THE INSIGHT THE CHURCH CHRONICLES
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SUNDAY 3rd JUNE—SATURDAY 16th JUNE, 2012
THE INSIGHT LAUNCHES IN RUIRU WITH IRUNGU WA NGORU
In this issue:
Residents of Ruiru now have a big reason to smile. The three generaThis comes moments after a tional change of the local newspaper was transport industry launched in St Francis of within the township Assisi Catholic church of Ruiru and the inwhich is within their localiteresting bit of it. ty. Read more in page 4 The newspaper, which is The big question on church based, has a strap SACCOs now has line that reads, 'The Church all the answers Chronicles‘ It is therefore page 5 evident that despite being Has the flu persistchurch based, the eight ed? Find out the page newspaper will also handy remedies to address news affecting the combat flu in our residents of Ruiru. health column. ―It is a brilliant idea that Page 6 was pioneered by the youth St Francis Catholic Church Ruiru, where The Insight is launching in my church. They are inWe pray for them to sail through with this. charge of the Ruiru parish said during an novative and multi-talented We shall support them with inspiration and in interview in his office. The Insight targets an personality who can be enaudience with a… Continued in page 2 trusted to such a great idea. other ways,‖ Father Paul Sila the priest inWISDOM WEDDING PLANNERS
For tents, chairs and vehicles;Wedding gowns and cakes; Mc,PA, dancers&other needs. Call 0734128882
THE REALITY OF THE INSIGHT The Insight newspaper is an alternative media that launches in Ruiru on 3rd June. It is a church based production that will cover anything within Ruiru that is of significance to the residents and faithful of St Francis Catholic church. The newspaper draws its
aim from the formation of the Hutchin‘s Commission of the Press of 1942. It comes in to fulfill the social responsibility of the media in Ruiru where the situation of lack of a platform of providing truthful, comprehensive and intelligent accounts of events is wanting. It shall therefore distin-
guish facts and opinions to meet this obligation. It shall also be a forum of dissemination of paramount information; exchange of ideas, comments and criticism in a bottom-top approach to promote democracy. This shall be enhanced by having a comprehensive and effective research and… continued on page 3
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THE INSIGHT THE INSIGHT LAUNCHES IN RUIRU continued from page 1
THE INSIGHT PRODUCTION PANEL
diversity of interests. The Insight targets the faithful of the Catholic Church Ruiru parish. All these are residents of Ruiru.
Fr Paul Sila– CEO
They are a general audience. That is to mean that they are of different demographic characteristics. However, majority of these people are youthful, of age bracket between 15-40 years. They are all literate, at least having acquired basic schooling.
Mary Wahito– Sub-editor, Reporter
―Information is power,‖ said Solomon Irungu the chief editor, ―we therefore aim at disseminating this to the masses " To achieve this, the weekly issue will be using simple English language. Kenyan English shall also be used with an aim to ensuring that the audience will understand the information contained herein. Most of them have also not been born and brought up in Ruiru, having come here to either work in the numerous companies and/or get education in the educational institutions in Ruiru, respectively. Others are new residents of the area. Information about Ruiru will also be crucial with an aim to informing, educating and enlightening these people, which is within the confinements of their interest ―The Ruiru Parish Church is broad with more than 20 outstations. This is good to begin with. It is also a growing church and consequently a growing audience. We plan to start by targeting 10 prominent outstations before spreading to the rest in the next couple of weeks. These will include St Francis Ruiru, St Andrew Gitothua, St Lucia Membley, St Christopher Kembo, St Mark Mitikenda, St Teresa Toll, St Monica Fort Jesus, Christ the King Membley and St Martin De Pores,‖ the editorial director said during an interview with the production panel. With such a broad audience, we plan to hit the ground with a tremendous newspaper launch in the whole parish. This will be followed by giving out the issues for free for the next three issues. This is in an aim to sensitizing people on the presence of the paper.
Solomon Irungu– Editorial director, Editor in chief John Gitau– Chief Financial Controller, Senior editor Simon Nyaga- Sub-editor, Reporter Nathan Kahuria– Marketing manager, Reporter Kelvin Mulumba– Supplies manager, Reporter Richard Mukai—Director of photography, Reporter Patrick Chege– Reporter Dominic Kibaki– Sports reporter Daniel Kaberi— Business reporter Fr Dominic Were– Logistics and Inspiration
Henceforth we shall sell the paper at Kshs 10 to meet the production cost. The possibility of profits will be catered for by possible advertisers. During the free issues, we are targeting a circulation of 2,000 copies all over the parish. After we start selling, we shall start with the same circulation. This is set to grow as we reach the entire parish. Eventually we are targeting a circulation of at least 10,000 people. Important to note is the difference between circulation and readership.
“ Henceforth, we shall sell the paper at Kshs 10 to meet the production cost ” Marketing and distribution will be under the responsibility of the Marketing and Supplies Managers, respectively. These will identify market points through substantial research and reach out to them. The supplies manager has already established marketing officers in the target outstations and these will be responsible for the sales. The voice and chronicles of Ruiru for the people of Ruiru is now a mission accomplished. It is upon the residents of this township to embrace it.
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THE INSIGHT THE REALITY OF THE INSIGHT feedback mechanism. It shall also project a representative image of the society and even narrow down to the diverse groups, racial and social divisions. It shall be responsible for the clarification and presentation of these groups of people. Further to this, it shall provide full access to the day‘s intelligence. Production Process and Development The production process involves the gathering of information from the church and from Ruiru by our production pool and converting the information to significant journalistic stories. Information will be gathered by form of research and use of archival records to provide context. The production pool is a combination of different talent and expertise to enhance the production. The stories and photographs gathered will be used to do the artwork of the newspaper which will be taken to the printers in Nairobi. Suppliers The paper will need sources of information to supply information that will be used in the development of news. Some of these have already been identified. They will be mentioned in the different stories they give information on. However, where the revelation of these sources of information needs to be withheld to protect them from any negative consequences, they shall not be revealed.
“ ...sources of information to supply information that will be used in the development of news” They will be under the canopy of protection of the treaty of International Federation of Journalists which states that media practitioners should observe professional secrecy and not divulge their sources of information under the circumstance stated before. The major peril is running short of story supply. This will be countered by having many stories within our
continued from page 1
database as back up. There will also be bureau chiefs and correspondents to supply us with stories in the outstations. The obligation is also recognized by the International Law under the right on the freedom of expression. In Africa it is recognised under Principle XV of ACHPR. Suppliers will also be needed to supply the newspaper to the different outstation of the Catholic Church in Ruiru parish. This has been facilitated by the appointment of the mobile Supplies and Marketing Managers.
“There will also be bureau chiefs and correspondents to supply us with stories in the outstations. ” A training center for print journalists is also set to be established soon after the launch. The training will bring together experienced media practitioners to offer skills on writing good ethical journalistic stories. ―The newspaper will market itself!‖ By covering new information of significance in Ruiru; profiles of different groups, organizations and profiles in Ruiru; church instigations and announcements; human interest stories; medical briefings; sports and entertainment and advertisements, the newspaper will be bound to draw the interest of a big audience. The Insight has no competitor currently. There is however a likelihood that there may emanate other personality with this idea. These will be countered by the fact that The Insight will have deepened its roots as the credible newspaper in Ruiru and for Ruiru. This will all be facilitated the aforesaid production panel. These people bring in a paradigm of talents, proficiency and expertise in journalism to see to the success of this paper. Their curriculum vitas shall later be made public.
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THE INSIGHT
RUIRU EYE COLUMN, WITH MULI MULUMBA
MARUTI’S A STROKE OF FORTUNE Long before the matatus came into use, were the old schools by then referred to as ―shomoka”. They used to operate on the Ruiru to Prison route. The name perhaps came from the constant break downs they vehicles underwent while on the road. The wheel would at times“shomoka”, that means detaching from the vehicle, without the driver‘s realization. Journey delays 1st generation of transport in Ruiru and accidents were rampant. Well not all had mechanical problems but most of these were weather beaten. Events have now been overtaken by time just as the Kikuyu adage articulates, ― problems don‘t last.‖ The introduction of Marutis a nine-seater minisuzuki has brought a change in the face of transport industry in Ruiru. The emergence of these matatus has brought a vibrant mood among the 2nd generation of transport in Ruiru
youths to venture into this industry. The strategic positioning of the stage in travelling to and from the town has also facilitated this. Most of the beneficiaries in this industry are the youths in Ruiru of whom some are drivers and conductors. Most of them have now gone far by joining Saccos and buying their own matatus from the maruti Sacco's. The routes in which the matatus serve are ―prison‖ and ―Watalam‖. The level of insecurity has gone down since most of the youths are busy. Those who would be engaging in criminal activities are now pre-occupied. Other than the creation 3rd generation of transport in Ruiru of job opportunities within this township, this means of transport have facilitated the booming of businesses in Ruiru. “Most of the beneficiaries in CAPTION THIS this industry are the youths in Ruiru…” It would therefore be an approval to say that these marutis are more of a blessing than a menace. Forget the comfort and the nature of Watalam road. Story by mulikelvin2010@yahoo.com
HAVOC OF THE ONGOING RAIN
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ain is considered as one fundamental aspect in the farmer‘s calendar. Thus you may wonder how rain is formed. It is as a result of three processes which include: heating evaporations and condensation respectively. This is subject to discussion in our consecutive issues.. Rain is considered to be a blessing especially after a long dry spell. To some it is a sign that their God has heard their prayers. Nowadays people have to prepare themselves in advance before the rain starts . Some of these measures include: disaster management and victims allocation. It wasn‘t long before the rains pon-
dered heavily to the residents of Ruiru after experiencing a dreadful scorching sun. The rain which started in the mid April has continued pouring heavily and as a result bursting the source of river Ruiru. This has caused it to break its banks. Farms and bridges have been swallowed by the water. Transport network has now become a major threat to people who constantly use the bridges in their day to day activities. Most affected are students from Murera Secondary who have to circumnavigate all the way from school to Ruiru via Ha –Kairu. Quarry diggers have not been
spared either; their business has come to a halt. Most of them have been rendered jobless as the quarry got filled up with water. Though the rain seem to have
Flooded Ruiru stadium after heavy rains
ceased; it is up to the people to put adequate measures on how to curb the floods. . mulikelvin2010@yahoo.com
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THE INSIGHT
BUSINESS REVIEW WEEKLY, KABERI DANIEL
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THE BIG QUESTION ON SACCOS
he term SACCO is an acronym for Savings and Credit Co-Operative, and I would define it as an association of like minded individuals, registered under the Ministry of Cooperatives. In Kenya, a SACCO is authorized to take deposits from and lend to it‘s members. Most people are exposed to bank credit, which is easily accessible, and therefore find no need to join a SACCO. The why of joining a SACCO Very few people under 30% are members of a SACCO especially in the contemporary age where the work place is getting less and less informal. The reasons could be that they do not understand what a SACCO is and how it works. Well, this item comes in handy. The purpose of this post is to tackle the first concern, and hopefully inform you why you should use a SACCO as your savings avenue. Most people are exposed to bank credit, which is easily accessible, and therefore most find no need of joining a SACCO.
saving discipline. The money isn‘t accessible to the member unless they choose to withdraw from the SACCO or take out a loan. This protects the savings and prevents impulsive spending on the cash saved. This instills a Savings in a SACCO do not attract bank charges at all. Interest paid on these savings is often higher than bank rates.
Borrowing: Once one is a member of a SACCO, they‘re allowed to borrow within the limits of their savings. The standard is a member can borrow up to three times their savings, provided other members give them guarantees or Savings: they give a form of security. SACThe SACCO aggregates the savings COs have various products, such as and lends them out or invests in auemergency loans which are prothorised instruments such as shares, cessed within a day, school fees treasury bills and bonds, and in some loans and development loans. cases property as authorised by the by-laws. Projects: Returns from these savings for a SACCOs came up as a result of the member can be as high as 10%, and Cooperative movement and because this is a better channel .SACCOs reof that are very development orientquire a minimum monthly contribued. tion from members. This instills a
of the Cooperative movement and because of that are very development oriented. Most SACCOs have other development projects that are very beneficial to the members. For example, a SACCO can have a plot project where-by members save over time, pooling the funds together and using these to buy a tract of land in which is then subdivided among the members of the project. According to D. Kiwara, a senior finance and tax consultant with Reliance consultancy firm, participating in these projects can help one acquire investments faster and cheaper, than if they were to do it alone. ―I would recommend that one joins a SACCO even if it is for a minimum contribution, and enjoy the benefits of the cooperative movement,‖ he said during an interview in his office Have you ever considered joining one? Well, you now have the answers.
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THE INSIGHT YOUR HEALTH, BY SIMON NYAGA
HANDY REMEDIES TO MITIGATE FLU SIGNS After the end of the long dry season, the much awaited onset of the rains is here with us, welcomed. It is that time of the year when almost everybody is going ―achwo.” Many people are down with a flu; sneezing, struggling with a runny nose and coughing. For others, like myself it is the time we are remembering where we last placed a hanky or buying one when efforts of finding one prove slim. In high school when one had a flu instead of saying that that person is coughing, we said he was ‗rapping‖. When you catch a flu, which is highly contagious and a health hazard, you need to call on a hospital and seek a doctor‘s advice. But I know you are probably asking yourself, ―why? I get this flu every now and then and I do not see a doctor. So, why is it important now?‖ This should be so if it is a child, a ‗paged‘ pregnant mother, a person with a bleak immune system and people with acute diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Flu is more prone to them. Listen, here‘s the reason why I seriously insist you visit a hospital. Flu can lead to more grim complications like pneumonia, dehydration to the dire extremes of developing congestive heart failure. Guess you do not want that. So, when you start having a headache , a high temperature, aches in the body and of course a runny nose accompanied by its two twins, coughing and sneezing, you should be running to the hospital. What people do after flu symptoms develop can either precipitate or mitigate the healing process of the flu signs.
Nevertheless, when you break brim with flu or cold, there are some simple and handy remedies that you can try as you seek doctor‘s advice and medications. Here are some of these remedies. Take a steamy bath or shower. Take hot liquids. Hot chicken soup is undeniably a remedy to consider when having a flu. Blow your nose often and the right way. In this case a clean handkerchief should be used. It is also necessary to keep ones hands clean. These come in an aim to avoiding re-infection. Boil ginger which contains anti viral properties and add honey and lemon to taste then drink when hot. To open up sinuses that are blocked, cover your head in a bucket of hot water. This is what medical practitioners call steaming. Drink mixed and crushed cloves of garlic with carrots and orange juice. Take a break when your body gives you an alarm to do so, for example when having heavy transpiration . All these prescriptions counter flu and restore ease. They are also needed in boosting an immune system that is under compromise. Avoiding the complications may now prove to you to be a task as simple as A, B, C… However, the aforementioned remedies may not always alleviate the flu. It is therefore always advisable to seek further medical advice. In our consequent issues we shall inform you on how to prevent or eliminate various illnesses in consultation with our medical experts. seympawl@gmail.com
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI RUIRU CATHOLIC CHURCH YOUTH BOOKSHOP FOR ALL RELIGIOUS BOOKS, ROSARIES, KEY HOLDERS, CAR HANGINGS, HOUSE DECORATIONS, CARDS, AIRTIME AND OTHER SACRAMENTAL. ST FRANCIS COMPUTER COLLEGE COMPUTER EXPERTISE BEGINS HERE; VISIT US FOR BASIC AND ADVANCED COMPUTER TRAINING. INTAKE IN PROGRESS. ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC HALL FOR MEETINGS, TRAININGS, WEDDING RECEPTIONS, FUNDRAISINGS AND OTHER SOCIAL NEEDS, BOOK IN ADVANCE IN OUR OFFICE SITUATED IN THE CHURCH.
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THE INSIGHT
CHURCH BRIEFINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORDS OF WISDOM When the thieves in Luke 10:30 stripped up the man who was heading for Jericho from Jerusalem, wounded him and departed, the Bible tells us that they left him ―half dead.‖ The priest who passed by saw him and passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite passed by and saw him and did the same. What was happening is that the two saw him ―half dead‖ like the thieves who beat him up. It is the Samaritan who saw him ―half alive.‖ He had compassion with him, bound the wounds, poured oil and wine...and you are aware of how the rest of the story continues. Today I am not talking about being a good Samaritan to your brethren, which you should always be. In this context Jesus Christ is our good Samaritan. I am compelled to emphasize on the quoted words ―half dead.‖ Many-a-times when we are half dead. In our businesses and academics we are not growing; we are half dead! We try so much to seize opportunities, but we find ourselves procrastinating or in failure; we are half dead. Our family, counterparts, and friends may see us half dead just like the priest and the Levite did. It is not until we call unto Jesus who will see us as ―half alive‖ then shall we get saved. Romans 10:13 urges us to call unto him for salvation. He is always here to revive us. When our spirit seems downcast, he is there to raise us up. He is always here to raise our dead dreams and aspirations; our plans will work through if we run to him.
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS In our subsequent issues this space shall be used for the Parish announcements. Anyone with an announcement shall hand it in to the secretary in the parish office before the Wednesday of each week to enable planning and printing. Advertisements may however not be considered as announcements and may consequently not be published without following the right procedures. Marriage announcements will also not be published here as they have to be read in church. Announcements appearing in this newspaper may cease being read in church during announcements time. Relevant announcements from other churches, the government and other institutions shall also be considered for publication. Thanking you for your cooperation. READINGS OF THE WEEK MONDAY 4th JUNE, 2012 TUESDAY 5th JUNE, 2012 WEDNESDAY 6th JUNE, 2012 THURSDAY 7th JUNE, 2012
FRIDAY 8th JUNE, He is our ethereal father who will never forsake us. 2012
He never turns a deaf ear to us. He is the omnipresent and ever-loving God. All we have to do is run to him in repentance for we keep falling short of his glory. Let us enter his gates with adoration and thanksgiving before we can even supplicate our needs. mary.njogu58@yahoo.com
SATURDAY 9th JUNE, 2012
II Pt 1:2-7; Ps 91; Mk 12:1-12 II Pt 3:11b15a,17-18; Ps 90; Mk 12:13-17 II Tm 1:1-3.612; Ps 123; Mk 12:18-17 II Tm 2:8-15; Ps 25; Mk 12:28b-34
MONDAY 11th JUNE, 2012 TUESDAY 12th JUNE, 2012
II Tm 3:10-17; Ps 119; Mk 12:35-37
FRIDAY 15th JUNE, 2012
II Tm 4:1-8; Ps 71; Mk 12:38-44
SATURDAY 16th JUNE, 2012
WEDNESDAY 13th JUNE, 2012 THURSDAY 14th JUNE, 2012
Acts 11:21b26;13:1-3; Ps 98;Mt 10:7-13 I Kings 17:716; Ps 4; Mt 5:13-16 I Kings 18:2039; Ps 16; Mt 5:17-19 I Kings 18:4146; Ps 65; Mt 5:20-26 Hos 11:1.34.8c-9:Is 12:26;Eph 3:8-12; Jn 19:31-37 Is 61:9-11; I Sam 2:1.4-8; Lk 2:41-51
“Out of one hundred non-believers, ten will read the Bible, while the rest 90 will read you the Christian.”
THE INSIGHT THE CHURCH CHRONICLES SUNDAY 3rd JUNE-SATURDAY 16th JUNE, 2012
INSIDE STORIES
Read on the consequences of the on-going heavy rains in Ruiru. Page You can‘t wait for instigation, you have to go for it with a club. Get it from the father in-charge‘s reflection. Page 7
UPRISING MUSIC STAR IN RUIRU She is remembered as the song bird who sang the Psalms in church without reading from the Bible. Not many could understand how this could be possible. Not even me. After that mass a guy was heard saying that he himself could not manage that. After all the first exam that he passed without a ―mwakenya” was the driving test. Aside with that raillery. Mary Wahito has her singing beyond the church hymns. She is an upcoming music star. Her
She is aspiring to do a whole album before she can start her legal studies. The most popular of her hit is called ‗Beautiful‘ done at Pearl Studios. It talks about us being beautiful and handsome creation of God. Well, I need not to give details on the track. Why not rush to Finance House Mary Wahito, a talented musician second floor in Pearl Studios and get a copy. Wit goes hand-in-hand with Her policy is, ‗do not let the talent; having secured a place in the university after her your dreams die; do not burry them, they can allast year‘s form four exams. ways live.‘ Do you mind At eighteen years of age, she already has done two singles. adapting that?
PROVINCIAL LEAGUE; HOME OF STARS KEPHA KIBAKI
All work and no play… forget the cliché. It is every player‘s dream to go beyond the adage by playing for Kenya Premier League. In our hometown Ruiru our finest Francis Kahata and Simon Mbugua have already accomplished this dream. This comes by playing for Thika United.
MAYOR’S ANNUAL TOURNAMENT BEGINS The annual tournament which brings together teams around Gitothua ward started on Sunday 6th May. The tournament unites more than 10 teams together. It is sponsored by the office of Ruiru mayor and is scheduled to last for about 12 weeks. Analysts argue that the teams to watch in this tournament are Watalam FC, Membley FC and Kings mill FC.
solomonirush@yahoo.com Following their footsteps are two teams; Jacaranda FC and Ruiru Hotspur who are now playing in the prestigIN OUR NEXT ISSUE ious, but challenging, Provincial League. HOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF NAIROBI AFFECTS RUIRU TOWN In our next issues we shall be going one-on-one with the teams to bring you the profiles of the football clubs where our youth are sharpening their soccer skills. We shall also be giving information on how to have your football club featured in this issue. We shall also be looking at the various games played in Ruiru, which probably you, are not aware of.
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