July/AUGUST 2017
PRICE SHS250
Trading in Coffee Demand Still Very High in Kenya
What you should know about
Buying or Building Home
INVESTMENT NEWS 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
July/ AUGUST 2017
SPECIAL REPORT
FOCUS ON THE HEALTH SECTOR Unknown to many Kenyans, the ministry of health through its NHIF, controls one of the largest business opportunities in the country. Here we tell you some of them. page 13
REGULARS
COVER STORIES
Publishers View ………. Page 4 On the supermarket crisis Quick News……….page 5 Technology……...page 26
MONEY FROM FARMING
Books and Culture…..page 27
Demand for coffee has been slowly growing and even then only a small fraction is reached. See what is being planned for coffee farmers inside.
Raila’s book makes no impact — again! The last word ……...page 30 On neglect of the boy child and the need for diversity
A guide about what you should know before buying a town home.
4 INVESTMENT NEWS
PUBLISHERS VIEW
Editor Muli wa Kyendo
Associate Editor Emily Muli
Contributors Francis Ochieng Wilfred GachanJa Nguli Muli
Marketing Charles Kavuu Mary Mumbua David Macharia
Investment News is published every two months by Investment News Ltd, P.O. Box 20257 –00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 0773991820, 0721302418 Email editor@investmentnews.co,ke Web: www. Inveswmentnews.co.ke ISSN 1814—9966 All rights reserved Copyright: Investment News Ltd
Supermarket Crisis Points to Lack of Fair Play and Greed Most people who are shopping at the supermarkets are aware of the fact that their prices are higher than the prices in kiosks. It shows the ignorance and greed of supermarket operators because the reverse should actually be the case. It is the situation in other countries where supermarkets are supermarkets, not just large dukas. A genuine supermarket maximizes its advantage by buying in bulk. That means that it can negotiate for cheaper prices which it can pass on to its customers. It can also leverage the power to buy in large quantities to advertise and get more cus-
tomers for its suppliers who will therefore be willing to lower their prices even much further. But what do we have in Kenya? Supermarkets whose goods are much more expensive than the dukas? Why would a buyer patronise them? No reason except to show off. The effect of this has been the habit of conmaship on the part of the owners. It you have supplied goods or services to supermarkets, you know what I am talking about—you are never paid. That is why they owe supplier billions of shillings. Let them sink and give way to better people.
INVESTMENT NEWS 5
QuicK News
Konza City: Is it Really Dead and Buried? The last time Investment News talked to officials of the Konza City we were told that the first few years were being spent digging downwards. And that was why no structures were visible. A city of the magnitude of Konza Techno needs a firm foundation, the officials said, promising that we would soon begin to see buildings shooting up. On a recent visit to the site, we were surprised that there were no structures still. What happened to the billions of shillings that were set aside for the construction? That was the question we were anxious to put to the officials but as we were going to press, our quarries had not been answered. The City’s website is very active with stories of this and that investor signing a contract to set up shop. Dr. Reuben Mutiso, the Chairman of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority, in an article on the website says, “Following the completion of
the vertical infrastructure at Konza Techno City, the Konza Technopolis Development Authority has advertised for investors to express interest to invest in the city. There has been vigorous discussion about the need for Konza City. The dialogue should be encouraged. I believe that Konza City is critical to the future of the country – Kenya needs Konza to compete regionally and globally and help us become a middle-income country by 2030.” That was in May 2016 and there is no dialogue. There is simply nothing. The staff can as well close and go home.
Artistic impression of the Konza City: So far nothing doing
KBS News The Kenya Bureau of Standards has announced that you can now purchase Kenya standards from their Webstore which is accessible at https:// webstore.kebs.org or from the KEBS Website at https:// www.kebs.org by clicking the tab “search and buy standards online”. The Webstore is an ideal platform for you to find the standards you want & it offers several search possibilities i.e. Keyword e.g. Tea or standard number e.g. KS 65
6 INVESTMENT NEWS
QuicK News
Traditional tourist sites face challenge
Kenya Seen Leading in Medical Tourism in Africa The tourism industry remains top in job creation. It supports 1 out of every 14 jobs despite problems associated with operating in isolation from other parts of the economy, suffering from high financial leakage, generating sociocultural tensions and environmental damage, according to a recent report.
nues grew by 9 per cent per year.
During 1995–2014, international tourist arrivals to Africa grew by an average of 6 per cent per year and tourism export reve-
Furthermore, tourism generated more than 21 million jobs on average in 2011–2014, which translates into 7.1 per cent of all
The average total contribution of tourism to gross domestic product (GDP) increased from $69 billion in 1995–1998 to $166 billion in 2011–2014, that is from 6.8 per cent of GDP in Africa to 8.5 per cent of GDP.
jobs in Africa. It is because of this that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is promoting tourism as an engine of growth and development in the African continent. It is also looking at new products such as medical tourism in which Kenya is a leading destination.
The Amazing Power of the Wealth of ‘Total’ Man Biwott No one has received as much as media analysis in death as the “total man” Nicholas Biwott (pictured). As a civil servant, he amazed much wealth that apparently forced him to keep his life secret. The details of his wealth which has been the focus since his death on July 11, 2017,
remain as scanty as they were when he was alive. One newspaper report said he invested in construction, property development, and the oil importation business and was a shareholder in HZ Company, Air Kenya, Yaya Centre, and a huge stake at the oil company Kenol-Kobil .
INVESTMENT NEWS 7
QuicK News China Investments in Africa Increase to 10,000 Companies A new study show that there are 10,000 Chinese firms operating in Africa . It is a clear sign that China is a key player in the continent with its presence growing much faster that any other country.
many sectors of the African economy, especially in manufacturing, a quarter is in services and a fifth in trade and in construction and real estate. Chinese firms already handle 12% of Africa’s industrial production – valued at
The China-Africa trade is growing at the rate of 20% per annum. FDI has grown even faster – at an annual growth rate of 40%. China’s financial flows to Africa are 15% larger than official figures suggest when nontraditional flows are included.
US$500bn a year in total. And the Chinese are being praised for creating jobs in the continent. According to the survey more than 89 per cent of the employees of most of the Chinese companies are local.
China is also a large and fastgrowing source of aid and infrastructure financing and supporting many of Africa’s most ambitious infrastructure developments in recent years. The Chinese are investing in
Top Chinese official promote trade in Africa
Aviana Help to Farmers in Chicken Rearing Aviana is one of the eminent organizations engaged in offering services related to the organizing of the International Expo for Poultry and Livestock for farmers in Africa. It has now announced it will team up with stakeholders in the poultry industry in Kenya to educate
farmers on new technologies that will help them to manage their poultry better for more profits and quality flock The technologies were on display at the 2017 International Poultry Expo held recently at the Sarit Centre, Nairobi, organized
by Aviana Africa. Aviana is encouraging farmers rearing chicks to use gas brooders for heating instead of charcoal and diesel which are more expensive because of pollution.
8 INVESTMENT NEWS
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INVESTMENT NEWS 9
COVER STORY
Your Town Home: To Buy or to Build?
While the home-buying process involves a number of important choices, one of the very first decisions buyers need to make is whether to shop for an existing home or build a new one. Each path has its advantages and disadvantages. Here's a look at both sides. An existing home may be a better option if you would like to be in a particular established neighborhood – near work, school, friends or family. Odds are, too, that the home will have mature landscaping, so you won't have to worry about planting flowers and waiting for trees to grow. And if you want to live close to town, your best bet will be an existing
home since most, if not all, of the land will have already been built upon. The biggest disadvantage of buying an existing home may be that you won't get exactly what you want. You may not like the plan or you may wish that there was an additional bedroom on the main floor. Older homes, in particular, may be functionally obsolete, and no longer meet the needs of modern buyers. For example, an otherwise beautiful four-bedroom house may only have one bathroom, or the kitchen may be too small with no room for expansion. Unless you find an existing home that has exactly what you want and is in perfect condition, you will have to
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spend additional money on remodeling and repairs. These additional expenses should be factored into the overall price, especially when choosing among various properties or comparing the cost to building your own house. Building a Home Building a new home does not offer the same convenience as buying an existing
Home constructed by an individual in the outskirts of Nairobi
Mortgage: Long or short term? A mortgage is a loan that is primarily used to buy a home. They say that unless you’ve robbed a bank, uncovered buried treasure or hit your lucky numbers on the lotto, then your first step to buying a home will be to get a mortgage. Lenders will loan you a large sum of money, and use your home as collateral, or security, for the loan. When you sign for a mortgage, you’re signing a legal contract that says if you fail to repay what you borrowed, the property used to secure the loan will be taken by the lender.
The amount of the loan is referred to as the principal, and you are expected to repay the principal with interest during the repayment period. The basic question for many people wanting to buy town home is whether to get a mortgage or not. And if you should get, for how much and for how long? The decision will be heavily dependent on your immediate circumstances. As experts will say, if you have a high flying job or a heartthrob business, you will probably decide on a short term mortCONTINUE FACING PAGE
INVESTMENT NEWS 11
house. Not only do you have to find the land, which will very likely not be in an exciting neighborhood, you also have to factor in the time to find an architect or builder, and choose every element of the new structure. You also need to worry about systems, such as whether the land gives you access to piped water and sewage, or requires a well and septic system, along with any environmental and other permits. The big advantage: You are much more likely to get exactly what you want. For many, this factor alone is enough to choose building over buying, but there are other advantages, too. Even though the upfront costs of building
Mortgage FROM FACING PAGE
gage, but you shouldn’t. You should always borrow a loan for a long period. And the reason is so obvious that many home buyers do not think of it at all. It is actually the reason you are borrowing — because you do not have the money to buy your house outright. This initial reason is so important—and so ignored—that many experts attribute most of the mortgage problems to it. Take the case of Kamau. When he
can be higher, it may be easier to recoup your investment. You can have more significant profits with the resale of your new home. A newer home is typically more appealing than an older home to most people. In addition, a new home will require fewer repairs and less maintenance, which can save both money and time. An additional advantage of building your house is that you can choose a plan that suits your financial ability. And better still you can start with a few rooms and start living in it. You may expand whenever you get more funding Money and features aside, building a house can lead to a level of satisfaction
wanted to buy a house in Nairobi, he had a well-paying job and his prospects of even rising were very bright. So Kamau thought he should pay his mortgage in leaps. That way he would free himself from the horrid chain of mortgage sooner. So Kamau took out a mortgage for only five years, paying heavily each month for it. What Kamau didn’t foresee however, was the change of circumstances in his work place. His immediate boss was transferred. And for a reason he says he CONTINUE NEXT PAGE
12 INVESTMENT NEWS
that you can't achieve through buying an existing home. "There is a definite feeling of an emotional connection to living in a new home that you have created," says one expert. "The new-home smells fresh and no one else has ever stepped on it. This is your creation that matches your style and personality, that you created from it scratch."
large estates are becoming common features of the landscape. Preferred are Athi River—Mlolongo and Syokimau areas— Kiambu and Thika. These estates generally target individuals in the high and middle income groups. Individual home seekers have been pushed farther afield to areas such as Ngong and Kitengela.
Homes in Nairobi Private developers are concentrating on the surrounding areas of Nairobi where
Mortgage: Long term or short term? FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
doesn’t understand even today, Kamau could not get along with the new boss. He was sacked from his job three years into his mortgage. And with that his mortgage nightmare started. “I was running mad –literally,” Kamau told Investment News “ I had to rearrange my mortgage more times than I care to remember. In fact I have had to borrow money from friends and relatives to keep repaying the mortgage. And that has not improved my situation at all.” Kamau’s problems also illustrate the second reason you should go for a long term loan—and that is to take care of the unexpected. If you take a short term
loan, your repayment rates are likely to be too high to afford to repay if your income flow is interrupted. A third reason is that you can get more money if the repayment period is long. The amount of money you can borrow depends on your monthly income which determines your ability to make monthly repayments. Suppose, based on this that you could take a one million shilling loan. If you repay it in one year, you must be prepared to part with Shs100,000 every month for the premium alone. Suppose you took your loan for 10 years. Your monthly repayments would be only Shs10,000. In this case, with the same repayment capacity you could qualify for a much higher loan.
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Focus on business opportunities in
HEALTH INSURANCE
Health Sector: Growth and Business Opportunities Kenya’s medical sector has attracted much interest around the world for a variety of reasons—the population is growing fast meaning that medical services will continue to have demand for a long time to come. Kenya’s Population Population density School going 18 years Literacy rate
45 million 214 per sq. km 75 per cent 83,2 per cent
economy is among the top in Africa with fast growing middle class. That means that more and people have the money to afford healthcare services. And most importantly there a shift in focus ion health in Kenya.
Urban population Access to electricity Access to improved water Paved roads
45.8 per cent 34 per cent 30 per cent 8.3 per cent
14 INVESTMENT NEWS my when it comes to budget Expenditure allocations – including for The total health expenditure healthcare. has increased over the years by more than 33% has inKenya’s Healthcare System creased to Sh 234 billion. The Kenyan healthcare sys- Health financing is mixed and tem can be split into three receives funds from taxation, subsystems, — the Public the National Health Insurance Sector, Commercial Private Fund (NHIF), private health Sector, and Faith -based or- insurances, employer ganizations (FBOs). The Public schemes, Community based Sector is the largest in terms health financing (CBHF), user of the number of healthcare fees (out of pocket expenses), facilities, followed by the development partners and This is mainly attributed to Commercial Private Sector Non-Governmental Organizalife style changes of Kenyans. and the FBOs. tions (NGOs). In 2010, Kenya adopted a new constitution which cre- There is a large disparity The government spending on ated a devolved government among these health facilities, healthcare is approximately with 47 counties which are especially in rural areas. 6% of GDP which is low comgoverned by their own govpared to other countries in ernments and have a relatively high degree of autonoA study sponsored by the Dutch Government on medical healthcare in Kenya says Kenya’s burden of disease has historically been mostly focused on communicable diseases. However, recent research shows a large and fast increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
Kenyatta National Hospital: Kenya’s top teaching and referral hospital
INVESTMENT NEWS 15
Expansion: A hospital under construction
the region, Approximately 25% of the Kenyans are covered by a public, private or community-based health insurance scheme. The amount of Out Of Pocket (OOP) spending remains high, leading a lot of people into poverty and posing a barrier to access healthcare. Especially at the base of the pyramid, people do not save or prepay for healthcare or are not able to do so. In 2013, the public health services (primary and secondary level) moved from the national government and Ministry of Health (MOH) to the county governments. Since then, the MOH is limited to provid-
ing support and technical guidance to the counties and is responsible for regulating the health sector and the counties for providing the health services. The MOH is guided by the Kenya Health Sector Strategic Plan which is prepared for every four-year election cycle. In August 2017, Kenya has its national and county election after which the 5 year period will lend a new wave of Public Private Partnerships in the health sector as the public sector acknowledges that they cannot improve the health system without partnering with the private and FBO sector.
Human Resources for Health (HRH) is still managed at national level. Kenya has a high health worker shortage, mostly affecting the rural areas. Most health workers are employed in the private sector, in which the competition for doctors drives the costs of healthcare. Challenges are improving the capacity of training, efficiency of health workers, and reducing the so-called brain-drain where trained health workers look for greener pastures in the private sector and abroad
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Business Opportunities in Health Sector The Kenyan healthcare sector is experiencing exciting times. The middle class in Kenya has been growing, together with the economy, increasing the demand for quality accessible health services. The private sector has been vibrant with increased investments. At the same time, 32.5 million Kenyans lack any form of basic insurance and are treated in ill-equipped and poorly staffed facilities. Kenya’s health sector faces enormous deficiencies in coverage and infrastructure. MEDICAL DEVICES
In the public, private and FBO sector, there is a demand for quality, affordable medical devices. Centralized purchasing and procurement are often used to obtain economies of scale. Especially in the private sector, there is a rising demand for western standard therapeutic and diagnostic equipment. There is also a demand for supply chain solutions involving knowledge and technology to effectively distribute pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. The recent enactment of the Special Eco-
nomic Zones Act presents an opportunity to invest in manufacturing plants for medical supplies to the region.
EHEALTH Health and ICT are slowly becoming more interconnected in Kenya. The country has proven to be a frontrunner in innovative ICT solutions in general and also in the health sector. It is the only African country with a comprehensive eHealth strategy and the only country in the world with a multi-billion shillings turnover of mobile money (mPesa) payments that is
Medical Equipment: There is a continuing need for affordable equipment
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Nurses: Training services are some of the main opportunities
more and more being linked to paying for healthcare services. Telemedicine, Health Management Information Systems, Hospital Information Systems, eLearning and serious gaming are gaining increased attention.
ed expertise to strengthen human resources for health. Next, hospital management skills is increasingly viewed as a separate discipline needed to be invested in.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Both the public and private sector are investing in the renewal, expansion or development of new hospitals, clinics and reaching out to rural areas (with additional mobile solutions). Expertise on hospital build brings knowledge and leverage tar-
The shortage of health workers poses great opportunities for solutions contributing to effective capacity building. Curriculum development, training content, problembased learning and eLearning are examples of much need-
HOSPITAL BUILDINGS
geting investors and donors. HEALTH FINANCING Although Kenya is a frontrunner in the region in terms of economic and technical developments, the country still only has a prepaid healthcare coverage of about 25%. 75% of the Kenyan population does not have any health (insurance) cover and relies fully on out of pocket expenses. A lot can be won by innovative investments in this area.
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NHIF: Endless Business Opportunities
The National Hospital Insurance Fund (HIF) is a parastatal that was established to provide medical insurance cover to all its members and their declared dependents (spouse and children). Over the years the NHIF has continued to improves services, and thus creating new business opportunities especially for hospitals and doctors. Recently the fund announced that its services would cover surgery at high-end health facilities such as Nairobi Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital and MP Shah. “The surgical package is now on. We have signed contracts with
over 2,000 facilities that are accredited with us,� the fund’s CEO Geoffrey Mwangi said. The NHIF did not initially cover surgeries and the move is expected to ease the cost burden on Kenyans undergoing specialized treatment at the local facilities. NHIF members seeking minor procedures will enjoy a cover of between Sh30,000 and Sh40,000 for their medical bills. Major surgeries will be covered up to Sh130,000, while those undergoing specialized surgeries for diseases such as cancer would be covered up to Sh500,000.
MP Shah chief executive Anup Das said patients at their facilities had already been enjoying the benefits. The insurer had initially announced the benefits in August and pledged to issue further details on the cover. The surgical package is a boon to more than two million NHIF members whose monthly contributions were increased more than three-fold. Monthly contributions were increased from Sh320 to between Sh500 and Sh1,700 in April based on a worker's pay, with the promise of enhanced outpatient benefits at public and pri-
INVESTMENT NEWS 19
vate hospitals.
livery through an accreditation.
Out patients cover
For corporates, the enhanced NHIF cover will ease the burden of rising insurance costs that has seen insurers raise premiums in line with increasing medical expenses.
a) All necessary medical treatment and services provided by or on the order of a clinician to the Member when admitted to an NHIF Accredited Hospital offering services under levels as defined by the Kenya Essential package for Health (KEPH).
Out sourced services include
NHIF members seeking minor procedures will enjoy a cover of between Sh30,000 and Sh40,000 for their medical bills. Major surgeries will be covered up to Sh130,000, while those undergoing specialized surgeries for diseases such as cancer would be covered up to Sh500,000. The NHIF model allows for greatest involvement of private health facilities in its service de-
The cover includes hospital bed charges, nursing care, diagnostic, laboratory or other medically necessary facilities and services, physician's, surgeons, anesthetists', or physiotherapist's fees, operating theatre charges, specialist consultations or visits and all drugs, dressings or medications prescribed by the physician for in-hospital use.
i) Consultation Ii) Laboratory investigations iii) Drug administration and dispensing iv) Dental health care services v) Radiological examination vi) Nursing and midwifery services vii) Minor surgical services viii) Physiotherapy services ix) Optical care x) Occupational therapy services xi) Referral for specialized services xii) Any other benefit as approved by the NHIF Board of management Maternity and reproductive head:
Outsourced functions include: i)i) Delivery and Caesarean section. Ii) Family planning services, excluding fertility treatment. This benefit is not available for dependants other than declared spouse.
Patients at a health facility: NHIF will pay
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INVESTMENT NEWS 21
Farm Income
Trading in Coffee Domestic coffee consumption in Kenya is estimated at three percent of the total production. The low consumption is due to the predominant tea drinking culture, and nonavailability of coffee due the previous limiting of domestic roasting.
coffees have enjoyed a stable and a modestly market, while ground coffees are starting to become popular in coffee houses that are conveniently located in shopping malls. Some farmers’ cooperatives have also set up small scale roasting plants and coffee houses.
The growth in domestic consumption is strongest in urban areas due to higher disposable incomes and presence of large expatriate communities. Imported soluble
Although agriculture is a devolved function under the devolved structure, agricultural policy, including regulation of international trade remains a national government function.
Countries that buy Kenyan coffee
22 INVESTMENT NEWS County governments on the other hand are responsible for production, processing and marketing. Counties have been seeking clarity on what constitutes “marketing” to avoid conflicting with the Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Authority (AFFA), an overarching agricultural sector regulatory agency that was established in 2014. The GOK has recently set up a task force with the mandate to recommend measures to improve the coffee sector. Stocks:
hold any coffee stocks. Coffee stocks in Kenya are held by the millers, marketing agents, and exporters. Individual large scale farmers and co-operatives may also hold stocks in the form of parchment coffee. Trade: Kenya remains highly prized source of high quality mild Arabica coffee for blending and specialty markets. In addition, Kenya is the main coffee logistics hub for Eastern Africa and all the main international coffee traders are represented.
The government of Kenya (GOK) does not
‘Coffee Facility Will Assist African Coffee Farmers’ - ICO
‘
Countries that have successfully created an enabling environment for high productivity in coffee farming will be invited to share their experience and lessons learned, so that best practices will be shared among ICO Members. The ICO will also identify the specific actions necessary to increase the engagement of Members and other stakeholders with a view to providing better coordination of the various initiatives that address the major challenges facing the coffee sector. We must reach out and strengthen the Organization’s relations with the private sector and civil society by finding fresh and innovative ways to work together. A third priority is to address the needs of farmers
for greater access to finance. In this context, I would like to mention that the Organization, in conjunction with the Inter‐ African Coffee Organization and the African Development Bank, is assisting in the creation of an Africa Coffee Facility to help coffee farmers in that continent. We will try to replicate this approach in other producing regions. I would urge financial investment institutions attending this Forum to consider collaborating with the ICO in financing coffee farmers.
We must come together to help the smallholders who are desperate for access to finance. A further area in which the ICO plays a key role is in the promotion of coffee consumption. This year will mark the third edition of the International Coffee
INVESTMENT NEWS 23
Day (ICD), another important ICO initiative. Through the ICD’s innovative marketing strategies, the ICO can help boost the image of coffee without the need to resort to massive expenditures.
For reasons of time, I will not be able today to present further proposals to address other important challenges faced by the world coffee sector, such as climate change, pests and diseases, gender empowerment, increasing costs of key inputs and an ageing farmer population. All of these issues will be addressed in the 5‐year Action Plan that will soon be finalized. Returning to our common objective, the sustainability of the world coffee sector, we must not lose sight of our many achievements. Having recently worked as head of another international commodity body, I feel well qualified to put this question in perspective. Coffee is further advanced on the road to sustainability than other agricultural products. However, much still remains to be done, especially in regard to economic matters. We must always bear in mind the benefits that coffee brings to the world. Together, we can make a
change and I urge all of you, in your various capacities, to work with the ICO for a sustained future for coffee. Let us all join together to find creative approaches to overcome these challenges. In doing so, the ICO is your partner and you can
count on the support of this Organization, which is uniquely placed to address all issues that, directly or indirectly, involve the public sector of countries with an interest in coffee. —Jose Sette. Chaiman ICO
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TECHNOLOGY
Why You Need Technology to Run Your Small Business
Many Kenyan business owners have yet to appreciate the use of technology in their small business. But technology can help you in many ways and especially the following:
Storage You may already use a computer for data storage for your busi-
ness. Inventory, sales, receivables and payables stored in Excel, Open Office or a similar program keeps these figures at your fingertips.
Accounting software stores your payroll information, tax records and specialized data for your business. Once you’re acquainted with a program, you won’t
know how you functioned without it. You can eliminate much of the physical storage at the office by using information technology to scan and store old personnel and payroll files, tax files or client files. You may need less square footage with information technology.
INVESTMENT NEWS 25 Marketing An important aspect of technology is that it levels the playing field between large and small businesses. You can have a Web presence, take orders, buy merchandise, sell excess or even operate some businesses entirely online. You can use your business management skills to direct employees or contractors to do your Internet marketing, or you can choose to learn a new set of skills in information technology Information
Whether you learned business
management by the book or by practical experience, you’ll need updates all of your life. The Internet is a wealth of information to keep you current with trends, techniques, software and human resources. You can draw on online databases and websites to locate potential employees, compare insurance proposals, tackle employee issues or check out the competition. Managing your business with information gleaned from the Internet keeps you knowledgeable and on the cutting edge.
Communication Communication by email is faster and costs less than sending a paper letter in the mail. You can transform your business to the 21st century with the use of email for communication with clients or customers. Information technology allows you to organize email file folders by client or by type of communication, such as orders or billing. You can drag and drop your email files to closed folders as your company completes projects. Your communication
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EXECUTIVE HEALTH
Stroke: Are You in danger? Here are the warning signs and prevention steps A stroke is a blockage of the blood flow that carries oxygen to the brain. It is a medical emergency because brain cells starved of oxygen die within a few minutes. Consequently, stroke is a leading cause of disability and death Here is what you should know: The Types of Stroke Ischemic strokes, those caused by a blood clot, account for 87 percent of cases. They can occur in two ways: A clot occludes a blood vessel in the brain or neck that is narrowed due to an accumulation of plaque.
A clot forms in another part of the body and travels to the brain, where it plugs up a tiny blood vessel. Hemorrhagic strokes are cause by bleeding in the brain, the pressure of which cuts off the blood supply. This event can happen in two ways: A weak, bulging spot in the wall of an artery, a disorder known as an aneurism, in the brain ruptures. A tangle of malformed blood vessels called an arteriovenous malformation develops. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also referred to as mini strokes, are a temporary
INVESTMENT NEWS 27
blockage due to a blood clot. They are considered one of the warning signs of a stroke because 40 percent of people who have them will have a major stroke within a year if the condition goes treated. Warning Signs of a Stroke Strokes typically occur suddenly and manifest some of the following symptoms:
A headache that may be accompanied by a loss of consciousness
Confusion
Loss of speech or impaired ability to understanding speech
Vision problems in one or both eyes
Numbness or the inability to move affecting one side of the body
Dizziness
Difficulty in walking or unexplained falling
done quickly (within the first six hours after the stroke signs appear.) Stroke Prevention Steps Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable, according to the National Stroke Association of America. So it’s important to get regular medical checkups. Obesity, as well as the health conditions it leads to, make a stroke more likely, so make weight management a priority. Engage in 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days per week. Abstain from smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke, as it accelerates clot formation. Follow the Mediterranean diet, which is comprised of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, olive oil and fish, because it is linked to a lower risk. Manage stress and get adequate sleep.
The complications of a stroke are ominous. These include paralysis, loss of bladder control, seizures, memory loss and trouble swallowing.
If you have had a stroke or TIA, you may want to consider taking a curcumin supplement. While more research is needed in this area, one study found a drug derived from the spice may help repair the damage caused by the event.
Emergency Treatment for a Stroke
Here is a quick test:
There are ways to help stop a stoke in progress. But if any stroke symptoms or warning signs occur, immediately see a doctor. For an ischemic stroke, a clot-busting medication can be administered within the first four hours from the onset.
FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does the side of the face droop?
Following this procedure, surgical emergency treatment may be performed to remove the clot, but it must be
ARMS: Ask person to lift the arms. Does one arm drift outward? SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is there a speech slurred or strange? TIME: If you observe any of these signs, retake the person a doctor quickly.
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TRAVEL, CULTURE AND BOOKS ong’o details the problems that he and the late academic icon Ali Mazrui had trying to convince the then President Jomo Kenyatta to write a book about him. Eventually they had to abandon the project. When leaders write books, they screen their minds for us to see. We understand them in a way nothing else can do. Think of the former American President Barack Obama and imagine what his campaigns for presidency would have been without his books. In the books, Obama captured his childhood powerfully, making us see him as a human. And the books launched his career as a politician, raising to the top of the heap as president of the most powerful country in
Raila: What does he know about Kenya that we don’t Without having read Raila Odinga’s book The Quest for Nationhood: Roadmap to Our Future, it is difficult to make definitive statements on it. But one thing we can say is that Raila is a man who believes in the power of books – a thing which most African leaders shun like the plague. Kenyan writer, Ngugi wa Thi-
Raila: What does he know about Kenya politics?
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the world. It is arguable that the importance of Jaramogi Odinga in Kenyan history would be much less without his book, Not Yet Uhuru. Because of his book, Jaramogi still remains an influential figure in Kenya today. According to the Daily Nation, Raila’s book details "How Kenya can recover lost ground and achieve prosperity for all". In essence, it is the independence history of Kenya. Raila says he wrote the book for Kenyan youths who were not there during the country's “defining moments and for the elderly who have either chosen to forget or whose memories have faded And he tackles issues that only a few – if any- Kenyans know about. After all he was a close observer, being the son of the first Vice President who together with Jomo Kenyatta were the main actors during the tribulent years. It is
Political scientist Ali Mazurui
true to say that Raila was privy to the inner hopes and dreams of his these key men.
He also knows from first-hand the issues that President Jomo Kenyatta and his Vice President differed on – issues that today are still troubling us such as the land question. It is understood that every Kenyan thought independence would bring about freedom not only to acquire land, but for communities to retrieve land illegally grabbed from them by White colonial settlers. These are question which only Raila – among the current crop of politicians – can tell the country the whole truth coming from the mouths of both horses. Let’s hope he will stop repeating platitudes and tell us things that make us stop and think, be infuriated and stomp. But above all, things that will help us to reorganize our nation so that we can truly live in peace, love and prosperity. It may be his most enduring legacy.
Writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o
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Diversity Vs Affirmative Action I am pleased to hear more and more women discuss the damage the girl-child promotion has done to the boy child. A parent’s joy—and notice that I use the word “parent” - is to see their children well equipped to face the challenges of life. But what we are doing is to divide our society into exclusive groups—the girl Vs the boy, the youth vs (what?) and so on. The result is ridiculous for any right thinking mother. Think of the absurdity of ensuring my daughter gets this and my son doesn’t. my son doesn’t get this and my daughter does. The absurdity was narrated by a woman who realized that her sons had become inhibited—unable to even raise their hands to contribute to class discussions. It is why progressive people like the woman I am quoting, are now beginning to talk about diversity. We need to diversify our organizations. Diversification means that we are not going to have one group dominate in all areas of our lives as a nation while we should have what politicians call—but don’t practice—the face of Kenya. The face of Kenya are all the ethnic groups—42 or 43 of them working together in every institution. It means the old and the youth working together. It means women and men working together. That
is the ideal that we should work towards. In that way, by the normal distribution curve, we shall have equal representation of everyone each according to their abilities and interests. That means that the government must start to enable all communities to be equipped to take part in nation building by providing education, health and food to all. In many parts of Kenya, children are reading under trees with teachers who are not qualified and who have no equipment. How will they compete with those who come from the over-equipped Alliance High School? In life they will be left behind. In Kenya today, the majority of the people do not have water and food. How will they compete on a national level? These are true causes of inequalities—where only a few communities or even one—dominate public institutions, products and services. Women should wake up and abandon the foolishness of dividing their children. They are mothers to all their children. Lack of education to any of them should worry them the same. Lack of employment to any of them should worry them the same. Giving them an enabling background will lead naturally to diversity—the face of Kenya. That is what we should seek.