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Cases of heart attack in Kenya are on the rise, especially among the elderly and Kenyans with pre-existing health conditions.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), coronary heart disease deaths in Kenya account for 4.54 per cent of total deaths.

Coronary heart diseases include heart attacks and cardiac arrest.

A file image of a branded ambulance ready for operations.

File

While many Kenyans use cardiac arrest and heart attack interchangeably, Dr Kelvin Mwendwa, a Diagnostic and Cardiac Radiographer, explained that they are different.

“A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked but a cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating,” he explained during an exclusive interview with Kenyans.co.ke.

 Symptoms of heart attack

Mayo Clinic lists the symptoms of a heart attack and notes that someone can experience some of the symptoms or all of them.

They include;

Chest pain,

During a heart attack or cardiac arrest, you can feel pressure or tightness in your chest, characterized by a squeezing or aching sensation in the center of your chest.

Breathing difficulties

During the attack, patients experience difficulty in breathing.

“The difficulty in breathing can happen in two ways; the heart can beat fast or low and in the other instance, the person can experience uncontrollable breathing,” Mwendwa revealed.

Body pain

Mayo Clinic details that a patient will experience body pains during a heart attack.

The pain can also be in form of discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, back, jaw, teeth, and upper abdomen.

Other symptoms of heart attack/cardiac arrest include; nausea, indigestion, heartburn, abdominal pain, light-headedness, dizziness, fainting, and sweating.

First Aid in Case of Health Attack

Mwendwa remarked that it is sad that many Kenyans continue to lose their lives due to heart attacks when it is preventable in some cases.

“Many Kenyans especially in the rural areas do not know what to do in case of a heart attack.

“With quick response, it is possible to save the life of a person suffering a heart attack or cardiac arrest,” he told Kenyans.co.ke.

Mwendwa warns that First Aid measures should not be used as a substitute to medical attention.

“Immediately a person has a heart attack, you should call for ambulance service before proceeding to offer First Aid care,” he advises Kenyans.

Mwendwa’s remarks were echoed by Dr Ahmed Kalebi, a renowned consultant pathologist.

Dr Kalebi while commenting on the passing on of former Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, lamented why an ambulance was not called immediately.

“I actually found it quite disturbing when I heard the narration of the sequence of events leading to George Magoha’s death.

“I wondered why an ambulance was not called immediately instead of calling his friend Prof Mwanda at (Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH),” Kalebi stated on Wednesday, January 25.

Kalebi further explained when such an incident happens, there is a momentary lack of awareness to call for an emergency ambulance.

“During such emergency situations, an ambulance is inherently quicker/faster than any attempts at self-driving a patient to the hospital.

“This is because the ambulance is better placed to navigate traffic and better equipped to provide emergency care en route as they have well-trained EMT medical staff who are well-equipped to provide advanced resuscitation,” Kalebi added.

After calling for an ambulance, Mwendwa advised that you make sure the patient is in a comfortable position and in light clothing.

“After making sure the patient is comfortable, monitor their breathing, and if unconscious immediately perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to enhance blood circulation,” Mwenda advised.

On how to perform CPR, Medline Plus instructs, “Push hard and fast on the center of the person's chest in a fairly rapid rhythm.”

When the person regains consciousness, Mwendwa explaind that you have to ask them about any medication they take.

“This helps you know how to handle the victim and also where to seek help.

“If any medication related to hypertension or Asthma or underlying chest or heart disease and the victim had not taken medication help them take it immediately,” he advises.

A graphical representation of how to perform CPR.

File

The dream of every car buyer is that the vehicle would last them a while, not just the engine but the general body parts too.

However, a recent 'disease' affecting cars threatens the peace of car owners with most dreading visiting a paint shop owing to the high cost of getting a paint job.

Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, January 18 spoke to car expert Miller Kyalo to understand causes of car patches and water spots and how to prevent them.

An image of a car with an oxidation patch.

Car patches

Kyalo explained that patches occur when the paint appears to be faded or lighter often surrounded by a white border. 

He intimated that it is a condition experienced in regions with high-intensity sunlight.

"The sun contains ultra-violet rays which breaks down the chemical composition of paint when the car is overexposed. This causes weakness in the various layers of paint thus the peeling," the expert pointed out.

The rays from the sun are known as catalysts for the oxidation of paint, which breaks down the oil component of paint, hence the dull appearance.

Moreover, car patches may be as a result of a poor paint job. Kyalo argued that most Kenyans opt for more affordable painting shops, which end up costing them.

"Professional painters know that after any paint job, the car takes about a week to get back to the intended final colour. A majority of mechanics cave into demands by car owners who do not understand this concept" he posed.

However, he pointed out that some painters deliberately buy low quality paint which easily fade. The water used in car washes is also a major cause of paint fades in cars.

"Majority of car washes use borehole water that has high saline content. This can damage the paintwork over time," he posed.

A research by the Monitor established that vehicles in humid areas are also likely to have car patches.

"When a car is parked outside in the cold on a daily basis, the dew that forms on the car body penetrates the car paint overtime and causes it to develop patches,” the publication wrote.

Water Spots

Water spots resemble patches but are smaller. They cause stains especially in areas which experience acidic rain.

Oftentimes, the droplets settle on the car trunk or bonnet. Under sunny conditions, the water evaporates leaving the salt behind.

If not wiped off, it gradually causes corrosion. The wearing out of paint can also be accelerated by the acid content of bird droppings or decomposing animals left on the car surface for long.

Solutions

Kyalo argued that since washing out of paint boils down to the oil component of the pain, regular waxing of vehicles is recommended.

In addition, avoid car washes which use borehole water, avoid exposing their cars to direct sunlight for a long period of time. 

A picture of cars in auction sale

File

More often than not, Kenyans change various official business particulars such as names and addresses among others for various reasons.

Unknown to many, there are laid down procedures one is expected to follow in order to legally make the changes

According to the Business Registration Services (BRS), business owners can also change the names of officials following the resignation of an individual among others.

Notably, the review and approval of changes take five days.

A photo of the e-citizen platform

File

How to Change a Business Name

1. Upon logging into the eCitizen platform, one is required to select the BRS and view the business name under my business category.

2. Click maintain company and select the make application option. 

3. One will then be provided with the change particulars option.

4. Choose the changed name and insert the list of preferred names. One is charged Ksh150 for each name search.

"Once the name is reserved, access the application through the same process -as highlighted above. The system will select the reserved name. Highlight the name, click view and proceed with the change," BRS stated.

5. Immediately after a form BN4 will be auto-generated with one required to print the document.

6. Write the changes you want to effect in the business name. For Example, I am changing the business name from A to B. Afterwards, write your name and ID number, sign scan the document and upload it.

"The Business Name registration certificate must be uploaded in its respective window," BRS stated.

7. Upon completion one is charged Ksh850 pending review and approval by the government agency.

File image of Kenyan banknotes

File

Before modern-day technology, agriculture was being done organically, such that whatever was used on the farm - be it fertilizers or pesticides - was natural and not genetically modified.



This way agricultural produce from organic farming had the essential nutrients and consumers did not have to worry about the effects it could cause.



Organic farming is an alternative agricultural system used in the production of both livestock and crops which do not in any way encourage or involve the use of genetically modified organisms, fertilizers, growth hormones, and even antibiotics in order to keep the crop and the soil in a healthy condition always.



Organic agriculture or ecologically-based farming is basically the use of green manure, compost, biological agriculture, and biological fertilizers derived from animal waste.

Harvested dragon fruits on display

Kilimo Kenya

It is through this method of farming that a Kenyan farmer, Andrew Kinoti, rakes in millions through his organic dragon fruit farming.



Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Kinoti highlighted the potential that the Dragon Fruit has as a new crop for Kenyan growers since it adapts well to the local climate with high temperatures and consumes little water.



"The fruit of this crop is appreciated worldwide as a super fruit for its positive health benefits, high nutritional value, and other nutraceutical benefits," he revealed.



Moreover, Kinoti argued that the local and global market trends show an ever-increasing demand for new, healthy exotic fruits.

The dragon fruit can be made into a range of industrial products such as juices, jam, sherbets, wines, syrup, flavorings, and medicine.



"It makes a very fragrant and refreshing tea which is made from its flowers and roots. Like many other fruits, the dragon fruit has great medicinal benefits and a lot of people have grown to trust and depend on it," he observed in an interview with Kenyans.co.ke.



"The flower buds and fruit peels are used to make soups too," he added. 

Economics in Dragon Fruit Farming reveals that the fruits are sold in the market at a retail price of between Ksh1000 and Ksh2,500 per kg, and go for as much as Ksh950 per fruit!

The general farm gate price is approximately between Ksh 500 to 800 per kg.



A general calculation of annual income for a 1-acre plot may be calculated as follows: One Acre x 450 poles x 10 kg (least) x Ksh500 (minimum) = Ksh2.25 million per acre per year.



Kinoti encouraged entrepreneurs and especially those taking up farming to start dragon fruit farming as a new cash crop that is very profitable.

Decide on what kind of farming or agriculture you want to engage in, and make sure you have gained enough capital and knowledge so that you can be able to understand the challenges you can encounter.



Consider how to make your own manure, natural pest, insect, and weed control, and how to make animal feeds among other considerations depending on your agricultural practice which will help to reduce the cost.



It is very likely that you cannot produce all the feeds as there are those that have to be done by professionals in the field. It is therefore advisable to purchase their essential needs and do the best you can to complement the ones you buy.

An image of a well-sliced and served dragon fruit.

“There is no greater calling than service to country” is a well-recited quote among military personnel globally.



How good and proud would one be to serve his country and its citizens?



With the world now a global village, an opportunity to serve humanity would be a welcome call to anyone. Of course, this is accompanied by better remuneration.



Did you know you could make up to over Ksh 6 million on bonuses alone while serving as an immigrant army officer, among other packages?

An image of army personnel being put through their paces.

Twitter

Army Times

But do bonuses depend on your rank?

Rank does not factor into first-time enlisted soldiers' bonuses, since most join with the same starting rank.



Instead, the values of initial enlistment bonuses are determined by other factors like job speciality; Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) or how quickly you can report to Basic Combat Training.



Once you are serving and near completion of an enlisted contract, rank and length of service can be factors for receiving a reenlistment bonus.

Qualification for bonuses is determined by scores on certain tests, skills you may have, and a number of other factors.

Full-time recruits can combine bonuses to earn up to an additional $50,000 (Ksh 6.2M) for enlisting in certain jobs.

Enlisted applicants with specific skills the Army needs may be eligible for bonuses up to $40,000 (Ksh 5 million).

Equally, other benefits include; 



Full medical insurance coverage for your family, which can include your parents.

You have a right to have a career within the military, e.g. an engineer, pilot, doctor, therapist, nurse, et al.



Military men in these two countries are highly sought after in various skilled jobs as most of them have a career by the time they retire at a young age.

If one joins the military at the age of 20, they serve for 20 years, and at 40, they can choose to retire and be entitled to a pension.

Chief of Defence Forces Lieutenant General Robert Kariuki Kibochi.

Twitter

Easily accessible house mortgage, most military men are homeowners in these nations. Most of the money they earn as salaries goes to savings or to support their families back in their home countries.

This is also because the government provides them (including families) with almost 80% of their basic needs for survival. Most of them earn between $1800 (Ksh 221,400) to $3700 (Ksh 455,100). This is for junior-ranking officers.

Leave to travel to your home country; Domiciled Collective Leave (DOMCOL) and DOMCOL Substitute allows you to visit your country of origin for an extended period of leave, of up to 45 working days (instead of 30 days annual leave allowance) every five years.



Exempt Immigration Control status; You are exempt from UK immigration control for as long as you remain in Regular service, which means you do not have to pay visa fees during your service.

Family members; Once you have completed initial training, you will earn enough to bring your spouse or partner to the UK, subject to them meeting the criteria set out in the immigration-rules-appendix-armed-forces.  

The new year is already on, and everyone wants to make some extra coins.  What about those who want to join the millionaires' club?

Well, there are ways a Kenyan can easily become a millionaire despite the tough economic situation that has engulfed the country.

Kenyans.co.ke looked at three ways you could easily become a millionaire.

It should be noted that while the following ways can make you a millionaire, you must conduct due diligence before investing your hard-earned cash.

A file image of a political rally in Kenya

File

Investing in politics

This involves joining politics by vying for an elective seat or joining politics by virtue of association with elected leaders.

According to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report, Kenyan parliamentarians are among the world's best-paid politicians.

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) pegged the monthly pay for President and the Deputy President at Ksh1.44 million and Ksh1.2 million, respectively, while Members of Parliament take home Ksh710, 000.

Most career politicians in Kenya are millionaires without having ever ventured into corporate employment.

Former Vice President Musalia Mudavadi, in October 2022, while being vetted for the position of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, announced his net worth was Ksh4 billion.

“If I take my investments in shares in some companies and also the properties that I own, I’d put my net worth at about 4 billion shillings,” Musalia told National Assembly Committee on Appointments.

There are also plum positions that one can get by having a close relationship with elected leaders.

On Sunday, January 1, Cleophas Malalah, currently not holding any political seat, posted pictures of his multi-million house and hinted to his close association with Kenya Kwanza as the key to success.

"Kenya Kwanza administration sits well for upcoming companies to deliver not just houses to Kenyans but jobs too," the former senator boasted while flaunting his house.

An image of the interior of former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala's palatial ome in Makunga, Kakamega County.

Cleophas Malalah

Investing in land

A Kenyan can buy land in an upcoming suburb cheaply and sell it for a profit to real estate developers.

There are Kenyans who made millions by buying land cheaply in Rongai, Kiserian, Joska, Malaa and other areas in Kenya and then selling the land for millions.

If you have idle land in a prime area, you can lease it and make quick cash instead of selling it.

Many Kenyans in Kakamega made a fortune by leasing their land to Ksh 200 billion Mwale Medical and Technology City (MMTC) in Butere.

Become Tenderpreneur

Currently, several tenders are being dished out by different tiers of government.

You can bid for a tender from the county or the national government.

While appearing for the deputy presidential debate in July 2022, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua stated he was worth Ksh800 million. The DP become a millionaire before joining politics, having been in public service for years.

The majority of his wealth was through tendering with different government ministries.

Gachagua also told Kenyans that tendering process is a legal way of acquiring wealth.

"If you have a tender, you win and you come to me and say I have this tender of Ksh20 million, I need Ksh15 million, can you lend it to me and I give it to you and you do the tender, when you are paid, you pay me back it's not a crime," the DP justified.

One can also bid for tenders being availed in the private sector.

Cutting on expenditure

One of the quickest ways of becoming rich is by cutting expenses, especially luxuries. Spend strategically.

Kenyans who want to be rich need to live a minimalist lifestyle where they live within their budget and avoid unnecessary expenditure.

"It is true that if you have more disposable income, it’s easier not to overspend, but it is also worth noting that most millionaires have frugal spending habits," advises Faron Daugs, a certified financial planner.

Another way of cutting your expenditure is developing a habit of paying yourself first, also known as reverse budgeting.

Reverse budgeting is when your budget is based on your savings goals rather than your spending and expenses. 

Derek Thompson, in an article published by The Atlantic, sums up the mentality of creating a millionaire culture by remarking, "The poor spend relatively more on what will keep them alive, because they must, and the rich spend more on what will keep them rich, because they can."

A photo of Supermarket shelves.

Photo

Royal Indian Grocery

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in 2018 rolled out the smart driving license which replaced the infamous maroon ones.

NTSA  introduced new features in the licenses such as a smart chip, details of the driver's blood group, and license number among others.

The smart licenses were issued for a period of three years. However, many motorists wondered about the next step to be undertaken upon expiry.

Kenyans.co.ke reached out to NTSA to find out the procedure required when renewing the smart licence and compiled the process as outlined below;

Photo collage between police officers controlling traffic flow and an error captured on the NTSA portal on Friday, December 2, 2022.

Ma3Route

How to Renew

1. Visit the NTSA website - www(dot)ntsa(dot)go(dot)ke - and select the driving licensing option.

2. Log into the Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS) by keying in details such as ID number and password.

3. Select the driving license section and click on the renewal of driving license option.

4. Upon confirming various personal details, one is required to make payment for the renewal of the licence. According to NTSA, renewal of the three-year licence costs Ksh3050.

5. Upon successfully making the payment, one is then required to visit any preferred Huduma Centre or NTSA offices near them for their biometrics and picture to be taken and updated.

NTSA estimates that one should get their renewed licence within five working days of submitting their application.

The smart licences are also fitted with a chip, much like ATM cards that hold the drivers’ information and a points system that is used to encourage discipline among motorists.

Each card comes with 100 points that are deducted every time the holder commits any traffic offence.

Upon reaching the threshold of 40 points, the license can automatically be cancelled.

Thousands of uncollected Driving licenses posted by NTSA on Friday, March 4, 2022

NTSA

One of the common ways Kenyans use to dry their phones is by placing them into a bowl of uncooked rice.

The reasoning behind it is that the rice will act as an absorbent and absorb the water hence preventing your phone from permanently shutting down.

However, despite popular opinion, experts warn that placing your wet phone in rice could do more harm than good. 

Technological experts opine that rice acts as a weak absorbent and does not significantly dry a wet phone.

A photo of phone soaked in water

File

“Rice does have some ability to absorb water from wet things, but it’s very weak.”

“When you leave it on a bowl of rice it will naturally dry off with time and you end up thinking it was the rice that did something when in reality it was simply leaving the phone alone for a while that did the trick,” according to electronic engineer Mike Kilpatrick 

Studies have further shown that rice poses three dangers to your phone;

Rusting

Sarah McConomy, a phone expert, warns that putting your phone in a bowl of uncooked rice exposes it to rust.

"The starch in rice can actually speed up the corrosion process inside your device that occurs when liquid seeps into the device and starts to rust," McConomy warned during a past interview.

This means that while the drying will give you a temporary reprieve, you end up damaging your phone in the long term.

Blockage

Rice is usually made of small grains that cause blockage to your phone.

“Dust, starch and small grains of rice can get lodged in the mechanisms of your phone causing the blockage,” Erica Young a phone expert warns.

The blockage will affect key components in your phone like the speaker and audio port.

Damage to Hardware

Apart from blocking key components, electronic engineers warn that uncooked rice can damage the hardware.

"The rice can get stuck inside your charging port, your speaker, or your microphone and this can actually damage the hardware inside the phone," Erica further warns.

For instance, the pins inside your charging port can easily be damaged by a grain of rice.

Alternatives

Instead of rice, Kenyans are advised to use Silica Gel in case the phone gets wet.

Silica Gels are majorly used in packaged and boxed products like shoes and medicine to absorb moisture and can do the same for your phone. 

Place a few Silicas Gel packets under your phone and on top and wait for it to dry.

A example of a silica gel packet

File

Soundproofing a house is deliberate effort to put measures that will reduce noise pollution, which is against the law.

You can reduce the noise emanating from a house or make sure noise from outside does not cause disturbance inside the house.

County governments have stepped up efforts to make sure business establishments are compliant and that Kenyans are not subjected to all manner of noise especially in residential areas.

To complement existing noise pollution laws and regulations, you can soundproof your house from outside by following these simple steps:

A house under construction in Kenya

HPD

Add wall mass

Adding mass to an existing wall is one of easier ways to block airborne house thus blocking noise from outside.

If the house is made of a brick wall, you can add wall mass using acoustic plasterboard.

It should be noted that an extra wall mass will only block high frequency noise. If you live near a nightclub, the bass will still be able to pass through your walls.

Cap chimneys

Chimneys especially unused ones should be capped to reduce noise coming from outside.

To cap a chimney, you can block the top using a flue ventilator or a mesh that leaves space for ventilation.

Sealing up holes and cracks

Existing walls and cracks allow sound to pass through. Sealing considerably reduces noise pollution coming from the environs.

Storm windows

A storm window is a second window installed over an existing window.

It reduces noise reaching the room by acting as an insulator and reducing drafts.

Why soundproof from outside?

There are certain advantages of using the aforementioned ways to soundproof your house;

1. Noise reduction from outside accords your home with privacy.
2. Soundproofing a house protects its occupants from hearing damage and associated health issues.
3. With less noise coming from outside, it is possible to maintain good communication inside.
4. Finally, a serene environment improves quality of life and general wellbeing.

A storm window to reduce noise

File

President William Ruto on December 1, announced that the government will be recruiting 30,000 teachers starting on January, 2023.

According to a dispatch from State House, the mass recruitment was necessitated by acute shortage of teachers in the country and the need to implement the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).

To qualify for recruitment by the Teachers Service Commission, one must have a TSC number. Kenyans.co.ke looks at the process to follow when applying for the TSC number.

A teacher with students in class in a photo shared in 2019

File

How to apply for TSC number

TSC number can be applied through TSC website by clicking on teachersonline(dot)tsc(dot)go(dot)ke/Regintro(dot)aspx

The application portal will prompt you to upload scanned copies of the following documents:

Your national identity card and in case that is not available, your passport

A recent copy of police clearance certificate (good conduct)

A GP 69 medical letter - This is a medical examination form that is filled by a qualified medical officer. According to TSC guidelines, this medical letter must be filled in a public health facility.

Academic transcripts - The portal only accepts one entry in academic transcripts. Applicants must merge all academic certificates into one document before uploading on the portal.

A Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) pin certificate.

In case the names on your identity card differ with those on academic certificates, a sworn affidavit must be attached.

Charges

TSC charges a nonrefundable Ksh1060 for TSC number application.

For application of duplicate certificate, TSC charges nonrefundable Ksh2060.

For payment through bank: National Bank of Kenya Ltd, Harambee Avenue branch, Account Name: TSC-Secretariat, Account Number: 01001005707400.

For payment using mobile money:  PayBill Business Number 625625.

Bank deposit slip or mobile money payment evidence must be uploaded to the portal alongside the aforementioned document.

Application of  TSC number for foreigners

If you are not a Kenyan citizen, you must attach entry and work permits and a letter of clearance from Ministry of Education Vetting Committee together with the aforementioned mandatory documents.

A sample of TSC number certificate

File