Setting Ground for Potential Investors

Foreign investors including multinational companies are beginning to grow interest in the East African market. Price water Coopers is one of them planning to put up a regional headquarter in East Africa. Kenya being the economic hub for the region is at a vantage point of absorbing these investors. This notwithstanding, there are quite a number of factors that are likely to repel the investors away and settle for other countries within the region.

The first factor is political instability in the country. Based on what happened in 2007, the violence that erupted after the disputed presidential elections, some investors are still not certain whether 2012, Kenya’s next general election is going to be peaceful or there will be a repeat of 2007.Despite operating in a new constitution that has provisions expected to curb malpractices during elections as happened in 2007, there is still need for political will. Politicians must ensure they adhere to the new law and play their cards right. They must select their words carefully whenever traversing the country campaigning. There’s need to crack down on the illegal militias that at times are used by politicians to cause chaos during elections. This way, we will have a peaceful election and will build faith of the investors to invest in our country.

The other factor is corruption. This has been the order of the day in Kenya. Virtually all sectors are infected by this corruption virus and it seems to mutate every time we try treating it. Kenya has been rated among top nations where graft has thrived. Corruption will scare away investors since they will have the notion that to penetrate into the Kenyan market you have to part with something hence an extra cost of operation, so to avoid this they’d rather go to another country where they won’t incur any unnecessary cost to bribe in order to penetrate the market for instance the issue of how former KPLC director Mr.Gichuru allegedly demanded pay from any company which wanted to do business in Kenya.. As a nation we have to face corruption head on and fight to eliminate it. The anti graft commission has to steer clear of any political interferences in administering its mandate. Kenyans must throw all their weight behind the Commission in waging war against this monster since a collective and joint effort will bear victory.

The energy sector has also got to find alternative means for energy provision. Explore other means such as geothermal power, wind power to supplement hydro power currently in use. The frequent power outages are leading to loss of millions of money. Many businesses can’t operate because they use machines that are run by electricity. Some resort to using generators which guzzle a lot of fuel, a commodity whose cost has of late hit the roof. This is an extra cost of operation for businesses and if not addressed then very many potential investors eyeing our market will shy away.

Poor infrastructure, transport and communication systems are other factors that are likely to prevent these investors from pumping their money into Kenya. We are however on the right footing with the construction of Thika superhighway, one of the busiest highways in East Africa. Once complete, it’s going to ease traffic flow and hence smooth movement of goods and services. The expansion of Jomo Kenyatta Int’l Airport is another plus for us. It will enable the handling of more airlines hence more business for the country. Construction of Lamu port and opening up of a road linking Kenya to Ethiopia will also spur more investments. We however need to improve our communication systems.Fibre cables have been installed and therefore service providers need to ensure there’s access to high speed internet to ease communication and online transactions as well. The issue of people traveling for miles and climbing trees to find signal for cell phones should be a story of the past. Every area in Kenya should have clear network connection.

Above all, God has to come first. Kenyans have to turn to God and put him first in all their dealings. All said and done, soon we will be giving the likes of Malaysia and others a run for their money.

A lifetime Association that needs to be keenly established

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Marriage is an association of two people who have agreed to walk together for the rest of their lives. It’s a very critical and sensitive association that calls for all who are in it and those intending to establish it to be very keen.
First of all, one needs to identify the rightful partner, one who will be able to stay by you even if life turns its back on you, one who will be able to nurse the wounds that you sustain in the course of life, one who will love you with all their strength. In that case therefore, anyone intending to get married needs to do a through vetting of the person to marry.

In the past, before people entered into marriage, they would undergo a guidance and counseling process conducted by elders, people who have marriage experience spanning decades and decades. They would be guided on how they are supposed to live with each other, how they are supposed to handle any arising issues and any other thing pertaining to marriage.However,modernization has slowly replaced these traditional structures and nowadays there are professional and “professional counselors” over to guide young people intending to marry.

During wedding it was a must for those who are referred as best couples to be people who are married, people with experience in marriage who can advise you on how to go about your marriage.However, there’s a new trend nowadays in terms of choosing best couples. Young people ask their friends who are not married to be their best couples at their weddings. It may be a good idea but the question that one may ask is, in case you find yourselves into really deep issues in the course of your marriage, will that single friend who was your best man or woman be able to help you sort out your issues amicably?, how will he or she be able to do that yet they don’t have marriage experience? Some young people argue that since there’s internet all over, one can browse and get information that will help in such a case. This argument does not hold water though, simply because internet is a platform for all and sundry to display their thoughts and so what you may find and think it’s a solution for your problem may not be, it may aggravate your issues instead.

There’s need to keep in touch with our traditional structures to provide guidance and counseling for marriage as we embrace the modern concept as well in order to build and strengthen this institution of marriage.

Gratitude for our Achievements this year.

As the year comes to a close, as a nation we have so much to be proud of and to thank God as well. Some much has taken place since the Year began both good and bad. Thanks to the most high for seeing us through everything. One thing we have achieved in particular is the rebirth of a new Kenya. On the 4th of August Kenya made history after overwhelmingly endorsing a new constitution, a document that is expected to bury six feet under many problems our nation has been facing impunity corruption,inequality,unemployment and a myriad of other problems.
This is one of our greatest achievements of all time. However as citizens of this democratically governed country we ought to participate and expedite the implementation process so that whatever we endorsed becomes the practice.
We expect much more to take place next year. God bless Kenya.

No longer a yardstick to measure success

“Education is the key to life”. This has been a phrase that has been recited to us throughout the years that we have been in school. Our seniors put a lot of emphasis on us to work hard and get good grades, good papers that will unlock the doors to success.However, due to a number of factors academic excellence has been compromised.

Academic prowess should therefore not be used as a yardstick to measure success anymore.
Nowadays getting an A in KCSE or a fist class degree doesn’t mean that one is the best scientist, engineer in practice. I don’t mean getting such good grades is bad or m ay be those who get them cant deliver.It's very ok to acquire such grades and that in fact is what everyone is working hard for in school.

Nethertheless, our education system ,since it puts a lot of emphasis on papers for one to get a highly paying job or any other job, has been compromised to a large extent. All this has been brought about by corruption. Kenya has become a hub for corruption. The seemingly incurable corruption virus has eaten into deep into our systems. A fellow can get a first class degree as long as he/she puts some cash to doctor the paper and once he walks into an office he’s given a job yet he has presented a fake document.

So there’s need for us to review our system, let’s not rely on papers. We need to put emphasis on practice not theory alone.

Red Coloured Calls

Some have nicknamed it M-kifo,techno-death,killer phone calls,kifo-pap and there is still room to come up with more nicknames.This is a wind that has blown across the board concerning people receiving 'red coloured phone calls' and instantly dying.The wind has spread panic among Kenyans since last night.

People are calling their friends and relatives warning them not to receive any strange phone calls.Unconfirmed reports are doing rounds on social networks that several people in Ukambani have died after receiving the calls.Unfortunately all these reports are based on hearsay.

However,in the course of my normal facebooking routine,i came across a friend's update with a certain website carrying some information about the origin of these deadly calls.I was so much in need of information about this and so i visited the website to learn more and according to them,a similar case happened in Nigeria sometime back.The whole issue began in Pakistan in 2007 where people were warned not to receive phone calls bearing certain specified numbers which are red in color.It was alleged that if one does receive the call,that red color emits some rays which damage body cells hence causing haemorrhage leading to death.This issue raised eyebrows in Pakistan,people panicked,mobile phone service providers called for press confrences but it was later discovered that it was a prunk.

Based on this information,the pakistan and nigeria story,is there a possibility that some prunkers are out there to wreck havoc among Kenyans?Whatever the case,we need not to worry because we shall know the truth and at the end of the day and the truth will set us free.

Men,this is your fault

My good gentlemen,you are the cause of all the pain you are going through.This may sound weird or rather strange to you but you have to swallow the bitter pill of truth.

It has been discovered that,most men facing domestic violencen in their relationship is a result of them(men),forcing their wives to do so in a way.

Some men with strength and and ability to do all and sundry,wake up in the morning and remain idle the whole day.They wake up,take breakfast prepared by wives and proceed to drinking dens,some go to play cards with other idlers all day long while the woman struggles to make ends meet.

Later in the evening,the fellow drags himself back to the house without even a single coin in his hand and demands a plate on the table.Now,can you imagine,a man supposed to be the provider,demanding food from the wife,who's been struggling seling tomatoes and other small products yet he himself has nothing to offer.There is a swahili saying which goes like this,'mkono mtupu haulambwi'so how can you expect to be given food yet you have brought nothing!This is what provokes women.

Now instead of this wife pampering her husband with food he hasn't worked for,she gets worked up and picks a 'mwiko' and feeds him with it.It will be too unfortunate for the husband because he will definately add into the list of battered men.

On the other side,some ladies are known to take advantage of their high financial status,to harass their men.In other words,if a wife earns more than her husband,then that's a reason for her to intimidate her husband.Now,to some extent,this is men's fault.You need to pull up your socks and work hard so that your earnings rise above your wife's.Again men who have failed in their responsibility as providers,should up their game,otherwise wives will continue unleashing their wrath on you.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS SNEAKED INTO THE MEN'S TERRITORY

You will agree with me that times are really changing.As technological advances continue rising,societal values and beliefs are also changing at an unprecedented rate.

Just a few decads ago,in both the traditional and modern societies,the male gender was known to be superior over the female gender.Nowadays,the trend is changing,women have started having a say in the society.

Women,especially those in a marriage relationship,were expected and still expected to be submissive to their men no matter what.A woman is expected to hide under the table at the thunder of her husband's voice.Women suffered thourough beatings from their husbands for a slight mistake,but as I said earlier,things are changing.

It's now clear that some if not majority of men are losing touch in their marriages.In other words ,these men no longer have a say instead the wives are the ones who decide on issues and even issue orders and even subject their husbands to violence if they don't abide by the set rule.

Funny enough,some men have suffered in the hands of their wives to an extent that organisations such as Maendeleo ya Wanaume ahve been formed to compliment Maendeleo ya Wanawake,so as to advocate for men's rights.

Maendeleo ya Wanaume recently released a shocking figure of 1.5 million men in Kenya experiencing domestic violence.Another gentleman narrated in a Nation newspaper,how he suffered as a result of his violent wife to a point where he was kicked out of his own house.

Men need to seriously do something to have their reputation back in their relationship and eventually get themselves out of this quagmire.