HAPPY MADARAKA DAY

• On Saturday June 1, 1963, you could have caught happiness in the air if you were at Uhuru Gardens.

It was the day when — after a tumultuous armed freedom struggle — Kenya was becoming the last East African state to be granted internal self-rule by Britain

Former Assistant Minister Joseph Muturia said he travelled to Uhuru Park in a large Meru delegation organised by area political supremo Jackson Harvester Angaine.

"We had travelled in open lorries, braving the 300km journey between Meru and Nairobi. I think the ceremony had been taken to Uhuru Gardens, far away from the city centre, to keep off large crowds, but the plan failed as people still turned out in large numbers," said Muturia.

He recalls the enthusiastic reception that key regional leaders such as Tom Mboya, James Gichuru, Paul Ngei, Masinde Muliro, Ronald Ngala, Ngala Mwenda, Daniel arap Moi, Dr Gikonyo Kiano, Angaine, Jeremiah Nyaga and Lawrence Sagini received from the crowd.

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"It was a befitting start to freedom and economic prosperity for all," recalls the former school teacher and community development officer who would later be elected for three terms as the MP for Nyambene, Igembe and Ntonyiri constituencies.

"The crowd was electric when Kenyatta took the podium and for the first time in a national event uttered the word Harambee which would become our national motto of pulling together," said Muturia.

General Ngarari Wanjama, 90, the former chief secretary of Mau Mau Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, was also at Uhuru Gardens to witness the historic event. Having been captured and left the Mau Mau, Wanjama was living in Nairobi with Donald Barnett his co-author of the "Mau Mau from Within"

"When Kenyatta spoke, the crowd moved with his words. You could see happiness in every face around you. It is like the crowd had also contaminated the air around," said Wanjama, who  yesterday visited the ailing widow of Kimathi at her farm in Kinangop, Nyandarua County.

Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima, one of the last Mau Mau fighters to leave the forest, however, said the day escaped their notice as they were still in the Aberdare forest.

NEVER GIVE UP.

Seven Leadership Principles to learn from an eagle..

(1)  Eagles fly alone and at high altitudes.
They don't fly with sparrows or other small birds.

Stay away from (narrow minded people)  sparrows and ravens, those that bring you down.
 Eagles fly with Eagles. Keep good company.

(2) Eagles have an accurate vision. They have the ability to focus on something as far as 5km.
No matter the obstacles, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it.

Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacle and you will succeed.

(3) Eagles do not eat dead things. They feed only on fresh prey.

Do not rely on your past success, keep looking for new frontiers to conquer. Leave your past where it belongs, in the past.

(4) Eagles love the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm’s wind to lift it higher. Once it finds the wind of the storm, the eagles uses the raging storm to lift him above the clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime, all the other birds hide in the leaves and branches of the trees.

Face your challenges knowing that these will make you emerge stronger and better than you were. We can use the storms of life to rise to greater heights. Achievers are not afraid of challenges rather they relish them and use them profitably.

(5) When a female eagle meets a male and they want to mate, she flies down to earth with the male pursing her and she picks a twig. She flies back into the air with the male pursuing her.
Once she has reached a height high enough for her, she lets the twig fall to the ground and watches it as it falls. The male chases after the twig. The faster it falls, the faster he chases until he reaches it and has to catch it before it falls to the ground, then bring it back to the female eagle.

The female eagle grabs the twig and flies to a much higher altitude, and then drops the twig for the male to chase.
This goes on for hours, with the height increasing until the female eagle is assured that the male eagle has mastered the art of picking the twig which shows commitment, then and only then, will she allow him to mate with her!

Whether in private life or in business, one should test commitment of people intended for partnership.

(6) Eagles prepare for training. They remove the feathers and soft grass in the nest so that the young get uncomfortable in preparation for flying.

Leave your comfort zone, there is no growth there.

(7) When the Eagle grows old, his feathers become weak and cannot take him as fast and  as high as he should. This makes him weak and could make him die. So he retires to a place far away in the mountains.
While there, he plucks out the weak feathers on his body, and breaks its beak against the rocks and claws  until he is completely bare; a very bloody and painful process. Then he stays in this hiding place until he has grown new feathers; a new beak and claws; and then he comes out.

We occasionally need to shed off old habits no matter how  difficult, things that burden us, or add no value to our  lives.

Yes eagles never give up ...

Be an Eagle....Never give up!!

I LOVE MY COUNTRY, I LOVE KENYA

I love my Country. When I sit to remember where we came from, the lovers of history will agree. We paid a price. Freedom wasn't given to us. People had to sweat, people struggled, people bleed for us to enjoy this! You think this is another one of my stories. No it isn't. I am bleeding. I feel lost. My fear has been removed and replaced by hopelessness.

    When afraid you try but when hopeless you sit and let fate take its course. I have always found it odd that people who think ignoring a situation
is making a point. The
only point it makes to anyone is our inability to articulate our point of view. Our view which could save this nation. Friends, fellow comrades, kenyans, I write to you not as my second name might mean to you but as a person who loves his country.

     At first I did not take it serious to see people protest on every monday but as the masses grow larger, I find reasons to worry, the police are angry, we saw it, the mobs are equally feeling violated. PEV started with a small smoke in one town centre, and then another and before we knew it, churches were burning. I am afraid we are headed there.

    I do not write in support of any side because I am nolonger sure of any. But I am sure of one thing. On my side, different from CORD and JUBILEE we know each others name, that on my side we love life, that on my side we have sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers we cannot afford to lose, on my side we dont have to exchange fists to be men enough. On my side there is more gain if we have peace, on my side above all we value life. We are only almost one year to elections and I cannot comment on social media because I am a kamau or Otieno. Because I will be called a sycomphant. I will be given a pool of names that will even annoy my ancestors.

  We have substituted everything that matters in life with tribalism. That today I cannot marry a luo, giriama, kikuyu, luhya because they are alligned to one political thinking. With too much idle time, and thanks to Bob colymore we have cheap bundles we spread hatred, anger, resentment and jealous at the comfort of our homes. As you forward that text, as you make that comment. Think! Think about what difference it makes
to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the war was fought in the holy name of democracy? Or who won? On my side there are perhaps many causes worth dying for, but certainly, there are none worth killing for. So we think we are soldiers yet we are fools,because a true soldier fights not
because he hates what is in front of him, but because he
loves what is behind him.

   I am slightly past twenty years but I have seen how people are set against each other, and in silence, unknowingly, obediently, foolishy and innocently slay one another. We have to stop it. Only us can change this. Not those hungry for power. The soon we know that it only makes sense to make peace with enemies and not friends the better for all of us..

We have been through it. Can we save our past? No we cant. All what I know. We made a great many mistakes and good people paid the ultimate price for them. And that is a price we can never pay. But we can honour it and we can let their sacrifice remind us that sometimes the very measures we put in place to safeguard our liberty become threats to our liberty itself. Dont make it personal. Be part of the few trying to Heal our Nation. So help us God.

QUALITIES OF A STRONG MAN

Characteristics that a man should possess

First, let me start off by saying that I am in no way the authority of what a real man should be because I think that I possess every single one of these characteristics or values. Each and everyday I learn something new about myself, or even a new way of thinking.

One thing I have definitely learnt over the past year, is that life will humble you. It humbles all of us at one time or another, which is something that we either embrace, or we fight. If we resist, and we’re never humbled by ‘these moments’, we’ll never learn.

The first step we must take in becoming the man we are meant to be, is to realize exactly who we are, what our strengths and weaknesses are, and what we can offer the world. I’m not perfect. I’m terribly imperfect, and I’m reminded of it everyday, which allows me plenty of room for growth.

That being said, I’m pretty awesome, and you’re reading this blog, so you’re obviously pretty awesome as well  So, I’d love to hear what you have to say.

 what characteristics does the ideal man possess?

20 characteristics of a the ultimate man

1. A man treats women with respect. If you don’t respect women, you’re not a man. Period.

2. A man understands that greater happiness lies in helping others, not helping himself.

3. A man doesn’t stand still while the world passes him by, he continually pushes himself.

4. A man is a leader in at least one aspect of his life, whether this means his family, with his friends or just in general. But he can also follow. The world wouldn’t work if everyone was trying to lead in every aspect of life.

5. You can depend on a man. You can’t depend on a boy.

6. “You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him discover it in himself.” ~ Galileo Galilei

A man is proud, often to a fault. He doesn’t “change” but rather evolves. Ladies, don’t try and change your man, but let him evolve into the man he’s meant to be.

7. A man doesn’t need to be able to fight or to protect himself and his family physically. But it helps. He does however need to be willing to do whatever it takes to keep his family safe and happy.

8. A man lives for something; a purpose beyond his own personal gains. This can come with time, and with family. It doesn’t always happen right away.

9. “Many of the greatest accomplishments of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.”

A man gets depressed, he gets sad, he thinks about quitting and folding, but he never does. He pushes through adversity.

10. “When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that four of his fingers are pointing at himself.” ~ Louis Nizer

A man has faults. It’s important to understand this.

11. A man can laugh at himself.

12. A man takes pride in how he looks and lives his life. He’s not ashamed by who he is, what he does or how he looks, even if he’s trying to change one of the aforementioned.

If you are, here’s a great resource to help you change that –

13. “Young men want to be faithful, and are not; old men want to be faithless, and cannot.” ~ Oscar Wilde

Men learn what is truly important over time. If they’re lucky, they’ll have a sense of it early on.

14. “How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.” ~ Oscar Wilde

If a man finds someone special, he doesn’t treat her like she’s everyone else.

15. A man has fears, but he isn’t ruled by them.

16. A man learns from his mistakes. Although he might take a few cracks at it.

17. A man does what is necessary. Even if it’s the hardest decision, or the most unpopular one.

18. A man can appreciate the greatness that is ‘The Gladiator’.

19. A man thrives on competition.

20. “For a man to achieve all that is expected of him, he must regard himself greater than he is.” ~ Johann Wolfgan

MY FIRST LOVE, MY MUM

Every time, I hurt her but she always cares about me in return. Whenever I am ill, she sits behind me all the night staring at me in order to make sure that I am perfectly taken care of. She can’t close her eyes even for a little while so that when I wake up, I don't get worried by not finding her there for me. But I don’t know why, many times, I just can’t care about her feelings. Her love for me is visibly immeasurable; tears in my eyes or any bruises on my body hurt her deeply. Similarly, she loves to see a smile on my face all the time. Surprisingly, every time she already knows what is in my heart.

In my childhood, I loved to play cricket. I remember, those days she could never get relaxed until I returned home safe and sound. Till today, all my tensions vanish in her company; her kind face, knowing eyes and wise words help me to confront the issues bravely and sort them out confidently. Before every exam, contest or a tough time when I see her praying for me, I feel a lot of strength and calm inside me to meet the challenge.

Like everyone else, the secret behind my peaceful life and all the success is my mom. Whoever I am today, it’s just because of my mom’s support and efforts. She is the amazing selfless soul, who scarified everything to see me happy and flourishing in my life. How can I forget that she had to lose her friendships and all the socialization time just to spend time with me in order to help me with my studies every evening. When people were enjoying beauty naps in the afternoon, she used to be in the market with me buying material for our educational projects at school or purchasing equipments for my sports and co-curricular activities. I have flash backs of my rehearsals of dramas and debates that were held and directed by her at home so that I could perform with excellence at school. I still remember how fun was her company when I used to play outdoor or indoor games with her, and every time, she, deliberately, chose to be a looser just to see me happy (I was unaware of the fact that time). Similarly, every weekend we used to watch two kids’ movies together. I have  a full fledged album of such enjoyable memories that contributed to what I am today.

Now, when I am a grown up, she thinks I am still the same young child:

"Have you taken your breakfast? Finish your milk before your university bus arrives."

"Button your cuffs. Today, you did not comb your hair well!"

"Oh, wear your sweater quickly, otherwise you will catch cold."

"My God! I can’t approve of your wearing trousers while going outside, specially with me."

"How about your studies? These days, you are spending so much time on facebook, isn’t it? etc."

Although it’s annoying and irritating most of the time, but I understand it now; it’s her way of loving and protecting me. Since I opened my eyes, I found her by my side, caring and nurturing me. With her, I experienced love first time in my life. She is my first true love.

I don’t know why, despite all the awareness, I can’t acknowledge her love, care and contribution for me most of the time.  Here, I recall a story:

While passing through a bridge, a mom said to her son,

 “Hold my hand tightly!”

The son replied:

“No mom, you hold my hand.”

 Mom asked:

“What is the difference in it, son?”

The son answered:

“ Mom, may be I leave you when I am in trouble but I am sure you can’t leave my hand under any condition.”

But now, through this article, I discovered my relationship and bonding with my mother. Certainly, her love for me is evident and matchless. And, I have no words to thank her for all that she did for me.

My mummy stories inspired me alot. Thank you my mum

This is a true story, my mom told me about it, it happened when she was young. 

There was a trash man who came everyday to her home and picked the trash and all the very dirty garbage. Everyday he worked hard and collected money, everyday now and then work work work... Then, after many years of hard work he became rich, bought a nice house and a limo.... But... his limo contained a broom hanging on it's bumper. Everyday, when he went to the city, people asked him,"Are you mad? you have placed a broom on your luxurious limo?Duh."  And everyday he replied,"I placed a broom on the bumper so that I could always remember that I was once a garbage man and that I should not have pride over my wealth and prosperity".. People became amazed...

DO YOU WANT SPIRITUAL GROWTH?????

FRIENDS, BEWARE WHEN YOU NOTICE ALL THESE IN YOUR LIFE.

1. Beware! When prayer becomes a difficult thing for you.

2. Beware! When fasting is becoming a history in your spiritual timetable.

3. Beware! When you no longer enjoy reading the word of God.

4. Beware! When attending church programme is becoming a burden rather than a blessing for you.

5. Beware! When living a life of holiness is appearing like extremism.

6. Beware! When sinful living becomes a lifestyle in the name of grace.

7. Beware! When you crave for earthly things rather than the things of God.

8. Beware! When waking up in the night to pray is becoming a thing of the past.

9. Beware! brethren, when your heart no longer desires to see the Lord Jesus one day.

10. Beware! when you eat more than pray

11. Beware! when you no longer share the word with others.

12. Beware! When u start diluting the preaching Word of God to keep people around you.

13. Beware! of all these, brethren, Satan isn't resting. We too must be vigilant.

14. Beware! When you spend more time on Facebook, whatsapp, twitter, and internet. These things become idols and take the place of God.

Perhaps you're not even interested in the contents

Lets prepare, Jesus is coming soon to take those who are eagerly waiting for him.