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piqer for: Global finds
Ciku Kimeria is a Kenyan author "Of goats and poisoned oranges" - (https://www.amazon.com/goats-poisoned-oranges-Ciku-Kimeria-ebook/dp/B00HBBWPI6), development consultant, adventurer and travel blogger (www.thekenyanexplorer.com). She writes both fiction and non-fiction focusing on African stories that need telling. She has worked on diverse pieces for various international and local publications including Quartz, Ozy, The East African etc. She has travelled to 45 countries – 16 of them in Africa. 153 countries to go and 63 territories!
"Of goats and poisoned oranges" has been extremely well received in Kenya and beyond. It tells the story of a Kenyan middle aged power couple and their complicated marriage. The novel explores issues of greed, revenge, betrayal and murder. It runs from the 1960s to 2013. It has been described as “Wicked, funny, poignant, wacky, human, a big ball of fun and danger”, “A unique and captivating book”, “Fun and intriguing”, “Impossible to put down once you start reading.”
She recently moved to Dakar, Senegal from Kenya to work on her second novel. She also works at as the Africa Communication Manager at a leading global strategy consulting firm.
She holds a B.S. in Management Science from MIT with minors in Urban Planning and International development studies.
How The Former Nigerian Oil Minister Laundered Millions In The US
Corruption scandals are gaining more media coverage throughout the world — or maybe it's really just that in this day and age, it's getting harder to get away with such crimes. The former Nigerian oil minister — Diezani Alison-Madueke — is no stranger to controversy and corruption allegations. What makes this particular case intriguing is the fact that she tried to launder her money in the US by colluding with two corrupt businessmen who, in exchange for lucrative oil contracts, bought her assets in the UK and US worth hundreds of millions.
To understand the vast amounts involved in this scandal, the next quote offers a great snapshot.
In one instance, Alison-Madueke admits to the the furniture purchases made on her behalf but saying that the value “didn’t come to more than $4 million”.
The ridiculousness in claiming that all she got was $4 million in furniture purchases as kick-backs as if that is proof of her innocence ... As Africa's most populous country, with more than 70% living on less than a dollar a day, I doubt the average citizen would consider $4 million a tiny sum to loot for furniture purchases.
What strikes me most about the article is the reckless nature of greed — something we all witness whether we're talking about Ponzi schemes, investment bank heads whose greed destabilizes economies, or dictators who loot their countries. No amount ever seems to be enough.
Court documents list four homes in the United Kingdom worth £11.5 million bought by companies owned by the businessmen for Alison-Madueke. In one instance, a £3.75 million London home was purchased for Alison-Madueke only a day after Aluko met with Nigerian officials to discuss the first oil contract.
This is an interesting read that will cause the reader to reflect on what type of societies we've created where the privileged few have more than they would ever need for various lifetimes (and keep getting more), while the masses struggle for daily existence.
