Items by K.P

Kenyanpoet

• Still I grow; New Beginnings for Kenyan Poet

  Posted: November 22, 2011, 11:15 am by K.P

  
  Shivering hands, Muttering lips, Fluttering lashes, Shaky fingers, Drying mouth.
  My road, The journey, Poetry path
  Still I grow.
  artistic expressions, historical pages, digital sheets.
  Still I grow. ---------------
  Njeri Wangari – All rights reserved©
  
  I started this blog in October 2006 at a workstation in an office at a company whose base is still at Park Side Towers. I had earlier just been writing and sharing my poetry with friends and some colleagues. My  friend and then colleague Muthaa who sat in the cubical next to me was the very first person to see the blog. I didn’t consult anyone or attend a workshop or look for other Kenyan Bloggers, I just stumbled upon this article on blogging and I started one.
  The name ‘Kenyan Poet’ came naturally – I was a poet , or atleast trying to become one and I was(still am though sadly so) Kenyan. Right there, without realizing it, I created my online identity. This would later have a positive though sometimes confusing impact on my life both online and offline.
  My first post was a poem ‘Your venom' which I had written on 21st July 2006 but only posted it on 9^th October. Back then, my blog was about my poetry only. However with time I came to realize that I could write about other things of interest like performances I was going for, sites I visited, which poets, writers and musicians inspired me, what Music I was listening to, what I was reading, blogs I liked, upcoming events  as host other poets. Various widgets filled the blog with time.
  I was so inspired by Maya Angelou then (Still am) that I felt more confident posting her poetry on my site than mine. The Poem ‘PhenomenalWoman’ has always been an inspiration
  Despite changing jobs, getting more demanding roles, becoming a wife and recently, a mother, I have somehow managed to still keep the boat afloat. There have been times that I felt I was losing it(the spirit) mostly because I either didn’t have new poetry to post, didn’t have an article, an event or there was simply no time.
  But somehow, I still managed.
  A few months ago I invited 2 Kenyan Poets to join me by making contributions on the blog. Robert Mahebo is a man with many talents, he like me, has an IT background but he still finds time for photography, poetry and blogging. Robert has been doing Album reviews of Kenyan Artist.
  Jaq whose stage name is Jaq the BOGOF joined us recently. He is also a poet and had a poetry event at the Hilton some time back. He does event reviews under the name Le_Cleric
  There is still room for more contributors. Email me if you want to be part of this family.
  Last year while speaking to Al Kagz, the idea of KenyanPoet.com was born. I quickly made arrangements for that and registered the domain. That was the easy part. I needed to migrate. I did migrate alright but somehow, I could not find a theme that I liked ( I am a sucker for brown-earthy colours) I felt that the blog’s theme were my clothes and I didn’t feel comfortable in the clothes that were available.
  I therefore didn’t announce the new site. This year several bloggers challenged me, Wamathai mostly. This blog’s name is quite a mouthful and I have often gotten tired halfway telling someone my blog’s name thus what Wamathai said made a lot of sense.
  Thus after many false starts, I finally shared my challenge with Mwirigi who offered to help. I managed to get just the right theme and within a span of 3 days, the blog had been migrate and co-hosted for the adjustments.
  I am truly grateful to Mwirigi and @iddsalim for all the help in moving everything and putting it in its right place at our new home.
  Patrique Okoth is one fine Designer,  worked on our wedding cards and programs, the last 3 POWO posters and recently, the KP logo. I have  never had a logo and its good to have new things to mark new beginnings  He is a facebook die hard and despite dissing it, he is not moving to twitter anytime soon. Find him here.
  You the reader and follower of this blog will agree with me that time has come for KP to seek a greater calling. The reason why this blog and many other blogs have grown is because people are looking for information that unfortunately the mainstream media is no longer providing.
  Last month when 2 renown writers, Yussef Komunyakaa and Ben Okri were in Nairobi for the Story Moja Hay festival the story it did not make it in the primetime news, neither did I see an article of the event or the two writers in the 2 widely read Kenyan Dailies. There are art events and developments both in visual as well as performing arts that are happening all over one does not get to know about them unless they go online.
  Newspapers seem to have been reduced to; politics, supplements, adverts, sports and the occasional entertainment gossip that seems more bent to a writer bragging about all the events they attended in the week, which big shots they rubbed shoulders with and which so called ‘Kenyan Celebrities’ are doing with their lives. 
  As we move from this old home, we have hopes and dreams for the new one that has more room and shelve space to place our thoughts and for you to pick the title(s) that tickles your fancy.
  I welcome to you Kenyanpoet.com.
  
  
  

  
  

• Day 1: Word Camp Kenya 2011

  Posted: November 13, 2011, 10:34 am by K.P

  The Word Camp Kenya 2011 event finally took off yesterday 12th November at the Cray Fish Camp in Naivasha.
  

  Wamathai and I at the Camping site

  
  
  I was up quite early as I was looking forward to the social interaction, learning, and most of all charter a way forward for this blog which is in the migration process to a self hosted domain with wordpress as the backend.  At 8.15am I was at the rendevous point; the Alliance Francaise where I found @mbuguaNjihia and various other tweeps.
  
  Although we had quite a late start due to late arrivals, we finally arrived at the venue at around 12pm. The meant that most of the morning sessions had to be pushed to the afternoon and others to the following day.
  
  My session on Blogging Communities was postphoned and will be happening today - day 2.
  
  Here are some of the notes that I took during the presentations.
  
  
  Popular content with @MosesKemibaro
  - Lists and rankings
  - Videos interviews
  
  - Wptouch is a  plugin in wordpress  that one can use for  mobile devices
  
  Social Media Marketing with Francis Waithaka
  1. Add links to your Email signatures
  2. Business cards
  3. Build relationships with people
  4. Schedule tweets – timely
  5. Digg.com – post your article links there. Join active groups
  6. Delicious.com – for bookmarking
  7. Facebook – create a group
  8. Linked in – network with professionals
  9. Stumbleupon.com
  10. Twitter – use Hashtag on keywords to make your content findable
  11. Google + good for SEO
  12. Twylah – has high SEO value
  13. Guest blogging – back links
  14. Place share buttons on your blog – like, addthis, +1, tweet – makes it easy to amplify ua content
  
  SEO for social media profiles
  - Use same keywords for your profile on twitter, FB, Google+, linkedin
  - Cpanel stats – AW stats
  - Checking Wordpress stats
  - bit.ly + to see who has retweeted your tweets. Analysis of social referrals
  
  Find more photos here 
  
  

  
  

• KenyanPoet Podcast: 3rd show feat Sauti Sol and Poet Teardrops

  Posted: November 11, 2011, 9:32 pm by K.P

  KenyanPoet November Show: TearDrops by KenyanPoet Find the play list here

  
  

• OnPoint Solutions looking for a Creative Writer

  Posted: November 11, 2011, 9:06 pm by K.P

  Company Background Information:
  Onpoint IT Solutions International, a Digital Marketing firm, provides Digital Marketing Services & Consultation to both Privately & Publicly held companies in various industries.
  
  Company Website:
  http://www.onpoint-it.com
  
  Creative Writer Job Description:
  

  1. Conducts research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, utilizing sources such as the Internet, magazines, journals, books, newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
  2. Reviews, submits for approval, and revises written material to meet personal standards and satisfy needs of client, publisher, director, or producer.
  3. Selects subject or theme for writing project based on clients business and writing specialty, or assignment from marketing coordinator, client, producer, or director.
  4. Develops factors, such as theme, plot, characterization, historical development, action, and dialogue, to create material
  5. Writes blog articles, advertising copies, press releases, content for mailers, industry research papers, newsletters, website content, industry related articles, scripts to name a few.
  6. Organizes material for project, plans arrangement or outline, and writes synopsis.
  7. Collaborates with other writers on specific projects
  8. Confers with clients, publishers, or producers to discuss development changes or revisions

  
  Personal Characteristics
  

  1. Ability to write short stories, thought-provoking articles and essays and creatively simplified pieces on highly technical subjects.
  2. Ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of people (for example, engineers, educators, publishers, editors, art directors, film producers, readers of varying ability)
  3. Adaptability and flexibility
  4. Ability to pay close attention to detail
  5. An interest in new communications technologies, particularly those involving multi-media and the Internet
  6. Ability to analyze and think critically
  7. Ability to deal with and learn from criticism
  8. Ability to handle multiple requests during high pressure periods
  9. Strong organizational, time management skills

  
  Education:
  

  1. Respective educational credentials degree preferred in Journalism, English, Literature
  2. An ability to write well with an understanding of plain language, sentence structure, presentation formats and readability
  3. A good grasp of grammar and the ability to express ideas clearly in writing, research, interviewing and analytical skills, editing and proofreading skills

  
  Employment:
  This is a permanent position
  
  To Apply:
  Send Your Resume & attach a creative, original, self-titled Piece of your writing on Social Security to : charles@onpoint-it.com
  
  N/B: Ladies are encouraged to apply.
  

  
  

• POWO November : Is there A place for African Languages Online?

  Posted: November 10, 2011, 4:44 pm by K.P

  
  

  
  

• Gikuyu Play: Uka Murio Ngurie by Fanaka Arts Theatre 11th - 13th Nov @ KNT

  Posted: November 7, 2011, 9:41 pm by K.P

  
  

  
  

• The BOGOF, Being Only Great Of Finesse; From the Art

  Posted: October 18, 2011, 5:40 pm by K.P

  Dear FAM,
  
  This post has been written from behind that rock over there. I feel like a neglectful parent who leaves their child wandering around the neighborhood until after 9pm and realizing, OH SHIE...where's that little nutter, It's dinner time.
  Here's the dinner then.
  
  I have probably met a number of you and told you about the rush in creating the theme for our next BOGOF, FROM THE ART.
  
  There was deliberation (fruits of a democratic environment) before this was agreed upon, I will have you know. Something about where this particular line of thought is heading seems off,oh, there's a junction. LEFT TURN.
  
  FROM THE ART is a theme that has a strong sense of abstractness in art and the thought in itself. The theme recognizes where from theBOGOF has come from as an event and also the space created by the themes given for rtistes to express themselves, audience to participate and the movement to grow..OK, I think we need a change of direction.
  
  ooh ooh ROUND-A-BOUT
  
  The theme recognizes that ART is an individual conviction by all who wield the talent's power. In that sense it is expressed in a custom-made manner and everybody puts their heart into it. That tends to show the sincerity that art has when expressed by different individuals. At the very same time, it is abstract because of the fact that it is expressed by different individuals. Quite like having many differently-colored paint balls being thrown around in an enclosed space.(that's what just popped into my head at that moment). That is how FROM THE ART came along. I can see the lights, we're here.
  
  THE DESTINATION:
  The event will be held at the HILTON NAIROBI on the 29th October 2011 from 3pm to 7pm. In store for you is the most phenomenal assortment of artistes that we have had yet. You would have to come to find that out now won't you.
  
  But really, the lights are so pretty. The people who will grace the stage will be nothing short of GREAT OF FINESSE. And you will be part of it by just parting with under USD 2.00, KES 200.00, considering the hard times.
  
  Have a peak inside, there's the window (read POSTER)...Let me....
  
  
  
  By Le_Cleric

  
  

• Heal the Nation Documentary Launch: 23rd October at City Hall Way.

  Posted: October 17, 2011, 12:22 pm by K.P

  
  
  
  
  
                   
   Poets interested in performing at this event should get in touch with me on njeriwangari(at)kenyanpoet(dot)com. Your poetry has to focus on either: Post Election Violence, Conflict, politics or reconciliation

  
  

• A new Creatives Multi-Media Hub opens in Nairobi; PAWA254

  Posted: October 12, 2011, 12:15 pm by K.P

  
  

  
  

• Vivian Green coming to Nairobi;

  Posted: October 4, 2011, 5:30 pm by K.P

  A few weeks ago, on learning that Vivian Green will be coming to Nairobi for a show, someone asked me a rather interesting question.
  

  "Are you not writing about Vivian Green coming to Kenya? is it because she sould out?"

  
  I knew about Vivian Green coming to Kenya a while ago upon which I made a comment on twitter to the effect that, her 2nd album was more of RnB and that she seemed to have shed the Neo Soul side of her that I liked and instead embraced a  more 'pop'(popular) tone to her music.
  

  Vivian Green

  
  The debate of what is Neo Soul and what is RnB is one that is not ending anytime soon but for someone who knows their music, the ear tells it all. There is that intuition that determines my take on a song.
  
  As a poet, hearing a song whose lyrics do not hold a deeper meaning and are meant to be understood the way they were sang, I tend to become quite critical of musicians who switch from Neo Soul to RnB. This is in no particular undue reference to Vivian but many artists who start out with that Soul feel then somehow loose it somewhere. This can sometimes happen if the producer/agent/manage who the artists engages do not have the artist's best interest and thus become very commercial oriented. There is also the pressure to remain relevant thus an artist if forced to release half baked songs.
  
  
  Very few record labels can respect an artist's wish to take a 10 year break like Sade and Maxwell did.
  
  I had an interesting discussion with DJ Eric yesterday on this same subject. I interviewed him some time back as he quite knowledgeable on not just music but the journey of an artist who starts out as unsigned and eventually gets signed on to a major record label. He gave me an example of Alicia Keys, Angie Stone and lately Maxwell.
  
  My take is that, Neo Soul as a genre that is trying to stand on its own is going through the same challenges that RnB and New Jack went through having come from classic Soul. There are those who will fall by the way side and those that will remain true to their art.
  

  
  

• From FOSS to BAKE : Open Source Software and a Bloggers Association

  Posted: September 21, 2011, 10:00 pm by K.P

  
  Last Saturday 17th September was the much anticipated #POWOSept at Nairobi's Tech hub. The event comes every 2nd month on the 3rd Saturday and it aimed at encouraging creative writers and budding bloggers to go online and use the internet as the publish platform.
  
  

  Wanjiku Mwaurah performing to the POWO audience

   The event this month was focusing on Free and Open Source Software(FOSS) as well as a presentation on the Bloggers Association of Kenya.
  
  To give the talk on FOSS was Alex Gakuru a man who wears man hats but most importantly, one who believes that FOSS is the future for Africa.
  
  The event started shortly after 11.30 with a few poetry videos from Kanye West, Common and KRS 1.The MC for the day, Ndanu, who went on to introduce the feature poet, Wanjiku Mwaura.
  
  A truly talented young lady, Wanjiku performed some of her pieces that are both entertaining and though provoking with poems such as Vocally bold, Continental and the ever fresh 'I just don't like you' among others.
  
  

  Alex Gakuru & Kachwanya taking questions

  Next was Alex Gakuru who started off by mentioning many untapped opportunities as well as the immense resources available. As he put it " There's so much creativity in Kenya that has not been tapped". He gave an example of Avatar in which, one Kenyan Artist was involved in the making. He confirmed that the Kenyan Government had set up a task force to help develop local content as well as create market for it both online and offline. With the move to digital broadcasting, there will be a huge demand for content and CCK will require all stations to have atleast 40% local content.
  
   Sourceforge.net is the main source of free and open source software. He delved into what was driving more and more countries towards FOSS. Excessive Capitalism became a global crisis in the rest of the world except in China. He described Open Source as being more communist in style. He also likened it to use of Mathematical formulas where one does not pay a license every time they apply a certain formula to their calculations.
  
   He informed the POWO audience that he had just come from a COMESA conference in which 12 recommendations were adopted on FOSS On Open Source operating systems, he stated that there are many though the most popular is Linux which in turn has many variants e.g Ubuntu, Redhat, Sues. One can the code but they are obligated to release it(code) to others.
  
  
  Open Source softwares are usually free to download and one only needs to worry about bandwidth and storage. Android is an example of Open Source software.
  
   Sudan have modified it to a localized version which included local languages and renamed it to Nildroid. 70% of users online are usually looking for local content thus, it is wise for us to develop blogs, websites and even local applications to serve this need.
  
  After Gakuru’s insightful presentation was Kachwanya the chair of Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) Kachwanya started off on a light note making fun of those who leave FB to twitter and then refer to it as MKZ(Mukuru Kwa Zuckerberg)
  
  BAKE is an online community based association that seeks to syndicate bloggers content, create networks among bloggers, get legal and communal representation. Before starting his presentation. He challenged the audience on the variety of content on Kenyan Blogs.
  There are no agricultural, fisheries or livestock bloggers.
  
  Content: Kenyan bloggers are the highest producers of local content
  
  Traffic: By joining BAKE, bloggers will gain the critical mass required by most advertisers.
  
  Engagement: ability to engage ones readers both online and offline via twitter, facebook and events
  
   Kachwanya’s enlightening presentation gave way to a Q&A session. Some of the interesting questions posed to Gakuru and Kachwanya were; is BAKE likely to become another CCK to which Kachwanya clarified that BAKE will not seek to monitor or even dictate what or how bloggers write but he also clarified that there will be terms and conditions to be met before one can become a member.
  POWO attendees also wanted to find out why the cost of a .co.ke domain remains so expensive.
  
  As the Q&A session came to an end, Alex informed the crowd that there would be an Internet Governance forum starting 27th Sept.
  
  After the morning session, Wanjiku offered an entertaining break with more of her poetry leading to the afternoon session which was a training workshop.
  
  The following topics were covered during training workshop
  
   Kachwanya
   - How to generate revenue from Blogging
  - Registering a domain and choosing a host
  - Migrating from BlogSpot to wordpress or to own website
  @kachwanya 
  
  Richard Wanjohi 
  - Using and interpreting analytics
  - SEO and enlisting on aggregator sites
  @rwanjohi
  
  Mwirigi 
  - Starting a blog on wordpress
  - Uploading text, photos,
  - Embedding Videos, audio
  - Creating twitter and FB accounts
  - Anonymous blogging
  @mwirigi
  
  Njeri Wangari 
  - Creating a podcast
  - Uploading and marketing a podcast
  - Increasing traffic to ones site
  - Creating an account on youtube
  - Uploading videos
  - Creating an own channel
  @kenyanpoet
  
  The event came to an end at 3.30pm. We thank all those who attended. The next meetup which will be the last one for this year will be on 19th Nov at the same venue. See you for POWONov.
  
  

  
  

• POWO September: Open Source Talk and Training Workshop

  Posted: September 12, 2011, 2:22 pm by K.P

                     To sign up logon to POWOSept to register, the event is free

  
  

• Story Moja Hay Festival brings Ben Okri and Yusef Komunyakaa 15th -18th Sept 2011

  Posted: September 5, 2011, 10:00 pm by K.P

  
  The Story Moja Hay Festival is back this time round bringing writers such as Ben Okri, Yusef Komunyakaa, Beth Lisick and Hari Kunzru among others. I will be having 2 sessions one on Friday and one on Sunday. I hope you will make time to engage with Creative Writers.
  
  
  
  For a tenative program of the Festival, check out NairobiNow's post.
  

  
  

• Mafikizolo reigns at Blankets & Wine despite downpour

  Posted: September 5, 2011, 5:30 pm by K.P

  Yesterday was the 29th edition of Blankets and Wine, an event that was started by Muthoni Donga back in 2008.
  
  It is a monthly event that brings together artist from Kenya and other African Countries with their fans every 1st Sunday of the month at the Mamba Village in Karen Nairobi.
  
  Mafikizolo, a group from South Africa known for their hit 'Ndihamba Nawe' were the highlight of yesterday's event which also say Kenyan acts like Maia Von Lekow, Aziza and Muthoni (Drummer Queen).
  
  I arrived at Mamba Village slightly late though just in time to catch Maia. Muthoni and the boy band Aziza had already performed. The place was quite parked with more vehicles still streaming in forming a convoy right from the main road turn off to the Mamba gate. Parking was a challenge and one had to exercise their legs abit to cover the distance.
  
  Then I saw it, what has come to be the trademark in the event and what some will use to conclude that the event has now become elitist with most attending to be seen or to show off their vintage/fine wines. Well, I will not get into that debate for now.
  Revelers were strewn all over the vast field, some under tents, some basking in the sun and others milling around food and drink stands.
  
  The sunny afternoon slowly started changing as dark clouds gathered, this did not seem to move Maia as she encouraged the crowd to sing the rain away. However, this did not change much. The torrent drained off the sound just after her performance and for almost 2 hrs, we sat hurdled next to each other trying to get some warmth and shield from the rain that seemed hellbent   on ruining the day.
  
  Finally, the sound technicians were able to sort out the sound and Muthoni who was also the day's MC informed the drenched mob that Mafikizolo were ready to get us up and dancing. True to their word, when they got on stage, they got everyone to their feet with most going to the dancing space just below the stage.
  
  They started off with a fast paced song and then went on to sing one of my favourite tracks Emlanjeni. The group performed for almost 3 hours late into the night giving Kenyans a true concert experience. The duo was accompanied by 3 of their dancers who seemed as though they had no bones in their bodies! They performed various songs from their albums; Nisixotshelani, Kwela, Guga'thandayo, Udakwa Njalo(which we were informed meant, 'you drink too much'), Masithokoze, Marabi and the Kenyan Favourite, Ndihambanawe among others.
  
  This song, Ndihambanawe is what shot them to the limelight and it remains the most requested song. It went on to win the 'Song of Decade' award in South Africa last year. The always ingenous Kenyans decided to start the shuffle routine and soon everyone was doing the shuffle prompting the group to repeat the song and ask that everyone do the shuffle.
  
  As I left the place at some minutes past seven which had by now become one fine mud mess, the duo were still up on stage evidently giving their fans value for their money and thanking them for withstanding the rain.
  Reaching the main gate was a huge challenge as it was quite muddy but after getting home, I found myself quietly humming "I will meet you by the river, I will meet you by the river".
  
  It was worth it though I didn't get to sit on a blanket.
  
  
  

  
  

• Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua: Wambui our Warrior

  Posted: September 2, 2011, 9:10 pm by K.P

  
  Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua            

  Wambui Otieno (Image courtesy of BeatriceSpadacini.com

  
  Mbaara ya mau mau Yagũkorire No diagũkuire Ukĩhũrana na nyakerũ Ta mũndũrũme Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua
  Ũkiuga ũkũhikĩra ikenye rĩaku Kĩũma kĩa goro mũgathĩini Ũyũ Wa mũtũrĩre Na ũkĩĩhotora ta mũkũi wa rwĩmbo Ũkĩina rwa nyarugunga Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua
  Wendo ũhana ũũkĩ mwatũinĩ Wa ciana, mũthuri na bũrũri waku Warũũĩra wendo wa mũthuri Ta nyamũ ya gĩthaka Ĩ ndihie Na ona watihio ngoro Dũigana kwĩira Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua
   Mwĩrĩ wa mũthuri na wendi wake Waũhũranĩire ta hiti na nyama Na magĩgũtunya nyama Ĩ kanua Kĩrumi makĩĩhumba ta nguo Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua
  Ta deri igĩthiũrũrũkĩra kĩimba Maathingata mwĩrĩ waku Indo ciao, itua riao We mũtumia, Ta mwana Dwagĩrĩirwo ni gũkũũrĩra arũme maitho Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua
  Atumia oothe maro oeererea makinya maku Gũkinyĩra ma na kĩhoto Ta mũrũũthi wonete thiiya Huurũka rĩu na mwedwa waku Wambũi Mũtumia Njorua
  
  Njeri Wangari- Wanjohi 2^nd September, 2011
  NjeriWangari(at)kenyanpoet.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  – All rights reserved©
  
  The English Translation
  
  Wambui Our Warrior
  
  The Mau Mau uprising Found you and left you You fought with the white man Like a man And won Wambui our warrior
  You chose with your heart The bead to place In your life’s necklace Girding yourself Like a soloist Singing praise songs To Nyarugunga For bearing you a lover Wambui our warrior
  Your love, like honey in a hive For your children, husband and country Was fresh and abundant every day You fought for your husband’s love Like a wounded animal Their stabs to your heart Left you bruised But not dead Wambui, our warrior
  For your husband’s body and his will You fought But lost And they adorned themselves his curse Like a bride for her day Wambui our warrior
  A pack of vultures surround your remains you Their possession You, like a child Had no right Raising your voice to grown men Wambui, our warrior
  May women try filling your shoes Fight for truth Fight for justice Fight for what is right Like a lion with its prey Wambui our warrior
  You have now found peace At the bosom of your lover Wambui our warrior
  Njeri Wangari- Wanjohi 2^nd September, 2011                                                             NjeriWangari(at)kenyanpoet.com
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  – All rights reserved©
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

• Kenya Museum Book Sale 2nd & 3rd Sept 2011

  Posted: August 30, 2011, 12:27 pm by K.P

  
  
  "Crayziee about books"?
   Kenya Museum Society is pleased to invite you to
  the annual second hand book sale this Friday 2nd Sept to Sat 3rd Sept.
   The sale will commence from 10.00am - 4.00pm on both days!
   Come with your friends and get a great collection of
   books, magazines and cassettes from as low as Ksh 50.
   This is a great chance to revamp your library!! 
  Call us on 0724 -255 299 info(at)kenyamuseumsociety.org
   Don't miss, See you then!

  
  

• Mafikizolo for the 29th Edition of Blankets & Wine, 4th Sept, 2011

  Posted: August 26, 2011, 6:07 pm by K.P

  The song 'Emlanjeni'  or 'I will meet you by the river' as I prefer to call it has been my ringtone for the last 2 months now. This is after I  took an interest in  the group which I knew of thanks to Classic Fm overplaying their song Ndihambanawe. They almost made me hate the group.
  
  However, I  watched the video to the song Emlanjeni and lets just say, I feel in love with the group then, needless to say, I never listened to the overplayed track.
  
  Well, the group from South Africa will be gracing this month's Blankets and Wine at the Leisure Gardens, Mamba Village  on Sunday 4th September from 1 till 6.30pm.
  
  Mafikizolo  a rocking melange of traditional sounds, thumping bass of African house rhythms and a dose of 50s popular music genre marabi. One of South Africa's most favourite music groups, Mafikizolo, is back with a brand new banging album after a well deserved two year break and this time they want to take their loyal fans on the musical journey of their lives. The transport for the journey is a Six Mabone - a classic car of the 60s-which is the title of their seventh album.
  
  Despite loosing their lead singer, Tebza  in December 2001 following a road accident, the group has gone on to become one of South Africa's most sought after group.
  
  Advance tickets are going for 1,000 and can be purchased online through Pesa Pal.
  
  

  
  

• KenyanPoet Podcast Show 2 August 2011

  Posted: August 22, 2011, 12:29 pm by K.P

  
  
  This is a show that draws mainly from the blog which is an artistic space for Kenyan Arts. The Podcast will mainly be featuring music, poetry, news and information on the Arts in Kenya through feature artists, interviews, poetry performances and readings. The show's host is Njeri Wangari.
  
  Njeri is working with one 'Skipper' (Ralph) who handles the recording and editing of the show from his lovely Studio. Thanks Man for the dream and  for being patient.
  
  We did the 1st show a while back, incase you didn't listen to it, find it here.
  
  Send us your comments and/or suggestions to njeriwangari(@) kenyanpoet(dot)com
  
  2nd Podcast - August 2011
  
  Kenyan Poet Aug show by KenyanPoet
  
  
  

  
  

• Margaretta Gacheru; Setting the Record Straight @ Paa ya Paa Arts Centre 21st Aug

  Posted: August 15, 2011, 10:00 pm by K.P

  Paa ya Paa Art Center presents, "Setting the Record Straight" An illustrated talk by Dr. Margaretta wa Gacheru based on her dissertation " Globalizing Kenyan Culture: Jua Kali and the transformation of Contemporary Kenyan Art: 1960 - 2010 on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3 p.m. at  Paa Ya Paa Arts Centre (Located on Ridgeways Rd off Kiambu Road)
  
  Dr.
 Gacheru
 is
 a
 professional
 journalist
 with
 experience
 working
 for
 the
Weekly
 Review,
Nairobi
 Times,
 the
East 
African, 
Daily
 Nation,
 Kenya
 Times and
 magazines
 like
 Trend 
and
 Men
 Only.

Academically
 she 
has 
4
masters:

in 
Journalism, 
African
 Literature,
 Sociology
 and
 Education
 plus
 a
 Doctorate
 of
 Sociology
 from
 Loyola
 University,
Chicago,
USA.








  WELCOME
 ALL!

  
  

• Neil Schell: The Man behind 'My Life in Crime' the Film

  Posted: August 9, 2011, 9:15 pm by K.P

  
  Last  Sunday afternoon as I went to the Kenya National Theatre to watch a play, I came across a poster on an upcoming acting workshop. Upon reading further, I could not believe what I was seeing!
  
  The Classic Novel 'My Life in Crime' by John Kiriamiti was being adapted to a Film by none other than Neil Schell.
  
  I excitedly tweeted about it and I was not the only one who got excited by these news! @bankelele, @matrixster, @kainvestor and @savvykenya among others retweeted the announcement.
  
  That evening I decided that I must get the story behind this. It was not hard to track Neil as he has a lovely frequently updated website.
  
  
  Tell us something about yourself that we will not find in your Biography
   I’ve painted some pretty cool oil paintings - landscapes of my homeland British Columbia - and I use bright, unusual colours.
  
  

  Neil Schell Actor, Director, Producer, Writer and Acting Coach (Photo Courtesy of his website)

   What inspired you to pursue your career in Film? 
  
  When I was young I loved watching old movies on TV. Where I grew up there were only two TV channels so the selection wasn’t like today. I had to watch whatever the broadcaster would schedule. No choices. I think it exposed me to some great movies that I would never have chosen for myself - you know a 8 year old watching loves stories and gangster movies. But the big turning point was Star Wars. I know it’s cliche for people my age to say but that movie had a gigantic impact on me in so many ways. And it was the story more than the special effects that just woke me up to the universe of movie making. I knew my life would be in this industry but I had absolutely no idea how to go about it.
  
  You have had a very successful career in the Film Industry in the various capacities that you serve (Director/Producer/Actor/Writer and Acting Coach) how are you able to manage all these? 
  
  I have no idea! I think the best way to answer your question is to say - I do what I am doing when I am doing it. I don’t think about producing when I am directing. I don’t think about directing when I am acting. And so goes the list. I think that’s how I do it. I have never really sat down and tried to figure that out. But I do know I just fully immerse myself into the task at hand and do it to my full capability at that moment in time.
  
   What did you study in college?
  
  Sciences. Go figure. I have this great capacity to do math. My mother tells me she was good at math too so maybe I can attribute that to genetics (although I don’t believe in genetics much). It’s just one of those natural talents. I have this other talent too, I can spell words of any length at lightening speed without stopping or hesitating or thinking. Strange huh. Haven’t found a great use for that talent yet.
  
  When did you come to Kenya in relation to your career? 
  
  Wow. Well, I had finished shooting The A-Team when I got the email. I was so very focused on my acting career and helping other actors make their dreams come true. But this email looked like a great opportunity.
  
  Why Kenya? 
  
  That’s a bit of a story. Several years ago while I was on one of my whirlwind teaching trips across Canada (big country, it takes 6 days to drive across it at 110 km an hour!) there was a student in my class who was Kenyan. No big deal really. But she was so impressed with my class she quit her corporate job in Edmonton and went into show business as an actor. She then started writing TV shows. This Kenyan was Dorothy Ghettuba.
  
   I gave her another class in Toronto where she had moved to to pursue her new found career. I didn’t hear from her for awhile, but when I did she was asking me to come and train actors for a new series that MNET was producing in Kenya. To be honest, I knew very little about Kenya and, you know, I got the usual North American diet of news from Africa. So I was a bit in disbelief about the whole thing when she asked me to come. Regardless, I tossed aside any weird thoughts promoted to me by the media and arrived here in Kenya in 2008. I was only here for three weeks but I knew I would be back!
  
  
  You have directed Saints and Higher Learning, both local productions. Tell us about it? 
  
  

  Some of the Cast members  in the Series 'Saints'

  Two different shows with very different feels. And I love them both! I had the very fortunate privilege of being given complete casting authority for these series. Something a TV director doesn’t usually get a chance to do. That allowed me to select some very good local actors. And, I must say, my selection was not based on fame or who I knew, because I didn’t know any actors here at all and had no idea who was famous, who was new, who was working and who wasn’t. I was also very impressed with the crew I got to to work with.
  
  Very professional and hard working. And fun! The more fun it is on set, the better the final work is. At least, that’s what I have discovered. And we had a lot of fun working on both Higher Learning and Saints. I worked with the actors closely in order to get a “real” feel to the shows. I’m into what is called “truthful” acting and I tried to get that from every actor I worked with. The challenges were many but with some great team work the majority were solved in very brilliant ways. Directing these two series have given me unforgettable good experiences. It’s truly been an honour for me.
  
   What has been your experience working with Kenyan Actors? 
  
  Well that is a loaded question. Overall, I would say I have had a very positive experience with the actors here. I mean each actor is an individual so it’s hard to answer this question. I have had the lovely experience of working with some of the most talented and professional actors I have ever met. True. But I have also had to work with actors who were very unprofessional to the point of being destructive to the production. But I must say, there is a huge amount of talent here. And with the industry growing there are more opportunities for those talented actors.
  
  
  We are witnessing a lot of Kenyan actors who were previously involved in plays now pursuing screen acting what are your thoughts on this? 
  
  I think it’s a natural progression. I think that an actor should pursue work on stage first since it is the place where you will have a better chance of being exposed to great writing and larger roles and you get the time to sink your teeth into some incredible characters. If you just go straight into film, it is much harder to land such roles and if you do, you might not be ready for it. So stage is a good thing. But transforming from stage to screen can be challenging.
  
   To avoid making mistakes in front of the camera and learning by trial and error, it’s a good idea to get some training on exactly what is expected for film and TV acting. Film acting is more precise, more refined. You can get away with things on stage that you just cannot get away with in TV and film. And that is all due to the close up. Something that never happens on stage. No audience member of a play can see the slight glance of an actor’s eye like a film audience can.
  
  What are some of the challenges you have faced? 
  
  In life? In acting? In directing? I will go with directing. Here’s one. When directing Saints I had the challenge of making three different locations look like one place on screen. It was one heck of a challenge. I would shoot one part of a scene in a hallway at a studio with a couple of actors walking and talking. Then about two weeks later shoot the beginning part of that scene at our location in a real hospital with the same actors and then another week later shoot the end of the scene when they are in an office. This is very technical in nature and a real mind bender. But with the help of some of the crew and actors and some great ideas, it worked. When you watch it edited it looks like on building and like it’s all happening in one time continuum.
  
  Like those two minutes of travel and talking all happened in those two minutes when in reality they were spread out over almost a month and in three different places. As far as career building goes, the major challenge has been having to persist despite how futile it can all seem at times. So many people I knew when I started out ended up quitting in those darkest of times. It’s kind of nature’s way of selecting those who deserve to be in this most incredible of all industries - filmmaking. At least that’s what I think. If you can get through those times, you will make it for sure.
  
   You will be conducting a 5 day acting course starting this month from 5th, tell us about it?
  

  A keen audience during his previous workshops

  Yes. I will be giving three sets of them starting on the 15th of August and running until the second of September. I had such a huge response to my one day class back in February, I thought I would give even more training now that I have a break in between directing gigs. In these classes, I will be giving out the secrets to how I have managed to work as an actor in movies like The A-Team and Watchmen and hit TV series like Fringe and Eureka. It’s not only about talent and acting skills, it’s also about a certain mindset that has to be attained and maintained.
  
   I respect actors very much. I am one so I can’t help it. Their quest is one of the toughest in existence and I will do whatever I can to help. That doesn’t mean I can give every actor I meet a job. It just means I can always give them something that will move them closer to their dream. When it comes to technique and skill, I know I have managed to discover the most effective ways of preparing and bringing the best in every actor. It took me many years to not only discover this but to put it into practice for myself and others and to see it work every time. All of these gems will be given out and practiced in the 5-Day workshop. And for those who go to all three, well, they will get an even wider scope of what I have done and I will be able to work with them even more on their skills.
  
   Which other projects are you working on? 
  
  I’m writing an action flick, kind of Indiana Jones style, about the truth of race and how these two women scientists get into all kinds of trouble when they are finishing up their proof. It takes place in Canada, Germany and Kenya. Ends up in the area of Lake Turkana - the cradle of humankind. And I have another movie about a pretty well-known Kenyan I am in talks about but I am not obliged to tell you what that is. Ha! Mystery!!
  
  My Life in Crime is one of Kenya’s Classic Novels based on the real life story of John Kiriamiti the author. You will be adapting it for a film is that right? 
  
  

  A Front Cover of the classic Novel by John Kiriamiti

  Yes that is totally right. I am helping produce the film adaptation of the best-selling Kenyan novel My Life in Crime written by John Kiriamiti. Janet Kirina and myself are producing this film and soon will be joined by another local producer who is super excited about it. Can’t say who it is at this stage as contracts need to be signed and so on. Janet and I managed to purchase the film rights for three of John’s novels - My Life in Crime, My Life with a Criminal and My Life in Prison. The best contract we could get from the owner’s of the rights was one movie from all three novels. We took a long hard look and have figured out how to do it. Scripting is happening now by Serah Mwihaki. 
  
   What inspired the adaptation of this novel? 
  
  That’s Janet’s doing. She picked up the novel My Life with a Criminal and after reading only about 4 or 5 chapters searched out John and went to meet him to ask his permission to make a movie of his books. He had had others request it from him but Janet won his favour. Even though he did not own the rights, Janet felt it was only right to see John in person and get his blessing.
  
  This is one book that has been read by generations, did you carry out any form of research to determine whether it was the right choice? 
  
  I didn’t and I don’t think Janet did either. It was one of those intuitive insights that are often much more intelligent than any analysis could ever be.
  
  Serah Mwihaki is writing the screen play adaptation of the book, how has it been working with her? 
  
  She has a very interesting style to her writing and her immediate take on what the movie would be like struck a chord with both Janet and myself. She’s a trooper too. She’s been ill recently but she carries on and gets the work done despite it all.
  
  When is the film set to release? 
  It will release next year - September most likely.
  
  
   What is your role in the making of this Film?
   I am working in close conjunction with Janet to oversee and approve anything and everything to do with the making of this film.
  
   Who are some of the actors who will appear in the film? 
  
  It’s a bit early to say because we don’t have a first draft yet. The most obvious role is not cast yet - that of Jack Zollo. We have actors in mind but nothing is finalized. Janet is slated to play Millie, his wife. Once we have a script that’s in good shape we will start casting the roles. I have had actors contact me from as far away as Uganda and Rwanda asking for a role in this movie and we don’t even have a script yet. This movie has a power attached to it that is almost unexplainable. It will change the movie industry in Kenya forever.
  
   Is the author involved? If so, in what way? 
  
  John will be involved as a consultant when we are shooting. We want to get the story as right as we can. We want to bring to life that time period in Kenya and Nairobi in particular with costumes, sets, props and music. He will be of great assistance in that matter.
  
   I imagine some of the scenes will be shot from the Nairobi’s Central Business District as that is where most of the events happened in the novel, how has it been choosing and/or shooting? 
  
  Yes, a number of scenes will be in town - robberies, night clubs, car chases. Especially the River Road area. But there are lots of scenes in Jack Zollo’s house as well with his wife Millie. And there is a great scene in Nakuru. He travels to the Congo as well and Mombasa. So those scenes, at this point, will be in the movie. Then there is the prison as well. So lots of interesting scenes and action.
  
  Are there plans to adapt the other novels which are a continuation of the initial Novel? Ie. My Life with a Criminal and A Son of Fate? 
  

  Actress Janet Kirina She will play the role of Millie Photo courtesy of  Standard Media

  
  As I said earlier, My Life with a Criminal will be incorporated in this movie. As far as other novels of John’s, no, not at this point. We are hoping, and so are the publishers, that movie makers in Kenya will look to more of Kenyan literature and written stories to adapt to film and tell the world about the real Kenya. Not the one the mass media tries to push off onto the rest of the world.
  
   What is the future for film in Kenya?
  
  It’s very bright. At least that is my take on it. I see very dedicated crews and talented actors with producers who are all jumping in with both feet making things happen. And as time passes the quality will start to rise. I see Kenyan productions as high quality. That’s going to be their uniqueness. Nigeria has their mass production machine Nollywood with production values that I would never stoop to. But Kenya’s movie industry future is on a different path. It’s high quality with real Kenyan stories the world over can relate to.
  
   I was recently at the Rwanda film festival as a guest. I saw a few Rwandan films. Their films are also of high quality but yet to be fully made in Rwanda since they are mainly made by outside filmmakers. And their story is virtually the same about the genocide. I think Kenyans have stories to tell that they are not afraid to tell. And that honesty will talk to the world. Kenya and it’s people have some very valuable things to say and the world will benefit from them.
  
  Tell us something that we might have forgotten to ask
  
  Sure. One thing I have found here is the lack of filmmaking books. The technique of filmmaking has been discovered by some very brilliant and hard working minds over the past 100 years and that knowledge should be here and available. Without books, I would never even know what to do as a director or actor. I firmly believe that the most effective way to advance filmmaking in Kenya is to make this knowledge widely available and accessible to all. Creating a film making library is a project I am starting up here in Nairobi. At the moment, it’s just an idea I have talked about. But as you know, I don’t just talk. I do.
  
  
  

  
  

• Kinanda Festival 7 : Discovering the next big thing in Kenyan Music

  Posted: August 4, 2011, 9:45 pm by K.P

  On Sunday 31st July, I had purposed to make my first ever appearance at Kinanda Festival. This might come as a surprise because I ought to be among the first to attend seeing that I am a big fan of the arts. I honestly do not have a clear answer to this and the same applies to Blankets and Wine which I am yet to go for(I had thought of going this Sunday but TID is not my idea of African Music, sorry)
  
  
  

  Wandiri (left) with Maia Von Lekow Photo courtesy of  Reumac Blog

  
  I think it’s because both events came at a time when my life was changing dramatically from being a single carefree woman to a wife and a mother. With this new responsibilities, I have realized that I need to closely guard my time especially weekends and share them with the young one, otherwise she will turn 10 and I start wondering why we have nothing in common ( I think I need to start another blog to talk about the challenges of being a working, poetic/artistic mother… if only I had the time….)
  
  Kinanda is a monthly festival organized by my good newly discovered friend – Wandiri who also happened to be my guest speaker at the last POWO forum on Intellectual Property. Like me, she wears quite a number of hats. She is a guitarist, a band member with the group Ma3, she is also a lawyer. The event brings together the visual and performance arts at the Kifaru Gardens just near Loreto Msongari in Lavington every last Sunday of the Month.
  
  

  Musicians Fena (Left) and AnnieSoul Photo courtesy of  Reumac Blog

  Last Month, they had a lineup of both established as well as emerging artists/musicians and Poets that included Maia Von Lekow (Check out Robert’s review of her album on this blog), Aziza, Leon Kiptum and Dennis both of Mstari wa Nne (Which I am also a member) .
  
  I arrived there slightly past 1.30pm in the company of Leon, Dennis and my young Cousin who I am hoping to inspire. The place was already host to several music lovers though the fest had not yet started.
  After ordering the lovely Uchumi sandwiches, we found a place on the grass and at that point it dawned on me that I should have carried a Khanga or shuka. None the less, our jackets came in handy and the day was sunny for some sitting on grass.
  
  The event started shortly after and though the never disappointing KPLC tried sabotaging with episodes of rudely interrupted tunes, the event turned out to be a good one.
  

  Guitarist extraordinaire Kato (in shorts) Photo courtesy of  Reumac Blog

  
  I  discovered new artists that I had not heard of before. Musicians like Annie Soul who will be launching her album soon, Kato and Dempsey.
  
  Dempsey sounded like a refined version of John Legend and I believe that he is the man to watch redefine the soul space in days to come.
  
  Kato possesses a gift that is rare especially in this day of auto-tunes. He is simple fantastic on the Guitar making you think you are listening to a jazz great. He, with the help of some artist friends, did a cover version of ‘We Fall Down’ by Donnie McClurkin and the whole place became serene. He also performed some own compositions of lovely Jazz tracks, Jack should host him on his show one day or the frequent Jazz nights that happen at Sierra.
  
  I will definitely be hosting the two in the coming episodes of KP Podcast.
  
  If you want to discover new talent then do not miss the next Kinanda Festival. Don’t forget to carry a Shuka.
  
  View the rest of the photos from the event from Reumac

  
  

• PEN Periodic Poetry Night Feat Eudiah, Oketch & Mochama

  Posted: August 3, 2011, 8:55 pm by K.P

  International PEN Kenya Chapter will host a poetry reading at the Kenya National Theatre, Wasanii Restaurant, on Thursday, August, 11, 2011 from 5:00pm. Entry is free. Readings will be interspersed with storytelling and discussions. Join us together with novelists Onduko bw’Atebe, Moraa Gitaa, and a host of poets and writers as we enjoy Kenyan and Sudanese poetry and learn literary trends.
  
  Eudiah Kamonjo, an emergent poet, and one of the most popular poets who frequented poetry nights earlier on will be joining the PEN brigade at KNT. Ever since she was poached from the poetry academy and an editorial job dangled at her to work with the regional children’s magazine, Bingwa, she became rare. But we know she is talented and equally deep.
  
  Jacob Oketch, freelance journalist and multi-talented artist, met Ayi Kwei Amah and Wole Soyinka in Nairobi. What impression did Ayi Kwei Amah inscribe on his memory? Jacob is vivid! And Wole Soyinka, what did he make of his poetry reading? What was it like working at the Italian Institute and doing poetry events?
  
  Tony Mochama came to us as a grand vizier, a spokesperson for contemporary Kenyan writers. He almost singlehandedly stood as a counterpoise to Prof Egara Kabaji. With limited newspaper space assigned to literature production, has Tony been muzzled? Barrack Muluka, wrote eloquently and admirably when he hosted the Literary Forum in a local newspaper, but whom did he write for?
  
  Info courtesy of Khainga O'Kwemba
  

  
  

• A Night of Thousand Laughs : Does Stand Up Comedy exist in Kenya?

  Posted: July 29, 2011, 5:20 pm by K.P

  Top Comedians from 4 African countries will be in Nairobi for  'A Night of  a Thousand Laughs'. The comedians will include Klint the Drunk from Nigeria, Gordon (Also from Nigeria), Pablo from Uganda, Tshepo Mogale of S.A and some Kenyan comedians who have not yet been disclosed. The comedy night will be at the Bomas of Kenya on 27th August, this is according to the Zuqka magazine. The same was confirmed on Tshepo's Event's Page.
  
  I am a big fan of stand up comedy having collected the whole Def Comedy series as well as Chris Rock's and lately the witty South African Comedian Trevor Noah.
  
  

  Tshepo - A South African Comedian (Photo courtesy of ermCorporate.com)

  A while back, wrote a lengthy article cum review following the staging of Rapcha - The Sayantist at the Alliance Francaise back in 2009. The article also included my commentary on the lack of actual Stand - up Comedians in Kenya.
  
  Things might have changed slightly since then with the Setup of a Churchill Academy for Comedy which has gone on to churn quite a number of comedians.
  
  However, most cannot hold a 45minute leave alone a 1hour show alone as is the norm for most international stand up acts. Maybe it is due to the fact that there is only one platform existing - The Churchill Live Show which has to give equal opportunities to each act  or maybe they (Laugh Industry which produces the show) are unwilling to risk their neck by investing in one of them for a spin off or an alternate own show.
  
  Rapcha was very promising and I gave a glowing  review. He did appear on Churchill Live a couple of times, mostly being given less than 5 minutes but he soon disappeared from the show and from doing any other own stand up shows. He is still at Ghetto Radio though.
  
  As we look forward to the coming of stand up comedians from other countries, it will be interesting to see who will be put to represent the best in Kenyan Stand- up comedy. Now, I do not know who is organizing the event but if it is the Laugh Industry whose director is Dan Dambuki, then you can bet that it is his protegees who will be in the lineup.
  
  Now, unless a miracle happens between now and  27th August for the big Night. Our comedians will go with the usual tribal, political, recycled jokes picked from other comedians and props of blackboards, suitcases and other paraphernalia  on stage. They will not only embarrass themselves but the country as a whole on an international stage( apparently, the event will be recorded for continental TV) and we will become the joke!
  
  Now, won't that be funny!
  
  
  
  

  
  

• The 2011 'Freedom to Create' Prize - Submission Deadline 30th July 2011

  Posted: July 26, 2011, 12:23 pm by K.P

  The 2011 Freedom to Create Prize is open for nominations through their website from 24 March 2011 until 30 July 2011.
  
  Established in 2006, Freedom to Create supports programmes and projects around the world that unleash people’s creativity.
  
  There are two categories: Main Prize and Imprisoned Artist Prize.You will need to  Register to apply for the prize online or if you already registered,  Sign in to access to your application.
  
  It is also possible to download the Entry forms and email them or post them to us with your artwork. Download the Entry form for the Main Prize here and the Imprisoned Artist Prize here.
  
  The Entry forms for both Prizes can also be found in nine different languages..
  
  Kenyan Poets are especially encouraged to apply as there are currently none that have applied.
  
  Aside from the Prize, Freedom to Create works to share the work of their artists with the rest of the world. In addition to their recent exhibitions in London and New York, they also have a global touring exhibition. Most recently, they have showed at Cairo Opera House, HIFA in Harare and the Queen’s Palace in Afghanistan. All entrants will also be considered for the huge festival they are planning in South Africa for November.
  
  Winners of the 2011 prize will be announced at the Festival in South Africa. It will be marked with a celebration of  the inspiration of this year’s artists.

  
  

• Poet Joyce Lee coming to Kenya in October

  Posted: July 22, 2011, 10:12 pm by K.P

  On 13th July, I received a note from a Joyce Lee informing me that she is a Poet and would be coming to Kenya in October. It will be her first time out of the US and her first stop will be Nairobi.
  
  How she got my contacts has not been revealed yet but I decided to do some background check on her.
  
  She would like to perform in as many poetry venues in Kenya as possible.
  
  Joyce Lee is signed up on KickStarter, a site that enables one get funding for their project; in this case, her CD/DVD - No Country for Honest Womyn.
  
  More details about her coming to Kenya will be up soon but for now, enjoy this video 'Mad Love'
  
  

  
  

• What next for Poetry in Kenya?

  Posted: July 22, 2011, 12:40 pm by K.P

  I am a firm believer in the power of poetry and art in general to not only inform and entertain but also show a reflection of society in a more creative yet subtle playful way.
  
  Poetry open mic events in Nairobi have become like fast food joints; you can find one on every street and almost every campus has their own. Some venues like the Dass Restaurant have become redefined from being an Ethiopian restaurant to an open mic hub with more than 2 poetry events happening every month.
  
  

  Naliaka MC'ing Rhythm n Spoken event at Dass Photo by Njeri Wangari

  This is great, right?
  
  All these are signs that poetry is growing and its performance has made it more appealing to many who perform and attend than its written form ever did. This is a trend that is happening globally and not just here in Nairobi.
  
  However, these events seem stuck in a rut as though all reading from the same script which has with time, become quite predictable leaving no room for creativity which should be at the core of a writer.
  
  (A) featured poet(s), an open mic, some music and that’s it.
  
  It needs to be said that most if not all these events do not vet the poems/poets beforehand to ensure that no mediocrity in the name of poetry is displayed by Mic hogging teens who want to impress their mates or prove that they can actually talk to a large crowd.
  
  This is one of the reasons I rarely look forward to poetry events anymore. I am not sure whether I will be impressed or so incensed that I'll want to grab the mic and call it a day.
  
  Don’t get me wrong here, everyone gets stage fright; I still do up to now despite having performed regularly for the last 3 years. Lately, serious poetry events have been turned into stages where anyone can ‘confess’ that it’s their first time and they are not so sure whether they are poets or not then proceed to give what sounds more and more like a story telling session than a poetry performance. If this happens once it would be ok but that is what most poetry events have been reduced to.
  
  I started a debate on twitter some time back on what Poetry events are promoting; free styling rappers or poets? there were those who felt that poetry open mics were slowly taking the platform from Poets and giving them to freestylers and there are those who felt that they are one and the same and the latter are more entertaining.
  
  

  Hip Hop MCs and Rappers battling it out at a past WAPI event Photo by Njeri Wangari

  Another concern that I would beg your indulgence on is the gate fee. Now, Ksh. 300 is not such a costly fee as most entertainment spots charge that as the entrance fee and most artist events will not charge less than 500, however and this is where I start to sound like am hating, if it is an event where at some point during the open mic session part of the audience will contribute to the entertainment then how can one justify the rate?
  
  The other bone of contention is, and I have heard this complaint from many poets, the fees collected most of the times are not shared with the poets who made the event a success.
  
  I know that most of the entertainment spots charge a premium (for use of their facilities) thus the event organiser needs to cover the cost and all but I also know that it depends on the approach.
   About a year back, I spoke to The Savanna franchise  just after they launched their first restaurant on Loita St. about such an initiative but within a broader perspective and they loved the idea. Unfortunately there were some retrogressive decision making individuals and the idea never saw the light of day.
  
   My point here is, it is possible to get a good arrangement and please, pay the poets also.
  
  The other growing concern is the value of performances. Now, there are a handful of outstanding poets out there and chances are one will have seen them perform at one venue or the other. The poetry circle is quite small thus you can bet that the same crowd that attended Kwani? on Tuesday, will attend Wamathai the next Tuesday and Slam Africa the next Friday, thus as a poet, if you decide to perform the same old pieces that people applaud to then soon, we as the audience will  all have a deja vu moment of; “I have seen this performance twice before”.
   There will therefore be no incentive to attend a poetry event where this poet is the featured Poet.
  
  There was an initiative recently that sought to bring together all poetry events in Nairobi. I attended it and the usual suspects were there. I felt like I had not missed much after a 1 year hiatus.
  
  

  Poetry enthusiasts at the inaugural Wamathai Poetry night Photo by Njeri Wangari

  I ask, why not take Poetry outside of Nairobi? I am sure there are talented poets in Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret. I receive numerous emails from fans in these towns asking when they can ever have one yet Nairobi is saturated with them.
  
  Poets also need to look beyond open mic events for growth of their writing and performing. An example is the project that Ngwatilo started in fusing Music with Poetry, she now has a CD out and is coming up with her own events.
  
  I think its time that Poets also sought to benchmark themselves with poets from other countries or continents and have a performance rate card. Its time we moved to the next level. What do you think Poets?
  
  
  

  
  

• Event Review: POWO July - Intellectual Property & The laws that apply to Bloggers

  Posted: July 18, 2011, 12:27 pm by K.P

  
  “This revolution will not be televised”
  
  As I arrived at the Bishop Magua building center at half past 10, I did not know what to expect. Lots of thoughts were running through my head as I struggled to set my mind into gear for discussion on Copyright Laws and Patents without expressing my anger.
  
  As I strolled into the iHub, anger began to fill me up and I was so fired to say of my tales of robbery with mental violence. Not more than a fortnight ago I sat down at the edge of my bed on one of those sad insomniac days, and wrote a therapeutic piece from the heart about the demise of a friend. I gave it my all in terms of feelings and wording and as I posted it on my blog with a few tears trickling down my cheeks I felt relieved and spent.
  
  A week later, my piece was on another blog and worst of all, the writer on that blog was insistent that the piece was theirs and they wrote it fully. I felt like attaching a file full of anthrax in the e-mail and making sure no virus scan detected as he choked of the dust and developed ugly sores that resemble who they look like. I was infuriated!
  
  Do I have protection against such theft without violence? I know I am not alone in this war but who am I fighting? Can s/he who steals our creations be fined in any way? Where will I find justice?
  
  

  Wandiri Karimi (left) & Sarah Amoit (right) during POWO July (Photo by Mahebo Robert)

  As the event kicked off with a showing of Gil Scott Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” and a rendition of the same by Sarah Jones my heart took a chill pill and I eased into the moment…the now of intellectual, factual knowledge impartment.
  
  With a very able and well versed MC as Ndanu, POWO (POets and Writers Online) was bound to be awesome for this day. The panelist included 3 lawyers Collins Mbalo (also a blogger at Nairobian Perspective), Sarah Amoit, an advocate at the High Court and Karimi Wandiri a band member and an event organiser behind the Kinanda Festival and an avid blogger Roomthinker.
  The artist for the event was Ngwatilo who I believe has an awesome collection of pieces and mouth watering performance prowess. As she graced the stage power oozing out of her and the thought of how it would feel if she realized that someone else had taken one of her pieces for performance on an international stage without her permission would hurt.
  
  During the first presentation by Sarah, I picked up the following: Intellectual Property is the creation of the mind and under the Kenyan constitution an individual’s intellectual property should be protected from theft by another party without their consent. Some of the protection mechanisms include industrial design which protects the look or physical appearance of the product, patent, trademark among other forms.
  
  For most bloggers and writers trademarks and patents will not help much as they are based on a product that is to be produced in large scale. Our work can be protected under copyrights
  
  

  Ngwatilo as she performs one of her poems (Photo by Mahebo Robert)

  Copyrights protect the very expression of ideas which range between dramatic, artistic, musical and literally works. The work ought to be an original for it to be protected. A duplication of someone else’s work is not allowed for copyright. Though one can waiver their rights moral rights as to where your creation can be used is never waivered. If you register your work you can be protected for up to 50 years after your death. This is a good time frame to respect you and your creation.
  
  At the end of the day what you have to ask yourself is whether an acknowledgment of the author of the content is good enough and if monitory compensation in the event of economic gain will reduce this issue.
  
  After Sarah’s presentation, followed a panel discussion by Collins and M (Roomthinker), each of whom have had their works published on dailies after getting lifted from their blogs and of course after much push and pull from the established media houses some acknowledgement (and also some apology of sorts).
  
  Ngwatilo also gave another of her pieces before a second panel discussion of Wandiri K and Sarah Amoit delved deeper into what poets, musicians both classified as performing artistes can do to protect their work, seek legal redress or settle disputes arising from the use of one’s works without prerequisite permissions.
  
  A final panel discussion of the 4 guests summed up the day’s main topics and left an audience thoroughly drawn into legalese. All sessions were moderated by the day’s MC, Ndanu. Sarah Amoit gave an interesting example of how some American took patenting a bit too far with the turmeric case and India’s fight for the same.
  
  Anyone out there willing to fight for Kenya’s Kiondo, Kikoy or what Louis Vuitton did with the Maasai shuka for his spring collection 2012?
  
  

  The Day's MC Ndanu (Right) and Njeri Wangari (Photo by Mahebo Robert

  It was definitely concluded that if you want copyrights to be effective we should also respect the rules ourselves. When we take someone’s content we should quote the source and credit it in totality. If we respect them then our work will be respected.
  
  Protection is better than regret. Protect your work and avoid hurt in future.
  
  Will I attend the next POWO? I definitely will. Where else can I get free legal consultation without a fee? I loved POWOJuly. And from now henceforth as I respect other people’s work and you plagiarize my work, let’s meet in court.
  
  To view live updates of the POWOJuly tweets check the #POWOJuly Hashtag.
  
  By Mahebo Robert ©
  16/July/2011
  
  Edited by Richard Wanjohi
  
  To download the Power Point Presentation done by Sarah Amoit on Saturday, click here 

  
  

• POWOJuly: Creative Writers Online know your Laws

  Posted: July 13, 2011, 3:45 am by K.P

  As more and more Kenyans go online and as Creative Writers embrace social media as a platform for their writing, the need to be aware of the treacherous side of the Internet is necessary.
  
  There are more benefits than vulnerabilities for a young creative writer having a blog in their quest to; publish, get feedback, grow in writing and share. However, it is also important for every Creative writer to know that, whatever they write is their creation and thus needs to be protected and acknowledged by anyone who comes across it.
  
  For a long time, Creative Writers and even Bloggers in general have been affected by plagiarism; this is when someone copies part of or the whole article/post/story/poem that was your original creation and uses it without 1) Acknowledging you and 2) Seeking consent to copy and use it elsewhere.
  
  One of our guest speakers, M (Thinker's Room), who also happens to be among the first bloggers in Kenya has been a victim of Plagiarism. This brought to light the issue of, what laws are in place to protect bloggers? How does a blogger approach the party that has plagiarised their work (through a lawyer or settle out of court), what happens when the party that copied a bloggers work uses it and makes money out of it? To bring this closer home. What should a creative writer who has posted their poems on their blog do when he discovers that his works are appearing in a publication by a publishing house that he has never contacted?
  
  This last scenario did happen to various Kenyan Poets including myself.
  
  Creative writers need to know what legal recourse they can seek when faced with copyright infringement or plagiarism. There is also a need to know the measures to put in place to ensure that one is covered legally online e.g. Indicating that copyrights to a story or poem are reserved or use of creative commons widgets.
  
  POWO July seeks to provide a forum where Creative Writers can get to learn all the legal terms, differentiate them, ask questions, seek free legal counsel as well as discuss with other writers.
  
  We have invited 3 Lawyers; Collins Mbalo who is also a blogger at Nairobian Perspective. Sarah Amoit, an advocate at the High Court and Karimi Wandiri who is also a band member and an event organiser behind the Kinanda Festival monthly events.
  
  The forum will be a panel discussion with as much involvement with the audience as possible.
  
  We will also be joined by one of Nairobi’s sterling female poets, Ngwatilo Mawiyoo who recently performed at the Harare International Festival in Zimbabwe as well as at the Poetry Africa Festival in South Africa. She is currently pursuing the fusion of Poetry and Music through her Puesic Project.
  
  Join us on 16th July at the iHub from 11am. To sign up, visit powojuly.eventbrite.com.

  
  

• Interview: Winyo - The Voice behind the new Kenya Power Advert

  Posted: June 28, 2011, 12:06 pm by K.P

  KP Just who is Winyo?
  Winyo is a luo word meaning Bird, I would like to think that I look at everything from above, and up there everything is quite and calm.
  
  

  Winyo - A Benga Musician Image courtesy of Museke.com

  How did you let Osogo Winyo take your stage name?
   Well actually he did not take my name; his name jus means another type of a bird
  
  How did you get into music?
  Well I composed my first song in class four before then my mother use to tell me that when I was a toddler I use to go to our neighbors house they had a radio cassette which we did not have by then, so I would crawl in their house sit before this radio cassette press any button until there was music playing, then I would stand and start to dance, of course the neighbor would turn up and chase me away crying back to mama, after all this of course my father had to buy a big one being the jang’o he was.
  
  How would you describe your music? 
  I sing Benga music I know this is the original Kenyan sound. I grew up listening to this sound, every Kenyan community and even the musicians today have listened to Benga music, I would like to believe that we as musicians have take over from where our music fathers left it and improve the sound. With a mix of jazz and blues, I also sing folk music which was taught to me by my villagers and grand mother.
  
  Do you only sing in Dholuo? 
  No, I sing in Kiswahil our national language, Kikuyu and English, I sing mostly in dholuo because this life stories and experiences were taught to me in Luo, and from what I have seen that the music cuts across all boundaries coz its a language we all understand best, the life stories I speak about are also the same amongst our Kenyan communities
  
  You have collaborated on the song Nitie Kwe with Maurice Kirya, tell us about that experience:
  I met with Maurice Kirya at Bluzebra studios I was recording my songs, then Ted Josiah my former producer suggested if we could do something together, a tune was made and the lyrics came pouring down we wrote the song right there and recorded it, and it was very beautiful
  
  How come you are not so well known locally? 
  I would like to believe that am known locally, well most of the people who come to my concerts say this to me because they come to see me perform, although I have not played any of my music in the media but we are working on that since for along time I have been working on my album and am happy to say that it is finally done; under the careful eye of my producer Tabu Osusa, of Ketebul studios: we will be honored to give Kenyan audience the right sound they; deserve it. We will be launching very soon.
  
  How many Albums have you done so far? 
  I have done two albums so far; I did my very first recording while in high school with an accapella group we had formed back then chalayana, then after I did an album with a band group called Rateng this was formed at blue zebra.
  
  After seeing you perform on several occasions at Kwani Open Mic events, you disappeared, where did you go? Well my dear I got into TV productions for a while, I am also an actor and a script writer, our beautiful country has offered us the chance to exploit our talents, I am grateful to Citizen TV for giving me a chance to produce a TV program (Fruit salad), I also started a production company called Big Foot Productions. I have also been touring SA, and Europe, just came from a European tour this month, organized by Equation music and (OIF), International Organization of la Francophonie.
  
  You are the voice behind the new Kenya Power advert appearing in Kenyan TV stations true?
  Yes, I should believe.
  
  How did that happen? Tell us all about it from the minute you received that call
  Well my friend Moses who was also a member of Rateng band; works with an advertising company called (Mojo), he called me and told me that a client wanted me for this advert, the Demo went through, and we did the advert. I hope it serves the purpose for the bigger goal of KPLC, we want a better situation for our lives in Kenya and if this advert can play a part to help us have better lives that is all we want.
  
  There is a lady you have collaborated with on the vocals, what is her name?
   well the advert really was finished while I was away during my tour, I came back just to hear her beautiful voice in the advert, I should meet her soon.
  
   How was the experience?
  When you are a musician and you step into a studio it is always a beautiful experience, the studio engineer is there with you, the Musicians are there with you, and there is lots of sharing, beautiful musical Ideas, lots of singing, it was a beautiful experience.
  
  How does it feel to be part of such a huge re-branding campaign? 
  I feel privileged I feel honored as a Kenyan musician.
  
  We have heard Carol Atemi on the Kenol Kobil ad and you on the Kenya Power one, what are your thoughts on Corporates now turning to Kenyan artists?
  There is a lot of Kenyanism should I say, that is taking over the minds and the well being of our Kenyan society, this we welcome with a big embrace, I think many Kenyan institutions, individuals and more cooperates should see this, we are alive and we have woken up.
  
  I haven't seen you perform in a while, when is your next gig.
  In a few weeks we will plan a launch but may be before then I might perform at the French institute, I have been invited for Kisumu peace festival which will take place in August
  
  Any chance of seeing you and Maurice performing together live?
  Yes we have been planning to release the song Nitie Kwe. Plans are underway we met in France during the tour and made some arrangements.
  
   I know this is a long shot but I'll still ask, roughly how many figures were written on the Cheque :-)
  Well I guess for that one I will have to have coffee with you then I tell you in private.
  
  A word to your fans.
  Thank you for believing in me thank you for coming to share this music with me, I will have the album out very soon, you can share it with friends, your loved ones, and family, I love you all, be blessed.
  
  

  
  

• DJ Erick; Of being a Podcast DJ & The Neo Soul Mixes- An Upclose Interview

  Posted: June 24, 2011, 10:36 pm by K.P

  As I mentioned Nay, hysterically blubbered on twitter, I finally got to know the guy behind those lovely Neo Soul Podcasts.
  
  I cornered him and had this chat with him;
  
  "1st I'd like to say that its a pleasure to finally get to know you. When I first heard your podcast mixes, I didn't believe that you were actually Kenyan. Good work you are doing online."
  
  KP Just who is DJ Eric?
  I am a very simple guy actually. Very shy too. Lol.
  I hate the lime light and publicity. I prefer being behind the scenes. This is probably why you haven't heard of me locally. I never ever talk on the Mic by the way. I always tell my friends the music I play speaks for me. :)
  
  Are you a full time DJ?
  Yes I am a full time DJ
  
  What kind of music do you specialize in?
  I am an all round DJ. I play most types of music genres
  
  You have a podcast page, how did this start?
  Well realized there was a lot of good music that was not receiving air play and most people were looking for ways to listen to that kind of music. That's how I came up with the podcast page. To share with like minded music lovers
  
  What inspired you to go online knowing that most Kenyan DJs are not big on Podomatic or any other podcast sites?
  Well, I am an International DJ. So I needed to find a way in which all my friends in different countries would be able to get my music easily. Hence the Podomatic page.
  
  From the podcasts on your site, most are neo soul mixes, tell us about that
  I mentioned earlier that I am an all round DJ. The reason why I decided to concentrate on Neosoul is because not many online DJs were doing it. Another reason is I just love Neosoul and good RnB
  
  On a scale of 1 - 10(1 being slight and 10 being fanatical) how would you rate your interest in Neo Soul music.
  I would rate it 11 if I could. Lol! So 10 will do.
  
  I have noticed that some of your mixes have local urban soul e.g. Sauti Sol, Didge, what are your thoughts on Kenyan music?
  As you might have noticed Kenyan music has come a long way. Unfortunately a lot of Kenyan music doesn't go past 6 months and quality lacks. A select few actually take their time to do a good job. Most Kenyan artist should emulate these select few if they desire their music to be relevant in the years to come.
  
  What effect has going online had on your career as a DJ?
  Going online is the best move I ever made for my career. It has enhanced my international status and I have and still am getting a lot of clients interested in me performing at their events all over the world. I thank god every day for this blessing!
  
  How come you are more known online than in the local clubbing scene in Nairobi?
  I personally shy away from publicity. I prefer being undercover. I don't do clubs in Nairobi because most club owners will not pay the right rate. I mostly do private events and Corporate events.
  
  Any hopes of hearing you play live?
  If a local venue is interested in doing an event with me then definitely yes. I would jump at the chance to share my musical passion with fellow music lovers.
  
  Where do you get the music that you play (I have never heard of some artists)
  Due to my extensive travels and online interactions, I have been exposed to many talented artist trying to get their music to the masses. I just love to help them out. I also research and buy music from most of this unsigned artist.
  
  What is your advice to any aspiring DJs?
  I always tell aspiring DJs to learn and study their music before they play it.
  
  Finally, and I know this might be a tough one, who is your favorite neo soul artist?
  Yes this is a tough one. I would say Ms. Badu for now though. Ask me in a few minutes and I will have someone else in mind. Lol
  
  Dj Erick is on Twitter as @djeric04
  
  Below is one of his mixes, Enjoy. oh! the best part is, you can download  and load them onto your phone like I did.
  
  

  
  

• POWO July: Copyright & Intellectual Property Laws, 16th July at iHub

  Posted: June 24, 2011, 5:22 pm by K.P

  
  

• Film: Ndoto za Elibidi, 20th Century Cinema from 24th June 2011

  Posted: June 24, 2011, 5:14 pm by K.P

  
  

• Concert: Ngwatilo Mawiyoo at Michael Joseph Center, 8th July, 2011

  Posted: June 20, 2011, 5:47 pm by K.P

  This July, flanked by some of Kenya’s most talented and vibrant singers and musicians whom you know and love, Ngwatilo Mawiyoo shall share some of her newest poems and a few favorites in a new exclusive collaborative experiment of poetry and music.
  
  Ngwatilo is a project unlike anything you’ve seen on performance stages in Kenya, and those of you who came to The Puesic Project last year know Ngwatilo is not afraid to break new ground.
  
  So mark off Friday, July 8th 2011. As always we start at 7pm prompt, although we encourage you to arrive earlier. The venue is the swanky Michael Joseph Centre situated within Safaricom House, Westlands.
  
  How to book: 0702 845533 or email tickets@ngwatilo.com – to RSVP or purchase tickets via M-PESA. We do encourage you to finalize your purchase ahead of time: Advance Tickets are Ksh500, Gate Tickets- Ksh 800.
  
  *Ample Secure Parking Available at the venue. Bring a friend!
  
  PS. Ngwatilo will be the Feature Poet at the Next POWO on July16th at the iHub, follow @powo for more information.

  
  

• Flowetree: All Nairobi Poetry events come together, 18th June @Club Metro

  Posted: June 15, 2011, 12:54 pm by K.P

  A few days ago, I was tagged with the hashtag #Flowetree  on twitter with the question "What is your wish?"
  I must admit I had no idea what flowetree was. Floetry which comes close is a  neo soul duo that broke up some time back and thus I was sure they could not be talking in relation to them.
  So I asked(its not good to assume some things) @BernardMuhia, "What is Flowetree?"
  
  There will be an Open Mic alliance that aims to bring together all the existing poetry events in Nairobi under the banner, Flowetree.
  
  This I must say, is a good initiative and maybe out of it will grow a Poetry Festival as one Tweep suggested to me a few weeks back.
  
  One Akil Ahmed @Elpo3tic is the face behind this initiative, he is a Writer and a Poet. The event will be on Saturday 18th at Club Metro from 6pm. Charges are Ksh. 300. 
  
  Read more from @Wamathai. A correction to him though, all these poetry events are in Nairobi and its environs and there has not been any Poetry ventures in other parts of Kenya (something to think about)

  
  

• The Death of Cinema in Kenya; The signs were there all along

  Posted: June 10, 2011, 9:30 pm by K.P

  There is an  article on today's Daily Nation on the death of movie Theatres in Kenya by Nyambega Gisesa. The article, though informative, has failed to delve deeper into what has caused the demise of Cinema in Kenya, something that is also the case in other countries.
  
  Although he has mentioned Piracy and increase of TV sets in households, I felt that his article failed to clearly make one understand why most Kenyans now prefer pirating that movie despite the allure of a movie Theatre which he aptly put, has always been the perfect ingredient for a successful dating experience.
  
  He also failed to consider many other factors.
  
  Rising Cost of Living
  I would attribute this as one of the main causes of the Cinema's demise.
  With the price of bread at Ksh. 40, Maize meal at almost Ksh.100, most consumables have become a luxury. Thus we cannot even start to discuss entertainment as many Kenyans are surviving nowadays, not living.
  
  So, for Silverbird to charge over 1,200 for a movie it means only a certain class of people can afford this luxury. The same class of people can afford a home Theatre system with similar surround system, HD, heck, they can even pause and rewind a movie unlike in the theatres where you had to hold  in the urge to go to the bathroom or for a smoke till there was a break.
  
  So what does a Kenyan do in a country where everything is coming  both in original and oringinol
  
  Fibre Cables & Generosity
  The coming in of the 3 fibre cables into Kenya has opened the country up not just to many opportunities, easier and cheaper interconnection to the rest of the world but it also came with among other things, the capacity to download anything and everything in the shortest time possible.
  
  Many who work with multinationals, NGOs, Corporates, ISPs and other organizations that have subscribed to  huge bandwidth have discovered sites like torrentz, rapidshare and download softwares like Vuze, UTorrent, Bit Torrent which enable fast sharing of files ranging from E-books, audio books, music, games, software and ultimately, videos.
  
  What makes downloading so popular is the ability to get movies that have not appeared in the 'local box office'( I have always wondered what this term means!, this and 'Block Buster' which I think are the cliches that have defied age locally). There have even been instances of movies being shared online even before the acting is done, a good example was the movie X-Men (OK, I was unfortunate to watch that copy too)
  
  Kenyans are Generous people especially with Music and movies and there is nothing wrong with that. We look for friends who work in the above mentioned orgs especially ISPs for that constant supply of the latest movie or series shows.
  
  ChinaMan
  Where do I start. Yaani, Chinaman  has literary invaded this country if not Africa. He is actually the new black.
  From the construction of  highways to infrastructure building in most African Countries to generosity in funding various projects, the Chinaman's products have made an invasion in equal measure.
  
  Nowadays when buying something I have to ask, hii ni ya china ama in genuine? This is especially the case with electronics. Yesterday as I was going home, I overheard one presenter ask listeners to call in and tell which phone brand was a fake; Samsung or Samsang?
  
  Needless to say, most  of the Chinaman's items are much cheaper than the originals.
  
  Due to the high cost of living, one would rather buy that DVD going for Ksh 50 than go watch it at the cinemas or even buy the original. This is regardless of the fact that most of these DVDs will either be in Chinese with English Subtitles or  scratched or will be camera copies.
  
  CyberCafe Factor
  After the proliferation of internet access tools(Cellphones, smartphones, laptops ec) and Telcos going into Internet Service Provision, CyberCafe's have found themselves at the brink of the same demise that has befallen the Cinemas.
  They therefore needed to think fast.
  I have a favorite cybercafe located on Kaunda St. that only charges me the cost of a DVD to burn the latest movies which they have accumulated.
  Selling downloaded movies and helping those aspiring to seek greener pastures fill green card forms are some of the things keeping cyber cafes alive.
  
  Kenyan TV Stations showing Archaic Movies & Taking viewers for a ride
  

  H...Horacio

  I remember seeing a tweet by one TV station recently, announcing that they would be showing CSI Miami and NCIS. This was after the same TV station unceremoniously discontinued the same two series shows without as much as an apology to their viewers.
  I got so pissed off that I looked for the complete series shows( I won't go into details of how, but its one of the ways discussed above)
  I bet I am not the only one who felt like I used to when I was a kid; going to the neighbours, smell the  aroma of chapatis cooking but no signs of getting any. Gosh, I would go borrowing everything from salt, to an axe to a knife,........hiyo story iishie hapo. And yes, nimelelewa Gishagi, hapa tu Kafete). Now where was I?
  
  This abrupt discontinuing of a series has contributed Kenya's feeling bad after 'Kuonjeshwa' that they seek other means of  watching that series.
  
  
  Movies
  These are almost non existence in some TV station which have gone full blown on Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Philippines, Nigerian, Iraqi, Indian Soaps(is there any country I didn't mention). The others would rather show TCM movies while others repeat the same movies so often, you know the damn script!
  And you blame Kenya's for Piracy?
  
  DSTV
  This is only appealing for live game matches or documentaries. By the time they show a series or a movie, most will have watched it.
  Again, its not everything who can afford it.
  
  So as you will agree with me, there is no way Cinema was going to beat all the above odds. Just like Vinyl records gave way to CDs, floppy disks to Flash disks, maybe its time that we accept that time has come for Cinema halls to give way to Home Theatre systems and digital entertainment.
  
  ... now, let me see the download progress on House MD, Deleted Scenes......*Runs and hides*

  
  

• Poem: Death’s Face

  Posted: June 10, 2011, 8:41 pm by K.P

  I have looked at death’s face,Its lifeless eyes looking at nothingness,It's hand soft like a child’sYet with folds and veins That bear witness to life at its last.
  I have heard death speak,Its shrill, quiet voiceSeems to lose its thoughts.The words crying out yet,Still carrying hope Like a drop of waterSeeking survival in a desertSayingI am alright,Do not cry for me,I am alrightI see the peace I will feel.
  I have felt death around me,Next to me, Staring back at me,Talking to me,I have felt its coldYet warm presence lingeringLike a sweet aromaPulling herNjeri wa GikaruCucu.
  I sat thereA warm wet feeling on my cheeks.
  Njeri Wangari10th June, 2011---------------------------------------------------------------------------– All rights reserved©
  

  
  

• An Interview with Ellen Bienstock-Masi, the outgoing US Embassy Cultural Attache`

  Posted: June 9, 2011, 2:02 pm by K.P

  KP How long have you been with the US Embassy in Kenya
  I arrived in Kenya in July 2008, so it has been just about three years.
  
  

  Ellen with one of the kids from Voiceless Children Org.

  KP What was your role as the Cultural attache`
  My role was to foster mutual understanding between Kenyans and Americans through a variety of programs and activities. The Cultural Affairs Section of the embassy manages over 23 professional and academic in addition to supporting and managing cultural programs throughout Kenya.
  
  KP How has the experience been for you?
  My experience in Kenya has been amazing. I feel very fortunate to have traveled far and wide within the country and reached communities that we have not reached before. My job very often allows me to see the benefits of my work in an immediate way. For example, late last year and early this year we sent ten Samburu secondary school girls and boys to the U.S. for a three-week leadership program. The group not only came back full of new perspectives, confidence, and pride in their culture and their country, but they also started a beading project that is supporting more children in their communities to attend school.
  
  Having arrived when the Post Election Violence tragedy was still quite raw, I was privileged to see and be a part of a cultural community that took responsibility for the role culture can play in promoting peace and reconciliation.
  I have grown both personally and professionally in Kenya. The warmth, good will, and optimism of the Kenyan people is infectious!
  
  KP  The US Embassy has been supporting various cultural activities e.g the Black History Month, the Daniel Pearl day, which others and could you tell us a bit about them?
  Our cultural programs are driven in different ways. Sometimes an opportunity is given to us through the U.S. Department of State and we put a bid in for the U.S. Embassy in Kenya to bring the program here. For example, in April 2009 we brought hip hop artist Dynamax here to work with young hip hop artists in Nairobi and Kisumu.
  
  Sometimes we see or hear of a need for support for or interest in a particular area and we seek out an American artist who can meet that need. For the past two years we saw an opportunity to support the film industry in Kenya through the Kenya Film Commission and the Kenya International Film Festival (KIFF). In 2009 and 2010 we brought the American Documentary Showcase along with a filmmakers and film specialists to Kenya. The films were screened and workshops given in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa. Also in 2009 we helped KIFF bring renowned actor John Carlo Esposito to be their special guest.
  
  And very often we are approached by Kenyan entities and artists who seek our support for cultural programs they are initiating. When those projects promote mutual understanding between our two countries and people, we look for ways to support them. It gives us great pleasure when organizations like Paa Ya Paa come to us and request our support in an event like Black History Month, which is a commemoration that the U.S. is committed to celebrating each year. This past year Paa Ya Paa and the "Friends of Paa Ya Paa" met with us to discuss ways to celebrate Black History from an American and Kenyan perspective.
  
   The program resulted in hundreds of secondary school students watching films related to key figures or key messages about the struggles, success, and pride of the black community in the U.S., which were followed by lively discussions about lessons to be learned and Kenyans' sense of pride as black people. The even culminated with a celebration of dance, music, and poetry around the theme.
  
  Daniel Pearl World Music Days is an annual event that began before my arrival in Kenya. The Daniel Pearl Foundation dedicated itself to celebrating the life of American journalist Daniel Pearl who was kidnapped and killed in early 2002. In October that year, the U.S. Embassy worked with Paa ya Paa on the First Daniel Pearl World Music Days, which was an effort by the Foundation to promote peace through the arts that Pearl loved so much.
  
   During my time here, the annual event has become one of my favorite recurring programs. The art, poetry, music, and dance that are created from the suggestion that this day of peace provokes are so moving. It is inspiring to see Kenyans connect with Daniel Pearl while they think about the challenges they face themselves in Kenya.
  
  KP  Where is the next stop for you?
  After spending a year in Washington, DC – USA where I will be taking some training and also working in the Africa Bureau for Public Diplomacy, I will head to Kinshasa, DRC to head the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy there.
  
  KP A few words to art enthusiasts in Kenya?
  Keep up the inspiring work! Don't be afraid to share your ideas and your enthusiasm with others…others may copy your idea, but they will never copy your spirit. Sharing and collaboration only enhances the end product. Dream big! The president of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts came to Kenya because he was so inspired by the arts managers who have gone to Washington from here for his arts management program.
  
   Sundance Theatre and Sundance Films have chosen to do programs in Kenya because they have seen such great work and great potential coming from here. Take advantage of opportunities as they come if you are an artist. Support local Kenyan artists if you are an enthusiast of the Arts. With your support, it will only keep getting better.
  
  Thank you so much for sharing with K.P blog readers, we wish you all the best in your new posting

  
  

• Final Call for Artists Sauti za Busara 2012: 8th-12th Feb 2011

  Posted: June 8, 2011, 11:56 pm by K.P

  Is your music 100% live?Is your music connected to Africa?Are you interested to perform next February in East Africa?If you can answer yes, yes, yes – then please read on...Sauti za Busara is an international music festival, held each February in Zanzibar, showcasing music from the Swahili region, African Continent and diaspora. In past years, more than 320 groups have performed, including Jose Chameleone, Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga, Saida Karoli, Natacha Atlas, Didier Awadi, Bassekou Kouyate, Jagwa Music, Ba Cissoko, Nyota Ndogo, Thandiswa, Culture Musical Club, Orchestre Poly Rhythmo de Cotonou and more. The festival features live music only, i.e. no playback
  
  DEADLINE for applications 31 July 2011
  More Info here
  

  
  

• On the hunt for Olympic poets; POETRY PARNASSUS

  Posted: June 3, 2011, 9:37 pm by K.P

  In summer 2012, Southbank Centre launches Poetry Parnassus. This visionary festival seeks poets from all participating Olympic nations come together for a week of readings, talks and performances. Poetry Parnassus marks the first time that so many poets from so many parts of the planet have converged in one place; it is a monumental poetic happening worthy of the spirit and history of the Olympics.
  

  Simon Armitage  The Poet behind ' Olympic Poets'

  
  ‘My hunch is this will be the biggest poetry event ever – a truly global coming together of poets.’ (Simon Armitage, the poet behind the idea and Artist in Residence at Southbank Centre)
  
  You can Nominate a Poet
  
  Southbank Centre is offering people around the world the opportunity to nominate their favourite poet to come to the UK. You are invited to recommend poets by filling in this quick Nomination Form. The closing deadline for nominations is 22 July 2011. We will be shortlisting poets in 2011 and will announce which poets have been selected in 2012.
  
  Be part of Poetry Parnassus
  
  Poetry translators and interpreters based in the UK are invited to be part of Poetry Parnassus.  Poetry Parnassus will give you the chance to work with highly acclaimed poets from all around the world, sharing their writing with UK audiences and making this landmark festival a success.
  
  For more info, log on to the South Bank Center

  
  

• PEN CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP IN MOMBASA JUNE 4TH

  Posted: June 3, 2011, 9:07 pm by K.P

  International PEN Kenya Chapter in collaboration with KNLS-Mombasa is holding a creative writing workshop for Secondary Schools students at Mama Ngina Girls Secondary School. The focus of the workshop is to identify talent and mentor young upcoming authors in our local schools whose talent may otherwise remain untapped if not discovered early and propagated to flourish. The occasion marks 235 years since the birth of the legendary Swahili poet Muyaka bin Haji (1776-1840). PEN is a world association of writers; poets, novelists, playwrights, editors, university dons, etc.
  
  PROGRAM - JUNE 4, 20119:0AM – 9:15AM -Arrival & Registration9:15AM – 9:45AM -Welcoming Remarks-H/M S.R.Mwadzaya, Mama Ngina Girls &KNLS-Mombasa Provincial Librarian Farida Mohamed Abdalla9:45AM – 11:00AM -Intro/Khainga O’Okwemba/International PEN Kenya Chapter/The Star11:00AM –11:15AM - Poetry Reading /Jacob Oketch/Post Graduate Student (UoN)11:00AM – 11:30AM –Career in Journalism/Tony Mochama/The Standard11:30AM -11:45AM -Questions & Answers/Students11:45AM – 12Noon – Tea Break12:00AM – 12:30PM – Women in Journalism/Njoki Karuoya/ Editor of Eve Magazine12:30PM – 12:45PM – Non-Fiction Creative Writing/Ming Holden/UNHCR12:45PM – 1:00PM -Questions & Answers1:00PM – 1:30PM – Lunch Break1:30PM – 1:45PM – Cultivating Early Reading Culture/David Muswii/Deputy Director/KNLS1:45PM – 2:00PM – Publishing Literary Work/Frida Simwa/Kenya Literature Bureau2:00PM – 2:30PM – Education & Scholarship/Prof Chris Wanjala/University of Nairobi2:30PM - 2:45PM - Awarding of Certificates & Presents/Njoki Karuoya & Prof Chris Wanjala2:45PM – 3:00PM – Vote of Thanks/ Ms Gertrude/Deputy H/Mistress/Mama Ngina Girls
  
  N/B: - Participating Teachers & Delegates leave for the Public Lectures at KNLS-Mombasa to be delivered by Prof Mohamed H. Abdulaziz & Prof Chris Wanjala.
  
  
  ********************************
  
  "Prof Mohamed Hassan Abdulaziz, a pioneering Kenyan linguistics scholar from Kenyan coast of Mombasa in his book Muyaka: 19th Century Swahili Popular Poetry, writes that “Muyaka did not concern himself with interpreting nature and its wonders, or writing in abstractions. He was essentially a satirist, political propagandist and humorist with a living interest in the day-to-day activities of his people.” Muyaka’s poetry was; topical in theme; emotional; allusive; riddling in style. We see Muyaka as a social historian."

  
  

• Poetrical : Poetry, Contemporary Dance and Visual Art - Goethe Institut 10th June

  Posted: June 3, 2011, 12:05 pm by K.P

  
  

• Kenyan Bloggers start Happy Hours - BHH, 3rd June at KPs

  Posted: June 3, 2011, 11:54 am by K.P

  After the formation of BAKE, an association for Kenyan Bloggers, the first BHH starts today evening. Bloggers Happy Hour is an informal event meant to bring bloggers together in an evening of fun and discovery. Most Kenyan bloggers do not know each other and its about time that we knew and appreciated each other for the effort we are making in providing an alternate source of news and information. It would also be good to know what inspires one to blog and their commentary on ongoing issues in Kenya currently.
  
  The BHH will be today from 6pm at KP's Utalii house just near the French Cultural Center.
  
  If you are a blogger or you have been harboring ambitions of becoming one and are looking for a mentor, then there is no better place to be than KPs this evening. See you there.

  
  

• Gil Scott Heron, The Godfather of Spoken Word Poetry dies at 62

  Posted: May 28, 2011, 3:25 pm by K.P

  I have just woken up today to the news of the death of Gil Scott Heron. If you have heard the phrase "The Revolution will not be Televised" then you know who who he is.
  
  He is the credited as the  God Father of Hip Hop, Rap, Neo-Soul and Spoken Word as his album 'Pieces of a Man' and 'Winter in America' went on to influence these three Genres.
  
  Heron died yesterday evening at a hospital in New York and the cause has not yet been identified. However, in a 2008 interview with New York magazine, Scott-Heron revealed he had contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, after years of batting drug and alcohol addictions. In 2001 and 2007, he was jailed on drug charges. He was 62.
  
  The famous Revolution will not be televised phrase was from a song by the same title from his first album that went on to put him in the musical Map.
  
  Artists such as Common, Kanye West have sampled his music with many Hip, Hop artists and Poets identifying him as the biggest influence in their careers. These artists are, Talib Kweli, Saul Williams, Bob Dylan and many others.
  
  Indeed poets, such as Sarah Jones were so influenced that they sampled his spoken word performance of the revolution song
  
  After a 13 year Hiatus, Gill Scott released his final album, "Am new hear" last year.
  
  My his soul rest in Peace.
  
  "The Revolution will not be televised because the revolution will be Live"
  
  
  

  
  

• Amka Literature Forum 28th May @Goethe Institut

  Posted: May 25, 2011, 12:25 pm by K.P

  Literature Forum
  Poetry Performance / Readings / Discussions
  GOETHE-INSTITUT LIBRARY
  SATURDAY 28th MAY, 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
  ENTRY FREE
  This is a forum for upcoming, unpublished as well as established women writers and literary critics to share stories, poetry ideas and ideals with the aim of enhancing women’s creativity. Interested participants may send their short stories and poems to amkaspace@yahoo.com www.goethe.de/nairobi.
  
  Amka  will also be launching their first anthology this 29th June at the Goethe Institut Auditorium.

  
  

• Sawa Sawa Festival 2011 featuring Fally Ipupa 28th - 29th May at Carnivore Gardens

  Posted: May 24, 2011, 6:33 pm by K.P

  They have brought African Greats such as Hugh Masekhela, Mhotella Queens, Baaba Maal, Yossour N'dour and Reggea Kings like Black Uhuru, Culture and Gregory Isaacs, this time round, they are bringing the latest Lingala sensation, Fally Ipupa who is re-defining Lingala.
  
  I first came to know Fally was through his unusual but interesting song Bizking.Fr featuring Olivia  which mixes Lingala and RnB sang in Congolese and English. The song set him apart from other Lingala artists and I guess now we can say goodbye to Koffi Olominde being the King of Lingala.
  
  Sawa Sawa seems to be reducing on the international artist lineup that they have been known to offer during their annual festival especially for the Reggae fans. It seems the reggae fans have been mis-behaving too much in the previous events with weed being smoked like  the world was coming to an end. I went for one event when the group Black Uhuru was performing and I got high just inhaling the smoke in the air!(let me not digress too much).
  
  
  
  The event will be on Saturday, May 28 at 6:30pm - May 29 at 6:30pm at the Carnivore Grounds, in Langata.
  
  The artist lineup includes: Daddy Owen, Sauti Sol, Sarakasi Allstars, The Villagers, Maia, Neema, Fena, Muthoni Dq, Amileena, Susan (Gogosimo), Dela, Camp Mulla, Wanjiku Mwaura, Mob Djs, Mcs: Larry Asego, Tero Mdee and Buddha Blaze
  
  Tickets: will be Sat 28th May: 1000 Advance, 1200 Gate, 2500 Vip, Sun 29th May: 500 (Kids Below 12 Free)
  
  Advance Tickets Now Available At :: Tamambo - The Mall, Westlands, Tamambo Tapas - Village Market, Tamambo - Karen Blixen, Carnivore, Concorde Motors - Shell Hurlingham, Jacaranda Motors - Shell Lavington, Sarakasi Dome.

  
  

• Exhibition: Endangered Cultures- Nairobi National Museum June - September 2011

  Posted: May 24, 2011, 11:27 am by K.P

  
  

• 2nd POWO on May 21: Blogging & Social Media Workshop

  Posted: May 17, 2011, 5:28 pm by K.P

  
  
  
  What?
  Poets and Writers Online (POWO) is a forum for Poets and Writers with blogs and those with an interest in using the internet in promotion of, or as a platform for their writing.
  
  When?
  21st May, 2011 ( 11.00am – 2pm)
  Where?
  The IHub located on 4th flr of Bishop Magua Building along Ngong Road (opposite Uchumi Ngong Rd.)
  Who should attend?
  Poets, Creative Writers, anyone with an interest in writing
  
  Guest Speaker
  Aleya Jamal - Story Moja( The Reading Revolution)
  Poetry performance by
  Dennis Inkwa - Poet and Member of Mstari Wa Nne
  
  Blogging & Social Media Workshop
  -Starting a blog with blogger
  - Starting a blog with wordpress
  - Uploading photos/ embedding video/html code/sound/follow me FB n Twitter, gadgets and widgets
  - SEO, enlisting with Afrigator,mashada etc
  - Creating an FB and twitter a/c, Shortening url, including tweet streams on a blog
  - Registering a Domain and choosing a host
  - Migrating from blogger to wordpress or to a webiste
  - Intepreting and using analytics
  Follow us on
  Twitter @POWO
  Facebook POWO
  Email: PoetsNWritersOnline@gmail.com
  
  PS. Carry your laptop, for better learning. There will be also be free Wifi.
  
  To sign up, log on to [powomay.eventbrite.com] and click on register

  
  

• Artist Presentation - Jepchumba

  Posted: May 16, 2011, 11:41 pm by K.P

  When: Tuesday, May 24 · 2:30pm - 5:30pm
  
  Location: KUONA TRUST
  Likoni Close, Likoni Lane, Off Dennis Pritt Road
  Nairobi, Kenya
  
  Jepchumba is a digital enthusiast who works hard to combine her two loves: Digital Media and Africa. Originally from Kenya, she has lived around the world developing her interest in philosophy, art and technology. Founder of African Digital Art Network, Jepchumba enjoys studying how technology has changed art and culture
  
  She is a highly creative and multitalented digital content creator with extensive international experience in digital media. Her areas of expertise include digital and new media, online marketing management and strategy, project management, graphic design, audio/video production, 3D/2D Animation and digital effects.

  
  

• I.D.P’s by Dennis Inkwa

  Posted: May 16, 2011, 12:09 pm by K.P

  I.D.Ps
  are
  Initials Defining Peoples
  like
  Irate Delinquent Pupils
  in
  Institutions Destroying Property
  as
  Infants Die Prematurely
  therefore
  Immunise Diseases Properly
  because
  International Donors' Preconditions
  insist
  Ignorant Demented Politicians
  should
  Initiate Development Projects
  although
  Information Disseminates Prejudicially...
  Internet Disburses Pornography
  showing
  Intercourse During Pregnancy
  readily like
  Industries Diffusing Pollutants
  because
  Individuals Dictate Policies
  that
  Ignore Da People
  therefore
  Ink'wa Dennis Purposes
  to
  Illuminate Dark Paths
  like
  Inside Da Parliament
  
  PEACE!
  Dennis Inkwa 2008 ©

  
  

• Copycat Copy "Righting"

  Posted: May 15, 2011, 8:28 pm by K.P

  The argument of Intellectual Property especially in music is sometimes taken to the realm of the absurd; for instance in the theatres, Thespians perform Shakespeare and Goethe all the time without requiring written permission but in music every now and then the BMGs and SONYs of this world from time to time do bring infringement suites for music of musicians who are long dead. Art is supposed to be a gift to humanity not merely a commodity for resale... or so we thought.
  
  If you think about it, it is tantamount to saying that someone should not sing a song they like in the bathroom without written permission from the original composer of the song! Look at YouTube, it is full of clips of other people singing popular songs and they are not being
  sued!
  
  Now, will SONY or JB Maina sue Wangari if she makes a clip of herself singing his song on youtube?...probably not. Why? Because they do not think Wangari will make any money from it. So copy right is no permission to perform but rather it is permission to earn using
  someone's art composition. It is a license to make money issued by the originator of the artistic expression to a third party.
  
  Now here comes the interesting part. From the beginning, the rights to intellectual property, in many cases, do not entirly belong to the artist rather the artist share of earnings is normally much less than that of the producers and publishers of art whose work it is to commercialize art.
  
  Most notably, The rights can be bought and sold such that the original composer of the music may not hold any rights at all for his so called intellectual property. Meaning that he or his
  next of kin can perform the art piece but they cannot earn a living from it; especially after his demise the same producers and publishers will come to “moan” with the bereaved family and offer to stabilise them financially, now that the bread earner of the family is gone, by
  buying off the little rights the artist had left to produce or publish the artwork.
  
  The intellectual property, is then reduced to a commodity whereby you find the businessman without a musical note in his voice owns the rights to an elegant musical piece and the dimwit and the dullard have sole authority over the publication of well written literature.
  
  That said, intellectual property is a commodity business that thrives on restricting commodity use. However, with the coming of the internet age, it is become very possible to get art for free especially in the third world where copy right rules are not followed to the letter.
  
  But even in the first world, people go round copy right through “file sharing” because it is not feasible to stop two people from exchanging art work in private. It is not also legally feasible to stop them from exchanging art work in an online public forum; having already purchased the rights they cannot be stopped from exchanging the rights. The music artists and their producers have now been forced to heavily rely on live performance shows as the sure way of enforcing
  copy right and earning income.
  
  More fundamentally, given that art has become a commodity for sale, and with it intellectual property, going by market logic the value of something is determined by its use to the community.
  
  In Kenya, the value of movies and music is not of immediate priority and its market
  value currently ranges from free internet downloads to Kshs 50 per CD on the streets and exhibition stands of Nairobi. The artists compositions are mainly depictions of street life in oral and written form but on compilation of their art work they demand a fee for telling people what they already know and so the art of itslef does not add value to its receipient and what they are actually buying is the price of the CD container and a bit of psychic pride in that they are watching what their peers are watching and in these sense they are not left behind the gaping times.
  
  For the majority of Kenyans who are grappling with the price of kerosene, the use value of art is almost non-existent. Why, you may ask, is the common man obsessed with the market price of Kerosene and not the market price of a music concert... even in places where art is
  more prominent, art performances in pubs and coffee houses mainly serve as an accompaniment to the drinks and the theatres are dilapidated to say the least and the performers get compansated accordingly.
  
  This is the voice of the market, there is no market for art in kenya and the only way it gets by is through sponsorship; from the largesse of foreign institutions and local “well wishers”who made their fortune in all manner of businesses except in the art business. This situation is not unique to kenya, though, for even in the Western world art thrives on its connections with the well to do because in the strict sense, there is no market for it; the bulk of art has no use value rather it can only appeal to charity.
  
  The market for art is really a charity of sorts for the art commodity has no real use value as such there is no exchange of use value with money but a gifting of money to the performer without any expectation of gaining value on the part of the audience
  
  Consequently, the idea of copyrighting is not backed by use value and it is use value that dictates the value of a particular occupation in soceity. Perhaps, recognition is important for the human psyche and when one originates an idea and someone else refuses to acknowlegde him for it one may have a right to be upset. But acknowledgement should not mean monetary compensation because the artists ability to draw on charity is not based on the “art” itslef but on the sympathy the masses have towards him or her.
  
  This copy right business has become big business in the local social scene where until recently we had in place the Music Copyright Soceity of Kenya (MSCK), which was disbanded over misuse of funds. Our copyright watchdog had been enforcing what it termed as copyright law! And yet when we look at the fraternity of local urban musicians we just feel like crying! Their music is a carbon copy of the american hip hop music and culture.
  
  Should one copyright a blue print or the carbon copy? Most, if not all, of their ideas are gained from mimicing the western hip hop culture thus the “intellectual property” is not even theirs. The only difference is in the language and wordings. Which brings us to the question should language and wording have been copyrighted as MSCK is doing? In hindsight it did not make sense but it surely made money!
  
  If today I do something and call it art and tomorrow you do something similar and call it entertainment then according to copyright law the entertainer has a case to answer!
  
  Apparently, there is an ongoing tussle, in the River Road productions scene, between Makadem and JB Maina over the hit song “Reke Tumanwo” which was originaly composed by JB, resampled by Mike Rua in Mugithi Style and now Makadem used the instrumentals without seeking written consent. The song itself is not informative and I do not know whether it qualifies to be called a song as there is hardly any singing in it.
  
  Fine, JB atleast seems to acknowledge this as he is talking about instrumentals. He supposedly being the originator of the instrumentals has certain rights that are due to a first born such as “artistic” acknowledgement. But Djs use other peoples tunes all the time and do not have to ask them for permission everytime they come up with a new remix!
  
  I personally think that the beef is really that Makadem has been making a bit of dough riding on the back of JB's instumentals. However, it all boils down to Makadem's ability to gain sympathisers and has really little to do with instrumentation... and besides what instruments can JB really play... did he not get the tunes done in a certain studio, talk of a copycat copyrighting!
  
  by Poe. T. Kritik
  
  NOTE:
  According to media reports, the Music Copyright Society of Kenya has since been deregistered after complaints by musicians of misappropriation of funds. This is contained in Gazette Notice no.5093 of May 2011, which saw the society as being deregistered on 1st April 2011.

  
  

Pewa Ushibe

• Caveau - Chilled Tomato Consomme

  Posted: November 30, 2008, 5:29 am by kip

  
  Caveau - Chilled Tomato Consomme
  Originally uploaded by kiplagatFlavourful with subtle basil aroma and taste.
  

• Caveau - Cured ocean trout with vodka mousseline, smoked quail egg

  Posted: November 29, 2008, 8:27 am by kip

  
  Caveau - Cured ocean trout with vodka mousseline, smoked quail egg
  Originally uploaded by kiplagatyummo.....
  

• Spaghetti with olives, capers,tomatoes & spinach

  Posted: September 5, 2008, 1:55 pm by kip

  
  Spaghetti with olives, capers,tomatoes & spinach
  Originally uploaded by kiplagatQuick dinner, got the idea from watching that Ramsay fella....
  

Kenya Environmental & Political News Weblog

• Kenyans to Know Kibaki’s Election Challengers this Weekend

  Posted: August 29, 2007, 5:16 pm by kepn

  Two of Kenya’s main opposition parties are due to nominate their flagbearers this weekend. Both the Orange Democratic Movement - Kenya (ODM-K) and the “original” Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) parties will hold their nomination functions at the notorious Kasarani Gymnasium on Friday and Saturday respectively. KADDU will follow-up with its own a week later. ODM-K ODM-K are [...]

• Improved Nutrition ‘cannot replace HIV or TB drugs’

  Posted: August 29, 2007, 5:15 pm by kepn

  Good nutrition alone cannot fight HIV and tuberculosis Christina Scott Source: SciDev.Net Improved nutrition cannot substitute medication to treat people infected with HIV or tuberculosis, says a report released recently by the Academy of Science of South Africa. A panel of 15 researchers, funded by the United States National Academy of [...]

• Former President Moi Endorses Kibaki, Vows to Remain a KANU Member

  Posted: August 28, 2007, 5:38 pm by kepn

  The hottest political news story coming out of Nairobi this afternoon is that former President Moi has finally officially confirmed that he will be supporting President Mwai Kibaki’s bid for a second term in office during the forthcoming general elections. (See Nation Newspapers story reproduced below) The former President reiterated that he would remain a KANU [...]

• Male Circumcision “Overstated As Prevention Tool Against AIDS”

  Posted: August 27, 2007, 7:06 pm by kepn

  New study finds the key to understanding the global spread of AIDS is the size of the infected prostitute community around the world. In new academic research published in the online, open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal PLoS ONE, male circumcision is found to be much less important as a deterrent to the global AIDS pandemic [...]

• Kenyan Radioactive Waste Plant Awaits EIA Approval

  Posted: August 27, 2007, 7:05 pm by kepn

  The proposed radioactive waste processing plant (RAWP) is reportedly awaiting approval of its Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) report from Kenya’s National Environmental Management Authority. Disposal of radioactive waste is a complex issue, not only because of the nature of the waste, but also because of the fact that proper [...]

• Floods: Public Health Lessons for Kenya

  Posted: August 26, 2007, 1:05 pm by kepn

  BANGLADESH: Effective systems keep diarrhoea in check even during floods Photo: Sujan Map/UNICEF A young boy drinks water from a tube well in Munshigonj, Bangladesh DHAKA, (IRIN) - Appropriate technology, strong government maintenance and repair structures, and good preparedness are mitigating the humanitarian impact of perennial flooding in Bangladesh. In the latest crisis, more than 10 million [...]

• Landslide Lessons for Kenya

  Posted: August 26, 2007, 12:55 pm by kepn

  Landslide Victory: Bioengineering in Nepal Landscape and road, Nepal Badri Paudyal Source: SciDev.Net Nepal is using plants and modern engineering to combat the landslides that regularly plague the nation. Badri Paudyal reports.Five years ago, landslides and road blocks on the highways were a common subject in Nepal’s news. But now, the worry in people’s minds as they travel by [...]

• Are Kenya’s ‘First Families’ Uniting to Support President Kibaki’s Second Term?

  Posted: August 24, 2007, 3:14 pm by kepn

  Move is seen more as aimed at stopping the ‘any other party’ winning elections rather than one of getting Kibaki re-elected. When the 2007 Africa Motorcycle Union (AMU) motocross championship ended last weekend, the Kenya team emerged the overall team winners with 450 points ahead of Zimbabwe and South Africa (tied at 364), Zambia (307), Namibia [...]

• OneWorld Development Report for Kenya

  Posted: August 24, 2007, 3:13 pm by kepn

  Kenya remains firmly in the bottom quartile of the Human Development Index rankings with nearly 60 percent of its population surviving on less than $2 per day. Economic growth has been largely ineffectual in stimulating progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Indeed crucial poverty indicators such as child and infant mortality are moving in the [...]

• Kenya May Adopt Third Generation Number Plates This Year

  Posted: August 23, 2007, 3:57 pm by kepn

  The Kenyan motor industry is set to change significantly if the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which is responsible for issuing motor vehicle number plates through its Road Transport Department (RTD), adopts proposals to introduce a new third generation motor vehicle number plate series. The first motor vehicle registration in Kenya was issued in 1938. The [...]

• Worldwide, Women Seek Greater Political Representation

  Posted: August 23, 2007, 3:55 pm by kepn

  WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (OneWorld) - Around the world countries have managed varying levels of success in assuring equal political participation and representation for women. But activists are working as hard as ever to secure unbiased opportunities for women and men alike in the political sphere. Women at a [...]

• Glue-Sniffing Ruins Young Lives in Nairobi

  Posted: August 22, 2007, 3:33 pm by kepn

  Nairobi: David followed the routine practiced by thousands of homeless children in Nairobi every day. He took out a handkerchief, dipped it into a bottle of paint thinner, put it to his nose and inhaled deeply. Asked what he was doing, David replied: “Dinner.” David was sniffing paint-thinner to suppress his hunger and ward off [...]

• 40,000 Displaced, 5 Drown in Western Kenya Floods Disaster

  Posted: August 22, 2007, 3:30 pm by kepn

  As Landslide disaster victims condemn the Kenya Government for calling off recovery operation Relief workers estimate that more than 40,000 people have so far been displaced by raging floods along River Nzoia, that flows from the Cherangani Hills near Kitale to Lake Victoria. With over 500 families already rendered homeless, it appears that the flooding [...]

• KENYA’S GOLF COURSES: A threat to the Environment?

  Posted: August 21, 2007, 11:40 am by kepn

  THE OTHER SIDE: The well kept Royal Nairobi Golf Course perimeter fence separating the course from the Kibera Slums

• 600 People Strip Naked On Glacier in Global Warming Protest

  Posted: August 19, 2007, 4:53 pm by kepn

  Adapted from Greenpeace International. Chilling message from wear-nothing activists to do-nothing politicians Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland — An emergency provokes extreme responses: human beings in danger will abandon social niceties, etiquette, and the norms of acceptable behaviour to raise an alarm any way they can when lives are in danger. On Saturday 18th August 2007, six hundred people [...]

• New Community Radio Station for Nairobi’s Kibera Slums

  Posted: August 19, 2007, 2:53 pm by kepn

  The Daily Nation reported that the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) has granted Pamoja 99.9 FM a broadcasting license in the Kibera Slums. The new Radio station, formed by Pamoja Development Centre situated in Kibera’s Ayany Estate, aims to focus on issues that bear directly on its millions of listeners in the Kibera slums; ie. [...]

• ODM Leaders Meet Elders Today

  Posted: August 18, 2007, 4:02 pm by kepn

  ODM Presidential Candidates (r-l) Joe Nyagah, Najib Balala, Raila Odinga, William Ruto and Musalia Mudavadi ODM’s Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi are this afternoon due lead two teams of elders from Nyanza and Western provinces for a meeting with Kalenjin elders led by William Ruto. Today’s meeting in Eldoret is a culmination of a series of meetings [...]

• Proposal To Relocate The Capital from Nairobi

  Posted: August 17, 2007, 7:39 pm by kepn

  The Association of The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) has put forward a radical proposal to transfer the capital city of Nairobi to a new site. The AAK said that the expiry of the master plan for the city that guided development of the city expired and has given way to poor and unplanned constructions in [...]

• Western Kenya Flood Menace is Back

  Posted: August 17, 2007, 7:26 pm by kepn

  The perennial flooding menace in Western Kenya is here with us again and it has as always found the country sitting on its laurels. Lack of disaster preparedness has remained one of Kenya’s enduring development challenges for decades. The Western Kenya floods are coming after the devastating landslide in Kakamega hardly a week ago and residents [...]

• Affirmative Action Bill 2007: Kenya’s GNU in Yet Another Cock-up

  Posted: August 16, 2007, 3:18 pm by kepn

  With less than four months to the elections, women of Kenya are today waking up to the sad fact that the proposed creation of 50 special seats for women in Kenya’s parliament was just but a dream. This disappointing news comes after the women had launched a strong petition to collect one million signatures to [...]

• KENYA: Climate Change and Malaria

  Posted: August 15, 2007, 11:37 am by kepn

  
  The resurgence of malaria in African cities and highland regions has become important in debates about health and climate change.

  Due to high altitude, Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum has long been considered a non-malaria zone. Photo Credit: Flickr

  Malaria is the most common disease in Kenya’s (and Africa’s) largest slum, Kibera, in Nairobi, say health workers, but at a cool altitude of about 1,700m, the capital city has long been considered a non-malarial zone.The incidence of malaria in Nairobi and the resurgence of ‘highland malaria’ in several African countries have become controversial issues in debates about health and climate change.

  The third assessment report, published in 2001, by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, paid special attention to highland malaria. The report states that due to the life-cycle of the mosquito and its role as host of the malaria parasite, “at low temperatures, a small increase in temperature can greatly increase the risk of malaria transmission” and “future climate change may increase transmission in some highland regions, such as in East Africa”.

  The resurgence of ‘highland malaria’ in several African countries has become controversial issues in debates about health and climate change.

  However, the IPCC report continues, “there are insufficient historical data on malaria distribution and activity to determine the role of warming, if any, in the recent resurgence of malaria in the highlands of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia”.

  Furthermore, two subsequent studies drawing on weather records at several highland locations in Africa, including tea estates in Kenya’s Kericho region, published in Nature and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reach differing conclusions about whether temperatures were increasing and the occurrence of malaria.

  The award-winning film by former US vice-president Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, says Nairobi used to be too cold for malaria-carrying mosquitoes, but now climate change is causing the disease to occur.

  Paul Reiter, a malaria expert now with the Pasteur Institute, has taken issue both with the film and some of the IPCC reporting. In the International Herald Tribune in January, he wrote, “Gore’s claim is deceitful on four counts. Nairobi was dangerously infested when it was founded; it was founded for a railway, not for health reasons; it is now fairly clear of malaria; and it has not become warmer.”¹

  And in a travel advisory, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states there is “no [malaria] risk in Nairobi”.

  A ‘Non-Urban’ Disease?

  Whatever the causes, and the scientific wrangles, medical staff working in Kibera are having to tackle malaria. “Malaria is the leading disease we face,” says George Gecheo, clinical officer in Kibera’s Ushirika clinic. Nurse Dorah Nyanja, who works in Senye Medical Clinic in the slum’s Soweto Market, adds: “I am treating more people per day for malaria than any other condition.”

  Malaria researcher Dr John Githure, head of the human health division of the African Insect Science for Food and Health Research Centre (ICIPE), told IRIN: “Malaria is traditionally considered a non-urban disease as its parasite is carried by mosquitoes that prefer hot, clean and sunny areas to cool and polluted cities.”

  Malaria researcher Dr John Githure says that Nairobi was malaria-prone in the 1900s, when it had many swampy areas.

  “It [malaria] is there,” adds Githure, “but not everywhere and the increase is not always obvious. It depends where you live.”

  Githure says Nairobi was malaria-prone in the 1900s, when it had many swampy areas. “Over time, with colonial draining, stagnant water treatments, and the growth of the city, anopheles mosquitoes, those which carry the disease, left the area,” he says. “In the 1970s, when public health authorities started to crumble and treatments stopped being properly done, mosquitoes came back. However, it was mainly the Culex mosquito, as it is adapted to polluted water. It is not a malaria vector.”

  He says anopheles mosquitoes have returned, but only in small umbers. “Furthermore, anopheles need high temperatures to live and develop from the eggs to adult age. If temperatures are low, like in Nairobi, their development will take longer - two to three weeks instead of seven to 10 days. Coolness in Nairobi also delays the development of the parasite in the anopheles mosquito, which only lives for about a month.

  “Moreover, the parasite is not transmitted through the eggs but through human blood. So anopheles need to grow up, bite a human who has contracted the disease and then bite another one for local transmission to take place in Nairobi.”

  Githure also says the adaptive nature of the mosquito is a factor. “There still is a danger as temperatures continue to rise and anopheles can adapt to new environments. A minority have already adapted to polluted water, for example,” he adds.

  A Traveling Disease

  Gecheo estimates that 80 percent of the people he treats for malaria in Kibera have traveled out of Nairobi, been infected and returned, with symptoms only appearing once they are back in the slum.

  ICIPE Director Christian Borgemeister says slum dwellers frequently travel upcountry to visit relatives. “This is why [ethnic] Luo people suffer more from malaria,” he says. “Near Lake Victoria, where they live, the disease is widespread. By being less exposed to malaria, many have lost the semi-immunity they used to have. This is why they contract it easily when traveling.”

  “Mosquitoes also move more,” Githure says. “They can easily be stuck in a bus or a train and progress from one place to another. Malaria, more than ever, is a traveling disease.”

  Malaria tends to affect the more vulnerable - infants, pregnant women, the malnourished or those living with HIV.

  Kibera has grown up next to the railway line, with trains from malaria-prone areas passing through daily. The socio-economic make-up of the slum is also a factor. Malaria tends to affect the more vulnerable - infants, pregnant women, the malnourished or those living with HIV. Infection rates in children are an important indicator, Githure says.

  “Malaria is a child killer. As children travel less, we would be able to detect local transmission of the disease if the numbers of children with malaria began to increase,” Githure says.

  “Widespread local transmission in Nairobi would be a catastrophe as its inhabitants are not immunized [by natural exposure] at all,” says Borgemeister.

  Preparation for a Potential Comeback

  Outside Nairobi, many programs are tackling the disease. Ayub Manya, an officer in the Ministry of Health’s Malaria Control Division, says: “The new treatments we have started to give for free, the mosquito nets we have distributed and the awareness campaigns we have carried with NGOs have given some results.”

  In 2006, the government also started to distribute new Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) free throughout Kenya.

  Manya says these programs could be expanded to Nairobi if malaria transmission increased, but “with ACTs free of charge, and as it is still a low-risk area, advocating systematic mosquito net use would be excessive”.

  Footnotes:

  ¹ International Herald Tribune. Dangers of Disinformation

  Global Envision. This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies.

• Falling HIV Rates Tell Complex Story

  Posted: August 15, 2007, 11:36 am by kepn

  

  Many African countries are claiming that their HIV prevalence rates are declining. (Photo Credit: Michaela Ledesma/Mercy Corps)

  When it comes to sub-Saharan Africa’s devastating AIDS crisis, there is an understandable tendency to latch onto any scrap of good news.

  Figures suggesting the epidemic is waning in some countries are being trumpeted by governments and international donor agencies as evidence that their prevention efforts are succeeding.

  Kenya’s National AIDS Control Council recently ascribed a small drop in the country’s HIV infection rate to people absorbing the messages in awareness campaigns and changing their behavior accordingly.

  South Africa’s health minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, claimed that the first evidence of declining HIV prevalence in pregnant women - from 30.2 percent in 2005 to 29.1 percent in the latest survey - was mainly due to “our continued focus on prevention as the mainstay of our response to combat HIV”.1

  But the real story behind increases and decreases in HIV prevalence is far less clear. “There’s an awful lot of vested interests, but it’s sufficiently murky that no one really knows what’s going on,” Prof John Hargrove, director of the Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, told IRIN/PlusNews.

  Twenty-five years is not long to get to grips with an epidemic that has evolved very differently in different parts of the world: in Europe, North America and Asia it has largely been confined to high-risk groups like injecting drug users, sex workers and men who have sex with men; in southern Africa it has spread rapidly via heterosexual networks.

  Although theories abound, “nobody really knows why southern Africa is worst affected”, said Dr Brian Williams, another epidemiologist at SACEMA. “And if we don’t know that, it’s very difficult to explain why prevalence is going up or down.”

  Lack of Reliable Data

  Part of the problem was having adequate, reliable surveillance figures. In general, said Hargrove, the data had been “bitty” and mostly derived from urban populations.

  The first generation of HIV-prevalence figures were obtained by testing pregnant women at antenatal clinics, but the age groups of the women, and the fact they were clearly having unprotected sex, meant the numbers tended to overestimate HIV infections in the general population.

  Part of the problem was having adequate, reliable surveillance figures.
  Where possible, antenatal surveys are now combined with more representative data gathered in household surveys, but UNAIDS noted in its 2005 epidemic update that the high numbers of people who refused to be tested in household surveys, or were absent from home, could lead to underestimations of HIV prevalence.

  While prevalence only tells us how many people are living with HIV and AIDS, incidence measures the number of new HIV infections occurring during a specific period. Incidence provides the most up-to-date and revealing snapshot of an epidemic, but the technology for determining recent infections is still quite new and prohibitively expensive for most African countries.

  In the absence of such surveys, HIV prevalence in people aged 15 to 20 is often used as a proxy, because it is probable that most infections in this age group are recent.

  The variety and unreliability of most surveillance methods causes epidemiologists like Hargrove and Williams to take any news of apparent declines in HIV prevalence with a large pinch of salt.

  For years, Uganda has been held up as the poster child of successful prevention policies: from a peak adult HIV-infection rate of about 15 percent in the early 1990s, UNAIDS now estimates Uganda’s prevalence at 6.7 percent.

  President Yoweri Museveni swiftly responded to the emerging crisis as early as the late 1980s, and grassroots campaigns communicated basic prevention messages, such as abstinence from sex before marriage, being faithful to one’s partner and the use of condoms. The ABC approach, as it has now been dubbed, combined with Museveni’s leadership, have been widely credited with reducing risky sexual behavior and lowering the prevalence rate.

  But Williams pointed out that the evidence for Uganda’s falling infection rate was “not really clear”, and was based on a handful of antenatal surveys in the capital, Kampala. “We’re desperate for a success story, so Uganda will be a success story regardless of the lack of evidence,” he said. 2 He pointed out that the evidence supporting prevalence declines had been based on “selective pieces of information, which have been falsely presented as representative of the nation as a whole.”

  Parkhurst suggested that governments in low- and middle-income countries were under pressure to respond to donor fatigue by exaggerating the success of their AIDS programs. “The standard of proof for policy recommendations seems to have been lowered, to provide the international community with the African success story it wants, or even needs,” he concluded.

  If Uganda’s prevalence had indeed declined, there was still no sure way of determining why. Parkhurst cautioned against attributing the decline to “a few specific interventions introduced by the Ugandan government”: not only were there numerous players in the AIDS fight besides the government, but “individuals can change their behavior for reasons unrelated to intervention programs”.

  Williams believed that while real behavior changes, such as having fewer partners and higher condom use, might have taken place, they had less to do with the government’s efforts and more with the widespread experience of watching friends and relatives die from AIDS-related illnesses.

  Natural History of an Epidemic

  The dynamics of an epidemic can also bring about changes in HIV prevalence: in the early phases, HIV infections have tended to rise steeply and then level off as they reached a “saturation” point in the population; at a later stage, HIV prevalence might start declining, not necessarily because of widespread behavior change, but because the number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses has outpaced the number of new infections.

  When the mortality rate of those infected reaches a balance with the incidence of new infections, prevalence will plateau - the stage South Africa is currently experiencing.

  Paradoxically, the impact of a national antiretroviral (ARV) programme that keeps large numbers of HIV-infected people alive for longer might actually increase prevalence, or offset a lower rate of new infections.

  This could explain why a country with a large ARV programme, like Botswana, has not seen significant declines in HIV prevalence, while Zimbabwe, with it’s relatively small program, has. But the real story is probably far more complex, and impossible to decipher at present, due to the lack of investment in research, monitoring and tracking national AIDS epidemics.

  “Billions have been spent on virology, but we just haven’t done enough basic public health research,” said Williams. “Very few studies have been done trying to understand what’s actually going on.”

  Ideally, such a study would need to monitor several thousand people over a period of at least five years, testing them regularly for HIV. According to Williams, such studies have not been done, and even in-depth evaluations of the impact of specific prevention programs have been few and far between.

  The Case of Zimbabwe

  When news broke in 2006 that Zimbabwe’s HIV prevalence had fallen from a peak of around 36 percent in 1996 to 21 percent by 2004, it was greeted in many sectors with puzzlement and even disbelief, in light of the country’s social and economic collapse in recent years.

  Professor Alan Whiteside, director of the Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD) of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa, said government prevention campaigns in the mid-1990s had probably contributed to Zimbabwe’s falling HIV infection rates, but the country’s economic collapse could have played an even bigger role. With less disposable income and mobility, people were perhaps less likely to maintain multiple sexual partners.

  Michael Chome, country director for Population Services International (PSI), an international NGO that partners the Zimbabwean government in prevention programs, was ambivalent for nearly a year about the real causes of Zimbabwe’s decline in prevalence.

  In Zimbabwe with less disposable income and mobility, people were perhaps less likely to maintain multiple sexual partners.
  Eventually he was swayed by PSI’s own data, showing large increases in condom sales - a figure considered more telling than a greater distribution of free condoms - as well as significant increases in reported condom use and decreases in non-regular sexual partners.

  He attributed these changes to a “very open-minded ministry of health and a very literate population”, as well as the concentrated efforts of donors, which had created “a needle-like focus”.

  Zimbabwe’s pariah-like status has tended to scare away donors but, according to Chome, news of the country’s declining HIV prevalence was helping to attract more funding for AIDS programs.

  Social Indicators

  On the thorny question of whether prevention programs have had a direct impact on HIV prevalence, Whiteside was as reluctant to give a definitive answer as the epidemiologists: “We can’t say for sure, but equally we can’t say they haven’t,” he said.

  “There is a natural history [of an epidemic], and perhaps we’ve underestimated it … The trouble is, we’re looking at things that are going to take years to develop, and our monitoring and evaluation tends to be short-term.”

  In the absence of reliable long-term data, Whiteside believed the key to interpreting HIV/AIDS figures was “to understand what is going on in our societies more broadly”.

  He suggested that looking at social indicators such as the rates of rape and teenage pregnancies, or the numbers of children completing school, could provide indirect evidence of behavior change, or lack of it.

  Footnotes:

  1 South Africa Latest survey records possible HIV decline

  2 Uganda - Row over HIV/AIDS success story

  Global Envision. This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies.

• ODM-K: WHO IS FOOLING WHO?

  Posted: August 14, 2007, 11:58 am by kepn

  After reading what Kenya’s mainstream press write about events in Orange Democratic Movement – Kenya (ODM-K), and after watching both Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga appear in KTN’s ‘The Road to State House’ series, we have made telling observations regarding the leading presidential candidates of what has been Kenya’s unofficial opposition party.

  It is obvious that Kalonzo believes it is only him who can be president besides anybody else. Raila on the other hand believes he is a strong candidate, but has left his fate to ODM-K’s members. It is also worth noting that both gentlemen acknowledge none of them can individually succeed in winning the presidency on their own.

  Kalonzo Musyoka used some demeaning words when making reference to his fellow candidates in ODM-K. He feels that none of them are worth being his competitors in democracy and actually says they were ‘planted’ in order to derail his chances at a time he was leading in opinion polls. He alleges some candidates will withdraw to a pre-determined consensus position that will favour one candidate, yet it is only him and William Ruto who are supporting consensus as a method of nominating ODM-K candidate. What hypocrisy is this?

  The fact of the matter is, all ODM candidates have been cabinet ministers. In addition, Musalia Mudavadi has been a Vice President while Raila Odinga was NDP presidential candidate in 1997 general elections where he emerged third overall. All ODM-K presidential candidates are Kenyan citizens with vast political and public service experience that is at par, if not superior to that of Kalonzo Musyoka. It seems that Kalonzo is implying that these gentlemen and lady vying for ODM-K ticket are not qualified in their own right to seek the presidency.

  Kalonzo made claims that if he summoned his supporters to the streets of Nairobi, business would come to a standstill. Kalonzo also claimed that his defection to LPK from LDP (both ODM-K constituent parties) had received accolades across the country. Facts on the ground prove otherwise. His ratings on the opinions polls are on a downward trend, while that of his rivals are on an upward trend. His own Garissa public rally (so far the only one outside Ukambani) was met with sceptism from Muslim leaders who felt Kalonzo’s strong Christian background could make him hostile to Muslims when elected president. He was also accused of wrecking ODM-K from within. That does not sound like accolades, or does it?

  And what has Team Leader – Mutula Kilonzo been telling journalists about the status of ODM-K? It is a political party and not a coalition as Kalonzo is trying to convince Uhuru Kenyatta.

  Kalonzo further claimed that when the LDP conducted its grassroot elections, his camp won control of over 150 branches out of total 210 branches and that Joseph Kamotho ( who has vowed to campaign for the re-election of Mwai Kibaki) and David Musila would have been confirmed as LDP’s Secretary General and Chairman respectively. Kenyan’s who have been following ODM-K politics know that it is impossible for Messrs. Raila, Musalia, and Balala to have the support from less than 60 LDP branches (sic). In any case, why should Kalonzo be a hypocrite when he opposes registered officials in LDP but accepts those registered in ODM-K?

  Kalonzo went ahead to claim that he was going for presidency in 2002 but Raila Odinga ambushed him by declaring ‘Kibaki Tosha’. Obviously, unlike Simeon Nyachae of FORD-P, Kalonzo compromised his principles to stand down for Kibaki and agree to serve in his cabinet as Minister for Foreign Affairs and later as Environment Minister. A letter to the Standard Editor last week described Kalonzo’s antics ‘wrongful, arrogant and preposterous!’ Mudavadi, Saitoti and Raila were all in the running for KANU’s presidential ticket before President Moi anointed Uhuru Kenyatta and all of them including Kalonzo Musyoka were in LDP wing that formed NARC. This is an open fact.

  Kalonzo further claims he is the best bet to beat president Kibaki without deducing any facts. The report he quotes from the Council of Elders shows his inability to deliver his supporters to the ODM-K team if he is not the candidate was his strongest point. The report itself, we have now come to learn, was on the basis of two provinces, Eastern and Nyanza. Moreover, it was prepared by an individual allied to Kalonzo serving in the sub-committee appointed by the Council of Elders. The purported report itself was never adopted by neither the sub-committee or the Council of Elders itself, so the same individual (an MP from Coast province) leaked to the press, in order to glorify his preferred candidate.

  The most outrageous lie was that ‘Secretary General’ Abraham Chepkonga was kidnapped to make him surrender ODM-K. Kidnap is a criminal offence. Why hasn’t any report be made to the police? This was an appalling lie given the fact that the man surrendered the party in full view of cameras? Messrs. Maanzo and Chepkonga have both resigned their posts in writing and that incident was the second time Chepkonga was resigning. The court case filed by Maanzo is aimed at preventing the Registrar’s office from registering any other set of officials apart from his group. Doesn’t Maanzo have faith in his own genuine capacity as Chairman?

  And in any case,  does Kalonzo Musyoka in his right mind believe Abraham Chepkonga (originally employed as a driver to one of ODM-K officials) should be Secretary General and not Prof. Ayang.Nyongo, someone whose qualifications and experience makes him a ripe candidate for Kenya to nominate as United Nations Secretary General?

  Kenyans need to be very observant before they make decisions to elect some personalities to leadership positions.

• LANDSLIDES IN KENYA – How do we preserve life and property?

  Posted: August 13, 2007, 3:58 pm by kepn

  As the Government of Kenya scrambles to consolidate rescue and recovery efforts at the Kakamega landslide scene, it should not be lost to Kenyans that this is not the last time that we are witnessing a natural disaster of this kind.

  Natural disasters disrupt people’s lives through displacements, destruction of livelihoods and property, deaths and injuries. Consequently, they reverse years of development thus posing a major challenge to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals especially the target of halving extreme poverty by 2015.

  One would have imagined that the cyclic nature of natural disasters in Kenya could have made Government authorities in Kenya a little smarter because these disasters have constantly eroded the recovery capacity of communities hence affecting their economic and social development year in year out. This requires more vigorous attention and planning to mitigate the effects as they have impacted greatly on the country’s fight against poverty and seriously undermine efforts to reduce the number of people living below the poverty line. The economic cost of the impact of floods, droughts and landslides in the past have been estimated in millions of shillings. It is therefore imperative for the government to come up with policies that will prevent natural disasters and also put in place mechanisms that will prevent loss of life and property when disaster strikes.

  Landslides are described as the downward movement of soil and rocks resulting from naturally occurring vibrations, changes in water content, removal of lateral support, loading with weight and weathering or human manipulation of water courses and the composition of the slope.

  In Kenya landslides and mudslides occur mostly during the rainy season and are accelerated by flooding. Landslides are triggered by rapid saturation of the soil, which in turn reduces cohesion, surface tension and friction.

  According to the National Disaster Operations Centre, which is mandated by the Kenya government to co-ordinate all activities, related to disaster management, “Mudslides have become more common in Kenya because so many forests have been cleared to make way for farmland. People have cut trees to cultivate, and the soil gets loose.”

  Landslides may be presented in many forms including, slides, falls, topples, lateral spreads and mud flows etc. They can also result as effects of heavy storms, earthquakes and volcanic activities.

  People have expanded their agricultural land to create room for their farm crops. This deforestation means that trees can no longer stop the earth from sliding down hillsides. When this happens many people are buried with the sliding mud

  In addition to the influence of topography, landslides are aggravated by human activities, such as deforestation, cultivation and construction, etc, etc.

  Landslides in Kenya have been on the increase in the recent past. This has both social and economic impacts mainly loss of life, agricultural land and crops as well as destruction of infrastructure. Landslides tend to bury all that is their way resulting in destruction of life and property. In urban centres, landslides may bury or sink buildings, rubble and boulders moved to block roads, railways, and lines of communication or waterways. They may also destroy all property along their way and render agricultural land unproductive.

  So far, we can confirm that preventive measures were non-existent in an escarpment that is known to be a high risk for landslides. What we are seeing at Kakamega is a lacklustre effort and a poorly co-ordinated rescue effort. While residents will appreciate cash donations and what the Red Cross is doing, they also cannot forget to count their losses and wonder how to re-start their lives again after burying the dead.

  In the meantime, we hope, the government will move to implementing countrywide preventive measures in order to avoid further loss of life and property.

  In a country that is facing threats of adverse weather, earthquakes and massive deforestation, we hope the Kenya Government will move fast and immediately identify landslide hazard regions and put in place emergency evacuation measures. In the meantime, residents of these hazard regions must be educated on importance of prudence in environmental management and farming methods. Otherwise, we shall expect to read about more deaths before the short rains are over!

• CLIMATE CHANGE – Kenya’s press now awakes!

  Posted: August 12, 2007, 2:53 pm by kepn

  Just four days after this web log published an incisive piece titled GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE- A view from the Kenyan perspective, part of the mainstream press in Kenya have today published varying articles on the same subject.The Sunday Nation dedicated Pages 4 and 5 titled ‘OUR LAND IS DYING’ accompanied by an imposing picture of snow melting from atop Mt. Kenya. Another article in the Sunday Nation quotes Prof. Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Piece Price Winner, as issuing a grim warning reminding readers about the need to act now in order to save the earth. The Sunday Nation followed up these pieces with an editorial titled ‘Save our land, our survival depends on it’.

  On its part, The Sunday Standard runs a Special Report on pages 24 and 25 with a detailed piece on ‘Facing the harsh reality as global warming comes home’. The Sunday Standard informs readers that the ever changing weather conditions marked by floods, droughts, dwindling harvests, incidences of pests and diseases, rising temperatures indicate that GLOBAL WARMING is becoming a real threat to humanity.
  
  KENYA ENVIRONMENTAL & POLITICAL NEWS web log whole-heartedly commends the efforts of the Editors at Sunday Nation and Sunday Standard. This is a matter that requires the effort of all people and not just the government. We further encourage our readers in Kenya to click on the links and read these highly educative articles as there is something each one of us can do to reverse this sad state of environmental affairs.

• AMAZING! Battle at Kruger

  Posted: August 10, 2007, 2:53 pm by kepn

  One of the hottest videos currently on YouTube is the Battle at Kruger featuring the amazing story of a buffalo calf set free by a large herd of buffaloes from the hungry mouths of a pride of lions and two crocodiles.

  The footage, that has so far been viewed 10,285,650 times has also received 11,788 comments and favorited 45,446 times. And these numbers are growing fast!

  The footage depicts several lions attack a small group of buffalo, snatching a buffalo calf. And as the lions wrestle with a calf by a watering hole, a crocodile joins in the battle, pouncing on the buffalo. The lions win the tug-of-war, but then the buffalo herd returns with a larger herd, methodically chasing away the lions and freeing the calf. The video also shows how a big buffalo from the herd gores one of the 300 pound lioness and tosses it in the air like a bean-bag. The buffalo calf is then seen running away into the herd, while the lions are forced to retreat one by one.

  Here is the amazing footage!

  

• GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE – Much ado about Nothing??

  Posted: August 10, 2007, 11:05 am by kepn

  A view from the Kenyan perspective
  
  Kenyans, and especially our politicians, have heard about Global Warming and Climate Change, but the question still remains do they really understand the significance this phenomenon?

  Global warming can be defined as the gradual increase of the temperature of the earth’s lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases since the industrial revolution. Among factors that may be contributing to global warming are the burning of coal and petroleum products; deforestation, which increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; methane gas released in animal waste; and increased cattle production, which contributes to deforestation, methane production, and use of fossil fuels. Signs of global warming were increasingly widespread globally with glaciers around the world melting, average sea levels rising, and average precipitation increasing, the 1990s registered as the hottest decade on record in the past thousand years.

  Although Kenyans are quick to pride themselves with the likes of 2004 Nobel Peace Price Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai, who is herself a high profile environmental activist and a politician, it saddens me that issues of environmental degradation have not received adequate attention in the Kenyan society. It saddens me even more that the recently launched ‘visions’ of ODM presidential candidates have hardly any national environmental strategies or awareness campaigns. At least, the good professor has been bold enough to launch, globally though UNEP, a one billion tree planting campaign. What has the government done or is planning to do? If our own Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (despite its importance), was until recently without a full time minister in charge of operations and is largely viewed by government and Wananchi as a lacklustre department of government.

  To illustrate its importance, global warming and climate change are agendas that have been captured in G8 summits and they are an important issue that potential candidates have to address in current U.S. presidential campaigns. Climate change is increasingly becoming a challenging political problem with USA, China and India among countries that have not signed the Kyoto protocol aimed at reducing the green house effect. On the other hand, third world countries, especially those in Africa, are urged to reverse the trend through aggressive national afforestation campaigns as their contribution to this disaster through deforestation is significant.

  In Kenya, effects of global warming and climate change are already impacting upon the country in many negative ways and sadly the population is largely ignorant of the causes of these problems. Kenyans fail to grasp the fact that a large part of our population that is poor will are already dying in their thousands and remain the first victims to be wiped from the face of earth – literally - by the effects of climate change!

  For instance, in 2006, a charity organisation known as Christian Aid, commissioned livestock specialist Dr David Kimenye to examine how the nomadic herders are coping with the drought situation in Northern Kenya. He uncovered a disastrous story that was hardly reported in the regular press but received fair international coverage.

  Over two months, Dr Kimenye talked to pastoralists in five areas across the Mandera district, home to 1.5 million people. The study discovered that:

  • Incidence of drought has increased fourfold in the Mandera region in the past 25 years.

  • One-third of herders living there - around half a million people - have already been forced to abandon their pastoral way of life because of adverse climatic conditions.

  • During the last drought, so many cattle, camels and goats were lost that 60 per cent of the families who remain as herders need permanent outside assistance to recover. Their surviving herds are too small to support them.

  • The same people pastoralists are 100% dependent on WFP food aid

  If this study was to be expanded to cover the all the pastoralists communities of Kenya, one shudders to imagine what the findings will be and yet these challenges are what fellow citizens face every day. The long term effects of drought to education and public health are worse.

  Global warming and climate change – much ado about nothing? Not at all! Think again, Kenyans.

• Politics of Yala Swamp and Dominion Farms in Kenya

  Posted: August 9, 2007, 12:44 pm by kepn

  Dominion Farms Limited is a multinational international firm owned by an American entrepreneur Mr. Calvin Burgess of Edmund Oklahoma, USA.

  The firm entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Kenya in 2004, which leased it 3000 hectares of the original 6000 hectares Dominion Farms had requested. Since then the firm has been producing large quantity of maize, cotton, sunflower , rice, groundnuts on the already reclaimed area. It has also started a bee keeping and fish farming project which is meant to boost the economy and food production.

  Both the government and opposition Members of Parliament are happy with the activities of Dominion Farms and talk is rife that Mr. Burgess recently requested President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya to consider increasing the lease allocation to 17,500 hectares of the Yala River Swamp located next Lake Victoria to cover more areas and benefit the local communites who, according to Mr. Burgess, are the among the poorest in Kenya - more than 80% of whom live below $1 a day - in addition to facing the grim realities of HIV/Aids, Malaria and extreme weather conditions.

  However, it has not been smooth sailing for Dominion Farms. Lobby groups and environmental activists have raised serious concerns with Kenyan and UNEP authorities about alleged environmental destruction and human rights abuses committed by Dominion Farms in Kenya’s Yala Swamp. The firm is being accused of that its industrial agriculture and aquaculture projects threaten the integrity of the Yala Swamp ecosystem and the health and well being of up to 1 million residents. It has also been accused of flooding private agricultural and grazing lands as well as homes, forced thousands of people (with compensation) to relocate against their will, cutting fishermen off from communal fishing areas, and contaminating water that people and animals use for drinking. For this reason they say, it is vital that Dominion Farms’ proposed expansion and new projects each be thoroughly and independently assessed for the impacts they will have on the swamp ecosystem and the human population. They say that no corporation should be permitted to profit at the expense of irreplaceable natural resources and human rights. Infact, some lobbyist have likened Dominion Farms activities in Kenya as “re-colonization by multinational corporations”.
  “It’s forty-four years since Kenyans won independence. Now they’re fighting for self determination again,” said Paula Palmer of Global Response.

  Whether the lobbyist succeed in ending the activities of Dominion Farms in Yala Swamp remain to be seen. With the General Elections looming in December 2007, the Government of Kenya is keen not to upset local communities who are happy with the commercial activities of the multinational company.

• THE BILLION TREE CAMPAIGN - 145 Days To Go!

  Posted: August 8, 2007, 5:44 pm by kepn

  Under the Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign, people, communities, organizations, business and industry, civil society and governments are being encouraged to plant trees and enter their tree planting pledges on this web site. The objective is to plant at least one billion trees worldwide during 2007.The idea for the Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign was inspired by Kenya’s Professor Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate for 2004 and founder of Kenya’s Green Belt Movement, which has planted more than 30 million trees in 12 African countries since 1977. When a corporate group in the United States told Professor Maathai it was planning to plant a million trees, her response was: “That’s great, but what we really need is to plant a billion trees.”

  Recognizing that there are many tree planting schemes around the world, UNEP proposes to federate these efforts in both rural and urban areas. People and entities – individuals, children and youth groups, schools, community groups, non-governmental organizations, farmers, private sector organizations, local authorities and national governments – are encouraged to enter pledges on the online form. Each pledge can be anything from a single tree to several million trees.

  The responsibility will lie with the person/organization making the pledge via the campaign website to arrange for the tree planting. All contributing participants will receive a certificate of involvement. They will be encouraged to follow up via the web site so UNEP can verify that the trees have survived, in partnership with certification mechanisms, such as the Forest Stewardship Council. The website will record the ongoing tally of pledges, and also publish photos and accounts from registered campaign members of what they have achieved.

  The campaign strongly encourages the planting of indigenous trees and trees that are appropriate to the local environment. Advice on tree planting (How to plant a tree) is available via the website, as well as information about reforestation and other tree-related issues, including links to appropriate partner organizations best equipped to give locally tailored advice, such as the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). Because ideal planting conditions vary in different regions, the campaign will operate throughout the year 2007.

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes