Moi back to Kenya from hospital in Germany

Former President Daniel arap Moi is now reported to be back in Nairobi yesterday evening.

He flew by KLM arriving back in the country last evening at 7.30.

He underwent  a successful surgery.

“The former president had flown to Europe on December 3 to rectify a bulge in his aorta, the main vessel that carries blood away from the heart. According to his private physician Dr David Silverstein who had accompanied him to Germany, it was important that Moi underwent the operation because the bulge had surpassed the normal safe standard.”

We wrote recently that Moi should now relax, and stop getting involved in active Kanu politics, because that amounts to unnecessary stress.

Related story:

• Former president Daniel Moi underwent surgery in Germany recently!

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

source.times.ke 

The Russian women lost to the Norwegians.

Norwegian women handball team thrashed Russian team on Saturday to win the Gold Medal

They had met earlier before the finals and defeated them.

It is not always that things go very well for Norwegians, but this time they managed to win their games and finally becoming the European champions.

There were new young breed that made the team look fresh than when years back there were many old guard playing.

The team is now poised to the prepare for the world championship.

If the same team with new faces play for Norway, there is a big possibility that they may top  in the world cup competitions now ahead.

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

NORAD confirms misconduct by their employee arrested in NORAD’s own Sauna with a prostitute!

We wrote a story recently on a NORAD, Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation employee, who was arrested over ten years ago in the midnight with a prostitute having a good time in NORAD’s own sauna.

NORAD has now confirmed the episode. In an interview yesterday with NORAD Director Mr. Poul Engberg-Pedersen, who was flanked by his deputy Director Ingunn Klepsvik and one other official, NORAD admitted that the episode took place and it resulted in disciplinary action against the officer.

When asked by APN, to elaborate what discipline the officer got, Director Engberg-Pedersen told APN he believed that the NORAD Director during the time of the incident must have taken the necessary action to discipline the officer.

He told APN that although the offcicer had committed a breach of the code of conduct, he suffered enough at the time stressing, “NORAD cannot continue to punish the officer forever. We believe in disciplining and giving a chance to our workers to prove if they can change to good behaviour.”

The deputy director Klepsvik assisted the Director by stating that, “the officer continued to do a good job after the incident. He has been promoted after he proved that he can serve NORAD well, respecting the code of conduct, and he regretted what happened. When people are remorseful after being taken to task, they get the discipline they deserve, and thereafter we give them opportunity to show if they can be productive.”

Klepsvik told APN that NORAD was shocked to learn that APN had uncovered something that happened between 10 and 15 years ago. She indicated that NORAD was disturbed by the revelation, and unhappy that somebody had leaked such serious information about an employee, information only known to a few people in NORAD.

Stressing on the purpose of the government secrets act, Klepsvik told APN that, “such leakage could easily have become a police case against the person who leaked the information to the media (APN). Whoever leaked the information had no authority to do so.”

But when asked who she thinks may have leaked the information Klepsvik replied, “we have checked with those who are allowed to handle the file of the officer in question. Those who have signed having read the file, have denied leaking the information. We believe whoever did it was somebody not allowed to access such file.”

According to NORAD, the case is years old, and the leadership would like to see the case put to rest.

This is a very interesting scenario! How can an officer that has committed such disgusting act of misconduct using government sauna to satisfy his desires, be rewarded by a promotion?

When such happens, it destroys the moral of the other employees.

According to our sources, NORAD leadership has broken the rules by promoting the man who put NORAD in an awkward situation.

“An interview with the Director on corruption, employment, and promotion procedures in NORAD will be published shortly.”

Related story:

• NORAD may be heading for a corruption scandal!
• “NORAD employee found in Norad’s own sauna with a drug-addicted prostitute was arrested,” says our reliable sources.
• NORAD agrees to a meeting to discus the directorate’s employment and promotion policies!
• “Norad was not created to help Africans alleviate their unemployment problems! 
• NORAD, what is the right qualification to get a job there? 
• NORAD - Is the directorate’s employment policy breeding racistic ideologies?

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

The Kenya government to promote circumcision

 Kenya’s ministry of health will now look for ways and means to promote male circumcision. They believe circumcision reduces the spread of HIV.

Speaking in a coference, Director of Medical Services Dr James Nyikal has said that, “multi-sectoral committee would be instituted to formulate a policy based on scientific research. The announcement follows research findings by the United States National Institute of Health that male circumcision can significantly reduce risk of contracting HIV through heterosexual (male-female) intercourse.”

According to a study, “involving 2,784 HIV-negative men from Kisumu, it showed a 53 per cent risk reduction in circumcised men compared to uncircumcised men. And a trial involving 4,996 HIV-negative men in Rakai, Uganda, showed risk reduction of 47 per cent. The study was conducted in Kenya and Uganda by local researchers in conjunction with other experts from US and Canada.”

However, this could be a dangerous thing to preach to the public, that circumscision reduces hiv. Circumscised men may now drop protection thinking they stand no dager to get hiv if thye do not use condom.

“Presenting the findings, a researcher from University of Nairobi, Prof Ndinya Achola, said the Kisumu Study involved circumcised and uncircumcised men between 18-24 years. The research, that commenced in 2002, was scheduled to end in 2007 but was stopped by a data safety monitoring board due to increased negative effects noticed on participants.”

“Dr Nyikal, however, cautioned circumcised men against embracing a false sense of safety, saying circumcision does not offer complete protection. Although these results demonstrate that male circumcision reduces the risk of men becoming infected with HIV, the MOH wishes to affirm that circumcised men can still become infected with the HIV virus and can infect their sexual partners. Circumcised males should continue practicing the well known HIV prevention strategies.”Advising men to be aware at all times and protect themselves, “he cited reduction in the number of sexual partners, delaying the onset of sexual relations, correct and consistent use of male and female condoms, and HIV testing and counseling as a comprehensive preventive package.”
The ministry has said that circumscision of women was not included in the study.

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

source.standard.ke

A suspect in UK killings arrested!

Recently, we wrote about prostitutes being murdered in the UK.

The police have now arrested a man suspected for the killings.

It has been reported that a 37 year old man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of the two prostitutes killed in Ipswich.

The man arrested had been interviewed by the media recently.

The British media has named the man as Tom Stephens, arrested in his house near Felixstowe Monday morning.

According to the police chief investigator Stewart Gull, the 37 year old is a suspect in all five murders that took place between 2 to 12 December.

Stephens spoke to the media over the weekend about the deaths saying he knew all the murdered women.

He told the media that according to the police profile send out, it seems it is him they are looking for, and added that if new information was found by the policemen, he may be summoned.

He has, however, said he is not behind the killings pointing out that he was protecting the woman.

In an interview with BBC, he told them that one of the dead women considered him as a boyfriend.

The women found dead were all prostitutes.

They are, Annette Nicholls (29), Tania Nicol (19), Anneli Alderton (24), Gemma Adams (25) and Paula Clennell (24).

Paula Clenell 24 (l) * Annette Nicholls 29 (r)

All of them were found naked. On Friday, the police confirmed that all the deaths were connected.

The police have now asked all the prostitutes in the area to keep off the streets until the five cases are cleared.

Related story:

• A Killer terrorises British prostitutes, as UK police find more bodies!

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chelo.no

source.ANB

Three sentenced to jail for torturing a man in Norway.

Three men who kidnapped and tortured a man for two hours have been handed sentences and will be send to jail.

The incident took place in Rygge and RĂĄde districts in Norway in the winter of 2005.

The reason for the torture is reported to be a drugs deal gone wrong.

The accused partly agreed in court that they had committed the offence.

They received sentences as follows, one, one and a half and two years respectively.

During the torture, the victim got the pistol pointed at him, undressed naked  and tied on to a tree.

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

source.ANB

Silvio Berlusconi operated in the US!

The former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio

Silvio Berlusconi has continued work Berlusconi (70), underwent surgery in USA on Monday.

The surgery was performed in a special hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

The operation was necessitated by the need to correct his abnormal heart-beat.

At the end of November, Berlusconi collapsed while holding a speech i Toscana.

He collapsed due to reduced blood pressure.

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

source.ANB-AP

Kenya’s important historical events!

APN has found these historic events very important. Therefore, we have decided to publish as it is for the benefit of interested readers who want to know Kenya’s events!

 Situated on the equator on Africa’s east coast, Kenya has been described as “the cradle of humanity”.

<The Masai people!

Evidence of some of the earliest human settlements has been found in Kenya, suggesting that it was the cradle of humanity from which descendents moved out to populate the world.

16th century - Portuguese try to establish foothold on Kenyan coast but are driven off by Swahili states and Omani Arabs by late 17th century.

1830s - Omani Arabs consolidate control of coast.

1895 - Formation of British East African Protectorate.

Early 1900s - White settlers move into highlands, railway built from Mombasa to Lake Victoria.

1920 - East African Protectorate becomes crown colony of Kenya - administered by a British governor.

Mau Mau

1944 - Kenyan African Union (KAU) formed to campaign for African independence. First African appointment to legislative council.

1947 - Jomo Kenyatta becomes KAU leader.

1952 - Secret Kikuyu guerrilla group known as Mau Mau begins violent campaign against white settlers. State of emergency declared. Kenyatta arrested.

1953 - Kenyatta charged with management of Mau Mau and jailed. KAU banned.

1956 - Mau Mau rebellion put down after thousands killed - mainly Africans.

1959 - Kenyatta released from jail but under house arrest.

1960 - State of emergency ends. Britain announces plans to prepare Kenya for majority African rule. Kenya African national Union (Kanu) formed by Tom Mboya and Oginga Odinga.

Independence

1961 - Kenyatta freed and assumes presidency of Kanu.

1963 - Kenya gains independence, with Kenyatta as prime minister.

1964 - Republic of Kenya formed. Kenyatta becomes president and Odinga vice-president.

1966 - Odinga, a Luo, leaves Kanu after ideological split, forms rival Kenya People’s Union (KPU).

1969 - Assassination of government minister Tom Mboya sparks ethnic unrest. KPU banned and Odinga arrested. Kanu only party to contest elections.

1974 - Kenyatta re-elected.

Moi era begins

1978 - Kenyatta dies in office, succeeded by Vice-President Daniel arap Moi.

1982 June - Kenya officially declared a one-party state by National Assembly.

1982 August - Army suppresses air force coup attempt. Private Hezekiah Ochuka rules for about six hours.

1987 - Opposition groups suppressed. International criticism of political arrests and human rights abuses.

1989 - Political prisoners freed.

1990 - Death of the foreign minister, Robert Ouko, in suspicious circumstances leads to increased dissent against government.

Multi-party elections

1991 August - Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (Ford) formed by six opposition leaders, including Oginga Odinga. Party outlawed and members arrested. Creditors suspend aid to Kenya amid fierce international condemnation.

1991 December - Special conference of Kanu agrees to introduce a multi-party political system.

1992 - Approximately 2,000 people killed in tribal conflict in the west of the country.

1992 August - Ford splits into two factions - Ford-Asili (led by ex-government minister Kenneth Matiba) and Ford-Kenya (led by Odinga).

1992 December - Moi re-elected in multi-party elections. Kanu wins strong majority.

1994 - Odinga dies. Opposition groups form coalition - the United National Democratic Alliance - but it is plagued by disagreements.

1995 - New opposition party - Safina - launched by palaeontologist Richard Leakey. Party refused official registration until November 1997.

1997 - Demonstrations calling for democratic reform. World Bank witholds disbursement of $5bn in structural adjustment credit.

1997 December - Moi wins further term in widely-criticised elections. His main opponents are former vice-president Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga, son of Oginga Odinga.

Embassy bomb

1998 August - Bomb explodes at US embassy in Nairobi, killing 224 people and injuring thousands.

1999 - Moi appoints Richard Leakey to head government drive against corruption.

2001 April - Leakey appears in court to face charges of abuse of power and perverting the course of justice.

2001 June - Parliament passes a law allowing the import and manufacture of cheap copies of anti-Aids drugs.

2001 - Ethnic tensions culminate in several violent clashes. In December thousands flee and several people are killed in rent battles involving Nubian and Luo communities in Nairobi’s Kibera slum district.

2002 July - Some 200 Maasai and Samburu tribespeople accept more than $7m in compensation from the British Ministry of Defence. The tribespeople had been bereaved or maimed by British Army explosives left on their land over the last 50 years.

2002 November - 10 Kenyans, three Israelis are killed when an Israeli-owned hotel near Mombasa is blown up by a car bomb. A simultaneous rocket attack on an Israeli airliner fails. A statement - purportedly from al-Qaeda - claims responsibility.

Kibaki victory

2002 December - Opposition presidential candidate Mwai Kibaki wins a landslide victory over Kanu rival Uhuru Kenyatta, ending Daniel arap Moi’s 24-year rule and Kanu’s four decades in power.

2003 January - Government bill proposes anti-corruption commission. Moi critic John Githongo appointed anti-graft czar.

2003 November - International Monetary Fund (IMF) resumes lending after three-year gap, citing anti-corruption measures.

2003 December - Government decides to grant former president Daniel arap Moi immunity from prosecution on corruption charges.

2004 March-July - Long-awaited draft of new constitution completed. Document requires parliament’s approval and proposes curbing president’s powers and creating post of prime minister. But deadline for enactment is missed.

2004 July-August - Food crisis, caused by crop failures and drought, dubbed “national disaster” by President Kibaki. UN launches aid appeal for vulnerable rural Kenyans.

Nobel Peace Prize

2004 October - Kenyan ecologist Wangari Maathai wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

Controversy over jail conditions amid intense media coverage of inmate deaths at Meru jail in the east.

2005 January - Clashes over land and water rights leave more than 40 people dead.

2005 February - Corruption takes centre stage when it is claimed that graft has cost Kenya $1bn under Kibaki. Leading anti-graft official John Githongo resigns. International donors voice unease.

2005 July - Raiders kill 76 villagers, most of them women and children, in the north-east. The massacre is blamed on a rival clan.

Parliament approves a draft constitution after days of violent protests in Nairobi over aspects of the draft which demonstrators say give too much power to in the president’s hands.

Constitution spurned

2005 November-December - Voters reject a proposed new constitution in what is seen as a protest against President Kibaki. The president replaces his cabinet; some nominees reject their appointments.

2006 January - Government says four million people in the north need food aid because of a drought which the president calls a “national disaster”.

At least 14 people are killed and more than 100 are injured when a building collapses in Nairobi.

2006 January-February - Government ministers are linked to a corruption scandal involving contracts for a phantom company. One of them, Finance Minister David Mwiraria, resigns and says allegations against him are false.

2006 March - Armed police, acting on government orders, raid the offices and presses of the Standard group, one of Kenya’s leading media companies.

2006 April - Three days of national mourning are declared after an aircraft carrying several prominent politicians crashes in the north.

2006 April - Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao signs a contract allowing China to prospect for oil off the Kenyan coast. His African tour has focused on trying to satisfy China’s hunger for energy and raw materials.

2006 October - About 35,000 Somalis escaping drought, strict Islamist rule and the possibility of war have arrived in Kenya refugee camps since the start of 2006, the UN refugee agency UNHCR reports.

Our hope is that you have now learnt the history of Kenya. If there are other countries you would like that we publish their important events, let us know.

By Korir, African Press in Norway, APN

africanpress@chello.no

source.bbc