::Kenya Christian::

This is an excellent poem by Kenyan poet Ngwatilo. I sense the spirit of Ngugi wa Thiong'o forming in her work, and I fully embrace and agree with it. I would love to challenge her to do a poem(s) in Kikamba (her mother tongue) and maybe other Kenyan languages. I don't know what she would say about that. Slide show images from across Kenya taken by Ngwatilo during her "This Kenyan Life" trips in 2012-2013, except the "Writers Unlimited" image by Bernice Chauly. If am trying to get my hands on a copy of her poetry CD. If anyone has one please let me know. I would like to review it for the blog, thanks!

Check out a poem I did that appeared in the Storymoja Hay Festival newsletter this year(bottom right). I'm so proud. This won the 2nd place cash prize. I wrote this poem after reading Kwani? 5 and was inspired to express my feelings on the post-election violence.( link ) thanks Ngwatilo

This is the debut single of the band Ma-3 Ma3 (Maa-Three) is a 6-piece, quirky Afro Pop band from Nairobi that borrows its name from the ubiquitous public transport mini- vans- “Ma3s“ that dot the urban and rural landscape of Kenya. The name is synonymous in Kenya with the unpredictable, cheerful and gung-ho attitude. Download the single here Check out more here and here

Kenyan technologist, lawyer and blogger Ory Okolloh talks about how the internet can change stereotypes about Africa.

T he aim is to identify, spur and support local innovation. At the same time, Maker Faire Africa would seek to imbue creative types in science and technology with an appreciation of fabrication and by default manufacturing. The long-term interest here is to cultivate an endogenous manufacturing base that supplies innovative products in response to market needs.  Date: 27th - 28th August, 2010 Venue: University of Nairobi Main Campus Entry: Free Check out the full programme here

Gowi Odera organized a peaceful street demonstration to protest the recent move by Kenyan MPs to increase their salary – a move that has been met with condemnation from many corners. We talked to Gowi and some of the protestors who turned up. What do YOU think? Is there anything you feel strongly enough to take to the streets for? via Kuweni Serious!  Also check out their creative comic strips on the Proposed Constitution @ Soma Hiyo Something

How devastating is poor organization and management to a country and its people? How can we ensure better leadership and a better tomorrow for our children? These are some of the themes explored and laid bare in the film Kikulacho – the Bite Within. Kikulacho is a powerful Kenyan documentary that examines how corrupt systems and policies have impacted on the common people. But it is also a story of hope and triumph that aims to look at how our institutions and leadership can be shaped by the people themselves to realize their dreams.

What we ask is that your contraption, prototype or demo, be it something you made yourself or together with others. We are just as interested in the finished item as the process/path the Maker(s) took in getting there. Photographs/Video of the assembly/fashioning/fabrication process are welcome they will add very valuable context to what you/your and or co-makers will be presenting. The underlying theme of our inaugural event is to celebrate  ingenuity, innovation and invention within Africa. The key words here are to  celebrate and have fun  while  absorbing,interacting  and learning  from the  creativity  of others Entry Close Date: July 15th, 2010 Date: August 27th - 28th, 2010 Venue: University of Nairobi Hours: Friday 10am - 8pm, Saturday (10am - 6pm) Submit you project here   For more info contact info@makerfaireafrica.com

ownload it, read it and vote. No excuses! It's your country, your future.. (If you failed to register and you're in Kenya, I've no words for you) Muigwithania.com-Draft constitution May 6th 2010                                                             Click here to download

This is a film directed by award-winning movie maker Judy Kibinge . Among other things, the documentary illustrates major headlines through NMG’s history to its transformation from production of black and white pictures to acquisition of hi-tech equipment, which enabled it to publish coloured photographs. Previously: Coming of Age(short film)

Narrated by Djimon Hounsou When Bono edited the Africa issue of Vanity Fair, it included an essay written by Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina . Through that, we became aware of another piece he'd written for Granta a number of years ago called "How (Not) to Write About Africa." Director Jesse Dylan and his company FreeForm worked with Binyavanga and the Beninois actor Djimon Hounsou to create this filmed performance of the essay. Read the entire essay here

This and the iHub Launch have been the cool "underground" events of the year so far in my opinion. Geeks are the new cool, where have you been? lol Geeks have always been cool imo, its just people have been slow to catchup! 1%CLUB is the online marketplace that connects people with smart ideas in developing countries with people, money and knowledge around the world. We are talking about sustainable projects that stimulate the self-reliance of individuals anywhere in the world and improve their standard of living. To achieve this, we need three things: a little bit of your knowledge, money or time. You choose how, when and how much you want to participate. The people that run the projects that you are involved in keep you informed on the progress. It is that simple.

This is really inspiring and is the type of stuff I really hope to see more of and get involved with.I think these kinds of initiatives are what the future of Kenya is all about, not the current circuses and gossip talk thats dominating our minds and time.My advice..block out the noise, and keep your eyes focused on what's really important around you.This past weekend I was involved in some community service and it was really reaffirming to what I want to be a part of as a citizen of Kenya(and the world). The future is here, watch this space.. Afya Kenya Foundation is a registered charity trust organization based in Nairobi, Kenya that seeks to provide quality health care to the rural and urban poor through free community health outreach camps. It was set up by student doctors who saw the need for such an initiative in the course of their apprenticeship. read more here . Visit the website here Speaking of which Afya Kenya Foundation will be holding ...

O.K I admit I hurriedly wrote this up today morning and I've just sent it in. Better something than nothing, right? (This is the unedited version so forgive the errors) MY POSITION ON THE HARMONIZED DRAFT CONSTITUTION With this historic moment of our country Kenya in mind it is my right and indeed my duty to present my views on the Harmonized Draft Constitution. Kenyans have struggled for almost 20 years for a new constitution and we have now been presented with an important opportunity. It with this in mind that Kenyans are putting their hopes and trusts with the Committee of Experts  to honour citizen’s views and accurately reflect them in the draft constitution to be presented next year. I, Karanja Kebuchi as a Kenyan citizen am committed to a new constitutional dispensation as I believe this will be instrumental in guiding Kenya to a prosperous and unified future. However there are some issues w...