Political parties have realized that women being the majority in the country play a big role in Kenyan politics had have a big influence on elections outcome.
We now see political leaders supporting affirmative action in their visions. Parties promising women more positions if they win elections. The government is promising 50 special seats for women. Opposition leaders are promising equal representation in parliament and public posts.
I hope these are not the usual gimmicks to attract votes from women. The key to more women getting into parliament is for women to elect more women and support from men who regard women as important. About public posts we will see if the next government will fulfill their promise.
My appeal to women, lets not get hoodwinked by politicians who are interested in our votes and are known not to fulfill election promises.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Banking industry in Kenya
I took a 46 matatu to Kawangware this weekend and I noticed a new building that is in finishing process. The building didn’t look like a common shop or a flat that are so many in the area, but was shocked by the blue name on the building. I couldn’t believe Barclays bank is opening a branch in Kawangware!
Am sure many Kenyan’s would be shocked like me because there was a time in Kenya when such banks where only for a certain class of people. The common mwanainchi like those in Kawangware would go to NBK, Co-operative and KCB. Co-operative would be found in such places where they could reach the common mwanainchi.
Competition is now stiff with banks like Equity coming into the market and opening branches closer to wanainchi. Co-operative was already doing that, the banks are also offering loans left right and center and competition is getting stiffer.
The pace at which Equity has come up and is opening branches all over is alarming. It reminds me of Uchumi Supermarket when they decided to open branches in estates at a high rate. We all know what happened next and I hope this is not the same case with Equity.
Just when I thought of writing about the shock of seeing Barclays in Kawangware , I received this email, forwarded to me, as sent by an "alleged" Equity Bank employee.......................
Truth or Trash? You decide. I personally think Equity is exactly what Kenya needs to wake these other banks up.
"Dear readers, You may never have heard of me...but worry not because i mean no harm at all.I work at Equity bank as a cashier at a branch
in town but am looking for a job since i see no future with this bank.I just want to warn you,be VERY careful about EQUITY BANK.All is not as rosy as it seems.There are people playing Russian roulette with hard earned savings of Kenyans and the unfortunate thing is that the low income earners are the ones who will be affected by the eventual collapse of Equity bank.The revelations in parliament recently is just a tip of the iceberg.The Bank is actually in the RED.The fact that it is surviving is because it has got political backing right from the country's top executive.The youth development funds being channeled through it and also the womens development fund are just a cover
up.Those funds from government are actually being used to give the bank the much needed shot in the arm.This is for the simple reason that there have been large payouts to well connected individuals in the form of unsecured loans that characterised the growth of now collapsed banks such as Trade Bank, Delphis Bank, Bullion Bank and Trust bank.The top CEO's portfolio is also very suspect and top management is composed of individuals from one community.The Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth claimed that the manager resigned in !982 from Trade bank,however,note that Trade bank was not in existance then! The ambitious expansion embarked on by the bank and the installation of ATM machines in record time is also very suspect.To refresh your mind,you can remember that just before the collapse of UCHUMI Chain of supermarkets,they had embarked on a countrywide expansion,opening up stores in almost every town.if in doubt, ask yourself why banks that have been around for quite a while like the Co-operative Bank have not had
such expansion rates despite mainly catering for the low income earners.in short,this is a classic case of a pyramid scheme,only these
time,its on a large scale.For the price of a share to shoot to an all time high for a company that has been on the stock exchange for less
than a year leaves a lot to be desired.Watch this space dear kenyans,and you will quote me right in days to come. There is a way out though...the time to get out is now.Its better to keep your money under a bed/matress than wait for a few people to steal it and forever never step in the inside of a courtroom.I know each of you has got a relative,friend,sister or brother associating with this bank.please help them by talking to them.Don 't force them but just be gentle.This is an election year and politicians are desperate to get money for dishing out,and by putting money in Equity Bank,you have willingly funded them for their greedy gains.FAMILY FINANCE is also part of the gravy train but that is just a story for another day.You are welcome to dismiss me as a false alarmist,arguing without facts, but sometimes its the blind lead the way.Please foward this mail to as many Kenyans as you can.You will have saved s another Goldenberg,saved us another anglo leasing and enabled a soul to live another day."
Am sure many Kenyan’s would be shocked like me because there was a time in Kenya when such banks where only for a certain class of people. The common mwanainchi like those in Kawangware would go to NBK, Co-operative and KCB. Co-operative would be found in such places where they could reach the common mwanainchi.
Competition is now stiff with banks like Equity coming into the market and opening branches closer to wanainchi. Co-operative was already doing that, the banks are also offering loans left right and center and competition is getting stiffer.
The pace at which Equity has come up and is opening branches all over is alarming. It reminds me of Uchumi Supermarket when they decided to open branches in estates at a high rate. We all know what happened next and I hope this is not the same case with Equity.
Just when I thought of writing about the shock of seeing Barclays in Kawangware , I received this email, forwarded to me, as sent by an "alleged" Equity Bank employee.......................
Truth or Trash? You decide. I personally think Equity is exactly what Kenya needs to wake these other banks up.
"Dear readers, You may never have heard of me...but worry not because i mean no harm at all.I work at Equity bank as a cashier at a branch
in town but am looking for a job since i see no future with this bank.I just want to warn you,be VERY careful about EQUITY BANK.All is not as rosy as it seems.There are people playing Russian roulette with hard earned savings of Kenyans and the unfortunate thing is that the low income earners are the ones who will be affected by the eventual collapse of Equity bank.The revelations in parliament recently is just a tip of the iceberg.The Bank is actually in the RED.The fact that it is surviving is because it has got political backing right from the country's top executive.The youth development funds being channeled through it and also the womens development fund are just a cover
up.Those funds from government are actually being used to give the bank the much needed shot in the arm.This is for the simple reason that there have been large payouts to well connected individuals in the form of unsecured loans that characterised the growth of now collapsed banks such as Trade Bank, Delphis Bank, Bullion Bank and Trust bank.The top CEO's portfolio is also very suspect and top management is composed of individuals from one community.The Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth claimed that the manager resigned in !982 from Trade bank,however,note that Trade bank was not in existance then! The ambitious expansion embarked on by the bank and the installation of ATM machines in record time is also very suspect.To refresh your mind,you can remember that just before the collapse of UCHUMI Chain of supermarkets,they had embarked on a countrywide expansion,opening up stores in almost every town.if in doubt, ask yourself why banks that have been around for quite a while like the Co-operative Bank have not had
such expansion rates despite mainly catering for the low income earners.in short,this is a classic case of a pyramid scheme,only these
time,its on a large scale.For the price of a share to shoot to an all time high for a company that has been on the stock exchange for less
than a year leaves a lot to be desired.Watch this space dear kenyans,and you will quote me right in days to come. There is a way out though...the time to get out is now.Its better to keep your money under a bed/matress than wait for a few people to steal it and forever never step in the inside of a courtroom.I know each of you has got a relative,friend,sister or brother associating with this bank.please help them by talking to them.Don 't force them but just be gentle.This is an election year and politicians are desperate to get money for dishing out,and by putting money in Equity Bank,you have willingly funded them for their greedy gains.FAMILY FINANCE is also part of the gravy train but that is just a story for another day.You are welcome to dismiss me as a false alarmist,arguing without facts, but sometimes its the blind lead the way.Please foward this mail to as many Kenyans as you can.You will have saved s another Goldenberg,saved us another anglo leasing and enabled a soul to live another day."
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Helping women and girls in the slums
I looked at a friend’s braided hair (locally referred to as twist) with admiration at the way it was done. It was neat and shining making her look so elegant. I told her you must take me to that place you did your hair.
She told me it was done in Kibera slums at a place called Kianda, but is near the main road connected to Ayany estate and asked me if I would still want to go, I said why not I don’t have a problem going to the slums, I grew in an estate next to the slums most of my childhood, so I am familiar with the area and its not such a big issue going to the slums. She told me they are very much cheaper compared to town yet it is done exactly the same way. The lady running the place is called Nyatanga (when translated from Luo means a lady from Tanga in Tanzania), she is a Luo from Tanzania, her family moved to Kenya and is married to a Luo from Kenya.
She advised that we go on a Saturday early morning before 9am, because the place is normally full of customers. On reaching the place, we found more than 10 ladies dressed in red T-shirts printed Nyatanga Salon. They came early to clean the premises and it was interesting to note that they gave each other numbers according to the one who arrived first. This is the sequence used to pick customers. So those who came earlier take the first customers. Otherwise it would be chaotic when they jostle to take the customers.
Being a new customer and the first one to arrive, I was referred to the owner and after telling her how I want my hair done she took me to 2 ladies who were number one and two (in the queue) to do my hair. Since the braids are small and have to be done in 5 hours or less, 2 ladies do one head. I wondered if two people are doing one head what if other customer come, I realized that being a Saturday other salonists had not arrived. They came late after doing their housework.
As the day moved on more ladies arrived and took other customers until there were around 30 ladies, I also realized they had 2 other shops which they gave names A, B and C. The tiny shops where full to the veranda with customers and the ladies braiding. There were some ladies doing finishing, others were preparing the hairpiece oiling them and dividing them. In the meantime they chatted, gossiped and sung while going on with their work. Hawkers with different types of items even food came to sell their wares to the ladies. I also realized that some customers who wanted to be braided cheaply but neatly in the comfort of their homes came with cars to pick the ladies. Those who were going to customer houses dressed neatly and perfumed themselves not to look like they are from the slums on a mission to braid elegant ladies. They would say they are going mobile.
Looking at this busy salon I wondered why others in Kenya are not this busy. I also realized the ladies where from different tribes of Kenya and different ages. I asked my friend later and she told me Nyatanga is very kind, she decided to invite the ladies to braid in her salon to help them earn a living, instead of just sitting at home or suffering for lack of income. She also told me most of the girls are single parents after getting children at a young age and dropping out the school. Some of the ladies are widows and would be suffering upcountry without income. Some of them are separated from their husbands and few have their husbands. She trained them on how to make neat braids of different styles, being an expert herself and share the proceeds.
I was pleased with this woman and her noble idea of offering employment to girls and women in the slums of Kibera. I realized this is why the place is normally full and the ladies working here are many.
After the first visit and many admiring my hair, I have been going to Nyatangas salon since then. My friends, relatives and colleagues have also joined the chain of customers. I also realized that most of the ladies are still there and may more have joined her. They have other income generating projects like merry-go-rounds, this way they have managed to provide for their families.
If this is how our leaders can support Kenyans from the grass root level, then Kenya would be a better place.
She told me it was done in Kibera slums at a place called Kianda, but is near the main road connected to Ayany estate and asked me if I would still want to go, I said why not I don’t have a problem going to the slums, I grew in an estate next to the slums most of my childhood, so I am familiar with the area and its not such a big issue going to the slums. She told me they are very much cheaper compared to town yet it is done exactly the same way. The lady running the place is called Nyatanga (when translated from Luo means a lady from Tanga in Tanzania), she is a Luo from Tanzania, her family moved to Kenya and is married to a Luo from Kenya.
She advised that we go on a Saturday early morning before 9am, because the place is normally full of customers. On reaching the place, we found more than 10 ladies dressed in red T-shirts printed Nyatanga Salon. They came early to clean the premises and it was interesting to note that they gave each other numbers according to the one who arrived first. This is the sequence used to pick customers. So those who came earlier take the first customers. Otherwise it would be chaotic when they jostle to take the customers.
Being a new customer and the first one to arrive, I was referred to the owner and after telling her how I want my hair done she took me to 2 ladies who were number one and two (in the queue) to do my hair. Since the braids are small and have to be done in 5 hours or less, 2 ladies do one head. I wondered if two people are doing one head what if other customer come, I realized that being a Saturday other salonists had not arrived. They came late after doing their housework.
As the day moved on more ladies arrived and took other customers until there were around 30 ladies, I also realized they had 2 other shops which they gave names A, B and C. The tiny shops where full to the veranda with customers and the ladies braiding. There were some ladies doing finishing, others were preparing the hairpiece oiling them and dividing them. In the meantime they chatted, gossiped and sung while going on with their work. Hawkers with different types of items even food came to sell their wares to the ladies. I also realized that some customers who wanted to be braided cheaply but neatly in the comfort of their homes came with cars to pick the ladies. Those who were going to customer houses dressed neatly and perfumed themselves not to look like they are from the slums on a mission to braid elegant ladies. They would say they are going mobile.
Looking at this busy salon I wondered why others in Kenya are not this busy. I also realized the ladies where from different tribes of Kenya and different ages. I asked my friend later and she told me Nyatanga is very kind, she decided to invite the ladies to braid in her salon to help them earn a living, instead of just sitting at home or suffering for lack of income. She also told me most of the girls are single parents after getting children at a young age and dropping out the school. Some of the ladies are widows and would be suffering upcountry without income. Some of them are separated from their husbands and few have their husbands. She trained them on how to make neat braids of different styles, being an expert herself and share the proceeds.
I was pleased with this woman and her noble idea of offering employment to girls and women in the slums of Kibera. I realized this is why the place is normally full and the ladies working here are many.
After the first visit and many admiring my hair, I have been going to Nyatangas salon since then. My friends, relatives and colleagues have also joined the chain of customers. I also realized that most of the ladies are still there and may more have joined her. They have other income generating projects like merry-go-rounds, this way they have managed to provide for their families.
If this is how our leaders can support Kenyans from the grass root level, then Kenya would be a better place.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Kenyan MPs want to do it again.
http://nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=103195
http://eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143971943
I can’t believe our MPs are asking for hefty pay for their send off (5.9m for each of the 222 MPs and more for ministers), after getting themselves big salaries and allowances. Most of them attended parliament session yesterday (which is rare) and left when the Attorney General did not turn up, as if they did not have anything else to discuss. (Read more on the links above).
This is very sad for the Kenya economy, the common mwanainchi is suffering because of poverty. We elected these MPs to represent us in parliament and to help solve our problems but they are busy trying to fill up their pockets with more pay for less work.
I hope this bill does not sail through and Kenyan’s should reject this move. Furthermore most of them are not worth being elected back.
http://eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143971943
I can’t believe our MPs are asking for hefty pay for their send off (5.9m for each of the 222 MPs and more for ministers), after getting themselves big salaries and allowances. Most of them attended parliament session yesterday (which is rare) and left when the Attorney General did not turn up, as if they did not have anything else to discuss. (Read more on the links above).
This is very sad for the Kenya economy, the common mwanainchi is suffering because of poverty. We elected these MPs to represent us in parliament and to help solve our problems but they are busy trying to fill up their pockets with more pay for less work.
I hope this bill does not sail through and Kenyan’s should reject this move. Furthermore most of them are not worth being elected back.
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