There is nothing to stop a drug dealer from using the exchange to cleanse his money and it’s hard to say that Kenya has no drug money given the fact that only the other day, Kenya destroyed a billion worth of netted cocaine haul. But attributing the NSE bubble to dug money is to say the least, misleading.

He continues:

…other than the growth in the Kenyan economy, which is a fact, there are numerous other factors that have led to the NSE boom. The other leading factors include government goodwill in privatisation of parastatals and automation of the trading process (cds & ats) that increased trades executed per day as well as reduced turnaround times. The banks have been more than willing to finance share buying at affordable rates.

Julius, who is an accountant (or super kool accountant!) blogging from Nairobi, states there are far too many wires sticking out of the back of his computer. He ponders on the need for so many cables and wishes for the day when we can do away with them.

My desktop computer in the office contributes a total of about ten unwieldy cables to my work environment. One comes from the power point to the UPS, another from the UPS to the CPU, another from the UPS to the VDU, another from the CPU to the VDU, another for my key board, another for the mouse, another for the printer, another power cable from the UPS to the printer, another for the network connection. Most of these wires are extra long, and bulky. In contrast, my laptop has only three. Why do we need more wires for the desktop? Is anyone working at reducing them?

Alexcia is incensed and horrified by the recent violent breakup of a prayer meeting at Kamukunji Grounds, Nairobi where riot police were involved. Kamukunji Grounds represent a symbol of resistance against tyranny in the Kenyan history.

She asks:

This government's malicious( seeking grevious bodily harm), homicidal (seeking to even to kill) violent (using tactics of unmistakable for their brutality) breakup of PRAYER MEETING ON SUNDAY MORNING 10:00 AM shows they are have no respect for GOD almighty, they are no more than faithless self serving bastards who will bring damnation to our country. Which Godfearing man would wait for humble sinners to bow their heads and close their eyes for prayer and fire dozens of teargas cannisters at them?

Gathara also writes about the Kenyan government and more specifically about the recent statements by John Michuki, the Internal Security Minister and the Justice and Constutional Affairs Assistance Minister, Mr Danson Mungatana, who are quoted as stating that the allegations against the government of “massive corruption” are “falsehoods.” Gathara points to the Anglo-Leasing scandal and says:

OK. I guess Anglo-Leasing really is “the scandal that never was”, 3 Cabinet Ministers were forced to resign for nothing and President Kibaki's own anti-corruption czar was imagining things when he published his dossier and fled the country. Mungatana's boss, Martha Karua is investigating people based on nothing more than “press reports” and VP Moody Awori was off his rocker when he said that there was “grand corruption at the highest levels” of the government.

Where can I get whatever it is that these guys are smoking?

Mwariwadavid exhorts her fellow Kenyans to take care on roads during the holiday season. Kenya has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world.

It is that time of the year again when we all go a little light headed and do things recklessly, including driving. As I took my morning walk today, I saw a horrid and chilling accident involving a number of cars. I was fortunate to have arrived at the scene when the victims/bodies? had been removed. It was that bad.

Last but not least, Ostalgia, who is one the finest writers in the Kenyan blogsphere writes an interesting story entitled An Afternoon at the River

I stick my head out of the water to find out the cause of the commotion. It is a dust devil. Our village has lots of these miniature twisters dancing across the landscape, dusting everything in their way. This one is sizeable; it piles a lot of litter as it spins through the river, spraying water all round. The cows briefly stampede and then resume drinking. I resume swimming.

I take the cows to the river twice a day, mid morning and late afternoon. I don’t keep the exact time; I don’t have to. They come mooing around my crib for their trusted guide… that’s me all right… and today, they jarred me out of a siesta. I took the opportunity to take a dip, and clear my head.

“Man is chemical, man is testosterone, but more significantly Man is nothing but a chemical substance. In the words of Christine Jorgensen, America’s first sex changed Transsexual, the difference between a Man and a Woman is a slight difference in chemical composition. As a result, estrogens basically make a Woman while androgens basically make up a Man. With this knowledge, I have been propelled to write a book titled ‘The beautiful hearts are the beautiful ones ‘, which is indeed a literary explosive, very revealing and simply unputdownable.”

”Defining Myself” is the latest post by Rosemary Ekosso, an anglophone Cameroonian and a translator and court interpreter with the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands. She writes that “when I think of how people see me as an African woman, the following words come to mind”: ”victim, mother, whore”. Rosemary deconstructs these definitions and says:

“If I am a whore, then I hope to be the kind of whore that no one can afford. I remember a respectably married woman saying to some fifteen years ago: “we are all prostitutes; that is what we do”. I do not give myself to a man. I share part of myself with him for as long as he behaves himself, mainly by sharing part of himself with me. That is all the exchange I ask, and as it is generally a lot less than what he is asking of me, I am not a whore. If I take money from him, it is because the particular social structure in which we live has given the men almost exclusive custody of the fruit of our joint labour, and it is only by negotiating with him that I can get some of my own back. So I am not a whore. I am a negotiator. But one day, I shall stop negotiating. I shall put my foot down”.

Uaridi, whose name and blog means ‘rose’ in Kiswahili, writes about her habit of stopping to admire people’s gardens and beautiful flowers and asks her blog readers to ”take time to smell the roses and give thanks to God for the beauty that surrounds us and the hearts and eyes to appreciate it”.

Afromusing, the Kenyan Blogs Webring’s resident solar power guru has written a fascinating and information-filled post on how she tested a Solar Ipod Charger I. Although she says her “schedule did not afford me more than 2 hours of direct sunlight”, she has more or less been successful.

”The Five Senses of My People” is the title of a beautifully poetic post by Chereka. The senses are sound, sight, taste, smell and touch. Regarding the sense of touch, she writes:

“It's the touch and feel of my people, that warm embrace with an old friend or a relative, the gentle re-assuring touch and caress of a friend, a loved one, or a lover. It's the warm feel of rubbing elbows and shoulders as you chart your way through a sea of gorgeous faces and huggable bodies, relaxed and not too guarded but not clumsily rude either. It's a touch and feel of brotherhood, sisterhood, fatherhood, motherhood and lasting friendships.”

adefunke tells a funny story regarding a pick up line which apparently is most successful one in current use.

Soul has created a scrumptious-sounding smoothie called Soul’s Citrus Adventure which looks fairly easy to make. Yummy!

More from African women on the African Women's Aggregator……..

For people such as these and for people interested in listening to African women’s voices, Black Looks has set up the

African Women’s Reblog - an aggregator featuring African women’s blogs and which is now up and running. Congratulations, BlackLooks!

Kamundulio writes about the ‘annoying’ ’knee-jerk reactions’ by Kenyan clergy over the da Vinci Code and says that rather than pointlessly agitate for the banning of the movie, the clergy should ‘research about the issues raised in the movie and allow the discussion to take place in the church’.

Still on the religious theme, Everchange has written an entertaining post on pastors where she lists some peculiarities she finds ‘weird’. These, she says, include situations when pastors ‘can’t even speak to you like a normal human being. They don’t even know you, they just met you, and they’re already asking you about your ‘walk with the lord’ and trying to come and ‘visit’ you’. She also says her pet peeve is pastors who shout – ‘If you have to scream your message at me, I’m guessing there aint much to it in the first place’.

‘From the onset I am going to forward my own demands for your demand (in case you are a blog junkie and end up at my blogsite)’ writes Fikirte in a post addressed to the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown who has demanded an end to corruption in developing countries. Fikirte lists her own thought-provoking requirements with regard to corruption starting with a requirement that Gordon Brown’s demands are ‘followed up with some serious action’.

In a post entitled Nambrangelina: Africa in hock, where she is deeply incensed about Angelina Jolie’s and Brad Pitt’s decision to have their baby born in Nambia, W.M. writes that ‘Namibia has granted Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt the rights of ownership (or lease?) over its borders and its airspace, so that this couple….can determine who enters or flies over Namiba’. W.M. asks – ‘who is going to be deciding Namibia's foreign policy: Tom Cruise? Will Julia Roberts be in charge of Namibia's vote at the United Nations? Has there ever been a situation as wounding to the spirit of the people of Africa as this?’

Nakeel also writes about this travesty and takes issue with Namibia’s President, Sam Nujoma, whom she asks – ‘are you watching this crap?’

Last but not least, D-Shy, has written an interesting post on feminism where she states

My friends and I are all self-defined feminists but we know that if we were to stand up and honestly describe our interpretation of feminism to a room full of other feminists, we could count on having transgressed at least one dearly held tenet on someone's lists of feminism do's and don’ts and being called to account for it. My point is feminism is a flawed philosophy, but what makes up for its failings is the fact that countless women comprise the sum of its parts which is why feminism is not a movement or some sort of club but rather a personal way of empowering oneself thus the classic feminist mantra “The personal is political”. Indeed, this mantra links in with the reason why issues such as rape, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, marital rape etc have been identified, named, and fought by feminists.

14 May was Mother’s Day in some parts of the world and African women honoured the important women in their lives.

Adaure congratulates all mothers and grandmothers and says her mother is the best anyone can ask for. Meanwhile, Prousette has written an excellent post honouring her mother-in-law who she says has been an inspiration. Of this special woman Prousette writes, “She has been a blessing and gone out of her way to make my journey with her beloved son easier. She is not perfect and neither am I but our imperfections have been a source of laughter and not conflict”.

Black Looks has written a post on cancer and racism where she says that it is difficult to tell the number of women dying of cancer in Africa, Asia and South America as there is little statistical information while black women in America and South Africa are more likely to die of breast cancer. Black Looks emphasises the importance of regular breast examination but notes that this would be difficult for “the majority of women do not have access to basic medical care let alone blood tests, mammograms and scans”.

Like many of us, Ore is suffering from information overload and wonders how “people can manage to keep on top of all the things happening in the world”. She also writes, “having more sources of information (and channels where news can be disseminated rapidly and continuously) means more news. More news to keep track of and it all moves so fast. Argh!”

Kenyan Pundit has provided a link to an interview with the survivor of the Zuma case.

“I have had long internal battles with bumper stickers that read “Real Men Don't Beat Women” writes Sichoki, a recent entrant to the Kenyan Blogs Webring. She asks: if real men do not rape, or beat women, “who is doing the raping and beating. Martians?”

Adefunke writes about the recent pipeline fire in Nigeria where over 200 people tragically lost their lives. ”…people are dead, again!”, she says while questioning whether the fire was a result of people siphoning oil from the pipeline.

Uaridi provides an interesting slice on life in London and has written a post on London cabbies who she says “can talk the proverbial hind leg off a donkey if you give them a chance, discussing any topic under the sun…and know everything from the Stock Exchange and can forecast the weather”.

Regarding polygamy, Mama Mia is perplexed and wonders what ”really goes on behind the scenes” in a polygamous marriage. She also asks whether if the case is that a person has only one heart to give, can “a polygamist state that he loves all his wives equally and mean it sincerely?”

On her blog Afrofeminsta has been providing updates on the bill. On the first day the bill was read , she wrote

I and many others hope to have our eyes literally on the MPs as the debates start this afternoon, by securing a seat in the public gallery. Or if not, then keep vigil outside the house.

During this bill's proceedings, a member of parliament made a disparaging statement about women that angered women members of parliament and resulted in a walkout. In response and solidarity, an incensed au lait wrote a post entitled You make me sick!!! where she says:

We (yes we women) are not going to stand your braindead, chauvinistic disrespect for women. Y'all better look for a time travel machine and transport your sorry asses to 1729 or thereabouts.

Black Looks who has a sparkling new home also responded to the statement and said

No wonder rape has reached epidemic proportions if this is the way men think…This is so outrageous. The same song is sung everyday ” in our culture…we dont do this we dont do that but what we do do is condone abuse and take away people’s human rights”. To hell with this so called culture we have, we need to get rid of it because it is killing us and destroying our lives.

W.M. has written a moving and personal post cancer and says

… I’ve been thinking about those who are left behind. Those who do not have the disease but suffer just as much, if not more, as the one who does, whom they love…Thus, to all those who have loved and lost—the being loved part was the best…Love as hard as you can, whilst you can, because you never know when it isn’t going to be possible any more.

“Nobody knew?” asks Mama JunkYard regarding the sad story of Carol Vincent whose body was found in her flat two years after she is thought to have died.

As I read the story I kept asking, how? How is it possible that in a city of about 7 million, not one person noticed that a neighbour, sister, cousin or friend was missing?…How can the answers to any of these questions make it any easier to accept that in spite of advancements in technology that allow us to communicate faster, easier and over longer distances so many people are living and dying alone, unnoticed and unmissed?

Rombo writes about Kenyan parliamentarians who are dithering and frustrating a motion that seeks to purchase food for those affected by the famine.

You’ve got to hand it to Members of the Ninth Parliament: at least they’re consistent. After all, they got into office on a pledge to improve the lives of Kenyans. Since they’re Kenyans themselves, and they’re once again raising their own allowances they may actually be deluding themselves into thinking that they’re keeping their pledge.

Finally, Kishawi has posted her ”Daily Gospel” which is profound quote from Dr. Julius Nyerere, late and former president of Tanzania:

“We have to be part of the society which we are changing; we have to work from within it, and not try to descend like ancient gods, do something, and disappear again. A country, or a village, or a community, cannot be developed: it can only develop itself. For real development means the development, the growth, of people.”

….it sends an important and strong message! Frankly I am very surprised! They really recognised the gravity of rape. Financial compensation doesn’t erase everything, but it’s good to see that rape and murder are taken very seriously and severely punished. There is hope, after all.

Black Looks posts an update on the Nigerian Gay Bill Update which has now had its first reading in the Senate. Things are far worse now. The Bill, extremely repressive when it was first originated, will now also include other clauses that make will make the safety and work of the gay community, organisations working for LBGT rights and HIV/AIDS organisations that more dangerous. Black Looks writes

The Bill effectively silences the issue of homosexuality in Nigeria and removes all Human Rights of HR defenders, lesbians, gays, bi-bisexuals and transgendered people.

Afrikan Eye has written a long and interesting post on the effect of colonialism on African women. The aim of the post, she says is not lay blame but to ‘share knowledge and information and give us all some historical perspective as we look at our current state of affairs and make plans to mould our future’. She also writes

May we as Africans strive to restore African women to a position of respect and dignity that even exceed that which she enjoyed in the past. For it is only when a nation respects women and treats them with dignity that true development can occur. Women are at the frontlines of humanity as mothers and primary caregivers. Therefore, in nurturing and building them, we are building the whole nation and continent.

Particular bloggers in the Kenyan blogsphere has been on the receiving end of abusive comments and e-mails. In a post entitled ’Violent Writing and Gangsta Writers’where she takes issue with the people who write these comments and e-mails, W.M.has written an excellent post that has received wide support within the Kenyan blogsphere. She writes

Incivility is the blunt weapon of those who have disenfranchised themselves from the society of reasoned discussion. Insults are the pitiful shadows of lyrical expression, and gangsta writing the frustrated and simultaneous love/envy of those who have command over, and pride in, the authoritative arrangement of their own words.

Finally, Ore while going to the pictures to see the film ‘Pride and Prejudice' writes about the importance ’holding your assumptions lightly’ while Mama JunkYard writes about the 108 Miles she has been taking to and fro work.

Black Looks writes about an recent article in the Guardian where the founder of the Carnival of Feminists cannot find our blogs. In a post entitled Aint I a Woman???, Black Looks says:

That's odd because I have been published on the carnival at least once; Black Looks is listed on Feministing and other blogs that go under the label of “feminist” - I am no longer sure what exactly that means and those who carry the label need to give it some reflection; there is a comprehensive list of African women bloggers on my blog roll - not exactly hard to find; a simple technorati or google blog search will come up with African women's blogs as will Global Voices Online - every week…

Over the past week, African women, visible or not, have been writing about a wide and varied list of issues that range from the impossible dream of a paperless office to the need for equal representation in government.

Uaridi calls upon her own personal experience to ask ’what price beauty’ for women who wear high heels and links the pain endured to the long outlawed Chinese foot binding ritual. She writes:

What prize beauty if after 30 or so years of wearing high heels, you have chronic back pain, calluses, heel pain, bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails and you can never wear low heels because your feet and legs conform to the shape of high heels. I personally know 2 women who can no longer wear flat shoes! Is this beauty or torture?

Some sections are in French and English, however, Fleur is pleased to learn that a wikipedia exists in Lingala - a language spoken in the Congo and provides various links for people interested in learning the language.

Although she says ’we would only see a partial eclipse here in Lagos’, Ore goes all poetic after the recent eclipse and writes:

I saw something of the eclipse. I was tripped by how dark it got and when I saw the moon partially cover the sun, I was awed beyond belief. How I would have loved to have been in the path of the total eclipse.

Black Looks has just returned from the 26th International Gay & Lesbian Association where discussions and workshops were held around lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. Africa was represented by activists from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria and Tunisia. The two issues that most concerned the Africa group were the homosexuality trials in Cameroon and the case of the proposed legislation to ban advocay and support of LGBT rights in Nigeria.

Demonstrating the possibility that a a paperless office is probably an unattainable dream, Pilgrimage to self counts the 12 pieces of paper generated by a fairly simple transaction – one claim.

To ensure representation in parliament, women should ‘start believing and voting for their own’ Kamundulio writes. ’The fewer women are in government the fewer issues that concern us will be taken seriously’ she continues and also says ‘Women voters need to understand that women can make good leaders if given a chance.’

Afromusing who is soon becoming the Kenyan bloggers ‘environmental issues’ guru has posted information on how to set up your own solar water pump from a shallow spring. This system, which looks easy enough to set up, requires no batteries.

Feminist African Sister comments on a recent dance in Nairobi celebrating International Women's Day..She questioned the style of dancing which had young girls “ gyrating in an extremely and highly sexualised manner”. She wonders

To what extent should the feminist movement especially that populated by younger women, embrace and give space to these sort of expressions - be they art, dance or written word? For example, should the word bitch have any place in our spaces, considering its use in media and society to demean, belittle, abuse and disempower women and girls?

Black Looks has recorded a moving audio post honouring the brilliant African-American science fiction writer who recently passed away, Octavia E. Butler. Black Looks has also posted information regarding the The Octavia E. Butler Memorial Scholarship which is aimed at enabling writers of colour to attend a Clarion writing workshop where Octavia got her start.

Kenyan Pundit writes about Kenyans' political amnesia which shows how Kenyans easily forget the crimes and misdemeanours of government. She also highlights how easy it is to complain and yet do nothing and says ‘we’ll spend another five years complaining about how nothing has changed’.

Discarding the argument that is often used to attempt to show that Africans do not need computers as their needs are more focused on bread and butter issues which she says is a fallacy, Afromusing has written and posted an image of the solar powered solo computer and states that solar power offers a reliable power solution.

Rombo has written what appears to be a tongue-in-cheek on the surface but what in fact is an absolutely vital and necessary guide to people who she says want their ‘wealth to make the world a better place for folk less fortunate (term used loosely) than yourself’. She begins by asking these people to do things such as ’let the ‘less fortunate’ speak’, ‘listen’, ‘really listen’ and other nuggets of information.

Pilgrimage to Self’s latest post carries a list of ’25 things a sista should never apologise for’. My personal favourite is number 25: ‘Never apologise for being you’.

The Mad Kenyan Woman writes a heartfelt post on Kenyans and homosexuality and how gay men and women are unable to talk openly their sexuality because of the stigma. ‘Your sisters, your brothers, your friends, your colleagues, your cousins, your nephews, your nieces, even your parents, are trapped in a prison more violent and restrictive than any physical restraint’, she writes.

Ore writes about BAWo (Blogs for African Women), a project for African women whose objectives include encouraging African women who want to start blogging and support those who recently started blogging and to encourage African women to report their own stories as an alternative to mainstream media. The project is currently seeking mentors and Ore has provided contact information for people wishing to get involved.

‘I've just listened to truly the best speech since Barrack Oboma's keynote speech at the Democratic Convention’, Strawberries writes after listening to Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s recent speech to the American Congress which was interrupted several times by standing ovations. ’I have goose bums and am so proud’, Strawberries says and concludes ‘to all the doubting Thomases, yes a woman can. A woman will’.

There are two Nigerian writers on the long list of Million Writers Award of the best online stories of 2005, writesMolara Wood. The list will be cut down to 10 stories on April 1 and then the public vote for the top places will begin.

Adefunke writes amusingly about an all too familiar situation in Africa where one does not know whether they will have electricity from one day to the next. ‘Lord let the power situation on my street be sorted’ she prays and this time, her prayer is answered although her wallet is just that little lighter.

Incidences of violence are rising in Uganda as the country prepares to hold general elections next week. Black Looks writes about the volatile situation in the country and highlights the violations of human rights perpetrated by the current government.

President Museveni has now been in power 20 years and like most leaders who over stay their welcome he is fast moving towards becoming a despot. One of the essential tenants of a democracy must be to limit the number of years any one person can serve as leader of the country to not more than 10 years.

‘Why can’t democracy just grow up and be a woman?’ asks Rombo in an article where she writes ‘what nobody warned us is that when democracy is a baby, it cries a lot, it poops a lot, it cannot feed itself, and it demands round the clock attention’. She also says: ’But it’s our baby, and no one else’s. And no one else is going to grow it up but us’.

Molara Wood has posted a (very) short story and fascinating by a talented writer - Crispin Oduobuk who is based in Nigeria. On her blog, you can also see photographs of ’stupendous Nigerian females working their ‘geles’ (headties)’.

Ore writes about the trials and tribulations of going back home, the longing for the familiar and the difficulties in dealing with the ‘inefficiencies’ she sees every day
’causing so many resources (people’s mind and talents included) to go to waste’. She says: ‘On some days, I remember all the reasons I wanted to move back home. And on others, I’m just spilling over with impatience and rage. Life goes on nonetheless’.

’I live history all day everyday and every night while I sleep’ writes L.W. about Black History Month, currently taking place in the US. She therefore does not consider the day something to be relegated to ‘the shortest month of the year’.

Pilgrimage to self writes about her search for an ‘ethnic version’ of a Barbie Girl styling head as a present for her daughter which is fruitless as all she can find are ’blue eyed, blond haired and white skinned’ styling heads.

Although I grew up playing with predominantly white dolls, it didn't have any sort of profound effect on me growing up. However, I think the fundamental difference was that I was surrounded by black people - my people - all my friends where black (or mixed race), and that kept me grounded and proud to be who I was. So I had my white dolls yes, but then I also had my cousins, friends, teachers who told me ‘Tales by moonlight' about my heritage, my people, my world.

My daughter doesn't have this here - one of the problems children living in the Diaspora (how I detest that word) face. It is up to me to teach her about her roots and keep her proud of her heritage.

Finally, Prousette tells a story regarding a lucky escape from a conman and writes ‘if something does not feel right, it probably is not'.

Several African women have written about the recent passing away of Coretta Scott King, widow of civil rights leader, Martin Luther King. In tribute, L.W. says her ’thoughts on the life and death of this great woman’ are much too vast and complex than can be articulated or captured on her blog.
‘Thank you for your grace, your courage, your wisdom and the legacy of civil rights for all people’, states Black Looks movingly.

Black Looks has also written about a Nigerian British woman who has been elected mayor in London’s Wandsworth borough – the third largest in the country -
Lola Ayonrinde.

WM writes persuasively about the myth of the Strong Black Woman or SBW, and how women have been conditioned to feel that being an SBW ’is something to which one should aspire; we feel complimented when we are included in the category of others similarly valorised; and we blame ourselves for any indication that we are falling below the standards of the SBW’.

AfroFeminista asks whatever happened to ‘plain speak’ and writes about the use of words and how her workplace ‘sterilises everything’ where instead of using plain language, phrases such as ‘attitude change’, ‘let's all just get together, in order to get this job done' become ’paradigm shifts’ and ‘coalition building and networking’.

Writing about how she has been ‘witness to the most abominable behaviour by certain individuals’ in a situation where sons were seeking to disinherit their mother, Wambui is riled as she watched a family tear itself over ’money and property’.

Her chances of maintaining a work/life balance are doomed, writes Ore who neatly encapsulates the difficulties facing many women in trying to maintain a career while having a family and children. ’All the women I know end up pulling double-duty i.e. working and taking care of their family and home. Even those married to the most progressive, new-age type of men’, she writes.

A rapidly expanding city attempting to accommodate the rising number of people moving in is bringing about environmental problems, Brownyn writes from Johannesburg and who says ’our so called green lungs are being threatened, ecologically important wetlands are being destroyed and hundreds of trees are disappearing from a city that is seriously in danger of losing it's reputation as being the largest man-made forest in the world’. She states the situation is made worse by the lack of consultation by City Council during the planning process.

Adaure writes amusingly about ‘Africa’s One Hit Wonder’, a timeless song called ‘Gao’ by a little-known group known as ‘Magic System’. ‘This one some has to be by far the most popular African song ever. It is the song that usually gets everybody off their seats and gets the dance floor rolling…and the room lights up. It brings smiles to everyone’s face and all get up, hands on head or index finger pointing to the heavens’.

The inequalities and unequal distribution of resources that exist amongst Kenyans greatly disturbs the Girl Next Door who writes about a country where ‘famine, wealth and squalor co-exist’ and where while one part of the country has the food it needs, the other is starving to death. This blogger takes issue with Kenyan government officials and says ’it does not make sense to treat symptoms without looking at the root cause’.

Amongst other issues, Mimmz also writes about the famine’s effect on only parts of the population and wonders whether this means ’Nairobi is still going about its business uninterrupted’.

Nyakehu ponders about the fact that ’there are those buying and selling food to Southern African states’ during the current famine and drought.

Irena has posted several pictures of contented and important looking government officials being driven to unnamed destinations and asks where they ‘are being driven to while others die of hunger'.

African women have also blogged about other issues.

The banning of gay marriages in Nigeria does not surprise to Black Looks as homosexuality is already illegal in the country. ‘What is worrying and of more immediate concern’ she writes, is that this law also outlaws ’any form of protest to press for rights or recognition by homosexuals’ and the consequent difficulties that will be faced by campaigners for the human rights of gay people.

Molara Wood takes the reader on a fascinating and absorbing tour of London’s West End starting at the British Museum and ending on Leicester Square that takes in an an exhibition and movie.

A new year resolution was to open up to new experiences thus Pilli went for a reflexology session which turned out not to be the relaxing experience she was expecting. ‘I would like to recommend this exercise to all those folks who get a kick from painful experiences’, she writes and says she will go on a ‘trip to the beach’ next time she wants a pleasurable foot experience.

‘The rich places in the world are never on people's t-shirts or dangling from their ears’, writes Helenism who posts photographs of two young women she met on a shopping trip were wearing big, beautiful earrings carved in the shape of the map of Africa. ’The more contested a place is, for whatever political reason, the more it becomes a symbol’, she says.

What is the point of people spouting beliefs and ideologies they do not follow or adhere to, ponders Afrikan Eye and gives the example of people who claim to love Africa and yet will spend their money buying goods imported from abroad rather than purchase those that are ’beautiful and well crafted’ and made in Africa.

Pilgrimage to self celebrates her 36th birthday, looks back and takes stock of her life and concludes that although people tell her she has achieved several milestones, she still wants to do something that will make a difference. In her mind, the ’what’ question still remains unanswered.

Things are beginning to look up for Nneka who recently gave up smoking and who writes about her debilitating withdrawal symptomsthat included insomnia, irritation and light headedness and generally feeling unwell. Hang in there, Nneka.

The recent the jailing of a 56-year old English man in the UK for the sexual abuse of children in Africa is a good thing, Black Looks writes. She is however, concerned that the arrest of this vile individual remains an isolated case in Africa because ’millions of children are being abused in this way whilst the number of prosecutions is relatively small’.

In coming to terms with her addiction which is reading books and business magazines, kamundulio has come to the realisation that this addiction is based on the need for information. She writes about how she will ensure she buys a book no ‘matter how expensive the book is' and is seeking help with her addiction.

Free or cheap contraceptives are available for many Kenyans and yet some women and men continue to put themselves in harms way with regard to sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, writes au lait in a frank and plain speaking article entitled No Glove, No Love.

One African Woman writes about the pressure on black women who have risen to positions of prominence to be successful because they have been made
’representative of all women, carrying the fate of every woman in their hands’. If they fail, they are ‘letting down all women’ and ‘bringing shame on all women’ thus robbing these women ‘right to be wrong sometimes’ and ‘the right not to be perfect’.

Mama JunkYard writes a cautionary tale about how the e-mail address containing her domain name has been spoofed and details in frustration the steps she has taken to deal with e-mail spoofing – a phenomenon she says is ’is baffling business everywhere’ .

Mama Wangari who has recently gone back to work after having a baby, writes about the difficulties that have arisen between her partner and herself in an article entitled Motherhood's a Breeze.

In a New Year resolution, Wambui, who at 16 is the youngest member of the Kenyan Blogs Webring, has decided to ’publicly get involved in the fight against poverty and AIDS’. Well done, Wambui and best of luck.

Nyakehu writes about a question she was asked at a job interview concerning how to ’wean African women from dependence’ which she says is still ‘beating a drum in my mind’.

Back to blogging after a hiatus, Wambui is excited about a recent life-changing trip to Rwanda which has challenged many of her principles and brought to the fore various questions regarding her perceptions of ‘working for a human rights organisation’ especially those she ‘really did not want to answer’.

Bronwyn writes about a spate of shocking rapes in South Africa and in particular one concerning a 13-month old baby and asks ‘when will this stop?'

One African Woman writes about the joy and sense of pride that arises from belonging to a group of compassionate women who have supported each other along the years.

After the recent earthquake in East Africa, Spicebear is riled by remarks made by an expert who implied that the affected areas did not have much to destroy although the quake could have created considerable damage. She wonders whatever happened to
‘…worrying about loss of life and the possible destruction of people's livelihoods? They may be poor and disadvantaged but that does not mean that what they have is unimportant and insignificant’.

Soul has posted some great pictures on her blog after her recent visit to Abuja.

Kenyan Pundit has turned two. Or rather her blog has and she takes the opportunity to send out a special request for volunteers to wishing to ’make our politicians more accountable’.

A final year at college resolution was to try different things and in her recent post, Cute_angel writes about this and the trials and tribulations of mentoring a troubled teenager.

Kwame Nkurumah, Ghana first president, proposed an 11-point proposal for Africa’s liberation in 1957. Helenism emphasises some achievements with regard to the proposal such as the establishment of the African Union and the African Development Bank.

Molara Wood invites Nigerian readers to nominate their best book of 2005. Deadline is December 15.

AfroFeminista writes an amusing rant about cyclists in the streets of Nairobi whose ‘macho, criss-crossing in front of my car every morning' she says are the ‘the bane of my existence, the cause of my tension headaches when driving’.

Some African women bloggers have been blogging to raise awareness on this issue.

Black Looks writes about a report from the World Health Organisation on domestic violence that contains disturbing and alarming statistics and that indicates that domestic violence is more prevalent than had been realised. She goes on to say that the reality of gender violence is that ’there is no country where abuse is not taking place’ and violence against women is not just an issue for women but is an issue for all.

Although she believes drawing attention to the campaign against violence against women is important, Bronwyn writes that more needs to be done such as establishing an on-going media campaign, women’s shelters, outreach programmes and other relevant actions and asks a pertinent question: ‘what happens on day 17′ when the media spotlight is turned off and politicians move on to other issues?

Making the link between gender violence and HIV infection, AfroFeminista highlights the campaigning activities being undertaken by some organisations in Kenya and says gender violence ‘is leaving many women and girls at risk of HIV infection and by extension the men and children in our lives'.

African women are also blogging about other issues.

Because she feels culture and social background, usually taken for granted, should be constantly questioned, Helenism writes about a debate regarding an archaic and sexist marriage ritual and the resulting excellent and thoughtful explanation on why she considers herself a feminist.

In the aftermath of the recently-held Referendum on the Constitution, Kenyan Pundit writes about her concern regarding the absence of women in the campaigning and the fact that some members ‘of the Orange team campaigned strongly against the [draft constitution] on the basis that women will be allowed to “take all the land” and other inaccuracies'.

In light of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf becoming the president of Liberia, Mama JunkYard is impressed by the rising numbers of African women in leadership and says a developed country such as the United Kingdom has ‘to contend with falling out of the top 50 (19.8% places them at 51) and also deal with the realisation that they have been out ranked by Iraq 31.5%) and Tunisa'.

In brief, the draft constitution proposes investing the presidency with greater powers, the main area of contention for the Orange campaign, which favours a constitution where a prime minister shares executive powers with the president. While both the Yes and No campaign have concentrated campaigning around this issue, attention has shifted from other proposals such as the call for radical land reform, the outlawing of gender and other discrimination and the inclusion of clauses providing for affirmative action.

During the campaigning, both sides have accused each of instigating a dirty tricks campaign and at several points, the process has been reduced to heckling including President Kibaki’s notorious outburst when he called the opposition
“Wapumbavu” (stupid people) and “Mavi ya kuku” (chicken shit). Several people have died in violent clashes in the referendum’s run-up, thus far. Professor Wangari Maathai has called the referendum ‘a farce' and says she is voting for neither side. What should have been a process that strengthens democracy has been reduced to a race for political prestige rather than a debate on the complex issues in the charter'.

In the weekend preceding the referendum, below is a summary of editorials and commentaries in Kenyan dailies.

Instead of meaningful discussion, the debate around the constitution was side tracked by the introduction of ‘personality contests and other agendas’, says Gitau Warigi in his Sunday Nation (subscription required) commentary. The process leading to the referendum has exposed ’the frightening, ugly face of Kenya that lurks just beneath the surface’ due to the ‘incredible hatred running around disguising itself in the colours of democracy and free speech’.

In the The East African Standard, Chaacha Mwita writes about the historical events that have brought about the need for constitutional reform and states that Kenya ’is a nation at the risk of disintegration’ if the voting tomorrow is not ‘guided by reason and truth in the voting booth’.

The Kenya Times says the results of the vote ’should be the ultimate mark of [the people’s] sovereign authority in charting the destiny of the country’ and whether yes or no, this result ‘must be respected by the two opposing sides’.

Kenyan bloggers have had plenty to say about the draft constitution and the referendum.

In a post entitled Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me where he says voting in the referendum is important for the democratic process, Mentalacrobatics asks Kenyans to ask some important and necessary questions of themselves and of politicians before voting such as ‘whether anyone in this referendum is in it for the Kenyan people’ as he feels the ‘wider, bigger political’ is getting lost.

Keguro creates a neologism – hetero-theocracy – meaning to ‘seemingly acknowledge diversity and difference only to resolve ostensible conflict through recourse to authoritarian paternalism’ and takes issue with specific clauses within the draft constitution that give primacy to Christianity and heterosexuality while appearing to ’support and nurture cultural and ethnic diversity’.

Tony Sisule says the government, with no consultation nor agreement from the people of Kenya, has imposed a draft constitution on Kenyans that is an ’illegitimate product cobbled together by a few people to serve vested interests rather than general good’. He urges Kenyans to vote No.

Kenyan Pundit posts interesting photographs of the referendum process.

Gatua wa Mbũgwa who writes to refute the rumour that the Kenyan government is planning to cancel the referendum as a pre-emptive move against impending defeat in his Gikuyu blog, says President Kibaki has made it clear he wants the referendum to take place. Gatua urges Kenyans to carefully read the draft constitution and to vote according ’to their conscience and how they see fit’.

Writing that she does not ’normally talk about politics’ on her blog, Lois says she has voted Yes and hopes ‘the people of Kenya vote sensibly and vote Yes’.

Migz says the referendum has become so politicised such that he is doubtful on ‘whether the majority of Kenyans will vote based on informed decisions around the constitution’. He sees the comical side of the process and tells a joke about a man who ’went bananas when he found oranges in his fruit salad’.

Stating that she will be voting in the referendum, One African Woman is impressed by how far Kenyans have ‘come as a nation, how much wider the democratic space is now than in times past’ and celebrates ‘the sense of Kenyans engaging more than ever before in determining their future’.

JKE congratulates the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) for compiling a ‘list of shame’ containing the names of 40 politicians ‘whose derogatory speeches along ethnic and racial lines’ were an incitement to violence during the campaigning and feels ’there’s this big gap between the electorate and their elected representatives’.

Because any amendments or revisions of the constitution will require an extended debate and a one million signatures petition if passed, ‘the elitist lawyers, social activists, foreign-funded NGOs, ivory-towered professors, political retreads and professional nit pickers’ who drafted the constitution have found a way of making money says Orwells_Ghost. His opinion is that ’the taxpayers of Kenya will be funding their endless squabbling’.

Illustrating how the referendum has divided Kenyans along ethnic lines, Kibara writes about a recent visit to a Kenyan online forum where he was shocked to find people he considered friends advocating ‘genocide for all Kikuyus’ because of their alleged support of the Yes campaign and is now proposing a a novel method for resolving ethnic conflict.