Village Beat Magazine - Issue 31, June 2016

A PUBLICATION OF THE VILL AGE MARKET

SHOP I EAT I LIVE JUNE–JULY 2016

Like father like son #VMFoodie

HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT STEAK

Bunson Safari BACK AT THE RANCH

YOUR FREE COPY

Regulars * VILLAGE SCENE * WHAT’S ON PLANNER * VILLAGE MARKET A-Z

Village BEAT

“A boy needs a father to show him how to be in the world. He needs to be given swagger, taught how to read a map so that he can recognize the roads that lead to life and the paths that lead to death, how to know what love requires, and where to find steel in the heart when life makes demands on us that are greater than we think we can endure.�

Ian Morgan Cron

Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir...of Sorts

ON SHARE OK O FACEB 1

In this issue A PUBLICATION OF THE VILL AGE MARKET

JUNE–JULY 2016 PUBLISHED BY:

THE VILLAGE MARKET P.O Box 100-00621 The Village Market Tel: 020 7122488/90 Email: pr@villagemarket-kenya.com admin@villagemarket-kenya.com

EDITORIAL COORIDNATION BY: The Writing Agency (K) info@thewritingagency.co.ke

DESIGNED BY:

Land & Marine Publications

CONTRIBUTORS:

Ann Gitari – The Writing Agency (K) Bobby Pall – Bobby Pall Photography John Mwangi Macharia – J Mwangi & Associates Oyunga Pala Reema Doshi – Kingsway Tyres

PRINT:

Modern Lithographic

DISTRIBUTION: The Village Market

HEAD OF PR & MARKETING: Evelyn Ngenga eve@villagemarket-kenya.com

SALES & ADVERTISING:

Damar Padwa damar@villagemarket-kenya.com Vanessa Odera vanessa@villagemarket-kenya.com The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher, or any other organisation associated with this publication. No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions. © 2016 The Village Market

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Celebrating Father’s Day

W

e’re already half way through the year, and we hope this year has been everything that you wished it to be. If not, there’s still time to make it the best year yet.

With the month of May gone, June presents an opportunity to celebrate the loving, hard-working fathers all around the world. Not one to miss out on the festivities, we’ve dedicated this edition of the Village Beat to these amazing fellas.

We begin with a photo series of Iconic Men, photographed by the very talented Bobby Pall. Kaya Spa at Tribe Hotel has put together a special package for the Super Dads while Elixir Health fills us in on male appropriate supplements.

There’s this and more to keep you informed and entertained.

Go beyond the usual tie-for-dad gift and consider some of the interesting treats herein, for something unique and special this Father’s Day. And after all is said and done, spend some quality time with your father. That’s what counts.

To all the awesome dads out there, Happy Father’s Day!

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Village Social

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Village Scene

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Village Cares

Village market supports the ‘Making Cities Together’ project

11 Village Beat Feature

Only a dad

12 Iconic Men

A photo series by Bobby Pall

14 Kaya Spa

Man of the hour

17 Village Planner 18 Elixir

Supplements for men at every age

21 VM Foodie

How to make the perfect steak

23 Finances

All in the family

24 Bunson Safari

Back at the ranch

26 Kingsway Tyres

"We tested BFGoodrich's kO2 tyre at a military facility"

29 Between the lines 30 Gentlemen

The league of ordinary gentlemen

32 A-Z of Village Market

List of outlets

33 Essential Contacts 3

Village Village Market

@VillageMarket

Hughie Ayara Snr @Hugh_McAyaaz

@VillageMarket Some beautiful Art and yummy food after visiting the exhibition on the rooftop

Nickson Kimetu reviewed Village Market 15 April

Best place to spend your day, I enjoyed my self with variates of nice drinks and friendly environment

Wangari @ragamami

Best place to spend your day, I enjoyed my self with variates of nice drinks and friendly environment

Charles Murigi reviewed Village Market 25 April

I enjoy working here. The environment is global in an inspiring mode

Sanjeev Johari reviewed Village Market

Hughie Ayara Snr @Hugh_McAyaaz

I wish the whole @VillageMarket could be carried to #ArtExpoNairobi

27 April

Great Place to enjoy. This is an up market place specially for European and Indian

Christine Wagacha @ragingisanart

The candy store that used to sell cotton candy near the food court is one of my fav childhood memories

Ryan @romaj1gig

Not going to birthday parties hosted there by my friends because my pops wasn’t about to drive across town

The Village Market @VillageMarket

We’re 21 years old! What have been your fave foodie moments at VM? #VillageMarket #VM21

Hughie Ayara Snr @Hugh_McAyaaz

This is also one of the way to promote ART in Kenya @VillageMarket does it tahnsk 2 @ArtexpoNairobi #ArtExpoNairobi

Hughie Ayara Snr @Hugh_McAyaaz

@VillageMarket you playing a great in the #Art Industry. Kudos John Ndungu and Anthony Wainaina

Brian Mandere reviewed Village Market 12 May

really nice place has a variety of stalls i enjoyed the food and had a chance to visit COLOURise exhibition by Adrian Nduma - really exceptional work its worth the visit

Chris Calix Kaguora reviewed Village Market Yesterday

It’s the best place to have an afternoon hangout.

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Village www.villagemarket-kenya.com

Urban Nite 29th April

April’s Urban Nite was an entertaining affair that featured Miale Band, performing a fusion of smooth afro-jazz. Next to take the stage were all-girl band, Tetusheni. Drumming the night away, they kept the crowd on their feet with their African beats. It was a great night of song, dance and fun.

TETUSHENI: Entertaining the crowd at Urban Nite

Mother’s Day Zumba 8th May

ZUMBA: Raising money and having fun

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Mejia Renowned Zumba enthusiast, Manuel was back at Village Market in May for a Mamas fun-filled Mother’s Day Zumba session. cardio enjoyed a one and a half hour, full-body s workout at the rooftop parking. Proceed from the event went towards purchasing food stuff and essential items for Meta ren’s Meta Children’s home. Meta Meta child give orphanage in Westlands was star ted to in s nitie ortu street children the same opp education and the bare necessities of life.

BUFFALO BIG BAND

21st May

BUFFALO BIG BAND: Instrumental covers of well-known hit songs

Saturday 21st May saw the Buffalo Big Band give an entertaining performance at Village Market. The musical ensembl e brought the house down with instrumental renditions of such hit son gs as Uptown Funk (Bruno Mars) and Pharrel l Williams (Happy). The youthful band kep t the crowd on its feet and in anticipation of the nex t performance.

Girlfriends Confidential 21st May

Girlfriends Confidential is a social gathering hosted by Oyunga Pala. The event brings “Girlfriends’’ together to connect, network and seek advice. Village Market has created a place for them to feel at home and share their thoughts and views on career goals, motherhood, and parenting among other topics. The last Girfriends Confidential featured guest speaker, Renee Ngamau leading a conversation on accidental pregnancy among mature women. As expected, the conversation generated a huge debate as well as some laughter. Check out Village Market’s Facebook page for details on the next GC event.

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Cares

Village

Village Market supports the ‘Making Cities Together’ project

I

n 2014, Placemakers entered into a partnership with the International Federation of Housing and Planning (DK) and the International New Town Institute (NL). As a result of the partnership, ‘Making Cities Together’, which is part of International New Town Institute’s ‘New Towns’ program and the IFHP’s professional exchange program was founded. The Village Market is among the organizations supporting this initiative.

The project started with a baseline study of Nairobi’s socio-spatial ecosystem that made up an inventory of the socio-spatial (placemaking) initiatives

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across the city. This assessed and documented 17 socio-spatial initiatives across the city. The emphasis here was to see what is already being done in order to build on it.

The project is categorized into different phases: Inventory, Research, Placemaking design Lab, Implementation and Platform.

Making Cities Together project is conceptualized as a pilot to showcase what is possible and work as a best practice example of making community places that can then be replicated. The project aims to develop a sustainable, viable and longterm agenda for Nairobi’s public spaces.

The Inventory, Research and Place-

The Making Cities Together project looks to do things in a different way, and by that it looks to inclusion and the people as the center of design

making design Lab were organized in close partnership with UN-HABITAT, Nairobi City County, Dutch Alliance for Sustainable Urban Development in Africa (DASUDA), The Technical University of Kenya, University of Nairobi’s Centre for Urban Research and Innovation and KUWA, and was supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The lab brought together various actors in public space including the private sector, NGO’s, community groups, citizens and experts from Kenya and across the world.

Using Placemaking for Neighbourhood Revitalization: The Case of Dandora During the Placemaking design Lab in May this year, three intervention strategies were developed for the streets of Korochogo, the courtyards in Dandora and the Jeevanjee gardens respectively. A jury of prime stakeholders selected ‘Must Seed’ Intervention strategy for Dandora as the best Placemaking Design Strategy.

Must Seed is developed as a stepby-step strategy to scale up from the courtyards to the streets to eventually the whole neighborhood of Dandora with the leave-way, the dumpsite, the abandoned factory area nearby and the Dandora train station area as bigger opportunities for development further into the future. Ultimately, the strategy could be a city wide or even nationwide way to tackle the use and management of public spaces. As Charles Gachanga, CEO of Mustard Seeds would say: “If you change Dandora you change Nairobi. If you change Nairobi, you change Kenya.

According to the jury, the strategy shows a realistic roadmap for implementing the expertise of the local organization on the different scales of the public scale of the neighbourhood.”

“Building on what is already there, using the momentum of the users, bringing

stakeholders together, finding ways to accelerate transformation, encouraging pride and identity and self-worth as well as a sense of belonging are some of the reasons as to why we use a participatory placemaking approach. Design done top down will never result in ownership and pride as the users were never consulted and will never feel connected to the result, this in turn brings about a maintenance issue as we can see in the case of Dandora. “ The Making Cities Together project looks to do things in a different way, and by that it looks to inclusion and the people as the center of design. The “model courts” initiative exists and building on that momentum, the “model street” is in progress now.

Using the incremental approach, the hope is that this can be taken to the city level eventually, and done in a way that builds on the current momentum whilst ensuring we do not lose any of the culture in the upgrading process.

PROJECT: ‘Making Cities Togther’

Whilst the process is incremental for many reasons, the belief that attitude transformation takes time as inclusion without discrimination is necessary.

The Making Cities Together looks at the “model street” as an accelerator to positive transformation whilst keeping true to the notion that the people are the solution, with the hope that this process can create an enabling environment for change.

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Village

Feature

BEAT

Only a dad

Only a dad, with a tired face, Coming home from the daily race, Bringing little of gold or fame, To show how well he has played the game, But glad in his heart that his own rejoice To see him come, and to hear his voice.

Only a dad, with a brood of four, One of ten million men or more.

Plodding along in the daily strife, Bearing the whips and the scorns of life, With never a whimper of pain or hate, For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud, Merely one of the surging crowd Toiling, striving from day to day, Facing whatever may come his way, Silent, whenever the harsh condemn, And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad, but he gives his all To smooth the way for his children small, Doing, with courage stern and grim, The deeds that his father did for him.

This is the line that for him I pen, Only a dad, but the best of men.

- Edgar Albert Guest -

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A Photo Series by Bobby Pall

F

atherhood is a vocation in God’s service, to be not held lightly or frivolously, but with the serious determination of serious men.

- Father Lawrence Lovasik -

Fathers are the best foundation in life

A Quiet gentle kiss, soothes all pain

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Iconic Men

The best antidote for pain is a father's hug

Love

Boy's best friend... father

Bobby Pall Photography Village Market 3rd Level Nex to the Dental Clinic Tel: (+254) 721 462 302/(+254) 706 277 371 Email: bobbypallphotography@gmail.com www.bobbypallphotography.co.ke 13

Kaya Spa

Man of the hour

T

he most many men get of a massage is the occasional shoulder rub after a haircut or from the Mrs, at the end of a strenuous day. At playtime, fathers will get their 4-year olds to step on their backs, with little if any effect. But nothing offers a reflexology quite like the ominous Lego

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brick, lying in wait on the living room floor. Ouch!

So one would think that a man who has never had the pleasure of enjoying a spa massage, would jump at the offer right away. Not my man. At my initial suggestion that he samples the Kaya Spa Father’s Day package (on my behalf), he said he

asked the Spa to give me a full pedicure while I waited for him. Sweet!

90 minutes later, my man emerged from the spa treatment - a smile on his face, confusion in his eyes. As he settled at the salon for the final part of the package – a fine-touch haircut, I tried to get into his mind to decipher his confusion: Should I have enjoyed it that much? And now that I do, will this become a regular thing? Should I tell the boys about it?

Special treatment needed to give it some thought. It took him a month of deep, concerted thinking..

All I could do was stare at the calendar, watching my publishing deadline drawing closer ever so frighteningly. Just as I was about to give up, he consented and off to the spa we went. To make good for all the time he took thinking (I still don’t know what about; did he consult his boys?), he

KAYA SPA: Not just for the ladies...

Thanks to all the Super Dads in the world, Kaya Spa has put together a special men’s treatment for the month of June. The repair and maintenance package is divided into four. The first step called Exhale, is a 15 minute session in Kaya’s private steam room, designed to relax the muscles and increase blood circulation. Next is Repair - to invigorate and exfoliate the skin using a coffee-

detox, body-polish. Sugar, coffee and other natural ingredients are combined with Asian botanicals to detoxify the pores and encourage cell growth.

Restore, a 30 minute deep tissue back massage, eases away stress using warm oils and fresh herbs. The massage focuses on major stress points to relieve tension and stimulate chi flow. You also get to choose what level of pressure you want for your massage. And finally, Style Up – a customized gent’s haircut, for the man of the hour. The perfect combination for the perfect spa treatment. Good enough for the regular spa man; just right for the first-timer.

Kaya Spa

BOOK NOW

Tel: +254 20 720 0656 Email: kaya@tribehotel-kenya.com www.tribe-hotel.com

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Village

PLANNER Photographers Against Cancer 03-12 June 2016 Exhibition Hall, from 10am daily

Photographers Against Cancer is an initiative

by Tin Roof Foundation in partnership with the Africa Cancer Foundation and Village Market to raise awareness and funds against childhood cancer. The campaign showcases the unparalleled beauty of our country and continent featuring wildlife, landscapes, cityscapes and beautiful macro photography. The photo exhibition will showcase 20 photographs donated by globally renowned Kenyan photographers, which will be sold and the funds directed towards the medical treatment, medication and after care of children suffering from cancer.

Artz by Zahir 15-25 June 2016 Exhibition Hall, from 10am daily

Artz gallery will feature a collection of celebrated artists who have made Village Market their home. Artz gallery, the pioneer art space in the complex will have a unique showcase of painted art pieces that depict various aspects of life in the continent.

Secret Garden Exhibition 28 June – 09 July 2016 Exhibition Hall, from 10am daily

Secret Garden Furniture specializes primarily in Home and Garden furniture. The company is based in Kenya and offers high quality, durable furniture throughout East and Central Africa.

Secret Garden also provides complete outdoor decking areas made of composite woodplastic from technologically advanced materials designed to guarantee more than 20 years of low-maintenance service.

JUN

2016

JUL Kalabash Exhibition 15-31 July 2016 Exhibition Hall, from 10am daily

Sample some of the most distinctive African art, furniture and jewellery as Kalabash lays out the best in the market. From a variety of tribal masks to African hand crafted stools and tables, each eye-catching piece has a story to tell.

Kidawa Naturals and Organic Market Every First Weekend of the month Food court, from 10am

Kidawa Naturals and Organic Market is Nairobi’s must attend event for natural and organic food, beverage, health and beauty products. A great opportunity to begin your “GREEN” journey.

Indulge in a yummy range of food and drink, pamper yourself with natural skincare and cosmetics and discover the very best products for a healthy lifestyle. This monthly event is sure to keep you coming back!

Village Market Pop-Up Store 2nd Floor, Overlooking the Food Court

Village Market pop-up store features art, fashion, interiors and lifestyle made in Africa for Africa.

Meet various craftpreneurs and artisans and sample their work every month. For more information on bookings and featured artisans kindly get in touch on phone 020-712 2488/90 or email: admin@villagemarket-kenya.com 17

Elixir

SUPPLEMENTS FOR MEN

T

raditionally, men have been less likely to seek medical attention or discuss health problems. However, more and more men now strive to live life to its fullest and are recognizing the role that good health plays in their enjoyment of life.

In this article, we highlight supplements which are most essential for men at various stages of their lives.

Teenage Years Like children and adults, teenagers also need to take vitamins. Teenagers have a greater nutritional and energy requirement than in any other period of their lives. Often times, boys experience acne during their teenage years and this can be successfully counteracted with Vitamin A.

at every age 20 to 35yrs: The Male in Transition

It is important to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet which provides the body with most vitamins and nutrients needed to sustain adequate functions. However, young adults face a variety of life challenges, from completing college to starting first jobs and settling down in life. Managing the new daily responsibilities can often take precedence over eating well-balanced meals. A daily multivitamin is necessary when healthy eating does not occur.

Multivitamin Vitamins and minerals help improve energy levels, improve the immune system and help get through this transitional period of life.

riencing heart disease rise by 35 percent.

Trim body fat – Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C and Chromium all support a healthy metabolism.

Weight loss supplements such as Super Fat Burners, and Raspberry Ketones support weight loss.

When stress and fatigue hit, supplements such as B complex, L-Tyrosine and 5HTP may help regain balance.

Reduce or eliminate caffeine, sugar, and other short-term energy boosters, and replace them with natural options which can be found at the health shop.

50 Plus

The following should be avoided: • Consumption of too much refined carbohydrate foods such as white flour and sugar.

• Over-consumption of soft drinks and energy drinks. This leads to too much phosphorous intake and has a negative effect on their calcium levels.

B complex Comprises of Vitamin B1,B2, B3,B5, B6, Folic acid, B12 and Biotin is important in regulating nerve functions, sustaining brain activity to focus on work or school and maintaining energy to stay involved in daily activities

36-50: The Midlife Male

Most men at this age may face health issues such as hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, prostate problems and urinary infections among other health issues.

The following are natural alternatives to consider: Anyone with high blood pressure is wise to cut salt intake and seek stress-reducing techniques such as meditation.

Garlic and hawthorn help lower blood pressure and also lower cholesterol.

For sexual problems, nutrients such as L-arginine, Zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are helpful. Other natural alternatives for erectile dysfunction are: Catuaba (one of the most famous Brazilian aphrodisiac), Ginseng, Damiana, Maca and Muira Puama.

Gotu kola, a popular Indian herb, works to stimulate the brain, strengthening memory and mental ability.

At Elixir Health, we have multivitamins designed specifically for teenagers such as Thompsons TeenPlex multivitamin and Kal Enhanced Energy Teen. Available also is a gel – Natura Acne Gel for problem skin.

A growing waist signals risk for disease.

Men at this age need to battle belly fat and prevent diseases like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. For each additional 5 inches around the waist, chances of expe-

For more information, email or visit Elixir Health shop. The in-house qualified nutritionists are available to offer you professional advice.

Essential Vitamins for Teenage boys: • Zinc, magnesium, calcium and Vitamin D are needed for strong bones and to increase bone density.

• Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E help fight free radicals in the body and also benefit the immune system.

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Fish Oil Fish is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain and heart health and act as a natural anti-inflammatory - especially beneficial if you have sports injuries or aching joints.

SUPPLEMENTS: Beneficial for men of all ages

It is important to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet which provides the body with most vitamins and nutrients needed to sustain adequate functions

Elixir Health 2nd Floor Tel: 020 7120217/ 0735 174687 Email: elixirhealthkenya@gmail.com

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VM Foodie

HOW TO MAKE

the perfect steak P

erhaps no one is more qualified to identify a perfect steak than Shaukat Ali Kurji. Shauk of Prime Cuts Butchery & Bistro knows all about steaks, and for him, the perfect steak starts at the farm.

“Prime Cuts has a large ranch just outside Ol Pejeta where we rear up to 800 steers. These are grazed and green fed a secret ingredient consisting of grains and hay. Once mature, they are taken into the slaughter house where they are hygienically cleaned.

The meat is then dry aged in a temperature-controlled warehouse for 21 days, a process that enables the enzymes to start breaking down the tough muscles

for the meat to become tender.

Once this is done, the meat is ready to be brought to the butchery.”

What’s the Best Way to Have a Steak?

It depends on the cut. The rib eye and sirloin are good for grilling while the rump steak is best preserved for a barbeque. Personally, I like my steak medium-rare because you can taste the natural salts in the beef. For seasoning, I simply add sea salt.

Naked Flame or Low Heat?

Burnt our charcoal cooks best. Just barbeque both sides for four minutes and your steak should be ready.

Your All Time Favourite?

The Rump Steak.

It’s juicy, tender and goes well with everything. It also gets a nice crispy layer of fat on the outside giving the steak lots of good flavour.

SHAUKAT Identifying the perfect steak

Personally, I like my steak medium-rare because you can taste the natural salts in the beef Prime Cuts Butchery & Bistro Tel: +254 708 555 444 Email: butchery@primecuts.co.ke www.primecuts.co.ke

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Finances

For financial advice:

J Mwangi & Associates Tel: 020 434 3223 Email: mwangi@jmwangiandassociates.com www.jmwangiandassociates.com

ALL IN THE FAMILY

J

ust like businesses, families today face various challenges when trying to decide how to allocate their financial resources.

There are several increasing needs and expectations, which is why it is important to have a clear focus on your priorities. It is from this premise that the father figure role is equated to that of a CEO in a business.

Business leaders are expected to generate income, allocate resources and create value for stakeholders. By doing so, the stakeholders increase their confidence in the CEO. Several positive outcomes encourage the stakeholders to continue supporting their leader.

Personal Financial Advice That same rationale can be applied to the most basic unit of society – the family. The head of the family identifies how much should be saved and what should be allocated to household expenses, including rent or mortgages. They should also offer guidance on what should be spent on education and medical insurance among other things. The leader then must be financially astute so as to secure a better future for his family.

One of the ways to achieve this knowledge is to seek personal financial advice. There are various ways this can be achieved - through training, reading financial materials available on the subject or by relying on the services of a personal financial advisor to ensure you make the right choices.

PERSONAL FINANCES Leave it to the head of the family

Where to Put Your Money Having learned to allocate your resources wisely, a good financial advisor will suggest various investment options such as real estate, equities, commercial papers and mutual funds. Each of these have their own advantages. The choice of each one depends on the overall strategy of the individual, one’s risk appetite and the expected returns. It also helps to have an overall outlook of where the family wants to be by a certain period of time, before identifying the means to get there.

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Bunson Safari

Back at the ranch The Ultimate Father’s Day Getaway

KWEISOS HOUSE: A great place to get away from it all

K

weisos House is a hidden gem. A friend of a friend was kind enough to unearth this gem and all it has to offer for the man looking for a unique holiday spot out of town.

The house is part of the impressive operation that is Homa Lime - a diverse farm in Koru about an hour away from Kisumu. The drive to Koru is quite pleasant, what with the newly carpeted roads in the area.

Homa Lime processing plant makes for an impressive sight in the midst of nature. However, the industrial factory is much more than that. The sprawling operation also maintains large herds of dairy and beef cows, horses, sheep and droves of pigs. A sugar cane and maize plantation also stands out from one

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corner of the farm, alongside expansive forestry projects.

Kweisos House is the perfect retreat for the outdoorsy, project-loving man.

The old house is well maintained and sits on a hill overlooking the livestock ranch.

There are also scenic views that extend south as far as the eye can see.

Activities Kweisos is the ideal spot to relax in complete peace and quiet, or engage in the various activities and tours around the farm. The house offers a self-catering plan. The well-trained team of staff who have worked at the house for many years, are on hand to prepare meals and help with various chores.

You can explore Kweisos Farm either in your vehicle, on foot, on horseback

NATURE: Treat dad to some rest and relaxation

Kweisos House is the perfect retreat for the outdoorsy, projectloving man.

or even on bicycles to get some exercise during your visit. A horseback tour of the farm allows you to get to all parts of the farm with relative ease, and makes the conservation areas a lot more accessible. Though there is no big game in the conservation areas, there is an abundance of bird life, a variety of protected monkey species and if you are extremely lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a leopard.

Rolling hills After exploring the Homa Lime during the day, you can set yourself atop one of the many rolling hills to watch the sun set over Lake Victoria, with the sounds of nature as your only distraction.

Tired of the usual 5-star hotel holiday?

Kweisos House is a wonderful escape from the mundane. Get up close with the operations of a working farm and factory in the midst of nature. And if the farm gets a bit too monotonous, the Western Kenya Tourism circuit is at your doorstep, with Lake Victoria just an hour away and the Kakamega Forest some two hours from the farm.

Bunson Safari 1st Floor Tel: 020 7121235 Email: villagemarket@ carlsonwagomlit.co.ke www.busonstravel.com

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Kingsway Tyres

"We tested BFGoodrich's KO2 tyre at a military facility"

By Reema Doshi

Kingsway Tyres - PR & Marketing Manager

N

early every guy dreams of owning a four-wheel drive.

4x4s are powerful vehicles that defy every possible terrain from rock, sand and even muddy or wet surfaces.

In traffic, they dominate the road, often getting special parking spaces, like on pavements, when there is just no more space available. And who wouldn’t want that?

Kenya is famous for rally driving and adrenaline filled four-wheel challenges.

The famous Rhino Charge and Athi River 4x4 Challenge are just some of the popular extreme-sports events in the calendar. Thousands of men drag their families to these events for a good cause, and to witness modified 4x4s in action.

While this terrain-defying vehicles can do 26

just about everything, (short of shooting for the moon) they can’t do what they do without the right tyres.

Tyres Which is why BFGoodrich in affiliation with Michelin Tyres recently launched its all-terrain KO2 tyre. Compared to the existing KO tyre, the rugged KO2 is said to be more durable, lasting twice as long on gravel roads and even longer on tarmac. Having heard so many good reviews, we decided to put the KO2 to the ultimate test.

Last year, our very own Nishit and Amal Shah went to South Africa to attend the much hyped launch of the KO2 tyre. The colour and pomp out of the way, our brave men headed out to

BFGOODRICH: More rugged and durable than before

Pretoria’s Getorek facility, often used for testing military vehicles. With their individual vehicles fitted with a new set of BFGoodrich KO2s, they charged through Gerotek’s assortment of off-road trails, high-speed bowls, skid-pans and various other ramps and obstacles. As expected, none of the vehicles got stuck or suffered any punctures. We have to admit; the KO2 is by far the toughest, all-terrain tyre currently in the market.

All-terrain With the KO2, off-road enthusiasts can extend their adventures and working professionals can get more use out of their tyres. The KO2 improves its already legendary tradition of all-terrain performance with 10 percent greater traction in the mud (and 19 percent greater traction in the snow) compared to the previous-generation KO. The new KO2 is also

20 percent stronger in critical off-road performance.

But don’t take our word for it. Search “KO2 takes on Gravity” on YouTube and see for yourself how much torture this tyre can survive!

Kenya is famous for rally driving and adrenaline filled fourwheel challenges. The Rhino Charge and Athi River 4x4 Challenge are just some of the popular extremesports events in the calendar.

Kingsway Tyres Ground Floor Tel: 020 7120171 or 0733 699514 Email: customerservice@kingswaytyres.com www.kingswaytyres.com

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the lines

Between MUST READ:

THE GAME: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists Author: Neil Strauss This is not fiction. Nearly every major city in the world has them: hidden underground seduction lairs where men gather to trade the most devastatingly effective techniques ever invented to seduce women.

For two years, bestselling author Neil Strauss lived among these men. Using the pseudonym Style to protect his real-life identity, he began his remarkable journey from AFC (Average Frustrated Chump) to PUA (Pickup Artist) to PUG (Pickup Guru) —refining his approach, sharing unforgettable encounters with the likes of Tom Cruise, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Courtney Love, and ultimately transforming himself from frog to prince . . . to prisoner. And then things started to get really strange. One of the most explosive and controversial books in years, The Game is guaranteed to change the lives of men and transform the way women understand the opposite sex forever.

PIRELLI – THE CALENDAR: 50 Years and More CAN YOU FORGIVE HER? Author: Anthony Trollope Alice Vavasor, a young woman of twenty-four, is engaged to the wealthy and respectable and dependable, if unambitious and bland, John Grey. She had previously been engaged to her cousin George, but she broke it off after he went through a wild period.

John, trusting in his love, makes only the slightest protest of Alice’s planned tour of Switzerland with her cousin Kate, George’s sister, even when he learns George is to go with them as male protector.

Influenced by the romance of Switzerland, Kate’s contriving to restore George to Alice’s favour, and her own misgivings with John’s shortcomings, Alice jilts her second fiancé.

THE BUMPER BOOK FOR THE LOO: Facts & Figures Author: Mitchell Symons When Mitchell Symons wrote his extraordinary bestsellers This Book, That Book and The Other Book - all neatly combined in one sensational volume, The Ultimate Loo Book - he was judged by many to be the King of Trivia. Now, in The Bumper Book for the Loo, this supremo of weird and wonderful, astonishing and inexplicable facts, figures, stats and stories returns with a super selection of trivialistic treats - each one more remarkable and, yes, even more trivial than anything he’s compiled before.

Author: Phillipe Daverio The notoriously exclusive Pirelli Calendar, featuring glamorous shots of beautiful women, was first published in 1964. Reserved for important clients and VIPs, the calendar has since grown into a legend of its own, showcasing the beauty of models. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the now-legendary institution that is the Pirelli Calendar, TASCHEN brings you a retrospective volume reproducing the complete calendars, photographed by Richard Avedon, Peter Beard, Patrick Demarchelier, Nick Knight, Karl Lagerfeld, Inez van lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Annie Leibovitz, Peter Lindbergh, Sarah Moon, Terry Richardson, Herb Ritts, Mario Sorrenti, Bert Stern, Mario Testino, Bruce Weber, and many more.

Between the Lines 1st Floor, New Wing 0708 098188 wsundries@nbi.ispkenya.com 29

Gentlemen

THE LEAGUE OF ORDINARY GENTLEMEN

By Oyunga Pala

F

ela Kuti’s song, “I No Be Gentleman At All” was the title track of the album Gentleman released in 1973. Fela at his radical best was challenging the colonial mentality that had seen Africans turn their backs on anything indigenous for European customs. Fela’s refrain to men who wore woollen suits and top hats in Lagos’ sweltering heat was “I no be gentleman, like that. I be Africa man, Original.” Fela was preaching against blind Victorian romanticism, but I guess not enough people were listening.

The immaculately dressed, ballroom dancing African gentleman of the 50s and 60s sired a new class of African gentlemen easily distinguished either by their American or English accents and impressive knowledge of American brand trivia. Gentlemen had a foreign connotation, sometimes used interchangeably by the well-educated and associated with returning scholars from overseas. They returned home with academic honours and a weakness for fine scotch on the rocks.

If there was ever a word that got lost in translation, it has to be gentleman. Not enough was done to ground the ideal into the African reality and the confusion Fela criticized four decades ago is still in existence today. To be declared a gentleman is certainly beyond clothing. The term gentleman in these contemporary times is wrapped in idealism which is good for business but bad for relationships. You can dress a thug in a suit but that does not make them a gentleman.

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There was a time a gentleman needed no introduction. He was a product of an upper class upbringing and breeding.

He displayed cultured behaviour and a composed manner. Over the decades, that image was eroded and much of what is considered gentlemanly, is all drawn from the imitations gleaned from media. Men of high worth and influence festooned in elegant tailored suits seem to be the flavor of the moment.

Our society associates gentlemen with wealth, sophistication and power but not good virtue.

To be declared a gentleman is certainly beyond clothing. The term gentleman in these contemporary times is wrapped in idealism which is good for business but bad for relationships

Gentleman Every time the phrase, “He is such a gentleman” is thrown about, it evokes scenarios filled of movie stars, handsome Spanish TV soap lotharios, Obama, Justin Trudeau (of great hair) royal princes (preferably European) and the occasional billionaire. Or a top notch romantic, typically a West African celebrity known for theatrics and grand gestures of love with more money than sense.

It seems, it is no longer possible to be a gentleman and broke. It is a pity when gentlemen are reduced to a small exclusive cast of men in expensive suits.

The genius who conjured up the idea of gentlemen as the gate keepers of courtship rituals should shoulder the blame for the misery men endure to prove their worth to women these days.

The consequence of this illusion has spurned an industry for men publications that specialize in the lucrative quest of turning ordinary guys into gentlemen one

HEART THROB: A well-tailored suit is key for a gentleman

magazine issue at a time. A well-tailored suit is a crucial prop for the aspiring heart throb, first brought to our attention by the GQ magazine.

The ideal is so far removed from reality and ordinary men can be found everywhere, trying to keep up with a man on a billboard and reading up internet articles that say, “Does your man pass the perfect gentleman test?” The pressure is real.

All this can be confusing for a young Kenyan man trying to make an impression on a girl he fancies but who added “you ought to behave more like a gentlemen”.

Where does one find the manual? I hear him ask?

Manners

Courtesy is the mark of a well-mannered man and its rewards can be reaped in this lifetime

Here is what I know about gentlemen.

It is nothing more than a quest for good manners and civility which is not too much to ask. Keeping your word, and showing up when you say you will is manlier than eating hot curries.

Courtesy is the mark of a well-mannered man and its rewards can be reaped in this lifetime. But these are only the basics, with a romantic end game as the motivator. The path to true manhood is difficult and not for the impatient. For it is the path of self-fulfilment.

Confucius, not be confused with the fictitious Confucius who said, “Vitamins are good for what ails you. Viagra for what fails you.”

The ideal gentleman in Confucian thought was sincere, respectful, willing to learn, not desperate for material things and always striving to be a better version of themselves. A gentleman practiced self-control and self-cultivation to know himself better. To be a man is an accident of birth and a function of age. To be a gentleman is to make a choice. Beyond the suit, being a gentleman involves a lifelong commitment to a morally upright life in action and deed. The real power of a gentleman lies the size of the smile of the woman sitting next to him.

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A-Z of

VILLAGE MARKET LIST OF OUTLETS

ARTS, CRAFTS & GIFTS • Absolute Chocolate • Anselm Kitengela Hot Glass • Artz Gallery • Blue Rhino • Handcraft Centre • House of Jaipur • Kalabash • The Cedar Box • Toy World • Wishes

ESSENTIALS • All Times News Stand • Between the Lines • Blue Lily Flower Shop • Bose Systems • Catermart • Nakumatt • Nokia Shop • Personal Systems (Apple Store) • Power Innovations Ltd • Technology House • Techmart • Village Market Management Offices • Zucchini Greengrocers

FASHION AND ACCESSORIES • Accessorize • Adèle Dejak • Athens • Aromatic Perfume Bar • Bartons • Bata • Bossini • Canali at Rodeo Drive • City Walk • Coco Chic • Elias Jewellers • Et Vous • Fabric Gallery • Jaishiv Khazana 32

• JIT Gems • Jooal • Kazuri Beads • Kikoy Company • K-Shoe • Lavent Istanbul • Made in Africa • Mille Collines • Mocca • Moksh • Nairobi Sports House • One Way • Palmers • Patrick Mavros • Salvatore Di Francesca • Sandstorm • Titans • Trevor Collection • Woolworths

FINANCIAL SERVICES • Barclays Prestige Centre • Cenhi Ltd • CFC Stanbic Bank • Chase Bank • Commercial Bank of Africa • Co-op Bank ATM • Diamond Trust Bank • Pesa Point ATM • Eco-Bank ATM • Equity ATM • I&M ATM • Imperial Bank • Kenya Commercial Bank • NIC Bank • Standard Chartered ATM • Village – Taipan Forex Bureau • VSF International (K) Ltd

FOOD & RESTAURANTS • Absolute Chocolate • Art Caffe • Dorman’s Coffee House • German Point

• Jiko – Tribe Hotel • Khazana Restaurant • Mambo Gelato • Orchid Restaurant • Osteria Gigiri • Planet Yoghurt • Pomodoro Pizzeria • Prime Cuts Deli • Revive Juice Bar • Ro-Ro Chinese Fast Food • Sofra (Sea World) • Seven Events • Tamambo Bar & Grill • Taste of Africa • Thai Village • Tiramisu

FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS • House of Jaipur • Kartel • Kashmir Arts • Palacina Interiors • Past & Present • Pinkopallino Gallery • Rus Interiors

HEALTH & BEAUTY • Belladonna Pharmacy • Dream Nails • Elixir Health • Grassroots

• Haute Perfumerie • Jaff’s Optical • Lintons Beauty World • M.A.C • Salon Malibu • Salon Natalie • Seacret Spa • Taut Body • Village Dental Clinic

OTHER SERVICES • AA Driving School • Airtel Store • Arabian Corner • Bobby Pall Photography • Bunson Travel Services • DHL Global Forwarding • Kenya Airways Sales Office • Kenya Valuers Estate Agents • Kingsway Tyre Centre • Kiwi Shop • KK Security • Phoenix Safaris • Post Office • Safaricom Service Centre • Samsung • Schofield & Associates • Service centre • Shifaz Veterinary Clinic • Tintoria Drycleaners • Village Photoshop • Wynton House of Music

Contacts Essential

Adèle Dejak

Chase Bank

All Times News Stand

DHL

Monday to Saturday: 9am to 7pm Sunday: 11am to 5pm 0714 946 266 sales@adeledejak.com

Monday to Friday: 8am to 8pm Sunday: 10am to 8pm 0721 888222 / 0736 313345 / 0717 866 009 alltimesvillage@gmail.com

Barclays Bank Prestige Centre Monday to Saturday: 8.30am to 8.30pm Sunday: 10am to 4pm 020 7122741 / 7120042 / 7121963 prestige.village-market@barclays.com

Belladonna Pharmacy

Monday to Saturday: 8.30pm to 8.30pm Sunday & Public Holidays: 10am to 7.30pm 0715 945 228 / 0738 996104 pharmacy@belladonnahealthcare.com

Bonus Card

Monday to Saturday: 8.00am to 6.00pm Sunday: 10am to 6pm 020 7122488 / 90 bonuscard@villagemarket-kenya.com

Bunson Safari

Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 7pm Saturday & Sunday: 9.30am to 4pm Sunday 12pm-4pm 020 7121235 villagemarket@carlsonwaginlit.co.ke

Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA)

Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm Saturday: 9am to 4pm Sunday & Public Holidays: 11am to 2pm 0710 602 351/020 712 03 46

Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm Saturday: 9am to 2pm Sunday: 10am to 2pm 0703074590/1/2/3/4/5

Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 6pm Saturday: 9.30am to 4.00pm 0711 017 133

Diamond Trust Bank

Monday to Saturday: 8am to 8pm Sundays & Public Holidays: 10am to 4pm 020 7122270 / 71 / 02357982 0711 300003 / 0733 440074 info@dtbkenya.co.ke

Dormans Coffee Shop

Monday to Sunday: 6:45am to 8.00pm 020 2082379 / 0702 978945 / 0719 269 476 dormans@village.co.ke

Kenya Airways Sales & Ticketing Office Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm Saturdays: 9am to 3pm Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed 0711022709/91/92/81/82 villagemarketslaes@kenya-airways.com

Kenya Commercial Bank

Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 6.30pm Saturday: 8.30am to 4.00pm Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed 020 7122012 / 7122003 / 7120483 villagemarket@kcb.co.ke

Nakumatt Supermarket Monday to Sunday: 10.00am to 8pm 0722 204 936 mgr_village@nakumatt.net

NIC Bank

Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 7pm Saturday: 8:30am to 4pm Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed 0711041 871/ 0711 041 891/ 0711 041 732 customercare@nic-bank.com

Phoenix Safaris

Monday to Friday: 7.30pm to 6:30pm Saturday: 8.30am to 6:30pm Sundays & Public Holidays: 11am to 5pm 0721 650 889/020 50 10 200 info@phoenix-safaris.de

Post Office

Monday to Friday: 9am to 5.30pm Saturday: 9am to 12.30pm 0735 764673

Prime Cuts Butchery

Monday: 9am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday: 9am to 7pm Sundays & Public Holidays: 10am to 5pm 020 2199300 / 3513506-7 butchery@primecuts.co.ke

Safaricom Customer Care Centre

Monday to Friday: 9am to 7pm Saturday: 9am to 7pm Sundays & Public Holidays: 10am to 5pm 0722 00 23 72 villagemarket@safaricom.co.ke

Samsung

Monday-Saturday: 9am to 7pm Sunday: 10am to 5pm 0721 170 145 verahb@tricom.co.ke

Shifaz Veterinary Clinic Monday to Saturday: 9am to 6pm Sunday: 11am to 1 pm Public Holidays: On appointment 0722 511761 / 0733 775064

Tintoria Drycleaners

Monday to Saturday: 7am to 7pm Sunday: Closed 0729 329 404 tintoria@wananchi.com

Tribe Hotel

Reservations Desk 020 7200000 reservations@tribehotel-kenya.com

Village Dental Clinic Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm Saturday: 9am to 12.30pm 020 7122460 / 0719 671 980 / 0722 154903 Villagedental2015@gmail.com

VM Management

Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 5pm Saturday: 8:30am to 5pm Sundays & Public Holidays: 10am to 5.00pm 020 7122488/90 admin@villagemarket-kenya.com

VM Security Office Open: 24/7 0721 943 556

Village Market Taxi Service Available 24hrs daily 0717 207662

Zucchini Greengrocers Monday to Saturday: 8am to 8pm Sunday: 9am-7pm 0726 333 446 0721 333 446

Taipan Forex Bureau

Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm Saturday: 10am to 2pm Sunday: 10am to 2pm 020 7122901/473

Technology House Kenya Ltd

Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm Saturday: 9am to 5pm Sunday: 10am to 4pm 020 7122905 / 0722 510343 / 0734 510343 / 0710 888888 shrikesh@techhouse.co.ke

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