ISSUE 08
FEBRUARY - APRIL 2013
FOOD FOR THOUGHT The best ribs in town
MotorReview
ROVING THE RANGE JUST GOT MORE STYLISH… The Range Rover Evoque
SUPER-MALL TARGETS TOP BRANDS Big plans for Garden City mall
ON THE CUTTING EDGE THE FOURTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL FOR AFRICAN FASHION AND ARTS
Pic © Apple inc.
ProductReview
The iPad mini ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
LATEST RELEASES • 540 NEWS • KISUMU CITY GUIDE
Issue 8 - FEBRUARY - APRIL
contents 8
Pic © Apple inc.
34
42 SPECIAL FEATURES
REGULAR FEATURES
03 in tHis issUe
12 MYWORLD
Welcome to the new issue
05 540 news
The latest news from the 540 family
08 Festival For aFrican FasHion anD arts
On the cutting edge of African couture
is published by
lanD & Marine pUBlications (Kenya) ltD
Suite A5, 1st Floor, Ojijo Plaza, 20 Plums Lane off Ojijo Road, Parklands, PO Box 2022 Village Market 00621, Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)20 374 1934 Email: publishing@landmarine.com www.landmarine.com on behalf of
Fly540 aviation
Riverside Green Suites, Palm Suite, Riverside Drive PO Box 10293-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (0)20 445 2391/2/3/4/5 Email info@fly540.com www.fly540.com Cover photo courtesy of: Abraham Ali and designer Bea Arthur, images for FAFA also courtesy of Abrahim Ali. Flower seller images: Jane Barsby. Saiwa Swamp images: Claus Jensen The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication. No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions. ©2013 Land & Marine Publications (Kenya) Ltd
27
16 saiwa swaMp national parK
Miniature paradise where walkers reign supreme
21 Kenyan enGlisH
Mercurial English in Kenya
30 ten to FoUr
Mountain bikers get set for ultimate challenge
39 FreeDoM FiGHter
Bitter struggle that opened way to Kenyan independence
What makes Henry the world’s best flower seller?
14 LOOKINSIDE
Sneak peek at the refurbishment of Hunters Lodge
18 BUSINESSHub
New super-mall to target top-end brands
25 FOODFORTHOUGHT Delicious food at Spur
27 ProductReview The iPad mini
28 latest releases
Coming to a screen near you...
33 CITYGUIDE Kisumu
34 MotorReview Range Rover Evoque
46 KiDZ corner USEFUL INFORMATION 36 tHe Fly540 networK 42 travel inForMation
Essential travel and visa information
connect witH Fly540
44 Fly540 Fleet
@fly540aviation
48 Fly540 contacts
www.facebook.com/pages/Fly-540
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1
IN THIS ISSUE
in tHis
issUe
Variety is the spice of Kenyan life
T
his is the eighth edition of ‘540’ magazine, which has been
published quarterly since May 2011. As Kenyans go to the polls in
In the past, we have profi led some of East Africa’s top eateries. This time we take a look at the Nairobi fast food outlet Golden Spur. Fast food can also
early March – and possibly again if a
be really good food and Golden Spur is
subsequent run-off is needed – ‘540’
an outstanding example.
magazine tries to ignore politics by
The same goes for our regular Look
focusing on the many positive, and
Inside section, where we have tended
sometime unusual, aspects of life in
to review top-end properties. On this
East Africa’s most vibrant economy.
occasion we highlight the transforma-
Clearly, there will be a slowdown in
from the past that had fallen on
many large projects continue to roll
hard times but is now poised to
on. One of the biggest private-sector
bounce back.
LATEST RELEASES
For the first time we have
Africa’s largest shopping mall, Garden
included a car review and we aim
City, which will open its doors to eager
to make this a regular feature.
Christmas shoppers in late 2014. It
Here, we test-drive the Range
should be worth waiting for.
Rover Evoque. Only the occasional
GrUellinG
example of this futuristic-looking vehicle can be seen on East Africa’s roads at
We also promote the gruelling 10 to 4
the present time; but numbers will soon
Mountain Bike Challenge and
grow as second-hand cars begin to arrive
Nairobi’s FAFA arts and fashion
through the Port of Mombasa.
festival (our cover story); we examine the way Kenyans are single-handedly
Look inside - page 14: A closer look a the transformation of Hunters Lodge
tion of Hunters Lodge, an iconic name
business activity during March, but
schemes is the construction of East
looK oUt For...
In our “latest releases” section on page 28 you can find up to date information and reviews for the latest film and book releases. One of the films featured in this issue is ‘A Good Day To Die Hard’, the fifth instalment of the Die Hard franchise.
Once again, welcome on board Fly540 and I hope you enjoy your fl ight.
changing the English language and recall freedom fi ghter Dedan
CITYGUIDE
Kimathi Waciuri; we explore the life of a humble flower seller and take a trip to the little-visited Saiwa Swamp
Gary Gimson
National Park.
Publisher, 540 magazine
Our “city Guide” section on page 33 takes a look at Kisumu. With ideas on where to stay, what to do and where to eat, as well as practical information you could need during a visit.
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3
NEWS
news
GooD wisHes For tHe year aHeaD
F
ive Forty Aviation Ltd would like to wish all its readers and clients a Happy New Year. This is the time of year for replacing calendars and making New Year resolutions. Reflecting on the past year, 2012 has been full of challenges in the aviation industry, but we are seeing an upward trend for 540 in 2013. 540 Kenya remains as 540 Kenya, serving all the domestic routes within Kenya and the regional network. From 27 January 2013 another frequency, to Juba in South Sudan on Sundays, is offered by 540. Have a wonderful start to the year!
540 MaGaZine online 540 magazine is now available online. Catch up on all the latest Fly 540 news and features and enjoy its extensive content anywhere. Visit the news pages on your computer, tablet or smart phone via Fly 540’s official website www.fly540.com for a chance to view the back catalogue and the current edition in a page turning ebook format.
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5
8
Issue 8
Image: ©Abraham Ali Designer: Azra Walji
Image: ©Abraham Ali Designer: Anna Adero
Image: © Abraham Ali
‘Our role is to provide a platform upon which African arts and media professionals can cooperate, not only to promote the concept of Fashion for Peace but also to eradicate the ugliness of ethnic strife via the celebration of the beauty of Africa’s heritage’
FESTIVAL FOR AFRICAN FASHION AND ARTS
I
t was built to showcase thor-
oughbreds, but on 17 November
Nairobi’s iconic Ngong Racecourse
saw a new breed of long-legged beauties take to the Silver Ring of the
Jockey Club when the fourth annual Festival for African Fashion and Arts (FAFA) rode into town.
An annual runway event designed to profile the extreme cutting edge of African fashion, FAFA was established in 2008 in the wake of Kenya’s post-election violence. At the time, the idea was to use the power of fashion to promote world peace. Now, as Kenya’s elections on 4 March draw ever closer, such a concept could not be more relevant. “FAFA is all about eradicating ethnic violence by changing the perceptions of how differing communities view each other,’ said Ann McCreath, CEO of designer emporium KikoRomeo and founder of the event. “Our role is to provide a platform upon which African arts and media professionals can cooperate, not only to promote the concept of Fashion for Peace but also to eradicate the ugliness of ethnic strife via the celebration of the beauty of Africa’s heritage.”
on tHe cUttinG eDGe oF aFrican coUtUre
coloUr anD cUt Always exuberantly eclectic, this year’s event was typified by vivacity of colour and precision of cut. Every designer, it seemed, wanted to experiment with geometric shapes, asymmetric cuts and body-sculpting cutaways. There was an emphasis on pieces that could be worn in more ways than one: upside down, back-to-front, wrapped, twisted, inside out. There was also a fascination with contrast, both in textiles and hues. Floating chiffon was partnered with rough hessian, hand-painted silk with recycled coffee sacks, and everything and anything was recycled – fabric, glass beads, wire, metal and wood. As for inspirational sources, they couldn’t have been more diverse. For Ghanaian-Russian designer Bee Arthur, it was snakes and flowers; for Anil Padia, Japanese geisha girls and koi carp; for
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9
Festival for African Fashion and Arts FAFA Style Left: Strike a pose Below: Classy day wear
It was in the exceptionally alternative choice of runway models, however, that this latest FAFA Festival really cut to the chase. There were sinuous designer-clad Olympic athletes from the Kenyan team. There were worldfamous African supermodels come home to shine. Inspirationally, there were even some of Kenya’s best-known corporate CEOs courageous enough to
Kenyan designer Kooroo, it was the
the Samburu’s most prophetic vision-
fluid lines of Barcelona’s Gaudi Cathe-
aries. “I imagined what it would be
dral; for jewellery designer Collane di
like if Lemayan had seen a Samburu
Betta, the translucent delicacy of sea
space-ship landing,” she says, “and my
anemones. Easily the most psychedelic
collection flew from there.”
of muses, however, was that chosen
Image: ©Abraham Ali Designer: Galina Tatarinova
Image: ©Abraham Ali Designer: Galina Tatarinova
stride the stage of a world other than
their own: among them the GM of the
by Ann McCreath of KikoRomeo. She
eco inspirations
took her inspiration from the work of
Timely and intuitive, all the collections
Sarova Hotels, the CEO of Deacons, the
the late Lemayan, renowned as one of
reflected the African fashion scene’s
senior marketing manager of
long-time love affair with all that
Safaricom, the chief anchor of K24 TV
is eco-aware and carbon conscious.
and the MD of Pernod Ricard.
Scanad advertising agency, the MD of
And it was apparent that most of the
Faces of FAFA
designers had been inspired by their
Creative Kenya
cooperation with community groups,
An explosion of colour, light, sound, dance
FAFA featured international designers B’ExotiQ (Ghana), Gloria Wavamunno (Uganda), Mudi Africa (Nigeria) and Zekaryas Solomon (Eritrea/UK); and local designers Anna Adero, Deepa Dosaja, Embody Accessories, Kaveke, KikoRomeo, Kondakis, Kooroo, Monica Kanari and Riri Jewellery. Also featured were the recent winners of the FAFA Insight for Emerging Designers Competition: Jamil Walji, Azra Walji, Galina Tatarinova and Ogake Mosomi.
recyclers of bone, horn and leather,
and theatre, this year’s FAFA Festival
and self-help groups from the slums of
had it all. Best of all, it even delivered a
Nairobi. Interestingly, Danish-Greek
hot fashion tip to the Kenyan economy.
designer Nike Kondakis, who featured
“The creative industry has been ignored
an ethereally floating silk collection,
for several decades,” said Bitange Ndemo,
had even insisted that the silk worms
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infor-
used to produce her silk be allowed
mation and Communications, “and it’s
to follow their natural life-cycle and
about time we recognised it and exploited
For more information: www.fafakenya.org
blossom into butterflies.
Kenya’s many talents.”
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11
What makes Henry the world’s best flower seller? 12
Issue 8
T
he El Niño rains are pounding Nairobi and there’s a brown
puddle a metre wide in front of his
stall. But it’s just another day in the
life of Henry Kamau Muhia, a flower seller with a simple stall on Waiyaki Way, one of Nairobi’s arterial high-
ways. Every day, rain or shine, he’s
there, selling his flowers to a devoted clientele, who rate his flowers so
highly they won’t buy anywhere else.
They trust him and seek his advice as they would a connoisseur. But then, that’s exactly what Henry is.
06.00 I have to get up early; my home is far away from my stall. Usually I travel by
MyWORLD: Street Life
Flowers for sale Above: Trusted flower seller Henry Kamau Muhia ensures the freshest crop for his customers
away, I ask a friend to mind the stall – we help each other out.
18.00 At the weekend, business is good all day. In the week it tends to be better when people are on their way home from work. By six, it’s getting dark; time to close the stall.
19.30 Traffic is heavy in the evening, so it might take me an hour, even two in the rain, to get home. I am married with two children, a boy and a girl. My wife doesn’t work, so the flowers support us all. On Sundays I leave the stall at 2 pm and take my family to church. I work long hours, but you have to work matatu [public minibus]. Lately there
what they want and then send a driver.
hard and make sacrifices if you want to
was a strike, so I hitched a lift. I arrive at
One of my best customers is Sister
succeed. I value my job. Twelve years
my stall around half past seven.
Isabella from the Vatican Embassy. She
ago, I had to leave my home in Central
buys flowers from me every week and
Province because I couldn’t find work.
07.30 My flowers stay overnight on the stall. I can’t lock it; I just roll down a canvas
says I am the best flower seller in the world because I am so reliable and polite.
sheet across the front of the stall; but
11.00
nobody steals them. My first job is to give
In the mornings I often receive deliveries
the flowers fresh water. I refresh them
of flowers from all over Kenya: Naivasha,
at least three times a day. My customers
Nakuru and Limuru. Sometimes they’re
trust me. They know I don’t play tricks,
delivered by a broker or a middleman,
like picking off the brown leaves on the
who buys direct from the flower farms.
edge of the roses. If they ask my opinion,
If business is slow, I might cross over the
I tell them the truth, and I get a lot of
road to a lady who makes tea.
repeat business.
13.00
08.30
I take my lunch on my stall. Usually it’s
My uncle knew someone who needed a
Once the flowers are ready, I wait for the
delivered by the same lady who provides
man to run his stall; I was lucky to get
customers. I enjoy meeting people and I
my tea. Sometimes its rice and beans,
the job. When I was young, I wanted to be
have a wide range of customers. Most are
sometimes chapatti – it’s always hot.
an electrical engineer, but now I love my
from the international community, but I’ve noticed that a lot more Africans are
14.00
buying flowers these days. I also provide
If I have not received a delivery, I
flowers for weddings and parties.
might go into town to the Central
10.30
flowers – they’re my life. Of course, I’d like a stall of my own, but until then, this is the will of God. Henry’s stall is opposite the exit to
Market to buy. Sometimes I take a piki-piki [motor-bike taxi], sometimes
I’ve been running this stall since 1999,
a taxi. I know what my clients like, so I
so most of my customers are regulars.
always stock roses, lilies, tuber roses,
Some telephone in advance to order
gladioli and alstromeria. Whilst I am
ABC Place Shopping Centre, Waiyaki
Way, Nairobi. He can be contacted for
advance orders on weddings and functions on Cell: 0722 282 944
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13
Iconic roadhouse gets new lease of life 14
Issue 8
LOOKINSIDE: Hunters Lodge
watersiDe views A tranquil and beautiful waterside location. Refurbishment will place Hunters Lodge back in the hearts of travellers.
For early starters, it was a delightful breakfast stop – or a lunch stop for late starters – on the way down to the coast and an ideal place to break for tea or a beer on the return journey. Sadly, this once-popular property became a mere shadow of its former self. Now, the Mada Hotels Group has set itself the task of turning things
The hope is that, once again, Hunters Lodge will become the natural stopover for drivers on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway
H
unters Lodge, once a popular stopover on the road from
Nairobi to Mombasa, is set for a major facelift and a revamp.
Surrounded by spectacular countryside, the property is located about
round through new investment, fresh ideas and better marketing.
reFUrBisHMent Mada hopes to win back business by offering attractive breakfast and lunch menus while also providing a range of amenities for customers undertaking the five-hour drive to or from the coast. The existing 12 rooms are being totally renovated and enlarged and there are plans for an additional 40
The lodge can trace its origins to
rooms. A new conference centre will be
Dennis Hunter, son of the famous
added. In its design, the new property
hunter and author, J.A. Hunter. In
will reflect the old charm of Hunters
1958 J.A. Hunter, with his son David,
Lodge; but now it will offer rooms with
built Hunters Lodge at Makindu.
a contemporary style and top quality amenities. Mada aims to ensure that
160 km from Nairobi on the Mombasa
sparKlinG HeyDay
Road. Traditionally, the lodge offered
Anyone born in Kenya in the 1950s and
ings. Work on the refurbishment began
good, reasonably priced accommoda-
1960s will be familiar with Hunters
in late 2012.
tion and inexpensive camping; but now
Lodge. In those days, most people would
it is being modernised and expanded
drive to the coast on holiday, and no trip
Hunters Lodge will become the natural
by the owner, Mada Hotels. A new
to the coast was complete without a stop
stopover for drivers on the Mombasa-
management has also been installed.
at Hunters Lodge.
Nairobi highway.
the new look blends with the surround-
The hope is that, once again,
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15
SAIWA SWAMP NATIONAL PARK
Miniature Paradise WHere WalKers reign suPreMe
S
aiwa Swamp in Western Kenya
is the country’s smallest nation-
al park, covering just three square kilometres. It was created specifically to protect the habitat of the
Saiwa is unique in being the only
and trails. There are three timbered
national park in Kenya where vehi-
viewing platforms where wildlife
cles are prohibited, leaving the trails
enthusiasts can stake out for a glimpse
entirely free for walkers.
of the elusive sitatunga.
A place of misty mornings, shaded forest paths, birdsong and verdant, almost
sitatunga
iridescent green foliage, Saiwa features
Known in Swahili as the nzohe, the
riverine forests with ferns and orchids,
rare sitatunga is a long-legged ante-
this dense, vibrantly green pocket
stands of yellow acacia in which monkeys
lope which has adapted itself to exploit
of swamp, bulrushes, sedges and
preen, and large areas of swamp fringed
the abundant food resources of the
surrounding riverine forest israrely
by tall bulrushes and sedge.
swamp. Its shaggy coat is oily and
rare and endangered semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope.
Located well off the tourist trail,
visited, but charmingly rewarding for those who make the effort.
For the benefit of walkers, Saiwa is traversed by 7 km of wooden walkways
water repellent while its elongated and splayed hooves allow it to walk on submerged vegetation. The sitatunga is reddish-brown in colour with very large ears and (in the case of males) horns. Moving with slow deliberation to avoid detection, the sitatunga enters the water gently and sinks until nearly its whole body is submerged. It can spend all day like this, or resting in reedy shade. A good swimmer, the sitatunga dives deep when alarmed and remains
a WalKers Paradise Left: Spot the distinctive face of the colobus monkey Right: Stakeout at Saiwa's viewing platform
16
Issue 8
SAIWA SWAMP NATIONAL PARK
‛Located well off the tourist trail, this dense swamp and surrounding riverine forest israrely visited, but charmingly rewarding for those who make the effort’
FACT FILE altitude: 1,860 to 1,880 metres distance from nairobi: 400 km northwest of Nairobi gazetted: Became a national park in 1974
submerged except for the tip of its nose.
necked otters and giant forest squirrels
Crepuscular in its habits and extremely
may prove more difficult to spot, as may
shy, it prefers to feed in the mornings
the shy and elusive leopards.
and evenings and only occasionally leaves the swamp after dark to browse.
elusiVe Wildlife
Birdlife A great draw for ornithologists, the park contains over 370 species of birds.
In order to spot a sitatunga, you must
Rare birds include crowned hornbills,
watch and wait. You might also keep
Ross’s turacos and eastern grey plan-
watch along the paths and tunnels it
tain eaters, while the riverine forests
makes through the reeds and rushes,
shelter one of Kenya’s most spectacular
especially between 6 pm and 10 am
forest birds, the narina trogon.
when the animal is most active.
Most conspicuous around the park
climate: Typical African wetland climate, ranging from warm to cool and from humid to semi-arid (wet seasons March-June and October-November) Vegetation: Swamp and riverine forest, tall bulrushes and sedge Wildlife: Sitatunga, monkey, spotted-necked otter, giant forest squirrel, leopard, bushbuck, ratel and African civet Birds: 372 species including such rarities as Ross’s turaco and the blue-headed coucal
The silken coats of the black-and-
are the grey-crowned cranes, but large
white colobus monkeys and the white-
numbers of ibis, ducks and herons feed
bearded faces of the distinctive De
in the more open patches of water.
Brazza’s monkeys are very conspicuous
Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters are plen-
in this park. There are also plenty of
tiful along the trails, as well as paradise
blue and vervet monkeys. The spotted-
flycatchers and black-headed gonoleks.
a profusion of butterfl ies, including
Long-crested eagles can often be seen
swallowtails, charaxes and the African
perched high on the bare branches of
mocker swallowtail, can be seen
dead trees, blue-headed coucals take
dancing along the trails.
the sun among the bulrushes, and the
roads: The park has no roads, only walking trails
The park is also the preferred haunt
reeds provide sanctuary for Hartlaub’s
of Bell’s hinged tortoise. Tree frogs
marsh widowbirds and yellow bishops.
abound and are particularly noisy after
Butterflies
the rain. Snake life includes the forest cobra and the African rock python.
The swamp is home to all manner of dragonfl ies and damselfl ies, while
For further information: www.kws.org
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17
BusinessHUB: Garden City Mall
suPer-Mall targets toP-end Brands
W
ho would have thought it?
Thika Road, once the night-
mare artery that blighted the lives
of commuters, is not only gaining in
status as property prices in northern nairobi skyrocket, but it’s now to be the location for East Africa’s largest shopping mall.
Garden City Mall is to be built on
to market by the pan-African private
Kenya for Game, which is already active
equity firm Actis and Nairobi-based
in 10 other African countries.
Mentor Management. Total cost of the project is put at
Clearly, there is some market overlap between the two. So to avoid this, Naku-
US$ 200 million. Construction work on
matt will not sell furniture and Game
the mall is set to get under way in mid
will avoid selling food.
2013, with Phase 1 due for completion by Christmas 2014. Kenya’s biggest supermarket
neW fasHion Brands In addition to its large size, there are
32 acres alongside the new Thika
chain, Nakumatt, and the giant South
plans to give Garden City Mall a differ-
Road Expressway. The first phase will
Africa-based retailer Game have been
ent and distinctive identity. Disappoint-
comprise 50,000 square metres of
confirmed as the mall’s two anchor
ingly, many of Nairobi’s newer malls
lettable retail space and is being brought
outlets. This will be its first store in
have become almost like clones, with
18
Issue 8
deVeloPMent Garden City Mall will house new fashion brands, apartments, offices and a hoteland promises to make the mall an integral part of life in Nairobi
to an area of Nairobi not previously known as a haven of retail therapy. Garden City will be more than just shopping, however. There will be 30,000 square metres of office space, and apartments are being incorporated in the project. “We will also have sites for offices and a hotel and we can see this as a base for big corporations – a on imported luxury goods such as top-
great place, for example, for a telecom
quality clothing that make it difficult for
company, a bank or a regional headquar-
non-East African retailers to enter the
ters,” says Mr Hoddell.
local market – especially when there is
Some 420 apartments are to be
a strong and well-developed mitumba
built, ranging in price from KES 10 to
sector that attracts no duty.
20 million. Mr Hoddell cautions eager
'Total cost of the project is put at US$ 200 million. Construction work on the mall is set to get under way in mid 2013, with Phase 1 due for completion by Christmas 2014' Recognising the problem, Mr Hoddell
investors, who may look to make a quick
explained: “We want to work with retail-
killing by buying off-plan, that Garden
ers to lobby government to reduce import
City will not, as a general rule, be selling
duty.” He also conceded that: “Home-
in this way. “A few units, maybe, to test
grown brands here are more advanced
the market,” he says. What’s more, work
than in many other African countries.” This would also be a factor in enticing more foreign retailers to Nairobi.
PriMe location Aside from the new Thika Road Expressway, another factor in choosing to site Garden City here is that 1.5 million more or less the same well-known shop
people live within a catchment area with
names appearing. But Mentor Manage-
no other retail park. Moreover, Garden
ment’s James Hoddell says: “Garden City
City is less than ten minutes from the
aims to attract new fashion brands not
Museum Hill junction.
before seen in Kenya.”
“Our South African consultants estimated that there was demand for
won’t even start on these apartments
Kenya, is said to be targeting other
200,000 square metres of retail space,”
until three months after the opening of
South African retail groups to take
says Mr Hoddell. “So there is surplus
the retail park.
space in the new mall. The women’s
demand – and it’s growing all the time.”
Garden City’s agent, Knight Frank
clothing and accessory specialist Foschi-
Nevertheless, Mr Hoddell admits that
The Thika Road Expressway has already transformed the lives of many in
Garden City will initially face a chal-
terms of transport; now, Garden City is set
Of course, Garden City’s fashion
lenge in persuading middle- and upper-
to do the same for shoppers; and, like the
stores are up against the high tariffs
income shoppers to drive up Thika Road
new road, it cannot come soon enough.
ni is one name being mentioned.
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KEnyAn EngLISH
can You taKe a Beer WitH tcHiZZ and criPs? I
s Kenyan English
striking out on its
own, if only tentatively, as a distinct dialect of
the world’s most widely spoken language?
YOU MAY BE A KER… ‘KENGLISH’ SPEA
I only ask because as a humble foreigner I continue to detect subtle differences between the English I grew up speaking and the way Kenyans are adapting the language. There’s nothing wrong with this, of course; English is a language that draws from many outside influences and, unlike, for example, French, it is subject to constant changes, updates and developments.
Mercurial English already varies greatly between nations and within nations. In the UK, for example, there are many distinctive regional dialects; and there is a wide difference between the English spoken in, say, the USA, Jamaica, Australia or South Africa. The richness of this difference is what makes the language so interesting.
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21
Kenyan English • And you know? – instead of
Kenyan English is yet another
are a few examples of odd word use,
evolving strand. I don’t mean the
strange (at least to my ear) phrases
language spoken by settlers and, today,
and unusual pronunciation that I have
by their offspring; I mean that spoken
picked up from Kenyans when speak-
by Africans and, in a slightly different
ing English – either to me or among
version, the descendants of those
themselves:
who came to Kenya from the Indian subcontinent.
education Some of the unusual-sounding English I hear from Kenyans probably derives from the fact that, in a nation where Kiswahili holds sway, it may be the speaker’s second or third language. But some of this difference may also stem from the way the language is taught. When I ask Kenyans why they are using a particular word or phrase, I’m invariably told: “That’s what I learned in school.” So some of this apparent divergence from Standard English appears to be down to the local education system and, sad to say, teachers must take some of the ‘blame’ for this apparently wayward use of the language.
slang free As it is, Kenyans tend to speak English in a matter-of-fact way, largely free from the irritating slang that affects the language in, say, the UK and the USA.
‘Really?’
picked me at 8 am’ or ‘He is not picking his phone’
• He stays in Loresho – instead of ‘He lives in Loresho’
• Pressed – wishing to use the bathroom
• Bitings – instead of nibbles
‘Some of the unusual-sounding English probably derives from the fact that it may be the speaker’s second or third language’
• Aspirant – instead of candidate
• Tchizz instead of cheese
• The youth – young people • Ju-is – instead of juice (two syllables instead of one)
• Imagine! – instead of ‘Would you believe it!’
• Over-speeding – instead of just, well, speeding or snacks
or hopeful (in a political context)
• Crips instead of crisps
• The merging of the noun ‘advice’
with the verb ‘advise’ so that only ‘advice’ is used. I’m not sure how teachers managed to mislay the word ‘advise’, but it seems to have been totally lost in Kenya.
• Placing ‘isn’t it’ at the end of
sentences when ‘aren’t they’, ‘wouldn’t we’, etc would be appropriate
• Agement – meaning someone of
is channelled into ‘sheng’, the hybrid patois that fuses Kiswahili and English. I am not trying to confuse this with the growing use of ‘Swa-English’, fashionable among young people, in which speakers use a mixture of the two languages; I’m referring to Kenyans when they are just speaking English. I’m sure most Kenyans don’t even realise they are speaking a slightly different form of English from me. Here
rear’ – ‘Take the delivery up backside please’
• Messed instead of ‘messed up’ – ‘and you know he really messed’
• Biscuiti not biscuit • Short call – pee this one out…
• Debt – pronounced without a silent ‘b’
• Epitome – pronounced to rhyme with Rome instead of e-pit-o-me
There is, of course, a flipside to this and that’s the use of Kiswahili words
• First born – eldest child
by those whose mother tongue is English, even when in conversation
• Last born – youngest child • The sea level instead of just ‘sea
level’ – adding the definite article when it’s not necessary (such as, ‘We shall be flying at 36,000 ft above the sea level’)
• I’ll take a beer instead of ‘I’ll
with another person who also speaks English as their first language. At first, it seems strange to hear these English speakers refer to askaris, fundis, aiyas, etc when there is a perfectly good word in their own language for guard, workman or nanny.
have a beer’
• Can you take a beer? instead of ‘Would you like a beer?’
• Up backside instead of ‘to the
• Long call – I think you can work
the same age as the speaker.
‘As it is, Kenyans tend to speak English in a matter-of-fact way, largely free from the irritating slang that affects the language in, say, the UK and the USA’ Maybe that’s because day-to-day slang
• Picked instead of picked up – ‘He
But that’s the English language for you: always happy to accept a new and interesting word from elsewhere.
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23
FOODFOR THOUgHT
forget tHe coWBoY decor – Just saVour tHe riBs GOLDEN SPUR I
have an admission to make. There is one place in nairobi I just can’t
resist, no matter how hard I try.
And I’m not the only one. My friend, a seasoned Italian restaurateur and hotelier, shared my passion and ate here a couple of times a month when he lived in Nairobi.
delicious and doWn-to-eartH It’s not pricey, it’s not fancy and it’s certainly not especially healthy. And the place is probably in the wrong setting. But for great down-to-earth food
Wild West decor will not
at reasonable prices with superfast
appeal to everyone’s taste,
and efficient service, I believe there is
especially when it’s in a
nowhere in Nairobi that compares with
colonial-style property.
the Golden Spur at the Southern Sun in
I have tried Spur
‘For great down-to-earth food at reasonable prices with superfast and efficient service visit the Golden Spur’
Parklands. And it’s why I keep coming
restaurants in Gaborone
back month after month.
and Kampala and, unfortunately, they
what inexplicably that restaurant failed
just don’t quite match the Southern
to take off. And the site is now occupied
Sun-based outlet.
by an Artcaffe.
soaring eagle
would be the 600 g ribs (available in “all
By the way, the Eka Hotel on Mombasa
you can eat” form on Thursdays). But I
Road now also boasts a Soaring Eagle
would also recommend the delicious 300 g
Spur. Previously, a Silver Spur was
“fillet grande” steak and, although on the
opened at The Village Market but some-
expensive side, the 600 g king prawns
I know it doesn’t seem to fit in with the classy image of the Southern Sun and I’m not sure why this Spur restaurant was ever installed in the hotel. The
If I had to choose my favourite dish, it
with peri peri sauce. At KES 490, the
it's tastY
buffet salads are also surprisingly good.
Left: Succulent steak to delight the senses
however, is the consistency of the food. It
Above: The surprisingly delicious rack of ribs
never disappoints; and when you order a
What keeps me coming back,
For further information about Golden Spur and their restaurants visit: www.spurcorp.nl
meal, it tastes exactly like the last time you ate it. A rare treat.
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25
ProductReview
Apple iPad mini
is aPPle’s neW taBlet WortH tHe eXtra MoneY? F
ollowing the revolutionary
launch of the iPad in 2010, the
Of course, the sleek Apple design,
tablet, but maintaining the hand-held
with ergonomic curves and brushed
style. Upholding Apple’s high stand-
metal aesthetic, is pleasing – as one
ards, the iPad mini is the natural
would expect from a leader of technologi-
answer for a cheaper, lighter and more
cal design. Moreover, the iPad mini is
compact way of owning an iPad and is
only half the weight of the 10” original
perfect for travel. However, this product
iPad and, while reduced weight is to be
still has a top-of-the-line price tag for a
expected from a smaller product, this
7” tablet and there are serious competi-
For the usually cutting-edge Apple,
is also lighter than the competitors: the
tors without the premium price. And
movement towards the 7” tablet has been
Nexus 7 and Fire HD are both heavier,
with the recent announcement of the
relatively slow. A lighter, smaller product,
by 83 g and 35 g respectively. The iPad
Kindle Fire HD 8, the tablet wars look
with travellers in mind, was a natural
mini also has a 7.9” screen, larger than
set to continue.
progression; but competition on price
the standard seven inches
may also be a raison d’être for the iPad
of the mini tablet. This is
market is groaning under the weight of tablets. Trends have taken the
tablet into smaller territory, with consumers demanding affordable
high performance in an increasingly compact package.
‘The iPad mini is only half the weight of the 10” original iPad and, is also lighter than the competitors: the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD’
a more comfortable size for film-watching or gaming but still maintains its hand-held quality. Screen
quality is a minor fault,
mini. The Kindle Fire HD and the Google
however, as this gadget
Nexus 7, which has an impressive spec,
lacks a high definition
have dominated the 7” tablet market,
screen, which can be
offering high performance at a fraction
noticeable when
of the price of the
watching HD
original iPad. With so
content or reading
much competition, it
text. It is even more
has to be asked: what
noticeable when
does the iPad mini
competitors are
have to offer?
adding HD screens as standard.
screen Protector The new smart cover for the iPad mini will ensure a scratch free screen
The iPad mini offers style, prestige and user-friendly interfaces with a larger screen than the average compact
All pics © Apple inc.
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27
LATEST RELEASES
BOOKWORM in tHe House of tHe interPreter
tHe Prodigal daugHter
tHe Past aHead
By Ngugi Wa Thiong’O
By Patricia Nmukoso Enyi
By Gilbert Gatore
Following the critically acclaimed memoir ‘Dreams in a Time of War’, the novelist’s second volume tells of his formative years in the British-ruled Kenya of the 1950s. An education at the first secondary school for Africans in Kenya is a sanctuary for Thiong’O; but this is starkly juxtaposed with the Mau Mau uprising, which leads to incidents such as returning from school to find his home razed to the ground and his family relocated. ‘In the House of the Interpreter’ is a portrait of a young person caught in the politics of civil unrest and an insight into the formative experiences of a world-renowned author and literary critic.
28
Issue 8
Sixteen-year-old Loyce Amaechi is a young woman born to an upper-class Nigerian family. Living in Houston, her family have raised their child with traditions and strict Catholicism. Loyce is expected to complete college before dating or marriage can be considered; and with such rules, it is not long before peer pressure causes Loyce to clash with her parents. When she falls in love with Quintin, her family reject the relationship because he is not a Catholic and Loyce is sent away to Nigeria. Losing all faith in God, Loyce finds support and courage through a new friendship with a young woman called Sherry.
Isaro, a student living in France, vows to return to Rwanda after hearing of a massacre in her native country. Orphaned and exiled, Isaro’s return is not easy; but the act of writing helps her to process the horrific reality of recent events in Rwanda. Her fictional character, Niko, is forced to become a killer when the massacring army reaches his village. Niko becomes mute, living as a social outcast in a cave with gorillas in an attempt to escape his feelings of guilt. The painful memories that plague Niko are an echo of Isaro’s as the novel unpicks the truly incomprehensible aftermath of brutality.
LATESTRELEASES
BLOCKBUSTERS dJango uncHained
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz Director: Quentin Tarantino Genre: Drama, action, Western The latest offering from Quentin Tarantino promises to be as controversial as you would expect. ‘Django Unchained’ is the story of Django, an ex-slave who has been bought, freed and trained by a German bounty hunter. After learning the skills of the bounty hunter, Django is determined to track down a brutal Mississippi plantation owner in order to rescue his wife.
lincoln
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field Director: Steven Spielberg Genre: Drama, historical, biography Nominated for 12 Academy Awards including Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) Best Picture and Best Director (Steven Spielberg). The long awaited, Spielberg-helmed ‘Lincoln’ focuses on the final months of the President’s life as he strives to reunite the country and end the bloody Civil War through the abolition of slavery.
a good daY to die Hard
Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Mary Elizabeth Winstead Director: John Moore Genre: Action, thriller, crime John McClane is back for an action-packed fifth instalment of the Die Hard franchise. The story takes us to Russia, where New York City cop John McClane finds himself a fish out of water, teaming up with his estranged son, Jack, to regain control of nuclear weapons and stop the machinations of the Moscow underworld.
WrecK-it ralPH
Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch Director: Rich Moore Genre: Animation, adventure, comedy
no tiMe liKe tHe Present By Nadine Gordimer Set in a suburb of Johannesburg in the period from the mid 1990s to 2009, ‘No Time Like the Present’ follows the lives of Jabulile and Steve, an interracial couple tentatively making their way through post-apartheid South Africa. The couple both formerly fought for Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress, and now find themselves negotiating the suburbs of a rapidly changing nation. Steve becomes a university lecturer and Jabulile a lawyer. Their story, and that of their friends and families, captures the essence of a nation in transition and looking to define its future.
The latest animated feature from the Walt Disney Studios plunges the viewer into a computer game world where Wreck-It Ralph is the bad guy who longs to be the good guy. Seeing his chance, Ralph sneaks into a new game where he can be the hero – but with dire consequences that threaten every game in the arcade.
Quartet
Starring: Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Michael Gambon Director: Dustin Hoffman Genre: Comedy, drama Hope is key in Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut. Based on Ronald Harwood’s stage play, Quartet approaches attitudes toward aging with comedy and a lightness of touch. Set in Beecham House, a home for retired opera singers, the drama unfolds around the annual concert which is always held on Verdi’s birthday. However, this year it has some teething problems as the newest resident, grande dame Jean Horton, brings old grudges back to life.
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S R E K I B N I A T MOUN
get set for ultiMate cHallenge
K
enya’s premier mountain biking experience, the 10 to 4 Moun-
tain Bike Challenge, takes place on
22 and 23 February on the slopes of Mount Kenya.
Now in its 12th year and sponsored
suitable options for beginners, family
and ranches on the northern slopes of
riders and children.
Mount Kenya, including the Kisima and
The 10 to 4 raises funds for the
Ol Donyo Farms, Ngare Ndare Forest
Mount Kenya Trust, which aims to
Trust and Borana Ranch, where the
plant some eight million trees on more
Borana Race Village is located.
than 2,000 hectares in Mount Kenya
by Safari Air Express (SAX), the event
Forest as well as being active in other
race Village
is held over two consecutive days with
local conservation projects.
Participants and their families and
routes designed to challenge the most enthusiastic bikers, while offering
For the most part, the course is made
friends can use the campsite at Borana
up of protected forest and private farms
Race Village, which provides catering, refreshments, showers and entertain-
‘The 10 to 4 raises funds for the Mount Kenya Trust, which aims to plant some eight million trees on more than 2,000 hectares in Mount Kenya Forest’ 30
Issue 8
ment. There is a charge of KES 1,500 per person per weekend to use the site. The Hardcore event on Day 1 starts and fi nishes at Borana Race Village. The start for the Classic, the Extreme, the Rush and the Slide events on Day 2 are in the same place as in previ-
TEn TO FOUR
ous years, up the mountain on Kisima Farm at 9,464 ft above sea level.
• Second male and second female • Third male and third female.
Competitors and their family and friends are encouraged to make a
non-cash prizes will be awarded in
long weekend of the event and spend
the following categories:
two to three nights at the Borana Race Village, where caterers will set
• Most successful team
up stalls offering a wide selection of refreshments, reasonably priced and
(best of four riders) with the lowest
nutritious meals and snacks.
aggregate time for Hardcore Day 1 and Classic Day 2 events
caMPing There is no organised campsite located near the start. This allows all the service providers as well as the event organisers to be concentrated at the race village. But the owners of Kisima
Non-cash prizes will be awarded to
sufficient campers to pitch their tents
the following categories in each event:
start. Luxury tented accommodation and hotels can also be booked.
the following categories:
Above right: Competitors battle hard for the top prizes
• Second male and second female • First school team (best of four riders) • Best in age 10 to 13 category of Slide
• Riders with the lowest aggregate time for the Hardcore event on Day 1 and the Classic on Day 2 will be declared the overall winners of the 2013 Mountain Bike Challenge • First male and fi rst female
• First male and fi rst female • Third male and third female
Cash prizes are awarded for riders in
Above: And the winner is....
• Classic, Rush and Slide
Farm allow responsible and selfat the former Top Camp site near the
eVent success
• Hardcore Day 1 Non-cash prize will be awarded to: King/queen of the mountain – fi rst to the top First male and fi rst female
• First boy and fi rst girl • Best in age groups under 18, over 40, over 50 and over 60 in Classic • First man and fi rst woman • Competitor and team who bring highest sponsorship.
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31
© www.dlwsafaris.com
CITYGUIDE
SOUTH SUDAN
KIsumu, K
isumu is a port on Lake Victoria and the third-largest city
in Kenya. The future outlook is
promising for Kisumu. The city has a potential for rapid economic growth
thanks to its strategic location by the
lake and on the national rail network, allowing freight from Uganda and Rwanda to transit the city.
The city’s airport has recently been upgraded to international status and various commercial and industrial activities have sprung up. One of the main attractions is Lake
Kisumu
WHERE TO STAY TANZANIA
Imperial Hotel
Accessible from the airport. www.imperialhotelkisumu
Worth a visit...
Sunset Hotel
Lovely views of the lake and its sunsets. www.sunsethotelkisumu.com
Lake Victoria The world’s second-largest freshwater lake. Dunga Beach offers water sports, while Hippo Point is ideal for relaxing with a panoramic view. From Kisumu visitors can travel by boat to islands such as Rusinga, home to Rusinga Island Lodge.
Vic Hotel
Good for both tourists and business travellers. www.vichotelkisumu.com
Mountain View Resort
Affordable. www.mountainviewresort.com
Kit Mikayi
Victoria – Africa’s largest freshwater lake and the world’s second-largest. For visitors, the lake and its shores offer a range of leisure activities such as hiking, walking, traditional fishing, boat safaris and picnics.
PLACES TO EAT & DRINK Kiboko Bay Resort
Treat yourself to lunch or a tasty evening meal.
Mon Ami
QUICK FACTS • Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES) • Telephone code: +254 57 • Population: 427,000 (2012 est) • Climate: warm year round
KENYA
UGANDA
Kenya
Wonderful atmosphere. Serves mostly American food.
Haandi
Indian food in the heart of Kisumu
Kisumu Yacht Club
For views of the lake while you dine
Rooftop Bar, Duke of Breeze Hotel
This fascinating historical site, next to Kogelo village, is the native home of President Obama’s father, Barack Obama, Sr.
Impala Park Sanctuary As the name suggests, Kenya’s smallest wildlife reserve is home to herds of impala plus a variety of birds including the fish eagle.
Kisumu Museum Centrally located in Kisumu, the museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the origin of the Luo people and their migration to western Kenya.
Hippo Point As well as providing obstructed views of sunsets over Lake Victoria, Hippo Point has a fishing harbour and a campsite.
Great views and friendly atmosphere
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33
MotorReview: RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
ROVING THE RANGE JUST GOT MORE STYLISH…
I
By Karl Peskett
tracked production, slotting it under the
f it’s a stunning piece of metal
you’re after, you only have to look
at the latest crop of concept cars.
The Lexus LF-LC and Acura nSX, for
instance, are not only expressions of modern design language but double up as technological crystal balls.
Problem is, it’s a rare thing for a car company to release a product virtually unchanged from its concept form. There is one notable exception, however: the Range Rover Evoque. Gerry McGovern penned the Land Rover concept called the LRX in 2008 and it wowed motor show audiences so universally that the company fastluxury Range Rover brand-name and calling it the Evoque.
34
Issue 8
If you think it looks good in photo-
SUV on sale today. Particularly on the
become fodder for the Evoque, which
graphs, in the metal it’s even more
18-inch wheels, it absorbs surface imper-
uses a myriad of sensors to detect slip,
beautiful. With its bluff front-end, clam-
fections in such an efficient manner that
braking individual wheels and redirect-
shell bonnet and chamfered roof-line,
you would be hard pressed to realise it’s
ing torque to wheels with the most grip.
it echoes the design cues of its larger
an SUV at all.
And, yes, it actually works.
TERRAIN RESPONSE
and diesel (the pick) versions and as either
Thing is, the Evoque is made by a
a three-door coupé or a more practical
ing, with high-quality leather, bejewel-
company renowned for its off-road
five-door, so there is no lack of choice.
led dials and glossy chrome-and-black
credentials. But there’s no low range
surfaces. The space also impresses, with
and, looking at it, the Evoque’s ground
brilliant driving characteristics both
a deceptively large interior.
siblings, but distinguishes itself with a unique identity. Inside, the Evoque is just as astound-
The Evoque is available in both petrol
Its stunning looks, quality and
clearance is rather limited. Don’t write it
on-road and off-road make the Evoque a
As soon as you start driving the
off just yet, however. Calling on its years
formidable package, even for those not
Evoque, you soon forget it’s running on
of experience, Land Rover has endowed
seeking an SUV.
the same platform as the Land Rover
the Evoque with a secret weapon:
Freelander. There is a suppleness to
Terrain Response. At the press of a
the suspension which endows it with
button, mud, wet grass, sand and rocks
It certainly ‘Evoques’ a good response from those who drive it.
the best ride-handling balance of any
'If you think it looks good in photographs, in the metal it’s even more beautiful' AfricA’s low cost Airline: www.fly540.com
35
THE FLY540
OW
COST AIR L
E IN
AFRICAS L
NETWORK AT: E N m NLI o O c . K 0 BOO ly54
A FR
36
Issue 8
w.f w w
ICA
NETWORK
SOUTH SUDAN Juba
Lodwar
UGANDA KENYA Eldoret Kisumu
Nairobi
Lamu Malindi
Mombasa
TANZANIA Dar es Salaam
Zanzibar
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37
FREEDOM FIGHTER
BITTER STRUGGLE THAT OPENED WAY TO KENYAN INDEPENDENCE DEDAN KIMATHI WACIURI
(31 OCTOBER 1920 TO 18 FEBRUARY 1957)
O
ne of the most controversial figures in Kenyan history is
‘General’ Dedan Kimathi. To some he is Kenya’s fi rst political martyr, to
others a courageous freedom-fighter who died in the struggle for Kenyan
independence. To the British colonialists, Kimathi was a terrorist and they executed him; to present-day
Kenyans he is a hero and a statue has been erected in his memory.
To understand Kimathi, however, one has to trace the origins of the Mau Mau movement, which rose to prominence in 1948 but whose roots lay 30 years earlier at the end of the First World War. After 200,000 Kenyans had died fi ghting a war that was not their own, the so-called Soldier Settler Scheme rewarded British soldiers with the allocation of prime agricultural land in central Kenya, much of which had hitherto belonged to the Kikuyu.
DISILLUSIONMENT Unrewarded, dispossessed and disillusioned, many Kikuyu moved to Nairobi, where they founded the Kenya African Union (KAU). Their calls for Kenyan independence were ignored, however. The situation repeated itself in 1948, after the Second World War. In
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39
FREEDOM FIGHTER
‘Kimathi, aged 33, stood almost six feet, strong and healthy; his long self-woven hair hanging over a fair brown oval face; his big grey-white and brown eyes protruding below black eyebrows separated by a wide short flat nose. A very little moustache grew above the thick lips; his large teeth with a natural gap on the centre of the upper jaw and a wider gap on the lower jaw in which the two middle incisors had been customarily removed; his oval round chin covered with little beards, his long neck shooting out of his wide shoulders.’ ‘Mau Mau from Within’ Donald Barnett and Karari Njama the face of low wages, unemployment,
tually, the Mau Mau took to the forests
rising food prices and general disil-
of Mount Kenya, where they conducted a
lusionment, a sinister new movement,
bitter guerrilla war against the British.
the Mau Mau, was formed, predomi-
Finally, 85,000 Kikuyu men (a third
nantly by the Kikuyu ethnic group.
of the male adult population) were
INDEPENDENCE MARKED The 'freedom' stamp, issued in 1963 as part of a series of stamps to mark Kenyan independence.
captured and placed in detention camps.
sentenced and hanged. He was buried
One of their most influential leaders,
in an unmarked grave and his burial
Now came tales of anti-Christian oaths
‘General’ Dedan Kimathi, was still at
site remains unknown.
involving sexual rituals, of ‘blood
large, however, and he had declared
brothers’ and of recruits being made
himself the prime minister of the ‘Legiti-
INDEPENDENCE
to eat decaying human flesh. Stories
mate Interim Government of Kenya’.
By the end of the so-called Mau Mau
UPRISING
were also rife of how the Mau Mau
insurgency, 14,000 Kenyans had died,
treated fellow Kenyans who refused to
MANHUNT
espouse their cause. Women saw their
In 1956 a manhunt was launched for
and 32 Europeans. But the struggle for
children slashed to pieces before their
Kimathi and his remaining 13 support-
independence had been won. In 1961
eyes; pregnant women were ripped
ers. The supporters were captured but
the Kenya African National Union won
open with knives; old men, women and
Kimathi fled, covering 80 miles in over
the country’s fi rst democratic elec-
children were barricaded in their huts
28 hours before collapsing of exhaus-
tion and in 1963 the declaration of the
and burnt to death. Finally, the Mau
tion on the edge of the forest. There he
Republic of Kenya ended 68 years of
Mau began to attack the settler farms,
was found, captured, taken to hospital,
colonial rule.
murdering Europeans and Africans alike, killing cattle, burning crops and sabotaging dams, roads and railways. By 1947 the colonial administration had lost control of the situation and in 1950 the Mau Mau was banned. In 1951 a State of Emergency was declared and the entire KAU leadership, including its fi gurehead, Jomo Kenyatta, were imprisoned. It took four years for the Mau Mau uprising to be suppressed. It was a dirty fi ght in which 25,000 Mau Mau fi ghters waged a bitter guerrilla war against what they called the ‘Johnnies’, the British troops, and the ‘Kenya
most as a result of internecine confl ict,
‘All we want is freedom to form an African government which will ban all discriminatory bars and extend individual freedom in movement, press and speech, give better pay and conditions to the workmen and, most important, eliminate the Europeans’ selfishness and pride. We do not hate the white man’s colour, but we cannot tolerate seeing a foreign settler with 50,000 acres of land, most of which only the wild game enjoy, while thousands of Africans are starving of hunger in their own country. Nor can we accept the white man to remain as a master and the African as a servant.’
Gombis’, the Home Guard, comprising
‘Brigadier’ Karari Njama of the Mau Mau to Major Owen Jeoffreys of the British Colonial Administration
25,000 of their fellow Africans. Even-
‘Nine Faces of Kenya’ Elspeth Huxley
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41
FLY540 VISA
M FOR ATION N I
TRAVEL INFORMATION VISA INFORMATION
M
ost nationals require visas
KENYAN VISAS
from the five East African states
Visas are required for most nationals and cost US$50. A visa can be obtained on entry, however we recommended one be obtained before arrival to avoid airport lengthy queues. Visa Application Forms are available online.
Common Market of East and South-
A visa is required by all visitors travelling to Kenya with the exception of those holding a re-entry pass to Kenya and citizens of Ethiopia, San Marino, Turkey and Uruguay.
to enter East Africa. Citizens
require no visas while those from the ern Africa (COMESA) member states have relaxed entry requirements into East Africa.
However, East African member states have their own visa requirements for various nationals.
UGANDAN VISAS The easiest way of getting a visa to Uganda is by purchasing it at the entry point, Entebbe Airport or any border station. This is very possible for tourists coming into Uganda. All you need to do is pay US$50, fill in the application form with passport dates and information. The visa issued is valid for 90 days. You can also get a visa by applying online if you a citizen of the following countries, USA, UK, South Africa, Russia, Japan, Italy, India, Germany, France, Denmark, China, Canada, and Belgium. All you need to do is to download the application from the embassy website of your country of origin.
42
Issue 8
Note that the reciprocal visa abolition agreements with Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain, and Republic of Ireland no longer apply and nationals of these countries now require a visa. Kenya Visa Requirements
• • • • •
Valid passport with sufficient number of unused pages for endorsements abroad. Passport must be signed and valid for at least six months. Visa application form duly completed and signed by the applicant. Two recent passport size photographs attached to the application form. Valid round trip ticket or a letter from your travel agent certifying that the applicant holds prepaid arrangements. A self-addressed stamped envelope for express mail, courier, registered mail, etc., if the visa is urgently required. Metered stamps are not acceptable.
• Home and work telephone numbers.
Please fill out the form correctly and enclose the photographs and payment to avoid delay and disappointment. Standard Visa fees payable by cash to the Embassy of Kenya. Visa fees charges:
• Multiple entry: US$100 • Single entry: US$50 • Transit Visa: US$20 1. Please note that all children below 16 years are not charged visa fees 2. The reduced visa fees were effected on 1 march 2009, as directive from ministry of tourism on attracting more tourists in to the country. 3. Passengers can pay in US dollars, British pounds, Euro or Swiss franc. For more information and to download a Kenya visa application form visit: http://www.immigration.go.ke/index.php
TravelInformation
SOUTH SUDAN VISAS
Immigration regulations stipulate that anyone going to South Sudan and wishing to travel outside of Khartoum needs a travel permit from the Government of South Sudan. Those travelling to South Sudan from Kenya, should visit the South Sudan Embassy in Kenya.
VACCINA 0 T 54
Requirements:
All applicants to launch their visas in person Passport must be valid for at least six month and presented on submission of application Two recent colour passport-size photos Yellow fever vaccination card Letter of invitation and intent Standard Visa fees payable by balance transfer to: Government of South Sudan Special Permit Account Bank: Kenya Commercial Bank; Sarit Centre Branch A/C No. 402004247
N IO
• • • • •
Fees: • • • •
FO N IN RMAT IO
The Republic of South Sudan has missions in Kenya, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, Norway, Belgium, the UK, Germany, France, Turkey, Libya, China, India, Italy, Canada and the USA.
FLY
Any visitor going to South Sudan through Khartoum requires a valid visa. Visas are issued through the South Sudan Embassy.
HEALTH
Multiple entry: US$250 (six months)/US$400 (one year) Single entry for countries with common boarder with South Sudan: US$50 Single entry for other African countries: US$100 Single entry for European and US citizens: US$100
Vaccination requirements for international travellers
Processing period: Two working days
• No cholera vaccination certificates are required of travellers coming from all over the world.
TANZANIAN VISAS All foreigners from non-Commonwealth countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement is waived. Exemptions: Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visas unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand or Australia. Tanzanian visas are issued by the following:
• The office of the Director of Immigration Services, Dar es Salaam, and the office of the Principal Immigration Officer, Zanzibar. • Entry points to the United Republic of Tanzania: principally Namanga, Tunduma, Sirari, Horohoro, Kigoma Port, Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar Harbour and Zanzibar Airport. • Any other gazetted entry point. • From Tanzania High Commissions or embassies abroad. For more information on Tanzanian diplomatic missions visit: www.tanzania.go.tz/tanzaniaembassiesabroad.htm
• Only valid yellow fever vaccination certificates are required of all travellers over one year old, arriving from yellow fever infected countries mainly in central and West Africa, South and Central America South East Asia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh. • Vaccination for international travellers are obtainable from all international air and sea ports, city and major municipal councils NB: Make sure you get your yellow fever shot in good time since the yellow fever certificate is valid for travel use 10 days after vaccination.
Africa’s low cost airline: www.fly540.com
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F
ly540 operates modern aircraft
Cessna Caravan C208
and is constantly updating and
modernising its fleet.
Type: Single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner Number in service: One Capacity per aircraft: 10 passengers
The company uses aircraft such
as the ATR 72-500, which burns only half as much fuel as some other aircraft and also emits less carbon into the atmosphere. This underlines the fact that Fly540 is a ‘green airline’ that cares for the environment. The crew and engineering team are professionally trained and certified to ICAO standards.
Bombardier Dash 8 102 Series
ATR 72-500
Type: Twin-engined, medium-range, turboprop airliner Number in service: Three Capacity per aircraft: 37 passengers
Type: Twin-engine turboprop shorthaul regional airliner Number in service: Two Capacity per aircraft: 78 passengers
DC-9 Type: Twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner Number in service: One Capacity per aircraft: 80 passengers
Fokker F27 Type: Turboprop cargo airliner Number in service: One Capacity per aircraft: 1,336 x 210 x 190 cm cargo hold
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Issue 8
FLEETINFORMATION
THE fly540
AIRCRAFT FLEET
Canadair CL-600-2B19 Regional Jet Type: Twin-engine regional jet Number in service: Three Capacity per aircraft: 50 passengers
Fokker F28 Type: Short range jet airliner Number in service: One Capacity per aircraft: 67 passengers
Africa’s low cost airline: www.fly540.com
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KIDZCORNER
KIDZ CORNER MUSICAL WORDSEARCH Can you find the words listed below in the letter grid?
Guitar Piano Karaoke Jazz Violin
Keyboard Sing Band Pop Drums
RIDDLE ME THIS... What goes up and down but doesn’t move?
Answer: A staircase
What gets wetter the more it dries?
Answer: A towel
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Issue 8
S M U R D
A V
I
E
B D C R R E
I
K O F N J A Z Z O L G A O T H J A
I
K B S
I
N G
R N Y Q L U M P A E N P R G S O K O N A
I
P U P
SPOT THE
JOKE TIME!
We've made 10 changes to the picture, can you spot them?
Q. What wears glass slippers and weighs over 4,000 pounds?
DIFFERENCE
A. Cinderelephant
Q. What’s the best thing to do if an elephant sneezes? A. Get out of its way!
Q. Why did the elephant sit on the marshmallow? A. So he wouldn’t fall into the hot chocolate.
Q. How do you know if there’s a dinosaur in your refrigerator? A. The door won’t shut.
Q. What makes pirates such good singers? A. They can hit the high Cs.
Q. What did Cinderella say when her photos didn’t show up? A. Some day my prints will come.
WORD COUNT How many words can you make using all or some of the letters in the word
E n v i r o n m e n ta l The words have to be at least THREE letters long. And you can't use the letter twice in the same word, unless the letter appears twice in the word. Ready, Steady, Go!
Africa’s low cost airline: www.fly540.com
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Contacts
CONTACT INFORMATION FIVE FORTY AFRICA – HEAD OFFICE
Riverside Green Suites, Palm Suite, Riverside Drive PO Box 10293-00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 (0)20 445 2391/5 Fax/Tel: +254 (0)20 445 2396 Sales: Tel: +254 (0)737 540 540 Email: info@fly540.com
WILSON AIRPORT 540 SAFARI CIRCUIT SALES Ground floor, Langata House
Tel: +254 (0)20 254 0206 Tel: +254 (0)729 540 540 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 540
Email: 540.safaris@fly540.com
ELDORET 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Tel: +254 (0)53 203 3570/80 ELDORET INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
540 Ticketing & Reservations Office
Tel: +254 (0)53 203 0814 Tel: +254 (0)53 206 3823 ext 658
540 CALL CENTRE
ABC Place, off Waiyaki Way
Tel: +254 (0)20 445 3252/6 Cell: +254 (0)722 540 540; (0)733 540 540 Fax: +254 (0)20 445 3257
JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE, Unit 3 (Domestic Departures)
Tel: +254 (0)20 827 523 Tel: +254 20 827 366 Cell: +254 727 532 273
Unit 1 (International Departures)
Tel: +254 (0)20 827 521
LAMU – NORTH COAST TRAVEL SERVICE Tel: +254 (0)42 213 0312 Tel: +254 (0)42 463 2054 Tel: +254 (0)725 942 444
Email: nctslamu@swiftmalindi.com Email: nctsmalindi@swiftmalindi.com
MOI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MOMBASA Tel: +254 (0)41 343 4821 Tel: +254 (0)32 540 540; (0)722 555 730
LAICO REGENCY – 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Mezz. floor, Shopping Arcade
Tel: +254 (0)20 224 3211/3/4 Cell: +254 727 540 540; (0)737 540 540 Fax: +254 (0)20 224 3219
Issue 8
RESERVATIONS Tel: +49 (0)69 770 673 076 Fax: +49 (0)69 770 673 028 Email: Res540.FRA@aviareps.com
SALES Tel: +49 (0) 69 770 673 077 Fax: +49 (0)69 770 673 235
SALES Tel: +27 (0) 722 0229 / +27 74 177 1596
RESERVATIONS Tel: +39 02 4345 8346 Fax: +39 02 4345 8336
Barclays Centre, Diani Road
Tel: +254 (0)20 354 6532 Tel: +254 (0)726 453 246
UGANDA ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
Tel: +256 (0)314 540 540 Tel: +256 (0)315 540 540 Sales: Tel: +256 (0)713 540 540
KAMPALA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE 1st Floor, Oasis Mall
Tel: +256 (0)414 346 915/999 Tel: +256 (0)312 540 540 Sales: Tel: +256 (0)712 540 540; (0)776 540 540
Email: Sales.juba@fly540.com
BELGIUM AVIAREPS AG
J.E. Mommaertslaan 16b (2nd floor), 1831 Diegem
RESERVATIONS Tel: +32 (0)2 712 04 93 Fax: +32 (0)2 725 83 92
Email: Res540.BRU@aviareps.com
SALES Tel: +32 (0)2 712 05 84 Fax: +32 (0)2 725 83 92
38 Wierda Road West Wierda Valley Sandton, Johannesburg
RESERVATIONS Tel: +27 (0) 11 722 0229 Fax: +27 (0) 11 783 8135
UKUNDA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
Email: Sales540.BRU@aviareps.co
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AVIAREPS (PTY) Ltd
Kaiserstrasse 77 60329 Frankfurt am Main
AVIAREPS AG
JUBA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE Tel: +211 959 540540; +211 999 540540
Tel: +254 (0)770 639 429 Tel: +254 (0)724 457 374 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 547
AVIAREPS AG
Tel: +254 (0)41 231 9078/9 Mob: +254 (0)728 540 540; (0)710 540 540
Ground Floor, Mombasa Trade Centre, Nkrumah Road
Tel: +254 (0)734 540 550 Tel: +254 (0)711 908 330
Terminal Building, Kitale Airstrip
SOUTH AFRICA
Email: sales540.FRA@aviareps.com
SOUTH SUDAN
KITALE TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
GERMANY
MOMBASA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
KAKAMEGA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Holden Mall - above Nakumatt
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
ITALY Via Monte Rosa, 20 20149 Milan
Email: Res540.MIL@aviareps.com
SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Maria Rosa Cappelli
Mobile: +39 335 778 5936
Email: mcappelli@aviareps.com
NETHERLANDS AVIAREPS AG
Beechavenue 104 1119 PP Schiphol
RESERVATIONS Tel: +31 (0)20 654 79 29 Fax: +31 (0)20 623 01 51
Email: Res540.AMS@aviareps.com
SALES Tel: +31 (0)20 520 02 82 Fax: +31 (0)20 623 01 51
Email: Sales540.AMS@aviareps.com
RUSSIAN FEDERATION GSA AVIAREPS AG
Prospect Mira, 39 Bldg 2 129110 Moscow
RESERVATIONS Tel: +7 (495) 937 59 50 Fax: +7 (495) 937 5951
Email: Res540.MOW@aviareps.com
SALES Tel: +7 (495) 937 59 50 Fax: +7 (495) 937 5951
Email: Sales540.MOW@aviareps.com
Email: Res540.JNB@aviareps.com
Fax: +27 (0) 783 8135 Email: Sales540.JNB@aviareps.com
SWITZERLAND AIRLINE & TOURISM CENTER GmbH
Badenerstr. 15, CH-8004 Zürich
RESERVATIONS & SALES Tel: +41 (0) 44 286 99 62 Fax: +41 (0) 44 286 99 63
Email: 540-Switzerland@aviareps.com
UNITED KINGDOM FLY540
c/o AviaCircle, 28-29 The Quadrant Business Centre, 135 Salisbury Road London, NW6 6RJ
RESERVATIONS Tel: 0870 774 2250 Fax: 0870 777 7172
Email: res540@aviacircle.com
SALES Tel: 0870 774 2250 Fax: 0870 774 2250
Email: Sales540@aviacircle.com