The Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health, or TICAH, has long made its mark on disenfranchised communities throughout Nairobi. Founded in 2003 by Mary Ann Burris, the organization recognized that many international health and development agencies weren’t paying close enough attention to indigenous cultures and their traditions, including herbal medicines, foods, the arts, music, rights and rituals.

In a market dominated by bubblegum music and attention-seeking, one-hit wonders, it’s beautiful to witness a soul singer stepping into the music scene with something fresh and different. In an era when most artists are afraid to put their vocal capability to the test, Monique has the rawness of a newcomer but the confidence of a veteran.

In recent coverage, Dr. Willy Mutunga has promised the people of Nairobi to “rebrand” the Kenyan justice system’s reputation. The chief justice has confirmed in interviews that the judiciary loses 60% of its revenue through corruption (but then, who, literally, is counting?). From court clerks who take bribes to paralegals who make files disappear, from compromised magistrates to judges who delay cases for years, Willy has his work cut out for him. None of which is much consolation for victims, friends and families who deserve more immediate resolution in their cases – cases where the defendants seem to have more rights and liberties than the aggrieved parties.

Spurred on by “Occupy Wall Street” over the past several months, the global “Occupy Movement” has spread like planetary wildfire. Ignited by neo-liberal thought leaders (see www.adbusters.org and www.naomiklein.org) and the Internet generation, it bundles together a bandwagon of worldly frustrations over bad leadership, economic inequity, unfettered capitalism and environmental degradation. There’s something in there for everyone — a real mixed bag of crucial issues that cross race, nationality, politics, religion and gender.

I hate Santa. I despise the whole old man in a red suit. I’m not against old men, per se. I quite like them. I just think that someone dressed in a weather-inappropriate suit, wearing a fake beard and going “Ho, ho, ho!” is spooky.

Restaurant award programs like the recent Taste Awards are flawed. Someone gets left out, or judges have their own biases. That said, I am a foodie and a restaurant-goer. I live for food. And those who create the best culinary experiences should be acknowledged. The event at Tribe was well-designed (despite stage management teething problems) and was attended by a VIP cast of the local restaurant and bar scene.