Kenya Diaspora Bereavement
It is with . Much sorrow that we announce the death of Master Mark Marvin Gatoho. Mark is a 19 year old son of Mary and Henry Kerich. Mark was reported missing early morning around 3:40 a.m.whern the police found his car by the Katabwa River.
Family friends and the Kenyan Community are meeting every day at Mary and Henry residence at 6:00 PM for prayers and family support. Lets come all and show our support to one of our own. Other plans will be communicated later after the family meetings. Their address is 11609 Erwin Ridge Avenue, Charlotte North Carolina 28213.
For more infomation you can call the house phone 704 688 0152.
Hillary Biegon 704 526 8478
Pastor Zachary Kariuki 704 264 6478
Dr. Joe Karogi 919 961 9628
Okoth Osewe
Double Tragedy For Akoth’s Family
Florence Akoth, a Kenyan resident in Stockholm who lost her father about two weeks ago, has lost a brother. It is a double tragedy for this family to have lost two family members within a short span of three week.
Soon after she received news about her father’s bereavement, Florence travelled to Kenya to attend the funeral. After a few days, her brother died. The father was supposed to be buried last Sato but the funeral had to be postponed because of the new bereavement.
KSB sends condolences to Akoth’s family. It is a difficult time and we hope that the family will find solace in unity as it tries to cope with the double tragedy.
Friends are consulting to see how they can help Florence who is now far away from Stockholm. If you are touched and would like to help, contact me at 0736533068 for further information.
Okoth Osewe
Madaraka Day Bash At Ambassador’s Residence
To celebrate Madaraka Day, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya H.E. Mrs. P.W. Muhindi & Dr. J.K. Muhindi:
Request the pleasure of the company of Kenyans at a Reception on 1st June, 2008, from 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Venue: Kenya House – Nacka
Further info can be obtained through the Embassy
Okoth Osewe
Reply To Beryl
Greetings: You probably missed my point. I don’t think I am in a position to “retaliate” on your behalf on anything or on behalf of anybody for that matter. I know you have the muscles to deal with Clay or anybody should that be necessary. The story was an answer to KSB readers and ODM members who have been making inquiries especially those who missed the “joke”.
To go back to the title of the story, it was based on “putting the record straight”, not confronting the joke. You did admit that you got some “congrants”, an indication that even some of your contacts missed the joke.
If a story appears anywhere in the net and I think that it is relevant to KSB readers, I need nobody’s permission to comment on it at KSB. However, if such comments are derogatory, negative or libelous and you take issue, I could be open to discussions on what needs to be done because then, it takes a legal character. I do not intend to take the matter further than this unless something new crops up. Cheers!
Okoth Osewe
NOTE:
This was a private response to a reader. It is being published here for record because the matter at hand has found it’s way in another blog.
Beryl Responds To KSB’s Article
Goodday, During our meeting and discussions on saturday at Linda’s place, while the article on Clay’s blog was brought up by you and Tonny Odera I dont remember authorizing anyone to retaliate on my behalf!
I request that you dont publish stuff about me (and with both my names) unless consent is given. There was a joke attatched to Clay’s article unlike yours that is purely confrontational and for your info….as much as I was surprised by the article and the subsequent calls and messages, I did buy into the joke. If at all he was ill-meaning in anyway with his article, let ME be the one to deal with it. I have my own back and dont need you or any other blogger to ‘defend’ my position. If I see the need and deem it necessary I CAN PERSONALLY confront Clay!!!!!
If you may, take down the article, u have a choice though to keep it up, whatever makes your day.
Beryl Otumba
KSB’s Discussion Forum Set Up
After a long period of lobbying, KSB funs will now be able to have their say on stories published at the blog. This includes other readers of good will who wish to bring issues that are not within the scope of KSB as a blog. The discussion Board will require registration with a valid email address.
It is the vision of KSB that the Board will be used constructively to bring up relevant issues for debate and discussion. Abuse of the Board will not be tolerated under any circumstance. A high level of decorum is expected from contributors. Avoid character assassination or posting obscene or libelous material. A comprehensive list of rules governing the Board will soon be circulated. CLICK HERE to spy on the new development.
Okoth Osewe
Kenya Party At Södra Station Pub After Nyam-Chom
There is a way out to boredom after the June 6th Nyama Choma Party at Fittja. Revellers will have the opportunity to zoom in at Södra Station Pub at Medborgaplatsen to continue with night operations.
It was like a manna from heaven because the entrance will be free while Kenyan and other artists will be performing live. Albert Taabu, Ngugi and the Jambo crew will be in action to help revelers cope with the “after Nyama choma hangover” in Fittja.
Vumbi, a well known artist within the Kenyan community who has been performing at Star-light club, will also be at the scene to entertain the audience. Vumbi played at Star Light together with Moses Trubadur before the club closed down to move to another location.
KSB has learnt that the Crew that will perform live at Södra Station pub has converted the joint into a base for some time now and they won’t be new to regular customers. It will be a great opportunity to watch African artists with Kenyan extraction play at the venue after a long time.
The “Party Ukamwe” is slowly being confronted with fresh opportunities in Stockholm and now, week-ends are beginning to get packed with action. KSB hopes that the trend will continue during the summer.
Okoth Osewe
Kenya Embassy ”Enjoying A Period Of Tranquility”
KSB has been behind with lots of stories because of a new Project staff members are working on. A source at the Kenyan Embassy in Stockholm has informed KSB that the Kenyan Ambassador to Scandinavia Her Excellency Mrs Purity Muhindi is currently “enjoying a period of tranquility” due to “lack of attacks” at Kenyan blogs.
KSB has been negotiating the acquisition of new missiles that will soon be fired at the Embassy. As far as KSB is concerned, Purity remains a failure at the diplomatic level and her appointment as Kenyan Ambassador to Scandinavia was the biggest disaster to have happened to Kenyans in Stockholm in the last two decades.
Can Purity come up with a list of achievement she can boast of since she took over Office about two years ago? The holiday season at the Embassy will soon be over. The Ambassador has been warned!
Okoth Osewe
Putting The Record Straight On “Beryl’s Appointment”
Recently, information was published at a Kenyan blog that Beryl Otumba, a Kenyan lady resident in Stockholm, was appointed by “ODM and PNU” to work for the Kenyan government. Following the “News”, Beryl began to get congratulatory messages from friends and well wishers, much to the surprise of Beryl.
This is because the “appointment” was a hoax and although it was not April fool’s day, the blogger never bothered to put the record straight. KSB control room was itself jammed with inquiries from curious Kenyans about the “welcome news”. Since the insinuation was that ODM was behind the appointment, members of ODM-Scandinavia were equally looking for “further information” from the Party about this interesting piece of news.
Obviously, an appointment of a Kenyan in Diaspora to work at some position in Kenya should be welcome News and a plus for the Coalition government that is yet to convince Kenyans with bases abroad that they can get jobs in our country currently suffering from over 50% unemployment.
However, if someone decides to post such news at a Blog site using the name of a well known Kenyan national when it is not April fool’s day, then questions have to be asked about the intention. There are several jokes that circulate in Kenyan blogs but our view at KSB is that these kind of jokes should be avoided by bloggers because they tend to promote confusion.
When I met Beryl and a handful of Kenyans at a function over the week-end, the attitude towards the story was the same – that it is a joke that may have gone a bit far.
Some people aka Watu wengine in Stockholm and Kenya had even began lobbying Beryl to fix them a job once she takes up her new position. This was because the image that was created by the blogger is that Beryl had landed a “top job” and in Kenya, people in top positions are known to pull strings so why not Beryl? It was a brief moment of irresponsibility and thoughtlessness in the Kenya blogsphere and that’s what I am saying.
Okoth Osewe
Kenyan Facing Trial In Linköping
A Kenyan national is facing trial at a Court in Linköping on suspected robbery charges. Details about the case are not yet in. The Kenyan, who was born in 1980, is facing charges together with three other people.
The names of the accused have been published at a Neo-Nazi web site which used the story to promote the perception that immigrants are a big problem in Sweden because of their involvement in criminal activities. The case number is also published at the site. The case was brought to the attention of KSB by a good contact who is also a strong KSB fun.
Okoth Osewe
Mid Summer Nyama Choma At Fittja Beach
Members of the Africa Renaissance Group, a newly formed group in Sweden, is making their debut in the Nyama Choma zone in Stockholm. The group has settled for Friday, June the 6th as the big day when Africans in Sweden are invited to an outdoor grill Party that will take place at Fittja Beach from 10.00-22.00 hrs.
June 6th, which has been chosen by Africa Renaissance, is special because it is the Swedish National day and because it will be a holiday, it should be possible for people to attend the Nyama Choma even if the event falls on a week day. The day is not the official Mid summer time in Sweden but it falls just on the right month.
The leadership of Africa Renaissance is drawn from a cross-section of African countries although some Swedes are also part of it. KSB has been in touch with Mr. Barry Owino, the Assistant Treasurer of the group, and when I spoke to him, he sounded upbeat about the event.
Africa Renaissance has been in existence for just 30 days and already, it has pulled a Nyama choma, an indication that the leadership is “action-oriented”. Another key personality in the group is Mr. Samson Mande, a Human Rights activist from Uganda who also works with the International Red Cross.
Mande is not a new comer in organized African life in Stockholm. After the post election violence in Kenya, Mande sat in two Kenyan committees that had been formed by Kenyans to help address the crisis that the country had plunged in following election rigging by PNU in December. Mande sat in the Committees of both MOREDEK (Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Kenya) and UHCK (United for Humanitarian Cause in Kenya).
The Nyama Choma will not just be an entertainment event without attachments. Cash raised at the function will go towards helping the needy in Africa. According to Barry, the group will use the event to inform attendees about what they do and why the group was set up. The organization is also seeking to recruit new members and the Nyama Choma beat could be a good joint for such an operation. Speaking to KSB, Barry said:
“We, at the same time, would like to have as many members as possible to enable us be more effective. We are only one month old and have at least 30 members so far. Our membership is a mix-up of Swedes and Africans from different parts of the Continent”.
An attractive component of Nyama Choma at Fittja which many Kenyans are used to normally include “Big music” as part of the menu. Certain details are not yet in but it is expected that as June 6th draws near, Africa Renaissance leadership will come up with information to fill in the gaps. Although there will be music at Fittja, Barry said that there will be no extended Party at Norsborg and unless there is a change of plan, nothing is expected. Secondly, it is not known how much Nyake eaters will have to dig from their pockets to fill up their tummies as they enjoy the event.
Traditionally, the Nyama eaters have had to part with at least 100 kr which gave those attending the ticket to chew meat until they surrender. When KUWA used to organize the event, endless Nyama eating used to be free while a bash that followed at Norsborg was also free. Of cause, that was when KUWA was a beneficiary of State funds and so it could afford to give away free stuff.
Without an all night bash after the Nyam Chom, the thorny issue is what will be done with the revelers who will, no doubt, be in a Party mood. If someone could throw a bash, he/she could scoop some quid because people will be desperate to swing after they have been warmed up at Fittja Beach. Further information about the event can be obtained from Barry at Tel: 0704807524 or from Mande at sm.5050@yahoo.com.
Okoth Osewe
Joseph Omiti Graduation Party At Täby
Mrs Pamela Omiti, the widow of the late John Peter Omiti, invites Kenyans and friends to the graduation Party of her son Joseph Omiti which will be held on Friday 30th May in Täby.
Joseph is clearing his secondary education. The Party will be held at the residence of Pamela and will start at 18.00 hrs. Further information can be obtained from Pamela.
Okoth Osewe
Lavinia Graduation Party On 30th May
Prisca Forsman, a Kenyan resident in Stockholm, is throwing a Party at her residence in Märsta on Friday May 30th to celebrate the graduation of her daughter Lavinia who has become a Nurse. The Party begins at 18.00 until after hours. Further information can be obtained from Prisca.
Okoth Osewe
Joel Odhiambo Graduation Party In Märsta
Hulda Palm and Alice invites Kenyans and friends to the graduation Party of Joel Odhiambo at Norrbackaskolan in Märsta on Saturday June 7th from 18.00 hrs until morning.
Spinning will be DJ Jimmy who has promised to give the audience “a run for their time”. Jimmy has recently upgraded his equipment and he told KSB that he is well prepared to ensure that party funs enjoy every minute of their presence at the Joel Party. Odhiambo is completing his gymnasium (an equivalent of Secondary education in Kenya).
Okoth Osewe
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Why I Won’t Be At Purity’s Madaraka Gimmick
It is the first time the Ambassador is inviting Kenyans to her residence following her posting in Stockholm about two years ago. It is not the correct time to ask where Purity has been during the past Madaraka days but a few observations will suffice.
While this invitation is long overdue, it is happening under different circumstances. The last time I was at the Residence with a couple of Kenyans following the outbreak of news that land at the residence belonging to the Kenyan government had been grabbed, the Ambassador called police “to arrest us”.
We were not there to demonstrate but to verify that land had in fact been hived off the compound of the residence and awarded to a neighbor who had fixed the fence at the residence by constructing a new one. If you will be there for the first time since the Kinyanjui days, the only fence that separates the residence from a Swedish neighbor along the garage is a new construction that was never funded by the Embassy but which was put up by the neighbor because the old fence “was looking ugly”.
In return, the neighbor was awarded a triangular piece of land that was returned only after a lengthy campaign by ODM-Scandinavia and which involved the Swedish land office and other authorities. It is during this campaign that Purity called police to lock us up but the move failed because we were peaceful while our presence there was not part of a demonstration. Instead of arresting us, police allowed us to use their bonnet to study a map we had collected from the Lands office. I will not be at the residence (the same venue where she called police) in protest and I hope others who will be there will ha
ve a good time.
The police left after a few minutes. The gate was padlocked and we had to view the grabbed land from the compound of the same neighbor who benefitted from the transaction that, according to the neighbor, cost him 2 million Kenyan shillings.
Look at it this way. It is at this same residence where a Kenyan national who was working at the residence as a gardener was denied toilet facilities, forcing him to carry his own waste in a plastic bag for disposal together with other takataka. It was sad when we arrived and found that the Kenyan was actually taking coffee breaks in the garage and his coffee equipment (a cup, sugar, spoon et al) were still on a chair in the garage. That is how savage it got.
The Embassy had contracted the same Kenyan to do extra work for another Kenyan diplomat but when the diplomat passed away in an inferno in Norway, the Ambassador refused to pay him his wage that amounted to 10,000 kr. Despite requests in writing by the Kenyan that he be paid, the Embassy refused to do so. The case is still pending. I will be boycotting Madaraka at the residence in solidarity with this Kenyan who was treated more like an animal which had wondered into the compound of Her Excellency.
THE POLITICAL QUESTION: Then, there is the political issue which might be difficult to understand without the element of principle being brought on the table. According to sources, the Embassy budget for hosting an event of the Madaraka day type normally stands at 50,000 Kr (about half a million Kenyan shillings) depending on whether or not a Hotel is hired and this is normally a 2-3 hour drinking spree in Stockholm city.
Back in Kenya, IDPs are stuck because the government said that there is no money to resettle them. Of cause, 50,000 Kr is a drop in the ocean when compared to the huge amount that might be required to resettle IDPs in Kenya. But it is not small change. How many IDP mouths can be fed with cash being wasted to celebrate a day that has completely lost meaning to the Kenyan people?
Our country has been taken over by imperialist agents who basically control our economy, from the Nairobi Stock Exchange to Kenya Airways (the pride of Africa?). We boast of our country as one of the best tourist destination points in the world and even mention the 1 billion dollars earned annually through tourism but who exactly benefits from the huge profits?
It is foreigners who own the big five star hotels at game parks, beaches, capital cities and other parts of Kenya. Many of the game parks themselves are owned by wazungu who also own or have controlling interests in the tourism industry and other connected businesses so where exactly is our Madaraka which we should be celebrating?
Let me not go into the multinational companies controlling the distribution Networks in our country or the big Western banks we have allowed to keep our money for us when here in Sweden, you don’t see Barclays or Standard Banks. While millions of citizens are landless in Kenya, wazungu are living in luxury in huge Ranches where they shoot innocent Kenyans to death and walk away with murder through our compromised court system so once again, where is our Madaraka which we ought to be celebrating at the residence?
When a foreigner is sick in Kenya, better treatment is guaranteed compared to the poor Kenyan, condemned to die of treatable diseases due to lack of medicine in government hospitals so, what are we celebrating? These are just a few examples.
Celebrating a national day does not just mean rushing to the residence to drink or to feed on snacks continuously for three hours. It is also a time of reflection at what is being celebrated and if I do this in the case of Madaraka, I become sad because millions of Kenyans are homeless or languishing in slums without clean drinking water. Did someone say that Kibera (officially a tourist attraction) is the biggest slum in the world?
Further, Millions of Wananchi in our country are faced with starvation while inflation has hit the 50% mark. The standard of living in Kenya continues to fall on a daily basis as prices of consumer commodities continue to get further from the reach of the consumer.
While the rich continue to speculate with billions at the Nairobi Stock Exchange, the ordinary Kenyan worker is increasingly finding it difficult to live from hand to mouth because the purchasing power of the Kenyan worker has been under constant attack from spiraling prices on the one hand and stagnant wages on the other so what is there to celebrate? On May day, Kibaki refused to increase wages for workers, arguing that there is no money yet in Stockholm, half a million could be consumed in two hours.
For Purity and her corrupt team at the Embassy, the Madaraka day celebration could be a blessing because they will have something to Report back to the government after a period of idleness. At the end of the day, the accountant will be able to twist the figures to see if something small can be left behind for the Madosi and the presence of Kenyans at the function is a plus because it gives the Embassy cover for justifications and promotion of corruption rampant at the Embassy.
The Kinyua container scandal is still fresh while Purity’s attempt to deport an ailing Mr. Cheruiyot (a former Embassy staff member) and family through kidnapping has not yet been eroded from memory. All the same, good luck to Wakenya who will be in the Guest list!
Okoth Osewe
May 30, 2008 Posted by makozewe | Commentary | Leave a Comment