2 Chilled Malts

Boukaka Franklin

2016-04-21T13:14:00.000+03:00

Boukaka Franklin, martyred Congolese singer, guitarist and composer specialising in rhumba and soukous was born in Brazzaville, Oct. 10, 1940 and died in Brazzaville on February 22nd, 1972.

Franklin Boukaka, Oct. 10, 1940 - Feb. 22, 1970

Although he was born at the other side of the Congo river, Franklin Boukaka‘s first serious move into a musical career was made in Leopoldville. In Brazzaville he had helped to form the Negro Band, and when the band started recording at the Esengo label he came into contact with the Rock-a-Mambo/African Jazz clan and Joseph Kabasele (a.k.a. le Grand Kallé), who was at the time the Big Star of Congolese music. He joined Rochereau and Jean Bombengain Jazz Africain in 1960, when Kallé was at the Table Ronde.

Gary Stewart states that Boukaka joined Bombenga and Casino Mutshipule in forming the first version of Vox Africa in 1960, but personally I think Jazz Africain was not abandoned so quickly, – although Rochereau left when Kallé returned.

Around 1963 or 1964 Franklin returned to Brazzaville to join Cercul Jazz, the band of the cercle culturel* in the Bacongo quartier of Brazza. It was with this orchestra that he moved away from songs about love and nature (as Ntesa Dalienst once described it), and started singing about social matters, and even politics (which finally cost him his life – but that’s the subject of a later post).

And that brings us to this great lp from the Merveilles du Passé series on the African label, released in 1986 and claiming to contain tracks from 1967.

This is likely to be true for the tracks with the Cercul Jazz. The most famous of these two tracks is “Pont Sur Le Congo”, in which Boukaka calls on the two Congos to unite (a translation of part of this song can be found in Gary Stewart’s “Rumba on the River“). I don’t want to go into the lyrics of this song.

What strikes me with this song is the vocals, with a strong influence of African Jazz – and more precisely Jean Bombenga – in the duets.

My favourite tracks on this LP are, however, the two tracks of Franklin Boukaka with the Negro Band. In every aspect in the style of Franco’s OK Jazz, including the great guitar picking, which must be by (the strangely unknown) Willy Stany. Both songs are composed by the other singer on “Journal Dipanda”, Démon Kasanaut.

The B-side of this lp contains four nice (but not as nice as the A-side) tracks by Franklin Boukaka and Negro Succes, composed by Bholen andBavon Marie Marie.

If all these tracks were recorded in 1967, Franklin Boukaka must have had a busy year. Because in the same year he founded his ensemble which he named “Franklin Boukaka, ses sanzas et son orchestre Congolais”.

http://wrldsrv.blogspot.co.ke/2009/04/bridge.html

In Africa, Boukaka is perhaps remembered by those of the 70s & 80s generation by his tracks Le bûcheron (1970), Kue tu kuenda and Les immortels (1967).

Boukaka recorded his finest work in 1970, a twelve-song album arranged by Manu Dibangocalled Franklin Boukaka à Paris. Spare renditions of Boukaka compositions feature Dibango on piano and sax behind the singer's plaintive baritone. Among the albums's highlights "Le Bûcheron" recounts the suffering of independent Africa in the hands of rapacious politicians. "Les Immortals" repeats the martyr's honor roll with the clear implication that current leaders fail to measure up.

In the early seventies, Boukaka began to transfer his moral outrage from song to action. He joined a group of disaffected Congolese with socialist leanings in a plot to overthrow the government of Congo-Brazzaville president Marien Ngouabi. The attempted revolt of February 22, 1972, ended in failure. Although Boukaka's name appeared on lists of arrested participants, his death was announced a few days later. Many Congolese suspected he had been summarily executed.

In his brief but active career, Boukaka grew from teenaged pop singer to principled social critic. Combining lovely melodies with trenchant lyrics, he critiqued his people's changing lifestyles and goaded the ruling elite in a manner similar to that of Bob Marley and Fela Kuti. His convictions moved him into the dangerous realm of politics cutting short a career that held much promise.
© 2011 Gary Stewart

http://www.coldrunbooks.com/boukaka.html

Ah e e Africa, Eh e Africa, O Liberté

2016-04-21T12:04:00.000+03:00

Sang more than 46 years ago, this mournful and deep song by the late Franklin Boukaka titled Le Bucheron (from his 1970 album, Franklin Boukaka à Paris), still aptly describes the current African state.

Ah e e Africa

Eh e Africa

O Independence

Ah e e Africa

Eh e Africa

O Liberté

Kokata koni pasi

Soki na kati koteka pasi

Na pasi oyo ya boye

Ngai na bana mawa

Nakoka te

Basusu oyo naponaka

Bawela bokonnzi

Pe na ba-voitures

Bavoti tango ekomaka

Ngai nakomaka moto

Pona bango

Nakomi tuna:Mondele akende

Lipanda tozuwaka o ya nani e?

Africa e

Ah e e Africa

Eh e Africa

O Independence

The English translation:

Ah e e Africa

Eh e Africa

O Independence!

Ah e e Africa

Eh e Africa

O Freedom

Wood chopping is tough

After chopping, selling is just as tough

With this kind of suffering

With my children, how sad

I won’t make

Some for whom I voted

Went only for power

and nice cars

When voting time is here

I become someone

For them

I wonder, the white man did leave Africa

Whose independence did we achieve?

Africa e

Ah e e Africa

Eh e Africa

O independence

Politicians Salaries and Income Inequality

2013-10-04T13:42:00.002+03:00

I Will Not Let An Exam Result Decide My Fate || Spoken Word

2013-04-24T13:13:00.001+03:00

As someone who's learnt a lot from the streets and away from "mainstream" education, I totally concur with this kid, Suli Breaks . Refreshing, I must say. I am proof of this.

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois

2012-01-09T12:09:00.000+03:00

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, (February 23, 1868 – August 27, 1963) was an American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author, and editor

©Ndeithi Kariuki, 2001

This was part of an early experiment using acrylics on newsprint in the early 2000s. I did several paintings using this style, including the Jomo Kenyatta below. Each had it's own character, and I had some fun as well as challenges. but William Du Bois was by far my favorite because I had mastered the technique of the brush. The painting required less paint and was almost an acrylic wash, with broad brush strokes and high contrasts.

Jomo Kenyatta (1890s - 22nd August 1978), First President of the Republic of Kenya.

The Painting Process - Jomo Kenyatta

2011-12-08T17:29:00.001+03:00

In 1999, I did one of my all time favorite works, "Black Consciousness" (which I had named as Umkhonto We Sizwe, Spearhead of the Nation). It was a water colour study of some South African liberation heroes (left to right clockwise: Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Mangosuthu Buthelezi - who's inclusion drew a lot of stick, Robert Sobukwe, Albert Luthuli and Steve Biko) painted on a flapping South African flag. Pure inspiration.

Black Consciousness, ©Ndeithi Kariuki, 1999, water colours.

Years later, I had a long look at the painting and for the love of me could not put myself in that "zone" that I had been in when painting it. it really disturbed me that I could not relate with the 'creative force' behind the work, even though the signature was mine. Sometimes I feel like several people exist in this one body - I digress. Since I had done pre-digital camera years (this was taken much later), I always wanted to record my work as I progress.

So this series below, which in this time and age should be a video, was my first attempt in documenting the progress of one of my paintings in december 2010. Enjoy.

The subject was a portrait of Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta. It's acrylics on board, about 2.5 feet x 4 feet.

Painting the background on the sketch. Pretty much feeling the colours.

More colour in the face.

I love working with acrylics because they dry fast. It's a real challenge for the artist to tell the story as fast as possible. I like that.

Colours have changed!

I wasn't feeling the warm colours and the whole composition changed. Cool colours have started coming on the background. But notice that the right side of the face has warm colours, while the left has cool ones. I was trying to achieve a high contrast on that left side.

The face is all coloured in.

Eyes have gotten some life, the face is beginning to shape up. I am also introducing high contrast colours of the cheeks to bring out the lighting effect.

Almost done.

So far I am liking what I see. The colours have nestled where I wanted, all I need is to finish on the subject's clothes and touch up a few areas and we are happy to abandon it (art is never finished!).

Voila! The ~~finished~~ abandoned piece, complete with signature! Now I need to get a video together so five years from now I wont strain trying to remember what I did in between!

Jomo Kenyatta, ©Ndeithi Kariuki, 2010

I may never remember how the "zone" felt like, but I can try and recreate it! :)

**********

Fast track to April 2013, and my mind is not content with the blue back ground of the painting. I took for framing but it kept gnawing on my mind, so when I picked it I tried a few colour combinations, and this is how it looks like now.

I guess "Art is never finished, only abandoned."

Leonardo da Vinci

Arsenal's 125th Anniversary

2011-12-02T10:08:00.001+03:00

Video Commemoration to celebrate one of England's greatest football clubs - the Arsenal, turning 125 in Dec 2011.

Click play and enjoy.

Stadium tour of The Emirates Football Stadium.

RIP Heavy D

2011-11-09T16:35:00.003+03:00

Dwight Arrington Myers, aka Heavy D, (May 24, 1967 – November 8, 2011) was a Jamaican-born (yes, bet you didn't know that!) American rapper, actor, music producer and former lead singer of Heavy D and The Boyz.

Nothing can make me pay more hommage to such a talent than the mere fact that on his Twitter avi, he rocked this Kenyan Adidas track...#KenYaDiggit? His last tweet on the 8th Nov. 2011, just before he passed on says Be Inspired.

Rest Easy. Thanks for the Music My Myers.

This were his last tweets. Trully inspiring.

Why You Must Drink Today, And Every Day!

2011-11-04T17:26:00.000+03:00

This came as a forward, and I know wisdom has to be shared, and to the fools, knowledge imparted! As a crew that strongly believes in the gift of the drink, we need to recruit more believers, as well as remind ourselves, and those amongst us with shaky faith, of our core values - DRINKING Viceroy!

"As Ben Franklin said: In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in Water there is bacteria.

In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E. coli) - bacteria found in faeces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of poop.

However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.

Remember: Water = Poop, Wine = Health

Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit.

AMEN!

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information: I'm doing it as a public service.

Get Tested For Cancer. Regularly

2011-10-11T07:13:00.001+03:00

We are loosing very many good people to cancer in Kenya lately.

This October will be the 25th anniversary of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but some effort needs to be put for both men and women from a certain age (or lineage with history of cancer) to get regular check ups to mitigate against long term effects of cancer.

The logo is free to use. Spread the word, keep the love.

one.

Prof. Wangari Muta Maathai, (1 April 1940 - 25 September 2011)

2011-09-26T07:38:00.001+03:00

Professor Wangari Muta Maathai (1 April 1940 - 25 September 2011) born 1 April 1940 in Ihithe village, Tetu division, Nyeri District of Kenya was a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was educated in the United States at Mount St. Scholastica and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Nairobi in Kenya. In the 1970s, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women's rights. In 1984, she was awarded the Right Livelihood Award, and in 2004, she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.” Maathai was an elected member of Parliament and served as Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources in the government of President Mwai Kibaki between January 2003 and November 2005.

I did this painting of Prof. Wangari in May 2011. The medium is acrylics on newsprint, May 2011.

I had done this piece as, ironically, part of a series called "No Tree Was Cut"! The fact that she inspired the series and that I chose to work on newsprint instead of canvas or board baffles me. Sometimes I struggle to understand intuition, and why we make some of the decisions and judgements that we do.

While working on this piece, I noted - not once - how beautiful her smile was, and how well lined her teeth were (The small things an intuitive eye picks, don't blame me!). Now it is no longer with us, but we know she has left an indelible mark on all our lives.

I am happy that in a small way, I - we - can celebrate a true heroine through my work.

I have always admired her, and our families hailed from the same locale in Ihururu, Tetu (my late paternal grandfather was her friend, but I was not lucky to have interacted with her in person). This piece is a dedication to a strong willed woman who showed humanity that we all have a role to play and our efforts, however little, can make a change.

Some of Wangari's achievements:

The first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree.

First woman chair of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy in the University of Nairobi

First woman in East and Central Africa to attain the post of associate professor

The first African woman Nobel Laureate (2004)

Other accolades held alone or jointly with the Green Belt Movement:

The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, The Sophie Prize (2004), The Petra Kelly Prize for Environment (2004), The Conservation Scientist Award (2004), J. Sterling Morton Award (2004), WANGO Environment Award (2003), Outstanding Vision and Commitment Award (2002), Excellence Award from the Kenyan Community Abroad (2001), Golden Ark Award (1994), Juliet Hollister Award (2001), Jane Adams Leadership Award (1993), Edinburgh Medal (1993), The Hunger Project's Africa Prize for Leadership (1991), Goldman Environmental Prize (1991), the Woman of the World (1989), Windstar Award for the Environment (1988), Better World Society Award (1986), Right Livelihood Award (1984) and the Woman of the Year Award (1983). Professor Maathai was also listed on UNEP's Global 500 Hall of Fame and named one of the 100 heroines of the world. In June 1997, Wangari was elected by Earth Times as one of 100 persons in the world who have made a difference in the environmental arena. Professor Maathai has also received honorary doctoral degrees from several institutions around the world: William's College, MA, USA (1990), Hobart & William Smith Colleges (1994), University of Norway (1997) and Yale University (2004).

There isn't enough superlatives to describe the person that Prof. Wangari Maathai - we can only celebrate the legacy that she embodied.

Rest In Peace Wangari Maathai.

*This image can be used on any account that one may so wish to pay homage to Wangari.

Quoted from Wikipedia and NobelPrize.org (Errors and omissions regretted)

ASStounding - donkey almost derails holiday!

2011-09-15T19:24:00.001+03:00

I’m not a very outgoing person, though a lot of people think I am. So when my boss at DR suggested I go on a road trip as a work assignment, I wasn’t very keen. Then he mentioned there’d be wildlife involved, and I’ve always loved animals. Night game drives and camp safaris are high on my to-do list, so I accepted the ~~challenge~~ job.

The trip was organized by Heritage Hotels (Kenya) and the destination was Voyager Ziwani Camp in Gicheha ranch just bordering Tsavo West National Park. Getting permission to go was a trial. First, I had to convince my day-job boss to let me go. Then I had to get approval from my little one. That was the hard part. She was wailing about my three-day absence, and I was smiling as I recalled the time she went on her first field trip at school. I had hugged her and fussed and asked her to get home safe and she replied:

‘Mum, I’m not going to Tanzania. I’m just going to the orphanage!’

Once I got her permission and walked her to school, I was off. I’d packed a pair of jeans, three t-shirts, a camera, a notebook, and my laptop. Luckily, I’ve always been good at travelling light. The pick-up point was the Shell Petrol Station at Nyayo Stadium, and I got there way too early – early enough to dash into Nakumatt for supplies and spend 15 minutes begging for keys to the restroom. In the end, they let me in when one of the attendants claimed me as ‘mrembo wake.’

Oh well, whatever works *cheeky grin*

I had no idea who I was going with, but I needed to send an urgent mail. Let me just say it sucks sending phone-mail on Outlook, especially since every time I got to the ‘send’ part, I’d receive a phone call and lose all my data. Crap!

When the ride arrived, it was beautiful grey Prado, and as I got in, I saw a friendly face – Wamathai. I didn’t recognize any of the others, though the driver looked familiar from my Google search and online digging. A quick round of introductions followed as we stopped for drinks, pie, and the first bathroom break of the day.

The first leg of the journey was uneventful, mostly because everyone was having separate cell phone conversations and the car was wobbling a lot. But soon network disappeared and we started talking to each other.

At some point some few kilometres from Emali, a ~~stupid obitinate mule~~ donkey decided to stroll casually across the road, and in a fit of temper, Ndeithi called it an %$#@* ass. Yeah, he probably shouldn’t have done that, because the car stalled five seconds later. I still insist the donkey wasn’t a donkey at all…

We hung around for a bit, staring at the bonnet and willing it to move, then we tried to get some water to cool the car down. Ndeithi called the car hire people to see if we could get another ride, but it didn’t seem viable, so we waited for a while for the engine to cool then resumed our journey. The car stalled two or three more times before it died a few kilometers from Loitokitok.

The newly tarmacked Emali - Loitokitok road is deserted, with only trucks and touristy vans to and from Tsavo and Amboseli on the road, do it was by luck that a passing bodaboda rider offered to get us a mechanic and while we waited, we tried to push the car up a hill so it could roll down the other side. Yeah, that didn’t go well. I blame it on the guys skipping gym and the Universe providing them with exercise by force. At some point a … um … Zakayo showed up. He was a little guy in a blue shirt, and we have no idea where he came from – or where he went afterwards. I suspect he might have something to do with the ‘donkey’.

Road map to Tsavo West via Emali and from Mombasa via Voi

A truck came by and towed us to Loitokitok, and a mechanic gave us the evil eye because he tried to get us to park in a kichaka and we refused. Turns out the ‘kichaka’ was actually VIP parking, but hey. We ended up at the Rock Villa Pub where we spent several hours, had a nyam chom and drinks as we waited for the replacement vehicle to come. We met a guy with a weighing scale and creepy long nails who promised to give us a manicure ‘mara that that’ - he seemed to have just learnt that! I really should have taken his picture.

By the time the second car arrived, we were shivering and eager to leave, but first, we had to refuel for the 58 km left. Ndeithi terrified the attendant by trying to pay via Mpesa while we wondered why a petrol station would have a perimeter wall. The rest of the drive was uneventful except for hitting a UFO and getting out to open a barrier that had been reinforced with sisal.

We got to Voyager Ziwani to after 10 p.m. We had a quiet dinner watching the water and wondering what the ‘crudities’ in the menu might be, as we watched some resident Impalas at the watering hole. Even in the dark, we could tell this was a beautiful place, the kind of place you never want to leave. We were staying in newly refurbished tents that came complete with hot showers and plumbing.

The cool thing about all the Heritage Tented Camps is that they’re built around a water mass (river or like in the case of Ziwani, a dam and river), and the water attracts wildlife. So you can literally walk out of your tent and bump into wild animals. That’s why it’s a good idea to stay indoors at night and keep your zippers tight. You might also want to use earplugs or the noises outside will stop from enjoying the comfiest beds in the world.

In the morning, I woke up ridiculously early. I always do that when I’m in a new place. I had an uninspiring breakfast then went off exploring. I love wildlife and water, and I like my own space, so for me, wandering around on my own was the best thing ever. I took pictures and captioned them in my head, I sat on the pier and stared into space, I shut my eyes and took in the sounds of nature.

And then I found my happy place. I wanted to claim that spot for the Empire of 3CB. If only I could find a way to take it to my leader. I’d carry the lake and the view as well, but I’d leave the crocodiles, hippos, and mosquitoes. Sigh.

Galla goats at Gicheha Ranch

Ziwani commands a spectacular of Mt Kilimanjaro

Once everyone was awake, we took a trip to Gicheha Farm. It’s a commercial ranch and the activities include breeding horses, Galla goats, and Dorper sheep. Male and female animals are separated, and all the animals are reared on a strict schedule so that every month, the ranch manager can accurately tell which animals are mating, which animals are birthing, and which animals are facing the knife. The system helps to provide a consistent volume of produce, and makes finance and administration much easier, since all strategy is based on exact figures.

Orchid in the farm under canal irrigation

Pivots watering a maize field at Gicheha farm

Nicholas Karanja, the Cowboy of Ziwani, took us through the farm and explained the little things he does to ensure profitability. The animals are kept in a free range system, which improves the quality of the meat since they are allowed to feed on a variety of grasses. The grass itself is ideal because the species are resistant to fire and drought, so the animals never run out of food. In addition, the farm uses canals to water the plants and animals, so rainfall isn’t a deciding factor. The primary source of water is a spring that channels water into a dam. A pump house has been built near the dam, and it pushes water throughout the farm. The pump house runs on electricity, but there is also a backup generator to ensure that the farm runs smoothly. Using the generator costs about 20% more than electricity, since it runs on 20 litres an hour, and the cost of fuel fluctuates, but the generator helps the farm to run 24-7, which is essential for keeping it productive.

The farm also has a primary school where staff children get their education. The school is free, but the farm has hired several teachers to supplement the TSC. The school performs well in both academics and extracurricular activities, and has provided a provincial athletics team that came third in the National Competition recently, and top in the Coast province.

After the farm tour, we went back to the camp for a quick lunch and then headed towards the 'Sniper Tree' - a baobab estimated to be over 250 years old! Legend has it a German woman (Magdalene Von Prince) sat inside the tree and sniped British soldiers to avenge her husband who had been killed by British forces leading a German brigade in the war. The locals called the woman Mama Sakkarani, because her late husband, Tom Von Prince - Bwana Sakkarani - was famed for his temper. Sakkarani translates to ‘short fuse’ in one of the local dialects in Tanzania, where the Von Princes were large scale sisal farmers. But clearly, Mama Sakkarani had a long one, since she had the patience and constitution to come all the way from Tanga in Tanzania with supplies, dig out the insides of a baobab tree, and live in it for hours at a time, sniffing out and killing all the unsuspecting soldiers.

The night brought its own delights as we sat around the fire, had beer and meat, and even joined in the Maasai dancers. Later, the boys stayed up catching pints with the cowboys while I silently snuck off to sleep. I don’t do well with crowds, even when the crowds include hot cowboys and timeless storytelling.

The final morning went by way too fast. I took a nature walk with the resident naturalist, Stephen Lekatoo, the 'chameleon' man. He jazzed me on so many different levels. He speaks impeccable English with no trace of that phoney accent that some tour guides develop, and when he reverts to Swa, he’s as Kenyan as the rest of us. He knows the names and uses of wild plants, and when he talks about one, he does it in English, Maa, and – get this – Latin!

I’ve always had a stereotype about tourist guides in fake Maasai shuka, but Stephen is the genuine article. He’s eloquent, knowledgable, and his dry off-cuff delivery is adorable. He was wearing his regular clothes during the tour, but he had his spear with him, and every once in a while, he’d lag behind and listen for a while. It didn’t seem deliberate or dramatic, it just seemed like he’d seen something interesting and wanted to check it out. After he’d done it three or four times, I asked him what he was up to, and he casually said he had to watch to make sure nothing was pursuing us or lurking in the bushes. I thought he was just trying to impress until I saw what he had spotted – a male impala peeking through the bushes. Which was fine … except that the next time he stopped to listen, I heard a resounding roar and nearly jumped onto his spear! It took quite some convincing to believe it was a hippo, not a bear. What. I’m a city girl. It could have been a bear!

Lekatoo during the nature walk

Lekatoo the warrior

Stephen was very relaxed though, and he seemed to be having a lot of fun, and after a while, his confidence caught on. I felt very safe around him – safe enough to get really close to a crocodile that had terrified me half an hour before. I’d seen it waaaaaaay over there as some tourist took it’s photo, and I shook my head at the crazy white folk. I would never do that, I said. So it was exhilarating to be that close to a sleeping giant, so close that i’s tail could suddenly shish and … okay that’s a rather unhealthy line of thinking.

After the nature walk, we carried a packed lunch and headed back to Nairobi. We were still pretty tired, and we had to stop in Ilaset so some dude could weld the exhaust. One guy asked me – in Kyuk – why I wouldn’t take his picture yet he was so pretty. Another guy asked me what was so fascinating about the car, since I kept taking its picture. I really should learn that language.

I’ve never really been drawn to travel. I’m the type that prefers to sit in an easy-chair and lose myself in books. But I love the sounds of nature, and I love to daydream, so for me, Voyager Ziwani is a little piece of heaven that I never want to leave. If I only I could find a way to move it to my living room…

The relaxing ambience

The tents

Gicheha Farm is 258 km from Nairobi (via Emali - Loitokitok - Ilaset - Njukini route) and about 300 from Mombasa (via Voi - Mwakitau - Ziwani route). There is also a route via Tsavo West national park accessible from Mtito Andei Gate. The farm keeps the best Dorper sheep (crossbreed of Dorcet horn and Persian black heads) and galla goats for meat. They also have large scale mechanised farming of maize and been seed, as well as an orchid consisiting of Mexican lime, lemons, tangerines, passion, oranges and mangoes.

Voyager Ziwani tented camp is located within the farm, which borders the Tsavo West national park and is managed by Heritage Hotels. The camp has 25 ensuite tents and activities include escorted nature walks, night game drives, visits to World War battlefields, children's activities with the Adventurers' club and the new farm tour of Gicheha farm.

Crystal Ading' is a professional author, editor, rock lover, and mother. Her work is available through threeceebee.com.

Wild Dogs Hunt - Gone in Seconds!

2011-08-25T17:37:00.001+03:00

I love travelling, and my job accords me some every once in a while.

The old adage about keeping your camera close while on safari in Africa (or anywhere else for that matter), came true the other day while on a transfer from the hotel in Samburu to the airstrip in Buffalo Springs. I always like carrying my camera in a separate bag (from other baggage) so I can reach for it quickly if need be.

Well, this was a normal unexciting trip to the airstrip - a 15 minute drive - when coming round a bend to cross a lugga (dry river bed), we came across what at first sight we though was a did dik running for his dear life from a pack of wild dogs (Cape hunting dogs). It was in fact, a baby gerenuk. The signs were ominous immediately - he stood no chance. In a desperate dash, he tried to get away from the leader of the chasing pack by running under our jeep, and sadly hit his head in the under carriage. By the time the driver had stopped, just some five meters away, he lay kicking on the ground with some blood oozing from his head - he had either broken his neck or something vital.

Mercifully, he wasn't in pain for long - in a flash, the leader of the hunting dogs, who had himself avoided hitting the vehicle by a whisker was on him. The rest of the pack which had spanned out in the bush landed in a matter of seconds. Just as i was reaching to grab my camera - which was in a bag on my lap - it was over. These were the sequence of shots taken in less than a minute, and what transpired.

The pack tears the baby gerenuk mercilessly

And splits him in two

They fight for the spoils

It's all done

Someone got a good morsel..

NB This pack of wild dogs has become common in Samburu. They seem to have adopted a new survival tactic; taking up to the hills once they have fed where they are away from bigger animals or humans, and their numbers seem to be increasing.

They were once hunted viciously (and mainly) due to human's distate to their hunting methods and lack of specific prey - they don't normally strangle a kill like other bigger predators but instead tear it apart while still alive, like what is shown in these pictures, which humans find cruel. They have also hunted and fed on livestock, bringing them in conflict with pastoralists with whom they share common areas. These pastoralists used to poison or hunt and kill, making them an endangered species.

Dedan Kimathi's Dream

2011-08-25T13:20:00.004+03:00

"In early November 1953, I dreamt three times. One of them went like this: I went through my rites of passage on 8 December 1953. That same night, I was captured by HGs. I escaped and was followed by the men, women and children who came to demand my release. I flew as though I had wings, singing the great songs of our struggle. I then rested on a tree in my homestead. When I entered my house, I found two British soldiers who had savagely killed my wife and children, sitting in my living room. I shot one dead, and the other dropped his gun and surrendered. There was rejoicing in the whole village. Before I had a chance to address the people, I awoke from my sleep. What a disappointment."

Sometimes I can't help but wonder what course Kenya's history would have taken had he not been killed by the colonialists.

RIP Amy Winehouse

2011-07-23T22:52:00.004+03:00

We real cool. We
Left school. We

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We
Die soon.

Gwendolyn Brooks

1917 - 2000

Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011)

This strong poem came to mind when I got the sad news of the demise of Amy Jade Winehouse, infamous (as much for her notoriety as her musical genius skills) British songstress who was found dead in her apartment on the 23 July 2011 in what's listed (officially that is before a poste mortem is done) as 'unexplained' circumstances.

Born on 14 September 1983, her demise has led many to compare her tragic life with those of other young legends Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Kobain, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones and Jim Morrison in what's already been called Club 27. Her album, back to Black won five Grammy awards in 2006, but her well documented alcohol and drug abuse issues will probably overshadow what would have been a long fulfilled musical career, both as a song-writer and performer.

Sadly, it was not to be, with a recent event in Serbia where she was boed off the stage a reminder to current and up-coming performers that their legions of adoring fans will never follow them blindly - they spend time and money and invest unquantifiable emotional attachment that can't and should never be, taken for granted. I will not state the obvious - I will celebrate the positive.

Amy, I hope your troubled and restless spirit will find some peace at last. Thanks for the music.

Rest In Peace Amy Winehouse

Freedom: what have you done for it?

2011-06-20T09:21:00.001+03:00

Child, who's sweat and tears has nurtured your freedom?
Who's blood nourishes the soil that feeds you?
Do you know the cost of freedom?

Gandhi mid-wifed it; Martin Luther preached it; Mandela was incarcerated for it; Biko died for it; Kimathi was betrayed for it; Wangari plants it; Masekela sang it; Aung San Suu is under house arrest for it - while the collaborators and sell-outs enjoy it.

Child, who are your real heroes?

Ndeithi Kariuki, 19th Oct 2009

Union of European Food and Agriculture (UEFA) Finals 2011

2011-05-30T14:37:00.000+03:00

Every year, the Union European of Food and Agriculture (UEFA) runs a ~~football~~ competition for the best ~~footballers~~ top-dressing for food security in the continent. It is a big spectacle that is followed all over Europe and the rest of the world. Most people want to see the best apprentices ply their trade, and millions

tune in whenever live shows are beamed worldwide. The 2010 -2011 competition was supposed to culminate in a big ~~showcase of football~~ agricultural show-case at the Wembley Field in England.

This year's competition to see which European country can produce the best high grade fertiliser came to a tie between the best Farmers in England, Manchester Farmers Co and Catalunyan giant, Barcelona Food Co.

Barcelona food discovered some good high grade fertilizer for improving food security in Europe, and they wanted to show case it to the world. On their way to this epic show case, they have come across difficult farmers' Co, like Real Madrid, whose ~~rubble rouser~~ chief farmer Mourinho, even refused for weeding of the fields before the contests (Read: Barcelona ace Xavi slams Real Madrid for not cutting grass http://bit.ly/jgD9Nx ).

Knowing that they had to get insider help and all the best local expertise, they called on the best Farmers Co in London, Gunners Food Co (http://bit.ly/iMiWhu) where they had some last minute ~~training sessions~~ seedbed preparations. Their hosts have been known to have the best turfs due to their indepth knowledge of agriculture and Barcelona Farmers Co thanked Gunners Farmers Co for letting them ~~train~~ make their nurseries at the Coloney field profusely (http://bit.ly/k4KfWy ).

Come the night of the finals, and thousands came to Wembley while the millions who couldn't make it tuned in. Tickets varied from between £80 (Kshs 10,500) and £45,000 (Kshs. 5.8m) for the VIP suites. I digress.

Oh what a spectacle!

First, the Catalunyans bamboozled them with a trick from farmer Pedro, a farmhand in Catalunya. The crowds loved him, and even though one local peasant boy showed that Manchunians know a thing or two about ox-ploughs, there was no stopping the master agronomist from Argentina. He Messimerised the Manchunians. He dazzled this way and that, tedding the hapless peasants like hay.

But the best trick was saved for last. The Catalunyans unleashed a smallholder called Villa for their last trick. He pulled out his foot left then right on the ox-plough, making the the surprised Manchunian oxen to jump in fright. He unsheathed the ox-hide from his foot, sending it in the air an using the wind to send the seeds in different holes…It was marvelous. The crowd was jazzed, and there was an almighty roar from the whole of Wembley as the all recognized the significance of this moment!

Not only had they won decisively, the Catalunyans using their oxen, had released a new fertilizer breed to the world - the Red Devils Manure!

There was jubilation and the Wembley Food Committee in conjunction with the UEFA one were so happy, they gave the Catalunyans a big cup to carry home as reward, and they were to hold the title of UEFA Champions , as well as the rights to sell their new fertiliser breed for a year.

In related news, the Kenya government is considering getting this new fertiliser since the planting season is well with us and there is an acute shortage of good fertiliser..So now the world is a happier place, and food security is guaranteed.....

Kipungani Explorer, Lamu Island

2011-03-19T09:00:00.002+03:00

Romantic sunset on the deck

Kipungani Explorer, Lamu Island

2011-03-19T09:00:00.001+03:00

Kipungani Explorer, Lamu Island

2011-03-19T09:00:00.000+03:00

RIP Nate Dogg

2011-03-16T10:11:00.003+03:00

As a tribute to this OG, you can download and use this on any profile (social media) or just share with anyone who loved Nate Dogg.

Tupac And Nate Dogg Tribute - "How long will they mourn me"

2011-03-16T10:07:00.000+03:00

Caiphus Semenya - Angelina

2011-03-15T12:26:00.000+03:00

I grew up in the 80s, and this song has taken me to a nostalgic moment in time. Reminds me of an innocent time - and gives me that peaceful feel.

Enjoy.

Support Japan: Quake & Tsunami Logo

2011-03-12T09:46:00.000+03:00

Download this logo for use on - basically anything - to show support in this difficult time for Japan after the devastating quake and subsequent tsunami that has destroyed most of the country.

Love Japan.

Untold Stories

2011-02-17T14:18:00.003+03:00

Talk of prophecy. Buju Banton, from the Album "Til Shiloh"

While I'm living
Thanks I'll be giving
To the most high, you know

Chorus

I am living while I'm living to the father I will pray
Only He knows how we get through every day
With all the hike in the price
Arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play

All I see is people ripping and robbing and grabbing...
Thief never love to see a thief with a long bag,
No love for the people who are suffering real bad
Another toll to the poll may God help we soul
What is to stop the youths from getting out of control
Filled up with education yet don't own a payroll
The clothes on my back has countless eye holes

Could go on and on and full has never been told

I am living while I'm living to the father I will pray
Only He knows how we get through every day
With all the hike in the price
Arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play

I say who can afford to run will run
But what about those who can't...they will have to stay
Opportunity is a scarce commodity
In these times I say...when mama spend her last to send you to class...
Never you ever play
It's a competitive world for low budget people
Spending a dime while earning a nickel
With no regards to who it may tickle
My cup is full to the brim

Chorus:
I am living while I'm living to the father I will pray
Only He knows how we get through every day
With all the hike in the price
Arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play

Could go on and on the full has never been told
Through this life keep getting me down
Don't give up now
Got to survive some way some how

I am living while I'm living to the father I will pray
Only He knows how we get through every day
With all the hike in the price
Arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play