After making a surprise visit to the country on Thursday morning, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg visited Lake Naivasha for wildlife viewing.

Zuckerberg splashed eye--catching photos of his tour to his 78 million Facebook followers, giving Kenya's recovering tourism industry a shot in the arm.

The 32--year--old Internet entrepreneur and philanthropist was with his wife Priscilla Chan.

Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan during their tour in Lake Naivasha on Thursday, September 1, 2016 /FACEBOOK

"For some good news, visiting Kenya means getting to see amazing natural beauty and wildlife. Here are some photos from around Lake Naivasha. Bonus: baby giraffes!" he posted on Facebook.

Within 14 hours, the photos had 253,000 likes and had been shared by 8,883 of his followers.

And his photos drew positive vibes from his followers with many planning to visit.

"I wish that I could take my kids to see the wildlife like this and not in a zoo in Denmark...beautiful pictures..." Heidi L Sorensen posted.

Terry Jordan, who has visited Kenya before, posted a warm message about the country.

"I will never forget my time in beautiful Kenya. Beautiful people beautiful country and the highlight for me was a safari on the Masai Mara. So awesome I recommend everyone do it at least once in this lifetime..." said Jordan.

Zuckerberg was lucky to catch the hippos within the lake during his tour of Lake Naivasha, September 1, 2016 /FACEBOOK

Another admirer of Kenya, Feisal Mohammed Abdullahi, posted: "If you are a mountaineer, then you will be glad to hear that Africa’s second highest peak lies in the middle of Kenya. Mt Kenya is not only beautiful, she is rugged, challenging, and stands tall above all others (except Kilimanjaro)."

Kenya Tourism Board CEO Jacinta Nzioka praised Zuckerberg's visit saying it is a great endorsement by the Facebook founder to have a feel of Kenya's magical experience.

She said it is a testimony that Kenya is the unparalleled safari destination.

"Kenya has indeed benefited from recent positive global visibility and we all need to be proud of this and work together in spreading the message. Something right in international relations and foreign policy is happening to ensure all these VIP visits and international conferences happen in Kenya."

She further stated that the board as well as the Ministry of Tourism will continue making Kenya a tourism destination brand and see increased consumer confidence and demand to visit the destination.

"KTB will host travel influencers, agents and media from over 35 countries in October 2016 during the Magical Kenya Travel Expo between October 12--14 to continue with this impetus." Jacinta said.

A photo of antelopes in Lake Naivasha taken during

Zuckerberg arrived to the country on Thursday and was spotted at Mama Oliech's eatery in Yaya, accompanied by ICT CS Joe Mucheru and PS Victor Kyalo.

"I had lunch in Nairobi with Joseph Mucheru, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Information and Communications. We talked about internet access and his ambitious plans for connecting everyone in Kenya."

The billionaire praised Ugali, a popular Kenyan food, " We ate at MAMA Oliech Restaurant.--a local place everyone recommended. One of my favorite parts of traveling to a new country is trying the food. I enjoyed ugali and a whole fried tilapia for the first time and loved them both!"

A photo of giraffes in Lake Naivasha park during a tour by Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, September 1, 2016 /FACEBOOK

He later pledged to start a place called iHub, where entrepreneurs can build and prototype their ideas. Two of the engineers I met -- Fausto and Mark -- designed a system to help people use mobile payments to buy small amounts of cooking gas, which is a lot safer and better for the environment than charcoal or kerosene. It's inspiring to see how engineers here are using mobile money to build businesses and help their community."

A view of Lake Naivasha park where Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan toured, September 1, 2016 /FACEBOOK

Zuckerberg's surprise visit to Kenya comes after the one in Nigeria where he staged a surprise visit to the country's economic capital Lagos on Tuesday.

He said: "This is my first trip to sub--Saharan Africa. I'll be meeting with developers and entrepreneurs, and learning about the startup ecosystem in Nigeria.The energy here is amazing and I'm excited to learn as much as I can."

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg arrived in Nairobi Kenya Thursday in a visit that caught many in Nairobi's tech and business communities by surprise.

On Tuesday, Facebook's communications team in South Africa sent emails informing journalists that Ime Archibong, Facebook's director of global product partnerships, would be in town for a brief visit. However, up until early evening on Wednesday, the details of the visit were scanty and images of Mark Zuckerberg in Lagos on his first ever African tour prompted mild self-deprecation comments among Kenya's Twitter community.

"Kenya is losing its place as an ICT hub and the Nigerians are taking over," tweeted one user. "Very sad for Kenya there was a time we were the first stop," tweeted another.

"This is a lesson that we need to get our house in order," stated yet another.

It was thus a pleasant surprise when images of Mark Zuckerberg eating fish at Mama Oliech's Restaurant in Nairobi's Hurlingham surfaced on social media on Thursday afternoon and immediately went viral.

Mr Zuckerberg arrived in the country at 11:25pm on Wednesday aboard his private jet. Three helicopters then ferried him and his party of 15 to Wilson Airport from where he headed for an undisclosed hotel to spend the rest of the night.

Zuckerberg is worth more than $54 billion (Sh5.4 trillion) and is listed by Forbes as the sixth richest and 19th most powerful man in the world.

NINE MINUTES

Only five journalists were present at the BRCK's iHub offices on Ngong Road for an interview that was supposed to be with Archibong but that was hijacked by his boss in a surprise question-and-answer session that took exactly nine minutes.

Dressed in a grey T-shirt and blue jeans that have become his trademark look, Zuckerberg was cordial and visibly exhausted but insisted on fielding questions even as his communication team politely pointed to the schedule.

"This is a busy 24 hours coming after another busy 24 hours and the developer and entrepreneur community is very vibrant, and you see this almost from the time you step out of the plane," he explained.

"The reason I specifically wanted to come to Nairobi is the fact that Kenya is a clear leader in mobile money," he said.

"For folks who spend a lot of time in the entrepreneurial space here, it may be hard to appreciate just how advanced the Kenyan system is over others and I think there are a lot of lessons we can learn," he said.

With cameras flashing all around him, Zuckerberg did not waste time stating his agenda for the Kenyan market.

very fascinating

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg eats a meal of whole Tilapia fish and Ugali in Kenya during a visit. PIC BY COURTESY/FACEBOOK

"It has been very fascinating to see how you can move money so efficiently in a way you can't in many other countries, including the US, and I have come to see how the system works, what is possible and how people are thinking about it," he stated.

Facebook has one billion users on its platform. It has in the last few years grown to include photo sharing site Instagram and messaging platform WhatsApp, acquired most recently for an eye watering $22 billion (Sh2.2 trillion).

The company has since divested into connectivity and mobile applications, and Zuckerberg states that mobile payments could soon be the next thing.

"The big question is, do people using WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger want to talk with businesses and interact with them? I think they do and I hope we can play a role in spreading mobile money around the world," he explained.

"One of the things that is unique in Kenya is that mobile operators are the ones pushing mobile money while in other places, it is the banks," he said. "We could take a partnership approach like the model we have with connectivity and partner with local operators, banks and governments."

Zuckerberg further stated that his company was keen on building Internet access in Africa and other under-served areas, which make up the company's next growth segment.

"I started when I was still in college and when you are just getting started you are happy if some people on the Internet use your app and you do not think about how to spread the Internet," he explained.

"We now feel that we have more than we can add and as we visit countries that have large portions of the population outside the Internet as is the case in sub-Saharan Africa, we ask ourselves how much better the rest of the world would be if we had the same system available here in Kenya accessible to everyone else in the world."

BOSTON--PoaPay, a Kenyan Diaspora owned foreign money transmittal company has been banned from conducting business in the State of Massachusetts in addition to a $200, 0000 penalty (KSH 20 million) to settle alleged violations of State and Federal laws in the course of remitting money for various customers, mostly to Kenya. (1 USD is approximately KES100 at exchange current rates).

According to an order issued by the Division of Banks in Massachusetts, the body that governs the conduct of financial business in the Bay State, PoaPay has also been banned from applying for a new foreign money license in Massachusetts for a period of at least 10 years.

The order was issued two months ago in July, 2016 after an inspection of the company in Massachusetts revealed possible violations.

"WHEREAS, the Report of Examination/Inspection (the "Report") issued pursuant to the Division's examination/inspection of PoaPay as of July 2, 2015 alleged PoaPay's failure to comply with applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and regulatory guidelines governing the Corporation's conduct as a foreign transmittal business maintaining foreign transmittal agency license number FT1071851;" read a section of the consent order available online at the Division's website.

Among the alleged violations by PoaPay previously posted online by the Division of Banking as "Findings of Fact" and circulated online by Kenyans in Boston--before the final agreement was reached-- included: "Failure to Demonstrate the Financial Responsibility, Character, Reputation, Integrity, and General Fitness to Maintain a Foreign Transmittal Agency License, Unlicensed Activity, Failure to Implement an Effective Anti-Money Laundering/Compliance Program, Failure to Implement Controls to Ensure Compliance with OFAC Requirements, Failure to Maintain a Dedicated Escrow Account with a Federally Insured Bank and Comingling of Funds, Failure to Acquire Adequate Bond Coverage, Failure to Maintain Books, Records and Accounts, Failure to Maintain Compliant Transactional Receipts and Failure to Disclose License Number."

However, rather than go through the entire process of hearings, PoaPay agreed to settle the allegations and refrain from conducting business in the Commonwealth.

"WHEREAS, in recognition of the Division and PoaPay having reached the following mutual agreement under this Consent Order to fully resolve the matters raised by the Order to Show Cause, the Commissioner has terminated the Order to Show Cause on thiss 13th day of July 2016."

It is not yet clear whether the ban affects transactions conducted online with Massachusetts residents.

Details remained scant as to what prompted the investigation into the conduct of the Birmingham Alabama based company owned by Kenya nationals.

Efforts to reach PoaPay agents in the area were fruitless as messages left have not yet been returned. READ FULL CONSENT ORDER HERE>>>

BOSTON__Recent reports of a Kenyan business man from Boston on the verge of losing half a billion Kenya Shillings after purchasing a 30 acre piece of land in a prime Nairobi location whose ownership is contested by Equity Bank CEO, Dr. James Mwangi as well as the United States International University- USIU, has made Kenyan Diaspora investors in the region to re-assess their investments engagements back in the motherland.

At the same time, many Kenyans in the Diaspora are growing skeptical of the nonexistent corporate responsibility of many Kenyan based commercial banks that have recently invaded the Diaspora in a maddening scramble by east African based banks hunting for lucrative foreign deposits from their Diaspora citizens, which they use to lend back at from 15% to as much as 21% interest rates.

Compared to the much cheaper borrowing in the US at current average of 4.15% on a 30 year fixed mortgage, and 6.70% on most personal loans, most Kenyans and Ugandans targeted by these banks are unaware of the lopsided raw deals, leaving concerned diaspora members calling for a re-thinking of how the Diaspora is engaging with motherland banks.

However, even while making billions of profits in local currencies, some of which is re-invested back to the lucrative US financial markets, the commercial banks have been giving absolutely nothing back to the community they claim to so much cherish--only showering them with praise for their "patriotic responsibility" of sending billion of dollars back to Africa in annual remittances.

Other Kenyans also remained deeply troubled by reports of widespread theft of public funds including those earmarked for much needed healthcare, leaving the Diaspora to continue sending big sums to help ailing relatives while mismanagement remains rampant wish no yet to be seen consequences.

The concerns come at a time when the Equity bank, a bank that made its real take off after receiving millions in cheap deposits it gained after approaching the Kenyan Diaspora back in 2008 with promises of easily available cheap loans, is making a return to Boston this Sunday, pitching new investment opportunities available in East Africa where is aiming to spread influence.

Led by Dr. Mwangi himself, Equity will be holding an investment conference in Framingham where it hopes to attract new foreign investment from the Diaspora.

However, many Kenyans who contacted Ajabu Africa News with concerns indicate that they are wary of the security of their investments in Kenya, if Dr. Mwangi himself, the CEO of the leading bank in Kenya can lose over KSH 300 million in the land deal he claimed to have purchased from the former Kenyan President, Daniel Arap Moi.

According to recent reports from the Daily Nation, Kenya's leading daily newspaper, the former president alleges that Dr. Mwangi was conned out of his investment by his own attorneys, as he (Moi), only recognizes Dr. George Kiongera ,a renowned and respected business and community members in Boston who owns the Maestro Connections Health Systems as the only person he sold the land to. (Recap story here:Moi says Equity CEO conned out of Sh300m in land row)

To complicate matters further, the United States International University also lays claim to the same land that it insists it purchased from the former president.

As the tantalizing dispute makes its way through the Kenyan courts with a new mention expected on Wednesday next week , many Kenyans in the region are wondering who they can ever trust again to handle their investments back in the motherland.

"I mean, come on now. If Dr. Kiongera and Dr. Mwangi can lose KSH500,000,000 in an investment that all attorneys from both sides claim to have had done due diligence, then you hear the titles produced to effect the purchase were all fake, who can you trust  to handle your small investment by comparison," said a concerned Kenyan who preferred to remain anonymous.

Many Kenyans are also concerned that many banks visiting the Diaspora for business, including Equity bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, Family Bank and others do not seem to realize that the community they derive business in have many children born in USA who would greatly benefit from a little bit of social responsibility by the banks if they were giving back some of their windfall profits to the Diaspora.

According to the most recent performance results released by Equity bank last month, the bank's profits before tax for the 9 month period to September 2016 was KSH21.5 billion, an increase of 18 % over the same period last year.

In comparison, KCB pre-tax profits for the first half of 2016 grew by 14 % to KSH 15.1billion, while Co-Operative Bank of Kenya posted a net half year profit of KSH7.41 billion.

Unfortunately, Family Bank, another Kenyan Diaspora hunting bank had a bad year when its 9 month period profits fell to 963.3 million from 1.86 billion over the same period a year before, mainly due to what it called "retrenchment costs", although bank officials remained optimistic that the bank will return to better days in the near future.

"It just makes no sense that we are the ones with the capital yet instead of going after investors here, like hedge funds managers who would guarantee the safety of our money, we go to Kenya and African investors most of whom are not 100% legit,” said popular Boston DJ, Ezra "Husky" Mwangi during a heated debate in the newly launched Ajabu Diaspora Network WhatsApp Diaspora Think Tank Group.

Mwangi added that the banks do not even offer Diaspora based kids or customers here any scholarships like the frequent flyer miles or other small incentives given by airlines to massage their customers.(To join the exclusive, invitation only think tank for the ongoing discussions, text your Name and mobile Phone Number to:781-953-2490).

Other Kenyans contend that returns yields of investments well positioned in the US markets are much higher than those in Kenya, with the added benefit of being more secure than those in Kenya

Think tank members also decried the notion that Kenyan based Banks and other investment companies often dismiss the intellectual capabilities of Kenyans in the Diaspora, who have time and again failed to initiate any meaningful community or investment projects due to existing tribal and religious divisions, manipulation as well as unhealthy competition.

As a result, the Diaspora has been effectively relegated to mere spectators or followers of innovation and advancement going on, instead of leading in ideas like Diasporas from other countries like Israel, India and Australia do.

"They only view us as cash cows. They give us predatory loans.They take advantage of our differences and mistrust of each other. We should be telling them what to do instead of them coming all the way here to advise us. Something is very wrong," said a member in a post contribution.

The concerned Kenyans called on their counterparts to mobilize and force the banks to adjust their lending rates to aling with those of USA.

"I would not advise any Kenyan to take these predatory loans. We should come together and have these banks listen to us and reduce the rates they give to the Diaspora to those in America," said Omondi Owera, contributing from Seattle, Washington.

Although many Kenyans in the Diaspora send money back home to sit in the commercial backs in the hopes that they will return back home soon, the reality of the matter is many will never return permanently.

According to a upcoming piece by a newly acquired Ajabu Africa Columnist, many Kenyans and Africans who send all their money back home to invest there, then relocate back home after decades in the West end up disillusioned with motherland life.

"They quickly find out that they can't fit anymore. Friends they used to know are no longer in their league, many have much older children and they wonder what you have been doing in the Diaspora".

"He years to return "home" to the US in the US to his little comforts. Who would have thought a toilet is such an important asset? Who would have thought some “simple” ailment as the flu could be so misdiagnosed and end one almost getting killed by the "doctors"'? Wrote Kahungura wa Nyakiondo in a snap preview of the upcoming column where the Diaspora returnee character Fundi rushed to take the next available flight out of JKIA to escape the miserly for the second time since he first left Kenya with high hopes.

Other Kenyans blamed fellow Diaspora based compatriots of selling them out to the banks when they cut out personal deals and get paid to organize and mobilize while not advocating for the thousands of the Diaspora kids missing out.

When they pay a visit to the Diaspora, Bank leaders usually use the churches perceived as "big" as a platform to mobilize for their events, on the understanding that they will leave some tithes and offerings.

However, clergymen who welcome the entrepreneurs to these churches do not care to lobby such bank CEOs for a support of the programs propagated by the Kenyan Diaspora community to benefit our children, especially allocating funds to teach Swahili or other cultural languages.

"We have some Kenyans here who are only interested in serving their own needs. They only think about buying plots and building houses back home that they hardly will ever live in. They never pause to think of the legacy we are building to leave for our children who will most likely never want to live in Kenya for life," said another concerned Kenyan mother of two.

Other Kenyans have complained that they have received a lot of hard time trying to access loans from Equity bank as it had promised at St. Stephen's church in Lowell back in 2008 to anyone who holds a job in the Diaspora.

Although many banks have charitable foundations to help fund the education and other needs of orphaned and other needy children back in Kenya, the amount of funds they appropriate for the cause is very tiny compared to the amount of profits they get.

Therefore for Kenyans and other east Africans who plan to attend the Equity bank event were urged by concerned Kenyans to inquire from Dr. Mwangi why Equity and other Kenyan banks have failed to sponsor any Kenyan Diaspora community events in Boston, or even give back in any meaningful way to the community where it has "eaten" a lot from--even after such requests were made by to fund community based programs envisioned by the New England Kenyan Welfare Association.(Click here to view proposed, underfunded Diaspora community programs)

Inspectors from America's FAA gave Jomo Kenyatta International Airport a clean bill of health after an audit leading to the award of the long awaited Category One status.

This sets the stage for signing of flight agreements between Washington and Nairobi as well as airlines seeking direct flights between the US and Kenya before commercial operations can start.

Kenya, which hosted President Barack Obama in July 2015, wants to boost exports to Washington and increase visits by American tourists. Starting flights was part of a package of deals announced during Obama's visit. "Kenya has today been granted Category One status by the US Government following a meticulous assessment audit by the FAA and other US agencies," said a statement from the Transport ministry.

"The granting of this status means that airline operators, both in Kenya and the US, which have long desired to operate directly... will now be allowed to carry on their operations after certain processes including technical compliance and commercial arrangements are met."

The FAA was meant to issue a statement by time of going to Press yesterday. The second class status of JKIA means passengers flying from Kenya to the US have to transit through Europe, the Middle East or any of the four African countries whose airports have achieved the Category One status. These are South Africa, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, and Nigeria.

Delta Airlines previously set a launch date for direct flights but cancelled due to security concerns.

Financially embattled Kenya Airways also plans to offer direct flights. US traffic usually transits through hubs like Dubai and Amsterdam. JKIA failed the US safety review in 2013 but has since improved security through upgrades.

New terminals have been opened over the past three years, allowing the airport to separate departures and arrivals, a key security requirement.

"With Category One there will be faster movement of goods and people between the two countries, with an eradication of any delay especially to horticultural produce from Kenya," the statement said.

In order to attain and maintain the rating, a country must demonstrate compliance with safety standards contained in the International Civil Aviation Organisation's practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.

Kenya has been implementing a raft of recommendations by the US government to enhance security, among them separation of passenger arrival and departure terminals, clearing the flight path and fencing off the airport.

BOSTON--A relocating Kenyan family based in Brockton, MA is currently loading their container now that is scheduled to leave to Kenya by next week. The family is asking any Kenyan in the Boston area who may have a box or barrel of cargo in gifts to send to their people to contact them as there is still some space left for a few more loads.

According to the family, the prices are as follows:

Box 24x24x24-$200, 48x27-$280 and a barrel is $250.

The destination will be in Nairobi. To send your stuff, call: (781)-308-8664.

BOSTON__Purchasing a home in the Diaspora, if done the right way, is one of the biggest platforms that can give every immigrant a sound springboard towards accumulating wealth over time-- in the form of equity that can then be withdrawn to fund other dreams-- including college tuition, investment capital or even motherland property purchases.

Unfortunately, many immigrants do not seem to fully understand the process, hence remain in rent paying mode for years.

Others often fall prey to unscrupulous realtors who, looking for a quick buck, mislead clients to purchase overly priced properties only to find themselves in foreclosure a few years down the line.

According to Samson Kimani, a Kenyan real estate agent based in Boston, it is very important for every immigrant to take stock of the monthly rental fee they pay for their living space, which is then used by their landlord to pay for the monthly mortgage fees on the same property.

"Some people are still paying rents for their apartments yet the same amount can afford them buy a condo, single family or an investment property. This would open bigger doors of opportunity for them towards financial freedom," Kimani said during an interview at the Ajabu Africa News offices in Woburn, MA.

First licensed as a realtor in Massachusetts with Exit Realty back in 2012 then later joining REMAX Realty where he still works as an independent realtor based in Taunton, a few miles South of Boston, Kimani said that the effects of the recent real estate market crash of 2008 has scared many African immigrants from purchasing homes long after the depression is gone, hence failing to take advantage of the still low interest rates currently in the market as other communities take full advantage.

Kimani said that the economic depression has now resulted into a sellers' market where there are fewer inventories but more buyers looking to buy.

He added that most properties are now selling above the asking prices while the interest rates remain low (for both conventional and government 30 year fixed mortgages) even as buyers compete for the few available properties.

"This is the right time to buy a home. For most people, whatever amount they are paying for rent may be sufficient to purchase a property in a certain areas or sometimes you may need to add a few hundred dollars. Remember your making an investment that will pay back in the long term. The interest rates are still very low and properties are available in many different neighborhoods," he told Ajabu Media.

"All it takes is for someone to wake up one day and decide they don't want to keep paying rent anymore, which is like paying somebody's mortgage after all. It's a long term investment that if done correctly you will not live to regret."

Kimani stated he always wanted to be a business owner and one night around 3am while working a "grave yard shift" at a human services company, he saw a Real Estate TV Commercial inviting anyone interested in creating wealth to an investment seminar in Boston.

Intrigued by the possibility of making a difference in people's lives, the father of two attended the said seminar at the Boston Convention Center led by Robert Kiyosaki of the Rich Dad Poor Dad book fame, as well as Anthony Robbins, a renowned motivational speaker where he came to realize that most of the wealthy people use properties as leverage to create more wealth.

Since then, Kimani stated he has attended numerous real estate classes, seminars and meetings to better serve his clients.

Kimani added that most serious buyers will always find a property to buy or sell if they are motivated by something.

"In most cases, people looking to buy are fed up with rent hikes, want good school districts, job relocation, starting a family or for investment purposes."

He however was quick to add that the mere fact that one has a new, better paying job does not automatically make them eligible to be qualified for a property purchase. The bank or lender looks at three things: Income, credit scores and debts such as credit cards, school, car or personal loans etc.

Kimani's advice for anyone looking to buy is to seek advice from a professional lender or realtor.

According to the young entrepreneur, he approaches all his clients with a goal to have a long term relationship which makes him go to great lengths and ensure any deal he is working on is for the best interest of the customer.

He also added that, selling or buying is not an easy process but could be made effortless if both client and real estate advisor work as a TEAM.

"I always do my best to help my clients get properties they like and that will fit their financial profile. Since buying or selling is one of the biggest purchases someone will ever do, I always let the client make the decision with no pressure at all," he told Ajabu Media.

He revealed that majority of his sales are financed by a very credible and responsible mortgage broker--Miguel DeSousa--from Randolph Savings Bank NMLS # 454893 who walks his clients through the process of pre-approval application.

Miguel DeSousa--from Randolph Savings Bank who works with Samson Kimani of REMAX Realty. PIC BY COURTESY

"DeSousa has always been able to help all my clients with mortgages to purchase the proprieties they are interested in, whether it's a first time home or an investment property in the form of a second home or multi-family house," said Kimani.

"Many applicants have been able to be prequalified and have moved on to make final purchases. For those who don't immediately qualify, DeSousa helps them fix any "short comings" in their financial history and are able to be in a position to pre-qualify a few months later," he added.

In addition, DeSousa helps those who already own homes and would like to refinance. Kimani also reckons with the fact that although it is very desirable to own a home, not every rent paying potential buyer is eligible to purchase, mainly due to lack of a down payment required in the buying process, low credit scores or those with unstable jobs.

"Although these may be serious issues preventing one from buying a home and thus losing out on many benefits of owning one, we can work with you to establish a timeline and prepare you for the eventual purchase."

He urged any Kenyan or African immigrants that might be considering buying a home to reach out to him for a free assessment of the properties in the market as well as a financial analysis with his mortgage lender.

"We show properties everywhere in the South shore and Northshore side of Boston. Our office has about 23 highly qualified agents and I am one of them. Feel free to reach out to me and I will walk you through the process for the benefit of yourself and your future generations," he stressed.

In addition, beside the regular buying and selling Kimani specializes in, he said that his team also helps home owners that may require doing a short sale.

"A short sale means that is home owner is going through hardships is behind in mortgage payments and their property has a lower value than the mortgages they are servicing, our group of attorneys can assist dispose of that property in the market."

He strongly cautions those who find themselves in such a situation however, urging them to reach out his team before "walking away" out of the property and getting foreclosed in the process.

"A foreclosure stays in your record for several years. This is not good and could affect you negatively for a long time," advised the Kenyan realtor.

He said that misinformation and unreliable realtors have caused many such owners untold financial losses when they fail to organize short sales for them with the relevant bank holding the mortgage, sometimes leading their clients into bankruptcies.

"Short sales are complicated and require the client to be educated prior to starting the process. As for us, we take care of our clients and give them more than they expected. We work with an experienced team of people that are willing and ready to assist. In addition, we want to make sure that your experience is the best ever, whether you are interested in buying, selling, or investing in properties," he told Ajabu Media.

 Kimani thanked his family and friends for encouraging me to keep pushing to achieve my dreams.

"I also want to thank all my past, present and future clients for giving me an opportunity to help them in the Real Estate transaction."

To reach out to Kimani or to learn more about the property buying process, call or text or WhatsApp him at: (508) 813-3697, Email:samkimani2@gmail.com,websitewww. samhomeadvisor.com.#AHEAD OF THE CURVE!!!! REALTOR office: 447 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02780

Kenya Airways has started selling tickets for its maiden direct flight to New York on October 28.

Economy class fliers will pay shs 89,000 both ways, CEO Sebastian Mikosz announced at the launch on Thursday, addding that travellersc start making advance online bookings.

Mikosz said business class customers will pay Shs 257,634 both ways and that the tickets will be subject to government approval.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, will leave the Nairobi airport at 11.25 pm daily and reach John F Kennedy International Airport in New York at 6.25 am the next day.

It will then leave New York at 12.25 pm the same day and land in Nairobi at 10.55 am the following day.

Kenya Airways said the timings were set to allow connections to and from 40 African destinations.

"The move will cut the flight time between the two cities by more than seven hours," he said, noting it will take 15 hours eastbound and 14 hours westbound.

Economy fliers on Qatar Airways will pay Shs 93,000 from Nairobi to New York but they will stop at Doha for two and a half hours and the trip will take 22 hours and 30 minutes long.

The KQ planes will carry 234 passengers, with 30 at the premium world class and 204 in the economy section. They will have four pilots,12 flight attendants and 85 tonnes of fuel loaded one way.

"This ultra-long haul flight requires ultra-resources and we are providing the best for our guests," Mikosz said.

The chief executive noted the US is Kenya's top tourist source market, with 95,771 people having visited between January and Oct 2017.

"This marks a 20 per cent increase in traffic every year for the past two years," he said.

Economic set to improve

Mikosz said the airline decided to fly directly to the US after considering the industry perspective.

"It is an essential piece of the puzzle that was missing. Kenya Airways has interests in corporate and premium leisure," he said, adding Kenya's economy will improve as a result.

It will generate jobs, boost trade and stimulate tourisim into Kenya.

"This is an exciting moment for us. It fits within our strategy to attract corporate and high-end tourism traffic from the world to Kenya and Africa. We are honored to contribute to the economic growth of Kenya and East Africa."

On Wednesday, Interior CS Fred Matiangi announced major changes in operations at the JKIA for the next 100 days, as part of preparations for the direct flights.

Matiang'i also ordered that all staff at the airport undergo a mandatory customer care training.

"All airport staff will undergo customer care training at Utalii College, a seven-day crash programme to ensure we improve service delivery."

The Cabinet Secretary said everything must be done to ensure operations at Kenya's largest airport are streamlined.

More on this:Matiang'i orders customer care training for JKIA staff

Read:US gives Kenya Airways permit for direct flights

BOSTON---Many Kenyans in the diaspora know that a big chunk of the over USD2billion in annual remittances to loved ones back home helps pay for health care either at local clinics, public or private hospitals, or even overseas treatment, mainly in India or South Africa.

Most of these funds are sourced through fundraisers held in local churches and homes, as well as online go fund me accounts, especially when loved ones are facing medical emergencies that require immediate and costly treatment or surgery. Funds raised usually range from a few thousand dollars to as high as USD 40,000 to cater for the health needs of ailing relatives.

However, with all the love and zeal that Kenyans in the diaspora put towards healthcare for their loved ones back home, the quality of care received has not always met expectations. Reports of misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, lack of prescribed drugs or even lack of availability of hospital beds for patients requiring admission has left many in the diaspora dumbfounded and helpless as they are too far away to follow up and ensure smooth running of the process.

But now, the heavy burden is being slowly lifted from the shoulders of diaspora Kenyans, thanks to Remit4Health, a new company founded by Dr. Kebba Jobarteh, a Harvard educated, medical doctor born in Nairobi, Kenya to a Gambian father and Argentinian mother.

Together with his partners - Nthenya Mule, Laura Kelley and Ahmad Diba, Remit4Health is now providing the long missing link where for a few hundred dollars a year, you can sign up your loved ones to a specific care plan which guarantees treatment and support at one of the fastest growing hospital and clinic groups in Kenya, the Avenue Group.

Remit4Health also assigns a special Health Navigator to each patient to make sure that they are able to sign up properly, help with paperwork, schedule appointments, attend all medical appointments, and follow up with any after care instructions like taking medications, dietary plans and exercise. The Health Navigator's only job is to maximize health care treatment outcomes and maintenance of healthy habits for every person covered by Remit4Health.

This approach, according to Dr. Kebba, puts preventative care at the core of the company's strategy in order to forestall more serious conditions from happening.

"We are members of the diaspora ourselves and know, firsthand, how difficult it is to manage your loved ones' care from so far away. That's why we built this company. We have come up with a solution that makes it possible to rest assured that the money you send home for health will be used to ensure the best healthcare possible for your loved ones. Our team is made up of doctors, public health advocates, managers and innovators. We have designed a care model and crafted partnerships that make sure your loved ones are always accompanied by a health navigator and have access to high quality care when they need it," Kebba told Ajabu Africa News during a news conference attended by Mule and Diba, two other staff at the fast growing company.

With two major hospitals, one in Nairobi and the other in Kisumu as well as seventeen clinics around the country, Avenue Group boasts a total of 17 locations within Kenya where patients can seek very affordable, high quality medical treatment.

"Our service will give Kenyans in the diaspora the peace of mind they need by making sure that their loved ones, a grandparent, a parent,a sibling or even someone dear outside the family, have someone with them all the time, guiding them through the complex healthcare situation in Kenya. We will also help them apply for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and renew it when it expires to make sure they receive the most effective coverage possible," Dr. Jobarteh added.

Dr. Jobarteh praised the Kenyan Government's initiative to launch the NHIF insurance program that seeks to provide universal health coverage to all Kenyans in the country.

Dr. Kebba Jobarteh, CEO and Founder, Remit4Health. PIC BY COURTESY

The new Remit4Health plans are categorized into two classes---for those under 65 and for those over 65 years of age.

The under 65 plans provide comprehensive cover at Avenue Healthcare facilities, including unlimited outpatient consultations throughout the 17 clinics within the network all around Kenya, and inpatient cover up to a limit of KES 1,000,000 for admission at two of Avenue's first rate hospitals, one in Nairobi and one in Kisumu. Plans also include coverage for pre-existing conditions such as Asthma, Diabetes and Hypertension and many more.These plans range from around USD300-USD500 a year.

The over 65 plans, also known as the Senior Care Package, help look after the healthcare needs for your seniors including access to a primary care provider and high quality medication. They also provide fitness and nutritional assessments, activity and exercise advice and are customizable to suit elders of various levels of health and fitness.

"Our goal is to deliver efficient, timely, affordable and high quality healthcare for your loved ones not only when they need it, but for the long term. Weoffer a comprehensive range of services to suit all of our customers' health coverage needs," said Kebba.

Over the last 15 years the Kenyan community in Boston has been growing in leaps and bounds.

To make the new service more clear to Kenyans in the Diaspora as well as give them a chance to sign up, Remit4Health has planned an upcoming Diaspora tour starting in the Boston region from end of May 2018 to mid-June before venturing into other cities.

Last Sunday, Remit4Health conducted an informational session at Neema Presbyterian Church in Lowell where Kenyans present indicated keen interest with the service. According to Dr. Kebba, the company was thrilled with the great reception they received with several Kenyans signing up for various plans.

On Sunday June 17 the company directors will head the St. John's Anglican Church in Sutton Worcester for another session, followed by Faith Anglican Church in Bridgewater on Sunday June 24. They will also attend several other gatherings of Kenyans in the region including the upcoming Ajabu Awards and 10 year Anniversary celebration on July 28-29 to be held at the Hilton Boston/Woburn Hotel in Woburn.

According to Dr. Kebba, an initial information session they conducted at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Worcester revealed that many Kenyans in the region have been troubled by the hardship involved in ensuring loved ones back home get the right kind of medical care.

"That is why we decided to come back and speak with more Kenyans in the region. We welcome everyone to join us so we can answer any questions you might have about providing quality healthcare to your loved ones and help you decide on whether our service is right for you" he added.

In the meantime, any interested Kenyan anywhere in the diaspora can reach out to the company for more information by calling at: +1 917 267 7454 or logging on to the website at:https://www.remit4health.com/

Schedule Summary

Sunday June 17:
St. John's Anglican Church in Sutton
145 Main St, Sutton, MA

Sunday June 24, 2018
Faith Anglican Church in Bridgewater
1095 Main St, Bridgewater, MA
Time: 11am

Saturday July 28-29
3 Annual Ajabu Awards & 10 year Anniversary
Hilton Boston Woburn Hotel
2 Forbes Dr, Woburn, MA 01801
Time: 2pm

Buying a parcel of land back in Kenya from many land sellers traversing the Diaspora or back home has always been a nervous exercise for most Kenyans and friends. The situation has become more difficult with today's unpredictable world immigration trends where many immigrants face deportation from various parts of the Diaspora for various reasons.

Such prevailing uncertainties have prompted many immigrants in the Diaspora to seek ownership of piece of property that would provide a crucial base and safety net should you find yourself on the receiving end.

Despite the challenges, this problem is about to end with a new collaborative effort by Boston based Ajabu Ventures and a Nairobi based Uadilifu Properties Ltd, a real estate Company owned by a Kenya Diaspora returnee Clement Ng'ang'a (Wamaitu).

Ng'ang'a who studied at Texas Southern University before returning to the motherland back in 2006 is also very active at promoting social entrepreneurship programs with Allavida Kenya, an intermediary organization managing grants from Comic Relief International (American Idol's charitable division), the One and Red charity group founded by popular Irish singer and song writer, Paul David Hewson (Bono) and Bobby Shriver, a community activist and brother to Maria Shriver among others.(https://www.one.org/us/person/bono/)

For years Kenyans in the Diaspora have had to cross their fingers while taking a leap of faith hoping that Title Deeds will materialize at some point in the future. They also have had to contend with whatever sales pitches advanced by brokers whose sole purpose is to make a sale, regardless how unsound the deal is.

Many land sellers are keenly aware that Kenyans in the Diaspora are poorly equipped to carry out sound market research and due diligence on properties they plan to purchase due to distance, cost and unworkable logistics to travel back and forth to the motherland just for the information. These unscrupulous dealers and sellers have therefore capitalized on the above to enrich themselves at the expense of many customers who usually have to work extra hard for the money, at times literally burning the midnight oil.

As such, many Kenyans have found themselves purchasing land in far flung locations that will take many years to develop significantly for a price that would have gotten them a property in better locations where value, appreciation and rental income from apartments developed would have been much faster.

Many more have wired funds to land sellers in Kenya to secure properties but are still waiting for years upon years to acquire the ownership titles. Sadly, many have even lost the investments with sellers citing corruption at the lands office as an  excuse, while others are stuck with properties steeped in legal disputes and unreported encumbrances.

Never mind the much talked about due diligence, majority of Kenyans in the Diaspora do not know how to get an effective due diligence done, often relying on family or friends to ascertain the viability and existence of plots available for purchase, or worse still, rely of the word on mouth as told by land brokers.

It is a result of the confusion, frustration and losses incurred by the Diaspora community that Ng'ang'a who is also a post graduate Candidate in Business Administration on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development at the University of Nairobi has teamed up with Ajabu Ventures, a leading Diaspora community networking platform to provide well researched and economically sound and viable properties for sale.

Ranging between $7,000 and $16,000, the plots on sale are located in Kitengela and Kajiando townships respectively, one of Kenya's fastest growing multi-cultural suburbs ideal for family life. The area has attracted middle class Kenyan residents and foreign expatriates working in the capital. Payments plans offered will see potential customers pay as little as $400 commitment fee for the $7,000 Kajiando township plots with monthly payments spread out for 1 year.

Buyers looking to purchase in the more upscale area going for $16,000 will have a 3 months period to clear the payments due to high demand.

Buyers will also have an extra layer of peace of mind through legal redress mechanisms in the US since US based partner Ajabu Ventures; will handle initial Diaspora sign up payment and transactions under the state of Massachusetts law, a provision not available before as Most Kenya based sellers become hard to trace and sue when things don't add up with the transactions as promised as they operate in a different legal jurisdiction.

Considered the richest county in Kenya in terms of natural resources and marketable attaractions to the international community, Kajiado is home to the world renowned Amboseli National park, Tsavo West National Park, Lake Natron, Lake Magadi, Ngong Hills, Ol Tukai, Karen and Suswa Springs, Mzima Springs for Hippos & Nile crocodile, Ole- Doinyo Orok Escarpment, National Museum, Chyulu Hills National Park, Shompole Conservancy, Ngong Hills nature trail and many more tourist attractions.

"For many years, many of us who returned back home after living and studying in the Diaspora have kept updated on real Diaspora community happenings through the writings of Ajabu Africa. Ajabu is well known for truthful and reliable coverage of many important Diaspora developments so we decided to work with such a platform of integrity to bring you unique opportunities to purchase ideal properties in Kitengela and Kajiado townships in Kajiando County," said Nganga.

Clement Nganga during the Ajabu Awards & 10 years Anniversary in Lowell, MA

"Our goal is to have a group of Kenyans and friends in the Diaspora acquire land in this wonderful location where they can put up vacation or retirement homes, rent out to others while they are still in the Diaspora or even sell at a premium as investment properties. We invited Ajabu Media to investigate the land and ensure its above board. We are glad after two years of research Ajabu Ventures agreed to work with us as they found the property free of any disputes or encumbrances," he added during an interview at Ajabu Media offices in Woburn Massachusetts soon after attending the just concluded Ajabu Awards and 10 years Anniversary gala.

Kitengela Diaspora Village

"Purchasing the plots we have in this county provides you a very rare and unique opportunity to be a few minutes drive to all these attractions. That's why the area has attracted a lot of middle class Kenyans settling in three main Sacco estates that purchased their land from the same seller of the proposed Kitengela Diaspora Village land," added Mr. Ng'ang'a.

He said that the plots are already fully serviced with water and electricity, amenities that have also attracted the setting of the Kitengela International School, the Orchard private School and the Sinkeet girls Secondary School. The old Kajiado Road which goes through the land connecting to the main Namanga road to Tanzania is earmarked for tarmacking by the government of Kenya hence bound to increase the values of all nearby properties.

Land records reviewed by Ajabu Media and its agents in Kenya revealed that the Kitengela land up for sale has already been subdivided into 210 plots measuring 1/8 Acres (50x100) with Ready Titles Deeds for transfer.

However, the unique deal is also extended to organized Diaspora investment clubs in blocks of 10 acres (70 plots) each, a spectacular offer that provides familiar friends with an opportunity to have retirement homes close to those who share similar Diaspora experiences.

Kajiado Ideal Homes

The Ajabu Uadilifu Properties collaboration also provides more choice to customers who may wish to purchase cheaper properties. Dubbed the Kajiado Ideal Homes, the 1/8 plots are located within Kajiado Township, 3 km from the Kajiado County government offices, less than 1 km off Nairobi Kajiado Namanga road (main tarmac road to Tanzania) with red sandy soil ideal for construction.

Many other commercial properties are located within the area.

Harrison Maina of Ajabu Ventures

Since properties in both the proposed Kitengela Diaspora village and Kajiado Ideal homes locations are free hold tenure, interested non Kenyans who have Kenyan friends are also eligible to purchase according to current Kenya government land transaction regulations.

"Ajabu Media is very pleased to be part of this incredible solution that helps many in our community afraid of purchasing a genuine piece of property back home do so with ease. It makes it so easy to have a real Diaspora village where many of us in the Diaspora could interact when we go back home either permanently or for vacations," said Harrison Maina, CEO of Ajabu Ventures that owns Ajabu Media.

"It's a unique a quite affordable opportunity especially since the prices are lower than those of neighboring properties of same size," Maina added, urging potential customers to do simple online searches for independent, objective comparative analysis.

Process:
In order to bring the opportunity closer to as many Kenyans and friends as possible an initial Diaspora tour has been planned in different States within the month of August and early September before the Uadilifu Properties Limited CEO returns to Kenya to process the title transfer for successful buyers.

Titles will be transferred and ready for pick up at the Ajabu Ventures offices or at a customer's residence in USA within a month.

Interested customers or investments clubs can reach Clement Ng'ang'a of Uadilifu Properties and Harrison Maina Ajabu Ventures for application at (Cell)781-953-2490, office(781) 281-2495 or 254-710-449554. Customers can also make appointments at the Ajabu Ventures office at 54 Cummings Park, Suite 312, Woburn, MA 01801 or Uadilifu Properties, 3rd Floor Rattansi Educational Trust Building Koinange Monrovia streets junction Nairobi Kenya or at or Kenyan Advocates Kamau Mwangi 2nd Floor, Princely House Moi Avenue Nairobi Kenya or by logging in to:

www.KitengelaDiasporaVilage.com

Next Available Tour Schedule

Saturday August 11, 2018:
Sponsorship Booth at Kenya Catholic Community Annual Convention
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michaigan Ave, NE
Washington DC

Saturday August 18, 2018
Worcester, MA
Venue: TBA

Sunday August 19, 2019
Jersey, NJ
Venue: TBA

Saturday August 25, 2018
Seattle, WA
Venue: TBA

Saturday September 1, 2018
San Fransisco, CA
Venue: TBA

Saturday September 8, 2018
Houston, TX
Venue: TBA

More coming soon.

At the end of 2018 Gov. Charlie Baker certified a raise of 5.93 percent for the 200 members of the House and Senate for the 2019 and 2020 session. While I have no problem with the pay increase, especially since it is justified using data from the United States Census Bureau regarding median household income. I take no issue with their raise but with General Court's unwillingness to adjust the annual factor for nursing home allowable costs.

The current law provides for nursing home reimbursements at 2017 rates and for those who are not aware, we are well into 2019! In the one hundred and ninety first session of the Massachusetts General Court ( 2019 - 2020) a petition has been filed by Sen Harriette Chandler, Thomas Golden Jr. And others seeking legislation to stabilize the Commonwealth's nursing Facilities.

I must point out that this is not the first or second time similar bills have been filed but never saw the light of day. It is sad that the nursing facilities across the State have to wait in vain for legislators to approve a practical and common sense funding system that takes care of both the over 300,000 residents and their caregivers.

As Senate bill number 352 languishes in the legislative process unsure of its fate just as Senate Bill number 336 of 2017 - 2018 which died a natural death, it is real not in anyone's best interest to force caregivers to leave their posts to come to the State House as they did on Tuesday May 21 during what has become an annual advocacy day.

It is worth noting that the caregivers being short changed by the State are taking care of the greatest generation and making daily adjustments in preparation for the baby boomers who are set to test the system like it has never been tested before. There is a serious shortage of caregivers and this is only going to get worse.

The legislators may tout a balanced budget, but when it is done by shortchanging the most vulnerable, it is inhumane and demonstrates misplaced priorities. The elderly and their care must be a priority to all and not just to the caregivers. The State must demonstrate that it is willing to support, stabilize and fund the industry, not just regulate it without providing the financial oversight and safety nets needed to ensure the highest quality of care this side of the Sun.

- NGUGI SIMON

Two home health companies in Massachusetts will pay over $10 million in settlements to resolve allegations that they improperly billed the state’s Medicaid program.

According to Attorney GeneralMaura Healey'soffice, Amigos Homecare LLC of Lawrence will pay $2.13 million, and Avenue Homecare Services Inc. in Dracut will pay $8.3 million. The AG's office said both companies submitted claims to MassHealth for home health care services that hadn't been properly authorized by a physician.

"These companies defrauded the state and diverted vital resources from elderly and disabled patients," Healey said in a release. "Home health care companies must provide services that are medically necessary, follow MassHealth regulations, and keep accurate records to ensure the integrity of this program."

The state said the companies submitted claims for members who were hospitalized at the time they allegedly received home care. Healey's office said the claims occurred from June 2014 to April 2018 for Amigos, and from August 2013 to June 2016 for Avenue.

The state also said that neither company kept proper records to back up claims they had submitted to MassHealth. To receive home health services, a patient's physician has to sign off on a plan of care certifying that such services are necessary.

In addition to the financial settlement, the companies will have to implement compliance programs in order to bill MassHealth in the future.

Trade is often heralded as the most viable route to developmental success in Africa.

However, as Africa's trade capacity has expanded, the dynamics have largely remained the same--with trade outflows heading to advanced economies such as the UK, US and China, and inflows coming from the same advanced economies.

Per the African Development Bank, intra-African trade constituted a meager 16.6 per cent of total African exports in 2017, as compared to intra-European trade of 69 per cent,  intra-Asian trade of 59 per cent and intra-American trade of 31 per cent.

This presents a significant opportunity for expanding intra-African trade, provided that existing headwinds are navigated skillfully.

The African Union's determined effort to take a stab at the intra-African trade question culminated in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement of March 2018.

The AfCFTA, if successfully implemented, would transform Africa to the largest single free trade area in the world, with a customer base in excess of one billion people, and an annual GDP of over $3 trillion.

This would be achieved through the removal of 90 per cent of the tariffs imposed on goods traded within Africa, the progressive liberalization of trade in services, and the elimination of non-tariff barriers to trade.

AfCFTA's clarion call, supported by policy initiatives such as the Protocol for Free Movement of Persons, Right to Residence and Right to Establishment and the Single African Air Transport Market, is for Africa to look inward for its success.

Rather than remain vulnerable to global supply shocks, as has been seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, the oil slump of 2014, and the global financial crisis of 2008, Africa ought to strengthen linkages within its borders that serve the interests of the African populace.

Increased investment in intra-African trade would produce a positive catalytic effect on Africa’s growth story.

Specifically, increased intra-African trade has the potential to shift the narrative from Africa being a net exporter of commodities and raw materials to a hub of innovation and value-adding products and activities.

Rather than export raw materials to advanced economies for further processing, intra-African trade would incentivise the production of manufactured and processed goods internally, with our focus shifting to skills transfer opportunities and value addition.

The road to achieving the above, however, is neither easy nor cheap.

Infrastructure linkages required to connect individual African markets ought to be prioritized. It is unfortunate that as currently stands, Africa's trade routes focus on exporting products and services out of the continent as opposed to within it.

Similarly, conflict within and between individual African states hamstrings efforts to invest in Africa's prosperity.

A key indicator of success in promoting and investing in infra-African trade would be export diversification within the continent and product sophistication.

Through export diversification, Africa's vulnerabilities to global market shocks would be significantly mitigated and innovation within the continent encouraged.

Further, this would be an invaluable opportunity to increase the involvement of SMEs in Africa--a critical demographic in the African context.

Karen Kandie – MD, IDB Capital