BY LANJI OUKO The words “period” and “menstruation”are terms our society continues to whisper and mumble. The taboo of menstruation is not an issue tackled in Africa alone, but in the Western World too. Indeed, it is rather flustering, how physical metabolic phenomena would create shame and embarrassment. So much shame, that at least three out of ten girls in remote areas miss school during their periods because of the stigmatization or lack of sanitary towels. The prejudice towards the monthly menstruation is depicted perfectly when considering the cost of a pack of sanitary towels, which is priced at Sh75.…
Author: Editor
BY VICTOR ADAR For Liu Tiancai, Nairobi is not so much a tourist mecca as Mombasa. The youthful Chong Qing University graduate is wowed by the idea of coral villas and apartments that they are developing in Kikambala, Kilifi County. While many companies are trying to defray the risks by venturing into various counties, the Sultan Palace general manager expects to stay at the beach-front trying to get a piece of the pie as demand for holiday homes continue to rise. “It’s a different market,” he says. “I spent three years at a construction site to get to understand how…
By Kosta Kioleoglou Looking at real estate as an investment opportunity, several factors play a key role in aiding an investor to decide whether to get involved or not. Obviously, the market trend is the main factor that determines the initial will of anyone who is looking for a lucrative investment opportunity. The potential growth is also important as well as the finance options available in the market as it is known that Real Estate Growth and Finance always move together. Another important element is the tax environment and the taxes that apply to real estate investments. In the middle…
BY KEVIN GIKONYO The contents of the 2016/2017 budget read on June 8 were not a surprise to many, owing to a new schedule mandating the CS Treasury to introduce the budgetary estimates in April before presenting the same to Parliament for debate. He reiterated he was guided by the need to increase the consumable spending in the middle and low-income class in order to spur growth, while in the same breadth widening the tax base. He enumerated that for the country to prosper, it must be able to; Improve the business environment in order to lower the cost of…
BY DAVID ONJILI At the time of my writing this article,the 1st round of matches in the group stages of the EURO 2016 in France had been played and in that time, something eye catching had transpired. Andreas Iniesta had provided a lovely chip and Gerrard Pique(both Barcelona players) headed it in to give Spain victory over The Czech republic. Italy had beaten Belgium( 2nd in FIFA rankings) 2 goals to nil. Italy boasted a rock tight defence of Leonardo Bonucci,Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli all whom are Juventus players. Back home, Harambee Stars under new coach Stanley Okumbi secured…
BY SHADRACK MUYESU Someone in Government must be horribly exasperated at the recent turn of events at the Supreme Court. And why shouldn’t they be? When X, a lobbyist, approached one of the top boys at the Court, the script ought to have been very simple, “Ensure we have numbers at both the Supreme Court and the Judicial Service Commission. We shall surely need them.” It must have been easy to charm his victim who is a known rightist. A similar gospel seems to have been preached to Njoki Ndung’u J. As to what exactly X promised her, I remain…
BY TERRY MWANGI Does sharing makeup in the bathroom mirror when getting ready for a night out sound familiar? If your answer to that is in the affirmative, then you might as well have shared germs! This is scary, I know. But dermatologists have advised that you can share your dreams and ambitions with friends but your make up should be selfishly guarded. Make up brushes, containers and eye pencils carry weeks’ or months’ worth of bacteria, which is transferred from one person to the other exposing one to serious health risks. To avoid all the infections that come around…
With the endorsement of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) has effected a joint agreement with NIC Bank Limited (NIC) that will provide depositors of Imperial Bank Limited (IBL) access to a portion of their deposits in a structured manner. This step was taken to safeguard the interest of IBL’s depositors and creditors, and in the wider public interest. This follows the failure of IBL’s shareholders to provide adequate assurances to implement a proposal that would enable the prompt reopening of IBL and resumption of normal activities for its customers. Under the joint agreement:…
BY TOM ODHIAMBO ‘Speed kills’ is a very common caution on our roads today. Yet many drivers won’t mind speeding (or ‘overspeeding’, as we say it in Kenya). Common lore suggests that only speed junkies love driving crazily on our roads, doing 150 kilometers per hour in an 80 km/h zone. Not really, almost every driver these days tries to see if his car can outpace the next. You only need to drive beyond the city roads and you will be confronted with some kind of ‘Safari Rally’ made up of trucks, matatu, buses, minivans; all kinds of motor vehicles.…
BY LEONARD WANYAMA Kenya’s merchant class has been relatively quiet on the debate about mega infrastructure projects. Indeed they have taken to their traditionally timid approach while the discussion has been vociferous or dichotomized between those in support of the government action and those against it. This seems to come from a tradition in which the private sector has come to relinquish any manner of critical inquiry when it comes to matters they consider to be greatly political. It also stems from ‘practical’ needs to align with emerging opportunities from the: improvement of facilities; accessing resources; broadening of markets and…