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March 31, 2012
2:40
Taste of Kisumu Festival
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

Taste of Kisumu

Taste of Kisumu is a 3 day festival that will showcase the diverse culinary culture of Kisumu. The Taste of Kisumu event will feature a wide variety of restaurants, food and entertainment and hopes to give attendees an unforgettable festival of family fun. The event's organizers hope, in the years to come, for the event to be "the largest food festival in Africa".
Dates: April 06—April 08, 2012

Event Type: Festival

Tickets (on the Day of the Event):
Regular: Ksh500
VIP: Ksh1000 (Incl. Wine Tasting Voucher)
Students: Ksh 300
Kids (Under 14 years): Ksh 100 only.

Get CHEAPER PRE-SALE TICKETS

The expected results from the festival include improving Tourism prospects in the region. Festivals are just as much a tourist attraction, both locally and internationally as monuments or geographical wonders. The taste of Chicago for example, brings in over 3.5 million attendees in a span of one week.

In the long run, expected growth from this annual event will create a vast seasonal employment opportunity for many of the Kisumu residents including but not limited to security, entertainment, cleaning, vendor stations, cooks, attendants etc.

You only need to walk in Kisumu for a day to realize that it becomes a more diverse city every year. Cohesion comes from appreciating what each different culture brings to the table. This will be showcased via the difference exotic foods and music that will be feature at the event. Apart from the staples from the nyanza region like Fried fish, “Aluru” (Quail), “Aliya” Dried cured fish and Peanut Sauce,you will find mutura from central and mursikh from Nandi among other Kenyan delicacies to be tasted at the event.

Festivals are not uncommon In Africa. Calabar Carnival in Cross River State Nigeria is estimated to have raised over $5 million Ksh 500 million) in revenue for the state and its residents in 2011 and is expected to have doubled its growth in 2012)

The taste of Kisumu Will include fun filled family events and activities that will draw in the crowds. Food The best restaurants and caterers (Must be based in Kisumu) will provide an unmatched culinary experience.
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Connect with Taste of Kisumu: Twitter FEED Facebook
March 01, 2012
13:47
KCSE 2011 Results Analysis
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
The 2011 KCSE results had an underdog school top the charts as Maranda rose to claim the first position. Here's an analysis of the facts and figures pertaining the 2011 KCSE results.
Go to: KCPE Results 2011 | KCSE Results 2011

KCSE Grade Distribution [C+ and Above]

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KCSE 2011 Results: Analysis KCSE 2011: Top 10 Schools
1. Maranda High School
2. Alliance High School
3. Alliance Girls School
4. Starehe Boys
5. Mangu High School
6. Moi Girls High School
7. Kenya High School
8. MaryHill Girls High School
9. Pangani Girls School
10. Starehe Girls Centre
Download PDF Documents here KCSE 2011: Top 10 Candidates
1. Nalianya K Job, St Peter's Seminary
2. Victor Gitau Gikonyo, Alliance High School
3. Emmanuel Hans Odhiambo, Alliance High School
4. Lonyangapuo E Chelagat, Alliance Girls
5. Sidney Rema Oirere, Maranda High School
6. Brian Ruhiu Gacigua, Starehe Boys Centre
7. Aseta B Faith, Moi Girls High School
8. Kariuki Alex Murimi, Alliance High School
9. Tyson Odhiambo Manyara, Maranda High School
10. Buyaki Tatania Oisebe, Precious Blood Riruta
KCSE Results 2011: Get Results, a word to KNEC KCSE 2011 Performance School Performance Maranda High School obtained a mean grade of A-, with a performance index of 11.2872. Alliance High School and Alliance Girls had performance indexes of 11.1455 and 11.0822 respectively. Seven schools in the top 20 list where upgraded to national schools. They included: Maranda (1), Pangani Girls (9), Friends School Kamusinga (12), Kapsabet Boys (15), Karima Girls (16), and Moi High Mbiruri (18). Read/Download a copy of the top 100 national schools and the upgraded ones.
KCSE 2011 - Subject Performance 16 subjects had increased performance as compared to 13 in the KCSE 2010 results. These subjects included Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Kiswahili (compulsory) and 12 other electives. The subject with the highest decline was English, with a mean score of 36.42 as compared to last year's 38.90. Chemistry also declined from KCSE 2010's 24.91 to 23.66.

“Adulteration of Kiswahili and English, where even senior members of the society, including top politicians, talk sheng to endear themselves to the youth, has affected performance in the two subjects” Min for Education, Prof Sam Ongeri
KCSE 2011 - Gender While 23,224 more girls sat for the 2011 exams, as compared to KCSE 2010, the numbers still favored the boys where they outnumbered the girls by 46,927. Kirinyaga was the only county, out of the 47 counties that had a higher number of girls sit for the exams. Mandera county, on the other hand had the worst boy-girl ratio. Only 27.3 per cent of the candidates in North Eastern were girls.
KCSE 2011 - Irregularities The number of cheating cases increased significantly to 2,927, from 534 in the 2010 KCSE. These 2927 candidates from 154 schools, had their results cancelled. Only 11 out of the 47 counties did not report any cases of cheating; Turkana, Nyeri, Laikipia, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Nyandarua, Machakos, West Pokot, Nyamira and Trans-Nzoia. While Garissa had the highest number of schools (18) with cheating cases. It was followed by Nairobi (15), Mandera (14) and Mombasa (8), Wajir (8), Kisii (7), Migori (6), Makueni (6), Bungoma (5) and Homa Bay counties (5).
Ksh 1.3 million is said to have exchanged hands to facilitate cheating and 120 mobile phones were also used for the same. Five teachers reportedly received cash to supply papers to students. Last year also saw a head teacher register more students for Computer Studies than there were facilities, making them sit for their practicals in a cyber cafe.
KCSE 2011 - The Numbers 411,783 candidates, in 6,448 centers, sat for the 2011 KCSE exams, compared to 357,488 in 2010.1,930 candidates scored grade A as compared to 1,566, last year. While 119,658 scored C+ and above, 118,265 had a grade of D and below.

"The total cumulative number of candidates who scored D+ and above and are eligible for absorption to middle level colleges rose to 292,321 compared to 250,075"Prof Sam Ongeri
1:06
KCSE Results 2011
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
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The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education 2011 results were released on Wed 29th February 2012.

KCSE 2011 Results

KCSE 2011 Results 411,783 candidates sat for the 2011 KCSE, where 119,658 of them scored C+ and above, and qualify for university admission. Nalianya Job, St. Peters Seminary, was the top candidate nationally followed by Gikonyo Victor Gitau, Alliance High School, and Odhiambo Emmanuel, Alliance High School, respectively. Lonyangapuo E Chelagat was the top girl and fourth overall.
How to Get Your Results
- SMS your index number to 5052 (on Safaricom)
Download KCSE Results (PDF Documents)
- Will be up in a few minutes
Brief Analysis of KCSE Results Maranda High School, Nyanza, took the top spot at the 2011 KCSE Results. Maranda was fourth in the 2010 KCSE results. Starehe was back in the top ten list in the 2011 results at number for under Alliance High School and Alliance Girls. Moi High School Kabarak was the best among private schools.2,927 candidates, from 154 schools, had their results cancelled due to cheating where out of the 47 counties only 11 reported no cases of cheating. Only one county, Kirinyaga, had a larger number of girls sitting for the exam than boys. While candidates excelled in Kiswahili, English was poorly performed. KCSE 2011 Analysis: Top Students and Schools, Gender Ratio, Irregularities... A Word to KNEC The KNEC website has been down for quite. While the millions of visits may be overwhelming for any server, KNEC is to blame. Firstly, it's not the visits that caused the problem.. But a simple php/mysql connection error. That is just disappointing.

KNEC's Web-Malfunction

This is one of KNEC's busiest weeks, getting someone to prepare your system beforehand should not be that hard. The services people require are not even that much, so am sure getting a web developer is not a problem, if it is; some of us would be willing to help out a cause. It's not cool that year after year, your site never learns. This is my advice, hire web developers to build you a good site. Better even, let them create a solid API for the rest of us to use, and develop applications to share the info elsewhere - relieving your servers. Seriously.
December 28, 2011
17:28
KCPE 2011 - Results and Analysis
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
The KCPE 2011 results were officially released today. Here's how to get results from KNEC or via SMS.

Education Minister,Sam Ongeri

How to Get KCPE Results There are two simple ways of getting results sent to you and all you'll need is an index number:
- [KNEC]: Click HERE and enter the index number (via KNEC website).
- Via SMS: SMS the index number to 5052
Otherwise, you could visit your school and get your results.
KCPE 2011 Results: Facts and Figures 776,214 students took part in the 2011 KCPE, with 1,299 South Sudanese candidates participating. KCPE 2011 results were the best as compared to the last 3 years, with top students in all counties scoring over 400 marks.
- TOP STUDENTS:
  Christine Muthoni Kagiri of Tender Care Junior Academy School in Komarock Estate and Martin Irungu Waiharu of Moi Educational Center in Nairobi West tied in first place with 442 marks.They were followed closely by Herbert Karanja (441), Tito Yak (440) and Diana Adhiambo (439).
- GENDER:
  The 2011 KCPE examination gender ratio stood at 51.6% in favour of boys and the remaining 48.4% comprising girls, where the system achieved near-parity. However, the top positions nationally were dominated by boys, with nine of the 14 candidates being male and majority of the counties having 50 to 80 percent of their top 10 candidates as male. 4 counties Nyandarua, Embu, Nairobi and Vihiga had more girls sitting the KCPE examination. Meanwhile Garissa and Mandera and 12 other counties saw high gender imbalance of 71 percent and 70 percent boys in the noted counties, respectively.
- IRREGULARITIES:
  Exam irregularities were registered in 335 of the 22,154 centres, an increase as compared to preceding years.
- Best Perfoming Counties were: Kirinyaga, Nandi, Makueni, Uasin Gishu and Busia.
- Worst Performing Counties were: Kilifi, Lamu, Taita-Taveta, Kwale and Tana River.
October 26, 2011
17:00
Simple Guidelines To Keep Your Computer Protected
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

Guest Post by: Jesse Sykes Keeping your machine protected from outside threats can often times feel like a full-time job. The Internet has developed into a battleground of hidden malware, viruses, and spyware, all of which target web users on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are several different ways to keep your computer protected from intrusion. Use the following guidelines to make certain your precious PC stays safe.
Invest in a Security System Keeping intruders out is much easier when your computer is equipped with a shield that can efficiently keep problems from entering. Antivirus software is your first line of defense against attackers, and can easily be purchased from a variety of different software developers. You will want to make certain that the antivirus software you purchase comes from a reputable developer, in order to ensure that your computer remains protected no matter where you browse. Annual licenses range from approximately $50 - $100.

In addition to the paid antivirus solutions available, there are also many freeware applications that work to keep out the same viruses. Free applications may be a good solution if you do not have the finances to pay for a dedicated antivirus product from a mainstream developer. While pursuing these options may be worthwhile, it is important to remember that viruses themselves can enter whenever downloading freeware, as many hackers hide malware within downloads that appear to be legitimate. Be certain to find software from reputable databases and read all reviews available before installing it on your machine.
Continually Analyze Your Files Once a virus has the opportunity to enter your machine, it is capable of wreaking havoc in many different ways. Spyware is one popular intruder that will flood your machine with advertisements and popups whenever you browse online. These applications are also responsible for redirects that make it impossible to point your browser to websites you would like to visit. Other threats include malware that tracks keyboard inputs, which in turn places the computer user at risk of identity theft.

If one of these issues has attacked your machine, the best answer is to remove the problem as quickly as possible. Use an antivirus software to scan your machine's files on a regular basis, searching for any problems that may arise. You will also want to make certain that your software is updated with the latest information on threats that are currently attacking computers online.
Regular Virus Scan If you do not currently have an antivirus solution installed on your system, you may wish to use a free online scan to check your computer for malicious files. Many different scanners are available that will browse through your computer, making certain that no threats are currently operating within your machine. In the event that a problem is identified, a scanner will recommend the best course of action for removing the suspicious file.

While hackers are definitely becoming more skilled at targeting unsuspecting web users, using these guidelines will allow you to remain safe whenever using the Internet. In the event that your computer becomes unusable, you will likely want to make an appointment with a local computer technician. In addition to repairing your system, a qualified individual will make recommendations on keeping your machine free from future attacks.
Author’s bio Need more info on virus scan? Check back for more astonishing recommendations from Jesse!
October 11, 2011
15:04
Twitter Phishing Scam via Direct Messages
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Better read this, it says really bad things about you... This message has been victimizing Twitter users for the past few days. Do not click on the link. It's a phishing scam that sends you to a fake Twitter log-in page.

twittelr - one of the many phishing sites

"I saw a really bad blog about you..." or "I saw this funny picture of you... Do not be fooled, these are just some clever ways they get you to click on the links.
How Twitter Phishing Scams Work This is how these scams work:
- First they send you the Direct Message from a compromised account
- Then (if you click on the link and proceed to enter your username/password), they gain access to your account.
- It proceeds to send the DM to all your twitter followers in order to restart the cycle
- At the end of the day, they have enough twitter accounts access to start a war
How to Keep Your Twitter Account Safe: There are ways to secure your account from many of these internet vices:
- Use a strong password.
- Watch out for suspicious links, and always make sure you’re on Twitter.com before you enter your log in information.
- Use HTTPS for improved security.
- Don't give your username and password out to untrusted third-parties, especially those promising to get you followers or make you money.
- Make sure your computer and operating system is up-to-date with the most recent patches, upgrades, and anti-virus software.
July 21, 2011
23:27
POWO, BAKE and @Blogs_Kenya Communities
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Based on an analysis on the Kenyan Blogosphere via Blogs-Kenya's Archive, these are the most common Kenyan blog niches/topics: creative writing (poetry and literary writing), fashion and lifestyle, technology, photography, personal and business.
Jump to: POWO | BAKE | @Blogs_Kenya
Kenyan Blogging CommunitiesKenyan bloggers write a lot of content, with the blogs featured in the archive publishing over 1200 posts last month alone. When starting out, you may find it hard to get readership or returning visitors to your blog. That's where POWO, BAKE and @Blogs_Kenya can help. These are communities of sorts that, as a blogger, will improve your writing, viewership and connect you to like-minded bloggers.

POWO - Poets and Writers Online
POWO
POWO (Poets and Writers Online) is a forum for poetry and creative writers. The main agenda behind is maximizing the internet, as their writing platform, for promotion and exposure. An important goal, behind POWO, is getting it's member writers published and recognized for their literary content.
- Why POWO? via @KenyanPoet
- POWO - Read My Review of POWO
Follow @POWO
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BAKE - Bloggers Association of Kenya
BAKE
BAKE was created by a group of Kenyan bloggers to promote local online content. Check out: the BAKE website.
- How you stand to gain from BAKE via @techweez
- Of Kenyan Bloggers Uniting and Why via @wanjiku
- Kenyan Blogging Community... via @Kachwanya
Follow @Bake_Ke

@Blogs_Kenya and Blogs-Kenya.comBlogs-Kenya has an objective much like POWO and BAKE. I started @Blogs_Kenya as a way to get updates from my favorite bloggers in an aggregated yet organized way. Then I saw a really big gap between excellent Kenyan bloggers and exposure; great blogs with little readership. Anyway, using Blogs-Kenya, I try to help Kenyan bloggers connect to a wider audience.

Follow @Blogs_Kenya
About Blogs-Kenya.com/archiveThis archive provides the easiest way to search for posts from Kenyan bloggers. By using a blogger's twitter username, you can can get a their posts arranged by day, month , year. I find the search most effective in finding out about all kinds of blogging stats on featured bloggers. Try it out: Blogs-Kenya archive.

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July 15, 2011
16:18
Disable Email Notifications from Google+ [How To]
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Google+ is awesome, if you count out the pesky amount of spam email notifications received from the social network.
Google+ Email Notifications

Why Google+ Email Notifications Suck
Debateably the best social network, Google+ is the place to be. This doesn't mean you want to be reminded (via email) every 2 minutes. Here's why your email is so crammed with Google+ updates:
Google+, by default, sends you mail whenever someone.. "Shares a post with me directly", "Comments on a post I created", "Comments on a post after I comment on it", "Adds me to a circle", "Photos of me", "Wants to tag me in a photo", "Tags me in a photo", "Comments on a photo after I comment on it", "Comments on a photo I am tagged in", "Comments on a photo I tagged", or "Starts a Huddle conversation with me".

Disabling Google+ Email Notifications
- Firstly, sign into your Google+. On the top right of your G+ is a gear icon. Click on it, it's the Google Options link. If you click on it, a drop-down list will appear with several G+ options.
- Click on "Google+ Settings" which will bring you to this Google+ Settings page.
- On this page you can change; what email the notifications are sent to the notifications themselves. You can also edit Google +1 settings and photo and video visibility settings.
- Go to the "Receive Notifications" part.
- Go ahead and choose to your liking. #thatisall
- Feel Free to Share this heads up.
July 08, 2011
0:00
The Kenya Open Data Initiative (KODI)
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

The Kenya Open Data Initiative is the first of it's kind in sub-Saharan Africa. KODI will, hopefully, bring a new age of transparency to Kenya, and for Kenyans. The Open Data Initiative, aims to provide government information, in digital form, published on the internet and easily accessible to all.

Kenya Open Data Initiative at: opendata.go.ke
The Kenya Open Data Initiative The Open Data Initiative will see the Kenyan government make available government data for free and easy access, sharing and dissemination among the Kenyan wananchi.
What exactly is Open Data? By law, the government makes public certain information for free access and sharing. In the past (B-KODI, Before KODI), this information was available as PDF documents in archives and/or government offices. That, however, is not open data. For information to qualify as "Open Data", it has to be easily accessible, by the larger public through; search engines, gadget-compliant formats, third party apps et cetera. In short, open data can be accessed anywhere, by anyone, at anytime.
The Open Data Portal: KODI will run on the Socrata platform; the leading international provider of Open Data services; that enable federal, state, and local governments to dramatically improve the reach, usability and social utility of their public information assets.

Data sets are categorized into 6 main categories: Education, Energy, Health, Population, Poverty and Water & Sanitation. It includes data from the national census, the ministry of education, ministry of health, CDF projects and many more.
~ via Whiteafrican : Africa’s First National Open Data Initiative: Kenya

About Kenya's Open Data Portal [opendata.go.ke]
This site makes public government data acessible to the people of Kenya. High quality national census data, government expenditure, parliamentary proceedings and public service locations are just a taste of what's to come. There's something for everyone: maps to start exploring, interactive charts and tables for a deeper understanding, and raw data for technical users to build their own apps and analyses. Our information is a national asset, and it's time it was shared: this data is key to improving transparency; unlocking social and economic value; and building Government 2.0 in Kenya.
~ Read more about Kenyan Open Government Data Portal
July 02, 2011
14:02
Using Snaptu on Your Computer [How To]
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
In order to run Snaptu on your computer, you'll need to download two things; 1.) a software that will run Snaptu (an emulator) on the PC, and 2.) the Snaptu (the setup file). Snaptu has one of the best facebook and twitter clients and a snazzy feed pick-up. It's also a very wise option if you have a slow internet connection on your PC.

Snaptu on Windows computer

How To Use Snaptu on Your Computer (Windows)The first thing you'll need is a J2ME (mobile Java) Emulator. This emulator, simply, creates the mobile environment in which Snaptu can run.
1. Getting KEmulator - the J2ME (mobile Java) EmulatorThis is one of the best mobile java emulators out there. The KEmulator is less than 4 MB and does nt need installation to run. You can google for a copy, or (a better alternative) download my copy of the KEmulator v1 here.

Then you'll need the Snaptu software, which you can get at m.snaptu.com. However, you can't download Snaptu via your computer, unless.. you open the mobile site. You can access it via opera mini for PC.

downloading snaptu using Opera Mini emulator

2. Running Opera Mini on Your Computer - Downloading Snaptu
Opera.com offers a mobile emulator with which you can access their mobile browsers. Visit [www.opera.com] (on any browser) and wait for the simulator to run, or [www.opera.com] for Opera Mini 4 (which I favor).
- On the Opera Mini emulator, type in m.snaptu.com
- A download page version will appear with various versions to download.
- IMPORTANT: Click on "Jar Only" version.
- Proceed to download on your computer.
- You can move the downloaded snaptu.jar to a folder of your choice on your PC.
Running Snaptu via KEmulatorOpen the KEmulator you downloaded (in 1 above), and extract it to a folder somewhere in your computer.
- Open the KEmulator and look for a file labelled KEmulator.exe. Run KEmulator.exe.
- On the KEmulator, click on Midlet then select Load jar
- Browse for the file snaptu.jar which you downloaded (in 2 above)
- The program disappears then reappears as Snaptu. #thatisall. Congratulations!
- You can click on the + to zoom the program, or even enable a keypad via the Tool menu.
June 30, 2011
20:22
Starting Your Own Blog - The Full Tutorial
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
The first thing I’d like to point out about blogging is that; starting a blog is totally free. The process of starting a blog is a less than ten-minute process and easier than you’d think. While that's the case, it's not advisable to jump in without knowing a thing or two about what you're getting into.

Tutorial - Starting your own blog

Starting Your Own Blog [Tutorial]There are various questions you'll need answers to before starting your blog; What will you blog about? What will you name your blog? What blogging software will you use? How should you write your blog posts? How will you get and increase your readers?
Choosing a Blog TopicThese days, a lot of bloggers write about specific topics. They can vary from a fashion blog, a business blog, an entertainment blog, poetry or creative writing blog, politics, local news, technology, comedy, photography blogs et cetera. Others choose to blend various topics, like The Online Kenyan which is both a technology and entertainment blog. Anyway, just because everyone blogs about a specific topic, doesn’t mean you have to.

You may have lots to talk about; covering all the mentioned subjects and then some. When blogging, you don’t have to be imprisoned by a topic; in the end, it’s all you. However, most readers like to follow a blog if it’s thematic so it may be a good idea to choose a topic – if you’re after a certain specific readership.

Choosing a Blog NameChoosing a blog name is like naming a pet. Some people know the name immediately, others (myself included) will struggle with several until they’re down to two or three really good names. However your method, this is a really important part of setting up your blog. It's a case of "you make your bed, you lay in it", give it enough thought. Try choosing a name that is relevant to what you'll be writing about or special to you.

Choosing a Blog PlatformPlatform is just a fancy name for blogging software... Anyhow, relax; you won’t have to install anything. These blog platforms are blog publishing tools offered on the net. There are several options (let's call them websites) that offer these platforms for free. If you’re really new to these platforms, here are the basics:

These are my five picks [Best Free Blog platforms]:
- Wordpress.com – The most popular platform. If you’re really new to blogging, or just not a big fan of computers, this would be your pick. Everything’s done for you; from html to Search Engine Optimization. Meaning that you have limited privileges on manipulating the site
- Blogger.com/ Blogspot – Blogger, which is powered by Google, is my personal favorite. When it comes to the edit the site, you do all the work; meaning that you have full access to the html.
- Tumblr and Posterous – These are two other great platforms. Tumblr is the lazy man’s blog; You can simply tumble a quote or link, and you’ve blogged.
I’d suggest choosing between Wordpress and Blogger. If you don’t want to work on design, optimization e.t.c. Wordpress is your choice. If, however, you like working on its design and are not a web-layman, Blogger is your choice. Blogger may be hard to work with at first, but I assure you, it pays off. Just so you know, The Online Kenyan is powered by Blogger.

Once you’ve selected a platform visit their site to create your blog: Blogger.com, Wordpress.com, Tumblr.com or Posterous.com.

How to Write Great Blog PostsWhen it comes to blogging, it doesn’t matter what you’re writing about, there are a couple of tips you can follow to maximizing on your post:

As I always say, behind every successful blogger is good content, repeatedly written. As an introduction to great blog post writing, here's an everyday tip; put yourself in the reader's shoes. Think of yourself as a member of your target audience. Then ask yourself," what would I want to read?" If you write exactly that, you can never go wrong.
- Write Original Content – Both search engines and organic readers detest copy-pasted material.
- Stick on Topic – If you’re writing a thematic post. Avoid wandering off.
- Be Provocative – Write articles that leave the reader itching to comment.
- Just Enough – Not too short and (unlike this post) not too long.
- Grammar – Re-check spelling and simplify your vocabulary, it helps.
- Make it Look Nice – Add a nice font here and there, an image even. What am saying is make it appealing.
- S.E.O – Use Search Engine Optimization techniques (keywords, tags etc).
- Be Educative – Try teaching the reader something new.
Read about these techniques, in detail, here: Writing Great Blog Posts

Increase Blog Visitors and Returning ReadersStarting a new blog can be a real trial if you have few readers. Don’t worry, every blog starts out that way. You’ll need patience – Patience is important. However, instead of waiting for the readers you can go to them:

Social Media:Facebook and Twitter are some of the most powerful yet underrated exposure tools out there. Create a Twitter account and a Facebook account and post links to your new blog posts on either. When it comes to Facebook, you can find a like group or fan page related to what you are blogging about, and post on their wall.You can also implement Facebook's Open Graph code on your blog and set it up as a Facebook page. Check out an example: The O.K on Facebook.

Bookmarking Sites and Blog Communities:These are other very important tools: Stumbleupon, Digg, Google Bookmarks, Reddit, e.t.c. Create accounts on these sites and update them on new postings just like Facebook and Twitter. You can join blogging communities both online and offline (like Blogger's Association of Kenya - BAKE) to get people with the same interests to read your posts.

Guest Blogging and CommentingWriting a guest blog post on a related blog can expose you to lots of new readers as well as increase your Page Rank through quality back-links. Just identify a blog similar to yours, ask for the opportunity, write an original, well researched article and send it to them for review [with a link or two back to your site]. If it's technology or entertainment, you can contact me for a chance to guest blog on this site.
@Blogs_KenyaIf you’re a Kenyan blogger, you can take advantage of Blogs-Kenya.com and @Blogs_Kenya on twitter. It provides high exposure to your blog posts as soon as you update. I happen to be the creator and admin @Blogs_Kenya and am working on a bigger fully fledged community at Blogs-Kenya.com.

Please feel free to comment or add any other tips below. You can contact me at @peteretelej on twitter for blog-related help.
June 11, 2011
21:26
Tusker Project Fame All Stars - TPF5
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

Tusker Project Fame has been East Africa's highest rated reality TV Show since it debuted five years back. Some of the most entertaining shows later, it's bringing back eight of it's most explosive stars. This year EABL brings a new kind of show; Tusker All Stars (not to be confused with Tusker Project Fame).

Tusker Project Fame's Tusker All Stars

TUSKER ALL STARS East Africa's highest rated music Reality Show is back. The 2011 Edition (called Tusker All Stars, TAS) reunites previous contestants for another run for gold at the EABL's Tusker competition. Eight former contestants chosen to compete for fame, or dare I say, more fame, at Tusker All Stars. The winners of Tusker All Stars were to get a chance to perform with Usher Raymond and Keri Hilson on 20th August 2011 at the Tusker All Stars Concert however it seems EABL was leading on the fans as Usher and Keri Hilson will not be coming to Kenya for the concert.

How All Stars Contestants were chosen: Tusker All Stars' contestants were selected as per their popularity and career during and after their stints at Tusker Project Fame. TPF has, over the years, seen TPF contestants groomed for success. While most were explosive while at TPF, their careers outside are non-existent, for lack of a better word. Tusker All Stars would provide us a chance to see if they've still got it, and them more fan base, if nothing else.

Tusker All Stars: Davis Ntare, Patricia Kihoro, Ngangalito, Hemedy, Amileena, Msechu, Alpha and Caroline

TPF's Tusker All Stars: The Contestants Tusker Project Fame's Tusker All Stars 2011 sees Hemedi Suleiman [TPF2] and another Tanzanian fan-favorite Peter Msechu [TPF4] both selected to join TAS. Uganda's Davis Ntare [TPF4 Winner] and dance-diva Caroline Nabulime[TPF3] also joined the star-studded cast of contestants. Kenyan contestants of 2011's TPF will be Amileena Mwenesi [TPF4], Bernard Ng'ang'a 'Ng'ang'alito' [TPF3] and Patricia Kihoro [TPF3]. Rwanda's Alpha Rwirangira [TPF3 Winner] will also be joining Tusker Project Fame 2011.
Tweet
Tusker All Stars starts on 26 June and will run up to its finale on 14th August: on Sundays 8:05 p.m [Citizen TV] The show is set to be hosted by Eve D'Souza and Gaetano Kagwa. Also worth noting is that judge Ian Mbugua ( @IanMbugua on twitter) will be joining the Tusker Pub [I think due to the negative feedback it got from viewers]. The rest of the Tusker Project Fame staff will not be on the show as, remember, it's not Tusker Project Fame but Tusker All Stars. Tusker Project Fame 2011 will be coming on later this year.

“The Tusker All Stars will represent a return to their African roots for the two international artists. It also marks a breaking of the glass ceiling for East Africa’s entertainment scene as our very own share a stage with some of the biggest names in global entertainment,” EABL's Debra Mallowah

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June 07, 2011
21:56
World IPv6 Day: What You Should Know
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
What is IPv6?IPv6 is the newest version of the Internet Protocol. Internet Protocol, aka IP, is what the internet uses to communicate. Every gadget (computer, website, phone, tablet) is given it's own unique IP address, kind of like a telephone number, with which other devices can identify it. Neat, huh? Well, you know how everyone and everything's on the net these days? The IP Version we're using right now, IPv4, its addresses are quickly running out.

World IPv6 Day - June 8

On this World IPV6 Day, Google, Facebook, Youtube, Yahoo, Huawei, Bing, Cisco, Akamai, Bing, Mozilla, Meebo and over 400 other major tech companies will participate in an IPV6 test-run. For 24 hours, these sites will be reachable via IPV6. This comes as IP shifts to the Brobdingnagian 128-bit IPv6 addresses from 32 bit IPv4 addresses.

What Does World IPv6 Day Mean for You?
Internet users will not need to do anything different on World IPv6 Day. Web services, Internet service providers, and OS manufacturers will be updating their systems to ensure Internet users enjoy uninterrupted service. In rare cases, users may still experience connectivity issues when visiting participating Websites.
- via World IPv6 Day Website
IPv6 Connectivity IssuesWhen sites go online with IPv6, 99% of user will have no problems. For some, IPv6 may not be enabled or working properly. Here are some things you can do to get with the program:
- Use an IPv4-only website, if one is available. For example, you can access Google at ipv4.google.com instead of www.google.com.
- Upgrade to the latest version of your browser. Older versions of many browsers have known bugs with IPv6, and later versions may incorporate workarounds for IPv6 connectivity-related issues in operating systems, routers, and ISP’s.
- Install a browser that includes workarounds for IPv6 connectivity problems, such as Google Chrome.
- via Google: Internet Protocol Version 6
IPv6 TestCheck whether your computer and connection are ready for IPv6: IPv6 TEST
June 04, 2011
16:07
Blogging: Wordpress.org, WP.com, WPMU, WP.com VIP
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

While Wordpress is a household name in the blogging community, different versions of Wordpress often confuse a lot of people. This post will look at and draw a line between WP.org, WP.com, WPMU and WP.com VIP.
The difference between Wordpress .org, Wordpress.com, WPMU, and VIPWordpress.orgIn order to understand all the versions of Wordpress, you need to know what Wordpress.org is. Wordpress.org is a free open source software that runs loads of big sites across the web, which doesn't really explain it. WP.org is a software which you install in a server to manage your website/blog.

It is a content management system (software) with thousands of plugins, themes and customizations available, that runs blogs. However, in order to use WP.org, you need to have a domain and have it hosted. This means that it needs a server to be stored in, hence for WP.org, you need to buy/register a domain name plus buy hosting services [in Kenya, you can get a decent domain+hosting at about Kshs. 3500 (around $40) per year]. And yes, it's actually that cheap. However, you'll need technical knowledge/help to properly set it up, and customize to your liking.

Wordpress.org is, basically, the core of everything Wordpress. It is a free software available for download and setup on any server.

Wordpress.comWith Wordpress.com, the site is hosted at Wordpress. Automattic, the guys behind Wordpress, have thousands of servers and a tech team that host and manage all the Wordpress.com sites. Hence, WP.com uses the WP.org software, hosted at Automattic. Since they provide the hosting, they give you the plugins you can use, themes you can choose, hence you can NOT download and install any other themes and plugins. There is an option of upgrading which gives you a more freedom to customize your WP.com CSS. The best thing about Wordpress.com is that everything is free, and the worst thing is that you'll have to use their domain name.. like warioh.wordpress.com (a friend's blog). Though they also provide domain mapping, (pointing it to your own domain), it's at a price.
WP.com is the easiest and fastest version for starting a blog. It's standard version is free and hosted at Automattic's servers.
Wordpress MU - Multi UserWordpress MU, aka Wordpress Multi-User, aka WPMU, then aka Wordpress MultiSite, aka WP MS, aka MS, and that's a lot of aka's. Wordpress was started for 1 blog per installation, WPMU was started in order to allow multiple blogs in one WP installation. Not only does it allow sub-domain installs, but also the running of various domains with one WP install. WPMU started out as an independent project but eventually joined up with Wordpress and is integrated into the core install of WP.org, you just have to install the latest WP.org - has built-in support for WP MS.

Wordpress Multi-User

Multi-Blogging with WP MUOnce you've created a network, with WP Multi-Site, you can be able to set plugins, themes, customizations, and privilege for the different blog sites that you'll be hosting. Hence you'll create a WP.com environment where users can sign up for a blog and everything's all set up, but instead of using the Wordpress domain, they'll be using your domain.
Wordpress.com VIPWP.com VIP is, as the name suggests, a big deal. WP.com VIP runs very big sites like Techcrunch, TED Blog, CBS New York, GigaOm, Piers Morgan's CNN Blog e.t.c. With VIP, you admin your site, but with Wordpress developers and servers as your resources. This is ultimately the best Wordpress package (also available for WPMU sites). It provides both hosting and support for your site.

Wordpress.com VIP

An Analogy: Assume that your blog is a computer...Let's assume that our blog is a computer. In order to manage, and use it, we need to install an operating system, like Windows 7. I shall explain WP.org, WP.com, WPMU and WP.com VIP with operating systems in mind. [I hope the analogy is less geeky that the actual explanation :) ]
WP.org: As Windows 7 - Admin/OwnerAssume WP.org the Windows 7 in your computer and that you are the Admin/owner of the computer. WP.org allows you to install new programs/software, remove others, customize display, personalize wallpaper e.t.c.
Meaning that with the WP.org operating system, you are the Boss of the entire system. However, you need to buy the computer to own it. You also need to know about setting up programs, upgrading (requires more technical knowledge) and you may unknowingly download/ install a virus onto your computer. Also, as it is your computer, sometimes 160 GB may not be enough for all your files.
WP.com: As Windows 7 - on a Guest AccountNow assume you have a friend, and that his/her computer has unlimited hard disk memory (say, 2 Terabytes) and that s/he is a tech whiz. Then, your friend adds you as a guest on his computer. Which means you get all the services FREE, you just have to sign in. Now that's WP.com.
WP.com is the powerful Windows 7 you're on, but as a guest. Everything's been setup and all technically (coding, security..) done behind-the-scenes. You just enter and use. The problem is that, 1. It is not your computer (not your domain name) 2. You can not install new programs, though you can customize some things, as allowed by your friend.
WPMU: Your Windows 7 with Guest AccountsRemember the friend with the powerful computer (at WP.com)? Now imagine you also have a powerful computer and that you want to share with your many friends, just like WP.com does with his.
With WPMU you can set everything for your friends, what customizations they can do, e.t.c. In return they can log in to your site hence: the computer/Windows 7 is yours.
WP.com VIP: Having Windows 7 techies build what you wantRemember WP.com, the friend with the big computer, the one who's also a tech whiz? Well, now you approach the friend and ask for all their services and computer, at a price (a big, nice one).
With WP.com VIP, your friend will provide you with their very powerful computer and services 24/7. And you're still the administrator of the Windows 7, meaning you can install as many programs as you want. Hence WP.com VIP is your Windows 7 with support and resources of your tech whiz friend.

Choosing a Wordpress Version:This blog is run on Blogger, if I were blogging on Wordpress, it would be a Wordpress.org site. However, with blogger, they host for free so I just have to pay for the name (another post's story). If you just need a simple blog, at no price, Wordpress.com is your choice. For a community site with lots of bloggers WPMU is the option, and if you've enough cash, consider WP.com VIP.
June 02, 2011
0:09
+1 - Google's Like Button Launched Officially
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

Google has just launched its +1 button across the internet. Much like Facebook's Like Button, you can share your favorite videos, links, products, even places throughout the web.

Google's +1 Button

Recommendations in Google Search ResultsUsing the collective +1's from people around the web, the button provides Google with much more relevant results. Not only does it provide a way to get insight from friends but better results as well.
Using the Google +1 ButtonJust like any other social media Recommend, you'll get to see all your friends' +1's once you've signed into your Google Account. Google will also incorporate, just like Facebook's Likes and Twitter's Tweets, +1s into their search algorithm for better search results.

Try out the brand new +1 button:

+1 is as simple on the rest of the web as it is on Google search. With a single click you can recommend that raincoat, news article or favorite sci-fi movie to friends, contacts and the rest of the world. The next time your connections search, they could see your +1’s directly in their search results, helping them find your recommendations when they’re most useful.
- Google's Official Blog

Get the Google +1 Button for your websiteIn order to get a +1 button for embedding on your site, like the one above, visit the Google +1 webmaster site. You'll get a javascript code to insert in the head of your site, and another code to embed the +1 button.

Google +1 Button:: Video
May 28, 2011
15:59
MPESA con men: The Fake Mpesa SMS
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Beware of Fraud Mpesa Text MessagesI received a SMS message telling me that I had received 2,350 from one Peter Sang via Mpesa. A minute later I got a phone call. Some guy, in a heavily Kalenjin accent, was on the line asking if he had sent money accidentally to my phone.

Mpesa Conmen - Fraudulent SMS

I calmly told him that, yes, I had received his stupid little message and that I was using it to track him, which I am not sure sounded convincing - he hung up. Anyway, what am saying is that these cases are on the rise, and sometimes can catch you offguard.
How To Know A Fake Mpesa MessageIt's really simple, all Mpesa message have MPESA as the sender. In "Peter Sang"'s case the sender was 0703275802, the same number he called me with.

M-PESA BK12LY038 confirmed you
have received Ksh2,350 from PETER SANG
254703275802 on 28/5/11 at 03:22 PM
Sender M-PESA

Over at Techweez, Martin explains how some guys tried to con him out of 8,630 back in January. And how they asked him to "enter a code to reverse the transaction".
Just Be Alert:
- Make sure any MPESA transaction is from MPESA- believe me in the hit of the moment you may not notice this, and whats more there might be a heart rending story to accompany it.
- Safaricom will never ask you to key in a number in order to reroute messages or MPESA transaction, unless of course you call the customer care number yourself and such information is given to you.
- Also be ware of people who send you some apparently confidential messages and then call you saying they’d sent it to the wrong number and then plead with you to delete it, then start calling to ‘reward you’ for cooperating with them . Many times the messages are about financial or import transactions. I know someone in the office once received such a message. This is a fraud
- Read the whole post on Techweez: Beware this con-game with M-pesa
REPORT MPESA CONMENForward the sent message to Safaricom's Fraud Reporting Line: 333.
13:59
A Survey on The Online Kenyan
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

A survey, courtesy of @Wamathai, gives an insight into how most Kenyans use the internet. Dubbed, The Online Kenyan (coincidentally the name of this site) Survey, it gives the average age, income, gender, occupation and online habits of Kenyans online.

Survey - The Online Kenyan [Occupation]

The Online Kenyan Survey - ResultsWhile you can read and/or download the results online here: The Online Kenyan Survey, I'll go ahead and write a bit on what caught my interest. By the way, all data courtesy: www.wamathai.com [check out the site].
Demographics - The Statistics59% of Kenyans online are male, 41% female. When it comes to age, the highest number of online Kenyans is between the ages of 20-25 who account for 54% of all internet users. Also high is the percentage of Kenyans online with earnings below 25,000 p.m [40%]. More broken down stats available on the survey.
Kenya's Online HabitsThe most common uses of the internet in Kenya are; checking emails (91% of Kenyans online) and social media (94% of Kenyans online) - with the least number of Kenyans using it to buy products. Twitter and Facebook were the most liked social media platforms in Kenya with LinkedIn and Foursquare slowly lagging behind. Which reminds me, check out this hilariously funny video: The Roast of Facebook. Anyway, back to it, I was surprised to see that a large percentage of Kenyans have blogs with a fair amount of blog readership. 80% of users have attended events and/or bought products advertised online.

Read Other Related SurveysAfrinnovator, back in January, wrote a post on the Facebook phenomenon in Africa - Facebook's impact in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa.

The plain fact from a basic review of the numbers is that Africa’s Facebook population is growing steadily, it will probably be a while before a plateau is reached and growth slows down or even starts to take a dip.This is because Africa generally has a very large number of people who are not yet on the internet.
- An analytic view via Afrinnovator
In the post Afrinnovator also alluded to the TNS Research International’s DigitalLife Survey results on Kenya's urban population, also worth checking out. Moses Kemibaro, back in December, wrote about Facebook in Kenya and its 1 million users.

The Online Kenyan Survey Read OnlineThe Online Kenyan - Survey

View more documents from James Wamathai
May 27, 2011
14:36
Syndromes for Slow Computers
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

Guest Post by: Jesse Sykes of Slow Computer SolutionsThere are times when your computer slow down, lags in speed or, sometimes, simply hangs. There isn't one cheap trick for speeding up your slow computer in a few seconds. However, as a computer enthusiast, you may have to determine, and identify the different reasons as to why your computer seems to be slowing down and try to speed it up.

Speeding up Slow Computers [Help]

Speeding Up A Slow ComputerSlowness in a computer may be due to a variety of reasons. The most common, however, is software programs as compared hardware. Below is a list of what to look for when diagnosing a slow computer.Too many programs are runningComputers are well known for multi-tasking. Even though they are capable of doing many tasks at the same time, they can slow down your computer since there are so many programs for the processor to handle. Too many programs will, surely, slow down your computer. You may check your Notification Area to see how many programs are currently running on your system. If you are computer savvy, you can press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC [for the task manager in Windows] and check out what programs are running and end those you are not using.Intrusion of a Virus into your ComputerIf you love to surf online, there is a big chance you are at risk to the viruses, particularly those ever present on the Internet. If you love to download programs online, chances are you are risking your computer from these cyber threats. Aside from this, attachments on emails that once downloaded can also infect your computer because these viruses attach themselves on emails undetected. These are some ways that your computer can be infected by malicious software. Make sure you have an Anti-Virus system up and running and that you update it regularly.Insufficient RAMRAM is considered to be your computer’s working space. All the programs that have been, and are being, processed by your computer use the computer’s RAM to perform their tasks. The more RAM you have, the better chances of having a productive output by your computer. If you have too many programs stored on your computer, then it can actually consume a lot of memory. This can result to a slow computer. RAM is upgradeable, if you have less than 500 MB of RAM you should consider upgrading that memory, to speed up your system.Hard driveHard disk drive is considered to be your repository to all of the files and software on your computer system. If there are so many files and programs stored on the hard drive, it can actually slow down your computer. Sluggish performances can be encountered too.Overloading on startupEvery time you add additional programs on your system, it automatically puts itself as one of the items in the startup list. The more programs on your startup items, the longer will it take to consume just to boot up your system since it will have to download all the items on the Startup list.ProcessorThe speed on your computer depends on the processor used. That is why this is to be considered when purchasing a computer. So whatever the processor you have on your computer, you will surely be stuck on it since processor is not usually upgraded. The slower the processor, the slower your computer is.
Author’s Note:These are some of the syndromes that you will have to remember once you encounter sluggish performance on your computer. But don’t worry, Jesse has many solutions for a slow computer fix! Just check back for more tips soon!
ABOUT GUEST POSTING ON THE ONLINE KENYAN: This post was written by a guest author. If you'd like to guest post on The Online Kenyan, Contact @peteretelej on twitter or email info[at]theonlinekenyan.com. Guest posting helps provide quality backlinks to your site, and provides you with exposure. The Online Kenyan accepts guest posts on Technology, Internet, Social Media that are well researched and original. In turn, your bio information, image, links is shared.
May 25, 2011
20:48
The Best Computer Shops in Kenya [Reviews]
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Shopping for computers and computer accessories in Kenya can be tedious if you do not know where to get the great quality for the best prices. There are many computer and electronic shops all over Nairobi with prices, for the same product, as varied as the shops themselves.

Computer Accessories in Nairobi [Shopping]

Buying Computer Accessories in NairobiWhether you are looking for a cable, battery, adapter, flash disk or removable hard disk, switches or hubs, CRT or TFT screen, software (e.g Anti-Virus, Office..), laptop or desktop computer, headphones or speakers, printers and/or other accessories; it is important you know the best places to look. When it comes to buying electronics, quality supersedes anything else.
Factors to Consider When Buying Computer Parts/ElectronicsWhen buying a computer, or any part whatsoever, there are things to factor in to get the best products:
- Quality: High quality products are very important when it comes to electronics, mostly since each piece is expensive and important. There are many computer shops in Nairobi only out to make an easy shilling, using second hand products, fakes, or even cleverly sell the wrong thing altogether.
- Prices: My golden rule when it comes to electronics is "If I can bargain, am not at the right store". With good pricing, most shops stick at a single price tag. The secret is getting a good price for a quality product. With most of the shops in this post, you get just that.
- Research the Product: Go online and find out what the best model of the product is, then visit Kenyan company website to check out what the prices are. This information is vital before going out to look for something.
- Guarantee and Reputation: The best computer shops offers products with warranty and not just on paper. Many a shop in Nairobi will not offer warranty or even blame the customer for any errors in the products. It is advisable to go for reputable stores/ shops.
- Stock/ Availabity: This, basically, is about how big is the shop. It is not pleasant to run around town for each different piece of accessory. A good computer shop ought to have most products under one roof.
- Customer Care/ Staff: Support is essential when buying any electronics. Any good shop has competent staff that can explain and help test out different products.
1. Bestell Computers LimitedExcellent quality of products is one thing they have. The most impressive thing, however, is their prices. Located at Kimathi House, Bestell Computers has the most competitive prices in Nairobi for the highest quality of products.

2. Arctic Computer ShopArctic Computer Shop is among the best shopping solutions in Nairobi. Some of the best prices and great customer service, Arctic Computer Shop [at Kenwood House] is a Must Check-Out whenever you need to buy any piece of electronics.

3. Starcomms Computer ServicesStarcomms Computer Services is another of my favorites, mostly because it's where I bought my current laptop. Anyway, like Bestell and Arctic, they have great prices for quality products. Starcomms Computer Services is another electronic place to check out before making a purchase decision.

These three computer stores are the best places to check out before buying anything you need. Since they are close, you could just pop in each, compare products, prices and get yourself the right buy.

4. PC WorldPC World has the latest imports from iPads, tablets and other gadgets to the latest releases of computers and related accessories. Located at PC World House, Mpaka Road, Westlands, PC World is one of the more popular stores for great products, the prices are, however, high.

5. Ebrahim Electronics LtdAlso worth mentioning is Ebrahim Electronics. Excellent pricing and customer service, Ebrahim's is, however, are grossly expensive. Most of their products are twice or thrice the prices at Bestell and Arctic Computer Shops. Though it is mostly overrated, it's helpful in checking out what's new and comparing electronics.

Am sure there are many other good computer/electronics spots around Nairobi. You can leave a comment on spots you liked, didn't like or just think should be in this list.

WHERE YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY FROMThe number of unscrupulous electronics dealers in Nairobi by far outnumbers the good. It is good to have an idea where you should never go to for your new accessories and gadgets:
- Luthuli Avenue: Luthuli Avenue and it's surroundings is home to lots of electronics shops, mostly dealing in handset products. It is a favorite for its cheap China phones and bargain-able electronics, anyway; don't go there.
- Stalls: Any stall anywhere in town is a big NO-NO when purchasing electronics. They are all over the town, with attractive stickers " FLASH DISK - Ksh. 900/=" and the likes. Never buy these flash disks. They mostly where faulty pieces off manufacturers; do not work or are corrupted - and nearly never have warranty.
- Revlon Professional Plaza: Has some good wholesale electronics stores but the retail shops are nothing short of con-shops. One such is the Super Dynamic Technology shop among others, dealing in mostly bogus products.
- No Guarantee: Always ask for a warranty.
Shopping for electronics mostly needs a pro, but being one is not that hard. Just follow the tips in this post and you'll get value for your money, anytime. Anyhow, later.
May 17, 2011
0:00
Bing Integrates Facebook into Results
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Bing, Microsoft's Search Engine, has launched a more social search by teaming up with social giant Facebook. Bing has integrated the Facebook social graph not only into its search results but its search algorithm.

Bing's New Search: Facebook Integration

Bing Search: The New Social Features
- Popular Content on Websites: In its search results, Bing shows what are the most shared pages, on Facebook, of a particular website (by everyone, not just friends), hence provides a easy way to find popular posts.
- Facebook Likes: The most popular new feature. When you search for a page, Bing displays which pages your Facebook friends have 'liked' and consequently helps you use "collective IQ".
- Expanded Facebook Profiles: on the search results page. Another related feature is social messaging where is you search for a company like Bing, you can get to see the company's latest Facebook update.
- Travel: You can compare trips and share travel wish lists with Facebook friends, it also shows which of your friends live where you're headed. Another related feature is you that can also get flight deals for cities you've liked on Bing Travel.
- Shopping: You can get shopping tips, reviews or share and compare shopping lists with your Facebook friends.
- The Bing Bar: Which I like because of it's universal Facebook Like button through which you can like any page on any website. Download the Bing Toolbar
I have to say, this reminds me of Google's social results which were introduced back in October. The big difference, however is that Google used Twitter and other social communities (but not Facebook). Anyway, it's still a really good job at Bing.

Research tells us that 90% of people seek advice from family and friends as part of the decision making process. This “Friend Effect” is apparent in most of our decisions and often outweighs other facts because people feel more confident, smarter and safer with the wisdom of their trusted circle... Bing is bringing the collective IQ of the Web together with the opinions of the people you trust most, to bring the “Friend Effect” to search. Starting today, you can receive personalized search results based on the opinions of your friends by simply signing into Facebook. New features make it easier to see what your Facebook friends “like” across the Web, incorporate the collective know-how of the Web into your search results, and begin adding a more conversational aspect to your searches. Decisions can now be made with more than facts, now the opinions of your trusted friends and the collective wisdom of the Web.
~ The Bing Team on Microsoft Bing's Community Blog

Bing uses Facebook in its new Search Results - VIDEO
May 01, 2011
13:02
The First Grader in Theaters [USA]
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

The First Grader begins its theatrical run in the United States on 13th May, 2011. The First Grader is an inspiring film, based on the true story of Kimani Maruge.

The First Grader [pic: Kimani Maruge]

The Most Inspiring Film of 2011
The film highlights the story of Kimani Maruge, Guiness World Record's Oldest Person to Begin Primary School.

At 84 years old, former freedom fighter Kimani Maruge had not had the chance to go to school. When the Kenyan government announces free primary education, Maruge spots a chance and grabs it.

Kimani Maruge shows up at a primary schools and, walking stick in hand and persistence in heart, he wants an opportunity. The First Grader touches on Kimani Maruge's painful past and covers his inspiring journey to overcoming adversity.

The First Grader - in U.S TheatersNational Geographic Entertainment releases The First Grader on 13 May 2011 in New York and Los Angeles then other cities. The film was a favorite at the Telluride, Toronto, Doha and Pan African film festivals. Check out when The First Grader begins in a theater near you.
April 23, 2011
18:27
POWO - Poets and Writers Online | Kenya
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

I happened to attend the first POWO meet-up at the iHub Nairobi. For those hearing it for the first time, POWO is a forum for poetry and creative writing bloggers. The main agenda behind it, as per my perception, is maximizing the internet, as their writing platform, for promotion and exposure.
POWO - Poets and Writers Online
POWO - The First Meet-Up at *iHub_The place was sufficiently packed with a variety of writers, and I have to say, I was impressed. Anyway, the meeting kicked off with a performance from Muki Garang (a literary artivist). His People TV 101 presentation was something different; new and entertainment.

Then there was @Wamathai. Wamathai.com has some of the best pieces of creative writing on the Kenyan blogosphere. Definitely worth checking out, and it was nice to see who's behind it. He basically looked back at how he started out and how he got Wamathai.com to where it's at today with over 2.5 million views.

Potash was the final speaker. Potash writes his blog at A Kenyan Urban Narrative, and that is one deep, intellectual guy. Seriously though, if you think PLO Lumumba is good, you should listen, or rather read, Potash. He also has some great content at The Black Campaign that you should check out. He spoke about three vitals aspects of writing: Information, Education and Communication, and how writers should approach this topics.

POWO's First Meet-Up - A SuccessWhile time was not on our side, I can confidently say that the first POWO was quite successful. And even though I was blatantly denied an opportunity to say anything... smh... I have nothing but love for the cause. Anyway, here are some things you might be interested in: Copyrighting your content, Plagiarism, and @Blogs_Kenya.

Copyright Your Online Content for FreeAs a writer or poet on the Internet, one of the things that kills the buzz is that you have no documented proof of copyright. A way to protect your creation: Be it a simple Web Page, A Blog, even a Feed. A POWO Must-Know. Well, there's a solution for that.. and it's free. Visit MyFreeCopyright.com, register for an account. Then go ahead and click on Protect My creation. Then choose what you want to protect: File, Blog/Podcast, or Webpage. Am assuming you have a blog, so just go ahead and click on Blog. It'll ask for your feed address, and ...that's all. Once you've protected you blog, anytime that you update, it sends you an email with copyright information. Save that mail. I personally have an email folder called "my creations" into which, just as it sounds, I throw in any new creations.
Copyright Your Content
Use Creative Commons License on your BlogAnother alternative, an even much better option, is using a Creative Commons license on your blog. To get Creative Commons for your blog, audio page, archive, webpage , etc, CLICK HERE. @Nepurko uses it on her site; The Village Beauty (check it out). If, however, you find it hard to implement on your site, you can always use MyFreeCopyright.
PlagiarismIf there is anything I do hate, it's plagiarism. When someone copies your content, pastes it somewhere else without even giving your site credit. I have had article parts from my site plagiarized, it's quite irksome. Kenyan newspapers have, sadly, made an habit of this. Back to online content, if you see your content on another site, the first thing you need to do is confront the writer. Ask them to either credit you, or remove it. If they do not budge, report at Google. I like Google zero-tolerance stand towards content-thieves.

Sometimes you have no idea your work is being plagiarized. Visit Plagiarismchecker.com and you'll get the tools to search for stolen content. You can then go ahead and report at Google, or other sites through the same website. Google almost immediately removes that link from the better parts of its SERPs.

@Blogs_KenyaJust visit twitter.com/Blogs_Kenya. I started this twitter handle in order to get updates from my favorite blogs. Over time, many bloggers and interested readers followed the account, and I decided to broaden it. Many guys sent me links to blogs they liked and I now feature over 170 bloggers. It is very efficient to have a link that, be it on mobile or laptop, you can see what Kenyan blogs have updated recently. By the way getting featured isn't rocket science, if you have a blog, just contact me at @Blogs_Kenya or @peteretelej - I'll sort you out. I plan to create a standalone website for local content, so if you are interested in joining the venture, just tweet me.

Anyway, this post was about POWO. So I'll cut short off my A.O.B lecture. If you need some techie help or advice just get me on Twitter. The next POWO Meeting is on 21 may 2011, see you there. Anyhow, later.

Follow POWO (Poets and Writers Online)
POWO on Twitter (@POWO)| POWO on Facebook | Email: PoetsNWriters[AT]gmail.com
April 16, 2011
4:41
Internet: Speed Up and Maximize Slow Connection
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Yu Kenya has no 3G network nor is it in their future plans. That basically means that they have some of the slowest internet speeds in Kenya, which sucks, but what they lack in speed, they make up for in price. They are, without a doubt, the cheapest internet providers in Kenya. And with the option of unlocking your modem, Yu serious economical option. So the question is, how can you maximize that slow speed to fit your needs?Maximize Your Internet Connection
It is this slow internet that Yu makes my reference, but you can use these tips on any other network. Firstly, I'd like to clear out one thing, they do not offer "Unlimited Internet" but 300MB from 12am to 12am (24 hours). This often feels like Unlimited Internet due to the slow speed, but after reading and using the tips in this post, you'll understand how it's not. Secondly, it's internet bundles are the cheapest of all networks.
Torrents: How to download TorrentsTorrents: The Basics: Normally, when you download a file from the net, it is stored in a server. Think of it like this, if you want to download a movie from my website, I have shared it on my computer. Everyone in the world has to connect to my one comp to access and download the file. That's not how torrents work. In torrents, assume 20 people want that file from my computer. Then 1 goes and downloads it, so does 2 and 3. Now 3 people have the same file. Torrents use something called Peer to Peer Architecture, where the 3 people with the file (seeders) automatically share with the rest ( leechers) . Hence the rest can now download from me + 3 other comps, and when the do, they also automatically share.
This is the secret to maximizing a slow connection. You can start downloading a torrent today, and stop it pause it, continue in a week, as long as it's seeded you can get as much as you want; plus its fast. Firstly, Download a torrent downloading software, I use µTorrent. This is just the downloader, to get files visit torrent sites like btjunkie and search for whatever you want, it's there.
Reduce Connected ProgramsWhen you have lots of applications that you like using on the net, like Yahoo Messenger, Opera, TweetDeck, browsers, don't just open them all at once. Most of the time when you have the modem connected but your browser won't open any page [problem loading page], there is another application sucking up your connection. Try closing other unnecessary programs and just work with one (e.g Firefox) and see the difference.
Disable Automatic UpdatesAutomatic Updates are updates to your computer programs, which automatically connect to the internet and update. Some of these updates are often very large, and once connected take up a lot of the connection. The best thing to do is to disable when you want to use the internet, then enable when you're not using it. To manage just click on start, then control panel then system then windows update. It is not advisable to disable and forget about it. Some programs, like the antivirus, need regular update.

Download ManagersWhen downloading files off the internet, using your browser's default download manager is not a good option. With Yu's slow speed, you'll wait a while. There are Download Managers out there, software programs that can speed up the download speed and even enable pause and continue of downloads. The best is Internet Download Manager, which is commercial.There is, however a free alternative: Free Download Manager. It can save you lots of time. It is advisable to use these managers when you are not using the net as they can be quite brute and eat up all your connection.

Browser Tips: Speed Up Your Internet Browser
- Remove Images: Disable Automatic Loading : Most the browser time is spent loading images that you do not even need to look at. If you are in a bit of a hurry and are just looking to read something quick, the fastest way is to disable images on the browser. For example in Firefox, go to Tools>Options then select on Content, then go ahead an unclick on load images automatically
- Block Ads: In most browsers, there is an add-on for this. Ad Block Plus works on almost all. Once you install it into your browser, you can select on advertisements and block them. This is another effective way of speeding up browsing as most of the times it's this ads that reduce page load of websites. Check out this and other add-ons in my review of Top 10 Firefox Add-ons.
- Block Flash: Flash enables animations, videos to play on some of the sites. The problem is that they use large amount of internet, and others are just irritating. Youtube also has the bad habit of playing videos directly, on the go. You can install the Flash Block add on, and just click on a video or animation to enable it to play.
- Get the Best Browser: Firefox 4 is a really, really fast browser, but if it's not really you, get your pick but make sure it's the latest stable version (beta is not always better). Check out my reviews on the latest: Internet Explorer 9 Review, Firefox: An In-Depth Look.
April 05, 2011
13:53
Writing Great Blog Posts
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
I recently wrote an article at EzineArticles on the art of writing great posts on your blog. It is a long and in-depth look at tips to successful blogging, this post will summarize the key points. You can aso check out this tutorial on Starting Your Own Successful blog for free.

Great blogging tips

Writing Great Blog PostsAwesome blogs have, more often than not, one thing in common; nice content. The most important part of writing a good blog post is making sure it's readable. Think about who's going to read the post; who is your target audience? If it is a business blog, your target reader mostly sits in an office with work on wait. In that scenario it's a good idea to jump right in with the facts, figures and what your point is. If you're the chick blogger from Gossip Girl, it's doubtful your readers want any facts and figures at all. Hence the Golden Rule of Great Blogging: Put Yourself in Your Reader's Shoes.
As I always say, behind every successful blogger is good content, repeatedly written. As an introduction to great blog post writing, here's an everyday tip;put yourself in the reader's shoes. Think of yourself as a member of your target audience. Then ask yourself," what would I want to read?" If you write exactly that, you can never go wrong.
- Read Full Article: How to Write a Great Post - Successful Blogging
Write Original ContentUnlike this blog post, write original information. If you have information from somewhere else, you can always write it in your own words. Google doesn't like duplicate material, and it also tells your readers that you can't take the time to write a decent post.

Choose a TopicTry to regularly post about a specific topic. It not only increases your search engine rank on the topic's keywords, but also gives the reader an idea of what to look forward to in your blog.
Be Provocative | Make Your Blog InteractiveWrite blog posts that make the reader think "I want to respond to that". Do this knowing you have an easy to use commenting system already set up on your blog. Most blogging platforms provide a nice default comment system. But if you can not settle for nice, there are free excellent commenting systems out there that can make your blog interactive. The best are: IntenseDebate and Disqus (Check them out).

Not Too Long, Not Too Short | Just EnoughSome bloggers then to get carried away in a line of thought and over-write a post. Some types of posts actually need a lot of information, for example if you are writing a review (e.g software and gadget reviews). At other times, your readers just want facts.

GrammarIt's good to make sense, but it's enough to just make sense. You need to make sure your "i"s are dotted and "t"s crossed, and not just figuratively. Put your commas in the right place, your words in the right context and spelling, and so on. Your readers like it and so does Google.

Make it Look NiceReaders like things that look good. Pimp your post with nice looking graphics and images but avoid adding unrelated images, unless they're really awesome :). However, just remember that if you use too much graphics/images, your page loading speed will reduce.

Search Engine OptimizationUsing some cool SEO tricks, you can get nicely ranked on search engine results. Here are some of the better SEO blogging tips:
- Post Title and URL - Use keywords at the beginning of the post title and URL as search engine gauge the importance of words by the order they appear.
- Keywords - Use keywords for the post sufficiently but avoid keyword stuffing. Try using it 2-3 times in a paragraph, but make it look natural.
- Images and Video - While it is okay to add images and videos to your post, it' even better to add tags to them. Google can no read images, hence remember to add caption descriptions.
- Using Appropriate Heading tags - h1,h2,h3; If you have no idea what these are, just Google "header tags". Find out how you can implement them on your blog platform to highlight key phrases.
- Backlinks - Not really a blogging writing SEO tip, but the more links that point to your post, the better.
Read full, in-depth article: How to Write a Great Post - Successful Blogging

Be EducativeAs pointed out by @MartinGicheru, be informative. Most often the reader is looking to find something new in your post. Try to give it something they can't find elsewhere.

Be educative, your readers are there to learn something new, and if possible try creating content that they wont find out there, they will love you for it.
- Read his post on 7 ways to get more comments on your blog
April 02, 2011
23:29
M-Pesa Goes Global: 45 Countries
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Safaricom and Western Union have just announced M-Pesa Mobile Money transfer service from Kenya to 45 countries and territories. Safaricom has been in partnership with Western Union for the last three years.

M-Pesa and Western Union

M-PESA (Safaricom) and Western UnionIn 2008, Western Union signed a deal with Safaricom to enable subscribers to send and receive money between the U.K and Kenya. Western Union has not just had its eye on M-Pesa, in 2009 they also signed with Zain in order to allow transfer of money throughout the globe.
Send M-Pesa All Over the WorldAs of 31st December 2010, Safaricom's M-Pesa housed 13.5 million subscribers, over 24,000 M-Pesa agents, and had over 600 organizations accepting payment via M-Pesa. Western Union, on the other hand has over 80,000 agent locations around the globe. Combine these figures and your have a money-exchange powerhouse literally opening millions of Kenyans to the world,as is this new MPesa-WU venture.

How Much to Send and Receive Money? - ChargesThrough the new Safaricom-WesternUnion service, customers can send a maximum of Kshs. 35,000 at a time ( the amount varying per country or region). Charges shall vary as per the relevant countries or regions, naturally, and the amount sent. M-Pesa customers accounts can hold a maximum Kshs. 100,000 in the account at a time. Transactions, whether withdrawing or depositing, are between Kshs. 50 and Kshs. 70,000 at a time. They can also transact a maximum of Kshs. 140,000 per day.

"Our customers are very proud of the revolutionary M-PESA service, and this partnership sees us pushing new boundaries to continue to keep Kenya at the forefront of the mobile world. Through this partnership, our customers and their friends and families will benefit from affordable, faster and more convenient international remittances, and the money is available to use straightaway for any M-PESA transaction, or can be withdrawn as cash at any of our 24,000 Safaricom agents." - Safaricom CEO, Bob Collymore.

“We are pleased to extend our service with Safaricom, and we look forward to adding additional functionality for M-PESA users in the near future.” - David Yates, Executive Vice President and President, Business Development and Innovation, Western Union.“Cash payout through M-Pesa is projected to go up from 23 per cent to 40 per cent, as the traditional cash payout will take the rest.”
Press Release: M-PESA SERVICES GOES GLOBAL VIA ALLIANCE WITH WESTERN UNION
Entrepreneurial Opportunity:
- Combining the number of clients already subscribed to the M-Pesa service, and taking note of Western Union's, and Vodafone's, global reputation can create a very powerful online payment service. A service I can bet will rival PayPal - considering the little percentage of Africa Paypal covers effectively.
- Could be effective Paypal substitute, if the Western Union rates weren't so high.
About Western Union:The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) provides businesses and individual customers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. In 2010 alone, Western Union had 214 million customer-customer transactions and moved $76 billion of principle between customers and 405 million business payments. Visit the Western Union website.
March 31, 2011
23:37
Views: Blogger - About the Dynamic New Views
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Blogger has released another of revamp for its blogs. Google has just introduced new dynamic views for readers, using the latest technology to give bloggers and readers a freshly brilliant new look.

BLOGGER'S FRESH NEW LOOKSThese new feature involves five new templates using the latest HTML5, AJAX and CSS3 technology, to provide a look as fluid as it is breathtaking. Since, these implementations are quite new, they require a decently recent browser; Internet Explorer 8+, Firefox 3.5+, and other decent versions of Chrome, Safari, Opera; basically, any new browsers.

The template views include: Sidebar view, Timeslide view, Snapshot view, Mosaic view and Flipcard View. On the top of the view page is a horizontal bar: with site > on the left, using this tab, your can click and type in another website address to view. On the right is a Search box; with which you can search through your posts.

The Online Kenyan in: Sidebar | Timeslide | Snapshot | Mosaic | Flipcard
- To get onto these views on any Blogspot site: Just enter the site url into your browser then /view. For example if it is http://googleblog.blogspot.com/ just type in: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/view
- To get onto these views on any Blogger site: Just enter the site url into your browser then /view. For example if it is http://www.theonlinekenyan just like with blogspot, type in: http://www.theonlinekenyan/view
CLICK ON THE IMAGES (below) to check the views out
Sidebar View on BloggerPosts are listed on a neat sidebar on the left; with the selected post featured on the right. Once this posts are loaded, you can search through them, like magic. Just type in what you are looking for in the search box, and it filters through the list. It's really cool, then pick what you want, and it'll feature on the right. Hint: You can use J and K to quick-navigate the list.

Blogger View - Sidebar

Timeslide View on BloggerPosts are spread on three columns. The Column on the left has post titles, thumbnail images, and post snippet [posts are larger] , the middle column has post title and snippet and the right column has a list of the posts. The posts on the right have the dates posted neatly on their top-left. Hint: When searching, relevant posts are highlighted.

Timeslide view - Blogger

Snapshot View on BloggerThis view picks posts that have images, and displays the images like a photo spread. When you hover the mouse on a photo; it displays the post snippet.Hint: Picks all photos in the blog, not just 1 per post.

Snapshot View - Blogger

Mosaic View on BloggerOne of the more stylish of the view. Posts are cascaded on the screen, with snippets showing on mouse hover. That's not all, when you click on a post, it expands onto the screen and when you click on it again, it retracts back into the mosaic tile. On expanding a post; supports J,K,"up","down" shortcuts. Hint: Optimized for tablet viewing along with screen rotation support.

Mosaic View - Blogger

Flipcard View on BloggerMy favorite view; it's like Snapshot, only more efficient. Displays all posts by thumbnails as if they were cards. With options at the top for arranging the posts by Recent, Date, Label, Author. Just click on an option and the posts smartly shuffle and spread by your choice. When clicking on a post you can use the J,K,"up","down" shortcuts or just press "ESC" to go Back to All Posts. Blogger Hint: Click Sort by Labels; to get a better look at your tags.

Flipcard view - Blogger

Blogger Dynamic Views (Video)

Create your own Blog for Free: Join Blogger
March 30, 2011
15:19
Warning on Close - Firefox 4 and Chrome
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
In the new Firefox 4, the save and quit option during closing has disappeared. This is due to the fact that they've implemented the "Restore Previous Session" on start, and the Save option apparently lost value.

If you liked the option of saving open tabs before closing, there is a simple trick to enabling it. This involves altering a piece of Firefox's configuration, don't worry; much easier than it sounds.

How to Enable Warning on Close - on Firefox and Chrome: Fixes

warning on close

[solved] Enable "Save and Quit" on Close | Firefox
- Open a New Tab: Just Press Ctrl+T
- Type in the address bar: about:config
- A warning will appear: This Might Void Your Warranty
- A list then appears with columns: preference name, status, type, value
- Go ahead and close the about:config tab.
- YOU ARE DONE!
[solved]GOOGLE CHROME: PREVENT ABRUPT CLOSINGOn Google Chrome, when you press quit, all the tabs close abruptly without a warning. This is sometimes a bit of a pain in the neck, especially if you meant to close only one tab.
Luckily, here is how to make Chrome ask before closing multiple tabs:

warning when closing Google Chrome
- Window Close Protector: This handy little extension helps with prevent the closing of many tabs on Google Chrome. Just click on the link (in your Chrome browser), then select install. It will install without even the need to restart. However, it'll protect new tabs you open.
- Restart your Chrome, and you're good to go.
Related Firefox about:config Preferences:
browser.warnOnQuit | browser.tabs.warnOnClose | browser.warnOnRestart
Share: StumbleUpon | Twitter | Digg | Facebook | Reddit
March 26, 2011
12:25
New Features - Internet Explorer 9
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
INTERNET EXPLORER 9'S NEW FEATURESMicrosoft's Internet Explorer 9 has been modeled for both a neat look, fast speed and better performance. Along with those features, Internet Explorer 9 comes with a brand new look.

internet explorer 9

INTERNET EXPLORER'S NEW LOOKIE9 is has one of the prettiest looks around, and giving most of its attention to the website being browsed. But just as it was with Internet Explorer 7 and tabbed browsing, IE9 has borrowed more than a few of its features from its rival browsers; Chrome and Firefox.
Internet Explorer 9's new interface includes: combined search and address bar, more focus on websites, pinned sites, privacy, add-on performance advisor, tab and download managers among others.Address Bar and Search BoxThe search box and address bar have been combined into one convenient tool. This handy idea, leaves space on the browser which has been, cleverly used for tabs. The new bar hence when used gives search suggestions from both Bing and URL history, neat. Hence, the search box, address bar and page tabs are in a single line. This is not the first time we're seeing this the union of the search box and the address bar as Google's Chrome does pretty much the same thing.

New ie9 address and search bar

Focus on WebsitesOn the same line with the address bar, search box and tabs, are the icons for back, forward, refresh, stop, home, tools among others. This interface puts all the browsing tools, neatly, in the same single line. Giving more room to the web-page being viewed. This offers a much better browsing experience as the user is not distracted by the browser frame.
Pinned Sites: Dock-able TabsThis involves letting the user drag a website, by its tab, and carrying it to the taskbar. This pins the site onto the task, sort of like a quick launch icon. It also supports site shortcuts, such that you can right-click on a pinned site and it will show you shortcuts to relevant places on the site. This enables the user to also gives the user options to quickly interact with the site. Firefox has also implemented a similar feature in Firefox 4 - Read about it in Firefox 4's Review.

ie9 - pinned tabs

Less Obstructive Warnings and NotificationsIE9 tries to let the user browse without it's characteristic (previous IE versions) annoying messages. The new notification bar is both smart and very welcome, they do not obstruct the user as they stay at the bottom of the screen. They are like, by the way am down here, deal with me when you feel like it.

ie9 - Less obstructive notifications

PrivacyE9 also comes with an inbuilt anti-tracking feature that, once activated, blocks certain companies (like ad companies) from tracking your clicks. To activate this feature, go to the gears icon on the top right (below the close button). You can customize your blacklist if you want. Click for Tools, then select “Safety” then “Tracking Protection”. Go ahead and activate, it only needs to be activated once, and that is it. Read a more detailed look at Internet Explorer 9's new privacy features.
Add-On Performance AdvisorA handy tools. It looks at all your installed add-ons and tells you which ones are slowing down your computer. It often pops up when the browser detects that it's significantly slow and you can choose to disable some of the more powerful ones.
Download ManagerIE9 comes with a new look download manager with which to view and track your downloads.
Tab Management
- Tab Tearing: If you want to open one of your tabs in a new window, just click on it and carry it out of the tab bar. You won't have to reload the page - If it's a YouTube video, you can carry it into a new window and continue watching your video. You can also carry the it back to its previous windows.
- Aero Snap: You can drag a site to the side and it snaps on. It helps the user easily snap sites to corners for side-by-side viewing.
- A new better looking New-Tab Page
ie9 - tab tearing

New Look New Tab Page [click on image]

Other Features:
- Internet Explorer 9 also comes with better performance and much faster speed via hardware acceleration through your computer's graphics card.
- It also has HTML5 and CSS3 support
- Faster JavaScript Performance
✓Read about these features and more in an exclusive: Internet Explorer 9 Review

✓Enhanced Privacy. Read More on Internet Explorer 9's new Privacy Features
11:37
Getting Out of a Twitter List
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Twitter Lists are easy to make and even easier to find yourself in one. There are websites like Formulists that can help create automatic lists, by picking up followers and even non-followers and grouping them as you like.

Getting Out of a Twitter ListAs nice as being part of a group is, some Twitter lists are just embarrassing to be on. Here is a simple way of getting out of a Twitter List:

Removing Yourself From A Twitter Group
- Open the list; click on the List you want to get out of.
- Click on the user that created that list.
- On the user account, click on the Tools icon (see pics below), a drop-down menu will appear. Click on BLOCK user.
- And that is it, you are out of the Twitter List.
- You can go ahead and UNBLOCK that user, you can even go ahead and follow them again and you still won't be in the List.
Twitter - blocking and unblocking a user
Share on Twitter
10:48
iHub - Technology Innovation Hub, Nairobi
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
iHub Nairobi is really an atmosphere, an environment specially crafted for tech innovation and development. It started out as an idea; to provide a place open for Kenyan techies to meet, share and breed innovative ideas.

iHub Nairobi

What is iHub Nairobi?*iHub_ is a venture of its kind; it's a communication and interaction hub for Kenyan technology entrepreneurs, investors, companies and start-ups, and developers. Be they mobile, internet, gadget and related tech community members.
The iHub is what we as a tech community make it. It is a blank canvas, a big open room with a great view and wonderful location, but still an empty room that needs some input from people within the community to design, and create a culture around.• Erik Hersman on WhiteAfrican | Founder of iHub

On Location*iHub_ members get access to internet and use of resources at the iHub [Membership - Free].

*iHub_ A Year OnIn its first year, iHub has grown to have over 3000 members (Developers, Creatives, Green members). Techies in the community have held over 70 events during iHub's first year, and formed over 12 companies.

Where iHub is located [click on image]

How to Join the iHub Community
- Visit the *iHub_ website: here
- Click on sign up, on the top right of the site
- Enter your details: Name, Address, Tel No, email etc... and sign up. You've just joined the community as a white member
- Go to your email address and confirm.
- After confirmation, go back to the iHub site and enter your account details: Information, Skills and Portfolio and submit for consideration for green membership. Green membership is, however, closed.
Join *iHub_ on: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Flickr | iHub Blog
Share this on Twitter | Recommend on Facebook
March 23, 2011
1:59
Firefox 4 - The Best Browser? - In-depth Look
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Mozilla Firefox 4 is out. It is released amid a browser war like nothing the industry as seen since Firefox 3's release. Google Chrome released a fast and neat looking v10, and the Firefox's mega-rivals Internet Explorer came out with their best release yet: Internet Explorer 9.
Firefox 4 - Full Review The new version of Firefox has had a huge buzz (#fx4), and after checking out its new features, is quite deserving. In this review, we'll look at they new features as seen on the Mozilla Firefox features page.

Bringing together all kinds of awesomeness to make browsing better for you.
Download your copy: Mozilla Firefox 4

Firefox 4: All the New Features

1. Easy BrowsingThe Firefox look has been redesigned for a better user experience. The first thing you'll notice is how different the browser frame has become. They've gotten rid of the Menu bar, leaving enough room to spread the tabs and add more customizations, as you'll see below:

Friendly Address BarThe address bar has been better optimized to search through your favorite sites, history and open tabs. You no longer have to type in long urls, just type in a piece, and it autocompletes. They are calling this the "Awesome Bar". It would have been much more awesome if it wasn't the very same thing in Chrome 10 and IE9. The only let-down in IE9 is that it comes with the default of Bing (Check out how to use Google as the search engine in Internet Explorer 9). Anyway, it's a welcome addition to the Firefox.

An Efficient InterfaceFirefox 4 doesn't just look nice, it works even better. All the usual icons in the browser have been scraped an the tabs are left neatly on top of the "Awesome Bar". Just like in IE9 and Chrome, the Reload and Stop have been combine into a one button. An add on Manager, opens up in a new tab, hence you can install and manage your add-ons without ever leaving your browser. The menu buttons that were on the top of the screen in previous versions are now in a glowing Firefox button on the top left of the browser. Check out this video on the new interface.

Tabs - New Firefox 4 Features
- Paranoma: My personal favorite feature in Firefox. You can now organize your tabs in a brilliant method. An icon on the top right for "Group your tab" gives you the power to reduce the amount of clutter in your browser. It displays all your open pages in a slick interface. All you have to do is drag related tabs into one group (which you can even name), and Firefox will sort them out, so that they are arranged in separate window. It's really even more awesome than I've explained.
- App Tabs: If you're using IE9, the your know what pinned tabs are, website shortcuts you pin on your taskbar for quick access. App Tabs is Firefox's version, your can pin tabs on the tab bar, permanenty.
- Switch-to-Tab: A really useful if you've got a lot of tabs open. When you're typing a web url in the address bar, Firefox 4 checks whether you already have it open somewhere else and gives you the option for switching directly to that tab.
Firefox 4 Paranoma - Click on image to check it out

Manage Your Data in Firefox 4
- Firefox Sync: The new Firefox comes with a synchronization feature. With a Firefox Sync account, you can securely access your Firefox history, bookmarks, tabs and passwords across your devices, be it mobile gadgets, tablets or your computer. All you will need to create an account is your email address. It's actually a 10 second procedure; sign-up, confirm you're not a robot (write something), then save your Sync code. The code is your security, you can email it to yourself to keep it safe.
- Password Manager: Save your passwords for different accounts. You just have to enter your usernames and passwords and Firefox gives you a hand.
- Form Complete: Firefox uses the data it already has on you to suggest information as you type into forms on various sites.
- Easy Search: With a large array of search engines to choose from, Firefox is the best browse for getting that information fast. It also comes with optimized search suggestions, smart keywords, integrated web search and location aware browsing.
- Session Restore: You can pick up where you left off, bringing back all open tabs.
- Spell Checker: An in-built spell checker that works directly in your browser.
Watch Video: Firefox 4's New Features
Better OrganizationFirefox 4 helps you keep track of your browsing. Be it recalling a cool site you visited a while back or just your favorite sites, there is something for each. Fx4 comes with; one-click bookmarking, tags, library. You can save sites to favorites just by clicking on the star in the address bar, save them using tags (e.g tech - Try it out with this site :) ), and browse your history and favorites in an archived library.

Firefox Tools
- RSS Feed Reader: Yeah, it's not all that, but it's much better than what Chrome have, where the Feed url isn't displayed.
- Download Manager: It's not really all that either, considering the way IE9 have pimped out their Download Manager. #comeonguys
- Other: Search, Zoom and Offline Browsing
2. A Better Performing Browser
- High Speed: From integrating Compartments and more efficiently managing JavaScript objects to supporting ECMAScript5 and building the brand new JägerMonkey JavaScript engine, Mozilla have worked to make this the most powerful Firefox ever.
- Crash Protection: If or when a plugin crashes, for example adobe Flash crashes, it won't close Firefox, it'll just affect the page its own, and you can restart the plugin and reload the page.
- 3D Graphic: WebGL provides the development of visually appealing web apps and games for the browser
- Hardware acceleration: Firefox 4 makes use of your computers graphics system to bring fluid video and graphics.
3. Firefox 4: Security and PrivacyContent Security in Fx4
- Website ID: Firefox instantly checks the ID of different sites and displays them on clicking the favicon.
- Anti-virus integration: Antivirus integrations makes use of your computers antivirus software to scan through downloads and malicious content.
- Antiphishing: Firefox also works in checking fake and forgery sites.
- Anti-Malware: Firefox also protects from virus and worms by recognizing attack websites and directing you from them.
- Secure Connections: Firefox ensures further content security by connecting to secure [https] servers when available.
Privacy and Private Browsing in Firefox 4
- Private Browsing: Wanna check your email in a cyber? Order something online? Not sure is the computer is safe? You can browse privately and get all your user data cleared when you're done.
- Do Not Track: Lots of websites keep information on your clicks and browsing. You can tell Firefox to block these sites.
- Forget This Site: If you want to delete a specific website's history from your computer. In Firefox 4 your can erase all trace of that one website.
- Customized Security Settings: You can set your security settings. Be it Remember or forget history, cookies or passwords or clear cache automatically.
- Parental Controls: You can apply parental downloads to prevent unwanted downloads and browsing.
Check out how to implement these privacy features on Internet Explorer 9

4. PersonalizationAs compared to other browsers, Firefox 4 is really the user's browser. With the easiest and best ways to customize and create you own look:
- Personas: Dress up your Firefox to your liking. With thousands of themes to choose from, the user can get exactly what s/he wants.
- Add-ons: Thousands upon thousand of add-ons, the user often getting what they are looking for, and much more. An improved Add-On Manager is also another brilliant feature of Firefox 4.
- Customizable Firefox: Style doesn't just stop at personas, with Fx4 you can edit your whole look and design at the touch (drag) of the mouse.
Firefox 4 - Awesome Add-Ons

5. Cutting Edge TechnologyFirefox 4 incorporates the latest developments in browsing technologies. Fx4 has CSS3 support, a HTML5-ready parser, WebM and HD Video, Multi-touch Support (in Windows 7), a Web Console that lets the user peek under the hood of webpages.

6. Universal AccessFirefox supports a variety of fonts and languages. This and the fact that emphasizes on ease of accessibility and universal customization means no-one is left out of the Firefox experience.

7. It's a Non-Profit
March 22, 2011
15:40
How to Use Google Search on Internet Explorer 9
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

Internet Explorer 9 comes with Bing as the default search engine and suggestions provider. This is quite an inconvience if you prefer Google as your search results provider. There is, however a way to change to change the IE9 search provider to any and/or of your favorites.

Internet Explorer 9 - change default search engine

Adding Search Providers to Internet Explorer 9A variety of add-ons are available at the Microsoft add-on gallery. While it's not as vast as the number of Add-ons available for Firefox, most of them are quite handy.
Adding a New Search Engine to Replace Bing Internet Explorer has added a lot of features into IE9 [ Read Internet Explorer 9 Review ], one of the most important is that the search box and address bar are one. You can use this address/search box to replace Bing. In the search box, on the right hand side there is an arrow pointing down (Between the search and reload icons). When you click on it, a drop down will appear and on it; your history and favorites. Further down, on the same box, is a line that contains the Bing icon (to the left) and "Add" to the right. Click on "Add", and the Microsoft Add-ons Gallery "search-providers" page will load (on a new tab).

Replace Bing - IE9 search

The Best Search Engines for IE9On the Microsoft Search Provider page, there are numerous search engines it's quite tideous going through them all. Here are some of my personal best choices: Google Search, Wikipedia, eHow Search, Yahoo Search, Facebook Search, among others.
Installing a New Search EngineOn the Search Provider Page; there is an option to "Add to Internet Explorer". Click on the option. A notification will appear "Do you want to add this search provider?" Also has these options Make it your default Search Provider, and use search suggestions from the provider. Select which you prefer. The best option would be; using Google as your default search provider, and getting suggestion from all your services. Then click on "Add". And you're done.

How to add a New Search Provider to IE9

Searching the Internet PrivatelyThere are lots of companies that keep track of your online activities. From Google Analytics, to ad sites. If your want to use the internet anonymously, Internet Explorer makes this possible using InPrivate Browsing. Just right click on the IE9 in your taskbar and select "Start InPrivate Browsing" and you're set. Read about even more ways of ensuring your Privacy on Internet Explorer 9.
Manage Your Search Engines in Internet Explorer 9

Manage search engines [A look] | Click on image

Having a lot of search providers may also become a bother. There is a way to view and change you search engine options. Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Manage add-ons". On selecting Manage add-ons, a window will pop up with options to manage your different installed add-ons; "Toolbars and Extensions", "Search Providers", "Accelerators", and "Tracking Protection". Select "Search Providers". Click on the image to take a look.
3:03
Internet Explorer 9 - Private Browsing
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Internet Explorer 9 has made private browsing really easy. Microsoft's IE9 goes an extra mile in adding even more privacy features to your browser. In this post you'll learn of the basic ways of going anonymous on Internet Explorer 9.Browse The Internet PrivatelyInPrivate BrowsingInPrivate browsing prevents Internet Explorer from storing data about your browsing session. This includes cookies, temporary Internet files, history, and other data. Toolbars and extensions are disabled by default. In Firefox, there is Private Browsing, but its main disadvantage is that it closes your other sessions, but reloads them when you Stop Privately Browsing. In Internet Explorer 9, you just open the InPrivate session in a new window and close it to end.
There are four simple ways of going into into InPrivate Browsing; the keyboard shortcut, from the “Tools” icon, from your taskbar, or you can create your own shortcut.

Browse Privately -
1. Keyboard Shortcut (ctrl+shift+p). When you're in Internet Explorer, for InPrivate Browsing just press: CTRL+SHIFT+P
2. InPrivate from Tools On the top right of the browser is a gears icon, “Tools”, select it the choose “Safety” then click on “InPrivate Browsing”.
3. From the taskbar. Right click on any Internet Explorer icon in your taskbar and select “Start InPrivate Browsing”. This will open a new browser window where you can browse privately.
4. Create a custom shortcut: Right click on the desktop, then select "New" then "shortcut". Then browse for where your internet explorer is located. Should be... My Computer > Local Disk C (the one with the windows logo i.e running OS) >Program Files>Internet Explorer> then select iexplore. It should then bring you : "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" in the search box add an -private i.e ("C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" -private) Then click Next, and OK, and you have your InPrivate Shortcut.
Internet Explorer 9 - Privacy Settings

Activate Anti-TrackingAn anti-tracking feature that Internet Explorer have implemented that block companies from accessing your browsing data. This neat little feature just needs to be activated once, and you're set. You can also check and modify your blacklist. To activate this feature, go to the gears icon, "Tools"(see pics above), then select “Safety” then “Tracking Protection”. Go ahead and activate and you're set to go.

The Anti-Tracking and Privacy features are okay, but Internet Explorer should invest in much more extensions, borrow a page off the book that's Firefox's Awesome Add-Ons and Extensions.
March 21, 2011
19:57
Internet Explorer 9 - Review
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Microsoft Windows' Internet Explorer has been around since 1995, and over time has lost user loyalty to the faster and better performing likes of Firefox and Chrome. Internet Explorer 9 is Microsoft's approach to getting back to the top of the browser wars.

Internet Explorer 9 - Review

While one of its predecessor's (IE6) was a huge disappointment, the new Internet Explorer is a different story, getting all the right fixes and with speeds on par with Firefox 4 and Google Chrome 10. A much better way to explore the internet. It's, however, a let-down to the millions of XP users as it runs on only Windows 7 or Vista.
Internet Explorer 9 – 2.35M downloads in 24 hoursInternet Explorer 9 was downloaded an impressive 2.35 million times in the first 24 hrs of its release. That is 98,000 download per hour, 27 per second. This is over double the number of downloads [in 24 hours] for the beta version and four times the RC (Release Candidate). During the beta phase of Internet Explorer 9, it was downloaded a cool 40 million times, and the beta version constituted a 2% market share of Windows 7 computers. If this is surprising, wait till you here this; the different Internet Explorer versions still command over 60% of the browser market share.
While 2.3 million downloads for a browser in 24 hours is stunning, Firefox still holds the Guinness World Record. In 2008, Firefox 3 was downloaded 8 million times in its first 24 hours. Firefox 3.5 also managed a cool 5 million downloads in 24 hours. Let's wait and see what numbers Firefox 4 brings in.

Get it Here: Download Internet Explorer 9 (Microsoft)INTERNET EXPLORER 9 – REVIEWWhile Internet Explorer 9 resembles IE8, it's much more streamlined and has adopted a variety of features from Chrome and Firefox. Of all the various versions of Internet Explorer released, this is the force to reckon with for Firefox and Chrome.
Internet Explorer 9 – Features:Faster PerformanceIE9 has introduced hardware acceleration for graphics, text and video. IE9 taps into your computer's graphics card to use its processing power during browsing. This helps sites with graphics and video to load much faster an perform better. IE9 is now in the same speeds as Google Chrome.

HTML5 and CSS3 SupportGreatly improved CSS support and support for HTML5. Internet Explorer are now ahead of the game with the introduction of support of HTML5.

Faster Javascipt performance
IE9 has a new Javascript engine; which improves the performance of interactive web apps. Sites like Gmail and Facebook that are interactive will get a boost in speed.

Enhanced PrivacyIE9 also comes with an inbuilt anti-tracking feature. Once activated, it blocks certain companies from tracking your clicks.

A Brand New LookInternet Explorer's new style is both good to look at and feature-filled. Exploring the internet is made much easier with neat customizations such as a combined search and address bar, more focus on websites, pinned sites, better new tab page among others.

IE9 - Explore the Internet in Style

SecurityInternet Explorer 9 is one of the safest , if not the safest, browsers. Keeps your machine clean by keeping in check malware sites.

Internet Explorer 9 – Cons:XP incompatibilityEven though the largest percentage of computers still use Windows XP[41%], the new version of Internet Explorer cannot run on XP. This is quite a disappointment to the millions of Microsoft clients still on the operating system. This is a Microsoft initiative to get users to use the browser that comes with their machine OS (that is Vista, Windows 7 – Details Below).
Website incompatibilityWhile it may now be able to handle HTML5 and CSS3, IE9 has issues with lots of websites, they do not load well. Internet Explorer, however counters this with a “Compatibility view” icon in the address bar (near reload).
Few Add-Ons and ExtensionsThis has been one of Internet Explorer's All-Time cons. The fact that there are few extensions available means that they user has no real customization freedom. While Chrome has gone and pimped out its Extension store, and Firefox being king when it comes to add-ons, IE9 is already losing in it's first days out.
Bing [Default Search]While IE8 offered the option of changing search engines from Bing to your preferred choice (Google), the newer version surprisingly doesn't. IE9 does not also have the accelerator gallery feature which allowed the user to select preferred service providers. (Details – Youtube Video)

IE Reputation
The problem is that so many of the “tech guys” online have such a low opinion of the browser, partially owing to its tortured history, that the reviews all end with something like, “It’s not bad, but it’s IE, so there’s that.” - Nicholas Deleon | CrunchGear.

Watch Video: Comparing Every Version of Internet ExplorerIE9 Automatic Update On Windows 7 and VistaIf you are running Windows 7 or Vista, don't bother looking for IE9, it'll come to you, if it hasn't already. While Windows 7 was shipped out with IE8 and Vista with IE7, IE9 will be pushed onto these operating systems as an “important Windows update”. While this is a small step, it will really boost the number of IE users, considering Windows 7 is the fastest selling OS of all time – with 240m copies sold in its first year. These IE9 download numbers will certainly trump its first 24 hours.
Related Info:
- Unlike other browser's Internet Explorer is integrated into Windows, so you'll have to restart you machine during installation.
- The mobile version of Internet Explorer 9 is expected to launch for Windows Phone 7 later this year (with the Windows Phone 7 Mango update). The main difference between IE8 and IE9 on mobile is the better rendering quality and that the address bar will be at the bottom of the screen, closer to your thumbs.
- There is talk around of Internet Explorer 10 previewing this April
- By the way, did you know that Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8 each control more market share than all Chrome versions combined!
- Read Microsoft's IE9 Press Release: Microsoft Announces Global Availability of Internet Explorer 9
March 05, 2011
21:39
KCSE Results - Poor Performance
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
KCSE 2010 had 213,438 candidates scoring C- and below. The large number accounts for an astonishing 60% of those who sat for the exams. Whereas the examination was sat by 357,488 candidates, only 27 per cent obtained mean grade of C+ and above, which is considered the minimum university entry benchmark.

KCSE Results

Worst Performing Schools:St Mark's High School was last with a mean grade of only 1.58 sat on the edge of D-. Out of 76 candidates, 39 scored E, 29 D- and 7 D. Only one candidate managed a D+. Second from bottom was Eastern Province’s Kyulu Secondary School which had a performance index of 1.64. The best student in a class of 25 had D, 14 D- and 10 E. Bute Girls Secondary School in North Eastern Province was the third worst performer. Some 22 of its candidates obtained a mean grade of E, while 13 had D-. Nairobi’s Guru Nanak Secondary School had a mean of 1.8. Eighteen of its candidates scored E.Nyanza Province had the highest number of schools in the bottom 50 institutions. It contributed 17 candidates to the list of failures. It was followed by Central with 10 schools, Eastern seven, Coast six and Nairobi five. Rift Valley had only two schools on the list, while North Eastern had one. There was no school from Western on the list.
A massive 154,830 students representing 43 per cent of the total candidature obtained D+, D, D- and E, the lowest grades in the KCSE ranking. To make the matter worse the number of candidates who obtained grades of D- and E last year stood at 47,405, compared to only 8,131 students who obtained the first two top grades of A and A-.
Over 5,500 secondary schools across the country have limited capacity to prepare their students for higher education and further training. Whereas those schools would like to link their poor performance to limited resources, emerging evidence indicate poor administrative style, chronic teacher and student absenteeism and student indiscipline as key to poor performance recorded by that category of schools.
Only 3 district public schools were among the top 100 schools. These were Molo Academy, AIC Chebisaas Boys’ Secondary School and Nyakoiba Secondary School. This in sharp contrast with the emerging high cost private secondary schools that took 28 slots of the best 100 schools in the country. Read on KCPE Results for 2010.
"We think people might be complacent for living near the city. Some of our teachers could be involved in businesses, tuition in private schools or other activities outside their core teaching duties," Mr Patrick Nyagosia, Central Province Director of Education, on Central province’s poor performance back in 2009.
Why Schools Fail:
- Admission – High performing schools get the best crop off primary schools and these schools in the bottom lot get a raw deal. And the cycle continues on and on, feeding unto itself.
- Staff – Poor staffing of these institutions. Few teachers meaning the children are inadequately. Saturday Nation investigations established that some teachers in the worst performing schools were sub-contracting Form Four graduates, some of whom scored as low as D+, to teach on their behalf.
- Resources – Most of these institutions, especially in the arid regions, lack sufficient resources. Be it lab equipment, books, or even desks to sit in, not having a good enough environment to compete on the same level as Alliance or even Maranda.
- Community – the Director of Education (Secondary Schools) Mr Robert Masese said that some communities had given up helping schools within their precincts preferring to send their students to well performing ones away from home
- Government – To be honest, the government is on the list because it never does anything right; from corruption, CDF mismanagement, misappropriation of resources… [ name it, they do it]
- Drought and Insecurity – Mr Masese added that insecurity and drought in the N. Eastern Province was an issue affecting enrolment and performance
- Indiscipline– Teacher and Student absenteeism, student indiscipline
- Poor Administration – Most of these institutions are poorly run.
When it is becoming apparent that of the 2010 KCSE lot only those that attained B and above may get slots in local universities, the government needs to spell out better avenues for the rest.

Sources:
- Samuel Siringi (March 4 2011). Revealed: Kenya’s worst schools .
  Available: [www.nation.co.ke] . Last Accessed Date:5 Mar 2011.
- Wachira Kigotho (4 Mar 2011). District schools register poor performance in KCSE exams.
  Available: [standardmedia.co.ke] .
  Last Accessed Date:5 Mar 2011.
17:14
Wikileaks Kenya: Kibaki, Raila, Kalonzo Respond
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Wikileaks released confidential diplomatic documents from the US Embassy in Nairobi. With over 2000 Kenyan cables in the hands of the whistle-blowing organization, Kibaki, Raila and Kalonzo are clearly not pleased.

Kalonzo, Kibaki, Raila respond to Wikileaks

Mwai Kibaki [President] via Presidential Press Service“We wish to state that President Kibaki’s record on reforms through out his career speaks for itself. The Kenyan people have enjoyed unprecedented political, economic and social freedoms during his tenure in office,” the (Presidential Press Service) statement said.
“Anybody criticizing the President’s reform credentials needs only to examine the achievements recorded under his watch. He has helped revive institutions that were on the verge of collapse, streamlined the way government is run and the whole process of reform culminated in the endorsement of the new Constitution, which is a charter that offers the most comprehensive blueprint for institutional reform in the nation’s history. The President is now trying to consolidate that record by supporting implementation of the new Constitution.” Isaiya Kabira, Head of the Presidential Press. Service
“Kenyan people must not be distracted from the path of transforming our country, especially at this moment when we are focused on implementing the constitution that task will be undertaken by the Kenyan people with total support and leadership from their Government, “the statement added.
Raila Odinga [Prime Minister] via The Office of the Prime Minister“The PM understands that US foreign policy is not made on the basis of what is contained in these cables so he isn’t really paying that much attention to them. As to what the US thinks of the principals, Kenyans understand the President and the PM are much more complex than the picture being portrayed in the cables. The Principals deal with many more people and if all were to give their assessment, a picture would emerge of much more sophisticated leaders.” - Dennis Onyango, communications director at the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Sometimes Ranneberger speaks too much and carelessly. He lives in Kenya (but) he is a visitor. If he wants to advise us, he is free to do so but we want visitors to respect us. Mr Ranneberger is not Kenyan and Kenya is not a colony of his country!” - Raila.
“We cannot accept a visitor to come to our country to tell us he wants to bring changes, Kwani yeye ni nani. Na baba ya babu yake na babu ya baba yake ni nani na alitoka wapi katika Kenya? (Who is he? Who is the father of his grandfather and the grandfather of his father and what part of Kenya do they come from?)" - Raila.
Raila's Thoughts on Wikileaks:The Premier also hit out at the whistleblower WikiLeaks website, saying it is a deplorable breach of certain aspects of common human decency:
“One would have expected that even with the kind of technological advancements that have made it possible to live and share in a world that is almost seamless, we are all still enjoined to acts of responsibility and restraint even when we have access to certain types of information,” he said in a statement.
“One would therefore have hoped that the WikiLeaks, in spite of its philosophy and commitment to a world without any government secrets, can weigh and realise the potentially hazardous implications of reckless and unfettered release of information, especially when it has been obtained illegally. To act responsibly in such situations would not in my view, really imply that we do not subscribe to the fundamental rights and freedoms of access to information as are now widely recognised internationally and indeed affirmed in Kenya’s new Constitution.”
The PM admitted that “the whole saga surrounding these WikiLeaks also therefore underlie an incredibly significant development in human affairs in the world today. In particular, let it be known and appreciated by Kenyans, that in today’s world, all those things that we do under the cover of darkness in the hope that they shall, so remain, unknown as ‘secrets’ must at some point bubble out and be known.”
Kalonzo Musyoka, via The Office of the Vice President“It is unfortunate that Amb. Ranneberger contrary to his mission as his country's representative has wasted his time in our beautiful country collecting rumours and passing them off as substantive diplomatic intelligence," said a statement from his office. "The latest WikiLeaks making wild allegations on the person of the Vice President Dr Kalonzo Musyoka should be treated with the contempt they deserve as the product of a very creative mind, whose purpose is to drive a wedge between the President and his Deputy."
“Kibaki is standing tall, strong and confident. We thank God for the President and wish him long life…so that WikiLeaks can be disgraced,” Mr Musyoka said. This statement came in response to his alleged asking for the U.S to urge Kibaki to retire in 2007.
Read an exclusive look at the Kalonzo story => [Kalonzo Exposed]
“The reports want to take us back to the dark days when we almost fell off the cliff,” Mr Musyoka said, adding: “That is not the way to go.” He then quoted the Bible’s Philippians, Chapter 4, where Paul says we should stop worrying about our past.
Sources:
- Anthony Kariuki (3 March 2011). Wikileaks - Kalonzo Wanted Kibaki Out of 2007 Poll Race.
  Available: http://allafrica.com/stories/201103030964.htm l. Last Accessed Date: 05th Mar 2011.
- Judie Kaberia (28 Feb 2011). Raila hits out at US over WikiLeaks. Available: [webcache.googleusercontent.com] . Last Accessed Date: 05th Mar 2011.
- Murithi Mutiga (March 4 2011). What Americans really think of Kibaki and Raila. Available: [www.nation.co.ke] . Last Accessed Date: 05th Mar 2011.
15:10
Wikileaks Kenya: Kalonzo Musyoka
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Reacting to Wikileaks, Kalonzo Musyoka quotes Philippians where it says that we should stop worrying about our past. Irony is the fact that the leaked cable reveals his image as a pretend Christian only focused on furthering his career.

Kalonzo Musyoka: Exposed

The Kenyan Vice President is said to have approached U.S President George Bush before the 2007 polls. According to Ranneberger, Kalonzo begged George Bush to urge Kibaki to step down before the elections, apparently on grounds of “ill health”. "Musyoka seriously suggested that President Bush should call Kibaki to urge him to step aside," reads the cable sent by Mr Ranneberger to his superiors in Washington.
Michael Ranneberger, US ambassador, claimed that while Kalonzo knew that there was no way he’d win the 2007 elections, he had a hidden agenda in his running for president. In the Wikileaks cable, Ranneberger says that Kalonzo was planning to spoil Raila Odinga’s chances and hand the presidency to Kibaki.
The ambassador describes Mr Musyoka as an opportunist and an intellectual lightweight.
In the Wikileaks cable, Ranneberger unflatteringly refers to Mr Musyoka as "opportunist interested primarily in advancing his political ambitions" despite projecting himself as a born again Christian.
Kingmaker and Spoiler:Mr Musyoka told Mr Ranneberger that he would focus on beating Mr Odinga in the Rift Valley on the assumption that ties between the Kalenjin and Kamba will see him carry the day. Former President Moi's armed forces chief of staff, a Kamba, was instrumental in helping Moi, a Kalenjin, put down the 1982 attempted coup which Odinga reportedly supported, the cable says.
"Kibaki will need to form a coalition government if he is elected, and I am ready to participate," Kalonzo supposedly said.
The cable says the ODM-K aspirant "offered nothing concrete, instead focusing on a litany of complaints about Kibaki and the other main presidential aspirant, Raila Odinga (ODM)". He claimed that should Mr Odinga be elected he would become "another Chavez" due to his socialist roots drawn from his study days in Eastern Germany. He was referring to Venezualan leader Hugo Chavez, who is focusing on implementing socialist reforms in his country. The reports further say that the VP said the heir-apparent of the Kikuyu community — Uhuru Kenyatta — had tentatively agreed to run as VP on a 2012 Kalonzo ticket.
"If Kenyatta has truly agreed to serve as Musyoka’s running mate in 2012, this would be due to a calculation that the majority of the Kenyan electorate would not accept a Kikuyu President (Kibaki) being followed immediately by another Kikuyu President (Kenyatta), requiring Kenyatta to bide his time during a Kalonzo interregnum." - Ranneberger.

Ranneberger's dossier also shared these little tit bits of information;
- Kalonzo secretly met Kibaki ahead of 2007 elections
- "Kibaki’s number 2 wife, Mary Wambui, brought the Arturs to Kenya," Kalonzo
- Kalonzo’s political perspectives attributed to possible consumption of hard drugs
Read the whole report here.
"Though Musyoka is polished and glib, some astute observers consider him an intellectual lightweight. Thus far he has not presented a credible national political agenda."
The VP and Mwingi North MP expressed disgust at newspaper headlines on the Wikileaks. “The reports want to take us back to the dark days when we almost fell off the cliff. That is not the way to go.” Kalonzo said.
"It is unfortunate that Ranneberger, contrary to his mission as his country’s representative, has wasted his time collecting rumours and passing them off as substantive diplomatic intelligence," he said.

Sources:Anthony Kariuki (3 March 2011). Wikileaks - Kalonzo Wanted Kibaki Out of 2007 Poll Race. Available: [allafrica.com] . Last Accessed Date: 05th Mar 2011.Beauttah Omanga (03/03/2011). Wikileaks: VP a self-interested opportunist. Available: [www.standardmedia.co.ke] . Last Accessed Date: 05th Mar 2011.Kenya Stockholm (2nd Mar 2011). WikiLeaks Releases: Nairobi Cable No. 25: Kalonzo Musyoka’s Double Standards Exposed. Available: [kenyastockholm.com] . Last Accessed Date:05th Mar 2011.Lucas Barasa (2011). Kibaki is in good health and fully in charge, says Kalonzo. Saturday Nation, March 5, p5.
13:00
Wikileaks Kenya: Kibaki, Odinga 2008 Coalition
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
A Wikileaks cable dated April 2008 reveals behind the scenes happenings after the signing of the national accord on February 28 that year. While Kibaki and Raila seem to have a rough time getting their house in order, Ranneberger reveals them as puppets under the pull of party hardliners.

Kibaki and Raila Coalition

Their differences sufficed from the 40 ministry slots and how to share top posts. And while they had one or two private meetings, the two principles seemed to offer contradictory versions of what they discussed. Raila, read ODM, wanted some key ministry slots for his key supporters, while President Kibaki was portrayed as a beleaguered politician under pressure from allies not to bow to coalition partner ODM’s demands.
President Kibaki is portrayed as a beleaguered politician under pressure from allies not to bow to coalition partner ODM’s demands. A picture also emerges of Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a party leader eager to cut a deal with his rival.
THE HARDLINERS“Mr Odinga wanted at least two infrastructure Ministries (Energy and Transport), at least on policy coordination Ministry (Foreign Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and/or Local Government)...”This demands put Mwai Kibaki, the president, between a rock and a hard place for the posts were held by some of his key political allies.
Uhuru Kenyatta – “… is a presidential aspirant, does not want to give up this powerful ministry… Kenyatta is important to the cohesion of Kibaki’s Party on National Unity”
Martha Karua – “… also a president aspirant and was Kibaki’s lead negotiatoe in the Annan-led talks, holds the Justice and Consitutional Affairs…”
William Ruto was portrayed by the cable as an ODM hardliner who feels threatened by the governments allegations that he was involved in organizing and supporting the Rift Valley violence that followed the elections.

“I stressed to Kibaki that the US would use its full weight to ensure that Odinga does not make further demands, if Kibaki gives Odinga final two to three ministries he wants… He (Raila) needs face saving, I argued, and if Kibaki gives it, the US will hold Odinga to his promise to the deal…”

Read Raila, Kalonzo and Kibaki's reactions to this allegations => [Click Here]
I don’t know what is more disturbing, the fact that Ranneberger thinks he single-handedly negotiated the peace deal or that Raila seems to be an American puppet.

2007 ELECTION CHEATINGOn January 17, 2008, three weeks after the disputed presidential election, Ambassador Michael Ranneberger dispatched an unclassified cable looking at the results of the election. He basically says that both Kibaki and Raila’s partied were involved in election fraud.
"We found evidence of rigging on both sides and confirmation that some of the rigging took place inside ECK headquarters itself. By analysing various datasets, we developed scenarios that could point to either a Kibaki or a Raila victory.
"We do not think it will ever be possible to tell definitively who won the election…”
“…This is due in part to the compromise of the election officials and election-related ballots and forms, but also because our estimated number of 'ghost votes' (i.e. stuffed ballots) from both sides easily exceeded Kibaki's margin of victory," states the cable. The cable adds, "the cheating" in vote tallying at the Electoral Commission of Kenya between December 28 and 30 "was done exclusively by PNU partisans in Kibaki's favour". However the cable makes clear, "…there was cheating at constituency level by the ODM and PNU"."Those discrepancies total 459,100 votes, or 4.6 per cent of all votes cast, dwarfing Kibaki's margin of victory (230,478 or 2.3 per cent of all votes cast). It is impossible to conclude definitely how many of these 'ghost votes' went to each candidate," states the cable.

"All of these scenarios assume extensive cheating on both sides. In all cases, the margin of victory for either side is slim and ultimately unknowable".
"Whoever won likely did so by a very slim margin. This flies in the face of the position adopted by the ODM and others as mantra: that the election was brazenly stolen by Kibaki's ECK insiders at the last moment and that Raila should have won by a large margin. It also contradicts any perception or conviction within the Kibaki camp that the latter clearly won the race," concludes the cable.
WikiLeaks has over 2,500 cables sent by the American embassy in Nairobi to Washington DC but has so far has released less than 50.

Sources:
- Murithi Mutiga (March 4 2011). Bumpy road preceded Cabinet deal . Available: [www.nation.co.ke] . Last Accessed Date:5 Mar 2011.
- NAIROBI STAR (2 March 2011). Raila is Impossible, Said Kibaki - Wikileaks. Available: [allafrica.com] . Last Accessed Date:5 Mar 2011.
March 02, 2011
21:49
KCSE Results 2010
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results 2010 were officially released on Monday 28th February 2011. Prof. Sam Ongeri noted a general improvement across the country, as compared to the previous year.

KCSE 2010 Results

Get your KCSE Results:
- Visit Kenya National Examinations Council[KNEC] website, Click Here
- SMS the candidate's index number to 5052. Send INDEXNO to 5052
KCSE 2010 RESULTSA total number of 357,488 students registered for the KCSE 2010 exams, 20,084 more than to 2009's 337,404, in 6,004 examination centers as compared to 2009's 5,600.

Candidates that scored C+ and above were 97,137 (27% of the candidates), as compared to 2009's 81,048. 30.39% of the male candidates and 23.17% of the female candidates scored C+ and above.

"Candidates who obtained grade D and above and are considered eligible for further training account for 87 per cent compared to 85 per cent in 2009," Sam Ongeri.

Cancelled Results: KNEC Results Error Music exam results of 1,423 candidates in 205 schools were cancelled and recalled after the Kenya National Examinations Council released the wrong results. While seemingly minor, 9 Starehe Boys Centre students moved up to straight A's after the rectification of the blunder. It also cumulatively raised their [Starehe's] mean grade from 10.3383 to 10.35!

"Unfortunately, the dummy results were given out for Music by an officer who inadvertently packaged them instead of the validated ones." - Mr Paul Wasanga.
Question is: What are these dummy results and why does KNEC have them?

A reminder of KCSE 2007 when the examination council issued the wrong results for nearly all the schools. KNEC ended blamed the issue on a “computer error” and that was that. While a task force was established to investigate the 2007 blunder, nothing has come of it, much like what most Kenyan government task forces yield.

Cheating The number of students involved in cheating dropped significantly to 534 (0.14 per cent) from 1,171 (0.35 per cent) in 2009.

“This year (2010) recorded the lowest number of irregularities in the past 10 years…it is important that we continue with the war to stamp cheating,” Ongeri said.
February 12, 2011
11:08
Facebook: Log in as Page
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

Facebook has revamped Pages with a new "Log in as Page" feature. The new Pages design gives Page Admins the flexibility and functionality of normal users. Early December last year, Facebook accidentally revealed the new design only to revert back to the old Pages.

Facebook Pages Re-Design

Basically, the new Facebook Pages Design was developed with new Facebook user profile design in mind.

Firstly, the "Log in as Page" Feature: On the top-right Account tab is an option for "Use Facebook as Page". On clicking this, a pop up appears listing your pages and you can select which to log in as. On logging in, the Pages profile page comes on, on much similar to the Facebook user profile page.

Facebook Pages Profile [What's New]: The profile page has been tweaked to what Facebook users are familiar with. Photos are now featured at the top of the page. Application tabs, which where at the top, have been moved to the left, just below the profile photo. Notifications, just like in user profiles show latest user interaction with your page or posts; likes, comments... Search, helps you look for related pages and "like them" but as a page. Home, the Home tab displays feeds from pages you like, whereby you can like and even comment, as a page. You can switch back to your user account simply by going to the Account tab, then selecting "Switch back to..."

On the right hand panel, instead of Recommended Friends, it displays Recommended Pages. A list of pages followed by most of your followers. A handy feature to getting Pages you're likely to 'like' just click on the "See All" option.

Pages, however, do not have all the privileges of user accounts. You can not comment on a user's wall or leave comments on a user's update. Unless, of course, the user has included everyone in their privacy settings.

This Facebook Pages design is optional till March 10, 2011 when Facebook automatically switches all pages to the new design.
February 07, 2011
21:52
Ideos in Kenya: A Review
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Safaricom unveiled the Huawei Ideos phone back in January with an immense media ad campaign. The cheapest Google Android smart-phone on the Kenyan market at Kenya Shillings. 8,499 (just over $100). From TV, papers, even SMS, Ideos soon became the Kenyan must-have mobile device. What's all the fuss about? Well, that's what this post will find out.

Huawei Ideos with Google Android OS

Why You should Buy the Ideos:
Internet Connectivity:Out of over 6 million internet users in Kenya, 2 out of 3 connect through their mobile phones, hence connectivity is chief. With 3G capabilities of speeds of up-to 7.2 Mbps, this Google Android handset lives up to the hype providing a platform capable that can handle the fastest mobile speeds in Kenya. The Huawei Ideos phone can also be converted into a Wi-Fi hotspot connecting up-to 8 wireless devices.
Huawei Ideos – Phone Specifications:
Connectivity: Bluetooth; Wi-Fi - 802.11n ; Internet – 3G HSPDA Operating System: Google's Android OS, v2.2 (Froyo) Display: 240 x 320 pixels, 2.8 inches ; Touchscreen;
Auto-rotate, proximity sensor, swype input method Size: Dimensions - 104 x 54.8 x 13.5 mm; Weight - 102.1 g Memory: Internal - 200 MB storage, 256 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM; MicroSD – upto 32GB Multimedia: Camera – 3.15 MP, Geo tagging; MP4/H.263/H.264, Adobe flash supported Features: GPS supported– Google Maps Location Finder; FM Radio;
3.5 mm jack (yes, headphones!!); Stylish Design
Features you will love:
A brilliant GPS capability that will blow your mind. Auto-location; Automatically pinpoint your location on the map. Find favorite spot; Locations all around Nairobi (and Kenya) already in the Google Maps are neatly placed on the map. Just point and you get the precise directions to the favorite hotel... Also helps find ATMs, Petrol Stations, and other facilities near you.

Loads of applications for the Android platform; From Facebook for Android, Twitter for Android, a really fluid Youtube, Google Maps, Gmail... And Google Android Market [with over 60 apps]

Safaricom Offer: Free 600 MB Data bundle, plus an extra 1000/= credit!
Where Ideos Lets you Down:
- Battery Life: An excellent phone that has nothing to good to write about its battery. Short battery life, Huawei could do so much better. However, such brilliant performance phones almost always have short battery lives.
- Safaricom: Being the Kenya's telecommunication giant, Safaricom's prices are nothing short of a scam. From overpriced bundle charges, ridiculous call rates, to unfathomable data rates, Safaricom always proves that it can stoop even lower. The gist is, after the 600MB free bundle is over, your Ideos will leak you credit like you've never seen. No vendetta here, just that with Safaricom's unworldly pricing, you'll soon be without internet, and...
...without the internet, Ideos is nothing but a really expensive camera-phone.
- Display: Does not have the crystal-clarity of superior Android smart-phones, but it is quite okay.
- Touchscreen: The touchscreen can be a real pain. The keys are so close you'd think they 're strategically placed to mess up your text message. But with time, you catch on.
January 19, 2011
15:38
Esther Arunga - Hellon is a fake!
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

"I would want to ask Kenyans not to attend that church, it is a brothel, the things that go on in that church are shocking," Quincy Timberlake

Esther Arunga and Quincy Timberlake [Pregnant ~ October issue]

Arunga and baby boy Sinclair Timberlake

There is no love lost between Timberlake household and their eccentric Pastor Joseph Hellon. Esther Arunga and Quincy Timberlake (with their baby boy) visited several media houses to give statements as to why they are not happy with this man named Hellon.
Almost a year after she was recruited by "The Finger of God", Esther claims that Hellon was a fake and had cast a spell on her. That the Finger of God affair was all a con. This just dawned on her, while a majority of Kenyans had dismissed the whole charade just as it first hit the news, EABL's Tusker Project Fame went as far as dismissing Hellon from their staff.
While it was Hellon who first went to the news claiming that Quincy was a con, seems that the Timberlake family is now making its own news, with a vengeance. Hellon claimed that Quincy had promised him a contract with Pepsi Cola, an interview with CNN's Larry King, an appearance in on of Mel Gibson's movies among other things.
"...a well-planned, elaborate con carried out on me, Arunga, and the Finger Of God congregation," Hellon.
"...Hellon has in the entire time been pretending to be working with high level preachers like Benny Hinn and others by faking emails and instant messages. He has manipulated people and taken advantage of innocent souls by using the name of God. Esther has been a victim of blackmail and torture at the hands of Hellon and is now hunting for a church where she can carry out her faith. She was apologetic to Kenyans and her family for the pain and the agony she caused..." Niaje.com

ESTHER ARUNGA: I REGRET MEETING HELLON
[Courtesy IzVipi.com]
"I joined Finger of God while I was still at KTN and I felt like I was doing God's work and that is why I defended him the way I did," she says. "He was the one who ordered me to date and marry Wilson Malaba whom I later found was not as straight as I thought and ditched him." She says she moved in with Hellon and his wife because she was always doing church work and had planned to leave after a year and it was while there that he took control of her life.
"He turned me against my parents, ordered me to sue them and so many things and I did them because I was under his spell and didn't know what I was doing," she said. "He was also demanding that he be the one to name my baby!"
"I only have one regret, ever meeting Joseph Hellon and all I can ask Kenyans is to forgive me and my husband, we did not know what we were doing and we are very sorry," says Arunga.
The Couple She did not meet Timberlake through Hellon she clarified, saying they met in Sydney in 2003 and when they met last year, their friendship took off where they had left and decided to get married. Their marriage certificate shows the two were married by Joseph Hellon at the Finger of God ministries on February 9, 2010. According to Timberlake, the two decided to break ties with Hellon and the Finger of God last November, after they noticed that he was not as clean as he wanted them to believe.
"I would want to ask Kenyans not to attend that church, it is a brothel, the things that go on in that church are shocking," says Timberlake.
Asked why they acted like his stooges the whole of last year, Timberlake says it was because he (Hellon) blackmailed them until they decided to leave in November and they are currently looking for a church.
At the moment, they are trying to give their son a normal upbringing and shelter him from all the chaos that have become their lives.
January 05, 2011
1:22
Kenya Police Website Hacked
» ‎ The Online Kenyan

I'm CEO, Bitch!

Got in and all I could think about was Zuckerberg!!! This' for you Mark!

Kenya Police Website Hacked

A yet unidentified hacker had a field day with the Kenya police website.The hacker placed the message on the website's homepage, the other pages were functioning just fine. His work would have gone unnoticed had Larry Madowo not spotted it and tweeted it into cyber-stardom. This picked up Kenyan top trending #kenyapolicepassword where tweeps tried to guess the police password.

not again!
This is not the first time the site has been hacked. Other Kenyan administration websites have also been host to such malicious activities. Many government sites are subject to hackers and wannabes.

"Am Back. Can't Stop me...We can do this all night"
Just when the website Administrator got a hold of his system and restored it, the hacker got in again and left the message "Am Back. Can's Stop me". The Admin did his thing again and another message was back "We can do this all night."

"Stop the fuss you are not a real hacker! The site is un-protected!"Another hacker had to step in and help the poor web-admin with the message.

"OK. Its not that big a deal! :P"
This was the last message displayed before the site went back up.

Note to Kenyan Govt:
It does get any sadder than seeing a bunch of guys chatting on your website homepage. Style up.

Also, How most hackers hack into websites ~ Common techniques.
January 01, 2011
17:56
About MPESA
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Safaricom M-Pesa is a Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) service which basically sending money through and enabled mobile phone. M-Pesa is the first of its kind, and started in Kenya. It was launched in March 2007. While it involves the sending and receiving of cash, it is not a banking service.

M-Pesa Logo

Where did M-Pesa come From?MPESA OriginsM-Pesa is a contraction of Mobile Pesa. "Pesa" is Swahili meaning Money, hence M-Pesa basically means mobile money. Banks had never been the Kenyan’s favorite way of sending and storing money. At the time M-Pesa’s inception, March 2007, Kenyan banks only served 19 per cent of Kenya’s bankable population. Safaricom, part of the larger Vodafone, which at the time was expanding to uncharted proportion saw opportunity and M-Pesa came in to provide a better alternative to banking.

Many Kenyans think that M-Pesa idea came from a Kenyan, who then went ahead to design the M-Pesa system, and may or may not be reaping from his/her fruits. Just as many think Supa Strikas was an all and all Kenyan comic book.
Wrong, on both counts. That is the official version anyway. Safaricom, essentially through their Vodafone powerhouse, built the concept and Sygentia designed the system, and the rest, of course, is history. Anyway, Sygentia is a British technology consultancy firm that, behind the scenes, created M-Pesa system and run it for the first 6 months. The unofficial version: Kenya's Faulu Bank developed the system for their loans, though raw, which Safaricom then "borrowed".

How M-Pesa is not like a Bank Account
- You do not need to a have a minimum balance in your account in order for it to be active. Your account balance can be zero, as long as you wish it be, with no repercussions from Safaricom.
- No slips are handed out,
- No interest is gained on cash stored in the phone.Cash stored in phone - as e-money
- There are no account numbers, except the telephone number, no credit cards, ATM cards or receipts handed out.
How Does M-Pesa Work?A registered M-Pesa can deposit cash at an M-Pesa agent, with his/her ID number and signature put down, and across the country another user receives the money in a SMS message on their mobile phone. That is the way it started, anyway, nowadays as long as a person has an ID card you can receive and/or send money through the M-Pesa agents.

Safaricom MPesa has rapidly grown to house over 13.5 million users, over 24,000 MPesa agents, and over 600 organizations accept M-Pesa payment
[Dec 2010]
December 29, 2010
18:28
KCPE 2010 - Results
» ‎ The Online Kenyan
Prof Sam Ongeri officially released KCPE results 2010 at Kenya National Examination Council offices at Mitihani House, Nairobi December 28 2010. With boys taking majority slot in the top positions, this year saw the KNEC exams improve overally.
Central Province's Ngatia Linus Muchiri and Rift Valley's Metto Collins Kiprop jointly scooped the top position at the 2010 KCPE examinations with 434 out of 500 marks. Matindi Eleanor Karungari was this year's First Lady and followed the two closely with 433 marks.The other top candidates were: Ochieng Rabin (433), Patrick Mumo (432), Winnie Gatiria (432), Oprah Omeka (432), Michael Maina (431), Faith Kwamboka (431), Navy Silas (431), Wilbur Omae (431). However, in Nairobi girls emerged tops taking 55 out of the 100 candidates in the province. Top Ten Per Province.

Get Your KCPE Results Online

free primary educationA total of 746,080 pupils sat for the KCPE examinations. This year's was the first bunch off the Free Primary Education by the Kibaki administration. FPE programmes were launched in 2003 with the number of children in primary schools increasing from 5.9 million (in 2003) to 8.3 million (in 2010) a 45.76% increase. Read about KCPE Trends since 2003.

CHEATING
A total of 1,103 pupils (0.1%) had their results cancelled for cheating, a decline compared 1,905 cases in 2009. Read the Summary of KCPE 2010 exam irregularities.
“Although the gap between boys and girls in ASAL (Arid and Semi arid Lands) like North Eastern and Coast provinces continues to be a challenge, there has been marked improvement in gender parity and it is the primary responsibility of each parent and guardian to ensure their children attend and remain in school,” Professor Sam Ongeri.
Kcpe Results 2010 - Top 100
A.O.B
- The selection process for form one placement will start in a fortnight. National schools will be the first on January 11 followed by provincials on January 13 while district schools will make their selections on January 14.
- Pupils will be required to register online for their KCPE 2011.