Why the UN does not like the US

The US embassy is right across the entrance to the UN compound. It is an imposing structure, with a massive concrete wall all around. Leading up to both is the ‘UN Avenue’, onto which all cars must turn from the main road.
As I turned onto UN Avenue in a UN car today, two small cars [...]

After the referendum

Last week the Kenyans discarded the draft new constitution.
The Orange, or No, campaign has been celebrating ever since. That celebration may be a little misplaced because people, particularly in the rural districts, were highly ill-informed on what they were voting for. Many voted because they were told a Yes would lead to dire consequences such [...]

The UNDP Budget Performance

Did you know that the UNDP, globally, had a budget of US$ 6 billion in 2005? For the Kenya country office, that translated into approximately $ 18 million. These are figures that came out of my first staff meeting at the UNDP, with the country desk officer at UNDP New York present.
I find this shocking [...]

Lake Naivasha

Last weekend was my first trip outside Nairobi - to Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate National Park, and Crater Lake. What do I remember?
The first view of the Great Rift Valley! Aptly named, a great dry rift extending out to infinity from the green highlands around Nairobi. The first view will always surprise.
The spectacular Mt. Longonot [...]

Carnivore - A meat eating mecca

I celebrated yesterday by heading to Carnivore. Now, anyone - absolutely anyone - that has passed through Nairobi knows about this place - a true meat eating mecca that serves you an incessant supply of roasted meats from the moment you arrive ad nauseum. In the space of 2 hours I devoured copious amounts of [...]

A Peaceful Referendum

Its the first working day in Kenya, after two days of holidays. Monday was, of course, the referendum on a new constitution. I’m not certain why Tuesday was a national holiday. The government, which backed the constitution, had declared it to celebrate victory - so sure were they. I suspect it was also to avoid [...]

Things to do in Kenya

Long ago, in October, I made a list of top 5 things to do when in Nairobi. It has grown now, but here it is:

Climb Mt. Kenya
Climb Mt. Killimanjaro
Visit the Masaai Mara
Visit the Rift Valley
Visit Mombasa

Here’s what was not on the original list:

Go diving along the South coast, or in Zanzibar
Eat at the Carnivore

I will [...]

India - through the eyes of a foreigner

One of my friends took the brave step of going to India for 5 weeks. He is Swiss, but has traveled extensively. Still, it was his first trip to South Asia, and I was keen to hear how he took it. Delhi, after all, has twice the number of people than all of Switzerland.
Well, his [...]