Planning to visit Maasai Ostrich Farm? You should read this!

As its name suggests, Maasai Ostrich Farm is a place where ostriches are bred for meat, eggs, feathers and to attract tourists, basically it is business dealing with ostriches.

Located 45 kilometers from Nairobi in Kitengela (Kajiado County), the farm is literally in the middle of nowhere! Which might be a good thing if you are looking for serenity and a break from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Along the Nairobi-Namanga, there’s a big sign board directing you to an access road. The marram road is very poor to say the least, and makes the 10km distance seem like eternity, oh and by the way don’t think of going there when it has just rained heavily, unless you own a tractor! However, due to the remoteness of the route you might be lucky to see a zebra or two strolling around.

Now in the farm there are three activities, the ostrich ride, the farm tour and swimming. Apart from that, there is a restaurant and a side bar, there are swings and a beautiful garden where you can freely relax.

The ostrich ride will cost you sh300 on weekends and holidays and sh500 on weekdays, which I think is a major rip off considering you only get one small round. I mean even before you get comfortable the ride is over. That said, it is very fun while it lasts and a memorable experience. For those scared of the big birdy, don’t worry you will have ‘experts’ with you to make sure you have a safe ride.

Tourist riding an ostrich

On wards to the farm tour, which is a guided one where you will be taken around the farm. This will cost you sh300, and I think it’s worth it. Even though there are only two things to see (different ostriches and gigantic ostrich eggs) there’s much to learn. There’s also an incubator to hatch the eggs but due to its sensitive nature it’s not open to visitors. During the tour you should expect to carry fresh ostrich eggs that weigh about 1.4kg (though vary in size) and can feed up to 7 people. The egg goes for about sh3000. You should also carry the shell after its content has been gently blown out. The shell is sold for sh1000.

Empty ostrich egg shells

Complete ostrich egg

During the tour you will learn a lot about ostriches, you will be shown the different types as you pass the numerous stalls. The ostriches will also treat you with a racing spectacle! And if you are lucky you will see both the male and female ostriches perform a mating dance and actually mate!

Then there’s a pool, which is kind of swallow, maybe considering the average swimmers out there. Swimming will cost you sh300. It is advisable due to the high temperatures of Kajiado County.

Ostrich Farm Swimming Pool

There makuti roofed hotels are beautiful! They serve their famous char-grilled ostrich meat (which is to die for I tell you), ostrich eggs and other cuisines. There is also ‘mbuni choma’, ostrich barbeque.

There’s also a tennis court, which seemed a little out of shape, swings and slides for the kids, an averaged weight adult may also find the swings as fun and beautifully kempt gardens in all corners.

For those interested in accommodation, there are private cottages that looked very beautiful from the outside which cost sh8000 to spend in. Which I can’t comment on the worth.  

All in all I think it’s a place worth visiting at least once a year.

Karimbuni! Hehe pun intended.

30 GREAT QUOTES FROM THE LEGENDARY MUHAMMAD ALI

Globally renowned as being the greatest professional boxer and a 20th century idol, the late Muhammad Ali was also an activist, civil right champion and a poet.

If there was one thing Muhammad Ali was better at than boxing was his way with words. He proclaimed himself 'the greatest of all time'. Below are 30 of his famous quotes.

'Float like a butterfly, Sting like a bee, your hands can't hit, what your eyes can't see.'

'If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it – then I can achieve it.'

'I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round.' 

'It's hard to be humble, when you're as great as I am.' 

To make America the greatest is my goal, so I beat the Russian and I beat the Pole. And for the USA won the medal of gold. The Greeks said you're better than the Cassius of old’.

'It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.'

'Live every day like it's your last because someday you're going to be right.' 

'A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted thirty years of his life.'

'I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale, handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick. I'm so mean I make medicine sick.'

'I am so fast that last night I turned off the light switch and was in bed before the room was dark.' 

'Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beating each other up.'  

'Cassius Clay is a slave name. I didn't choose it, and I didn't want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name, and I insist people using it when speaking to me and of me.' 

'It will be a killer and a chiller and a thriller when I get the gorilla in Manila.'

'I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.' 

Demystifying the crowds in the Nairobi CBD

Demystifying the crowds in the Nairobi CBD

If you frequent around the Nairobi CBD you probably have noticed huge crowds especially around the Kenyan National Archives, commonly referred to as archives, and the August 7th Memorial Park, or as the locals call it ‘boom blast’. The crowds that gather are usually kept engrossed and amused by what they see or what they hear, but the fact remains that whatever is it that holds that much strangers together is very captivating. So to the million dollar question, is it genuine performance or just a crafty bamboozle to get unsuspecting suckers?

Crowd watching acrobats next to archives

I don’t know about other countries and how their people behave, but in Kenya it’s kind of our tradition to stop where there is a crowd and join them. That explains how about 85% of people got there, it’s what we do. We are the kind of people who are curious. And then there’s this 10%, these are usually the first people to stop and watch the entertainer. They are the ones that are genuinely impressed. Whether it’s a juggler, acrobats or football freestyler, these people are good at what they do.

Performers aside there are also herbalist, for luck of a better term. They usually tackle issues dealing with sexual performance and common diseases, all of which they offer a traditional or herbal solution. On whether their methods work or not is a bone of contention.  

That leaves us with the 5% who are neither interested in the center of attention nor attracted by the crowd mentality. They have their own agenda, taking advantage of distracted victims. This is a paradise for pick pockets and smooth fellas with quick hands.
Whatever the reason you have to stand in the middle of the street for entertainment, just make sure you are alert so as not to become a sucker of an ingenious hoodwink. 

HOMELAND SECURITY CAN TACKLE TERRORISM IN KENYA

My sincere condolences goes to the families and friends of the victims of the Garissa attack, may their souls and the souls of other victims of terrorist attacks rest in peace. The whole world prays...

Homeland security (HD), is a term that came about following the September 11 terrorist attack on U.S. soil. The concept of this independent security agency is to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure and resilient against terrorism and other attacks and also to reduce any damages in case of an attack.

A similar tactic can be applied here in Kenya. How many more innocent people must die before a change in approach is made? I mean we are not insane! Einstein however thinks otherwise.

Is it not embarrassing to see our enemies one step or rather one hundred steps ahead of us? Its not surprising since we do not have a special unit to specialise in such things. Moreover they now seem more intelligent than our security 'experts', a good example is the infamous law graduate terrorist, 'just a bullet in the diverse Al shabab arsenal' I suppose. They must be having engineers of all sorts, analyst, doctors, war tacticians and many more experts. Its is more of a war of brains than bullets. This leaves you wondering... What do we have on our side?

Now homeland security is all about intelligence. A completely independent unit with a specialised standard training characterised with more cognitive skills than the usual psychomotor skills. This counter terrorism agency should also contain a unit specialised in search and rescue, handy in hostage situations. Moreover they should have 'spys'... Yes. Deep cover operatives can be induced in suspected Al shabab groups. These agents can provide Intel from the inside and prevent attacks way before they happen. This can even lead authorities to the terrorist leaders. This might sound like a scene in one of the James Bond movies or Jack Bauer in 24 but it just might be what Kenya needs. Easier said than done though!

And to the 'imams' that radicalise our youths to terrorism you should know that Islam is peace and Jihad is not terrorism and killing of one innocent life is like killing the entire world! Jihad is usually translated as 'holy war' but its pure linguistic meaning is striving or struggling! The Arabic word for war is 'All harb'. Therefore Jihad is not a declaration of war towards other religions. It is an internal or external efforts to be a good Muslim, as well as working to INFORM others of the Islamic faith. There's no forcing anyone to religion! War is only to defend the religion and not to attack other religions! This is not what terrorist do!

I hope someone out there will hear my security plead. God help us all.

10 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT AFRICA!

Here is a couple of things you might not have known about Africa.

1. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Zimbabwe's president is the most learned head of state with 7 degrees, two of which are masters. He is also the oldest African head of state and the second oldest in the world!

2. Somali got its first ATM on October 7, 2014!

3. George Weah of Liberia is the first man to win world, European and African player of the year in the same year!

4. Seychelles are the most educated Africans with literacy levels of 92% adults and 99% youths!

5. Samuel Eto'o is the highest paid footballer of all time. He received about £350,000 weekly in Russia 2011!

6. Angola has more Portuguese speakers than Portugal!

7. Zinedine Zidane wanted to play for Algeria, but the selector rejected him saying that there are many players like him in the team.

8. Ethiopia is Africa's oldest independent country, it has existed for over 3,000 years without being conolised!

9. Rwanda is a better country for gender equality than England and USA.

10. Zimbabwe is the only country in the world where everybody was a billionaire at one point!

CREDITS: Africa 2.0 Foundation

APRIL FOOLS FOOLISHNESS

Fools day, April 1st, is a day worldly recognised for playing harmless franks and hoaxes to friends and family with the aim of magnifying their foolishness.

Some pranks were actually funny however most were insensitive, weird and most of all lacked any sense of humour; like these two I witnessed today.

This dude in the comp lab literally broke one leg of a swing chair, then like a booby trap he placed it ready to embarrass unsuspecting victims. Seconds later a fine lady came sitting and shortly after her legs were flying high. It wasn't the most funniest sight, poor thing she got hurt! That dude felt foolish at the end. For God sakes its supposed to be harm less!

Now this other one is just insane! Imagine the most quiet person in a class, yes him! He goes around telling people "haha fools day! Gotcha!" You know that cheeky laugh you give after playing an awesome prank on someone? That's the one. After that he walks away leaving you wondering, looking all over your body or at what you are holding. You then become suspicious of anything you come across or do for the rest of the day! It makes you crazy!