As far as expanding export markets goes, 2011 will be the year when Kenya’s involvement in regional economic integration has paid the highest dividends.
The East African Countries have steadily opened their borders to Kenyan firms, allowing them to expand their markets and areas of operation as key allies in the West limp from one form of economic crisis to the other.
This trend is captured by latest data of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) indicating that exports to Uganda – Kenya’s single largest trading partner – grew to Sh50.4 billion in the first 10 months of 2011 alone, a 42 per cent jump compared to 2011.Read on at source: Business Daily
Once again, it’s that time of year where I look back at what happened during the course of the year in Kenya’s technology space. In 2011, so much happened in Kenya and I am really excited to breakdown what I see as being the 6 key milestones in 2011. Here we go!
Local mobile apps and the mobile web explodes
Local digital content gets global game
Digital marketing goes mainstream in Kenya
Google’s Android mobile platform gains currency
Cloud computing takes centre stage in the enterprise
Kenya’s Government launches the Open Data initiative
Kenyan animator Andrew Kaggia holds up the mirror to Kenya’s political situation in the wake of one of the country’s most impotant years politically and historically. His short film Wageuzi takes Kenya’s most prominent presidential candidates for the 2012 election and pits them in a futuristic Transformers-esque battle against each other.
Small nuances and characteristics about each candidate taken into consideration, from their campaign slogans, popular catchphrases and mannerisms are captured expertly in the short animated film that Andrew spent approximately Ksh 300,000 ($3,000) producing. Source: www.mwakilishi.com
VIDEO CREDITS:
Modeling, Animation, Rigging, Lighting, Compositing - Andrew Kaggia
Soundtrack/Score - Ulopa Ngoma
Outro Song Written and Performed by - DNA
Software: 3ds Max 2009, Vray 1.5, Adobe After Effects
Total Render time: 120 days
A project worth a trillion shillings linking three countries will start next year, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said on Monday
The Sh1.4 trillion Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor, which aims to construct another port in Lamu and build roads, will open up the Coast, Eastern and Northern Kenya regions.
Mr Odinga said the project will also enable the country exploit its vast resources and catapult the Kenya to a medium-income economy by 2030.
The transport corridor through Isiolo, Moyale and Turkana will open up development prospects in Northern Kenya, linking it to Southern Sudan and Ethiopia.
“The project also incorporates an oil refinery at Isiolo,” he said.
The PM was speaking on Monday when he met Boran elders from Marsabit and Isiolo counties in his office.He asked the communities to discard nomadic farming, which he said was unsustainable.
The chairperson of the Boran Community, who is also the Moyale County Council chairman, Mr Golicha Galgalo, urged the government to speed up the process of issuing IDs to the youth in Northern Kenya region. Source: Daily Nation
Long overlooked on the international arts scene, Kenya is finally gaining prestige on the world stage. Some artists can now make their living entirely from artwork and collectors are coming from around the world to buy it.
Works by Kenyan artists are exhibited around the globe. World-class galleries cater to foreigners and other Kenyans. And the collectors are paying attention.
Born in Kenya, Amyn Abdula now lives in Vancouver. He has been collecting African art for more than 25 years and has more than 150 pieces. The majority are from Kenya. Read on at source: Voice of America
Real estate firm Home Afrika is promising Kenyans a New Year present in the form of affordable homes costing Sh1 million for a two-bedroom unit.
The low-cost housing units are the result of a design competition run by the company in July this year that saw a prototype by University of Nairobi’s architecture students win the Sh1 million prize.
Home Afrika said 5,000 units will be built on a piece of land in Athi River with 200 houses earmarked in the first phase. “For a long time, the lower end of the market who cannot afford to buy land for construction or spend millions to purchase homes have not been viewed as profitable,” said Dr Mbira Gikonyo, the director of the Home Afrika.
The winning project has proposed to use of bricks, compacted earth and sand as part of the building material to keep the cost of each unit as low as possible. Read on at source: Business Daily
Creative? Win prize with Sh1m house plan
A Kenyan real estate developer has launched a competition for architectural students in East African universities to design a model family home for Sh1 million, which the company proposes to build for middle- and lower-income groups.
The ‘One Million’ house research project launched by Home Afrika Ltd will be the first of its kind in Kenya.
Dr Mbira Gikonyo, the director Home Afrika Ltd, says producing low-cost housing in Kenya depends on finding the most cost effective and efficient building methods without necessarily compromising standards.
However, housing technology has taken rapid strides internationally, with the low-cost house model now being tried widely elsewhere. Read on at source: Business Daily
The thirteenth century was one of turmoil. The crusades were in full swing, the Mongol empire under Ghengis Khan swept forever westwards while Marco Polo turned his own eyes towards the east.
Meanwhile in Kenya, East Africa, a group of enterprising people began to build a settlement which would endure for over three hundred years. Gedi, a sophisticated coral-brick built town belies the perception many have about this part of Africa - and its architecture - before the arrival of Europeans.
Gedi is one of Kenya's great little known treasures, an astonishing vanished metropolis lying at the heart of the immense Arabuko Sokoke forest sixty miles away from Mombassa, Kenya’s second city. It is moreover a site of enormous mystery, an archaeological enigma that to this day creates intense discussion between historians. See more at source: www.kuriositas.com
Bankers are often seen as only serving the interests of the rich, especially in the wake of the financial crisis, but Kenya's James Mwangi has managed to transform his company's fortunes while still offering services to the country's large poor population.
Kenya's Equity Building Society was founded in 1984 with the goal of providing mortgage financing to low-income Kenyans.
But poor management and insufficient board supervision, among other factors, contributed to its deterioration and a decade on, the Central Bank of Kenya warned that Equity was on the verge of insolvency.
With the sword of bankruptcy hanging over their heads, in 1994 the building society's board of directors decided it was about time to include independent members in their rank and to recruit externally for managers.
That was when James Mwangi - who had worked with Ernst & Young and Trade Bank, and had been banking with the society for a couple of years - came on board as its finance director. Read on at source: BBC.co.uk
On Dec. 12, 1963, Kenya gained its independence from Britain. “With Britain’s Union Jack replaced by the black, red and green flag of the new states, political power in Britain’s last East African colonial holding slipped from the grasp of its 55,759 whites and was taken up by its 8,365,942 Africans,” wrote The New York Times.
The road to independence began in the 1950s with the Mau Mau Rebellion. The Mau Mau movement was a militant African nationalist group that opposed British colonial rule and its exploitation of the native population.
Mau Mau members, made up primarily of Kikuyu (the largest ethnic group in Kenya), carried out violent attacks against colonial leaders and white settlers. In 1952, the colonial government declared a state of emergency and arrested many Kenyan independence leaders, including moderates who had little or no connection to the Mau Mau, like Jomo Kenyatta, president of the Kenya African Union. Read on at source: The New York Times
Wonderful 24 hours with Kenyan people. Started the trip by meeting students and young business leaders, sharing ideas at Convergence Africa. Was asked a question about corruption and urged the press and the people to keep their governments honest. Mentioned that I felt the Prime Minister of Kenya, from everything I’ve heard, is an exceptional person and has the possibilities of becoming the new Nelson Mandela of Africa.
We then went out to the bush to meet the Masai. Having been made an honourable Elder the last time I was in Kenya, it was very interesting to discuss with them their wishes to protect one of the five wonders of the world, the migration of the zebra and the wildebeest. We talked about helping protect large tracks of land outside the Mara with the Masai, so that the migration doesn’t get blocked. See more at source: Richard Branson’s Blog
The BLNRB project has caused quite a stir: mind-blowing parties in Nairobi, Berlin and Cologne, the international release and reviews for the album BLNRB – Welcome to the Madhouse from all over the world.
Now we are looking forward to its culmination: The BLNRB Release Concert, at the place where it all started: Nairobi! The artists will be reunited again, so for the last time you will have the chance to experience a night of dance and fun with Just A Band, Ukoo Flani, Kimya, Lon’Jon, Nazizi, Michel Ongaro and Radi from Nairobi and Jahcoozi and Teichmann Brothers from Berlin!
To lift your spirit for the concert, get the album BLNRB – Welcome to the Madhouse at Nakumatt, Uchumi, iTunes and local music stores. It contains 18 of the best tracks from the project. Source: goethe.de/ins/ke
Concert date
Saturday, 10th December 2011, 9.00 pm
Nairobi Railway Club
Entrance Fee 200/= KSh
+254 (0) 20 222 4640
kilian.crone@nairobi.goethe.org
The Documentary
The project will be summed up with a screening of the BLNRB documentary, showing exclusive look behind the scenes, produced by Christian Füssenegger. The screening will start right before the concert, at 8.00 pm. Here's the trailer of the documentary
The History
In early 2009, three bands from the world-reknown Berlin electronic music scene set out to a journey, their destination: Nairobi, Kenya, in East Africa. The idea ‘Berlin meets Nairobi’, brainchild of Goethe-Institut Nairobi and electronic music duo Gebrüder Teichmann, was as simple as it was complex at the same time. Berlin musicians would come to this vibrant East African metropolis and meet, mix and mingle with artists from the local music scene.
The name of the project became BLNRB-NRBLN, a fusion of the colloquial abbreviations of the two cities involved. From Berlin, there were Modeselektor, the hyperactive breakbeat-duo, curious electronic producers Gebrüder Teichmann and Jahcoozi, the multicultural star trio composed of Dubstep, Grime Rave and hyper-sonic Electronica. From Kenya, rappers like Mister Abbas, Kimya and Lon ́Jon or the first lady of Kenyan rap, Nazizi, became part of the joint collaboration. The electropop band Just A Band and blind singer/guitarist Michel Ongaro also contributed their flavors. In addition, six members of the HipHop collective Ukoo Flani from the coastal city of Mombasa were a key part of the body of MCs who would turn up every day and night.
Two studios were established in a townhouse in Nairobi, where everyone in the project worked, performed and lived together. The above-mentioned bands were invited but word spread like fire within Nairobi’s music scene. Quickly there was a frenzy of artists coming and going, the now infamous Madhouse was born. Read on at source: outhere.de
More information on the BLNRB project http://blog.goethe.de/BLNRB/
It's a dilemma that other nations can only eye with envy: Kenya simply has too many top athletes chasing the final spot on its revered men's Olympic marathon team.
With Kenya's marathon runners making an unprecedented clean sweep of all six major races in 2011, selectors face the major headache of choosing the last remaining man to represent the country at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Wilson Kipsang's time of 2hr 03mins 42secs, clocked when he won the Frankfurt marathon in late October, was the second fastest time in the world - but even that has not guaranteed him a place on team. Read more at source: The Times of India
Hello Properties's Mandharini in Kilifi has been awarded the Best Development in Africa Award 2011 at the Bloomberg international property awards. This is the first time any project in East Africa has received this prestigious award.
Kenyan development best in the continent
That the Kenyan real estate sector has come of age is not in doubt, with world-class development and international investors taking interest.
Mandharini, a Hello Properties development, has put Kenya on the world map by bagging the Best Residential Property award at the International Property Awards gala held at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. The development won in the Multiple Units category in the African region.
With its recognition, Mandharini emphasised a point that investors like Delta Corp made when they got into the Kenyan market: That the market is ready to accommodate world-class developments.
Mandharini is the lowest density oceanfront development in East Africa, with just 125 villas set on 150 acres of privately owned estate, with 360 degree views across coast and country. Every villa is placed to achieve the best view, complete privacy, optimal natural light, and cooling breezes.
The villa plots account for one third of the estate’s land, making for a destination with ample public space to walk, cycle or play golf. Source: Mandharini.com
The Homes
Mandahrini is derived from a Swahili word ‘Mandhari’ meaning ‘a place of beautiful views’ Mandharini presents 120 homes with unmatched views of the sheltered Kilifi Lagoon.
The project has already been shortlisted in the Best Development Category of the International Residential Property Awards as an outstanding project in Africa.
The 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes, each with a private swimming pool and set in ample acreage, come with the option of a full, luxury furnishings package, economically priced through specialist sourcing. All bedrooms are ensuite.
The homes have been designed by international resort architects WATG of London to ensure maximum elegance and character. With, hand-carved Swahili front doors, brosely terracotta roof tiles and fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms the Mandharini homes are finished to an exceptional level.
All the homes have hidden guttering for rain water harvesting, are served with desalinated water and solar power this all in keeping with the resort’s eco-conservancy strategy and spectacular natural setting. Source: Mandharini.com
Mandharini Village
Mandharini village is set at the heart of the resort, elevated at 40 meters to provide 180 (degree) views of the sheltered Kilifi Lagoon. With a large horizon pool, restaurants, bars, gym, spa shops and function room Mandharini Village offers unrivalled facilities to the home owners. Source: Mandharini.com
The new election law has now come into effect, giving the electoral commission wide ranging powers to clamp down on vote rigging and corruption. For example, the electoral agency will now have the power to order the arrest and prosecution of Cabinet ministers, their assistants and other government officials who use their official vehicles to campaign.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will also have the authority to impound such vehicles. That means the two older laws which governed elections — the National Assembly and Presidential Elections Act and the Election Offences Act — are now repealed. Read on at source: Daily Nation
December 1, 2011- Earlier this afternoon I attended VirtualCity’s launch of HewaniLife which is arguably Kenya’s first “local” mobile apps store and features over 400 mobile apps for download. HewaniLife has both local and international mobile apps for Android, Windows, Symbian, J2ME and BlackBerry. One can also download mobile apps from HewaniLife using not just the Internet but also via SMS and USSD.
Kenya plans to enact a public private partnership (PPP) law by February next year seeking to spur infrastructural investment. The country’s funding deficit in infrastructure is estimated at Sh232 billion, which the new law hopes to bridge.
The legislation will map out ways through which the government will choose projects to develop in partnerships, and who qualifies for sovereign guarantees. The State has in the past shied away from the model due to impact on national debt.
In what analysts see as a necessary reversal in policy, PS Joseph Kinyua says that Treasury will increase such guarantees from next year as the country struggles to bring down the cost of power.
