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dj kamaa’s urban Thursday THE popular ENTERTAINER EXPLAINS the idea behind the event and the challenges he went through P.10

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City Stars coach targets chemelil after machakos win P.14

Man United face Bayern Munich in champions Leabgue tie | P.15

US, UK, Canada issue travel warnings after terror strikes US, UK, Canada and Australia have all issued travel advisories to their nationals living in the country and warned of the possibilities of more terror strikes.

“You should take care in public places where people gather and exercise a heightened level of vigilance. Further large-scale attacks can’t be ruled out,” a statement from the UK embassy said.

Meanwhile, more than 300 people were arrested on Monday following the twin explosions at the sprawling Eastleigh estate even as western nations warned of the possibility of large-scale attacks in the city.

US also warned of repeat attacks and urged her citizens to avoid crowded places.

“The Embassy reminds US citizens of the continued threat of potential terrorist attacks in the country.

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tactical: A policeman takes position during the raid by armed terrorists at Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi in September last year. A number of Western nations have issued travel alerts to their citizens after the recent terror strkes in Coast and Nairobi’s Eastleigh area.

Get the most fun from your phone P.16

Lang’ata cemetery is not full, authority p.6

Kenya Power to give 3m bulbs p.7

The paintball thrill, adventure p.12

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UK, US new travel warnings tuesday, APRIL 1, 2014

From Page 1

Targets of the attacks could include hotels, night clubs, shopping malls, transportation hubs, religious institutions, government offices, or public transportation,” it said in a statement seen by Xnews.

The Australian government considered the risk “too much” and advised

its citizens to only travel to Kenya if they have to.

Australia said it continues to receive regular reports that terrorists are planning a range of attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa and have consequently increased their levels of advisory.

“We now advise Australians to

reconsider their need to travel to Nairobi and Mombasa due to high threat of terrorist attack and high level of crime such as armed carjacking and home invasions,” the Australian government said in a statement.

Canada also advised her citizens to exercise a “high degree” of caution

due to the increasing number of terror strikes, kidnapping and incidents of crime targeting Westerners in Kenya. The warnings come hot on the heels of a twin explosion in Eastleigh on Monday which killed six people and left more than 18 others seriously injured.

More than 300 people have been

arrested in the wake of the attacks.

Police say none of the suspects can be linked to the attack.

Three men are suspected to have placed the explosives within 100 meters apart before they went off killing customers at a food kiosk in California area of the densely populated Eastleigh suburb.

How world fell for April Fools’ Day pranks As April Fools Day unfolded, a number of pranks were played on unsuspecting readers . Even multinational companies could not resist the temptation to take part in the fun.

Here are two that stood out: In South Africa The official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) countered the upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead in a prank statement that announced “upgrades” on party leader’s Hellen Zille’s home.

“Following the recent trend of public money being used for upgrades to private residences, Ms Zille is excited to see what this upgrade will do to the value of her family home, which is to be renamed ‘Amandla’,” read a statement by the party.

“The initial upgrade is planned for about R20 million, but according to Western Cape Finance Minister, Alan Winde, “everyone knows that these things often run way over budget, so the Western Cape Government has set aside R246 million for inevitable cost overruns.”

Meet the Glove…

HTC introduced the Gluuv, something that appears to be taken out of a Robocop movie.

This is a massive glove that appears to be made of aluminium which has been designed to integrate the new HTC One (M8).

HTC says the wearable “lets you unleash your imagination and communicate in ways you’ve always wanted.” So, you basically have a huge smartphone strapped into an oddly looking astronaut-sort of glove. The Gluuv has been created to cater for the needs of DJs who need to keep the party alive. Grab the HTC BoomBass handle with the HTC Gluuv, which will allow for sound to activate and be streamed like never before.

FAKE GADGET: HTC’s Gluuv was a Fools’ Day prank.

Fares hit the roof as new PSV rules bite commuters Nairobi commuters were forced to pay exorbitant fares following the withdrawal of a section of matatus from the roads as owners protested the introduction of new transport regulations.

Thousands remained stranded on the way to work as others rushed for the few available trains as the transport crisis set in.

The chaos followed a court blow for matatu operators after High Court Judge George Odunga declined to suspend implementation of the new

traffic regulations.

And with just a few Public Service Vehicles complying with the new rules, matatu owners withdrew vehicles from the roads for fear of being impounded.

Only 7,000 of an estimated 100,000 vehicles countrywide had been cleared by the Vehicle Inspection Unit at the end of business on Monday.

In Nairobi alone, less than 3000 vehicles have been cleared. The figure falls far short of the 10,000 PSVs that serve Kenya’s capital city.

The move was a blow to commuters, some of who were forced to walk to work as the few available vehicles hikes fares to maximise on the quandary. Commuters from Rongai to city centre who normally charge Sh80 paid Sh200.

On Mombasa road, travellers from news@x-news.co.ke www.x-news.coke facebook.com/XnewsKenya twtter.com/XnewsKenya

Imara Daima paid Sh200 to the CBD, up from the usual Sh50.

From Roysambu, fares rose to Sh200 while matatus from Dandora charged Sh150, up from the normal Sh50 to the city centre. In Umoja and Donholm areas, Ummoiner and Embassava vehicles remained parked at petrol stations and

Publisher: Paul Marshall Commercial Director: Neema Wamai Content Editor: Brian Moseti Finance Director: Fred Bunei

garages in what appeared to be a slow protest against the new rules.

Other commuters rushed for the train service as the impact of the crisis sunk. The chaos unfolded even without police arresting PSV vehicles that had not complied with the new regulations.

Team: Amos A, Amos K, Beatrice, Chris, Cynthia, Dennis, Dominic, Elisha, Fred, Jane, Kennedy, Kibor, Laban, Lisa, Pamela, Patrick, Peter, Tamu, Queen, Violet.

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tuesday, aPRIL 1, 2014

Man jailed for bid to kill Obama A man from Idaho, US, who confessed of attempting to kill President Barack Obama has been jailed for 25 years.

Oscar Ortega-Hernandez, 23, who had originally been indicted on 17 criminal counts, appeared in a Federal court after pleading guilty in September 2013.

Prosecutors had charged Ortega-Hernandez with firing a Romanian-made assault rifle out of the window of his car I the evening of November 11, 2011 at the Whitehouse.

After firing several shots, he sped away

towards a bridge leading to the Virginia suburbs, but crashed his vehicle and fled on foot, officials said.

The government said Ortega-Hernandez’s fingerprints were found on ammunition magazines left in a 1998 Honda, but not on the weapon itself, which also was left in the car.

Neither the President nor his family were at home at the time of the incident.

“This man drove cross-country to launch an assault rifle attack on the White House from Constitution Avenue,” said U.S. Attorney Ron-

ald Machen, whose office prosecuted the case.

“He was motivated by hatred for the President and the desire to start a revolution against the federal government.

“We are very fortunate that his bullets narrowly missed the US Secret Service officers guarding the White House that night. This 25-year prison sentence demonstrates that anyone who comes to the nation’s capital planning to use violence should expect to spend decades behind bars.” Ortega-Hernandez was captured at a Pennsylvania motel five obama hatEr:oscar ortega-hernandez has confessed that he attempted to kill President obama on November days after the incident.

11, 2011.

Kidero signs Eastlands power deal

WHO’S SAFE FROM HEART ATTACK? Married couples are less likely to suffer from heart-related diseases, according to a recent study by the College of Cardiology. Research has shown that being married makes for a healthy heart, while being divorced or widowed is linked to higher rates of cardiovascular disease. The study, which is the largest of its kind, having surveyed 3.5 million test subjects, discovered that divorced people had a higher likelihood of suffering from any vascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, coronary artery diseases and cerebrovascular diseases when compared to single people “These findings certainly shouldn’t drive people to get married,”

Residents of sections of Eastlands in Nairobi could soon be connected to free power supply in a deal signed between City Hall, the French government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Governor Evans Kidero signed the Sh15 billion deal that will allow the French government to install solar power in the city.

The deal was signed early today and will be rolled out in three phases.

The first phase is expected to be complete by the end of June and will ensure residents of Kaloleni, Shauri Moyo, Bahati, Maringo, and Jericho get free electricity.

The second will be completed by the end of the year and the last by mid next year.

7,000 police recruits expected to boost operations in urban areas Security is set for a major boost when 7, 000 police recruits march out of Kenya Police College this week for deployment.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Lenku has said the new officers are expected to boost police numbers by 10 per cent.

A big number of the recruits will be deployed to Nairobi where the crime rate is higher than other areas as others move to other towns with identical problems. Shortage of officers

in Nairobi has led to escalating cases of crime and deaths.

Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo has confirmed that the government had enhanced investment in security.

“The government has introduced measures that have been matched by financial investments,” he said.

The government is also expected to spend big on leasing of 1,200 vehicles for police in the next three years following the recent

leasing of the same number of cars. In addition to the extra staff, the government has invested heavily on technology to help fight crime. Police are expected to unveil CCTV cameras in the city following the establishment of a 24-hour call centre for crime reporting that can be reached by emergency numbers 999 and 112.

A new website for reporting crime cases has also been set up at www.usalamawatch.go.ke.

explained Langone Medical Center Cardiology Fellow, Carlos Alviar, “but it’s important to know that decisions regarding who one is with, why, and why not may have important implications for vascular health,” People who were, according to the study. we can clearly see that that the government is really in the driver’s seat and in leadership,” said Resident Coordinator of the United Nations system in Kenya, Nardos Bekele-Thomas.

Speaking at a Nairobi hotel Monday morning, she mentioned that both the Kenya government will be working together with UN agencies to ensure development assistance to Kenya.

State to appeal digital ruling The government will challenge the Court of Appeal’s ruling that extended the deadline for digital migration to September 2014. The State will also appeal the cancellation of broadcast licences earlier awarded to foreign companies.

Information Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the government will move to the Supreme Court in a week to contest the Court of Appeal’s decision that the constitution and broadcast laws were not followed in rushing the digital migration before the June 2015 deadline.

Matiang’i said the decision was unacceptable because it will make investors shy away since they competed and acquired

licenses in a fair manner. He said issuance of licenses is a prerogative of the Executive.

“The implications of the Court of Appeal decision is hard to contemplate. That is why we will be going to court to restore investors’ confidence,” Matiang’i said.

He was addressing a news conference in Attorney-General Githu Muigai’s office in Nairobi.

Prof Muigai said as the government tries to accommodate local and foreign investors, the Court of Appeal’s move means investors will have to be compensated with funds that could have been used in development projects.

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tuesday, aPRIL 1, 2014

KWS’ Sh400m anti-poaching war chest Kenya Wildlife Service has been awarded Sh400 million in the Supplementary Budget to enhance war against poachers.

Environment, Water and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu says KWS will use the cash to buy surveillance equipment and recruit more rangers to counter the poachers.

“We want our technology enhanced because some of the poachers are equipped with bullet-proof vests and hi-tech night vision goggles which enable ease of movement in the dark,” Prof Wakhungu told the inaugural cluster of Cabinet secretaries’ media briefing on Monday.

She said the government is aware of global traffickers of rhino horns and elephant tusks and will act once it has credible information.

“We have received leads as to who in the international syndicate is colluding with locals and we will deal with them to end this menace.”

Kenya has lost 19 rhinos and 51 elephants this year alone. The last rhino was killed on Thursday at Lake Nakuru National Park.

KWS Acting Director William Kiprono joined rangers in a manhunt for the poachers.

Kenya has over 30, 000 elephants, the fourth largest herd in the world and 10,041 rhinos, the third largest globally by the year 2013.

KWS say there is therefore no cause for alarm and has downplayed calls for poaching to be declared a national disaster.

There have been accusations that senior government officials are linked to the current poaching menace.

Matatus say speed gadgets prices hiked

out of BuSineSS: Matatu owners have accused dealers of doubling the prices of speed governors

Be married, have a healthy heart: Study People who are married have healthier hearts than those who are single, divorced or widowed, new study says.

The study, which polled 3.5 million people said those who are divorced or widowed are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those who are married.

The results of the study, the largest of its kind, was presented at the American College of Cardiology conference.

According to the study, divorced people have a higher likelihood of heart disease, coronary artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm as compared to people who had never been married.

Widowers also showed higher rates of having heart related illnesses.

Lead author, Carlos Alviar of New York University Langone Medical Center, said the findings of the study should not drive

people to get married but it was important to know that decisions about your future spouse can impact on the health of the heart.

According to the study, married people are more likely to help each other in staying healthy,

making sure the spouse eats well, taking medication, and attending doctor’s appointments.

Researchers found that the risk of heart diseases was lower in couples who are under the age of 50. They didn’t anticipate in

the study. Marriage was linked to a 12 percent decrease of heart disease for couples under 50.

Couples aged 51-60 had seven percent decrease in heart related illnesses. And four percent among couples aged 61 and older.

BliSS: A couple enjoy a good moment together. Study reveals married people have healthier hearts.

Matatu saccos have now shifted the blame for their non-compliance with the new transport regulations to unscrupulous dealers whom they have accused of doubling the prices of the gadgets.

Godfrey Akuma, the secretary general of Nairobi Metropolitan Union, the umbrella body that brings together some 105 saccos operating in Nairobi, says the dealers have now hiked the prices of the speed gadgets beyond their reach.

“Matatus were supposed to be buying the gadgets at Sh20, 000 but the prices have now doubled as some unscrupulous businessmen scheme to capitalize on the high demand following the rush to fit the gadgets,” he told Xnews this morning.

Akuma said the digital speed governors were supposed to be sold on the basis of first come first serve.

“But what they are doing now is auction. People who paid for them earlier have not received the

gadgets yet others who just came yesterday have because they paid double,” Akuma said.

The Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit director, Gerald Wangai, said only 7000 vehicles have so far been cleared by end of business yesterday. He revealed that some 21,000 digital speed governors have been imported by the 16 suppliers cleared by the Kenya Bureau of Standards. But matatu owners have decried the high cost of the gadget, which is retailing at between Sh35,000 and Sh45,000.

Akuma says their members may be forced to wait a little longer if the prices do not come down.

Statistics from the inspection unit revealed that just 200 vehicles were being inspected per day.

Long queues of matatus, commercial vehicles and lorries stretched on Likoni, Enterprise and Lunga Lunga roads early today as they waited to be fitted with the gadgets at the inspectorate’s Industrial Area workshop.

Apple , Samsung back in court over features Leading Smartphone manufacturers Apple and Samsung are back in court to contest features of their devices.

Apple has accused Samsung of copying its distinctive features like “slide to unlock”, but Samsung said it was a “pioneer”, and that Apple was doing the copying.

Apple wants Samsung to be forced to pay up to Sh176billion and about Sh3, 520 royalty on every device it deems to be copying its software.

“Apple revolutionised the market in personal computing devices. Samsung, in contrast, has systematically copied Apple’s innovative technology and products, features and designs, and has deluged markets with infringing devices,’’ Apple said in its court filings.

Apple has made copying claims over five features found within its iOS software.

In response, Samsung says it has been in the mobile device industry since its inception claiming it is Apple that is copying.

“Samsung has been a pioneer in the mobile device business sector since the inception of the mobile device industry. Apple has copied many of Samsung’s innovations.

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globalview

Cemetery not full, King’ondu

DANGER ZONE: Nurses put on protective gear as they prepare to treat Ebola patients in the southern Guinean town of Guéckédou.

TA stops county staff hire until after audit County governments will not hire any more workers pending a staff audit to determine the number of employees they need, the Transition Authority has said. Transition Authority chairman Kinuthia Wamwangi also announced that his office will start the audit across the 47 counties this

month. He told county governments to stop hiring of new staff until the new employment measures are put in place.

“We wish to advise all the county governments to stop recruiting new staff untill we are through with the exercise so that we can take stock of the number of staff and seek a

way forward in a bid to reduce the wage bill,” he said. The transition authority is charged with overseeing the implementation of devolution and Wamwangi said the audit seeks to check the number of staff each county should employ. “It will also help them have a stable payroll and check on the

problem of ghost workers,” he said.

The exercise may have been informed by the government’s decision to bring down the runaway wage bill and could mean a leaner workforce for county governments through getting rid of ghost workers believed to be draining their coffers.

The Nairobi City county government has refuted claims that the Lang’ata cemetery is filled up and could be closed down in the next six months for health reasons.

Reports appearing in sections of the media recently indicated that the cemetery is filled up and bodies are now being buried up to three in one grave.

The reports also said county executive member for Health Dr Timothy King’ondu sounded the alarm and warned that the graveyard will be closed if burial land is not found in the next six months.

But speaking to Xnews, Dr King’ondu rubbished the claims saying there is no cause for alarm as “the cemetery could still function for another 30 years.”

“Most of the graves at the cemetery are more than 30 years old and are safe for recycling and that is what we are doing,” he said.

He allayed fears of health concerns saying recycling of graves does not pose any such risks.

He said the county government will soon unveil new plans showing various infrastructure designs and where the next cemetery will be located.

“But in the meantime, there is no alarm and the cemetery can accommodate more bodies for several years to come,” he added.

The last attempt by the city authorities to find a new burial site for Nairobi was in 2008 and it ended in controversy with claims of corruption in the acquisition of the land in Machakos.

The then Minister of Local Government Musalia Mudavadi denied any involvement in the matter.

What others said today...

Uhuru and Ruto move to rescue Jubilee legacy. There is change in the communication strategy under the flag of the Presidency, taking public pressure away from the country’s chief executive and focusing it on the technocrats running Cabinet portfolios.

Uhuru loses bid to terminate ICC case.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s request to be acquitted of crimes against humanity suffered a major setback yesterday after judges threw it out. Instead they said his trial should open on October 7 and also ordered the government to release his financial reocreds to International Criminal Court Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.

Uhuru fails to terminate ICC trial.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has failed to have his case terminated at the International Criminal Court.

Yesterday ICC judges adjourned the proceedings until October 7 when his trial on charges of crimes against humanity is now expected to start...

Six feared dead in Eastleigh blash. Five people were feared dead and scores badly injured last night after twin blasts hit a cafe and the vicinity of a petro station on a busy street in Eastleigh estate, Nairobi.

Eye witnesses and security officers said the explosions went off simultaneously inside the Cafe Sheraton and outside the Shell Petrol station...

BUSINESS | 7

KPLC to give out 3m energy saving bulbs The government will distribute about three million energy saving bulbs later this year to counter power shortage during peak hours.

Speaking during the disposal of 1.25 million incandescent bulbs on Monday, Kenya Power Lighting Company (KPLC) acting chief manager for commercial services, Joshua Mutua, said the bulbs save up to 80 per cent of energy used by incandescent bulbs. This reduces bills for consumers.

“The compact fluorescent lamps will replace the existing incandescent bulbs in low income households across the country to ensure sufficient use of electricity and assist in lowering powere consumption during peak hours,” Mutua said.

Richmond Muriithi, the Group Managing Director for Sintimond, the company contracted to crush the bulbs, said the process will separate glass, copper and lead metals from the recycled bulbs.

“Glass can be used by ceramic industry while the lead part will be held as we look for better ways of disposing it further though we do not have a way of dealing with the

FRIENDLY: Richmond Muriithi, Sintimond Group Managing Director talks about the recycling process.

lead currently,” said Muriithi.

He said they are working with KPLC and National Environmental Authority (Nema) to draft a legislation to hold manufacturers accountable for recycling of the crushed materials.

The first phase of collection from the public and he replacement of incandescent bulbs will cost Sh460 million. Phase two will take up

to Sh1 billion and will be funded

by French Development Agency (AFD).

The bulbs, which were collected in 2010, could not be disposed immediately because no company had been authorised to handle the waste before Sintimond was contracted.

The lead contained in the incandescent bulbs is the most

hazardous compound and requires specialised disposal, a service to be offered by Sintimond Group LTD after the crushing, at a cost of Sh27 million.

Public awareness campaigns will be carried out to educate people on how to handle the bulbs once they break down because they release harmful mercury fumes.

cityplans

Govt to provide houses for police A countrywide housing scheme for police officers has been launched in Nairobi, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said. The project, which started in Ruai, aims to provide housing for officers across Nairobi County before expanding its reach to the other 46 counties.

The move follows the construction of 2,000 units across the country that are set to be opened by end of June 2014.

The project is set to ease pressure on the police who have in the past been forced to share rooms owing to a biting shortage of housing facilities.

The National Housing Corporation said the houses will be built using the cheaper Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) technology which uses soft boards and wire mesh to make floors, walls and roof panels.

The housing agency said it was training the youth in using the technology so as to create employment opportunities in the sector.

“As the technology is easy to grasp

and easier to use, the Government will be able to engage more youth in construction and enhance their employability through skills transfer” NHF Managing Director

Wachira Njuguna said during the announcement.

The country needs about 150,000 housing units per year to cater for its growing demand. The NHC

said it was looking to develop at least 10,000 units in the next five years that would serve more civil servants.

EYES RIGHT: Police on parade.They will be benefit from a new government housing initiative.

tuesday, APRIL 1, 2014

businesstool Get better online marketing on FB A survey by social marketing company, Barizi Web Solutions, says among the many handicaps small businesses are facing include the assumption that electronic marketing is easy and cheap.

“Kenyan businesses continue to adopt internet as means of reaching out to potential buyers,” says Barizi Web Executive, Wilson Maina. He says of all the available business marketing tools, Facebook Ads are among the best.

They are available through social marketing group, Infinite Media, the first advertisement company to obtain Facebook marketing exclusivity in the region. “With a minimal budget, businesses can reach out to target audiences and showcase products.”

Facebook Ads allow businesses to target audiences by age, sex and geographical area.

Facebook Ads are based on a Pay Per Click (PPC) model. This means you only pay for an advert every time it is viewed or clicked.

“There’s no definite cost,” says Edward Karani of Infinite Media. “We charge 20% of your budget.” He says the minimum budget is $500 (Sh43,300) per month. The group also charges Sh50,000 per month to effectively manage a business’s Facebook page.

The group provides research on a business’s target audience, creates engaging content for the ads and designs appealing adverts for the business’s campaign as well as identify weaknesses and strengths, and optimise adverts depending on the findings.

capitalalert Dutch group’s Sh35m grant for investors The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (WOTRO) has offered a Sh35.7 million grant for research projects that promote food security.

The grant, popularly known as Food & Business Applied Research Fund, requires applicants in public or private organisations to apply. The involvement of extra partners, acting as co-applicants, is also encouraged.

The fund will also accept applications from research projects that aim at improving local or regional entrepreneurship.

Grants will range from Sh5.9 million (€50,000) to Sh35.7 million (€300,000). Each project requires at least 20 per cent co-funding from private sources. Applicants are advised to contact Daphne Zwaaneveld by sending e-mail to arf@nwo.nl for additional information.

Deadline for applications is April 15.

The Food & Business Applied Research Fund supports innovations that will improve food security and private sector development in any of their 15 partner countries, including Kenya.

The projects should contribute to improving sustainable and inclusive access to sufficient and healthy food for the most vulnerable groups.

Projects must show how an applicant’s tools, insight or knowledge can be applied to help ensure food security.

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tuesday, aPRIL 1, 2014

JKIA upgrade on schedule The Jomo Kenyatta Intenational Airport (JKIA) will soon cater for 9 million passengers, up from the current 6 six million, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director Lucy Mbugua has said. The airport, which was closed down August last

year, has been been undergoing upgrade for a while. Speaking during a projects progress assessment tour of the KAA with the Vision 2030 Board of Directors at JKIA last week, Mbugua said the project works were moving on well.

“Once complete, the new Unit 4 will enhance the airport’s capacity to handle the growing volume of passengers who use the airport each year,” Ms Mbugua said. The Vision 2030 Delivery Board has since confirmed that flagship Vision 2030 projects at

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are progressing on schedule. “As a key foundation, Vision 2030 aspires for a country firmly interconnected through a network of roads, railways, ports and airports,” said Board Chairman Dr James Mwangi during

the tour. “By 2030, it will become impossible to refer to any region of our country as remote.” He promised that in order to ensure these targets are met, investment in the nation’s infrastructure would be given “the highest priority and necessary support.”

exportopp

Banana exports to earn Kenyans Sh9 billion Export prospects for bananas in Kenya have improved over the last decade, says a report from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.

Their research notes that a number of entrepreneurs are exporting banana fruit and processed products, tapping into the organic market in Europe. However the exported quantities are still very small as the main means of transportation from East Af-

rica is by air. The Ministry of Agriculture reports that an increase in banana plants grown through a process known as tissue culture has resulted in an additional income of Sh5.5 billion for local farmers over the last 10 years. Over 300,000 Kenyans rely on the crop for their income. Meru governor Peter Munya says exporting the fruit to China alone would eventually boost the country’s economy to the tune of

more than Sh9 billion, while creating new employment for anyone willing to venture into the sector.

“Kenya’s year-round growing season, and relatively stable economy by African standards, holds great potential as a banana-producer, first for local markets and potentially for exports,” says Henry Kinyua, a manager for East African fruits at TechnoServe, a non-profit organisation.

more fruitS: Kenyan banana exporters to China stand to earn Sh9billion.

pricedriver

Romania first European state to Nairobi among start mobile cash transfer service expesnive cities

Romania could be the first country in Europe where mobile money is launched as Vodafone takes the first step towards the expansion of the system to Europe.

The mobile network company has acquired an e-money licence to operate the financial services in Europe. It hopes to win over approximately seven million Romanians to the mobile money system. Romanian mobile money customers will be able to transfer as little as

one new Romanian leu (Sh 27) up to 30,000 leu (Sh800,290) per day, The popular mobile money system was launched in Kenya in the year 2007 and it is estimated that the a third of the country’s Sh 3.8 trillion economy goes through the M-pesa system and is transacted by an estimated 80,000 agents country wide.

M-pesa offers a secure means of payment for people who do not have easy access to banking services and through it one can pay for bills,

schools fees, flights, food, clothes and court fines. It has since been expanded to other countries in Africa like Tanzania, Egypt, Lesotho and Mozambique. India is the latest country, outside Africa, that M-Pesa has been introduced in. More than one million people have registered since been registered in India.

M-pesa is profitable in its own right with 12.4 billion in revenues from the 18.2million customers in Kenya alone.

eaSy and faSt: A mobile cash transfer transaction in progress. Romania will be the first European state to launch the service as Vodafone takes the first step towards the expansion of the system.

Nairobi is now Africa’s most expensive city, states a survey by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a London-based research group. A steep rise in the cost of living in past 12 months has seen Nairobi depose Lagos as the continent’s most costly metropolis. l The survey indicates that Kenyans are struggling to pay for basic needs like food, toiletries, fuel and especially, rent.Nairobi’s high ranking could help multi-national companies justify high salaries and hardship allowances they pay to employees stationed in the capital. l A series of terror attacks across the country has resulted in rising rental prices in high end locations as tenants out-price each other for most secure locations. Despite the rising cost of secure locations, property giant, Lamudi says that Nairobi is still one of the most liveable cities in the continent. l “Kenya is a country with an average rent of only Sh602 ($7) per square meter and, unlike other African cities, the housing options with a reasonable size of land are affordable in Nairobi,” says the firm. l However, Nairobi has seen the highest increase in overall rental prices, jumping 23 per cent due to the demand for housing outstripping the supply.

Of the African locations surveyed, Lagos has the most expensive rental properties on average. It ranks 10th globally, while Nairobi now sits in 80th place globally. Surveyors have warned that county governments’ huge appetite for fat property taxes could slow down targeted property developments.

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tuesday, APRIL 1, 2014

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Fly Away â&#x20AC;&#x201D; By Kristin Hannah Fly Away is a story about three women who have lost way and will need each other to put their lives back on track. Tully Hart is on a path to destruction after she loses best friend Kate Ryan to cancer. Her life takes a downhill turn as she struggles to bring it back to order.

Marah Ryan, Kateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 16-year-old daughter is devastated by the motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death. She becomes unreachable and shuts everyone out. She meets and falls in love with a young man who introduces her to the shadowy world.

Dorothy Hart, the object of Tullyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tumultuous past, returns to Tullyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life when she

greatread needed her most. She hopes to be a better mother to the daughter after abandoning her countless times in the past.

The hang-out website for outgoing socialites Hangout Kenya is a website after every outgoing personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart.

It hosts updated information on the latest goings-on in all social scenes; from clubs, sports events, literature, fashion and even kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

events. It updates on the time, date and venues of the activities.

The website also provides updates on the latest movies from different cinemas and the latest plays in theatres.

You will also find fixture

lists of different sports such as rugby, Kenyan Premier League and, everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite, the English Premier League.

The well organised website makes it easier for one to find what they are looking,

be it in the arts section or entertainment scene.

0It is a website that will keeps oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social life moving whether at night, afternoon and or dawn.

10 |

TRENDING

DJ Kamaa talks upUrban Thursday gig

tuesday, April 1, 2014

As a an entertainer, DJ Kamaa came across different artistes, who approached him for promotion of their music.

This drove him to start the now popular Urban Thursday night at the Club Brown Bottle in Thika, where he invites live performers to crown the night.

“I was inspired to launch Urban Thursday since I always meet outstanding musicians who do different genres,” He said.

He also reveals that most musicians in the streets on get exploited by quack producers and don’t get any airplay or any other form

of publicity or media exposure.

So Urban Thursday, he says, is a platform for such artists to get knowledge from experts and showcase their talent. In doing so, upcoming artists get chances to meet and sign up deals with the best and credible producers.

DJ Kamaa also sites some hurdles in ensuring the success of this gig. Being held on a working day makes it challenging.

For instance he recalls when it heavily rained on the second edition of the event and no one showed up. “I was so broken

when this happened but I didn’t give up,” he said.

It also needs heavy financial input and commitment, and he cannot afford to mess up at any stage.

He gladly reports that a month down the line, the show is gaining momentum.

He expects the show to grow bigger and better with time as more fans of Kenyan urban music learn about it.

“Am overwhelmed since its success has surpassed my expectations,” he said.

talent spotters

stylestar

Making decent people out of drug addicts There are very many talent spotters out there, but very few of them are worth the title ‘Talent Spotter’.

Taking a talented footballer from drug addictions is a tough call but that did not deter Erick Ochieng Nashon Ogutu and Mathias Wasike from starting Ghetto United Sports Association, (GUSA) The organisation was started in 2009 with the main aim of helping Kayole boys in Kayole grow their football talents.

However, GUSA looked out not just for ordinary under-privileged boys but those hooked on drugs and are regarded as social misfits.

Today, four young players have been

Shaffie’s facial fuzz is the fad

completely reclaimed from drugs with more than 150 reached with this movement. “The four that have been rehabilitated are very talented and we want to take them far,” said Ochieng.

With his no-nonsense nature, Erick says that it’s not easy to get the boys off drugs and into sport.

“We get challenges but the main one is drugs. It’s a rough walk but I know we will rehabilitate many and many will identify their talents,” says Erick.

A walk to Calvary grounds in Kayole when the boys are being taken through their paces is enough to spell out the impact that GUSA has had on the lives of individuals once-regarded as social misfits.

The full facial fuzz was made popular by rapper Rick Ross. However, on a local scene, prominent radio presenter Shaffie Weru takes the credit for making the style popular in the county.

He has made the look so popular that in some barber shops the style is called “the Shaffie”.

Shaffie always keeps his beard neat and well-trimmed.

He never lets it grow too long, neither does he keep it too short that it is impossible to notice.

topthree

Local showbiz scene dotted with celebrity couples Celebrity coupling in Kenya has recently peaked. However, while some keep their romance under wraps, others opt to shout about it from the

1

rooftops.

Size 8 has always been a shocker.

From stunning Kenyans with her move to the gospel world, she went on to marry System Unit’s DJ Mo-after a relationship that was a well-kept

2 3

SECRET LOVERS: 1. J Blessing and Chantelle, 2. JB and Tina Kaggia, 3. DJ Mo and Size 8

secret. The two were united in a private ceremony in September 2013 with only close family and friends present.

Many said that Size 8 crossed over to the gospel music so she could be the ideal wife to DJ Mo but she denied the claims.

She explained in a recent interview that she got saved to fill the void she felt inside her.

Size 8 also revealed that she is a traditional woman who will break her nails to ensure her house is in order.

Another highly suprising union was that that of chic Tokelezea singer Chantelle and videographer J Blessing. The two kept their relatiohship away from public scrutiny and last

July they took their vows at the Attorney General’s chambers. The couple is said among the hottest in 2014’s list of top hot celebrity matches.

The beautiful Tina Kaggia of Classic 105 and comedian JB Masanduku had a small union at the Attorney General’s chambers too in November 2013.

Shortly after their ceremony, rumours started flying about that the showbiz lovebirds were experiencing matrimonial problems. They refuted and sued local bloggers over the claims.

The bloggers had alleged that Tina physically abused her husband, but the couple came out to rubbish the claims.

homes | 11

Portable lamps for better hours in bed A combination of portable lamps and installed lights ensure comfortable visibility and better sleep in the bedroom. This sharply contrasts with a single, strong source of light directly on your bed.

Dan Blitzer, an instructor at the American Lighting Association (ALA), says huge amounts of light from a single source is unpleasant and glaring. He advises the use of more sources of light with lower wattage.

Portable lamps help in regulating the light you need. If you need more

light on one side of the bedroom, you move lamps and concentrate them to the points of need.

But if you require a dimmer bedroom for better sleep, you may turn off majority of the lights and retain just a few to save wattage.

If you must have lights closer to your bed, softer ones will be friendlier to sleep under because the stronger are harsh on the eyes. Each time you turn in deep sleep, you may not miss to notice them while softer ones will gently stimulate you to more sleep.

Book lovers will find life easier with

movable lights because one will control the amount of light they need at a given time.

Blitzer insists that bedroom reading lights must allow light adjustment by moving arms or swiveling and with well shielded bulbs for sufficient light.

The association insists that if you still prefer to have a single central light in the room, consider using shorter fixtures. Light from this source may have many uses especially reading, dressing up or sleeping while keeping the entire room sufficiently lit.

tuesday, april 1, 2014

stimulating: Bedroom reading lights must allow light adjustment while well-shielded bulbs will guarantee sufficient light.

paintjob

Save a few coins by painting your room You need not rely on a painter for small rooms when you can do it yourself on a free weekend.

That way, you save a few coins, exercise and ensure your house enjoys the fruit of your labour.

Joseph Maka, a painter of more than a decade, shares tips of easing your paint job.

Seek guidance from a hardware store on the specific requirements of paint preparation because water and oil-based have different mix specifications.

Your safety is crucial. Paints are made from Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) which are poisonous substances to the breathing system. Your room must therefore be well ventilated to ensure sufficient air during and after the painting exercise.

Your household items must also

be protected against foreign paints. The room may have dents, cracks or other blemishes and you should repair them before you start painting. Clean the walls to remove dust, dirt, oil spots and other stains for a perfect smooth finish of your small

room. Mix detergent in cleaning water then rinse with plenty of water to remove the residue.

Use your tape to mark straight lines where you want you paint to reach. Make sure the paint does not enter doors, windows, frames, ceiling and the floor. A

synthetic sash brush tapered like a chisel can give better and sharper edges. Hold your brush firmly and dip it into the paint to about one-third of its bristles to avoid the lesser flexible part of the bristles from stiffening further and being hard to clean.

colour your worlD: the walls must be cleaned of dust to ensure smooth paint finish.

toprecipe

Making tasty Ndengu Ndengu, or green grams, are not always a favourite for many people because they are always bland. Here is a wonderful way to inject some taste into your ndengu. ingrEDiEnts n 1/2 cups Green grams n 2 onions n 2 tbsp Ginger-Garlic paste n 2 Green chilli (optional) n 3 Tomato chopped n 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder n 1/2 tsp whole cumin seeds n 1 tbsp oil n 1/4 cup water n 1 bunch dhania (Parsley) pepper & salt to season mEtHoD 1. Boil the green grams for two hours or until they are soft, then mash them slightly. (This will help thicken the stew) 2. In a sufuria, heat the oil till hot, then add the cumin seeds and wait till it

pops. Add green chilli and the Ginger-Garlic paste once browned lightly add the onions. Fry lightly.

3. Put in the chopped tomatoes and cook till they break down.

4. Add turmeric powder and stir well before you add 1/4 cup water and bring it to boil. Add the mashed green gram and season with pepper & salt, stir well and let it cook for five minutes.

5. Lastly add dhania and mix well.

You could add carrots to make your ndengu more colourful. Remember to add the carrots at the very end so that they do not overcook.

Serve with rice or chapatti and enjoy.

Dream home in wonder plane Abuja’s airplane house, as it has come to be known by amazed passers-by, is an architectural wonder. It is built in a modern sleek design in Nigeria’s capital.

Measuring about 100 feet long, the plane has a 50-foot wingspan with each wing housing a bedroom with modern interior décor comprising tile floors built and a bathroom with great ceramics.

A beautifully-trimmed garden ensures serene nature for the three floor mansion.

The airplane house grew from a long-neglected marital promise between Jammal and Liza, members of Nigeria’s prosperous Lebanese immigrant community that runs hotels, restaurants and other investments.

“That was my wife’s dream,” said Jammal as he puffs a cigarette.

The house can be used for advertisements and as a landmark for visitors.

So if money can’t buy love, it sure can build a plane house.

smarttool

Borgonovo Borgonovo Italy has been making all kinds of glassware for five decades. From ashtrays, bowls, foodware, ornamental glass to storage jars, the glassware is made of sturdy glass that is long-lasting and does not break easily.

The storage jar range can prove efficient in storing ingredients and condiments reducing the hustle of using ingredients from the packet. The jar has a screw on the lid that is easy to open and close. The jars are available at Nakumatt stores and range from Sh500 to Sh1,000.

12 |

FUN

tuesday, April 1, 2014

Get a thrill with shots of paintball

be found.

Paintball Fury Paintball Fury, located in Lang’ata and Karen, offers paintballing to people over the age of 18. The prices are competitive and range from Sh1, 000 per person.

They can also set up paintballing at an offside location of your choice. All you need is call them and in two hours you will be ready to play.

Jungle Paintball Jungle Paintball is located inside City Park on Third Parklands Avenue opposite Aga Khan Hospital. You can play for a few seconds, hours or days depending on the scenario of the game. Charges are Sh1, 000 per person.

Is it possible to take a gun, shoot somebody and get away with it?

Yes, but only if you use a paint gun and your bullets are paint pellets. And luckily, your ‘victim’ will not die; he or she will only be sore. A little pain will not hurt anyone as long as it is all in the name of fun.

Paintball shooting is a fun activity in the country, whose popularity is growing. It is fundamentally a sport in which teams compete to eliminating each other by shooting players with capsules containing paint shots from a paintball gun. This requires strategy, teamwork and skill There are several places in Nairobi where the sport can

DELICACY: To enjoy Injera, you must be ready to use your hands.

Injera, the taste of Ethiopia You should prepared to get your hands dirty, when eating Injera-a type of Ethiopian bread served on a large tray and eaten by hand.

It is made with teff, a tiny round grain which is very nutritious and gluten free. A short period of fermentation gives it an airy, bubbly texture, and also a slightly sour taste.

It is also contains a multitude of toasted spices including white and black pepper, fenugreek seeds, chillies, garlic and ginger.

Berebere (a spice mixture which contains chili peppers, garlic, and ginger) is used as a base for the majority of Ethiopian dishes.

Injera is a communal meal.

The bread is laid on the tray and the stew is poured over it.

To eat, you cut a piece of the bread along with the stew and proceed to gorge yourself.

Injera goes well with thick beef stew or chicken stew and vegetables of the eater’s choice.

In most restaurants, they serve three or four portions of beef stew, each made with different

TEAM PLAY: Paintball is an exhilarating game.

oddeat

guiltypleasures

Pig blood cakes for breakfast

Prickly Joey Barton can sleep all day if left to

Controversial footballer Joey Barton recently sparked a Twitter storm after saying that he loves sleeping a lot to the extent of getting late for training on many occasions.

Barton, who plays for QPR, sent a string of shocking tweets while saying there is nothing necessarily wrong with what he does.

“I love Sleep. I could go to bed for 16 hours straight if no one would wake me up. I love

Breakfast in Sweden and Finland is almost always a bloody affair.

Blodplattar or blood pancakes is a dish found in Sweden and Finland that is made from whipped pig blood mixed with pancake batter.

It is made with molasses and fried on a pan, just like regular pancakes. The blood pancakes are popularly eaten with lingonberry jam and are usually served with pork and reindeer meat.

There are countless recipe books and online recipes that give you the best recipe for blood pancakes and what they go well with.

However, be careful not to overindulge, because too much blood consumption could lead to iron poisoning.

setting my alarm really early, hearing it, and then letting it go off every half hour until the next day. The euphoria I feel when I know I get to go back to bed is my favorite feeling in the world.”

“Sleeping. It’s definitely a guilty pleasure. I will sleep all day, I love staying in bed with my dog and tweeting.”

That gets me into trouble because I have things to do and that’s not very productive.”

the hitlist

spices. One can also eat it with fried rice or mashed potatoes.

This is a wonderful meal to have with family and close friends.

Restaurants in Eastleigh like Asmara are among those popularly known for carrying this on their menu.

Thika Road

CBD

Kitengela

Kimathi Street

Pub Infinity

I Club

Club 360

Resident Dj takes you through the night with great reggeae hits

Request night with DJ Bells

DJ Bash abd DJ Proff rock your night with rock and ol skul jams

Reggea Night with Dohty Family

Resident DJs will be the best rock

Admission: Free Time: 7pm-5am

Admission: Free Time: 7pm-5am

Admission: Free Time: 7pm- 6am

Admission: Free Time: 8pm onwards

Admission: Free Time: 7pm ownwards

Club Rumourz

Kimathi Street Club Mojos

Tuesday, APRIL 1, 2014

Sport

not scared Manchester United are unmoved by ‘underdog’ tag ahead of Bayern meet P.15

Williamson owns up to Gor’s poor run Gor Mahia head coach Bobby Williamson has owned up to the club’s poor performance in the new season, saying that club’s fans deserve better from the team.

The champions suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Bandari FC over the weekend, the second loss in three league matches.

Williamson said the players need to rise up from the recent slump and play with the same drive that helped them win the league title last season.

“It’s definitely hard for fans at the moment. We started the season on the high. However, the past few weeks have not been smooth for us,” said the Scot.

“Fans deserve better.

I’m glad the players know that before stepping to the pitch. They need to show more hunger.”

The Scott said injuries have not spared the team either with defender David Owino and midfielder Teddy Akumu still out on the physio’s bench.

“They are both very talented players in the team and just like any other club, we all also want our best players available all the time,” he added.

Williamson paid special tribute to Ugandan fullback Godfrey Walusimbi whom he said has settled well in the team.

“His qualities have never been in doubt both offensively and defensively, I guess that is why the club signed him,” he said referring to the defender’s assist to compatriot Danny Sserunkuma for Gor consolation goal on Sunday.

Gor are sixth in the standings with 11 points.

PROMISE: Williamson says he is looking for a solution to the poor run.

KCB top brass backs coach Juma Kenya Commercial Bank’s (KCB) top brass have thrown their weight behind head coach Juma Abdallah even as the the team’s poor form went from bad to worse last weekend.

Chairman George Odhiambo came out to cool rumours that the reigning Kenyan premier league coach of the year had been sacked days after losing 3-0 to Western Stima.

The side that finished fourth last season currently lie second from bottom and have not won seven matches into the season.

“I want to put is very clear that Juma is our coach and the board of directors are fully behind him, the

season has not been good, despite that we do have faith in the coach,” said Odhiambo.

“Losing key players at the end of last season has perhaps been our most undoing. The players the coach is working with are yet to gel but we believe things will go back to normalcy sooner rather than later.”

Abdallah on his part said he will need to once again examine his tactics to reverse the team’s lacklustre start to the season.

“We might need to go back to the drawing board. It seems the approach we are taking is not working for us,” said the coach.

Anand books Carlsen date Indian chess superstar Viswanathan Anand on Saturday earned a rematch with Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen after topping a tournament of leading challengers in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

Anand, 44, lost the title he had held for seven years to 23-year-old Carlsen in November 2013 by a 6 1/2-3 1/2 scorematch in which the Indian did not manage a single win.

He, however, brought renewed vigour in the Candidates Tournament over the past three weeks while favored rivals such as Levon Aronian of Armenia and former world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia faltered.

Anand clinched first place in the tournament with a round to spare, settling for a draw with Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin.

The Indian is a pointand-a-half ahead of four rivals with just one game to go.

Viswanathan is now set to meet Carlsen

in November to contest the world title. The host city for the event is yet been announced.

FORMER CHAMP: Anand Viswanathan has earned a rematch with Magnus Carlsen.

14 |

SPORT

tuesday, april 1, 2014

Stima train sights on Ulinzi after KCB rout Western Stima over the weekend continued their bright start to the 2014 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season with a convincing 3-0 win over KCB. Coach Henri Omino has called on his players to main-

tain the tempo that has seen them move to joint second in the league with Chemelil, although the Millers have a better goal difference. Omino said the season can only get better for the power men,

whose style of play he said has improved. “The season is very young, the manner the player are replaying is encouraging, I want to motivate them to continue with the same spirit,” he said. He singled out forward

Collins Neto who has three goals to his name this season praise.

“He is very influential and a leader on the pitch. His presence has always been a motivating factor to the rest of the

players.” “Ours is to keep on pressing in the right direction and with players like him in the team, we can set our sights higher. Its football where hard work and discipline pays,” he said. Stima face Ulinzi

Stars in their next match and Omino said he says he is not worried.

“We have a week to rest as KPL top 8 takes centre stage in next week, I know we have sufficient time to prepare.”

Could this be end of Telkom Orange?

Telkom Orange on Sunday won an unprecedented 16th national women’s title with a 1-0 victory over sliders at the City Park Stadium.

However, there are fears the team may be disbanded as their sponsors, Orange, are said to be about to wind up their operations in Kenya.

Orange Group are the majority shareholders in Telkom Orange Kenya Ltd. The speculation about the group’s move was confirmed by the company’s press officer Tom Wright,who revealed that plans are afoot to review the firm’s activities in Kenya and Uganda through aid of asset management firm Lazard.

Orange coach Jos Openda declined to be drawn into that discussion saying his duty is coaching and not management of Telkom Orange. “I have also heard of the rumours, to be honest the only thing on my mind right now is guiding the team to yet another mile stone, credit to the ladies.

They have been astounding,” said the renowned coach.

Ryders softball champions Ryders Softball and Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) are the men’s and women’s national softball champions, respectively.

Ryderz collected 84 points to defend the title they won last year, JKUAT were second with 73 points as Kenyatta University trailed in third with 66 points.

In the ladies category JKUAT narrowly beat USIU 9-8 to take the national glory.

“The finals were tough.

USIU showed great fighting spirit but the good thing is that we prevailed in the end,” said JKUAT captain Virginia Njeri.

HAPPY: Nairobi City Stars coach Robinson Ndubuisi targets Chemelil scalp after beating Sofapaka in Machakos over the weekend.

Stars coach Ndubuisi savours Sofapaka win

Nairobi City Stars coach Robinson Ndubuisi said his tactics were spot on as his side defeated the 2009 champions 2-1 at the the Kenyatta stadium in Machakos. The Nigerian coach said putting the former champions under constant attack worked for his team. Two first half goals from Dennis Ng’ang’a

and George Abege were enough to seal the win for the Kawangware based side.

Anthony Ndolo struck a late consolation for the Batoto Ba Mungu side. City stars have now risen to 10th place in the table with nine points. “As I said before, my side has been unfortunate in recent outings in the league, playing well but

sadly dropping points. We were much better prepared for this one,” he said.

“We knew the kind of opponent we were facing and sitting back could have been an invitation for them to attack us and it would not have not gone our way. Our defenders too did well. I’m a bit surprised we only scored two goals,

to me it’s one of those matches the score line can be deceptive.” City Stars next play second placed Chemelil Sugar in 10 days and Ndubuisi is confident his side wtill impress. “Chemelil are playing well with very gifted players, just like all the matches we need to face the match well prepared.” He said.

SPORT| 15 tuesday, APRIL 1, 2014

Prisons to shift to Kasarani ahead of club championships Kenya volleyball ladies’ champions Prisons will shift to the Kasarani indoor Arena on Wednesday, ahead of their Africa continental championships to be held in Tunisia in May. The four-time consecutive Africa

champions have been training at the Nairobi West outdoor facility in preparation from world club games to be held in Zurich later in the year.

Coach David Lung’aho is aware that team has to be at their best to qualify

for the prestigious world event. “The team is yet to register a win in the last four editions held in Doha, Qatar (three) and Zurich once. Generally, we need to change many aspects if we are to better the previous results,” said

the coach.

“Tactical aspect sand blocks are the main areas we shall be working closely on. Teams from Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt will no doubt provide stiff competition,” he added.

United unmoved by ‘underdog’ tag ahead of Bayern clash Manchester United players are unmoved by the underdog tag ahead of their gruelling UEFA Champions League encounter with champions Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

Most-decorated British player Ryan Giggs said the team is looking forward to a meeting of “two huge clubs, two great histories, two teams who play football the right way.”

Giggs also noted that the underdog tag they are carrying is not worrying them.

“We don’t see us as underdogs.

We’re united playing at home in the Champions League. We’re looking forward to it,” said Giggs.

United are currently lying 10 points adrift of the Premier League’s top four with only six

games remaining and their best chance of playing in the Champions League next season looks to be by way of winning the competition this year.

The team produced a stirring comeback in the round of 16, losing 2-0 to Olympiakos in Greece before Robin van Persie’s hat-trick turned the tie around at Old Trafford.

Bayern come into Tuesday’s game at Old Trafford on the back of a 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday, only the third time this season that Pep Guardiola’s men have dropped points in the league.

Having already clinched the Bundesliga with a 2-1 win at Hertha on March 25, Guardiola rested several key players on Saturday as

they shifted their focus to defending their continental crown.

Moyes’ men have won all their home games in this year’s competition but that record will be severely tested against a German side that has not lost away from home in the Champions League since October 2012.

It’s on such occasions, when United fans recall the winning class of 1999 as Sir Alex Ferguson famously oversaw the team’s incredible comeback in the dying minutes of the final, with strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

UNWAVERING: Giggs says they are looking forward to their match against Bayern.

Sang leaves Sharks for USIU United States International University (USIU) hockey team has signed national team goalkeeper Linus Kipkemboi Sang from Green Sharks Hockey Club.

Confirming the news, Sang told XSport that he had received a scholarship from the college as part of the deal.

“The terms of the scholarships are a bit private but yes I will be pursuing Bachelors in Information Systems and Technology. It is an opportunity for personal development,” said the player who guided the national team to third place in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in Nairobi.

The 23-year-old is regarded among the best keepers in the league. He played for Strathmore University between 2009 and 2012, winning the league title in 2009 and 2010 before moving to the Sharks.

He lost his first game in a Sharks shirt last Sunday going down 2-1to Kisumu.

“My season has been fantastic. I’m happy for my stay at Sharks, it is one big family.

Sadly it’s time to move, hopefully I will be back again,” he said.

It is not clear whether star setter Jane Wacu will join the team as she is yet to wind up her trials in France.

Kenya will be represented by local champions Prisons and runners up Pipeline in Tunisa.

“My teammates and management have shown me great support even when I told them I am moving, they were understanding too,” said the keeper.

The 2014 season is expected to commence in May. The start to the new season was delayed by late conclusion of the 2013 season which ended on Sunday.

TRANSFER: Sang (in orange kit) has moved to USIU, from Greensharks.

KCB brace for Nakuru in Enterprise Cup final Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) rugby club remains positive ahead of their Enterprise Cup final against Nakuru this weekend.

KCB booked a final berth after beating Resolution Impala Saracen 3124 in the semi-finals last Saturday.

The match was won on extra time and saw the winners rally from behind to carry the day.

Peter Mutai who converted the try that won the match said the team showed great resilience to overcome Impala and are looking forward to the finals.

“The match was very tight no doubt, we are eady to face Nakuru. They are a good side. Then again to be the champion you got to beat the best,” he said.

SPORT

16 |

England unveil WC kits

TUeSDAY, March 1, 2014

thetimeline Rio Ferdinand@rioferdy5 Huge game vs Bayern... Can’t wait to feel the atmosphere in the stadium....let’s be avin ya!

England on Monday unveiled the home (all white) and away (red shirt) kits for the summer world cup to be held in Brazil.

Manufactured by Nike, the shirt has baring similarities to the all-white kit worn by Sir Alf Ramsey’s defending champions in 1970.

On the new kit, forward Wayne Rooney said: “I’m always proud to put on the England kit and with these ones it’ll be no different. I can’t wait to get to Brazil and play in them this summer.”

There has been speculation that the use of players on the ‘bubble’ of Roy Hodgson’s squad for Brazil in the promotional images– such as Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain – could be a sign that these players will make the plane.

Barkley, in particular, was regarded by many as being a potential big gamble

by Hodgson if selected for the trip to Brazil.

The new home kit will debut on-pitch in a friendly match against Peru at Wembley on May 30.

Little Hansel@little_hansel Robben says Manchester United are capable of beating Bayern Munich<<< But Robben...Can’t you crack better jokes than this.

Mr. Musale@ehhMusale TWO consecutive wins for us and two consecutive loses for all the teams above us and we’re topping the league.

C’man #INGWE David Rudisha MBS@rudishadavid Before you talk, listen. Before you react, think. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try Chief@BarcaChief Lionel Messi has scored 3 hattricks against Atletico Madrid.

Against 3 different goalkeepers: Coupet, De Gea, Courtois Wangeci G-Njuguna@ kecigitahi ‘You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take’ Elias Makori@EliasMakori ... Sports is not a matter of life and death... it’s more important than that!

HOME KIT: The team will wear white at home.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

FIND THE KEYWORD IN RED AND SMS IT TO

ONLY 30 BOB

Great Wallpaper categories to choose from!!

22333

Example: sms LP4

TEXT SERVICES: 30 KSHS DAILY WALLPAPERS: 30 KSHS DAILY

SMS LOVE4 AND YOUR NAMES TO 22333

KENYA’S

MOST EXCITING

MOBILE SERVICE

You will receive a sms “2 download. . . ”Go to this link using GPRS or WAP & download your content.

Love Poems

sms LOVE4 & your names to 22333 to how compatible you are, (eg sms: LOVE4 moses eunice). And get tips on how to improve your relationship

M TO LS P S 22 4 33 3

Let Your Bible Guide You!!

SMSReceive B4Inspirational TO 22333 messages HOT !

and Bible verses to your Phone!

PRAISE JESUS FROM YOUR CELLPHONE!

Romantic Messages

SMS MAT4 SMS PM4 to to 22333 5525

SMS ROM4 to 22333

We’ve got what you need!

SMS RAW4 to 22333

ORDER NOW!!

TOP REGGAE WALLPAPERS!

Gospel

KEEP YOUR MAN!!

SMS KEEP4 to 22333

SPOT THE SIGNS ALWAYS LATE? CRITICIZING YOU? CHANGED BEHAVIOR? TALKING IN SLEEP?

WE TELL ALL!

SMS CHEAT4 to 22333

SMS CHAT4 to 22333

Y THAT WILL MAKE GIRLS ONLTIPS

Smiley Wallpapers SMS RAW4 to 22333

MEN WANT MORE SMS TIP4 to 22333

Terms and Conditions: This is a subscription service. Cost per message is KSH30. All content Delivered daily. A Joining fee of KSH30 applies. Phone must be WAP/GPRS ENABLED to download wallpapers. Errors wil be bil ed. To DEACTIVATE OR UNSUBSCRIBE, SMS the keyword followed by STOP i.e. POEM4 STOP to 22333 OR dial *100#. A deactivation fee of KES 30 wil be charged unless passive deactivation is requested. Global tones may be covertones, not performed by the original artists. The artist's name, song or image may be used for identification purposes only and is not an endorsement of the ringtone. Customer Support: 0711035333 or 0734488668, SUN - FRI, 8:30AM - 6pm, SAT 9am - 5pm. or email: ke@smshelp.info. Occasionally you may receive marketing messages from this service at no cost.

Published by Xtra Publishing Limited, Chancery Building, Valley Road. Printed by Standard Media Group, Mombasa Road.