Africans In China

By Renee Bonorchis

(Bloomberg) — Standard Bank Group Ltd., Africa’s largest bank, and its 20 percent shareholder, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd., will visit four countries on the continent next month as the two lenders seek investments.

ICBC chairman, Jiang Jianqing, 56, will visit Nigeria, Botswana, and Uganda after visiting South Africa to co-chair the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town next month, Jacko Maree, Standard Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, said in an interview in Johannesburg today.

ICBC, the largest bank in the world by market value, and Standard Bank announced on May 12 the first of what they said would be many African partnerships when they arranged as much as $1.6 billion in financing for the expansion of Botswana’s Morupule B power station.

Standard Bank said in a trading update after its annual shareholder meeting today that it’s unlikely to match last year’s profit in 2009 as South Africa slips into recession and loan losses increase. In the four months to April normalized headline earnings, a measure of profit that excludes some one- time items, fell 14 percent to 4.1 billion rand ($499 million).

The bank fell 2.4 percent to 83.21 rand in Johannesburg trading today, giving the company a market value of 129.4 billion rand.

To contact the reporter on this story: Renee Bonorchis in Johannesburg at rbonorchis@bloomberg.net

(Bloomberg)

May 25, 2009 · No Comments

Answering a call of nature in Nairobi’s Central Business has always been a nightmare but it is no longer a scary business

Mr David Kuria has been on a mission to ensure trips to city toilets are both pleasant and memorable.

For him, toilets are not all about filth and rot envisioned in most people’s minds.

Disturbed by lack of toilets in most towns and informal settlements, he quit a well paying job as an architect with a non-governmental organisation to engage in ‘toilet’ business.

“I quit at the time when polythene papers were being used as toilets in Kibera and other slums. I felt I could play a role in improving people’s lifestyles,” he says.

Kuria, 37, says he quit his job because it limited his services to the rich few.

“I used to serve only a few people who could afford to pay for it, yet the masses I really wanted to serve lived miserably. I could not resist climbing down to their world,” he says.

Kuria made solid waste management his entry point. While still working for the NGO, he fundraised for people who had taken up garbage recycling.

“That way, I became part of the solution to the sanitation problems of the majority. One thing led to another, culminating in ecologically friendly toilets I christened ‘Iko’, a convenient version of ecological,” he says.

Andrew Macharia Gakunju, 70, who founded City Garbage recyclers in Maringo estate, was among Kuria’s earliest beneficiaries. Kuria lobbied the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to fence off a plot Macharia had acquired from the City Council of Nairobi to keep away grabbers. UNDP also donated various recycling machines and a pick-up truck to Macharia.

In appreciation, Macharia recommended Kuria for an award from Ashoka; a global organisation that identifies and invests in leading social entrepreneurs. He won a Change Makers award of $200,000 (Sh16 million). The East African Breweries later donated a similar amount to Kuria “to further boost his worthy cause”.

Armed with architectural skills and the experience gleaned over eight years in urban and environmental management, Kuria opted to devote his time to create toilets that are environment friendly.

Iko Toilet. Photo: Ecotact

He has taken solid waste management a notch higher through his plan to covert human waste deposited at ‘Iko’ toilets into energy saving biogas to light premises and into natural manure to be packaged and sold at affordable prices to boost agriculture.

He says urine will be collected in tanks and processed into urea to be used for top dressing crops instead of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate, which is beyond the reach of most farmers. Kuria works in collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

To facilitate conversion of urine into urea, he plans to install a waterless urinal technology imported from China.

“The urinals will save us more than 10,000 litres of water at each toilet daily,” he says.

Kuria also wants to change the notion that a toilet is a messy, dirty place.

Catholic priest ‘blessed’ it

“Besides the snacks, the music and a business like atmosphere in and around the toilets, we are talking to politicians to hold public functions within the ‘iko’ toilets,” he says.

Public Health Minister Beth Mugo has held a function at one of the toilets. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka had his shoes brushed at a stand near one of the toilets at Aga Khan Walk.

Kuria says a Catholic priest also ‘blessed’ one of the toilets.

The architect says he will sign contracts with popular musicians to entertain their fans at the toilets.

“Those who love ohangla, isukuti, mugithi, nyatiti and ndombolo may soon find themselves dancing around ‘Iko’ toilets,” he says.

He also plans to bring aboard comedians such as the popular Vitimbi troupe.

Sports are high on the agenda of Kuria’s promotional exploits to change people’s thinking about toilets.

“This month, we are launching a toilet tournament in Mathare to link toilets with sports”.

And that is not all. Kuria says he is working on a reality show on toilets to be aired on local television.

“There will be prizes for those who best portray toilets as multipurpose utilities,” he says.

With a chuckle he says: “Toilets are the multiple service units of the future. You may soon be doing mobile phone money transfers in the toilet. Airtime is available and it is only a matter of time before you start buying handsets at toilet booths,” he says.

There are eleven ‘Iko’ toilets in Nairobi and Limuru and Naivasha. At the precincts of the toilets, there are outlets for snacks, fruits and water.

Other services include shoe shining. There are also installed music systems to belt out tunes that soothe nerves as one answers the call of nature.

Kuria says his innovative approach to the vital toilet service has earned him recognition from the World Toilet Organisation, based in China, with the inclusion of ‘Iko’ toilets in the hall of fame of sanitation. He is also among 2,000 businesspeople recognised by Ashoka.

He plans to expand these facilities countrywide exapnsion. “We also want to go to other countries. Uganda and South Africa have already approached me for ‘Iko’ toilets,” he says.

Born in 1971 in Elburgon, Kuria went to Michinda High School and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1992. He is pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Environmental Science. He is married with two children.

Web site: Ecotact

NAIROBI,(Xinhua) — Kenya and China vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on Monday during a meeting between senior officials of the two friendly countries.

Wang Jiarui, visiting minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC)’s Central Committee, said the Chinese ruling party would engage Kenya’s political parties –the Orange Democratic Party-Kenya, the Party of National Unity and the Orange Democratic Party in support of the stability of the Kenyan Grand Coalition Government.

Wang said his country valued the eastern African nation as an important partner in the continent.

“Our bilateral relation is very cordial as this has been demonstrated by sincere trust and mutual cooperation between the two countries. We also expect to explore inter-party cooperation to enable the two countries exchange views and address issues of mutual interest,” Wang said in talks with Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.

He said the Sino-Kenyan friendship dates back to ancient times and that the past four decades of bilateral diplomatic ties have witnessed great development of friendship and successful cooperation in such fields as politics, infrastructure and trade, as well as mutual support in international affairs.

“We will work with the three parties that form the ruling coalition government. We know that these three parties are key to the stability of this country. Without stability there can be no development,” he said.

Musyoka expressed thanks for China’s assistance for Kenya in the past years and introduced Kenya’s efforts to push forward regional peace, stability and integration.

Musyoka said Kenyan political parties have a lot to learn from CPC in spurning economic growth.

“I am aware that China’s booming economy is largely inspired by the effective management of the CPC of the country’s economic affairs,” he noted.

The vice president said Kenya and China will work together to find ways of resolving the challenges facing their citizens.

He also thanked China for refurbishing the road linking the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the UN headquarters in Nairobi and the construction of stadia in Kenya.

“Today China is constructing various roads across the country including the one from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the United Nations headquarters. China has also oil exploration companies and with all these, we hope to expand other areas of cooperation and reach mutual understanding to enable both sides to benefit,” he said.

Musyoka told Wang the east African nation appreciates the huge investment China has put into Kenya’s infrastructure.

He expressed hope that more Chinese tourists will visit Kenya as part of efforts to balance trade, while urging China to launch direct flights to Nairobi to help spur economic growth and boost the country’s tourism.

Musyoka pledged that the Kenyan coalition government attaches much importance to bilateral relations with China and will further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields.

BEIJING, (Xinhua) — A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) left here Saturday for official visits to Kenya, Eritrea, Ghana, Cape Verde and Norway.

The delegation, led by Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of CPC Central Committee, was invited by the three parties of Kenya’s ruling coalition–Party of National Unity, Orange Democratic Movement and Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya, the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice of Eritrea, African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Africa could find a dependable partner in China, if Europe does not change the way it relates to the continent, a Kenyan Anglican and World Council of Churches leader has said.

“I think Africa will slip away,” Agnes Abuom, a member of the WCC main governing body, its central committee, told Ecumenical News International last week in Nairobi - writes Fredrick Nzwili.

Abuom spoke during an April 6-7 conference in the Kenyan capital which discussed the Joint Africa-European Union strategy, adopted in Lisbon, Portugal in 2007. The strategy is designed to change the relationship between the two continents given geopolitical changes and globalization.

“Europe feels Africa is shifting its focus to China and her relationship is weakening. There is also mistrust,” said Abuom. “With the mistrust and emergence of China, it has to find new ways of engaging Africa.”

Abuom explained that Europe could continue its historical relations with Africa, if it allowed aid for trade to take shape and it encouraged African commerce to grow.

“With that it may have a chance,” said Abuom, who specializes in economic justice, peace and reconciliation issues. She referred to trade deals with the European Union called European Partnership Agreements, saying they need to become more people centered.

Some leaders and activists have criticized the agreements, which they say pressure poor nations into competition that leaves them unfairly disadvantaged with powerful trading partners that were once colonial powers.

“Civil society is worried there may be a negative impact, especially on the poor, the rural population and women,” said Christa Randzio-Plath, the vice chairperson of the Association of German Development NGOs, an umbrella for independent and church-related agencies.

Randzio-Plath said it was right to change the paternalistic approach that marked EU–Africa relations into a partnership. “This is not easy, but we realize it is step by step,” she said.

Malcom Damon, director of the Economic Justice Network of the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa, said, “Economic liberation [for Africa] will not come from outside, it can’t be bought with donations and handouts.”

A worry, according to Abuom, is that China does not care about democracy, human rights or the environment.

“But whether we like it or not, China has come and been seen to do the roads,” she said. “When people go to a country, they see the roads, they see the airport,” said Abuom, referring to visible projects that China is said to be seen delivering on in Africa.

[With acknowledgements to ENI. Ecumenical News International is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.]

(ekklesia.co.uk)

Baosteel announced that it has won the bid of Kenya project which supported by China government in Africa successfully a few days ago,

The Company will undertake the execution and machining task of corrugated board in color painting with a total area of 260,000 square meter, Baosteel distribution center, Baosteel branch, Baosteel metal and Real Estate Company will carry out the implement in all detail.

According to the release he UN Humanitarian Affair Coordinating Office appealed to each member state and UN organization to afford aid for Kenya government in allusion to Kenyan unquiet social and economic situation last year. Our government decided to support USD 3 million to Kenya again this year after he made an aid of CNY 20 million to this country last year. Meanwhile, China also will build a series of public establishment and infrastructure project like hospital, school, stadium and gymnasium etc in emphases in Kenya.

The release added that the heavy and large engineering material supply center of Baosteel Distribution center trailed the information of steel and iron material etc. which is involved in the state-aid foreign project nearly for carrying out his social obligation and expanding his overseas markets. When the company got the news of that China commerce department have start-up the Kenyan aid project which needs to use the corrugated board with color painting, and then their people made a broad communication with commerce department and relevant Imports and Exports Company immediately. They also finished the adjective job such as enterprise aptitude auditing, credit censor and product quality affirms etc. at the same time, and coordinated commerce department to perfect the technique requirement of aid steel and iron product in the bidding documents.

The machining task of corrugated board with color painting in totally 260,000 square meter which will be used in the Kenyan project supported by China government, it’s pressed for time in delivery of goods, high requirement of quality, and it will delegate our state figure with magnitude liability. Each department of Baosteel mate and try hard to exert predomination of industrial chain after the company won the bid of Kenyan project. The distribution center communicated the project situation in detail with manufacture unit in time, explained the quality and technical requirement and so on; Baosteel branch have finished the material feeding and producing task with minimum duration; Baosteel metal and real estate company machined the color paint steel plate into corrugated board according to requirement strictly, they changed their original producing way and are carrying out the 24hours-nonstop further machining of board material with full load for ensuring complete the task with guarantee quality on time at present.

It is predicted that the first batch of corrugated board with color painting which be used in Kenya project supported by China government will be manufactured completely next month, they can be sent to the destination directly after finishing their delicate packing.

(steelguru.com)

Thomson Reuters

CORRECTED-China commentary says crisis an export opportunity
BEIJING, March 22 (Reuters) - The global economic crisis is actually a great opportunity for Chinese exports, as people with tight budgets around the world are looking for exactly the cheap goods China provides, a commentary said on Sunday.

China’s exports tumbled 25.7 percent in February as the world’s third-largest economy felt the full force of the global financial crisis. But the official Xinhua news agency said in a commentary that people with less money to spend would be attracted to just the kinds of products China excels in, namely cheap ones.

‘Simply speaking, even though there’s a crisis, people still have to get by, and there’s no escape from consumption,’ it said.

Xinhua pointed out that Chinese cars were increasingly popular in Kenya, thanks to their low cost.

‘During a time of economic crisis, people will give even more consideration to usability, quality and cost. So it’s hardly surprising Kenyans like Chinese cars so much,’ it added.

Taking advantage of this, the central Chinese province of Hubei had seen its exports to Africa rise two-thirds since October, the piece said.

‘Find out what the market needs, find a market niche, and you’ll see there’s still plenty of room for Chinese products,’ it added.

Capitalism — maligned in these bailout-ridden recessionary days — is reshaping Africa inexorably. What is different today is that it is emanating from China and India, rather than the West.

Devi Shetty, a cardiac surgeon in Bangalore, brings health relief to India’s masses through his Narayana Group of Hospitals.

Years ago, I witnessed his early experiments with rural telemedicine.

In a visit last month, the wall was adorned by a map of Karnataka state festooned with coloured pins, to indicate he now served most district capitals. A world map showed outreach to rural areas of East Africa and Southeast Asia.

All this comes from carefully acquired experience — technical and sociological — with delivering expert medical advice through teleconference.

Shetty’s team has participated in telemedicine consultations with hospitals in 14 African countries.

This effort is part of then Indian President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s pan-African e-Network project to link all 53 African capitals to hospitals across India.

Shetty is a healer, first and foremost. But he is also an entrepreneur, and this is the latest effort to create low-cost, but cutting-edge medical ecosystems in tough locations worldwide.

He aspires to reshape medical care that the world’s indigent need, and in Africa more than most locations.

Cynics say India’s e-Network is currying favour with Africa in exchange for natural resources. Perhaps. But in that effort, India must contend with its neighbour, China, which speaks with a louder voice and carries a larger stick.

Chinese Communist Party President Hu Jintao’s peripatetic diplomacy across Africa has ensured the Chinese are omnipresent there.

CHINA HAS TRADED MUCH INVESTMENT in physical infrastructure in places otherwise shunned — Angola, Sudan, and Zimbabwe — for access to natural resources.

Witness also an unprecedented convening of 48 African heads of state and senior officials in Beijing in 2006 to signal unequivocally that China would speak with the loudest voice.

India tried to mimic the event, with an India-Africa summit in New Delhi in 2008. Fourteen countries attended to discuss food price inflation and energy needs.

Alas, India’s voice was drowned out, not by China’s attempts to provide medicine and education to Africa, but by the sheer magnitude of Chinese investments in physical infrastructure.

But loud voices need not be the most effective. Indian influence will no doubt exploit assets less available to others, particularly the Indian Diaspora in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria.

India and Africa have been linked over the centuries by trade, religion, and post-imperial political consciousness. Gandhi and the Non-Aligned Movement remain important symbols.

Indians are more part of Africa’s social tapestry than the Chinese, a fabric that has been strengthened through opportunity and adversity through the ages.

The connection between Nigerian cashew farmers and Devi Shetty’s paediatric cardiac surgery is that they both represent decentralised private activity, undertaken through the market, unlike the operations of the China National Petroleum Corporation, Sinopec, and others in Darfur and elsewhere.

They all add value, but decentralised market-based activity appears likelier to engender goodwill and beat Africa’s addiction to aid.

The writer is professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School.
(nation.co.ke)

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ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama’s step-grandmother will use her newfound celebrity status to help eradicate the tsetse fly, an insect that causes sleeping sickness, the African Union (AU) said Monday.

Sarah Obama, 87, was given a spray pump and enough insecticide to treat 3,000 animals — which like humans can be infected by the insect — by an AU team that visited her village of Kogelo in western Kenya last month.

“Mama Sarah very much appreciated the gift and … vowed in her local language that she will be the goodwill ambassador in her area to eradicate tsetse flies,” the AU said.

Obama’s grandmother recalled a 1968 outbreak of sleeping sickness in her village, it added in a statement.

Some 37 African countries are affected by tsetse and sleeping sickness or trypanosomiasis.

An AU program against the disease has succeeded in wiping out the flies in Botswana and Namibia, the statement said.

(Reporting by Tsegaye Tadesse; Editing by Helen Nyambura-Mwaura and Charles Dick)

(reuters.com)

Chinese volunteers have donated over 100 tonnes of rice to Sarah Obama, US President Barack Obama’s step-grandmother, to help her AIDS orphans in western Kenya.

Sarah Obama, 87, has adopted 82 orphans, aged four to 18, most of whose parents died from AIDS, the China Daily and Beijing Youth Daily said.

“She will be very happy to see the support from China after she returns from Obama’s inauguration,” Kenyan Ambassador Julius Ole Sunkuli, who attended a donation ceremony on Tuesday, was quoted as saying.

Obama sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday in Washington.

Kenya launched a $470 million aid appeal on Friday to help millions suffering from drought and lack of food at a time when the government is mired in corruption scandals. (Reuters)

(http://www.eastandard.net)

President Mwai Kibaki has hailed the government of the People’s Republic of China for the willingness to build a hospital in the Eastland’s part of Nairobi .

The President noted that the hospital would go a long way in de-congesting Kenyatta National Hospital .

The Head of State said the hospital would serve as a modern anti-malarial center and effectively serve the densely populated eastern parts of the city.

The President made the remarks when he met the Chinese Minister for Commerce Hon Chen Deming at his Harambee House office .

The President also thanked the government of China for providing Kshs 380 million shillings for the upgrading of Kakamega, Nyamira, Nyeri and Malindi Hospitals .

During the discussions President Kibaki briefed the Minister on the achievements of the grand coalition government and appreciated the support accorded to his government by China .

President Kibaki expressed the commitment of his government to rehabilitating and expanding the existing infrastructure particularly the construction of new roads network.

The President especially thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China for providing funds for the construction of several by-passes to the tune of 145 million dollars.

The by-passes are: Nairobi Southern by-pass- cost $ US -56 million, Nairobi Northern by-pass- cost $ US- 35 million, Nairobi Eastern by-pass- cost $ US 42 million and Nairobi link roads- cost $US 15.4 million

This is aimed at decongesting Nairobi City while at the same time promoting development of the peri-urban areas.

The government of China is also rehabilitating the JKIA-Uhuru Highway-UNEP road.

Through the Chinese Minister of Commerce President Kibaki invited Chinese companies to invest in Kenya ’s Export processing Zones, noting that Kenya was the gateway to the wider East and central African region.

President Kibaki also encouraged the government of China to establish the regional offices of the China-Africa Fund (CadFund) in Nairobi.

The purpose of the fund is to encourage Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in Africa .

On his part Hon Deming hailed the consolidation and expansion of the existing cordial relations between the two countries.

He particularly hailed the exchange of high level visits and growing interaction of people between the two nations as evidenced by the introduction of direct flights by Kenya Airways between two major Chinese cities, Guangshou and Hong Kong and Nairobi .

The talks were attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Trade Uhuru Kenyatta, acting Finance Minister John Michuki, Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti, Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, Information and Communications Minister Samuel Poghisio and assistant minister for Foreign Affairs Richard Onyonka.

Also in attendance were Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb Francis Muthaura and several other permanent secretaries.

On his part the minister was accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Mr Zhang Ming, Mr Shou Yabin, Director-General Department of Western Asia and African Affairs among other senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce.

(http://www.kbc.co.ke)

Chinese aviation officials say they want their airlines to partner with Kenya Airways (KQ) on direct flights from Kenya to their country. Mr Yang Guoqing, the deputy minister in-charge of China Civil Aviation, says that due to KQ’s wider spread in terms of market expansion, they have identified the national carrier as a strong airline in Africa worth working with.

He said that although China signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (Basa) with Kenya three years ago, there is no need for airlines from China to launch direct flights to Nairobi. “Though the agreement allows airlines from both countries to operate between us, we want our airlines to work with KQ,” he said.

He spoke during a visit by a Chinese aviation delegation to Transport minister, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, on Thursday.

KQ flies four times a week to Guangzhou, China. Guoqing said that during an earlier visit to KQ’s Embakasi headquarters, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Titus Naikuni, had talked of KQ’s intention to expand to other parts in China.

With more than 30 airlines serving both domestic and International routes, China’s aviation market is dominated by Air China based in Guangzhou, China Eastern based in Shanghai and China Southern based in Guangzhou.

Guoquing is optimistic that China Southern, which is based in Guangzhou, could soon sign a joint venture with KQ, which will make a lot of contribution to the existing agreements between the two airlines.

Mwakwere assured the delegation that Kenya has made a lot of effort in meeting international aviation standards, which has made Nairobi one of the leading aviation hubs in Africa.

East Africa is set to get a natural boost next year by tapping into the sizeable reservoir of geothermal energy in its Rift Valley, according to a statement released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Engineers using new seismic tools to locate hot spots hit powerful veins of steam, warmed by heat from Earth’s core, near the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. Several wells have been identified, most of them generating four to five megawatts of electricity, while one has a “bumper” capacity of eight megawatts, UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) said in their joint  press conference.

The geothermal potential from the Rift Valley is “at least 7,000 megawatts,” providing a mighty contribution to the energy needs of 12 countries in East Africa, GEF Chief Executive Officer Monique Barbut said.

Under geothermal, superheated water from underground reservoir is drawn to the surface, where it can be harnessed for several uses according to the temperature.

In Kenya’s case, the water, heated at a depth of two or three kilometres, emerges as steam, which can be used to drive turbines. The Valley is a gouge that extends from the Red Sea to Madagascar where massive tectonic energies are ripping crustal plates apart.

Kenya already has a geothermal plant, dating back a quarter of a century, that delivers around 115 megawatts, or just over a tenth of the country’s electricity capacity.

The results have paved the way for an international effort in 2009 to expand geothermal energy up and down the Rift, which runs from Mozambique in the South to Djibouti in the North.
The Africa Rift Valley Geothermal Development Facility (ARGeo) backed with close to US $18 million of funding and involving UNEP and the World Bank will now underwrite the risks of drilling in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, set to commence in early 2009.

The project, could also transform the prospects and costs for geothermal elsewhere in the world.  Kenya has set itself a goal of generating 1200MW from geothermal by 2015.

“There are least 4000 MW of electricity ready for harvesting along the Rift. It is time to take this technology off the back burner in order to power livelihoods, fuel development and reduce dependence on polluting and unpredictable fossil fuels,” said Achim Steiner, UNEP executive director.

(http://www.kenyazone.com)

The government has blocked Kenyan members of President-elect Barrack Obama’s extended family from talking to the media.

Family members will have to ask permission from government before issuing making any statement concerning Obama.

The government will also vet all those seeking information about the family.

“We are doing this because we want to ensure better flow of information.

The government has decided that you should inform its officers who will be based here if you want to address the media,” Athman Said, an Under-Secretary in the Ministry of Heritage, told the Obama family in Kogelo yesterday.

A proposed Obama Cultural Home comprising of a museum, a gallery, a library and a leadership centre will be put up in Kogelo, Said told the family. A cultural officer, Dorcas Obege, will be assigned to Kogelo to vet visitors and others seeking information about the family.

Said, who was leading a delegation from the Department of Culture, said the government had set aside Sh30 million to upgrade the proposed Obama cultural home.

Athman said his department was liaising with the United States government to have both published and un-published materials by President-elect Obama on display at the proposed library. The government was also planning to produce a video of Mama Sarah Obama, the President elect’s step-grandmother, telling the history of the Obama family.

The government has graded all the roads leading to Kogelo and set up a police station within the home to protect the Obama family after there was an attempted robbery.

Kenya Power and Lighting Company has also connected power to what used to be a sleepy village. The value of land has doubled in the last few months and several investors are understood to be planning to build hotels in the area to provide for the many tourists who are expected to visit Kogelo on what will be known as the Presidential Heritage Tourism Circuit.

Heritage minister William Ole Ntimama confirmed that the government had decided to make Obama’s fathers home in Kogelo , Siaya district into a national heritage site.

“This is a great opportunity to open up the western tourism circuit and we have asked Treasury to find us some money so that we can roll out a number of projects that will make this a truly memorable cultural site,” said Ntimama.

He however expressed surprise at the veto on the family talking to the media. “I am not aware of that ban because my officers have not told me about it. It will be surprising if they have done that because it is not right. The Obama family should be allowed to say whatever they want to without any bureaucracy,” said Ntimama.

The location of the proposed heritage centre has caused a row in the family with some Obama relatives from Kendu Bay insisting it should be built at Kanyadhiang which was Obama Senior’s ancestral home before the family moved to Kogelo.

The family made the claims last week to Gender and Culture Minister Esther Mirugi who unveiled a signpost showing where the museum will be built in Kogelo.

(ethiopianreview)

Kenya Airways has appealed to the government to hasten the modernisation of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in order to stimulate the carrier’s growth.

KQ Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni complained on Wednesday that congestion at JKIA was negatively affecting the airline causing them to incur unnecessary costs which were in turn slowing their growth.

“The government has the obligation to ensure the development of infrastructure. As a user I’m saying, get me a working airport! If that airport had been modernised, KQ would have offering much better services,” he said.

The Kenya Airports Authority has since September 2006 been undertaking the modernisation of the airport, whose capacity for passenger traffic and cargo volume had exceeded its initial design.

The upgrading of the JKIA facilities which was to be carried out in three phases to avoid disruption of the airport’s activities is projected to serve customers’ needs for the next 16 years.

Mr Naikuni added that they expected the current global turmoil to affect their projections for passenger traffic particularly from outside Africa. This, he explained was because the credit crunch had negatively impacted the disposable incomes of many foreigners which would translate in reduced movements.

Commenting on the continued global fuel price drop, the CEO said their clients could eventually expect to pay lower fares should the prices continue on their downward trend.

“The traveller will see an impact on the reduction of fuel at the right time when it starts to make economic sense for us to pass on the drop to our customers. At the moment it is not possible because we were hedged and this does not end the day fuel prices start to go down,” he added.

Mr Naikuni spoke during the launch of three KQ apron buses that will be used to ferry passengers between the JKIA lounges and their aircraft.

The buses, which were supplied by Xinfa Airport Equipments from China have a capacity of 115 passengers each and are expected to facilitate safe, convenient and quick movement of passengers across the airport.

“The construction and opening of new remote parking bays which are far away from the airport terminal buildings has made the buses an absolute necessity,” he explained.

Mr Naikuni said third party airlines contracted to KQ would benefit from the Apron Transport Services while other interested carriers would receive the service at a fee.

“We intend to order another two or three buses to complement these ones. We believe that as the airport and the airline continue to grow, you will see more of these kinds of services,” he forecasted.

The airline also announced that it had partnered with mobile phone operator Zain Kenya which would advertise its services and products on the buses.

Zain Managing Director Rene Meza said that the partnership would enable them to reach a wider audience across Africa.

“KQ has a rich network in Africa that has seen it carry millions of passengers. Through this partnership we will now be able to reach this wide customer base with messaging about our ‘One Network’ service which is available across 12 countries,” Mr Meza said.

At the same time, Mr Naikuni revealed that they would take delivery of two Boeing 787 aircraft later this month and early January after delays following a strike by workers of the plane manufacturer.
(capitalfm)

China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau and Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Co.Ltd. are two of the five companies which have been awarded the Eldoret oil pipeline construction project, Xinhua has reported Kenya Pipeline Co. as saying.