If a politician is not busy dramatizing significant national issues in a rally, parliament or press conference, a preacher must be on the podium hypnotizing followers to senselessly empty their pockets in the name of kupanda mbegu. And talking of Kenyan pastors and their prosperity gospel, it’s always inevitable to wonder why certain verses of the Holy Bible are more significant than others, in the Kenyan context. Nevertheless, this is what makes Kenyan evangelical work the most intellectually hilarious comical act. Do you ever wonder why preachers can’t preach about morality and moral living? Please think about it.

There are uncountable numbers of pastors in Kenya who testify about shameless acts of murder, robbery with violence, adultery, irresponsible living and many other social ills. Perhaps, a morally conscious nation like China would use such personal revelations as evidence for prosecution and conviction of many of these individuals. But this is Kenya, a dramatic nation in the East of the Black continent.

Do you remember Kamlesh? It’s not a common name presently. By the way, it’s not easy to tell why. Perhaps you need to remember the Grand Regency grand corruption scandal to recall what Kamlesh means. He’s now a Bishop, or maybe he’s gone beyond this title to something like Pope Kamlesh.

What about Maina Njenga? I guess you know him. He’s also a man of God who still remains connected to the outlawed Mungiki sect, his former gang. Or so they say. And, trust me, this man has a huge following in his gospel ministry. Many Kenyan people really love him, and trust him too. He’s a man of God.

But, it’s not important to go on naming all the Kenyan men and women who symbolize evangelization and general gospel in this country. If time and space were lenient, we would reminisce the highs and lows of Kuna Nuru Gizani, JCC hype, and the powerful Prophetic works of the Mighty Prophet in this country, and many more. God willing, this will happen someday.

Now, everyone knows that close to 70% of church time is dedicated to dancing for God, collection of revenue and condemnation of the lost sons and daughters of God. The remaining time is set aside for worship, prayer, and teaching. Is this okay? Even those who dance secularly claim to be dancing for God. Really? And just like love turns everyone into a poet, Kenyan gospel gives almost everyone the gift of speaking in tongues. Drama, isn’t it?

And finally, having a lovely car, beautiful house, expensive dress and living life are not shameful acts. Being hypocrites is a shameful act. That’s why preaching aggressively about kupanda mbegu is not shameful either.

However, many preachers deliberately avoid giving moral teachings to their flocks. You know why? A pastor was recently reported to have impregnated his own daughter; a crazy man of God somewhere on the slopes of Kenya’s highest mountain was caught pants down with a church member’s wife; many of these men and women of God are the ones selling miracles to naïve individuals all over the country. And everyone has a uniquely absurd story to tell about the certain men and women of God in their most immediate environments. What is this madness all about, for Christ’s sake?

This is what nobody seems to think about: A man of God promises you to await God’s blessings. At that very moment, he entices you to bless ‘the man of God’. Simply, God blesses the congregation but the congregation blesses the man of God. People, wake up! It’s harsh reality out there.

Terrorism according to the oxford English refers to the violent acts that are intended to create fear and are perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non combatants like neutral military personnel or civilians. Terror has of late become a common word in the boundaries of our beloved country since the deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces in Somali back in October 2011 as a way of dealing with the then increased crimes of piracy, kidnapping of foreign tourists and transaction of illegal businesses along the coast perpetrated by the Somali based militia group Al Shaabab.

The situation may have been tamed by the Kenya military based on the reduced cases of piracy in the Indian ocean but however statistics in the country indicate a different thing as Kenya has since had to deal with a number of terror attacks in the main towns which the militia group has claimed responsibility despite lack of evidence. The attacks range from grenade attacks, minor bombasts in buildings and cars and also gunmen shooting innocent civilians in churches and other social gatherings with the Mpeketoni incident the most recent of all where over 50 people were gunned down while watching a world cup match which was similar to the attack in a Nairobi mall Westgate mid last year. Despite the governments call of reassurance that the country will be safe from such attacks the situation continues to escalate throwing the question to the public that is the government doing enough.

The opposition has continued to mount pressure on the government calling for drastic changes in the security department a call which the president and the deputy have since declined to heed and now the focus shifts on the government call for citizens to be vigilant and embrace self-protection groups of looking after one another with the president leading in this media campaigns done on local TV networks. Kenyans should back the governments call in this like the president says a secure nation will be good for all generations to come and efficient in business and political success. Here are some of the reasons why we should all unite to fight terrorism

To save our collapsing tourism industry Kenya relies on tourism as the second most income earner which has greatly reduced over the recent past with most states issuing travel advisories for their citizens not to visit Kenya. A secure country free from terrorism will restore this industry to what it earlier was a home of tourists.

Enhance business. Terror attacks tend to jeopardize business with most areas mainly focused being businesses like the Westgate attack hence foreign investors are most likely to shy away if terrorists continue to attack our country hence reducing our gross domestic product and subsequently leading to unemployment.

Security of our reputation This may seem to be the least of reasons why we may need to urge everyone around us to embrace nyumba kumi and the likes but it is the most important as many things are held together by this factor hence this is the way the others look at you or perceive you or much worse how you look at yourself. Harmony is my call. 

St Peters Minor Seminary

It’s found in Mukumu near kakamega.The place is good for training young catholic male students that have the ambition of being future priest for the church. Peter’s does well in exams and it is due to the fact that it has people from many parts of the country. It is headed by Rector who is a priest. Those wishing to join are always invited for interviewsa and are strictly for Catholics only.

St Gabriel Seminary

It is the second largest minor seminary in western parts of the country. The place is big and belongs to the arc diocese of Kisumu.It produces well disciplined students that become good priests of the church with others pursuing top courses at the various universities in the country.It is a good place to practice spiritual formation on the part of students.

St Joseph Molo Seminary

Belongs to the arch diocese of Nakuru and has over the years been known for producing students with good character and further perform well in their national exams. The place is conducive for the spiritual growth of a person as seen by the many number of retreats that take place. Many priests have been trained at the place and many more others are still continuing to be natured.

St Pius Seminary                     

Found in Meru, the seminary has produced good priests for the church and many others have continued to do well in their university studies. It produces students that are well trained in matters pertaining life and this makes them be suitable for many parents to have their children be taught about spirituality.

The following are the major rehabilitation centres and their contacts within Nairobi City County:

 

Asumbi Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre (Karen)

P.O. Box 34374-00100, Nairobi

Tel: 020-2322497, 0721287822

 

Brightside Treatment And Rehabilitation Center

P.O. Box 16942 – 00620, Nairobi

Tel: 0722847130

 

Eden Village Eden Halfway House

P.O. Box 41187 -00100 Nairobi

Tel: 0722867693, 0726552476, 0722901804

 

Conquerors With Christ Trust Rehabilitation Centre

P.O. Box 78414-00507, Nairobi

Tel: 0720720844, 0702133170, 0720887221, 0738974674

 

Chiromo Lane Treatment Center

P.O. Box 1501- 00606 Nairobi

Tel: 3749979, 0722789698, 0202164288

 

Kenyatta National Hospital-Department of Mental Health & Rehabilitation Services

P.O. Box: 20723-00202 KNH

Tel: 2726300-9 Ext. 44115, 44101

 

Greater Life Concern

P.O. Box: 58817-00200

Phone: 020-8048605/6

 

The Bridge Treatment and Counseling Centre

P.O. Box 21396-00505 Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: 020-2321004, 020-2147314, 0719284001, 0733135693

 

Emmanuel Resource Centre

P.O. Box 57626 -00200, Nairobi Kenya

Tel: 0722565397, 0732761666

 

Alcoholics Anonymous

Tel: 0727659130, 072723409

 

SAPTA

P.O. Box 21761-00505, Nairobi

Tel: 0203875045, 0722216032 0724511709

 

STEPAWA Halfway House

P.O. Box 22-00100, Nairobi

Tel: 0724346769, 0725237255, 0734171046

 

STEVFO Treatment and Counseling Centre

P.O. Box 65-00100, Nairobi

Tel: 0721952642/0721428368

 

Nairobi Place Addiction Treatment and Specialized Medical Centre

P.O. Box 139-00502, Karen

Tel: 20 3882 448/20 3884 352, 0735-550000, 0733-440000

 

Nairobi Outreach Services- NOSET Maisha House

P.O. Box1207-00502 Nairobi

Tel: 0733901657, 0720401793

 

Mathari Hospital Drug Rehabilitation Unit-Medical Department

P.O. Box 40663 – 00100

Tel: 3763316/7/8, 0721336017

 

Masaa Home

P.O. Box 10241-00100 Nairobi

Tel: 0202724192, 0720939348, 0720316019

 

Maisha House, Rongai

P.O. Box 1207-00502 Nairobi

Tel: 0723695167

Some people in Kenya use their mobile phones with decorum, but a few others are a disgrace to the cell phone technology in Kenya. Mobile phone etiquette in Kenya and more so in public areas is a matter that should be keenly addressed in Kenya. Considering that every one of legal age in Kenya owns a mobile phone these days, we would not like to be caught up in one massive noise competition in the streets of Nairobi.

For instance, my workmate Christy is always on call in the office in Nairobi. She is always discussing her heinous escapades over the just elapsed weekend. She will go on, and on about the Tequila-Rose shots that sent her straight to an alcoholic high in such loud volume you will think she is telling the story to somebody in Congo. Worse still is her ringtone that vibrates to those sensual club tunes in again, a disturbing volume. Christy will go as far as discussing her domestic issues in Nairobi, usually called “domez” with her boyfriend Mburu in the office. She has absolutely no cellular etiquette. But she is not alone, most Kenyans lack cellular etiquette in public places.

I particularly abhor the way she discusses personal matters in the serene office environment in Nairobi. She lacks the common courtesy to step out and answer her personal talks. She stays on the phone for over 30 minutes discussing nothing of progressive interest. Common sense dictates that Kenyans should step out for calls outside especially when you intend to stay on a call for long. If you decide to take a quick call in the office, keep your voice to reasonable levels. Don’t yell!

Again it is rather immature to have an “Ashawo” ringtone at volume 5 in an office set up in Kenya. That should be left to the teenagers in Kenya who have just acquired their first phones and are still excited about having a phone that is actually movable and has the title “My” when referring to it.

In as much as our mobile phones in Kenya are personal belongings, it is key that we save people’s contacts in a decent and respectable manner. It would be rather embarrassing if say, your phone rang, and you asked someone to pass it to you only to find their names flickering to the vibration, “Mercy –Snub”, “Angie- debtor” or “Paul –bad breath”. As much as these adapted wild nicknames and pseudonyms in Kenya help us to identify exactly who this person is, they are better left unsaved.

Finally, do not text or be engrossed in your mobile phone while in the company of other people in Kenya. I am sure no one would enjoy sitting in silence as there dining companion whisks time away over a texting or online chatting in Kenya. Being a captive to audience to a phone conversation between a second and third party is obviously no one’s idea of “having fun”. More people in Kenya could use this common mobile etiquette in Kenya.

You have spent a fortune on those soaps in Kenya that you see on Kenya television to get rid of acne, but the condition has stuck to you like a leech sucking away your confidence. In Kenya, acne is a skin disorder mostly experienced during puberty. However, even people past the age of puberty in Kenya could get the face break outs. Acne in Kenya involves the oil glands found at the base of the hair follicles. Pimples and zits grow when the hair follicles get blocked leading to an accumulation of sebum, an oily liquid that carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. Simply put, the clumping of dead skin cells, sebum and hair causes a swelling referred to as a pimple in Kenya.  There are many types of pimples in Kenya from blackheads and white heads to pustules and papules. There are a few Kenya home remedies that ameliorate acne:

1)    Above all other pimple treatments in Kenya keep your face as clean as possible. This will help in ensuring less clogging of the hair follicles and in turn reduce the break outs of acne.

2)  Kenya Honey and milk. A story in Kenya is told is told of an ancient beauty named Cleopatra, who wooed men with the flawless skin. Cleopatra used to bathe in milk and true to the story; milk in Kenya has some healing properties to zits and acne. In Kenya, it is a tad bit too expensive to bathe in milk especially with its escalating prices and high inflation rates. However, you can mix milk and honey in equal proportions, say a table spoon of each and apply the mixture on your face. Leave the mixture on for ten to fifteen minutes and then wash it off. With a few days of this simple Kenya home treatment, you will certainly relieve acne.

3)    In Kenya, the other home remedy of pimples is use of Banana peels have lutein which is an antioxidant compound that helps to relieve skin redness and acne. Rub the inner part of the banana peel all over your face and leave it on for twenty minutes before rinsing it off. Bananas are plenty in Kenya, and they are all season fruits, therefore, this is rather easy and affordable Kenya home treatment.

4)    Steaming your face in Kenya is also, a used remedy which Kenyans should do once in a while, and steaming helps to open up your pores. However, you should be careful not to scald your face with hot steam.  Boil water and let it to cool down a little bit. Then place your face over it and cover your head with a towel so as to trap the steam. After 10 minutes tap your face dry, and moisturize if necessary.

5)    Finally, keep your pillow case clean. Pillow cases are in contact with your face for at least 6-8 hours a night. Dirty pillowcases can exacerbate acne. If you suffer from acne avoid touching your face as much as possible. Picking the zits will only worsen the situation and delay the healing process.

These are a few Kenya home remedies that do not wring your pockets dry. Applying chemicals to your face may work in the short-term, but the consequences might be dire in the long run.

Try these natural remedies and stay beautiful the Kenyan way.