Surviving Monday: A Kenyan's Guide to Conquering the Dreaded Monday Blues

Introduction:

Good morning, my fellow Kenyans! As we drag ourselves out of bed on this fine Monday morning, let's face it - the struggle is real. But fear not, for I come bearing the ultimate guide to surviving Monday, the Kenyan way. So grab your chai, switch on that gospel playlist, and let's dive into the abyss of Monday blues together.

1. The Matatu Chronicles:

Ah, the thrilling Monday matatu ride. It's like a rollercoaster, only scarier and with more unpredictable stops. If you're lucky, you might even witness a heated argument between the conductor and a passenger over a fifty-bob note. Remember, it's not a true Kenyan Monday unless you've mastered the art of hopping on a moving matatu like a ninja.

Photo Credit: Citizen Digital

2. Dress for Success; Surviving Monday:

Who says Monday has to be all gloom and doom? Spice up your wardrobe with a touch of "I-can-do-this" flair. Throw on that vibrant Maasai shuka as a cape, and strut into the office like you're about to conquer the savannah. Colleagues will be left wondering if you've just returned from an epic weekend safari.

3. Tea o'clock, All Day, Every Day:

In Kenya, tea isn't just a beverage; it's a way of life. Beat those Monday blues with a constant supply of chai. Need a break from spreadsheets? Chai. Stuck in traffic? Chai. The boss giving you the side-eye? Definitely chai. Bonus points if you can balance a mandazi on your keyboard without anyone noticing.

4. Slay the Office Safari:

Turn your mundane office space into a wildlife sanctuary. Replace your stapler with a faux zebra and stick a giraffe on top of your monitor. If someone asks, just tell them it's an innovative approach to boosting productivity. After all, who wouldn't be inspired by the majesty of the African savannah during a budget meeting?

5. Power Moves:

Take a page from Nairobi's famous marathon runners and apply the same strategy at work. Sprint from your desk to the coffee machine like you're breaking a world record. Bonus points if you can clear your inbox in under two minutes – now that's the Kenyan efficiency we're talking about!

Conclusion:

So there you have it, my friends. Embrace the chaos, conquer the matatu madness, and sip on that chai with pride. Monday may have its challenges, but as Kenyans, we've got the resilience and humor to face anything. Remember, it's not just a Monday; it's an opportunity to add a little more laughter to the world. Now go out there and show Monday who's boss!

 

Phereoeca Uterella

How to change BIOS language from Chinese to English US for HP Pavilion 13 Notebook PC

1. Power on your laptop and press escape key. This will dispalythe key to press to enter Bios setup.
2. For this HP Pavilion 13 Notebook PC, it is F10.
3. After entering setup utility, scroll to the third tab. This is the system configuration tab.
4. Select the first option of the tab which should be language and press enter.
5. Select the language you want from the drop down.
6. Save changes and exit.

How to Apply for an Adult ePassport in Kenya

It is easy and quick to apply for a Kenyan ePassport. Read more here to see what is required and the process to follow.

Kenya ePassport

Passport application in Kenya in divided into two parts:

1. Passport application for adults, and
2. Passport application for children (under 18 with no Identity Card)

The Kenyan ePassport Launch

The Kenyan ePassport was announced in 2016 and was initially meant to be launched in December 2016 but the launch date was first moved to April 2017 and later September 2017. It is an East African initiative and ePassports will also be rolled out to the other EA countries simultaneously.

Passport Application for Adults

Let us Quote the Law

Pursuant to section 27(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011 as read with section 12 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulation 2012, legal notice No. 64, all applicants are required to complete Form 19 (Fillable online) as the Kenya Passport application form set out in the first schedule of the Regulations.

Well and Good, What About the Application Process?

You can apply for, renew or replace your passport and pay for it online. You can pay using mobile money, Credit and Debit Cards. You will have to print out a form at the end. You must sign and date the form, add any documents or photographs that are needed, and return it for processing to Nyayo House.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Passport?

It should take at least 15 working days to get your first passport once your form has been physically submitted at the Immigration offices (Nyayo house, Mombasa & Kisumu). For all other application types, it should take at least 5 working days.
It can take longer if more information is needed or your application has not been filled out correctly. All Passport applications should now be made via www.ecitizen.go.ke. Manual applications will NOT be accepted.

Steps Followed During Application

1. Create an eCitizen account or login if you have one.
2. Go to the department of the Immigration and select passport application option for adult.
3. Read the instructions carefully then start filling the application form.
4. Select the mode of payment and pay for the passport fees.
5. Download and print the application form and three copies of the application Invoice (Receipt).
6. Submit the application form in person to the Immigration offices. ( Nyayo house, Mombasa & Kisumu.)
7. Please Declare All Your Children during Passport Application

During the Submission You Need the Following:

1. Applicants MUST appear in person for digital photo capture.
2. An eCitizen pre-filled passport application form and three invoices.
3. Original birth certificate and photocopy.
4. Original National ID Card & copy.
5. Three Current passport size photos.
6. Recommenders ID Card copy.
7. Old passport for replacement plus copies of last three pages.
8. Parents National ID cards copies or Death Certificate if deceased.
9. For Lost case a Sworn affidavit and a police abstract are required
10. For Lost cases and Mutilated cases an explanation letter is required to explain the circumstances of the loss or mutilation

Features of the Kenyan ePassport

• Electronic chip holding the same information as the old model passport
• Biometric identifier
• Digital photograph of the passport holder
• Security features to prevent unauthorized use and forgery.
• Details of the ePassport will be registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The ePassport Cost

• A series (32 pages) – Ksh. 4,550

• B series (48 pages) – Ksh. 6,050

• C series (64 pages) – Ksh. 7,550 

• Diplomatic – Ksh. 7,550 

• Mutilated Passport – Ksh. 10,050 

• Lost Passport Ksh. 12,050 

The People We Encounter on the Streets

“There's nothing I value more than the closeness of friends and family, a smile as I pass someone on the street.”

– Willie Stargell

Wolf in Sheep Clothing - Pixabay Image

The streets of busy towns have got difference characters of people. You just see them walking past you and others you brush shoulders as you pass one another. Have you ever thought the kind of people you encounter on a busy street on any day?

You come into contact with good people, office men and women, drifters, real preachers, fake preachers, real beggars, fake beggars, muggers, drug addicts, drug users, drug pushers, hardened criminals, witch doctors, prostitutes, gays, lesbians, goons, killers, assassins, suicide bombers, hypocrites, liars, psychos, perverts, rapists, and night runners among others. In most cases, you cannot tell who these people are because they veil themselves with some gentle looks. Sometimes some of these evil characters will have an ear to ear grin. Always be careful when encountering strange people. Not all will be friendly, and not all will have good intentions.

How to Pay Stamp Duty Using Itax

The Transferee/Buyer will log into their iTax profile through the iTax portal – https://itax.kra.go.ke  with their PIN and password.

• Go to the Payments Menu
• Select Payment Registration and click next
• On the Payment Registration form, you will select the Tax Head as Agency Revenue and the Tax Sub Head as Stamp Duty

Itax Platform

Declare the PIN(s) of the Transferor/Seller/Vendor/Owner and click on the add button

Declare the PIN(s) of the Transferee/Buyer details and click on the add button

• Select the Type of Instrument, Declared Value, Date of Instrument (depending on the instrument other fields may be open like Title number, L.R number, Reference number, Location, Area/Size), the total amount to be paid.

• Select the Mode of Payment and the Receiving Bank Name,

• Submit the form, download the payment slip, print two copies and go make the payment at the selected bank

If paying through mobile money select mode of payment as cash and receiving bank name as M-payment and submit.  

If using Mpesa, KRA Paybill Number is 572572 and the account number is the Payment Registration Number which is below the date on the top right of the payment slip.

If using Airtel Money dial the KRA USSD code *572#, select payments menu and enter the payment registration number (E slip number) and pay the exact amount as per the payment slip. Your payment will reflect in real time in your iTax ledger account.

Please Note:

Taxpayers are advised to first visit the Ministry of Lands offices, registries or Huduma desk for assessment of the correct stamp duty payable before they log in to iTax and generate a payment slip for the assessed stamp duty.

Self-Assessment Is Important

“Courage doesn’t happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life.”

― Shannon L. Alder

Self Assessment

It is important for one to keep on carrying a self-assessment from time to time. This will help one to check his or her progress in life. This assessment will involve checking where one has come from, where the person is at the moment and where one wants to be in the future. You will also need to ask yourself some hard questions. After this self-assessment, one will be able to see if he or she is moving forward, is stagnant or worse moving backwards.

Depending on the results you get, you will then be able to decide what to do. The self-assessment will give you the truth of the matter. It will then be possible to enhance oneself and gear yourself to higher achievement.