Safaricom has been sponsoring the event for the last five years.

The Kenyans for Kenya fund-raising initiative, raised Kshs 671,784,062 in funds, according to closing figures released by audit firm Deloitte Kenya.
In kind contributions are still pouring in, but those that have been quantified to date amount to Ksh 27.9 million.  In kind service support to the initiative amounts to over Ksh 250 million.

However, a total of Kshs 234.9 million still remains outstanding in pledges, with the steering committee appealing to concerned parties to settle their pledges in order to help facilitate a number of projects in the pipeline to address food insecurity in Northern Kenya.

The month-long fundraising initiative was spearheaded by a number of organizations among them Safaricom Foundation, KCB Foundation and the country’s leading media houses operating under the umbrella of the Media Owners Association (MOA). It was administered by relief agency Kenya Red Cross Society. Deloitte Kenya led a number of auditing firms in providing free auditing services to the fund.

The initiative initially intended to raise over Kshs 500 million in one month aimed at addressing the suffering of an estimated 3.5 million Kenyans faced with starvation in Northern Kenya. This amount was raised in the first two weeks of the campaign, prompting the steering committee to up the target to Kshs 1 billion.

According to the figures from Deloitte who were the official auditors of the kitty, some Kshs 102.5 million out of the total amount has been so far been spent on the purchase and transportation Unimix to the affected areas.

Widely touted as the biggest such effort ever mounted in Kenya, the drive was co-ordinated on several fund-raising fronts, including pledges from companies, individual donations through M-PESA Kenyans were also able to donate via other mobile money transfer platforms like Orange Money, YU Cash and Airtel Money. Other fundraising initiatives included the sale of specially branded T-Shirts and a closing concert held at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park which saw the attendance of close to 7,000 people.

Apart from short-term distribution of relief food, the Kenyans for Kenya kitty will also finance a number of medium term interventions meant to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable groups and eventually underpin food security in the long term in the worst affected regions.

Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Abbas Gullet lauded Kenyans for the response the initiative got in such a short time.

“Kenyans have once again demonstrated their unity of purpose through this initiative. We are optimistic that these funds will go a long way in reversing the situation in Northern Kenya. It will compliment efforts being done by other partners such as the government and relief agencies,” said Mr Gullet.

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, commenting on the initiative said: “I am encouraged by the response Kenyans have given this effort. It shows that we can do so much as Kenyans and also underscores how corporate organizations can partner with other stakeholders to make a difference.”

The trigger for the initiative was what was widely acknowledged by UN agencies and the Government to be Kenya’s worst drought in six decades. . Some 3.5 million Kenyan lives, mainly in northern Kenya were exposed to starvation and even death. The situation had been exacerbated by runaway inflation, a poor maize crop for the current season and a ballooning refugee crisis in ever unstable Somalia, Kenya’s eastern neighbor.

SEACOM, the pan-African ICT enabler, announced the appointment of Mark Simpson as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect 5 September 2011. Brian Herlihy, the current CEO, will remain with the company as a member of the Board and take on the new role of Executive Director where he will focus on strategic projects essential for SEACOM’s continued success.
An industry veteran with more than 25 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry, Mark Simpson has held a number of senior international executive positions during his career, most recently as President and CEO of Pacific Crossing, a company operating a trans-Pacific cable system between the United States and Japan. He was also Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Asia Netcom (now Pacnet) and CEO of C2C Pte Ltd, Asia’s then largest cable system.
Commenting on his appointment, Mark Simpson said: “The SEACOM system has changed the African ICT landscape and I am pleased to be joining a market shaping company with a firm plan to evolve its core infrastructure and lead Africa into the next stage of ICT Growth.
“It is a great opportunity to come to a company with a great team that has accomplished so much already and set out a clear strategic plan going forward. I look forward to working cooperatively with Brian, who has meant so much to SEACOM.”
Simpson will be responsible for leading SEACOM into a new era of data-based projects and growth assisted by Herlihy. In addition he will bring to bear his operational know-how in developing and running a best-in-class quality of service international network and ensuring that SEACOM’s customers are well served by its network, products and services.
In his new capacity as Executive Director, Brian Herlihy will retain a key role in the strategic direction of the company focusing on maximizing development opportunities and network deployment.
“I am delighted to welcome Mark on board. His experience will contribute considerably to securing SEACOM’s efforts to consistently improve network operations while maintaining our position of being first to market with new products.
“Mark’s extended experience ensures that SEACOM can leapfrog technology evolutions and develop a best-in-class pan-African solution.
“I am confident that our cooperation will provide me the capacity to pursue the correct partnerships necessary for SEACOM’s vision to truly lead the development of the African Internet,” concluded Brian Herlihy.

ENQUIRIES:

College Hill                             +27 (0) 11 447 3030
Fred Cornet                            +27 (0) 83 307 8286
Lerato Masango                       +27 (0) 76 513 3363

About SEACOM
SEACOM is a privately financed, developed and owned submarine fibre optic cable network bringing high quality, affordable broadband capacity to Africa through the sale of wholesale international bandwidth and associated services on an open-access basis since July 2009.

Stretching some 17,000km along the eastern and southern African coastlines and onwards to India and Europe, the SEACOM system has already connected many African countries including South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Djibouti and Ethiopia bringing in many instances previously unavailable access to unrestricted bandwidth.

The SEACOM network offers bundled backhaul, open-access points of presence and global partnerships, to provide high quality, cost effective, end-to-end connectivity. Tiered pricing coupled with open access system integration solutions means that SEACOM has moved beyond the cable to become a major pan-African network with a full suite of IP services and unprecedented benefits for customers.

SEACOM believes in a world where the African Internet experience is interconnected and characterized by abundant local content, minimal latency as well as fast download and streaming speeds. This vision is at the heart of SEACOM’s commitment to Building the African Internet.

www.seacom.mu

Blankets & Wine is East Africa’s premier music experience designed to showcase outstanding musicians in the emerging genres of afro-based music.

Happening every first Sunday of the month, the afternoon event features outstanding afro-based bands that range from afro soul, afro-fusion, afro-jazz, ethnic, experimental and other emerging genres.

Blankets & Wine has this year partnered with KCB Advantage Banking and which targets high net worth customers with offers such as a selection of accounts, discounts on mortgages and personal loans, waivers on credit cards and up to 40% discounts at select hotels, restaurants, spas and other outlets across East Africa through a partnership with Go-Places.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Aziza
The name ‘Aziza’ is derived from a Giriama word meaning wonderful. This young trio consists of three gentlemen – Sequiera Mogere, Maurice Manani and Enos Olik. With its begins as an accapella group, and a wide array of ecelectic mentors this band has in time become more dynamic and added to their the guitar, the Violin to their harmonies, and now the Saxophone became the emblem and signature of Aziza. Their growing popularity has seen them play more events in Nairobi and co-write with artists like Wendy Kiman, Dela, and Sauti Sol.

Maia Von Lekkow
Maia represents another amazing side to Kenya’s dynamic musical scene. Her voice and style has an affinity with female jazz vocalists of the 1930s and soul and folk music of the 1960s. In all her compositions, Maia is blazing new trails in Kenya; experimenting with different styles, and creating a hybrid sound that is her very own.
Her latest composition “Uko Wapi?” was featured in the much-acclaimed Kenyan production, “From a Whisper”, depicting events of the 1998 bombing in Kenya.

Drift, Maia’s first album, is a culmination of her travels, her meetings, her collaborations and her experiences; a global cross-pollinated vibe. Maia weaves her adventures, stories and memories with the help of young guitarist Kato Change, producing jazzy riffs with folk licks to soulful percussive dub, to produce a unique addition to Kenya’s music scene.

Mafikizolo
Formed in the late 90s, Mafikizolo is one of the most prolific pop acts of the past decade. Their first release came in 1997 with a self-titled album that was followed by Music Revolution in 1999. In 2000 they released their most successful album Gate Crashers, which put them in the spotlight with hits like “Majika” and “Loot”.  This award winning group have performed the world over and their song, Ndihamba Nawe is however the song that put then on the Kenyan map.

In 2001 a horrific car accident killed one of the group members, Tebogo Madingoane, and took them out of the scene for a long period. They returned with the award winning Sibongile in 2002 – along the way creating a new sound that combined kwaito with Marabi.

The group’s 2003 release Kwela was also a huge success, selling over 300 000 units. After a 2 year break, Mafikizolo, is back with their 7th album Six Mabone – a classic car of the 60s.
Theo Kgosinkwe, the male member of the duo, says: “In the 60s, Six Mabone had the same status asBMW today. And our music is enjoyed by the young and the old. We are taking our fans back and forth.” The latest album is the second without Tebza who was killed in a road rage accident three years ago. Recorded with a live band the new album has blues and swing elements but maintains the afro pop, kwela and marabi which have become their trademark.

Muthoni the Drummer Queen: Muthoni the Drummer Queen (DQ) is a singer, songwriter, flow-poet, creative and social entrepreneur. This MTV MAMA Nominee has English, Kikuyu, Kiswahili and awesome at her linguistic disposal, Muthoni blends styles as diverse as salsa, kwaito, afro-rock, taarab, rap, Floetry and R&B on an intoxicating fusion of sounds. Across a broad spectrum fans and critics alike have understood that she is inspired by love, relationships, politics, and new spirituality, her sound is a conscious call to live, dream and hope in curiosity, courage and strength. Delivered sometimes in song and “Floetry” (spoken poetry) her work is an experimental, entertaining and stirring display of artistry is nothing short of intergalactic.

TICKETING INFO:
Advance tickets at all DORMANS outlets: Ksh 1,000
Pesapal: http://tickets.pesapal.com/
KCB Advantage customers can buy their special discounted tickets at their branches.
Door charges: Adults: Ksh 1,300. Children over 5years: Ksh 400
If you have any queries, write to us on info@blanketsandwine.com
For more information visit www.blanketsandwine.com or http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120046462448&v=wall

KCB Mortgages, the leading mortgage financier in the country has said, five months after its launch, the Dollar Mortgage product or Foreign Exchange loan has now captured the market driven mainly by favourable terms attached to the facility.
According to Joram Kiarie, the Director Mortgages at KCB Group, this trend was in keeping with the growing interest by Kenyans abroad seeking to own property back home. Before the amalgamation in 2010 of S&L Mortgages with the larger KCB Group, the firm was not allowed in law to offer foreign exchange Mortgage loans.

“A key advantage is that a dollar denominated loan attracts rates as low as 7% compared to local currency,” he said, adding that the www.kcbpropertyguide.co.ke, web portal that was launched in March this year had also seen a spike in both local and international visitors, averaging up to 610,000 hits per month.

Kiarie was addressing 250 prospective homeowners who had turned up at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre for the KCB S&L Mortgages Bus tour on Saturday August 27th, 2011.

During the property tour, the prospective home owners visited ready and units under development in Athi River, Kiserian, Kitengela and Rongai priced between Kshs 4.7 million and 6.5 million.

Other routes included up market areas of Lavington, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Runda/Kiambu Rd, Westlands and Parklands  with prices ranging between Ksh 12 million to 20 million for 2, 3 and 4 bedroom units.

Another group toured Embakasi, South B and C, Stoney Athi, where homes are priced at between Kshs 3.5 million to 9 million.  Yet another group toured Kabete, Ruaka, Kiambu Road, Ruiru, and Thika looking at 2 to 4 bedroom units priced between Kshs 5.5 million and 7 million.

The KCB S&L Mortgages bus tour has become an integral part of the mortgage business in Kenya, linking developers with their specific target market. Buyers get to view and compare quality and prices of homes within their budgets.

This was sixth KCB S&L Bus Tour and the second this year following on one in May that featured 200 prospective home owners and which has since yielded over Kshs 25 million in mortgages. KCB he added would be looking to close over Kshs 105 million in new mortgages out of the May Bus Tour.

The developments come as the Mortgage Division of KCB realigns its strategy in efforts to grow market share while widening its customer base. The bank this year launched mortgage services in Uganda and Rwanda and has set eyes on the new republic of South Sudan market.

“We are delighted at the opportunities that virgin markets such as Rwanda and South Sudan offer. We shall tap into these, as we continue playing our supportive role in providing financing to developers looking to venture into these markets”, said Kiarie.

KCB, he explained was anticipating the passing this year of the building code by Parliament, and which would institute professionalism in the construction sector. The code is also expected to allow other forms of building materials other than brick and mortar which may lead to lowering of building costs and lead to the growth of  low cost housing.

The five were awarded their prizes at a ceremony held at the Safaricom House and presided over by the General Manager –Enterprise Business Unit, Ms Sylvia Mulinge.

Also receiving their pick-ups today were the 2nd and 3rd week winners Ruth Wanjiru Miti from Mombasa and Nairobi-based accountant Patrick Elijah Masira, respectively. They could not make it for earlier presentations.

Ms Mulinge said Safaricom would continue to reward its subscribers through initiatives that positively impact their lives and their communities.

“As a company we shall continue rewarding our subscribers in ways that positively change their lives. Our customers are a key pillar to the success we have enjoyed over the last decade,” said Ms Mulinge.

Launched on August 3rd, Nguruma Ibambe is an SMS-based promotion in which Safaricom participating subscribers are required to send an SMS with the word ‘Safaricom’ to 444. Each SMS entitles one to a single entry and is charged at Sh5.

Some 30 Isuzu D-Max pick-ups are at stake in the promotion in addition to 410 IDEOS phones and Sh410 million worth of airtime. In the promotion, 10 IDEOS phones are won daily while another 10,000 subscribers win Sh100 worth of airtime daily.

To date, 18 pick-ups, 260 IDEOS phones have been won so far. In addition, Sh26 million has been won by 260,000 subscribers in from of airtime. Subscribers are encouraged to send as many SMSs as possible to increase their chances of winning.

Winners of the Isuzu D-Max pickups are required to collect their prize from Safaricom House while winners of the IDEOS phones collect them from their preferred Safaricom Shop. Those who win Ksh.100 in airtime receive the relevant PIN from Safaricom.

Winners for the Isuzu D-Max PickUps and Ideos Phones are notified via calls from the number 0729 333 333, whereas airtime winners receive airtime PIN numbers worth Ksh.100 from the same number. Safaricom does not require subscribers to send airtime, money or any other consideration in order to be awarded any of the prizes on offer.

The phone provides users with a dramatically brighter 4-inch NOVA display in the world’s slimmest 9.2 mm mobile device and is designed to be the brightest, clearest and most readable among mobile screens with 700 nits of brightness for optimal visibility:

“LG Optimus Black provides users with an easier and more natural experience when browsing the web, reading emails, or writing documents with higher levels of brightness and pure white tones that deliver true black and white colors for ideal handset viewing. NOVA technology featured on LG Optimus Black also enables users to maintain visibility whether indoors or outdoors under strong sunlight,” he said.

In addition to greater luminosity, the NOVA display on LG Optimus Black also radically reduces power consumption by 50 percent during general indoor use compared to a conventional LCD.

Similarly, AMOLED consumes twice as much power as NOVA to display a full white screen, the most frequently used color scheme for web browsing. Combined with the 1500 mAh battery of the LG Optimus Black, users will have enough power for their daily needs, even at maximum brightness settings.

Making a strong visual statement, LG Optimus Black weighs only 109g and offers sleek lines and smooth edges that improve handheld grip. Tapering down to the world’s thinnest smartphone profile of 6.0 mm, LG Optimus Black’s subtle back arch helps to create the illusion of even greater slimness.

Unique to the LG Optimus Black, the flush and flawless finish of the front display is achieved by innovatively hiding the Invisible Receiver behind the edges of the phone.

“We are excited to introduce this stylish new Android smartphone and expect the LG Optimus Black to play a key role in the mobile market,” said Mr. Mr. Woo Won Na, MD of LG Electronics Africa Logistics FZE.

“LG Optimus Black reflects our core strengths of advanced technology, in both display and design, offering the world’s brightest screen and the world’s slimmest design in an attractive and smart package,” he added.

The LG Optimus Black also offers a set of smarter features designed for easy and faster access to important apps and content. Optimus UI 2.0 lets users directly access messages, emails and missed calls from the locked screen with just one single finger tap.

The Gesture UI offers more intuitive commands, including lifting, shaking and tapping, for taking calls, entering camera mode, or enjoying music. LG Optimus Black also introduces the world’s first Wi-Fi Direct for quick and high-quality data transfer between mobile devices and adopts the world’s first 2MP front-facing camera.

At the same time, LG Electronics has opened the largest customer care centre at the Nakumatt Junction Nairobi. The state of the art centre will go along way in serving customers needs-ranging from inquiry of products to offering accessories for mobile electronics.

Mudhune said LG will offer 50 percent to the services or purchases made by customers in the next two weeks as it opens from 8am-5pm daily.

“we believe this customer care centre is will help in addressing our customers’ needs and giving them value for money for whatever service they will get. Our main objective as LG is to ensure our customers have a satisfactory experience of our products and services.”

Prominent artistes on the  Kenyan entertainment scene among them Juacali, Nameless, Juliani, Wahu, M.O.G, Jaguar, Eric Wainaina, Sauti Sol and Phonotex Band will be performing to the public. Other performers will be Wapi Wapi Dancers, Altimate Band, Linda Muthama, I-emas Dancers, Juma Tutu Band, Ali B, SISO, JIMWAT and Jason Okumu.  Other signature performances  at the occasion will come from  Jimmi Gait, Allan Aaron, Kanji Mbugua, Neema Ntalel, Kendi, Makadem, Emmy Kosgei, Kidum, Eric Omondi, Jacky Nyaminde, Larry Asego, DJ John and DJ Hassan. All proceeds from the concert will go towards bolstering the kitty.

Audit firm Deloitte East Africa said that out of the total pledges, cheques and cash; a total of Kshs 344 million has been received while Kshs 295.8 million is still the outstanding balance in pledges. The other outstanding in cash is money that has not been transferred into the K4K account, but easily collectible through the various systems.

“Audit teams from Deloitte, KPMG, Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have witnessed the loading of food in Nairobi; the off-loading at the distribution warehouses and various feeding centres,” Deloitte East Africa CEO Sammy Onyango said.

The initiative will implement both short and long-term measures to address emergency needs and to improve the food security situation in Northern Kenya.

“We have made excellent progress in feeding and giving medication to children, women and the elderly in different parts of the country but we need to collect all the pledges to be able to embark on the long-term projects that have been piloted,” Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Abbas Gullet said.

He said the long-term projects will focus on a number of initiatives. “These projects will include irrigating arid and semi-arid regions, water harvesting plans during rainy season and rehabilitation or drilling of new boreholes,” said Abbas.

So far, about 600 metric tonnes of food and medicine has been distributed to Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Moyale, Isiolo, Marsabit, West Pokot, East Pokot and Samburu.  The initiative targets to reach over 400,000 children, women and the elderly in dire need of food.

Kenyans for Kenya is an initiative that was launched by the Safaricom Foundation, KCB Foundation, Kenya Red Cross Society and members of the Media Owners Association with the aim of raising Kshs 1 billion in one month.

Prominent artistes on the  Kenyan entertainment scene among them Juacali, Nameless, Juliani, Wahu, M.O.G, Jaguar, Eric Wainaina, Sauti Sol and Phonotex Band will be performing to the public. Other performers will be Wapi Wapi Dancers, Altimate Band, Linda Muthama, I-emas Dancers, Juma Tutu Band, Ali B, SISO, JIMWAT and Jason Okumu.

Other signature performances  at the occasion will come from  Jimmi Gait, Allan Aaron, Kanji Mbugua, Neema Ntalel, Kendi, Makadem, Emmy Kosgei, Kidum, Eric Omondi, Jacky Nyaminde, Larry Asego, DJ John and DJ Hassan.

Doors to the concert that will be broadcast live on local television channels and streamed live at http://www.ginadin.com/kenyans4kenya/live-stream.html will open at 9AM with the first performance slated to start at 11AM all through to 6PM in the evening. An attendance fee of Sh100 will be charged at the entrance.

Funds raised from the concert will go towards boosting the Kenyans for Kenya kitty which has a target amount of Sh1 billion.

Kenyans for Kenya, touted as the biggest such effort ever mounted in the country, is an initiative owned by the Kenyan public and supported by the Safaricom Foundation, KCB Foundation, corporate organizations and members of the Media Owners Association to address a blend of short, medium and long term intervention measures to ease the humanitarian crisis in northern Kenya. The fund is administered by the Kenya Red Cross Society and audited leading firms in the country led by Delloitte.

The fundraising efforts for the public include contributions on Safaricom’s PayBill line 111111, Airtel Money, KCB account 11 333 333 38 and the Orange Money platform.

Other initiatives are contributions at Nakumatt outlets and the sale of specially branded T-Shirts in support of the initiative.

Equally, major fund raising initiatives such as Corporate Pledge Day, Ladies Fundraiser, SME Pledge Day and Kenyans for Kenya Mombasa Initiative have been organized to raise money in support of this campaign.

So far, about 600 metric tonnes of food and medicine has been distributed to Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Moyale, Isiolo, Marsabit, West Pokot, East Pokot and Samburu.  The initiative targets to reach over 400,000 children, women and the elderly in dire need of food.

This year the Spread the Love Campaign will hold its first ever Spread the Love Honors Night on Tuesday 13th  September 2011at Crowne Plaza; the aim of the awards gala is to celebrate individuals and/or organizations who have made a difference in their communities and industries.

A panel has been set up to assess all successful nominations and determine whether they satisfy the relevant criteria to win in their respective categories. There are a total of 11 categories and each of the categories is well represented on the panel to ensure that the nominees are properly evaluated taking into account the relevant industry standards and practices.

The Spread the Love Honors 2011 seeks to identify and honor individuals and/or organizations that satisfy the criteria set out in the following categories:

Nurturing the Core – Preservation of the family institution and promotion of positive family values in society.
Healing Hands – Dedication to the enhancement of human health.

• Restorer of the Elements – Celebrating innovative efforts to preserve and protect the environment.
• Soul Stories – Telling the other (positive) side of the African story with any form of media.
• Learn to Love – Dedication to promoting education using innovative ways.
• Business with Heart – Operations that reflect a double bottom line – impacting both profit and people.
• Champion for Justice – Dedication to advancing good governance and promoting sustainable development.
• Love in Action – Individuals or organizations that are making an impact in society in profound innovative ways.
• Challenging Change – Celebrating innovation and out of the box thinking.
• Major Minor – Individuals under the age of 18 who are significantly impacting society.

Love Honours –This is the ultimate award; the recipient is an individual who has made a major impact in their community and devoted their time and energy to achieving sustained positive change over the span of their life. Their work will demonstrate measurable positive results and changes that have made a difference to the wider community.