AT TWENTY'S AVOID ALL THESE

Sadly, we will all get older. And with age comes an expected level of maturity. It’s at about 22, when you’ve just left university full of misguided self-importance and purpose, that this all begins. Your teens -- and those wonderful, hazy years you had as a student -- are now over and things that were once amusing or deemed inexplicably ’normal’ now cease to be socially acceptable.

In fact, as you enter your ‘adult adolescence’, it’s probably best to avoid these things altogether. For society will give you a pass on quite a lot during your 20s but these things, well, they’re just not cool anymore.

Downing Things, Voluntarily

Sinking an entire pint sub 4-seconds was once considered by you -- and all of your mates -- as an ‘alpha male’ quality. A talent many sought to nurture but few truly mastered. You, on the other hand, practically had a degree in it. Alas, your peers no longer view this as an admirable trait. In fact, it’s slightly awkward. Not only is it getting a bit pricey – it’s just that forcing your housemate to down a bottle of wine is kind of unhealthy. So lock away your inner-drinking fury and resist the urge to organise all the fun. Aside from stag dos. 

Sleeping In Until 1pm On A Saturday

Productivity. It’s at an all-time low when you’re lying-in. As you negotiate your 20s, people expect you to make the most of your day. You'll have places to be, friends to see, things to sort. That annoying housemate doing his washing at 9.30am on a Saturday before nipping in to the bank to sort his ISA? That should be you, trooper. During the week, everyone tends to be horribly busy so weekends are precious. Here’s the unwritten rule: Saturdays are doing days, Sundays are rest days. So, seriously, why waste all that doing time?
 

Ignoring The Gym

You've always wanted to get fit. It's been on your to-do list for some time now. But there comes a point in every man's life where taking pride in one's appearance becomes a priority (among a long list of other new, mildly-annoying priorities that require a bit more hard work). That point is right about now. Whether you want to build muscle or shift some extra weight, we promise: that little ego boost you'll get every time someone notices how superb you're now looking? Worth it.

Relying On Your Parents

One of the major problems you will undoubtedly have already faced is the fact that you have no money. Your 20s may timeline that awkward financial phase where you’ve left home and have your independence but don’t have much/anything in the bank for all your fun-filled adventures. Quite the predicament. In solving this completely unavoidable problem, there are two types of man.

The first controls his finances, living within his means, and plans as best he can to save or make his money go further. The second runs out of cash and calls mum and dad for a bail out. Unfortunately, option two won't do much for the old self-esteem. Or aid your parents' view of you. Time to start taking those bank statements seriously.

Wearing Sneakers With Everything

The days of slipping on your favourite pair of trusty Converse, in preparation for any situation life may throw at you, have come to an end. Your 20s are the time of your life where you develop style -- and acknowledge that your boss would probably appreciate it if you wore some smart shoes to work now and again. Just as with cooking like an adult, dressing like a man shouldn't take any more effort.

Leaving Your Work Until The Night Before

We’ve all been there, at 3am, gulping down a can of energy drink and struggling to finish that essay due in the next day. But now is no time to be submitting your second-best. From now on, life is hard. Your 20s are like starting all over again -- suddenly you’re at bottom of the pecking order once more. You’re up against hardened professionals, who’ve done it all before, and will have to fight to kick start and maintain your career. Time to drop those bad habits and be proactive with your work.

Research also from https//uk.askmen.com

The Metamorphosis of Ababu Namwamba

Money, politics, and the head are three strange combinations, nay, no they are heterogeneous. If you you threw stones at your chemistry teacher, then heterogeneous means “do not mix” in the parlance of daily communicators I dare not mention here.

Ababu, like many others before him is a victim of the heterogeneity of the three above. I happen to personally know Ababu Namwamba, having met him while he was studying in Washington DC. His metamorphosis is both tangential and shocking. We never thought much of Ababu whenever we met at the then Safari Club, a Luhya run entity in Washington DC.

He struggled with the rest of the folks, which is normal in the land of milk and honey. Whenever “Baba” came to DC, Ababu and my turncoat sister, name withheld were like the Ivan Pavlov’s dog; the classically conditioned, omnipresent, and ever expectant baba following canines. Ababu then had two things, he had the politics and his head intact above his shoulders.
Fast forward; the Pavlov dog returned to Kenya after his studies and rode the back of “baba” to become one of the youngest members of parliaments of our time.
The third component slowly started to creep in, MONEY! Ababu, who hitch hiked while in Washington DC put his fingers, then hands in the honey jar. He started wearing suits which hitherto he could only admire from the windows of Cloud Nine and other namely fashion houses. And with the money, the head has refused to listen to the heart. Ababu the fiery foot soldier turned captain may go into the annuls of Kenyan political history as a young ambitious man who grew before his time, but his early growth may become his bane.

I am not writing this to trash Ababu’s democratic right to question the going ons in ODM, which I personally do not ascribe to. I am writing this to draw parallels of how our politicians fall through the same cracks. Kenyan politics does not practice democracy, it practices Plutocracy. The ruling class dictates who does what. Moi once said “Kenya iko na wenyewe”. Have we thought seriously about these MOI words? Ababu should know that it is not how smooth your tongue is, it is not how much you can quote from Othelo; it is patience, scheming, playing stupid, and not telling your mother that she is sitting badly which prevails in Kenyan politics.
Ababu, please study the MOI Script.
Afwande!

 By By George Anyumba

20 Things 20-Year-Olds Don't Get

 
Time is Not a Limitless Commodity – I so rarely find young professionals that have a heightened sense of urgency to get to the next level.  In our 20s we think we have all the time in the world to A) figure it out and B) get what we want.  Time is the only treasure we start off with in abundance, and can never get back.  Make the most of the opportunities you have today, because there will be a time when you have no more of it
You’re Talented, But Talent is Overrated - Congratulations, you may be the most capable, creative, knowledgeable & multi-tasking generation yet.  As my father says, “I’ll Give You a Sh-t Medal.”  Unrefined raw materials (no matter how valuable) are simply wasted potential.  There’s no prize for talent, just results.  Even the most seemingly gifted folks methodically and painfully worked their way to success.  (Tip: read “Talent is Overrated”)
We’re More Productive in the Morning – During my first 2 years at Docstoc (while I was still in my 20’s) I prided myself on staying at the office until 3am on a regular basis.  I thought I got so much work done in those hours long after everyone else was gone.  But in retrospect I got more menial, task-based items done, not the more complicated strategic planning, phone calls or meetings that needed to happen during business hours.  Now I stress an office-wide early start time because I know, for the most part, we’re more productive as a team in those early hours of the day.
Social Media is Not a Career – These job titles won’t exist in 5 years. Social media is simply a function of marketing; it helps support branding, ROI or both.  Social media is a means to get more awareness, more users or more revenue.  It’s not an end in itself.  I’d strongly caution against pegging your career trajectory solely to a social media job title.
Pick Up the Phone – Stop hiding behind your computer. Business gets done on the phone and in person.  It should be your first instinct, not last, to talk to a real person and source business opportunities.  And when the Internet goes down… stop looking so befuddled and don’t ask to go home.  Don’t be a pansy, pick up the phone.
Be the First In & Last to Leave ­– I give this advice to everyone starting a new job or still in the formative stages of their professional career.  You have more ground to make up than everyone else around you, and you do have something to prove.  There’s only one sure-fire way to get ahead, and that’s to work harder than all of your peers.
Don’t Wait to Be Told What to Do – You can’t have a sense of entitlement without a sense of responsibility.  You’ll never get ahead by waiting for someone to tell you what to do.  Saying “nobody asked me to do this” is a guaranteed recipe for failure.  Err on the side of doing too much, not too little.  (Watch: Millennials in the Workplace Training Video)
Take Responsibility for Your Mistakes – You should be making lots of mistakes when you’re early on in your career.  But you shouldn’t be defensive about errors in judgment or execution.  Stop trying to justify your F-ups.  You’re only going to grow by embracing the lessons learned from your mistakes, and committing to learn from those experiences.
You Should Be Getting Your Butt Kicked – Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada” would be the most valuable boss you could possibly have.  This is the most impressionable, malleable and formative stage of your professional career.  Working for someone that demands excellence and pushes your limits every day will build the most solid foundation for your ongoing professional success.
A New Job a Year Isn’t a Good Thing ­­– 1-year stints don’t tell me that you’re so talented that you keep outgrowing your company.  It tells me that you don’t have the discipline to see your own learning curve through to completion.  It takes about 2-3 years to master any new critical skill, give yourself at least that much time before you jump ship.  Otherwise your resume reads as a series of red flags on why not to be hired.
People Matter More Than Perks – It’s so trendy to pick the company that offers the most flex time, unlimited meals, company massages, game rooms and team outings.  Those should all matter, but not as much as the character of your founders and managers. Great leaders will mentor you and will be a loyal source of employment long after you’ve left.  Make a conscious bet on the folks you’re going to work for and your commitment to them will pay off much more than those fluffy perks.
Map Effort to Your Professional Gain – You’re going to be asked to do things you don’t like to do.  Keep your eye on the prize.   Connect what you’re doing today, with where you want to be tomorrow.  That should be all the incentive you need. If you can’t map your future success to your current responsibilities, then it’s time to find a new opportunity. (See: How To Know When It’s Time To Quit)
Speak Up, Not Out – We’re raising a generation of sh-t talkers.  In your workplace this is a cancer.  If you have issues with management, culture or your role & responsibilities, SPEAK UP.  Don’t take those complaints and trash-talk the company or co-workers on lunch breaks and anonymous chat boards.  If you can effectively communicate what needs to be improved, you have the ability to shape your surroundings and professional destiny.
You HAVE to Build Your Technical Chops – Adding “Proficient in Microsoft Office” at the bottom of your resume under Skills, is not going to cut it anymore.  I immediately give preference to candidates who are ninjas in: Photoshop, HTML/CSS, iOS, WordPress, Adwords, MySQL, Balsamiq, advanced Excel, Final Cut Pro – regardless of their job position.  If you plan to stay gainfully employed, you better complement that humanities degree with some applicable technical chops.
Both the Size and Quality of Your Network Matter – It’s who you know more than what you know, that gets you ahead in business.  Knowing a small group of folks very well, or a huge smattering of contacts superficially, just won’t cut it.  Meet and stay connected to lots of folks, and invest your time developing as many of those relationships as possible. (TIP: Here is my Networking Advice)
You Need At Least 3 Professional Mentors – The most guaranteed path to success is to emulate those who’ve achieved what you seek.  You should always have at least 3 people you call mentors who are where you want to be.  Their free guidance and counsel will be the most priceless gift you can receive.  (TIP:  “The Secret to Finding and Keeping Mentors”)
Pick an Idol & Act “As If” – You may not know what to do, but your professional idol does.  I often coach my employees to pick the businessperson they most admire, and act “as if.”  If you were (fill in the blank) how would he or she carry themselves, make decisions, organize his/her day, accomplish goals?  You’ve got to fake it until you make it, so it’s better to fake it as the most accomplished person you could imagine.   (Shout out to Tony Robbins for the tip)
Read More Books, Fewer Tweets/Texts – Your generation consumes information in headlines and 140 characters:  all breadth and no depth.  Creativity, thoughtfulness and thinking skills are freed when you’re forced to read a full book cover to cover.  All the keys to your future success, lay in the past experience of others.  Make sure to read a book a month  (fiction or non-fiction) and your career will blossom.
Spend 25% Less Than You Make – When your material needs meet or exceed your income, you’re sabotaging your ability to really make it big.  Don’t shackle yourself with golden handcuffs (a fancy car or an expensive apartment).  Be willing and able to take 20% less in the short term, if it could mean 200% more earning potential.  You’re nothing more than penny wise and pound-foolish if you pass up an amazing new career opportunity to keep an extra little bit of income.  No matter how much money you make, spend 25% less to support your life.  It’s a guaranteed formula to be less stressed and to always have the flexibility to pursue your dreams.
Your Reputation is Priceless, Don’t Damage It – Over time, your reputation is the most valuable currency you have in business.  It’s the invisible key that either opens or closes doors of professional opportunity.  Especially in an age where everything is forever recorded and accessible, your reputation has to be guarded like the most sacred treasure.  It’s the one item that, once lost, you can never get back.

sourced from;Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonnazar/2013/07/23/20-things-20-year-olds-dont-get/

 

IS DENIS ITUMBI A CASE OF CERTIFICATE AND DIPLOMA STUDENTS TAKING JOBS OF DEGREE GRADUANTS;

In a post updated by Dikembe Disembe I couldnt help but agree that this is the time when the professional journalists mustn't sit and qualm their butts when their profession faces demeanor from such revelation if deemed true.
The case of leaked academic prowess(irony)of the Denis Itumbi must thus be watched and analysed accordingly.
The qualifications as per the position of Director Digital Strategy &Diaspora Relations are clearly spelt out here:
For appointment to this grade, an officer must have:
i. Requisite experience in any of the following: Communication, Communication Studies, Public Relations, Journalism, International Relations or Social Sciences;
ii. In addition they must have at least 5 years of experience in the Communinication Industry;
iii. Shown exemplary leadership qualities;
iv. Shown outstanding capabilities in communications;
v. Be of high integrity, commitment to and demonstration of, ethical practices;
vi. A proven ability to create standards for ethical behavior;
vii. Ability to think analytically, within difficult constrains and develop solutions to problems;
viii. Committed to excellence;
ix. Ability to interact with peers and senior officials in a professional manner;
Personal Qualities
In addition to the above requirements, an officer must have the following qualities;
• High commitment and ability to set priorities;
• Ability to work with and manage virtual and flexible teams;
• Organizational, conceptual and analytical, managerial and decisive skills;
• Creativity, dynamism and innovation;
• Resource management skills;
• Interpersonal and communication skills;
• Integrity and commitment to producing results;
• Leadership, advocacy, relationship building and collaboration;
• Self-drive and initiative to achieve expected results.
Core Skills
• People management
• Financial management
• Policy formulation and implementation
• Planning
• Organizing
• Directing
• Controlling
• Coordinating
• Strategy formulating

The leaked NIS academic qualifications of Itumbi;

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) report seen by Sunday Nation alleges that Mr Dennis Itumbi is among 50 students from Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) in Nairobi whose qualifications are open to questions.
According to the NIS security vetting brief, Mr Itumbi allegedly led student unrest at the institution and used this as leverage to force the then management of the college led by Mr Eliud Sang to “award him and his class (of 50) Diplomas in Broadcast Journalism while they were enrolled to do a certificate course in the same”.
“In 2001, he joined Kenya Institute of Mass Communication as a parallel student to pursue a certificate course in journalism. He, however, was awarded a Diploma in Broadcast journalism in unclear circumstances,” says the brief.
Mr Itumbi, who commands huge social media following and actively campaigned for the Jubilee coalition in the last elections, is among top advisers in the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit led by Mr Manoah Esipisu.
Mr Itumbi’s confirmation to hold the position of “director” is also still pending at the Public Service Commission (PSC). It is unclear whether this has anything to do with education qualifications as directors are expected to hold advanced degrees.
The NIS report has also attached Mr Itumbi’s PSC application for employment form. The document shows that apart from KIMC, he has only attended short courses at various institutions without indications of a bachelor’s degree.
The NIS report was circulated to PSC among other concerned institutions.
The report alleges Mr Itumbi is a “self-motivated go getter who uses any means at his disposal . . . to get his way”.
The critical report also alleges that Mr Itumbi may have in the past been involved in leakage of classified documents through his Facebook page, Twitter handle, his blog and local media houses.
The NIS report also lines up past and current court cases that have faced Mr Itumbi.



Be the judge,Does this man qualify for such a strategic job,how many graduands are there?

PM RAILA'S HOMECOMING RALLY SPEECH

This is the great prepared speech of HON.RAILA AMOLLO ODINGA that was not read due to time constraints during the million-man welcome at Uhuru Park.
 


Dear Kenyans,
I am glad to be back after a three month sabbatical during which I had an extensive tour in the United States of America. I gave speeches in universities and colleges and to communities across America.
I bring greetings from the country of Barack Obama Junior to the land of Barack Obama Senior.
I thank the people of Kenya for turning out in such multitudes to welcome me and Ida back home. I will never forget this day. I thank Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Masika Wetangula, Anyang Nyongo and the entire CORD fraternity for their support and for leading our team so ably and ensuring that we remain united and intact.
In the three months that I have been away, Kenyans daily communicated their frustrations to me via email, SMS and phone calls.
A baby was shot in Mombasa and his mother killed, part of the growing victims of insecurity that has claimed young and old, Women and children.

The cost of living soared.
While we were away, billions of Kenya shillings were digitally and electronically transferred to agents of impunity before Kenyans could wink. And when we winked there were yet more claims of billions from us.
Tourists left Kenya in droves. Hundreds of our people lost jobs thanks to growing insecurity and hopelessness. Devolution came under heavy attack.

Governors live one day at a time and money is not flowing to the counties as required by law. While we were away, the State Law Office or the Attorney General’s Chambers ceased to host lawyers. It became the place for surgeons and morticians.
To all Kenyans who spared their hard earned money to call, text or email me on the State of our Nation, I heard you.
I thank you and I wish to respond to your petitions.
We must take our country back from those who are ruining it for ALL Kenyans.
On 27th August 2010 the Constitution of Kenya was promulgated.
On that day we declared that all sovereign power belongs to the people and no temporal power or authority will ever again tower over or above the might of the people.
The Constitution was never enacted as an instrument for the convenience and comforts of the state officers or elected representatives.
It is you, the people, who have the power to determine the form of governance in this country.
So today, on the eve of Madaraka Day, on this momentous day, we must rededicate and commit ourselves to the promises and ideals of our Constitution.
To bring political reforms in Kenya was never easy. And to bring positive and decisive political transformation will be even harder.
What is happening in Kenya today is not a true reflection of the ideals and promises of our Constitution.
Unless we exercise our sovereign power as a people under the Constitution and take charge of the affairs of our nation today, hold our destiny in our hands and, take control of the duty to defend our Constitution, our miseries and tribulations will soar to unbearable proportions.
So I repeat: we must take charge of the affairs of our nation today, hold our destiny in our hands and, together, take control of the duty to defend our Constitution.
CORD believes in one Kenya, indivisible, proud and free, where each and all of us are our brother’s keepers.
Nobody should feel excluded or suffer from the excruciating pains of negative ethnicity or any form of discrimination.
We believe in the wealth of our diversity and the richness of our languages and cultures.
You find CORD in every region and corner of the territorial length and breadth of Kenya and in all its territorial waters. CORD is everywhere and is truly national.
We in CORD know the value of nationhood, we have not learnt and will never learn the game of ethnic or racial exclusion or how to surrender to religious bigotry or to endeavour to create a kleptocracy.
We believe that our fortitude will depend on how we take care of the weak, the minorities and the marginalised. Kenya detests and has no room for tribalism in all its adverse manifestations.
Security has become the biggest problem in the country. Besides terrorism, which we condemn and abhor, the lives and property of all Kenyans are in danger. No spot is safe.
The intelligence capability of the security sector has failed. The assets and equipment of the disciplined forces do not have sufficient upgrade.
The causes of the security lapses would have been known if an objective analysis and lessons could have been drawn from the TJRC report. But it was discarded and demonized.
The government declined to establish a judicial commission of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding and leading to the Westgate terror attack.
And so, instead of undertaking the hard and disciplined fight against terrorists, our government has singled out an entire community to scapegoat and persecute. This MUST stop immediately.
Under the Grand Coalition Government work started on a comprehensive blueprint to be approved and adopted as a national security policy with clear aims and objectives and a clear operational framework and structure. This too has been discarded. All we see is a cavalier incompetent and ad hoc challenge to terrorism and general insecurity.

The security sector needs a complete overhaul.
We stood with the nation when the Westgate Mall was hit and we shall continue to do so as CORD.
But we believe our safety will never be guaranteed if the security sector is led by individuals who are more interested in their personal welfare and keeping their jobs, rather than in defending the country. The security of the country must be in the hands of the best men and women for the job.

Unemployment is rising.
More than 10,000 jobs have been lost in the tourist industry alone.
Everywhere ‘things are falling apart’. There are still no laptops. Many projects have stalled since the Grand Coalition Government’s tenure ended. Government has become one huge experiment without a cogent scientific formula or coherent policy.
The economy is shrinking in real terms and the future is therefore bleak. The networks of corruption have become extremely active. We hear warning to the corrupt, but we see none sacked or arraigned in court.
And as leaders milk this country dry to fatten their own bank accounts, prices soar out of the reach of ordinary Kenyans since money is being siphoned away from service delivery.
We must stop this downward spiral not tomorrow but now!
Otherwise there will be not future for ANYONE in Kenya.
The Jubilee administration does not believe in Devolution. All the Governors say as much.
The county governments are not getting an equitable share of national revenue.
This year the County Governments have been shortchanged by about Kshs 200 Billion in overall equitable share of revenue. Little effort has been made to ensure that the resources necessary for the performance of functions within the competence of county governments are provided or transferred.
CORD will fight tooth and nail to protect the counties and county governments.
I never really want to talk about the IEBC. If ever there was a doubt about the electoral fraud in the conduct of the last presidential elections, the facts are now out there for everyone to see and evaluate. There is no way there can be free and fair election conducted by the IEBC as currently constituted which can meet the constitutional test- impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and accountable.
This IEBC is busy fighting for its life in criminal courts; election courts and is under probe by both state organs and non-state actors. It must be retired.
Kenya has become one of the most dangerous places to live in Africa. Change we must have. To paraphrase President Obama, “Change is coming to Kenya.”
CORD bears no arms. We have no army. We will recruit no army to bring change to Kenya. We believe in Article 3(2) of the Constitution, which states “any attempt to establish a government otherwise than in compliance with the Constitution is unlawful”. I cite these provisions not that CORD needs to know, but it is the IEBC and Supreme Court which need to comprehend this fundamental constitutional tenet.
Lest we forget, there was once a Constitution, which provided that there shall be only one political party in Kenya known as KANU. That the Constitution created an imperial presidency, which could dissolve Parliament at will and hire and fire judges of the High Court and the Attorney General.
Without a bullet but with a ballot we repealed that bad Constitution. Who can be mightier than a people united in truth and justice?
Who can be against us when the Almighty, Allah, is on our side? How can we fail when we are on the right side of history?
Let’s not be faint hearted. Kenyans, arise and defend the motherland in pursuit of freedom and happiness. The time for change is today. The time is now. The train for change is leaving the station from here, in Uhuru Park where many campaigns have started, ended and succeeded.
And therefore after extensive consultations with my brothers, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Masika Wetangula and the entire CORD fraternity, we have arrived at the first steps towards bringing healing and justice to our land, which I wish to propose to you for your approval.
Kenya must hold a national dialogue at a convention consisting of all the major political coalitions represented in Parliament with the participation of representatives of civil society, religious denominations and workers organizations within the next sixty days from today. Preparatory talks should take place between the Jubilee Coalition and the CORD coalition to agree on the agenda and timetable for the national dialogue. The preparatory talks will also have the responsibility for dealing with the most immediate and compelling problems facing the country including high cost of living and insecurity.

CORD will demand that the following be part of the overall agenda of the national agenda.
1. Cost of basic necessities.
2. Peace and security for the land and the review and reform of security organs.
3. Implementing and empowering devolution and those county governments get their equitable share of national revenue.
4. The electoral system and process and the overhaul of IEBC.
5. Eradication of corruption.
Thank you.

sourced from;Kenya-today blog,Raila Odinga official facebook and twitter pages.