BYU students bring bagged water to Kenya

For the majority of Kenyans, staying hydrated means choosing between an overpriced bottle of clean water and a recycled bottle that might be filled with pond water. Living thirsty isn't an option on the equator, even if water-borne illness is the all-but-certain alternative.
Three graduate students at Brigham Young University want to bring another option to Kenyans: plastic pouches of clean water that everyone can afford. They've seen it in action in western Africa, and are sure the social venture can be equally successful on the continent's untested eastern coast.
They're calling the project Marere Pure Water -- "marere" means fountain in Swahili, which is spoken alongside English in Kenya. Marere Springs is also the name of the Mombasa, Kenya, natural municipal water source into which they'll be tapping for their supply.
read more
Matt Reichman can be reached at mreichman@heraldextra.com.

kenyans denied visa's to dubai

The deportation of four senior members of the United Arab Emirates government has sparked a serious diplomatic row between Kenya and UAE.
The UAE has for the last two weeks denied many Kenyans including a cabinet minister, MPs and business people entry visas to Dubai on flimsy grounds.
Hundreds of Kenyan traders flock to Dubai to buy electronics, textiles, household goods, mobile phones and industrial products which are available at fair prices since it is a free port.

Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya and his personal assistant were last week denied entry into Dubai for several hours - even though the minister holds a diplomatic passport.
It took the intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi for Oparanya who was travelling back from New York to be allowed in.
Members of Parliament's Committee on Implementation, which is chaired by Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, were denied visas in Nairobi last week but were allowed in when they applied on arrival at Dubai International Airport.
"They denied us visas when we applied in Nairobi but when we arrived in Dubai on Thursday they issued them to us. We were told that the UAE was very upset because of some arrests that were made so they decided to retaliate by denying Kenyans visas," said joint Government chief whip Jakoyo Midiwo who was in the delegation.
from nairobi star
read more  nation
The Rough Guide to Kenya, 8th Edition

Jahazi Coffee House old town mombasa

A few minutes’ walk from historic Fort Jesus, along the narrow streets of Old Town Mombasa is a little gem of a place that radiates the hopefulness of a new generation. Its founders choose to look beyond the fray of individualistic pursuit, and are making a praiseworthy effort to improve the lives of the community amongst which they live.
The Jahazi Coffee House is the brainchild of three teachers at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. It is a meeting place where young and old, rich and poor, residents and visitors alike, enjoy tea, coffee, snacks or a meal, and engage in a rigorous exchange of ideas and opinions.
Beyond the traditional Swahili fare and the authentic “Old Town experience,” what is inspirational about this endeavour is the spirit in which the founders have conceptualised and nurtured it. They have shown that, often enough, making a difference in the world needn’t come with a big price tag. It simply requires common purpose, an engaged imagination and a bounty of spirit.
read more ..jahazi coffee house

Coffee Bean Direct Kenya Milima Estate Loose Leaf Tea, 2 Pound Bag

Jambo Bwana