Orgasm As Teen Philosophy, And The Coming Dangers

So, does teenage orgasm exist?

I was prompted to write about this after a friend blogged about this and later, joined by another friend, opined that teenage sex orgasm was real.

I seek to submit a different view.

As late as the 1970s, some people still believed that female orgasm did not exist. To them, it was a myth made up by the media to emphasize male chauvinism.

But that is not even the issue. I believe that orgasm for teenagers in much of windswept Africa is a philosophy – more or less like thinking about ‘’Mental Purity & Three Fold Yoga’’. Or more pedestrian one like saying for every one thing you regret, there are always 100 more to be thankful for. 

Sex is legal at 16 in England, Scotland and Wales between a man and a woman or between two men. In Northern Ireland sex is legal at 17 between a man and a woman and between two men.

(There is no specific law about the age of consent for sex between two women in the UK)

In much of Africa, is sex even legal? Just asking! For the sake of this argument, lets say 18 years is the *goodness* legal age to have sex.

But before that age, young boys and girls engage in adventurous sex, when as young as 13. For boys, this activity is more in line with getting to watch the first movie, maybe a James Bond, or Rambo, or even a more recent film.

For girls too, it is about the talk that it is possible to have sex and still be alive.

Now for these two categories of human beings, the pull to have sex is not motivated by orgasm or such other sensual excitement… rather the adventure of it.

And that is why then, later in years, looking back, orgasm comes across as some life philosophy for many young people. In early stages of life, orgasm cannot be the pull or push guiding teenagers to engage in sexual relations. 

On whether there should be attempts to stop teenage sex and pregnancies, I don’t think it is worth it. May be it is better to take the route that Kenya has taken; giving these young people contraceptives and condoms.

I rest my case.

THE HORROR OF TEENAGE ORGASM

Role of Weak Erection, Condoms in Stopping New HIV Infections

Is it really conceivable to ''get to zero'' with some people still refusing to wear condoms for fear of losing an erection! I mean, is it possible to get to zero - to stop new HIV infections and further deaths from AIDS?

It looks possible but at times I don’t think it is viable, especially if sex remains central to politics in our world, today.

I am writing about this full of excitement that for the first time since HIV/AIDS was discovered there is talk of possibly ending this epidemic, or at least stemming its advance.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) report recently said "unprecedented progress" had been made in the fight against the disease. The report also said new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths had fallen to the lowest levels since the peak of the epidemic.

Coming hot on the heels of this report is the latest HIV science which said HIV treatment itself not only saves lives, but is also a critical form of preventing the spread of the virus.

But since then, it has become apparent that donors were bored of funding HIV/AIDS programmes, especially in light of economic challenges that started in 2007/2008.

In Africa, changes in sexual behaviour — use of condoms, reduction in the number of sexual partners and a delay of the start of sexual activity — have been responsible for driving HIV decline.

“Getting to Zero” is the theme for World AIDS Day 2011. So that brings me to the my point about whether it is possible to get to zero - to stop new infections and stop further deaths.

Without sounding simplistic, sex is driving new HIV infections -  the virus that causes AIDS. I feel sex is kind of right-wing. It may soon become a political party! And that is why it remains in the lead in promoting new HIV infections.

And condom remains one of the most critical ways of stopping people from contracting HIV.

To be able to leverage on new science and breakthroughs made, it is important that discussion on whether to use a condom or not should start at Java, Dormans or any other venue… weeks, days or hours before having sex.

Friends who want to have sex, couples or just say anybody, should discuss this way away from the sensual excitement minutes before going all the way. For hookers and their clients, this talk should be before taking the drive or walk to an alley or hotel to have sex.

But is this possible, away from the reach of UN enumerators and… in villages - like in a bench in Kakamega - where information on condom efficacy may be lacking.

There are so many excuses human beings give not to use a condom. There is the legend on over sweets and wrapper nonsense. I don’t even know how this came about. Sex is not a passion of panic over whether you have contracted an infection, but of assurance that you don’t worry that you may have contracted HIV. So this sweets tale is nonsensical.

Also, glorification of sex should be toned now; its political veneration impaired, if we are to ''get to zero''.

Kenyan Radio Plays Nicole, Muturi Sex Supplication Clip

This is the most explicit audio clip I have ever heard.  Well, it is the most explicit audio I have heard yet from Kenyan characters.

Nicole and Muturi are the two people here, and the conversation is in Swahili. Basically, in the audio, Nicole is supplicating for sex from Muturi.

Nicole: I wanted to be fuc***
Muturi: At this time?
Nicole: Yes
Muturi: Why didn't you tell me earlier?
Nicole: Muturi, please, just come now
Muturi: Where?
Nicole: My place?
Muturi: But I have slept?
Nicole: So can I come?
Muturi: No, you will make me fail to go to work tomorrow.

And then the conversation went on.

Let me start from the start. Earlier today, someone sent me a DM on Twitter telling me that there was an audio clip being circulated by e-mail featuring a ''couple'' arguing about sex.

So, in between some many things I was doing, I decided to find time to listen. So I listened and went back to my day job. Now, later this evening, another contact alerted me that Kiss FM wanted to play the clip, and they actually did, but with beeps to drown out about 9 words.

Apparently, the audio was posted to the audio distribution platform Sound Cloud earlier today, and circulated earlier by e-mail. It is not clear when it was recorded.

My take is, it looks like the call was made by Nicole, pleading with Muturi for sex. But cheekily, Muturi appears fed up with this girl and decided to record the conversation and later uploaded it online.

Nicole had about 18 Kenya shillings on her line when she was calling, assuming she was calling on either Safaricom or Zain line. From the conversation, she was calling him at just about 9pm local time.

Nicole: I will make you meat.
Muturi: No.
Nicole: Please come, if you don’t find meat, then go back.
Muturi: Aah.
Nicole: (I know) you are hard, in a nice way...
Muturi: Hahaha. I am blushing
…

Nicole: I am seriously wet
…

Nicole: You  don’t have to be smart, I just want you.

Nicole: Where do you come from? How can I be pleading with you for p***

And nine seconds later, the conversation ended, hanging. It is not clear, whether at the end of the conversation - 4:34 minutes - Muturi agreed to go to Nicole's place or whether she went herself. Or, if she called back again.

Now, I am still surprised that Kiss 100 drive played the clip!

Hear the clip here: http://soundclo­ud.com/soulsngr­/full-version-n­icole-and-mutur­i

Caroline Mutoko Defends Sex Toys, Adopts Child

With the baby, from her Facebook account

Caroline Mutoko is returning to work after taking a couple of weeks from Kiss 100 Big Breakfast to bond with her new love, in her new relationship.

The Queen of radio in Kenya announced in September that she had adopted a child, a few weeks after defending women who use sex toys because of the supposed failure of their husbands and boyfriends to satisfy them, sexually.

Without suggesting whether she will be getting married, Ms Mutoko wrote in September  that she had adopted a baby girl - Theodora Nduku - from a children's home and said she was happy.

The young woman who wrote the column last month in The Star newspaper was a humble, lovable person who liked being referred to as Mama, and who referred to the adopted kid as sweetheart - far from the brutally frank and almost demented girl who wrote about sex a few weeks earlier.

''Women need sex. Not a tiresome headboard pounding, but a toe-curling experience. It’s good for our immune system... and the ticket to a good night’s sleep,'' Ms Mutoko wrote in early July.

''I guess our worst crime as women in the bedroom is that we have never vocalized what we want and need. The average man is clueless as it is and the way sex works – a man is guaranteed –ahhh- how do I say this – a great finish. Women have nothing to gain from a sexual encounter and especially if the man in question is clueless about what brings her pleasure,'' she wrote then.

''Theodora Nduku, my daughter, my heart, my love... Words fail me. I love you deeply, totally. Thank you for teaching me simplicity, humility and bringing such joy and balance into my world,'' she wrote, four weeks later.

She did not elaborate what balance she was speaking of in the article. I wish her all the best in her new love.

Hundreds Die in Kenya Capital Petrol Fire

Over 100 people are feared to have burnt to death in a fire incident in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, local media say, a tragedy similar to another blaze that killed over 140 in early 2009.

State broadcaster Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) said in its 1pm news broadcast on 12 September that over 150 may have died in the incident which happened along Lunga Lunga Road in the Nairobi's Industrial Area.

The fire started when villagers in nearby Sinai slum tried to siphon fuel from a leaking Kenya Pipeline Company pipe, KBC said.

 ''The death toll is likely to reach 200 with spontaneous explosions reported along the pipeline that passes through the sprawling slum,'' the broadcaster added in a website report.

Capital FM radio reporter Bernard Momanyi at the scene said he had counted at least 70 bodies that were being retrieved.

Leading Daily Nation newspaper website said that its reporter had counted 73 ''badly burnt bodies'' at the scene.

In January 2009, 145 people died in two fire incidents in Nairobi and in western Rift Valley Province.

Ocampo’s Threadbare Evidence Against Six Kenyans

Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo appears to have relied on threadbare evidence to indict six Kenyans of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity following the 2008 violence.

His latest disclosure of evidence to the six persons indicate that the ICC prosecutor relied on reports whose credibility is almost nil, at the same time, lacking any incriminating content.

Of course unless he has some other material that can link the suspects to the violence, otherwise, what he has passed on to them do not show any links to the violence.

I have been reading several pages of evidence to some of the six individuals... Several of the pages and sentences are lies, some not true while others are illogical.

It consists of newspaper commentaries, news articles, Facebook posts, blog posts, minutes of an open meeting… ridiculous stuff.

This is besides the previous evidence he submitted to the suspects  a few months ago.

Kenyan Judges, Lawyers Can Now Wear Studs, Dreadlocks

Below is a statement by Chief Justice Mutunga about the controversy on wearing a stud to the courts. He e-mailed this statement to a google group of Kenyan writers, and also posted on his Facebook page.


Over the past week, I have received questions on Facebook and Twitter by young lawyers about my position on studs and the dress code in Kenyan courts. To wit can lawyers appear before the Court wearing their studs? Because it is difficult for me to respond to each one of them individually, I wish to clarify my position here.

At this point, I can say that the Judges of the Supreme Court have agreed that we have no issues with anyone appearing before the Supreme Court, wearing their studs. Our position is that as long as officers of the court - both lawyers and judges can appear smart, a stud - or indeed dreadlocks - should not hinder the administration of justice.

At the Supreme Court, we shall not be wearing the colonial wigs and robes, and we shall seek the input of Kenyans on a simple robe that can be worn over a suit, for example. We will encourage the Court of Appeal and the High Court to review the dress code there. We will dialogue with them and the LSK and we expect the public to participate in the debate.

Willy Mutunga,
Chief Justice, Republic of Kenya
President of the Supreme Court

RIP Tamo Kosgey of Kass FM Radio

Last night, I dreamt about a friend who died on Wednesday evening this week.

His name is Philip Rotich Kosgei, known to his colleagues at Kass FM radio as Tamo - short for Tamoron'giot. Tamo collapsed and died just next to his home in eastlands, Nairobi hours after presenting his drive evening programme on Kass.

Post-mortem has been done on his body. Results should be out by the end of today.

Tamo used to suffer from epilepsy. The last time he had a seizure was about four years ago, at around the same time he joined Kass FM as a comedian and later co-presenter of a main family show on Tuesday and Thursday.

I think he died after a seizure... fell into a small ditch, and no-one saw him, until hours after he had died. This is the saddest part that has remained in my mind.

I knew Tamo so well. I even worked with him at some point in his career in politics and radio comedy.

My heart goes out to his wife Margaret and children. May God rest his sould in peace.

Mysterious Death of Mercy Keino… Anything About Drugs?

Wasini Luxury Homes on Church Road, off Waiyaki Way, the place where Mercy Keino attended a party and later died on 17 June is known for a series of clandestine activities... and drugs.

A contact who has often been to the place, just off Waiyaki Way in Nairobi has told this blog of the covert nature of the activities often held in the luxurious venue.

''Before entering, one is thoroughly screened for drugs, weapons and other nasty stuff; while car registration numbers are cross checked for minutes by guards,'' she said.

MP William Kabogo and other MPs, as well as some rich and wealth people frequent the venue, to discuss business and other clandestine activities.

So that brings me to my next point, whatever Mercy Keino was doing at Wasini Luxury Homes on 17 May, and later dying has got so much to do with regular activities held in the place. I may be wrong, but listening so much of contacts of this blog describing activities which often take place at the venue, it is difficult to see Ms Keino's attendance as just courtesy of a cousin's invitation.

I feel so sad to say it may be really difficult for police to get to know who killed her.

Poor Ruth Konchellah, What Happened?

When Ruth Konchellah, a pretty Maasai woman, spoke on 28 April this year, she did not mince her words about how she felt about Michael Ranneberger.


''Today Michael is a good friend. Michael you are so great, you are so lovely. I love your compassion," she told him, looking flustered, shifting her full cheeks and torso and seemingly unafraid of dignitaries, including ministers, diplomats, corporate executives, and friends of the outgoing US envoy.


She repeated what she had told newspapers that the ambassador ''discovered Africa while I discovered first world love".

It appears some things have changed a bit since that warm April. Maybe many have. Contacts of this blog have met Ms Ruth Konchellah several times in Nairobi and reported seeing a forlorn woman from Kilgoris, the capital of windswept Transmara District. She seems threadbare, unhappy and generally under the weather.


Somehow, things appear not to have worked well between her and the US ambassador. She is sullen and with rudimentary looks.


She has not spoken to anyone close to this blog about what became of her. But it is take that the ambassador was unable to take her with him to the USA - for whatever reasons; or maybe he refused. Maybe he did not love her after all. Maybe the State Department did not clear her.


It is not clear if she's been back to her Cherish Others NGO which aims at fighting against girls circumcision.


But whatever is the case, Ruth has seen better days.

I am redefining my relationship with all my friends

Trusting friends can be very disappointing, especially after learning that most human beings are painfully unreliable!

In the past several months, I have been wondering if friendships are worth the trouble one goes through to maintain. Today, I believe some friendships are not worth anything… some, if not most of the friendships.

Maybe, put it differently, real friends are hard to come by. I think many people don’t have real friends. I think I am among the many many people who don’t have any real friends to speak to when under the weather, of generally wants to speak on more personal issues.

I have decided that I won’t take some of the friendships with most of my friends seriously at all. In fact, I am planning on seeking to make one or two real friends.

To me, it appears that most of the friendships many people cultivate these days are based on interests, nothing personal. Friendship is like politics, as it were.

From today, I have redefined the nature of my relationship with all my ‘’ friends’’ –of course excerpt two people close to my heart.  Sincerely, the rest will remain good acquaintances. Yes.

Straight American Behind Syrian ''gay girl'' Blog

I have been wondering how many blogs are not real, since Tom MacMaster, a 40-year-old Edinburgh University masters student, admitted that he has been lying in a blog that he was a lesbian in Syria.

With this admission, it looks like many blogs may not be for real, especially of those claiming to write on fancy subjects like, Oval Office mole, ex-Mandela's girlfriend, diary of a devoted second wife of President Medvedev and all those self-confessed what have you.

I can't be fake myself, since I don’t claim to be anything other than myself, an ordinary blogger, journalist…

Lets go back to MacMaster. His blog, called A Gay Girl in Damascus attracted millions of readers, especially from people disparate for news since Syria is closed for foreign media.

Since February this year, when the drama and violence started in Syria, MacMaster has been publishing in the blog as ''35-year-old feminist and lesbian called Amina Abdallah Araf al Omari''.  He said the blog was meant to explain "what it's like to be a lesbian here", supposedly in Syria!

And on Tuesday last week, someone claiming to be her cousin wrote on the blog that Amina had been kidnapped off the street by three armed men and bundled into a car bearing a pro-government window sticker. Supporters created a Facebook group called "Free Amina Abdallah", attracting nearly 15,000 followers.

And yesterday, MacMaster finally came out, apologizing for lying all these four months.

This is what he wrote:Apology to readers

I never expected this level of attention. While the narrative voıce may have been fictional, the facts on thıs blog are true and not mısleading as to the situation on the ground. I do not believe that I have harmed anyone -- I feel that I have created an important voice for issues that I feel strongly about.

I only hope that people pay as much attention to the people of the Middle East and their struggles in thıs year of revolutions. The events there are beıng shaped by the people living them on a daily basis. I have only tried to illuminate them for a western audience.

This experience has sadly only confirmed my feelings regarding the often superficial coverage of the Middle East and the pervasiveness of new forms of liberal Orientalism.

However, I have been deeply touched by the reactions of readers.

Best,
Tom MacMaster,
Istanbul, Turkey
July 12, 2011

The sole author of all posts on this blog

For me, I believe there are bloggers, in Syria and elsewhere, who are trying as hard to report news and opinions that may not be available in the main media. 

The link to the blog is: http://damascusgaygirl.blogspot.com/

Losing Friends, Seeking New Ones

Loosing a good friend can be disorienting. Losing two good ones can be very scary. In the past month, I lost two good friends. Of the two - the latest I lost - was somebody I spoke a similar language on spiritual growth.

Anyway, I don’t know my role in the collapse of my friendship with these two people. Interesting enough, they were my good friends, but they were not, themselves, friends. So that got me thinking, maybe I am to blame, maybe not.

So, I have been out and about seeking some ideas on how to deal with loosing a friend. And I have had some nice ideas.
- Stop driving and use public transport, experience the madness of loud music.
- Carry a book to read - nothing about relationships. Maybe something on Operation Orchard - the Israeli airstrike on a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor.
- Go back to chase up a lecturer who has not issued exam marks for some 2008 exam; or start your masters/PHD thesis immediately.
- Of course a change of glasses can come in handy. More importantly, divert phone calls over the weekend.

These have worked for me.

But seriously, it is so shocking how human beings have attached so much value to relationships. 

Maybe I should seek new friends… people we can speak on African politics, American movie industry, UK media, Afghanistan poppies, religion, Dar es Salaam's heat…

Is The World Ending on 21 May 2011? How to Prepare

Is your community/church etc preparing anything special ahead of this coming ''end of time'' weekend''? Kindly let me know.

I remember in 1994 when we heard that the end of the world was coming. It was such a panicky time. We were so surprised that we were back in school the following day.

Yet, against, another prediction of end of time has come to being. According to a small American Christian movement, 21 May will mark the end of the world, or Rupture.

Harold Egbert Camping

The movement, led by Harold Camping, who runs the Evangelical network Family Radio, is predicting that this Saturday, God will bring about Judgment Day - the time when the earth will be destroyed because of mankind's sins and all Christian believers will ascend to heaven.
 

Camping used mathematical calculations, that comes about by interpreting prophecies hidden in the Bible, to get this date - 21 May.

In Nairobi, while driving along Langata Road, i keep thinking about this prediction. 

Langata billboard in Swahili

Every time i see this billboard carrying this message along this road, I often ask myself, could it be that this American knows what the rest of us do not know. Or is it that he is among the false prophets we were warned about some while back.

 

I don't know. 


Meanwhile, just in case things don't look too good, kindly observe the following things as we await the day.

(1) Clear your phone browsing history
(2) Return all borrowed DVDs
(3) Pass by the bank and get some money (it is actually recommended that you withdraw all the cash in your account) and lastly,
(4) Don't tell your mother-in-law what you really think about her. (You can actually decide to tell her)

Samuel Wanjiru Kills Himself; Trends on Twitter

In death, Samuel Wanjiru became one the most talked about elements in social media, hours after killing himself in his home in Nyahururu, central Kenya.

Police say the Olympic marathon champion killed himself by jumping off his home balcony in the dead of the night early today. He jumped from his first floor balcony to the ground. Yes first floor!

The story is this: Wanjiru, 24, came home last evening with a female companion. Hours later, the athlete's wife, Triza Njeri, then came home, unexpectedly, to find Wanjiru in bed with another woman. She then locked the couple in the bedroom and went outside. From this point, Wanjiru then leapt from the balcony to his death.

With wife, in happier times (From Daily Nation newspaper)

So then Njeri, and the woman Wanjiru was with, supposedly a bar maid, are being held by police.

When Wanjiru was, last December, charged in court with threatening to kill his wife, there should have been indications that that relationship was not getting far, or at least, one of them should have mad an about turn about that tormenting marriage.

While his body was lying at some hospital in Nyahururu, Samul Wanjiru, or what remained ot it, rose to become of the most talked of issues on Monday morning on Facebook, Twitter and in blogs.

On Twitter, it was the seventh top trending topic after IMF's sex scal, Strass-Khan.

Jamaican Sex Dance Permeates Kenyan Clubs

There is some dirty dancing style in town. The style represents an exaggeration of some Jamaican dance, which initially had some good level of decorum, but has since subject of controversy.

Actually, this dance simulated sexual acts and positions. In popular respected restaurants, this super-lewd dancing style has become so popular. In the past one week, several videos have been posted to YouTube depicting people in this dancing style.


It is called Daggering as an artistic form of dance originating from the Caribbean, especially Jamaica, incorporating some frantic movement. In this case, dagger means the penis, and that means it is supposed to stab a bending woman, girl!

In light of these details, Jamaican Broadcasting Commission has banned all songs with explicit sexual content from radio and television.


It appears RDX, a Jamaican group imported the dance to Kenya some days ago. There are no indications that this dance style will stop in Kenya soon.


See recent You Tube videos here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwHPzNaJM6A&feature=player_detailpage#t=37s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFlBlA0Xmmw&feature=share&has_verified=1

Journalist Wambui Kabiru killed - RIP dear

Journalist Sarah Wambui Kabiru's last update on Facebook was '''i nid help'', hours before she was killed in her house in Eastlands, Nairobi.

Her husband has disappeared, and there have been suggestions that he actually killed her.

I believe that no matter the level of provocation, no one has the liberty to kill another person.

Will post more details later. 

Americans Kill Osama Bin-Laden in Pakistan

Americans have killed Osama bin Laden. President Obama has announced, saying the body of the top terrorist is in the custody of the Americans.

Obama said Bin Laden was killed in a compound in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital. Many people thought that Osama was hiding somewhere on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, but it appears that he may have been living in Islamabad for some time.

Maybe he was very sick, as he has been sick for some time, and he left the mountains to seek treatment.

Osama

Of course the ideology that Osama was pursuing will remain with many supporters, but i want to believe that terrorism, led by Al-Qaedah will be fractured.

Bin Laden created and was funded the Al-Qaeda terror network, accused of attacking America on 11 September, and previous attacks in US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

Uganda Police Use Pepper Spray to Subdue, Arrest Besigye

Uganda police have used pepper spray to drench the eyes of opposition leader Kizza Besigye and arrest him!

What is happening in Uganda is quite sad indeed. For the fourth time, Besigye has been arrested for taking part in protests over rising cost of food and fuel. Initially, the police (authorities) were against Besigye and others talking part in the walk-to-work demo, because it supposedly interfered with traffic etc.

But now, this morning, Besigye was arrested while driving to work. He had initially tried to walk to work, but was stopped by police at his gate. He decided to drive, tailed by police and supporters, before being blocked at a junction by security forces in Kampala suburb.

Reports say, after a long standoff, police smashed his car window with a hammer, dragged his bodyguards from the vehicle and beat them up, severely. Other officers smashed other windows with pistols and drenched Besigye with pepper spray, pointing the gun at him. He was eventually pulled out of the car, dragged along the road and tossed into the back of a nearby van.

I think Museveni is too scared the protests may snowball to consume his government, feeding on the disillusionment of the many.

Of Readers and Blog Colour Background

Thank you for the several comments to my private e-mail account in light of the various posts I have been publishing in this blog.

Some are very enlightened, some cheeky, while most are clearly of readers who are so informed of many issues in this country. As I wrote some months ago, I dont publish readers' comments, simply because I got many things I do during the day. I often write either late in the day of do most of writing over the weekend.

I, however read all the comments. Maybe sometime in the future, i will let the blog become more interactive, not now though.

I changed the background of the blog this week - i suppose i am getting too old for bright papers and pages .Thank you for reading.

Unbearable Kenyan Food Costs

Below is a statement by Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) about the planned protests to demand action over high food prices:

 

Kenya's fuel and food prices are fast becoming unbearable for majority Kenyans. The current increment cannot be sustained. Its adverse effects will be felt for a long time to come socially, economically, environmentally and politically.

The country's highest leadership can no longer bury its head in the sand and assume the business as usual posture on pro-poor interventions.

Kenya's fuel prices poses a serious threat to the country's stability as the country heads into a transitional general elections in August next year. Indeed, it is a defining moment in our country's history and one that will shape our immediate future.

Several excuses have been advanced - weak shilling, high inflation rate, the Northern Africa and Arab world crisis, among others. But those are just excuses not because they are not valid but because there is little Kenya can do about them.

On the contrary, no one is talking about the internal factors of the high prices. From lack of political will (not surprising that neither President Mwai Kibaki nor Prime Minister Raila Odinga have found it necessary and urgent to speak about the fuel and food crisis) to outright corruption and institutional gross ineffiencies and open secret that some quarters could be using the fuel crisis to fundraise for the 2012 general elections.

We are disturbed that the Minister for Energy Mr Kiraitu Murungi has been playing politics with the matter of fuel prices for a while. He has been left to walk away with many unexplained issues - from the "Triton Scandal" where the taxpayer lost Sh7.8 B to politically connected shenanigans; the irregular award of the 30% quota for the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (Nock) which Nock couldn't service after all; the poorly representative (stakeholder and regional) key energy parastatals and the Energy Regulatory Commission.

The minister is yet to explain the fraud that was the so called "free energy saving bulbs" that were hardly distributed and accounted for. The list is long.

Tired of the double-speak from a Minister of Energy who publicly confesses a formula applied by ERC is a flop without generating an alternative, Kenyan consumers are saying enough is enough. It is for this reason that we are calling for peaceful demonstrations on Tuesday, 19th April from 12 pm at Uhuru Park in Nairobi and other major towns across the country.

Arrangements for the peaceful demonstrations are now complete. In Nairobi, the consumers will congregate at Uhuru Park from where short speeches from invited leaders (including several sitting and former MPs).

The procession will then follow Kenyatta Avenue and present its petition to the Hon. Kiraitu's Nyayo House 9th floor office, thereafter present the same petition to the speaker of the National Assembly and finally to the offices of the Prime Minister and the President.

Our partners are working on the route details in other parts of the country. We appreciate the support of Kenyans and other friends of Consumers Federation of Kenya who have given us support and especially for the goodwill messages.

Led by our Secretary General, Cofek will be addressing a press conference in Mombasa (Travellers Beach Hotel) tomorrow, Monday, 18th April from 11 am where I will give final details of the Tuesday demonstration.

We urge all media houses to dedicate their editorials messages to fuel prices crisis on Tuesday. We appreciate those that are already doing it.

Stephen Mutoro, Secretary General, Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek)

Rise in Kenyan Fuel Prices Promises Strife

With further rise in cost of fuel, food prices will escalate to their highest levels yet


Fuel prices have reached record level in Kenya and a consumer rights group has called for massive protests next week to press the government to do better on this subject.

From today, fuel prices are rising to the highest point since the country started using petrol, diesel, kerosene and the rest. In 2008, when one barrel was selling for 140, local petrol selling at 110 shillings.

Now, from today, in the latest review released by the Energy Regulatory Commission, super petrol will now sell at 111.17 shilling per litre in Nairobi, while diesel will cost 107.52 shillings.

The shock is with Kerosene that will sell for 100 shillings per litre in Lokichogio, and 90 shillings in Nairobi. In other places, the prices fall somewhere in between those ranges.

Today, Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has condemned the latest increment in petrol prices, saying it will further complicate the lives and livelihoods of Kenyans. ''It is unheard of for a litre of kerosene to cost Sh92 when Kenya is neither at war or could be deemed to be a failed state,'' Cofek said.

''Additionally, we are calling upon consumers and other like-minded stakeholders to prepare themselves for a major public peaceful demonstration, next week, through which we will present memoranda to Parliament, Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister and Mr Kiraitu’s office,'' Cofek said.

Kind of taking cue from Ugandan opposition groups, Cofek  asked ''motorists and commuters to consider walking to work and keep our roads free of vehicles apart from emergency cases, as practically as possible''.

From the look of things, fuel regulation in Kenya has grossly failed. Fuel is expensive in Kenya because the government takes up to 28 shillings for every litre of petrol. Of course there are other factors like inefficiencies with state agencies refining, processing and transporting the commodity. Also there are some further gross inefficiencies with storage.

So the latest rise is bound to bring strife in Kenya. It will push the poor Kenyans further into abject poverty, and thousands of middle class earners to poverty, while creating room for crime, violence and despondency in the nation.

Fuel has a direct impact on food. What drives a nation is a well-fed population. In the past several months, food prices have been rising so steeply in Kenya. Now, average earners are spending over 48 per cent or so of their incomes to feed their families.

So with the latest rise in fuel costs, food prices will rise further, promising anger and violence among the population.

France Bans Muslim Face Veil

France is moving to defend its secularism - although no one has threatened that secularism.

From today, 11 April, a new law banning garments that hide the face takes effect.

Basically, an Islamic cloth that reveals only the eyes,  while covering the entire head and part of the face - the Niqab - is being banned in the nation of Muslim minorities. Interestingly, this law was drawn without reference to religion.

Niqab

I am not sure but it is my feeling that with this law, the French government is saying Islam is a threat to French culture!

A woman who repeatedly insists on appearing veiled in public can be fined 150 euros. Anyone forcing a woman to wear face-veil will be jailed.

How it goes with this law will provide guidelines to the rest of Europe on how to deal with this issue.

Hijab

So, with the new law it is expected that Muslim women in France should be wearing veils that expose their faces - Hijab.

Citizen's Julie Gichuru Interview Bungle

There are many Raila Odinga's apologists in the Kenyan media. One of them is Julie Gichuru of Citizen television. You probably remember her as the crying presenter on Citizen TV series on the aftermath of the 2008 violence.

 

Ms Gichuru

 But, let me start from the start.

In July 2008, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta gave an interview to the BBC World News Television. 

Kenyatta spoke to Stephen Sucker in Hardtalk show, an interview programme that airs in both domestic BBC and World New TV via sat.

 The programme often asks politicians, leaders and busines people very hard questions.

In Kenyatta's interview, after an introduction Sucker said. ''Uhuru Kenyatta, welcome to Hardtalk… I want to quote for you words from a speech your Prime Minister Raila Odinga delivered here recently. He said, 'we have been to hell and back'. Now, what makes you in government think that you are back?''' The story is not what Kenyatta responded, rather, what the presenter asked.

I am reminded of this interview after watching Julie Gichuru of Citizen TV interviewing Kenyatta last weekend, and a week earlier, William Ruto, MP.

In many ways, the interview went to expose the glaring incompetence and thickheadedness of some of the most celebrated Kenyan journalists. The bias and absence of interviewing skills were laid bare by the two interviews. Even worse, the two interviews were aired live.

Beyond her outrageous dressing code, which is not an issue in this blogpost, Ms Gichuru failed to get the interviewees to answer some of the most important questions that he audiences would have been interested in asking. If anything, both interviews degenerated so badly.

On 27 March, Ruto was being interviewed in the programme. Ms Gichuru clearly suggested to him that one good thing with ICC trying him, Kenyatta and four others is that it will remove some politicians from the next elections.

When Ruto responded that it was unfortunate that she had suggested so, she kept quet, implying that she had meant so. This is a wicked bias, considering that journalists should not show prejudice for interviewees, rather, treat them with decorum.

Ruto's courtesy kinda saved the otherwise ugly interview. Now, Kenyatta was watching the programme and felt pissed off. When he was contacted by Citizen on Friday to show up on Sunday at nine in the night for a live interview, he agreed, but was drilled on how to deal with her.  

 

In a sexier pose

On 3 April, 9.13, Kenyatta is live. (See video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXIOsVSxDQs) He sat laid back, sounded rude and made faces. 

He was clearly disgusted by her line of questioning. But it appears he was just prepared to take on her head on. The interview was a mistake from the start.

He told Kenyatta that he has not been working, just politicking. When Kenyatta said ''if some people want to politick and not work, we can do that'', she responded, ''for the sake of the nation, can you give us a break, can you stop it?''

So in a way, the interview became so ugly. Ms Gichuru panicked, shaking a bit and Kenyatta took control of entire interview, not answering questions and saying what he wanted, when he wanted to.

It is clear she did not know what she wanted to ask. If she did, she did not know.

Julie Gichuru - who, when her baby died, publicly told colleagues she was going to have another baby to replace the dead one - represent a generation of mediocre Kenyan journalists who are education but have no passion for what they are doing. 

Or, more corrently, they have their own poltiical agenda to drive.

See BBC interview here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImreW9AHm3g)

Sex, Money and Power on Trial in Italy

I submit that three elements are on trial in Italy - sex, money and power - as the trial of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi opens today in the Mediterranean nation.

Berlusconi is accused of paying an underage prostitute and then abusing his position to cover up his alleged offence.  All three judges presiding over his trial are women!

Prosecutors say Berlusconi paid for sex with a very beautiful teenage Moroccan belly dancer Karima El Mahroug, also know as Ruby (also nicknamed "Ruby Heartstealer"). They will argue in court that the girl was 17, then. 

Ruby

In a separate case involving the same prostitute, Berlusconi is accused of abusing his power by calling a Milan police station where Ruby was being held, accused of theft, and demanded that she be released. Berlusconi said she the girl was the granddaughter of Hosni Mubarak, the former president of Egypt.

In court, his defence will say she was 18 at the time she had sex with Berlusconi. Fourteen is consent age in Italy. But it is an offence paying for sex with a prostitute under 18.

But really, this trial appears about power, first. Italian MPs have voted to challenge the legitimacy of the trial. Two, sex, third, money!

See our previous post on this here.

Shame of JKUAT Students' Sex Video

There is a new sex video making rounds on the internet.

It is a long recording involving two Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology students.

It is not on Google YouTube yet, but can be downloaded here.

I have just been too busy with many issues to find time to comment on this rubbish.

Raila Says 2008 Killings Were Planned

Raila Odinga has said that the 2008 violence was systematically organized (and planned)! This is quite shocking indeed in light of the fact that it was in his name - more or less - that the deadly violence that killed over 1,000 was fought.

Even more controversial is that, since 2008, he has often said that the chaos that erupted across the country was spontaneous, following claims by his party that the poll was rigged in favour of President Kibaki.

The change in stand is really very worrying indeed for a man who wants to be the next leader of Kenya. Whether the violence was planned is another story, although I believe that it is quite farfetched saying the violence was planned. This is because, ahead of the poll in 2007, it was clear Odinga was wining the poll - so there was no need to plan any violence.

In the latest comments by Odinga, he said: "Killing 1,300 people is not an easy or simple task…. Something very serious must have been done in Kenya to lead to the death of 1,300 people."

It means that some Kenyans are planning to vote for someone who is so fidgety about his stand on issues of grave importance.

Even sounding sort of demented, he said that he is prepared to face charges if he is found to have been behind the murders.

Al Jazeera Swahili TV Coming Soon

I have been hearing this for a couple of weeks now. Now, I have decided to publish this post since I have heard from credible sources that indeed Al-Jazeera is planning to start a Swahili language television.

It is clear that the new channel will be available through satellite and cable systems.

Al Jazeera Arabic TV

Initially, it had been rumoured some while back that Al Jazeera was actually seeking to start a Swahili or English to Africa radio.


For the new Swahili TV channel, it is not clear yet where its main bureau will be. So far, it has not invested as much in east Africa.


However controversial it is, especially its Arabic channel, Al Jazeera has become one of the most influential news media in the Arab world and in the west.

Nigerian Conmen Take Con Game Notch Higher

You may have seen some of the Nigerian cons masquerading as virtually anyone. This latest, one appears well done… only that ''UN Under-Secretary Inga-Britt Ahlenius'' is stranded in Nigeria and needs your help! Amazing! 

Read on...

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES

Internal Audit,Monitoring,Consulting And Investigations Division.  

From. Mrs.Inga-Britt Ahlenius


Attn:
This is to inform you that I came to Nigeria yesterday from U.S.A, after series of complains from the FBI and other Security agencies from Asia, Europe, Oceania, Antarctica, South America and the United States of America respectively, against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the British Government for the rate of scam activities going on in these two nations.

I have met with President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria who claimed that he has been trying his best to make sure you receive your fund in your account.

Right now, as directed by our secretary general Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, We are working in collaborations with the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and have decided to waive away all your clearance fees/Charges and authorize the Government of Nigeria to effect the payment of your compensation of an amount of $10.5M approved by both the British government and the UN into your account without any delay. The only fee you will pay to confirm your fund in your account is your Notarization fee to the UN.

Sincerely, you are a lucky person because I have just discovered that some top Nigerian and British Government Officials are interested in your fund and they are working in collaboration with One Mr. Richard Graves from USA to frustrate you and thereafter divert your fund into their personal account.

I have a very limited time to stay in Nigeria here so I would like you to urgently respond to this message so that I can advise you on how best to confirm your fund in your account within the next 72 hours.

For oral discussion, call me on this number which I just acquired in Nigeria today:+234-7029153951

Sincerely yours,
For urgent and fast consideration,

Sincerely yours,

Mrs.Inga-Britt Ahlenius
United Nations Under-Secretary-
General for Internal Oversight.
CELL PHONE ++234-7029153951

Massive Military Might in Libya Attacks

It has been a display of massive military might as French, British, and American military launched ferocious air and missile strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's military. I am just amazed at the scale!

Some of the most sophisticated weaponry has been used in the attack, even as it becomes difficult to tell how this will end!

Rafale fighter

According to reports, several missiles were fired from US and British ships and submarines in the Mediterranean, targeting tanks, radar systems, surface-to-air missile launchers and communications facilities, effectively disabling Gadafi's military power.
 

At least 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles were used against 20 military/comm facilities across the country, most along the Mediterranean coast.

Tomahawk cruise missile

This missile - designed for medium- to long-range, low-altitude conditions - was launched from under the sea! This cruise missile is over 1,300 kgs.

UK's Tornado bombers were in use! This military aircraft flies at supersonic speed, with ground-attack capacity, capable of taking off and landing in short distances.

Tornado bomber

At least 20 French Mirage and Rafale fighter planes bombed facilities in Benghazi.

Mirage 2000 jet

American officials have said B-2 stealth bombers were also involved in the raids.

B-2 stealth bomber

F-16 fighter jets are on standby. It is not clear if they have been used.

F-16