Swahili Fashion Week 2015-Designer Lineup and Awards Nominations

STOP EATING IN GATHERINGS

“We urge people to stop eating in mass gatherings such as funerals and weddings.

"We are also asking neighbouring counties to follow suit because it is a shared problem,” said Dr Masaulo.

In Meru, the county government said it would work with other counties to curb the spread of cholera in the region.

The county executive for Health, Dr William Muraah, said the neighbouring Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties had been singled out in the collaboration to undertake preventive and curative measures to stop the spread of the disease.

“I have already instructed the public health officers to crack down on all unclean restaurants, food kiosks and food hawkers.

"We also have enough medical supplies to deal with any eventuality, even in the neighbouring counties,” he said.

More than 60 eateries have been closed for failing to meet health standards while the county government has started a campaign in schools to spread information about how to stop the disease, including boiling drinking water, washing hands with soap and clean running water and not buying food from hawkers.

FOUR DIE IN THIKA

In Thika, four people have died of cholera while 12 others are being treated. 

The county executive for health, Dr Jonah Mwangi, said the four died in their homes at Kiandutu and Gachagi slums. 

“We have identified one positive case for cholera who is undergoing treatment at Thika Level 5 hospital, while 12 others who have diarrhoea have also been admitted and are being monitored,” he said during a free cancer screening at the Thika Muslim Primary School. 

He said the county had banned hawking of food, including roasted maize.

Other cases have been reported in Kabati area of Murang’a County where at least six people have died.

In Migori, health officials are still on high alert despite a reduction in new cholera cases in the county which was the hardest hit by the disease.

Ten people died in the region from the disease in February and March.

“Our teams are still on red alert because we are still getting reports of outbreaks in Nakuru, Mombasa and Nairobi,” said Dr Donald Jaleny, the county health department’s chief officer.

The outbreak occurred during a prolonged drought, which caused a water shortage.

Health workers managed to contain the disease due to quick supply of drugs and water treatment tablets beside outlawing eating in funerals and other public gatherings.

“All our ward and sub-county administrators were under firm instructions to ensure no feasting took place in the villages until the time the ban was lifted,” said Mr Elijah Odhiambo, the county executive committee member in charge of health.

The county also banned hawking of ready-to-eat food although many traders defied the ban.

Mobile treatment units were set up, especially on the boundary with Homa Bay while others were set up in churches.

The Kenya Red Cross Society attributed the rapid spread of the disease to contamination of River Riana and poor hygiene, especially among families that do not use toilets.

Cholera death toll rises to 52 as disease spread by poor hygiene hits 10 counties

Hawking of food has been banned in Embu after two people died of what is suspected to be cholera in two villages in Mbeere South Sub-County.

The disease caused by poor sanitation and hygiene has spread to 10 counties, with over 2,000 cases diagnosed since the first outbreak was reported in December.

At the weekend, a man aged about 60 and an eight-year-old girl died within three days of each other in Gikuru and Kakawa villages after exhibiting cholera-like symptoms.

A 35-year-old man and a woman aged 55 were also admitted to Kimbimbi Sub-County hospital in Kirinyaga County, while an 11-year old girl was Sunday recovering at Gategi Health Centre in Mbeere South.

Results from samples sent to the national public health laboratory are expected today to establish whether the two are ailing from cholera or acute typhoid.

“The situation is manageable and we are coping well. We are educating people on the right hygiene to minimise such cases,” said Dr Philip Masaulo, the Embu County director of health.

He said health workers had increased surveillance and medicine had been sent to various health centres in anticipation of increased cases of cholera. He asked families to also boil drinking water.

STOP EATING IN GATHERINGS

“We urge people to stop eating in mass gatherings such as funerals and weddings.

"We are also asking neighbouring counties to follow suit because it is a shared problem,” said Dr Masaulo.

In Meru, the county government said it would work with other counties to curb the spread of cholera in the region.

The county executive for Health, Dr William Muraah, said the neighbouring Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties had been singled out in the collaboration to undertake preventive and curative measures to stop the spread of the disease.

“I have already instructed the public health officers to crack down on all unclean restaurants, food kiosks and food hawkers.

"We also have enough medical supplies to deal with any eventuality, even in the neighbouring counties,” he said.

More than 60 eateries have been closed for failing to meet health standards while the county government has started a campaign in schools to spread information about how to stop the disease, including boiling drinking water, washing hands with soap and clean running water and not buying food from hawkers.

FOUR DIE IN THIKA

In Thika, four people have died of cholera while 12 others are being treated. 

The county executive for health, Dr Jonah Mwangi, said the four died in their homes at Kiandutu and Gachagi slums. 

“We have identified one positive case for cholera who is undergoing treatment at Thika Level 5 hospital, while 12 others who have diarrhoea have also been admitted and are being monitored,” he said during a free cancer screening at the Thika Muslim Primary School. 

He said the county had banned hawking of food, including roasted maize.

Other cases have been reported in Kabati area of Murang’a County where at least six people have died.

In Migori, health officials are still on high alert despite a reduction in new cholera cases in the county which was the hardest hit by the disease.

Ten people died in the region from the disease in February and March.

“Our teams are still on red alert because we are still getting reports of outbreaks in Nakuru, Mombasa and Nairobi,” said Dr Donald Jaleny, the county health department’s chief officer.

The outbreak occurred during a prolonged drought, which caused a water shortage.

Health workers managed to contain the disease due to quick supply of drugs and water treatment tablets beside outlawing eating in funerals and other public gatherings.

“All our ward and sub-county administrators were under firm instructions to ensure no feasting took place in the villages until the time the ban was lifted,” said Mr Elijah Odhiambo, the county executive committee member in charge of health.

The county also banned hawking of ready-to-eat food although many traders defied the ban.

Mobile treatment units were set up, especially on the boundary with Homa Bay while others were set up in churches.

The Kenya Red Cross Society attributed the rapid spread of the disease to contamination of River Riana and poor hygiene, especially among families that do not use toilets.

Golfer Tiger Woods Is Single-Again

One of the most famous couple in sports, Golf great Tiger Woods ad Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn is no more.

Lindsey took it to her Facebook page to announce that she is no longer dating Tiger Woods. The news has since being picked by different media outlets including The Los Angels Times.

“After nearly three years together, Tiger and I have mutually decided to end our relationship. I will always cherish the memories that we’ve created together. Unfortunately, we both lead incredibly hectic lives that force us to spend a majority of our time apart. I will always admire and respect Tiger. He and his beautiful family will always hold a special place in my heart”

Tiger and Lindsey started dating in 2013.

Mombasa county sued over road project

Residents of the Bangladesh informal settlement and Mikindani, among them three Catholic priests, have sued the county government of Mombasa and a roads agency over the construction of a road passing through their homes.

Fathers Gabriel Dolan, Peter Finegun, Raphael Mwenda and 21 residents claim the decision to destroy their houses and construct the road is oppressive and unfair.

According to the suit papers, they risk substantial loss of their assets, are suffering an infringement of their rights to a livelihood where they have rented their houses, and the damage caused by the project runs into millions of shillings.

They are seeking a declaration that the respondents must adhere to the principles of participation and inclusivity before the Bangladesh-Mikindani Runyu Road project can be implemented.

The petitioners, who have also sued the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), are also seeking an order stopping the project until the respondents adhere to the law.

RISK IMMINENT

They are also seeking an order that the respondents cannot demolish their property arbitrarily without regard to the Compulsory Acquisition Act and without compensating them.

The residents argue that the road project cut through their homes, work premises and social amenities.

In his supporting affidavit, Henry Amwayi states that the risk of their houses and environment being damaged is imminent.

Mr Amwayi further says that St Patrick’s Missionary Society, which is run by the three priests, has property valued at Sh25 million in the informal settlement which the respondents are threatening to demolish.

“There has not been consultation done about the project and neither has the damage caused to the petitioners by the project been taken into account,” said Mr Amwayi.

Mr Amwayi stated that in March 2015, Mombasa governor Hassan Joho went to the informal settlement for a political rally and announced that the project would be implemented.

“The so called meeting was a sham merely meant to sanitise an unlawful process and a pre-determined position of the county government,” said Mr Amwayi, adding that events prior to and during the meeting did not create an atmosphere that would facilitate any meaningful debate.

The petitioners claim that the respondents have threatened to demolish Bangladesh Catholic Parish, a clinic, a maternity facility, a nursery school, a community social hall, residential houses and gabions that protect the environment.

“The respondents in abuse of the mandate given to them by citizens, among them the petitioners, have turned to intimidation and blackmail against any citizen with an independent opinion on the project,” said Mr Amwayi.

According to the petitioners, their right to information pertaining to the project has been violated as the project is being implemented in an opaque manner.

The petition will be heard inter parties on May 21

No jobs in govt - JK.

President Jakaya Kikwete

President Jakaya Kikwete has said that unemployed people should not have hopes of securing job opportunities from the civil service and instead they should seek jobs in the private sector because there is no vacancy in the government at the moment.

He said in the ten years of his tenure his government has created over 10 million job opportunities, and over 600,000 were absorbed in the civil service.

The president admitted, however, that the problem of unemployment was a big challenge but said that his government would continue to create conducive environment for the private sector in order to create more job opportunities.

He said his government has improved salaries in the private sector from 48,000/- in 2005 to 700,000/- in some private sector.

On teachers outstanding payments, Kikwete said that the government owes them over 53bn/ for 70668 teachers and that 29243  teachers have already been paid 23bn/-

The president also assured workers the government will do its best to solve all the issues raised by the workers including reducing Pay As You Earn tax from 12 per cent to at least 9 per cent.

Addressing a May Day rally in Mwanza yesterday, the Trade  Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) Nicholaus Mgaya had asked the government to reduce ‘Pay As You Earn’ (PAYE),: “Deduction of 18 per cent from our salary every month is high, and we call on government to reduce this to at least 9 per cent, so that we can save.” 

“There are employers who do not pay workers the salary scales approved by the boards,” he noted, calling upon them to do so without further delay. 

On employment agencies that refuse to respect workers rights such as health, leave and maternity, he said they must do so with without delay.

Tucta Secretary General Mgaya, said employers must provide their employees with health allowance, leave and improvement of work environment.

The Chairperson of Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE), Almas Maige said despite government efforts to improve the work environment, challenges still remain.

“Currently employers are challenged with how to improve productivity… this situation has to be addressed in order to bring a change at work places,” he said.

President Jakaya Kikwete was the chief guest at the Lake Victoria city and promised his government would deal with the workers’ demands and see to what extent it can solve them.

“Within my 10 years as head of state, I have done my best to improve working conditions, environment and solved various challenges facing workers,” he said.

He said workers’ unions increased from 18 to 30, whereby through them the employees have solved their problems and improved labour relations.

Meanwhile, the President stressed that it was crucial for every worker to register wit a pension fund of their choice, and through indexation formula fund members would get equal pensions.

On so Social Security Regulatory Authority (SSRA), he said: “The new formula has increased benefits to 72.5 per cent, 60 per cent and 67 per cent for all pensioners. “This is good, so SSRA has already solved pensioners’ problem now.”

Group Reporting and Compliance Officer, Finance department

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is seeking a Group Reporting and Compliance Officer. The officer will have the primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, organising and reporting on all finance related activities, including fiscal accountability. The officer will independently and objectively review and evaluate compliance issues and concerns within the organisation. The officer will report to the Finance Manager.

Overview of duties

• Fixed assets and financial reporting
• Coordinate the provision of information to external auditors for the annual audit
• Comply with all statutory requirements such as VAT, income tax, WCA, Reserve Bank and any other legislation
• Interpret the ISS’ financial results for management and make recommendations
• Review the efficiency of the ISS and make recommendations
• Compile key business metrics and report on them to management
• Internal compliance and risk management
• Manage the annual ISS group audit, ongoing project/programme audits and external evaluations
• Ensure statutory as well as internal compliance across all offices

Overview of requirements

• At least 5 years in financial leadership and auditing roles, preferably in the NGO sector
• Familiarity with operational, financial, and quality assurance procedures
• A higher degree in accounting and/or a recognised professional accounting qualification
• Member of a professional accounting body
• Ability to communicate with financial staff in a multi-location and diverse environment
• Excellent people management skills
• Experience using financial accounting and reporting systems
• Able to travel to the other ISS offices in Africa
• Knowledge of budget preparation, monitoring and reporting, and procurement processes

The length of the contract will be two years, and may be renewed subject to programme requirements, funding and satisfactory performance. A competitive salary is offered.

Email your application to Rekha Valabh at pretoriajobs@issafrica.org. Applicants must provide a cover letter and detailed CV, including at least three contactable referees. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Closing date: 24 April 2015

The ISS is committed to achieving employment equity in the workplace. Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

SPECIAL REPORT: The life and times of Edward Sokoine: man of firm action

It is 31 years today since Prime Minister Edward Moringe Sokoine died in a motor accident near Dakawa on the Dodoma-Morogoro Highway on 12 April, 1984 as he travelled from Dodoma to Dar es Salaam.

A day before his death, Sokoine addressed the National Assembly in Dodoma and raised numerous sticking issues that he wanted government officials and ministers to solve as soon as possible. He also wanted certain issues clarified.

The prime minister’s sense of urgency came through very clearly in his address, which was repeatedly punctuated with the words tutakutana Dar es Salaam (We will meet in Dar es Salaam).

Sokoine, who was the head of government business, did not live to get the information he so wanted from the ministers and senior government officials.

I covered Sokoine twice  in his second coming as prime minister—first,  when I accompanied him on his marathon tour of Dodoma, Singida and Kagera regions,  and the second time  at his funeral in Monduli Juu in Arusha Region. I will try to recollect my memories of what I knew about this government and Maasai leader three decades ago in the light of the race for the 2015 Union Presidency vis-a-vis the qualities required of those who seek the highest office in the land.

A few weeks after Sokoine’s second appointment as prime minister in February 1983, The Daily News sent me to Dodoma to cover a three-week parliamentary session.  Sokoine’s major contribution then was his announcement that, from then on imported tractors, trucks, pick-up and double cabins would attract less tax than other luxury vehicles.

Unlike luxury vehicles, he said, they were tools for building the economy.

After the end of the parliamentary session, my office directed me  to accompany the premier on his tour of Dodoma, Singida and Kagera regions.

While in Singida, one of our hosts officials approached the prime minister’s press secretary, Accadoga Chilledi (he has since passed on) and told him, “tumekwisha mtayarishia blanketi lake” which roughly translates into “we have already prepared a blanket for him”.

Chilledi, who had been my boss at Shihata headquarters in Dar es Salaam before I crossed over to the Daily News, was a practical man who called a spade a spade. He told the official that if he loved his job, he should immediately take away his “blanket”’ since the boss did not entertain such things.

After our Singida tour, we were flown to Bukoba for a three-day working tour in Kagera Region.

After a two-day tour, we drove to Kaboya to inspect what could rightly be described as the country’s Heroes Acre, where over 600 Tanzanian soldiers who died in the Tanzania-Uganda War are buried

Two railway firms in row over payments

Dar es Salaam. A row is brewing between two sister firms--the Reli Assets Holding Company (Rahco), which is state-owned and responsible for railway infrastructure, and Tanzania Railway Limited (TRL).

In an unprecedented move, Rahco is threatening to take the latter to court for allegedly defaulting on concession fee payments for more than seven years. The firm took over all activities previously undertaken by the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC), including developing, promoting and managing rail infrastructure assets.

The law allows Rahco to delegate the task of providing rail transport services and the company granted TRL the power to run trains under a concession agreement. Rahco Managing Director Benhadard Tito told The Citizen in an exclusive interview that one of the biggest challenges Rahco faces is TRL’s failure to pay concession fees and other statutory obligations--and this has crippled Rahco’s performance. TRL now owes Rahco Sh194 billion in unpaid fixed concession fees.

“TRL also owes us huge amounts in terms of variable concession fees that are unknown because the company has not been audited for the past four years,” said Mr Tito.

Rahco argues that TRL’s failure to pay the concession fees has significantly affected its performance. It argues that workers currently receive  60 per cent of their salaries from the government due to the fact that the company does not have enough funds to run its activities, including paying salaries.

Said Mr Tito: “It is a shame for an institution like Rahco to depend on the government for its salaries. I urge the government to direct TRL to pay us the required concession fees so we can get rid of government dependency, otherwise the issue can only be settled in court.”

If TRL does not pay the concession fees, it will continue eating into Rahco’s account, making it impossible for the company to run. “The implication is we are owned by the same father--the government--who is very sympathetic to TRL,” Mr Tito explained.

TRL has paid the concession fees only once--and that was in the first quarter of 2007, when it paid $1.5 million.  “I hate it when people say we depend on the government to run some of our activities,” Mr Tito added, “but the problem is that the government is not directing TRL to pay us the concession fees as agreed so we can be independent.”

Meanwhile, Rahco is in the process of terminating its concession agreement with TRL so that it can put in place another measure that will make TRL pay up. “We agreed with the Ministry of Transport, under the Big Results Now (BRN) initiative, that the concession agreement has failed,” said Mr Tito, “so we are discussing the best way to terminate the contract and replace it.”

He believes, though, that the truck access fee would be more effective going forward. But, according to TRL Managing Director Kipallo Kisamfu, the debt is more historical than real. “The debt referred here goes back to the days when TRL was under RITES of India, who ran the company for three years from 2007,” he added. “RITES failed to pay the concession fees and the contract was terminated.”

When the government bought the TRL shares from RITES, it acquired all its liabilities, including debts. “TRL it was in very bad shape, to the extent that it was impossible to generate cash for running all our activities, including paying the concession fee.” Mr Kisamfu said. “All I can say is that we are unable to pay the debt.”

Given TRL’s poor financial condition, according to Eng Kisamfu, the government--through BRN--decided to terminate the concession contract and replace it with another agreement.“We will be ready to pay any truck access fee if introduced,” he added. “But we don’t have the capacity to pay the debt now.”

Professor Jay Makes It Official. He Will Be Running For Office In The Upcoming Elections.

Somewhere up the hill you probably saw this coming. However, to put records straight, earlier today he made it official. He will be running for office to represent the people of Mikumi-Morogoro as their next Member of Parliament. He will run under Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo [CHADEMA] flagship. He will run to oust incumbent MP, Abdulsalaam Suleiman Ameir [CCM]

I have known Professor Jay [real name Joseph Haule] for years. We grew up together. I have therefore known all along that a shot at public office was never a matter of if but when. If all goes well for him, he will join artists who switched tables to become politicians. One good example is Joseph Mbilinyi [Mr. II] who is currently representing people of Mbeya at the Legislature. He will also be running again.

Joseph Haule has wit, directness and intelligence. Throughout his career as an artist, he has carried a common man’s message. He has carried their struggles with him through his music. He never changed his mind. It was natural for him to join the “opposition” sometimes last year. As an obsessively devoted individual, he just couldn’t join the same system he has literally being singing against for years.

Professor is a well-respected artist among his peers and across streets and hoods. He is daring and innovative and a toasty-warm human being. He is now taking that stance to Mikumi-his hometown. I personally wish him all the best.
You can Read Some of My Interviews With Him Here.

Meet Doriane Kundwa-Miss Rwanda 2015

Over the weekend, Rwanda was on her own race. The country needed to find their new beauty queen. The luck turned out to a 19 year old Doriane Kundwa. According to different sources, she was the favourite to win it all from the beginning. She walked away with a brand new Suzuki SX4 courtesy of Cogebanque and will get a monthly stipend of $1000 (Rwf 700,000) among other prizes. The event included Musical performances from former Tusker Project Fame winner Hope, Jules Sentore, Marie Yohana, Tonzi, Ciney and Nigerian duo Additiction.

Now while Rwandese might have forgotten about Saturday, the rest of East Africa is catching up the fire. We are now talking about Ms Kundwa. The subject lines; her beauty. Here are some of the photos of the Rwandan new beauty queen.

Oscars 2015- The Red Carpet Experience

Was there a memo on the color for the Oscars this year? It was quite dominated by certain colors...take a look at the arrangement below.

Diamond Platinumz expecting?!

Yeah I know the title sounds weird but heeey...which one of his projects do we know "matured?" Hehehe

So,apparently there is this image going around which leaves us asking,Is it true? And if so,who is the "Baby Mama?"

Whats your crazy guess?

Area Sales Engineer - Basingstoke, Reading, Oxford, South West London

Introduction

Sandvik is an advanced-technology Engineering Group operating on a global scale throughout 130 countries. We are the UK market-leaders in the manufacture and distribution of High Speed Steel and Solid Carbide Cutting Tools.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a determined and professional Area Sales Engineer to focus on the acquisition of new business, grow our customer base and also to support the introduction of an Indexable carbide program. Ideally, the successful candidate will reside roughly within the Oxford, Reading, and Basingstoke area; however this is preferable but not essential.

The Role

The role will require you to:

• Effectively promote and sell our innovative range of tools and solutions.
• Grow business at existing end user and distribution customer level.
• Provide technical advice and support to our customers and ensure their problems are resolved in a timely manner.
• Liaise with existing distribution network on mutual end user business, and develop the distribution base in the sales area.
• Co-ordinate "Individual" product promotion campaigns for Key Independent distributors.
• Identify sales opportunities and leads and pass to Key Distributors to maintain/develop market share.
• Discover and cultivate potential new business within your territory and manage existing accounts.
• Identify potential opportunities for engineers to pursue.

Your Profile

The successful candidate will possess the following essential criteria:

• A City & Guilds / BTEC or equivalent level qualification in an Engineering discipline.
• A strong Engineering background with extensive product knowledge and their use/application.
• Strong inter-personal skills and be customer focused.
• Excellent organizational, planning and negotiation skills.
• Effective sales knowledge/techniques and possess the drive, enthusiasm and passion to source new business.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, and be able to work under pressure.
• Be IT Literate, particularly in the use of Microsoft Office software.

Closing Date: 5th January 2015

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK or hold a valid permit to work in the UK.

To apply, please click the 'apply now' button below. If you experience any problems, please contact the HR Service Centre on 0800 652 0011.

No agencies please.Apply for this job

Deadline: 05 Jan 2015

Job ID: 333301

NEWS: Unveiling Danny Kay

NAIROBI, Jun. 10, 2014 – Candy n Candy Records has the pleasure of inviting media representatives to the unveiling of our new rising star Danny Kay and brand new state of the art studio at our offices at Vision Plaza off Mombasa Road on Friday, June 13, 2014, at 4 p.m.

Danny is a 17 year old upcoming rap sensation and a prodigious talent who will definitely catch the eye of the Kenyan Music scene in 2014 with his bold rap and flawless flow. Dannyis an all-round artist who raps and sings and is going to be working with exciting producers in creating his first studio album.

The event will take place in the presence of artists

WHEN:	Friday, June 13, at 4 p.m.
WHERE:	Vision Plaza Mombasa Road Ground Floor

We will be pleased to meet with you.

Diamond Platinumz rocks a Martin Kadinda design for new Video

After he gave us the Sheria Ngowi look to admire..here is another great look on Tanzania's artist Diamond Platinumz,as he poses for yet another music video..Which song? We will know that soon...

Great work Martin Kadinda...Its good progress seeing Fashion meeting other industries like Music and Film...

NDEGE INAYOTUMIA SOLAR POWER

Bob Haisa “Humolaga Mayu”(Official Video)

NASRY - NiNi (Official Video)

B Bafa ft Mesen Selecta - Kazana [Video]

Wakazi – Sumu Ya Panya (My City) (Official Video HD)