November 2015

Date Posted: November 25, 2015

Darling unveils their new Aliana relaxer product range

Photo Credits: femmehub.com

Walk the streets of Nairobi any rainy day and you would understand that a woman’s hair is her number one priority. You never know where paper bags come from. They just appear to protect the glory of women. Darling, East Africa leading hair product manufacturer, knows this too well. Their range of products are very famous in the Kenyan Market.

They have launched its first range of hair relaxer products, Aliyana aimed at addressing African hair challenge. This will expand their product portfolio. Darling is known for their braids and weaves as well as hair care products.

This launch comes at a time when there is a growing perception among Kenyan women that straight and dark hair is attractive, easy to manage and more beautiful than naturally curly hair, which is increasingly perceived as difficult to manage, according to the 2015 Hair Care in Kenya Euro-monitor report.

The Business head for Cham Industries, the manufacturer of Aliyana and Darling range of cosmetics, Mr. Deepak Varanasi said that the entry of Aliyana into the market was based on a market need for a customized African hair relaxer.

“Over the years, our ladies have been using relaxers which are not customized, this has resulted in numerous hair concerns including hair loss and burnt scalps”, Mr. Varanasi said. “Aliyana is a product of years of research on the Kenyan woman hair which has resulted in a reliable brand with enhanced ingredients and tested deliverables,” he added.

According to the Euromonitor report, Kenya’s growing middle class and rising disposable income levels, increased investment by international players in hair care, growing numbers of professional hair care salons and increased product quality are all set to promote value and volume growth in the category over the forecast period. Consumer spending on hair care is expected to rise due to increased knowledge and product awareness gained from increased marketing campaigns, more affordable products and the wider variety of products included within these product ranges.

Date Posted: November 24, 2015

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The State of Football in Kenya by Nancy Kamau

Image credit: tl.kozzi.com

Wrangles, incompetence, mismanagement and corruption is what describes the state of football in Kenya.

A promising future back in the year 2003, when Dennis Oliech led the Harambee Stars into the African cup of nations 2004 is the closest Kenya has come close to a world cup qualifier. During the period, only Morocco tallied more points than the stars in the qualifications. Kenya became the envy of the region’s football. (Football in Kenya, 2015)

More than a decade later, squabbles within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have ruined the national team and football in the country. Kenya was at one point banned from international football by FIFA until they resolved football management. When the ban was lifted, there was joy for the fans under Francis Kimanzi during world cup/AFCON qualifiers but, as always, everything collapsed sensationally after Kimanzi’s controversial sacking despite taking Kenya to its highest ever ranking.

The federation has also always focused on the senior men’s team neglecting the aspiring young teams. This was evident when the under-20 women’s team story was highlighted for lack of decent accommodation and a team bus.

Every county should have a football talent academy to tap into the football talents for the young aspiring footballers. This will stop losing generation after generation of male and female players to drugs and alcoholism. The academies would make it easy and better for squad selection among the youth sides and within five years Kenya would see dramatic improvement. Proof of this is with Zambia, where legendary youth trainer Horst Wein camped in the country a few years back and in 2012 their project came to realization. Kenya can also borrow a leaf from Brazil and USA which have sent a team to every category world cup in the last decade.

Federation chairman Sam Nyamweya has in the past interfered with elections and management of the FKF. He has also hired non-delivering foreign managers instead of training local coaches. Currently there is only one coach with a UEFA ‘B’ license. The latest foreign coach, Bob Williamson led Harambee stars to a 1-0 victory over the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in the recent first-leg match of the 2018 World Cup Qualifier at the Nyayo National Stadium recently. What followed however was a row between the Football Kenya Federation and the players over unpaid training allowances amounting to millions of shillings, as well as air ticket refunds stretching back to July. This had a potential impact since the players planned to boycott travelling to Cape Verde for a return match.

Another huge setback that has hampered the country football is lack of infrastructure. The existing ones do not have good pitches, good stands for spectators, and decent changing rooms. The only big stadia are concentrated in Nairobi with none in Mombasa and Kisumu; the second and third major cities in the country respectively. (Football in Kenya, 2015)

Politics have been on the center stage. A few years back, the sports ministry forced the cancelling of naming rights to the Nyayo stadium by the Coca-Cola Company who wanted to upgrade the stadium to international standards. Instead, a lesser lucrative deal was signed off which was not of much benefit to the nation and the football fraternity.

Popular football clubs in the country are losing substantial revenue to crooks who sell counterfeit merchandise. According to George Bwana, the club’s secretary general, numerous outlets in the city sell the club-branded items without the club receiving a cent. The club has however been able to patent their logo and by law anyone using it without their consent will be violating a right.

Date Posted: November 19, 2015

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Corporate Lady Profile: Winnie Odande

Today we feature Winnie Odande, a freelance fashion stylist, personal shopper, and a fashion and lifestyle blogger. I remember Winnie from high school, and recently, it was a pleasant surprise to bump into her at the Kenya Art Fair.

Here is my interview with her:

Did you study a course in fashion? If so, where?

Interestingly, I have no academic fashion background whatsoever.

How long have you been a stylist?

Since I fully went in, it’s now one and a half years thereabouts.

Your bio says you are a personal shopper. Would you take us through what that entails?

In brief, a personal shopper is someone who offers shopping services to people whilst giving them shopping advice/suggestions at a fee. In my case, it’s as far as clothing items and accessories are concerned.

Why did you start the blog?

I used to sell clothing stuff online and I discovered some people don’t see the beauty of an outfit or may not know how to put it together unless shown so I opted to start a blog to do the same. At the same time, the blog was an avenue to promote modesty by showing women that they can actually look good by not showing unnecessary skin. It’s more like a call for women to put a higher worth on themselves.

What does your typical day look like?

Wow, my typical day involves a lot of online activity as I tend to get most of my clients there and also being a blogger the internet is basically my office. Also it’s a channel for me to research, get ideas and inspiration et al. I also read a lot and do some writing too. So if I’m not at my blog shoot, styling job or attending an event, I’m always indoors multi-tasking on the afore-mentioned stuff.

Did you always want to venture in fashion? What was your motivation?

I never thought I would end up doing fashion as a career. I was the go to school, get a good job kind of chic. Fashion just found me along the way through God’s providential ways and I’m glad it did, because it is my happy place.

Guys would always commend my looks when I went to work and they would ask me to get them similar stuff. Through that I realized it’s something I actually loved and it came naturally.

Your tagline is ‘Modesty Exemplified’, what’s your opinion on women being portrayed as sex symbols in the fashion industry and media in general?

I harbor quite strong feelings about women being treated as sex symbols. As a woman, I know firsthand how that feels and I always say it’s up to us to change the narrative. For as long as we allow the media and people in general to objectify us, it will continue being an issue.

I believe there’s more to a woman than her body. We all have a part to play to let people hear that loud and clear. Let’s force the fashion industry and the media as a whole, to think of more creative ways to push their ideas and agendas, other than parading our naked bodies around. Less is more, doesn’t mean nudity.

What three projects do you consider your most successful so far?

The Pride Inn Hotel & Conferencing Ad shoot, where I did the styling and makeup for the guys. This is mainly because it was my virgin styling venture.
When I worked alongside Michael Nzioki, for last years’ Coca Cola World Cup Carnival Ad. That was quite something and it opened my eyes to a lot of things.
The third one would be working backstage at FAFA 2014 Fashion for Peace Gala. It is there that I discovered I actually enjoy being behind the scenes, making things happen as opposed to sitting down and watching. Plus, it equipped me with skills I carry on to date.

What’s your parting shot?

It’s never too late to start and when you do, don’t give up. Jump the hurdles.

Winnie blogs at fitndiscover.com

You can also connect with her on @fitndiscover

Date Posted: November 17, 2015

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World Diabetes Day 2015 marked in Kenya

Photo Credit: Elsa Oguya

Did you know that November is the Diabetes awareness month? this year’s World Diabetes Day was marked by a family fun day event at Karura Forest on the 14^th of November.

Attendants at the fun day got free screening from Dr. Acharya head of Diabetes Kenya and Arv Kalsi Director of Aratus Health. More than 80 people who attended the fun day, got free screening and blood sugar levels checked. They received free screening for their Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar alongside consultancy with Doctors specializing in Endocrinology.

“This is just the beginning of the war on Non Communicable Disease. We still have a couple of days set aside for Kenyans to come in and get their screening done.” Dr. Acharya said

During this year’s WDD, fun activities such as Bouncing Castle, Face Painting, Zumba, nature walks and Music by DJ. Manku kept participates on their feet despite their age.

Diabetes Mellitus is the 4th main leading cause of death globally (Source: WHO, 2013). There are 4 Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes which results from the pancreas’ inability to produce insulin, a blood sugar regulating hormone.
Type 2 diabetes resulting from the pancreas producing some insulin, but due to fatty deposits not all of it is absorbed into the body.
Gestational diabetes which occurs in pregnant women and disappears after the Baby is born.
Other causes such as Hormones, Latent Autoimmune, Steroid induced etc.

Type II Diabetes is preventable by a healthy lifestyle. We join Diabetes Kenya in encouraging everyone to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Get Diabetes Screening, Know your sugar status, act now!

Date Posted: November 17, 2015

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Uterus transplants research to make motherhood dream a possibility

The joy of holding your baby. Image borrowed.

Every mother would tell you that holding a baby in their arms after the pain of childbirth was such a magical moment. What of those women who cannot carry pregnancies due to lack of a uterus?

A US based clinic, Cleveland Clinic has begun screening candidates for a pioneering clinical trial of uterus transplantation in women of reproductive age with uterine factor infertility (UFI). Women with UFI cannot carry a pregnancy because they were either born without a uterus, they had it surgically removed or their uterus no longer functions due to injury.

Hysterectomy is a major operation to remove a woman’s uterus. It is carried out to treat various problems associated with periods, pelvic pain, tumors and other related conditions. This is a major cause of women not having their uterus. Thanks to technology, these women might have some hope of the magical moments associated with childbirth.

A multidisciplinary team of gynecologists, researchers and transplant surgeons are actively pursuing a uterus transplant as a potential method for women with UFI to be able to carry a child in a transplanted womb.

According to the NY Times, uterine transplantation is a new frontier, one that pairs specialists from two fields known for innovation and for pushing limits, medically and ethically -reproductive medicine and transplant surgery. If the procedure works, many women could benefit from it.

The recipients who are expected to be healthy women, will face the risks of surgery and anti-rejection drugs for a transplant that they do not need to save their lives. Their pregnancies will be considered high-risk, with fetuses exposed to anti-rejection drugs and developing inside a womb taken from a dead woman.

Sweden is the only country where uterine transplants have been completed successfully — all at the University of Gothenburg with a uterus from a live donor. Nine women have had them, and four have given birth, the first in September 2014. Another is due in January. Their babies were born healthy, though premature. Two transplants failed and had to be removed, one because of a blood clot and the other because of infection.

Then doctors will implant one embryo at a time in the uterus, until the recipient becomes pregnant. The baby will be delivered by cesarean section before the due date, to protect the transplanted uterus from the strain of labor. After giving birth, the mother can either keep the uterus so she can try to have one more baby (two is the limit, for safety reasons), or have it removed so she can stop taking the anti-rejection drugs.

Though this is a clinical trial, it sheds some hope to women desiring to carry their own babies. It would be interesting to follow the outcome of the research.

Photo credits.

Date Posted: November 16, 2015

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#GrowGreatKids with New Blue Band

Unilever Kenya Category Manager, Spreads- Elizabeth Chweya with blogger Afromum together with Unilever Head of Foods Lillian Mackenzie.

A balanced diet is vital for the proper growth of your young ones. Most of the foods we consume, lack essential nutrients in correct proportions. Unilever East Africa, has unveiled the new Blue Band spread with Omega 3 and Omega 6 to improve nutrition in Kenya. According to the Ministry of Health, nutrition related illnesses affects more than 25 per cent of children below the age of five years in Kenya.

Even if you eat a healthy, predominantly plant-based diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, chances are good, the food comes from soils that have insufficient mineral content. When foods are grown over and over again in the same soils, the mineral content of that soil becomes depleted over time. Which is why having supplementary additives like the new Blue Band to diet is helpful.

On top of the seven Vitamins currently included in Blue Band, Unilever has increased the Goodness of Blue Band by including a healthier type of fat, extracted from Rape Seed. The healthy fat components sourced from Kenyan Rape seed includes Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats. These are of particular benefit to children by contributing to healthy growth and development of the body.

Speaking during the launch, Unilever CEO for East Africa, Marc Engel highlighted the company’s commitment to boosting nutrition by helping more than 1 billion people worldwide take action to improve their health and well-being by the year 2020.

“Blue Band, which has been loved for its great taste since the 1950’s, is now the only spread in East Africa with Omega 3 and 6. These fats are important for the growth and development of children. With these essential nutrients, also known as good fats, Blue Band will now ensure a healthy, nutritious and tasty breakfast when used with bread or uji,” Added Engel. “We are keeping our commitment to the Kenyan people by continuing to deliver better products, for healthier diets and helping grow more great kids”, he said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on dietary intake of fats, stipulate that children above 2 years should have a diet of 25-35% daily kilocalories from good fats.

Dorothy Murugu, Unilever Nutrition Manager for East Africa said, “In a balanced diet, a child should get up to 10% of daily energy from essential fats, these are Omega 3 & 6.” ” This is why Blue band has added the essential fats in its new innovation to ensure that children and families consistently enjoy nutrient rich meals”, she said.

“Food and health experts call Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids “essential fats”. The human body needs them for many functions, from building healthy cells to maintaining brain and nerve function”, Ms. Murugu remarked. Since the body cannot produce the essential fats, we must get them from foods we eat. “By adding Omega 3 and 6 to Blue Band we have ensured that everyone, especially children, are getting the essential nutrients they need for healthy growth and development” echoed Ms. Murugu.

Other common sources of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids include meats, fish, eggs, cheese and other milk products. It is a good thing that the New Blue band has joined the list.

Date Posted: November 13, 2015

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“Stand Up Campaign”, Share your inspiring stories.

Always Brand Ambassdor Kenya Basketball captain Silalei Owour and Kenya’s first marine pilot Elizabeth Marami

Always, the world’s leading feminine care brand, launched the “Stand Up” initiative in Kenya, on November 11. The initiative seeks to encourage the Kenyan girl child to stand up for her dreams and aspirations.

Kenya’s first marine pilot, Elizabeth Marami together with Kenya women’s basketball captain Silalei Owour, are the brand ambassadors for this campaign. They will work together with the Always brand to share their stories of how they stood up to make their dreams come true. Their stories are meant to encourage Kenyan girls to share their #AlwaysStandUpKe moments.

Ms. Marami, Kenya’s first female, and youngest marine pilot noted that she is excited to tackle the issue of confidence among girls, something she also experienced growing up. “I am so excited to work with Always to tackle the issue of confidence among girls. I would like to show my fellow Kenyan girls that they too can stand up and become what they have always dreamt of”, she said. “I am proud that my mother stood up for me and that is why I ended up pursuing my dreams and excelling, even though there are only a few women in my profession,” added Ms. Marami.

Always Brand Manager, Mr. Evanson Mwaniki said the initiative hopes to empower girls to pursue their aspirations regardless of obstacles they may face.

“Nine out of 10 of Kenyan girls feel pressured to hide their beliefs, be less feminine and take fewer risks. It is our belief that this initiative will help us refocus our efforts on ensuring girls stands up for what they want to be and set highly rewarding goals,” Mr. Mwaniki said.

“No girl should feel she can’t stand up and do something because of her gender”, Ms Silale, Kenya Basketball captain said. “Whether it’s playing basketball or being good at people skills, girls should have the confidence and self-belief to do anything and everything they want”, she said echoing the sentiments of the campaign. “I understand why girls wouldn’t feel comfortable doing a particular activity that society ascribes as typically ‘male’. And this is why I am very proud and believe it is time for me to #Always StandUpKe for them”, She added.

In 2014 Always started the global #LikeAGirl campaign, highlighting how the phrase to do something “Like A girl” had become a negative one. Earlier this year the next phase of the campaign began globally with creation of the Always Global Confidence Teaching Curriculum.

The new confidence teaching curriculum, incorporating the latest research on confidence-building, is being co-developed by Always and education-thought leaders and experts. It builds on Always’ 30 year heritage in puberty education and will reach up to 20 million girls in 65 counties per year. Additionally, TED, the non-profit devoted to spreading ideas, has committed to support Always in teaching confidence to young girls.

We all have those moments which we had to stand up to achieve our dreams. You can also share your story and be part of #AlwaysStandUpKe diary. Just share what you stood up for, and how you have taken steps to achieve it. Post these stories on the Always Girls Facebook page. You can also follow inspiring stories on this page.

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