Diing Magot

Heroin trafficking has found its way into the  African coast, therefore, there is an urgent need to improve maritime security in combating the trafficking of narcotics, people, firearms and other illicit goods.   This was emphasized by ENACT on Tuesday during a three-part seminar that focused on the southern route as a gateway for heroin trade. Their research also emphasized on the growing narcotics trade that has fueled criminal governance. The research paper authored by Simone Haysom, Peter Gastrow and Mark Shaw titled: The heroin coast: A political economy along the Eastern African seaboard was launched in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi on 2 and 3 July.  The session which had attracted Diplomats, media, policy institutes and students also had a critical discussion on the linkages between drug trafficking and maritime crime of Africa’s East Coast at double tree Hilton, Nairobi. Heroin which is a highly addictive drug is extracted from morphine. Heroin is more popular in t

NAIROBI - Homes and gardens enthusiasts were excited by new technology and products that were showcased at the Sarit Center expo,  Karuna Rd,  Westlands by exhibitors from different parts of Kenya. Exhibitors welcomed customers with their products which were displayed in a way that made you feel like you have entered their main stores. Customers were also given a catalog at the entrance that gave more information about companies that attended the expo. Each company was unique, their products were strategically placed to utilize the space that they had paid for, it also made curious customers satisfied by what they saw. From the arrangements, I felt like I was inside a well-furnished living room and bedroom. The exhibitors did their research on how to catch the attention of passersby. Companies that were showcased included, Amco waterless cookware, Ashut engineers, sirocco lifestyle, spiegel gardening Kenya, tiles, and carpet. Most of the companies targeted homeowners who were

    Ahmed Sasso at Souk, village market. KENYA - Ahmed Sasso is the owner of Souk,  a business that sells dry fruits as an alternative to candy at the village market, Nairobi, for Kenyans who enjoy imported dry fruits, nuts, and chocolates from different countries. This is the first time that Ahmed who is influenced by his Lebanese background, is trying out this venture in Kenya. The business has a high demand in Lebanon but in Kenya, the concept is still foreign. Souk has been open for only two months but customers keep coming back for their products. On a Friday afternoon, I met Sasso at Souk.During the interview, I was interrupted by customers who were inquiring about his products. I took the opportunity to look around the shop which had a  unique design and logo by Nour Samman an International graphic designer.The products were strategically placed from the entrance to the cashier area.There is also a black wall that has writing that informs customers about health benefit

KENYA - Bike repairer, Paul Mwangi starts his day at 8 a.m by assembling his spare tires next to a tree that provides shade for him. His workstation is an open area at Komarock phase 3b. Next to the tree is a broken bicycle that he will work on later in the day.His workplace is also in a busy area as buses, motorbikes, and matatus with loud music pass by. Opposite his workstation is a ditch with flowing water. There is also a businessman who is creating furniture opposite him. After a while, he is joined by friends who laugh out loud as he works on a bicycle.They are intrigued by politics and argue about which political party is more popular. One of them has a newspaper that he uses as a reference to argue his points.A few minutes later, some children bring in their bicycles to be repaired. Mwangi started his occupation in 2005. As a child, riding bicycles was his hobby.When he grew up his first job was of a bicycle repairer at the industrial area, Nairobi.When he realized he ha

    Courtesy of westgate mall fb page KENYA - The rains did not stop health lovers from attending the organic market  opening on friday  at Mwanzi road , Westlands where business owners  showcased their natural products (15-17 March )  to the public as they convinced them to  buy organic products for health purposes. The organic food market exhibition has created a platform for local companies to market their vegetables , natural herbs and spices , organic honey and peanut butter as well as other products. Companies such as Moringa for life , valley green fruit preserve, ambitious condiment , Moravo naturals , Rose bee honey took advantage of the opportunity . Lately there has been a lot of lifestyle diseases from consuming from fast food joints and buying processed  products from local supermarkets that have found a market in Kenya .Consuming the processed foods has led to heart disease and complicated diseases such as cancer as well. The World Health Organisation (WHO)

NAIROBI - Beth Warugura , the founder of  girl aid foundation, created awareness about  the taboos associated with menstruation and lack of sanitary towels by asking willing participants to sign on a wall at Yaya Centre. Girl aid foundation was founded in 2016 after getting enough funding and the required permits from the government.The  aim of the foundation is to keep girls in school by increasing their  attendance during their menstruation period and reducing the shame that is associated with it. I met Waruguru on a hot Wednesday afternoon.She spoke about her project with so much hope for the future. She also shared  what inspired her to start the foundation and why she is campaigning for the girl child. She grew up in a rural area , in South kinangop , central province where she attended primary school. Later on she went to  Kiabi girls high school which is in the same area. After that, She decided to move to Nairobi to study for a course in Journalism. Howeve

Joan Thatiah is a woman of steel who believes that young women should be enlightened about their bodies and advices them on how to handle life changes. The 29-year-old feminist who has been a journalist since 2011, does not sugar coat what African women should expect from a man. She is like an older sister who dishes out details about marriage and love. Basically information that other African writers shy away from. I met her at the Nation Centre in Nairobi. She had a lot of positive energy as she spoke about her passion for writing for women.She said , "I like to call myself a writer. I write articles and books for women. I am passionate about women, I write about women for women". She writes to women about the issues that are seen as a taboo in society. Joan Thatia is a feminist and believes that young women can still be brilliant if they are encouraged enough. Thatia specialized in writing for African women because most self helping novels do not cater for

Nairobi -  Jimmy Curtis Wamalawa  is an art instructor and mentor who sketches every  detail of his surrounding and also beautiful and unique traits of people from different cultural backgrounds. The 29-year-old artist who is artistically known as Jimmy Curtis IV, creates images that are captivating. He discovered  his talent at a tender age. "At first I didn’t really know it was a talent. I was too young to understand , but as I grew older I began to realize that apparently not everyone was as good at it as I was".he said. The young and gifted artist  describes his personality as an artistic enigma , even to himself , however,  he expresses himself through art. Jimmy Curtis IV added , "I love life and the wonderful things in life. I love challenges that challenge my creativity into breaking personal limitations". His work revolves around the creative spectrum; from fine arts, writing, fashion, modelling and currently trying to break into music.