By K. Seroney in the Midlands. A former British diplomat was yesterday an honorary guest at the joint Kassfm International radio-WorldRemit recognition of the contributors to the radio programmes in 2011. Martina Moh, International marketing manager of worldRemit was also present.

Read more: Former British Diplomat Honours Kenyan Media Participants

A former nominated MP Ezekiel Barngetuny’s call for the Kalenjin to turn back to KANU is interesting. Some pundits have speculated that Mr Moi is behind his close friend’s call. So the clock seems to turn back to 2002, when then-President Moi nominated Uhuru as his successor, paving the way for the formation of the coalition of the powerfully disappointed National alliance rainbow, Narc or I call it, Not actually real candidates, to secure Kibaki's victory. But Uhuru will have to be careful not to become a victim of the in-fighting within the Kalenjin peoples: if he seems to lean towards Moi, Ruto may oppose; and if he cultivates Ruto, Moi may undermine. That is for another time.

As for the revival of KANU as such, it is an intriguing line of speculation. I suppose it is still the best-known political brand in Kenya, even though it seemed in the past nine years to have sunk from view. The party's misfortune is that the brand is well-known but not always for the best reasons: it was the instrument of one-man and one-party rule for most of the post-independence period, and associated with lots of abuses which disfigure Kenya's multi-party politics, too. It should also be remembered that Moi made KANU his instrument for neutralising the Kikuyu and keeping them mostly away from power. Uhuru would have to win them back. On the other hand, it was a national party. I suppose its old nationwide network of offices etc could be revived, if resources could be found. Presumably, Uhuru's meeting in Naivasha will have revealed how many of the old KANU officials are around. The question is whether the party can be rejuvenated: apart from Uhuru, the officials must by now be renewed. Some names are bad tags for the party.It also showed that the Uhuru side will call the shorts.

Anyway, I think Uhuru's presumptive control of KANU is strength - possibly his greatest strength: it unites the most famous political brand with one of the most famous names in Kenya's political history. Is Uhuru's back strong enough to bear the burden of leadership and beat the opposition? Would he be good enough to be president of a different Kenya - bigger population, deep problems including ethnic policies, and a totally different constitution - from the one his father and Moi led?

By: K Seroney in the Midlands

A UK run Kenyan pub in the midlands is readying for the festive period. The owner Mrs Milka Hust a Kenyan born, said ‘am now relieved that refurbishing and decoration work are now over and I am looking forward to serving a thousand customers’. Milka an experienced bar attendant also runs two other pubs in Nottingham and Lincolshire. The Rocket pub one of the inner city Coventry city pubs was previously a football boozer dominated by white customers is now more of a general pub appeal to all races and now serves African cuisine.  Chapati, Mukimo, Irio , choma and Giheri are served all day in a separate section of the pub. ‘We now have buffet service on Sundays for families and it is encouraging to see how the numbers are going up, Milka said.

The pub with a capacity of up to 500 people has a function room upstairs a pool table and three large television screens perched on the wall. It has a parking area next to Coventry train station. A DJ comes in every weekend to play African music till late. The pub sells a variety of beers, wines and spirits and whiskies. A bottle of Kenya Tusker beer costs £3.

Kenyans demography has changed recently due a stubborn deep recession affecting the UK. People have moved out of London to the west midlands and there could be up to 3000 Kenyans in Coventry.

Kenyans in the UK will for the first time, vote in 2012. The new constitutional provision means that common centres as pubs and business premises are going to be important areas of meetings for the deliberations of Kenya’s political issues. In the recent past it has been reported that there are up to 3.4 million votes in the diaspora and it is expected that there will be an intense competition amongst the presidential candidates to travel abroad to win the votes. Milka could not confirm definite dates when she expect some presidential candidates to visit her pub, but confirmed that she is already in touch with some of them who were keen to visit the pub next year. A month ago Kalonzo Musyoka Kenya’s vice president met Kenyans resident of East London. It is unclear whether he will organise to visit Kenyans in residing in other cities of the UK what his diaspora strategy will be. Uhuru Kenyatta is a household name in the UK and there is a general expectation his visit is sure to attract huge gatherings just like Raila Odinga. William Ruto did a maiden visit to London in early 2007 which was a great success. Hon. Martha Karua’s strength to penetrate the diaspora is not to be underrated. In her last visit to Luton she addressed about 200. Peter Kenneth has strong networks in the UK.

The pub has been visited by Nakuru MP and nominated MP who is minister for East African community. Coventry and Warwick universities are two institutions popular with Kenyan students and past alumni in influential positions. Milka works as a court magistrate and is also a trained Librarian.

Hundreds of Kenyans are expected to attend the UK Kenyans achievers awards annual ceremony on Friday 18^th at the Holiday Inn Hotel Broomsberry, London.

Last week there was a scramble for the tickets after confirmation of attendance by the Nairobi two big entertainers, Churchill and Gait and it’s not known how organizers were dealing with the last minute demands. The organizers of the event led by Kenneth Mathiu and Pauline Long said that the key attraction for the large numbers of Kenyans were the new blend they had introduced. ‘We have blended  diplomacy, politics and entertainment for the event by having the best for the prestigious event, said Mr.Mathiu, a hotelier by profession based in London. It will be the first time the big two top entertainers in Kenya would come under the same roof and share the floor of Holiday, he added with excitement.

The UK Kenyan annual awards ceremony awards Kenyans who have had tremendous positive influence in the diaspora community and in Kenya. Hon. Richard Onyonka, assistant minister for foreign affairs will be the chief guest and Kenya’s twelve high commissioners to St.James court H.E Waweru Ngare will play host. Last year Hon. Najib Balala of Tourism was the chief guest and it was a coincidence that the Expo event was at the same time. Thistle hotel was the venue. Mr. Onyonka a member of parliament from Kitutu Chache represents the new generation of Kenyan politician who are embracing the role of diaspora in the country’s development. In a recent diaspora investment conference in Washington DC, the young Onyonka’s presentation caught the attention of the diaspora. He himself went to school in the US and sees himself as a diaporan. Diaspora constituency is now a sure target of the Kenyan big wigs. It has 3.4 million votes, influence, money and better network, the presidential contenders for 2012 will surely burn their heels in pursuit of the undertapped resource. Events like achievers awards are envy of the rich political class. Over the weekend Kenya’s vice president Kalonzo Musyoka told a small gathering of Kenyan in London to lobby for their members of parliament for representation in parliament as recognition of their contribution towards the country’s economy. It is very unclear how this could be achieved in the short term. As of now the diaspora remittances stands at $475million. In the month of October it was 8.8 billion shillings, more than more allocated for the ministries. Whether Kalonzo and his team of five members of parliament gained any mileage in diaspora is yet to be seen. It is indisputable that Hon.Raila Odinga, Kenya prime minister is house hold name in the diaspora. Martha Karua another presidential contender has a positive view from diaspora.

The Nairobi entertainers Jimmy Gait and Churchill popularly know as the big two will take to the floor for the night. It is generally believed that there are over 60,000 Kenyans residents in London. The New Kenyan constitution provides for dual citizenship an initiative welcomed by the Kenyan diaspora, who will also be allowed to cast their votes for the first time in the 2012 general election. It remains to be seen whether the new diaspora constituency will have significant economic and political impact in Kenya. Mr. Mathiu was very pleased last night that Holiday Inn Hotel was fully booked.

Plans are underway to  stream live the  parts of the  event to reach wider audience. Kenya Tourims Board representative in  UK, Mr John is the latest to get involved in the  popular event.