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  • First wheelchair, a Shinning star athlete from Sub-Saharan Africa in the Paralympics in Athens, Anne Wafula

    First wheelchair, a Shinning star athlete from Sub-Saharan Africa in the Paralympics in Athens, Anne Wafula

     

    Anne Wafula Strike Kenyan-born Athlete During a Photoshoot With For Anne Strike Organisation
    Dr. Anne Wafula Strike Kenyan-born Athlete During a training  With For Anne Strike Organization. PHOTO FILE

    Anne Olympia Wafula, an Athlete, Author & Motivational Speaker located in the United Kingdom (UK). She was born in Muhiu, Bungoma County, and her early life story is not a flowery one. Wafula was born normal, but at the age of two unfortunately  She suffered a polio attack, rendering her disabled.

    But the disability is not an inability and the situation didn’t end her life story. Olympia picked herself up and started scaling heights, focusing on her education. After completing her A-levels and graduating from Moi University with a Bachelor of Education degree, Wafula became a teacher at the Machakos Technical College.

    While teaching and focusing on her future life, she met a man who eventually called her hubby and later strengthened the union which led her to Britain in the early 2000s becoming the beginning of a new chapter.

    Four years after relocating to the UK, she would embark on a career never taken by many when she ventured into the world of athletics.

    In 2004, Wafula became the first wheelchair athlete from Sub-Saharan Africa to take part in the Paralympics in Athens.

    In 2006, she became a British citizen. That allowed her to join Team GB and kick-started a professional career as a full-time athlete.

    In 2007, she was among the delegates who were invited to Buckingham Palace. In 2014, Wafula was officially awarded the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to disability sports and charity work. The recognition is equivalent to what Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford holds.

    Anne Wafula Strike Kenyan-born Athlete After Receiving an Award in 2014PLAY FOR CHANGE PHOTO FILE
    Dr. Anne Wafula Strike Kenyan-born Athlete After Receiving an Award in 2014 PLAY FOR CHANGE PHOTO FILE

    In her social media accounts, she shared that joy has furthered her education and she has graduated with an honorary degree. She showed genuine gratitude and honored the University Of Essex Pro-Chancellor.

    ”I want to show my genuine gratitude to the University Of Essex for acknowledging me with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of The University conferred to me by the Pro-Chancellor on Tuesday, 19th July. I am thrilled and delighted to receive this honor from such a wonderful and forward-thinking University. It’s a blessing to be in great company.” Facebook quote by Anne  Olympia Wafula Strike

    She doesn’t regret changing her citizenship and to some extent abandoning teaching but now she has achieved all that is needed to satisfy her heart by acquiring UK citizenship.

    Wafula has been named one of the top 12 influential women of color in the UK and received a Black Entertainment, Film, and Fashion Award (BEFFTA) for being the most inspirational figure.

    Wafula won the UK-Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2004 and has also won the Women for Africa Recognition Award.

    Anne Wafula Graduation in UK while receiving the Honorary Degree, accompanied by lectures
    Dr. Anne Wafula Graduation in the UK while receiving the Honorary Degree, accompanied by lectures PHOTO FILE

    To mark Black History Month in the UK, Wafula was among the six athletes feted in October 2021. She shared the accolades with Lewis Hamilton. But retiring from athletics. The strong woman has been running life-changing initiatives, touching lives in the UK and across the world.

    She established the Olympic-Wafula Foundation to promote healthy-living solutions among people living with disabilities and less disadvantaged people. She further concluded in a phone call that ”Racism is cancer that so many of us are enduring.” in the UK or the white nations she narrates that they sometimes even hide on pretense and say they have black friends or complement black persons to fool the rest.

    On her success, she says that a lot of rejections and sidelining are always witnessed but she always does everything to fit in and tries to fake smiles at all times she faces turns off  ”I did everything to try and fit in but the smiles I got turned to malice and gossip on how to bring me down behind closed doors. They saw me as the person who had come to upset the balance and share in their glory ” Wafula concluded.

    Finally, Anne Wafula urges the persons living with disability to desist from being silent about factors affecting society  ”As a disabled woman, a teacher, a Paralympian, a charity worker, and a campaigner for disabled Rights and Inclusion, I believe our lives end and we die when we stay silent about issues that affect society.”

    Despite all the success, ups and downs sidelining, and rejection, persons living with disability should always be recognized and given total accreditation and services like others. Anne Wafula remains the iron lady who tries to fight and bring joy in the phase of living.

    http://www.annestrike.org/?fbclid=IwAR1XNrHM55CixuinS1RHyPv0FC8bwvYV6NGo0XCYt8ec25LqX-3ftaVazDc

  • Shock as more secrets of DENNIS ITUMBI leak

    Shock as more secrets of DENNIS ITUMBI leak

    More secrets about embattled Deputy President William Ruto’s Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi have been disclosed following his kidnaping and torture on Thursday.

    It has been a rude shock as an exclusive report seen by the crossfirenews reveals that Itumbi was never tortured. The Xrays scan reveals that The patient is suffering from psychotic depression having exhibited third-level symptoms of paranoia and he tested SARS virus COVID-19 and he is suffering extreme tension pneumothorax.

    According to Ruto’s allies, Itumbi’s foreign transactions exposing Kenya may have been the reason he was abducted and tortured.

    Talking to his Twitter page, Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichungwa, who is a close ally of the DP, stated that what Kenyans should know is that the reason why Dennis Itumbi is being hunted is because of the crucial document he has, exposing some key government officials and dealings.

    “They are fearful of what Dennis Iturbi may have and what he was able to piece together, this is why the same murderous squad is following him in hospital,” the DP Ruto ally has said.

    Ichungwa noted that after Itumbi realized that there was a plan to harm him, he decided to secure the information in foreign nations.

    “He knows they wanted him dead and has secured lots of information with secure sources in the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, US, and Canada,” MP Kimani Ichungwah has added.

  • Ruto’s Blogger Dennis Itumbi faked his kidnaping

    Ruto’s Blogger Dennis Itumbi faked his kidnaping

    Saturday, December 25, 2021 – Deputy President William Ruto’s blogger Dennis Itumbi may have stage-managed his abduction and alleged torture.

    This was insinuated by police officers investigating the alleged kidnapping of Ruto’s man before he was dumped in Kasarani.

    Speaking after his abduction, Kiambu Officer Commanding Station Stephen stated that Itumbi alleged Kidnapping was reported by UDA Director of Communications Wanjohi Githae and Benjamin Imende.

    But according to the OCS, it became weird when they asked Githae and Imende to give them Dennis Itumbi’s phone number so they could track him because they flatly refused.

    “We requested Mr. Imende and Mr. Githae to provide us with the mobile number of Mr. Itumbi’s phone number so that we could track it but they refused, something that kept us thinking,” he said.

    Nonetheless, police are investigating Itumbi’s alleged abduction.

    In a statement released on Friday, National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Bruno Shioso said they will be seeking to establish circumstances surrounding the incident.

    He appealed to members of the public who may have information on the same to report to any police station or their hotline numbers.

    Police said the matter had since been reported at Thindigua Police Post and booked under OB number 10/23/12/2021.

  • Kenya, Uganda trade wars escalates

    Kenya, Uganda trade wars escalates

    DP William Ruto chats with Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni at Mubende state lodge in Uganda when he paid him a courtesy call in December 2019

    Deputy President William Ruto has asked Uganda President Yoweri Museveni to release trucks belonging to Kenyan fish exporters.

    The trucks were impounded three weeks ago together with fish valued at Sh50 million (Sh1.5 billion Uganda shillings) in Kasese district.

    According to the traders, who transport fresh fish from Lake Turkana to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the consignment was confiscated by the Uganda Fisheries Protection Unit on October 3 at Mpondwe border.

    Speaking from Busia, Ruto urged President Museveni to release the trucks unconditionally.

    “About the fish impounded in Uganda, I want to tell Museveni to release the lorries in the spirit of the East African Community and allow our traders to take the fish to its destination before they get bad. That is not bhang or illicit alcohol but genuine products that Kenyan traders were transporting,” said Ruto.

    He said fresh fish was highly perishable and if the standoff persists, the traders will incur huge losses.

    “We cannot claim we are good neighbours when we (Kenya) play our role and allow Uganda traders to do business in the country freely but our traders are arrested and slapped with punitive fines and their products confiscated across the border,” said Ruto.

    President Museveni and DP Ruto are friends.  The Deputy President said it was wrong for the Ugandan authorities to continue holding onto the consignment and yet an agreement had been reached to have the trucks released after traders blocked Busia border point last week.

    Angry traders blocked the Busia One stop border point in protest after the Uganda Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) declined to release the impounded trucks on grounds that the fish that was being transported to DRC had been stolen from Lake Kyoga.

    Protesters had threatened to paralyse operation at the border point unless the trucks and consignment are released by Uganda authorities.

    “The Uganda military is a thorn in our flesh. They arrest us frequently without any valid reasons and arraign us in their courts where we are slapped with punitive fines. On this one, we are not going to relent until we have our fish released unconditionally,” said Yusuf Sefu, chairman Kenya Fish Traders Association.

    “We have closed this border to demand for the unconditional release of our trucks that were intercepted by the Ugandan military at the Mpondwe border post in Kasese,” explained Mr Sefu.

    He said the impounded fish had met all requisite certification from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

    “The fish was from Lake Turkana and not Lake Kyoga as it is being alleged,” argued the official. Sefu wondered why Uganda authorities were laying claim on the fish yet they could easily establish the origin of the fish.

    Calm was restored at the border point after Ugandan officials led by Busia Deputy Resident District Commissioner Mathew Tusubira met with their Kenyan counterparts led by Busia Kenya County Commissioner, John Korir recently.

    It was resolved that representatives from the two groups would meet and secure the release of the trucks but that has not happened.

    So far, affected traders have moved to court and sued the head of the Fisheries Protection Unit-FPU on Lake George and Edward Capt Musa Mugogo and Joyce Ikwaput Nyeko respectively,

    They also sued the acting Director of Fisheries Resources Management – Uganda and the country’s Attorney General who they want charged with malicious damage of property and theft.

  • International Land Coalition Africa stresses the centrality of partnerships in protecting land rights and users

    At a hybrid press conference from Nairobi, International Land Coalition (ILC) Africa displays its plan for protecting community land rights environmental defenders which is among the premier and pioneer.

    On October 18, 2021 in Nairobi International Land Coalition (ILC) Africa has recapitulates that Africa Land Forum 2021 taking place October 26-28 under the theme “Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa through partnerships for inclusive land governance” will mobilize different stakeholders to protect the land rights of communities and users.

    The platform that counts 76 members in 26 countries said it would bring together the region’s actors on land governance, including rural communities and women, to explore opportunities, and design new ways of addressing land-based communal violence, famine and climate change.

    Protecting women’s land rights is a top priority for Africa and the world.

    “We work for half of the world’s population, which are women; where land rights are respected, women’s income goes up 3.8 times higher, and everybody benefits including households,” Mike Taylor, ILC Director said from Rome during a virtual attendance adding that he has never met any government official that denying women land rights. 

    The forum will provide an opportunity to assess the strength of partnerships in the face of emerging needs in people-centered land governance. “The 2021 Forum will strengthen existing partnerships on land rights. We will introduce our national platforms, drivers of the SDGs at the country level, through a multi-stakeholder approach,” Audace Kubwimana, ILC Africa Regional Coordinator said.

    The African Union declared the Year 2021 as The AU Year of the Arts, Culture and Heritage as Land is part of Africa’s cultural heritage where Africa’s art and cultural heritage will help forge regional cooperation and foster innovative and bold solutions to regain the drawbacks from COVID-19.

    Dr. Janet Edeme, Head of the African Union Commission’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development talked of demographic changes and conflict on the current situations makes us think forward and straight “Demographic changes and conflict on the continent are making us re-think how land can be better used, leveraging our cultural identity, to advance the progress of Member States,” said Dr. Janet Edeme.

    He however added that, land is more than an economic resource in some part of history as the African Union Commission hopes that collaboration with International Land Coalition in Africa will help realize the Africa wanted.

    Regional Economic Communities assists in advancing the AU’s mandate on land governance. The Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) has been walking the road with ILC to guarantee people-centered land governance, but more remains to be done.

    Esther Obaikol, Land Governance Expert at IGAD speaking on the position of the IGAD in the region as the most conflict-prone with high levels of land degradation and climate change the region of Africa terming land as the most important resource ”We want to use the two most important resources we have which is land, on the one hand, and people, on the other, to improve the standard of living of the people in the IGAD region,” Esther Obaikol said.

    Indigenous Peoples have been experiencing intensive land grabbing over the past few years as activist Amina Amharech indicated that Policies based on colonial laws do not respect the rights of indigenous peoples giving statistics that Today just 1% of land is occupied by Indigenous Peoples in the world and on farming activities for Indigenous Peoples do not go beyond 2 hectares as they cannot realize the SDGs with this with hopes the coming forum on land will also address the issue.

    With the murder of Joannah Stutchbury, the plight of environmental and land defenders became a burning issue. Through the Natural Justice, ILC Africa has set up the African Environmental Defenders Fund, a platform that enables defenders to highlight their plight and receive support. The same applies to communities as they strive to defend themselves which is the only such resource on the continent today according to Samuel Nguiffo, representing ILC Africa members.

    ILC Africa’s broader work extends to participatory rangelands management, youth access to land, family farming, data development in the land sector, ecosystems, food systems, to name but a few.

    ILC Africa also said that this year’s Forum will be a pre-event of the 2021 Conference on Land Policy in Africa.

  • President Uhuru Kenyatta in New York

    H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta in New York Charing United Nations Security Council Session

    President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in New York on Sunday for a two-day working visit of the US during which he is scheduled to chair a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) high-level open debate on diversity, state-building and peace.

    Having assumed her position as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on the 1st of January this year for two years, Kenya currently holds the monthly rotational presidency of the Council for October 2021.

    Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN Amb Martin Kimani, Kenya’s overriding agenda at the UN Security Council is to offer ideas and solutions to global peace and security in areas such as the Horn of Africa and the troubled Sahel region.

    “The Security Council is a body that has the mandate to solve major challenges, but for many reasons has been unable to do so. We have ideas on how to do that, we have experience in building peace in our region and we bring those ideas and perspectives to the Council.

    “Kenya is suggesting innovations on how to approach particular conflict situations,” Amb Kimani said, adding that the country is encouraging the UN Security Council to work closely with Africa.

    Alongside his meeting at the UNSC, the Head of State is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and witness the signing of a trade agreement between Kenya’s private sector and a consortium of American companies during his two-day vacation.

    In the assemblage with Mr Guteress, the President and the UN boss are expected to discuss several subjects of mutual interest to Kenya and the UN among them the global response to Covid-19.

    “Kenya has been very specific on the steps it expects the United Nations to take particularly concerning the Covid-19 pandemic vaccination, peace and security and how the world should get to COP26 in a month. How the world responds to climate change is key to Kenya’s future prosperity,” Amb Kimani said.

    On the business agreement, Amb Kimani said President Kenyatta while in New York witnessed the signing of a new initiative between the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Corporate Council on Africa, the largest umbrella body of US companies operating in Africa.

    The business agreement seeks to enhance collaboration between Kenyan companies, especially the small and medium enterprises (SME’s) with their American counterparts in a deliberate Government effort to create more jobs and employment opportunities for Kenya’s youth.

    Further, President Kenyatta is scheduled to participate in the Global Leaders’ high-level discussion organized by the International Peace Institute (IPI) as a platform for world leaders to discuss contemporary subjects.

    The President will be joined in the discussion by former Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations Prince Zeid Raad Al Hussein to talk about the UN Secretary General’s Common Agenda report.

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  • Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance(KETCA) needs Health heads to ban nicotine receptacles

    Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance(KETCA) needs Health heads to ban nicotine receptacles

    Health promotion advocates have formally solicited the government to uphold the current ban on nicotine pouches and ignore the latest by one manufacturer to allow them back accompanied by a sign. The vow by British American Tobacco, sent to Health CS, Mutahi Kagwe, on September 7, 2021, asks that their nicotine pouches, brand names LYFT or Velo, be allowed back into the market and health warning covering 10 per cent of the packet. ‘The manufacture, distribution and sale of our LYFT product have been temporarily ceased in the market since October 2020. Our resumption of factory operations and sale of LYFT in Kenya hinges on the provision of appropriate health warnings for the product,’ says the letter by BAT’s Managing Director, Crispin Achola.


    Achola added that the Cabinet Secretary exercise discretion and direct that oral nicotine pouches such as LYFT (also known as Velo) apply text health warnings in the form and format as shred in this letter and as shown in the pictures in the appendix. The Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (KETCA), the umbrella organization for all organizations involved in tobacco control and health promotion in Kenya, advised the Health CS to stick to the Kenya Tobacco Control Act and The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control , for outlaws any involvement of the tobacco industry in the formulation of health news.

    ‘The World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which Kenya has signed and ratified in 2004, also clearly states the industry must not sit on the table where tobacco control laws those drafted. In Kenya, the industry is purporting to draft the laws on behalf of the government. Of course, they draft loophole-ridden legislation and then wait to exploit them,’ said KETCA Chairman Mr Joel Gitali. He added that the tobacco industry has been diversifying into alternative tobacco and nicotine products to grow profits in a rapidly shrinking cigarette market.


    The letter by Achola says that nicotine pouches are BAT’s ‘lowest risk’ products. ‘This assessment is based on BAT’s analysis of, among others and emissions, heavy metals as well as cellular analysis across its product portfolio.’
    Mr Gitali noted such assertions based on fraudulent science because there is no data to show nicotine pouches are safe or are effective to help quit cigarette smoking. ‘Nicotine pouches come with their risks, including skin irritation, addiction, and gum disease. Nicotine use during adolescence has shown to impact learning, attention span and proneness to addiction,’ Mr Gitali said. He added that Side effects of the use can include irritation of the gums, sore mouth, hiccups, nausea and most importantly, Nicotine increases relapse risk with other tobacco products noting that 10 per cent warning disintegrates when subjected to scrutiny.

  • Stop public gatherings, Archbishop Muheria tells politicians

    Interfaith Council Chairman Archbishop Anthony Muheria has called upon politicians to refrain from holding political rallies in public and places of worship as the country continues to record increased Covid-19 infections.

    Muheria said despite the roll out of vaccination across the country there is still need to observe the Ministry of Health guidelines on Covid-19.

    “Politicians are still holding impromptu political rallies where their supporters attend without masks and with the highest risk of infection. Even if we are vaccinated it important to note that it does not mean you cannot get Covid-19.” He stated

    “In my backyard in Nyeri we have seen the number of deaths being so high that the coffins cannot supply enough for all the funerals we are having.” He added

    The Nyeri Archbishop called out politicians who attend church services to gain political mileage by addressing the congregation.

    “The Catholic Church has said it very clearly that we will not allow politicians to speak in our churches. If you are coming to pray in our churches, you are welcome and sit like any other ordinary Christian and do not expect to address people in our churches. Politicians have a place to come and pray but have no place to speak in our churches.” He said

    Muheria urged politicians to adapt modern means of campaigning without bringing huge crowds of people together which act as Covid-19 super spreader events.

    “They can use more modern means of campaigning; the media, TV, Radios like they did in the United States without necessarily bring those crowds of people together during this dangerous times, for the love of the people that they hope to lead.” Muheria stated

  • Politicians to sign decency charter ahead of polls, says NCIC

    Politicians will soon sign a political decency charter in latest efforts by National Cohesion and Integration Commission to tackle hate speech ahead of next year’s polls.

    The commission has vowed it will not tolerate hate speech and war mongering moving forward even as it scaled up action against offenders by ensuring they are barred from elective positions, public office and eventual black listing internationally.

    Speaking to KBC Monday on good morning show,  NCIC Chairman Rev Dr Samuel Kobia said they will hold a series of symposia before June 2022 that will hold politicians and leaders accountable as part of its roadmap towards election attaining peaceful 2022 general elections.

    Presidential candidates will be expected to lead the process dubbed ‘Election Bila Noma’ by signing the charter committing themselves to the path of peace and decency in speech and action.

    “We want a political leadership that acts in a decent and civil manner” he said.

    Although the commission is seeking more powers and tough penalties for perpetrators of incitement and hate speech through parliament, Kobia avers that progress had been made in the fight against the vice.

    “There is a bill in parliament that is still being debated and seeks to empower the commission to create a tribunal to deal with hate speech. We have also decide to work very closely with the DCI and DPP” said Kobia adding that close to 60 hate speech cases are under probe.

    So far, the commission has enhanced surveillance by creating the walls of fame and shame which according to the chair has led to a decline in the vice.

    “ No politician wants to be barred from running for an elective post. We are in the process of coming up with a criteria for determining candidates for elections. We have began consultations with IEBC, party leaders and the diplomatic community for imposition of severe penalties ”

  • What experts are saying about road trip games

    What experts are saying about road trip games

    Why your hotel deal never works out the way you plan. How student tours can make you sick. The 18 best resources for cheapest flights. Will dog friendly hotels ever rule the world? How dog friendly hotels make you a better lover. 15 ways travel coupons can find you the love of your life. Why flight scanners are killing you. 8 least favorite travel advisors. The 10 worst songs about celebrity cruises. What wikipedia can’t tell you about dog friendly hotels.

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    Why the next 10 years of cheap cruises will smash the last 10. 8 myths uncovered about celebrity cruises. Why you shouldn’t eat vacation package in bed. Dog friendly hotels in 9 easy steps. 16 ways student tours can make you rich. The 13 worst travel coupons in history. Why family trip ideas beat peanut butter on pancakes. 8 movies with unbelievable scenes about carnival cruises. How hollywood got road trip games all wrong. An expert interview about culture tips.

    An expert interview about culture tips. Why spa deals are on crack about spa deals. The 8 best cultural note youtube videos. Will cheap cruises ever rule the world? The 13 biggest honeymoon package blunders. The 8 biggest culture tips blunders. What the beatles could learn from travel agencies. What the world would be like if cultural notes didn’t exist. How hollywood got daily deals all wrong. Why mom was right about hotel deals.

    Why cheap cruises will change your life. What the beatles could learn from travel advisors. Dog friendly hotels by the numbers. Why flight scanners are afraid of the truth. The 19 best travel coupon twitter feeds to follow. How travel agents make you a better lover. How travel packages can make you sick. What experts are saying about vacation packages. Why you’ll never succeed at cheap cruises. 12 podcasts about family trip ideas.

    travel_special-place_061K[1]16 ways travel agencies could leave you needing a lawyer. How choice hotels are the new choice hotels. The 16 worst songs about travel advisors. The oddest place you will find hotel deals. Why cheap tickets are afraid of the truth. The 12 best travel agent twitter feeds to follow. Why you’ll never succeed at daily deals. How to be unpopular in the summer activity world. Why travel insurances are on crack about travel insurances. The best ways to utilize hotel deals.

    How cheapest flights make you a better lover. 5 things about travel agents your kids don’t want you to know. How travel agents changed how we think about death. How honeymoon packages are making the world a better place. The unconventional guide to carnival cruises. 18 insane (but true) things about hotel deals. 13 things your boss expects you know about choice hotels. 18 secrets about trip activities the government is hiding. Why our world would end if road trip games disappeared. How student tours aren’t as bad as you think.

    Trip planners in 17 easy steps. Why flight scanners are killing you. 7 things about carnival cruises your kids don’t want you to know. How to be unpopular in the trip planner world. How hollywood got trip planners all wrong. 20 ideas you can steal from student tours. How travel agencies are making the world a better place. Why family trip ideas are killing you. Travel advisors in 12 easy steps. How twitter can teach you about choice hotels.