Safaricom Files Complaint Against Orange Over Their Provocative Ad

Telecommunications giant Safaricom has filed a complaint with the Advertising Standards Body of Kenya against Orange Kenya for their aggressive advertisements.

Orange is being accused of using Safaricom sim cards in their advertisements trying to woe subscribers from the latter. In an advertisement that has been running since January 8, Telecom has been using green simcards to depict expensive rates and their orange simcards to depict less charges. According to an advertising expert who spoke to Business Daily, that type of advertising is shrewd adding that brands should concentrate on advertising their strengths instead of their competitors weaknesses.

“In a fairly conservative culture like Kenya’s, one would rather speak more about their brands than focus on the competitor’s weaknesses,” he said.

Telecom has defended themselves saying that the advert does not target any mobile service providers. CEO Mickael Ghossein told the newspaper that the advert provides a platform for customers to choose the best rates among the service providers.

“In the advert our key message is for the consumer to make a decision by comparing our tariffs with what our rivals are charging and we not targeting Safaricom as they claim. Kenya is a multi SIM card market,” said Mr Ghossein.

Currently, the kenyan laws does not provide for such petitions and thus the decision that the board comes up with has no legal binding. However, the board has the power and influence to compel a brand to withdraw an advertisement. For instance, in 2006, the board directed that all alcohol related advertisements air past 8 pm and that’s the case even today.

Ugandan tabloid publish names of 200 prominent homosexuals

Ugandans beware, there is a list out naming homosexuals and you might just be jailed becaused of it. After Ugandan President signed the anti-gay bill into law, a newspaper in the country The Red Pepper newspaper today published 200 names of prominent gay men and women in Uganda.

Amongst those listed includes a catholic priest, a rap artiste as well as a prominent gay rights activist, Pepe Julien Onziema.

The list which appeared with the title Exposed, has generated great concern as it appears as a way of witch-hunting the gay community in Uganda. The list contained the names of those that were already known to be gay as well as those who have led a private gay life.

This isn’t the first time this will happen in Uganda. In 2011, a list of prominent gays in Uganda was released by a Ugandan tabloid in which the editor asked for them to be Hanged. This unfortunately led to the gruesome murder of one of the country’s gay right activists, David Kato.

FACEBOOK to PULL OUT of Uganda over Museveni Anti-Gay Law!

The Western world continued with varied reactions to Uganda’s signing of anti-gay bill that effectively sends LBGT offenders to a life in prison.

Joining the fray are multi-national social media companies Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp which have threatened to suspend Operations In Uganda due to the Anti-gay law.

Facebook’s chief operations officer, Sheryl Kara Sandberg, has issued a statement that they are reviewing their engagement in Uganda after President Museveni yesterday signed the Anti Gay Bill into law.

“When we launched Facebook, we thought it as a platform to advance people’s rights and liberties of self expression in all form. We were equally shocked to learn that Uganda as a country had gone ahead to sign the Anti Homosexuality bill into a law” reads Facebook’s statement.

“Facebook is currently reviewing its engagement to Uganda, as we seek to come up with a voice to express our dissatisfaction. And of course, suspending our operations in Uganda is one of the options we are considering. In the event that we suspend operations in Uganda, our platforms of Instagram, Facebook and Whatsapp will be off for a time we shall deem necessary,” continues the statement.


“We strongly condemn the act of the Ugandan Government to overstep the rights of a minority. All humans are created equal and deserve a right to freedom and happiness”.

In July last year, Facebook, a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ community in America, had its 700 workers employees, including Mark Zuckerberg, as well as former Super Bowl champion Brendon Ayanbadejo, march in the San Francisco Pride Parade to show their support for the LGBTQ community.

-Kenya Today

Europeans Stop Uganda Aid After Antigay Law

Several European nations said Tuesday they were suspending assistance to Uganda, a day after the country's president signed a law that could see some homosexuals jailed for life.

Norway, Netherlands and Denmark said they would withhold aid to the Ugandan government in protestagainst the "draconian law."

On first conviction for so-called homosexual acts, offenders face a 14-year prison sentence. Subsequent convictions for "aggravated homosexuality," which include homosexual acts committed by an HIV-positive person, could bring a penalty of life in prison.

An official at the Norwegian embassy in Kampala said that the measure would immediately affect at least $8 million in aid to Uganda's legal system. Norway extends more than $64 million to Uganda every year. The bulk of western aid has been going directly to the Ugandan government, which would then earmark it for spending in different departments—notably, health, education and the military.

The Netherlands and Denmark said they would redirect nearly $20 million of aid to Ugandan-based private aid agencies and rights groups. The U.S. and Canada, some of the Uganda's largest donors, said they had started reviewing their relationship with Kampala.

The diplomatic moves represented the first fallout of Uganda's controversial antigay bill. Although the bill is politically popular in Uganda, it could cost the government of President Yoweri Museveni. Western donors give up to $2 billion in aid to the country.

"Regrettably, this discriminatory law will serve as an impediment in our relationship with the Ugandan government," Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said in a statement Tuesday.

One of Uganda's leading daily newspapers, The Red Pepper, published Tuesday a list of what it called the "country's top 200 homosexuals." The daily listed names of people who have previously not identified themselves as homosexuals.

"The newspapers are inciting the public against homosexuals and unfortunately, government cannot protect us," said Kash Jacqueline, a gay activist in Kampala.

In 2011, a Ugandan tabloid published a list of gay people, sparking a spate of attacks against those perceived as gay across the country. A prominent Ugandan gay activist, David Kato, whose name appeared in the tabloid, was later killed in one of the attacks.

Uganda's antigay bill was passed in December, but Mr. Museveni initially declined to sign it into law, saying that he needed more time to study it. He changed his mind earlier this month, shortly after the lawmakers endorsed him to seek a fifth elective term in office.

Analysts say that Mr. Museveni, who seized power in 1986 following a five-year guerrilla war, was looking for ways to shore up his flagging political support. Most young voters have no memory of the 69-year old president as a freedom fighter.

"Museveni may be tempted by a turn to the well-worn tactic of anticolonial populism," wrote Ben Shepherd, an analyst with U.K.-based Chatham House, in a note Tuesday. "In this context, harsh legislation on sexuality is a relatively easy win."

- Wall Street Journal

Former PM Raila Odinga says rushed digital migration anti-people, urges reconsideration

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has criticized the manner in which the migration from analogue television broadcasting to digital is being done saying reason has failed to prevail. “The concerns of key media houses, the very institutions that offer broadcast services, analogue or digital, have been dismissed.

Kenyans are set to celebrate Christmas and possibly New Year in total information darkness, unaware of what is going on not only across the world but also within their own country. This is because reason failed to prevail in the saga of digital migration,” said Raila.

He accused the Jubilee Government of intending to take the country back to the era of information darkness with KBC being the only source of TV news. “It is a new low, in an emerging dangerous and worrying trend of take it or leave it that is becoming the mode of operation of the Jubilee government. The whole issue of digital migration is suspect.

There is an unexplained hurry to proceed with it even after media houses asked for more time,” he said. He termed the move as anti-people, anti-business adding that it smacks of favouritism and corruption. “The government ought to go out of its way to ensure that citizens’ access information from diverse sources at all times. The current action goes against that principle.

It goes against the Constitution. It ought to be reversed if the intention is to serve Kenyans,” he noted. He added: “At stake is not just whether the media houses suffer losses or not. It is the fact that the right to information by the people of Kenya is being disregarded at a very critical period in the history of our country.” Raila questioned the issuance of the digital distribution license to Signet, a subsidiary of the public broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) which was licensed in 2009 and the Pan-Africa Network Group (Kenya) Co. Ltd licensed in 2011. “Why only KBC and one Chinese company were cleared to distribute digital signal needs to be explained.

There is also need to appraise the country on whether these institutions have been up to speed in the task,” he said. The former Premier also termed the publicity by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) on digital migration as wanting noting that many Kenyans are not aware of what the migration is all about, why it is necessary and what they need to do. He reiterated that the Cost of the migration infrastructure and its availability especially in rural areas has not been met.

“Kenyans have not acquired the top boxes they are supposed to have in readiness for migration. The equipment is both unavailable and unaffordable. There are not many Kenyans, especially in rural areas, who will afford the monthly fees of Sh500 to be able to watch TV.

The government must be aware that millions of Kenyans across the country live from hand to mouth and cannot afford to pay for information,” he said. He pointed out that millions of Kenyans are going to be in the information darkness for a prolonged period come March 30, 2014, when migration moves to eight other towns, including Nyeri, Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret and eventually to the whole country come June 2014. The High Court dismissed a petition by the three major media houses-the Standard Group, Nation Media Group and Royal Media Services to have the digital migration postponed until certain critical issues spelt out in the petition are resolved.

Following the ruling the KTN, NTV and Citizen TV have gone off-air while other avenues to resolve the issues are being pursued. “Kenyans appear to be getting punished so that a few businesses and individuals in and out of government can prosper. Information aside, thousands of Kenyans are going to lose jobs because some of the broadcast stations may have to shut down for some time while others downsize operations and staff substantially. All these scenarios are unacceptable and unnecessary,” said Raila.


- The standard

Lady Working At A Biscuits Making Factory Crushed To Death By Machine In Thika

A 25 year old female employee of a biscuit manufacturing company in Thika town was on Wednesday crashed to death by a machine she was operating.

Teresia Nduku Kanini was cleaning the giant machine at a Biscuit manufacturing company when the turbines whisked her and crashed her to death.

Attempts by her colleagues to disengage the machines were futile and they watched helplessly as she was crushed to death by the giant wheels in the incident that happened at around midnight.

Colleagues who sought anonymity for fear of being victimized by the management alleged that the management of Mjengo Limited company usually locks up over 200 night shift workers in the factory to package and load biscuits without any technical person to attend to the machines.
They further alleged that all the main doors are locked from outside making it impossible for the workers to seek external help in case of an emergency.

They said that it took a while for the management to respond to their cry for help when the unfortunate incident happened and by the time the director Raj Malde arrived accompanied by police officers the lady had already died.

Area OCPD Paul Letting confirmed the incident and said that they were liaising with the occupational Health and Safety Officers to verify what caused the unfortunate incident.
The management which mainly comprises Asians and Whitemen at some point threatened to take legal action against the media for using backdoors to access their organization.

It took the intervention of the Company Director Raj Malde who was called from his residence to calm the tempers of the members of the fourth estate. He took the pressmen through the CCTV footage which indicated the movement of the deceased until she met her death.

The footage depicted the young lady getting into a prohibited area to pick some gunny bag when she was whisked by the giant machine which crashed her to death.

The management of the Biscuit manufacturers has agreed to assist in funeral arrangements of the unfortunate worker and will also compensate her family for the untimely loss.
KNA

VIDEO - Moi Avenue Traffic Camera Flashes Endlessly As Drivers Refuse To Stop at The Red Light

In developed countries, drivers are horrified by the sight of a red light camera flashing at them. This is because there's only one thing that follows... a traffic ticket in their mail box. This can be as much as $500.

Nairobi has just seen the installation of red light cameras in the CBD. This has come hand in hand with digital traffic lights with counters.

If you thought the age old habit of jumping the red light would stop, then you're mistaken. Drivers continuing to drive even when the counter is red, at times with just a few seconds to green, is the norm not the exception.
The result is a traffic jam that is not moving. Vehicles from all directions block each other's way all the time.

This video was taken from Moi Avenue. You can see the counter is red, but no one is stopping. The traffic camera flashes endlessly, as it takes the number plates of the vehicles breaking the rules. In this 20 second clip, the camera flashes more than 10 times, translating to more than 10 rogue drivers.

As a result of the madness, the intersection at Imenti House becomes a crowded parking lot.

It remains to be seen when the rogue drivers will start receiving tickets in their mail boxes, but perhaps we'll first have to reinvigorate Posta.

Source: nairobiwire

PHOTOS - The New Look Machakos Stadium Officially Opened

The newly renovated Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos town was officially opened on Saturday, in readiness for the CECAFA tournament.
In the past one month, the stadium has seen new grass planted, metal stands built, and a new dressing room constructed.
Machakos governor Alfred Mutua led the County executive team in beating the County Assembly team 1-0.
Here are some photos from the launch.

First Ever Miraa Party Happening Next Weekend

Sakijo international is organizing the first ever miraa party in Nairobi. The one of a kind event will take place at Tamasha off Langata road, the Star is reporting.

The invite only party will take place on 30th November and it seeks to bring together miraa chewers from various economic backgrounds.

The event will also seek to disapprove the stereotypes associated with miraa chewing.
Among the invited guests are the main players in the miraa industry and other leader.

source: nairobiwire.com

3-Day Holiday Planned from December 11th to 13th to Celebrate 50 Years of Kenya's Independence

The Kenyan government plans to have a 3-day holiday from December 11th to December 13th to celebrate 50 years of independence.

In readiness for the Jubilee celebrations Uhuru Gardens will be closed starting today until December 11th in order to undergo renovations. The national flagwill be hoisted from the park on December 11th at a colorful ceremony symbolizing the attainment of the country's independence.
This will be one of the many Kenya @50celebration events planned for that weekend.

Car Dealership Owned by a Kenyan Native Ranked 7th Largest Black-Owned Business in Atlanta, with $72 Million in Annual Revenue

Ivory Chevrolet, a car dealership company owned by Kenya native David Karangu has been ranked the 7th largest black-owned companies in Atlanta, Georgia byAtlanta Black Star magazine. Ivory Chevrolet is based in Union City, GA and grossed $72 million in revenue in 2011, according to statistics from Black Enterprise Magazine that were used to rank the businesses.

David left early retirement to purchase an existing Chevrolet dealership in Union City, renaming it Ivory Chevrolet. Over his career, he has owned several other dealershipsincluding Mercedes-Benz of Augusta and BMW of Columbia in South Carolina.

source:mwakilishi.com

Former Juja MP George Thuo Buried at His Gatanga Home

Former Juja MP and Government Chief Whip George Thuo was today laid to rest at his Samuru home in Gatanga constituency.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and other top government officials and politicians were among those who attended the burial/

The late Thuo, who served as Jujua MP from 2007 to 2010, collapsed on Sunday night while having drinks with friends at a club in Thika town. He was later pronounced dead on arrival at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.

British Diplomats Ejected from Eldoret Hotel for Violating Diplomatic Protocol

Three senior officials from the British High Commission were flushed out of a hotel in Eldoret where they were scheduled to hold a day-long meeting with several civil society organisations from North Rift region.

Second Secretary in Charge of Political Affairs Tom Howe, Director of Political Affairs C Sugden and another officer only identified as Nancy, were kicked out of Sirikwa Hotel in Eldoret town, the venue of the aborted meeting, after the county Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno accused them of violating diplomatic protocol.

Mr Chemno who stormed the meeting at around 11.30 am when introductions were ongoing, hit out at the officials to the consternation of participants, claiming that the county government was not informed about the forum.
“I have just come to register my displeasure to you the officials from the UK High Commission. How can you come here without having the courtesy of notifying the county government of your presence and purpose of your visit as diplomatic protocol demands. It is wrong that we are just being informed by locals,” posed Chemno.

The deputy governor told them the meeting was secretive noting that such forums should not take place at this time when the issue they were discussing at the meeting was being discussed at the International Criminal Court (ICC) with state parties.

Earlier on, a team of plain clothes police officers had camped at the hotel after local leaders raised concern over the presence of the British High Commission officials.

Some officials claimed they were on a mission to collect new evidence and recruit additional witnesses to testify against the Kenyan leaders facing crimes against humanity charges at the ICC.

There was commotion and tension in the hall where the officials and participants were set to hold the meeting forcing the organisers to kick out journalists who had come to cover the event.

Wesley Chirichir, the coordinator of Kenya Sports Foundation told the journalists to leave the venue saying their presence was not needed as the meeting was a closed door consultative forum.

“We kindly request you not to take any photos or notes as this meeting is purely closed door and therefore your presence is not welcome for now,” stressed Mr Chirchir.

Chemno accused the British government of undermining the county government and their leadership terming its action as unwarranted and vowing to notify President Uhuru Kenyatta of the matter.

The deputy governor said the whole issue was done secretively arousing suspicions among the local leadership about the British High Commission’s top officials’ tour of the county.

But reacting to Chemno’s accusations, one of the officials, Mr Howe, said that their mission should not arise any suspicion as they had come to have a peaceful forum with various civil society groups drawn from the region.

No word from governor

He said before they came to Eldoret, they had tried to contact the Governor over their mission with no success.

“We have been trying to get in touch with the Governor for the last two weeks but our efforts did not bear any fruits. We even texted him but he never replied to our inquiries,” said Tom.

Howe asked the local leadership not to harbour any suspicion over their mission in the county noting that they had come to meet with civil society organizations and elders from various communities on matters of peace and reconciliation.

Speaking to the Press later, one of the conveners of the aborted meeting Simon Kipkosgey, the coordinator of Kenya Sports Foundation and Stephen Cheboi, the chairman of the North Rift Human Rights Organisation, said they were working with the British to develop sports as a means to enhance peace and unity among local communities. “We were looking for partnership with the British government that could see our youth take part in mini Commonwealth Games as part of the wider campaign to promote peaceful co-existence among communities,” stated Chirchir.

- The Standard

Three perish in an accident along Kericho-Nakuru road

Three occupants of a Toyota RAV4 perished in a grisly road accident after their vehicle was involved in a head on collusion with a trailer at Kap David near Londiani, along Kericho- Nakuru road.

Kericho County Police Commander Rose Muchuma, said the vehicle was being driven towards Kericho town from Nakuru while the trailer was headed in the opposite direction when the vehicles smashed into each other in the 11AM incident.

She said the RAV4 driver and two passengers lost their lives on the spot while three children and a woman in her 20s who were among seven passengers in the vehicle were critically injured and were rushed to Kericho district hospital for treatment before being transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital , Eldoret, for further treatment.

The County police boss added that the truck driver escaped unhurt and alongside other lucky survivors in the small vehicle had since recorded a statement with the police over the events that led to the accident. “The road bend on the accident scene could be the cause of the accident but we are going to carry out further investigation to ascertain the real cause and the driver who might have caused the accident,” Muchuma said.

The bodies of the deceased were removed to Kericho district hospital mortuary while the vehicles wreckages were towed to Kericho police station. The County Police Commander appealed to motorists using the Kericho –Nakuru road to drive with caution to avoid the needless loss of lives especially as Kenyans head towards the December festive season. “We are appealing to drivers to be extra careful especially when navigating road bends.

They should slowdown at corners to avoid ramming into oncoming vehicles or veering off the road,” Muchuma said. She added that traffic police officers in the area will enforce traffic rules in order to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles ply the local roads and were being driven competently.


source: standard media

Jevanjee Gardens To Have Free Wi-Fi From Next Year

Jevanjee gardens will from next year have free wi-fi access and an art gallery.

Governor Evans Kidero, in a tweet on Thursday, announced the gardens will undergo a makeover next year to make it the first free wi-fi park in Kenya.

“Renovation of Jevanjee Gardens to start by next year. An Art Gallery & free Wifi access are some of the facilities that we will put up,” said Mr Kidero’s tweet.

Sonko Refused To Shake Shebesh's Hand on Sunday

Nairobi senator Mike Sonko refused to shake Shebesh's hand on Sunday, the Star is reporting. Apparently, both had attended a church service with DP William Ruto at ACK St Mathew Riruta West.
When Sonko was invited to speak, the paper continues, he saluted TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja with a clenched fist, bypassing Shebesh who was just seated next to the nominated mp.
All the while, only one person sat between the two controversial leaders.

Relationship between Sonko and Shebesh went sour after the senator allegedly assaulted Shebesh. It was reported that the two then had another physical fight barely a week after their first.
Days later, photos of the two in compromising positions leaked online.
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Zambian minister jailed over fake academic certificates

A Zambian court on Wednesday sentenced to one year imprisonment a minister for fraudulently obtaining academic certificates.

cc, 31, has been sentenced with hard labour by the Lusaka Magistrate’s court.

His sentence would take effect from November 18, when he was convicted. Mr Masumba has however, been granted $2,000 cash bail with two working sureties pending appeal to the High Court against the verdict of the Magistrate court.

Magistrate Wilfred Muma said the sentence would serve as a warning to any person who is in possession of fake documents.

Mr Masumba is the ruling party’s Member of Parliament in Mufumbwe Constituency, North West of the country.

Mr Masumba’s testimony” adding that the prosecution had established the case against him.

Last week, Mr Masumba claimed that the Anti-Corruption Commission officers who arrested him had their facts misplaced.

“They are saying I was employed at Lusaka Business Technical College between 2005 and 2008 which is not true.

I worked there from 2006 to 2011 last year when I joined politics. I have never been fired in my life,” Mr Masumba said.

He said he had contacted NIPA executive director Answell Saka to find out where the allegations were coming from and that he had expressed ignorance.

-Daily Nation
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Mombasa County bans s*x at public facility

Mombasa County deputy governor, Hezel Katana, has banned the use of condoms at Mombasa County Stadium.

Katana was speaking over the weekend during an inspection tour of the stadium as shocking reports emerged that idlers have been using the stadium as a brothel.

Katana stunned the workers at the renovation site when he said,  "Kuanzia leo sitaki kuona mtu yeyote anabeba mipira ya kondomu hapa au magodoro  hapa stadium. (From today henceforth, I don’t want to see anybody carrying condoms or mattresses to the stadium)."

The tough talking deputy governor was flanked by he Mombasa County Sports minister, Hazel Koitaba, who reiterated that the  stadium will strictly be used for the purpose it was built.

Information indicates that during the three years of stadium neglect, idlers had camped at the stadium and used it to engage in short time s*x.

Mombasa County Stadium, which is under renovation, is set to  co-host the CECAFA tournament scheduled to be held from November 27 to December 12 , 2013.
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DISGUSTING: Teacher Feeds Children Cookies Covered With His Sem3n

Former teacher Mark Berndt, aged 62, has been convicted of 23 crimes and is expected to spend 25 years in jail for lewd conduct.

The former teacher would bandage his students' eyes and then offer them cookies laced with his semen. He called is "tasting games".

It is also believed that he put cockroaches on the children’s faces and taped their mouths shut.

Some parents have complained that their children are suffering from eating disorders now.

Berndt was arrested after a photo technican found images of children with bandaged eyes. Later the police found a plastic spoon of semen in his classroom bin.

He has pleaded no contest against the allegations and has expressed his remorse.

Source: Mirror
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Eight-year-old Girl Divorces Her 14-Year-Old Husband, In India

-Adapted from Daily Mail
An eight year old girl has become the youngest person ever to be divorced in India after she was married off aged just four.
According to Daily Mail, Fatima Mangre was given away by her father Anil, from the Shravasti district of Uttar Pradesh state, in an arranged marriage with 10-year-old Arjun Bakridi.

However when the boy arrived four years later to take his new bride away, Anil said he wanted the girl to wait until she was 18 before leaving.

He said: 'I finally realised that this practice of marrying off daughters so young was wrong and that she should have a childhood, and that it was my duty to provide that.'

However Arjun's father Dipak was unhappy with the decision, and an argument broke out after which Anil filed for divorce.


The state government of India's has called for an inquiry into the incident that happened last week at Nakhi village in the Shravasti district of India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

It ordered the probe after the New Delhi-based National Commission for Women (NCW) member Nirmala Samant sent a letter, demanding details of the divorce and threatening action against the parents of the girl and the boy.

She said: 'This is a scandal, we need more details before taking action. The girl's father must answer why he married her off at four years old and the boy's father must answer why he agreed to such a marriage and then went to demand the girl when she is barely eight years old. 'This is insensitive, controversial and objectionable,' she added.

However Fatima's father has already written to NCW, saying he should be pardoned because he stopped his daughter from being taken away by her in-laws.

'I have already admitted my mistake. Social pressures are high in our village. But the marriage has been annulled. I have admitted it was wrong to marry her off so early,' he said in a handwritten note.

He added: 'I now want to make things right. I want to give my daughter a good childhood. I will do everything to protect her.' Mr Bakridi has gone into hiding following the altercation.

According to UNICEF, over 32.9 percent of the girls are married against the national average of 22.1 percent below the legally permissible age of 18 in the state.

The Shravasti district accounts for the majority underage weddings in India where the female literacy is just 19 per cent.
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