The unmasked magazine draft 5

ISSUE 01 / JULY 2015
KSH. 250 - UGSH. 7,000 - TSH. 5,000
EDUCATE • EMPOWER • ENTERTAIN
WHAT YOUR
CHILDREN
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CAMPUS NIGHTLIFE AND FASHION AT A GLANCE
Nairobi's
EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEWS!
SAM Kariuki
LORRAINE Rukaria
STUDENT’S
MOST FAMOUS
& PREFERED HANGOUT JOINTS
YOUTH
INSPIRATION
BARRACK OBAMA SPEAKS
THE FUN &
FABULOUS
GROOVE AWARDS 2015
KOROGA FESTIVAL-7th ED
VICTORIA KIMANI @ PERSIA

3THE UNMASKED JUNE - JULY 2015
editorial /
contents
T
he proposition that de-radicalization
of youth as an additional measure to
the convectional-boots on the ground-
approach on the war against terror is
a long shot.
Since her incursion into Somalia, more than
three hundred innocent lives of Kenyans-in-
cluding women and children-have been lost.
From the barbaric four-day Westgate siege,
to the brutal massacre in Mpeketoni and a
blood bath in Garissa University.
The Jubilee government in an effort to en-
gage terror and all its ills, has embarked on
a number of measures including, passing a
severe security law, intense security alertness
including installations of CCTV cameras, con-
struction of a wall along the Kenya-Somalia
border and as the latest measure de-radical-
ization of the youth.
The latter measure of de-radicalizing the
youth, sounds ambitious yet it is too vague.
The vagueness lies in three potent hindranc-
es.
First it is evident that the government is weak in
information gathering. The key to all aspects of
life is the ability to know beforehand.
However, poor information tactics by the gov-
ernment led to mishandling of the four day We-
stage siege, and the Garissa attack.
How capable then, is the government machin-
ery in information gathering on the where-
abouts of radicalized youth?
Even though over fifty youth voluntarily emerged
after an amnesty decree, leaked information of
mistreatment, by agents of the government was
a blooper.
Second if information gathering is a hot potato,
how then will identification of the radicalized
youth be achieved?
It is a plain fact that polarity on the Kenyan
borders has had Al-Shabaab make Kenya their
home thus, it is even harder, for they have al-
ready blended in with the rest of the popula-
tion.
Given that the mastermind of the heinous Ga-
rissa Attack was a youthful, University of Nairo-
bi Law student, so would it be wrong to assume
that his identification as a potential terrorist may
have been easy? Yes. With the plain fact that
poorly coordinated community policing due to
fear of reprisal is a factor worth consideration.
Third, assuming that yes, the government has
information and it has identified radicalized
youth, how efficient will the process of imple-
mentation of a de-radicalization program be?
History has proved implementation of govern-
ment policies like the laptop project is close to
a mirage.
If de-radicalization is a long shot, what then
should the government do? For they (Al-Sha-
baab) entice idle youth, drawn into a world of
substance abuse and an easy life, with money;
what if the government could be serious on
keeping the youth busy with opportunities to
create money.
How about keeping the youth occupied with
sports/art and culture by creating means to ac-
cess the same? Why not use the resources for
the de-radicalization program to create institu-
tions for industrial training for the youth?
Finally as an option of last resort, if the govern-
ment smells the coffee, and realizes that the war
on terror cannot be won at home and in Soma-
lia why not withdraw troops from Somalia and
save innocent lives of women and children?
For the superpower of the day was also left with
an egg on its face in 1991, when it had troops
in Somalia, then there is no need for shame in
withdrawing from Somalia.
A measure such as youth de-radicalization is
an easy pick to squander public money. De-
radicalization can be equated to the famous
Swahili adage, fimbo ya mbali haimui nyoka-
a stick that is not in hand cannot be useful in
killing a snake.
The Unmasked
P.O.Box 8906-00200
Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel; +254 726 640 958
The-umasked@gmail.com
Youth De-
Radicalization, A Long
Shot On Counter
Terrorism
CONTACT US
Email : The-Unmasked@gmail.com
Facebook : The Unmasked
Twitter : @theunmaskedmag
Instagram : @the_unmasked
Editor In Chief: Steve Macharia
Sub-Editors: Duncan Ndotono
Brenda Okoth
Writers/Contributors
Brian Wachira
Jidraff Otieno
Sheila Gesare
Wairimu Karanja
Chance Jamil
Stanley Chaka
Duncan Ndotono
Steve Macharia
Brenda Okoth
Tina Wambui
Photos
Elvis Ogina
Steve Macharia
Duncan Ndotono
Editorial Team
cover story
6, 7 & 14
12-13
19
21
24
27
30
Of Fast Lane Life And allures of
false love
Fashion at
a Glance
Dear Youth, Obama Said
What Your Kids Don’t Tell
Drop the Bottle
Thirsty Thursday
Let’s Talk Whisky

4 THE UNMASKED JUNE - JULY 2015 5THE UNMASKED JUNE - JULY 2015
yolo // yolo
By Brian Wachira
G
lam, flamboyance and color merged at this year’s
Groove awards gala ceremony held at Kasarani
indoor arena.
After a week’s postponement, the Gospel cer-
emony did not disappoint despite heavy traffic and showers of
blessings from above.
Gospel artistes, Disc Jockeys and dancers entertained a
highly charged gospel crowd in the arena and at home, as
the event was beamed on live television.
After the numerous bouts of prayerful charge and chant-
ing, the award ceremony kicked off. Artistes individually or in
groups took to the stage to receive awards in appreciation of
all praises they accord to God through entertainment.
Bahati scooped four awards which included, the Male Ar-
tiste of the year beating his frenemy Willy Paul, Pitson, Pastor
Anthony Musambi, Hopekid and Ljau Maasai.
Bahati’s other three awards were accorded to him courtesy
of his hit song Barua which has over 700, 000 views on You
Tube. It also won Video of the Year, Most Downloaded Skiza
Tune and Song of the Year.
Bahati and Willy Paul were previously involved in a spat
of words on social media, with Bahati accusing Willy Paul of
theft. However, the two graced the occasion, took charge of
their emotions and buried the hatchet. The star-studded event
also accommodated Sports and Culture Cabinet Secretary
Hassan Wario. By Brian Wachira
T
he Pan Africanist spirit was
brought to life by Oliver Mtuku-
dzi at the 7th edition of Koroga
festival that took place at the
lush Arboretum garden.
A stimulating, 62 year old, Mtukudzi
took to stage to the enthrallment of an
eagerly awaiting audience.
He exuded confidence as he laid bare
his 38 years of stage performance. The
Afro-Pop singer, who hails from Robert
Mugabe’s country of Zimbabwe, was
truly electric and awe-inspiring.
With delight and fascina-
tion Mtukudzi took the
crowd through his mu-
sical journey of Neria,
Raki, Ziwere and the
all-time hit Todii.
A die hard Pan Africanist, he remind-
ed the audience that African Unity is of
pure essence. Currently he is involved
with campaigns to save Africa from the
HIV/Aids scourge.
Before he took to the stage, the audi-
ence was kept busy by Kenya’s Winyo,
Octopizzo, former Camp Mulla’s Ms.
Karun and Just A Band.
The Koroga festival which seems to be
slowly and steadily replacing Blankets
and Wine, is a bi- monthly event.
The 7th edition saw a blend of color
mixed with barbecued beef, beer sip-
ping and a lot of chatty people.
By Brian Wachira
O
n the 25th of June, Victoria
came, scattered and killed the
show at TRM’s Persia Lounge.
Apparently, it is whispered
that, the rising super Afro-Fusion star want-
ed to give something to the champions and
perhaps dribble Taribo West.
The star whose song Two of Dem which
is now trending, did not disappoint a mixed
crowd of USIU-A students and assorted ci-
vilians living a stone’s throw away from the
mall.
They were all dapper, in trendy outfits.
Make up was done and six inch high heels
were dusted and I am sure the eye pencils
had written faces proper.
Victoria hit the stage shortly after mid-
night, to the amazement of revelers. She of
the Chocolate City records belted a few lyr-
ics from her hit songs Two of Dem, Toto and
Show among others.
And I am sure the crowd must have been
ready to follow go immediately. Among the
revelers that The Unmasked spotted, were
Brian Nyoike and Josh Kamau and they
seemed to be in excellent company.
Bahati
is
Groove’s Male
Artiste of the Year
Victoria Kimani
Scatters Killing the Show
at Persia
1. Comedian Eric
Omondi with Daddy
Owen.
2. For the second time
running Bahati is the
male gospel artiste
of the year.
3. Ruth Matete
scopped the New
Artiste of the year.
4. The lumious purple
Groove Awards
stage.
5. The controversial
gospel artiste Willy
Paul.
6. A groove awards
fanatic gets to sam-
ple the red caarpet
to his liking.
7. RECAPP dance crew
entertains the crowd.
8. DJ Krowbar, Size 8
and DJ Moh.
PHOTOS/ELVISOGINAANDGROOVECREW
PHOTOS/SteveMachariaPHOTOS/JeptumChesyna
1. Josh Kamau with Maureen Njore.
2. Brian Nyoike with a friend.
3. Victoria Kimani on stage.
4. Of selfies and beauty.
5. An excited section of the crowd
1. Oliver Mtukudzi entertaining
revellers.
2. Blinky of Just A Band thrills the
audience.
3. Beautiful faces deserve selfies.
4. Capital FM’s Cess Mutungi with
Angie the South African.
5. Aaron Keys Crucial Rimbui with
Capital FM’s radio presenter Amina.
1 2 3
4
5
6
7 8
2 3
4
5
Awe-Inspiring,K
orogaFestival’s 7thE
dition
1
123
4
5

7THE UNMASKED JUNE - JULY 20156 THE UNMASKED JUNE - JULY 2015
feature // FEATURE
By Steve Macharia
T
he Christian book of God gives forth permission for ye to enjoy your youth.
And indeed, there lacks no doubt whatsoever that a majority of today’s youth
enjoy their life ecstatically.
Nevertheless, there are those that extend their limits leading to drastic conse-
quences of a ruined life compelled by escapades of a fast lane life and allures of false
love.
I approach a grey metallic gate. At the top most edge the word, Chiromo Lane Clinic is
written in bold. Beneath the word is a motto reading “We Care, Do You?”
Below the motto are assortment of illnesses treated at the center including, Schizophre-
nia, Drug and |Substance Abuse and Adolescent problems.
I am here to meet with Andrew* a recovering drug addict aged twenty. I knock and the
gate swings open. A security guard ushers me in, enquiring purpose of visit. After register-
ing the details on a visitor’s book he directs me to the reception.
At the reception a stunning lady sits at a counter desk. The reception is pale, painted
with a grey and an off white paint. On the walls are inspirational messages for those in
emotional distress.
One message reads, “Life is sacred. It is always with elation that a mother gives birth to
a bundle of joy; a blessing from above, and a gift from God.”
It is at this point it hits that indeed children are little angels who begin a journey through
life and all its teenage intricacies, with expectation that one day they shall become full
grown adults.
Adults with expected responsibilities of passing on the baton by also bringing forth a
child.
The teen (s) age. A youthful age filled with bursts of emotional volatile desires. A stage
that yarns for freedom without independence.
During this stage the youth tend to have a wishful lust of expensive life in the fast lane,
allures of love and illusory money.
A stage in life prone to desires of earthly wants and receptive to advise. Desires which,
if allowed may be put to question. Is life on the first lane worth it?
Is life on the fast lane and the allures of false love satisfactory? Are these desires the
fulfillment or life of never ending happiness?
My thoughts are distracted when Andrew strolls in. He warmly stretches out his hand for
a handshake. I stand up and we shake hands.
Andrew’s face is recovering from bruises, one above his left eye and the other below the
right jaw. His lips are reddish in color betraying a nurtured confidence.
Opening up
He ushers me out of the reception to a back garden. Under a tree are two people.
Angela 19 and a mother of one, and Eric the eldest of them all at 23 who I later learn he
is a peer counsellor. After breaking the ice, Andrew is the first to talk.
He narrates with a soft calm voice saying, “I was privileged to have been born in a well
off family. After completing high school, I was enrolled at University in London. However,
youthful desires…” He pauses, staring at the grass.
I look at his face as he struggles to
gather confidence…at this point, I re-
alize the child who was once inspired
to be someone in the society to stand
tall and lead a generation stands de-
jected.
“I got engaged with the wrong com-
pany, I wanted to belong, to be one of
them… I drunk, smoked and shot all
hard drugs into my blood,” Andrew
continues.
Eric the peer counsellor interjects not-
ing that, “The youth loathing with anger
of any advice and solely driven by peer
pressure.”
Many, if not all throw out of the win-
dow highly valued advised filled with
analogies of successful doctors and pilots he adds.
Eric continues saying that “It is at this stage where all manner of social ills through peer
pressure results in substance abuse, heavy alcohol intake and unprotected sex.”
In addition to this he says, peer pressure brewed in cocoons created in regards to the
social strata.
According to Eric it is an arrangement, a social construction, a psychological classifica-
tion of some sorts.
Exclusion and inclusion within peer circles in regards to behavioral pattern is manifested.
Of those that are of similar traits and those of different traits.
allures of false love
Of Fast Lane Life And
continued on page 14
It is very fast life, of
substance abuse and illicit
sex. I used to party all day
Monday to Monday. I visited
red light districts in London
and in Amsterdam. I wanted
to belong, to be one of them,
a full grown man.
PHOTOs/DuncanNgariandcourtesy

South Sudanese nationals celebrate
their culture during this years, Culture
Week atcelebrated annually.
“When United States International
University-Africa nurtures growth in
students, it does so with pride.”
Part of USIU-A rugby team.
Loch Laam a South Sudanese
national celebrates their culture
during this years’ Culture Week
celebrated annually at USIU-A.
PHOTO/USIU-A
PHOTO/USIU-A

profile // profile
By Duncan Ndotono
I
was in a hurry, ‘as always’ rushing to
school. I had an interview-date with Lor-
raine Rukaria.
It has been two semesters down the line
since I completed my lectures late last year and
I had not seen her since then.
Moreover, I was also in a rush for I had
bought her an admirable Belgian Chocolate. I
did not want it to melt before giving it to her.
Lorraine is an embodiment of beauty. She is
a girl worth the admiration of all; a classy lady
who deserves to be looked at, how a princess
should be looked at.
Moving on, I sat at the USIU-A’s Café Latte
waiting for her. Café Latte, if I am to describe it,
can easily be equated to an outdoor restaurant
at Sankara or Kempinski.
I waited; the relativity of time was irrelevant.
I later noticed I had been sitting there for an
hour plus. At a distance she approached. It
was time for my interview-date with her.
However, my Guylian chocolate with vanilla
essence had melted! I did not know what to
with it.
The only option left was a black forest cake
with a crunchy, yet frosty strawberry milkshake.
We sat. I was now ready for the interview.
A brief intro tells that, Lorraine is a proud
mom of her only angel. Brielle. She
is her daughter who can now say
“leloo” the toddler’s language for
Hello; that easily oozes between
her tenderloin reddish-pink lips and
small, clear white teeth.
Lorraine is a dancer and a lover of
music. Soul, Trance and RnB are her
favorite genres. To her, music soothes
her busy days as a schooling-mom.
“Music is an inspiration, it soothes
my soul, and gives me a reason to
keep on moving forward,” she says.
She goes ahead to mention that
she is a Linguist; a fluent speaker of
French, Chinese, English and a bit of
Spanish. These, she studied during
her years at the University of Nairobi
while doing Literature.
Before she joined University, she
conveys that she is an alumnus of
Juja Preparatory and Senior School.
It is at this point I learn that, that
plane parked outside the school does
not fly. I think at this time and age it’s
quite a backdrop for selfies.
From Juja Prep she went to Uni-
versity of Nairobi and later joined
USIU-A under the guidance of her
mother. Her mom is her mentor and
the person she always looks up to.
An inspiring tale of a
young mom in university
Lorraine Rukaria is a proud mother of one. She is in her early twenties. In a tell all
interview, she reveals the ins and outs of juggling school and raising her daughter, an
angel she now lives for.
She goes ahead telling that
her love for media made her switch from languages
to Media and Public Relations. “I am the next big PR prac-
titioner in this town,” she adds.
Her life philosophy has changed since she gave birth,
from that of partying to a life of living for her daughter. She
says “take life a step at a time.”
By now I am still concentrating on her glowing beauty,
unequivocal smoothness of her face and a distinctive dim-
ple that keeps on twitching as she talks.
Lorraine says that all girls should be made aware that
pregnancy is not a joke!
“You might think you are having a ‘ball,’ and an exquisite
life on the fast lane but, when you slide and miss a step you
will realize the need to be alert at all times, and avoid all
those ‘fantasies’ of drinking and partying.”
At this point she tells me to take note and tell all girls that
she got expectant and lost friends, in addition all girls should
be warned that candy is candy even if it is wrapped.
According to her, the biggest worry was not that she was
expectant, but what people would say. “I was worried most
about my family and peers especially those that we used
to hang out with and their reaction towards my new state,
she says.
However, she notes that her mother was the most sup-
portive mother. Even though she has now became more
authoritative. She took her through the journey and en-
sured she was safe.
Her prayers were to have a girl and indeed they were
answered and she now has a daughter. “I decided to name
my daughter Brielle, a Hebrew name meaning God is my
strength. Life changed after I got her and I love her so
much, she is a beauty, inside and out and above” she adds
with a brightly lit face, as tears well up in her eyes reflecting
back home. Her daughter is now a year and a few months
old and Lorraine has not forgotten about school. She notes
that it’s very hard to juggle, school and a baby. Once you
become a mom, you need to know it’s no longer about you
anymore. You will not wake up or sleep when you want.
“Handling school and a child is the hardest thing ever,
getting an A has become very difficult. For example my help
lost her dad and I was forced to remain at home. Are you
going to come to school with a baby?” She continues.
Lorraine explains to me
that you take responsibility head on, not in the-
ory but, practically.
To manage all these, she says one needs to eat healthy,
and change what you live for. It’s no longer about get-
ting a certain car at a particular age but living to see your
grandchildren.
I asked her what she would advise her daughter when
she gets to university. “Openly talking about sex, relation-
ships and boyfriends is very important,” She responds.
Nonetheless, she notes that being a mom is the most
beautiful thing that she has ever experienced.
“It depends on how you approach the situation. If you
become miserable and it is as if you got lost somewhere,
then the society will give you the same look. But, if you love
who you are and love your life, people will love and even
some girls will wish to have a baby like you.”
As I conclude my interview-date, I unquestionably get
moved by her energy and confidence. Her outstanding
ability to stand tall and keep going is exceptional.
Lorraine, is graduating this August, and on her final proj-
ect she has concentrated on Public Relations and Brand-
ing.
Her Public Relation campaign is being run by her bud-
ding communications company focusing on Image and
Branding.
She concludes by saying, “life is about cause and effect
“causality”. As I exit stage left, I leave inspired, in addition,
noting that there is need to openly talk about relationships,
sex, love and lust.
Handling school and a child
is the hardest thing ever, getting
an A has become very difficult.
For example my help lost her
dad and I was forced to remain
at home. Are you going to come
to school with a baby?
PHOTOs/DuncanNdotonoandcourtesy
Lorraine
with
daughter
baby
Brielle.

fashion // fashion
Pitch black knee
high, four inch boots
with tight pants
stripped with leather
on the sides
Jungle green
combat tights
with a white
T-Shirt top, a
brown woolen
scarf and pitch
black knee high
boots
An excellent black
and white polka
dot peplum dress
with a slightly
dark navy blue
jeggings with grey
ankle boots
A semi
cotton grey
top with
black tights
and brown
walker
boots
Blue ripped jeans
with a black top
accompanied with
a dashing black
and yellow polka
dot blazer
and grey
ankle boots
Black stockings
with flowered
rompers, a
touch of navy
blue scarf and
pitch black knee
high boots
The chilly July weather has passed but with a little exten-
sion into August. How about a slight extension of the July
dressing code, with a light touch responding to a slightly
warm August?
Compiled by Wairimu Karanja
A slightly
chilly August
yearning
for a July code
extension
Pitch black knee
high, four inch
boots with tight
pants stripped
with leather on
the sides
Black tights, a
black top, black
jacket with
Russian fur, red
handbag and
black knee high
boots
Grey fitting, nude
leather pants
with a black long
sleeved sheer
top, a cream coat
with leather arms
complimented by
grey ankle boots
PHOTOS/Duncan Ndotono

14 THE UNMASKED JUNE - JULY 2015
/ feature
Of fast lane life and allures of false love
It in this groups that identities of those who enjoy life in the first lane, allures of experi-
mental love and false desire to own billions in shillings is born.
A path that easily leads to doom, despair and darkness. But what really happens in the
first lane?
What allures of love lead the youth into experimental love making escapades? Where
do illusions of easy life easy money come from?
Fast Lane
Life in the fast lane. A foreign concept of partying and leaving a care free life; the side
effects of civilization and urbanization. Eric notes, “I stand to be corrected for saying that
Africa, a continent once identified as naive, was slowly cajoled and it’s now fully adapting
into the West’s system of life.”
A continent once associated with vast grazing land filled with beautiful savannah grass-
land and landscapes stretching from here to beyond is now dotted with skyscrapers.
Tall buildings in city centers with dazzling lights. Cities full of life. Fast life. An allure of
splendor glam and eminence. Life, as witnessed on television of celebrity
escapades.
It is this glitterati that beckons the youth like moths to a glowing
fluorescent light.
A culture of individualism, where the society neglects com-
munal upbringing and the wellness of the other person.
According to Andrew, “It is very fast life, of substance
abuse and illicit sex. I used to party all day Monday to
Monday. I visited red light districts in London and in Am-
sterdam. I wanted to belong, to be one of them, a full
grown man.”
Andrew was deported after dropping out of School.
His parents rejected his pleas to have his education re-
started. However, after intervention from one of his uncles,
he was enrolled at the rehabilitation center and is looking
forward to a changed life.
“I am glad to have learnt my lesson, there are others who
never get to have a second chance and as I stand now I feel loved
more than ever,” Andrew notes.
Allures of Love
Unlike Andrew, Angela on the other hand is a victim of false love. She
bears the brunt of wounded lion. She is a mother at a very young age
of 19.
According to Angela, she was a victim of fantasies of the youth. She
too lived life in the fast lane. In addition to this she fell to what she
calls false love.
“I was cheated by a man. I was a student at a middle level college
in Nairobi, when I met a man who use to drive in flashy cars, Angela
narrates.
She goes ahead to mention that, her family was under difficult eco-
nomic situations, and she thought if she does not party then she will miss
out a lot.
“I dropped out of school after running away from home, I was ready to
live with someone who loved me and had money,” Angela says.
“He was a very good person at the beginning; he would take me to
expensive night clubs, frenzied with dazzling lights, in Nairobi and West-
lands. We would eat spicy chicken and deep fried potato wedges. Over
the weekend we would travel to Naivasha,” She adds.
Angela’s man was living in one of Nairobi’s suburbs but after six
months she realized that he was sleeping around with other women.
“When I confronted him, he chased me out of the house,” a teary
Angela says. As fate would have it, she partied but at a very dire conse-
quence.
Eric, the peer counsellor explains that, “It is true that economic times are
hard. This leads to a psychological discomfort in some families, especially if
there are children at their teens. Families tend to have children lend a
hand in and perhaps assist in earning an extra shilling thus transfer-
ring life pressure at an early age.’
This according to Eric strains the love bond in the family,
resulting in the need to seek “love” somewhere else.
“This is a very confusing age for the youth when they are
at the initial stage of being initiated into adulthood,” he
adds.
In parting, Eric advises the youth not to fall in traps of
the fast lane and allures of false love. He calls for patience
and the need to listen to advice.
He notes that if there are any emotional discomforts it is
always good to open up and talk to someone older than
you that you trust.
continued from page 7
PHOTOs/DElvisOginaandcourtesy

/ out & about
By Duncan Ndotono
N
airobi is the fourth best city to live in Africa. It
trails Cape Town, Marrakech and Cairo.
The vibrant, middle class infused, city was
recently given an eight lane super highway.
A forty seven kilometer elongation, stretching from the
heart of the city to Thika town; a town sanctified as Bir-
mingham for its industrial competence.
Ten kilometers off the highway at exit 7 from Nairobi city,
adjacent to Kasarani Sports Centre, rests another city.
Garden City. A humongous shopping mall of utter
magnificence oozing with sophisticated opulence.
A city so gracious, radiating with ornate golden and
dark marble essence. This is a true paradise.
A perfect mix of Kenya’s first integrated residential, re-
tail and office development laying on a thirty two acre
piece of land.
At its heart, a three acre central park, open to all and
with an out-and-out events stage, children’s play area and
generous lawns and garden.
To Stay
That city with a golden shimmer offers residential options.
It has a village, neatly crafted by international architects
and inspired by the green surrounding, offering top notch
luxurious residential housing.
To begin with you can own a fully furnished unit of a
four bedroom villa with four bathrooms of which three are
en-suite.
The villa comes with two parking spaces and a servant’s
quarter.
For the villas, a five star nostalgia is evident, A Kempinski,
an Intercontinental or a Fairmont aura fills the housings.
From the aquamarine water of the heated swimming pool
to the ultra-modern fitted kitchens, solid bamboo flooring
and glass balcony bannisters, quality simply defines the
City’s village.
At the lower end you can be the proud owner of a 2 bed-
room duplex apartment with two en-suite bathrooms.
The village apartments and villas come with a stunning
view to the west of Nairobi where the evening horizon is lit
with a glorious luminous purple as the sun sets behind the
Aberdares.
Shop and Dine
The mall is to die for. It is the biggest in east Africa. Lanes
and more lanes surround the over a hundred and twenty
shops, build on an expansive thirty three thousand square
meter, three storey retail space.
This is shopping therapy at its best.
The lavishly large spaces boast of sportswear, lingerie,
formal and casual for men, women and children; from
shoes to accessories, jewelry, beauty, maternity, electron-
ics, toys and supermarket goods.
The stores include, Avilas the House of Fashion, Rajshyn
Jewellers to Victoria Courts for elegant furniture and Hong
Kong’s clothing chain store, Bossini.
At that city, Nakumatt is set to receive a ferocious com-
petitor, Game Store. An international retail chain store
affiliated to the world biggest chain store Wall Mart has
opened shop.
To dine at Garden City is a lip-smacking artistic experi-
ence. Different restaurants and cafes overlooking the lush
lawns await with lemonades, to fizzing milk shakes and
mouthwatering steaks.
Whether you are looking for a delicious meal, a quick
minus slow bite, or a cup of coffee the Artcaffé, Mint Leaf,
Planet Yoghurt, Tiramisu and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
are all on standby ready and sturdy to serve.
Entertainment
At Garden City there lacks a moment of dullness. For
now every Thursdays from 4pm to half 6 in the evening,
Sawa Sawa acrobats showcase the best of body twisting
maneuvers.
On Mondays from eleven to 7 o’clock at night, stilt walk-
ers and face painters entertain the kids at a specially de-
signed play fountain park.
For the young at heart an amphitheater is a perfect ex-
cuse to have a live band performance, drink and dance.
Office Suites
The city boasts of a twenty thousand square feet office
space for individual, local and international business.
The offices overlooking a park bring forth a grand mind
comfort, with an overview of dotted indigenous trees,
promising a vibrant work atmosphere.
It’s a world so vast beyond the shopping imagination, a
one stop city with an international airport grand entry, via
a dual carriage way.
It would be worthy to note that we work, not to clear bills
but we work to satisfy the innermost need of happiness.
A shilling spent at Garden City is truly worth the value. It
brings out the roar of Lions engraved on its emblems.
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Garden City!
Ladies and
gentlemen
welcome to
Garden
City
By Wairimu Karanja
H
ello young ladies, or should I begin by writing,
“Dear young ladies it has come to our attention
that…” No! Ladies let me just cut to the chase
and say, we are special.
To be a girl is an approval, this bliss of wonder and beau-
ty. We do adore ourselves. We love admiring ourselves in
the mirror and tweaking that eyebrow, just a little to the left
and to the right. And of course that delicate coating of lips
with gloss and a gentle smear across the lips!
We adore fancy dressing. Girls don’t you love those shop-
ping expeditions...where we buy and buy and buy. Driven
by you know what…confidence, looks and of course im-
pulse to buy those heels, then we will safely keep them in
the closet and never put them on.
Girls don’t you like trips to the Sauna? Those long hours
of facial and a relaxing massage? The long salon hours?
So, with all this work and our prettiness... we need to sit
down and talk. A girl talk. And this one has to come with a
whisper…shhh…shhh…listen…we do not need to share it
so as to feel special.
I mean sharing it with that boy or can I call him a man?
Yes, we can wait till that day when we walk down the aisle.
In an off-white crimson, splendid wedding gown; exchange
solemn vows saying, “to love and to hold till death do you
part.”
This will come with applause and a kiss infront of all,
from family members to friends. And indeed we can now
share it to be mothers of our kids and for pleasure.
Allow me to say that we know them. Those boys, they
are very cunny. It begins with a little flirtation. A hello. A
wink. This is simply hitting on you. They want something
from you.
However, when expressed in words it comes with a very
sweet bass. A bass filled with promises of buying you a car,
taking you out to nice restaurants, gifts of lovely pink roses
and a smoky chocolate.
Girls this is the beginning of a trap.I am not saying that
you should not be friends with boys. I am not saying that
you should not get a hug or a kiss. What am trying to say
is that we are special and allowing someone to just touch
down there might be of very expensive consequences.
A trap that can be hidden in clubbing adventures. Where
those boys take you out at night buy you expensive alcohol
and then the following morning you find yourself waking up
facing a ceiling board that is not yours or your parents.
A further self-investigation reveals a used rubber-like
pouch in that same room or a missed period later in the
month.
What will you tell your parents if-and this is a big if-you
become pregnant? What will you tell your parents if you get
that big disease? How about your dignity?
Yes talk to the boys, be friends with them but be careful
whoever wants to touch must first of all be patient. Patient
enough to wait till you graduate and you have a job.
He should be patient enough to wait until that night after
the wedding. It is always to be safe than sorry for you are
special please don’t just share it.
Reality check /
By Wairimu Karanja
I
was browsing the internet when I acci-
dentally clicked on a link. The browser
loaded and consumed my data bun-
dles, a situation I was not happy with at
the beginning.
However, at the end of it all, I concluded
that this was one of those positive mistakes.
I accidentally opened an article with real
life lessons on social skills.
The article titled “The Teens Guide to
Good Manners, by Kate Reardon published
on Mail Online” has some really really nice
lessons, so I thought what the heck I can as
well share it with others.
So you are living a life? Don’t you think life is a feeling? The feeling and aroma of eating
good food? The good, good feeling of love and romance?
The good feeling that someone up there is watching you, and has angels to protect you
just in case?
And I mean just in case something goes wrong? Okay, then how about we have a good
feeling by learning what to and what not to do with others …Kate’s advice is precise. Here
are some experts that I picked and edited (Don’t ask who gave out permission. When
something is good just share it!)
Kate says first DO gather confidence to express yourself orally. This one goes mostly to
the girls, please DO offer to split the bill on a date. Always agree to be economical if there
is no money, by the way a date at the park is not a bad idea. People who date at Uhuru
park are humans too.
For those boys, yes those ones, DO make an effort with your appearance. I am not say-
ing you get suited and booted advert perfect, but at least ‘Wash your hair, cut your nails
and wear clean clothes.’ If you don’t look as though you have any self-respect why on
earth should anyone else respect you?
This one is a hard one, DO tell someone if he has food in his teeth (insert a cheeky laugh
over here); its good manners to modestly and quietly point it out. There is nothing wrong
like going back home and realizing you talked to a person the whole time with a corn of
red beans or a string of kales without them telling you…aargh!
Always DO maintain relaxed eye contact.
The only exception is in a doctor’s waiting
room. Casual and distracted is the look
you’re going for here.
Please DO be nice to everyone, I don’t
mean you buy them drinks and all their ne-
cessities but be polite and humble. You might
walk into an interview and meet that same
person you were rude to. Remember every
person you meet on your way up, you will
certainly meet then on your way down.
Now let’s do some few DON’TS.
It is absolutely rude; DON’T put a kiss at
the end of a work email. Observe E-mail eti-
quette; respond with the same tone address-
ing same subject. Never! Please never send
insults via E-mail.
For the love birds DON’T Shower immediately after sex. It’s rude. Have a nice cuddle
before you leap out of bed.
DON’T be grossly flattering. Nobody minds being manipulated as long as you are so
good at it that they enjoy the experience.
Note this one down; DON’T say anything online you wouldn’t say out loud, right now
and in public or to a real person.
For those who are single and ready to mingle, please DON’T pretend you don’t want
commitment in a relationship if you do.
Those of you who are show offs, DON’T show off. Showing off about your quite remark-
able wonderfulness is frustrating and always makes you look silly.
DON’T feel or appear entitled. If you were lucky enough to receive a good education
you are already incredibly advantaged.
And finally, DON’T be late – it obviously demonstrates you value your own time more
than the person you just kept waiting.
These are just but a few others will fall into place in regards to social rules, sharing is
caring.
For more and unedited version please visit http://www.dailymail.co.uk/The-teens-
guide-good-manners.
Life is a feeling the
of social skills
Please don’t just share it,
you are special
PHOTO/GettyImages
PHOTOs/courtesy

leadership // interview
By Duncan Ndotono
O
bama. Yes, Barrack Obama was in town. A
young man who identified himself as “the first
Kenyan to be an American President.”
To his sister Auma Obama, he is her young
brother.
A young boy, whom Auma gave a lift from the airport in
a Volkswagen Beetle and the young man returned the favor
by ferrying Auma with The Beast.The safest car on earth.
During his maiden speech to the Nation of Kenya,
Obama rocked. He sent verbal shockwaves.
His speech, like the one he delivered during a Democrats
Convention in America in 2008, was received proper.
That young man is proper. You name it, be it in oration,
charisma or substance. He is simply a fine breed.
His speech, at Kasarani was polished and readily served
to an expectant audience. He spoke of Democracy, Wom-
en, Girls and the Youth, concluding with the thorny Al-Sha-
baab issue.
I am less fretful about democracy and al-Shabaab, even
though there are concrete issues affecting all. What touched
my heart and soul is on women, girls and the youth.
To begin with Obama spoke of how his grandfather
toiled and languished in poverty, serving the white colonial
master. He even fought his war in Burma during the Second
World War.
His father (Obama Senior) saw Kenya untangle its self
from colonialism, and he was privileged to be among those
who had the first airlift of students to the US.
Obama noted that their youthful days were difficult. Nev-
ertheless, he maintains that today’s youth needed not to
suffer like his parents.
“You don’t need to do what my father did, and leave
your home in order to get a good education and access to
opportunity. Because of Kenya’s progress, because of your
potential, you can build your future right here, right now,”
Obama said.
So powerful are these
words that they can easily
throw you off the comfort
of your living room into
instant work mode.
The most powerful
man on earth spoke,
yet almost thirty years
ago in his own words,
he was sleeping in a
small bed in his sis-
ter’s apartment.
Here (at Auma’s
apartment) lights
would go out KPLC
style, while eating
Ugali with Sukumawiki and
drinking tea.
It is Auma who would inspire Obama as a young man
telling him “You are ultimately responsible for your own
destiny.”
He had not joined Law school. He was on his way there,
to Law school. To at least fill the education vacuum that
exists in that youthful period.
I believe that this responsibility he talked about tags along
with commitment and hard work.
Obama did not stop there. He moved from the youth and
entered stage right to matters of respecting our women and
securing a future for our girls.
He likened collective development of a society to a team
working towards a similar goal of success, but if you don’t
include half of the team how then will you achieve success?
He simply said not including half of the team is “stupid.”
“The key lies in educating our girls for educated girls are
an added force. And not only are they an added force but
also an advantage for the reason that educated girls, once
married, will ensure that
you have educated kids,”
he added.
Obama again did not
stop there, he mentioned
there is no need to cling on
retrogressive cultures that
mutilate the girl child. He
said clinging on that dead
culture of beating women is
unprogressive.
He continued and said,
“communities that give their
daughters the same opportuni-
ties as their sons, they are more
peaceful, they are more prosperous, they
develop faster and they are more likely to succeed.”
Indeed, the Kenyan son spoke. And we ought not to
only hear but to listen and put it into action these grace-
ful words. We ought to embrace the words and hold them
dearly in our hearts.
Obama was not born in wealth but through the right path
during his youthful days he has been able to not only shut
down the Thika Super Highway but, he is the leader of the
current Superpower.
The first African American (here I should add of Kenyan
descent), to rein in the Western civilization under the Ameri-
can empire.
To conclude, we are reminded that we have not inherited
this land from our forefathers we have borrowed it from our
children. So now is the time to do the hard work of living
up to that inheritance.
Dear youth, Obama said you
have to work hard
Who is Sam Kariuki?
I am a young person who is ready to learn and achieve
future goals that I believe are important. I went to Agha
Khan High School in Mombasa, and while there I pursued
my A level, and to wind it up I was the school’s president
elected by a 90% Asian population.
So, when you mention focusing on future
goals, what is your life mantra?
Yes. Focusing on the long term is my philosophy. By fo-
cusing on the long term, I mean that there are a lot of in-
tricacies in life; from your health to tragedies or something
good. Life is an up and down experience. However, in be-
tween the ups and downs, you need to have a constant
yard stick and keep on marching forward into the future.
Don’t just be involved on short term goals, and get lost
somewhere in there but, plan for the future.
As a student of USIU-A what really made you
come to study here?
USIU-A’s culture is a bit different. The environment is dif-
ferent, the atmosphere is relaxed. This is an environment
that allows the mind to exercise and be creative. It’s a
school with a diverse culture. This is what attracted me. It
allows you to discover yourself
So far you are a final year student, do you
think you have discovered yourself?
In this environment I would not hesitate to say yes. You
know there is a lot of pressure, considering the luxurious
trappings that come with students. However, I have learnt to
be real. Be yourself and avoid unnecessary group mental-
ity. I have also learnt that interpersonal skills are important
and the environment has helped hone mine. I achieved
this through a number of activities, like being a member
of AISEC; I was also in charge of marketing for YALDA a
Young organization for youth. This position took me to Ni-
geria and back, it has been fun, and lots of learning.
What lesson have you learnt from this experi-
ence?
We have a group of people who have an influence in the
society. However, they did not get there by thinking conven-
tionally. Your thinking can be out of the box but can it be
translated into action? For example Ellen Mask, A South
African residing in America, invested in a crushing com-
pany, but years later his company is thriving. As Kenyans
we like playing safe. A lot of people are confined on the
normal. Aristotle said, “Education comes with a little mad-
ness.” I also believe that for you to make it, there has to
be a little of an unconventional character in you. The youth
are energetic and innovative. They should not depend on
Serikali Saidia.
How did you find yourself in Public Relations?
After joining USIU-A, I was doing Finance and Market-
ing, but I happened to take a strange move. I felt I was not
learning anything new. I was curious how radio, television
and print worked. I was also interested with brands. It’s all
about brands. Be it a person or a product. Public Relations,
Advertising and Marketing are now my world.
You have mentioned Public Relations, and you
were awarded as the PR Young Communicator
of the year. Tells us about it.
That award, Young Communicator of the Year in 2014
was driven by luck. I was very lucky. I was with Mr. Cheru-
tich our PR lecture, who mentioned that PRSK (Public Rela-
tions Society of Kenya) is calling for entries of the Young
Communicator category. Mr. Cherutich was very helpful
and I should take this opportunity and thank him again.
He helped me submit a communication plan called YOLO
that was for UWEZO fund to PRSK. Another person who
helped was my girlfriend, in recording a video that was
needed. The plan emerged tops.
How does it feel to be an award winner while
in school?
Inspiring. Even though, there is a lot of team work in-
volved. I also learnt that you also need to focus on people
who are around you.
What would you like to tell the youth in re-
gards to inspiration?
I would tell them to be resilient. A lot of things are out of
your control but focus and make progress; like I mentioned
earlier, focus on your goals. I would also like to mention
that they should avoid bad company.
Parting shot?
Dream and do not listen to negative influence, but don’t
confuse positive criticism as negative rhetoric.
Meet Sam
Kariuki, a
budding public
relations expert
Sam Kariuki is a young gentleman, who
likes ‘breaking the rules’ as far as irrelevant
culture and unnecessary convectional things
are concerned. He believes there is more to
‘just’ thinking out of the box. In a candid
interview, Sam spoke to Duncan Ndotono in
a bid to encourage self-drive among his peers.
PHOTOs/afp
PRSK Chair Jane Gitau, looks on
as Sam Kariuki gives a speech at
Safari Park Hotel, after scooping
the Young Communicator of the
year awards.
Sam Kariuki with
Julie Gichuru.
PHOTOs/DuncanNdotonoandcourtesy

21THE UNMASKED JUNE - JULY 2015
revealed /
By Stanley Chaka
“I
t’s my life. It’s now or never. I am not going to live forever…” this lyric, by Bon
Jovi seem to drive every youth’s core beliefs.
Long ago, parenting was a collective societal act. If an elder caught a child on
the wrong, instant justice (spanking) would be delivered. The same would follow,
if parents new of the wrong.
In today’s world of memes, tweets and hashtags, dare you touch someone’s child. To-
day’s parenting responsibility is, “a one man guitar,” a sole affair of the birth parents.
But do this, money minded; parents, when busy seated on their office desks, really know
what their children are up to?
The youth of modern day civilization are in a world of their own. A world full of secretive,
ill-mannered maneuvers that is rarely discussed to their parents.
Parenting seems to be overwhelmed by office activities leaving the media and smart-
phones to bring up children.
Last weekend, my friend Kingstone* called me asking “Stano, are you ready to paint the
town red?”
Not wasting any second, “I am ready,” I responded hastily. I had been invited for a drink-
ing spree. Which youth, I mean “spoiled” youth can resist a bottle or two.
I exited from my servant’s quarter in Kasarani dapper and ready to party. Kingstone and
I drifted towards Vivid. My favorite local joint located in the neighborhood.On our way
there Kingstone promised to tell me how he had lied to his father.
We entered the bar throwing glances around, I noticed at the left corner of the counter,
sat a young glittering lady.
Besides her were three empty seats. With a chuckle I knew Kingstone wouldn’t shy away.
I read his face. Kingstone likes hitting on ladies when he has a lot of money. According to
how he was behaving and his facial expression, I could smell money.
I followed Kingstone who was on the lead to where the young, beautiful, slender lady
was seated.
The lady who warmly introduced herself as Susan, welcomed us. I beckoned a waitress
to serve us with a bottle of my favorite scotch whisky. I was ready to drink. I took pauses
from my drink to contribute to the newly blooming “love” in the air.
Before I ordered for more whisky, Kingstone leaned towards my ear. Aha! Let me now
hear how he had lied to his dad. Whispering, “We will be heading to 1824.” Okay. I
responded.
I thought he was going to talk about the lie. Anyway I ignored my thought as I now eyed
1824. A whisky bar located in the outskirts of Nairobi, to be precise Lang’ata.
On our way, I couldn’t fail to notice Kingstone was cunningly pressing the lady to ask
her friends to join us. Talk of a young man, very new to the charm of money, women and
alcohol.
As we neared L.A (Langata) as it commonly known, Kingstone with a heavy brew stench
stammered, deeere si si upitiee hapo Uchumi (pass by Uchumi).
Little did I know, Kingstone had another lady waiting for him.
A skimpily dressed lady, boarded the car as Kingstone remained
outside holding her door.
Since when did he become a gentleman? I wondered, as he al-
most missed his step in. The car now felt like a garden of roses,
thanks to the lady wearing a strong and expensive perfume.
Minutes later we were outside 1824. Just by a peep, you wouldn’t
fail to notice almost half of Nairobi was out for a good time.
This time I denied Kingstone the opportunity to steal the show. I
armed myself and started throwing lines to the lady we picked up at Uchumi. At this point,
I now knew her name is Emily.
The music was well served and most youth were in corners doing what they cannot do
in dad’s and mom’s house.
Kingstone, who was now heavily drunk, started a steamy conversation about sex matters
and to be precise virginity.
At first Susan and Emily were hesitant. However, after alcohol had a better part of them
they shied not.
To my shock, “the glamorous lady,” Emily lost her virginity in class seven to a form three
student.
“I had always had a crush on him,” she boasted.She continued confessing that till now
her parents think she is still a virgin. “She also goes ahead to say that whenever there is a
sex or intimate scene on the television, everybody pretends not to look or the one holding
the remote instantly switches to other channels.
It was then that it hit me that I needed to ask the two ladies how they got permission to
go out.
Emily revealed more about herself noting that, that night her parents were out of town
leaving her to watch over her younger siblings.
At this point the lie I have been waiting for was revealed. Kingstone’s dad had been
ripped of twenty thousand shillings.
Apparently, Kingstone had lied that there was a very important school trip to the port of
Mombasa.
As a Clearing and Forwarding student, his parents thought there was no point in missing
a “scholarly trip”.
Meanwhile, the deejay noted we hadn’t taken a single step away from our seats. He
signaled us as he spun the famous Amarula song.
Every party monster was sent to the dance floor. We were not left behind. The human
sitting allowances were shaken all over as dudes wiggled following
the rhythmic movement.
If only parents knew. After a few glasses of whisky, I noticed the
sun rays beckoning from the horizons. It was now a few minutes to
seven in the morning. It was time to head home.
As we neared home I noticed Kingstone Emily and Susan had not
asked to be dropped to their parents’ house.
The ladies shyly said “We can’t enter our parent’s houses drunk
and in short tight dresses.”
For Kingstone, I had to hide him in my house for three days. According to his parents
he was still in Mombasa, on that school trip and perhaps under strict supervision from a
lecturer.
It is now clear. I am housing three people in my one bedroom servant’s quarter but I
can’t fail to question myself.
Why are we so dodgy about “stuff” with our parents? Why don’t we talk about issues
affecting us? Why do we pretend to be angels once in their presence? Why do we hide
matters pertaining sex from each other?
It hit me that it is time parents realized there are things that your children don’t tell. It is
time that parents discussed issues with their kids.
Dialogue and only when parents realize that smartphones will not bring up their kids is
when children will stop being cunning.
Children should also take responsibility and open up to their parents. If uncomfortable
other elders for proper guidance could work.
know what goes on in my life
Dad, mum…do you really
It is a taboo in my
family to talk of matters
concerning sex.
PHOTO/SteveMacharia

feature // feature
By Steve Macharia
“B
ringing forth a child is not a problem; the
problem is raising the child” or so goes the
famous Swahili saying. It might sound quite
too early to discuss children but time flies, in
the blink of an eye you will be thinking...hmm...how many
children should I have? Children are often regarded as a
blessing from God. Bundles of joy that we all love, and hav-
ing a child is what many of us often desire. Eunice Waita*
(not her real name) is a mother of two; she tells me that her
husband wants her to bear more children. The dilemma
there in Eunice is satisfied with two children and she is not
willing to have more. Her two boys are aged ten and five.
Her husband wants a girl to name after his mother. Their
differing views on the matter have created some friction in
their marriage and her husband has threatened to seek
help elsewhere. In African culture the number of children
one has was usually an indicator of wealth. An extended
respect was given to those who had as many children as
possible. The twenty first century family has grown leaner by
the day. As we speak we have families who are comfortable
with raising a single child. Culture has been shaped in such
a way that males were in a position to dictate the number
of children a family was to be comprised of. Today with
the emerging importance of gender equality, equity and
empowerment, women (who were once youthful girls) are
fighting for the equal right to determine how many children
a family should have, that the matter can be an open table
discussion. The number of children per family is currently
an issue of debate. Who should decide how many children
a family should have? Does a man have a say on how
often the womb of her wife should bring forth children?
Do women have a say on the number of times they should
bear children? Is it a consensual issue that should be dis-
cussed? If a man is the head of the house providing all that
is necessary for the well being of the family, can he then
decide how many children he wants?
First Corinthians 11:9, “a woman was created for man.”
Should this woman then abide by the needs of his husband
in regards to the number of children? Who marries whom?
It is the man who marries the woman or the man who is
married? Some in the society would then claim that the
female gender is subservient to whoever marries them. Dr.
Tabitha Ndung’u, a psychology lecturer at United States
International University says, gender empowerment’s sys-
tematic efforts have given women the responsibility to be
included in the deciding how large, or how small a family
is going to be. “Gone are the days when men were the
sole decision makers, women of today have professional
qualifications and proper education to make sexual rights
decisions,” she adds. Dr. Ndung’u goes ahead pointing
out that it is a woman who carries a pregnancy for nine
months, and considering the physical burden of that no
right should be denied to them when it comes to how many
times they are willing to get pregnant. According to the
United Nations International Conference on Population
and Development-Cairo of 1994, sexual and reproduc-
tive health rights embrace certain human rights that are
already recognized in national laws and international hu-
man rights. Since consummation is for reproduction and
pleasure, does this then require male and female genders
to discuss when to procreate? Giving equal representa-
tion to all? Dr. Ndung’u continues, “There is no reason
why women should not decide the number of children
they are to bring forth, and raise. The dire economic situ-
ations have led women to discuss the matters of children
in depth.” The number of children in a family also matters.
Dr. Ndung’u says parental love in the family needs to be
shared equally. “Parents generally give their initial love to
the first born child, the second born once born demands
for love and there is a balance struggle between the first
and the second. The third child comes in to neutralize the
love equation.” Dr. Njoroge, also a physiologist lecture at
United States International University says, that men have
the right also to have the number of children they want. “If
a man is capable of raising more than a hundred children
why should his wife not give him this right?” In marriage,
Shhh…
mum and dad
are talking.
“How
many
children
should
we have?”
a union between a man and a wife even if there exists a
constitutional right to equality, the fact of the matter is that
there is already a cultural hierarchy in place, and the cul-
tural agreement is that a man is the head of the house, Dr.
Njoroge adds.
“Women do agree that men lead the house, we cannot
have two heads in a family. Even though there are eco-
nomic difficulties, a wife knows and understands her hus-
band’s strengths, and the number of children brought forth
does include this,” Dr. Njoroge adds. “Genesis 2:18 says
it is not good for a man to be alone, I will make a “helper”
for him. It is this helper, the wife, who should help the man
in achieving his right to have children, the number is ir-
relevant,” Dr. Njoroge states. In the case of Eunice, does
denying her husband another child violate his rights? Dr.
Njoroge, goes on to say that it is not only women who deny
their husbands the right to have the number of children
they want. There are men who are not willing to conceive
the number of children that their wives are willing to birth.
“Men also reject to bear the responsibility of many children.
Today’s world is not as it was in earlier days. It is different.
Men do reject their wives proposal to have the number
of children they want.” George Kamau, an International
Relations student at USIU says, “The responsibility of giving
birth belongs to women. However, they should respect the
man as the head of the family.” On the other hand Brenda
Atieno*, a Criminal Justice Major at USIU, and a mother
of one says, “Women have the rights to decide how many
children they should bear. Gender empowerment has freed
them from the notion that they cannot have a decision in
marital affairs.” “We can now have a say in how many chil-
dren we want. If I am comfortable with one child then that
is it, my husband should understand that one child or two
are enough,” Brenda adds. The debate on the number of
children and the responsibilities of raising them is a matter
of concern to both genders. The need to have both hus-
band and wife sit and agree on the number of children they
would like to have during courtship should be encouraged.
Having more children than your pockets can support cre-
ates hardships in family relations. Dr. Njoroge concludes
saying that there are family planning methods that help
in proper arrangement of children to avoid potential eco-
nomic dangers.
Uhuru Kenyatta’s family has three children.
Whoopi Golberg
(Right) with her only
child Alex Martin.
Bill Clinton, his only daughter
Paris and wife Hillary Clinton.Angelina Jolie has six kids.Eddie Murhy has eight children.
PHOTOs/PSCU,DailyMail,TheTrent,PopSugarandParentDish.

Celebrities // how to
By Steve Macharia
D
rinking to some might be an escape route to
“drown” all the sorrows and tribulations of life.
However, history has proved this theorem
wrong. Alcohol is not the answer.
Picture this! A fresh, peaceful and relaxing morning de-
void of hangovers, a nauseating liquor stench and an empty
wallet.
Drinking as a social problem is evident among adults and
students alike.
According to the National Health Service (NHS) an aver-
age man should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units
(100ml) a day, while an average woman is set at 2-3 (75ml)
units a day.
“Regularly,” meaning every day and most days of the
week. The health service also recommends that you avoid
alcohol for a period of 48 hours after a heavy drinking ses-
sion.
Few people, who are hooked and are married to the bottle
forgot how pleasing the sober feeling is. Nevertheless, here
are simple steps to divorcing the bottle once and for all.
Lay out a plan
Before you indulge in drinking lay out a plan by setting
a limit on what quantity you are going to drink. If you are
that person who walks into the bar, sits next to the counter
and keeps the bartender busy by ordering more and more
drinks you will be best placed to set a limit to a particular
number of drinks. Setting a limit will help you come up with
a budget.
Set a budget
Once you know the number of bottles you will take, carry
a fixed amount fitting that bill. At this point it would be ad-
visable not to carry a credit card and forget your M-Pesa as
an option of payment. Once the budget is in place, tell your
friends that you have a goal to quit drinking.
Let them know
Let your family and friends know that you intend to cut
down and to completely quit drinking. This is important for
morale support. To have people who care and are support-
ive know of your motive is very helpful. Their support will
help you to take it a day at a time.
Take it a day at a time
If on average you take 10 bottles cut down to
nine, then eight ,then seven till you get to
one and finally zero. This will be a dai-
ly success. Take it slow and do not
push yourself, Rome was not build
in a day.
Have a lower-strength/
quantity drink
An alternative to cutting back on the number is taking
smaller quantity in liters. Instead of taking a 750 ml of
hard liquor (Whisky or Vodka), try a bottle of beer.
If you are a fan of half a liter of bottled beer,
try the 300ml bottle.
Quit the show off
A number of people go to clubs with the
motive of showing off and attracting
girls to their table. If your drink-
ing habit has overwhelmed you
because of showing off, tone
down and note that people
will always accept who you
are devoid of any side shows.
Stay hydrated
Drink a pint of water before
you start drinking, and don’t
use alcohol to quench your wa-
ter thirst. In addition to this drink,
a glass of water in between sips
of alcohol.
Take a break
Have an odd day each week when you don’t have an
alcoholic drink. It can either be the day when you know
most of your friends are drinking. This may also help you
avoid peer pressure and strengthen the factor that you are
cutting down.
Short term benefits
These steps will be of benefit to your ultimate freedom
from alcohol, the end result will be brighter and more re-
laxed mornings, energetic day hours, your skin will glow
as alcohol dehydrates the body leaving your skin wrinkled,
and for others gaining unnecessary weight will be thing of
the past.
Long Term Benefits include
A better mood
There’s a strong nexus between heavy drinking and de-
pression. Drinking leads to depression and depression also
leads to drinking. A night of drinking leads to a hangover
that often makes you feel anxious and low. If you already
feel anxious or sad, drinking can make this worse, so cutting
down may put you in a better mood.
Sleep
Drinking can lead to insomnia. So cutting down on alco-
hol should help you feel more rested when you wake up.
Improved Behavior
Drinking can affect your judgment and behavior. You may
behave irrationally or aggressively when you’re drunk. When
you quit the bottle you will note an improved behavior.
Lack of Amnesia
Heavy Alcohol intake results in memory gaps. Prolonged
drinking has been proved to have accelerated the capacity
at which the brain forgets.
Unnecessary Injuries
Alcohol leads to poor judgement leading to unnecessary
injuries resulting to body harm. Once you have quit drink-
ing your judgment will be improved.
Avoid Heart Complications
Long-term heavy drinking can lead to an enlarged heart.
This is a serious condition that can’t be completely reversed;
you can avoid this by quitting the bottle.
Better Immune system
Regular drinking can affect your immune system. Heavy
drinkers tend to catch more infectious diseases than non-
regular drinker. You immune system will improve.
It is said prevention is better than cure;
y o u get to choose the right path or
be taught
the hard
way.
By Steve Macharia
A
n arrogant Bobby Shmurda,
might face twenty five years in
prison if found guilty of posses-
sion of weaponry, The Unmasked
can now reveal.
Bobby who broke into mainstream me-
dia with his “Hot N***a* video, an actual
freestyle over Lloyd Banks Jackpot beat,
has been offered an eight year plea bar-
gain and five years probation if he pleads
guilty.
However, if he rejects the plea bargain,
he is set to be in jail for 25 years.
Bobby and more than a dozen others
were last year charged in a 69-count in-
dictment that included murder, attempted
murder, dealing drugs and weapons pos-
session in Brooklyn, New York.
His woes do not end there. He is also in-
dividually charged with illegally discharg-
ing a firearm in public and possession of
a sharp object while in police custody.
According to BET (Black Entertainment),
Bobby’s video was the trigger that landed him into hot soup with authorities, leading to
investigation.
The video that triggered a viral dance “Shmoney dance” has revelations of Bobby’s
gang shoot and kill activities.
Even though it has a sort of confessions the video cannot be presented as evidence
in a court of law.
The rapper in his hit video confesses of crime by rapping has “been selling crack
cocaine since he was a fifth grader.”
In the same video, he also raps about being associated with murder committed by his
friend known as Mitch.
“We gon’ pull up in that hoop tie like we cops on em’ with M16s, we gon’ put some
shots on him. Mitch caught a body ‘bout a week ago,” (We will pull up in a group like
police officers and shoot them (other gang members), my friend Mitch shot one a week
ago) the lyrics lament.
According to the Washington post, his songs are like a real life documentary, of what
he and his affiliates do on the streets.
Bobby who began rapping at the age of 10, also revealed in an interview with a New
York based magazine that, “My music is straight facts; there are a lot of gangsters in
my ‘hood.”
Nevertheless, the twenty one year old, Florida born rapper, has reverberated across
the Hip Hop world.
A spot check by The Unmasked in Nairobi shows that his “Shmoney” dance is the in-
thing, an obsession with a parochial following.
His dance, with a characteristic hip joint wiggle, a back and forth left to right limp,
and gun totting gestures, accompanied by arrogant facial expression, has taken over
dancefloors.
In most clubs today, the song Hot ‘Nigga’ video is to die for and even other celebrities
like Beyonce, Rihanna and Drake are endorsing the trend. Bobby’s trial date has been
set for October 5, 2015.
Hot “Nigga” video
might give bobby
shmurda 25 years
in prison
Gun totting, 21
one year old. The
story behind Bobby
Shmurda, trial
By Jidraff Otieno
A
fter winning the Best African Act MTV award, Sauti Sol missed by a whisker
to clinch an award during this year’s Black Entertainment Awards-BET.
The high flying boy band which consists of four young men, Bien-Aime
Baraza, a former USIU-A student, Willis Austin Chimano, Polycarp Otieno
and guitarist, Savara Mudigi landed in Los Angeles, California ready and robust
to bag the Best International Act; Africa
category.
While in California they toured Hol-
lywood and visited the CNN headquar-
ters in Atlanta. Nonetheless, Sauti Sol
was starved off the African category
award, which was bagged by a Gha-
nian dancehall artiste Stonebwoy.
Sauti Sol, the only nominees from
east Africa, in their own words said,
“Even though we did not bag any
award, the experience and network-
ing is of vital importance and very
fulfilling.”
Other nominees of the African act
category included, Fally Pupa (Con-
go), Ghana’s Sarkodie, Nigeria’s
budding rap artiste Wizkid, Yemi
Alade, The Soil and AKA from South
Africa.
The BET Awards 2015, was thrill-
ing in performances from various
stars and fashion was at its best.
However, the event happening at
the Nokia, Theater in Los Angeles did
not lack the usual hullabaloos of the
entertainment scene.
The Unmasked, can independently
report that there were grumbles from
African artistes who flew in to grace
the occasion.
According to a majority of the ar-
tistes, Black Artistes, from Africa, unlike
Black artistes of Afro American decent
were humiliated by event organizers.
It is said that artistes from Africa were
not allowed to grace the main event and
that they were given their awards back-
stage an hour before the ceremony began.
Yemi Alade one of the nominees tweeted that “It was wrong to nominate, African
artistes and then try to humiliate them publicly.”
Her fellow Nigerian artiste Wizkid reacting to the humiliation declined to be inter-
viewed at the red carpet during the event.
Sauti Sol starved off
BET award
Drop the bottle;
how to quit drinking
PHOTO/courtesy
PHOTO/courtesy

confessions // leisure
By Tina Wambui
I
t is now two years since I joined USIU-Africa. I always wanted to be a student at USIU.
I am now pursuing a Bachelor’s in Journalism.
I vividly remember that Monday in August 2011. My dad came early, he normally
comes at around ten at night but he was home at eight that night.
He was carrying a brown envelope; he called me and
gave me a hug. He said “congratulations my daughter, you
are now a college student. Look, here is your invitation let-
ter.”
We drove into the school for orientation at the beginning
of September the same year. The school looked neat with
beautiful green lawns. I loved it.
Two years later, I have loved USIU’s culture, the diversity
of students who come from different countries like Nigeria,
Malawi and our neighbors, including Tanzania.
The school has good hospitality which includes burgers at
the Cafeteria, ice cream at Cafe Latté and good hang out
areas like Mama Africa. I also hear there is a new student
center coming up at the new Medicine block.
Apart from the school’s normal learning and co-curric-
ulum activities, there are special days in USIU-A where we
have corporate visits, culture week, Mr. and Miss USIU-A
and drug awareness week among others.
However, of these special days, Thursday stands out all
year round. It is the last day of the week where a majority
of students finish their classes. A “special day,” a nocturnal
night. A night where my girlfriends and I get an opportunity
to party.
The uniqueness of the day lies in the aura that it possess
and the long weekend ahead. During this day it is easy to
note that students are a bit sharp looking than the first days
of the week.
I normally begin Thursdays attending classes if I have any.
Later in the afternoon at a round five in the evening I call my
girlfriends, we chat on our Whats app group and exchange
snapshots of our dress codes on Instagram.
“What are you putting on?” A message from Beverly one
of my girlfriends makes my phone vibrate.
“I am thinking of a Dolce and Gabbana pants with a slim
fitting Giorgio Armani top and a Fedora,” I Whats app her.
Seconds later she replies “I am putting on an Avatar with
my six inch pink high heels.”
Bev her short name as we call her does not hesitate but sends me a selfie of her outfit
as she poses in front of her slim mirror.
Catherine normally cheeps in with what she is putting on. She tweets her knee length
brown boots with matching blue jeans and a scarf to complement the look. Sometimes
she puts on boots with tight jeans and trendy cardigans.
After exchanging our dress codes our meet up takes place at the school’s cafeteria, at
one of our houses or a restaurant outside school before heading out.
Beverly likes San Marino because of its delicacies. She is an addict of coriander spiced
Bhajias or Chips Masala with or without Chicken Shawarma. Catherine mostly favors
steamed rice with fried beef or chicken.
Our night begins at Tortilas, Black Rose. It is the most rocking club around school. It is
now eleven at night.
Outside, parking space is limited. Students will drive and park outside. From expensive
Audis to blue Subarus to foreign platted Range Rovers and custom made Hummers.
But mostly the cars belong to either their dad or mum.
Anyhow the scarce parking is not a scare. We have our
own reserved parking, booked in advance where Oti the
bouncer had to be tipped.
We walk in with seductive glances from boys giving us
the confidence of our dress codes.
Boys will salute or try and accompany us. I can see
two or three boys that I know. Occasionally one or two
will accompany us into the club only if we knew them. It
is normally not good to engage in company of people
you do not know.
Inside the club we secure a sitting space next to the
DJ. Most often than not, we would be lucky to get this
seats. However, if we are not lucky, we would secure
seats somewhere else.
Sitting next to the DJ is absolutely fun. Heart throb-
bing beats from Madtraxx’s Nyongwa to Konshens’ Gal
A Bubble radiate from a thousand watts speakers, this is
fanatically satisfying.
Across from where am seated, the dance floor is rock-
ing with the latest dance moves from twerking to shoki
(the most favoured Nigerian dance).
We order drinks from Evans, a waiter that we are fa-
miliar with. This is a trick I learnt from my dad that having
different waiters or waitresses serve you at different oc-
casions might be either costly or they might not be keen
with your drinks.
The three of us would party hard, with one of us des-
ignated as the driver so as to take us safely home in the
wee hours of the morning, mostly at around five. Most of
times, I am the designated driver, I am not a heavy drink-
er as much because I prefer soft drinks to hard stuff.
Once in a while, either of us would get hit on by a
boy, and this would be the basis of the night’s intimate
conversations.
These conversations would carry on to our next meet-
ing during the weekday full of analogies and creative disses of the lines that boys throw at
you. Just to get in bed. Not knowing that we are interested in long term relationships and
in regards to my personal opinion, dating someone you meet in a club is a no.
From Tortilas we set for Westlands. While in Westlands we club hop for a while from
Bachhu’s to Changes and end up in Skylux. At Skylux we meet familiar faces from school
and the party would go on and on. Drinks and more drinks would be served as more
glances from boys ready to fall on their knees hitting on us.
From there we would set for home, happy that indeed it was a fun filled Thursday night;
a nocturnal day of the week.
Thirsty
Thursday,
USIU-A’s
“Nocturnal
Night”
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget
that the highest appreciation is not to utter words,
but to live by them.
John F. Kennedy
Infuse your life with action. Don’t wait for it to hap-
pen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make
your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever
your beliefs honor your creator, not by passively
waiting for grace to come down from upon high,
but by doing what you can to make grace happen...
yourself, right now, right down here on Earth.
Bradley Whitford
My best friend is the man who in wishing me well
wishes it for my sake.
Aristotle
Your work
is going to
fill a large
part of
your life,
and the
only way
to be truly
satisfied
is to do
what you
believe is
great work.
And the
only way
to do great
work is to
love what
you do. If
you haven’t
found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all
matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.
Steve Jobs
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then
you have to play better than anyone else.
Albert Einstein
The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but
imagination.
Albert Einstein
Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.
William Shakespeare
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the fu-
ture, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
Buddha
There is no great genius without a mixture of mad-
ness.
Aristotle
quotes
PHOTO/ElvisOgina.

recipes /
taste your...
book review
/ reviews
By SHEILA GESARE
W
ine is always desirable. Be it for a well-deserved romantic date, a get together, to
entertaining your guests or a soiree at a lavish ornate five star restaurant.
To drink wine is to belong. It is a full-bodied fulfillment that not only nourishes
the heart but also the soul.
Even before the crux of today’s modern civilization, wine culture was and still is elated. I stand
to be corrected if I say, many if not all covet a glass of wine.
The fascination with wine has brought about new brands, be it of Red, White, or Rose Wine.
The various brands may be a little puzzling for not all who covet wine have attended wine
tasting lessons.
So how best would you be placed to know what wine labels mean in order to perhaps,
bring at a date, serve at the dinner table or order at a restaurant the right bottle?
Customarily, wines are made up of duo names which are the Wine maker brand
name and the grape variety. Let’s use this label to explain.
Angels Tears is the name of the brand or the wine maker and South Africa is the re-
gion where it comes from. While Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz are the grape
varieties and 2012 is the vintage. Contrary to popular belief, any grape can make
any wine. It is not true that white grapes make white wine and black/red grapes
make red wine. The skins are left for longer in the winemaking process for the red
wines. When left for longer they produce tannins. Tannin is a textural element that
makes wine taste dry. Tannin is a naturally occurring polyphenol (nutrients) found in
plants, seeds, bark, wood, leaves and fruit skins. It is this tannin that provides a dry,
pucker sensation in the mouth and in the back of the throat as one sips the liquid.
Red wine grape varieties include Beaujolais, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, Merlot,
Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. While the white wines grape varieties are Chardonnay,
Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
There you have it, next time you venture to surprise the one you love, cook or sip
wine at a dinner table you will not be sipping blindly. Have a ‘wineful’ August holi-
day.
My wine, my bottle
By Sheila Gesare
T
here is always a very terrible feeling the follow-
ing morning after a heavy night of drinking.
A nauseating feel accompanied by a stinging
headache and a sluggish body. A hangover
feeling, which many beer lovers love to ignore; carry-
ing on with their daily routine under strenuous pressure.
The pressure ensures their day ends up poorly. Others
opt to sleep it off while a few may try to cure the feeling
with over the counter pain killers. However, how about
a well-made soup to stop that terrible feeling?
Serving; 3
Ingredients
1. 1-1.5 kilo lean minced/cubed beef or any preferred
meat.
2. 2-2.5 cups macaroni or a handful of spaghetti.
3. 3 big ripe tomatoes.
4. 1 tomato paste can, preferably Kenylon tomato
paste.
5. 4 big fresh onions.
6. 1 dash garlic powder or three cloves of garlic
(crushed).
7. 0.5 tablespoons salt.
8. 0.5 tablespoon powder pepper or two green pep-
pers.
9. 4 cups water.
10. Extra virgin Olive oil.
Optional
1. Parmesan cheese
Method
1. First, take the lean beef or preferred meat; brown
it in a frying pan with one onion and add a cup of
water. Bring this to a boil till the cup of water yields
an amount of broth.
2. Once the meat is brown and you have the broth,
switch off the fire and leave it in the pan until you are
ready to put it in a pot.
3. Boil your macaroni/spaghetti with a little oil and salt
for seasoning, drain and set aside the noodles in a
strainer.
4. Take your pot, oil it and add the diced or cubed
tomatoes, add in the diced onion, throw in pepper,
garlic powder and a pinch of salt.
5. Once the onions brown, add in the beef including
its broth.
6. When it gets to a boil, add the tomato paste, maca-
roni or the spaghetti.
7. Stir and let it boil down a bit, then add the 4 cups of
water, and continue stirring.
8. Now the optional part: If you want to add anything
else to the recipe (like parmesan, one extra green
pepper etc.) this is the time to add it.
9. Let it boil an extra three to four minutes without stir-
ring.
10. Lower the flame to have your soup simmer as you
prepare the serving table.
Give the soup a stir and serve with round bread
smeared with a little butter.
Hangover soup
By Sheila Gesare
I
happened to be visiting one of my colleagues at his
Priwana hostel next to school. As I hesitantly knocked
on his door, his neighbor opened his and informed
me that he was not in. I did one of those rushed U
turns ready to head out. Before I could take a step to
where I came from, I noticed he was holding a book on
his hands. He asked if I had a message for my friend.
I said, “No I don’t.” Keeping the message I had close
to my heart. Nevertheless, the book he was holding
caught my attention and I decided to take a closer look.
I asked what he was reading and he said, ‘It is called Rich
Dad Poor Dad.” I asked “What it’s about? He replied, “You
read it and you will not let it off your hands.”
To my amazement, I have read this book more than three
times, and of course a review of it would not hurt a bit.
Now, this Rich Dad Poor Dad Book is written by a gentle-
man called Robert Kayosaki. Kayosaki has an interesting
tale of how as he grew up, he learnt some money lessons
from his rich and his poor dad. Two different dads, same
stage, different ap-
proach and one
mission in mind.
Money.
The book has six
interesting lessons
that I will quickly go
through. But first
the cover and the
size of the book is
friendly to all of you
who wish to make
money as Kayosaki
hopes to teach.
His first lesson is
that the rich don’t
work for money. In
this lesson he gives
c o m p r e h e n s i v e
analysis of his two
dads. His poor dad
who had worked for
the government as a
teacher and lived on his pension later on in his life, literally
teaches about going to school in order to get a paying job
and get money. However his rich dad explains to him that
indeed there is need to work hard but not for the necessity
to get money but to understand how things work and can
be used to generate money over and over again.
Lesson two is quite interesting for it deals with how to
generate wealth through focusing on what brings in money
and what takes away money. Kayosaki redefines assets as
things that when in hand generate an extra shilling. Here if
you have a ten shillings coin and you use it wisely to gener-
ate an extra shilling then that is an asset. He goes further
to explicate liabilities as those things that take away more.
In my own example a smartphone, if it does not generate
money but keeps on tweeting then it’s a liability. The key
here is to minimize your liabilities.
His third lesson is simple, mind your own business and
stop spending a lot in paying things but think of how peo-
ple will pay for the things and skills you have. The fourth
lesson is quite interesting. Kayosaki talks to those beginners
of understanding government and taxation. He
notes that there is big different between evading tax and
avoiding tax. Of the two, one is legal and the other is il-
legal. Read it to get an in-depth of this.
The fifth lesson Kayosaki talks about is how the rich in-
vent their money. They come up with means that will gener-
ate money when you not present. Here I believe the author
is advising against those tiring 8 to 5 jobs only. Think of
a side hustle, write a book, produce a song, a blog that
brings in advertisements or money, for those in the middle
level, rentals could work. This is an invention that invents
money on your behalf. The final lesson that the author
seeks to bring to your attention is work to learn but don’t
work for money. Simple put let work be a learning experi-
ence and money will come your way and work for you but
do not work to get money and spend with the landlord or
in expensive eateries. This will be simply joining a rat race
of some sort.
The book is quite a fast and easy read. I will not tell you
to grab a copy at the nearest bookshop, download a free
PDF to save money.
Movie and Book Review by Brenda Okoth
Money on
my mind,
reviewing Rich
Dad, Poor Dad
In Selma; voting was
once an issue of denial
B
arrack Obama stood tall and gave a moving
speech at the Kasarani indoor arena. When asked,
many would agree that he is the manifestation of
Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream.
A dream that one day men and women of color will stand
with their chins held up high devoid of any racial discrimi-
nation.
In his speech, he pleaded with Kenyans as a whole to
shed irrelevant cultures of tribalism, cronyism and to an
extent domestic violence.
He equated this culture to an American example where
the Confederate flag that resembled superiority of color
came down. Black versus White. All this is well captured in
the movie Selma.
The stage is set in Alabama, 1965. The issue of concern
is the right of men and women of color voting.
The cast of the movie includes Martin Luther King, Jr. who
is among a group of civil rights leaders conducting a se-
ries of campaigns to Selma. African Americans are denied
voting rights. It vividly manifests itself when Ala Cooper (A
character played by Oprah Winfrey), an elderly woman
walks slowly up to a clerk to register to vote. The clerk tries
to intimidate her, threatening to tell her employer that she’s
making a “fuss.” This stumps out Ala like others before
her as a determined woman trying to exercise her right to
vote. However, the struggle is not yet over. Martin Luther
decides to meet with influential leaders among them Presi-
dent Johnson and Malcolm X.
Luther goes ahead to lead a rather dangerous cam-
paign, a movement that grabs the public attention to fight
for their rights. Luther’s movement is met by violent re-
sistance including church bombings. His wife, Coretta, is
also not favored by this violent resistance. Coretta has to
deal with her own struggles among them looking after Lu-
ther’s children while being harried by ill-tempered citizens
and government officials. The film concludes in victory
where Martin gives a moving speech in Alabama, in front
of the Federal Government’s building.
PHOTOs/courtesy
PHOTO/courtesy
PHOTO/DuncanNdotono

30 THE UNMASKED JUNE - JULY 2015
/ drinks
By CHANCE JAMIL
R
ecently, President Kenyatta uttered a few alcohol related words. And to the amazement of
the public all cheap liquor dens were turned upside down.
The media was awash with images of rivers flowing with illicit brews. From Kirigiti in
Kiambu to Kilifi, in the Coast, exposes of rugged methods of brewing were brought to the
attention of many.
So now we know what the brewers in those dens use. Did you see, how shocked eyewitnesses
were?
Apparently, the ingredients for brewing those Kali Kali drinks that leave youthful men blind
include, dead rats and the inside clothes (here I mean panties).
In addition, apart from those ingredients which I assume are from ‘outer space’ the brewers
have very unique names for their brands.
How or should I ask where on earth do you get brand names like Kana and Flying Horse?
Anyway, forget about those brewers and their ‘extraordinaire’ clients who careless about their
eyesight. Let’s talk about the real deal.
A refined, golden sip of Whisky, whose opulence and class can be identified on your breath
after a double shot on the rocks. A shot or two on the rocks is for a select few.
The brand name be it, Cognac, Platinum, or a Remy Martin signifies capacity and belonging.
A very old and popular drink all over the world, Whisky is a very broad title that can be applied
to a variety of spirits.
Major producers include Scotland, Ireland, America and Canada tagging along as fourth inline.
The opulence of whisky as an alcoholic beverage is crafted from fermented grain mash (Wheat,
Rye, Barley or Malt) through distillation.
The only exception to this is that some whiskies are made from corn which necessarily doesn’t
need to be aged. In the early stages of
whisky production, separation of
the eventual spirits into two cat-
egories is based on the ingredi-
ents used. Malted whisky means
that the grain, typically barley,
has been soaked in water until
it began to germinate and
then dried out over heat.
Grain whisky is basi-
cally everything else
made from any grain
that isn’t malted. All
whiskies are distilled
at a minimum of 40%
and a maximum of
94.8% ABV (alcohol
by volume). So the
difference between
the various whiskeys
relies mostly on the
type of grain used
and the distilla-
tion process. In
addition to this,
you can further
categorize your
whisky by country
of origin. Mostly,
categories
include, Scotch,
American,
Welsh, or Irish.
Further to this
we have Japa-
nese, Indian
and Cana-
dian.
Let’s talk whisky
PHOTO/courtesy

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