Prolific: Ngugi wa Thiong’o

Born in 1938 in Kamiriithu, Kiambu County in Central Kenya, Thiong’o is arguably the greatest writer in Kenyan History. His official website simply describes his profile as literary and social activist. Renowned for both his English and Gikuyu works, many have compared him to the likes of Nigerian Wole Soyinka. 

Thiong'o

He joined the prestigious Alliance High school in 1954, fulfilling his childhood dream and later acquired his B.A in English from Makerere University. Ngugi also attended the University of Leeds in England on a British Council scholarship. While still at varsity, he authored many books including the popular ‘Weep Not Child’ and ‘The River Between’, which were his first and second novels in his library.

“Don’t worry about me. Everything will be all right. Get education, I’ll get carpentry. Then we shall, in the future, be able to have a new and better home for the whole family.”

A quote from ‘Weep Not, Child’

His political activism and criticism of the regime of the day landed him into trouble and was detained at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. While at Kamiti, he wrote a novel in Gikuyu, ‘Devil on the Cross.’ His publications and theatre performances were also not spared, with most being banned. This forced him to go into exile in US.

He currently serves as a professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine. He has also been a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, New York University and Yale University. Here is some of his renowned works:

‘The Black Hermit’, ‘Weep Not, Child’, ‘The River Between’, ‘A Grain of Wheat’, ‘Homecoming’, ‘The trial of Dedan Kimathi’, ‘Petals of Blood’, ‘Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature’, ‘Njambe Nene and the Flying Bus’ and ‘Wizard of the Crow’

Over the years, he has received numerous awards and seven Honorary Doctorates. These awards include, the Medal of the Presidency of the Italian Cabinet, 2001 Nonino International Prize for Literature.

His success in literature is evident everywhere and many are awaiting his Nobel Prize in Literature award.

Veteran broadcaster: Leonard Mambo Mbotela

Born in Frere town in Mombasa, he has been in the media scene for more than 40 years. He served as a broadcaster of KBC radio (Idhaa ya Taifa) and had a long running show, Je huu ni Ungwana which was first aired in 1966. The show had its core focus on common courtesy and ethics among Kenyans and ensured everyone remained glued to the TV screen.

Kenya’s Hunt for the Black Gold

Tullow Oil Plc has discovered oil in Turkana County; this was made known to the nation by the president’s announcement yesterday. The Energy minister, Kiraitu Murungi during his press conference at Nyayo House also affirmed the discovery and added that the oil deposits would be bigger than Uganda’s. The oil was discovered in Ngamia-1 well, at a depth of 846 – 1041 metres after three years of exploration. The London-based Tullow Oil is the same company that discovered oil in Uganda and has pointed out that the oil has properties to the Ugandan light waxy crude.

Rugby Sevens: IRB Hong Kong

Kudos! To our rugby sevens for their remarkable display in the IRB World Sevens circuit and Sunday’s Bowl victory at the Hong Kong Sevens. The team led by their captain, Humphrey Kayange and his teammate William Ambaka ensured the score line was 14 – 12 against USA. Kenya is now in the top ten with a total of 34 points as they go to the Tokyo Sevens next weekend.

Funky Kenya: Keep humming

 Funky times

Kelly Brown aka Cally the Bushman
Image source: ketebulmusic.org

The sixties and seventies marked the era of the funk in Kenya and all over, fans had a lot to celebrate on each day. Starting with the likes of Hodi Boys and the incessant beats of Cally the Bushman this age was never to be forgotten. Saturday’s traffic headed to the Former Starlight Club and 1900 Bonanza before it was rebranded to New Florida Club, Nairobi and Small World Club in Athi River.

The King of Funk, James Brown and George Clinton prevailed in the world but the Kenyan phenoms also made everyone get down back at home. The frenzy was led by the Hodi Boys, formed in the 60’s by Geoffrey Ngao, Henry Nbagho and Nick Kim. The Hodi Boys was the band that propelled the famous Slim Ali career to the Funk music domain.

Ali, born in Mombasa in 1947 started his music career while still at Hamisi Secondary School and before joining Hodi Boys he was part of Kitale Hotel Band and the Tusker Band. Slim Ali will always be remembered for his best-selling records; “You can do it.” and “Sweet mother” released in 77 and 78.

Show Business of the 70s was Sal Davies; born in Mombasa as Salim Abdullah Salim he aroused the funk mood with hits such as “Unchain my heart” and “Makini”. Salim studied in London and once filled in for a Belgian Cabaret singer which acted as a push to the big stage. Bonanza (Madhouse) was his home to the extent of having the club being identified as Sal Davies Night Spot.

Another great of those times was Kelly Brown, popularly known as Cally the Bushman. Also a child of Mombasa, he brought the German pop to funk. His style, tight trousers, and afro would be easily mistaken to that of James Brown. His song “Higher” was a great hit and went to sell in Germany after he settled in Berlin.

Other prominent bands and personalities included:

The cavaliers

The Viking Band at the coast

African Heritage Band which fused jazz, reggae, and funk.

Steele Mnyapara Beauttah, Mombasa who pioneered the Air Fiesta Matata band.

Ismael Jingo, Gloria Africana Band also born in Mombasa with his English style of Chakachaka fever.

Fadhili Williams "Mdawida" of the famous song “Malaika”

Makonde of Terso Stephanou, the Kenyan-Geek with their hit “Mola Where are You”.

Gratitude to all radio presenters; Kazungu Katana, Abdul Haq and Nicola Miyawa who ensured that homegrown funk had enough airtime.

Sources: “Retracing Kenya’s Funky Hits” the 3^rd in the series of projects of Ketebul Music, the documentary is narrated by John Sibi-Okumu

5 Years of Excellence

 Virtual Money

Two weeks ago Safaricom marked 5 years since the inception of its premier product, M-Pesa. M-Pesa, the brainchild of a Kenyan has revolutionised mobile-banking in Kenya and worldwide. Earlier meant for the large portion of the unbanked population, it started with 20,000 subscribers and now boasts of more than 15 million users. True to the fact that everyone uses M-Pesa, last year it moved  Sh727 billion according to reports by the Central Bank.
From small businesses to large ones Safaricom has been a pillar to rely on, clearly indicated by more than 700 businesses having integrated it to their systems.

Prof. Ali Al’amin Mazrui

Dr. Mazrui 1998

Born in the 1933 in Mombasa and graduated from Manchester University with Distinction, he is arguably Kenya’s most feted scholar and historian. As the Kenyan Coast celebrates one of its great, the rest of the nation observes his immense contribution to education and political science.

Batsman: Tom Jones Tikolo

Tikolo

Maasai warriors who turned down spears for bats
source: kenyasafaris.wordpress.com

The incredible Sachin Tendulkar of India rocked the entire world yesterday when he scored his 100^th international century in the Asian Cup. For those who are not into cricket a century is attained when a batsman scores 100 or more runs in an inning. As the world all over celebrated the Legend Sachin Tendulkar, here at Daily Kenya we were deep through a list of remarkable Kenyan cricketers and settled on one.

Tom Tikolo, the man from Kakamega who captained Kenya in 22 ICC Trophy (Now ICC World Cup Qualifier) games. The right-handed batman was instrumental in the buildup and success of the national team having led it to their first ICC trophy final in 1994. He will also be remembered for having scored 79 in a single inning and being the first black Kenyan to ever play for the national cricket team.

After retiring from his playing career, he got involved in developing cricket in the country. Later in 2005, he became the CEO of Cricket Kenya. His brother, Steve Ogonji Tikolo and David Tikolo are also great personalities in the world of cricket.

Kenyan cricket is not complete without the mention of Maurice Odumbe, another Kenyan whose name is inscribed in Cricket greats with the most runs (1173). 

Sir Geoffrey William Griffin

Kenyan Educationist

Born in 1933 in Eldoret, Kenya Griffin was inspired by the idea of a model academic institution where destitute boys could acquire education. In 1959 together with the late Geoffrey Gatama Geturo and Joseph Kamiru Gikubu they founded the Starehe Boy’s Centre. Starehe, which started from 2 tin huts accommodating 17 orphans grew to be a Premier school in the country and Africa at large, offering free education to about 1000 orphans.

Top 40 Kenyan Men under 40

I have been literary studying a publication of the Business Daily on impressive young Kenyans driving the business world and had to share it.

The list contains names of young business leaders of prominent companies including James Mworia the CEO of Centum, Dr. Gachao Kiuna CEO Trancentury, Kamal Budhabhatti CEO Craft silicon, Gerald Wamalwa MD Mellech Engineering, Martin Khafafa GM Radio Africa Group among others.

Grab the free copy here Top Forty

Source: www.businessdailyafrica.com

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We have received numerous requests for the Top 40 Under 40 Men 2012 and we take this opportunity to inform our readers that the list will be out later this year. 

The Top 40 Under 40 is an initiative of Business Daily that seeks to lists Kenyan Business Personalities and Leaders based on their performance, ingenuity and durability in the positions they hold.  

However, the list of Top 40 Under 40 Women 2012 was released in June and has remarkable Kenyan women including Kenya Airways' Captain Irene Koki Mutungi, Angela Waki senior partner at Coulson Harney Advocates, InMobi's Africa VP Isis Nyong'o, Radio Africa presenter Caroline Mutoko and BAT East Africa Financial Controller Sophia Mukoba.
The list is available here Top 40 Kenyan Women 
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The list is finally out follow this link http://dailykenya.blogspot.com/2013/01/kenyas-2012-top-40-under-40-men.html 

Kenyan inventor Erik Kariuki

Erik Kariuki

image source: www.in2eastafrica.net

Erik Kariuki, a father-of –three has joined the list of Kenyan inventors. Karuiki who is based in Bedfordshire, UK combined a hamster cage with a fish tank and now pet companies are making calls to cash in. He came up with this idea when he visited a restaurant, built under water in Dubai. The cage/tank, as he likes to refer to it, literally is designed in a way that a pet can have a wet-free aquatic view of the fish. Kariuki turned down a $1.2 million(Sh98millon) from a US company and is vindicated that his idea would yield more. Hope to see one in a shop nearby.

Other Inventions by Kenyans include:

Crime-Deterring Alarm, which is an alarm that fits onto the back of a TV set or an appliance at home. It is then set off with detection of movement and can sound for up to 8 hours.

Solar-Powered Refrigerator, a portable refrigerator is expected to be used in rural homes without electricity.

Charcoal Stove ‘Solar Jiko’, invention credited to George Kabiru is used to making cooking easier for homes without electricity by harnessing solar power.

These are just a handful of inventions from Kenya.

Jelimo is Back

Pamela Jelimo is back to form after a low display in the past 4 years. She led other Kenyan athletes in the 800 metres winning at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Turkey. Jelimo timed 1min: 58.83sec proudly taking home gold marking her return after injury.
Hellen Onsando Obiri also stunned Ethiopian Meseret Defar (she held the 3000m title four consecutive times) in 8min: 37.16 sec.

Nairobi Attacked Again

Kenya is mourning the death of 6 people who lost their lives in a grenade attack at OTC bus terminus, downtown Nairobi. The attack which has been blamed on the Islamist Shabaab militia also wounded 63, according to a report from the Interior Minister George Saitoti. Those injured are undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.

This is the second attack at the same place after that of 24 Oct 2011 and the deadliest since the August 1998 bombing of the US embassy that claimed 213 people and wounded 5000.

Kenya’s Heroine: Tegla Chepkite Loroupe

The Marathon Queen

Yesterday Kenyans joined the rest of the world to mark the International Women’s Day. We are all proud of our mothers, sisters, and daughters who make this nation great. This inspired me to write about one heroine who has changed the lives of many Kenyans and brought glory to Kenya. Tegla Loroupe the jewel born in Kutomwony, West Pokot and glittered every part of the world she stepped. Her success as an athlete has been remarkable dating back to 1994 and has held numerous world records.

 Loroupe in the London Marathon

Loroupe committed herself to bring peace among the conflicting communities of Karamojang, Sebei, Pokot, Marakwet and Turkana with her Peace Foundation. The Foundation organizes sports events such as the famous annual Tegla Loroupe Peace Race. The Peace race has not only fostered peace in the area but has been a breeding ground for future Kenya athletes. Loroupe has also been championing for the rights of women and girls and has a school which is still under construction. The school, Tegla Loroupe Peace Academy is expected to admit orphans affected by the violence in cattle-rustling areas of Southern Sudan, North-west Kenya, and Eastern Uganda.

Loroupe has many honors to her illustrative including being the first African woman to win the New York marathon and holds 20, 25, and 30 kilometers world records. Loroupe has also served in capacity of a United Nations Ambassador of Sport.

Madatally Manji

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The Biscuit Baron

The proverbial rags-to-riches story fits best on the story of Madatally Manji. His rise from nothing to driving a big enterprise is similar to that of the late Njenga Karume. Manji built a business from scratch and turned it into a market leader. The business started as a small bakery in Ngara and grew to House of Manji, a household name in Kenya. His business, House of Manji has over the past 50 years supplied high quality and delicious biscuits. (House of Manji was acquired by F.I. Holding- House of Dawda Group in 2002)

Manji had an inspiring autobiography titled ‘Mandatally Manji; Memoirs of a Biscuit Baron’ which you can grab a Copy here

Mandatally Manji passed on quietly on 9^th September 2006 and will always be remembered as a great businessman.

May your souls R.I.P

Loss to Kenya

Kenya is mourning the deaths of 10 children of Mungeti and Marakaru primary school who were killed in a tragic road accident in Bungoma County. The Children who were in jubilations after a school’s sport competition were hit by a lorry ferrying grocery. 38 of the other pupils are admitted in various hospitals.

There will be a requiem mass on Saturday at Mungeti primary school to lay the 10 to rest.

Wanjiku Week

In celebration of the Wanjiku Phenomenal 5 days have been set aside at the Allaince Francaise Gallery. The exhibition will run from 8th March to the 13th.

Mwananchi: Wanjiku

 Wanjiku

No one knows her real name or what she looks like but everyone understood that what she wanted was a new constitution and a better future for Kenya. What Kenyans will not forget is how the political battles have been waged in her name.

Wanjiku is a feminine Kikuyu name that is used to symbolize the ordinary person in Kenyan politics. Wanjiku was coined by the former president Daniel T. Arap Moi in dismissal of calls for a new constitution. He said, “Do you think Wanjiku Understands what is a constitution?” Since then the name has continued to be used and eminently in caricature.

Megaproject: Lapsset Corridor

Lapsset Corridor

The Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport Corridor (Lapsset) is a transport and economic development corridor that on completion will serve the three countries. The project will be launched tomorrow in Lamu town in a celebration marked by three heads of state; President Kibaki, President Silva Kiir and Meles Zenawi. The project will have these:

A port at Manda Bay in Lamu

A 1710km railway line from the port to Juba

An 880km highway

Oil refinery at Bargoni (Kenyan Coast)

A 2240km Oil pipeline

3 Airports (One in Isiolo)

3 resort cities  More

The infrastructural undertaking is estimated to cost 2 trillion Kenyan shillings. The Lamu port is expected to triple the operation of Mombasa on its completion.