Makhan Singh Trade Unionist and Freedom fighter

As Kenya joins the rest of the world in celebrating the annual Labour Day tomorrow, we can’t afford forgetting the contributions of Kenyan Trade Unionists who fought for the interest of workers in the country. Trade unions played a great role in the struggle for the Independence of Kenya and breeding of nationalistic leaders like the late Tom Mboya.

Singh was born in province of Punjab, India in 27 December 1913 and was in the frontline of introducing the force of trade unionism in the country. In 1927, at the age 13, he moved with his family to Nairobi and he joined the present-day Jamhuri High School.

Aberdeen Shikhoyi R.I.P

Saturday, Kenya lost the 15’ women’s rugby (Kenya Lioness) captain to a serious spinal cord injury sustained during the first leg of the Women’s Elgon Cup clash against Uganda, which took place on April 21, 2012 in Kampala.

Image source: michezoafrika.com

In conformity with fans present at the match, Shikhoyi misery started with an opponent knee hitting her spine in a tackle and a later step on her neck. She was immediately airlifted to Nairobi for critical medical care.

She has been undergoing treatment at the Nairobi Hospital, until Saturday night when she was pronounced dead. Saturdays Elgon Cup return leg match win (15-3, agg. 21-18) was dedicated to her quick recovery, unfortunately hours later, her teammates and the rugby fraternity was met with the sad news.

Shikhoyi has been with the national team for years and has won the Elgon Cup twice. She has also captained the 7’s women's team and her club, Mwamba Invaders.

Naushad N. Merali CBS

The leading Kenya Industrialist was born in 2 January 1951, Nairobi County. He’s behind the successful Sameer Group of Companies (SGC), a conglomerate of companies with huge investments in all sectors of the economy. The company engages in agriculture (Sasini Tea and Coffee Ltd), energy, construction, transport (Sameer Africa Ltd), financial services (Commercial Bank of Africa), Export Processing Zone (EPZ), and information technology (Kenya Data Networks).

WinCatherine Nyambura Ndereba

‘Catherine the Great’

Born July 21, 1972 in Gatunganga, Nyeri County she was arguably the best female marathoner in the
world. Her dominance in the women marathon races is clear having won 2 marathons at the World
Championships in Athletics, 2 silver medals in the Olympics and 4 wins in the Boston Marathon. Her
personal best being 2:18:47 in the Chicago Marathon in 2001.

Catherine Ndereba at the Beijing Olympics

Frank Odoi ‘Fran’

Born in Ghana and later settled in Kenya in the 70’s, he was one of Africa’s leading comic artists. He shares in the honour of fellow renowned cartoonist such as Paul Kalemba (MADDO), Godfrey Mwampebwa (GADO), and James Kamawira (KHAM). He became popular because of Akokhan, the comic strip that is published every Saturday.

Image source: Bunimedia.com

 “Where grass has grown, grass will grow”

A phrase repeated in the Akokhan story

Frank’s work consisted of political satire, fantasy comics, caricatures, civil education illustrations, and children’s comics. His work was widely published in numerous newspapers in East Africa and beyond such as the Daily Nation, East African Standard (Kenya), Kenya Times, Vision (Uganda) Ugandan Monitor, Daily Graphic (Ghana), Noticias (Mozambique), Helsingen Sonamat (Finland),and Dejembe Dapanda (Denmark) . He was also featured on BBC Radio and BBC Focus on Africa magazine.

Other notable works to his name include:

The “Golgoti: The development of underdevelopment” series that was published in newspapers in Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania (1995).

“I will be back shortly” (2001)

“Laban”, a comic on Samburu warrior with HIV who has Faith on getting involved with a girl who moves to town.

“I see everything”

“Akokhan, More Than a Comic Story”, another book he authored.

In 1991, he met with Leif Packalen in Nairobi, a member of the World Comics Finland. In 1998, he co-authored “Comics with an Attitude,” a book published by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Grab a copy of the book Here "Comics with an Attitude"

He was the chairperson of KATUNI, the Kenya Association of Cartoonists and director of Four Dimension Innovative and Buni Ltd. Frank has been voted Kenya’s Cartoonist of the year in 1985, 1986 and 2004. He was also awarded The Witty Pen Award from the Arctic Comics Society in Finland. He also had a “Best Cartoonist Award” from former President Moi.

He passed away aged 64 in a road accident on Jogoo Road yesterday.

Dr. Margaret Atieno Ogola

Born June 2, 1958 the award winning author, human rights advocate, and medical doctor was a true
Kenyan heroine who was backed by faith and medical expertise to make the life of many poor and ailing
Kenyans bearable. From her writing prowess to her commitment to help the victims of HIV/AIDS, Dr.
Ogola was an angel sent to many.

She joined Thompson’s Falls High School, where she was the best O-level student and got a place
at Alliance Girls High School for her A-levels. In 1984, she attended the University of Nairobi for her
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and in 1990; she earned her Master of Medicine in Paediatrics. In
2004, she took a Post Graduate Diploma on Planning and Management of Development Projects at the
Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

She had written three novels, a biography, and a handbook for parents. They include:

‘The River and the Source’ that has been set book for the Kenya Certificate of Secretary Education (KSCE)
it illustrates the change in life of 4 generations of Kenyan women.

‘I Swear by Apollo’, a sequel that revolves around medical ethics and issue on authentic identity.

‘Place of Destiny’ won the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature (2007). The book is a semi-autobiography
narrating a story of a woman dying of cancer and identity of a street child.

‘Educating in Human Love: Parents Guiding Children on Sex’

In 1997, she co-authored with Margret Roche a biography on Cardinal Maurice Otunga, ‘Life of Grace’.

She had worked as a consultant Paeditrician at Kenyatta National Hospital up to 1994. She then became
the Medical Director of Cottolengo Hospice, a hospice for HIV and AIDS orphans.

1994 – 1998 She was Executive Director of the Family Life Counseling Association of Kenya (FLACK).

In 1995, ‘The River and the Source’ won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for the best book, African
region. The same year it won the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature.

1998 – 2002 She was National Executive Secretary of the Commission for Health and Family Life for the
Catholic Bishops Conference.

In 1999 in Geneva, she received the Familias Award for Humanitarian Service of the World Congress of
Families.

In 2002, she became the Kenya coordinator of Hope for African Children Initiative (HACI), these
assembled NGOs like World Vision, Care, and Save the Children among others.

In 2004, she was part of those who set up the SOS HIV/AIDS Clinic on that served the slum dwellers of
Nairobi living with Aids.

Dr. Ogola has also been a director of Institute of Healthcare Management at the Strathmore Business
School (2009-2010). She was an advisor of family and health issues to the Kenyan Catholic bishops, and a
member of Opus Dei.

She had a long battle with cancer before dying on 22 September 2011 R.I.P.

The London Job

Yet again Kenyan athletes had an impressive performance in the London Marathon on Sunday.

Mary Keitany defended her title in record time of 2:18:36 beating the two-time IAAF World
Championships in Athletics Catherine Ndereba’s record of 2:18:47 in the half marathon. Edna Kiplagat
came second in 2:19:50, Priscah Jeptoo in 2:20:14 while the Chicago champion Florence Kiplagat clocked
2:20:57.

Wilson Kipsang makes it to the finish-line

Wilson Kipsang won the Men’s race in 2:04:44. Martin Lel, the three-time winner came second
in 2:06:51 to beat Ethiopia’s Tsegay Kebede in a second. World record holder, Patrick Makau and
defending champion, Emmanuel Mutai couldn’t finish the race.

Dr. Arthur Moody Awori “Uncle Moody” EBS

Born 5 December 1927 in Butere, Kakamega County. He was the 9^th Vice President of Kenya from 25 September 2003 to 9 January 2008. Uncle Moody is a marriage counselor, businessman and a philanthropist.

Hilary Boniface Ng’weno

He was born on June 28th , 1938 in Nairobi County. Ng’weno attended Mangu High School before leaving for Harvard University in the US where he became the first Kenyan to attend the prestigious institution. After finishing in 1961, he returned to Harvard as the first African fellow of the Harvard Center for International Affairs (1968-1969). 

Image Source: kenyahistory.co.ke

The Harvard graduate is a nuclear scientist and a retired journalist. However, journalism is what defines him, being one of Kenya’s most respected journalists. After graduating from Harvard with a degree in nuclear physics, he came back home to pursue journalism and became a reporter for Daily Nation. Within a short period of 9 months, he was appointed the first African editor-in-chief (1964-65).

After resigning from Nation, he went to work on his publications that included The Weekly Review, Kenya’s longest running political magazine (1975-1999) and The Nairobi Times (1977-1983). In 1883, he sold The Nairobi Times and was renamed The Kenya Times. After 24 years of ensuring The Weekly Review remained in print for its avid readers, he moved to television launching a TV station, STV. His time in TV production has seen him produce many TV programmes such as ‘The Making of a Nation’.  

Other Credentials to his name:

Member of the Board of Trustees of the National Museums of Kenya (1964-68)

Chairman of the Kenya Museum Society (1967-68)

Chairman of Kenya Wildlife Service (1990-93)

Trustee of World Wide Fund for Nature (1993-97)

Member of the Council of African Advisers to the World Bank (1991-94)

Chairman of the Kenya Revenue Authority (1995-97)

Member of Presidential Economic Commission (1996-99)

Member of the Population Advisory Committee of the MacArthur Foundation (1991-97)

Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Rockefeller Foundation’s African Forum for Children’s Literacy in Science and Technology (1994-97)

Books authored by Ng’weno:

‘The Men From Pretoria’ (1977)

‘The Day Kenyatta Died: Ngweno’ (1978)

Magazines he published:

‘Joe’ the full of humour magazine (together with artist Terry Hirst and Oscar Festus)

TV productions:

‘Makers of a Nation’, which won the Best TV Script: Hillary Ng’weno at the Kalasha Awards 2010

‘The Making of a Nation: Kenya’s Political History 1957-2007’, a 14 half-hour documentary based on the political course of Kenya from pre-1963 to 2007

‘Kenya’s Darkest Hour’

In 1968, he was awarded the John D. Rockefeller III Award.

Ms Ikal Angelei, the Turkana Activist Honoured

The 31-year-old program coordinator for Friends of Lake Turkana (FoLT), yesterday became the third Kenyan to win the 2012 Goldman Environmental Prize at an occasion held at the White House. This was in recognition of her unflagging efforts to stop the plans to construct the Gibe 3 Dam in Omo River, Ethiopia that would adversely affect Lake Turkana.

The Omo River project that is mainly funded by China, is expected to be Africa’s largest hydroelectric power plant. However, its consequences are dire to the existence of Lake Turkana a World Heritage Site, since Omo River sources 90 per cent of the lake’s water.

The Prize comes with an award of $150,000, which she has said will be a big support to her efforts. Philanthropist Richard N Goldman and her wife Rhoda H Goldman established the Goldman Environmental Prize in 1990 to reward grassroots environmental activist.

Other distinguished Kenyans who have had their hands on the prestigious prize are the Late Prof. Wangari Maathai (1991) and Micael Werikhe (1990).

Invitation to Micere Mugo Public Lecture/ Book Launch

Prof. Micere Mugo is today having a public lecture at the University of Nairobi hosted by its Department of Literature & African Women Studies.

Micere will also be launching her book: ‘From the Heart of my Mind – The Story of our Journey’. It will start at 2pm in the MPH (8-4-4 building), University of Nairobi.

In attendance will be Hon. Martha Karua (Member of Parliament for Gichugu Constituency).

Boston was all Kenyan

Yet again Kenya proved its dominance in the 116th Boston Marathon (the oldest marathon in the world) on Monday, sweeping all the podium places.

In the men’s race, Wesley Korir came first in 2:12:40, while his compatriot Levy Matebo second in 2:13:06 and Bernard Kipyego close third in a time of 2:13:13.

In the women’s race, Sharon Cherop led the pack in an emphatic time of 2:31:50 Jemima Chelgat came close second in 2:31:53, while third-place went to Georgina Rono in 2:33:09. 

However, it wasn’t all merry for defending champion Geoffrey Mutai who dropped out after 30km due to cramps and Caroline Kilel who seeking to defend her crown, tangled with a water volunteer.

This exemplary performance will boost the preparations for the London 2012 Olympics.

Photojournalist: Mohammed ‘Mo’ Amin MBE

In the wake of blossoming Kenyan photojournalists like Michael Muite and Boniface Mwangi [the first Kenyan to be named CNN Africa Photojournalist of the year (2008)], one man left an indelible mark in the world of photojournalism. Mo paved way for this form of journalism in the country having been a great TV news cameraman and his coverage of the Ethiopian Famine along with BBC reporter, Michael Buerk.

Courtesy of Mohammed Amin Foundation

Born on 29 August 1943 in Eastleigh, Nairobi; Mo will always be remembered as the most decorated news cameraman of all time. Incredibly, at age 13 he was contributing for the then Tanganyika Standard newspaper and covering the East African Safari Rally. A few years later, his work was featuring in international newspapers that include the likes of Reuters, BBC, and Visnews.

Incredible Kenyan Athletes

Sunday 15th March 2012 marked the day when Kenyan athletes yet again made Kenya proud with an awe-inspiring performance all over the world.

Stanley Biwott became the Paris marathon record holder after clocking 2hrs 05min 12sec in the men’s Paris marathon. Vincent Kipruto held the previous record with a time of 2hrs 05min 47sec.

“I realized early in the race that the pace was very fast. Then I told myself that if I can maintain that speed I can win the race, because nobody would be able to follow me,” Biwott told IAAF.

In Austria, Henry Sugut won the 29th Edition of the Vienna City Marathon in a record 2:06:58 beating that of World champion Abel Kirui. Gilbert Yegon, John Kiprotich, Gilbert Kirwa and Willy Kibor followed respectively.

Moses Mosop (Chicago Marathon winner and world record holder of 30,000m) came third in 32nd ABN Amro Rotterdam Marathon in 2:05.02 even after competing with a calf injury.

In Italy, Daniel Kiprugut (2:08:39) and Irene Kosgei Jerotich won the Milan Marathon after braving the rain. Nickson Kurgat came second.

In Japan, they made history at the Nagano Marathon; Francis Kibiwott won the men’s race clocking 2:09:05 beating the previous record set by two-time Olympic medalist Eric Wanaina of 2:10:17. Fellow compatriots, Silas Sang (2:09:10) and Moses Kangogo (2:10:53) followed for the podium finish. In the women’s race, Pauline Wangui clinched victory in 2:34:22. Rose Nyangacha came third in 2:36:18.

Adapted from IAAF and AFP reports

Prof. Micere Githae Mugo

She was rewarded yesterday at University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with Distinguished Nyerere Lecturer 2012. Micere is a playwright, author, poet, literal critic, activist and instructor born in 1942, Baricho in Kirinyaga County.

She attended Alliance Girls High School before leaving for Makerere University for her B.A and later the University of New Brunswick for her M.A. In 1978, she gained her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and returned home to lecture at the University of Nairobi where she became the first female faculty dean in Kenya.

Arch. Joel Elija Dolfus Nyaseme

A prominent figure in the architectural profession in Kenya, he  was once the chairperson of the Architectural Association of Kenya and the Board of Registration for Architects and Quantity Surveyors.

He founded Joel E.D. Nyaseme & Associates in 1983 as a sole proprietor and has grown to a world-class firm offering architectural services in Kenya and beyond.

He is credited with design of National Social Security Fund (NSSF) general headquarters along Valley Road. He was also the provincial chairperson (Nyanza) of New Democrats party and once a patron of Gor Mahia (K’Ogalo) football club.

He passed away on 4^th February 2012. R.I.P

E-Sir Issah Mmari

Speak of the illest rapper to ever come from East Africa; E-sir was indeed the best at what he did. Born on 28 May 1981, California Estate and brought up in South C Estate, Nairobi County. His style of rap and lyrical Swahili style reached out the youth and even the young-at-heart. Simply, E-Sir was Hip-hop at its best.

Dr. Kipchoge Arap Kieno (Kip)

Born on 17 January 1940 at Kipsamo in Nandi County, many regard him as the founding father of Kenyan athletics. The two-time Olympic gold medalist also adds 2 Olympic silver medals, 3 gold and 1 bronze medals in the Commonwealth games in his decorated sporting career. 

“When you stand on the victory stand, you must be able to ask yourself: ‘Did I win this medal?’”

A quote from Keino

Industrialist and Philanthropist: Dr Manu Chandaria OBE EBS (Manilal Premchand Chandaria)

A man born on March 1, 1929 is defined by his business acumen and the urge to give back to the society. Through the joint family business that spans over 45 countries with interest in almost all-household commodities production, he’s truly a Captain of Industry. He’s chairman of the lucrative Comcraft Group which is a business that over 50 years grown to a $ 2.5 billion business empire.

After attending elementary and secondary school in Mombasa, he left for India. He started his engineering profession in Jamnagar India University, Bombay BSc 1949 before leaving for Oklahoma for BSc and masters in 1950. He has served as director of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd and chairperson of Kenya Association of Manufacturers.

“Every day is a celebration. Now, you must believe in it. You cannot be believing in it and then you could be mourning. So I think that’s a philosophy.”

A quote from Manu Chandaria

He’s on the Boards of:

Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd Kaluworks Ltd Aluminum Africa Ltd (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)

Uganda Baati Ltd (Kampala, Uganda)

He also sits on the Boards of:

Bank of India Advisory Committee in Nairobi (Chairman) Kenindia Assurance Co Ltd (Vice-Chair)

East Africa Reinsurance Co Ltd (Vice-Chair) University of Nairobi Enterprises and Services Ltd

He’s credited with the founding of:

East African Business Council Kenya Private Sector Alliance

The Chandaria Business Innovation and Incubation Center (Kenyatta University)

Apart from his service and success in the private sector, Manu has also been an eminent figure in serving the country through the many government appointments he has had. Some of his appointments include:

Trustee & Chairman of the Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund

Member of the National Economics & Social Council Member of the Police Reforms Task Force

Member of the Environment Policy National Steering Committee

Member of the Capital Markets Authority Board Member of the Insurance Advisory Board

Member of National Disaster Emergency Fund Committee (This was after the 1998 Bombing)

If there is a businessperson whose name is synonymous to both charity and philanthropy, it is Manu Chandaria. His philanthropy work in Kenya and Asia has great resemblance to that of the Rockefeller Foundation. He is the chairman of the Chandaria Foundation, the family foundation with interest in Education and Health which started in 1952. Other Charitable works include:

Asian Foundation (Founding chair) Starehe Girls Centre (Chair) Limuru Girls Centre (Chair)

Kenya Ear Foundation (Chair) The Heart Foundation (Trustee) Rotary Club of Nairobi (Past Chair)

Goodwill Ambassador (Word Wildlife Fund (WWF)) Pan African Parliament (Trustee)

Undungu Society of Kenya (Trustee) Watoto Kwanza Trust (Founding Chair and trustee)

Global School Business Network (GSBN) (Advisor) World Jain Confederation (Trustee)

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with OBE (Order of the British Empire) honoured him in 2003. In the same year, His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki also awarded him with EBS (Elder of the Burning Spear). He also has many honours, notably a record three-year in a row most respected CEO in East Africa (2000, 2001, and 2002), Jawaharlal Nehru Excellence Award (1989), and Lifetime Achievement Award in Delhi India (2008).

R.I.P David Namu EBS

Born in Embu County, he graduated from the University of East Africa, Dar es Salaam with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics and History. He served in the Office of the president as an auditor and a Permanent Secretary in the ministries of Livestock Development, Agriculture and Livestock Development, Tourism and Wildlife, and Commerce and Industry. He was also appointed as Chairman of the State Corporations Advisory Committee in 2003. He was also in the Board of Trustees of Inoreero University.

Namu was the first Principal Administrative Secretary in Kenya.

He died two weeks ago.

Prof. Julius Samson Meme

He was born on 12 September 1945 in Meru County. He went to Meru School before joining the highly reputed Alliance High School to finish his two years of high school. Afterwards he acquired his MB ChB M.Med (Paed) from the University of Nairobi and F.A.A.P, the American Academy of Paediatrics.

His Eminence: Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga

He was born in Chebukwa, Kakamega County on January 31, 1923. He served as a cardinal and Archbishop emeritus of Nairobi and Military Ordinary emeritus for Kenya.

 

A former alumnus of Mangu High School, he acquired training from the Kakamega seminary and studied theology at Propaganda Fide College. He was ordained a priest in 1950 at the Pontifical Urban University.

R.I.P Mary Onyango

The vice chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) passed away at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, Saturday. 

She was the breast cancer ambassador, having battled with the cancer for 13 years she has been hope to many Kenyans. She founded the Kenyan Breast Health Programme, which has created awareness on breast cancer in the country.

 

“You are not finished when you lose, you are finished when you quit.”

This was her brilliant mantra that will remain among us.

Mary Onyango, the strong-willed heroine who ensured cancer patients kept smiling through the pain.