Looking Eastward: Growing interest in chinese language

May 08 (2007)

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/07may07/schtimes/sch7.html

Story after story about the Kenyan government signing deals with Chinese companies, it was about time somebody shed light on the importance of learning their language. Having a passion for Chinese culture myself, this story is my Kenya-time favourite.

One of the Chinese language students approached me afterwards, to help her make a documentary on the same topic. Bring it on!

Former Mayor King’ori goes all the way up

May 07 (2007)

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/07may07/herald/mag1.html

This former Mayor of Nairobi lived through two assassination attempts, so why should we mere mortals have anything to fear? The building we were in dcould have burnt down without me noticing, I was too mesmerized by the stories of tis fearless fighter.

Govt commissions for counterfeit bill drafting

April 27 (2007)

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/27april07/business/buns4.html

World Intellectual Property Day celebrated with good entertainment and mass destruction of goods that I personally cannot live without. Life is brutal. No more cheap eight-in-one dvds from China? Buy before this bill gets fast tracked through parliament!

'Embrace satellite technology', KWS urged

April 26 (2007)

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/26april07/science/science6.html

My second Google Earth story. This time on a more serious note.

Researcher calls for community involvement

April 26 (2007)

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/26april07/science/science7.html

Kenya Wildlife Service Wildlife Conference 2007. I spent three whole days here, covering all the speeches and presentations. My first feel of life as a foreign correspondent, having to spend all my breaks in the hotel business centre typing up and dispatching stories.

Kenyan women underestimating cervical cancer threats

April 18 (2007)

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/18april07/science/science2.html

Information changes everything...

Women demand control over HIV prevention methods

April 09 (2007)

http://www.beninda.com/lab/asns/blog.php?bid=11

An eye-opener making me realize how the Sub-Saharan HIV/AIS epidemic is culturally rooted. Women's rights may be outdated where I come from, but not here.

Using photography to change lives in Mathare

April 15 (2007)

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/15april07/herald/mag6.html

A humble resilience kid impacting lives at young age. I am proud to call Julius my friend!

www.mwelu.org

Baboons used in malaria vaccine trial, says expert

April 10 (2007)

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/10april07/nwsstory/news13.html

After 20 something years of research, the malaria vaccine is almost ready. “Scientists are the hidden celebrities,” the malaria expert told me. I completely agree.

Women demand control over HIV prevention methods

April 09 (2007)

http://www.beninda.com/lab/asns/blog.php?bid=11

An eye-opening story that made me realize the HIV AIDS epidemic in Sub Saharan Africa is culturally rooted. Feminism may be outdated where I come from, but not here.

Airline launches in-flight package for kids

April 05 (2007)

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/05april07/business/buns2.html

I begged my editor to give me this assignment; A whole morning at my favourite spot, the airport. Going through the passport control without ever having left the country, we had a hard time convincing the immigration officer that our country of origin was the children’s lounge.

Family Finance yet to get license from CBK, says CEO

Business, Marc 07 (2007)

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/17mar07/business/buns2.html

My very first solo assignment for the Kenya Times business. Monday to Friday the past couple of months, I’ve been to at least one business function a day. To date, this is the most poorly organized one. We had to play detective for almost half an hour to find out which room to go to, tea was there, but they never served us, and the function started one hour late. Afterwards, I had to beg the PR guy to give me the press release in a hard copy, because the internet was down in the KT office. (surprise surprise…)

Ironically, I was one of five journalists in Nairobi to get invited to a dinner (at my favourite hotel) by these guys a few weeks later. They were about to take a big step as a company, and wanted advice on how to get better coverage. So I told them exactly what I thought, and they thanked me afterwards.

Next time I went to cover them, there were posters with directions at the entrance, the function was on time, so was the press release. Most importantly; they insisted on serving tea!