Author: jamaapoa
•Friday, June 25, 2010
A silly goal was scored. The goal keeper did not see the ball pass him. He was just there standing between the goal post. He even seemed unaware that someone had scored a goal against him. I was walking away from a soccer match where a former schoolmate was the goal keeper. The goal looked ridiculous. All the same, it was still a legit goal. The lady scorer ran away back to her half to celebrate with her team. My former schoolmate was left bewildered just how easy that goal was scored.

I walked away from the football pitch. I went past some teams that were playing hockey. They had also stopped to wonder how easily that goal was scored. They laughed at the goalkeeper for allowing such an easy and silly goal. The goalkeeper still looked stunned from a distance. He was still transfixed at the same spot I left him.

I walked away from the hockey players. An old friend emerged from their midst and ran towards me still laughing at the goal keeper for allowing the silly goal. When he caught up with me, alongside him was a guy, in agony, remorse and tears. He looked well up. What we would refer to as a town jamaa back in the day. Trust me, back in the village we believed that all town jamaas were rich, had no problems and had all they needed.

I inquired from my friend why the town jamaa was in anguish yet he looked okay. Town Jamaa responded and said that money and things do not satisfy contrary to what my question inferred. That is when my friend told me that the kind of issues Town Jamaa had could only be solved by Town Jamaa getting saved. The reason he rushed to me to help the situation. After all, I knew the sinners prayer.

My friend dragged Town Jamaa and I out of the field. We rushed outside to look for a safe spot to lead Town Jamaa into salvation. I was thinking of a nearby church and we all ran towards it. But the kind of pain Town Jamaa had inside intensified and we all knew he would not make it to the church. We decided to do it right there on the street. We huddled on the pavement. Town Jamaa and my friend knelt down immediately waiting for me, the priest, to hurry on and save Town Jamaa.

I tried kneeling down and I could not. It was ages since I knelt down. My legs could not bend at the knee. I quickly pulled Town Jamaa up and asked him to repeat the sinners prayer after me. My friend looked at me bewildered. We used to do this kind of thing in a repentant position a.k.a kneeling. He let that go due to the emergency of the situation. He also stood up to take his place as a witness to the saving grace.

"Repeat after me, Lord Jesus, I come to you to forgive my sins", I fumbled with the sinners prayer starting words. There is a way it flowed. I had forgotten it. My friend also realised it. He started scolding me for forgetting the flow of the sinners prayer words. I started justifying my approach by saying that it did not matter which words I started with as long as I covered acknowledging Jesus power to save, the repenting, asking for forgiveness and thanking God for his gift of salvation. My friend did not agree.

At this time we opened our eyes. A crowd had formed allowed us. They were laughing at us just like they heckled us back in school. I was wondering what to do with the hecklers when Town Jamaa's deep cry of pain caught my attention. It saddened me in a judgment way that we had failed to relieve this soul of its anguish and pain. I mastered the little Christian strength I had and rebuked the hecklers. They all ran away. I turned back to Town Jamaa, this time prepared to lead him in the sinners prayer the way we used to back in the day.

All of a sudden, I was filled with inner pain and fear realizing that I could not remember the sinners prayer despite the desperate situation that Town Jamaa was sinking into.

Just then I saw on the ground in front of me a priestly robe. It was covering a cross that was lying on the ground. Who put the priestly robe and the cross on the ground? I was supposed to be wearing the robe and carrying the cross?

As I was waking up, this question was strongly in my mind: Who is leading people to Christ, has the Kenyan church fallen? Has the Kenyan church allowed a silly goal and are not even aware of it?
Author: jamaapoa
•Saturday, June 05, 2010

The Draft Constitution says:


26. (4) Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law.

One of the "any other written law" could be the Reproductive Health and Rights Bill which was moved in Parliament by the Attorney General in 2008. The bill went through the first reading. The bill however did not see the light of day. It lapsed as parliament went into recess before the bill could go through the required stages for a bill to become an Act of Parliament. It could however be reintroduced at a later date.

The bill expressly provided for abortion requiring only the consent of the woman concerned including abortion of potential mentally or physically challenged kids. In the course of time, Kenya just needs a liberal enough parliament to have this in place.

The Draft Reproductive Health and Rights Bill, 2008 said:

“Termination of pregnancy” for the purpose of this Act means the separation and expulsion, by medical or surgical means, of the contents of the uterus of a pregnant woman before the fetus has become capable of sustaining an independent life outside the uterus.

‘’Unsafe abortion’’ means an induced abortion or termination of pregnancy conducted either by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment lacking the minimal medical standards.

PART IV - TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY

13. (1) A pregnancy may be terminated if a trained and certified Health Care Provider, after consultation with the pregnant woman, is of the opinion that: -

(i) The continued pregnancy would pose a risk of injury to the woman’s physical or mental health; or

(ii) There exists a substantial risk that the fetus would suffer from a severe physical or mental abnormality; or

(iii) Where the pregnancy resulted from sexual assault, defilement, rape, or incest.

(iv) The pregnant woman, on account of being a mentally disordered person, is not capable of appreciating pregnancy;

(v) the pregnancy is a result of Contraception failure.

(vi) Extreme social deprivation

(2) A statement by a pregnant woman to the medical practitioner concerned or proof of report of the incidence is adequate to prove that her pregnancy is as a result of sexual assault, rape, defilement or incest.

(3) The termination of the pregnancy shall only be carried out by a health care service provider in a facility authorized by the Medical and Dentist Practioners’ Board.

(4) Health providers shall offer non-mandatory and non-directive counseling, before and after the termination of a pregnancy.

(5) Any person who violates the provisions of section 13 (3) shall be guilty of an offence

14. (a) subject to section 13(1), termination of pregnancy may only take place with the consent of the pregnant woman.

(b) in the case of a pregnant minor, a health care service provider shall advice the minor to consult with her parents, guardian or such other persons with parental responsibility over the said minor before the pregnancy is terminated, provided that the best interest of the minor shall prevail.

(c ) in the case of a mentally disordered person, the health care service provider shall consult with the guardian over the said person before the pregnancy is terminated.

(c) A health care service provider who has a conscientious objection to the termination of pregnancy has a duty to refer the pregnant woman who requests the procedure to a health care service provider who provides the service and refusal or deliberate failure to so refer shall constitute an offence. Refusal or deliberate failure to do so shall constitute an offense.

15. A health care provider shall, as soon as is practicable, but not later than three months after the termination of a pregnancy in the prescribed form, collate the information and forward it to the relevant authority under cover of confidentiality.

16. Any person who violates any conditions set out in this Part, commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years both.

Author: jamaapoa
•Saturday, June 05, 2010

Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) Position on the Proposed Draft Constitution


Preamble


The joint CITAM leadership, bringing together the Council of Elders, the Deacon Board, and the Senior Pastors met on 6th of May, 2010 to deliberate over the Proposed Draft Constitution and to come up with a joint position. The leadership considered this weighty matter against the full understanding that it has responsibility to offer prophetic and biblical direction to members of CITAM at this point in history.

The joint leadership consciously decided that it would be failing in its prophetic duty, to let this constitutional moment pass without drawing the Church's inspiration from our Statement of Faith and fundamental beliefs to inform and guide our analysis and position regarding the Proposed Draft Constitution.

Background

The church is consciously aware of the long quest by Kenyans to have a new constitution that would offer a new vision and constitutional framework for a better Kenya.

Indeed the leadership is cognizant of the fact that it has been more than twenty years, of a long and elusive search for the new constitutional dispensation for Kenya. Many, even among Christian leaders who have been at the fore front in the agitation for the new constitution, have suffered social and mental pain as well as physical brutality at the hands of those against reforms in the days past.

We are aware that following the 2007 General Election, the urge for a new constitution was accelerated after the adoption of the National Accord. Like most Kenyans, we believe that we need a new constitutional dispensation which anchors major reforms in a visionary constitutional framework for Kenya.

While applauding the efforts of those involved in the constitutional making process that is Parliament, the Committee of Experts and the Executive, we regret that the Proposed Draft Constitution has fundamental and non negotiable inadequacies that, in our view, urgently need to be addressed before the referendum.

CITAM has been part and parcel of the Kenya Church. The church has been at the forefront of calling for changes prior to the referendum. We have taken the view that the Government should make these changes now rather than later.

While the church has been ready for dialogue, the government side has shown no commitment to dialogue. We cannot, in the absence of a concrete agreement, believe any promise from the government to the effect that we support the passage of the draft now in the hope that the government will initiate the called for changes, soon after.

To that end, we now wish to reiterate our strong resolve to reject the Proposed Draft Constitution. We call on all our members to exercise their democratic right to vote NO at the referendum. Our position is informed by the following unresolved issues:

1. Article 2 (6) which provides that any treaty ratified by Kenya becomes part of law of Kenya, needs to be amended or deleted all together.

Our position:International treaties should be ratified and domesticated by Kenyans in exercise of their sovereignty through legislation to match the local context.

2. Article 8 states that there shall be no state religion. Previous constitutions had important provisions that "State and religion shall be separate" and "The State shall treat all religions equally."

Our position: These provisions must be put back. We believe that all religions should be treated equally without exception.

3. Article 24 (4) states that "the provisions of this chapter on equality shall be qualified to the extent strictly necessary for the application of Muslim law before the Kadhis Courts, to persons who profess Muslim religion, in matters relating to personal status, marriage, divorce and inheritance".

Our position: This provision, which also provides for the creation of Kadhis Courts, offends the principle of all religions and faiths being equal before the law. It should be deleted altogether.

4. The Church believes that life starts at conception and that every human being has a right to life. Article 26 (3) and (4) make for dangerous precedents which leave room for taking away of life arbitrarily. In particular, sub article 4 on abortion states " Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law"

Our Position: The net effect of that sub-article is that abortion is allowed and all that is needed is the opinion of a health professional to back it up! Emergency treatment is not explained. This opens a floodgate to misinterpretation.

Indeed it is separate from when a mother's life is in danger. The proviso in the constitution also creates room for parliament to pass a law that could allow abortion.

The Church stands opposed to this window in the constitution which opens all possibilities for procurement of abortion,

The only exception should be when the life of the mother is in danger and the person to make that opinion is a registered medical practitioner as stated in the Bomas Draft.

5. The reference in Article 43 (1) (a) gives every person a right to "the highest attainable standards of health, which includes the right to health care services, including reproductive health care"

Our Position: The ordinary meaning of the word including reproductive health care also includes family planning and extends to the right to terminate a pregnancy. In other words, proponents of reproductive health advocate for the procurement abortion. We demand the deletion of this proviso.

In Conclusion

For the reasons given above, we take the prophetic position of saying NO to the entire draft! It is not about whether or not the Church loses at the referendum. It is not even about whether or not the Church will remain credible if the majority of the people say YES. Indeed it is not about the YES proponents being right and die NO ones being wrong. Rather, it about being right with God's word!.

The CITAM leadership chooses to obey God and to stand on His side at this point in history. We respectfully invite you to join with us.

Make no mistake, we have yet to begin our real march, to take Kenya for Christ! Whether or not the Proposed Draft Constitution passes, we commit to ensuring that what we stand for and hold dear as articulated in this communique, will form key advocacy agenda for the church in the days to come, until we get a constitution that truly honors and glorifies the Lord God Almighty!

God Bless You,

Bishop, CITAM and Chairman

Deacon Board & Elders' Council

Secretaries, CITAM



Author: jamaapoa
•Sunday, March 07, 2010

Kenya Christian Leaders Forum: No compromise on kadhi’s courts, life and marriage issues in the constitution

Why is a National Constitution important?

The Constitution of a nation is the most important governance document. It is the mother and father of all laws. Any law that is in conflict with the Constitution is null and void. It defines the people, their values and the nation and its destiny.

Kenya's current constitution was written in London with the help of the British colonialists, it is under review to correct past anomalies and ensure justice, fairness and equity for everyone.

Why are Christians against Kadhis Courts in the Draft Constitution?

Christians are against the inclusion of Kadhis Courts because it is an outright injustice to other religions. Kenya is a multi-religious society!

Christians' objections to the inclusion of Kadhi Courts were ignored by the government, the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission, the BOMAS gathering, the Committee of Experts and most recently the Parliamentary Select Committee.

Christians are left with no choice but to vote against the new Constitution unless the Courts are removed.

Are Christians against Muslims?

No. Christians are not against Muslims, They are against injustice and unfairness in the draft constitution perpetrated by the Government and the review organs.

Why didn't Christians request for Christian Courts?

Christians seek for a just society for all Kenyans, not only the rights of Christians. They advocated for an effective executive with an accountable President, an effective Parliament, an efficient judiciary, and respect for the rights and responsibilities that promote an equitable, just and moral values based society. The Constitution must set up a Judiciary that is good for all Kenyans.

How come Kadhis Court was not identified as a contentious issue by the Committee of experts?

Christians submitted thousands of memoranda to the Committee of Experts rejecting the inclusion of Kadhis courts in the constitution.

The Committee of Experts deliberately refused to identify Kadhi's Courts as a contentious issue, instead, the Committee of Experts that was supposed to be impartial, was partisan and openly campaigned for inclusion of Kadhis Courts in the constitution.

We now think it was deliberate because Muslims have dominated the Committee of Experts and the Parliamentary Select Committee.

Are there Christian MPs in Parliament who can speak for Christians the way Muslim MPs do?

There are Christian members of Parliament, but they have been silent. They have not stood for what is right and just. Church leaders are calling on Christian MPs to stand up and be counted, in future, we urge you as a citizen to vote for those people who will not sit by and watch as our country is sold out.

Meanwhile, Christians must organize themselves under the Lords guidance and speak the truth even if MPs fail us.

So what do Christians want?

It is not what Christians want but rather what Kenyans want. Kenyans want a constitution that defines how society is organized on the basis of justice, truth, fairness, effective checks and balances, and an effective bill of rights for all Kenyans.

With regard to religion, it should be one that provides for freedom of worship to people of all faiths under the Bill of Rights. The Constitution of Kenya must remain neutral with regard to religion, in order to offer equal protection to the people of all religions.

Why are Christians opposed to Kadhis courts yet they have not harmed anybody?

The fact that the Kadhi Courts did not harm non-Muslims does not mean it was right for them to be included in the Constitution. It was wrong and discriminatory against the people of other faiths from the beginning, Kenyans' patience since independence must not be taken for granted.

It is time to correct all wrong things. Muslims should by now be an integral part of the Kenyan community not requiring special treatment or protection!

The constitution must not divide the people along religious or other lines.

Kenyans want one nation, one land, one law that caters for all irrespective of religious affiliation. This is the practice in stable democracies around the world. We should not let a new constitution to perpetuate past injustices. Christ said: "And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will he ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins"(Mark 2:22). Inclusion of Kadhis Courts in the new constitution is like pouring new wine into old wineskins, it will burst the skins.

Who qualifies to be a Kadhi?

A Kadhi is a Muslim judge or magistrate. While many claim that the Kadhi is a purely judicial officer who serves in a Kadhis Court, they in Kenya they perform religious functions. The Chief Kadhi declares the beginning of Ramadhan a major Muslim religious festival.

As an officer of government, it is discriminatory that, to be a Kadhi, one must profess the MUSLIM RELIGION. This means even if a Christian possesses knowledge of the MUSLIM LAW applicable to any SECTS OF MUSLIMS, he cannot serve as a Kadhi, meanwhile Muslims can preside over cases of non Muslims!

What law does Kadhis Court enforce?

Kadhis Courts enforce Islamic law commonly referred to as Sharia. Sharia is the Arabic word where our Kiswahili word Sheria is borrowed from. Sharia is the law system based on the the Koran, the Sunna, older Arabic law systems, parallel traditions, and the work of Muslim scholars over the two first centuries of Islam.

What are the implications of the inclusion of Kadhis Courts in the Constitution?

The inclusion of Islamic Sharia courts in the constitution divides Kenyans along religious lines, it would reinforce two classes of Kenyans, Muslims and the rest, Kenyans are seeking a constitution that unites.

Is the draft constitution Christian?

No. The draft Constitution is a collection of all just and fair laws from any source where they may be found. It draws from Judeo-Christian principles of equality, fairness, justice and equity does not make it Christian! These are values recognized by people from all religions, ethnic communities or professional backgrounds.

We as Kenyans do not want a Christian or Muslim or Hindu constitution. We want a Kenyan constitution made by all Kenyans for all Kenyans. Unfortunately, as it is now, the constitution appears to be Islamic! It mentions the word Muslim 6 times, and Kadhis 5 times. It does not mention the word Christian at all!

What have Christians proposed?

That the Constitution recognizes every Kenyans freedom of worship. That every Kenyan worships and submits to the religion they choose at their own cost and not government's cost. We appeal that all religious beliefs and practices be left to the Churches, Mosques and Temples where they belong.

Did Jomo Kenyatta agree with the Suitan to entrench Kadhis Court in the constitution?

No, Kenyatta undertook to the Sultan of Zanzibar to only preserve the jurisdiction of Kadhis courts. The Kadhi was to operate in the ten mile Coastal strip. While Section 66 of the current constitution provides that the Chief Kadhi and the Kadhis "shall each be empowered to hold a Kadhis court having jurisdiction within the former Protectorate or within such part of the former Protectorate as may he so prescribed", the government violated the constitution and established Kadhis Courts in areas which are outside the ten mite coastal strip like.

Christians filed a case in court to challenge this wanton violation of the constitution of Kenya.

If Christians succeed in rejecting the constitution during the referendum, will we not still have Kadhis Courts under the current Constitution anyway?

Christians are actively involved in this matter and will not stop at a No vote at the referendum. Christians filed a case in the High Court in 2004 to declare Kadhis Court unconstitutional. The hearing ended in February 2009. It is regrettable that time has lapsed and the High Court is yet to deliver the judgment. Christians will next sponsor a motion in Parliament to amend the current constitution, to delete section 66 which provides for Kadhis Court.

Should Kenyans reject the draft constitution just because it has Kadhis Courts?

Yes, if you had a soda with a small amount of poison, would you drink it? Let us not be deceived by people who either do not have the interest of Kenya at heart or are unable to see divisiveness of this issue, if they are serious and want us to accept the new constitution, let them delete all references to the Kadhis Court in the constitution.

Is it true that the Bill of Rights shall not apply to Muslims?

Yes. Muslims are the only Kenyans who are allowed to violate the Bill of Rights. Kenyans should not allow this to happen. Let every Kenyan be equal before the law of the land and particularly the Bill of Rights.

If Christians succeed in rejecting the Kadhis Court, will the Muslims unleash violence?

No. Christians and Kenyans in general should not allow themselves to be manipulated and intimidated by the threat of violence. Kenya is a democracy, Muslims must argue with ideas and the ballot box, not violence. In any case, it is hoped that Muslims in Kenya are peace loving and will respect the decision of Kenyans. The threat by some Muslim leaders to secede from Kenya is a matter that the security forces are able to handle.

What about abortion?

Abortion is the willful termination of a woman's pregnancy on the basis that it is unwanted. A woman may herself be under pressure because she desires to hide the fact or may be under pressure from other person(s) for the same reasons

When does life begin?

Life begins at Conception. All doctors who claim that life begins at birth are professionally untrustworthy, because the fetus in the mother's womb are usually alive. Whenever a fetus dies, it is always an emergency to operate and to remove it.

What do Pro-abortionists want?

Their interest is to make money from vulnerable women. In the course of the abortion process the life of the woman is endangered, their conscience and faith are trashed and they become guilty of murder.

What does God say about the life of the unborn?

The unborn babies are complete human beings created in the image of God. Any one who aborts them is a murderer. God called Jeremiah in the mother's womb (Jen 1:4-5). When Mary after she became pregnant met Elizabeth, John leaped in her womb to rejoice at Jesus, (Lk 1:41-44). God commanded that His people in the sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill".(Ex 20:13) Abortion is murder, the killing of the unborn innocents.

Does anti-abortion law hinder the practice of medicine?

No. The constitution allows a doctor, upon medical examination of a pregnant woman, to terminate a pregnancy if the life of the mother faces a medical condition that leads to the death of both mother and baby.

What about Marriage?

The Constitution must state that Marriage in Kenya is between two adults of the opposite sex. It must not allow any type of marriage which God calls an abomination. For us as Kenyans, let us pray that God blesses our men and women to form godiy and healthy marriages.


What can I do as a Kenyan?

As a citizen of this nation you must make your voice heard on these matters!

You also need to do the following:
  1. You must read and understand the draft Constitution personally
  2. Petition your Members of Parliament to delete all the sections referring to Kadhis Courts, or that introduce any unacceptable laws in the Constitution,
  3. Register yourself as a voter, and ensure all your friends register as voters. If Kadhis Courts, pro-abortion laws are included in the constitution ensure that all your friends and yourself vote NO at the referendum.
  4. Photocopy this paper and pass it to at least 10 more people in your area.
  5. Pray that God will defeat all the efforts of the people seeking to perpetrate an injustice against Christians and other religions by entrenching the Kadhis Court in the constitution.
Issued by Christian leaders from all Church Denominations, all Umbrella Organizations and all other Christian Organizations in Kenya, These include all Churches and organizations under the NCCK, the KEC, the EAK, the UCCK, FEICCK

Contact: info.kcl2010@gmail.com
Author: jamaapoa
•Monday, September 07, 2009
Yesterday, I was stuck in the jam for almost three hours. This is quite strange being a Sunday. A Sunday evening to be precise. This happened along Jogoo road. I queued impatiently and waited anxiously to join Outering road. Any other day is normal jam day for Nairobi and that has become acceptable. Sunday is however supposed to be hallowed I presume.

At first I thought it was a small road mishap that would clear in minutes. For sometime I strained my neck craning through the window as if looking for a rainbow, a promise that it is not the destructive weekday road menace. I changed channels, played mental hide and seek with other drivers and passengers in adjacent cars, shuffled with the car's AC and a bit of daydreaming until my mind was tired. Then the many glasses of water I had taken prior to my drive started taking a toll on me and exerting pressure on my breakable system. I started feeling hot. A thin hot sweat donned my brow. I contemplated the roadside but couldn't wait to get home for a sweet relief.

Amidst my misery, I wondered, is the Kenyan social psyche that bewitched? Is our aura so poisoned that we cease to exist as a community as our selfish and greedy maniac ego-selves stake a claim for everything we can see, hear, smell, taste and feel? Is there a community of a modest behaving people you can uniquely identify and name as Kenyans?

As I joined Outering road after sweating it out for two hours on Jogoo road, I realised this was a Sunday my system will dread for a while. The oncoming traffic had overwhelmed the road's small capacity. The oncoming cars were not only overlapping, they had taken over our lane including its overlapping ragged sidewalk. We could not move for another hour. Deadlocked. I thought, these cars surely are not being driven by human beings. This must be the ultimate invasion by the Martians who converted their cold planet into a desert by cutting down all the eucalyptus trees.

I wondered what became of the Sabbath day and keeping it holy? Even the Fridatian members do not get to this level even with their sensorial excitement. What became of being good neighbours and loving them as we love ourselves? Why block a junction when you can clearly see it is not clear and you are joining a jam? Why block a lane that has the cars that will clear the roundabout for you?

For a long time I thought that Kenya's leaders are the problem. I would feel that a certain building within the central business district harboured Kenya's tragic reality. That if this building fed the appetite of the ground beneath it when all members were present then the Kenyan cancer would be cured forever.

I now theorize that Kenyans are the problem. We feed on each other and suck each other's energies whenever we can, decimating our kinsmen if need be. We are our own worst enemies, the 45 million of us. We do not love each other and in so doing hate ourselves. Gosh, it even sounds odd trying to insinuate that Kenyans can love each other.

Our problem is not Kibaki, nor Raila, nor Ruto or Kalonzo and it is not the Mudavadis. No, it is not the Kenyattas and the Mois. For all it is worth these seemingly imposing monsters are a creation of Kenyans. We give them life and feed them daily with our energies and sweat to continue working on us as we work for them.

Our social psyche is warped and our meta-physical environment is so polluted that our propensity to self-destruct is increasing at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not only on our roads, it is the daily dose on our businesses, our workplaces, our churches, our schools, our hospitals, our villages and our homes.

For the drivers on Kenyan roads, let us keenly observe how the Citi Hopas, the Double M's, KBS', Nissan Matatus and other Matatu drivers drive on our roads. If you find them impolite, harassing, bullish, offensive, discourteous, insulting, selfish and dangerous just know you are not any better, you drive like them too. All Kenyan drivers have taken and religiously practised a lesson or two from the callous and rough-on-the-edges matatu drivers. Graduates of Matatu Driving School and Computer College.
Author: jamaapoa
•Tuesday, May 19, 2009
I have been awarded with the prestigious Honest Scrap award by Mwari wa David, the one with a golden pen, who writes golden words.

The Honest Scrap award is given to honest women and men of distinguished blogging tendencies, waking some of them from their long blogging hiatus.

The tagged were given a stern admonition,
…and don’t give an excuse of how much you hate tags. The truth is you like tags!I will not disappoint.

Well to the core of the matter, ten honest things about myself.
  1. An honest assessment from my pals and colleagues has the verdict that I am laid back, soft-spoken and too trusting. That is probably why I did not make it to the list of Kenya's Top 40 under 40 CEOs, I was told in a recent interview. In my own view, I just like minding my own business and do not see as to why we have to fight others in the name of competition to have a standing in life. After all, no one get out of life alive, right? Of course, there are those who have found in me a "humble form of badness" but I try my best. All the same I have proved to myself to be a worthy opponent in several competitive situations.
  2. I love chapos and wheat products to a point of addiction. The same has taken a toil on my mid section over the years. In the same breath, I can comfortably feed this addiction without help in the kitchen. In my bachelor days, a loaf a day was the mantra, half in the morning, half in the evening. In between there will be mandazis, chapos, pancakes and digestive biscuits. Now, with queen in charge of home affairs there is a curfew in place to make me walk in the straight and narrow path of veggies, fruit/vegetable salads and fresh juices
  3. I am a man who gets teary very fast although it is 3 and a half years since I cried. It is like my tear sacs wait for the slightest provocation. The secret is to avoid fights, arguments and lashings from bosses that can get me to that situation. I once walked out on a bossy boss whose words nearly got me to that point, will never forget the look on his face despite the warning letter. To maintain the manly feat of "no tears" I like playing weak and vulnerable in contentious and warring situations or simply walking away
  4. In the last year, for the first time in my life, I have strongly felt like killing someone. The situation eased after a while
  5. I do not know how the Kiereini products taste, ever, or experienced the luxurious trappings of the Masterminds and BATs of this world. Guess it has to do with my priestly upbringing. Sometime last year, one stressful day I woke up with a feeling of "lighting up" after a dreamland experience of this relieving and releasing feeling of a smoke. Could not gather the courage though.
  6. I have always imagined I will end up as a priest (the kind that is bought a lexus by the parishioners for a birthday present) or a politician (the kind that solves all the villagers problems). I am getting realistic by the day. That said, I am not enthusiastic about politics, for it once threatened the lives of my family and being in church for eons has turned me into a critic that can mess up the pulpit
  7. I am kinda of a techie ... my subtle footprints are allover the Kenya digispace
  8. I had this ambition of running three profitable businesses by the time I am 30. By December last year, they were three, in a span of less than five months, I only have one left, I blame the global crisis. 30 is approaching very fast, I may have to dream again
  9. When it comes to giving honest opinions, I tend to be diplomatic aka beating around the bush with words. I find it hard to be a straight shooter with words, lest I hurt feelings, I believe in human flaws. Unfortunately, I still have a feeling of unforgiven hurts out there caused by my words.
  10. For my first VCT experience, I went all the way to Kijabe Missions hospital (to ensure I will not meet anyone I know if I went to a centre within Nairobi) only to find the VCT centre closed as it was a public holiday. The nurse on duty referred me to the TB clinic where TB patients were doing their followups and drug collections. When it was my turn to see the doctor, I chickened out wondering what to tell him and walked out of the clinic to the amazement of other waiting patients. I was mainly worried of an injury I had at the barber while having a haircut and not because of any untoward expeditions. It was Christmas of 2005, I wanted to visit the village without a stigmatizing conscience.
One of the rules is to choose a minimum of seven (7) blogs that I find brilliant in content and design. This is my list of untagged blogs, please accept the honours
and these are the rules ...

instructions for the award are: (but feel free to break the rules!)

  1. You must brag about the award
  2. You must include the name of the blogger who bestowed the award on you and link back to the blogger
  3. You must choose a minimum of seven (7) blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.
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Happy blogging everyone

Author: jamaapoa
•Thursday, March 26, 2009
Actually the title is a bit paradoxical since a belief system is the foundation of somebody's individuality and personality. However, I do feel that with the experience I have had since I embarked on a life rejuvenation journey, there is need to have the belief system anchored on something. That has formed my current battle of the mind.

Once you decide to re-evaluate your life in a bid to improve and develop yourself, you have to address the issue of your belief system in order to move forward. I see a belief system as what you stand for, what guides you and what forms a basis for your values in life.

A lot of self-development, self-improvement and self-motivation proponents and speakers suggest that before you can embark on the journey of self-improvement you have to discard all the rules, beliefs, traditions and culture you have come across and relied on since you began life and embrace their proposed philosophy of getting the ultimate best out of life.

That has been my first challenge in my life improvement journey. It is even more antagonizing when the mind is the first target in this life transforming process. It is easier to agree with issues to do with the body in respect to health and fitness or career and finances or society and community involvement, but a lot harder when it comes to addressing issues relating to your belief system and value system which are anchored in the mind.

The mind, supposedly contained in the human brain is the most complex and complicated phenomenon to have and examine. While it is amorphous and intangible, it is the engine of life; determining the quality of existence. It is the internal compass that defines an individual's direction in life. It is the most difficult to master and is the substance that houses the foundation of a belief system that benchmarks what one stands for in life.

I grew up in a Christian background, heavily endowed with biblical teachings that to a larger extent have shaped my belief system. In times of waywardness it is that biblical compass that herds me back to the fold and acts as a signaling system to what extent I can roam. A lot of the materials I have come across in charting a way forward in my pilgrim journey are antagonistic to that original belief system and some even borders to the Christian defined occultic and cultic teachings, even blasphemous.

In fact, upto my early twenties, the Christian belief system worked well for me. This was probably as a result of strong Christian faith convictions. Not that I no longer have them, but I think with exploration the faith is a bit rusty. Then, I was in inner peace and tranquility, my mind unconflicted about what life is all about and always set to achieve my goals in life, accepting the obstacles and failures I encountered as part of the refinement process. What most staunch christians would term as a faith-based mentality. Things do not have to be in physical existence to be realizable. I strongly believed the christian faith was infallible.

Over the last five years my view of the christian faith has changed profoundly . Maybe I have shed off some spiritual naivety or become more tolerant. I will not explore that significant change for now. All the same, I have found myself pondering whether that change has affected my belief and value system for the better or for worse. Although, the fact that I have opened myself up for a life rejuvenation trek may imply that I feel antagonized, unsettled or under-achieved with my current belief system.

At some point, since I decided to self-improve and self-motivate, I had to make a decision on where to anchor my belief system. Whether to re-anchor it on the childhood naive-kind of christian faith or to found it on the contemporary almost comprising new age kind of philosophical teachings that are gaining currency.

That is my pilgrim progress.

Author: jamaapoa
•Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Every so often, nature rejuvenates and renews itself. I feel it is a good time I re-energized and replenished my inner resources to better cope with life, be more fulfilled and actualized. 

It is said that human beings shed dead skin every hour giving way to unsullied skin which is more efficient in the skin function. This dead skin constitute most of the dust in our houses. Snakes just shed off the dead skin at once to give way to a more radiant fresh skin. This is an essential process that enhances the survival of the species.

Birds go through a molting phase once in a while. I have seen it with chicken and as quoted in the widely circulated eagle's motivation story. The worn and torn feathers whose quality is low are replaced by sturdier fresher feathers.

What a better way to start this self improvement process than boosting the mind to power up the positive changes I want to see in my life. Hopefully I will strike a balance in enriching the triad of the spirit, soul and body in this new adventure.

Currently I have delved into self-motivation and self-improvement books to sustain the momenta and energize enough to have the body and the soul move along this journey. When I started a few weeks ago the spirit was a bit willing, the mind was lazy and the body was haywire. Of late I find the spirit willing, the mind is considerate and the body is starting to crawl.

Change is hard, I have learnt in those few weeks, but very essential if we want to experience growth and fulfilment in life. At times we settle for less, get content with the status quo or gradually allow depreciation of our living. We do not make an attempt  to move to higher ground or hold on to what we have. Then things start to suddenly slip through our fingers and before we know it we are down. At times we don't go down but always live with that guilty feeling that we could have done more to better our lives and that of those around us.

Well, I have a journey to make and experience. I hope it will be pleasant and enjoyable with less potholes and traffic jam. Will be sharing more of what I learn around here.

Author: jamaapoa
•Wednesday, February 04, 2009
I am about to say that Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga are getting dumber by the day or are the most foolish Kenyans we have around. But I will not say it.

They have today launched the public-fleecing Kenya we want conference at KICC. Among the key note speakers is retired president Daniel Moi. Michael Ranneberger, the US ambassador is also prescribing the Kenya he wants, rather the US wants.

One year down the line, after building a government on the blood of innocent Kenyans, Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga flanked by their sidekicks still have no clue about what to do with Kenya. Maybe grab the Kenyan's Unga and gulp it down their throats with super unleaded petrol.

They have no clue what the IDPs scattered in parts of Rift Valley and Central Kenya want?

They have no clue why Wanjiku still awaits a new constitutional dispensation.

They have no clue what the victims of Post Election Violence want? Those who lost their loved ones to the blades of machetes and barrel of guns. No idea what the women, children and men who were violated sexually daily yearn for.

No idea what the residents of Kibera and Majengo slums dream of every night and lunch hour?

What the jam-stricken Nairobians hourly wish for?

Kibaki and Raila cannot imagine what the residents of Baringo, North Eastern, Kitui, Kibwezi and other Ukambani areas yawn for?

A poverty reduction strategy away and a Vision 2030 blue print to boot, they had to waste public funds on a buffoonly instituted conference. The Kenya we want my foot!

They had to call Daniel Moi and Michael Rannebeger to tell them what sought of a Kenya they want.

How dumber can our leaders get. Aaargh!
Author: jamaapoa
•Tuesday, January 20, 2009
In 1986 I witnessed a spectacular phenomenon that lit up our pure and quiet evening sky; the passing by of a comet. I later learnt that the Comet is known as Halley's comet and is visible by earthlings every 76 years. The next pass by will be in mid 2061! With the current mortality rate and degradation it is almost a guarantee I will be a bygone by then. Probably, lucky to be alive with no eyesight or hearing.

Today it has just struck me, how monumental Barack Obama's inauguration is to the world and specifically to the darker community, leave alone the Kenyan roots. It is a historic moment that I am privileged to be alive to.

Moreso, it is a defining moment that declares that we are all equal regardless of our skin tone or ancestry. It is an authority to the unlimited potential that we all possess and asserts that we all can what we will and focus on.

The rubber stamp of this ideal lies in the success of Obama's presidency. Four years down the line, the old mindsets will be validated or quashed. I spare a thought and a prayer for the success of the O presidency.
Author: jamaapoa
•Wednesday, December 10, 2008
On 12th December 2008, Kenyans will be celebrating 45 years since we gained our independence from the British.

Kiss FM breakfast crew led by the almighty Caroline Mutoko, Larry Asego and Mzee Jalang'o has been campaigning for the last few weeks and beseeching Kenyans to protest on Jamhuri day to our rogue leaders through "mass action" that we are not happy with their mis-governance of Kenya.

Among the guests on the show has been SONU student leaders who claim to have mobilised university and other tertiary institutions' students to appear for the Jamhuri day celebrations across the country - that is, at the provincial headquarters - and make our rogue leaders listen to them.

SONU is the Student Organisation of Nairobi University. Whenever the rogue leaders stand to address the gatherings, the protesters will stand up and wave placards decrying the high food prices, MPs refusal to pay tax, poor infrastructure and other ills unleashed to Kenyans by our rogue leaders who we elected a year ago. Just this evening, the rogue leaders in our hallowed parliament passed to law what is considered in the media circles as a draconian Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill 2008.

The students have promised that they will not throw stones and that no looting will occur.

I do not know how well this strategy will be successful which has prompted me to imagine what would happen if all Kenyans and the media, except the rogue leaders and their spouses, boycotted attending the celebrations. That will be way cool.

Carol Mutoko has been working tirelessly to reach out to the middle class to turn up for the protests as history has shown that if the middle class does not cooperate, protests abort.

The question is, will the middle class in Kenya rise to the occassion or will they act up? Has the middle class felt the pain of mis-governance and high cost of living enough to make them protest enmasse? Will they be strewn in their couches with a remote in one hand and enjoy the free drama and action on their "idiot boxes" as poor students are clobbered and teargassed for heckling the prime minister and the president? Will it be another nyama choma joint date and a prolonged trip to the watering hole?

My thinking is, either there is no middle class in Kenya or the Kenya middle class is a cowardice caste. You can suck the last drop of their blood and they will not twitch. You can wring their ribs dry and they will not even wince. They are a hopeless lot that cannot stand and fight for their rights. Just like the presumed low class, they are full of tribal bigotry, hateful vitriol, are corrupt, oppressive and line up every five years to elect from the high class the rogue leaders they deserve.
Author: jamaapoa
•Monday, December 08, 2008
Last Saturday, I was stuck along Mombasa road. Traffic jam is the order of the day in Nairobi and it is amazing how tolerant we are, burning all that fuel and wasting millions of productive man hours on the road. Now that fuel is retailing at Shs 75.9 from a high of Shs 105 and bound to go lower, Nairobi roads will be a number one source of heart attacks in the days to come.

As I idled in the traffic, there was an endless stream of young people in all sizes and shapes trekking back to town. I later understood they were coming from a musical concert dubbed "Generation Jipange" whose ads have been running on TV. Jipange is a swahili word meaning "to plan your things" which may also mean "sort yourself out" in sheng, a youth connoted dialect.

From all the signs of "Generation Jipange", I can tell that our young opportunistic politicians are re-creating "Vijana Tugutuke" youth movement that preceded the 2007 sham elections. It was all a musical thing, then civic education before the "appropriate" politicians were introduced into the well-choreographed setup. "Tugutuke" is a swahili word for "jolt" whereas "vijana" means "youth"

John Kiarie (KJ) of the redykulass fame is one of the architects of Generation Jipange. KJ ran and lost the Dagoretti parliamentary election in 2007, went to court to challenge the results and has since lost the case. I saw him yesterday on TV, having received death threats over the ongoing ODM nominations, which surprisingly is turning chaotic at some places, a sign that we have not learnt or dealt with true causes of violence in our political system. Observing KJ and the other "celebs" championing the Generation Jipange craze, you do not have to waste time guessing where the lost generation is headed.

From the experience of 2002 and 2007, I no longer believe in youth leadership at the exclusivity of the older generation. We have young leaders in parliament and the government and there has been no sterling performance to prove the case for youth leadership of this country. For example, when the current maize crisis is investigated and the scum unearthed, I can almost guarantee it will be a thumbs down to the young leaders in our government. Ditto, the 2007/08 post-election violence. There cannot be successful youth leadership at the exclusion of other strata of the population in Kenya.

Observing those youths strutting back to town for another night-out raving at the Smirnoff experience at KICC, as some of them harassed innocent motorists caught up in the jam, one could easily see the rudderless, hopeless and confused soul yearning for direction, hope and a mission in life. I doubt that Generation Jipange will give the youth what they need. Maybe what they feel they want. I fear it is another sham to take advantage of the Kenya youth, whip up their emotions and leave them high and dry come 2012.

Generation Jipange lacks visionary leadership and a solution to the problems facing the lost generation. The five objectives I heard on TV as symbolising Generation Jipange lacks the touch of the common youth. It does not embody solutions to the employment crisis, need for career growth opportunities, affordable education opportunities, HIV/AIDS pandemic, identity crisis and a mountain of other critical challenges facing the Kenyan youth.

It is selfish, reeks and bound to fail.

Other links
When Motorists Faced the Music
Jipange





Author: jamaapoa
•Monday, November 24, 2008
On the first day, God created the dog. God said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes by and I'll give you a lifespan of 20 years." The dog said, "That's too long to be barking. Give me ten years and I'll give you the other ten back," and God agreed.

On the second day, God created the monkey, and God said, "Entertain people, do monkey tricks, make them laugh. I'll give you a 20-year lifespan." The monkey said, "How boring. Monkey tricks for 20 years? I don't think so. The dog gave you back ten, so that's what I'll do, too, okay?" And God agreed.

On the third day, God created the cow. God said, "You must go out in the field with the farmer all day long, suffer under the sun, have calves, give milk to support the farmer. I'm going to give you a lifespan of 60 years." The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for 60 years. Let me have 20 and I'll give you back the other 40." And God agreed.

On the fourth day, God created man. God said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry, enjoy your life. I'll give you 20 years." Man said, "What? Only 20 years? I'll tell you what, I'll take my 20, add the 40 the cow gave you back, the ten the monkey gave you back, and the ten the dog gave you back. That makes 80, okay?" "Okay," God said. "You've got a deal."

So, that is why the first 20 years of our lives we eat, sleep, play, and enjoy ourselves. For the next 40 years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next 10 years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. For the last 10 years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everybody that goes by. You have just had life explained to you.

Running with the Giants
- Sermon by John C. Maxwell
Author: jamaapoa
•Saturday, November 22, 2008
I was doing some thinking in line with my blog tagline. Conventional religious teaching insinuates that all was perfect before Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

To start the diatribe, there was a devil in the Garden of Eden in the form of a snake that could talk. This follows that before the fall of man, there was the fall of Satan which followed a tussle in heaven that banished Lucifer to the depths of the earth. Was it earth or the universe? If it is planet earth does it mean that there is no Satan in Mars or at the moon? The fact that Lucifer contemplated evil while in heaven implies that all was not perfect in heaven.

Evil and sin were not created at the Garden of Eden, they already existed, in an imperfect creation and existence. Maybe at the point of eating the forbidden fruit, sin entered the Adamic race. Maybe it was already woven into the genetic code of man. Adam and Eve could contemplate defying God and believing Satan even before the bite, some rebellious imperfection.

I doubt if Adam was a perfect jamaa before the forbidden fruit. He felt lonely (incomplete?), before Eve could be hived out of his ribs. He had to be put to sleep before that operation could take place. So what will happen if the human race is restored in heaven at the end of times? Will it all be perfect with an alter ego agonizing in hell?

The earth itself had been created and destroyed several times before Adam was settled here. Most likely there were earlier versions of Adam in those creations that got destroyed as well. This can be attested by the various stars explosions that are witnessed by astronomers across the universe with our now advanced astronomical equipments.

It is just a matter of time before planet earth among other planets and its habitation are sucked into a black hole of an exploding star and give way to a new imperfect civilization. Imperfection is destroyed giving way to new imperfections in a continuity of imperfections. Maybe perfection is relative or does not exist.

Where will you be? Most likely I will be around, watching.



Author: jamaapoa
•Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I have just heard in the news that Chris Mwebesa, the Nairobi Stock Exchange CEO has tendered his resignation. It will be good to know the reasons for his resignation at a time when the Nairobi Stock Exchange is facing a lot of problems with consistently falling prices and confidence levels.

Was he pushed out or has he become incompetent in a bear market? Maybe he was just a stooge of former chairman Jimnah Mbaru, of Dyer and Blair, and this is a positional realignment paving way for a sympathizer of the new chairman, James Wangunyu of Standard Investment Bank.

This comes a day after Cooperative Bank announced that its preliminary IPO results that showed that there was a 70% subscription rate. This is the first failed IPO, that is, undersubscribed since 2005 Kengen debut. Calls to push this IPO to 2009 when a possible market recovery is expected were ignored by the lead transaction adviser, Dyer and Blair.


With the deteriorating global market conditions, fall of brokerage firms and the aftermath of the Safaricom IPO the NSE is yet to recover from gloom. For the once vibrant stock exchange, the fraudulent dealings by the brokers and price manipulations do not augur well for stock investors either. In a period of less than five months the NSE 20 share index, the barometer of share price movements, has dropped from over 5,000 points to the 3,000 range.

I have a feeling Kenya has not yet felt the heat of the global economic collapse and one wonders what will happen to the stock exchange and the Kenya economy at large when it does.

The CMA has overseen the collapse of Francis Thuo, Nyaga Stockbrokers and near-collapse of Discount Securities and I wonder if the Capital Markets Authority is the body to oversee Kenya's financial markets. I think it should be disbanded and the oversight role be given to the Central Bank of Kenya which is more versatile in regulation enforcement and fraud monitoring and investigations.

This is the best time to overhaul market regulations when the interest is diminishing and there is low transaction volume such that when there will be a boom, the market will be more efficient.

Update November 20 2008

Peter Mwangi, former Centum (formerly ICDCI) CEO is the new Nairobi Stock Exchange CEO.
Business as usual!
Author: jamaapoa
•Wednesday, November 12, 2008
This is an SOS post to USA President elect Barack Obama. To us, Kenyans, Obama is "ndugu yetu", our big achieving big brother. At best, Obama is every Kenyan's cousin who is leading the world's super power, the land flowing with milk and honey, the all powerful United States of America. As such, Obama is our leader, de-facto in a way.

The following three men assisted by a bunch of 207 rogue parliamentarians are destroying Kenya.

The three men are: President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Agriculture Minister William Ruto.








Another Kenyan by the name, Justice Philip Waki did his best to bring justice to the victims of post-election violence. Justice Waki headed a commision of inquiry into the post election violence that rocked Kenya at the beginning of this year (2008). He has also attempted to clean up the rogue political leadership that is taking Kenya to the dogs by recommending a revolutionary set of reforms, reinforcing another set of direly needed reforms by Justice Kriegler commission.

Justice Waki has also handed a secret list of perpetrators of post election violence in a sealed envelope for further investigation and prosecution to former UN Secretary General, Koffi Annan. Annan headed mediation efforts that calmed the intensity of post election violence.

If the three bad leaders and their 207 accomplices fail to establish a tribunal to investigate and prosecute the masterminds of post-election violence by December 31st 2008, the International Criminal Court prosecutor will open the envelope and proceed to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of post election violence.

The problem is that the three bad band leaders and their 207 accomplices eat, drink, live and breath impunity. They have no sense of accountability and responsibility. They are now working 24/7 to defeat the course of justice and retribution. Hundreds of Kenyans died under the weight of machetes, axes and arrows. Hundreds others under a hail of police bullets. Those who survived are refugees in their own country and cannot be let back to their farms courtesy of inciting rhetoric by these 210 rogue leaders.

These leaders are wallowing in the blood of Kenyans and no mechanism in Kenya can bring them to account. They control the instruments of power and bend all institutional authority at their whims. They are shameless, tribalistic and an embarassment to a country where you are deep-rooted.

Ndugu yetu Obama, this is where you come in. As you sort out the mess that the Walker man will leave in January 20 2009, find it in your heart to scare the wits off these three bad leaders and their 207 henchmen who rule by impunity and bloodshed of innocent civilians.

Author: jamaapoa
•Sunday, November 02, 2008
Citizen, Citizen, Citizen TV by Royal Media. What an extreme makeover and a fresh breather to news. Sunday Live with Julie Gichuru is just da bomb! The studio setup and background will give other TV stations a run for their money.

Julie is a renown TV personality and a leading news anchor who is great with TV interviews.
After resigning from Nation TV (NTV) some months ago, Julie Gichuru is back on prime time TV.

Just watching the premier Sunday Live news show on Citizen by Julie Gichuru, one can tell that it is just a matter of time and Citizen TV will be a must watch on Sunday.


Citizen TV is becoming a force to reckon with since it poached leading journalists in KTN and NTV including the larger-than-life media diva Cathreen Kasavuli.


As a diehard Julie fan, all I can say is welcome back Julie and go, go Julie!



Author: jamaapoa
•Saturday, September 27, 2008
You still make appearances
Though gone and gone

Memories, memories, memories

fresh and never fading

Etched forever in our minds

Interwoven in the fabric of life



A rose for you today

tomorrow we will sing again
forever you are

the victor's song

Author: jamaapoa
•Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Some former Google engineers have teamed up and launched a new search engine www.cuil.com (pronounced "cool"). They are working hard to beat Google at its own game: googling claiming they have a better search algorithm that ranks pages based on content rather than popularity.

Search engines rank their pages based more on popularity than content relevance. The more links that link to your site, the better it is placed by Google (oops...search engines) on their search results. As long as the links to your site are not from crazy or bogus websites.

Interestingly for www.cuil.com, a 'cuil' search yields no results for its own page or the hullabaloo on the Internet about Cuil's David stance against Goliath Google. Google does Cuil justice and ranks www.cuil.com top on a "cuil" search. Cuil instead gives results about properties in Ireland, restaurants and tourist attraction sites on the first search results page of a "cuil" search on www.cuil.com.

While at it, here is a collection of search engines out there:
  1. www.google.com
  2. www.yahoo.com
  3. www.live.com
  4. www.ask.com
  5. www.mahalo.com
  6. www.hakia.com
  7. www.wikia.com
  8. www.wikipedia.com
  9. www.powerset.com
  10. www.cuil.com
  11. www.del.icio.us
  12. www.earthfrisk.com
  13. www.youtube.com
  14. www.flickr.com
  15. www.lycos.com
  16. www.altavista.com
  17. www.dmoz.org
  18. www.about.com
  19. www.blekko.com
  20. www.ixquick.com
  21. www.archive.org


Author: jamaapoa
•Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Stella Kilonzo was confirmed yesterday (15th July 2008) as the CEO of Capital Markets Authority (CMA) by president Kibaki. She has been acting in that position since December 2007. She has survived the sharks that rein the Kenya stock market and in her brief stint, she has shown that CMA can indeed bite. I hope she has not and will not be compromised and will improve investor confidence in the market.

Hopefully with full mandate, she will move in with speed to correct the glaring anomalies in broker operations that leave Kenyan investors conned of their hard earned savings and loans. Being a young turk and teaming up with Chris Mwebesa the CEO of Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) who was also recently confirmed, they should infuse new energy, ideas and styles of management in the capital markets that will see the NSE rise to new heights internationally.