm believer that we can achieve 

so much in terms of sustainable and 

inclusive growth through giving 

women an equal opportunity to 

play an active role in the economic, 

social and political sphere. 

Too often we hear governments 

talking of Sustainable Development 

Goals (SDGs), but i believe that to 

achieve that we must start from the 

grassroots which is you and I. What 

can we as individuals do to push 

for access to education and skills 

development for women and girls 

should be the question everyone 

asks themselves. There is an African 

proverb that says ‘Educate a man 

and you educate an individual but 

if you educate a woman and you 

educate a nation.’ 

I feel passionately about elevating 

the African woman and if my actions 

inspire others to dream more, learn 

more, do more and become more, 

then i have achieved my purpose on 

earth. 

What can we expect from you in 

the near future? 

In Africa, there is a saying that 

‘However far a stream flows, it never 

forgets its origin so in December 

2018, AWD International will be 

holding its launch event in Nairobi 

for their flagship 2 day event, 

The AWD Women in Business 

Convention and Dinner Gala event 

scheduled for June 2019. 

Next year we have cast our net far 

and wide covering Europe, USA 

and Africa which means that The 

AWD International 2019 calendar is 

packed with so many inspirational 

events for women from our 5th 

Annual African Women’s Dinner in 

London on 30th March 2019 to the 

AWD Summer and Winter Retreats 

in May and October respectively 

for the discerning ladies who want 

to unwind away from everyday 

hustle and bustle and not forgetting 

the AWD ladies Club business 

training, workshops and spa 

getaways. Wherever you are, there 

will definitely be something for 

everyone. 

You can find more information on our 

website, www.africanwomensdinner. 

com 


69

ISLE OF MAN 

Mrs Pauline Kariuki 

enjoying hiking in 

Alaska 

Maureen Aluoch 

Isle of Man 

The Isle of Man is a self-governing 

British Crown dependency in the Irish 

Sea between England and Ireland. 

The Isle of Man was part of the 

Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides 

until the 13th century when it was 

ceded to Scotland. “. The island never 

became part of the United Kingdom, 

retaining its status as an internally selfgoverning 

Crown Dependency. 

The Isle of Man is not a full member of 

the European Union or the Schengen 

Area, however it is part of the 

Common Travel Area and maintains 

a full customs union with the United 

Kingdom. No passport control checks 

are in place for travellers from the 

UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands, 

however the plane and ferry companies 

usually request some form of photo ID. 

English is the first language of all but 

around 150 native speakers of Manx 

- a language descended from Old 

Irish and closely related to Irish and 

Scottish Gaelic. All children on the Isle 

of Man have the option to study Manx 

at school, and there have been great 

efforts in recent times to revive the 

language. 

The official currency is the Manx 

pound (£), which is divided into 100 

pence, or pennies. It comes in the 

same denominations and sizes as the 

pound sterling, and both currencies are 

pegged at a rate of 1:1. 

UK notes and coins (whether from 

banks in England, Scotland, or Northern 

Ireland) are universally accepted on the 

Isle of Man, but Manx notes and coins 

are not generally accepted in the UK. 

Manx food is often very good and 

continues to improve. Some good 

restaurants and bistros can be found. 

Fish and chips are also popular. Crab 

baps are available from a kiosk on Peel 

Quay. 

There are several varieties of Manx 

cheese. Boxes of Manx kippers can be 

ordered for delivery by post. 

A local speciality worth trying is 

chips, cheese and gravy, similar to the 

Canadian dish poutine. 

The Isle of Man’s small size and small 

population means it can be a socially 

conservative place, although some 

major social reforms have been 

legislated for by Tynwald, the Manx 

parliament. 

People from the Isle of Man are known 

as Manx. The Manx are very proud 

of their identity; the Manx flag will 

be frequently seen. You should be 

conscious of using terms such as “the 

mainland” for the UK, as the island 

is semi-independent - the locals 

simply refer to it as “across”, from 

“across the water”. The geographic 

isolation and harsh winters makes the 

Manx resourceful and self-sufficient - 

complaining about the lack of trivial 

things is likely to earn the reminder 

“there’s a boat in the morning!” - i.e. 

“if you can’t survive an hour without 

organic quinoa, get back on the ferry”. 

In the past there have been accusations 

that the Isle of Man is a “tax haven”. The 

finance industry is the major employer 

and considerable efforts have been 

made by the Manx authorities to 

improve the regulation and propriety 

of this industry. Some Manx regard the 

finance industry as a mixed blessing - 

70 


>>>CONTINUES PAGE 71

although it has brought valuable jobs 

and financial stability when traditional 

employments such as farming and 

fishing have decreased because of 

EU competition, it has also led to 

significant immigration and cultural 

change, and the Manx have become 

a minority in their own country. The 

Isle of Man’s financial industry now 

works to a more rigorous standard 

than the UK. Nevertheless, taxes are 

considerably lower than in the UK - 

although Valued Added Tax is the same 

by agreement between the Manx and 

UK Governments. 

The Island has retained a pace of 

life, which is the envy of most urban 

dwellers. 

Visiting tourists, business people and 

new residents find the more desirable 

features of modern life without many 

of its unpleasant aspects, such as a 

high crime rate and social unrest. Old 

values are respected but new ideas are 

always welcomed. 

Newcomers to the Isle of Man are 

surprised by the variety of scenery, 

which exists on such a relatively 

small landmass. From rolling hills to 

picturesque farmlands, spectacular 

coastal scenery to secluded glens, the 

Island provides a wealth of diverse 

leisure activities, with an emphasis on 

sport and outdoor pursuits. 

The choice of outdoor sport is 

considerable, including activities such 

as golf, sea and river fishing, sailing, 

windsurfing, hang gliding, diving 

or just rambling. International car 

rallying, cycling and motor bike races, 

including the famous TT Races, are also 

annual events. 

Heritage forms an important part of 

Island life, in the form of museums, 

castles, and a rich spectrum of other 

ancient monuments spanning 10,000 

years of Manx history. 

Sights such as the world famous 

Laxey Wheel and associated working 

mechanisms, driving the pumps 

which once cleared the village mines 

of water, are spectacular examples 

of the Island’s preserved industrial 

archaeology. People who live on the 

Isle of Man enjoy an enviable quality 

of life, the roots of which are based on 

traditional values and standards. The 

Island aims to maintain a prosperous 

and caring society in which both 

enterprise and family life can flourish. 

This country is unmatched in its 

beauty. Where else in the world can 

you walk, drive, ride your bike for even 

a few minutes and find a postcard 

picture of perfection? Niarbyl, Marine 

Drive, Fenella Beach, Port Erin, Point of 

Ayre 

The Isle of Man is all about keeping the 

Island a special place to live, work and 

visit. It has been recognised as one of 

the best places in the world to explore 

nature. 

It is the first entire Island Nation in 

the world to be awarded the UNESCO 

status as the UNESCO world biosphere 

region.. 

The accolade comes from world 

heritage body Unesco which has 

designated the entire island a 

Biosphere Reserve, celebrating and 

protecting the breadth and range of its 

biodiversity. 


72 



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The role of ethnicity in Kenyan politics. 

By Thomas Musau 

Kenya goes to the polls on August 8. As 

in previous elections, the role played 

by ethnicity and tribalism are likely 

to decide the election. Experts say 

politicians beat the drums while their 

tribesmen and women dance to the 

tune. 

Kenyan politics have been characterized 

by ethnic tensions since independence 

in 1963. But it was not until 2008 that 

the demons of tribalism finally flared up 

after the hotly disputed elections which 

left over a thousand people dead and 

thousands displaced. 

The clashes mainly between the larger 

ethnic tribes, the Kikuyus, Luos and 

Kalenjins, erupted after Mwai Kibaki 

from the Kikuyu community was 

declared the winner amidst accusations 

of rigging and electoral manipulation. 

Ethnicity parse has never been the 

problem. The problem arises when 

politicians use ethnicity for their 

personal gain, and create a divide 

which fuels an appeal and loyalty to the 

tribe- often over country. Historically 

in the traditional societies, the issue 

of belonging to a tribe was not a big 

issue until and during the fight for 

independence. 

Tribalism in Kenya dates back to the 

colonial era. From 1920 to 1963, Kenya 

was under the rule of the British who 

used the divide and rule tactic to 

govern. For years they played one side 

off against another, in particular the 

Kikuyus and Luos whom they considered 

a threat owing to their numerical 

superiorities. 

The first two political parties before 

and during independence Kenya - the 

Kenya Africa National Union (KANU) and 

the Kenyan African Democratic Union 

(KADU) set off the current tribal politics 

in the country. KANU was a Kikuyu and 

Luo alliance party; while KADU was 

comprised of other small tribes who 

feared the domination by KANU. KADU 

was founded by Daniel Arap Moi, a 

Kalenjin from Rift valley and others. 

President Jomo Kenyatta (father of the 

incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta) 

was accused of sidelining the Luos, in 

particular Jaramongi Odinga (father of 

current opposition leader Raila Odinga) 

in favour of Moi, who succeeded him in 

1978 as the second president of Kenya. 

During his time in office until 2002, 

Moi was accused of entrenching and 

perpetuating tribalism and the politics A second commission, the National 

of divide and rule. His presidency was Cohesion and Integration Commission, 

also marked by deadly tribal animosities. is still working on ending the enduring 

The major outbreak was in 1992 with divisions between Kenyans. In its view, 

the Molo clashes in the vast Rift valley the solution is to address economic 

region which left 5,000 people dead and equality and opportunities for all, 

another 75,000 displaced. The conflict regardless of tribal affiliations. 

was primarily between the Kalenjin 

It’s well documented that the 

and the Kikuyu communities with land appointments in government, 

ownership cited as one of the key 

parastatals and other government 

reasons behind the tragic conflict. 

bodies reflect a deliberate effort to 

Though regional conflict among tribes favour certain ethnic lines-depending 

was still in existence, it was not until on who is in power. Since independence, 

the advent of multi-party politics in 

leaders often fill the civil service and 

1992 that it really became evident- and state-owned institutions with members 

ultimately flared up into violence and of their ethnic group, and those from 

death. 

ethnic communities viewed as being 

Major parties were already divided 

supportive of the ruling regime. 

along tribal lines. For example, the 

The cabinets of presidents Jomo 

Forum for the Restoration of Democracy Kenyatta, Daniel Moi, and Mwai Kibaki 

(FORD-Kenya) was associated with the all had a disproportionate number of 

Luhya tribe, the Democratic Party with members from their respective tribes. 

the Kikuyu, the Labour Democratic Party Tribalism is to blame for many of the ills 

with the Luo, while the Kalenjin tribe in our country today such as corruption, 

largely supported KANU. Today, voting ethnic clashes and underdevelopment. 

in Kenya whether parliamentary, civic To end this people must be given jobs 

or presidential, is done almost entirely based purely on merit- their skills 

along tribal lines. 

and training, not tribal lineage. Many 

In the political sphere, leaders appeal political observers are now warning 

to people of their own tribes when 

that Kenya is on the wrong track in 

they want support. They also use their the run-up to the 2017 elections. 

tribes as leverage when they bargain for Political alliances based on tribes 

positions and favours from government. have dominated Kenya’s politics since 

The ‘big five’ tribes have influenced who independence. As in the past, political 

is elected, owing to their numerical 

alliances have been made along ethnic 

advantage. According to Kenya’s 

lines. The Jubilee alliance of President 

National Bureau of Statistics, the largest Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William 

ethnic groups are the Kikuyu, the Luhya, Ruto is overwhelmingly backed by the 

the Kalenjin, the Luo and the Kamba. At Kikuyus and the Kalenjins. 

present, the majority of Luos support The opposition National Alliance (NASA) 

opposition leader Raila Odinga, the 

is no different. It is a union of tribes led 

Kambas are behind Kalonzo Musyoka. by Raila Odinga (a Luo from Nyanza), 

The Kalenjins back Deputy President Moses Wetangula and Moses Mudavadi 

William Ruto, while the Kikuyus support (Both Luhyas from western Kenya) and 

President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

Kalonzo Musyoka from the Kamba tribe 

The political elite are known to play 

of eastern Kenya. 

the ethnic divide game to get elected Mass registration drive rallies have 

as they know that elections are never been ethnically politicized. Politicians 

based on issues, ideologies or principles. returning to their backyard for campaign 

Attempts to slay the dragon of tribalism rallies have no clear agendas other than 

in Kenya have not borne much fruit. 

playing the usual tribal cards. 

Commissions have been formed, songs The tribal card is being played behind 

composed, and wars fought. The Truth, the scenes. It’s not being amplified 

Justice and Reconciliation Commission as such but politicians are harping on 

was formed in 2008 after the 2007 

tribal arithmetic to gain control and 

post-election violence. The commission get political mileage-and ultimately be 

concluded that ethnic conflicts mainly elected. Such is the tragedy of our tribal 

stem from land inequality and regional politics. 


imbalances in wealth distribution. 

77

Thanks to all our 

Sponsors and Friends 

Kenyan Embassy UK 

Ministry of foreign affairs 

Kenya diaspora 

MISTERSEED 


78

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