20140905 xnews

‘no ordinary love’ hitmaker in town

news

jamaican reggae singer alaine arrived in the country on Tuesday evening for a show at the cabanas on saturday P.10

eXtra.sharp Friday 5.09.2014 | www.x-news.co.ke

SPORT

sagna says he needed to leave arsenal for career growth P.13

Kayange to miss IRB series rounds after undergoing ankle surgery | P.15

Timamy murder suit stalls

The trial of Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, who has been charged with the killing of more than 60 people in Mpeketoni last June, failed to take off today after the State asked for more time to conclude its investigations.

State Counsel Alexander Muteti made the application in Mombasa even as he told the court 141 witnesses have so far been questioned.

He said the State requires more evidence before prosecution can proceed with the case and prefer charges against the Governor.

But lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi, for the governor, opposed the application and demanded that the case be terminated.

P2

CUE demands mandate to accredit university degrees P3

Student to carry mattress around in rape protest P5

Farmers dump cows for pigs as demand for pork rises FIVE-STAR GENERAL: President Uhuru Kenyatta dressed in full military gear (right) and Buku Munyori, Senior Director of Public Communication at State House, earlier today shortly before Uhuru left for Samburu for the validation of Kenya pledged forces to the Eastern Africa Standby Force.

P7

2|

NEWS

Timamy murder, terror suit stalls FRIday, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

From Page 1

Ahmednasir told the court the prosecution has no evidence against his client.

Justice Martin Muya will make a ruling on the matter on Wednesday next week.

Heavily armed men attacked Mpeketoni town in Lamu County on June 15 and shot people dead as they torched business premises and a police station.

About 65 people were killed in the attacks for which the State accuses

Timamy of having a hand. He is facing charges of murder, forcible transfer of population and terrorism-related offences.

Timamy was arrested but released on a Sh5 million cash bail on June 30 after staying in police custody for five days.

High Court Judge Martin Muya ruled against prosecution’s request to have the accused detained for another 14 days to allow for conclusion of investigations.

Muya said no compelling reasons had

been advanced to warrant the continued holding of the governor in the cells.

The court had initially given prosecution one month to conduct investigations.

Muteti argued that the number of incidents and suspects to be investigated was high and the court again granted the prosecution another one month to conclude the investigations. But today, Muteti applied for more time prompting Ahmednasir to ask for the termination of the case.

EMBATTLED: Lamu Governor Issa Timamy

Boy’s fury on hearing mother is pregnant It’s not often that the response to a woman happily announcing she is pregnant is to her little son is “what were you thinking?!”

That could be why this video posted online by a newly-expectant mother in US has been watched across social media more than four million times.

It features an extraordinarily well-spoken toddler, Tré, who reacts to the news that he will have a new brother or sister by declaring: “This is exasperating.”

The mother, Shanee Gibson Hart, of Fort Lewis, Washington, filmed the moment she told Tré and his sister she was pregnant – and perhaps had reason to expect his response to be a bit special.

Writing on Facebook, she said: “My husband and I been keeping a secret from Tré, finally told him and he was not happy.

“He’s so smart we are very proud of our kids!” she says.

In the footage, which has been shared more than 370,000 times on Facebook and received at least 10 times the views on YouTube, Tré asks his mother why she wants to “replace” him and his sister.

“This doesn’t make any sense,” he says. “You just had two babies, you (should) keep loving them forever – not put another baby between

us.” Tré expresses particular concern over the prospect of a new baby’s crying which – particularly if it is a boy – he fears will be “even worse” than his sister’s.

Told he will “just have to get used to the crying”, a resigned Tré finishes his complaint with the cheeky demand: “Well buy me some earplugs.”

President approves allocations to counties President Uhuru Kenyatta today at State House, Nairobi, signed into law the County Revenue Allocation Bill 2014, paving the way for the National Treasury to release funds to counties.

The Act provides for the equitable allocation of revenue for the 2014/15 financial year among the 47 county governments. “Each government’s allocation under subsection (1) shall

be transferred to the County Revenue Fund in accordance with a payment schedule approved by the Senate and gazette by the Cabinet Secretary (National Treasury) in terms of section 17 of the Public Finance Management Act,” the Act says in part.

Speaker of the Senate Ekwe Ethuro submitted the Bill to the President in the presence of National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich.

faces of frustration: Young Tre expresses disappointment after his mother informed him that she was expecting a third child.

Google to settle Sh1.6b fine for children Adroid app items Federal officials said on Thursday Google has agreed to settle charges and repay $19 million (about to consumers whose children were allegedly deceived into making mobile purchases through the Android app store.

Since 2011, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says Google made it too easy for children to use Android phones for the purchase of items, ranging from 99 cents (Sh85) to $200

(Sh17,000) in kids-oriented games without a parent’s permission.

The settlement is the latest in the FTC’s three-year investigation into so-called “in-app purchases” on devices running software by Apple, Amazon and Google. The enforcement agency has said the purchases are deceptive and particularly harmful for children. Apple agreed to a $32.5 million (Sh2.8billion) settlement last January. Amazon in

July said it would fight similar charges brought by the FTC. The FTC has alleged that the major technology companies did not properly disclose to parents and children the ability to purchase items within games and other children’s-oriented apps.

Apple has changed its practices, and Amazon has offered parental safety tools to prevent unwanted purchases.

Publisher: Paul Marshall, Commercial Director: Neema Wamai, Content Editor: Brian Moseti, Finance Director: Fred Bunei, Editorial team: Amos, Beatrice, Betty, Chris, Cynthia, Dennis, Dominic, Elisha, Jeff, Kennedy, Kibor, Laban, Lisa, Patrick, Peter, Queen, Snorine, Advertising: Nkirote-0720 807 936, Mutunga-0727 306 244, Tayo-0722 366 797, Magira-0722 616 208, www.x-news.co.ke, news@x-news.co.ke, facebook.com/XnewsKenya, twitter.com/XnewsKenya.

NEWS | 3

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

Counterfeit drugs netted in Nairobi

Chinese lead world luxury goods consumption index Chinese shoppers are the now world’s biggest buyers of luxury items, accounting for nearly a third of the world’s purchases, consulting firm Bain & Co, says.

A similar report by global research firm IPSOS, conducted across 20 countries says China’s materialism has been confirmed as 71 per cent of Chinese citizens said they define their success by the things they own significantly higher than any other nation in the world.

Five years ago, China accounted for little over 10 per cent of global luxury goods consumption. Even amid a government crackdown on corruption and lavish state spending, China’s taste for fancy things has remained strong, says Bruno Lannes, a Shanghai-based researcher who headed the study.

This is in part because the Chinese are buying luxury goods overseas, with some two-thirds of their luxury purchases now outside China. China, India and Brazil, were all among the likeliest to measure success by material belongings.

CUE demands mandate to accredit varsity degrees

The Commission of University Education (CUE) wants to be allowed to accredit degrees instead of professional bodies in a bid to resolve cases of students having their degree not recognized by professional organisations.

CUE has already asked parliament to amend the law to shift the accreditation of degrees to them rather than professional bodies.

Professional bodies are established under an act of Parliament and were established with the aim of registering and accrediting professionals getting into the job market.

But CUE, which currently has the mandate to accredit learning institutions and approve their academic programmes, argues it is double accreditation to allow the professional bodies to also accredit the degrees.

Addressing the Senate Committee on Education,

CUE chief executive Prof David Some said the move will also prevent cases of students completing their degree course only to have them rejected by employers.

“The Commission should be in charge of the accreditation of degrees and the institutions,’’ Prof Some said.

Professional accrediting institutions like Engineers Board of Kenya (EBR), Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), Pharmacy and Poisons Board and the Law society of Kenya (LSK) have turned down many graduates from across public universities saying they do not recognize their degrees.

For instance, EBR does not accredit engineering degrees from Masinde Muliro, Kenyatta University and the Technical University of Kenya despite the institutions having been cleared to offer the course. This leaves many graduates locked out of the job market.

big day: graduands await conferment of degrees. The Commision of University Education wants the law changed to give it mandate to accredit univerisity degrees.

Counterfeit drugs valued at 60 million shillings were consficated yesteday afternoon from illegal pharmacy operators in Nairobi during an inspection by the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

Some of the drugs impounded from the illegal chemists on Dubois Road have been banned in Kenya for more than 12 years. Some are not registered while others were stolen from government stores.

Led by the head of the Board’s inspectorate Dr Ahmed Mohamed, the team arrested one suspect while two others escaped.

Dr Mohammed issued a stern warning to such operators adding that many cosmetics shops are also dealing in counterfeit products.

The board also cautioned Kenyans to be keen when purchasing drugs, ensuring they visit registered chemists.

Gender body to start sex education The National Gender and Equality Commission will introduce sex education in schools, the commission’s chairperson, Ms Winfred Lichuma has revealed.

Lichuma said the move is aimed at bringing sanity into the youth.

“The commission will introduce sexual relationship workshops during holidays to the youth to enable them understand the consequences of indulging in early sexual relationships.” she said.

Lichuma added that early pregnancies among girls in schools was another major concern which the union will strive to eradicate at an early age.

She decried cases of teenagers becoming parents, leaving their mothers to take care of the children.

KU Digital School students receive free tablets for virtual learning Kenyatta University students can now access learning materials from any part of the country and beyond even without internet with the help of its free customised tablets.

This mode of learning is to cater for students who cannot take up full time studies in the ‘Anywhere School’.

Speaking during the issuance of free tablet PC’s to first year students at the Digital School on Tuesday evening, vice Chancellor Olive Mugenda said the university took this bold step to make education reachable to all.

“With the use of tablet PCs the school envisages more

Kenyans willing to pursue university education would not be disadvantaged in respect to access,” the vice chancellor said.

The tablets are customised to allow learners to access content even if they are offline. She said this feature is essential in ensuring

all students get learning materials, assignments and examinations through this technology dubbed the ‘Anywhere School’.

“The digital gadget is customised to allow online and offline access to information. In fact, the students can do their

assignments and examinations from wherever they are, in Kenya or any other part of the world,” Mugenda said.

Students can interact with their lecturers and classmates through SMSes chatting and other online platforms at their pace.

Audio learning is another

feature that the students will enjoy from the devises.

Learning modules will be loaded into the system at the start of every semester.

Mugenda said this will save the university printing costs.

A total of 2,000 tablets were purchased for the 1, 500 first year students.

4|

NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

Pain of Kenyans milked dry by bogus foreign jobs agents Majority of Kenyans who leave the country in pursuit of better education or jobs abroad are shocked on arrival.

Daily expenses that must be met leaves them broke, forcing them to live worse lives than they were used to back home.

Take the case of Maryann Kemboi. The 36 year-old works as a flight attendant at an international airline.

She went to US to pursue a masters in communication degree.

“I had it all figured out… I had saved up the money that I needed to see me through two years at the university.

But in half a year, I was broke and calling relatives and friends back home to send me money,” she says.

“Unexpected expenses had taken a toll on my savings.”

Kemboi had expected the cash she had saved to see her through and thought

she would not need a job to supplement her expenses.

Instead, she had planned to concentrate on education but was forced to hunt for a job.

Since jobs were hard to come, she took the only one available; taking care of old people at a centre for the elderly. The job was humiliating.

“When I applied for the job, I thought it would be about seeing them through the day by helping them eat or iron clothes… it turned out to be worse,” she says “I was assigned a room with one old woman…she was probably in her late 80s and I was supposed to feed, clean her up when she uses the toilet and bathe her! This is a job I could not do even at home but I was so desperate that I was willing to do anything.”

“The funny thing about it is that I was told my job was so good that I was assigned

where are the jobs? a group of jobless Kenyans relax along a street in Nairobi. Many Kenyans who seek jobs abroad face more difficult conditions on arrival.

another one, this time an old man in his 90s… you can imagine the humiliation I went through,” she says.

“I could not tell anyone at

home what I was doing..so I lied that I was so caught up in my education that I did not have time to talk to them and kept up the lie.”

The money she made there was not enough to pay for her education, so she quit and decided to save the money for a flight home.

Editors, CIC uproar over MPs move to limit press freedom uNtiL oCtober: the Metrological Department says the on-going rains are likely to continue until october.

Weatherman says rains may last until October The Metrological Department has warned that the on-going rains could cause flash floods in prone areas and outbreak of waterborne diseases.

Nairobi and several parts of the country have started receiving rainfall which the weatherman forecasts could extend well into October.

“Typhoid and cholera are some of the disease that may emerge in parts of the country which are expected to receive weak rainfall volumes in the coming month,” said James Kingoti, the Metrological Service acting Director.

The diseases are associated with poor sanitation which is always a major issue during wet weather due to water scarcity. Other problems Kenyans will have

to deal with are flash floods, lightning strikes, poor pasture and slippery roads.

Kingoti said the expected short rains would boost food production.

But pasture conditions in North and North-western Kenya may improve only slightly.

Human and wildlife conflict over limited water resources will be a major problem over the short rainy season.

Deputy Director Peter Ambenje said the country is yet to experience the El-Nino phenomenon even with the on-going rains.

“We are still monitoring weather patterns and if we have El-Nino, it will start in October but will not be close to as bad as the one we experienced in 1997,” Ambenje said.

News Editors, parliamentary journalists and the Commission for Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) have asked the National Assembly to expunge offensive clauses in the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill 2014 that bars media from probing the business of the House.

Editors Guild Chairman Linus Kakai questioned the motive behind Parliament’s renewed move to gag the media, saying Eldas MP Adan Keynan who sponsored the Bill cannot stop progression of the media. Kaikai warned that

the Bill would take Kenya back to 1982 when the National Assembly in less than one hour debated and passed a Bill that amended the former independence Constitution and declared Kenya a de-jure one party State. “Since Parliament is susceptible to mischief, Kenyans, through the Constitution that they enacted and gave to themselves cannot allow the enactment of a law that has the potential of allowing mischief of skulk through the net of judicial vigilance in the name of orderly and effective discharge of the More on this story at

www.capitalfm.co.ke

questioN: editors Guild Chairman Linus Kakai questioned the motive behind renewed drive to gag the media.

business of Parliament,” he said. Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association (KPJA) Chairperson Caroline Wafula said Keynan’s amendment was unnecessary because the Constitution and the House Standing Orders cited national security interests as the only justification for barring the media and the public from House proceedings. Keynan is serving his third term in the House. She said the Bill is a precursor to parliamentary dictatorship and an attempt to run away from accountability.

Meanwhile, CIC urged the House to delete the clauses which limit certain rights without qualifying the justification, nature and extent as required by Article 24 of the Constitution.

Vice-chairperson Elizabeth Muli said: “Legislation cannot take away rights enshrined in the Constitution without justification of the same as required by Article 24 of the Constitution.”

State to upgrade online platforms All Government and state agencies online platforms will be upgraded from Thursday to secure the websites.

The ICT authority says the exercise is due to end on Wednesday next week and would affect State online services.

The move comes after increased hacking of State websites. A dispatch from ICT authority says all Government websites will be hosted under one platform to ensure security.

Government and public institutions have in recent past become soft targets of cyber criminals who have hacked key websites.

The recent high profile hacking was the Kenya Defense Forces and Deputy President William Ruto’s twitter accounts where a group under Anonymous Kenya infiltrated the handle to post offensive messages.

WHO’s worry over rising suicide cases The World Health Organisation has urged governments to develop national suicide prevention strategies to help contain the rising cases of people taking lives.

The appeal comes as analysis of 10 years of research and data on suicide from around the world showed that 800, 000 people take their lives every year. It was the second leading cause of death among the youth aged between 15 and 29 years. Three quarters of the casualties were recorded in low and middle income countries.

In richer countries, three times as many men as women die of suicide.

WHO says suicide remains a “major public health problem” that is too often shrouded in taboo.

WHO seeks to reduce the rate of suicide by 10 per cent before 2020. Up to 28 countries have a national suicide prevention strategy. Activists said more campaigns should be mounted in schools.

NEWS| 5

FRIDAY, septembeR 5, 2014

Poor Sierra Leone youths risk lives in Ebola burials Desperation and hunger has pushed boys in Sierra Leone to accept just Sh8, 500 a month as salary for the thankless and dangerous task of burying Ebola victims.

Ebola is arguably the world’s most contagious disease with infections possible even from contacts with a dead body.

The World Health Organisation reports that it has so far killed more than 1,900 people. But in Sierra Leone,

one of the West African countries ravaged by the deadly outbreak, boys who have been contracted to bury the victims say the risk is worth it.

“Hunger is killing more people than Ebola,” said 21-year old Abraham Kamara who is among 20 young men, who signed up with the burial teams.

The boys wear full-body protective suit to prevent them from contracting the deadly

disease as they go about their job. Once it is done, the very suits that they depend on, are now a danger to them.

They have to ensure when removing them, the outside of the suit, does not touch their skin.

The job is not only just a health risk but it has also become a social risk. Many people including friends and relatives are afraid to be associated with them or even

global view Undergraduate bears burden of rape A student studying visual arts at Columbia University has pledged to carry around her dorm mattress everywhere she goes as long as her rapist remains enrolled at the same school — a visual performance that both highlights the weight Emma Sulkowicz carries as a rape victim, and the university’s failure to

tackle sexual assaults in a way that punishes rapists while eliminating victim shame.

Sulkowicz was raped by a classmate on the first day of her second year of college. Her assailant is still a student on campus, despite having two separate sexual assault complaints filed against him by women at the university.

come close to them. “When I’m passing, people I know say, ‘don’t come near me,” Alfred Jusson, another member of the burial team said.

They lose the battle of acceptance due to the lack of knowledge about the disease by the communities. Some have even gone as far as encircling themselves with trenches violently blocking outsiders from coming in.

Others believe that Ebola was

spread by local politicians to eliminate a particular community ahead of the elections while others claim that it is foreigners who are using it as a way to harvest body parts.

But the boys do not despair; they are dedicated to their jobs, “I want to kick Ebola out of this country,” said Andrew Neyuma, a 17 year old, “our population is already very small and Ebola wants to reduce it.”

Lenku leads peace mission to Mandera Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku will on Sunday tour clash-hit Mandera and Wajir counties accompanied by area leaders to preach peace and enhance security in north eastern.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, Lenku warned local administrators that they will be held responsible for any violence that breaks out in the areas. He also announced that eminent leaders will be appointed to spearhead a structured and long lasting peace and mechanisms for resolving conflicts between communities in the two counties.

FIND THE KEYWORD IN RED AND SMS IT TO 22333 Barua Muganga RINGTONES: 30 KSHS PER DAY Nipe Nafasi You will receive a sms “2 download. . . ”Go to this Glory to Glory link using GPRS or WAP & download your content.

Nanena KENYAN HITS! Adonai KENRAZY Visita, Madtraxx, DNA & Jay A KEN4 Dumbala Remix Zawadi GLORIA MULIRO Msaidizi GM4 Sitalia Tena KEN WAMARIA Fundamentals KT4 Bongo Lala RUFFTONE & GSU RUFF4 Sitalia Tena Mungu Baba MERCYLINAH Uwepo Wako LIN4 Hatarudi Nyuma MARION SHAKO Milele SHA4 Mapenzi GERALDINE ODUOR GER4 Dongo Dongo Solo EUNICE NJERI Ulibeba EN4 Penzi Langu EMMY KOSGEI Sobei Cheiso KOS4 Matokeo Worship You BMF FT MERCY WAIREGI BMF4 ALICE KAMANDE KAM4 Born Again Sambaza DADDY OWEN Defender DAD4 Lingala Ya Yesu MOG4 Fanya Kitendo MOG Tosheka Muziki Ni Dawa DK KWENYE BEAT Kereka DK4 JOAN WAIRIMU Ningwendete VAN4 Makeke Kitanzi LK4 LOISE KIM Queen N.D GITHUKA Ahuirania GAK4 Miss Hizo Ti Mundu BETTY BAYO & MR SEED BET4 Naona Mbali Ndirakurekie SIMON SIM4 Nime Wasamehe JOAN WAIRIMU Kinyukia Kahora VAN4 Hakuna Silaha

Ex: HC4 to 22333

BAHATI DJ LAPOZE JEMMO & DENNO BEN GITHAE HADASSAH PAUL EMMA OMONGE MASSMASILYA LAURENT MUGISHO MR. BISCUIT SIMON KIDUM & JULIANI KIDUM NGANGALITO KIDIS GLORIA MULIRO EKO DYDDA PITSON BEN GITHAE RINGTONE JIMMY GAIT GLORIA M & WILLY P ALA C DENNO SOLOMON MUKUBWA SARAH KIARIE

TIB4 HC4 GON4 GIT4 WT4 JC4 HOB4 HOK4 JAG4 SIM4 DUM4 DUM4 LIT4 PIG4 GM4 KEB4 BOM4 GIT4 RING4 JG4 GM4 ALA4 GON4 SOL4 SK4

This is a subscription service. Cost per message is KSH30. Content Delivered daily. A Joining fee of KSH30 applies.

Phone must be WAP/GPRS ENABLED to download ringtones. Errors will be billed. To DEACTIVATE OR UNSUBSCRIBE, SMS STOP followed by the keyword i.e. STOP HC4 to 22333 or *100#. A deactivation fee of KES 30 will be charged unless passive deactivation is requested.Customer Support: 0711035333 or 0734488668 , SUN - FRI, 8:30AM - 6pm, SAT 9am - 5pm. or email: ke@smshelp.info.

What others said today...

Sen Kindiki testified to help Devani: A court in the UK has granted the Kenya government request to have Yagnesh Devani, the owner of Triton Petroleum, extradicted to Kenya. The furgitive tycoon mounted a court battle in London to prevent his extradiction to Kenya to face charges of fraud. In 2008 Triton stole Sh 7.6 billion oil from Kenya Pipeline Company. District Judge John Zani of Westminister Magistrates Court, London has dismissed the appeal...

Uhuru hosts Raila’s rivals from Nyanza: President Uhuru Kenyatta Thursday hosted a group of MPs from Cord leader Raila Odinga’s backyard, Nyanza, at State House in what could be a bid to make political inroads into the region. On the face of it, the purpose of the meeting was innocent enough: to make plans for an anti-malaria campaign. However, given that it was attended by MPs defying the ODM discipline, it is the symbolism of it that is likely to lead to conclusions that it is a political...

Storm over Uhuru team move on civil servants:The Jubilee government’s plan to weed out ‘ghost’ civil servants through a biometric registration exercise has been resisted by governors, hours after the Central Organisation of Trade Unions questioned its motive. The initiative being piloted by Devolution ministry will see civil servants in the national and county governments registered a fresh electronically...

I lied: Prosecution witness P604 yesterday dropped a bombshell at the International Criminal Court (ICC) when he admitted to partly giving false statements to investigators because he “naturally disliked” Deputy President William Ruto. The witness, who had recanted his statement earlier on, admitted under oath that he was approached by ICC investigators in April last year...

6|

BUSiness

FRIday, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

Blue Link IT answers for Kenyan businesses Kenya’s software industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Africa.

Known in many tech circles as East Africa’s ‘Silicon Savannah’, the increasing appetite for digital solutions has led to the creation of Blue Link Technology Ltd. Blue Link Technology is a fully incorporated ICT company founded in 2011 to provide organisations software solutions.

Ranging from document management systems for companies to digital library records used by universities, Blue Link has developed systems that will put any manual record-keeping system to shame.

Edwin Gathige, the firm’s Managing Director, told X News: “We have specialised on custom software development, web applications, websites and desktop applications.”

Custom software development refers to products that are designed for a specific client.

“Our main aim was to come up with innovative solutions that will make us stand out from application makers in the country and meet our clients’ needs.”

As the Government shifts to more efficient digital systems for effective service delivery to the public, organisations are quickly realising the benefits of modern technology.

Blue Link’s clients include Kenya Power’s Legal Department, which uses their Legal Case Management System to provide library and document

management legal, library and technical functionalities.

Their Legal Case management system handles legal files and is being used by law firm, Karuka and Co Advocates. The system supports litigation, conveyancing, commercial law and financials.

The developers have also created a web portal for USAid-funded International Dairy Enterprise Alliance (IDEA) and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Board, which disseminates news and project status information.

In addition, Blue Link have provided school management and e-learning systems for the International University of Professional Studies (formerly Inoorero University).

It manages student academic, fees, attendance and examination details.

“One of our greatest challenges has been passing word out there of what we do,” says Gathige, who heads a team of dedicated coders.

The team is working on a system that will give clients software solutions in real time.

“We envision a situation where we will be going into a boardroom, a client tells us what he wants, and as he talks, we have someone working out something, such that by the end of the meeting, we can already produce a demo of what he is after.

Three electronic giants will pay a total of 138 million Euros (Sh16.1 billion) fine after the European Commission (EC) found them guilty of fixing prices of chips used in making smartphones.

Infineon Technologies, a German semiconductor manufacturer, was fined 82.8million euros, (about Sh9.6billion) Samsung, the South Korean multinational conglomerate, was fined 35.1million euros (about 4.1 billion) and Philips, a Dutch diversified technology company, was fined 20.2million euros (an equivalent of Sh2.4billion) The giants are alleged to have collaborated in pricing, contracts and capacity between 2003 and 2005, EC ruled.

“The three companies discussed and exchanged sensitive commercial information on pricing, customers, contract negoti-

ations, production capacity and their future market conduct,” said Joaquin Almunia, EC vice president in charge of competition pricing. “Companies that “choose to collude, at the expense of both customers and end consumers, should expect sanctions.”

Infineon and Philips rejected the charge and vowed to appeal. Samsung have not commented on the charge.

Renesas, a joint venture between Hitachi and Mitsubishi, avoided a fine for revealing the existence of the cartel, EC said.

Appeals Infineon said the allegations were “unfounded.

(We) will review the decision very closely and are ready to appeal at the General Court of the European Union in Luxembourg”.

Philips, which has since sold its smart chip unit, also rejected the EC’s accusations.

citywallet

FOUNDER: Edwin Gathige, Blue Link Technology Managing Director.

The company has been making waves locally and internationally with one of their online platforms boasting up to 6,000 subscribers. Gathige says Blue Link, like Kenya’s appetite for ICT, is growing and the best is yet to come.

Gathige and team can be reached via bluelinktech.com, e-mail info@ bluelinktech.com, or phone 0722551420.

The poorer the household,the more sugar they take In Nairobi, the poorest households spend more on sugar than their wealthiest rivals, studies by Egerton University show.

Researchers Mercy Kamau, John Olwande and James Githuku have discovered that sugar makes for about 7.5 per cent of food expenditure in Nairobi.

Olwande says expenditure on food in Nairobi averages about Sh2,506 for the poorest households and Sh6,242 for the wealthiest.

globewatch

Vodka brands sales slide as US revellers slow down The leading vodka brands in the United States are losing their buzz as craft distillers and other alcoholic drinks infringe on their turf.

Both Diageo Plc the company that markets Smirnoff, and Pernod Ricard SA known for its Absolut brand of vodka, say newcomers to the vodka market are cutting into their sales.

“We are not pleased with the performance of Absolut in the U.S.,” Pierre Pringuet, Pernod’s CEO, told reporters in London

Court fines electronic giants Sh16.1b for chips price fixing

on Wednesday.

History Diageo and Pernod Ricard have been losing market share over the last five years to smaller brands such as Fifth Generation Inc’s ‘Tito’s Handmade Vodka’.

Overall, vodka is facing slower growth in the United States as consumers’ liquor preferences continue to change.

Experts from market research firm, Euromonitor International say that newer generations of drinkers are

quickly shifting toward brown liquors such as bourbon and whiskey.

Analysts are calling it the “Mad Men effect” - a reference to the drinks consumed on the popular television show, ‘Mad Men’.

The Distilled Spirits Council, an industry trade group, says that sales volumes of whiskey in 2013 were up 6 per cent, outpacing vodka’s 1 per cent growth.

Implications Spiros Malandrakis, an

alcoholic drinks analyst at Euromonitor say that the vodka market may stagger forward but it will be hard for distributors to sway the public’s opinion.

In recent years, companies that sell vodka have tried to attract consumers by introducing more flavors. But sales of flavored vodka are slowing.

“People just jump from one flavor to the next, and eventually we just get bored of all of them,” he said.

Sugar makes up for 11 per cent of food expenditure for the poorest households. The figure falls to six per cent for the wealthiest.

On average, Nairobi households spend Sh314 a month on the item, with the poorest spending about Sh277 and the wealthiest Sh363.

This shows rich Nairobi households reduce sugar intake as poorer counterparts take little care of the health risks associated with excess intake of sweeteners.

Kamau and colleagues say Kenya imposes import tax and other charges that raise prices above (distorted) world market prices. The tax is heavier on poorer households.

Poorer families spend more on sugar than meat or a combination of fruits and vegetables.

BUSINESS

FRIday, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

EU gives Sh1.4bn grant for crop quality checks The European Union has given Kenya a Sh1.4 billion grant to enhance quality checks on fresh produce. This comes in the wake of a possible ban on Kenya’s fresh produce export to the EU which threatens livelihoods and billions of shillings in losses.

The EU had previously threatened to exclude Kenyan horticultural produce from its market due to high levels of chemicals and pesticides.

Together with the grant, which was given on Wednesday, qualitycontrol agencies like the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service will receive technical and financial support to step up inspections for the country’s export crops.

EU Trade and Communication Counsellor, Christophe de Vroey said during the announcement that the initiative “will enhance the capacities of Kenyan institutions in the enforcement of the standards.”

The EU had set Kenya a September 30 deadline to cut down on the residue chemicals

under threat: A woman grades flowers at Kisima Farm in Rift Valley. The EU has threatened to ban Kenyan fresh produce from its markets owing to high levels of chemicals.

in export crops to comply with European quality standards or risk a ban on the export of its cut flowers, fruit and vegetables.

The Ministry of Planning reports

that, last year, Kenya earned Sh83.4 billion from horticulture exports, with the EU as is its main export market.

The horticultural industry

has shown a steady growth of between 15 and 20 per cent over the last decade employing as many as 6 million people across its production chain.

businesswise The customer is sometimes wrong Too often have business owners been forced to bear with unruly clients under the pretence that ‘the customer is aways right’.

“This is a motto that’s drilled into every young retail or hospitality worker, and has somehow made its way into the psyches of established business owners,” says Jayson DeMers, Founder and CEO of AudienceBloom, a US-based content marketing agency.

“The problem is, the customer isn’t always right, and always thinking otherwise can result in serious disservice to you, your employees, and your customers.”

DeMers argues that unreasonable customers “eat away at your finite resources.”

“You only have limited resources available to you,” he explains.

“Don’t allocate a disproportionate amount of them to customers who repeatedly cause problems. You only have so much time, money and energy to dedicate to customer service, or to your business, and an unreasonable customer or client can quickly eat away at the majority of it.”

If you have tried your best to address a complaint and the customer still is not happy, DeMers says that it is time to move on.

As a business owner, use your resources to address the concerns of customers who are willing to engage in reasonable dialogue.

smartmove

bizbriefs 25,000 join suit against Facebook Max Schrems, A data privacy campaigner has signed up 25,000 people to join him in a legal battle against Facebook.

In what he describes as a “class action lawsuit”, Schrems alleges that the way the social network monitors its members’ activity on and off the site puts it in breach of European Union laws.

He also claims that the company co-operated with Prism, a USbased clandestine surveillance system launched in 2007 by the National Security Agency (NSA).

This comes almost a year after whistle-blower, Edward Snowden revealed that the NSA was spying on US citizens.

Schrems asked Facebook users based outside the US and Canada who wished to take part in the case to sign up via a smartphone app.

Facebook has previously denied knowing about Prism before it was mentioned in leaked US government documents.

|7

PROFITABLE BUSINESS: A farmer shows his pigs to an agricultural officer in his farm. Demand for pork products led to a rise in pig farming.

Farmers dump cows for pigs as pork demand rises The rising cost of cattle feed and insufficient pasture has pushed livestock farmers to drop cows for pigs.

The practice has taken root in Central Kenya, where the price of dairy feeds has gone up by up by as much as 80 per cent in the last one year.

At the farms, breeders are selling a kilo of pork at between Sh250 and Sh350, while a piglet is being sold at between Sh2, 000 and Sh3, 500 depending on its age.

Under the best conditions, a single

pig can grow upto 120kg within six months.

“We are currently enjoying high demand from private pork processors, who are contracting us to breed pigs in high numbers,” says James Kaigai, a breeder in Murang’a County.

He explains that there is a vast and guaranteed long term market for pork.

Kigai adds that pigs have been identified as a source of more than 185 products of commercial value.

Farmers’ Choice operations manager, Stanley Njoroge, agrees and says the market is under-supplied.

“We have ready markets besides our traditional ones in Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and India. The volume of exports that these clients have committed us to spells major economic favours to local farmers,” Kigai says.

Mr Murichu says farmers do not pay a lot of transport costs since “buyers show up at your farm

armed with a mobile slaughterhouse and slaughter men.”

Mr Njoroge says Farmers Choice is competing to satisfy demand by supplying 50 per cent of its products, leaving breeders to provide the other half.

He added Farmers Choice has invested in field officers in order to empower breeders with education and advisory services. He said the most popular products are pork, sausage, bacon, and smokies.

with Ruthie

BEAUTY

Make-up guru Ruth Kinuthia is former Miss Kenya @makeupbyRuthie

8|

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

Hoarders be warned

There’s a tendency in all of us to hold on to every purchase for as long as possible. Remember though, that cosmetics have expiration dates.

Beauty hoarders, consider this your tough love wake up call.

Foundation: If your foundation has a pump then it will stay fresh longer.

If you are dabbing your fingers into a bottle every day, you should toss it out every 6-8 months.

Face powder: Powders are the Energizer Bunnies of makeup. They keep going and going for up to 2 years.

Mascara: Throw out your mascara after three months. Mascara has the shortest life span of all make up because of the risk of transferring bacteria back and forth from your eye into the mascara.

The colour

Purple lipstick has the ability to change one’s appearance from boring to fun. Much like red lipstick, most women tend to avoid because it is risky.

The colour is sexy and super chic but can be quite difficult to incorporate without professional help. But it takes the mastering of a few tips on applying it to make one look remarkably fine instead of a drag queen.

First, take time to choose a purple colour that works best for your skin tone. Some may give you the urge to swear off lipsticks for good, others will look great on you.

Women with dark complexions look better wearing purple lipstick that has a reddish hue. This will complement their skin tone and bring out the colour of their eyes, making them wide and great to look into. Ladies with a light complexion look better with cool purple lipstick, it makes their skin glow. When wearing purple lipstick, it is important to keep eye makeup neutral as possible, or to wear none at all. If you must, though, try the nicely lined cat eyes or the natural looking smokey eye.

Purple lipstick is already bold and wearing heavy

PURPLE When wearing purple lipstick, it is important to keep eye makeup as neutral as possible, or to wear none at all.

eye makeup will make your eyes and lips compete on boldness, making you look gothic. Before applying the lipstick, prepare your lip properly by exfoliating and

moisturising them. This makes it go on smoother and last longer. If you apply on dry and chapped lips, it will crack and flake off, which is obviously not a good look.

If your mascara starts to dry out, it’s time to get a new one. Adding water or saliva to rewet it, only increase your chances of getting an eye infection. Eye infections in general don’t make for very good fashion statements so save yourself the trouble.

Blushes: With powder or cream blushes, texture is an indicator—if the formula has become so hard it won’t budge from the compact, it’s time to replace it . Discard your cream blushes after a year and powder blushes after two.

Eye liners: A liquid liner can last up to six months. The pencil eyeliner, if properly stored and sharpened regularly, can last up to one year.

Lipstick and lip gloss: You’ll know a lipstick or gloss has run its course when it gets hard and you can’t spread the pigment on your lips. These should be replenished after a year.

In the end, think of your make up a bit like you do your food. If it smells weird, develops a film, or a mouldgreen tint to it, it’s gone bad and needs to be tossed out.

shopit Ladies, don’t get caught without panty liners Panty liners are designed to act as absorbents which cushion your underwear from staining. They keep you dry and comfortable.

Every woman should make use of these pad-like but lighter, thinner and smaller absorbents.

Since panty-liners are small enough to fit in handbags or purses, it is advisable you ferry them with you wherever you go as they could save you trouble in case your periods start unexpectedly. Panty liners cannot hold heavy flows, therefore, you will have to change into a pad quickly.

Liners are also essential when you are using treatment creams or medication that can stain your underwear.

Avoid using panty liners laced with synthetic fibres, plastic, super absorbent gels and fragrances. Synthetic fibres and plastics trigger sweating and hinders skin from breathing, leading to skin irritation.

Absorbent gels and fragrances are also likely to cause irritation and result to unusual vaginal odour.

Organic cotton panty liners are the best and safe.

Here are some of the best compostable panty liners found in Nakumatt; Kotex panty liners which are made of cotton that keep you dry and comfortable. The Sh95 liners firmly hold on to underwear fabric for long.

Alltyme panty liners have equally the same qualities.

They are non-fragranced and unnoticeably light.

Acti-Eve panty liners come with a free package of wet wipes. Acti-eve is also a good type of liners that prevents your panty from marking.

motoring | 9 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

...start by changing the fan belt One of the first signs that a fan belt is damaged is a loud and annoying squealing or screeching sounds coming from the engine area

Save money fixing your car A few days after I bought my first car, a Toyota Starlet, I noticed that it would overheat after every 10 or so kilometres. The first mechanic I took it to said it had overflow issues. Burping the carburettor would easily fix the issue. He did that but on my way home steam was spewing out of the bonnet.

The second mechanic I took

the car to, after an hour of investigation, concluded that the gasket was kaput. And so it came to pass that a new gasket was installed. Did it solve my problem? Of course not. I was on the verge of grounding it when by chance, I noticed the radiator fan was not moving at the same speed as the engine. Apparently, the lock pin inside the fan

motoringnews Say hello to world’s smartest bike helmet Skully has crossed 1.3 million US dollars in crowdfunding needed to start consumer production of its highly anticipated AR-1 motorcycle helmet.

This is the first vertically integrated smart heads up display (HUD) helmet for consumers.

Besides the heads up system which displays information on 10 feet in front of the rider, the helmet is equipped with a near 180-degree rear view camera.

It gives directions at every step via GPS navigation. It is compatible with the smartphone, which probably

means it’s the world’s smartest motorcycle helmet.

The AR-1 was introduced in late 2013 and received overwhelming response that resulted in more than 100,000 beta tester applications.

“We are beyond excited to begin production on what has become the most anticipated motorcycle helmet in history,” said Skully, founder and CEO Marcus Weller.

“The AR-1 will introduce a new era in intelligent transportation by combining optics, intelligent vehicle systems and connectivity to deliver unprecedented levels of safety.”

clutch had snapped off its holding, rendering the part useless. Holding the fan down made it stop altogether.

With a few spanners and a pair of pliers, I pulled out the fan, opened clutch (using a screw driver) and easily returned the stopper to its place. I returned the fan where it belonged and voila, the overheating was gone.

Cost incurred-zero. I have since learnt to do a a lot of repairs on my own. I am sure with a little attention, you too can spare you bank account the heartache it suffers every time you visit a mechanic.

Truth be told, most of us have at one time paid hefty amounts for something we could easily have sorted out at home.

Among the repairs you can easily do yourself is a faulty fan belt.

One of the first signs that a radiator fan belt is damaged is a loud and annoying squealing or screeching sounds that come from the engine area.

The sound may only last for a minute or two after starting the vehicle. Over time, the squeaky belt sound will grow louder and continue for longer periods.

Visible signs of a damaged fan belt include tears or cracks on the surface of the rubber.

To replace the belt, start by studying the old belt’s routing, which should be

easy if the belt is still in place.

But if the belt is missing, look under the bonnet lid for a belt-routing card. You can also download routing manuals for most cars from the internet.

Locate tension adjustment Locate bolts and mounts used to adjust the tension for the serpentine belt.

Depending upon the make and model, this may be hard to access. You may have to jack up your vehicle in order to find the bolt mount assembly used to tighten the serpentine belt.

Loosen tension on the belt Loosen tension on the serpentine adjustment and remove the damaged serpentine belt. Leave the tension slightly relaxed so that you can install the new belt.

Install the New Belt Carefully feed the new belt through the series of pulleys that the belt controls. The path that a serpentine belt follows can be quite complex

and confusing, so make sure that you follow the path of the diagram exactly. Always double check and triple check the path of the belt before continuing.

Tighten belt Turn the bolts on the mounting assembly that controls tension of the serpentine belt.

Tighten until there is no longer play anywhere in the belt path. Check to be sure the belt is looped through the system correctly.

Turn on engine After you have installed the new serpentine belt, turn on your engine.

Carefully inspect the engine while it is running, and ensure all pulleys are being turned by the belt. Also, check for vibrations or other signs that the serpentine belt may be loose and need more tightening.

Check the belt for looseness or flapping, as these are also indicators that the belt tension needs to be adjusted.

10 |

FUN

FRIday, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

bigevent

Alaine returns for the Extravaganza Jamaican reggae artist Alaine will headline the inaugural Extravaganza event tomorrow at the Cabanas Park on Mombasa Road from 2pm.

Alaine arrived in the country on Tuesday evening.

“I am so happy to be back. It has been a long time,’’ said the singer. “The vibe from the Kenyan fans is second to none.”

Known for her hit songs Forever More featuring Tarrus

SHE IS HERE: Jamaican singer Alaine addressing a press confrence in Nairobi after her arrival for the Extravaganza concert on Tuesday. Seated next to her (second left) is popular Kenyan rapper Jua Cali.

Riley, Sacrifice and All or Nothing, the singer has won over many hearts in Kenya and the world over.

Alaine toured Kenya in 2010 to perform at the Sepetuka concert and has also done the song Nakupenda with Kenyan dancehall artist, Wyre.

Kenyan artists who will be performing at the Extravaganza include, Redsan, Wyre and Juacali. Others

who will be gracing the stage include, Rapcha Sayantist, Shix Kapienga and Coco. The MCs for the night will be MC Jessy and MC Philipo. DJ’s on the deck spinning hot mixes will be DJ Joe Mfalme alongside the Hot 96 Inferno DJ’s.

The event which is organized

by Trueblaq promises to be a one of a kind. Tickets will be going for Sh500 and Sh3000 for VIP.

weekender

Experience beauty of Mt.Kenya Africa’s second highest mountain, Mt. Kenya is a welcoming site that awaits exploration. Majestically seated in the Central part of Kenya, the rugged feature is home to vast fauna and afro-alpine flora.

Mount Kenya has three major

peaks; Batian, Nelion and Point Lenana. At the slopes is a lush vegetation that forms a natural forest and a national park.

Actually Mount Kenya National Park is part of the enormous natural forest.

It is a tourist attraction site

with a lot of wild game. Within the park, meanders traditional migration route for elephants.

Monkeys, leopards, hyraxes and bongos are also found in the greenery.

The mountain, which stands at 5,199m high is caped with ice at

its uneven summit. It is a beauty that makes Kenya one the most amazing countries in the world.

Since scaling the whole mountain in one day is impossible, take time to marvel at the biodiversity within the equatorial mountain.

It’s all systems go for Coke Studio’s second season The second edition of Africa’s most celebrated music show Coke Studio was officially launched on Wednesday evening at Film Studios, Ngong Road.

The night was filled with style, colour...and of course, lots of Coke. Coke Studio is a music TV series produced by the Coca-Cola Company, which features live studio-recorded music performances by several artists. The show starts airing on Saturday September 13 in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria.

BIG DEAL: Artistes from the African region who will be performing in the second season of Coke Studio during the Wednesday launch (top). Some of guests who attend the event enjoying themselves.

the hitlist

Embakasi

Kimathi Street

Ongata Rongai

Langata

Westlands

Club Fahrenheit

Club Mojos

Platinum Bistro

Off Road Club

Club Bacchus

Dj Denz Effect

Friday Party Night feat Dj Timdwn

Party Night with Dj Kace

Dj Burn will be hosting the Burn Out Friday

Friday Night Live with DJ Hypnotic and DJ Xclusive

Admission: Free Time:9pm onwards

Admission: Free Time: 6pm onwards

Admission: Free Time: 8pm-5am

Admission: Free Time: 8pm onwards

Admission: Free Time: 6pm onwards

PLAY | 11

forecast

FRIday, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

HOROSCOPES capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19

cancer Jun 22 - Jul 22

aquarius Jan 20 - Feb

leo Jul 23 - Aug 22

You often hope for that perfect romantic holiday. However, you are usually so busy doing your own unique thing that you sometimes don’t notice romance until it has already overwhelmed you, and you are absolutely swooning.

You have the choice between work and play. Both options are very possible today. You may be in the midst of a board meeting, but you won’t be bored for a minute because just across from you, love is playing one of its tricks, and you cannot help but be completely bowled over.

pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20

Could this be the holiday of a lifetime?

The day’s planetary constellation indicates that it could be. At least you have the opportunity to experience a sense of passion and real companionship, which is very pleasant, as they don’t always come together.

Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19

There is a wonderful quality of deep caring and passionate commitment about your close relationships today.

You have now reached a stage where you feel you would like to make the arrangement even more permanent, or recommit in some way.

You can show your appreciation of that special person in your life by buying something beautiful for the home.

Whether you share a house or not, make this gift extra nice, possibly a piece of tasteful artwork, a sculpture, or something from another country.

scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21

s y’ to dapho r e st ing e Y nn i w

ng s i n n in tio W p ca

Friends may wonder just where you are at today. The day’s planetary constellation makes you wonder as well.

You seem to be intensely involved in trying to catch another’s attention, melting under their gaze, and weakening at the knees when they speak.

sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21

You may appear frustratingly aloof to your lover. You have every chance of making a significant breakthrough in your most cherished relationship, but seem to have placed yourself behind a wall of glass. Your love can see you, but just can’t touch. Do you have to wait till your pride finally gives way before you reach out and say how you really feel?

1. Send a caption for the photo above to news@x-news. co.ke. The winning caption gets published on this page.

1. Poor bride. Hope she burns all the photos- Everline Ngatia, Nairobi.

2. The bride must be an Arsenal supporter - James Simai, Westlands.

3. How do you explain this to your children-Juma Mkande, Nairobi.

sudoku

When the World Was Young, —by Elizabeth Gaffney

Yesterday’s solution

yoursay

3

libra Sep 23 - Oct 22

taurus Apr 20 - May 20

You may feel an intense attraction today toward someone whom you may only have noticed in passing until now.

You feel very drawn in ways that are inexplicable, as you do not really know this person that well. Yet on another level you do know them extremely well, and it is this feeling that is pulling you like a magnet, ever closer.

2

Today you feel good within yourself, look great, and are so popular! The day’s planetary constellation is bringing out your most attractive features.

But if you are single and looking for a romantic liaison, you will have to find a way to make your intentions clear.

You seem to be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea today. You have intense feelings for a particular person, but you are keeping quiet about it all. You do not wish them to see you in anything but a position of strength and control. The day’s planetary constellation begs the question as to who are you kidding.

gemini May 21 - Jun 21

1

virgo Aug 23 -Sep 22

A trip by air may be in the offing, Aries.

You may be planning to tour distant states or foreign lands. You could be going with friends or a group you’re associated with. Unusual new interests could capture your attention, enticing you to further study. You might enroll in a workshop.

Your partner may have something on their mind, which you will soon discover is, in fact, quite a good plan.

But it does involve a deeper sense of commitment from you. This will really test the quality of the relationship. If you are ready to step into such an arrangement - then all you have to do is say “yes.” Listen to your heart.

Vote for your winning pick of today’s top three instamoments (below) by sending an email with the picture number to news@x-news.co.ke

Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeated.

mustread

The year is 1945 and it is war time.

Fathers have left for war as mothers remain home working full time. Wally Baker is no ordinary girl; she does not like dresses, manners or needle work. She is only focused on an ant farm and introducing new animals and reading her Wonder Woman Comics all day. She could not be bothered by what was going on. Her mother, a doctor, spends most of her time with the sick.

Niederman, her father’s best friend, comes to live with them as a boarder.

Wally soon notices that her mother and Niederman are increasingly becoming too close. Tension mounts as soon Wally begins asking questions.

Atwoli may be too loud, but there are times when he makes a lot of sense A dog that barks always is likely to be ignored many a time. But ignoring Francis Atwoli’s misgiving of the ongoing public servants biometric registration process may be perilous (Cotu raises suspicions on employee audit,

September 2, 2014).

The Cotu secretary general has claimed he reads mischief in the government because Kenya was among the first countries in Africa to computerise their workforce.

At least take his barking seriously

even for once. Yes ghost workers must be exorcised, but if not exercised with prudence, we may not get a clean payroll just like the biometric voter’s register.

Some genuine workers may be victimised too. This calls for

establishment of a complaints agency to peep into the plight of those who may be axed out of mere malice.

Otherwise if it is true the workers already are in the systems, then we may be digitalising the ghosts;

and we will never find them.

Those in charge of uprooting may be root their ‘people’ further.

— Wilkister M, Nairobi

friday, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

Sport

Sagna quit Arsenal for career growth Bacary Sagna claims he needed to leave ‘family club’ Arsenal for Premier League champions Manchester City to advance his career.

The France international ended a seven-year association with the Emirates Stadium club in the summer when his contract expired.

He joined City as a free agent.

Sagna accepts he will face greater competition for a starting line-up in Manuel Pellegrini’s star-studded squad where Argentina international Pablo Zabaleta is the main rival.

But the 31-year-old, who has sympathy for Gunners fans due to the regular departures

from the side in recent years, says it was a risk he was prepared to take.

“It is what I was looking for.

I needed it in order to go the extra mile,” said the French international.

“I am 31 and this was the right time for me to leave Arsenal. I wanted to see somewhere new, and to boost my career.

“I have left a family club, which I joined when I was very young, and where I have known Arsene Wenger all the time.

“There are differences between Manchester and London as cities, regarding the weather, and between the

two clubs.

“But I am now part of a much deeper squad at City, where it’s even harder for me to win a first-team place.

“It is fair to say that could pose a risk to my place in the France side. But I’m not taking that into consideration. I feel more powerful than ever.

“It is what I was looking for.

I needed it in order to go the extra mile.

“Arsenal are, and remain, a quality side. But I can understand their fans feeling frustrated when they see players moving to other clubs.”

i need growth: Bacary Sagna says he needed to leave Arsenal for English Premier League champions Manchester City for career growth.

KCB in pole position to grab second Safaricom circuit title Barring any mishap, Curtis Olago’s KCB are on track for a second series title in a row as the 2014 Safaricom Sevens Series comes to a fitting climax at the RFUEA Grounds this weekend Even if KCB were to only reach the Bowl semi-final – and collect five points – Homeboyz would have to win the whole tournament and accumulate 22 points for the two teams to finish level on 90 points.

The bankers won the opening two

tournaments in Nairobi and Kisumu to keep the Prinsloo title in Nakuru. Their worst performance was finishing second in Mombasa.

The bankers will be out to qualify for cup quarters which will see them take an unassailable lead in the series. This will entail potentially tricky encounters against Homeboyz and a seemingly straightforward clash with newly promoted JKUAT Cougars.

FRIday, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

14 |

SPORT

FRIDAY, septembeR 5, 2014

Ronaldo hints at Man U return Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted he would like to return to Manchester United before his career is over, but insisted he is not eyeing an exit from Real Madrid any time soon.

Ronaldo’s hugely-successful spell at United ended when he joined Madrid in an £80-million move in the summer of 2009, but it is clear he still has huge affection for the Old Trafford club.

“I love Manchester [United]. Everyone knows that. I have said it many times. Manchester is in my heart. I left many good friends there, the supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day,” Ronaldo said “I am happy in Real Madrid and have four more years [on his contract], but in the future you never know because they treated me unbelievably there. I really did love being at Manchester United.”

Ronaldo went on to back United to bounce back from a troubled spell since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as the club’s manager in May 2013.

Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao were among a host of star names to arrive at United in this summer’s transfer window and Ronaldo is certain their revival is imminent.

“Believe me, they will be a good team again, I’m sure of it. It is a great club. This can happen. Bad moments and good moments.

Manchester is passing through a bad moment.

Last year it was a horrible season and this year they haven’t started well, either.

“I do think they did well to buy Di Maria and Falcao. I think the team will be much better.

I want to see them better because it is such a fantastic club and they deserve to be better.

Falcao is a very good signing. He is a very good player. He will be a fantastic buy.”

Two uncapped players called up to the Kenya cricket team Two uncapped players have been named in the Kenya team for Africa Sixes Challenge and the Africa Cricket Cup which begins tomorrow in South Africa.

Batsman Narendra Patel, and Lucas Oluoch have been called to the 14-man squad.

The team leaves the country today for the two events beginning with the Sixes Challenge in Pretoria.

The selectors have picked seven players for the six-a side tournament. They will be joined by another seven for the Africa Cup, a 50over tournament which will be played on September 8-13 in Benoni.

Other members of the Sixes squad are captain Rakep Patel, Collins Obuya, Alex Obanda and siblings Shem Obado, Nelson Odhiambo and Nehemiah Odhiambo.

Six African countries – Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania,

Uganda, Zimbabwe and the host, South Africa – will participate in the six-a-side tournament which will consist of five overs per team.

Patel has been among the best performers in the local scene for a while now and his inclusion is likely to spearhead the sides batting in the absence of Irfan Karim.

Squad: Rakep Patel (Captain), Shem Ng’oche, Alex Obanda, Collins Obuya, Nelson Odhiambo, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Narendra K. Patel, Maurice Ouma, Elijah Otieno, Hiren Varaiya, James Ngoche, Dhiren Gondaria, Lucas Oluoch, Gurdeep Singh.

Officials: Joseph Asichi (Strength & Conditioning Coach/Team Manager), Thomas Odoyo (Assistant Coach) Joseph Mutisya (Physiotherapist), Steve Tikolo (Coach).

BIG HIT: Kenya batsman Collins Obuya plays a cover drive in a past match. He is in the team for the Africa Cup.

NOSTALGIC: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo says he’d like to return to former club Manchester United before his playing career is over.

Past winners return for Jaramogi road race Winners of the 2013 Safaricom Jaramogi Oginga Road Race Leonard Kipkoech and Pascalia Chepkorir are among athletes expected to take part in this year’s race tomorrow in Bondo.

Also expected to make an appearance is last year’s Deaflympics 200m gold medallist Beryl Wamira and her brother David.

The race will be flagged off from Bondo Township Primary School at 8am and will feature the main 15km race for seniors, 1km race for veterans above 50years and junior races targeting students below 18years. More than 500 athletes from the Nyanza North region and other parts of the country are expected to participate.

“Nyanza region has huge potential in sports especially football and we are looking to make it a hot spot for athletics as well. This year, we hope to get more participants up from last year when we registered about 380 participants,” said Athletics Kenya Secretary for Nyanza North, Thomas Ongwacho.

“We have seen a keen interest this year from people across different regions who are interested in taking part in the race.”

Safaricom’s Sponsorship Manager Angeline Sonje said: “The company is proud to be part of the passionate move to grow athletics as a sport in Nyanza region and we know the region has a huge potential to produce world record holders.”

SPORT |15

FRIday, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

Mcllroy sets ambitions on FedEx Cup Rory McIlroy (pictured) will be “disappointed” if fails to cap a stellar year with victory and Sh850m bonus at the PGA Tour’s end-of-season FedEx Cup. McIlroy, 25, has won four times in 2014, including the Open and US PGA to regain world number one status. But he wants more at this week’s BMW Championship.

The Northern Ireland player is second on the season-long FedExCup points list behind Chris Kirk with two events to go.

“I want to cap off this summer as best as I can,” he said.

McIlroy won two of the four playoff events in 2012 to arrive at the Tour Championship finale in top spot. He, however, lost out to US Brandt Snedeker and missed out on the Sh850million top prize.

“I still got compensated pretty well for second place, so it wasn’t too bad but I feel like it’s been such a great year on the golf course that

if I wasn’t to go ahead and win the FedExCup, it would definitely be disappointing,” said McIlroy. He will play at this week’s penultimate play-off event at Cherry Hills Country Club outside Denver.

“Not winning a couple of years ago did add a little bit of fuel to the fire and probably makes me a little bit more determined to try to win it this year.”

The top 70 players on the FedEx Cup points list after last week’s Deutsche Bank Championship qualified for Denver. Only the top 30 players advance to the Tour Championship finale which starts on September 11.

Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland is 53rd after missing last week’s Boston event to witness the birth of first child. England’s Justin Rose (27th) and Phil Mickelson (56th) are also in danger of missing the climax in Atlanta.

Hamilton, Roseberg rivalry shifts to Italian Grand Prix The spotlight will once more be on Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg as the battle for the world championship heads to Monza this week at the Italian Grand Prix.

Rosberg was booed in Belgium after a collision with teammate Hamilton.

The Formula 1 leader will raise a cheer from Ferrari fans if he does it again at the magical Monza.

Mercedes said after a meeting with the drivers last week that both understood the team’s number one rule that there must be no contact on the track.

Aother incident would not be tolerated.

Hamilton, who tweeted on Thursday that his aim was “to claw back” the lead from Rosberg after

dropping 29 points behind with seven races to go, said both had accepted they made mistakes.

The fans want to see a clean fight until the end of the season and that’s what we want to give them,” added the 2008 world champion, who had complained at Spa that Rosberg hit him ‘on purpose’.

“It’s going to be a tough road from here but Championships have been won from much further back than I am now.”

Hamilton may have a psychological advantage going into Monza as the aggrieved party from the previous race. The Briton won at the fastest track on the calendar in 2012, his last season with McLaren.

Kayange to miss IRB series rounds after ankle operation Former Kenya rugby captain Humphrey Kayange will miss the opening three rounds of this season’s IRB World Sevens series after undergoing ankle surgery in South Africa.

Kayange sustained the injury during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July. He will not be available for selection until February next year.

His absence will be a major blow for Kenya as they bid to finish among the top four nations in the new season which gets underway at Gold Coast in Australia in October.

The competition will act as an Olympic qualifier as the top four teams earn automatic qualification to the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Rugby sevens is expected to make a debut.

Kenya finished seventh in the rankings last season under new coach Paul Treu of South Africa and lost to Wales in the Commonwealth Games plate semi-final in Glasgow.

The team has started training for the new season and will test several newly-capped players during this month’s national Safaricom Sevens tournament in Nairobi.

Fifa sets deadline for Nigeria elections FIFA on Wednesday set a new deadline for Nigeria to elect officials to run the game. The world football governing body has threatened the African champions with immediate suspension from international competition if the current regime does not step down.

Fifa said on their website it had extended by a week a deadline for Chris Giwa to stand down as head of NFF along with his appointed executive committee.

Giwa, a club owner, will run Nigerian football in controversial circumstances on August 26. The appointment came after incumbent Aminu Maigari was arrested by secret police to allegedly stop him from attending a meeting of top NFF officials.

The ultimatum means FIFA only recognises Maigari as properly elected. Giwa has said he will not step down.

The suspension will last “until the board claiming to be elected

vacates the premises of NFF and NFF General Secretary (Maigari) is able to perform his work without interference,” the statement said.

Fresh executive committee elections should be held as early as possible, FIFA said.

A power struggle for NFF leadership has been rumbling since the end of the World Cup finals. Maigari was impeached on corruption allegations before he was reinstated.

grounded: Former captain Humphrey Kayange (right) will miss the opening three rounds of the season’s IRB World series after undergoing ankle surgery.

16 |

SPORT

friday, september 5, 2014

Remy strike sinks Spanish Armada

GOT IT: Chelsea and France striker Loic Remy in a past match. He scored in the 1-0 win for France over Spain at the Stade de France last night.

Alonso and Xavi, who have retired from internationals, and the injured Andres Iniesta and had no shots on target.

Deschamps made one change from the team that started the World Cup quarter-final against eventual champions Germany, Sissoko taking Yohan Cabaye’s place in midfield. Vicente del Bosque decided to bring in Manchester United keeper David De Gea for Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas who had a nightmare World Cup. Spain, who also brought in Raul Garcia and Mikel San Jose, failed to shine while Remy’s club mate Diego Costa looked a shadow of his usual self in attack.

Karim Benzema had a goal for France ruled out for offside five minutes into the second half after he beat De Gea with a clever flick from a cross by Sissoko.

Valbuena then went just wide in the 64th minute after a pass from Blaise Matuidi.

Remy, who came on for Antoine Griezmann just before the hour, finally broke the deadlock with a curling, first-time shot from 18 metres.

Champion Jeptoo back to defend Chicago title

trendingnow This man Maria

New Chelsea signing Loic Remy grabbed the only goal as France squeezed past Spain 1-0 in a friendly at the Stade de France.

The second-half substitute netted in spectacular style in the 72nd minute, pouncing on a pass from Mathieu Valbuena to give Didier Deschamps’s team a deserved victory.

Vicente del Bosque’s new-look Spain side, who suffered a shock first-round exit at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, lacked creativity in midfield and never looked threatening up front.

France, who will host Euro 2016, left it late to score but showed some of the quality that took them to the last eight of the World Cup. “It was a good night.

We needed to keep the spirit of the World Cup,” Deschamps told a news conference.

“There were some quality moves.

We made a good start, then we suffered a lot for at least 20 minutes but we regained the upper hand in the second half.” While the hosts benefited from the power of Paul Pogba and Moussa Sissoko in midfield, Spain sorely missed Xabi

On Wednesday night, newly signed Manchester United player Angel Di Maria played assist to three goals in Argentina’s 4-2 of World Cup Champions. His fans believe that had he not scored the fourth goal, he would have assisted whoever would have scored.

Defending champion Rita Jeptoo is among the elite runners named on Thursday in the field for next month’s Chicago Marathon. Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto, last year’s

men’s record winner winner at Chicago in a course record of 2hr 3min 45sec, opted to run in this month’s Berlin Marathon instead of defending his crown on October 12. But the stage is set for a fast field as Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, the 10,000m and 5,000m world recordholder who stepped up to the marathon this year, faces a familiar foe in Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, who made his move to the longer distance last year at Hamburg. Jeptoo returns to Chicago having won in Boston in a course record 2:18:57 in April. Men’s stars include Kenyans Sammy Kitwara with a personal best time of 2:05:16, Bernard Koech (2:04:53), and Dickson Chumba (2:05:42).

Jeptoo’s fastest rivals include training partner Jemima Sumgong (2:20:48), fellowKenyan Florence Kiplagat (2:19:44) and Ethiopia’s Birhane Dibaba (2:22:30).

JUBILANT: Rita Jeptoo exults after a race. She will defend her Chicago Marathon title.

Published by Xtra Publishing Limited, Chancery Building, Valley Road. Printed by the Star, Lion Place, Waiyaki Way.