Life Today Magazine Feb 2017

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Exclusive Living tips & Life Trends Issue 2, No. 002/17 / February 2017

Health

Being a ‘superhero’: The South African volunteers trailing a HIV vaccine

Entertainment

What went wrong with Benga Music

Food & Drinks

6 Proven Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Parenting

Preparing Your Child For Kindergarten

Fashion & Lifestyle

County Special Supplement

9

Dr Alfred Mutua

Machakos County Governor One of the governors who has become the face of devolution

9

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Exclusive Living tips & Life Trends Issue 2, No. 002/17 / February 2017

Health

Being a ‘superhero’: The South African volunteers trailing a HIV vaccine

Entertainment

What went wrong with Benga Music

Food & Drinks

6 Proven Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Parenting

Preparing Your Child For Kindergarten

Fashion & Lifestyle

County Special Pull out

9

05

Raila’s Aide Jakakimba Alleges PSC Boss is Sleeping with his Wife

30

oods to Avoid when You are Pregnant

34 Small children’s rooms

Dr Alfred Mutua

Machakos County Governor One of the governors who has become the face of devolution

9

BEEFS Raila’s Aide Jakakimba Alleges PSC Boss is Sleeping with his Wife 5 Bright Needy boy from Nyeri Joins High School in Style 6 Seven ways to keep your online browsing private 7 Hospitality industry urged to optimise water use 8 Relief for Thespians as Ministry Lifts Ban on School Plays 10 Matiang’i Commissions 2017 Wings To Fly beneficiaries 11 Pinterest lets phones spy eye-catching items 13 RADIO PRESENTER DENIES SOLICITING FOR SEX FROM RAPPER KYKI IN EXCHANGE FOR AIRPLAY 16 FEATURE Why millions chose Africa as their safari destination 18 HULK HOGAN’S SECRET EXPOSED IN COURT BATTLES 20 COVER STORY Dr Alfred Mutua Machakos County Governor One of the governors who has become the face of devolution 24 HEALTH Feed your Skin 27 BEAUTY 19 Styles You need to Learn if you’re Transitioning to Natural Hair 28 FOOD & DRINKS Foods to Avoid when You are Pregnant 30 DRIVE 475-hp Dodge Durango SRT is a muscle car in SUV clothing 32 INTERIOR DÉCOR Small children’s rooms 34 COMMUNICATION Uber can now take you to your contacts 35 LIFESTYLE Etihad Airways announces travel programme tailored for fashion industry 36 RELATIONSHIP Relationship-focused tech to help you survive Valentine’s Day 38 My ex was better in bed 22 SPORTS FORMER GOR STRIKER MICHAEL OLUNGA JOINS THE CHINESE MONEY BAGS 40 TIPS Phone and satellite data flesh out high-res poverty map 42

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 3

editorial

Dear Life Today readers,

T

hanks for picking up February edition of the magazine, we’re delighted to announce that we have had a great deal of emails, calls, and messages from local contributors who want to share their interests both in print and online; we’ve had nice stories, and photographs coming in thick and fast. We can’t wait to share them all with you in 2017.

“WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!” Are you a budding photographer? Do you have a real interest in writing? Are you arranging a gig? Maybe you’re involved in charity work? Or perhaps you’ve just always fancied interviewing that super interesting people who are changing ordinary lives in your neighbourhood?

Whatever you’re into, we can’t wait to hear from you!

Life Today Magazine was created to give people like you a voice.

You can get in touch using your preferred method of communication: call us, email us, visit www.lifemagazine.co.ke, or drop us a message on Facebook – Life Magazine Today to get started.

We hope you enjoy the latest edition of the magazine, please do let us know topics we could add to improve the magazine.

In this issue we feature Dr Alfred Mutua the Machakos county governor- the story is about his achievements as a governor the focus is on how the projects he has launched are changing peoples lives.

For ladies there is a fat advice on what to eat while expecting a new born and also how Kenya’s singing sensation PHY is gathering international momentum- we have an in-depth analysis of her CNN interview.

Warmest regards, Okumu S. Biko

PUBLISHER Proc & Logistix Consult Ltd P.O BOX 40619 00100 GPO Nairobi-Kenya, Mobile + 254713727860 Tel +254 (0)204404488/(0)2044002479 Email: info@lifemagazine.co.ke www.lifemagazine.co.ke

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4 LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017

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The editor welcomes articles and photographs for consideration. Material may not be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher.

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BEEFS

It was after the altercation in Homa bay that the soft spoken lawyer took to his Facebook page to spill the beans over the domestic matters he had been trying to solve in private.

In a post on Facebook that was later deleted, Jakakimba said that: “And of course, as we all know, that can’t be, shouldn’t be, an issue here. But for reasons my immediate family and I have never understood, Sam, head of Bunge’s most ‘significant’ directorate & known to splash cash and BIG favours to young female employees he sleeps with, ironically went ahead to directly THREATEN my person and life, an aspect the Kenya Police (DCIO Parliament Police Stn& DCIO Homa-Bay Police Stn) has been actively investigating over the past weeks (sic).”

A bitter Gideon Omodho is also pointing a finger at PSC big shot for having an affair with his wife, Sophie Otieno, with whom he has since separated.

Omodho’s wife also works in Parliament where she is Obudo’s junior.

When Contacted, Sophie denied the allegations of any romantic involvement even as Omodho alleged that Obudo bought her a palatial house worth millions of shillings.

Sophie clarified that, “I left Gideon because of other issues. Obudo wasn’t involved in anyway.”MrObudo declined to comment on the allegations.

In an emotional Facebook outburst, Jakakimba lamented that the 57 year old Obudo has been having a romantic liaison with his wife Lynnette Otieno, who works as a legal officer in parliament, while offering ‘financial’ and ‘allied career gains’ at the Kenya National Assembly

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lose aide to CORD leader RailaOdinga Silas Jakakimba and one Gideon Omodho are accusing the Director of Finance and Administration at the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Sam Obudo of having an affair with their wives.

In an emotional Facebook outburst, Jakakimba lamented that the 57 year old Obudo has been having a romantic liaison with his wife Lynnette Otieno, who works as a legal officer in parliament, while offering ‘financial’ and ‘allied career gains’ at the Kenya National Assembly.

The former Homa bay Senatorial aspirant in the 2015 by-election says his efforts to enlist a top politician to mediate the sticky issue hasbore no fruit.

The 34 year old went on to say that Obudo has been sleeping with his wife barely months after she gave birth, besides threatening his life in the presence of police officers when they bumped into each other at a hotel in Homa Bay.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 5

BEEFS

Bright Needy boy from Nyeri Joins High School in Style

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fter his story was highlighted in the press the Kenya Air Force Veteran Officers Association not only stepped in and offered to sponsor his schooling but chose to hire a chopper to take him to his new school Nyeri high School.

Kelvin dressed in casual clothes and carrying a Kelvin Muriuki waves at metal box and a bucket, was accompanied by his his former schoolmates at parents Peter Nderitu and Margaret Wangui.

The family had a lifetime moment of flying in Karicheni Primary School a helicopter for the first time. Though the journey in Kieni East in Nyeri only lasted 15 minutes, MrNderitu and his wife said what happened was beyond their wildest imaginations.

He said his efforts to apply for the The school principal Mr James Maina said Kelvin Wings to Fly scholarship, CDF and county was the first student to be dropped off by plane in the government bursary bore no fruit. school’s history. Both Students and staff left their lunch Since the results were announced and surrounded the chopper in disbelief. a month ago by Education Cabinet Muriuki scored 372 marks in KCPE but his hopes of Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Kelvin has been proceeding to high school were almost shattered because accompanying his father to the quarry. his father who is a quarry worker could not afford the Their combined daily income was less Sh53,000 fees being demanded by the school. than Sh300.

“In the three weeks that I was with my father in the quarry, we raised Sh2,000 only. I had resigned myself to repeating Standard Eight,” Muriuki said The boy now says his dream is to become a pilot.

Facebook adds tool for helping in times of crisis

A new ‘Community Help’ feature provides a forum at the leading social network where assistance can be offered to victims of floods, earthquakes, fires or other kinds of natural or accidental tragedy, according social network to organize aid for people after to Facebook vice president of disasters such as flooding in Chennai, India, in social good Naomi Gleit. late 2015.

“

In times of crisis, connecting is more important than ever,” Gleit said.

Facebook launched Safety Check in 2014 as a way for members of the social network to let family or friends easily see whether they are unharmed after disastrous events.

Community Help now lets people find, or give, assistance such as food, shelter or transportation in the aftermath of a crisis.

“Safety Check has been activated hundreds of times, but we know we can do more to empower the community to help one another,” Gleit said.

The feature was inspired by Facebook members using groups or posts at the

6 LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017

Community Help is being added to Safety Check initially in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and Saudi Arabia and will be expanded as it is refined, according to Facebook.

Safety Check is activated after Facebook receives alerts from global crisis reporting agencies and posts regarding the incidents spike at the social network. If an incident is a natural or accidental disaster, the Community Help tool will be triggered, Gleit said.

BEEFS

Seven ways to keep your online browsing private

E

ven private browsing, otherwise known as incognito, is not totally safe from prying eyes.

So, what is private browsing? It is about staying anonymous on the web with little to no trace of your online activities.

The advantages are numerous; ranging from protecting you from targeted ads to enabling you to get around website paywalls or even buying ‘surprise’ presents for your friends and family. Furthermore, there are other, little-known benefits, such as saving money.

Stick with HTTPS Whenever it is possible, use the HTTPS protocol when browsing the

When we go online, we all leave a digital ‘trace’ behind. Our IP addresses give us away and cookies collect our browsing habits. Our Internet Service Provider (ISPs) and employers theoretically have a log of what sites we visit and when.

web. The ‘s’ on the end stands for security, which is made possible with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). This helps to encrypt any data that is sent online.

Note that the HTTPS protocol does not mask your location at all, only the contents of your communication.

Ad blockers

Ad blocking, for many, is an absolute must for maintaining online privacy, and indeed staying secure from cybercriminals.

Many websites track and collect the browsing habits of the users that visit them through cookies, but ad blockers stop these details being collected.

It is recommended that you

block advertisements and scripts on all websites except those that you trust, and then only allow what you need to support the functioning of the site.

Password managers

There are several password managers available but, sadly, mainstream adoption is a constant struggle. This isn’t helped by the fact that some get compromised, opening all your passwords to cybercriminals.

A password manager is, nevertheless, a good idea. It can save all your passwords, create new ones, and save other details too – like your bank credentials. Note, the password you use to access your password manager needs to be complex. After all, with ‘all your eggs in one basket’, having a weak password is not ideal, to say the least.

...Continued in our next issue

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 7

BEEFS

Hospitality industry urged to optimise water use

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am levels dropped to around 39.2% by the end of January. The City has warned that it is not viable to use the last 10% of water in the dams and forecast for rain is dismal. The average consumption of water in Cape Town is approximately 80 million litres over the collective per day water-saving target of 800 million litres.

Educating guests

“It is not just critical that tourism and hospitality establishments adhere to the letter of the current water restrictions,” says FEDHASA CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, “We also face the challenges of educating guests and visitors and bringing them on board with the country’s water-saving efforts in this time of severe drought.”

FEDHASA keeps its members abreast of current water shortage situations as well as promotes best practices in water resource management on an on-going basis.

Tsogo Sun Hotels, for example, place notices in bathrooms that

The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) has called on its members to optimise water resource management, with the City of Cape Town currently under level 3B water restrictions.

educate guests on water restrictions as well as their water-saving linen and towel replacement schedule. Under this programme, bed linen is only changed on every third day of each guest’s stay, if a change is not requested sooner, and towels that are hung up are not changed each day, unless upon request. In addition, Tsogo Sun Hotels have installed water meters and shower heads with “restricted flow” which assist greatly with the task of limiting water usage.

Environmental management techniques

A number of Cape Town’s top establishments employ environmental management techniques of international standard.

The V&A Waterfront introduced water-saving initiatives almost a decade ago that spokesperson Enid Vickers says save about 9,000 kilolitres of water per building per month.

8 LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017

BEEFS The stringent level 3B water restrictions, which only allow the use of municipal water for irrigation (using a bucket or watering can), and just on Tuesdays and Saturdays, for merely one hour a day either before 9am or after 6pm, are a strong motivator for hotels, guesthouses and B&B’s to devise grey water systems to maintain the attractiveness of their properties.

The Townhouse Hotel has so far successfully motivated its guests to participate in their emergency grey water system. The hotel educates guests about the current drought conditions and inspires responsible tourism by providing buckets in bathrooms. Guests have been encouraged to take short showers with buckets placed in the stalls.

These are routinely collected and used to water the hotel gardens and trees.

Make long-term sustainability a key focus

“Environmental management best practices, innovations and the constant promotion and facilitation of responsible tourism at establishment level is vital,” comments Tshifhiwa. “This drought is not some kind of ‘once-off’ occasion. As the effects of climate change intensify, and because South Africa has always been a waterstressed region, we encourage our members to make long-term sustainability a key focus of their operations.

Proper water management includes water harvesting, water recycling and natural water purifying; as well as water monitoring and audits; and constant water-saving practices from the basic usage by guests to implementing water-efficient systems that range from the air-conditioning to the kitchen, and from the bathroom to the food garden.”

ShowMax, Vodacom offer internet TV service ShowMax has launched a mobile-first product with a strong focus on local South African content. It is available exclusively to Vodacom customers on an add-to-bill basis.

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ubscribers get unlimited access to a catalogue of TV shows, movies, kids shows and documentaries. New content will be added weekly.

This new service is optimised for lower data consumption, on smartphones and tablets, and is billed directly to a Vodacom account with no need for a credit card.

Chris Savides, head of ShowMax Africa said, “ShowMax Select is all about making internet TV even more accessible. We designed Select to be viewed on mobile devices, with multiple options for managing data consumption.”

As the cost of smartphones and tablets continues to fall, more South Africans are being connected and can access internet TV services such as ShowMax. A major barrier, however, is the fact that many services require payment via credit card. This excludes the majority of the population who do not have a credit card.

“Internet TV services should be accessible to everyone, not just the lucky few who have credit cards. By partnering with Vodacom, we have made it simple to charge both ShowMax Select and ShowMax Premium directly to your Vodacom account, no credit card needed.”

To reduce data consumption, ShowMax Select has been optimised for viewing on smartphones and tablets. Subscribers have the choice of three different streaming video quality settings. The default level is standard definition which uses almost 40% less data in comparison to the default setting on ShowMax Premium.

As with ShowMax Premium, ShowMax Select gives subscribers the ability to download shows to smartphones and tablets to watch offline, choosing from four different file sizes. Using the most data-efficient setting, downloading a 20-minute TV show will require approximately 80MB. Subscribers not wanting to use mobile data can also download shows via Wi-Fi. Up to 25 shows can be downloaded at any one time.

The cost of the service is R49, while the existing ShowMax service is R99. To subscribe to the service, go to www.showmax.com/vodacom.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 9

BEEFS

Relief for Thespians as Ministry Lifts Ban on School Plays

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hespians in Kenya that specialize in set book plays can now breath easy after an order by the government to ban staging of such plays in high schools was lifted.

This is after Education Principle Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang’ who had ordered the banning of such plays approved a letter from Education Director General Leah Rotich. The letter considered a petition by the affected companies and young men and women who had gone without work since September last year when the order was issued.

In a statement Mrs Rotich said that the move to lift the ban is because set books play a critical role in helping students better comprehend the novel and also enable students appreciate the work of arts.

“Live performances of set books for literature in English and Fasihi in Kiswahili is part and parcel of enabling students to critically appreciate the works of art,” read her statement in part.

“Considering the burden of preparing for national exams by revising for all subjects, candidates sometimes find it hard to re-read all the seven examinable set books some of which are taught in first term when they are in form three,”

The ban came in to place as a mitigation effort by the Ministry of Education to curb cheating in National Exams.

The news were welcomed by the players in the industry who had mounted a spirited fight against the blanket ban.

“Considering the burden of preparing for national exams by revising for all subjects, candidates sometimes find it hard to re-read all the seven examinable set books some of which are taught in first term when they are in form three,” read the petition by the theatre groups.

This is good news for students who perform well in drama and music festivals as they are absorbed in to the acting industry by such groups immediately they clear high school.

Many of the celebrated actors and comedians credit such performances for giving them their big break. Some include Daniel Ndambuki aka Churchill, Kazungu Matano alias Otoyo, Daniel Githingi alias Mbusii, Phelix Oduor aka Jalang’o among others.

10 LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017

BEEFS

Matiang’i Commissions 2017 Wings To Fly beneficiaries

Over 1700 needy students today received high school scholarships from the wings to fly initiative by Equity “The government committedheld to reforming its Bursary scheme in counties in its support bank.

Theis event at Kasarani gymnasium wasof needy children. Those who give tirelessly towards the #WingsToFly program be it time, money or headlined any other resources much appreciated,”Cabinet he added. Secretary Dr Fred byareEducation One of the past beneficiaries of the program Ahmed Salat from Wajir revealed that he only went Matiangi. to primary school because of the lunch provided. Nevertheless Salat managed to be admitted at Alliance Boys’ High School. He cleared high school in 2015 and produduced the only ‘A’ in Wajir County. peaking during “The government is “We need to raise children

S

the commissioning

committed to reforming its who embrace values. Create Bursary scheme in counties in a strong generation that will beneficiaries, the CS support of needy children. sustain Kenya going forward,” “You marginalized you marginalize your mind,” Saidits Salat. saidare thenever program is a huge unless he Those who give tirelessly continued. blessing for children from poor towards the #WingsToFly Matiang’i who wasthealso Equity Group Chairman Dr. Peter Munga congratulated scholars who performed well under program be it time, money or representing the President thebackgrounds. education reforms.

“Coming to the any other resources are much at the event thanked att the #WingsToFly ceremony is like appreciated,” he added. oartners of #WingsToFly and coming to meet with God at One of the past said the government is willing work in changing lives, “he beneficiaries of the program to play its part by providing said. bursaries and scholarships to Ahmed Salat from Wajir The CS went on to reiterate the bright but disadvantaged revealed that he only went to the need to bring up children of kids in the country. primary school because of the good morals and strong values.

Salat is nowofheaded now headed to Duke University in the United States. this year’s

lunch provided. Nevertheless Salat managed to be admitted at Alliance Boys’ High School.

He cleared high school in 2015 and produduced the only ‘A’ in Wajir County.

Salat is now headed now headed to Duke University in the United States.

“You are never marginalized unless you marginalize your mind,” Said Salat.

Equity Group Chairman Dr. Peter Munga congratulated the scholars who performed well under the education reforms.

“Beneficiaries of the Wings to fly program are the academic giants from their respective counties,” said Munga.

The Wings to Fly Program was launched in 2011 with the support of The MasterCard Foundation with the aim of granting over 10,000 comprehensive secondary school scholarships and leadership training to academically gifted yet economically and socially marginalized young Kenyans.

The Program has been designed to give hope to bright, deserving children by giving them the opportunity to obtain an education and resultant benefits including better educational outcomes, improved chances of success in life, increased gender equality in secondary education, new opportunities for students from rural areas to access education and greater social integration among students.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 11

BEEFS

REVEALED: Right mix of emotions drives social media referrals

BBC StoryWorks has revealed a link between emotions and campaign metrics that can enhance the success of content-led marketing campaigns. The right mix of emotions drive social media referrals.

N

o emotion is a bad emotion, when it comes to creating content-led marketing campaigns, according to the second installment of BBC Story Works’ awardwinning study ‘Science of Engagement’.

Building on the findings from the initial report, published in January 2016, the focus of this research was to explore the connection between emotions and campaign metrics. In doing so the team have produced valuable insights that can help brands understand how best to maximise the impact of content-led marketing campaigns through engaging with various emotions.

Highlights

Trigger serious emotions to deepen subconscious relationships. Triggering puzzlement, fear and sadness = subconscious positivity.

Trigger serious emotions to meet your campaign objectives, e.g. puzzlement, fear and sadness increase positivity by 35%.

Intrigue but do not confuse – the right level of puzzlement will drive recommendation and consideration, too much will deter audiences.

Do not ignore lighter emotions. Happiness and surprise increase desire to purchase, supporting brand image and consideration.

Content marketing has a powerful impact for less well-known brands.

Clearly label your brand - it adds credibility to the content, consumers are more likely to understand and remember it, it will be more persuasive and have a positive impact on their perception of the brand.

Choose video, because it drives bigger brand uplifts. For example, brand images are five times more effective.

Showcasing the right emotions will drive social media referrals - 55% of consumers who express happiness, puzzlement and fear are likely to share content.

12 LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017

Working alongside Crowd Emotion once again, the study applied a combination of traditional research metrics with facial coding techniques, to measure consumer engagement from an emotional perspective.

Nine BBC StoryWorks campaigns, featured on BBC. com, formed the case studies for the research. The campaigns comprised a mix of video, written and one infographic created for a range of clients from HSBC, Huawei, AIG, to Cathay Pacific, Mazda, Hainan and Dassault Systemes. Aside from analysing the emotional impact of these campaigns, the research team also took into consideration the length of the content, number of social media referrals coupled with statistical techniques, such as correlation analysis to identify the key drivers to each campaign’s success.

The research explored which emotions drove

BEEFS engagement among the nine campaigns. Key findings included that when you trigger serious emotions – puzzlement, fear and sadness – a deeper subconscious relationship with the brand occurs.

Pinterest lets phones spy eye-catching items

Ad awareness up 217%

The theory was particularly well demonstrated by Emerging from the Darkness, a video produced with Huawei featuring artist John Brambitt, who discusses how he paints without being able to see. The content led to a 50% increase in subconscious positivity towards Huawei amongst audiences who had viewed it.

The research also showed that triggering serious emotions could help support campaign objectives such as ad awareness, positivity, brand image and consideration. When applied to HSBC’s ‘Going the Distance’ campaign, an article focused on the difficulty of maintaining long distance relationships, ad awareness saw a staggering 217% increase.

Lighter emotions such as happiness and surprise also played a key role in consumers making purchase decisions, and in driving feelings in relation to brand image and consideration for the brand. For example, Cathay Pacific’s light-hearted video on the evolution of in-flight dining received a 57% increase for both brand image and brand consideration.

Content-led campaigns successful

The research also highlighted how effective content-led marketing campaigns on BBC.com are proving to be, with the average campaign delivering: • 30% increase in subconscious positivity • 49% increase in average brand image • 56% increase in recommendation • 50% increase in consideration Richard Pattinson, SVP, Content, BBC Advertising and head of BBC StoryWorks said, “Emotions drive people’s engagement with brands, both in their desire to be associated with those brands, but also in the wish to purchase products or services.

Providing a clearer understanding of which emotions should be considered can help drive the brand metrics, which are critical to the success of content-led campaigns.

“Our latest research not only offers guidance on how to best influence audiences, but highlights the success BBC Advertising is having with content-led marketing campaigns on BBC.com. A number of the campaigns included in the research received industry accolades, and they also resonate with the audience for BBC.com, which celebrated a record year in 2016, attracting 98 million browsers per month.’

Methodology

The study involved five markets – Hong Kong, Australia, Germany, the US and Singapore – and 9,136 participants.

Pinterest is a virtual bulletin board platform, with users decorating their boards with pictures showcasing interests in a variety of areas, including food, fashion and travel (AFP Photo/Lionel Bonaventure) SAN FRANCISCO - Pinterest on Wednesday infused more machine smarts into its online bulletin boards, pushing harder into e-commerce by enabling people to use smartphones to identify products they might wish to pursue.

A test version of ‘Lens’ lets people take pictures with smartphones from inside Pinterest applications, which then uses ‘visual search’ to find similar items or themes playing off objects of desire.

“Sometimes you spot something out in the world that looks interesting, but when you try to search for it online later, words fail you,” said Pinterest co-founder and head of product Evan Sharp.

“We’ve developed new experimental technology that, for the first time ever, is capable of seeing the world the way you do.”

Lens search results also displaying ways they might be used. For example, taking a picture of a clock might get search results that include it as part of room decor.

Pinterest also introduced a ‘shop the look’ feature that lets people tap on circles on items in pictures, such as clothing or furniture, to explore or shop.

An Instant Ideas feature lets people tap on a circle in the bottom corner of a ‘pin’ will also lead to search results focused on similar ideas or concepts.

Pinterest said that it has more than 150 million users, with some 80 million of its ‘active Pinners’ not from the US. Pinterest is a virtual bulletin board platform, with users decorating their boards with pictures showcasing interests in a variety of areas, including food, fashion and travel.

Pinterest sees itself as being positioned at the crossroads of social networking and online search, with users consulting it when seeking out products or services.

Last year, the company unveiled new features to facilitate shopping on the site, as the platform pushes to become an e-commerce hub.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 13

BEEFS

KENYA’S SINGING SENSATION PHY FEATURED ON CNN’S AFRICAN VOICES Nairobi based singer Phyllis Mwihaki Nge’tich who goes by the stage name Phy was over the moon as she got a chance to represent Kenya on the CNN’s show African Voices.

The 23 year old who is known for her strong vocals appeared on the magazine show alongside Tanzanian sensation Naseeb Abdul Juma better known as Diamond Platnumz and Senegal’s Mao Sidibe.

“OH MY GOD!!!!!!???? @CNN@CNNAFRICA DREAMS DO INDEED COME TRUE. IF EVER I’VE NEEDED AFFIRMATION ABOUT THE STEPS I’VE BEEN MAKING,TO WHICH SOME FEEL WOBBLY, THEN THIS IS IT. MAN! THE TEARS,SLEEPLESS NIGHTS,DISCOURAGEMENT,PEOPLE NOT BELIEVING IN ME ENOUGH, JUDGEMENT FROM THOSE SPIRITUALLY CONVINCED I’M A LOST SHEEP, THE FOUR YEARS I PUT IN WITH @3HANDMUSIC WHEN WE WERE A STRUGGLING BAND AND EVERY OTHER SETBACK ALONGSIDE THE GREAT TIMES,ALL THESE GOD HAS USED TO MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL OUT OF IT.” SHE POSTED ON HER INSTAGRAM. Phy’s incredible talent came into the fore at the age of eight when she came position one at the Kenya Music Festival for a solo performance in classical piece in her age category.

In 2011 together with her friends they formed Phy and the Band before later going solo in 2014. She sites India Arie, Mali music and fellow Kenyan Fena Gitu as major influences of her sound.

14 LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017

BEEFS

RAPPER KING KAKA SET TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE WITH HIS GIRL NANA

It seems valentine will be coming early this year for Rapper Kevin Ombima aka King Kaka as he is set to get married to his long term girlfriend on the 1st of February. The rapper will walk down the aisle with one of his baby mama’s Nana Owiti in an event that is expected to be invites only.

Image may contain: table, text and indoor It seems like it will be a good year for King Kaka as he also announced his Eight weeks concert tours around eight counties

“(kufunga pingu za maisha) tying the knot, 1st Feb are you invited?” he posted on his social media pages. dubbed #Mr254Tour. The tours will kick off on the 4th of February with Thika Miami Lounge being the first venue.

The father of two alongside renowned radio personality Caroline Mutuku and entrepreneur Trushar Khetia who is the CEO and founder of Trishar group of companies were announced as judges on the BLAZE Be Your Own Boss (BOYB) TV show.

BLAZE Be Your Own Boss

The reality TV show that is set to air on KTN will be evaluating 12 contestants on their ability to perform outstandingly well on a series of task that will assess their business skills navigating carefully crafted challenges that stimulate real life situations.

We wish King Kaka and Nana all the best in their marriage and future endeavors.

B STL’S HIT SINGLE ‘SET IT OFF’ SET TO FEATURE ON AMERICA’S BEING MARY JANE

arely a week after receiving a huge backlash from fans for claiming she battled rapper Xzibit which the American denied, Kenyan Femcee Stella Mwangi aka STL is having the last laugh. This is after her song Set It Off was picked to feature on the hit drama Being Mary Jane.

BET Networks has confirmed that the single from her Big Girl EP will feature as a soundtrack on the third episode of Season 4 of the show.

This is not STL’s first music project to be used in a Hollywood project. Her first single Big Girl was leased to Donut Media – an American production that specializes in producing TV and YouTube content on the freshest car, motorsports, supercars, auto news and car and prank videos.

The criticism was not much from the claim she made but rather the fact that the rapper responded shocked that he had engaged STL in a rap battle he has no knowledge of. Xzibit went on Twitter to claim he does not remember battling STL, let alone meeting her, a reaction which some termed as embarrassing to the Kenyan rapper.

But now, the Norwegian based singer has redeemed herself and showed her fans that indeed her music is international standard, and is worthy of being named along the likes of XZibit.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 15

BEEFS

RADIO PRESENTER DENIES SOLICITING FOR SEX FROM RAPPER KYKI IN EXCHANGE FOR AIRPLAY Little known rapper Suher Nelly Sandel aka Kyki is accusing a radio presenter of demanding for sex in exchange of airplay.

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he self-proclaimed underrated lyrical genius says the radio presenter Williez Ngaywa made a move on her on twitter after she had an interview at What’s Good Live (WGL) radio where he works.

“WGL were the first to invite me to their studios for the launch of my song Kuku Mwitu,” says Kyki.

She says out of the blues he started posting sexually suggestive pictures directed to her.

16 LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017

“OUT OF NOWHERE, HE POSTED A PHOTO DIRECTED TO ME LICKING HIS MIDDLE FINGER AND TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DO THE SAME TO ME SHOTS AT ONE TIME ALINISHOW ANATAKA KUNIPA MTREE BUT I JUST IGNORED HIM,” KYKI ADDS. She says that a series of insults followed thereafter ending up with him threatening that her music would never get airplay.

“He was talking big, ni kama yeye ndio kusema (like he calls the shots),” she recalls.

Ngaywa denies all allegations and even claims he is no longer a radio presenter.

He is convinced that Kyki was given the wrong advice and had approached him to get her name out there, not knowing that he was no longer in the radio business.

“I used to be a radio presenter a few years ago. At that time I was known as a very controversial social media guy. I used to diss people, you know, just to get a reaction from them and get their name out there,” he explains.

He concludes by daring the rapper to sue him if indeed she has any evidence.

Kyki came to the limelight riding on the much publicized dis-track by rapper Femi One Pilau Njeri.

Although she was not mentioned in Pilau Njeri, Kyki was not about to miss out on the party and went on to release Kuku Mwitu, a song that did not spare even male rappers, let alone fellow femcees.

BEEFS

The impact of Trump’s travel ban on airlines and Iran The executive order by the Trump administration, banning refugees and citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the US, has triggered an immediate change for the working practices of many travel operators including airlines.

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uromonitor comments: “Among the airlines that could be heavily affected are carriers based in the Middle East, such as Emirates Airlines, Etihad and Qatar Airways which have been aggressively expanding their route network in the US market for the last couple of years amid heavy lobbying against their expansion from local US players.

Equally, the ambiguity of these very latest developments introduced by President Trump is casting a shadow over the future travel demand to and from the US, especially as many trade representatives are concerned that such changes could bring similar types of retaliation from other countries in addition to any future trade frictions and the adoption of potentially more aggressive

protectionist policies. The new executive order could also impact how the US is perceived as a tourism destination and how open to foreign travellers it will be in the future.”

Euromonitor analysts comment specifically on the Impact on Iran’s travel and economy: “Trump’s executive order sends a strong political message but the actual effects of the travel ban to Iranian tourism sector are negligible. Americans are allowed to travel to Iran freely but due to the strained relationship between two countries, there were just over four thousand trips to Iran by US citizens in 2016. The economic effect of these flows is estimated at 6.5 million USD or a mere 0.3% of total Iranian tourism receipts.”

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 17

FEATURE

Why millions chose Africa as their safari destination A wildebeest crosses a river during the Serengeti migration More than 30 million tourists visit Africa every year. Over half of the international arrivals are for business purposes and may partake in tourist activities as well, while 15% travel for pure tourism and 30% visit friends and family.

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ourists select the continent as a destination for wildlife viewing and to enjoy the sunny skies. Africa is the world’s number one destination for safaris which range from the exotic to the very simple.

The tourism industry is one of the most important for the continent: it provided 12.8 million people with jobs, directly and indirectly, in 2011. Tourism in 2012 contributed over US$36 billion or 2.8% of the continent’s GDP. The continent’s vast and diverse nature makes it complex and difficult to decide on the best region for a safari. But the east, central and southern parts of the continent are by far the preferred choices.

These areas generally have well developed or fast developing tourism sectors. There is an abundance of wildlife as well as low to no visa requirements. Tourists to these regions mostly come from countries like France, the UK, the USA, Germany and Portugal.

Below is a quick guide to some of the safari hotspots on the African continent.

East Africa

East African countries are strongly reliant on the tourism industry for generating income. Strong improvements in marketing and cooperation between these nations will help to ensure the success of this vital tourism sector.

Standardised criteria for hotels, restaurants and other services across these countries will make it easier for tourists to find suitable services. These countries possess various natural and cultural resources that make tourism possible.

The Serengeti wildebeest migration is the main reason Kenya and Tanzania have become popular safari destinations. This migration sees millions of wildebeest, accompanied by various other animal species, move between Tanzania and Kenya. The best places to view this migration include Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park..

And while in the area, don’t forget to visit Africa’s highest mountain - Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park.

The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is also a great choice with an abundance of big 5 - the African elephant, African lion, white/black rhinoceros, African leopard and the Cape buffalo - and will not disappoint.

Central Africa

Civil wars and terrorist groups have made it dangerous to travel to some countries in this region. Many tourists still take their chances, though, as Central Africa is an area of immense natural beauty.

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FEATURE the Congo, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in south-west Uganda, or Volcanoes National Park in north-west Rwanda.

Various factors have threatened the population of

If you’d prefer to take part in Africa’s best on-foot chimpanzee encounters, visit Kibale Forest in Uganda

The Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda are great places to view the endangered mountain gorillas. The best places for viewing them include the Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of

gorillas, including poaching, habitat loss, disease, war and unrest, and poverty. Today, due to conservation efforts, the population of mountain gorillas is showing steady growth. The fact that many tourists want to get up close to these animals also drives conservation efforts, since with tourism comes economic improvement.

If you’d prefer to take part in Africa’s best on-foot chimpanzee encounters, visit Kibale Forest in Uganda.

Southern Africa South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi offer very diverse

wildlife. This is because of the variety of biomes in the region.

Chobe National Park is home to the biggest concentration of elephants in the world - 70 000 of them.

It lies between the Chobe River and the Okavango Delta in the north-eastern parts of Botswana. Also in Botswana, the Moremi Game Reserve, in the iconic Okavango Delta, is the first reserve in Africa to be established by local residents.

The Etosha National Park in the northern arid region of Namibia offers great chances of spotting endangered black rhinoceros as well as flamingos in the salt pans.

The Kruger National Park in South Africa is in its own league because of its diversity of animals as well as advanced environmental management techniques and policies. iSimangaliso Wetland Park was the first site in South Africa to be awarded World Heritage status.

It contains most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests and is Africa’s largest estuarine system, which is a partially enclosed body of water where freshwater from rivers and streams mix with salt water from the ocean. The park borders Kosi Bay and St Lucia Lake which is the only place in the world where you can find sharks, hippopotamus, and crocodiles in the same body of water.

Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape province is the only park where you can find the Big 7: the African elephant, Cape buffalo, African lion, African leopard, African rhino as well as whales and Great White sharks.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park consists of mostly unspoiled wilderness in the north of South Africa, crossing over into Botswana. This park is largely located in a desert area and is famous for animal species such as the Kalahari black-maned lions and the Gemsbok or Oryx.

The Kruger National Park in South Africa

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 19

FEATURE

HULK HOGAN’S SECRET EXPOSED IN COURT BATTLES Thousands of fans have begun to prepare for Oscars parties to find out which actors, actresses, and movies of the 88th Academy Awards will win a gold statue.

As part of the celebration, Shutterstock’s company designers have worked again this year to create fascinating pop art-inspired posters for popular films nominated by the Academy.

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ike the many of the different types of movies nominated for the Best Picture award, Shutterstock says its posters share a theme of endurance and testing how far you can stretch the lengths of human nature.

Hulk Hogan prays as he gives evidence in his sex tape court case against Gawker website

When you think of many of this year’s Best Picture nominees, movies like The Revenant, The Martian, and Mad Max share a common theme of strength, resilience, determination, and power.

These themes are stunningly carried over into Shutterstock’s pop-art posters this year. Posters featured include Jordan Roland’s Warholinspired Mad Max: Fury Road, which offer a take on Warhol’s “subversive dictator portraits to shape this poster of Immortan Joe,” says the artist. In Cristin Burton’s Flirst-inspired Oscar Pop 2016 The Revenant, the poster includes assembled pieces the artist used to “create a vast, sinister, and lonely landscape.”

The pop-art posters include a fun view of movies but also of

20 LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017

FEATURE topics that aren’t so fun. In Flo Lau’s The Big Short, inspired by Keith Haring, the artist chose a comedic approach to the dark subject of the bursting of the 2008 housing bubble.

Flirst is a collage artist who assembles disparate pieces to explore how he can change the harmony of the whole. For my poster, a homage to The Revenant, I assembled pieces to create a vast, sinister, and lonely landscape. The poster features a figure with very few people on his side; this represents the film’s main character, Hugh Glass, who was brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead in the winter wilderness.

In his “Barcelona” series, Mario Corea Aiello forms a grungy collage of newspaper and magazine cutouts and heavy paint strokes.

I felt this style would parallel the vicious storm that left Mark Watney for dead on Mars in The Martian. For the color scheme, I deferred to Eric White’s cover art from the original novel by Andy Weir to capture the characteristics of an otherworldly storm.

My inspiration for this poster is one part Roy Lichtenstein and one part Stefan Sagmeister. Spotlight is about journalists uncovering a massive scandal in one of Boston’s oldest institutions, and I found that the perfectly contradictory homophone “pray/prey” encapsulates the shock and horror felt by the community when this scandal was made public.

To illustrate this, I pixelated an image of a priest, then tore off his head and replaced it with an image of a wolf. I looked to Warhol’s subversive dictator portraits to shape this poster of Immortan Joe.Warhol had a remarkable ability to distract from the meaning of his art. On the surface his work simply looks “cool”.

Mad Max: Fury Road has the same effect: The stylized nature of the film gets more attention than the meaning behind it.

I chose to feature Immortan Joe because he is a terrible person, but his iconic look makes him instantly recognizable.

When I first read the plot summary for Room, I envisioned lonely, sterile characters, who had been institutionalized by their secluded environment.

Of course, when I saw the movie that perception quickly changed; the characters are full of life, love, and joy, and the audience instantly empathizes with them on a raw, human level.

KAWS’ statues play on a similar deceit. Initially they have a sterile, robotic feel, but when you view them in their human-scale sizes and see their playful aesthetic, you experience an unexpected sense of connection.

The Big Short takes a comedic approach to a dark subject, and I wanted to portray the same witty, chaotic vibe in my poster. Keith Haring was my inspiration because his high-contrast, brightly colored political work, which touches on grim subjects like rape, death, and war, hinges on the same contrast as the film. The poster is based on the film’s alligator-in-an-abandoned-pool scene; the alligator represents the main characters in the movie, who took advantage of the 2008 housing bubble and left the world in desperation when it burst.

I chose to focus on the muddy gray areas and loopholes within Bridge of Spies. The Cold War was fueled by each side’s increasingly dire hypotheticals, causing mass paranoia among citizens and governments alike.

A large part of the film’s narrative focuses on the extent of protection under the law, especially for a Soviet spy. I reimagined

Lady Justice, mixing her blindfold with the American and Soviet flags to represent how both countries were tied to their individuals’ principles of justice even while locked in an unending battle for the upper hand. Set in the eponymous 1950s borough, Brooklyn features then-contemporary imagery that now exemplifies the commodification of Brooklyn as a global brand.

Just as the Pop Art movement utilized mass advertising and irony to re-contextualize commercial art, I drew from today’s vintage, artisanal design trends, which are inspired by that era and setting.

Telephone Booth Shooting

In that vein, I applied the animated footage and vector elements to illustrate how the contrasting settings of Brooklyn and Ireland recontextualized the protagonist’s identity through a fluctuating sense of “home.”

The 88th annual Academy Awards are underway, and viewers are anxiously awaiting the ceremony to find out if their favorite flicks and actors win, which categories will see big “upsets,” and which speeches and performances will stand out. Not to mention how host Chris Rock will approach the “Oscars So White” controversy, and who he will target during the opening monologue. Did Leo finally take home a golden statue? The buzz began during the red carpet events prior to the official event.

Jennifer Jason Leigh, nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Hateful Eight, seemed slightly out of it during her interview with Ryan Seacrest on E!’s special. But arguably the biggest surprise was Best Actor nominee Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role nominee Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs) playing to their nostalgic fans by walking the red carpet together. Can you believe it’s been nearly two decades since they starred together in the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic (which took home Best Picture)?

Rock, who addressed the issues with ease and expected humor, added that he did seriously consider quitting after so many people spoke out and pressured him to do so. “But the last thing I need is to lose another job to Kevin Hart,” he said, as the crowd erupted in laughter (including Hart himself, who was in the audience).

Arguably, the best part of Rock’s monologue was his blatant dig at Jada Pinkett-Smith and her vocal “boycott” of the Oscars. “Isn’t she on a TV show? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties,” he said.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 21

REGULARS

My ex was better in bed

Things you should Never Say during a fight

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e all disagree from time to time.

However no matter how much angry you are, there are things you must avoid saying to your significant other. Here are nine things you should never say.

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Shut up

This shows a serious lack of respect and devalues the other person and the relationship it indicates that you are not ready for a mature, honest relationship.

I hate you

This is profoundly disrespectful and hurtful even if you just said it in the heat of the moment. “Things said out of anger cannot be unsaid and can cause deep emotional scars, create distrust, and plant seeds of doubt that will undermine your relationship.

Am leaving you

Am leaving you

Never say you’re leaving as a way to get your partner to change, unless you absolutely mean it. It is a manipulation and uses fear It may work in the moment, but will backfire long-term and after a while loses its meaning.

REGULARS

You are useless

“Making someone feel worthless is harmful as it cuts to the core value of a person. It’s emotionally and spiritually violent, and it chips away at a person’s self-worth,” says Natasha Sandy, a counselor and therapist at You Matter.

“It’s much easier to stop yourself from saying such disrespectful, hurtful words than it is to try undoing the damage afterward.”

Why can’t you be more like………..

It is wrong to compare your partner with someone else because no one is perfect. You already saw and understood the best and the worst about him before you got married. Besides, if you see someone else looking perfect and desirable, it’s probably only on the outside. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Keep your problem at home.

Why can’t you be more funny, outgoing, careful, stylish etc.

“Whenever you try to change your partner you are headed for disaster in the relationship,” says BreeMaresca-Kramer, a therapist and the author of It’s That Simple. People like to be accepted the way they are. Every time you try to change their like, personality or preference you are bound to lose them.

I wish you could afford to buy me Telling someone you wish they could take you to a fancy restaurant or some other expensive treat really says ‘I wish you made more money.’ it’s not fair to fault someone for their limited salary. This just makes you seem shallow.

You’re just like your……

Unless you’re saying this in a complementary way, don’t say it. Criticizing your partner’s family is a no no. People are sensitive about their family and it’s one thing for them to tell you that their mother is always anxious and agitated, but it’s entirely different when you say it.

Keep your insights to yourself and be as supportive and positive as you can with your partner about their clan.

“Whenever you try to change your partner you are headed for disaster in the relationship,” says BreeMaresca-Kramer, a therapist and the author of It’s That Simple. People like to be accepted the way they are. Every time you try to change their like, personality or preference you are bound to lose them

My ex was better in bed

This is the worse thing you can say especially to a man. You should never say you have had a better lover. No matter how you explain this, spin this, or attempt to make up for it, you will permanently wound your partner’s ego. The reality is that there’s an unspoken assumption that if you are with someone in a long-term relationship, especially marriage, they are the best one they’ve ever had.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 23

COVER STORY

Dr Alfred Mutua Machakos County Governor One of the governors who has become the face of devolution March 4, 2013, general election saw Kenyans pick 47 governors as the country prepared to start the devolution system of governance.

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ne of the governors who hit the ground running and for some time was termed the face of devolution is Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua.

Mutua took over Machakos county government after beating former Kathiani MP WavinyaNdeti. He secured 70% of the votes, recording a landslide.

So what are some of the issues that make Mutua stand out?

Mutua hosted the county’s first investor conference, a new for the county residents, who until the devolved

units, did not expect much of county meetings. When they were organised, the majority of the conferences were conducted in Nairobi.

During the Machakos investment conference, more than Sh56 billion worth of investment deals were signed between financiers and the Machakos government.

*What are some of the deals that were signed and had been effected today?

Mutua bought more than 70 ambulances and ten motorcycles for the rapid response units.

The ambulances were acquired at the cost of Sh125 million, Sh15 million less than the Sh140 million budgeted for their purchase, according to the

24 LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017

COVER STORY

governor. However, Mutua and his team were expected to shed light on how the county government procured 16 vehicles at Sh32,855,000 for its executive officers.

Another significant development that Mutua has launched in the county is the Machakos People’s, Park, which he says was set up to improve the county’s tourism.

“The 40-acre Machakos People’s Park will be recognised as the most beautiful park in Africa, in addition to being the largest Park in the region. It has the only field amphitheater in the whole of the African continent,” he said.

Mutua added, “The park features water fountains: children’s play area, miniature golf, restaurants, solar exhibition stand, conference facilities and even a sailing boat. The park aims to provide comfort and enjoyment to all Kenyans and visitors.”

Not New To Controversy

Governor Mutua is, however, not new to controversy. Many have asked why he parades wife LilianNganga in most events, some even official.

First, it was his divorce to ex-wife Josephine. The two were embroiled in a bitter and ugly tussle over children and property.

So acrimonious is the split that Josephine flew to Australia with their three children,

something that irked the governor. The two eventually went their separate ways with Mutua marrying beautiful Lillian, the new First Lady of Machakos County.

Apart from Lillian, the man best known for his Maendeleo Chap Chap political outfit stunned Kenyans when he switched it from a movement to a political party, which perhaps created fertile ground for his political feud with Wiper leader KalonzoMusyoka.

“The 40-acre Machakos People’s Park will be recognised as the most beautiful park in Africa, in addition to being the largest Park in the region. It has the only field amphitheater in the whole of the African continent,”

*According to you, who is the reigning Ukambani kingpin? *Why should you be trusted? You once said MCC is not a political party, yet you changed it?

Mutua stunned the country when he quickly tarmacked the roads in Ukambani, with an even bigger promise of providing water and electricity.

Having been the government spokesperson and the brains behind local TV production Cobra Squad, Mutua was accused of pulling PR stunts to show Kenyans he is a man on a mission. *You once cried during an MCC rally and were filmed getting wet as you launched a water project in Ukambani. Are these PR stunts?

After constant

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 25

COVER STORY disagreements and wrangles within Wiper, Mutua decided to break ranks and form his political force.

“Maendeleo Chap Chap is a paradigm for speeding people-centred projects. We’re poor not because we lack resources and ability. No. We are poor despite our resources and abilities. I hate corruption and I hate thieves,” he said.

Mutua was also on the spot when it was alleged he asked his security guard to attack journalists while kicking them out during the launch of his party.

According to one of the reporters, Mutua was heard saying, “I don’t want anybody here, those journalists standing over there must move out.

Security wakowapi.Usiongeenao, shikashingonautupenje. Sitakimtuhapa, I’m rehearsing, and I don’t want you to record or take my pictures,” he said.

But Mutua said he was only kicking out people with ill intentions.

“I did not mean to kick anybody out or strangle them. You know not all friends can be trusted,” he said.

Although there are a few things he may have gotten wrong, there are numerous matters he did get right regarding development in his county Machakos.

On the Machakos road network, the Makutano Ma Mwala-Kithimani road was one of the first the governor built.

It was one of the first roads the governor made. The road was constructed in a record time of three months and cost Sh650 million. The figure was a fraction of the Sh1.6 Billion KENHA had estimated.

“Today, I am pleased to open the Kathiani-KakuyuniKangundo intersection road that my government has constructed using the money, equipment, and staff of the county government of Machakos,” Mutua said as he launched the road last year.

Governor Mutua appreciates the fact that helping youth and fixing the unemployment problem is by teaching the youth how to fish. He has always been known for his love of the arts. According to Mutua, Machawood is a premier facility

The flamingos on this fountain brought Lake Nakuru to this dry land! meant to uplift and promote local talent. The centre’s primary mandate is to make Machakos County the premier location for entertainment in Kenya and the continent as a whole.

Mutua has also sought to improve residents’ lives through bursaries and security programmes. The county received 200 new police cars and working 24-hour CCTV surveillance all over Machakos have been installed. Some Sh80 million fund is set to benefit orphans, bright and talented students and vulnerable children in the county. Each of the 40 wards will receive Sh2 million. Meanwhile, the county provides Sh20 million for women in every ward.

Best among the rest

According to research by Infotrack, Governor Mutua Machakos is among the best performing county chiefs in the country. Mutua and the Machakos government had an approval rating of 79.4 per cent. Bungoma and Turkana Governors followed him in the 2016 research.

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HEALTH

Feed Your Skin

Indulging in savory fruits and vegetables and warm, spicy baked goods is one of the season’s great pleasures. But did you know that this cornucopia also can benefit your beauty routine? In fact, the very ingredients that are hallmarks of your holiday meals are extremely effective skin remedies.

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h, everything looks bad if you remember it. Marge, it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen. Brace yourselves gentlemen.

According to the gas chromatograph, the secret ingredient is…

Love!? Who’s been screwing with this thing?

They only come out in the night. Or in this case, the day. Son, when you participate in sporting events, it’s not whether you win or lose: it’s how drunk you get. When will I learn? The answers to life’s problems aren’t at the bottom of a bottle, they’re on TV! Son, a woman is like a beer. They smell good, they look good, you’d step over your own mother just to get one! But you can’t stop at one. You wanna drink another woman! Your guilty consciences may make you vote Democratic, but secretly you all yearn for a Republican president to lower taxes, brutalize criminals, and rule you like a king! Marge, you being a cop makes you the man! Which makes me the woman — and I have no interest in that, besides occasionally wearing the underwear, which as we discussed, is strictly a comfort thing. Don’t kid yourself, Jimmy. If a cow ever got the chance, he’d eat you and everyone you care about! Oh, loneliness and cheeseburgers are a dangerous mix.

I was saying “Boo-urns.” Weaseling out of things is important to learn.

It’s what separates us from the animals…except the weasel. Marge, just about everything’s a sin. Y’ever sat down and read this thing? Technically we’re not supposed to go to the bathroom. This is the greatest case of false advertising I’ve seen since I sued the movie “The Never Ending Story.” Your questions have become more redundant and annoying than the last three “Highlander” movies. And here I am using my own lungs like a sucker.

He didn’t give you gay, did he? Did he?! Aaah! Natural light! Get it off me! Get it off me! How is education supposed to make me feel smarter?

Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive? Oh, a *sarcasm* detector. Oh, that’s a *really* useful invention! Oh, I’m in no condition to drive. Wait a minute. I don’t have to listen to myself. I’m drunk. Kids, kids. I’m not going to die. That only happens to bad people.

I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself.

Indulging in savory fruits and vegetables and warm, spicy baked goods is one of the season’s great pleasures. But did you know that this cornucopia also can benefit your beauty routine? In fact, the very ingredients that are hallmarks of your holiday meals are extremely effective skin remedies.

“Apples, cranberries, pumpkin and spices are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants vital for a healthy, radiant complexion,” says Renée Rouleau, a celebrity aesthetician in Dallas. “They provide anti-aging benefits, prevent free radical damage and repair skin damaged by the sun.” For products loaded with these nourishing staples, read on.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 27

BEAUTY

19 Styles You need to Learn if you’re Transitioning to Natural Hair When I decided to transition my hair from relaxed to natural over the course of a year or so, I naively thought I could continue my usual lazy-girl routine — which basically consisted of going to the hairdresser and having someone else deal with the mess on my head. But, as more and more new growth began to replace my straighter strands, I became concerned about not only the heat damage that might occur in the long run, but the fact that I was relying on somebody else to do all the work. So, I took on the task of doing my own hair.

I

quickly realized I had no idea what I was doing. Turns out, reading countless natural hair blogs and watching many hours of YouTube tutorials does not make one an expert. My first twist-out was such a fail, I ended up covering my hack job with a hat. Don’t even get me started on my botched bantu knots. Lawd.

Anyone who’s gone natural, or is in the transitioning process, knows the pain I’m preaching. Trying to blend two vastly different textures — while coming up with hairstyles that are presentable enough to go out in public with — is hard work. That’s why I enlisted Vida Latimer, senior stylist at Devachan Salon, to help transitioning ladies get through the awkward stages and see the light at the end of the natural hair tunnel.

Click through for some new looks to try out, broken down by your stage in the transitioning process.

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BEAUTY

Bantu Knots Transitioning phase: start to one year in

Braid-Out Transitioning phase: start to one year in

With braid-outs, you can go the cornrow route, as seen here, or do free-form box braids. Leave them in overnight (on damp or dry hair) for the best results. When you take them out the next morning, you’ll have big, beautiful hair, reminiscent of the ‘90s crimp look.

Bantu knots are a great way to mask your two different textures from the beginning until the end of your journey.

Plus, they will give you muchneeded practice for mastering the notoriously frustrating style.

To keep strands from frizzing

To keep strands from frizzing, Latimer recommends protecting your braids at night by wearing a silk scarf.

Spiral Braid Transitioning phase: six months in or longer This is definitely for the transitioner who has a couple months of styling experience. It’s a great protective — and put-together — style for the winter months, when you want to keep your ends tucked in. It’s also super-versatile.

“You might be able to get another style out of this by just undoing the braid and wearing it out,” Latimer says.

Ultimate Curls Transitioning phase: three to six months in At this stage, your hair is still mostly straight, but your natural texture starts to emerge. Latimer says this style helps future natural-haired women get ready to start embracing their god-given curl patterns. She adds that the key to keeping your curls softer is to make sure to deep-condition before styling. Moisture is key.

...Continued in our next issue LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 29

FOOD & DRINKS

Foods to Avoid when You are Pregnant

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t’s that period where you’re excited as you carry your little bundle of joy. During this time you may develop poor eating habits due to the many cravings that you may be having. So you need to realize as much as consuming healthy is important at all times but it’s even more essential when you are pregnant.

There are crucial nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that the developing baby requires. Most foods are good; however, there are some foods that you should keep away from during pregnancy.

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FOOD & DRINKS

Caffeine Deli Meat

These are the processed and precooked meats which are are known as cold meats. Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with listeria. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby resulting to a miscarriage. If you are pregnant and plan to eat deli meat ensure you reheat the meat until it is steaming.

even though research shows that caffeine consumption in moderation is allowed, there are others that show that caffeine intake may be related to miscarriages. Avoid caffeine during the first trimester to reduce the likelihood of a miscarriage. As a general rule, caffeine should be limited to fewer than 200 mg per day during pregnancy. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it helps eliminate fluids from the body. This can result in water and calcium loss.

It is important that you are drinking plenty of water, juice, and milk rather than caffeinated beverages. Some research shows that large amounts of caffeine are associated with miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and withdrawal symptoms in infants. The safest thing is to refrain from consuming caffeine.

Unpasteurized Milk

Unpasteurized milk may contain listeria. Make sure that any milk you drink is pasteurized.

Alcohol

Unwashed Vegetables

Vegetables are safe, and a necessary part of a balanced diet.

However, it is essential to make sure they are well washed to prevent potential exposure to toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis may contaminate the soil where the vegetables were grown.

There you have it be safe and most importantly keep your little one safe and healthy.

This is rather an obvious one there is NO amount of alcohol that is known to be safe during pregnancy, and so alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can interfere with the healthy development of the baby. Depending on the amount, timing, and pattern of use, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or other developmental disorders.

If you consumed alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, stop drinking now. You should continue to avoid alcohol during breastfeeding. Exposure of alcohol to an infant poses harmful risks, and alcohol does reach the baby during breastfeeding

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 31

DRIVE

The 2018 Dodge Durango gets the SRT treatment

475-hp Dodge Durango SRT is a muscle car in SUV clothing

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nce wild animals full of wanderlust, SUVs have long been domesticated into quiet, loyal family haulers used for bringing home groceries and shuttling sports and spectator gear to the field. Dodge believes that there’s still some feral nature left in these still-formidable beasts and it’s drawing it out in a big way with the all-new Durango SRT. Dubbed the “Dodge Charger of the full-size SUV segment,” the new Durango packs power and performance previously unimaginable for a factory Durango.

We’ll have to wait until the New York Auto Show in April to see the all-new Challenger SRT Demon, the “ultimate performance halo” Dodge has been teasing for weeks in a series of videos. But Dodge won’t be limping into this week’s Chicago Auto Show without an exciting muscle car debut. Only this muscle car is an SUV, a threerow SUV Dodge calls the fastest, most powerful and most capable out there.

The first Durango SRT ever becomes the larger brother of the ever-exhilarating Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. Like the Jeep, it’s powered by a 6.4-liter HEMI V8. That engine makes 475 hp at 6,000 rpm and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque at 4,300 rpm.

With help from a launch control system, specially calibrated TorqueFlight eight-speed automatic transmission and performancetuned AWD system, the SRT V8 inspires some brilliant performance, starting with a 0 to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in just 4.4 seconds and 12.9-second quarter-mile.

In case you momentarily forgot while looking at those times, that’s a bulky, 200-in-long (5.1-m-long) Dodge Durango we’re talking about.

To assist with cornering at high speeds, Dodge and SRT have

stiffened up the front and rear springs and rear sway bar. Bilstein adaptive damping is integrated into the short- and long-arm independent front suspension and the specially tuned multi-link system at the rear.

Dodge touts benchmark braking, saying the combination of Brembo high-performance six-piston front/four-piston rear calipers and vented rotors will bring the Pirelli 295/45ZR20 Scorpion Verde all-season tires and 20-in “Goliath” five-spoke wheels to a crisp stop from 60 mph (96.5 km/h) within an estimated 115 ft (35 m).

Of course, not every drive in a full-size SUV is going to be a full-speed hurl, and Dodge has worked to ensure a ride balanced

The exterior package includes a wide body kit, SRT hood and revised front-end

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DRIVE enough for everyday life. The SRT seven-mode drive system lets the driver quickly tweak settings like shift points, front/rear torque splits and active damping. Among those seven modes are a relaxed Auto setting for basic, everyday driving, an aggressive Track setting for the highest levels of performance on smooth, dry surfaces, a tractionenhancing Snow setting, a fuel economy-boosting Eco setting, and a Tow setting for best putting the Durango’s 8,600-lb (3,900-kg) towing capabilities to work.

As far as styling, the Durango SRT makes its first impression with a signature face that includes an SRT-finished mesh grille, and a new front fascia and lower valance built around the cold-air duct and LED fog lamps. The SRT hood helps improve cooling with built-in venting.

Moving back from the front-end, flared arches and rocker panels give the Durango SRT a strong, broad stance, while SRT, “392” (for the cubic-inch size of the V8) and performance AWD badging can be found around the exterior. The dual nickel chrome-tipped exhaust pipes release the deep, Charger SRT-inspired rumble of the new exhaust system.

Inside, the SRT comes with Nappa leather, suede and silverstitched SRT logos standard. The driver sits in one of two heated and ventilated front seats and takes control with the flat-bottomed SRT performance steering wheel and paddle shifters. A set of premium velour bound SRT floor mats comes standard.

Over in the center console, the 8.4-in touchscreen Uconnect system serves up infotainment, including navigation, SRT Performance Pages, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A standard 506-watt, nine-speaker BeatsAudio system with subwoofer belts out the soundtrack.

Interior options include a carbon fiber instrument panel and door bezels, Demonic Red Laguna leather, and Dynamica suede covering the headliner and A-pillars.

The Durango SRT will start arriving in dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year. It’ll be available in 11 colors and with a variety of options, including Uconnect Access with 9-1-1 calling and roadside assistance and driver assistance technologies, like adaptive cruise control with stop and forward collision warning with crash mitigation. Purchase will include a full-day session at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Chandler, Arizona.

The SRT hood helps in cooling the engine, increasing performance

A look at the beating heart of the Durango SRT

The 6.4L V8 puts out 470 lb-ft of torque

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 33

INTERIOR DÉCOR

Small children’s rooms S

Small children’s rooms can be a challenge when it comes to decorating, but, with a little bit of inspiration, it can be easy – and inexpensive – to turn them into fun, attractive and organised spaces.

mall children’s rooms can be a challenge when it comes to decorating, but, with a little bit of inspiration, it can be easy – and inexpensive – to turn them into fun, attractive and organised spaces.

Whether you are looking for girls’ bedroom ideas or boys’ bedroom ideas, start with the must-haves and work from there – essentially bed and storage. A traditional single bed will just about squeeze – wall to wall – into a 6ft-square room, but leaves room for little else. In this situation, and depending on the age of your child, it may be worth considering a toddler bed – mattresses are 140 x 70cm – to free up a little extra floor space and just make the room feel a bit bigger.

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Look for beds with built-in storage that can be accessed without having to pull out drawers or underbed storage systems. Many divan bases feature sliding panels for easy accessibility that allow you to have a bedside table next to the bed. Alternatively, go for a bedstead, but one that is high enough to stash small storage boxes underneath.

Mid and high-sleeper beds make maximum use of floor space by raising the mattress level and incorporating, drawers, shelves, chairs, desks and even additional beds underneath. Sleeper beds can be great choices for accommodating sleepovers, while traditional bunk beds are the perfect space-saver if you have a small room shared permanently by two children.

COMMUNICATION Small children’s rooms will always benefit from built-in storage because it will make the most of every inch. But if you prefer freestanding furniture, look for dual-purpose pieces, such as a wardrobe that also features drawers. Children’s clothes don’t require full-length hanging space anyway so a half-wardrobe, halfdrawer option can be a real winner in a small room. Always measure carefully when ordering furniture and hunt down a piece that matches your measurements as closely as possible.

In a compact space, make the most of walls for storage. Wall-hung shelves or units will not take up floor space.

Open shelves will keep everything within easy reach and will make tidying a quick and easy task. But if you prefer a more streamlined look, incorporate wall cabinets so you can store toys and other bedroom paraphernalia behind closed doors. Look for shelves that feature hooks or peg rails for a little additional hanging space.

Awkwardly shaped rooms can be tricky to decorate. Make use of alcoves by choosing furniture or storage that can slot neatly into the space – think about going bespoke if you are struggling to find something that fits. Utilise those areas under low ceilings in an eavesspace bedroom by earmarking them for storage. Bedside tables, fitted drawer or even hanging space can be incorporated under the eaves with a bit of careful planning, leaving any full-height space for the bed.

If you lack the space to squeeze even a tiny desk into a corner, consider a hinged tabletop that can be raised for homework and lowered again flush with the wall when not in use.

Small children’s rooms can benefit from a carefully balanced colour scheme.

It pays to keep a compact space white, but this doesn’t mean colour and pattern can’t be used to add fun and character.

Window treatments and bedding are the perfect vehicles for colourful scenes and patterns and will bring bed and blinds or curtains into sharp relief in a white room.

Add scatter cushions and rugs to increase the impact. Or knock colour back to a few key accessories, such as table lamps or wall art for a more controlled scheme.

Uber can now take you to your contacts

Uber users will be able to search for a contact in the app’s “Where to?” box, rather than just a location(Credit: Uber)

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resh from making it easier to spot your ride, Uber is now making it easier to get to the people you’re actually off to meet. The ride-sharing service will now let users book rides to a location based on the reliable accuracy of a friend’s phone, rather than their not always dependable directions.

The feature is being pushed to Uber’s newly designed app, which it began rolling out in November with the stated aim of getting people to their destinations “as fast as possible.” As the company points out, taking a passenger to a person rather than a place could help to do just that.

Users will first need to sync their contacts with the updated Uber app. Once that’s done, they’ll be able to search for a contact in the app’s “Where to?” box, rather than just a location.

When a contact is selected, they’ll be sent a request to provide their current location using their phone’s GPS. If they accept, the location will then be used as the destination of the user’s ride.

Assuming that’s all gone off without a hitch and the user is on their way, Uber will send an estimated time of arrival to the contact and provide updates during the journey.

The video below provides an introduction to the new feature, which is being rolled out now.

Source: Uber

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 35

LIFESTYLE

Moda Operandi co-founder Lauren Santo Domingo (second left) poses with Martin Drew ,Etihad Airways Senior Vice President – Americas (left), Amina Taher, Etihad Airways Head of Corporate Communications (second right), Patrick Pierce, Etihad Airways Vice President – Sponsorship (right), and Etihad Airways cabin crew during a VIP dinner announcing the launch of Runway to Runway.

Etihad Airways announces travel programme tailored for fashion industry

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ince announcing its fashion partnership with IMG in 2016, Etihad Airways has worked with the company and its fashion industry network to develop a bespoke membership programme that offers specialised travel benefits. Runway to Runway members are eligible to receive discounts on airfare and other services, preferred corporate rates for business travel, discounted cargo rates, and special group travel rates when traveling for photo shoots, showing collections overseas or conducting business globally.

Patrick Pierce, vice president of sponsorships, Etihad Airways said: “Etihad Airways’ commitment to fashion has taken another step forward with the launch of Runway to Runway, a travel programme delivering practical benefits to our friends in fashion.

“Last year, Etihad Airways became the first global airline to align with and support fashion professionals. Very few industries travel

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of Runway to Runway - a special rewards programme designed for the fashion community’s travel requirements.

as much as the fashion industry does, spending tens of millions annually. Etihad Airways is an ideal brand fit for this jet-set industry that is ambitious, innovative and remarkable – all characteristics exemplified by Etihad’s world-renowned service and hospitality offering.”

Additional benefits in accordance with Etihad Guest tier level:

Gold Status - Gold status membership will be by invitation only, comprising select members of the international fashion community

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LIFESTYLE including editors, designers, models, photographers, stylists, bloggers, executives and other fashion devotees.Gold status members receive: lounge access for member plus a guest, additional 20kg excess baggage, priority boarding, and check-in, eligibility for complimentary upgrades and onboard Wi-Fi Silver Status - Members of the fashion industry can apply for silver status via Etihad. com/fashion. Silver status members receive: lounge access and additional 10kg excess baggage Guest Status - open to all fashion enthusiasts. Guest status members will receive fashion news, exclusive access to partner promotions, and be eligible for invitations to special fashion events including fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan, Mumbai, and Sydney.

Etihad Airways cabin crew pose at the launch of Runway to Runway during a VIP dinner hosted by Lauren Santo Domingo in New York.

Fashion events

As part of its global agreement with IMG, Etihad Airways supports 17 fashion events around the world annually. Since this partnership’s introduction in April 2016, the airline has helped designers, models, and brands celebrate key milestones and reach new audiences all over the world with activations at New York Fashion Week: The Shows, London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, Lakmé Fashion Week (Mumbai) and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, as well as MADE events in New York and Berlin.

TEACHER IN MIGORI CONFRONTED BY A SEX WORKER AFTER HE REFUSED TO PAY

There was spectacle in Migori when a teacher found himself in trouble with an irate prostitute after he allegedly refused to pay her.

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he teacher identified as Cyclife Okoth Omollo is said to have hired the sex worker for a night a passion but backed out when it came to the little matter of paying.

The angry prostitute did not take the matter lightly as she rolled on the ground, cursing and screaming before attacking him causing a big scene which attracted local residents.

“He requested for sex after buying me two bottles of beer at a club in town. We agreed on a payment of Sh4,500 once the business was done but later he changed the story,” the lady lamented.

Angry residents demanded that Omolo who is in his late 50’s pay the woman for the services rendered.

In his defense Omolo claimed it is the woman who wanted to have sex with him and that she even followed him all the way to his house. He added that afterwards the woman started demanding for money which was not their agreement.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 37

RELATIONSHIP

Relationship-focused tech to help you survive Valentine’s Day Love and technology?

Anybody who has considered using a dating app knows the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Here are some surprising ways to put tech to work for your love life this Valentine’s Day, for both the single and the attached.

Pillow Talk

If you’re struggling with a breakup: Mend Mend bills itself as a “personal trainer for heartbreak.” The app ushers users through a 28-day heartbreak cleanse, where each day has a short audio training session emphasizing self-care, reflection and maintaining a healthy distance from your ex.

The folks behind Mend supplement the app with an online wellness community and a podcast series.

The app is free, along with a one week trial. After that, you’ll have to pay for a membership, which start at US$10 per month. There are price breaks if you make a longer commitment (assuming a fear of commitment wasn’t the reason for your recent split).

Detractors may be quick to criticize the impersonal aspects of nursing a breakup online, but considering that many relationships start online – along with the rise of self-help and meditation apps – tools like Mend could become much more commonplace.

Mend is iOS only, but don’t worry Android owners, there’s hope for you yet. Rx Breakup is a similar (if less developed) offering in both the App Store and on Google Play.

For (sickeningly sweet) lovebirds: Couple Do you and your mate’s lovey-dovey antics drive your friends and family up a wall? Are you constantly being told to “get a room”? Well, the Couple app could serve as your digital relationship hub. It’s like a social network built just for the two of you.

After you download the app to both your phones, you can start sharing private disappearing messages a la Snapchat and a timeline of your relationship history.

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RELATIONSHIP

The Mend app, for dealing with heartbreaks

Ever more-specialized dating apps

Use functions like Thumbkiss to bond when you’re apart: Touch corresponding spots on your phone at the same time to make them vibrate together.

Couple also includes some utilitarian features: shared calendars and to-do lists, venue and restaurant suggestions for date nights in your area and a Live Beacon function to broadcast your locations to one another in real-time. The app could help you and your partner feel a little closer – without making your less affectionate friends roll their eyes at your cheesy ways.

Couple is free for both iOS and Android.

Gadgets that help you feel close to your long-distance sweetheart There has been an uptick in the number of gadgets pitched to help bridge the gaps in long-distance relationships. You may not be able to get these in time for this Valentine’s Day, but the promise of a future gift may go well alongside the usual flowers and card.

For example, the Pillow Talk set of wristbands, pillows and speakers met its Kickstarter goal at the end of last year. When you and your loved one are sleeping separately, the kit allows you to fall asleep while listening to each other’s heart beats. Pillow talk can be pre-ordered online for $179.

Last month at CES, we had some hands on time with the LoveBox, a specialized messaging box for exchanging sweet nothings. Keep the wooden box plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi. The heart on the front spins when your sweetheart sends you a message; open the box to read it. US customers can pre-order now with an estimated ship date in June.

You’re probably already aware of leading dating services like Tinder, OkCupid and Match.com. Did you know there are alternatives? The number of specialized dating apps is growing.

For example, the Bumble app is Tinder-like in its swipe functionality, but there’s a caveat: Women need to make the first move. If a pair matches but the woman doesn’t initiate a conversation in the first 24 hours, the match disappears. While this could seem callous to some men, it curbs some of the harassment prevalent in online dating.

There are also dating services based on special interests, where you can find a match that likes the same things that you do – or hates the same things. For example, the app Sapio matches individuals based on intelligence level and favorite intellectual topics. The app Hater (iOS only) matches people based on mutual dislikes. The next time a picky friend nixes a date for a petty reason, direct them to Hater.

There are also some services that focus on the soul-searching aspect of dating. The emergent paid app Ona (currently available only to New Yorkers) is setting out to bring quality to dates not just through good matching, but personalized therapy and “date coaching” as well. It’s less like an app and more like a concerned professional trying to help you find what you want – and indeed, Ona has dating experts on staff to give you one-on-one attention.

If you’re outside of New York, join a waiting list through the app to get notified when Ona becomes available in your area.

Curious about the algorithms and engineering behind dating apps? Check out New Atlas’ examination of what online dating could be like in 20 years.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 39

SPORTS

FORMER GOR STRIKER MICHAEL OLUNGA JOINS THE CHINESE MONEY BAGS

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“It is a done deal, but full details will come later,” Mulee said.

arambee Stars striker Michael Olunga has completed the transfer from Swedish side Djugardens IF to Chinese club Guizhou Zhicheng in a deal that is believed to be the most lucrative for any Stockholm club.

The 22 year old left Gor Mahia for Sweden one year ago and penned a four year contract with IF Djurgarden. He managed to score twelve goals last season and was one of the most sort out players in the transfer market with teams from Russia, Turkey and China all wanting his services.

His local agent Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, the former Kenya national team coach, confirmed that the he has joined the Chinese Super League side.

“It is a done deal, but full details will come later,” Mulee said.

The rising star, nicknamed Engineer, because of his academic pursuit of Geospatial Engineering was due to star his studies at Stockholm University this year.

Many Kenyans have reacted the decision to go to china with some congratulating him and others slamming the transfer. The critics argue that the move is only money motivated and it may hinder his chances of playing in the elite leagues such as the English premiere league.

The towering forward is expected to link up with his new team mates in South Korea for the pre-season warm up matches.

Florentin Pogba has declared Arsenal “the club of my heart” as he prepares to face brother Paul in the Europa League

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lorentin, a 26-year-old Guinea international, will play for Saint-Etienne when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the last 32 of the Europa League.

It will be the first time he and Paul have played either with or against each other in a professional football match.

“Arsenal are the club of my heart,” Florentin said. “I’ve supported them ever since the Invincibles – what a team!

“The downside of being a professional is you

“I’ve never asked a player to swap jerseys at the end of the game, although I do have some because when I’ve played against friends we’ve just sort of swapped spontaneously,” Florentin added. “

40 LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017

rarely get a chance to go to watch other teams so I’ve never actually been to the Emirates. But one day I will, hopefully.”

Will Florentin and Paul swap shirts at the end of Saint-Etienne’s game against United?

“I’ve never asked a player to swap jerseys at the end of the game, although I do have some because when I’ve played against friends we’ve just sort of swapped spontaneously,” Florentin added. “I think that after this game there’ll be a quite natural exchange of shirts.”

SPORTS

Peter Wamoto set for debut as Nondies take on Strathmore

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eter Wamoto will make his senior career debut for Nondies in this weekend’s Kenya Cup match as the Rangers take on Strathmore Leos at 2pm at The Jamhuri Grounds.

Nondies Head coach Christian Josiah, made seven changes from the squad that played last weekend against Kenya Harlequins. Peter Wamoto starts as Blindside flanker as he will replace Eric Nyakundi who sustained a shoulder injury in last weekend.

Kenya sevens players, Biko Adema and Dennis Ombachi will play

as centers as Kevin Gachoka will make his first start of the season at fullback.

Simon Ngugi replaces eighth man Ben Nyambu as Jeremy Matata will play at scrum half replacing Evans Musili.

Pan Africa Strathmore Leos will be looking for a much improved result when they face Nondies as they went down last weekend 23-7 to Blak Blad.

Read more at http://shujaapride.com/articles/story/429/ Peter-Wamoto-set-for-debut-as-Nondies-take-onStrathmore/#Ll5tUrSBxiVPX5LC.99

Chepchirchir breaks world record in UAE

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enya’s Peris Chepchirchir has broken the world Half marathon record this morning at the 11th edition of the RAK Half marathon in United Arab Emirates.

The reigning IAAF World Half marathon champion clocked 65:06 to smash the previous record of Florence Kiplagat by three seconds.

Chepchirchir had to be carried off the finish line as she collapsed after crossing the tape to achieve the historic milestone.

The 23 year-old athlete who comes from Nandi County finished fourth last year at the course and today she also edged out Olympic marathon champion Jemimah Sumgong to fourth in 66:43.

Three-time RAK champion Mary Keitany smashed her own best, and very nearly the old world record, with a 65:13 clocking, while Joyciline Jepkosgei ensured a Kenyan clean sweep, crossing the newly positioned finish line in 66:08, a personal best by almost three minutes.

In the men’s category, Bedan Karoki carried the day in 59:10 for a new personal best time.Ethiopia’s Yigrem Demelash timed 59:19 while Kenya’s Augustine Choge finished third in 59:26 in his third ever half marathon outing while another Kenyan Solomon Yego settled fourth in 59:50.

LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 001/18 / February 2017 41

TIPS

Phone and satellite data flesh out highres poverty map A women uses a mobile phone in Tanzania. The team hopes to take its approach to countries beyond Bangladesh (Credit: Stock Editorial Photography/Depositphotos)

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overty, along with its health and social impacts, is a monumental and widespread issue, but collecting solid data on the world’s impoverished zones is anything but straightforward. Modern technology, however, is affording researchers exciting new ways to bring these areas into focus, the latest example being a mix of smartphone and satellite data used to create a high-resolution map of poverty distribution across Bangladesh.

Researchers already have a handle on the poverty-stricken regions of the world, but current approaches have serious limitations. Data is collected through on-the-ground surveys, a method that is expensive, time-consuming and only offers limited information.

“Census and household surveys are normally used as data sources to estimate rates of poverty,” explains Dr Jessica Steele from the University of Southampton and lead author on the new study.

“However, they aren’t regularly updated – for example, censuses only take place every ten years – and in low income countries, surveys can be patchy.”

Back in August, researchers at Stanford University made a promising breakthrough in this area. They came up with a machine learning algorithm that could be fed satellite imagery highlighting brighter areas and features associated with economic development, such as road and urban areas, to accurately predict the wealth of a region.

The new technique, developed by the University of Southampton, the Flowminder Foundation, Telenor Research and mobile phone

company Grameenphone, does have some similarities. They used remote sensing from satellites to gauge the living conditions of remote communities. This included their distance to roads and cities, whether they can light their homes, and also an assessment on agricultural productivity based on rainfall, vegetation and temperature data.

But where the new approach really takes things to another level is by bringing mobile phone data into the mix. This allowed the researchers to gain an approximate location of where users are situated, their data and credit usage, how many texts they are sending and the times and durations of calls. Furthermore, it can indicate how far users are traveling, the proportion of users in a single area and whether they are using a basic phone device or a smartphone.

“The advantage of using mobile phone data is that it provides us with information which is continually updated, can be interrogated in a variety of ways and can track changes on an ongoing basis,” says Steele. “Paired with satellite data that has similar features, it can give a much more dynamic view of poverty and its geographic spread.”

From here, the team hopes to apply this approach to other countries, providing governments and relief organizations with a more detailed, accurate and timely way to track poverty across the globe.

The research was published in the Journal of The Royal Society Interface.

Source: University of Southampton via Phys.org

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