201501012 xnew

MONday 12 JANUARY 2014 | www.x-news.co.ke

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THREE COMMIT SUICIDE IN CITY ALL DURING THE WEEKEND

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KQ CITY TEA ROOM SHOP TO SERVE SMALL TRADERS

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comedienne of the year feted jackline Nyaminde (wilbroda)

NEWS

southampton thrash Man united to end 27-year jinx

A 1000 Streets sink Nyoi to bag 2015 Koth Biro title

Knut cools down as strike enters week 2 Train commuters drop pants in celebration

T

he nationwide teachers’ strike entered the second week today with no end in sight.

Meanwhile, the teachers unions appeared to soften their stance on Sunday when they declared willingness to attend the talks.

Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion said union officials will attend the negotiations and called for goodwill from rival sides to end the crisis.

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Real Bingwas

H-art the Band steals the show at inaugural Bingwa Awards held on Saturday

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leggy affair: A man rides on a subway train in London in his pants to celebrate the worldwide “No pants subway ride day” on Sunday. Story Page 2

Fashion Scoop

See who nailed it and who failed when dressing for 2015 Bingwa Awards

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NEWS MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Knut cools off as strike enters week 2 From Page 1

climbing down: Although teachers have been demanding for an increase in basic salary before they can call off the strike or listen to offers from their employer, their unions have expressed willingness to attend negotiations with the Government.

Nkaissery orders arrest of drivers over sirens Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery has ordered police to impound unauthorised vehicles with sirens.

Nkaissery says only ambulances, police, fire engines, President and Deputy President’s cars are allowed to have the sirens. He ordered traffic police officers to impound any other vehicle with the gadgets and prosecute drivers.

He made the order after growing complaints from the public on VIPs driving around with blaring sirens which have become a public nuisance.

The Traffic Act says only the President, police vehicles, ambulances and fire engines are allowed to have the right of way.

But some public officials have fitted their vehicles with sirens which they use to force their way out of traffic jams. One of the most notorious VIPs include Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and the CS who has a chase car.

A number of the VIPs have a motorcade comprising up to seven cars.

Sonko has refused to take off the siren and says he will continue using the car, a Mercedes Benz, even though Senate chiefs have demanded its removal.

Sonko said the car was allocated to him by the Office of the President and will only listen to instructions from State House.

“During a negotiation process, all sides involved need to be ready to give and take. A negotiation cannot be one sided neither can it be governed by threats and intimidation. Their needs to be constructive dialogue and no side should try to threaten or intimidate the other side,” he told Capital FM. The Industrial Court has summoned all parties for a hearing on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) maintains that it will not give in to demands by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and their Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (Kuppet) counterparts.

SRC Chairperson Sarah Serem, in a public notice today, said to give in would be an abdication of the responsibility placed on them by the Constitution. She said such a move will also create an unsustainable wage bill.

“If the demand for salary increase by public officers was to be effected and harmonised, an additional Sh255 billion will be required to bring the total wage bill to more than Sh823 billion or about 90 per cent the country’s gross revenue. Any imbalance between expenditure and revenue will result in unsustainable

deficit financing and increased taxation,” she said.

Serem dismissed claims by the teachers’ unions that her commission has no business meddling in their negotiations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

“It is important to note that the advice given by the Commission is constitutionally mandatory as per Article 259(11). This advice to both levels of government forms the basis of review and entering into collective bargaining agreements,” she said.

The development is likely to further torpedo hopes of a deal between the teachers and the employer before learning can resume in public schools.

Teachers want an increase on basic salary before they can call off the strike.

But the Government has called for patience and asked teachers to await a job evaluation exercise by the Serem team.

“The Commission, in exercising its constitutional mandate as articulated in Article 230 (5), advised the public sector to adopt a temporary wage pause on basic salary negotiations and reviews until the job evaluation exercise is concluded,” Serem, whose commission advises the Government on remuneration of civil servants, including teachers, said.

Commuters drop trousers in ‘No Pants Subway Ride’ drive Droves of commuters across the globe ditched trousers to celebrate this year’s ‘No Pants Subway Ride’ on Sunday.

The first event took place in 2002 with only seven participants. It started off as a prank by comedy group Improv Everywhere, shocking and amusing a few embarrassed commuters. The habit has since grown into a global phenomenon.

This year, scantily-clad riders took part in London, Milan, Bucharest, Berlin and Mexico City as part of the ‘celebration of silliness’.

In the face of sub-zero temperatures and freezing

winds, commuters in New York braved the cold and went bare-legged for the annual event on Sunday.

The rules of the event, which is in its 14th year, state that underpants be worn. Although flashy designs are allowed, organisers prefer those involved to look as though they are going about their daily lives.

Uniforms and business suits are encouraged and so are props such as bicycles, prams, shopping bags or briefcases, in order to amplify the lower-half effect.

Participants are also forbidden from speaking to one another.

proudly fleshy: A woman wags her tongue to the camera in a New York subway train carriage crammed with bare-legged commuters.

Medics endorse Tetanus drug after thorough trials A team of experts constituted to verify the safety of the Tetanus vaccine have given the drug a clean bill of health.

After conducting tests on 56 of the 59 samples, the medics returned negative results.

They, however, urged for routine testing and monitoring of all imported vaccines.

The committee chairman of a team which was jointly formed by representatives of the Government and the Catholic Church,

Dr Fredric Were, said results from one of the two accredited laboratories selected for tests showed the vaccine was safe.

“The mass vaccination is a safe programme and should go on. All that is required is stepped up vigilance,” he said.

“We found three batches which were contaminated at the middle of others.

The fact is that there is a contamination which is not duplicated in the batch…

our message is that there should be vigilance,” he said.

Were said a routine monitoring and testing of all imported vaccines should be enforced.

Director of Medical Services Dr Nicholas Muraguri assured Kenyans there is no cause for alarm as immunisation programmes are safe. He assured that surveillance measures for all imported vaccines will be enforced.

“The clear message that this sends is that we need to be more vigilant… we need to look at any lapses there may be. The committee has also re-endorsed that the immunisation campaign in Kenya is safe and the tetanus campaign should continue,” he said.

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) raised concern over the safety of the Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine in use during the March and subsequent

October 2014 tetanus immunisation drive.

KCCB is reported to have tested the vaccine and found it to be contaminated with beta HCG hormone, raising to an outcry by church groups before the joint probe team was formed.

Nine vials submitted by KCCB were investigated as were other samples from the field and the central stores with batch numbers corresponding to KCCB vials.

NEWS 3 MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS

CARTOONSPEAK

Ruto, Sang ICC trials to resume

Russian scholars plan to create their own ‘Noah’s Ark’ worth Sh1 billion In a move which some experts have described as a project of Biblical proportions, scientists are planning to create their very own ‘Noah’s Ark’ consisting of the frozen DNA of every creature that has ever lived.

Moscow State University has received the country’s largest-ever scientific grant to embark on the project, which is scheduled to be completed by 2018 and will be based in a 430-square kilometer site on campus. The institute, which has received 1billion Russian rubles (Sh1.45 billion) to help get it off the ground, aims to ‘cryogenically freeze’ and store cells which are capable of reproducing.

The process requires them to preserve the DNA at very low temperatures so that it can still be of use to future generations.

Viktor Sadivnichy, the university’s Director, lik-

The trial against Deputy President William Ruto and Journalist Joshua Arap Sang resumed today at the International Criminal Court in The Hague after the Christmas break.

Prosecution is expected to continue with their witness statements. It had been directed by Trial Chamber V (a) to ensure that its case closes by March 2015. After that, Ruto and Sang defence teams will proceed.

During the last session in December, the prosecution indicated that it had several witnesses to take the stand when the trial resumes.

ened the gigantic project to a modern-day ‘Noah’s Ark’.

“It will involve the creation of a depository - a databank for the storing of every living thing on Earth, including not only living, but disappearing and distinct organisms,” he explained.

The move marks the latest, and most ambitious announcement concerning the world’s DNA banks, are popularly known as frozen zoos.

They have increased in number in the past decade following breakthroughs in technology and growing concern about species which may become extinct. Staff at one such research centre in San Diego have collected sperm, DNA and other animal matter, frozen in liquid nitrogen since 1976.

The centre currently holds about 8,400 samples from over 800 species.

China wants cyber crime suspects extradited

WE’RE NOT GUILTY: Some of the 37 Chinese nationals who appeared before Milimani Law Courts to respond to cyber crime charges. The group pleaded not guilty.

The Chinese government wants 37 of her nationals being detained in Kenya for spy-related charges to be extradited so that they can face trial back in their home country.

China’s minister for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said the suspects were actually targeting installations in Beijing.

He said available information shows the crime was a fraud launched from outside China against Chinese citizens who live inside China and that the suspects used very simple methods.

“China has sent law enforcement officers to Kenya to assist in the investigation of this case and what we want is to repatriate these suspects so that they can undergo fair trial inside China instead of getting released in Kenya,” Yi said.

The suspects were arrested in Runda estate on December 2 when a house they had rented caught fire and killed one of them.

They were allegedly found in possession of laptops, routers and mobile phones that the prosecution said were connected with the commission, preparation and instigation of

serious crimes. “Such telecommunication fraud cases have not only happened in Kenya but also other countries in the region against Chinese citizens inside our country. We believe that our law enforcement departments have held close communications and judicial cooperation with each other,” he said at a press conference in Nairobi yesterday.

If convicted, they could face up to 15 years imprisonment or a fine of Sh5 million.

Cyber crime police from China are in Kenya to help investigate the activities of the Chinese suspects.

The experts are expected to begin work once the Director of Public Prosecutions approves their enjoinment in the investigation, officials said.

Chinese ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa said he had met and briefed the officers.

“I had a meeting with them and they are going to work together with police of Kenya to jointly break down all forms of criminal activities. We need a safe Kenya,” said Xianfa two weeks ago.

Officers wounded in slum robbery Two police officers were last night shot and seriously wounded in a robbery incident in Mukuru slums, Nairobi. Police shot and killed one of the attackers after a chase and recovered a pistol from him. The authorities say the deceased gunman was part of a gang that had raided an Mpesa shop and robbed unknown amount before a chase on them began. It ended in Mukuru slums where the officers were shot by one of the gunmen. The other suspects managed to escape on foot with the loot.

AirAsia’s ‘black box’ recovered Indonesian divers have retrieved the flight data recorder of crashed AirAsia Flight QZ8501, say officials. The head of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, Bambang Soelistyo, said teams were still looking for the second device, its cockpit voice recorder. It is hoped that the recovery of the flight data recorder will help investigators find out what happened during what should have been a brief, routine flight.

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

Jubilee asks Cord to drop referendum for dialogue: Jubilee leaders have said Cord must first drop its push fora referendum before the national dialogue it seeks can take place. A few days after President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed his willingness for talks with the opposition, the majority leaders of both the National and the Senate, Aden Duale and Kithure Kindiki, said Cord must engage the government within the existing constitutional framework. Kindiki said in an interview that the government is ready...

Jubilee rejects Cord demand on talks: The Jubilee and Cord leaders yesterday appeared headed for another round of bitter exchanges in spite of calls for dialogue and the conciliatory tone they had adopted during the weekend burial of ODM leader Raila odinga’s son Fidel. Mr Odinga speaking on Saturday at the family’s cemetery Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, embraced the calls for talks. Cord leaders want the government to form a team a team that will engage them in a structured dialogue...

State’s strategy to force teachers to resume work: Learning in public schools a cross the country is expected to remain paralysed for the second week running today after an estimated 280,000 teachers went on strike. This followed a late effort last week by the Teachers Service Commission to table a fresh offer to the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet). Yesterday, Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli said teachers had a right to go on strike...

TSC moves to tame defiant teachers, orders daily count: No work, no pay is the mantra teachers will now face up to following a decision by their employer to deduct their salaries for all the days they will have not worked in the wake of ongoing strike.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has sent out a circular directing all school heads to henceforth conduct two head counts daily, starting today. This is contained in the circular dated January 7, 2015...

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NEWS MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Tenants told to report unsafe city buildings ahead of audit

SNITCHING FOR SAFETY: Rescue workers remove debris after a four-floor residential building collapsed on December 17, 2014 in Makongeni, Nairobi. The Nairobi County government has asked residents to report any unsafe buildings as it prepares to carry out a massive audit of all commercial and residential building from next week.

Residents of Nairobi County have been urged to report unsafe building even as City Hall prepares to carry out a massive audit of all commercial and residential building from next week.

County secretary Lillian Ndegwa in a statement appealed to the public to report any building which may appear unsafe for occupation.

Buildings with cracks, buckling columns, vibrating floor slabs or uneven settlement of foundation should be reported to the authorities.

She further indicated that they should be on the lookout for buildings which are damp, have poor ventilation, narrow fire exits and door openings.

The new move comes on the backdrop of two tragedies that killed 12 people after two buildings collapsed in Makongeni and Huruma in just under one month.

“In the recent past, Nairobi experienced collapse of two buildings in Makongeni and Huruma that led to unnecessary loss of lives and property. The collapse of these two buildings took place against a background of increased lack of compliance

to Building Code and Planning Regulations culminating in uncertainty of the safety of most of the existing buildings and those under construction,” she stated.

She indicated that they will commence a construction audit starting from January 22, 2015 and will mostly cover the areas that have been identified as high risk due to characteristics of the buildings constructed and occupancy of the structures.

“A reconnaissance survey has been undertaken and has identified the localities with high incidences of unauthorised developments, safety risks and poorly constructed inhabitable buildings,” she revealed.

Such high risk areas include Huruma, Mathare North, Makongeni, Kaloleni, Embakasi, Pipeline, Tassia, Kayole, Kariobangi, Baba Dogo, Kawangware, Kangemi, Zimmerman, Githurai, Mwiki, Kasarani and Dandora which were classified under high density residential areas. She called on developers to cooperate during the exercise as it will ensure that safety standards are adhered to all the time to prevent loss of life as a result of negligence or poorly constructed buildings.

Shock as three people commit suicide in Nairobi At least three people committed suicide in separate incidences in Nairobi last evening.

The shocking incidences cut across both the city’s leafy suburbs and informal settlements with one case occurring in Kayole and another in Karen.

The other suicide death was recorded from Starehe. Police however say the cases are not related.

In Karen, the victim is said to have hanged himself after his wife deserted him.

Langata OCPD James Mwangi said they are investigating the claims as were made by the guards that the man committed suicide because of the stress of losing his wife.

In Starehe, police said they were called and informed a man had committed suicide in his house near Pangani.

They say they could not immedi-

ately establish the motive of the incident and that there was no suicide note.

But in the Kayole case, residents told police the deceased had had a quarrel with his relatives before he was found dead in his room.

All the bodies were later taken to the city mortuary after being photographed by police.

All had been found hanging when police arrived.

Cases of people committing suicide because of stress arising from marriage problems are seemingly on the increase. Only last month, a Regular Police officer committed suicide in Mwingi, Kitui County over his wife’s alleged infidelity.

Moses Maloi, attached to Nguni Police Post in Mwingi, Kitui shot himself on chin inside a church and left behind a note about the infidelity.

SELF-IMMOLATION: A street in Nairobi’s Kayole estate where a man committed suicide. Residents told police that the deceased had had a quarrel with his relatives before he was found dead in his room.

SOLIDARITY: Officials join hundreds of thousands of people on a Je Suis Charlie march in Nice, France. World leaders have resolved to remain on high alert over terror following unprecedented attacks in Paris, France that left 17 people dead.

World leaders join France unity march in response to terror attack World leaders have resolved to remain on high alert over terror following unprecedented attacks in Paris, France that left 17 people dead.

The leaders including UK Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made the resolution when they joined their French counterpart Francois Hollande in leading a historic march in Paris as a

show of solidarity against terrorism. Mr Hollande was due to chair a crisis meeting with cabinet ministers on national security after last week’s deadly attacks.

The meeting comes amid questions over how militants known to the authorities were able to launch the raids in Paris.

The assaults were staged on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, on police officers and a kosher supermarket.

More than 1.5m people

marched in the capital Paris yesterday in a show of unity.

The French government said the rally turnout was the highest on record. About 40 world leaders joined the start of the Paris march, linking arms in an act of solidarity. President Hollande will meet his cabinet, including Prime Minister Manuel Valls and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, as well as the heads of police and security services at about noon today. In London, Prime Minister Cameron

is also consulting senior intelligence and security officials over Britain’s response to the attacks in France. Last week, Mr Valls admitted there had been “clear failings” after it emerged that the three gunman involved in the attacks - Said and Cherif Kouachi and Amedy Coulibaly - had a history of extremism. The Kouachi brothers were on UK and US terror watch lists and Coulibaly had previously been convicted for plotting to free a known militant from prison.

BUSINESS 5 MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

KQ Tearoom shop to serve traders Thousands of small to medium scale traders will benefit from a newly opened Kenya Airways shop located at Tearoom area in downtown Nairobi.

The shop is expected to ease access on sales and ticketing services. It is also expected to address customer inquiries

Business Diary iHub, 1776 invite applicants for Sh59m prizes iHub, one of Nairobi’s leading tech spaces and start-up promoting organisation ‘1776’, will host this year’s ‘Challenge Cup 2015’.

Challenge Cup 2015 is a global draw that covers 16 cities in 11 countries. It identifies the most promising start-ups with the best ideas that can help global challenges.

Challenge Cup participants compete for $650,000 (Sh59.2 million) prizes in four categories of education, energy, health, and cities. They also stand a chance to connect with mentors, corporate partners, policymakers, and potential investors.

Those planning to attend or compete can visit ‘challengecup.1776dc.com’ for details.

The event highlights Kenya’s rise as a leader in global start-up community. It also underscores the contributions of innovators in tackling some of the world’s most difficult and intractable social challenges.

“The competition is about identifying Africa’s most promising start-ups and connecting them to mentors and resources they need to gain full promise,” says 1776 Cofounder, Evan Burfield.

The event will be held on January 27, 2015 between 5:30-9:00pm at Bishop Magua Centre along Ngong Road, Nairobi.

Mining sector hiring fair set for Nairobi The East African Mining Review in conjunction with the Kenya Chamber of Mines will host the first extractive industry recruitment fair on January 23, 2015.

The event will showcase Africa’s mining opportunities and hiring strategies employed by leading companies in the region.

The fair will also explore educational backgrounds that employers seek out and the institutions offering the courses.

Participants will meet more than 60 extractive companies, recruitment agencies and higher education institutions that boost employment and development in the industry.

Applicants can call +254 735 119 075, +254 20 386 1217 or visit ‘info@ kenyachambermines.com’.

by traders relying on Middle East and Asian markets to import wares and feed the regional market.

Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Mbuvi Ngunze said the shop targets entrepreneurs who deal in household items, stationery, car accessories and

mobile phones from Middle East, Asia and Far East. The regions form destinations of choice for small-scale entrepreneurs in Nairobi.

“Tearoom is a prime location, accessible and a central point for a large number of small-scale entrepreneurs in town. This

shop will therefore offer opportunities to traders for direct interaction with our staff and this will enable provision of tailored made services to this market segment,” said Mbuvi.

He said the new shop will enable the company engage with customers more

closely on daily basis. “The expansion of our sales shop network is a major component of our ongoing initiatives to reach out to our customers, improve their experience as well as grow our revenue,” said Ngunze. The shop is the seventh for the national carrier.

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NEWS MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Farmers use polyester covers to ward off pests Farmers in some parts of the country are using special polyester covers to protect their tender crops from direct sunlight, birds and pests.

These smart techniques come at a time when local scientists estimate that 60 per cent of crops are destroyed between their first and second month due to vulnerability to harsh weather and pests.

The covers, dubbed ‘crop row covers’ are usually made of light,

permeable materials to allow for some access of sunlight by the crops.

Farmers are increasing their crop production by as much as 40 per cent with this practice, which is especially gaining root among growers that produce crops like tomatoes and kale.

Miriti Njemwa from Igembe area of Meru County is one such farmer.

Using a cover made from polyes-

ter, he lays his shielding loosely on top of his plants by supporting the cover with wire hoops.

Njemwa has been a fresh produce farmer for the past five years but has been losing his crops to pests like the black moth, one of the most notorious horticultural pests. His polyester covers have put an end to this menace.

By allowing air, water, and light to pass through them, they have also been an excellent barrier against

damage by a wide range of other pests and diseases. It is an innovation that is picking up speed with members of the Sunshine Farmers group in Igembe constituency.

And there is no limit in what type of crop farmers can use. “It has been a trial and error venture since we started with the polyester as crop covers.” We don’t have to deal with pests and birds anymore,” said Mihika Nyagaki another farmer.

GREEN GOLD: A Kenyan farmer in his tomatoes greenhouse. Young people have also getting into farming and are earning as much as Sh500,000 growing tomatoes and capsicum.

INNOVATION: Garden rows are gently tucked under floating row covers keeping hungry nibblers away from tender sprouts.

Jaguar to create 1,300 UK jobs as firm launches SUV model Jaguar Land Rover will create 1,300 new jobs in the UK to build Jaguar’s first sports utility vehicle (SUV) model.

The jobs will be based at its Solihull plant in the West Midlands.

The luxury car firm, owned by India’s Tata Motors, said it had chosen the UK because it was committed to building cars “crafted with that special British flair”.

The car will be called the Jaguar F-PACE and will be based on its C-X17 concept car that was showcased at the Frankfurt motor show two years ago. It will go on sale in 2016.

“The UK’s automotive industry is thriving with a new car rolling off the production line every 20

seconds, and increasing levels of investment that is helping to secure local jobs,” Business secretary, Vince Cable, of the India’s Tata Motors, which owns the company said.

They also reported that they had sold 462,678 vehicles globally last year, which is a 9 per cent increase from last year and the fifth consecutive year that their sales have grown.

The jobs will be based at its Solihull plant in the West Midlands, England. It has already invested £1.5billion (Sh206.3 billion) in plant in a bid to increase production and have also doubled its workforce in the past three years to 9450.

In total, it employs 30,500 people in the UK.

Buildings to link CCTV feeds with police command centre Owners of buildings with security cameras will be allowed to provide live surveillance feeds to the command and control centre of the National Police Service in a bid to enhance security.

The centre is expected to be completed by the end of May this year and will cover public places in Nairobi and Mombasa. The project also involves equipping the police with modern radio sets which have both front and back cameras as opposed to only one camera.

Other key features in the system include video surveillance, digital radios that would replace the walkie-talkies currently used by police, video conferencing system, central command for the communication system and a mapping system.

At the end, the project aspires to mount over 1,800 cameras on the streets and other public places. The first phase of the project also aims to equip about 7,600 officers with the multi-media radio communication device.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto were briefed on the progress of the project in the implementation of a secure communication and surveillance system during a tour of the NPS headquarters.

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance, the Ministry of Lands and Housing and the Transport ministry will play a major role in linking private developers to the NPS surveillance system.

WATCHING YOU: President Uhuru Kenyatta when he toured the Police Command Centre in Jogoo House in December 2014.

Owners of buildings with security cameras will be allowed to provide live surveillance feeds to the police command and control centre in a bid to enhance security.

therise

Kakuzi

Kakuzi, an Agribusiness company active in the cultivation, manufacture and marketing of tea, as well as the growing, packing and marketing of avocados and livestock farming, was last week’s winner with an 11.11 per cent stock price increase from Sh180 to Sh200.

Kakuzi largely gets its revenues from avocado farming (two-thirds of its sales) followed by tea (18 per cent of its sales). From December 2012 to December 2013, Kakuzi

CIC Insurance

sales decreased by 11.5 per cent to Sh1.3 billion. During the same period, the company’s net profit fell 60 per cent to Sh165 million compared to Sh408 million.

Kakuzi plans to venture in the large-scale growing of sorghum, targeting breweries in East Africa, since it has become a favorite raw material for them. In 2013, East African Breweries sourced 10,000 tons of sorghum from 60,000 farmers in Kenya.

CIC Insurance, a local Insurance company providing general, group life and individual life insurance services, was last week’s loser with 3.98 per cent price decrease from Sh10.05 to Sh9.65 per share.

The company suffered losses from medical service providers. It had to revamp its medical insurance division in order to curb the growing number of cases of fraud.

Analysis by Amana Capital info@amanacapital.co.ke

thefall

In 2013, the company also saw its costs grow faster than its revenues with Investment income rising by 7 per cent to Sh1.7 billion while claims increased by 30 per cent to Sh6 billion and operating costs rose by 20 per cent to Sh2.4 billion. In terms of profitability, pretax profit stayed pretty much at the same level by rising from Sh1.65 billion (in 2012) Sh1.67 billion (2013).

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

ACCESS NEWACT

the big knot

Third year law student Swiga has always had a passion for music. Is she ready to rock?

LEGALLY

Musical Who is Swiga?

I am a singer, songwriter and energetic performer.

When and how did you start out in music?

I have always loved singing but made a firm decision in May last year when I joined Sauti Academy which is a one year artiste development programme, I finish in April.

Where do you get inspiration for your music?

Music is an art so undefined and the most unrefined details about it can be so delicately beautiful. The moment something pops into

my head I jot it down immediately. Be it a melody or phrase. It’s all about creativity.

Who do you look up to in the industry?

Locally, I respect Sauti Sol for opening up the way for live performers and they are very good at what they do and I appreciate all advice they have given me. Internationally, I appreciate live performers like Beyonce and Bruno Mars.

What are some of the challenges you faced while starting out?

Convincing my parents who did not quite understand how law and music will do. Like, why can’t I just stay home like the rest of my

OMG

siblings? The one personal challenge would be accepting and understanding my voice and using it to its full potential.

Which artistes have you worked with and would like to work with?

I have worked with Helen Mtawali and her band Afrizo, Doreen from TPF, Susan from Gogosimo who I am still working with, she is just the best. Truth is, I have never thought of who I want to work with until I know what is on the table. Music is a very tricky industry and not everything that glitters is gold.

What are you greatest achievements and

Jaguar slams Iyanya

Diamond and T-Pain to share stage East Africa’s king of Bongo Diamond Platnumz will enjoy the pleasure of performing alongside US rapper T-Pain in Mwanza on February 21 in Tanzania. T-Pain will be jetting in the country next month for the largely hyped party. Diamond keeps flying high, is there something this guy can’t do?

The One Centimeter remix by Jaguar and Inyanya is apparently not being played in Nigeria. Jaguar revealed this during the Bingwa Awards as he took to the stage to receive his award for Best song of the year Kioo.

He told the crowd that there were misunderstandings between his camp and Inyanya’s and urged Kenyans to appreciate local talent. He said that after his director Thome and himself went to Nigeria to shoot the song, the video shoot went as planned but he was later shocked to find that the song was not receiving airtime in Nigeria as it was not directed by the Nigerian that Inyanya had proposed. He said that Nigerians love and appreciate their own music. Maybe he should have stayed centimeters away from Inyanya?

regrets so far?

Greatest achievement is joining Sauti Academy, it has opened doors and given me so many opportunities.

Greatest regret is wasting so much time having expectations on people and waiting for their approval. That is emotional energy that should be saved constructively for my music. I have learned to only have expectations on myself, I wouldn’t be as hurt and disappointed as I would if I had on others.

What is next for Swiga?

To rule the musical world.

King Kaka collabos with Rich Mavoko Rabbit is set to release a new track called Njoo next month featuring Tanzania’s Rich Mavoko. It seems like nothing is stopping Rabbit from taking over music charts this year as he drops hit after hit. Rich Mavoko is largely known for his mellow voice in the song Roho yangu, which received massive airplay across the continent last year.

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ACCESS

WEDNESDAY MONDAY, JANUARY 26th NOVEMBER 12, 2015 2014

FASHIONScoop the BIGKNOT

I’m Black FashIon JaY Z Junk loVE Is ThE sEEd oF all hopE. mTV quIZ nEW YoRk

Eliud and Jacky’s garden wedding

E

liud Barng’etuny and Jackline Birgen story reads like a fairy tale.

They met in 2003 at Jackline’s cousin’s wedding. The said cousin also happened to be Eliud’s friend.

After their first meeting, the two became friends but did not start dating until they bumped into each other again months later.

Jacky had accompanied a friend who was visiting her kids at Hill School when she coincidentally crossed paths with Ely, as she fondly calls him. He had also gone to visit his nephews at the same school.

It seemed like destiny wanted them to be together and so the two kindled a soulful fire that would lead to him proposing to her years on.

Long distance relationships rarely make it to the later but this one did.

Eliud had just landed from Italy when he took Jacky on a weekend trip to Mombasa as it was the norm whenever he came home.

This time it was on her birthday and she had no idea what her man was up to until he went on one knee when they were having dinner.

“I did not expect all that because I thought it was a normal weekend trip and since I love Ely so much for being my best friend, caring, honest, humble and handsome I said yes,” said Jacky.

Ely was convinced that she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life.

“I knew right from the beginning that I was going to marry her. She is different from other women and for that I couldn’t get her out of my mind,” Ely told XAccess. “I love her, she is my world, so I had no doubt she was the one for me.”

Even though Ely had to fly back to Italy, wedding preparations commenced in earnest.

Jacky always wanted a garden wedding a wish Ely granted as both agreed to hold their special union at Kenmosa Village Gardens in Eldoret.

With a venue in place, they now had to choose their theme décor. “Jacky is good with colours so I let her pick the best on condition that my favourite colour, green was included and so we settled on turquoise, green and yellow,” said Jacky’s husband.

Ely flew back two weeks to the wedding and was impressed at how his wife had planned everything so perfectly.

“I was surprised by how my Wife managed to plan and put everything together, even to the smallest details in my absence,” said Ely.

Their big day finally came and Ely could not wait to make her his wife already. On 31st December of 2014, Jacky arrived at the beautifully decorated garden to find her groom waiting for her at the far end of the aisle.

She looked stunning in her white strapless ball gown with dazzling golden details all around it. Her gown was purchased in USA at Davis Bridals while her make up was done

by Spa Elegance. Everyone looked at her in total awe.

Her maids were a sight to behold too. They were draped in flowing turquoise dresses and yellow necklaces to complete their glam.

The groom and his best man sported grey suits, white shirt white and golden waist coat and bow tie. His men were in grey suits, white shirts and turquoise ties coupled with black laced shoes. All were tailored by Italy’s designer Franco Vanicci.

Finally, the bride and groom pledged their vows of love for one another as led by their pastor. Friends and family were witnesses to their magical union and went on with celebrations at the grounds as the newlyweds and their entourage went for a photo-shoot session.

The four hundred guests in attendance were treated to sumptuous dishes that were more than enough for all present.

Later on, the happily-wedded couple joined their guests in song, dance and ululation. As they finally sat down to eat, they received blessings and words of encouragement from their loved ones.

Cake time came and everyone had a taste of the sweet and delicious mountain that had been standing before their eyes for so long.

“My wedding turned out as I expected.

Everything perfectly fitted my imagination,” said Jacky who adds that she could not change a thing about the wonderful day.

Ely shared Jacky’s sentiments.

“It was a big success and amazing how my wife managed to piece everything together,” says an excited Ely who intimates that he would do it again as long as it is with his beloved wife.

Thanks to their close family and friends, the ceremony which was budgeted at ksh800, 000, ended on an awesome note.

Eliud wanted to whisk his wife to a honeymoon in Zanzibar right away but their booking was pushed to two days after.

Congratulations to Jacky and Eliud.

ACCESS

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

CENTRESTAGE

9

reviewing bingwa awards 2015.

Kenrazy

H_art the Band steals the show at Bingwa Awards

T

he Kenyan entertainment scene has started the year on a high. It was all glitz and glam at the first edition of the Bingwa Awards held over the weekend at the Michael Joseph Centre in Westlands. Up-and-coming and established artistes put their best foot forward as they hoped to scoop an award.

The event was slated for 7 pm but kicked off late with performances from hip hop crew GTP Hybrid warming up the stage for the event.

Next came all-boy group Mashujaa, who left hip hop fanatics in the crowd singing along to their track Funika Funua .

The hosts of the show, Chris Kirwa and Shirlene Kiura did a great job by speeding up the event to recover lost time.

But it was not until H_art the band took to stage that the event’s tempo skyrocketed,—the crowd literally went wild. It seems that the boy band was the secret ingredient to get the crowd charged up.

They did not fail with their hilarious facial expressions and poetic genius, which sent the crowd to hysterics.

Hands were up in the air, eyes closed as the crowd sang word for word to hit song Uliza Kiatu. The band got

a standing ovation after their epic performance.

Tichi hit maker, Kenrazy was the man of the night. He bagged three awards - Best artiste of the year, Best stage performer and Best verse of the year in the Dumbala remix. The lyrical maestro was all smiles and thanked his fans for supporting him and also Bingwa awards for the recognition.

Other winners included songbird Avril, who scooped the ever-relevant female artiste of the year award, while the Lovechild, Wyre took the everrelevant male artiste of the year title.

Husband and wife, Nameless and Wahu were nominated in the same category—Biggest comeback artiste of the year—and Nameless ended up bagging the award. Jaguar took home the Song of the year award for his hit Kioo. Jackie Nyaminde (Wilbroda), who was looking stunning in a black flowing dress, proved that she is in the comedy businesss to stay, taking home awarded comedian of the year award.

The new artiste of the year award went to V-sita.

After the awards ceremony, Kenrazy proved that indeed, his selection as the best stage performer was not in vain as he dropped hit after hit of his massive singles much to the excitement of the crowd.

bingwa awards 2015 winners

Calvo Mistari

Wilbroda

Artiste of the Year Kenrazy Showbiz Personality of the Year - Churchill New DJ of the Year - DJ Slim 254 Best Video of the Year – Sura Yako by Sauti Sol Video Director of the Year – Young Wallace Come Back of the Year Nameless Showbiz Magazine of the Year - Pulse Entertainment Site of the Year - Ghafla Verse Of The Year Kenrazy in Dumbala Remix Song of the Year – Kioo

by Jaguar East African Song of the Year – Yahaya by Lady Jay Dee East African Artiste of the Year - Chameleone DJ of the Year - DJ Joe Mfalme Record Label Of The Year East African - Grandpa Records.

MC East African - DNG

Collabo of the Year- Tam Tam by Size 8 and Willy Paul.

Stage Performer of the Year - Kenrazy TV Show Of The Year Mseto Radio Presenter of the Year- Mzazi Willy Mtuva of Citizen Radio.

Radio Show – Konnect Radio Maisha Legendary Awards Jimmy Gathu Company of the Year for Supporting Local Talent Safaricom Song Writer of the Year Amileena for Nona Bado Comedian of the Year Wilbroda Ever Relevant Male Artiste of the Year - Wyre Showbiz Writer of the Year – John Muchiri for Buzz Ever Relevant Female of the Year – Avril New Artiste of the Year – V-sita

10

ACCESS

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

FASHIONScoop

red carpet moments

AT THE

BINGWA MUSIC AWARDS

T

he inaugural B i n g w a M u s i c A w a r d s took place last Saturday in Westlands. As is the norm, where there is a red carpet and celebrities, there is obviously fashion and yes, we had an allaccess pass!

You can be forgiven for thinking everyone has a memo of what to wear to a red carpet event but there is always that odd ball in an oversize suit or rugged jeans.

While we laud those who try, we could not miss the chance to book others for the premier fashion offence crime. This is our parade.

He should have been thrown out the minute he walked in

Oversized suits never look good on anybody.

We like the dress but dislike the choice of inner wear

We love her and that dress make us love her even more-stunning!

Nameless kept it elegantly casual

Avril took a risk with those pants but she nailed it

lyriclab akothee- djele djele Hers is a distinctive mixture of African beats and percussions that anyone can sing along and dance to.

Djele djele has a touch of Lingala coupled with Chakacha sounds.

Akothee sure is petite but she mesmerizes by how she shakes and grinds her waist to this song.

BEST...

maurice Kiryathe blue dress song This song is gentle to the ear and sweet to the heart. It is a perfect soul tune with deep beats done by an artiste with a commanding stage presence. Maurice jigs along to his own beats and makes anyone want to join in the dance. The blue dress song has acquired top spots on play charts across East Africa and dominated Uganda.

Linah- ole themba Being among the top female artistes in Tanzania, Linah has proved to be a flame in the industry by the release of Ole Themba. Ole Themba was produced in South Africa by Uhuru’s Studios and became a big hit soon as it was jammed on airwaves. The song embraces the beauty of the African culture right from the dressing, lyrics and finally to the beats.

PLAY 11 MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 You might get a lot of mixed messages from friends, relatives, and colleagues, Capricorn.

This can prevent a lot of resentment later. New businesses could open in your neighborhood that you might want to check out. Take a look - especially if it’s a new bookstore.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Today you might not feel secure about your financial situation, Aquarius, and get a little nervous. Disconcerting information in the news about the general state of the world economy might have planted some unsettling seeds in your mind.

m0nday 12/01/2015

sunny

25

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Some unsettling news about your work situation might reach you today and make you worried, Pisces. You might question your future in this field and possibly consider a change. Consider it, by all means, but this isn’t the day to make a final decision of any kind.

25ºC 50%

tuesday 13 /01/2015

More sun than clouds

26 6:35 am 6:47 pm

26ºC 44%

6:47 am 6:36 pm

wednesday

26

Fill in the blanks with the numbers 1-9. every row, column and 3x3 box must contain all nine digits with no repeated number.

Friday’s Solution

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 You’re a logical person, Aries. When insights come to you through ESP, you tend to doubt their validity. Don’t do this. If a feeling is particularly strong, go with it. If you give yourself permission, you can trust your intuition about nearly anything.

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Doubts about a friend’s motives could plague you today, Taurus. This person seems to be acting strangely and isn’t communicating. This probably has little if anything to do with you.

This person has issues that he or she is having trouble with.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 A friend or family member might act strangely and seem distracted. You may wonder if he or she is upset with you. This probably isn’t the case. This person has issues that need attention.

Allow them some space. A romantic partner might have to break a date tonight.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Too much reading might have you experiencing eyestrain and possibly headaches, Cancer. It might help to have your eyes checked, but it’s probably just too much stress. You might have some trouble focusing on whatever work you do today, but this is only a temporary condition.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Doubts about business and financial matters might weigh on your mind now, Leo, so much so that they invade your dreams. The dreams are only a reflection of your worries - they aren’t prophetic. Your situation is probably better than it seems on the surface.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 Arrangements for a get-together you’re planning to host could go awry, with everything turned upside down and nothing happening the way you planned. This isn’t going to halt your plans, Virgo, but it’s going to require more effort to get things back on track and make it happen.

MUSTREAD Broken Monsters,

by Laurwn Beukes

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Confusing communications could be the pattern for today, Libra. Some paperwork you need to do for a task might be delayed - hung up in the mail or filed in the wrong place. It might take a while to locate it, but it should turn up eventually.

In her many years as a detective, Gabriella Versado has seen many bodies but not as many as the one she has been called to see. A body is found which is half-boy, half-deer. Police nickname him ‘Bambi’.

Soon more strange bodies are discovered as the city struggles to know what is real and what isn’t.

Where are the bodies coming from? Who or what are they? Gabriella, along with the police set out to piece the puzzle although they don’t know where to start. Meanwhile, the detective’s daughter has started flirting dangerously online with a predator without Gabriella’s knowledge.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 If you can, verify this before starting anything. You aren’t being told something. Personal relationships, particularly love and romance, should be stable and rewarding now, although today you may not have much time to spend with those you care about. Hang in there.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Business transactions that could take place in your home or perhaps involve the home might seem a bit unclear today, Sagittarius. Before agreeing to anything, read the fine print and verify all the facts about what you’re signing. Use your intuition. It’s very high at this time.

INSTAMOMENTS 1

3

2

4

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

Friday’s winning photo

YOURSAY

Send a caption for the photo above with your name and location to: play@x-news.co.ke .The winning caption gets published on this page.

Children lose as Knut, Govt trade accusations The hard-line positions the Government and the teachers’ unions are taking (Knut’s high salary demands kill talks,

Thursday, January 8) is a threat to the welfare of students.

It was unfortunate to watch as Ministry of Education CS Prof Jacob Kaimenyi

and Knut chairman Wilson Sossion trade accusations live on television. The pay increase the teachers are demanding may be on the higher

side, but a solution can be arrived at if all involved parties address the issue in sober discussions.

—Mary Kiprop, Nairobi

winning captions

1. What’s up haters -Tarrus Mwangi, Nairobi 2. Because standing in photos is too mainstream -James M., Ngong 3. I surrender to the lord...see? Patience King’oo, Nairobi

Sport MONday, JANUARY 12, 2015

Saints beat United after 27-year wait Southampton picked their first league victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in 27 years to move up to third in the Premier League.

Louis van Gaal’s side failed to record a single shot on target as their 10-match unbeaten league run was ended.

Dusan Tadic scored the only goal of the game when he tapped in calmly from 12 yards after Graziano Pelle’s effort had come back off the near post.

The Reds improved after the goal but Juan Mata missed two good chances.

It is the first time United have been beaten at home since their opening day reverse against Swansea. The win reaffirms Southampton’s top-four

credentials as Ronald Koeman’s side backed up their home win against Arsenal with another three points.

The visitors had not won at Old Trafford in the top tier since January 1988 and the result was built on a 10th clean sheet in 21 games.

Even after centre-half Toby Alderweireld left the pitch injured in the first half, Southampton remained well-drilled and limited United’s array of attacking talent to a few chances.

Nathaniel Clyne also shot wide for the visitors, while some smart defending from Jose Fonte blocked Robin van Persie’s effort.

The game was being played at a sedate pace and only burst into life when Tadic completed a fine

move after good work from James Ward-Prowse and Pelle.

United took off former Southampton full-back Luke Shaw and switched Daley Blind to the left, and the Dutchman’s dangerous deliveries presented the Reds with two good chances to level.

First, he whipped in a dangerous ball which goalkeeper Fraser Forster failed to deal with and Mata’s shot went just wide.

Minutes later, Blind drove a low ball into the box and Mata stabbed over from six yards out.

However Saints held on for arguably their most impressive victory of the season and one which puts them three points clear in the Champions League places.

WHO WILL GET IT FIRST?: Southampton’s English defender Ryan Bertrand (left) challenges Manchester United’s Ecuadorian midfielder Antonio Valencia (right) during their EPL match on Sunday.

A 1000 Streets sink Nyoi to bag 2015 Koth Biro title Kaloleni’s A 1000 street are the 2015 Koth Biro champions after drowning home side Nyoi in a pulsating and tension filled finale at Ziwani grounds on Sunday.

Peter Juma poked home the allvital goal in the 56th minute

with a glancing header from Roy Syamba’s corner kick to send the team’s fans to a delirium.

Trouble, however, reared its ugly head late in the second half as Nyoi supporters stormed the pitch to call for a penalty they

felt should have been awarded to them but centre referee Yassin Badir stood his ground.

The first half was punctuated by missed chances by each side.

The winners pocketed Sh100,000 as losers took home Sh75,000.

14

SPORT MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Sanchez double lifts Arsenal over Stoke

Alexis Sanchez scored twice as Arsenal climbed above neighbours Tottenham and into fifth place in the Premier League with a dominant display against Stoke.

Laurent Koscielny took advantage of slack marking to head the hosts into an early lead from Sanchez’s cross.

The Chile international then finished off a neat move with Tomas Rosicky to double Arsenal’s lead before half-time.

Sanchez, 26, added his second goal of the game and 18th of the season from a free-kick shortly after the break.

It proved a relatively routine victory for an Arsenal side and for David Ospina, who retained his place after the 2-0 FA

Cup third round win over Hull.

It was the 26-year-old Colombia international’s first Premier League start, with Wojciech Szczesny dropped to the bench following reports he was caught smoking in the showers after the New Year’s Day defeat at Southampton.

Within 60 seconds Koscielny took advantage of Arsenal’s third corner of the match by heading in Sanchez’s delivery.

Arsenal were forced to substitute defender Matthieu Debuchy when he dislocated his right shoulder in a challenge from Marko Arnautovic and collided with the advertising boards

behind the goal.

Stoke created little throughout the game and their first real chance came when Glenn Whelan blazed a smart free-kick from Bojan over the bar on 25 minutes. Peter Crouch also headed a tame effort wide from an Arnautovic cross. Sanchez then stretched Arsenal’s lead with his 17th goal of the season a low shot in to the bottom left-hand corner after a smart one-two with Rosicky on the edge of the area. Soon after the break, Sanchez was among the goals again. His free-kick squeezed through the wall and Begovic was unable to stop the ball crossing the line via his body and a post.

TOP CLASS: Alexis Sanchez in action versus Stoke on Sunday. The Chilean scored twice to steer Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Stoke City. The Gunners moved up to fifth in the Braclays Premier League table.

Nuttall gets new contract as Gor close in on Molo sponsorship deal Gor Mahia head coach Frank Nuttall has committed his future to K’Ogalo by penning a new two-year contract.

The new deal should essentially keep him at the club until January 2017.The Scot returned to the country on Wednesday but put pen to paper on Thursday evening ending speculations over his future with the club.

Under the new sweetened deal, he will pocket Sh650,000 monthly up from Sh600,000.

Nuttall took charge of the team late last season from his compatriot Bobby Williamson going ahead to guide the club to its 14th league title.

Gor Mahia struggled financially last season but things look bright this season for the defending champions after President Uhuru Kenyatta gave them a Sh2,000,00 boost and further initiating talks for a sponsorship deal by Molo Milk. The deal is believed to be worth Sh63million per year.

Kimetto, Yego, Origi battling out for outstanding performance SOYA trophy

crème de la crème: World marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto (left) and Commonwealth Games javelin champion Julius Yego (right) are among those battling it out for the outstanding performers’ trophy in Friday’s SOYA awards.

World marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto and Commonwealth Games javelin champion Julius Yego are among those battling it out for the outstanding performers’ trophy in Friday’s Sports Personality of the year awards, SOYA. The Safaricom Soya Awards will be held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).

World half-marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat is also in the running for the award as so is Norway-based Kenyan goalkeeper Arnold Origi.

Kimetto broke the world record at the Berlin Marathon with a time of 2:02:57 to become the first man to run a marathon in under 2 hours three minutes.

Kimetto has a rich athletics background having won the 2013 To-

kyo Marathon in a new course record time of 2 hours, six minutes and fifty seconds. He also won the Chicago Marathon in a course-record time of 2:03:45 hrs.

Yego won both the Commonwealth Games crown in Scotland with his 83.87m throw to become the first from Kenya to win athletics gold in a field event at the Commonwealth Games.

He went on to bag the African Championships in Marrakech, Morocco after covering 84.72m.

Kiplagat, the only female who made the cut in this category broke the half marathon world record by a significant margin at the Barcelona Half Marathon.

Origi kept 11 clean sheets for his club during the 2013-2014 season, and was among the nominees for the Norwegian golden glove.

SPORT 15 MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Strathmore’s Kenya Cup unbeaten run continues Kenny Andola scored a late penalty as Strathmore Leos came from behind to beat Mwamba 23-22 at Impala Club on Saturday.

The win saw Strathmore rally from 8-22 down at half time extends their Kenya Cup unbeaten run to seven games. Mwamba surged into the CAPTION lead before the break courtesy of tries by Dan Sikuta, Mark Okwaro and Hyke Otieno.

Lavin Asego kicked over a penalty and landed two conversions as Andola stroked over a drop goal and Michael Wanjala added a try for Strathmore.

Strathmore took charge in second

half scoring two quick tries and a conversion to cut the deficit to 2022. With an imminent first loss of the season, Andola struck to the rescue against a complacent Mwamba with the winning kick.

At Nakuru Athletic Club, Top Fry Nakuru beat visiting Western Bulls 37-6. The win saw them move to top of the table with 44 points on level with Strathmore.

KCB remained within a point of the leaders after registering a 24-10 bonus point win over Total Nondies in Ruaraka.

Nondies finished the game with a man down after captain Joseph

ACTION: The Strathmore Leos in a past match. The Leos beat Mwamba 23-22 as the Kenya Cup got underway over the weekend.

Wachira was sent off sin by referee John Bosco Muamba in the closing minutes.

Homeboyz and Kenya Harlequin swapped places on the log after the former won 36-22. Homeboyz are sixth with 19 points, while Quins drop to seventh with 16 points.

Results: Kenya Harlequin 22 Homeboyz 36, KCB 24 Total Nondies 10, Catholic Monks 12 Blak Blad 31, Pan Africa Strathmore Leos 23 Mwamba RFC 22, Mombasa Sports Club 0 Mean Machine 43, Top Fry Nakuru 37 Western Bulls 6, Kabras Sugar 45 Resolution Impala Saracens 27.

Juve top after Napoli rout Serie A leaders Juventus earned their first win at Napoli in 15 years to move three points clear of Roma.

Second-placed Roma pulled level on points with a 2-2 draw against Lazio, but slipped further behind after Juve’s victory later on Sunday.

France midfielder Paul Pogba’s volley opened the scoring for Juve before Miguel Britos levelled after half-time.

Martin Caceres bundled home for

Juve at the far post before Arturo Vidal fired into the top corner late on.

Fiorentina moved into the top six with a thrilling 4-3 win over Palermo.

Fifth-placed Sampdoria ended a three-game run without a win to remain in the hunt for a Champions League place thanks to Eder’s 49thminute strike in a 1-0 home victory over Empoli.

Boston has been selected by US Olympic Committee as the candidate city to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Boston beat domestic rival from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC to be put forward.

“Our goal is to host Olympic and Paralympic Games that are innovative, walkable and hospitable to all,” said Boston mayor Marty Walsh.

The deadline for cities to apply to host the Games is 15 September.

The International Olympic Committee are due to make a decision in 2017.

The last time the USA hosted a summer games was in Atlanta in 1996, although Salt Lake City, Utah, hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002.

“I very much want to bring the games to the United States to share the incredible spirit of the games with another generation of Americans, and advance the Olympic and Paralympic movements,” said American IOC executive board member Anita DeFrantz.

Boston to bid for 2024 Olympics ONE IN THE BAG: Nemanja Vidic celebrates scoring against Genoa on Sunday.

Vidic notches Inter winner over Genoa Inter Milan Coach Roberto Mancini celebrated his first home win since returning to the club as Nemanja Vidic netted his maiden goal.

Argentina striker Rodrigo Palacio put Inter ahead when he pounced on a rebound after Mauro Icardi’s volley.

Fellow Argentine Icardi doubled the lead with a glancing header for his 10th league goal of the season.

Genoa halved the deficit through Armando Izzo but the former Man United defender headed in from a corner.

The Serbian centre-back, 33, started his

first match since early November after falling out of favour following his summer move.

But he returned to help Inter move up to ninth as they extended their unbeaten Serie A run to a fourth match.

16

sport MoNDAY, JANUArY 12, 2015

Messi inspires Barca over Atletico A Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona remain a point behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid after easing the pressure on boss Luis Enrique with a 3-1 win over champions Atletico.

A dominant Barcelona took the lead when Luis Suarez and Messi combined for Neymar to convert from close range.

Messi played Suarez in to double the lead before adding a late third.

Mario Mandzukic had pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after Messi fouled Jesus Gamez.

But, despite an improved second-half display and the introduction of Fernando Torres, Atletico were limited to just one shot on target from open play.

Messi insists he does not want to leave and says reports he demanded coach Luis Enrique should be sacked are “lies”.

It was reported the 27-year-old wanted to leave after a row with Enrique.

“I have no intentions of leaving for any team, not Chelsea nor Manchester City,” he said.

“I’m tired of all the things that people have been saying. I didn’t ask the club to fire anyone.”

Messi has spent his entire career at the Nou Camp, winning a host of team and individual honours since making his debut in 2004.

It had been suggested Barcelona’s record goalscorer might leave the Catalan club following reports of a training-ground row with Enrique, who took over last summer.

But Messi added: “People make it out as if I run the club and that’s not how it is. I don’t ask anyone to make decisions.

“Everything that has been said is lies and I want people to know that, everything that has been said is false.

“People say these things because they want to cause us harm. It hurts because it came from Barca people. We must be united.”

DRUDGERY: Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Messi vies for the ball with Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya. He inspired his side to a 3-1 win over Atletico to ensure they remain a point behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

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Roger Federer in 1,000th career win with Brisbane International title Top seed Roger Federer (pictured) secured the 1,000th victory of his career as he beat Milos Raonic to win the Brisbane International title.

Swiss Federer, 33, beat the Canadian, 24, 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 on Pat Rafter Arena to clinch his 83rd career title.

The world number two becomes the third man, after Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl, to secure 1,000 ATP wins.

“I’ve played a lot of tennis over the years so to get to 1,000 wins means a lot to me,” said Federer.

It’s a special moment, no doubt about that. I will never forget this match.”

The 17-time Grand Slam champion, who lost to Lleyton Hewitt in last year’s Brisbane final, is the first player since Lendl in 1992 to reach the milestone.

He has now won at least one tournament every year since 2001, an unbroken run spanning 15 seasons. Federer now heads to Melbourne to begin preparations for the Australian Open, which begins on 19 January and is a Grand Slam he has won four times.

All set FoR 2014 FIFA BAllon d’oR ceReMony In ZuRIch, sweden The Fifa Ballon d’Or is the most coveted individual prize in world football and will be awarded for the fifth time in history on January 12 in Zurich.

Three finalists have been shortlisted for the prize, with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo favourite to retain his crown ahead of Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who played a pivotal role as Germany won the World Cup in the summer.

While the Portuguese claimed the 2013 prize last January, he is still playing catchup to his Argentine rival, who had taken the honour of world’s greatest player

for the first three years since its inception.

This elite trio have been whittled down from an initial shortlist of 23, which was named on October 28, with the identity of the three stars only revealed on December 1.

The award is an amalgam of the previous Fifa World Player of the Year and France Football’s Ballon d’Or and, as such, the methodology to decide the winner is a hybrid of previous prizes.

The captains and coaches of national teams all round the world vote for a winner, but so too do journalists.

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