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INSIDE MEN WE LOVE: Ronald Meru BEAUTY & FASHION: 10 stylish pages DATE WITH A CHEF: Eating Healthy 9 789966 734402 >

The day i met michellE Obama

Vol. 1, May 2009 KES 200 TSH 3000 UGX 5500

Cremation: the last rites Sex:10 Mistakes women make in bed The apprentice africa winner

Jennifer Barassa: Defining her own destiny

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May 2009

Contents 10

Cover Credits Cover: Jennifer Barassa Photography: David Beatty Wardrobe: Jennifer’s own Make-up: Gladys Githegi Stylist: Wambui Hair: Beauty Instincts Salon and Barber Shop

The day I Met Michelle Obama

26

The power of the woman investor

42

Overcoming teen trouble

46

Break-up demystified

Departments EVONY - FIRST THINGS FIRST 5 9

From the Editor First word

EVONY - HEART OF THE MATTER 20 Inspiration 22 Business Acumen 26 Money

EVONY - LIFE 34 42 44 46 49

Health Parenting Marriage Sex Relationships

EVONY- FASHION & BEAUTY 59 Fashion 69 Hair and

EVONY- LEISURE 75 78 82 85 88

Celebrity Events Travel Motoring Short fiction

EVONY- FEATURES 89 What a life 92 Asian Speak

EVONY-MENS WORLD 96 The locker room

EVONY-LAST WORD

100 Spiritual dimention 102 Memorable

PUBLISHER: Liberty Media MANAGING EDITOR: Nelly N. Kuria EDITORIAL CONSULTANT: Carole Argwings-Kodhek FASHION EDITOR: Carol G. Wahome ART DIRECTOR: Kamau Wanyoike DESIGN & LAYOUT Jackson Ndung’u PHOTOGRAPHY: David Beatty, Joseph Mathenge, Elvis Ogina, Sam Mwangi, SUB EDITOR: PICTURE EDITOR: ILLUSTRATOR: STAFF WRITERS: Abyssinia Lati, Catherine Ndioo CONTRIBUTORS: Dr. Wanjiku Kahiu, Manpreet Rehal, Arnold Mambo, Mwenda Wa Micheni, Joseph Lunani, Ann Ngeth’e, Bob Muchina, Dr. Brigid Monda, Wanjiku Kimaru, Dr. Chris Hart, Wanjiku Thiong’o MARKETERS: Samuel Munene, Caroline Watene SUBSCRIPTION: DISTRIBUTION: AD PRODUCTION: ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES: All correspondence should be sent to: The Editor, Evony Magazine , P.O. Box Tel: 020-2213012,2213013 Email: editor@evonymag.com Website: www.vonymagazine.com Views expressed in this publication or in the adverts herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the position of the publishers. Material submitted for publication s sent at the owner’s risk and while every care is taken, evony accepts no liability for loss or damage. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors in adverts or articles, or for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, which, to be returned must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed.

COPYRIGHT@2009 LIBERTY MEDIA PUBLICATIONS LTD

first things first inside: From the Editor Meet our writers Letters First word What I have learnt Humour

May 2009

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Meet our writers

Feedback Feedback Feedback

Abbysnia Lati is a business writer who has been writing for one of the mainstream newspapers. She is currently studying for her masters degree a the university of Nairobi Her interest in women

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oul-searching. Self-discovery. Renewal. That’s where we wish to begin our journey with you.

You have a life. You work hard. You aspire to be successful.

You want to love. You want to play. You have a family. You have friends. You want to live a full life. And through it all, you want to have fun.

Evony is about life and how you can create a joyous, funfilled life for yourself and your spouse and family. Welcome, girlfriend, have fun in life. You are entitled to it.

known paediatrician with many years experience in the medical profession.

She will be writing on health issues.

Life, as they say, is what you make of it. You know, like kids playing on the beach, supple sand streaming through their gentle fingers, and building castles, creating their dreams. That’s what life is all about: imagining and creating your dreams, where you want to go, and having all the fun you desire in the process.

Manpreet Rehal writes a lot on

Letter to the editor

Dr. Wanjiku Kahiu is a well-

family and parenting issues. She has years of experience having contributed to many publications and mainstream media.

Catherine Ndioo is a journalist with a knack for business writing. She did our cover profile for this issue. She runs an online business magazine – Smartbiz online.

Soul-searching. Self-discovery. Renewal. That’s where we wish to begin our journey with you.

You have a life. You work hard. You aspire to be successful. You want to love. You want to play. You have a family. You have friends. You want to live a full life. And through it all, you want to have fun.

Evony is about life and how you can create a joyous, fun-filled life for yourself and your spouse and family. Welcome, girlfriend, have fun in life. You are entitled to it.

Life, as they say, is what you make of it. You know, like kids playing on the beach, supple sand streaming through their gentle fingers, and building castles, creating their dreams. That’s what life is all about: imagining and creating your dreams, where you want to go, and having all the fun you desire in the process.

Our first issue of Evony is about self-discovery and renewal. I know you haven’t heard of us before and that’s why we say, it’s time for a new start in life. Start life again.

Mwenda wa Micheni is an entertainment writer. He has a lot of experience in writing for both mainstream and 6

We bring you stories of people who at one time in their lives, chose to start again. But something else is quite striking about them: they keep starting all over again, each day, in the way they deal with the challenges of life. They recreate their dreams, their lives and in the process re-discover themselves. And they have fun doing just that.

May 2009

editors word

Welcome

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oul-searching. Self-discovery. Renewal. That’s where we wish to begin our journey with you.

You have a life. You work hard. You aspire to be successful. You want to love. You want to play. You have a family. You have friends. You want to live a full life. And through it all, you want to have fun.

Evony is about life and how you can create a joyous, fun-filled life for yourself and your spouse and family. Welcome, girlfriend, have fun in life. You are entitled to it.

Life, as they say, is what you make of it. You know, like kids playing on the beach, supple sand streaming through their gentle fingers, and building castles, creating their dreams. That’s what life is all about: imagining and creating your dreams, where you want to go, and having all the fun you desire in the process.

Our first issue of Evony is about self-discovery and renewal. I know you haven’t heard of us before and that’s why we say, it’s time for a new start in life. Start life again.

We bring you stories of people who at one time in their lives, chose to start again.

But something else is quite striking about them: they keep starting all over again, each day, in the way they deal with the challenges of life. They recreate their dreams, their lives and in the process re-discover themselves. And they have fun doing just that.

Jennifer Barasa is one such person. We got an exclusive with her. Becoming pregnant in college is enough to shatter a bright, ambitious young woman’s life but to Jennifer that was a turning point, a moment to know who she really was and what she stood for. She discovered herself. Thirty years down the line, she is still living and recreating that dream and having fun in life and in building a successful business empire.

We also bring you the inspiring story of Catherine Ndereva, a young woman who was destined for obscurity, but who finding her talent early life, gave it her all, to become one of Kenya’s most decorated athletes. And she keeps going, renewing herself and living her dream of inspiring thousands of young Kenyan women into realizing their dreams.

In life, it’s the small things that matter. You could begin again by renewing yourself in those little things we take for granted like what we eat, how we keep healthy, how we dress, how we work, and how we relate to those around us.

You will discover that when you begin to pay attention to “those little details”, you become imbued with a sense of renewal and above all, a new purpose for living and all the fun that comes with it.

You have a family and we believe that sometimes finding yourself again begins with reaching out to your spouse and children and those who share in your dream.

Life is not just about work. And so have we packed for you glimpses into the fun-filled, lighter side of life because we believe strongly to live happily, one must have fun, enjoy themselves.

That’s where we aspire to take you. Evony is not just a magazine but an experience. We are about inspiration, driving you to self-fulfilment and accomplishment. Evony is also about having fun in everything we do and aspire to accomplish. That’s why we are different. We want you to be different, to stand out. Rediscover and renewal yourself.

Have fun.

Good reading!

May 2009

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best buys/ new products

New Car Model Enters the Market A new brand of car, the , has entered the Kenyan market.

The model is expected to inject competition in the 1300 -1600 cc class of saloon cars where pricing is crucial.

Retailing at Sh995,000, it has a twoyear warranty and is being launched

by Auto Mart Ltd, a member of the Associated Motors Group.

Kenya joins the league of 50 countries to which the Lifan has been exported.

The car has also been marketed in France, Germany, Algeria, Nigeria, Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Iran among others.

It boasts of 18-20 km per litre to the fuel. Other features include front airbags, ABS braking and power steering.

The Instyler: friend or foe?

Infomercials are incredibly entertaining at times, and this one especially caught my eye over the weekend. The Instyler is a flat iron/curling iron combo that is supposed to straighten, curl, add volume and flip your hair in any direction. Now I’ve seen contraptions that claim to do the same before, but The Instyler has an actual celebrity (even if she is a minor one!) in their commercial, so maybe we can trust that it works?

Because my own hair is rather thick and wavy, I’m thinking of taking the plunge and trying The Instyler for myself. With bristles, it gently pulls hair straight, following up with heat to create a sleek, smooth head of hair.

Cutting down the time I spend styling my hair is isomething I want; wasting my money on a product full of empty promises isn’t!

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May 2009

first word

Boardroom Manners

By Kate Getao

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ts unfortunate but it happens. In you walk all ready to deliver the best presentation of your life and there he is, the love of your life. OK, it is five years since you broke up, but your emotions were in ICU for over a year, and your girlfriends and family despaired. But finally you pulled it together in the knowledge that you are powerful and beautiful, professional woman.

And then today happened.

“Good Lord, how could I have not known? Wasn’t he posted to Botswana?...” A million messages of reprimand blast through your head. If you were attached to a brain monitor it would have exploded! “… and of course you know John from our Botswana office….” acknowledges your host…Does he know? Can he see the sweat beading down my forehead?

“Yes, of course” you reply, “How are you John?” You do not wait for the reply and proceed smoothly into your best presentation ever!

Yes, you are on fire, the cocktail of hormones racing around your body is positively illegal.

There’s the usual adrenalin, and then pepsin the’flight hormone’ screaming “RUN” in your ear, and then of course there is estrogen, as after all, this was the man that just did it for you.

But you are on automatic, as you May 2009

gracefully present all the facts and figures and beguile the entire room into believing that you are actually in the room.

Where are you? OK, officially you are giving a presentation to one of your most important clients, but in Head Space 2, you are drowning in your history. And if anyone ever dared to think that a woman cannot multitask, you have even created dimension 3 and 4.

Three is, “what has he been doing since?” and “what happened to Cynthia?”

Dimension four is for the future…. You create a whole conversation for after this meeting. “My you are looking more beautiful then ever” he says as he takes your arm, “Lets meet up, we have so much to discuss”.

You smile effortlessly through your conclusion and slide into the chair of honour, as your host thanks you profusely and the room nods in appreciation.

You deftly avoid looking in his direction as questions are asked and answered in gold medalist style.

Smiles abound as contractual promises are made. And everyone adjourns for refreshments. You smile, shake hands, accept cards and congratulations with ease, and try not to obviously scan the room.

“Thank you very much” beams the Chairman “Your presentation was excellent, and John in particular wanted to catch it before he flew back to Botswana. Its such a shame he couldn’t have stayed after the meeting, he said you were old friends….”

There’s the usual adrenalin, and then pepsin the’flight hormone’ screaming “RUN” “Yes, indeed, old friends” you agree.

A successful presentation, a chance meeting with an ‘old friend’, and tonight you go home to your loving husband, and two children. ‘”Old, old friends” you smile as you sip your well deserved drink.

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The day I met Michelle Obama (As told to Nelly Kuria by Gayna Jefferson)

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f there is one thing I will always remember from Mrs. Michelle Obama is “Set an even-toned pace.”

While those are my words, her words were more like “Well, I try not to get too high with the highs nor too low with the lows......just stay focused and on message.” This is a concept that I picked up from her on one of the early morning news shows as she was being interviewed, and the reporter asked how she felt about a certain cartoon/pictorial that was printed about her and her husband at that point on the campaign trail. Fortunately, I was able to meet her a few months later......and got a chance to understand her grace under pressure first hand.

I was asked to speak on a Women’s Roundtable panel with Mrs. Obama and nearly screamed my head off on the inside, but I held my composure as I continued to write down the details from one of her staffers (the caller on the other end of the phone).

I had to ask.....”did you say Mr. or Mrs. ?” At that point I really didn’t care because I had been involved with campaign efforts via my local community, and I was a true 10

“The experience was awesome. She interacted with us as we spoke. She poured us water! Can you believe that? We were assembled around a beautifully set coffee table .”

May 2009

what i have learnt

xc xzbcnzxbczx comcnbvmcxnvcvnvxc xncmxzn,mvnzx xzncm,xznv ZXNcmzxnvc xz supporter of them both! It was explained to me that it would be the Mrs! Then I asked, “is this live and in-person or will she be on a teleconference line or what?” After the staffer explained (again) what the setting would be (and Mrs Obama had held one of these previously in another state, but now coming to my area to hold one more) I know I smiled so brightly that I probably blocked the sunshine in Kenya! WOW. I was thrilled!!!

My actual experience with her was phenomenal!!!! She met with each roundtable participant and their chosen family members for smalltalk and pictures. She was very relaxed and personable; friendly and genuine. She made you feel like you knew her, and for me she made me feel like there was no difference between her and I. It was almost a mirror moment that I won’t soon forget. There were no airs or assumed haughtiness; nothing pompous; just welcoming Hellos Hugs and Smiles.

She took time to talk to my five year old daughter on her level....literally and figuratively. She mentioned her daughters, Sasha & Malia and of course my daughter, Jessica, knew those names and asked where were they! Mrs Obama and Jessica took the greatest photo! It looks as if they had already known each other, or as if Mrs Obama was a close relative of ours. It was such an unforced moment!!!

After the individual family meetings, we, the participants, met with her and a few staffers. Mrs. Obama continued to display her warm genuine nature, and I could also see the business or structural side of her surfacing......one is not far from the other, but we were there for a reason. This event was geared toward women, highlighting our own personal issues and sharing our stories as supporters of Presidential candidate Barack Obama, her husband; while extending ourselves to possible undecided women voters. Therefore, if sharing our stories would allow us to reach other women who might have similar issues or parallel lives, showing them and offering them that “Hey I am in this May 2009

particular situation and I see hope, progress, structure, possibility, and a new path, in this candidate and in his proposals; and maybe you too can lend yourself to the new direction, the new vision offered through this candidate.” If we could bring awareness of Barack Obama and his proposals for a new America to women who had not yet aligned themselves with a candidate to support in the upcoming election, then we could leave our gathering know that we have served double duty.

One: strengthening the communal sense of women, and Two: increasing the voter base turnout for (at the time) Senator Barack Obama...... probably not in that order!!!!

Nevertheless, Mrs. Obama encouraged us to speak from the heart, be as open as we wanted, and feel no pressure. She reminded us that we are all people with various stories (that she had been briefed on through the information the staffers presented to her from previous phone calls with us) ....stories that sometimes cross/intertwine, mirror/ parallel each other......but we don’t always talk & share & unite.......for fear of embarrassment, isolation, pressure, and sometimes self-imposed categorization. She reminded us that we are here to talk, almost like old girlfriends. She went on to review with us the seating chart presented by the staffer and reviewed the order of the speakers. She asked if we had any questions and told us to relax......she said that we would do wonderfully! She gave us a somewhat sense of grace under pressure for ourselves, and we all did well.

The experience was awesome. She interacted with us as we spoke. She poured us water! Can you believe that? We were assembled around a beautifully set coffee table and the (at that time) possible next First Lady of the United States poured us water and made us feel comfortable at HER own event. WOW! Can you say “down-to-earth” ??

After the event, she Thanked us, hugged us, and she went to greet 11

just to humour you

The ogre gods of the internet

By Mukumu Na Muchina

U

ntil we learn from the children, we will always be like the proverbial rats fondling like an elephant. No parent, no matter how smart they think they are have the vaguest idea about the power of the internet to transform an innocent ten-year old from a babe into a celebrity.

At least for the American parent, the dot com generation serves as a reference to this reality. For a parent in Africa, everything starts with a meal; progressing into clothing and housing. Wireless communication comes in as the tail-ender. It is true, believe it or perish, that the teachers ogres speaking to us through the internet are unforgiving demons; ready to turn the Arthurs and the Tina’s in our lives into Wizards of Oz or worse.

The first teacher of the internet is called SPAM Mail - simply translated into unsolicited mail.

Spam mail is like the forbidden fruit. The dirtier it becomes the more alluring. Until the morning that you lose sleep, pander to the study room to browse a spam site and your husbandor teenage son sneaks up behind you. There, in 18 point font will be your damnation: “HOW TO GROW BIGGER, BETTER BREASTS AND ATTRACT OTHER ME N.” Or the day your husband glees 12

damage visited on our preferred hypocrisy by their lucid graphics.

It is this, our very own reflections of dark private thoughts that visit hallowing excitement in the undeveloped minds. Our children are at the very danger of becoming adults even before they are children. And try as we will, the forces of calculating spirits are set to snatch the innocence from our children.

“You will be put into shame by the brazen nudity of idle minds that blog the world” against the site from hell, unaware that the daughter he dismissed ten minutes ago is glued to the words on the screen: “STOP DREAMING OF BELLES WITH PERKIER BREASTS. GET THEM NOW.” If you are the humorous type, you will delight in the absurdity of spam mail. If you are the amorous type, you will be put into shame by the sheer brazen nudity of idle minds purporting to express independence on the internet.

Who stayed up when the rest of us were blissfully asleep?

Answer: The bloggers.The Hackers. They do not sleep. They die hard. The internet is faced

with a dilemma. To start all over again or to allow unobtrusive access to sites traditionally considered sensitive.

This would remove the motivation to hack and to blog. A system called CLICK is being taunted as the last resort in the war against electronically engineered fraud in which counter attacking software kills off the hacker’s platform is under construction.

But hackers thrive on negative creativity. They will come around any defense system thrown at it.

And junk mailers and hackers are the epitome of viruses.

It is this category of ogres who dwell in the darkest corner of the universe that do not see the

One of them is abroad right here in Kenya – the child pornographer. Close your eyes and grimace if you will. The truth is that before you finish that cup of tea, some twisted brain will assault a 3-year old baby girl and still grin at the thought of the pain this will cause the mother.

Oh, I know your daughter is right by your side. What about during school days, camps, trips and the occasional visit to the neighbourhood? How is that maid doing with your four-year old son? Sad. Maids were supposed to be innocent until we started to recruit house-helps from bureaus.

Every house-help today can access the internet.

The internet has one glaring message for parents: Let go of the notion that you are in control and start weeping. If you do not believe me, walk to the estate internet café . Your 14-year old son is on the website with the title: CONGRATULATIONS, YOU JUST WON A MASSAGE BRA. May 2009

heart of the matter inside: Cover Story Business Acumen Money Inspiration Legal Men we Love Career

Jennifer Barassa: Paving her own path

By Catherine Ndioo 14

May 2009

A

cover story sked to describe Jennifer Barassa in two words, I’d go for, bold and buoyant.

The words hit me as I enter her offices located at Wilson Airport. They are just getting a new paint job; and the fundis are halfway through it, are patching different colours for each wall.

Her favourite, Jennifer tells me, is red, and she has it painted on the way facing her well groomed desk. The entire office right from the outside walls and reception area looks like patches of colours; blue, red, green, pink, white, and so on. Jennifer explains her staff made the choices.

Just now, it downs on me that this is not your ordinary office. Nor is Jennifer your ordinary woman.

She starts talking and I begin to understand why this charming and self driven woman has gained so much success in her trade. She is the founder and chief executive of award winning below-theline advertising company Top Image, sits in the boards of various organizations including Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) and Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry among others, yet she is so down-to-earth.

“Am very talkative and a go-getter. I get along with anyone,” she tells me. “I can meet you and in a few minutes we are chatting away as if we have known each other for years. I feel very comfortable in a group of people and am not shy to talk,” she tells me. Her charm is infectious, and makes you feel at home. It gets to me when she starts the interview, by telling me humorously, “I am a 56-year old young girl,” then explaining that you are as young as you feel.

Jennifer is not your shy lady, and never was. Actually even at her childhood, growing up in, the then middle class Maringo estate in Nairobi, which she proudly says they called ‘Oriongo’ in slang those days, no one would slap her and she didn’t slap back. It is the same strength and confidence she champions for women in different platforms.

Jennifer’s leadership skills showed from quite a young age. She was a head girl right from primary school at Dr. Kraft Primary School in Maringo and in two secondary schools, Ngara Girls and Asumbi Girls. She was sportive, and played netball for the schools. She knew exactly what she wanted to achieve in life at a young age. Even in their family modest lifestyle, sleeping on the floor with a sack for covers, her visions were far. She is a go-getter who has no difficulties making choices in life. For instance, she loves jewellery, and now being able to comfortably afford them, sports a good deal of them whenever you spot her. It has earned her a few disgruntled mumurs, but she doesn’t mind that.

Jennifer says her late mother (who passed away in 2000) was her role model. And Pamela Mboya, recently deceased wife to former minister Tom Mboya, shaped her dreams when she was young. “I saw Pamela (Mboya) get married to Tom Mboya. They lived in the neighbourhood; she was tall and elegant and her sisters, Janet and Margaret, wore nice clothes. Pamela used to drive a beautiful yellow Voxwagen, and I told myself, “when I grow up that is the car I want.” I did not know

May 2009

there were so many other cars.

But my mother told me; do you want to be like that lady? If you work hard, you can get all those things,” she says.

That is why when she went into teaching after on graduation from Kenyatta University (then a constituency of University of Nairobi) Jennifer immediately realized she had to move to a different job to realize her dream of making herself good money.

“I am always proud to say that when I graduated I came out with two degrees; my Bachelor of Education and my beautiful daughter, Bidanya Barassa,” says Jennifer. A strong motherdaughter bond has lasted between the two; through Bidanya’s successful modeling career, and now a marketing manager at an international firm.

Jennifer taught in a number of schools before landing at Lenana School to teach Literature and English, and where she was the first African lady teacher.

But then two years into the job and she had already sent out over 100 job application letters; that she got a sales representative job at Kodak. Many people could not comprehend her decision to leave such a ‘prestigious’ job as teaching, to walk the streets of Nairobi selling photocopy papers, cameras and film. But Jennifer knew her aim. “I knew deep down when I was growing up in Eastlands that I wanted to be rich.

Then I realized teaching wouldn’t make me, but my degree could get me places.”

She worked diligently, then in a sales trip to Kisumu, the Managing Director and Marketing Manager of Boots Pharmaceuticals (now Beta Healthcare) witnessed her doing 15

cover story consequently getting a sacking.

Within two weeks, she had another job. She was later to join advertising group, MacCann Erickson as an advertising agent.

“It was at MacCann that I saw the opportunity to start a belowthe-line advertising agency.

Notwithstanding, all along my friends and colleagues kept telling me, Jennifer, why don’t you start a business. But I was not interested. I liked my titles, the good cars I used to be driven in, and I did not want to hassle myself with starting a business,” says Jennifer.

her sales. “Apparently we were staying in the same hotel, and the following morning they wanted to talk to me. I wondered what it was about.” She was later to learn they’d been impressed by her salesmanship and wanted to offer her a job, which she took up immediately.

Jennifer was a Key Accounts Sales Manager at Boots, before she was promoted to Product Manager for Lady Gay and Boots No-Flouride Toothpaste. She worked there for five years then moved to Johnsons and Johnsons as New Business Development Manager. She launched a few products there, and then there was an advert in the papers that Sterling Healthcare (now GlaxoSmithKline) was looking for a General Manager for its Tanzania office. The job was advertised all over East Africa but when Jennifer put in her application, she got the job.

But then a year down the line, things were not going well at the Tanzania office, and Jennifer decided to come back home, 16

“When a client does abovethe-line advertising on radio, TV and print, it is me and my team that really meets the consumer to have a one-on-one conversation.

We bring brands to life,” explains Jennifer of the trade.

It is Jennifer’s good natured humour and a joyful voice that keeps you glued to her every word. Her story of building Top Image, her below-the-line advertising agency (trade also known as experiential or in layman, promotion agency) is one of hard work and dedication.

“I started in May (1995) and by December, I’d already made my Sh1 million. I began from the living room of my house, and the first thing I did was write a proposal that cost me Sh30. I did not have a computer so I went to a shop in Westlands where they typed it for me. I made copies and sent out my applications,” says Jennifer.

She holds networking as key to every business saying people she’d worked with previously opened doors for her. She also began by servicing small orders, and in time her client’s confidence she got bigger ones. Then she acquired an office. She quotes people like Peter Wanjama (now owns advertising agency, Spread Marketing) and Susan Omanga (of Exclamation Marketing) as the first people to give her projects at Kenya Breweries and Standard

Chartered Bank respectively.

“Since then we worked with companies like Sera Lee, in campaigns for Style and Bounce and Miss products. It was very unique; we actually used to take the salon to the consumer at places like Kenya Cinema and Kenyatta Market. I had a tent and hired hair technicians, hairdryers, a steamer, and we literally did the washing in the streets of Nairobi and sold products to ladies passing by – then in other places like Meru, Nakuru and Eldoret.”

They also went out to schools with Miss products, and talked about topics of the girl child – like how to attend an interview, dressing, succeeding in studies among others. “Up to now, people still come to us and ask we if we can go back to the schools,” says Jennifer. For Kenya Breweries (now East African Breweries) they activated campaigns like Nderemo ya Mabigwa and Babua Tafrija, cigarette campaigns for BAT from 1995 until the new regulations barring advertising, Proctor and Gamble among others. The company has also been spearheading Safaricom’s M-Pesa money transfer service, for the last two years.

Top Image has also entered Tanzania with 37 personnel and expects operations to begin in April. In Uganda they are in the process of business registration.

Advertising has evolved over the years says Jennifer. “When we started we were just doing activation; creating awareness for brands, by basically connecting with consumers and talking to them. Now that has changed with more players coming in, we have to be creative.” With so many products fighting for the shelf space these days, Jennifer May 2009

[ HEART OF THE MATTER ]

cover story

says you have to think out of the box. “We have very aggressive people in outlets, developing relationships with traders and also fighting for shelf space. We also have to come up with Point Of Sale (POS) material that is outstanding, eye-catching so that people are attracted to our (clients’) product.”

“The presentation of our girls, the way they communicate, approach the client is very important. If you put a girl in the supermarket just looking at people and not communicating or connecting with the consumer then you are throwing away your money. The quality of girls we hire, the way we train them, motivation and reward scheme are very important to us,” said Jennifer. “When a client gives us their product, we are their eyes and ears. My staff, spread all over knows what happens on daily basis – they collect real-time information like price changes of competitors, their offers and campaigns, what is being picked on daily basis, out-of-stock situations, etc. They SMS us immediately and we inform the client.”

With their clients’ products they move from schools, golf clubs, gyms, offices, conferences and boardrooms. They are even in hospitals talking to new mothers and nurses for instance with Proctor and Gamble products, or hair dressing salons with Vaseline.

Having been in business for 13 years, Jennifer has also witnessed many intrigues in the trade. She laughs as she explains how some competitors even pay to get a job, other companies who pitch for a job just to get ideas and discuss them with their cronies. “Some people even say am expensive. But we have trained ourselves that we are the best therefore

May 2009

our price and quality is also high,” he says, then adds in that self confidence and attitude that send you rolling in laughter, “I tell them am the Mercedes of this industry, and anybody who wants their job delivered comes to Mama (a title she’s earned in her business circles).”

Getting the right personnel with the good etiquette and ethics can be a challenge, especially when required to parade as many as 500 sales people on the streets. It is also a cash intensive trade, and at times you are required to pump in money in a promotion, before a client can pay back, normally in 60 days.

In what she calls appropriate crowning of her work, Top Image recently was named one of the Kenya Top Mid-sized businesses, a study conducted by auditing firm KPMG and the Nation Media Group.

She attributes it to huge success of their campaigns, human resource systems, management and turnover that earned them the recognition.

She has also earned a Woman Innovation award from the Chandaria Foundation and Purple Images.

“It feels great. But I’ve always believed, and told people for a long time, that I’m the leading below-the line advertising agency in this country.

But some people just said; mama is just full of herself. Now, it has been proven,” she says in the same good natured humor. In this trade, she says one has to be aggressive, on top of things, know your staff, be creative, read a lot and connect with your consumers. You also need to build relationships with people. Once they know you can deliver, they’ll give you jobs.

17

cover story She attributes her success mainly to her employees. They are driven she says. Same way, she likes to recognize them, holding Employee of The Year awards for them, and at times throwing them parties. She also provides lunch in the office.

Jennifer is also called to institutions, like the Marketing Society of Kenya to train in merchandising and promotions and others like Strathmore University and United States International University (USIU) to give talks on entrepreneurship.

She is creative, and some of the creative ideas for the company come from her – which then the staff build on.

“You also have to take care of your cash flow and keep a tab on your expenses. I always warn people, do not get into a business you are not an expert in, because if your workers are suddenly poached you are left out and dry,” advises Jennifer. “Again before you start a business, you need to have saved for at least six months – for your rent, living expenses and school fees for your children for at least a year. The reason many businesses fail in the first year is because you are going for the same money pot as the business.”

Again, rewarding yourself is important, Jennifer says. She does so by buying herself jewellery whenever she has a big success, like a big contract. “I started this when still at Kodak. Whenever I got promoted, I’d buy myself a ring. I love jewelry, even if some people complain. There are some who have not given me business saying ‘she’s so expensive, all that money is going to that jewellery’. But it’s nothing; I work hard and celebrate my success. I don’t apologize for it.” She tells 18

me they are stored in a safe, and sometimes takes them out to celebrate.

Among her other hats, at the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), she chairs the publicity committee; training and educating the public about how they can make use of the funds.

“I think CDF is the best thing that has ever happened in this country. The only challenge is that mwananchi (common man) doesn’t know that this is their money. We also try to educate the constituency committees on ways to build lasting projects. They for instance when building a school

or a health centre need to alert ministry of education and district health officer, even roads officer – so they know when the project will be over and can avail staff and facilities. Lack of this, is why you find some of those projects have been completed but grass is growing on them,” said Jennifer.

She is at the same time campaigning for a larger budget in the board to do more road shows, radio and television promotions to get people educated.

Jennifer chairs the marketing committee. The micro- finance institution recently got a license to transform to a bank, and an elated Jennifer says the plan is to have their branches close to their target group who are mainly rural women. The cost of their loans will also now come down. KWFT has a countrywide presence and deals with over 100,000 women groups, giving them loans and business training. “We are so excited and can’t wait to roll on,” she said.

At the Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) where she has sat on the board for six year,

At the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Jennifer heads the women desk, May 2009

cover story Jennifer finds balance, and a time to relax. She completed construction of her own house in 2006 at Nairobi’s Kitusuru neighbourhood. Jennifer strictly supervised the architecture and construction to bring out her ‘dream house’. The house , a magnificent ????- bedroom affair is set on ????? acres in Nairobi’s Kitusuru area. She has lovingly and tastefully furnished it to meet her unique style in interior decorating. The house has two huge receptions, one formal the other less so. ???? of the bedrooms are ensuite. There is a two huge living rooms, a dinning room, two kitchens, a study and two bars! One of the bars is inside the house, the other outside near the swimming pool. The woodwork is dark and the furnishings heavy and expensive.

She still lives with her only daughter Bidanya, who she describes as a close confidant. “She is a very wonderful person, even as a child and I thank God. I took her to church at an early age and have brought her up to be close to me and carry family values.” Jennifer never married something she explains never to have taken serious consideration to. It could also be the fact that, not suitable enough man came along to ask for her hand in marriage, she says.

Bidannia’s modeling career was her first mothering test. “She was at Green Acres School and their career teacher brought up the idea. I felt insulted, thinking ‘she thinks my daughter is not intelligent enough and can only do modeling’. I was upset until I talked to friends who funny enough encouraged me it was a good path for Bidannia,” says Jennifer.

Her daughter’s sudden success was Jennifer’s evidence that she’d made the right choice. Bidannia now works with Tetra Pak as a marketing manager.

They have made a pact that Bidannia leaves home only when she gets married. They spend quality time together and like to throw parties, when she’s not travelling, common with her job.

where she campaigns the rights of women in business. “I am trying to fight for a level playing field for women. There are more women in business than men, if you count the mama mbogas. We need to get information about them, bring them together and train them how to manage their businesses, where to access funds, and understand the government and the City Council pertaining to licenses,” she says.

“Those are some of the things dear to me. Now they can get funds, so I encourage them to start businesses; start small and grow big,” said Jennifer.

May 2009

“I grew up in Eastlands, and used to sleep on the floor and with a sack for covers. I did not know there were things called bedsheets until I got to high school. But am not afraid, it has encouraged me. I tell young ladies, if I did it you can too,” she said. She also champions against sexual harassment in the workplace, and applies the same policies in her company.

“As an employer I also lean more towards women – if am encouraging women to do well in life, I should at least give them a chance.”

Even with a grueling schedule,

Jennifer is also choir singer at All Saints Cathedral, therefore has to attend practice sessions on Saturdays, and be at church in good time for the 7oclock service on Sundays. To relax, she attends Chamas, hang out with friends or her sister, or entertains them at her home on weekends.

Sometimes just getting home early and hang around doing nothing, helps her unwind, she says.

Her day begins at 5oclock, by reading her spiritual books, before working out in her home gym to rejuvenate. Before putting it up, she used to have a morning walk. She arrives at the office at 9oclock normally, but this can be as early as 5am where an early street campaign is happening.

“I generally like working hard, but sometimes it can be too much,” she says. “I am involved in the day to day running of the business and the underside of that is that people see Top Image as Jennifer Barassa and vice versa, and some clients come because they know am behind it. So now am developing succession plans,” said Jennifer. When Bidannia went to the university to do her Masters, the company paid for it so that she can come back and assist. Jennifer says, “But when she came back, she said ‘mum you have a lot of energy, here I cannot even be a GM very soon’. So she took off to get multinational experience.” Jennifer wants the business to grow beyond her life, and into East and Central Africa. “I’d like to leave a legacy. I want it to be an example of successful business.”

19

inspiration

RUKIA SUBOW:

AT THE HELM OF MAENDELEO YA WANAWAKE

By Evony Writer

W

hen she enrolled in primary school as a young girl, she was the only girl in her class. Later when she joined Wajir High school she was one of only three girls. A lot has changed since Rukia Subow, a brave girl from Wajir, told boys in her form two class during a hot-tempered argument that the place of the woman was not in the kitchen.

Maendeleo ya Wananwake national chairperson Rukia subow Now, after a career in the civil service and the trade union movement, finds herself with the oneros task of leading Maendeleo Ya Wanawake organisation – Kenya’s largest women’s movement. The 55-year-old organisation, which boasts about four million members countrywide, has largely been dormant.

The December 2006 elections that saw Mrs Subow and her new team ofofficials take over at Maendeleo House were acrimonious, and were held after 10 unremarkable years. And, coming, only weeks into the General elections year, the Maendeleo polls were marred by political interference. Mrs Subow acknowledges that Government and Opposition agents hunted for the delegates in their hotels in a bid to seek support for their preferred candidates.

“There was no open exchange of money but financial support came from both sides of the political divide,” Mrs Subow reveals. “They know they cannot ignore the constituency that is women. To them the organisation is a fertile ground for political support.” Which is where the hard part begins for Mrs Sbow. At some point during the dark days of Kanu’s one party, Mrs Subow, who served in the previous team as deputy to the long-serving chairperson Mrs Zipporah Kittony, has dismissed allegations that she was the Government’s preferred candidate in the recent polls. The immediate challenge, she says, is to check political interference that threatens to make women leaders lose their vision.

Mrs Rukia Subow, TheNational Chairman of Maendeleo ya Wanawake 20

May 2009

[ HEART OF THE MATTER ]

inspiration

Mrs Subow regrets the manner in which the organisation was run in the past. “We were tired of being spectator officials. The movement had been turned onto a one woman’s show. We were like caged birds in a dark night,” she says. But the organisation, she adds, cannot work at variance with the Government. “we cannot do much without working with the Government.”

If there is one area Mrs Subow will find her reconciliatory tone valuable, it is in helping heal the wounds inflicted in the organisation by chaotic elections.

Right from the grassroots, they were characterised by scenes of yelling, accusations and counteraccusations.

Three days to the national elections, Cabinet Minister Charity Ngilu and other leaders stormed Maendeleo House to protest against what she calle “nomination malpractices.”

The atmsphere at the Kasarani stadium would be more tense.

But, as supporters of various candidates kept vigil into the dark night awaiting the outcome of the polls, Mrs Subow sat quietly, drafting two speeches – one to accept and pledge undivided support for the winner and another to celebrate victory and thank both those who voted for her, and those who did not.

I knew I was leading a contender but, you see, things can change at the last minute . Whichever way, I I would either win or lose. That’s why I was writing the two letters,” the affable Mrs. Subow reminisces. Mrs Subow beat two other candidates to the chairpersonseat. She garnered 485 votes while Mrs Martha Mugambi and Mrs Eunice Kamotho got 90 and 80 votes respectively. Hers has been a May 2009

Critical manuscript In Form Two, she rebuffed the boys’ arogance by penning a critical manuscript. “A woman’s place Isn’t in the Kitchen”. The boys accused her of being ‘stubborn and non-Islamic”.

Fortunatley some teachers concurred with the concents.

Saida rose to become a senior manager at Telkom Kenya while Fatuma has served senior position in the office of the President.

They re still very close friends.

Mrs. Rukia Subow being congratulated by Hon. Maina Kamanda after winning MYWO elections

Mrs Subow sat quietly, drafting two speeches – one to accept and pledge undivided support for the winner and another to celebrate victory long, tedious journey to the top for this woman who considers herself a “liberal muslim”. She prefers her flowing dree – the bui bui.

Born 48 year sago at Tarjaj village in Wajir district, young Rukia’s brush with the tragedy of being a girl in a pastoralst community began early in life. “ I was an only child and I was brought up in the hot sand dunes of Wajir district. What other setbacks would a young girl ned to drag her down?’ she asks. However, she also enjoyed the privilege of being born to a military father. Her father, Ali Olow, was a soldier at Lang’ata Barracks in Nairobu. So she was exposed to city life, and kept moving from one school to another in Nairobi and Wajir.

She recalls the agony of life in Wajir, when every other girl hearded goats and camels in the plains. Her school life there was spent in tter loneliness, with no girls to soialise with in school.

“I was the only girl in Standard Seven in 1971. Everyone looked at me as if I was doing an abominable thing thing y going to school,” she recalls.

Things got wose when she joined Wajir Secondary schooL Spiteful boys kept reminding her about the cultural prohibitions. But, luckily this time, there were two more girls in the school – Saida Abdala and Fatuma Ali. The boys kept throwing demeaning tantrums at us at every turn.

But we never coiled in fear,” says Rukia.

Rukia’s mother. Halima Farah.

Then an official of Maendeleo in Wajir,introduced her to the organisation as a teenager. At 17 and in Form Four, Rukia registed as a Maendeleo Member.

“I liked the women’s vision.

Their was a direct struggle for empowerment. Only that the society aroud them was overly spiteful oftheir effort,” she says.

But her father was the real pillar of strength for her. He treated her like a son and, when the old man died in 1980, she inherited all his wealth. It was a “fortune any son would be proud of,” she says. Married to Dr. Ahmed Subow, a veteran veterinarian, she worked as a civil servant in the Office of the President, and was an official of the Kenya Civil Servants’ Union in the late 1970’s.

Shortly after, she studied trade uniniosm at Histrut University inTel Aviv, Israel. She then went to Birmingham University college to study Conflict Management.

Throught the efforts of the non-governmental organisation Pastoralist Peace Development Initiative (PPDI), which she founded, clan flare-ups have been checked considerably.

We are keen to promote justice and equality in the sharing of the national cake,’’ says Mrs Subow, who vied for the Wajir East 21

business acumen

A spirited marketer takes red bull by the horns

By Wanjiru Waithaka

T

wenty-seven-year-old Reka Rozsa is an ardent believer in entrepreneurship. It is the future of the country, she says.

Rozsa has never been employed and has a reason for that.

“Employment is static, but you get higher returns and continuous growth from a business,” she says.

Rozsa practices what she preaches. After finishing college, she started a marketing and public relations consultancy.

Then in January this year she ventured into energy drinks.

At the moment, Rozsa is the founder and managing director of Infinite Quest Marketing Limited, the Kenyan franchise of Bomba Energy, an Austrian company that manufactures a range of energy drinks under the Bomba brand name.

The company has a workforce of 25 people.

Ms Rozsa says her transition from marketing services to products was because the Kenyan market is still at the level where tangible things are more appreciated and rewarded.

“A marketing idea can be taken away from you, modified and implemented by someone else and you get no credit for it, which is why I decided to deal with a real product,” she says.

She chose to venture into the extremely competitive beverage market with an energy drink because functional drinks are driving growth in the sector fuelled increasingly by health conscious consumers.

“People are drinking to get nutritional benefits and they are moving away from soft drinks like sodas and squashes. This has boosted consumption of four product categories —sports drinks, fruit juices, energy drinks and milk22

May 2009

ad

EVONY May 2009

19

business acumen based products,” she says.

It is sold in 54 countries and its international slogan is “excite your mind.”

Rozsa first came across Bomba Energy drinks while on a visit to France and she liked the hype around it so much that she immediately decided to approach the manufacturer to introduce the product in the Kenyan market.

The brand comes in several flavours including blackcurrant, orange and sugar-free, but in Kenya only the blueberry flavour is available.

The Kenyan product is packed in 250ml glass bottles and cans while in other countries silver coloured and transparent 330ml barrier layer coated PET bottles are also available.

Infinite Quest Marketing Limited paid a one-off licence fee of $200,000 (Sh13.4 million) and buys the product directly from the manufacturer and therefore does not pay a percentage of sales revenues annually.

Sales volumes for the brand in Kenya average 70,000 cans over a six week period.

“Rather than doing mass marketing through TV and newspapers, we have pursued a targeted marketing strategy on radio and magazines that can reach our targeted market.

We have also sponsored events where professionals meet, such as marketers’ night,” she says.

Ms Rozsa financed the business from her savings and family sources.

The company has spent Sh5 million on marketing and advertising in print and electronic media.

“My target market is working professionals in the AB socialclass because Bomba is a nutritious energy drink with natural healthy attributes suited to fit in the lifestyle of ambitious professionals,” she says.

The biggest challenge in the beverage sector is intense competition in a very fast changing market, which requires a company to adapt fast just to stay in the game.

The company mostly distributes its products through supermarkets and convenience stores.

Ms Rozsa has a degree in conservation biology from Eotvos Lorand University and an MBA from Corvinus University also in Budapest, Hungary, where she was born and brought up before coming to Kenya in 1999 to visit her father who was works here as a doctor.

She estimates that the energy drinks market has a total value of around Sh3 billion and places her brand at number three after Red Bull, which has been in the market a long time, and Shark.

Bomba is sold at a premium (Sh120 for the 250ml can) compared to Red Bull (Sh105) and Shark (Sh100).

Energy drinks have two key ingredients — caffeine which stimulates the central nervous system and thus accelerates the heartbeat and taurine, an amino acid found in the human body which has a detoxicating effect.

Bomba has other additives including vitamins, flavourings, colouring and sugar.

24

“The Kenyan market is very sensitive and even small things influence purchasing. Right now with the elections people have become cautious and they are not spending,” she says.

“Bomba is a nutritious energy drink with natural healthy attributes suited to fit in the lifestyle of ambitious professionals,” she says.

Thereafter she hopped between the two countries until she married her husband, a marketer in the hotel industry in Kenya and settled here.

The couple has two children aged six and four. Ms Rozsa has big ambitions and has set her sights on growing her business to become a key player in the industry.

She also intends to venture into alcoholic drinks in future.

“People are becoming more sophisticated but the choices in the alcohol market are limited if you compare with other countries so there is still room to bring in new products,” she says.

Ms Rozsa says the key to success is to have a really good idea and believe in yourself.

“An entrepreneur needs to be a very strong leader. My management style is hands-on. I am always in the field, I know all our customers and I’m also involved in accounting and administration,”she says.

Having a good product and creativity in financing growth as well as crafting marketing and sales strategies are also a must have for a successful entrepreneur she concludes.

May 2009

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money

The power of the woman investor

By Anne Ngethe

M

ore and more women are earning their own money from employment, businesses, employer retirement benefits and other sources. Yet most women do not have a clue about the world of finance beyond the shallow waters of basic savings. ‘How to invest’ and ‘What to invest in’ are pretty much the same but the ‘Why’ may be unique for the sexes for historical, social, mental, psychological and emotional reasons.

Women taking control of their finances and actively getting involved in financial decisions is critical when we examine the following truths: •• Women marry for money. They enter and remain in relationships for financial gain, for the ‘security’ and instead they loose themselves.

•• Women tend to outlive men leaving them financially responsible for themselves and their children. They need to protect family assets in the event of death of the husband.

•• Women’s retirement income is considerably less than that of men’s. Since the greater working population, especially in senior positions is predominantly male, when retiring, women’s income is considerably less than that of men’s. In the corporate world, women are still limited to how high they can climb the success ladder and there is still a wide disparity in salary’s of men and women •• Widows now living in poverty were not poor before the death of their husbands. They had not acquired any investment skills and were dependant on their husbands for financial decisions.

•• Population of single mothers is increasing.

•• Men are still predominantly the primary breadwinners and therefore the family financial controllers.

In the world of investing, financial markets do not care if you are male or female, old or young, black or otherwise, have an honors degree or are a high school dropout. The markets only consider whether you have money to invest or not. The investment vehicles are the same, the returns are uniform and financial information is available to all. Investing provides a form of security and therefore some control over ones life. It grants the power to make certain pertinent decisions because of that control.

Anyone can gain experience in investing. This experience increases with every investment made, irrespective of the gender.

It is interesting to note that despite women being better savers than men, they do not invest as much. Most contributors to investment clubs, aka ‘merry-go-rounds’, are women. Good percentages belong to one. The difference between savings and investments is - whereas with savings, the principal remains constant and earns interest or dividends, monies 26

Some few basic tips to investing •• Know yourself and your risk tolerance.

•• Stick with investments you understand and can evaluate.

•• Take time and energy to seek information in financial magazines.

•• Talk to professional financial advisors.

•• Read business pages of newspapers.

•• Listen to financial/business news on television or radio.

•• Avoid get-rich schemes that promise riches without effort.

•• Attend financial talks/seminars/expos.

•• Never accept an investment that you are pressured into.

•• Do not risk more than you can afford to loose.

•• Remember if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

•• Lastly, take some small action, make mistakes, learn from them, again take action and continue learning to invest.

It is a strange thing that you will never know what you can do till you try. The sad truth is that most people will never try anything until they know they can do it.

May 2009

legal

PRE-NUPTIALS: Reasons to be careful

By Evony Correspondent

It’s not exactly romantic, but a pre-nuptial agreement could save a lot of heartbreak in the long-term

P

lanning for the divorce before you get married is, for many, unthinkable. Safeguarding against financial loss is regarded as the preserve of the stinking rich. However, with two in five marriages ending in divorce in this country it might be wise to take precautions.

Although pre-nuptial agreements are not yet legally binding in Britain there are proposals to change the law. Some judges already take prenuptial agreements into account when ruling on divorce settlements. It’s often the dividing up of spoils that causes most conflict in a break-up.

What most couples, and women in particular, do not realise is that, if a break up turns sour, they have much more to lose than they think. That favourite armchair or chipped mug can become a bone of contention in an acrimonious split. A pre-nuptial agreement allows both parties to agree on a fair and acceptable division of property, personal possessions and financial assets.

Celebrities have quickly wised up to the benefits of signing on the dotted May 2009

line: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones agreed on a private settlement after she was rumoured to have asked for $3 million for every year they are married plus a free home. Douglas was naturally reluctant having reportedly paid out $40 million to his ex-wife.

Scary Spice Melanie Brown ignored her mother’s advice and resolutely refused to sign a pre-nuptial agreement before her marriage to dancer Jimmy Gulzar. He later wanted a reputed £3 million of her estimated £20 million fortune.

But celebrities have megabucks to lose. Is it really worth sacrificing trust and romance for the CD collection and the family dog – especially as there is no guarantee a pre-nuptial agreement will be recognised in court?

27

career

Taking it all in her stride

By Lunani Joseph

S

heila Kariuki, the proprietor and managing director of Resource Associates (RA), is a soft spoken and charming woman.

Sheila heads the human resource consultancy focusing on developing integrated HR solutions for managing people through training and development, recruitment and selection, HR policy writing, job grading, packaging remunerations, compensations as well as exiting of individuals in companies.

According to her, RA has had the opportunity to professionally interact and offer consultancy to various corporate companies through its partnership with more established HR based consultancies. Currently, RA is the East African franchise company for HayGroup, a global management consultancy. RA is also the Kenyan franchise holder for UK based Thomas International, another renowned provider of management systems and business assessment testing tools. In December 2007, the company became East Africa’s representative for Nelson Buchannan and Oostergard Group (NBO Group) based in Singapore.

Sheila is an inspiration to Kenyan women entrepreneurs who decide to venture into business after leaving their formal employment. Having started off her career at KenGen’s human resource department, in the early 90s, Sheila had always wanted to run her own business someday but she was never prepared to start RA at the time she started. “I had very suddenly found myself without a job and had not made any contingency plans so I was really caught off guard,” she adds.

After two weeks of reflection, Sheila decided to do something that would still utilize her work experience and training. At that time and under the circumstances, that was probably the best way to go because the main inputs in this line of business are one’s knowledge and experience. Armed with 5 years of experience in consulting and specially training, Sheila opened RA in January 2002.

Due to lack of enough capital, Sheila operated from her house. Her contacts from her previous employment came in handy. Within the first two months of her new business, Sheila had secured KenGen as her first client. The fruits of her labor were very fulfilling and this was a motivation for her to double her marketing efforts, considering that she was the receptionist, accountant and chief executive at the same time.

Sheila is grateful to her husband who extended a soft loan which she was able to employ her first receptionist. He was very supportive because for almost two years, Sheila was not in a position to contribute to any family related expenses as she plowed everything into the growing business.

While this went on working well, Sheila approached several banks that claimed to offer business loans, however none was willing to take the risk of her business. As soon as she had closed her personal accounts, Sheila opened a small community bank where she banks to date. As a firm believer of local banks, Sheila notes that these banks

28

May 2009

[ HEART OF THE MATTER ]

career

see a client through good and bad times and not by how much is in your bank.

The second partnership with HayGroup in 2004 when the world renowned consulting firm came searching for a credible local partner. Sheila says HayGroup preferred to work with a small growing company because of the personalized attention that they wanted to give to their Kenyan and East African clients and secondly to protect their intellectual property. Some of the clients that use HayGroup services include Commercial Bank of Africa, Bamburi Cement, Spencon Construction, Kenya Commercial Bank, National Bank of Kenya, Safaricom, Mumias Sugar, Eveready Battery and East African Breweries.

HayGroup also services some of the global clients based in Nairobi like British American Tobacco, World Vision and the International Livestock Research Institute. Last year RA ran the first HayGroup salary survey Sheila says has been very well received by most users.

RA had 25 participants. This year, the company is targeting a much higher participation as more companies have already indicated their interest to participate. The partnership has also opened doors for the company to carry out further salary surveys for the HayGroup in Tanzania and Uganda.

In December 2007, RA acquired another business partner, NBO Group. This will compliment the learning and development business by introducing 360 degree training assessments within RA’s training programs.

Sheila says these assessments will enable training managers measure post training impact.

May 2009

Lessons for using power partners Sheila says RA’s business partners have worked for them having made the right choices. In choosing a business partner, the most important thing is to ensure that the franchise or partnership cost is not stifling to business growth. Most franchises are expensive to run with limited returns and this is something one has to determine before getting into the partnership. Always conduct feasibility studies.

Secondly, it is important to determine whether the franchise is in line with one’s business strategy and values. Sheila notes that all RA’s business partnerships are in line with their strategies and complement each other. There must be a win-win situation.

Thirdly, always look for value addition. “Someone once told me there is no need to reinvent the wheel,

just work on the pressure, width and size to achieve what you want,” Sheila adds. Look for a franchise that takes you forward. RA’s franchises have research and development and therefore and therefore they can be called upon to share their global experiences with similar companies to those RA work with here.

The partnership must also be supportive to the business. This could be by way of transferring skills into the business or assisting in business growth in the region. One must be very cautious when bringing in shareholders because they need to share into your vision and this alignment may be critical to one’s business’s survival.

Sheila notes that partnerships are defiantly the way to go, only those who partner will survive competition today. Partnerships can build or break a business. “Always choose your partners carefully,”

Resource Associates (RA) Swimming in the same pool as companies such as KPMG International, Deloitte and Touche, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Hawkins Associates Limited as well ManPower Services who also offer various human resource consultancy services, Sheila confidently distinguishes RA from the rest of the lot. “We offer integrated human resource services and thanks to our business model,” According to Sheila, in order to grow and acquire the relevant skills in such an industry RA has had to partner with more established firms. After further consultation, Sheila decided to go into franchising. In 2004, RA acquired the Thomas International franchise to not only boost her company’s profile but also present a training opportunity for the entire RA. With Thomas International on board, RA is able to offer management systems and business assessment testing tools that help organizations recruit, retain, develop and train their people. RA supplies HR professionals, managers and leaders with the tools and training to motivate engage and coach individuals as part of their performance and develop assessment.Some of the tools include online or paper based personal profile analysis, emotional intelligence questionnaire and the Thomas360 questionnaire which provides feedback reports. The Thomas International has seen RA work with Coca Cola Sabco, AAR and Deloitte.

29

men we love

Living it up the ICT way

By Abyssinia Lati

R

onald Meru is a young executive in his latetwenties with the ambition to be one of the youngest authorities when it comes to phonebased premium rate solutions and web content in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

enrolled for class at the USIU and still able to keep his day job. Three years later, he graduated with a degree in Information Systems in Technology.

Already the General Manager of Adtel Phone Company, he is well on his way to achieve this goal and hopes to retire early.

He left the media group to work for a security company as a product development which was his last employer before moving to Adtel.

He joined in 2005 as the product manager to make the premium rate solutions, short messaging service and interactive voice response (IVR), the company’s core business instead of Simu ya Jamii (share community phone) which has been losing market as mobile handsets gets cheaper and low scratch card denominations.

Mr Meru’s first project as a team leader was working with Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to come with a SMS solution for the parastatal’s customers to check their bills via their mobile phones.

During the campus days, he took part in the Mr and Miss USIU competition. Although, he did not win the Mr USIU title, he got two awards as Mr Popularity and Photogenic in 2003.

Still pursuing higher education, he joined the University of Nairobi for MBA in strategic management in 2006. As works on his final project, he recently joined a six-month course to get a post graduate diploma in marketing from Chartered Institute of Marketing.

He has managed to stay focused on his goal although he admits it is a lot of work.

“But it is possible to have a social life, it just takes a management of time,” he says.

Soon, the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) and High Education Loans Board (HELB) will be launching a similar service which his company handled.

However, the thing that taken a back seat is his golf. Once a keen golfer even part of the NMG staff team, the game has been relegates to Saturdays at the Thika Sports Club, his home town.

The ICT sector has always been his passion. After high school, he joined Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) for a one year diploma in IT.

Playing golf has given him an opportunity to be around older businessmen and chief executive offices who give and mentor him.

Trained as a web developer, his internship was working at the website desk at the Nation Media Group (NMG).

Although, he is not an avid reader of books he likes Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad. It taught him life changing lessons like never too early to start investing, impossible is the in dictionary of cowards and life beginnings now start planning.

Working at the media house gave him the chance to continue with his schooling. With his shift starting at two until midnight, he was able 30

“I am lucky enough to interact with the young and old,” he says.

May 2009

men we love

For information, he simply goes to the internet.

“The internet is my life,” he says. For this and many other reasons, Mr Meru believes that the internet especially in Africa is headed to the cell phone offering services from watching movies to e-learning. And once the fibre optic cable is operational, this is going to be possible.

Already, mobile phone subscribers can watch local TV programmes on their hand sets. ‘We are going to have a lot of pin-based solutions,” he says.

Due to security reasons, these services will be asking people for pins as it will make life easier and they will increase with time.

As a result, he says that , people should learn to synchronise their pins early.

He sees that for Adtel to stay ahead of the game like it did with premium rate solution, they are seriously looking into mobile content.

May 2009

31

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May 2009

Life

inside: Health The Gym Recipes Relationships Sex May 2009

33

health

A healthy pregnancy – why it’s wise to watch out

By Manpreet Rehal

P

REGNANCY is one of the most important periods of a woman’s life, a time of joy, anticipation, and often overindulgence. Since a woman’s body undergoes various changes during the three trimesters of the gestation period, it is important to take note of the following aspects that must be considered carefully to allow for proper growth of the unborn and better post-partum recovery for the mother.

Your Diet: First and foremost, eating for two people, doesn’t denote the amount of food you eat, but rather, what you eat that is beneficial for both you and your baby. A foetus siphons out a steady supply of essential nutrients needed for his growth from its mother. This means that your food intake should have enough calories, proteins, iron, calcium and other vitamins and minerals necessary for a foetus’ growth as well as your own bodily needs. it is healthy to supply them by eating complex carbohydrates such as whole grain cereals and cereal products, than fatty or sugary foods. Increase your intake of pulses and legumes, milk, nuts, lean meat, poultry, fresh fish as well as plenty of fruits

Immunization during pregnancy: Immunization in an expectant mother should only be done in certain well-defined and necessary situations. Preferably, vaccinations ought to be given before pregnancy. Tetanus vaccinations are the only ones recommended during pregnancy to protect from the risk of infection during delivery, especially if it might be handled in a rural area or emergency situation.

Immunization may become essential incase of the breaking out of an epidemic such as cholera or typhoid; exposure to an infectious disease like measles or hepatitis; travel through an endemic area such as places where yellow fever is common or in case of a dog bite.

As far as possible live viral or bacterial vaccines are better avoided as they have the same potential as an infection to harm a foetus.

34

and vegetables. Soak the legumes overnight, especially beans in water with a couple of tablespoons of vinegar. This will counter the flatulence induced by the legumes that can be extremely uncomfortable during pregnancy.

Medication: Every substance that you ingest is inevitable delivered to your baby through the placenta, so beware of taking any medications, even over-thecounter drugs before consulting you doctor. Even medications

that may not be harmful to your self may damage a foetus’ delicate organs and rate of growth and development.

Exercise: Walking and swimming are the best exercises recommended for expectant women. However, with the onset of your pregnancy you can follow your doctor’s advice to continue with some gymnasium workouts that are beneficial as well.

Pregnancy is a time when a woman’s body and psyche undergo tremendous changes, so most of us fear that form of physical exercises would harm the mother and the foetus. Contrary to popular misconceptions about exercising during this time, physical workouts are vital to both the foetus and the mother. One of the best and safest techniques is ‘Garbhayoga’ – a form of the ancient Indian discipline of Yoga is designed specifically for an expectant mother.

Another plus point is that you don’t need elaborate equipment; a good floor mat and loose cotton clothing is all. You can follow the simple techniques from a Yoga book, several of which are available at all leading bookstores or go to a Yoga instructor.

For more information about Yoga classes contact: S.S.D Yoga Centre Ram Mandir, Bhandari Road.

Indian High Commissioner’s Flats at 5th Parklands.

May 2009

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the gym

Incorporating fitness in the busy life of a Business Woman positives

of what it can do for you, you start to view it as a necessity just like sleep is. If your mind is not in tune to the positives you will view exercise as an added chore and thus the chances of you sticking to it will be slim and this ladies is a habit I’d like you take on as part of your daily existence. So, now that you’ve got your head around that…, look out for some health clubs that are either in your residential area or on your way to work, somewhere that is convenient to you, I have rated my opinion on the following health clubs; The Areana, The Stanley health Club, Muscle and Motion, Zarnash Gym in Lavignton and Maisha Health Club at the Serena

By Alison Caroline

L

adies, lets be honest our schedules are tight, in particular, those with families as trying to balance out every aspect of your life and give each the required attention can prove at times to be rather challenging.

A typical day for most will entail an early morning start either to get the kids up and ready for school or to beat the morning traffic to get to a meeting on time etc..

The day carries on with meetings or whatever takes your time in your business and then it all starts again once we leave to go home. The shopping, the kids, the husband, the dinner and still trying to be a superwoman.. Well that’s where the phrase “bring sexy back….” comes in.

Ladies, we all need to bring sexy back at times, and when you’ve dealt with a day like I’ve just mentioned, it’s hard!!! The greatest thing about any form of exercise is that it releases hormones called “endorphins” these are also known as “feel good hormones” they automatically make you feel happier which is why after exercise one always feels better, more alert, cheerful.. the list goes on but it’s all good.

Exercise keeps health disorders at bay, meaning that with regular exercise, you can prevent most of the disorders that can lead to illnesses such as High Blood pressure, Diabetes, Arthritis, Osteoporosis to name but a few.

Exercise as you know combined with the right eating habits also helps you reduce on any bulges that’s if you have any, and generally excess weight can cause fatigued and lethargy, lets be honest, if your clothes fit you perfectly you automatically feel more confident giving you the extra Vavooom into your step which automatically makes you feel better all round.

I know you understand all that, but may still justify to 36

There are plenty of other health facilities, so do your homework. You must however look out for the following: •• •• •• •• ••

me that you “just don’t have the time…”, so my role now is to help you make that time.

The hardest thing to do is to change a habit and try and factor in another habit, which to you may be less of a priority.

Firstly, you’ve got to believe that exercise (the new habit) is a great habit, just like getting the number of hours you need for sleep, once you focus your mind on the

Good working machines Pleasant and qualified training staff Variety of options for exercise Cleanliness Timings of the health facility

A good Trainer will advise you appropriately but take it from me, if your time spent doing this new habit is an issue, then remember you don’t have to slog away at it for hours a day, 40/ 45mins is more than enough 4 days a week, or 20/ 30mins 5 to 6 days a week, take your pick, and soon you will find as your fitness improves and you feel the benefits all you need to do is keep to the 20/ 30 or 40/45min plans but increase the intensity during that time, in other words if you could only mange a brisk walk and now you are used to that, you don’t need to increase the walking time to get more benefit, you just need to start maybe a slow jog, so you are constantly increasing the tempo but maintaining the same time.

Good Luck and Enjoy Alison Caroline Ng’ethe Director – ACI International College of Beauty, Spa and Holistic Therapies. www.acicollege.com 3744655, 3743360 – info@acicollege.com May 2009

date with a chef

Weeping Salad This layered salad makes its own dressing with the mayonnaise, sugar, onions, and flavors of the ingredients.

Ingredients: •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

1 head lettuce mayonnaise 1 medium purple onion or sweet onion, sliced sugar 1 can English peas, (16 oz), drained, or use cooked frozen peas shredded Swiss or Cheddar cheese 3 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

Preparation: Tear some of the lettuce into small pieces and place in a large salad bowl. Spoon and spread enough mayonnaise on lettuce to cover, as desired. Slice onion and put a few slices on the lettuce. Sprinkle a little sugar over the onions. Put some of the peas over this and top with part of the shredded cheese. Repeat layers of lettuce, mayonnaise, sliced onion, sugar, peas, and shredded cheese until all are used. Put foil or other cover over the bowl and refrigerate about 2 hours. The sugar makes the onions weep and the juice mixes with the mayonnaise to make its own dressing. Before serving, sprinkle with crumbled bacon.

Serves 6 to 8

May 2009

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date with a chef

Hot Potato salad with bacon Ingredients: •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

5 to 6 medium potatoes 6 slices diced bacon 1/2 cup chopped onions 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/4 cup vinegar 1/4 cup water 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preparation: Cook potatoes in salted water until tender; slice thinly. In a large skillet, fry bacon, onions, and green bell pepper until browned; add vinegar, water, salt, and pepper. Add potatoes; cover and simmer over lowest heat for 10 minutes.

Hot potato salad recipe serves 4.

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May 2009

[ LIFE ]

date with a chef

Spicy Carrot salad Ingredients: •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

1 1/2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut diagonally into 1/4-inch thick ovals 3 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 to 3 Tbs. granulated sugar 1 tsp. olive oil 1 clove garlic, crushed 1/4 tsp. ground cumin 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground ginger 1/8 tsp. salt dash ground cayenne pepper 1/2 cup raisins or chopped apples

Preparation: In a 4-quart saucepan, bring 2 quarts water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain well and let cool slightly. In a large bowl, whisk together the juice, sugar, oil, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, salt and pepper. Toss with carrots and raisins or apples. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 3 hours. Serves 6.

May 2009

39

eating out

A touch of home in inland city

By Bobby Kumar

W

hen travelling outside of Nairobi it is pretty much the norm to compare restaurants and the eating out scene to those I consider to be part of the home front, rarely however do I find them to match. It was therefore almost comforting to find a branch of one of the more popular Nairobi Italian restaurants well entrenched within the less urbanized city of Kampala, a city which I found to my greatest of discomforts to have one of the slowest service standards I have come across in Africa. Tired of buffet meals, our small group escaped into the city to enjoy a meal of slightly higher caliber.

After battling through an hours traffic at 9.00PM on a Saturday night (yes, Kampala traffic can be worse than Nairobi’s) we eventually wandered through the entrance of this Italian eatery. For a major city it is extremely discomforting to find that every major restaurant closes its kitchen by 10.00 pm, leaving late diners like our group stuck with little or no choice.

Fortunately the Mediterraneo here follows a more Nairobian edict, and despite arriving after 10.00 took our orders at a leisurely pace, at no point giving us the impression that we were delaying them.

I was glad to see several familiar faces from Nairobi amongst the wait staff, which probably went a long way in explaining the quality of service which we received, far better than any other I had seen in Uganda and definitely of 40

a caliber that would put several Nairobi restaurants to shame, including their sister branches at both the Junction and in Westlands. Ambience is also far more comfortable than the cramped interiors of the Nairobi branches and being outdoors added to this. Tables were well spaced and with enough room on them to be able to handle the various condiments and seasonings.

The menu is very similar to the Nairobi branches, with a few minor changes to accommodate the greater difficulty in obtaining certain products so far inland.

The menu is very similar to the Nairobi branches, with a few minor changes to accommodate the greater difficulty in obtaining certain products so far inland. Standard selections of pasta, pizza, warm and cold starters, soup, main courses and breads. Fresh herbs were in short supply so we found several dishes missing the added punch provided by fresh basil and rucola. Being extremely hungry we opted for a quick set of shared starters followed by main courses. Of these the bruschetta went down treat, crispy and rubbed with fresh garlic, although less flavourful than expected due to the lack of green herbs.

Main course choices included prawn risotto, delicious but extremely filling and slightly on the sweet side. Classic tagliatelle pomodoro was a guaranteed dish, however fresh parmesan would have helped jazz it up. Pizza’s, a Mediterraneo trademark, were delicious, still slightly smoky from the brick oven, and well covered with toppings.

The beef tagliata was a bit of a disappointment, considering I requested for it to be medium rare and it arrived as well done, however on the whole we were very satisfied with the meal, and pleasantly stuffed by the time it finished. A few bottles of a fullbodied red, to wash down the food, followed by creamy Irish coffees and we were set to explored the Kampala night scene.

The place has quality of service that the Nairobi branches need to learn to emulate, ambience that is designed for lingering and a familiar menu with large portions and good quality food. For those looking for a touch of home when travelling inland Mediterraneo Kampala will provide exactly what you are looking for.

May 2009

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May 2009

41

parenting

Overcoming e l b u o r t n e te

BY Manpreet Rehal

C

HILDREN are a gift from God, they add meaning to our existence. But you’re probably not saying the same if they have reached adolescence.

Incidentally, it is during these turbulent years that the course of your relationship with your child is determined. This is because your demeanor towards him or her will be fresher in his mind than the affection you showered him with when he was younger.

Puberty is an enigma to both parents and children. Most parents agree that they have a tougher time with their firstborn children than with the rest, because they are treading on unfamiliar ground, and are often at loss when dealing with certain situations. Most of us tend to compare our own teen years with those of our children without considering that times have changed. And this attitude is what teenagers absolutely abhor!

During these ‘rebel’ years, a teenager sees an authoritarian parent as his worst enemy. In his mind, it’s like a movie; you are the antagonist and he or she, the hero who is fighting for ‘his rights’ and ‘justice’ – because he isn’t a baby anymore, and does not like to be chaperoned constantly.

Margaret, a mother of two teenage daughters, professes that she is on the verge of a mental breakdown. “We can never agree over anything at all,” she complains, “ my girls just don’t want to listen and arguments always end with me feeing like I am the one in the wrong”.

Margaret isn’t alone, most teenagers think that they know better, and since they are not ‘kids’ anymore, they have the right to make their own decisions. This self-righteousness stops them from giving what you say an ear or a thought, 42

May 2009

[ LIFE ]

parenting The worst mistake we make as parents, is that we rarely listen to what our children have to say, before we begin to vent our anger on them.

ending up in arguments with their parents. Unfortunately, yelling at your child and forcing him to do things your way will only make him more aggressive and stubborn. And he will begin to make small deliberate blunders just to annoy you more.

In their book Adolescence – The survival Guide for Parents and Teenagers, authors Elizabeth Fenwick and Dr. Tony Smith, believe that worrying about what you’ve done wrong is a waste of time. It is more positive to see what you can or can’t do that is right. They assert that often, modifying your own behaviour is probably the most

effective way of altering your teen’s, and easing your mutual relationship.

The first step towards armistice is: give your teen some space.

Next time your teenager shuts his bedroom door, don’t blow your top. Perhaps for reasons that you can’t fathom, teens value their privacy, so the sooner you learn how to respect that, you’ll be closer to peace. Although it hurts to feel shut out, seeking privacy is not just a normal process; it’s a necessary one.

As one child counselor puts it, “an adolescent’s desire for both physical and psychological space is an important step towards becoming self-sufficient and independent. It is a child’s way of taking charge and preparing himself to move away from parental control.”

However, this is no easy task, and we have to keep reminding

ourselves that after a certain age we just can’t barge in on our kids when they are in the bathroom, changing their clothes or sleeping. We need to respect their privacy to gain their reverence.

Allowing children some privacy helps them to develop their own sense of right and wrong.

Through this they will develop self-discipline. Though it is natural for us to want to protect them, the fact is that they only learn by making mistakes. When that happens, we should be there to guide them, and not to tell them, ‘I told you so’ or to judge them harshly – it drives a child to become defensive and unyielding.

Jdgment, we have to remainclosely involved in their lives to keep them out of trouble.

You may be disappointed that you are not your child’s best You may be disappointed that you s best

Bridging the gap after an argument Negotiation after an argument with a teenager is often very tricky. If conflict has already risen around a certain issue, and you and your teen have verbally battled it out without reaching a consensus, just quit the argument and give each other time to cool off. You can achieve truce through: Making the first move to communicate.

Being the first to apologize (for blowing your top).

Encouraging him to channel out his negative feelings about something you said or did.

Analyzing the problem together in an objective, unthreatening manner, and listening to his opinion.

Calmly defending your non-negotiable rules and values and clearly spelling out the consequences of not complying.

Demonstrating how to make an apology for a mistake and backing down when you realize you’re wrong.

Drawing the negotiation to a positive end when either of you is too emotional or tired, and try the whole process again if necessary.

May 2009

43

marriage

Do you need to turn over a new leaf?

How to renew your bonds with your family

By Manpreet Rehal

‘A

try to take the progression of a relationship into perspective about whether or not it’s working out for us, we often forget that our own beliefs and expectations are the factors that shape our experiences.”

s within so without’

That your mind is the creator of your life is an awesome reality. The ancient philosophy cited above means that your thoughts and feelings practically determine what your life and your relationships are going to be like. This simple theory is a spiritual law that has been beautifully expounded upon

by Rhonda Byrne in her bestseller, The Secret. Understanding and applying it to one of the most volatile areas of our lives, our relationships can significantly alter the way they unfold.

According to this philosophy, our own attitude in any given relationship is the pivot point of how it will blossom forth. If you brace yourself for the worst by entertaining your fears about a certain relationship scenario within your mind, that is precisely what will manifest in the outer reality.

“A relationship is an interactive mode that essentially begins with you,” asserts Anastasia Thiong’o, a counselor working with the Needs Response Consultants. “Whenever we 44

In an increasingly hectic existence it isn’t surprising that the quality of personal relationships is becoming stale and superficial. While we must be partial to the fact that with everyone on the run these days, family members hardly spend enough time together to develop the empathy, compassion and concern that are needed to ensure that relationships remain cohesive.

Anastasia Thiong’o, a counselor working with the Needs Response Consultants

“The lack of time is a clichéd excuse,” dismisses Anastasia, “it is not the amount of time that is of importance, but rather the quality we impute. Conscious time management is vital, coupled with positive changes in our personal thinking, values, beliefs and attitudes. We have to take responsibility for what we do for ourselves and family members instead of giving in to the ‘blame’ game and continuing the vicious circle,” she adds.

To be fair, there is inherent

goodness in every human being, that’s why we feel guilty and bad when we inflict harm on others; but many of us are bewildered when asked if we are applying our personal virtues to our relationships. So, not surprisingly, we put a lid on our emotions and put on a ‘don’t care attitude’ that inevitably does more harm than good. The only way to conquer this turmoil is make an honest assessment about the way your own mode of interaction can make a difference in the behaviour and attitude you elicit from your family.

This course of guidance is based on the five universal ethical principles. First and foremost, keep in mind that you must respect individual autonomy and freedom of thought. You may not always agree with what your parents, spouse or children say, but respect their opinions and refrain from passing judgment.

Secondly, avoid inflicting physical and verbal harm knowingly. Sometimes we say and do things to others and the damage is irreparable. Make it your personal responsibility to improve and enhance not just your own interests, but those of May 2009

marriage your family. When you do so, guard against being taken for granted because this will only increase mistrust.

To be just and fair towards all is vital because favoritism and partiality foster suspicion, jealousy and intrigue within the family. Finally, ensure that faithfulness and integrity are the core of your dealings. Keeping promises, offering honest opinions, showing loyalty and respect strengthens all relationships.

In every relationship, there is a determining factor, or a theme which decides how your relationship is unfolding. In essence, this is the psychology or thought process that influences your demeanor, actions and reactions in a given relationship. Although we cannot control how others behave, it is in our power to control our own compulsiveness and handle every situation with dignity. Here’s how you can work to enhance your role in every relationship, no matter what personal emotions determine them.

You Determining factor: Selfrespect “Treat yourself as the ‘base’ by learning how to like who you are before you begin to decide whether or not others are likeable,” advises Anastasia.

Take a hard and honest look at yourself. List down both your positive and negative traits and what you would like to do to improve on your setbacks. With effective inner dialogue, and changing the way you communicate with yourself, we can evade sabotaging our happiness because deep down, May 2009

we have to believe that we deserve the best. When you convince yourself that you are undeserving of being heard out, your family will treat you as such. Some of us can’t see beyond our failings, so we remain stuck in guilt; mistakes ought to be viewed as a learning experience and by moving past them we open new avenues for ourselves.

Affirm to yourself that you are lovable and that despite your shortcomings, you command respect. Pamper yourself. Doing what you like doesn’t have to make you guilty for being ‘selfish’. There is a marked difference between being self-centered and selfrespectful. And don’t forget that a little selfishness is necessary to achieve personal objectives and happiness.

Focus on your strengths, by recognizing your best traits and utilizing them. If you are compassionate, give to charity or to the needy. Identify your real talents and develop them instead of fretting about failure. Acknowledging your individuality and treating yourself with healthy self-love will reflect positively as your kin relate back with integrity.

When you are at the centre of something, the fear of becoming the butt of jokes prevails. Lighten up, and look at the humour in a situation. In this way, the heaviest of moments can evaporate into thin air.

Your Spouse Determining factor: Equality and equity Your rapport with your partner is the very basis of a happy and satisfying life, so it

A narried couple must be nurtured in a special way. Anastasia cautions against taking your partner’s affections and attentions for granted; no matter how long or intimate your relationship has been.

In as much as we want to believe in fate and destiny, a successful relationship doesn’t just ‘happen’, it takes effort to keep the wheels rolling. We have to vigilantly gauge our own expectations, our partners’ abilities and potential; loving them for what they are.

Our expectations have to be realistic. In many marriages, feelings of unfulfilled expectations create conflict and resentment. It is unreasonable to expect a person to be

completely malleable to make you happy in every way. Learn how to make allowances for your spouse’s individual traits and limitations. We all want to change certain things about our partners, but we need to be fair. If you are not happy, take a look at yourself; are you rubbing your partner the wrong way?

Whereas you must beware of divisive tactics employed by some in –laws to gain an upper hand, do not fall into the habit of criticizing yours all the time. Get clear about how much influence you will allow in your home and talk out issues clearly and ungrudgingly. By standing united there are less chances of any conflict between you being 45

relationships

T

here are moments that are revered in life, there are other times that are treasured while there still others that are dreaded.

How do we take break-ups? When we either get dumped or do the dumping? It astonishes the issues that cause such scenarios. From the trivial or otherwise considered trivial to deep in-compatibility issues are factors that come into play. How to breakup is another game all together given the attraction and the sweet moments couples once shared.

Most people agree that there are people you meet and when you finally disagree and have to go your respective ways, it is quite simple. In some cases there is no hatred and actually you can still be friends. In many

a case the situation is reverse. Once you breakup, a person you once cherished becomes more than an enemy. You don’t want to ever see them and when you do you want to show them that you are doing better than them. Whereas the truth might be you are still hurting and actually doing worse than when you were together. Ladies I talked to seem to agree that it is some kind of competition. If they find out that the guy they broke up with has a cute girlfriend and successful, they will go out of their way to outdo them by eyeing if not directly wooing men who are far much better than their Ex. Others may go out and try sabotage the Ex’s seemingly rosy new found relationship. These are the likes that go about snooping on their Ex’s causing drama by creating doubt and even fear in the Ex’s lover.

demystified

By Joseph Karungani Lunani

Moving on is as delicate as the breakup.

The vestiges of what was come alive and makes life unbearable. Life as we know it is as regular as set schedules so it is taxing to abruptly change shared friends, places you frequented and stop what was your niche of activities. That is why many find themselves lost after breaking up. Which ever the angle either dumped or otherwise, gracefulness is pre-requisite to finding another love or making amends and getting back together.

Mary Jason, a Relationship Consultant attributes many breakups to the fact that many people do not actually give themselves time to refresh and grow from what was.

She insists on a transition period that does not necessarily have to be binding oneself to another relationship that will be shortlived. She says one should find something to 46

totally wash out the pain and hurting. Join a cause, read books or write one, join a dance class, or any other class for that matter. Fill your time with worthwhile things to do or else be content with thinking about him/her and meaningless comparisons that leave you empty and low esteemed.

It is true before we love we should do our homework. Analyzed critically our feelings and ascertain that they will hold. We have to have the compromise of allowing ourselves to test the friendship and emotions. The book of Songs of Solomon is blunt and states “Do not provoke love until it so desires”.

Miriam, a mother of ten and married for 50years attributes her successful marriage to constant self-checks and making herself lovable. She stresses the fact that for any relationship to succeed the two persons

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relationships

should be willing to work together. She also attests to the fact that truly it is hard to fully be compatible therefore there things one has to accept to live with.

Times as demanding as they are today, we might find one out of ten of successful relationships o f Miriam’s kind. We always want May 2009

to be in control, to go in when we like it and walk out when we feel it does not answer to our desires. Susan, a teacher is quick to say that she would walk out of a man who is not a performer in bed without considerations whatsoever. She says the first time she will give room for improvement, the second time

she will give the benefit of doubt but alas! The third time‌that will be it. She would also leave a man with a big ego, she says men should be more accommodating not purely alpha males. Patra, a drama trainer would not leave a guy who is all caring and just has enough. She would leave anyone who has a very tight schedule

since she wants attention and loves a man who is at her side not elsewhere most of the time.

Both agree that after breakup they would get a man as soon as possible. They say this helps them easily forget and live life. If they are dumped they say they would love to have a post-mortem of the relationship so as to grow from 47

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May 2009

[ LIFE ]

sex

Foreplay Moves to re-ignite your sex life.

By Donald Odhiambo

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hoda, 33, remembers it as vividly as if it were yesterday. It was one of those lazy Saturday afternoons, and she had just stepped out of the shower, her white towel draped around her body, and her hair tied in a bun. She heard a knock on the front door and quickly walked to the nearest window to peer through the glass to see who it was before opening the door. She was a bit surprised to see it was Jim, her husband of three years. She remembers frowning, thinking it was a bit early for him to be home. She quietly let him in with a quick peck on the lips.

He walks to his favorite couch in the living-room and switches on the TV. As is customary for her, she begins to chatter at him as she goes on with her chores. Having finished with her hair, she pulls up a stool in the living-room and proceeds to paint her nails, all the while chatting away.

She notices that Jim is unusually quiet. She looks up to see him staring at her towel-clad body, his breathing unusually laboured. She smiles at him, and realizes that the towel has slid high up on her thighs. She stares back at him, demurely pulling the towel to cover herself. She crosses her legs and proceeds to paint her nails.

“That afternoon we had the most passionate sex we have ever had.” She sighs. “I don’t know if it was the sight of my legs or what, but he was so turned on its incredible.” She adds.

Rhoda’s story is remarkable in view of the fact that the passion she describes is more associated with new lovers than with a long relationship. This should perhaps came as little surprise since according to Helen Fischer, an anthropologist, most couples are usually at risk of separation after three to four years into the relationship. It is would seem that the diminished passion in the bedroom may have something to do with it. This is perhaps inevitable, given the myriad factors that come into the life of the couple.

Suddenly where there were previously only the two people, comes children, the pressure of job deadlines, in-laws, and financial strain.

The sex life inevitably suffers. The luxurious, post-coital, Saturday afternoons spent lying in each other’s arms become history. Sex becomes a perfunctory affair done either surreptitiously after the children have May 2009

gone to bed; or hurriedly after dinner, because “I need to wake up early tomorrow.”

Faith, 38, the mother of three and a Media Consultant confesses “Nowadays I can never let my children watch any scary movies.” Reason?

“As sure as sunset, my little son will come running to our bedroom door that night, saying he has had a nightmare,” she muses; adding “Amazingly enough, he has this peculiar habit of suffering nightmares just when his father and I are having sex. So you can imagine what it is like, trying to convince him not to try and share our bed!”

For most couples, the conversation inevitably dies down, the short love texts that were at one time exchanged furiously, gradually slow down and come to a stop. That is unless of cause the texts are enquiring about 49

sex who will pick Johnny up from school. The couple grows distant and sooner or later, it becomes easier to talk to a colleague at work than it is to talk to your spouse. If the colleague is of the opposite sex, then the ingredients for the making of an affair are ripe and ready to be plucked.

All the while, the techniques of resuscitating the relationship are readily available for anyone willing to take a moment to think about it. According to experts, the trick lies in emulating the behaviour of new couples. Few sexual liaisons can compare to sex between two people who have just met. “No sex is like new sex”.

Each act of love-making can be described based on that age old three-steps: fore-play, sex and after-play. This description stays true even for “quickies” – that rapid and often near violent sex that is over before you know it began. And is also true for those instances where the sex act is characterised by the skipping of one of these stages. But that is putting the cart before the horse.

Foreplay, to most couples, is often about kissing, caressing, sometimes fellatio and cunnilingus. In Africa, the latter two often happens among the bolder couples. The whole intention of fore-play being to titillate each other’s senses to the point breaking – an attempt to make your lover either totally lose control or just enough to get the two of you in the mood for sex.

The second stage - sex - is usually about penetration –frontal, from behind and from the sides. The couple engages in vaginal sex until orgasm is attained. The third stage is after-play, an often ignored phase of sex, which is about gently calming down your 50

lover with gentle, post-coital caresses, kisses and hugging until their heavily shaken, ideally postorgasmic selves are calm enough to go into a light, recuperative sleep.

Each act of love-making can be described based on that age old threesteps: foreplay, sex and after-play. This description stays true even for “quickies” – that rapid and often near violent sex that is over before you know it began.

Foreplay. Contrary to popularly held perception, foreplay should not begin at the point where you are practically on the verge of having sex. Sexual counsellors such as Dr Linder De Villers, a certified sex therapist, advice that this phase is best began as early as several days in advance of the sex act. Among all the techniques of making love, foreplay is perhaps the most important determinant of how explosive the sex act itself will be. The whole goal is to build up the anticipation of sex to a fever pitch. Your reward for this stage will be how wildly your lover tears at your clothing.

Chris, 40, a Financial Associate with a trans-national bank based in Nairobi believes he’s got what is referred to as “game” in street lingo. In other words, “sexual prowess”. He comes from that part of Kenya where Ugali and chicken is considered the ultimate delicacy. His description of foreplay is for the said reason, based on the process of making Ugali. “You see, making love to a woman is comparable to making Ugali,” he begins. Ugali? “Yes!” he continues “You never put in the floor until the water is boiling to the point of practically spilling off the rim of the sufuria.” Why? “Because your Ugali will come out raw.” He says as matter of fact, adding, “It is only after the water is that hot, that you put in the flour and even then you still must not start cooking. The water will get even hotter still. You want to wait until you hear the mixture make that unmistakable hissing

sound…that’s when you come in with the big cooking stick” he winks.

Alex, 35, a Medical Representative with one pharmaceutical company in Nairobi, recalls this time he had attended a farewell party for one of his colleagues who was leaving the organisation.

On his way to the colleague’s house, he had stopped by to pick up Millie, 30, his girlfriend of three years. She came out looking as ravishing as usual, wearing a white, man’s shirt, a remarkably short, checked, red and black, school-girl mini-skirt. “It’s an outfit she had worn several times before, and I thought she looked hot and classy, especially with the black pair of heels and one of those huge purses that girls love to carry nowadays.” Alex explains.

“Two drinks later, the bash was swinging, the music had slowed down, and couples were dancing closely, with arms around each other’s waists. That’s when she dropped the bomb-shell. She stood on tiptoe and whispered in my ear that she was not wearing any panties underneath that little number she had on!” he pauses, his eyes narrowed to slits, staring intently. “Knowing the lights had been dimmed down a little, I reached down between her legs… and guess what? She was indeed not wearing any panties!

Gosh! I was so bl**dy turned on!” he whispers. Needless to say, Alex and Millie did not stay too long at the bash.

FThe body always follows the mind. You want to have them All the while care must be taken to ensure that everything that is done is different from what you are used to. Always ensure variety and unpredictability. Vatsayana’s teaches that as much as foreplay’.

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photo essay

Samantha Bridal Fashion Show

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May 2009

photo essay

I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance, A church filled with family and friends.

I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for, He said one that would make me his wife.

May 2009

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shopping essentials

Shopping for food & veggies

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ake healthy choices for your family by shopping smart and understanding what goes into the foods you buy.

Read labels, check ingredients, and look for convenience products such as pre-cut, frozen or canned that can make getting meals on the table or in the lunch box a snap. Follow these tricks of the trade when shopping the grocery aisles and see for yourself how the healthy choice can be the easy choice!

Understanding Food Labels Make better food choices by understanding and comparing nutrition content.

•• On packaged food, look for the Nutrition Facts Panel.

•• For fresh fruits and vegetables, look for posted nutrition information in the produce section, or ask the produce manager if you don’t see it.

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May 2009

shopping essentials What does all that information mean?

Total Carbohydrate - carbohydrate is a nutrient considered to be the body’s main source of energy (calories); “Total Carbohydrate” on a food label includes fiber and sugars (both naturally occurring and added).

Dietary Fiber – a non-digestible carbohydrate found in foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. It is a dietary component that most Americans need more of—along with vitamins A and C, calcium and iron.

Percent Daily Value (% DV) – percentage of which a specific nutrient in a serving of a particular food contributes to the daily value—or need (100%) for that nutrient.

Protein - another energy-providing nutrient for the body with many important functions, one of which being cell/body tissue growth and repair.

Serving Size - a set amount recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as one that is commonly consumed by most people for that product. This amount is presented in common household measure as well as metric weight. Nutritional information on labels is given on a per serving basis—not per container. This is very different from a portion, which is the amount that people actually end up eating in one sitting.

Knowing how much you are actually eating relative to the serving size listed, will help you determine how many calories and how much of the listed nutrients you are getting.

Servings Per Container – The number of single servings in an entire package of food. Information reflected in the Nutrition Facts Panel is for a single serving. If you eat more than one serving or prepare the whole package, multiply the Nutrition Facts Panel figures by the number of servings you consume.

Referring to the Nutrition Facts Panel example, the serving size listed is 1 cup, which provides 25 calories. If you were to actually eat 2 cups, then you would get 50 calories.

Sodium – This nutrient should be limited according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

fructose, glucose, honey and maltodextrin. These words indicate sugar has been added to the food product. Choose and prepare foods and beverages with little added sugars.

Total fat, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol - These nutrients should be limited, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the science-based dietary health report that provides information and advice for choosing a nutritious diet. It is published by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services.

Ingredients shown on a product label are listed in order of predominance by weight. The ingredient that weighs the most is listed first, and the ingredient that weighs the least is listed last. If sugar is listed first, for example, that means that there is more sugar in the product than other ingredients.

Low, Good, Excellent – These words on product packaging carry specific, legal meaning as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Top 10 planning & shopping tips 1. Dried Fruits. Take advantage of the the vast assortment of dried fruits available and dress up your cereal or salads … or simply enjoy as a snack.

2. Leftovers. Re-create leftovers to make a whole new meal. Use them in wraps or sandwiches, for quesadillas, in casseroles or with pasta.

3. Convenience. Pick up some frozen or canned fruits and vegetables for later in the week or for busy nights.

4. Experiment. Try a new fruit or vegetable or prepare a familiar one in a different way.

5. Seasoning Combinations. Buy plain (unseasoned) frozen vegetables and create seasoning combinations using herbs, lemon juice, or garlic to keep out the fat and salt.

6. 100% Juice. Look for fruit and vegetable juices that say 100% juice!

Other words for “salt” on an ingredient statement are: sodium chloride, sodium caseinate, monosodium glutamate, trisodium phosphate, sodium ascorbate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium stearoyl lactylate.

7. Smoothies for Breakfast. Frozen fruit makes great smoothies for a breakfast on the run.

Sugar - Sugar is a type of carbohydrate. Some sugars are naturally occurring, while others are added. Be aware of other words for “sugar” that are often listed on an ingredient statement: sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, cane juice,

9. Meatless Meals. Plan one or more meatless meals for the week – there are endless possibilities for using dried or canned beans.

They’re cheap too! Check out the variety in your store.

May 2009

8. Easy to Grab & Go. Fill up that fruit bowl so you and your family can grab and go.

10. Make More. Plan for leftovers so you have a ready-meal.

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home decor

Bedroom decor Furnishing your bedroom

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate.

Some sugars are naturally occurring, while others are added.

Be aware of other words for “sugar” that are often listed on an ingredient statement: sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, cane juice,

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate.

Some sugars are naturally occurring, while others are added.

Be aware of other words for “sugar” that are often listed on an ingredient statement: sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, cane juice, 56

May 2009

home decor

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate. Some sugars are naturally occurring, while others are added. Be aware of other words for “sugar” that are often listed on an ingredient statement: sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, cane juice,

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate. Some sugars are naturally occurring, while others are added. Be aware of other words for “sugar” that are often listed on an ingredient statement: sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, cane juice,

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate.

Some sugars are naturally occurring, while others are added.

Be aware of other words for “sugar” that are often listed on an ingredient statement: sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, cane juice, May 2009

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fashion and beauty

inside: Fashion Hair

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fashion

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hair & beauty

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May 2009

hair & beauty

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hair & beauty

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hair & beauty

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hair & beauty

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May 2009

leisure and travel

inside: Celebrity Events and Faces Bookshelf Travel Music & Theatre May 2009

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celebrity

Confident to a fault, yet so simple.

By Nelly Kuria

“

The graveyard is full of people who thought they were invincible. Intimidation is used by the weak to strengthen their inadequacy; I am impervious to it”, goes the treatise from Eddy kimani.

Eddy reckons that he is just a simple, plain man. But upon learning about his youth and experiences while growing up, it is apparent that Eddy Mbugua, one of the trio of Kenyans who participated in the Apprentice Africa version of the US reality show, is not quite that simple.

“I did both my middle school and high school in Leeds, UK. Which was unfortunate because I had to embrace others’ history before mine. .but what pertinence does that hold to my country?”

Eddy reveres the lessons his mum imparted in him, and attributes this to the person he has become today, confident to a fault and somewhat dare devilish. “I come from a single family. Some believe that children from single parents don’t amount to much. My Mum is a single parent who has done a wonderful job raising my brother and myself. I would like to be seen as an ambassador for single parent children; if I can do it, so can you! No one cares where you came from, but what you have to offer.”

When Eddy saw the advert in the newspaper in November 2007 requesting interested participants go for auditions. He wasn’t sure that he would make it, given, he says, the huge number of well educated and intelligent young Kenyans who would perhaps be gunning for the same position. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be selected as we have such intelligent minds in this country. I think they wanted intelligent, educated (there is a difference), eloquent, somewhat insane candidates who were not afraid to be themselves in front of camera. Many people adopt a different persona when on camera. They wanted ‘real and yet sort of eccentric, daredevil candidates, is the way he puts it. We were a total of 80,000 applicants with 3000 from Kenya.”

But make it he did which says a lot for the person Eddy is, a true go getter Kenyan with a broad minded approach to life and possibly a 74

May 2009

celebrity great future ahead of him. However, the Apprentice Africa Guru, Biodun Shobanjo, did fire Eddy and so he never got to become the Apprentice.

Does he feel that his firing was justified? Does he think that some one else should have been fired instead? Eddy is philosophical about it, and takes responsibility for his team, in a way that could teach our politicians a thing or two about principle, and hopefully, the Kenyan youth are listening.

“I wish to highlight that how you win is equally as important as winning itself. I was not going to point fingers or get into petty debates just to stay in the competition. A competition does not define you, it challenges you. My team lost, we all worked hard so I took responsibility even though I was not the weakest player, but there is a consequence attached to leadership and I capitulated to it. I felt that I had let myself, my family and my country down but I knew that they would understand why I chose the selected path and forgive me.”

The Apprentice Africa show is awash with highly capable young men and women and stands testament to the continent’s human resource potential. Eddy mingled with them, and singles out two of them as the most outstanding, and then two he would most like to start a venture with if the opportunity presented itself. He mentions Anthony, who, according to him, is a financial genius and a people person, and Tunde, who he feels is very hardworking and gives his all in whatever he does. But he declines to opine about who he thinks will be the eventual winner.“I cannot answer that right now because they are almost at the final stage. My guess would reveal who is in the final...pole” It has been said that the young Kenyan shares some qualities with show guru Shobanjo. What does Eddy think about this?

“If Shobanjo shared his wealth with me I would be very happy. I think we share mutual respect for each other, even after he fired me off camera he shook my hand and told me that I have a future in business and had I not been ‘sentimental’ I would have made been his apprentice, to which I said ‘Sir, I am sentimental because I have a heart, who wants a beast as an apprentice?’ He smiled and walked away.”

It was apparent that Eddy was never intimidated by the CEO, and openly challenged some of his opinions in the boardroom, exposing yourself to his

“I was rather disappointed by the type of publicity TAA got from our media. They need to learn that politics is not the backbone of society, there are others facets that contribute to news; the talent of a nation is one.

So rather than regurgitating what politicians say, daily, why not focus on what Kenyans are doing and achieving?”

blazing gun. Why did he adopt this strategy, which sometimes looked like self destruction? This question elicited a gem of wisdom.

“I am never intimidated by anyone. My Mother taught us self-worth May 2009

from an early age. I was born into this Earth, shall breed in it, die, be buried in it; it belongs to no one, so why should I fear anyone who is in it, yet we all got here the same way. You may have more money, more power, more women than I, but we are all mortal. My mother says ‘The graveyard is full of people who thought they were invincible.’

Intimidation is used by the weak to strengthen their inadequacy; I am impervious to it.”

Eddy thinks that there is no realistic formula to compare US version and the African version of the show. “How would you rate The Standard with an American newspaper? Forget Americans, they do their thing we do ours, for how for how long shall they be the yardstick to how we do things? “ He displays his sensitive side as he answers about his plans now that the show is over.

“I am going to be a Daddy in August ; I cannot wait.

Many want to change the world; be billionaires, I just want to be a good Dad; inspire my son into knowing that there is nothing he cannot do. Our children are our success.”

Eddy cautions the media about giving politics too much space at the expense of other facets of life, and at the expense of the rest of Kenyans who work hard to make a difference in their lives.

“I was rather disappointed by the type of publicity TAA got from our media. They need to learn that politics is not the backbone of society, there are others facets that contribute to news; the talent of a nation is one. So rather than regurgitating what politicians say, daily, why not focus on what Kenyans are doing and achieving?”

Kenyan lady trailblazer at Apprentice Africa We talked to Joyce Mbaya, the only lady Kenyan participant of the Apprentice Africa program. The intelligent Kenyan contestant studied at some of the best schools in the country and crowned it with a computer science and mathematics degree from the United States. Her choice of career in a field many girls are wont to avoid, perhaps even fear, says a lot for her abilities and places her on the screen as a person to watch in corporate Kenya in future. Maybe even beyond our borders.

“I went to Alliance Girls’ High School and I finished in 2000. I left Kenya in 2002 for the US where I studied Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Central Missouri. Once I graduated, I interviewed with Safaricom while still in the US and they recruited me for their Graduate Management 75

celeb titbits

old (2001), Ms Spears had sold more than 35 million albums worldwide. Recently, according to Yahoo! data, she was the most popular searched celebrity for the last four years and named as Most Searched Person in the Guinness World Records book edition 2007 (this was not for a good thing) and 2009.

As if to shade off the innocent persona painted by the media, during a performance at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) while performing Madonna’s song “Like a Virgin” with the controversial artist and Christina Aguilera, Ms Spears kissed Madonna on the lips.

Britney spears makes a comeback

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wo years ago, like Britain’s Amy Winehouse, across the Atlantic Britney Spears was in the media limelight for all the wrong reasons. The American pop singer got married for 55 hours before it was annulled, got married again, checked into a rehab facility for 24-hours and spent the better part of 2007 year in and out of courts fighting to keep her two children and a hit-and-run charge.

When the world first met Ms Spears when she was a teenager dancing in a little school uniform in a music video of her hit song “Baby, hit one more time” released 1998, nobody knew that when she came crashing down with a nervous breakdown it was going to be this bad.

According to psychologists at the time, they described the behaviour like a three-year old throwing a tantrum. Many were interviewed to shade some light into this “tantrum” and one said that “Spears is rebelling against her the people who handled and molded her, just as she was in November [1997] when she repeatedly flashed her private parts to the paparazzi.”

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Even after that one year, she was able to pick herself up and win two awards MTV Europe Music Awards 2008, “Album of The Year” for Blackout and “Act of 2008” in a ceremony held in November, 2008. Then her single “Circus” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 selling 505,000 copies in its first week.

This became Ms Spears’ fifth number one album, the follow up single to the number-one hit “womanizer”, debuted at number three on the Hot 100, making it her highest debut on the chart as well as her seventh top ten hit.

So, how did she end up at the bottom of the barrel?

Despite this, she endorsed her first Elizabeth Arden fragrance “Curious” in 2004, and earned $100 million in sales in the five weeks after its release. In September 2005, she released yet another successful fragrance “Fantasy” with Elizabeth Arden. These were followed by the release of two more fragrances of “Curious: In Control” and “Midnight Fantasy” in 2006.

Her latest Elizabeth Arden fragrance “Believe” was released in September 2007.

In September of the same year, the court battles began. She filed for a divorce from her husband of three years Kevin Federline whom she married in 2004 after just three months after they met.

The two shared custody while the court ordered Ms Spears attended parent counselling as well as undergo random drug and alcohol tests. But a fans were happy with the show. One fan said that “It was amazing. The comeback has officially begun!”

By the time, she was 20 years May 2009

faces

NAME: Nyambura Thiong’o Age: 22 STATS: Her friendly demeanour, pretty face and beautiful smile are part of her persona. A great fan of formula 1 she loves going on long drives. She has also ‘Vroomed’ her way to several TV commercials and press ads.

You nenext?

You could be the ‘face’ in our forthcoming issue. If you are a professional model, who’s recently taken the initial steps towards the limelight, let us launch you to fame. Send your portfolio of three to four photographs and a thumbnail sketch of the work you have done in glamour field or the media to elegance/faces, 2nd floor, Rehani house, Koinange street.

This page essentially features young, professionals seeking the limelight. Wanna-bes and aspirants are welcome to apply. editor@ libertymedia.com May 2009

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bookshelf

TITLE: DRAGON-SLIPPERS AUTHOR: ROSALIND B. PENFOLD AVAILABLE AT: BOOKPOINT

TITLE: The Celestine Prophecy AUTHOR: James Redfield AVAILABLE AT: Books First By combining an adventure story and timeless spiritual truths, Redfield spins a riveting parable that made this book an instant bestseller, when it was first published in 1994. Maintaining the oft reiterated Mass spiritual awakening that is apparently taking place now – from the last decades of the 20th Century and into the beginning of the 21st Century, Redfield’s narrative is interspersed with the Nine insights that are vital to the evolvement of the human spirit and our real purpose upon Earth.

Nothing in life is a coincidence, everything that happens and all the people we interact with spontaneously on a short or long term basis, have a lesson for us. But according to Redfield we only comprehend this through conscious awareness.

Entwined with the vital spiritual truths, the gripping adventure tale begins with the disappearance of an ancient Peruvian manuscript.

Although few Westerners know of its existence and the Peruvian government wants to suppress it, it’s contents trickle through to mesmerize a growing number of people. The precious document contains knowledge about the nine insights that the human race is predicted to grasp as we enter an era of true spiritual awareness.

In pursuit of the manuscript, the protagonist takes the reader on a precarious journey, high into the Andes mountains, through ancient ruins deep in old growth forests on to a startling discovery. The narrative gains momentum almost at once with the First insight, which sheds light on the sudden synchronistic events in life. You may find that the insights and predictions in this book make sense of what is happening in your life, and towards the end of the book, you will have a new image of human life and a greater respect for life on this planet. Not just an enthralling adventure story, Redfield’s work is a guidebook that will crystallize your perceptions of why you are where you are in life and direct you with new energy and optimism as you head into tomorrow.

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With an unusual title for an unusual book, the autobiographical illustrated diary of Rosalind Penfold, called Roz in the book, is a graphically shocking and original portrait of domestic abuse.

It might seem that one is reading an oversized comic, but there’s nothing comical about the vivid portrayal of physical, mental and sexual abuse Roz endures from the man she loves over a span of ten years. Ten of the longest years of her life that left behind a gaping chasm of pain and humiliation.

Roz, a successful young businesswoman meets Brian, a vibrant widower with four lovely children. His exuberance and romantic nature he sweeps Roz off her feet into a swirling turmoil that dips rapidly and erratically into towering heights of joy and then free-falling into the very abyss of emotional dejection.

Despite being innovative, intelligent and intuitive, Roz finds herself effectively enmeshed in Brian’s selfish ‘love’, lies and unrealistic cruelty – a web she seemingly has no power to extricate herself from. Roz steadily loses her own sense of being while trying to become everything Brian expects her to. Even cries to heed caution from her friends and her mother are ignored as her abuser alternately torments her and envelopes her in an illusion of love.

Penfold’s illustrated depiction may seem unconventional, but it nevertheless gets the point across very strongly. She reaches out to the thousands of Rosalind Penfolds out there who are stuck in abusive relationships due to various reasons. More importantly, her narration is a frank caution against ignoring the warning signs of abuse and the psychology of abusers and victims.

This book isn’t just mesmerizing; it’s a wake up a call to every woman who knows that she is being wronged by her man, to find within herself the strength to break free. The triumph is that Rosalind did find her own life and happiness after she severed herself from Brian’s atrocities. A must-read for every woman to keep her on track and beware of selfish men who want to stamp out their individuality.

May 2009

music & theatre TITLE: AUTHOR: Fiona Harrold AVAILABLE AT: Text Book Centre

TITLE: STOLEN LIVES AUTHOR: MALIKA OUFKIR AND MICHELE FITOUSSI AVAILABLE AT: SIMPLY BOOKS A poignantly harrowing memoir of Malika and her family’s twenty year suffering in Moroccan desert jails, Stolen Lives, grips the reader’s heart and mind from the word go. Malika Oufkir’s story as told to French writer Michele Fitoussi was first published in French as La Prisonniere.

The first-born daughter of General Muhammed Oufkir and Fatima Chenna, both from wealthy Berber families, was born into privilege. At the age of 5, she was adopted by the King Muhammed V, and lived a closeted but luxurious life in the royal palaces of Morocco until she chose to return to her birth parents after 11 years.

Just as Malika was beginning to enjoy her freedom and blooming youth, amid increasing anti-monarchy sentiments, the coup of 1972 unfolded and changed everything. Her father General Oufkir was executed for masterminding the coup, and his innocent wife and six children were held as political prisoners. Malika was only 18, and her youngest brother, Abdelatif was just two years old.

The Oufkir family had many sympathizers but none were bold enough to help them for the fear of soliciting King Hassan’s wrath and ending up with the same fate. For two decades, they were taken from one remote desert prison to another, and endured ghastly, unhygienic conditions – often competing with rodents for rotten food to survive. As Malika herself acknowledges, their survival through it all was nothing short of a miracle, for they never received any medical aid at all. This will affect the condition of their health all their lives, let alone the mental trauma and the problems they still experience in trying to adapt and fit into the real world after twenty long years – years of youth, joy and wisdom.

Stolen Lives isn’t just about what the Oufkirs fought to live through, or about their remarkable escape from Bir Jdid prison in 1987, it is a blatant reminder that such grand scale human rights’ violation is still a reality in the modern world. Despite the singular and simple prose, the narrators’ words hit uncannily at our emotions and conscience. The imagery evoked is effectively graphic in showing what evil is like from the vantage point of innocent victims. This is not a book to be missed!

May 2009

As Britain’s most successful Life coach, Fiona Harrold has inspired and helped numerous people to give their very best to their professions and personal lives so as to find real fulfillment. Harrold’s basic objective is to help an individual focus on his or her goals and to get their fast. According to her, the ability to succeed or remain stuck is all in the mind.

In the beginning chapters, Harrold painstakingly takes apart the very theory of ‘limitations’ to your personal ability to really live the life that you dream of. Through several exercises, she questions your commitment to yourself and to the genuineness of your desire to change your life for the better.

The author’s experienced approach forces a reader to face the truth about the negative factors in his or her lifestyle and mental conditioning making it easier to do away with these limiting perceptions about themselves. As she encourages one to shed away layers of fear and reluctance, a higher degree of competence in attaining goals is assured.

Fundamental to the author’s success plan, are four factors – motivation, self-belief, self-discipline and a personal willingness to change. She rigourously helps you to reinforce these before you decide exactly what you want to change about your life and how you’re going to do so.

Having tossed aside several self-help books, I found this book refreshingly different and candid in its approach. What sets Harrold’s work apart is that it doesn’t come across as a do-this-do-that instruction manual, its all about changing the outcome of any aspect of your life from within. By changing his own attitude, towards himself and towards others, by expecting the best out of life, any human being can attract positive events and success into his life. It’s all about honing your skills in harnessing the power of your mind to be able to achieve your wildest dreams. If you are one of the many people who believe that there’s something wrong with them that is making a mess of their lives, chances are that you are right, and this book is for you to help you get back on track.

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M alindi

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By Evony writer

e left Kisumu on the Coast Bus at 5 PM and travelled all night to Mombasa - only 1550 KSH and the bus was clean and comfortable, with lots of leg room. The seats even recline. The stretch from Kisumu to Nakuru covered some very rough road, but the coach’s good suspension was good and we relaxed. We weren’t prepared for the many stops for police checks at barriers on the road. At one point, the police appeared, with assault rifles, and ordered everyone off the bus, men first. They frisked the men and searched their bags, then had the women get off. A female passenger was delegated the task of pat searching all the women. After this, the police boarded the bus and searched each seat with flashlights. I didn’t know why such a secure search was necessary, but Larry told me he had read in the newspaper that bandits have been boarding buses, hijacking them and robbing passengers.

In any case, we proceeded on to Mombasa without any trouble. It is cold in Kenya at night! We didn’t have jackets and the bus was breezy. A fleece pullover would have been handy.

Once there was a 15 minute toilet stop in Nairobi, and another halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa. We arrived in Mombasa 14 1/2 hours after leaving Kisumu and immediately boarded a bus to Malindi, another 2 hours further north on the coast. Now we are ensconced in the beautiful Italian Coral Key Resort on the Indian Ocean. You can walk out on the reef at low tide, collecting shells and observing the astounding 80

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by night array of starfish and other sea creatures. Tomorrow we plan a trip by glass bottom boat out beyond the first reef.

Malindi is a small but interesting town. The predominant group here is Swahili - mixture of Bantu, Arab and other coastal tribes. The religion is Islam - many mosques here. Women wear either colorful native sarong skirts and wraps, or are covered in black from head to toe, included veiled faces. Many men also wear the sarong type garment, or the floor length white Arab robe, with the round cap. Then, of course, the tourists from Europe wear their modern clothes, it’s eclectic. Also there does not seem to be the intense poverty here that we witnessed in Vihiga and Western Province. Of course since it is a more affluent area, it is more expensive.

The people here seem more easygoing, there is less desperation perhaps because their economy is better.

May 2009

My command of Swahili is

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improving. I study a little each day and practice it on the natives. They compliment me so I feel good. It is often difficult for them to understand our American accents when we speak English, so a little Swahili comes in handy.

After we leave here next Monday, Larry and I will travel by bus to Lamu (further north on the coast, closer to Somalia). Then we plan to take the ferry to Lamu Island, which is picturesque. We will stay a few days there then return to Mombasa for another week, then on to Vihiga again to meet our travel group from Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church.

To all our friends and relatives, we are safe and healthy. We haven’t been ill one time and we can eat anything they serve here without trouble.

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