Discovering Kenya

July, 2005 ISSUE #010

Jambo and Asante Sana for becoming a ‘Discovering Kenya‘ Member.

It’s summer time and most of you are probably on this long deserved vacation time and holiday trip. Hopefully some of you make it to Kenya this time and it would be fantastic to hear from you about your experience and safaris. If you feel up to it, visit 'Your Kenya Ideas' , write a few lines and we’ll publish your adventure. In any case, happy travels to all of you and a fantastic summer!!

But now, without having you wait any longer, here we go. Get yourself comfortable, kick off your shoes and enjoy this times edition of ‘Discovering Kenya‘... it will be short and sweet, with exciting news and many photos.

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1. Intro
2. Contents
3. New additions to KTI
- New page about Kenya's Coast
- New pages about Famous People from Kenya
4. Starbucks Partners with AWF
5. New Swahili resource center
6. Updates on the new constitution

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New additions to KTI:

- New page about Kenya's Coast
Did you know, that the water in the Indian Ocean is nice, warm, clear and wonderful to swim in? Well, it is and I had the joy and opportunity to test it out myself. I stayed at a hotel just a bit north of Mombassa and it was fantastic. It was very relaxing and a perfect spot to unwind from a safari or just to enjoy the ocean and beach.

To read a little bit more about Bamburi Beach and see some photos, please go to: Kenya Coast


- New pages about Famous People from Kenya
There is a long list of ‘Famous People from Kenya’ and this is the start of recording and talking about a few of these very interesting individuals.

The page so far contains information about Wangari Maathai, who received the very prestigious Nobel Peace Price of 2004, Ngugi wa Thiong’o is considered one of East Africa’s most influential writers, Jomo Kenyatta of course, the first President after Independence and Catherine Ndereba, one of the best female Marathon runners in the world.

Learn more about these famous people and visit: Famous People from Kenya


Starbucks Partners with AWF in its Global Coffee Sustainable Initiatives
Building on its ongoing global coffee sustainability commitment in coffee farms and cooperatives throughout the world, Starbucks Coffee Company and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) announced on June 23, 2005, the launch of the “Coffee for Conservation” project, which is aimed at promoting coffee quality, environmental sustainability and natural resource conservation in east Africa.

This agreement for the three-year “Coffee for Conservation” project, which was announced at the Corporate Council on Africa’s bi-annual US-Africa Business Summit in Baltimore, is a natural extension of Starbucks global coffee sustainability initiatives. The project will primarily focus on enhancing coffee quality and quantity, and ensuring natural resources conservation in two east African countries.

It will be launched in Kenya in the first year with exploratory plans to implement it in Tanzania in the following year.

Please read more about this project at: AWF Headlines & Highlights


New Swahili Resource Center
(Coastweek News)
The official launching of the Swahili Resource Center (SRC) will be held at the Fort Jesus Museum on Tuesday, July 19, 2005.

The Swahili Resource Center (SRC) was established this year with the aim of promoting the heritage and the welfare of the Swahili community.

In pursuing this, the SRC will strive among other things to popularize the Swahili Culture through both the electronic and print media, empower the community to advocate and protect their inherent rights. Also to assist the poor and needy members of the community in education and health care and collaborate with other organizations with similar objectives.

In order to realize these noble goals, the SRC will focus on several activities including library services to all members, citizen bureau services, organizing of regional and international workshops and engaging the community to actively participate in all development issues. SRC will also assist researchers and foreign students, collection of manuscripts, documents and books on the Swahili, organizing cultural ex-change programs and community education on contemporary issues.


Updates on the new constitution
(Daily Nation News 7/18/05)
The new constitution is to be unveiled on December 12, Cabinet minister Kiraitu Murungi has said. The document is expected to be unveiled by President Kibaki, to coincide with the Jamhuri Day celebrations, Mr Murungi, the Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, told the Nation in Mombasa.

He said it was expected that all the campaigns, civic education and referendum for the new constitution would be completed on time. "The real business and critical stages of making this constitution start this week where the Draft Constitution will be tabled in Parliament for debate," he said. The minister was speaking to the Press during an informal gathering at the Sun 'N' Sand Beach Resort in Kilifi District, on Saturday night. "We are determined to push through this document to the very end and I’m optimistic that we shall finally get a new constitution so that people stop calling me the minister for injustice and unconstitutional affairs," said Mr Murungi.

The minister admitted that the radical changes on the chapter on the executive could cause disaffection among a section of Kenyans but added that generally, the new draft constitution was 'better’ than the old one.

MPs meeting at the coastal resort have amended the draft constitution to drastically reduce the powers of the proposed office on Prime Minister.

Well, let’s see what happens with that. Will keep you updated.


This is it for this times edition, Kwa heri (Good by) for now and wishing everybody a fabulous summer.

Until next time.

Siggi


PS: If you are interested in finding out a little bit more about me, feel free to venture out to 'What started KTI'.


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