Diing Magot

On a Tuesday evening, a gathering has taken place to create awareness about starvation in Somalia and South Sudan at the  Rift Valley   Institute   Kileleshwa, Nairobi. The audience was a mix of diplomats and scholars who were eager to listen to  Alex de Waal as he launched his new book,  Mass Starvation: The History and Future of Famine . The launch of the book was followed by a panel discussion on famine and humanitarian response in the Horn of Africa. Alex de Waal  explains in his book through research that famine in the horn of Africa is man-made. He said that politicians are the cause of famine because they stand to gain from it.  According to him,  political decisions could end starvation however it should be a priority in the international community as well. There is a humanitarian crisis in the horn of Africa, according to De waal. He even mentions  the causes of the famine through his slideshows that he used to prepare his audience for the topic.  He analyzed st

image courtesy of young scientists Kenya A class was in session as students showcased their inventions at the first national science and technology exhibition which took place at the Kenyatta  International Conference Centre (KICC). Students wore dapper uniform with shiny polished shoes. A smile was also worn on their faces as they stood next to their projects to present their hard work. They were eager to mention the school that they were representing.I felt like I was back in high school again.But this time I was taught  by at least  eighty students who exhibited their projects. The national science and technology exhibition showcased different talents across the region.Young people were eager to show and talk about solutions to problems that they had encountered. Each student  had  a different background, region and  interests. Their solutions were based on the vision  2030 and big four agenda. The event attracted five thousand people who were curious about the future sc

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

KENYA- The environment of Nairobi is becoming more beautiful due to environmentalist such as the Kenya horticultural society who recruit members to continue keeping the environment beautiful. The Kenya horticultural society was established almost 100 years ago, in 1923 by a group of people with a shared interest in plants, flowers, trees, and gardens. The aim of the society is to encourage anyone with an interest in gardening and plants with opportunities to explore and learn more about horticulture   in Kenya, In Nairobi matters regarding the environment are taken seriously, almost every corner you will come across plants and trees that have been displayed for sale to be replanted. Recently the government banned chopping of wood to create charcoal which leads to deforestation. Desmond Maganga is the assistant administrator of the Kenya Horticultural society. He has studied Horticulture with I.T at Maseno University in Kisumu County. He is happy to be part of the Kenya

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

NAIROBI- Hussein Mohammed works for Silverbird travel, a   travel, and tours company that has a branch office in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zanzibar, and  Seychelles . The company's aim is to influence more Africans to embrace traveling. Mohammed who was born and raised in Lamu was motivated to join travel and tours by his hometown that has always attracted tourists. This led him to love nature and to be passionate about traveling to different places. According to him, life is a journey that is unpredictable, when you are going through the journey, you should take time to relax and declutter your mind. "Kenyans and Africans can get packages from Silverbird at rates that are affordable If foreigners from Europe and India can travel with the same rates, why, not Africans"? He says. <script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block; text-align:

    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

Davina-Field Marsham in the centre holding a baby wrapped in a purple blanket KENYA   - Most teenagers go to malls to pass time but   Davina Field- Marsham  is no ordinary teenager . At just 16 she has created, Do right, a project that sells non-profit stylish bracelets at malls in Kenya and Canada. The non- profit organisation  sells bracelets with a purpose of using its profits to encourage women to visit clinics during pregnancy. She also provides women with postnatal care bundles  that contain nappies, blankets, soap and a pamphlet that provides more information about the post natal period with an aim to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity. The bracelets are made at Langata women's Maximum prison by trained women prisoners.When the bracelets are sold they get paid in salary which is sent to their  families. I met Davina on a Sunday afternoon at Yaya centre. She had positive energy which attracted people towards her table to find out more about her project . As I sa

NAIROBI - Chocolate, wine, and cheese enthusiasts were in for a treat during the weekend as Exhibitors showcased their finest samples to the public from all over the globe at Westgate Shopping mall 22nd-25th  March. Exhibitors who displayed their products at tables informed their potential customers about their products. The wine and chocolate festival offered a variety and different taste for customers who were curious about the exhibition. When you arrive at the shopping mall you are welcomed by exhibitors who have strategically placed their tables as they patiently wait for someone to approach them.I could tell that Kenya has a market for wine by the number of people who did a wine tasting at the tables.I made eye contact with a lady who had bottles of wine on her table. As I approached her, she was smiling.I had a feeling that I will learn something new. The lady told me that she has attended wine classes in South Africa and has 5 years of experience in sales and marketing

    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

Working in the media is interesting because you get to work with experienced journalists, writers, and editors.Some of them are usually the main stars on television. When I was an intern, I got star struck because of seeing them in real life. It took me a while to get used to them but once I stayed in the same room as them, it became easier to get used to them as normal people. I was an intern at a local station in Nairobi Kenya, I was so excited.  I couldn't believe that they called me for an interview, I was so nervous at first but I somehow managed to make it through the very casual interview which took place on the balcony. The lady who interviewed me was from the HR Department and also my boss.Two weeks later I was called back to be an intern for the station, I was so excited, I couldn't believe that I got such an opportunity following so many rejections from broadcast stations. I love working in the media it makes me learn something new every day about people

February 14th is the month of love.Everywhere you go, all you  see ,is  red roses and people dressed up for the occasion.All that people talk about is their plans for valentines day .It is a day that celebrates love a beautiful feeling that every human being looks for. It is a feeling that completes us without it we feel lonely . On this day business owners make a lot of profit from the amount of people who are willing to spend for their loved ones. Men and women show of how they were spoilt by their loved ones on social media and it makes them feel special. It's a day where heartwarming letters are written, couples spoil each other with chocolates,flowers and surprises which leads to a lot of restaurant and hotel dates and proposals. Lovers forgive each other on this one day.People  forget all the pain that they have been through with their partners, its almost like a beginning of a clean slate on this day. On this day no one wants to be single especially if everyone aro

KENYA -    Felix Omondi , an upcoming international stand up comedian decided to venture into comedy when he discovered his ability to make people laugh. He says ,"When  I used to have normal conversions with people, they were always  laughing  at everything that I was saying and they kept saying, you should try comedy". The  24- year- old didn't take interest in comedy at that time, but later on, he realized that he is good at making people laugh , he decided to try it out. Omondi is passionate about comedy , he finds joy and fulfillment from making people laugh. Although he graduated from Moi University  with a BA in Political Science and Public Administration, he is currently a full time comedian. Felix Omondi says that if you want to do something , you should have interest in it . When he begun his journey in comedy, he was not getting paid. He used to go to events to perform his stand-up jokes for free. Sometimes when he cracked his jokes people were not

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 -  Soap Stone Carver , Erick Mirieri Mogunde has displayed his main source of income for sixteen years  at malls , galleries, markets and shops in Nairobi for tourists and Kenyans to purchase his pieces. The soapstone is found in Kisii Town , Tabaka hills in Western Kenya.It is mined 30 km away from the town. After it is mined, they start the carving process. Also known as a steatite, it is a talc-schist, a type of metamorphic rock which is soft and very easy to carve and manipulate. Mogunde said , "I started  my business  after  I  visited my sister who lives in Nairobi. We went to Maasai market to buy some gifts for her friends. When we  were at the market  we came across my friends  who were working there  ", he said. He added , "After a few days I came back to the market to talk to one of my friends who convinced me to start the carving business". Mogunde looked for capital of  up to  Ksh. 30, 000  for the start-up. The carving b