tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38884746963943977762024-03-05T11:44:07.064+03:00New DawnIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.comBlogger279125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-47932981052666180192018-01-16T18:26:00.001+03:002018-01-16T18:26:05.963+03:00Adventist Review Online | Virtuous Thinking<a href="http://www.adventistreview.org/1801-19#.Wl4YT13yVn8.blogger">Adventist Review Online | Virtuous Thinking</a>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-75299707136356514932017-03-28T09:13:00.001+03:002017-03-28T09:13:45.496+03:00Why academics need to learn the art of storytellingShare
14
Join us on
Follow us on
News Feeds
Global Edition
Africa Edition
Disclaimer
All reader responses posted on this site are those of the reader ONLY and NOT those of University World News or Higher Education Web Publishing, their associated trademarks, websites and services. University World News or Higher Education Web Publishing does not necessarily endorse, support, sanction, encourage, verify or agree with any comments, opinions or statements or other content provided by readers.
At a recent town hall meeting in the United States, a boisterous crowd demanded a strategy from their state representatives for how to influence the governor’s views on immigration. Should citizens send the governor research documenting the effects of state policy on immigrant children, or should they call his office to cite statistics showing the negative impact of these policies on schools and universities?
No, the representatives told the eager throng of citizens: Write stories of immigrant students affected by state policy and send these to the governor instead.
Storytelling may not be how academics in the natural and social sciences typically describe their work, but the use of stories is a powerful tool to make our research more accessible and to reach wider audiences. Now, more than ever, scholars must develop strategies to communicate the results of our research to the public as a means of challenging 'alternative facts' and appealing to politicians’ better nature in making policy decisions.
Improving accessibility
Two key ways to improve accessibility of scholarship are telling compelling personal stories about others and narrating stories about our own research. First, we need to develop real-life scenarios of the students, faculty, families and communities affected by changes in education policy and programmes.
By turning statistics from our research into stories, we are employing a successful strategy in political communication whereby researchers contextualise a problem in an effort to persuade their audience to take action – to support a piece of legislation or to vote for a candidate who understands the impact of a policy on the lives of real people.
In the United States, higher education scholars might talk about students affected by President Donald Trump’s travel ban, enrolment crises at public universities, food and housing insecurity or crippling debt to obtain a bachelor degree. The key is to translate numerical data on these issues into evocative stories, which can be followed by relevant, persuasive statistics once a compelling image has been presented.
The second strategy for improving accessibility requires setting the scene for our research by explaining our personal connection to a topic before we present details of our discoveries. Undergraduate students, like audiences outside academia, often find the stories of the scientists as compelling as the story of the science in which they are engaged.
We can use these personal accounts as a hook if we think about the narrative arc of a story: rising action – how our interest in a topic began to grow; climax – an unexpected experience related to the topic; and falling action – how we have turned this personal experience into our primary research focus.
By Frances Vavrus and Lesley Bartlett
At this point, we can begin to delve into the details of our research and why it should matter to the audience. Finding a climactic moment in our own research story is particularly important when the topic itself, such as educational financing or personnel management, may not have intrinsic appeal to audiences outside the academy.
Influencing wider audiences
As academics improve the accessibility of their writing, we must also disseminate it to wider audiences, including policy-makers and the voting public. We must learn to convey the gist of our findings in non-technical language using examples from everyday life, common metaphors and more focused, concise arguments.
In addition, university instructors can incorporate public-facing writing assignments and presentations in their courses, which teaches students how to communicate with wider audiences and demonstrates the work of universities.
We find that students are eager to learn strategies for writing effective op-ed pieces, book reviews and blog posts and they easily use social media to convey content relevant to their courses. These activities engage students in conversations with audiences beyond their classmates and professors, thereby increasing the likelihood that scholarly readings and discussions in the classroom will influence debate with the wider public.
Risks and rewards
To be sure, there are risks for academics in engaging with broader audiences through media over which we have far less control than in a book or journal article. Being interviewed by a journalist may result in the over-simplification, or misinterpretation, of our research. Internet trolls can be vicious in their attacks, and this can be particularly damaging to early career faculty. Promotion and tenure committees will likely not value the dissemination of one’s findings through non-peer reviewed publications.
Nevertheless, readers often respond more powerfully to well-written stories than to tables, charts and graphs. At this time of budget cuts and restricted access to higher education, we need the public and the politicians whom they elect to understand fully what we do as higher education researchers and why it matters for every one of us.
<i>Professor Frances Vavrus is a faculty member in the department of organisational leadership, policy and development at the University of Minnesota, USA. Lesley Bartlett is a professor in educational policy studies and a faculty affiliate in anthropology at University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.<b><b><b><i></i></b></b></b></i>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-46324910743985867302014-01-23T20:23:00.001+03:002014-01-23T20:23:18.389+03:00Adventist Review Online | Resolutions: A Tool for Spiritual Growth<a href="http://adventistreview.org/141503-17#.UuFPyMAYayg.blogger">Adventist Review Online | Resolutions: A Tool for Spiritual Growth</a>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-11975228165282152662013-11-21T13:01:00.001+03:002013-11-21T13:01:17.915+03:00Research Africa science journalism internship opportunityDescription
Research Africa is offering African journalists with a proven track record in science or financial journalism an intensive seven-month internship at its headquarters in Cape Town, South Africa.
The internship will start in March 2014. The successful applicant will spend their time honing their journalism skills in Cape Town and at Research Africa's sister offices in London, as well as go on a reporting trip to an African country.
The intern will work with Research Africa's excellent editorial team which produces news and analysis on African research funding and science trends on the continent.
Non-South African applicants will be prioritised.
Research Africa will cover the costs of travel to and from South Africa, fieldwork travel, accommodation in Cape Town and London, and a daily stipend. Visa costs will be reimbursed on presentation of valid receipts.
The internship is funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) as part of their science journalism awards programme.
Applicants need to propose a modest research project that they will carry out during their internship. Proposals should be no longer than four pages in length, and should describe how a topical issue related to strengthening Africa’s standing in global research will be investigated and the results disseminated.
Applicants must also submit their curriculum vitae, three recent relevant articles (print or electronic), and a letter of permission from their line manager confirming that they would be allowed to take seven months off work (paid or unpaid leave).
Applicants should be mature, self-motivated and independent, with fluent written and spoken English and a high degree of numeracy. They should be computer literate and comfortably able to use MS Office programmes. Competence in both PC and Mac environments would be an advantage.
Applications, including certified copies of academic degrees, should be emailed to editor@research-africa.net with the subject line: Research Africa-IDRC science journalism internship.
Deadline: 29 November 2013.
SOURCE: http://www.scidev.net/global/content/jobs_notice.F95AACEF-6C7F-474E-84BBAD56113296B1.html
Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-68914200495599832952013-08-29T18:56:00.000+03:002013-08-29T18:56:07.704+03:00AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP A VENTURE OF SUCCESS, JOB CREATIONAlthough the number of Kenyans aspiring to be farmers is declining, agriculture has a huge potential in responding to food insecurity locally and internationally - thus job creation.
In an age when more than 8 million Kenyan are classified as unemployed agriculture might be the neglected corner stone. The book Creating Abundance: Visionary Entrepreneurs of Agriculture by Hiram M. Drache says what makes the deference is how one looks at and practices agriculture that makes a difference.
He cites an example of Louis Larson who started his dairy operation with one calf and now owns 12,500 milk cows. Leonard Odde left the farm at age 17 but returned years later to amass 40,000 acres of corn, soybeans and sunflowers. Beginning with just 200 acres in the Red River Valley in 1964, Ronald Offutt built an enterprise that has become the nation’s largest producer of potatoes.
These examples illustrate that unlike other enterprises one can join agricultural entrepreneurship with a will and determination to succeed while having a clear vision.
The book is crystal clear that these three farmers as well as others interviewed in the book are coming from different starting points however their success stories are interwoven by work ethic, determination and vision. These three components says the author who is a retired, 40-year history professor at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, turned their dreams into entrepreneurial success stories.
Drache says the books is a product of the realization that most people are not able to embrace dynamic the changes sweeping a round them and turn them into opportunities. He writes: “In 1975, I spoke at a symposium on the bicentennial of American agriculture and stated that 95 percent of our farmers did not grasp the rate of change that was taking place in their industry. You can imagine the kind of reception I received from that comment.” From the responses he got, he adds: “It was then and there that I decided it was imperative to write about incredible visionaries who were not only industrializing agriculture, but were taking it into the global era.”
The books brings together a tapestry of agricultural segments, 15 different enterprises and show cases that any choice is worthy to deliver success – from poultry farming to cattle production, cereal farming to row crops among them. He is candid that attitude, mindset that is informed and transformed, that has grasped the bigger picture distinguishes successful agriculture entrepreneurs. Thus he says: “But the type of thinking these people put into their businesses is what can shape” their future; adding, “I truly wanted to look at all industries within agriculture and write about what it takes to change and shape an agricultural enterprise.”
The books bring home that science, technology and innovation is not limited to, only, areas the present youths are envisioning thus rural – urban migration rather technology can be integrated in agriculture to steer it to a higher level of entrepreneurship just like any other sector.
Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-1490249276377847782013-05-10T12:46:00.002+03:002013-05-10T12:46:29.532+03:00CANCER: A TSUNAMI THAT MUST BE CHECKEDCancer is ranked a third killer disease in Kenya: more than 18,000 new cases of the disease are diagnosed every year, medical experts are pointing out that the numbers might be more than 70,000 if all cases were to be identified at hospitals.
However, the government is yet to set aside budgetary allocation funds, specifically, for cancer treatment since it is rated as a national threat like HIV and Malaria. Early intervention for cancer promises its cure.
Apart from cancer treatment being very expensive particularly when it is sought from private health care facilities lack of awareness of its causes and symptoms complicate the situation, make it impossible to cure as medical attention is sought at advanced stage.
A single radiotherapy cost about Sh600 at Kenyatta national hospital, which is a subsidized fee while it is Sh15,000 in a private facility thus discouraging majority of Kenyans from accessing treatment.
From the different types of cancer locally the survival rate is between 10 to 20 per cent as compared to 70 per cent in developed nations.
Local statistics on mortality rates as a result of cancer indicate that about 18,000 people die of cancer related complications while the world Health Organisation estimates the figure to be 42,000.
In Kenya, only two public health facilities offer holistic cancer treatment; the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi and Moi Teaching and Referral hospital in Eldoret. Other health facilities offer partial treatment which includes diagnosis and chemotherapy with radiotherapy being offered at KNH only.
Cancer a global disease
The World Health Organization’s World Cancer Report (WHOWCR) 2008 points out that about 13 million new cases and 7.6 million deaths from cancer occurred in 2008. The WHOWCR shows an increase of about 10 million new cases and some 6 million deaths from 2003 to 2008.
The WHOWCR survey indicates that no region of the world is cancer-free. “Age-standardized cancer rates allow identification of particular geographic variations, but not all databases are of the same quality. Generalizations, however, can usually be made with some degree of reliability,” says Dr. Allan R. Handysides, Seventh¬ - Day Adventist, director, General Conference Health Ministries Department.
The WHOWCR unveils that regional differences in cancer rates are very distinct. The United States rates high, with some 334 cases of cancer per 100,000 men. Australia and New Zealand, with 356.8 per 100,000, has worse statistics. Northern Europe at 303.5 and Western Europe at 337.4 per 100,000 also have high rates. The risk of dying from cancer is even higher in Central and Eastern Europe. Women in the same regions also have high rates of cancer, particularly breast cancer.
According to the International Journal of Cancer the lowest cancer rates occur in Central and West Africa, and South-Central Asia for men and Central and North Africa for women.
Affluent societies carry a higher burden of cancer, the journal says usually related to tobacco smoking and other factors associated with a Western lifestyle.
The journal explains that in developing countries, Kenya included, 25 percent of tumors are associated with chronic infections such as hepatitis B (liver cancer), human papilloma viruses (cervical cancer), and Helicobacter pylori (stomach cancer).
In some Western countries there has been a decline in cancer mortality rates, because fewer people are smoking, the journal says, adding that worldwide, lung cancer is the most common, followed by breast cancer and then colon cancer.
Cancer deaths are most often related to lung, stomach, and liver cancer. The increase in the world’s population is responsible for some of the gross increase in cancer statistics.
Because some cancers are more amenable to treatment, cancer of breast, prostate, and uterine/cervix, for example, are the cause of death in only a minority of patients so affected.
Causes of Cancer
Many factors impact the prevalence of human cancer, Dr. Handysides says. “These range from cancer-inducing agents, or carcinogens, to chronic infections, dietary and lifestyle factors, alcohol consumption, and genetic susceptibility. Some 20 percent of cancers are associated with chronic infections.”
Indeed the International Journal of Cancer says the most hazardous human carcinogens include tobacco, asbestos, aflatoxins, and ultraviolet light.
Tobacco
Tobacco smoke is irrefutably causally associated with lung cancer. Less recognized is the association of tobacco with laryngeal, pancreatic, kidney, bladder, and—in conjunction with alcohol—oral and esophageal cancer.
Study shows the age a person begins to smoke affects incidence of cancer. Adults aged 55 to 64 who smoke 21 to 39 cigarettes per day and commenced smoking before age 15 are three times more at risk to die of lung cancer than those who started after age 25.
World Health Organization, World Cancer Report 2003 says certain varieties of tobacco, example, black tobacco may be more dangerous than others, but there is no safe tobacco.
Alcohol
WHOWCR 2003 shows alcohol to be second in its summary of cancer causes. Heavy alcohol consumption causes cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and liver, and increases the risk of breast and colorectal cancer. A causal relationship between alcohol and colon and rectal cancer is also strongly suggested, and the risk of head and neck cancers in heavy drinkers is some five to 10 times higher than in nondrinkers.
The risk correlates to the amount of alcohol consumed. Changing patterns of consumption suggest increases in less developed countries with a decrease in more developed countries. The actual carcinogenic effect of habitual drinking, however, is likely underestimated, the medical expert says.
Going by the study alcohol is estimated to be involved in causing 3 percent of all cancers (4 percent in men and 2 percent in women). Of course, apart from its carcinogenic effects, alcohol is associated with a plethora of other problems.
Occupational Exposure
Some industries expose workers to a variety of chemicals. The first cases of occupational cancer were identified in the eighteenth century among chimney sweeps, who developed scrotal cancer, the Chirurgical Observations says, adding that currently there are about 25 chemicals, or groups of chemicals, for which occupational exposure has been established as carcinogenic risk.
An encouraging note according to Chirurgical Observations is: in developed countries most such risks have been eliminated, especially for asbestos, crystalline silica, and heavy metals, but there are hazardous materials that are probably carcinogens that bring the total to nearly 50 potentially carcinogenic chemicals. “Awareness of such dangers is helpful in assuring vigilance and regulation of industries,” the medical director says.
Some agents occur in the general environment, he explains, adding such as chronic hepatitis B and C viruses, aflatoxins, radon, and solar radiation. Diesel exhaust has been implicated in lung and bladder cancer.
Environmental Pollution
Harvard Report on Cancer Prevention says the environment, with its polluted soil, water, and air, is responsible for up to 4 percent of all cancers.
While according to the Cancer: Causes, Occurrence, and Control, IARC Scientific Publication the “environment” that we create with smoking, drinking alcohol, dietary factors, lack of exercise, and excessive sun exposure may be implicated in the majority of human cancers.
The publication says unavoidable nonoccupational toxic substances to which we are environmentally exposed include the following:
Asbestos, one of the best-documented causes of cancer, specifically mesothelioma. Asbestos dust may contaminate not only the workplace but the homes of asbestos workers when transported on their clothes.
The Human Experimental Toxicology says air pollution, which includes industrial work materials, not the least of which are vehicular emissions. These emissions may contain such products as benzene, toluene, xylenes, and acetylene—all known carcinogens. Urban populations have a higher risk than rural populations. Very high lung cancer rates have been noted in nonindustrial workers living at home. Studies show that nonsmoking Chinese women, for example, are exposed to indoor air pollution from their cooking and heating practices. Vapors from hot oil may contribute to such cancers, along with the smoke of their heating source and fuel.
Water pollution, which can be combated with chlorination to reduce bacterial and viral problems, articulates the American Journal of Public Health, adding the chlorinating process, however, may produce harmful chlorination by-products. Studies suggest a causal relationship between chlorinated water and bladder cancers.
The journal further explains that contaminated water is a source of arsenic exposure, which links to skin cancer, lung cancer, and cancer of other organs. High arsenic levels have been found in drinking water in several areas of Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, India, Mexico, Mongolia, Taiwan, Alaska, and other parts of the United States.
Food Contamination
Not only the environment but also our food may be contaminated. Even natural foods can be infected with natural molds that can produce toxins such as aflatoxins. Residual pesticides can also be a problem.
In Africa and Asia fungal growth and aflatoxin production are recognized problems. Animals consuming such foodstuffs, in turn, become problematic. When such contaminants are antibiotics, hormonal growth promoters, pesticides, and heavy metals, they may be concentrated in the meat, milk, or eggs.
Organochlorines, such as DDT, have been associated with increased risk of pancreatic and breast cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia, points out the Relevance to Human Cancer of N-Nitroso Compounds, Tobacco Smoke, and Mycotoxins, IARC Scientific Publications. Further explaining that attempts to correlate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with breast cancer have proved conclusive.
Infection Agents and Cancer
Various study are showing that there is a cancerous effects of flesh foods. A Study by the National Geographic confirms that animal diseases cancer included can be transmitted to human beings. The study unveils that some flesh is “filled with tuberculosis and cancerous germs.”
The Journal of the American Medical Association 56 shows infection link between animals and human beings in regard to cancer. With advances in molecular biology the link has been confirmed since it permits the detection of very small quantities of an infectious agent in biological specimens. Since then at least eight different viruses, four parasites, and one bacterium have been causally linked to cancer.
Hepatitis B and C and the human papilloma viruses are transmitted by sexual means and blood contamination. The Epstein-Barr virus is also transmitted by human-to-human contact, as is HIV infection. The human T-cell lymphotropic virus causes lymphoma/leukemia, and is similarly transmitted by human-to-human contact.
Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) has been associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma. Helicobacter pylori are associated with stomach cancer. Parasites of the liver fluke families, acquired by eating raw or undercooked fish, have been associated with liver cancer. As yet there is no evidence of animal viruses causing human cancer, but the concept of a cancer germ was dismissed in medical literature until the past few decades.
Diet and Nutrition
It’s been estimated that some 30 percent of human cancers are related to diet and nutrition. The incidence of various cancers differs by world region. There are many potential causes of such variation, but cancers of the breast, colorectum, prostate, endometrium, ovary, and lung are generally more common in developed countries. Cancer of the digestive tract is more frequent in developing countries.
The most consistent finding is the association of reduced risk of various cancers with the eating of fruits and vegetables. Medical research support these findings, particularly showing that meat eaters experience a threefold to fourfold increased risk for colon cancers. There is a consistent association between red meat (pork, beef, and lamb) and processed meat, with increased risks being noted in many studies.
Simple sugar (mono- and disaccharides) may be associated with increased colorectal cancer. The higher carbohydrate content of a vegetarian diet, with its complex carbohydrates, appears to offer a protective effect.
Fat has been the focus of most hypotheses about dietary factors and cancer. Studies on ratios of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats have, as yet, not yielded clear data, although olive oil is associated with reduced risk.
Dr. Handysides says healthful eating, exercise, fresh air, rest, and trust in God can go along way reducing cancer cases across the globe in the context of accessible and appropriate medical care for all.
Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-29499229815448332742013-03-25T09:52:00.000+03:002013-03-25T09:52:22.002+03:00ACHEBE LIVED TO RESPOND: WHO ARE AFRICANS?Thirty one years, before the birth of Chinua Achebe - Joseph Conrad was a well-established word smith. To employ words as “a vehicle for conveying a bath of personal impressions” in reining “his mental laziness” by taking “the line of least resistance.” Mind-boggling. But this is how the Heart of Darkness come into being and darkly stormed the public eye through the Blackwood’s Magazine – in 1899.
It’s a satire that the anchor of the book is set at the Congo/Zaire. Where this curious man – Joseph Conrad went prying but “come out of them with all kinds of spoils.”
Was Conrad a prophet of doom espoused in the anecdotes of racialism?
Africa seems to have lived to fulfill the stereotypes of inhumanity – oozing suffering, dictatorship and tyranny? Congo , Rwanda , Uganda , Liberia , Sudan , Nigeria , Ivory Coast , Somalia , Zimbabwe … Kenya , have they embraced Conrad? “As to its ‘reality,’ that is for the readers to determine,” Conrad wrote in his introduction to the book.
Was Conrad a man of batched memory and evil dreams? He writes of his first encounter with an African: “A certain enormous buck nigger encountered in Haiti fixed my conception of blind, furious, unreasoning range, as manifested in the human animal to the end of my days. Of the nigger I used to dream for years afterwards.”
In responding to these racist sentiments – to check the ripples of Conrad, Achebe went shopping for the same vehicle; hawk-eyed with reality and sobriety – proclaiming who we’re as Africans. Achebe entered this uncharted water without any surety whether is response in Things Fall Apart was neither going to be accepted nor published. This was novel mean without African Literature to gauge his experimental work with. Save, Amos Tutuola’s Wine Drunkard (1952) and Cyprian Ekwesi’s People of the City (1954).
As the bug of writing transformed Conrad from a sea captain to a writer to reckon with, Achebe too, forfeited a scholarship and a lucrative career in Medicine to become the foremost mirror of the African continent: A watchman not only to the Conrads and Watson – the DNA genius, but to African leadership - as a poet, novelist, and literary critic.
In 1972 he was a joint - winner of the first commonwealth poetry prize. In his country he scoped the prestigious Nigerian National Merit Award and Order of the Federal Republic as well as seizing the Man Booker International Prize. The awards are chain that Achebe is readers envisioned that he will be crowned with a literature Nobel Prize.
Notwithstanding Conrad’s racist stains his scholars have assured the Heart of Darkness a secure place “among the half-dozen short novels in the English language.” As Newton’s third law of motion states: Action and reaction are equal but acts on opposite direction. Things Fall Apart in spite being the first novel of Achebe has fought on the same literary platform taking its place among the world master pieces.
Indeed Achebe’s pen never dried in his life time, even after the fatal road accident that saw him wheeled till his death at the sundown of last week. He kept on working on his memoir and living to fulfill his testimony: “I’m an Igbo writer, because this is my basic culture; Nigerian, African and a writer…no, black first, then a writer,” by translating Things Fall Apart to his native language.
Although Achebe has authored other great literally works Things Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease, Arrow of God, A Man of the People, and Anthills of the Savannah among others. Things Fall Apart stands without a peer - circulating in55 languages and more than 11 million copies sold in the competitive and complex world of book.
To Achebe literately works will remain to be the Kola and proverbs with which geniuses literally writing are weaved for the larger public consumption in clear language with vast ideas. At Bard College he was dove tailed with the literal calling of River Nun of Gabriel Okara – Annandale – on – Hudson, New York to raise the African school of thought to a better and higher spectrum.
He died as a David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and Professor of Africana Studies Brown University.
As he wrote- a cock is spotted while being a chick. Achebe’s writing acumen started taking root while pursuing his undergraduate studies at Ibadan University. He mirrored his fellow students study habits and future dreams in the story the Polar Undergraduate (1950) that is anthologized in Girls at War and Other Stories among his 21 titles he has published.
Things Fall Apart began and remained to be the pivot of his writings. Although in various forums he said that a parent loves all his children. In Things Fall Apart he wrestles with the biased thinking about Africans. Achebe paints a gracious and humanistic picture – that man – whoever and from wherever have the same passions – integrity and respect is the aspiration. “As the elders said, if a child washes his hands he could eat with Kings,” Achebe wrote.
This is an encouragement, after being blustered with labels as “savage,” “an improved specimen,” “cannibals – in there place,” “a prehistoric earth,” “an earth that wore the aspect of unknown planet”… by Conrad. Conrad dehumanized an African woman who was a mistress to one of the whites (Mr. Kurtz) as a “savage and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent….She stood looking at us without stir and like the wilderness itself, with an air of brooding over an inscrutable purpose.”
Things Fall Apart has taken the trajectory of being a teacher at the global stage, to salvage the African from Ngugi’s leitmotif “colonization of the mind.” “Here then is an adequate revolution for me to espouse – to help my society regain belief in itself and put away the complexes of the year of denigration and self-abasement. And it is essentially a question of education, in the best sense of that word….I would be quite satisfied if my novels (especially the ones I set in the past) did more than teach my readers that their past with all its imperfections – was not one long night of savagery from which first Europeans acting on God’s behalf delivered them,” Achebe said in an interview with the Morning.
As we mark the end of the life of an African literally icon we need to peep into the past and behold the future. Were as Africans we have fallen apart and the centre is not holding in leadership, technological uptake, unemployment, tribalism among other hailment we are suffering from thus the post-independence era has never been at ease, even girl have found themselves in the fields of war: a blend of hopes and impediments has followed suit where every leader is seeking the arrow of God to become a man of the people in the Anthill of Savannah. Across the continent one need to be aware of soul brothers for the morning is yet on a creation day – leaving one to ask: what is the trouble with Africa?
Things Fall Apart as well as other streams of Achebe’s writing will find there relevance in these times of entrepreneurship, innovation and reformation. The current world need more daring Onkwonkwo of Things Fall Apart, who’s “fame rested on sold personal achievement” to bring down Amalinze the great wrestler in the form of momentous challenges we are facing as a continent such as food insecurity, poverty, insecurity and wanting leadership among others.
Africa needs a people who are determined to dirty their hands and build its amazing nations to an envisioned future, example Kenya’s Vision 2030. Driven by creativity and hard work, turning challenges into stepping stones with the inspiration of Onkwonkwo who “neither inherited a ban nor a title, nor even a young wife. But in spite of these disadvantages, he had began even in his father his lifetime to lay the foundation of a prosperous future. It was slow and painful. But he threw himself like the one possessed. And indeed he was possessed…”
Achebe’s death calls for Africans to re-examine how far we have mark-timed from the “Heat of Darkness” to escape the tragic ending of Things Fall Apart where “every day” Achebe wrote, we’re offering the western media “new material” from our wanting leadership and mode of elections where “one could write a whole…”on them. Free and fair? To a shame the “already chosen” coverage.
Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-68083963129456912672013-03-03T10:53:00.001+03:002013-03-03T10:53:33.348+03:002013 ELECTION AN OPPORTUNITY TO REDEEM OURSELVES<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace Jeptoo, a mother of three is one of the staff members of Baraton International School (BIS) the school that is serving the University of Eastern African, Baraton (UEAB) fraternity.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeptoo is perturbed by the impact of the 2007/08 post election violence whose seismic ripples are being felt as we prepare for this year, 2013 general election, voting exercise on Monday, March 4.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I cannot believes it, Jeptoo says, the manner in which students are streaming out of the campus heading to their various homes and countries. Why should elections turn us into strangers to one another? She asks with atone of regret.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are friends; she goes on to explain, sharing our joys and tears, lifting one another’s burden as well as celebrating one another’s success regardless of tribe or color. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jeptoo wishes that every Kenyan - come March 4 till the inauguration of the fourth president of this beloved nation will seize this period as an opportunity to usher in a new beginning – of a people who can stand together notwithstanding having diverse opinion and coming from different tribes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">UEAB, the first private university to be charted in Kenya and the first in East and Central Africa to start offering Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSCN) as well as degrees in Electronics and Automotive Technology among other programs from diplomas to PhD attracts students from the entire continent and beyond was adversely affected during the 2007/08 postelection violence.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the apex of the violence it took the intervention of government in corroboration with the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) General Conference’s wing of the East - Central Africa Division (ECD) to air lifts some of the administration, lectures and staff as well as transporting students to their various destinations under heavy security. It was expensive, one of the administrators involved says.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">John says with the commencement outbreak of the violence it was a matter of days before their means of accessing food become a night mere as they were not prepared for the same. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the professors, a missionary in the institutions says that one day after another, during the violence, they were engulfed in fear to eat or sleep – prayer for God’s intervention was their only source of strength.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Furthermore, Mr James Momanyi, now a retired student finance manager home was destroyed and everything taken to cite a case among the many who suffered great loss. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is with this backdrop that the 2008 graduating class build the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amani</i> monuments</b>, two, one on the right hand side of the main entrance to administration block of the university with a dove overlooking the map of Kenya being showered with springs of water in the convergence of various streams colored of rays – a testimony that Kenyans can live in peace with one another and be partakers of God’s blessing notwithstanding being a tapestry of various tribes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The second monument is built behind the university hospital, Jeremic and some safe distance from the university church, UEAB English church, and Bill and Malinda Gates Research Centre - a map of Africa with majestic faunas and elegant rivers flowing around it. A testimony to sense of belonging welcome to those from the rest of the world – UEAB lectures and staff comes from various parts of the world, too. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last week the department of English and Literature head by Mr Edward Mooka extolled the UEAB community on the importance of nurturing right communication since words can build or destroy. The theme of the week was language as a tool of unity. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The speakers included Prof Okumu Bigambo, a communication expert at Moi University who demystified that communication goes beyond mere use of words rather the whole outflow of the heart in its various forms. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the nut shell the leitmotif of the week was a call to use whichever means of communication to edify one another however how different their opinion might be as we are coming to the home stretch of the campaigning period. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayers and sermons punctuated the various presents on the power of words in form of poetry and drama. Prof Elizabeth Role, the director of post graduate studies challenged Kenyans to embrace the language of love, the language of Jesus which is understood by everyone and has the power of magnetizing Kenyans into a one people, one nation for the common good of all.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kenyans were challenged to forget the past by each one of them examining how he or she has contributed, whether in a small or big way, to push it into negative ethnicity and vow to be a living solution from now enhance forth. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With the opportunity of students and faculty from different nation, some of them gone through a bloody past, yes some yet to recover fully – the Kenyan people have been challenged to use this election as a golden moment to proclaim to the world that: with one accord and in common bond they will be united to build Kenya, together, into its envisioned glory and joyfully share the fruit their labour - filling every heart with thanksgiving, to paraphrase part of the national anthem.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">UEAB Vice Chancellor, Prof Miriam Mwita assured the community that the government has put up necessary security mechanisms, thus encouraging both foreign and Kenyan students who will wish to stay to do so at UEAB. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He called for the university students to be ambassadors of the Kenya they are dreaming to live in wherever they will be.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prof Mwita says the objective of education is to transforms lives that will in turn transform their nations into a better and admirable place to live.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, the change every Kenyan is yearning for should first be experienced by every individual thus justice, love and unity flowing like a mighty stream into a prosperous future, Jeptoo is envisioning.</span></div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-3114901439820301192013-02-28T21:35:00.001+03:002013-02-28T21:40:39.505+03:00NYACHAE THE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE NOT KNOWN<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a young boy growing up in the larger Kisii community Hon. Simion Nyachae’s name was synonymous to power, wealth and fame. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember how my father with other elders used to discuss about the future of Abagusii weaving it to the national fabric - in this wavelength Hon Nyachae’s name dominated vastly alongside the list of promising church leaders, the educated, businessmen, and top civil servants.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This created a sense of enthusiasm and yearning to know him better. To understand how he was able to raise and stand tall from the rest. Thanks to my late brother, Charles Nyarang’o who was a great documentalist – in treasuring books, journals, magazines and newspapers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These materials opened the curtain to who, when, where, why and how’s of Nyachae. However, it’s one thing to read about someone, watch him in the TV, and listen to people’s opinion about him/her. But it is totally different when you meet, however, how brief the moment might be.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This explains why as a young boy with the rest of my friends, notwithstanding how much we were restricted to attended public rallies, much more political ones, we had to find ourselves among the surging crowd that attended the public rally which was addressed by Nyachae in his entry to politics.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We tried to push our way as close as possible to the podium to have a camera like glance but our struggle was met with order that can rarely be registered in our political rallies presently: we all had to sit down in silence that was punctuated by ululation and political songs echoing with the bursting waters of River Gucha and its gigantic trees blending with praises in honor to Hon Nyachae. Every word counted. He was authority personified. Nevertheless, he was dressed in a very simple, modest manner. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nyachae’s entry and exit from politics has given me a food of thought over the years. It had made me to raise more questions than answers. To look into the lives of our political leaders devoid of biasness rather with objectivity; without judgmentalism rather with a spirit to glean some lessons to apply in my daily life; and without other people’s pinion rather with facts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s self evident that Nyachae unrolled one of the most comprehensive and dynamic manifesto to the constituency. It touched on water, electricity, education, health care system, agriculture and employment and other penitent issues.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In assuming leadership the constituents were called to mobilize themselves into self-help groups – to be given a daily cow, a modern bleed of high yield which was supposed to calf through artificial insemination or though the bull of the same caliber. What happened? People devoured one another ruining the project after its launch.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our primary school, Nyaguta was one of the beneficiaries among other schools in the constituency. What happened? Wanting care was afforded - the daily cow died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the front of education, he offered his salary as a bursary fund to go a long way to benefit needy and worthy students, particularly secondary students. What happened? History is a great testimony, indeed some students might have benefited from the kitty but Nyachae’s desired goals were thwarted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mismanagement and corruption was reported to have pushed the poor into an oozing zone of lamentation and differed hope, hope that rested on the ability of poor but brilliant children. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The result of not dealing with our problems correctively in the context of self sacrifice and mutual trust are obvious – the viscous cycle of poverty endures, the divide between the have and have nots grow, hooliganism and crime from the village to the national arena ensures, yes, insecurity and unemployment persists coupled with soaring resentment and rebellion towards the government and leaders.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, how generous a leader might be if the rest of the community has not embraced, owned the vision – realizing the same is very difficult. People will be living on short term and selfish benefits at the expense of grandeur and lasting objectives, example holding hands in securing best education possible, widening business opportunities, scaling food production and extra.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As leaders sign a contract the people, people must sign their own – methink this will foster checks and balances that will drive our societies to another level of progress.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, leaders need to realize that those who benefit from them unjustly will never celebrate with someone else or tell a friend or a neighbor; they feel that they have paid for it through their dishonesty and corrupt means. They join those who are, sincerely, in need and afflicted and are finding a means to be heard – within no time they cause turbulence that is beyond their influence to contain. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Those invested with the privilege of being go between the leaders create a chasm too wide to come together and reason and to high to cross with consolation that their riding will be forever safe.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The aftermath is that we end up crushing great leaders as our disappoints worsen.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the front of health care Nyachae realized a great feat – putting up a dispensary in every sub location, 19, with a constant supply of medication. Nyaribari Chache blossomed as a health care centre for the surrounding constituencies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had an opportunity as a university student representative to have moments of brain storming with Nyachae on the challenges our fellow youths were facing and the way forward. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This encounter helped me to come in term with the brilliance and accumulative experience of Nyachae. I was amazed how his memory meandered to the past bouncing with analytical solutions to the present challenges.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I treasure his endearing dictum that every problem we encounter in life is a stepping stone to realize our potential and take hold of success. To Nyachae there are no small opportunities – every chance calls for the best in us, excellent returns.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is noteworthy that after leaving Kisii High School in 1954, he threw himself to the uncharted waters of entrepreneurship where the enormous Kabasora empire was born from the baking of 16 loaves of bread that he distributed using a bicycle in raising and falling terrains of Kisii. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He mustered the acumen of dexterously blending entrepreneurship with educational pursuit thus when he proceeded to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchill_College" title="Churchill College"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Churchill College</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge" title="Cambridge"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Cambridge</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> for a diploma course in public administration his dream was not stifled with the comfort that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>come with education and status to sit back and enjoy – his exposer widened his vision beyond the horizon and renewed his spirit of hard working and precision. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As he astronomically a rose in the civil service ranks to the apex, chief secretary; unlike many people who drown in miasma class and feat, Nyachae never forfeited farming. While working in Nakuru as a Provincial Commissioner he afforded time to persist in his farming exploits in Kisii, plough by him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In a time when we are bombarded with momentous challenges ranging from food insecurity, unemployment, climate change, poverty among others there is much we can learn from those who have left a foot print in the sands of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>determination, endurance, hard work,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>falling and raising and serving. Learn from their success and forfeit their failure. This calls for knowing someone who truly he is, like Nyachae.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My parting sort to all of us: “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth,” the wise man, Solomon says. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blog-this.g" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-45586522122409778262013-02-14T11:16:00.001+03:002013-02-14T11:16:48.020+03:00WORDS CAN BUILD OR DESTROY<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blog-this.g" name="_GoBack"></a></span></b> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In his book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God’s Minute,</i> Dr Paddock narrates a story of a man who visited one businessman of precious articles. On reaching the premises the man started having a conversation with his young boy – on listening to the sentiment the businessman took one of the most precious, most expensive vessel and intentionally let it to pieces to the wonder of his customer. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On asking why the businessman should break such a golden vessel: “You have broken a more precious commodity than this vessel of gold,” the businessman replied, adding, “You are breaking the heart of my boy through your words.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This story illustrates the most often in-estimated power of words: Their potential to build or destroy lives; raise a nation to greater heights or reduce a nation into ashes of its past glory.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a nation preparing to go for a general election with a past of mixed fortunes - there is much to learn and unlearn in regard to the impact of words in any form.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is how the Wiseman, Solomon counsels on how to project words towards a common good: “</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word<i> spoken</i> in due season, how good<i> is it</i>!” Proverbs 15:23.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This counsel goes out to our leaders as we are yearning to hear them articulating what they are standing for as individual and parties, alliances: Where they are projecting to take the nation after a differed hope for five decades.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, this promissory cheque to Kenyan must be offered from hearts that are true to principle, hearts that have been transformed and redeemed from self; thus letting words flowing with sincerity and sweetness to bind broken hearts of Kenyans that have for long languished under the york of tribalism, nepotism, clannism and corruption among other evils that have grounded the taking off of this nation from its basic challenges such as diseases and food security, shelter and ignorance, unemployment and research based policies ….</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">History is a testimony that words outlive leaders; define who they are and testify their aspiration. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nevertheless, however how lofty words can be, one’s character give authority or robs one an opportunity to be trusted for what he/she says. Words affirm or contradict.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That is to say if one’s words do not corresponds with his/her sum of being, character – one becomes a cheat, untrustworthy, fluid as water: Someone who voters are not supposed to elect to any leadership position.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thus, for a leader, words are said to confirm and explain his/her sum being to the people. Take the case of Nelson Mandela his words: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How relevant and self evident will they be were Mandela not to languish in jail for 27 years? Was he not to bring on board his arch rivals when he came to power? How will he have been proven that he was not driven by raw power if he did not quite at the apex of popularity?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As every media house is striving to become a conduit for aspirants particularly our esteemed presidential candidates, how honorable will it that they are transformed by their lofty aspiration for our beloved country, because, as Nelson Mandela will point out: “One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We’re yearning to see in the practical sense the epitomized words of Abraham Lincoln lived by our leaders, who are and those to be, that he was his greatest enemy – that is taking the responsibility of the social - economic stagnation of this nation. Leaders who are always blaming others for failure are not yet to come in term with themselves. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We need leaders who know that they are mere human being, weak and venerable to make mistakes – thus, in need of help, higher power than themselves. Hence, when they swear with the Bible or other holy books – they mean it, that they are helpless; they need divine intervention in carrying out their noble duties to Kenya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Humility is not weakness. It is a virtual, a precious ingredient that must be incorporated in leadership. How do we realize this, as citizens? Through words that ignite unity in diversity, sets the pace for developmental agenda, lifts the fallen to try again, brave the youth to dream and to channel their God given potential positively, renew strength of the old, heal the wounds of poverty, clot the bleeding of corruption, yes, letting the streams of justice to flow like mighty waters. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Does your word build or destroy? How can we measure this? Going by the history of this nation much building needs to be done. Our leaders need to born again to embrace new hearts – hearts that can be springs of words that bind, inspire, and build Kenyans into a one people with a shared vision.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When a tap (month) is flowing with toxic water – the problem is not with the tap rather the source (heart) which needs cleansing. Yes, we too as citizen, if we have been drinking toxic waters direly need the cleansing, now. That is to say, if our leaders are guilty we too are, if we are guilty our leaders are, too. No excuse.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blog-this.g" name="7:14"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For me, here lies our hope: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.</span></div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-3958133420395661272013-02-03T21:30:00.002+03:002013-02-03T21:31:07.261+03:00KENYANS LET’S ESPOUSE INDIVIDUAL THINKING AS VOTERS Another election year is here. However, we need to ask ourselves honest questions, have we learned from the past mistakes and success cases that time have afforded us from other quarters of life?
Have we as Kenyans come to appreciate the place of individual thinking, reflection, analyzing from course to effect in matters of great concern such as the election of leaders from civic leadership to presidency?
Have we ever taken time to undertake a personal examination on what drives our perception, action, and choices particularly in choice of who to vote for?
One of the inalienable rights that we are endowed with as human beings is the capacity to think, to employ our mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given issue or situation as individuals and thus taking the responsibility of our words and actions.
Me think whenever two people are always in agreement without any iota of difference in thinking either one of them or both are not thinking. For me, then, it calls for serious scrutiny when a whole community is thinking in the same way, acting in a photocopied manner on leadership, always.
There should be a testimony of unity in diversity particularly when it comes to leadership choices. For long as Kenyans we have crucified the amazing beauty the tapestry of diversity on the altar of tribalism.
And, the consequences are painful. One of the unfortunate result is the plant of bad leadership and its seedlings that are sprouting everywhere with their bitter fruits of corruption, incompetence, a struggling economy, not to mention the last post election violence that claimed the lives of more than 1,300 Kenyans as well as wanton destruction of properties worthy a fortune for this nation.
Most of the time we Kenyan anchor our blame on the painful realities we are going through on bad leadership, but the truth be told, we are the molders of ours leaders: Ours leaders are a reflection of the total sum of us, Kenyans voters. Ours leaders define what we stand for as a people. They are a portrait our individual and collective thinking is.
Let me explain a little bit. If we just swallow the propaganda of some of our leaders who are out there to perpetuate their selfish interests as truth to live by then we are so vulnerable to distinguish lies from truth. If we are a people who are driven by whatever we are told by our leaders, for example such and such a tribe are this and that based on stereo types then we lack moral power to distinguish between right and wrong. If we are a people who can be bought and sold during campaigns to vote for someone - that is a proclamation to the entire world of how cheap we are, a people without dignity, principles to stand on.
My fellow Kenyans we have a huge potential, whether we are rich or poor, educated or not, from this or that tribe - to think, act and speak as individuals fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God.
Yes, we can stand to be counted by being thinkers and not reflectors of other people biased perceptions, stereotypes, malice, hatred, propaganda, egocentrism, corruption, nepotism, hooliganism to name a few.
We cannot afford to let other people to think for us hence becoming mere puppets or robots programmed by someone else. Indeed, one old mama got it right when she said that if you ain’t got an education just think. The wise man Solomon summed it up precisely with precision that as a man or woman thinketh so he or she is.
A leader is someone who influences people towards a certain ways of thinking, acting and even speaking. A leader is a teacher, a role model, a set pacer in one. Yes, a leader should expect his or her followers to think in a particular way and behave in a given manner.
Here is an example what the apostle Paul expected from his followers: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
My question goes to our honorable leaders both the incumbent and those aspiring for various positions – from the ways Kenyan masses behave how will you sincerely grade yourself?
Have you produced independent thinkers, a people with integrity and a higher purpose of living? A people who can dare to correct you when you are taking the wrong trajectory in politics and leadership in general? Can you proudly stand by the people under your influence and say they are imitating you?
As leaders to you have the interest of your people in your heart by being a role model? Can you be counted to cry with the suffering and celebrate with those who are rejoicing for example in this forth coming election when you as an individual or your party have lost?
We need leaders who can be defined by pure thinking, sincere motives, humility to accept their limitations, touched by the challenges in our societies and country; yes, leaders who have died to self to transform their followers thus our societies.
In conclusion, our leaders are our reflection and we are the reflection of our leaders. We are all to blame for bad leadership that this country has endured for long. It takes all of us to thoughtfully sit back and give our nation a balm of healing from past wounds, usher in an amazing present and unveil a desirable future; yes we can do this in this forth coming general election. Let us just take time to think.
Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-9517352536800051232013-01-15T21:00:00.002+03:002013-01-15T21:00:47.248+03:00PREMARITAL SEX OR PURITY: GOD’S WILL VERSUS OUR WANTSBy Alexis A. Goring
Our society has fostered, to full bloom, a misconstrued view of how love relationships should be in our world.
Popular movie “love scenes,” television shows laden with naughty behavior and raunchy jokes, friends who are giving in to their desires when dating, and contemporary culture in general are promoting the desire for—and acceptance of—premarital sex. Contemporary culture, even within Christian circles, says that if you’re truly, madly, deeply in love with someone to whom you’re not married, then it is OK to have sex.
The world has embraced risqué behavior and approved it as normal. So normal, in fact, that if you’re not in agreement, you’re labeled as old-fashioned, weird, or worse. Labels not worthy of publishing become part of your social identity.
Everybody’s Doing It?
In the 1990s teens used the popular statement “But everybody’s doing it!” with their parents when they wanted to do something they knew was wrong. Fast-forward to the new millennium, in which reality TV gives us glimpses into celebrity (and everyday) lifestyle in which it appears, through the association of the characters, that the “everybody’s doing it” argument is growing truer by the minute.
In an article for USA Today Sharon Jayson writes: “Almost all Americans have premarital sex, says a report published Tuesday that analyzes federal data over time and suggests programs focusing on sexual abstinence until marriage may be unrealistic.” * So how do you live when everybody (apart from the rare finds) appears to be “doing it” outside the boundaries of marriage?
Under Pressure
Christian artist Rebecca St. James, who has devoted her life and music ministry to teaching about purity and abstaining from sex before marriage, has something to say on the topic. In her book Wait for Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), she writes: “I believe that God has placed ‘The Dream’ inside of each one of us, unless He has specifically called you to singleness. We each have a desire for intimacy, for someone to know us fully and love us completely. . . . A guy longs to protect; a girl longs to be protected. And that’s exactly the way God created us. When we follow His plan, there are great blessings in store. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’ (Jer. 29:11-13)” (pp. 5, 6).
But what happens when the dream isn’t fulfilled when the person wants it? St. James continues: “Unfortunately, in this culture today, so many people have given up on ‘The Dream,’ and have chosen to accept something less than God intended for them. As one girl said to me, ‘I was about ready to give up any kind of hope that there are any guys out there who are willing to wait (sexually and emotionally) for the one that God will bring to them in His perfect time’ ” (p. 6).
Peer pressure plays a role in meeting society’s norms. Maybe you’re in a close-knit group of friends who share your passion for purity, and you’re happily single as you discover who God wants you to be. Consider yourself blessed, because this isn’t often the case. Many young people are yielding to peer pressure when they see their peers giving in to their passions when dating and having sex before marriage—and then living a seemingly prosperous, if not enchanting, life of sin.
The Bible gives solace in this situation—and a piece of advice—when God says: “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (Prov. 1:10, KJV). God also advises: “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb” (Ps. 37:1, 2, KJV). Just because everybody (that you know) is doing it does not mean that you should too. The Word of God is clear on what happens when we live outside of His will and embrace sin instead of rebuking it. Yes, everything may seem to be going great, we may feel happier than we were before we started going astray, but guess what? It’s only for a season!
We can learn a lesson from Eve, who wandered away from Adam in the Garden of Eden. She became captivated by the tree bearing the fruit that God forbade Adam and Eve to eat. The serpent was ready, and it lured Eve into a conversation that helped change the course of humanity. God had told Adam and Eve that if they ate from that specific tree, they would die. The devil used his charming guise as a serpent and, well versed in knowing God and His law, tricked Eve by twisting the truth. “You shall not surely die,” the serpent said (Gen. 3:4) in what I imagine was a smooth voice. Those cleverly crafted words took Eve and the rest of creation on a downward spiral, and we’ve been struggling to survive ever since. Adam and Eve didn’t die at the scene of their sin, but they did eventually return to the dust from which they were created.
Don’t Believe the Lie
Don’t let Satan rob you of God’s best for your life! The Bible says that Satan has the ability to transform himself into an “angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), so don’t expect a cartoonish character with horns, a pointy tail, and a pitchfork to lure you into sin. That’s not likely to happen. Why? Because Satan knows that if he appears in his true form (cartoonish or not), we will know we’re in trouble and flee to Jesus. The great deceiver is going to come to us as we’d least likely expect. The Bible warns us to be vigilant, because our adversary, the devil, “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
One way the devil can devour us is by convincing us to believe the lie that sex outside of marriage is OK. It’s not, and it leads to all sorts of heartache, sorrow, and disaster as it wreaks havoc on our souls, our spiritual lives, and that special person whom God meant for you.
Living with a passion for purity and commitment to abstaining from premarital sex is not easy for anyone, but it is possible. On April 23, 2011, after years of faithfully waiting on God to orchestrate her true love story, St. James, at the age of 33, married the man of her dreams, who shares her passion for purity.
Pure Romance
St. James imparts her wisdom on the subject of purity in her aforementioned book: “I hope that in these pages I have helped to defy a modern misconception: that romance can be fun and exciting only when it involves breaking the rules. Immorality is glamorized everywhere: on TV, in movies, and in most music today. What the entertainers don’t show or sing about is the very unglamorous, often agonizing consequences of an immoral lifestyle. Truth is, the most joyful, beautiful, exciting romance is the one that is pure. It is also the most free! Pure romance is not bound by sexual addiction or selfish motives and desires. It is free to love within God’s perfect boundaries” (pp. 6, 7).
God desires us to be free to love. That’s why He gave us the power of choice. We can choose to follow God and His perfect will for our lives and inherit salvation, or we can choose to follow Satan and his evil wants for our souls, which leads to eternal death.
Perhaps the case for purity is best summed up in these words from Joshua, a servant of God who gives advice for daily living: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, KJV).
If you choose to follow God’s plan for relationships, it will not be easy, but it will be worth it!
* Sharon Jayson, “Most Americans Have Had Premarital Sex, Study Finds,” USA Today, Dec. 19, 2006; available online at (www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-12-19-premarital-sex_x.htm).
_____________
Alexis A. Goring writes from Columbus, Montana. This article was published on November 15, 2012, by Adventist Review.
Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-20131264178866592432013-01-15T20:17:00.001+03:002013-01-15T20:54:05.868+03:00WE ARE CREATED INTELLIGENT<span class="userContent">Why to we go to school? To be come intelligent? No. We go to school because we are intelligent. God has created each one of us with a huge "capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping<span class="text_exposed_show"> truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc," according to <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intelligence" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intelligence</a>?<br />
<br />
Thank God we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image; thus, He invites us to reason with Him - hence during the judgement day we will stand alone to take the responsibility of our thoughts, actions, choices, words .... everything.<br />
<br />
When we chose to seek forgiveness (the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives) it means that we have chosen the path of reconciliation with our Creator, Lord and Savior - to be partakers of His righteousness. Thus, His mind becomes our thinking, His choices becomes our decisions, His passion becomes our driving force .... Indeed, we cease to be reflectors of other people's minds rather thinkers. Intelligent thinkers.</span></span>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-4017966488718869202012-04-05T21:23:00.000+03:002012-04-15T18:59:05.928+03:00CLOSE RELATIONSHIP OF VEGETATION TYPE AND MINERALS IN A GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONThere is a close relationship of vegetation type and soil elements or minerals in a geographical location, Prof. Keith Shephard said during a seminar presentation at the University of Nairobi, School of Engineering, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (INST). However, Shephard said this is somehow difficult in Africa from the use of artificial fertilizer. Thus we “will take time to ascertain the relationship,” said the soil scientist.Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-38396357652413138142012-04-05T21:22:00.000+03:002012-04-05T21:26:03.372+03:00KENYA: INNOVATION KEY TO DEVELOPMENT<div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">Kenya’s National Council of Science and Technology (NCST), secretary and CEO, Prof <span class="yiv223749121st">Shaukat Abdulrazak has challenged Kenyans to turn their knowledge and ideas into innovations. Prof Abdulrazak</span> says the growing ICT sector has vast opportunities to be explored through entrepreneur innovations and ventures.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">The CEO points out that the culture of publish or perish that has been in existence in institutions of higher learning should be a thing of the past to usher in a plat form of research, innovate, patent and commercialize.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">He says this culture should be inculcated from primary schools to institutions of higher learning. The NCST secretary says this will make students appreciate science and socialize it across the board.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">NCST is at the forefront of funding young innovators to translate their products from ideas to prototypes and then to commercial products. To inspire the young innovators Prof <span class="yiv223749121st">Abdulrazak is the patron of the Kenya’s Young Innovators Association. </span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st"> </span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st">This year NCST launched a cart tracker, an innovation of Mr Morris Mbetsa – which was funded to a tune of KShs 3 million with additional funding for its commercialization. </span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st"> </span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st">The former Vice Chancellor of Egerton University says they are funding other innovators to develop prototypes as he welcome all Kenyans with an ideas albeit their level of education and age to present their proposals for funding consideration.</span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st"> </span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st">He says that the NCST believes that entrepreneurship anchored on the premise of innovations holds the key for the country to realize Vision 2030.</span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">On his part Kenya’s Information and Communication minister, Mr Samuel Poghisio, says Kenyan Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies should invest in innovative software solutions to propel the country into a middle class economy.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">Mr Pogisio says the country has attracted attention owing to successful M-Pesa technology and urged local ICT service provider to take advantage of the global recognition to spur development in the industry.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">“Local ICT companies and software providers should come up with locally relevant solutions given that there is a large market for innovative software products in the country,” Mr Pogisio said.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">The minister says venture capital and partnership is the way forward. He cited an example of Twenty Third Century Systems (TTCS), a Zimbabwean ICT company that has partnered with Seven Seas Technology. </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">He says the entry of TTCS in the Kenyan market comes at a better time in the wake of major developments in the ICT sector with increased mobile phone and Internet penetration.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">“Increased awareness and access to software products is buttress by the arrival of fibre optics cables, this partnership comes at a time of great digital promise to this country,” the minister said.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">The minister has challenged local service providers to be innovative to offer home grown solutions instead of depending on foreign ICT experts.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">Poghisio says such partnership will offer the ICT industry highly skilled expertise locally by offering training and employment opportunities for graduates and consultants.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">TTCS chief executive, Mr Ellman Chanakira, says African governments should shake off dependency syndrome on foreign experts and instead let local companies explore the knowledge –based ICT sector.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">“We want to deepen our strategic engagements with ICT companies globally because we believe that this will have great impact in employment and wealth creation as well as development of skills,” said, Chanakira, adding that the transformation of the country into an industrialized nation requires partnership between players.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-41729201297384335622011-11-29T16:26:00.001+03:002011-12-01T19:32:15.678+03:00AFRICA UNIVERSITIES INTERNATIONALIZATION<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 0.6pt;">
<td style="height: 0.6pt; padding: 0in;" valign="bottom"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The African Network for Internationalization
of Education (ANE), held its third annual conference from 25- 26 October 2011
in Abuja, Nigeria. Among the trends identified were growing collaboration
between African universities, which is driving far greater mobility of students
and staff across the continent, and increased use of information and
communication technologies.<br />
<br />
James Otieno Jowi, ANE, executive
director based at Moi University in Kenya says the conference pointed
out the need for African universities to focus on internationalization within
Africa and then through this develop a common framework for engaging with
higher education systems beyond Africa.<br />
<br />
The ANE conference was jointly organized with the British Council and the
Nigerian National Universities Commission and brought together more than 130
participants from 16 African countries, including 60 African vice-chancellors.<br />
<br />
Jowi says the conference brought together university leaders and policy-makers
from Africa to discuss the next steps universities should take to reposition themselves
to respond to internationalization. “The other main focus was to identify the
areas of weaknesses that require support in order for African universities to
benefit from internationalization.” <br />
<br />
Prof Olugbemiro Jegede, secretary-general of the Association of African
Universities, underscored the realities, opportunities and threats that internationalization
poses to Africa.<br />
<br />
Prof Jegede said internationalization is an urgent priority for African
universities to strengthen collaboration between each other to develop stronger
institutions that can respond to challenges facing the continent.<br />
<br />
The conference identified the need to develop a new generation of African
academics; finding ways to respond to the brain drain; and developing
infrastructure for research and a research culture in African universities as
some of the challenges facing university education in Africa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
Further the conference highlighted establishing centres of excellence in
selected African universities; making use of new developments in information and
communication technologies; and getting African governments and development
agencies to support these efforts by African universities as additional, too. <br />
<br />
Prof Olusola Oyewole, a senior expert at the African Union on higher education,
mobility and scholarships, challenged African universities to become part of
the global knowledge society.<br />
<br />
The expert said the need to develop a new generation of well-trained and
innovative academics is urgent in order to respond to a chronic brain drain and
to replace ageing pioneer African scholars. “Staff development is also crucial,
along with providing new opportunities for staff to obtain PhDs on a continent
where fewer than half of academics have a doctorate,” Prof Oyewole said.<br />
<br />
Conference participants stressed that research and innovation were key to
tackling Africa's myriad challenges. It was noted that Africa produces a
negligible percentage of global knowledge, and that most universities are
teaching-oriented with not much focus on research. <br />
<br />
Universities, governments and external partners were urged to work together
with universities to devise new ways of contributing to research and innovation
in Africa.<br />
<br />
On research and innovation Prof Edmund Bamiro, former vice-chancellor of the
Nigeria's University of Ibadan, urged universities to develop strong research
cultures and collaborate in various areas that could make them relevant to
Africa as well as to the global knowledge society. <br />
<br />
The conference pointed out that recent positive developments in ICT
infrastructure and capacities in Africa are opportunities that could enhance
collaboration between African universities and between them and other
universities around the world.<br />
<br />
The growth in ICT was already transforming lives in Africa, participants
argued, and was key to integration within and between countries, to enhancing
the flow and production of knowledge and to attracting staff, students,
research opportunities and funding as well as enhancing collaborations and
strengthening teaching and learning.<br />
<br />
Neil Butcher of OER Africa recognised the fast development of ICTs in Africa
and the enormous possibilities they offer the higher education sector. Many
universities in Africa were already taking good advantage of ICTs, he said,
while others were not doing much to exploit their potential. He challenged
African universities to connect to global knowledge networks by strengthening
their capacity and enhancing ICT infrastructure.<br />
<br />
There was recognition of ongoing intra-Africa internationalization. In the last
few years, it was revealed, student and staff mobility within African countries
has begun to take root as a consequence of growing collaboration between
African universities. Previously, African universities have mainly partnered
with universities in Europe and the United States.<br />
<br />
Professor Aggrey Abate, vice-chancellor of Juba University in South Sudan,
urged African university leaders to strengthen these networks. He underscored
the importance of African universities working with each other to respond to
the continent's challenges. By doing this, they would also develop a common
framework for engaging with other parts of the world.<br />
<br />
Key developments in intra-Africa collaboration included discussions on the
Arusha Convention, the development of the African Union-driven Pan-African
University, the Mwalimu Nyerere Scholarship Programme and the development of
centers of excellence in different parts of Africa that promote collaboration. <br />
<br />
The conference also noted that in the past few years there had been positive
developments in many African countries and in many other aspects of life on the
continent. These could be harnessed to promote higher education and internationalization.
<br />
<br />
David Higgs of the British Council extolled the promise of African higher
education and the growing interest of the British council as a partner in the internationalization
of higher Education on the continent.<br />
<br />
African universities were encouraged to develop institutional strategies for internationalization
so that it was not treated as an <i>ad hoc</i> and uncoordinated activity.<br />
<br />
Regional bodies were as well urged to develop and strengthen frameworks and
programmes that could promote collaboration among African universities, and
partner organizations were called on to participate in the internationalization
process in a way that also respected the needs and wishes of African
universities.<br />
<br />
The next ANIE conference will be held at University of Pretoria in South Africa
in September 2012.<br />
</span></div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-79820362741770563242011-09-12T17:38:00.001+03:002011-09-12T17:38:47.801+03:00AFRICA INTEGRATION ENVISIONED FOR ECONOMIC TAKE OFF
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pragmatic policies, hard work, and regional integration efforts have
been attributed to economic growth of 5 percent per annum experienced in
Africa currently since 2000.</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
President of Kenya, Mr Mwai kibaki has said it is now projected that in
the next decade, the five fastest growing economies in the world will
be in Africa.</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
President who was speaking during the official opening of the
conference of African ministers of integration at Nairobi, Kenya said
“integration can be traced to Pan Africanism that led to the creation of
the Organization of Africa Unity in 1963 and also the Abuja Treaty of
1991 that outlined the roadmap for integration in Africa.”<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mr
Kibaki said what they are called upon is to look at practical ways and
means of realizing the long cherished dream for Africa. “We need to make
SMART recommendations that take into account economic, social and
political realities in our continent.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I
am encouraged,” he said by “Ministers In – Charge of integration, you
have set forth the momentum to speed up the integration process at
regional and continental levels by coming up with a Minimum Integration
Programme compromising activities and priority projects which are to be
undertaken by Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States, the
Africa Union itself and other parties.”<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He
pointed out that integration is a process which cannot be achieved all
at once, or according to single plan. However, he said they need to
identify early enough any political and social issues that tend to slow
down the process of integration, discuss them in the spirit of African
mutual support and assistance and recommend appropriate measures.</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nevertheless,
on the implementation of the past agreed decisions, treaties and
protocol the President said “my own quick observation is that the
realities on the ground are different from the ideas in our protocol,
treaties and memorandums of understanding,” hence he challenged member
states to remain committed to implement their agreements or else
integration will largely remain an academic and talk show exercise. </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Abdoulie
Janneh, UN Under – Secretary - General and Executive Secretary of ECA
said Regional integration is necessary for Africa due to the benefits of
a large and more coherent economic space and also because of the
growing trend towards regionalism in other parts of the world.</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The
progress that has been made in regional integration in Africa is
evident from common policies and programmes spanning arrangements for
trade liberalization, macroeconomics convergence, and monetary and
financial integration,” Janneh said.</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He
challenged the ministers of trade to fast track the establishment of an
African Free trade building on the landmark decision of COMESA, EAC and
SADC to come together to create a single Free Trade Area embracing 26
countries. “The gains of the Southern Africa Power Pool are estimated at
over $ 785 million between 1995 and 2010. Agreed parameters ranging
from reducing inflation and fiscal deficits to lowering external debt
are helping African countries to achieve and maintain economic stability
and move to greater convergence.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span> </span>The
free movement of people in ECOWAS has been on for over 30 years and has
been replicated in other sub-regions. “Regional air networks are also
notably beginning to emerge,” the UN official said.</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He
further said Pan – Africa institutions of integration covering
secretariat, judicial and parliamentary functions have been created and
also exist or are being replicated at sub-regional level.” Indeed,
regional responses to common problems have become the norm as can be
seen from the IGAD response to the drought in the horn of Africa.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However,
Janneh said in spite of these notable achievements, it is clear that
there is still much to be done. “Intra – Africa trade remains abysmally
low at about 10 percent compared to rates of up to 60 percent in Europe
while space of movement towards FTAs remains uneven. Infrastructure
deficits remain a major challenge with limited financing for regional
projects while free movement of people across regional Economic
Communities is barely existent.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nevertheless,
he said Africa should not be discouraged by this situation since it’s a
developing continent and integration is an ongoing process.</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On
his part Mr Erustus Mwencha, the Deputy Chairperson, Africa Union
Commission said they are out to set the pace with which “we are
currently implementing agreed actions and commitments, especially the
key protocols.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We
also need to make improvements in the manner in which we provide
responses in support of advancing our mutually agreed activities,
including the harmonizing our activities and programmes,” Mr Mwencha
said.</span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He
pointed out that they are aware of the enormous challenges they are
facing as a continent, “owing to human and financial capacity
constraints.” </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
deputy chairperson of AU which is anchored on the vision “integrated,
prosperous and peaceful Africa,” added that the hurdles and challenges
are not insurmountable and that enhanced integration is one viable
window for addressing Africa’s developmental challenges. </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv610325764MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I
dare say that they journey for the realization of an Africa Economic
Community (AEC) is long and full of many challenges,” he said “but this
is an imperative that requires all of us to make necessary sacrifices.”<span> </span></span></div>
Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-59022620236891305122011-08-31T17:50:00.000+03:002011-08-31T17:50:31.621+03:00KENYA: BIOGAS SCALING AGRICULTURE AND GREEN ENERGY <div>The government of Kenya’s aiming at exploring and promoting new sources of energy like geothermal power, coal, renewable energy sources, and also connecting Kenya to energy-surplus countries in the region, the Ministry of Agriculture has said.</div><div> </div><div><span>The Ministry of Agriculture states that Energy Act 2006,</span> article 101 sections 2 – gives the Ministry of Energy an open field in scaling the country’s energy output: “The minister shall promote the development and use of renewable energy including promoting international co-operation on programs focusing on renewable energy sources,” it sates.</div><div> </div><div><span>The minister of Agriculture Dr Sally Kosigei says Agriculture Sector Development Strategy (ASDS) 2010-2020<b> </b></span>strategy policy document emphasizes, encourages on programs aimed at promoting alternative source of energy such as solar, wind, biogas, geothermal, woodlots and hydropower.</div><div> </div><div><span>According to the Ministry of Energy</span> Kenya’s level of access to modern energy remain low. Only 16 percent of the population has access to electricity, about 90 percent rely on biomass (firewood, charcoal) to meet their basic energy needs. </div><div> </div><div>The ministry says the vast majority has no or inadequate access to affordable modern energy, thus relying on either unsustainable tradition (biomass) or expensive conventional sources such as kerosene, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) among others. </div><div> </div><div>Nevertheless, less than half of the biomass consumption comes from natural forests or forest plantation. According to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the sustainable biomass energy supply was estimated to be 15.4 million tones against a demand estimated at over 38.1 million tons in 2004, reflecting a supply/demand deficit of about 60 percent.</div><div><b> </b></div><div>As a result, NEMA says deforestation on a large scale threatens biodiversity, leads to erosion and soil degradation as well as silting of rivers and dams, increases the vulnerability to flooding and jeopardizes the water supply of ecosystems and human settlements.</div><div> </div><div>“State of the world’s forests 2009” Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates the total remaining forest cover of Kenya at 3522 million ha or 6.2 percent of the land area. From 1990 to 2005, Kenya lost 170 million ha or 5 percent which represents 0.3 percent annually. </div><div> </div><div>FAO says the diminishing forest cover has an indirect impact on regional stability and conflict potential arising from the distribution of water resources: the eight Kenyan influent rivers to Lake Victoria account for the bulk of water inflow from rivers to the lake. Their water levels are directly related to their catchment areas in the Kenyan forests. Other than the internationals dimension of this problem, further conflict potential is attributed to the localized impacts of swindling river water levels as a result of deforestation caused by harvesting of solid fuels.</div><div><b> </b></div><div>Furthermore, the ministry of Agriculture says substantial health hazards arise from traditional forms of biomass usage three stone fire lead to health hazards from indoor air pollution. </div><div> </div><div>According to the World Health Organization, three diseases can be lined to smoke from solid fuels in developing countries, namely child pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2.7 percent of the total global burden of disease to indoor air pollution. In addition, inadequate waste management yields health, by providing breeding grounds for pests and diseases.</div><div><b> </b></div><div><b>“</b>In Kenya, there are about 2,000,000 households with zero-grazing units and who has potential to contributing to reversing the continuing environmental degradation and inaccessibility to modern energy for rural communities,” the minister says, adding that by converting animal waste into biogas for cooking and other energy needs this can greatly help alleviate the continued dependence on un-unsustainable and expensive sources of energy. “Biogas and in addition to supplying sustainable energy sources has significant effects on improvement of sanitation and soil conditioning further addressing crop productivity issues and control of soil erosion.” </div><div><b> </b></div><div><span>The ministry of Agriculture says that<b> </b></span>the biogas technology was introduced in Kenya the mid-1950s, with the first experiment undertaken using the waste from coffee pulping facilities.</div><div> </div><div>The ministry explains that in the 1980s the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy under the Special Energy Program began biogas promotion in the Country. </div><div> </div><div>The Special Energy programs focused on the floating drum type digesters with approximately 400 units constructed. Over the years, other national and international organizations in collaboration with trained Kenyan technicians have built hundreds of digesters. </div><div> </div><div>“It is important to note that despite this early history, the adoption rate in the country has been quite low,” the ministry says.</div><div> </div><div>The ministry articulates that in 2005, the Promotion of Private Sector Development in Agriculture (PSDA) decided to reintroduce the biogas promotion and within its program. The fixed dome model was preferred due to its stability and long life.</div><div> </div><div>Later in 2008 and with co-funding from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the biogas activities targeting smallholder livestock farmers was up scaled. The EU provided 68 percent (1.3million euros) of the funding and the balance was provided by BMZ.</div><div> </div><div>In Kenya today the domestic biogas industry has grown and the demand has risen. Other players in the biogas market are the Ministry of Energy through energy centers, other private players and last year the SNV of Netherlands launched a Kenya National Domestic Biogas Program me aimed at reaching 8,000 units in four years.</div><div> </div><div><b>PROMOTION OF PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURE (PSDA</b>)</div><div> </div><div>It is on this premise that the ministry of Agriculture is agitating the Promotion of Private Sector Development in Agriculture (PSDA) which is a bilateral technical assistance programs jointly implemented by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the Government of Germany and the Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of the Government of Kenya.</div><div>It closely collaborates with other agricultural sector Ministries, mainly the Ministry of Livestock Development, Fisheries Development and the Ministry of Cooperative Development and Marketing and other Stakeholders in Kenya focusing on capacity building and technology transfer of biogas technology.</div><div>One of the objectives of GIZ PSDA program is to provide rural farmers, pastoralists and other beneficiaries with improved living conditions and adequate supply of energy through use of biogas energy technology.</div><div> </div><div>The technical assistance program was started in October 2003 and is expected to run for 12 years up to 2015. As from January 2011, the program has moved into its fourth phase following a successful Program Progress Review (PPR) that was done early 2010. The 4<sup>th</sup> Phase will run from 2011 to 2013.</div><div> </div><div>According to the ministry of Agriculture the programmer’s current geographical coverage is in high and medium potential areas in parts of Central, Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western provinces with high population density and high levels of poverty. The orientation for the 4<sup>th</sup> phase is however country wide with more focus of Western Kenya.</div><div><b> </b></div><div>The objective of the program, the ministry says is to enable men and women running small and medium agricultural production and processing enterprises in the high and medium potential areas to fully utilize their production and market potential while managing their natural resource base in a sustainable Manner.</div><div> </div><div><b>THE PSDA BIOGAS PROJECT</b></div><div> </div><div>The ministry of Agriculture says PSDA project started in 2005 and later attracted EU support in January 2008 to support the scaling up of the initiative to provide small to medium level rural dairy farmers and other beneficiaries with improved living conditions and adequate supply of energy through use of biogas energy technology. </div><div> </div><div>This was expected to translate into<span style="font-family: Symbol;"> </span>establishment of a pool of competent construction companies and artisans for Biogas plant construction, designing and making available appropriate technical specifications of various sizes to suit different clients and consumer awareness and education.</div><div> </div><div>In addition to<span style="font-family: Symbol;"> </span>backstopping up scaling and generation of manuals and other related knowledge materials and development of appropriate standards for Biogas plants, equipment and appliances among others as they targeted smallholder livestock farmers with zero-grazing units of 3 to 70 animals.</div><div> </div><div><b>ACHIEVEMENT AND BENEFITS</b></div><div><b> </b></div><div><span>By April 2011, the </span>PSDA<span> project had seen m</span>ore 300 artisans trained on biogas construction.</div><div><span> </span></div><div>About 30 biogas units of various sizes (distributed as follows: 40 percent are 16 cubic meters (cbm), 30 percent12 cbm, 14 percent are 32cbm and the rest (16 percent)are shared among 8, 24, 48,54,70, 90 and 124cbm).</div><div> </div><div>The ministry of Agriculture says Six clients have installed biogas units above 124cbm and the gas used to run engines for water pumping for irrigation and other uses, example brooding. Biogas remains a major potential energy source, off-grid of stand-alone systems to support agricultural systems.</div><div><span> </span></div><div>The ministry says the installed capacity has biogas production capacity of more than 1.5 million cubic meters of gas in a year valued at Ksh 36 million per year (LPG gas cost equivalent). Since the lifespan of the biogas plant is beyond 15 years, gross value is estimated at KSh 500 million.</div><div> </div><div>“The use of biogas from these plants is contributing to a saving of trees (forests) to more than 40 hectares per year, grossly translating to 600 hectares in 15 years,” the minister says. “Other benefits include savings of foreign exchange for mineral fertilizers, kerosene and gas importations.”</div><div> </div><div>Un-quantified benefits are also realized in crop productivity and reduction of air door pollution, Dr Kosigei further says. “A general analysis gives a total direct investment of Ksh 100million towards installation of the 500 biogas plants, with farmers contributing more than 80 percent of these costs and only about 20 percent provided as subsidy by the project.”</div><div> </div><div><b>KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT</b></div><div><b> </b></div><div><b>“</b>Vast amounts of knowledge were acquired during project implementation,” she says. “The knowledge will be packaged and distributed through extension offices, contracting firms and website (PSDA, EU and MOA).” </div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-11303343966092254802011-08-31T17:48:00.000+03:002011-08-31T17:48:36.747+03:00KENYA: UNITY IN DIVERSITY SHOULD BE NURTURED IN SCHOOLS<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Kenya's ability to provide right education and training to its people will ultimately determine its path to economic development, social stability and political maturity,the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, Mr Mutula Kilonzo has said.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Mr Kilozo who was speaking during the official opening of the National Students' Consultative Forum on National Cohesion, Integration and Tolerance said among the issues that characterize the right education is its ability to inculcate mutual social responsibility into the minds of the learners. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“This would play a critical role in the development of virtues such as concern for other people's welfare and personal integrity which are critical ingredients in as far as national cohesion is concerned,” he said. “Since schools generally mirror social values and behavior, it is important to inculcate national values to our youth at an early age.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The minister said schools should mainstream and integrate cohesion issues in the school curriculum by enhancing that subjects taught highlight the elements of national cohesion.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“The dangers of negative ethnicity and tribalism should be clearly spelled out,” he said, emphasizing that there is need for the school curriculum to be used as a means of promoting national values as espoused in the Constitution of the country. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The minister who was opening the forum at Alliance Boys High School, one of the oldest national school in the country admonished that co-curricular activities such as games, music and drama festivals should be used as means of nurturing tolerance of diversity amongst students' population as well as the country's official languages, English and Kiswahili not only for academic purposes but also for promoting national unity.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He pointed out that schools should come up with mechanisms that will ensure all inclusive and accommodative electoral process in the selection of prefects and club officials to ensure that students are involved in decision making as well as “reviewing existing school policies to ensure that they promote social integration and avoid segregation. This will go along way in inculcating democracy in the minds of the students.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The forum which is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs and the Youth Agenda – a civil society organization come at the backdrop of “a society in which loyalty to clan and ethnic identity strongly influences economic, social and political organization and expression,” the minister who is a lawyer said.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Unfortunately,” he said “historical, political and economic factors have preyed on the rich ethnic diversity in the country leading to ethnic suspicion and disharmony.” </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He said that “poor and <i>ad hoc</i> management of ethnic conflict over time has served to reinforce ethnic disharmony and as a result, Kenya seems to be caught in cycles of violence.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He pointed out that “the 2007 Post Election Violence remains a stark reminder that national cohesion and integration cannot be taken for granted. It remains an urgent and long term national priority if the country's social, economic and political stability is to be assured and the national aspiration of that Kenyan Vision 2030 are to be achieved.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">National Cohesion and Integration for the country is so important that it is no longer solely the preserve and responsibility of Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, he said. Rather, it is the collective responsibility of all ministries, departments actors and stakeholders as a sure way of ensuring maximization of opportunity and exploitation of best practices. “Approaches and strategies developed through such approaches entail exclusivity and responsiveness to citizen's needs and concerns.” </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-17793082862325619382011-08-29T17:57:00.000+03:002011-08-29T18:51:14.874+03:00OUR DEFINATION OF EDUCATION NEED TO BE BROAD AND HIGHER<div class="MsoNormal">The greatest challenge facing our education is whether a true meaning of education is the driving force behind the great number of students streaming into our institutions of higher learning.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This call for introspection – soul searching: What is education? What is education supposed to achieve in an individual’s life? What is the society is expectation form education? What can exactly define success in education?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anew wind, a wind of change is blowing in Kenyan educational land scape. Everyone is waking up to class the old and the young, women and men, girls and boys …. Are all set to seize a certain target: going to class, securing higher education. And universities are no longer waiting for students to look for them they are looking for students, they are creating flexible programme to accommodate everyone who is willing to ride the wave of higher education. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The number of both public and private university is growing at an astronomical rate. However, the concern about the quality has been lingering – which calls for a comprehensive research on quality verses quantity.<br />
<br />
<div class="3"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> In her book "Education" Mrs Ellen G White anchors the purpose of educational institutions: "<span style="color: blue;">Instead of educated weaklings, institutions of learning may send forth men strong to think and to act, men who are masters and not slaves of circumstances, men who possess breadth of mind, clearness of thought, and the courage of their convictions."</span></span></div><div class="3"><br />
</div><div class="3"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She adds that "<span style="color: blue;">such an education provides more than mental discipline; it provides more than physical training. It strengthens the character, so that truth and uprightness are not sacrificed to selfish desire or worldly ambition. It fortifies the mind against evil. Instead of some master passion becoming a power to destroy, every motive and desire are brought into conformity to the great principles of right.</span>" </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since the new dawn of that is emerging although slowly and painful fully sustaining the momentum is a must. Both middle level and university need to ride the wings of the devolved government that has been brought about by the new constitution. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Unlike in the recent past when higher education, particularly securing a place in the university was a preserve for the few “intelligent” students: Education in Kenya is becoming an open field without “failures”.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There are several entries to university apart from the A’level or KCSE entry. One can begin with proficiency, proceed to certificate before joining a diploma which open doors for a higher diploma or a get way to university alternatively some universities are currently offering mature age entry examination for those who are 25 years and above as well as pre-university route is becoming common for those who have scored a C- (Minus) and C (Plain).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">These multiple entry paths have been accepted from an experience of years: Give everyone a chance so long as (s)he is determined to pay the price to attain higher education. Some Kenyan who didn’t directly secure a place at local universities ended securing a chance in overseas university only to leave a mark in the sands of academic, administration, governance and entrepreneurship among other areas.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Basically with this new wave of higher education sweeping across the country and the entire continent the perspective of higher education has been altered. Altered for personal introspection: Why should I be left behind? What is the definition and purpose of education to me as an individual? How can I use the knowledge that I have secured to transform my country?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I do buy the argument that it’s quite impractical to test one’s intelligence in one sitting for a course of eight or 12 years, but there must be a system of testing students and at the moment this is the best for Kenyans considering a matrix of factors involved.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On this premise Mrs White captures my attention: “<span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our ideas of education take too narrow and too low a range. There is need of a broader scope, a higher aim. True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-56877176853382873012011-08-29T11:08:00.001+03:002011-08-29T11:09:30.582+03:00KENYA: UNIVERSITY - INDUSTRY LINKAGE A MEAN FOR KNOWLEDGE DRIVEN ECONOMYFor Kenya to move to middle income economy, the country must change from labour-intensive to knowledge intensive economy, the Mount Kenya University, Pro-Chancellor, Prof George Eshiwani has said. <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Prof Eshiwani said this will be possible if research and development will be fortified. “It is through research that new knowledge is generated, packaged and disseminated to a wide variety, national and international community.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The former Vice Chancellor (VC) of Kenyatta University who was speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Mount Kenya University and Export Processing Zones program (EPZA) said “the development of new technologies and innovations are critical to the industrial development of this country.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He said that the linkage between the industry and institutions of higher learning is important as they will complement one another. There is “higher level of research concentrated at universities,” he pointed out, adding that “companies can benefit a lot in technology development if they are able to leverage the technical resource for the universities.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Prof Eshiwani who is a professor of mathematics challenged universities to develop appropriate technological innovations towards industrial development as well as disseminate their research findings to the scientific and industrial communities.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He reminded the Universities not to loose their identity - “to teach, research, provide community service and consultation in key expertise areas” as they engage in priority areas of research and consultancy as they promote and facilitate partnership and collaboration with the industry. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Although in the recent past the Kenya Manufacturing Association CEO, Ms Betty Maina challenged the Universities curriculum that it is not in resonance with industrial needs and graduates are not ready for the job market during the linkage between the industry and academia (LIWA) conference – Prof Eshiwani said the the industry stands a chance of winning from the coorperation.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The industry will have an “access to basic and applied research results from which new products and process evolve,” the professor who has been spearheading fish farming (after he completed his term of service as VC from Kenyatta University) in the Western part of the country, further said “solutions to specific problems or specific expertise, not usually found in an individual company” can be harnessed.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">However, he pointed out that Universities will greatly benefit as the industry will afford research funding and industrial environment to students and faculty thus “exposure to the real world research problems.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Industrial sponsored research provides universities researchers a chance to work on an intellectually challenging research programme,” he said, as he pointed out that the University-Industry linkage should involve research consortia, industrial associate or affiliation program and the development of business incubators and research parks among others.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“The University and Industry exist for different purposes. Hence it is critical to have organization to coordinate the Universities and Industries,” he said. “While there are such an organizations in developed countries, there are no such organization in Kenya to negotiate university-Industry research coorporation and transfer.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">EPZA which is charged by the Kenyan government to increase exportation of the country as well as integrate the country into the global supply chain to attract export-oriented investment thus creating job opportunities, diversify and expand of exports, and lubricate technology transfer among others is expected to enhance the building of trust and shared knowledge base, organize networks, and provide complementary resources through the MOU. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Its in this context that Ms Maina said that industry is ready to coorporate with the universities if the decide to become flexible enough to ride on the wave of the reality.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">However the academia has said that there are a matrix of factors in which the linkage should be approached with, example limited internship for the students, break bureaucracy in the universities, and lack of mutual coorporation in curriculum development as well as the industry lack of involvement of the academia in their strategy building.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-63908832356874577172011-08-25T07:19:00.000+03:002011-08-25T07:19:11.607+03:00KENYA: KCB FOUNDATION VOWS TO SCALE SOCIO – ECONOMIC FUNDING<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Foundation has agreed to increase its involvement in offering scholarship to students in order to reach more deserving cases as well as supporting other socio-economic activities across the country.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Mrs Susan Omanga, KCB Foundation Chairperson said the Foundation has supported Education through limited scholarships and assistance with infrastructure and learning materials for needy schools during the annual KCB Community Week and on other occasions in the past seven years. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Said she: “KCB Foundation is a key player in community socio-economic empowerment providing support in the areas of Environment, Enterprise Development, Health and humanitarian Intervention.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The KCB Foundation “was established in 2007 under the laws of Kenya as a charitable trust and is governable by a Board of Trustees Assisted by a secretariat,” she said, so far the Foundation has funded 70 students “to pursue secondary education with a number of them successfully progressing to various universities.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And in partisanship with Palmhouse Foundation the KCB Foundation has “funded 24 students to join national schools from various counties in Kenya to a tune of KShs 4.8 million,” she pointed out. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Mrs Omanga was speaking when she was presenting Kshs 5.4 million to Starehe Boys Centre and Starehe Girls Centre, Kshs 2.8 million and Kshs 2.6 million, respectively to support the education of 10 students in each school.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It's noteworthy that Starehe Boys Centre (and latter, recently Starehe Girls Centre) was founded by the late Dr Geoffrey William Griffins, assisted by Mr Joseph Gitobu, and Mr Geoffrey Geturo to give hope and meaning to street children - 70 percent of the students are expected to be from disadvantaged background.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Mrs Omanga who has been Member of the Board of Directors in KCB Ltd since June 2004 told the congregation that the students were “identified for KCB and will join a special club of of KCB alumni with whom we shall keep close contact for many years to come.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Additionally on education, Mrs Omanga who is a holder of a Degree in Business Management and Marketing said “the KCB Foundation has partnered with Computer For Schools Kenya to establish ICT laboratories at selected schools in various locations of the country.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Last year they commissioned 8 laboratories at the cost of Kshs 2.9 million, this year the Foundation will finance another 18 laboratories in various counties at the cost of Kshs 7.53 million as they push more Kenyan youths towards computer literacy.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“We plan to achieve one laboratory per county by 2012 and will implement the balance of the schools in the course of next year,” the KCB Foundation Chairperson said, adding that the “Foundation will continue to focus on its other key thematic areas in order to continues to offer holistic support to our communities.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Foundation is looking forward to work with identified partners under the Friends of the KCB Foundation Partnership Programme to deliver high impact assistance to deserving cases.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“We will be working with acumen Fund, the World Wide Fund, Kenya Forest Services, Kenya Wildlife Services, Kenyatta national Hospital, Ahadi Trust, and Kenya Red Cross Society, among others to deliver value in the five thematic ares of our engagement,” she said.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">She unveiled that the Foundation's budget for 2011 which is Kshs 120 million which will be deployed carefully to ensure it delivers much needed support for Kenyan communities.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“We will continue to work through our regional branch network to reach communities in all part of East Africa,” she said as the Foundation promise that they will engage their staff in tree planting during the KCB Community Day in the process of seeking to plant one million trees in 2011.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“We will also be supporting needy schools during the KCB Community Week with involvement of our staff at various locations,” she further pointed out, adding “during the festive seasons such as Idd ul fitri and Christmas our staff will lead the spread of the much yearned – for festive spirit to underprivileged members of ours society.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-24464644319889138572011-08-25T07:18:00.001+03:002011-08-25T07:18:00.897+03:00KENYA: INNOVATION KEY TO DEVELOPMENT<div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">Kenya’s National Council of Science and Technology (NCST), secretary and CEO, Prof <span class="yiv223749121st">Shaukat Abdulrazak has challenged Kenyans to turn their knowledge and ideas into innovations. Prof Abdulrazak</span> says the growing ICT sector has vast opportunities to be explored through entrepreneur innovations and ventures.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">The CEO points out that the culture of publish or perish that has been in existence in institutions of higher learning should be a thing of the past to usher in a plat form of research, innovate, patent and commercialize.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">He says this culture should be inculcated from primary schools to institutions of higher learning. The NCST secretary says this will make students appreciate science and socialize it across the board.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">NCST is at the forefront of funding young innovators to translate their products from ideas to prototypes and then to commercial products. To inspire the young innovators Prof <span class="yiv223749121st">Abdulrazak is the patron of the Kenya’s Young Innovators Association. </span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st"> </span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st">This year NCST launched a cart tracker, an innovation of Mr Morris Mbetsa – which was funded to a tune of KShs 3 million with additional funding for its commercialization. </span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st"> </span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st">The former Vice Chancellor of Egerton University says they are funding other innovators to develop prototypes as he welcome all Kenyans with an ideas albeit their level of education and age to present their proposals for funding consideration.</span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st"> </span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"><span class="yiv223749121st">He says that the NCST believes that entrepreneurship anchored on the premise of innovations holds the key for the country to realize Vision 2030.</span></div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">On his part Kenya’s Information and Communication minister, Mr Samuel Poghisio, says Kenyan Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies should invest in innovative software solutions to propel the country into a middle class economy.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">Mr Pogisio says the country has attracted attention owing to successful M-Pesa technology and urged local ICT service provider to take advantage of the global recognition to spur development in the industry.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">“Local ICT companies and software providers should come up with locally relevant solutions given that there is a large market for innovative software products in the country,” Mr Pogisio said.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">The minister says venture capital and partnership is the way forward. He cited an example of Twenty Third Century Systems (TTCS), a Zimbabwean ICT company that has partnered with Seven Seas Technology. </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">He says the entry of TTCS in the Kenyan market comes at a better time in the wake of major developments in the ICT sector with increased mobile phone and Internet penetration.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">“Increased awareness and access to software products is buttress by the arrival of fibre optics cables, this partnership comes at a time of great digital promise to this country,” the minister said.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">The minister has challenged local service providers to be innovative to offer home grown solutions instead of depending on foreign ICT experts.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">Poghisio says such partnership will offer the ICT industry highly skilled expertise locally by offering training and employment opportunities for graduates and consultants.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">TTCS chief executive, Mr Ellman Chanakira, says African governments should shake off dependency syndrome on foreign experts and instead let local companies explore the knowledge –based ICT sector.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal">“We want to deepen our strategic engagements with ICT companies globally because we believe that this will have great impact in employment and wealth creation as well as development of skills,” said, Chanakira, adding that the transformation of the country into an industrialized nation requires partnership between players.</div><div class="yiv223749121MsoNormal"> </div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-27925578612754571052011-08-17T20:06:00.000+03:002011-08-17T20:06:54.985+03:00MSc Nuclear Science Scholarships for Kenyans Ministry of Energy, National Council of Science and Technology &University of Nairobi<div style="color: blue;"><b>The Ministry of Energy via the Nuclear Electricity Project (NEP) Committee and in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and the National Council of Science and Technology is offering fifteen (15) Master of Science Scholarships to eligible Kenyans to pursue the Master of Nuclear Science offered by the Institute<br />
of Nuclear Science and Technology at the University of Nairobi.</b></div><div style="color: blue;"><b><br />
Requirements</b></div><div style="color: blue;"><b><br />
• The scholarships are open to holders of at least a Bachelor of Science degree (Upper Second Class Honours) or equivalent in the field of Biological/Physical Sciences or Engineering disciplines from a recognised<br />
University.</b></div><div style="color: blue;"><b><br />
• In addition, the applicant must have a letter of eligibility of admission for Postgraduate Studies at the University of Nairobi.</b></div><div style="color: blue;"><b><br />
Course Details</b></div><div style="color: blue;"><b><br />
• The course is on fulltime basis.<br />
• The MSc programme takes two (2) years.</b></div><b style="color: blue;"><br />
Applications should be made to:<br />
The Director<br />
Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology<br />
University of Nairobi<br />
P. O. Box 30197 – 00100,<br />
Nairobi, Kenya<br />
Email: inst@uonbi.ac.ke<br />
Or Contact the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of<br />
Nairobi at:<br />
Engineering Workshops off Harry Thuku Road<br />
Tel: 254 (020) 318262 Ext.28483<br />
Fax: 254 (020) 245566<br />
The Application Deadline is on or before Friday 26th August, 2011</b>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3888474696394397776.post-10362690529246585912011-08-17T07:55:00.001+03:002011-08-17T07:55:21.697+03:00ROCKFELLER FOUNDATION FINDING INNOVATIVE WAYS TO DEAL WITH AFRICAN CHALLENGESInnovation is the key in getting solutions to complex developmental challenges in the 21<sup>st</sup> Century, the Rockfeller Foundation President, Dr Judith Rodin says. <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Foundation with has launched its new regional offices in Nairobi, Kenya says they are “focused on supporting innovative solutions to complex development challenges across Africa.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Dr Rodin says the regional offices aims to strengthen the Foundation’s capacity to support development work undertaken by the Foundation towards building resilience to climate change, strengthening food security and promoting growth with equity in the continent.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“As we approach our Centennial celebration, we look back with pride on our history here. But much more importantly, we look forward to the next hundred years and to working with you to help build resilience to climate change, transform health systems through the region, and attract private investment to enable real, sustainable and equitable economic growth, ” she said during the opening ceremony of the office.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Dr Rodin says the Foundation’s work in Africa has focused on critical issues surrounding poverty and economic instability with specific focus on health, population, education and agriculture, as well as on leveraging resources from a range of partners, including government, industry and other development organizations.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Through the years, the Foundation’s support has led to the development of vaccines for the deadly diseases, greater access to higher education, and improved crop variety for farmers and ultimately had a major impact for communities across Africa.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">According to Dr James Nyoro, Managing Director of the African Regional office for the Rockfeller Foundation they are “delighted to work with all stakeholders as we continue to promote resilience to the devastating effects of climate change, reinvent how health care systems serve the people, and support the growth of the impact of investment. Our areas of focus remain critical in ensuring that Africa will enjoy the benefits of globalization.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Additionally, Dr Nyoro said that by addressing real world challenges through research and innovation, the Foundation continues to contribute to sustainable development in Africa.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He pointed out that “successes such as the development of the yellow fever vaccine and the establishment of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) are prime examples of the Foundation’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of the African people.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">On his part Kenya’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Uhuru Kenyatta says the Foundation’s choice of Kenya as the headquarters of the African region demonstrates their high confidence in the government and the people of Kenya.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Mr Kenyatta pointed out that since 1966 the Foundation has supported development projects which have gone a long way to in complementing the Government his effort in its fight against poverty.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He noted that the Foundation’s projects are in line with the Government strategy as outlined in Kenya’s Vision 2030. “These projects financed under the Rockfeller Foundation are in the areas of Higher Education, Health, Agriculture and Climate Change, all being core sectors of growth.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Kenyan Government appreciated the role of the Foundation in the fight against HIV/AIDs. “The Government recognizes that to accomplish the economic goals envisioned in our Vision 2030, the Health sector will play a critical role in maintaining a health working population, which is necessary for increased lobar productivity, while maintaining individual wellbeing of Kenyans,” the minister said. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">On agriculture the minister says Rockfeller Foundation in collaboration with Gates Foundation are supporting small scale farmers engaged in different type of agricultural activities. “Agriculture is the mainstay of our economy and currently contributes to 24 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and accounts for 18 percent of the total formal employment.” </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Deputy Prime Minister said the Government is working towards improving productivity, enhanced land use, marketing and value addition of Kenya’s agricultural products. He explained that they are carrying out institutional reforms aimed at strengthening research and development, improved delivery of extension services, strengthening production organizations, agriculture investment and export promotion.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">With regard to climate change, Mr Kenyatta said Kenya’s economy is heavily reliant on climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture and tourism. He said the effects of climate change are already being experienced in Kenya. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Large percentage of natural disasters affecting the country are weather related,” he says, adding that they are “instituting reforms to incorporate climate change activities under the environment disaster policy. To this end, a Carbon Credit Unit has already been created at the ministry of Finance to follow up and address emerging challenges on climate change.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Mr Kenyatta further says ICT Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) is being tapped to be “the top off shoring destination in Africa.” It is expected to be sector of choice for employment among the youth and young processing. Rockefeller Foundation support to the ICT Sector through impact outsourcing that employs people from base pyramid. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Robert Okemwa Onsarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537082617550961497noreply@blogger.com0