Anti-smoking laws for Nairobi

Over the last week or so, the City Council has unleashed a number of by-laws prohibiting among other things, smoking in public places otherwise not designated to be smoking places.

The Council has designated few public open spots to be smoking places.

Such as the one above at one corner of Jeevanjee Gardens.

You will now find smokers huddled over the small designated smoking area, doing what they do best.

Smokers are now demanding that the Council puts up shelters on the open spaces, so that they can smoke without being rained upon.

Can't they see the Council's motive? To discourage smoking under any circumstances? BAT, having grossed 7Billion Kenya shillings in the last six months, as well as other tobacco companies, must surely be furious!

Kenyan Justice Minister declares traffic police not entitled to enter your car

The respected Kenyan Justice Minister emphatically declared yesterday
that it was illegal for traffic police to enter civilian cars for
traffic offences. She said that traffic police had in the past used
this tactic to demand bribes. As we have always said, the traffic
officer can only give you a ticket or meet you at a police station of
his choice.

Nairobi City of Traffic Jams

Nairobi has become a city of massive traffic jams. Traffic police directives take precedence over traffic lights. Traffic is halted without notice to let dignit
aries through. It is not known when the much touted by passes shall become reality. Vehicles by far exceed all available city parking. The city authorities nee
d to act quickly to deal with this crisis.

President Kibaki quickly losing votes

Listening to Assistant Minister Koigi wa wamwere accuse the police of extra judicial killings, it was apparent that Kibaki is quickly losing votes from his supporters. The dreaded kwekwe were placed on the spot. It was apparent that a revived economy was irrelevent when the right to life was not protected.As lawyer Judy Thongori observed, what sad times we live in today. Maybe another party has a constitutional remedy to roaring crime? If yes, can we hear it now?

Churches and pastors should pay taxes

Churches and pastors are very wealthy in this country. Indeed, they are even vying for parliament and the Presidency. The Government should tax them henceforth in order to achieve its ever spiralling tax target.

Media bill

There has been intense debate on this bill. Essentially the Government seeks to regulate the media as they have failed to regulate themselves. The price of democracy is a free media. They can write what they wish so long as they do not whip up ethnic animosity. A contrary view would only take us back in time. Restricting the media restricts the economy. What is the basis of requiring a journalist to have a journalism qualification? I suppose journalism school shall help in creativity? Clearly this bill needs to go back to the drawing board!

Catholic church burying its head in the Sand

The Catholic church continues its absolute ban on use of contraceptives by its faithful. At least the Anglican church now allows discordant couples to use condoms. The Catholic Church, whose own priests are dying of Hiv and Aids, must know this policy is ridiculous from whichever angle we look at it. Does it not believe in life?

The tragedy that is Zimbabwe

Zim is now on its knees, inflation at over 4500%,authorities ordering no bulk buying of basic commodities now missing from shops,80% jobless, thriving black market, spiralling economic refugees to neighbouring Botswana and South Africa. Mugabes time came and went. What are Zims waiting for?

Equity bank and its bankers cheques

The cost of a bankers cheque must be lowest at the 1.3 million account Equity Bank. Only Kes 100. But beware that it costs 500 at its Upper Hill Prestige branch. Still lower than most banks. Kudos.

Pyramid schemes

I am frankly suprised at the number of people who have fallen prey to these schemes, even with the ncrwcc having previously published warnings about them. Free advice, check with us before investing your hard earned money!

Crime expert opinions

Do you know anyone who has been unfairly accused of commiting a crime? Seek our expert opinion on the matter. It may help their case.

Super pen to prevent cheque fraud

A new pen has been introduced into the market, whose ink cannot be washed or altered once written on cheques. Do not allow anyone to alter your cheques. Order your pen now for Kenya Shillings 200 only.Tried and tested by several Kenyan banks.

Lessons from South Africa- mobile technology

My mobile phone automatically told me which street or road i was on at any moment, it was impossible to get lost. It is hoped that Kenyas highly profitable mobile phone companies will spend some money in introducing this feature for its customers.

Kenyan Assistant Ministers

Lately we have heard how Kenyan Assistant Ministers are claiming not to have anything to do in their offices. Which is most suprising...considering the resources at their disposal. Those complaining are clearly not too creative...and unwilling to think out of the box.

Lessons from South Africa-no traffic cops

I was shocked not to see a single traffic cop directing traffic. Traffic lights work and are obeyed. Traffic cameras will catch offenders. Cops are free to focus on real crime. No traffic cops in your face demanding bribes. What a big lesson for Kenya.

7 year old spreading std

This morning i was shocked to hear that a seven year old girl in Kenya was spreading sexually transmitted disease to her age mates. Who is failing here, the parents, teachers or society?

The Nairobi Star

This refreshing paper has been launched this week. What an easy read. However, how i wish they would give us more detailed and incisive business news as well as crime prevention tips!

Loud explosion near the Ambassadeur Hotel, Nairobi, terrorist fears

A few minutes ago, while driving along Moi Avenue, I heard a very loud explosion coming from the direction of the Ambassadeur Hotel. The explosion set off car alarms of vehicles parked on nearby streets.

There are fears that the explosion may have been caused by a suicide bomber.

Witnesses said a man with what looked like grenades was seen trying to jump into a bus when the explosion occurred. The witnesses said he attempted to detonate the grenade and was killed in the explosion.

The Ambassadeur Hotel is located in the city centre and has a major bus stage right next to it. At about 8.15am when the explosion occurred, there were scores of pedestrians and workers waiting for buses to their offices.

Rescue teams are reported to have rushed to the site as there have been some fatal injuries and there are scores injured.

This blog shall be updated as soon as all facts are obtained.

Police hunting for Mungiki, the Role of the National Security Intelligence Service

As of today, more than 30 people have been shot by Kenyan police in cold blood as they look for the dreaded Mungiki. The Kenyan constitution otherwise provides that anyone is innocent until proven guility in a Court of Law. The Kenyan National Security Intelligence Service is the intelligence agency of the Government of Kenya. Mungiki has been covered by the Kenyan media for years. Mungiki has been a security issue for this country for some time. Why has the NSIS never been able to infiltrate this gang and arrest them and take them to a Court of law? Mungiki must be eliminated from Kenya, no doubt...but the innocent must not suffer. Our Constitution protects them. Photos from the East African Standard.Very emotive.

Capital Markets Authority shall not protect minority shareholders in Kakuzi Limited sale of Siret Tea Estate

A few weeks ago, Kakuzi Limited, listed on both the Kenyan and London Stock Exchanges, held its Annual General Meeting. At that fairly acrimonious meeting, in spite of the majority shareholders present voting against a proposal to sell the Siret Tea Estate and Factory (to a company in which the Directors of Kakuzi have interest), the proposal was nevertheless pushed through by the few supporters but majority shareholders present.

Siret Tea Estate is the jewel in Kakuzi's crown and the sale of this asset shall substantially depreciate the overall value of Kakuzi.

It is also interesting to note that the Capital Markets Authority has indicated that it shall not interfere with the sale of the asset.

Section 11(1)(d) provides that one of the main objectives of the Authority is the protection of investor interests....which of course includes minority shareholders.

Undoubtedly, the propertiership of Kakuzi in Siret Tea Estate attracted investors to purchase its equity. The minority shareholders had not envisaged that the majority shareholders would thereafter sell of the major asset of the company to a company owned by its Directors.

Is this not sufficient reason for the Capital Markets Authority to provide substantive direction?

Nevertheless, Kakuzi has declared that the allegation that its Directors are seeking to benefit from the sale of the Siret Tea Estate is scurrilous and completely unfounded.

At the end of the day, Kakuzi shareholders themselves have an obligation to establish the factual position, as they would be the losers at the end of the day!