Dreadlocks: The latest trend in Town

Its official,dreadlocks are here to stay this time. Surprisingly the culture of dreadlocks has of late been adopted aggressively in major urban towns in Kenya.

In Thika to be specific, salons are mushrooming in major buildings offering dreadlocks treatment(for lack of a better word). Thika has Kings of dreadlocks who major with locking of dreads(mmhh). Victory Plaza has more than three salons offering these services which means that Thika has a nice market as far as this new style is concerned. Coincidentally many of these salons have other branches around town. Victory Plaza has Davies Salon and Jawknee Dreadlocks with many other mushrooming around town.

 

All these salons are experts by all standards and are the main trail blazers in the Town. Matter of fact, out of five dreadlocked heads you spot in Thika, 4 are courtesy of these salons. This brings me to the part where am supposed to examine the revolution of dreadlocks up to their current place in the contemporary fashion .

Research reveals that dreadlocks could after all trace their roots to Africa and to be specific Kenya and Tanzania..WHHATT//..Many of us may tend to think that dreadlocks originated from Jamaica or Ethiopia but Rastafarians just started having them from the 1950s. However they had been donned by the Ashanti, Red Indians, Ancient Egyptians and pre-Columbian Aztecs.

All these groups started having dreadlocks centuries after the Maasai of Kenya who have had them since their existence. Matter of fact to the Maasai, dreadlocks are a way of life. They are smeared with red ochre and its a great sight when you meet these tall brave Morans with red heads. Before being adopted into the modern fashion, dreadlocks have maintained a spiritual meaning and the best example would the Rastafarians.

  

For Jamaicans, the Columbian Aztecs, the Baye Falle Muslims, the Hindu Sheiva followers dreadlocks are associated with religion.
So when did dreadlocks hit the mainstream?? The last 5 years has seen a surge in the number of dreadlock wearers. Long are the days when a deadlocked guy would attract puzzled looks and grins in offices and streets. Nowadays they have been embraced by all age groups

Personally I find dreadlocks captivating especially the long ones donned by ladies..However I dislike the unclean dangling and unkempt locks. Which brings the question, whats the secret to those black, dyed, clean locks that keep everyone gazing down the streets?. I thinks its time we invited an expert to shed more light..keep it here as one of these fine days Thika Live will get an audience with one.
Dreads,nutty,locks..whatever you call them are here to stay. The stigma that has lived with dreadlocked people since they are not considered formal is rapidly whizzing away. Long gone are the days when dreadlocks were the preserve of the civil society, radical groups and societal rebels. Nowadays, you might visit a bank and get served by a dreadlocked teller. Imagine your Sunday sermon being delivered by a dreadlocked reverend?
pictures courtesy of Google

Ladies Only: Manuz Boutique Thika..the one stop shop for your favourite merchandise

Fashion is about good energy. It's about feelings. That's what I have to give the people, good energy and good feelings..

Adriana Lima

Those are the words of the acclaimed Brazilian model Adriana Lima who is ranked at number 5 among the top 20 richest models. To be ranked at any position by Forbes is no joke.

Today we will have a look at ladies fashion. This journey takes us to the door step of a Thika entrepreneur I have known for close to a decade. Talking to him gives me an insight on the journey he has taken to his current place as a one stop shop for all ladies wear. Well he is commonly known as Manu or Emmanuel Kibe. Manu deals with all round fashion for ladies ranging from stylish bags, tops, dresses, coats, heels, sandals,stilettos,  boots and the list is endless.

When talking of clothing and fashion its much more better to have a look at some of his merchandise. I will exactly do that and you can have a peek.

 

The fashion industry is very dynamic which requires a lot of information on the latest trends in the market. 

This is quite true especially in major urban areas. Manu has been in the ladies fashion business for the last five years and this exposure and experience is key in his stocking. 

Coincidentally he has to restock his shop nearly weekly due to the fast movement of his stock. To become a household name in Thika and to enjoy a fast flowing and loyal clientele is no easy feat and this reflects the popularity of Manu merchandise 

  

Thika Town is emerging as a new semi economy with the different sectors blooming to the ceiling. This has attracted a new wave of a working population which is fashion conscious. Manu satisfies this need and a visit to his shop will me bear witness. Manu personally serves his expansive clientele with a warm personal touch. Manu is a pioneer in Thika owing to his time in the fashion and clothing market in Thika. For convenience on the part of the customers Manu shop is centrally located in Thika Town along the ever busy Nkrumah  street.  

To sample and acquire these great outfits visit Manuz Boutique. The shop is situated in the MGT Building below Thornton's Pub opposite just a few steps from the Thika, Safaricom Customer Care shop. Enough said, the stocks are full and moving and its time all ladies grabbed  these and more outfits.

Entertainment Klubs in Thika: Porkiez,Image,Brown Bottle, Zinc,Leos..just to list a few

A month ago I was talking to a friend who happens to be a klub owner in Westlands about the challenges of the industry and the latest trends in Kenya. Five minutes into the conversation the subject of Thika Town had cropped up. As the conversation proceeded  we had talked about the emergence of Thika as the new business frontier in Kenya. Entertainment is a vital part of every economy. Surprisingly my friend knew all the entertainment spots in Thika. A random check around Thika during the day gives the impression that Thika is quite an silent and sleeping giant.

All these suddenly change at 6.30 pm. You will see groups of people heading to joints for coffee and light beer. Some would expect this to end at 9.00pm but my friend you are in for a big shock. That's when the beehive of activities begins. From any area around Town you will be treated to reverberating music coming from different corners which were rather quite during the day. The Tuskys Chania area that is rather peaceful during the day suddenly changes with dozens of Toyota cars competing for parking space. Friends welcome to Thika Nightlife.

Different clubs of repute exists with variations in terms of clientele. Frankly speaking the competition is high to extents that different clubs have different events daily with the main aim being to consolidate their fan base.
Klub Porkiez which is one the pioneers of this entertainment craze leads the way with a massive crowd and following as evident in its Facebook page that has more than 13,000 members. Matter of fact the Porkiez following in Thika can translate into a movement as seen in its last Friday's Porkiez Divas competition
     
The urban following in Porkiez has been cultivated over the years and the club remains the top dog to beat in terms of klub entertainment in the Kiambu County.

Although Zinc has a following especially among college students in Thika, it has relatively gone silent over the past few months. When it stepped into the domain it caused shrivels in Thika but it is yet to replicate its initial form. Coincidentally the pub remains full during the weekends. The story is the same with Thorntons which has remained a household name for the last five years with its own crowd that still frequent there even with new klubs emerging . Klub Leos located near Cascades hotel is one place that is always full from monday to sunday.

Its strategic location near the busiest town in Thika does it more good than harm in terms of attracting revellers.

Although college students and the urban population in the 18-26 age bracket remain the majority party goers in Thika, there exist an adult population mainly made of the working class. This age spreads to the 50s who to be sincere, are quite active at night. This clientele is the majority customer base for the Brown Bottle, Cocobase and Everton clubs along the Thika Garissa Highway. Brown Bottle opposite the National Bank and few blocks from the Tuskys Chania is the most popular of the three and is a darling to the working and mature class that is less concerned with the modern day hyphe. Last time I was there they had a great service and  music flow, though am also quite laid back.

The entertainment industry in Thika has however being transformed with the entry of Klub Image Thika. Well, honestly this is the big deal for the last 2 months after its official launch and only time can tell if it can maintain the attraction. Although many of the Klubs are situated in rented premises with one or two floors, Klub Image is out of this world. When i first visited the place I couldn't help but marvel at the three floors of entertained tailor made for different clients but all in the same premises.

 

They have a VIP lounge, a dining area, a discotheque and DJ mixes spread out in floors. Its romoured the posh Klub and Mathai supermarket are owned by the same person. If architectural design, class, space and appeal are to be considered then Klub Image is the leader in Thika. However design and class just attracts but to transform that into popularity and sales is what entertainment is all about. Well only time will tell.
There are exists other nice joints but to be frank the one highlighted above are the main leaders. If you would hope to meet with your 50 to 60 year old drunkard uncle then there the adult joints for the 50 to 70s. Rwambogo, Fulilia, Sky Motel, Brilliant and Sunset Bar are well tucked in Thika Town serving the senior citizens.

That is our entertainment industry which is just an image of the economic growth in Thika. Realistically, entertainment  is slowly becoming a crucial part of the economy in Thika.

World class tatoos from Bujusanii: You don't get such stuff anywhere else.

 

There you got it..More works from Bujusanii, the pioneer tattoo artist in Thika. For more of these visit us at Njoka & Njoka Building (Thika Chemist) opposite Family Bank.
We specialize in small scale to large scale,grey scale to colour.
Lets just end the day with an inspirational quotes on hand art from Keith Haring.
My contribution to the world is my ability to draw. I will draw as much as I can for as many people as I can for as long as I can. Drawing is still basically the same as it has been since prehistoric times. It brings together man and the world. It lives through magic.

The case of G-iinue Youth Enterprise Sacco

Shared from giinueyouthenterprisesacco.blogspot.com

Introducing you to G-IINUE Youth Enterprise Sacco.

A simple group was constructed decades ago by simple farmers in a certain place called Kangema in Muranga. At that time, there were no liberalized financial institutions and the few that existed were found in major towns. It happened that after every harvest time, farmers would get paid handsomely by the local tea and coffee factories. Woe unto them, the only bank they were would keep their money was kilometers away. Its told that many of them "stored" their hard earned currencies in their houses.

In every case of scarcity, there is a tendency of entrepreneurs rising and this is what happened in Kangema. A group of farmers came together to form a Group where members would open accounts and deposit their money and the Group would later deposit the collection in the nearest bank in Muranga Town. Years later the group decided to give loans to their members which they would invest into their farms through farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers among other agricultural inputs. Of course they would pay back at a certain interest which would be ploughed back to the group. With years the group registered as a Society in Muranga. It then expanded to nearby Towns with the recognizable name of Muigananie meaning one that makes all equal. In 1984 it was called Equity Building Society and with time transformed itself into a Micro finance.

  

Thats what Muiganania literary did through loans to farmers to boost their Agricultural production which is the backbone of Central province. This it did though cheap loans with less or no restrictions in terms of collateral. Whereas many commercial Banks were turning farmers down when it came to loans, Equity was taking them under its wing with cheap repayable loan, friendly service and personnel support. Within years the Sacco had to grow, and this it did with a bang that caused shivers to the existing banks. Equity Bank came into being and with it came a realization of many peoples economic dreams that can take years to narrate.

Today, we have the Equity Bank Group the most popular and recognizable Bank in Kenya. Matter of fact Equity Bank trophy cabinet is full of awards won over the year, both in the domestic and international banking sectors. In terms of customer base, Equity Bank leads the team with more than 50% n banking Kenyans having accounts with the bank. I can say with accuracy that every town in Kenya can boost of an Equity Bank Branch. To consolidate its hold in the Kenyan banking sector, Equity Bank has initiated the Equity Agents program. Most of the Banks that existed when Equity was starting as a small Sacco are in turn adopting products that have already been tested by Equity.. Equity is simply a trailblazer in Kenya. This name shows how dreams, collective sharing ,saving and entrepreneurship can translate dreams into financial success.

The journey that Equity took to become the giant it is today is not an every day event. This is a journey taken by risk takers who believe in empowerment and coming together. That story is being replicated in Nairobi and Thika and will form the backbone of what you will periodically read here. This is a journey of Youth empowerment through efforts undertaken by young people who believe that their fate lies squarely on their able hands. People who believe in consolidating their potential through a Sacco that will provide products to push them to the next step in the ladder of financial independence. Thats what I will be sharing with you day after day, the good work of G-iinue Youth Enterprise Sacco.
images coutsey of Google

Origin of October and some Famous People born in the month of October

Its a new month...We are just 3 months from 2013 and it amazes me how days are flying. The month of September came to an end yesterday night and today marks the fist day of October. But where did the name October come from. Most months are derived or borrowed from the Gregorian calendar where October is month number ten and number eight in the old Roman calendar. The name Octo doesn't mean octopus or Octopizzo as some of us may widely guess..It just means the eighth month in the Roman calendar. When January and February were added to the calendar, October maintained its name but was pushed to position ten. In all common years, October starts on the same day of the week as January and ends on the same day of the week as January..Huh//. October is also one of the seven months with 31 days

 

Many Holidays are celebrated in October. In Kenya we have Mashujaa Day when we celebrate our independence heroes. Its also the month housing Independence and National days for different countries including Nigeria,Cyprus, China, Spain,Croatia,Turkmenistan among others.
October is the Dwarfism awareness month, Breast cancer awareness month, and the National pork month in America. The Zodiac signs that represent October are Libra and Scorpio.

If you were born on October, well you share a birthday with great men and women. Among current and past presidents and prime ministers born in October include John Adams, Mobutu Seseseko, Pierre Trudeau, Joaquim Chissano, Lula Da Silva, James Carter, Theodore Roosevelt, Vlamir Putin, Margaret Thatcher the Iron Lady, Benjamin Netanyahu and David Cameron.
Famous musicians born in October include Reggae Legend Peter Tosh the Bush Doctor, John Lennon of Beatles Eminem, P Diddy, Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion, Toni Braxton, Wyclife Jean, Ozzy Ozborne, Bruno Mars and Bill Wyman. October has dozens of actors and actresses including Julia Roberts, Anthony Hopkin, Hugh Jackman aka Wolverine, Kate Winslet of Titanic Fame,Kelly preston and Matt Damon of Bourne Supremacy.

 

Other great personalities include Black Activist Rev Jesse Jackson, Desmond Tutu, Mahatma Gadhi, Captain James Cook,Kim Kardashian, Alfred Nobel founder of the Nobel Peace Prize and of-course Bill Gates.
Well as we enter the International Pork Month..Lets do it on a blessed note.

Chacha the Veejay: The Deejay with the Golden Finger

Entertainment has really come a long way. Long are the days when the only source of entertainment was KBC radio. We would eagerly wait for radio programs and then huddle around the radio as the presenter  recounted stories.  The radio were powered by Eveready batteries or more cheaper ones like Tiger which would get swollen after few days. Most of us remember placing the batteries on roof tops and collecting them in the evening..They would play for a few hours then we would literary squeeze or beat them to extract all the power inside. Seems like yesterday.

I then would hear of discos in  from my high school classmates who came from Nairobi..They recounted adventures in F2 which, although I was afraid of asking what the initials meant, a friend with whom we shared the lack of knowledge, overhead somewhere that it meant Florida 2000. "They" said that music was mixed by some DJs what I later learnt was a short form for Disc Jockey....Fast forward to 2002 when I managed to go for my first rave and had a one on one experience with a DJ..It was at Club Cascades in Blue Post and I was in Form Three during the school holidays..The manner in which the dread-locked Dj played with the plates (LPs) to produce synchronized music with occasional stops of chik chik sounds. Club Cascades was a haven to many teenagers and that's where I first met Wilson Mwago Wamaitha

Years flew and I later met Wilson..I was in this entertainment spot in Thika with a couple of my work mates. The DJ mixes were off the hook and within minutes everyone had trooped to the dance floor. Fact being, the tracks were on point and we later realized we had danced for hours when some guys started shoving one another. I made a point of asking around about the DJ and that's when I got a rude shock..It was the same Wilson Mwago from back in the day now having the title of Chacha the Veejay a.k.a the DJ with the golden finger. I  learnt from fellow Djs that he was the undisputed Reggae Dj in Thika with a Reggae Night at Klub Porkiez.
Fortunately I tracked him to answer some questions which form this month's interview segment of Sons of Thika who fly our town's flag high.
So Boss Wilson Mwago Wamaitha, where did you get the name Chacha the Veejay
My grandfather who am named after was also called Macharia, so folks from my estate shortened the name to Chacha.
So you never adopted this name when you got into the entertainment industry.
I have had the name since I was a kid, and never had reasons to drop. I felt it was also a good stage name.

Being a Deejay why not call yourself DJ Chacha
DJ is too common and technically there is a difference between the two. Guys just play some mixes using some basic soft wares from the comfort of their homes with no audiences and then call themselves Djs.
Just give me a brief on your journey to becoming Chacha the Veejay
Well, I started from Cascades as an MC. Cascade is the starting point for many artists in Thika the same way F1 and F2 was the starting point for many Nairobi musicians. Thats where I learnt the ropes. Matter of fact I never went to any deejay school for any training. I worked under the wings of DJ Pawe who has given me unlimited support and I owe a lot to him.

 

Later around 2007, I worked at the then famous Thornton as a DJ. I also worked at Tamasha in Hurlingham where I had the opportunity of sharing the decks with DJ Gich Boy. In 2009 I came to Thika where i joined Klub Porkiez. I have since remained at Porkiez although I occasionally travel as a visiting DJ.
Where have these journeys taken you.
I have entertained at Klub Capital in Uganda where the reception was massive. I entertained at the famous Camel Derby which is a big event in the tourism circles held in Maralal.
Wait a minute,you have now started talking of entertaining..
I prefer calling myself an entertainer. An entertainer literally entertains which basically is what you are hired to do. I desist from just giving flat mixes which may drive your clients to boredom in few minutes. Thats why i derive a lot of inspiration from DJ Kaytrixx. I entertain and that is why you will also find me doubling up as an MC. If you fail in that, then you will be remembered as the DJ who drove people out of the club. If you entertain,everyone is happy..the clients,the boss and Deejay unit.

I heard you were at Homeboyz a week ago
Yep. I was there on Sunday and felt great doing my thing on Radio. The experience with Mfalme Nelly was unforgettable and was glad my fans were listening to me. When it comes to Radio, its the ultimate thing entertaining the national audience. I also did a Friday Night show at the former Metro FM with Dj Stano.
Would it be right to say you are more of a Reggae DJ
Veejay Chacha is an all round DJ..The reason why many people associate Chacha with Reggae and Dancehall is because of my Sunday Reggae Nights at Klub Porkiez. Additionally Reggae and Dancehall are very popular in Kenya.

So, can I call you the Deejay with the Golden Finger
Yes you can..I never gave myself the title.
Where did the title come from
It came from my good friend Junior Delgado
Tell me something about Big Yard Entertainment
That is the name of my entertainment unit. As a deejay and an entertainer, unity is very paramount and that is our main failure as Djs. To survive in any position you need to have people you can rely on. I work with MC Junior Delgado and some other upcoming deejays we are grooming.

What are your dreams for Big Yard Entertainment
We are currently planning a Deejay Academy which will offer training to upcoming deejays in Thika and its environs.
How is it working at Porkiez
Porkiez is my home and I love working there. My fellow Djs make the best team and they make working as Dj to be utmost fun. Deejays Chizzy, Yard, Dj Drogba, Luvy Dee and DJ Jojez make a great team. Porkiez has been my home and I owe a lot to the MD Shakie Wainaina who I even worked for before I became a DJ.

 

So what determines a successful deejay
First it has to be the manner in which you relate with the audience through the music you play. Many people leave the comfort of their homes to get entertained and if you fail to deliver on that they will go elsewhere. A successful DJ is all about your outlook, both on the decks and as a person. Contrary to many beliefs being a DJ is all about discipline. Although you are entertaining you are still working..If you blend that with being conversant with what is happening in the industry then you are good.
So Deejaying pays
Yes, it pays and I never regret becoming a DJ. Challenges are there but Deejaying is satisfying especially when you are doing it with a passion.

I rarely hear of a daytime Deejay, how does working at night affect your personal life.
Its rarely a bother because am used to it. It doesn't affect my personal life as long as I get some good sleeping hours the next day. In most cases, you will have breaks after Deejaying sessions and you can as well take a nap.
Its believed that Deejays and entertainers are all players with dozens of girlfriends..
Thats a big misconception. You see, as a DJ you are in the limelight and you are prone to a lot of publicity. You will always receive a lot of attention but basically it narrows down to your personality.
Any special lady out there
Yes, she is very understanding of my work and as well supportive.
So, whats is the next big project
We are planning on a All Stars Djs session where all Djs working under Porkiez will come together for a non stop music mix..Plans are underway and it will be the off the hook.

 

As we finish, give me 3 words that describe Chacha the Veejay
Chacha the Veejay is simple, social and very passionate about his work.

There we have him, Wilson Mwago Wamaitha aka Chacha the Veejay.. He is among the resident Djs at Klub Porkiez and you will get a entertainment treat from him every Thursday during the Bubble Up Thursday, Hype Friday and every Sunday Night.

From Thika Live, its PEACE