201501023 xnews

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

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criminals killed Six shot dead as police thwart nairobi ‘robbery mission’

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new discovery turmeric has compound that erases bad memories

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aar appoints boss CARoline MUNENE APPOINTED AAR MANAGING DIRECTOR

NEWS

Humility key, says Congo skipper, Prince Oniangué

equatorial Guinea coach lauds team’s fighting spirit in afcon

AG bid to reinstate security laws flops

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he State today lost the first round in an appeal against the suspension of eight clauses in the controversial security laws enacted in December after the Court of Appeal declined to reinstate them.

Appellate Judges Daniel Musinga, Patrick Kiage and Agnes Murgor ruled that Attorney-General Githu Muigai had not proved that the suspension of the clauses had created a vacuum in fighting

terrorism.

The AG had on January 12, 2015 asked the court to quash the orders granted by Justice George Odunga in a case filed by the opposition to stop the implementation of the new laws.

Prof Muigai had proposed a stay of orders by Justice Odunga, arguing that the ruling would affect the dispensation of justice. Prof Muigai told the court that Justice Odunga failed to consider the

terrorist threats the country was facing and which the new law was meant to contain.

But the Appellate judges disagreed with the AG, saying there was no vacuum in law. While dismissing some of the arguments advanced by lawyers for the opposition, the AG had asked the court to deal with the substance of the case as opposed to technicalities as presented by the petitioners. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Sharon Mundia the face of Uber The award-winning blogger has signed a deal with the taxi app

President launches Outer Ring Road expansion project

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Asali’s world Spoken word artiste, singer and actress Asali is the embodiment of art and life. Now caught between two countries, South Africa and Kenya, she speaks about her plans.

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Closet raid officially launched: President Uhuru Kenyatta unveils a plaque to officially commission the expansion of Outer Ring Road, Nairobi, as Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan (second left) and EU Ambassador to Kenya Lodewijk Briet look on. Story on Page 4

Blogger Diana Machira lets us into her wardrobe. It is full of colourful pieces and luxury brands.

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NEWS FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

AG bid to reinstate security laws flops From Page 1

Those sentiments were reiterated by lawyer Paul Nyamodi for the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution who urged other parties to consider the threat of terrorism and the damages it had and allow the law to take effect.

The eight clauses were suspended on January 2.

The court suspended clauses 12, 16, 26, 29, 48, 56, 58 and 64 pending hearing of the case.

Justice George Odunga concurred that sections of the new Act raised questions

of human rights violations.

On clause 12 of the Act, Odunga noted that it “introduces a clause that limits the freedom of expression and of the media and imposes a hefty fine of Sh5 million for offenders or three years imprisonment or both. If implemented, there is imminent danger of offenders losing their liberty.”

Clause 64 introduces an offence of publication of offending material which is defined as publication of a statement that is likely to be understood directly or indirectly “encouraging or introducing another person to commit or prepare to

commit an act of terrorism.”

On this clause, Odunga said: “Terrorism is a serious problem and every Kenyan of goodwill must support all the lawful steps being taken by the Government to contain the terrorism menace in this country.

The Government is obliged to take all lawful measures to stop all acts of terrorism… such moves, however, must pass the constitutional and legal muster.”

Odunga said provisions contained in the Penal Code are oppressive and are inconsistent with the Constitution,

saying the State should not withhold the evidence of an accused person until hearing, as per clause 16.

The judge found the new regulation relating to limiting the number of refugees in the country discriminative in nature, and inconsistent with international instruments and treaties to which Kenya is signatory.

Clause 48 introduces a ceiling on the number of refugees and asylum seekers in the country.

Justice Odunga upheld the position of the United Nations Refugee Convention and Protocol that relates to protection

and non-discrimination of refugees allowed to seek asylum without necessarily limiting numbers as the case under the new law.

“In respect to amendment limiting the numbers of refugees to a maximum of 150,000 unless increased by Parliament… such amendments contravene the international conventions and instruments,” he ruled.

The National Intelligence Service will also not interfere with privacy of individuals as proposed under clause 56.

arm of the law: Police round up activists during debate on the controversial anti-terror and security laws by Parliament. A section of the international community has criticised Kenya at an international forum for passing the laws.

Kenya under attack at UN meeting over security, media laws Kenya has been criticised by the international community on its human rights record with accusations of enacting draconian security laws.

UN diplomats converging in Geneva, Switzerland, for the Universal Periodic Review of human rights accused Kenya of introducing laws that may overturn gains made in the protection of human rights.

US representative Keith Harper fired the first salvo after warning that some elements of the new counter-terrorism legislation appear to undermine constitutional rights.

She expressed concern over reports of excessive force and unlawful methods used by security forces in dealing with terrorism suspects.

“Upholding human rights and democracy is one of the most effective ways to bolster security,” Harper was quoted by AFP news agency as saying.

The criticism came even as Attorney General Githu Muigai sought to defend Kenya’s record and commitment to protecting the rights of Kenyans.

“We believe the laws have been amended in a manner consistent with the constitution,” Prof Muigai said, adding that the matter is in court and would be fairly decided.

The diplomats expressed reservations over the laws which give security officers power to hold terror suspects for nearly a year without charge.

The law stipulates that journalists can spend up to three years behind bars

for filing reports that “undermine investigations or security operations relating to terrorism”.

The laws were enacted in December and sparked criticism and condemnation after they were hastily passed during a chaotic sitting in Parliament. They were signed into law by President Kenyatta the following day.

But High Court Judge Justice George Odunga suspended eight clauses of the law after opposition moved to court to have the implementation of the regulations blocked.

The State swiftly appealed but the appellate court today ruled against reinstatement of the suspended clauses as had been prayed for by the AG until the case is heard and determined.

Saudi’s King Abdullah dies of lung infection Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (pictured) has died, royal officials have announced, weeks after he was admitted to hospital.

King Abdullah, who was said to be aged about 90, had been suffering from a lung infection.

A statement early on Friday said his 79-year-old half brother, Salman, had become king.

Abdullah came to the throne in 2005 but had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years.

Salman had recently taken on the ailing monarch’s responsibilities.

Before the announcement, Saudi TV cut to Koranic verses, which often signifies the death of a senior royal.

The late king’s half brother, Muqrin, who is in his late 60s, has been named the new crown prince, the official statement said.

All three are sons of the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz, usually referred to as Ibn

Saud, who died in 1953.

King Salman called on the royal family’s Allegiance Council to recognise Muqrin as his crown prince and heir.

“His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 01:00 this morning,” the statement said.

NEWS 3 FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

CARTOONSPEAK

NEWS BRIEFS

Matiang’i defends CA action on TV stations

Turmeric prevents fear from being stored in the brain, scientists claim Scientists found that a spice commonly used in curry could help erase bad memories. Curcumin, a compound found in the root of the Indian spice, known as turmeric, which is used to make curry, could possibly prevent new fear memories being stored in the brain. Based on their research, it also removed pre-existing memories associated with fear.

Curcumin is a bright-yellow compound found in the root of the Indian spice turmeric.

To carry out their study, psychologists from The City University of New York used two groups of rats. They fed one group with curcumin and the other with

Information and Communications Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has defended the withdrawal of Broadcast Signal Distribution licenses used by three media companies saying it was a temporary provision to help them in the digital migration process. The minister faulted NTV, KTN and Citizen for “acting in bad faith” by going to court to extend the digital migration deadline.

ordinary food. The rats were then trained to become scared when they heard a particular sound. Scientists assumed the creatures were frightened when they froze. Hours later, when the same sound was played to the rats, those who had been given ordinary food froze. Yet the rats fed the curcumin-rich diet didn’t freeze, suggesting their fearful memories had been erased. “This suggests that people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological disorders that are characterised by fearful memories may benefit substantially from a curcumin-enriched diet,” said Professor Glenn Schafe, who led the study.

Matatus want more time for cashless switch

Six shot dead as city police thwart ‘robbery mission’

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Six robbery suspects were last night shot dead by police in what the authorities said was a botched robbery mission in Membley along the Ruiru-Kahawa West bypass in Nairobi.

The gang was reportedly headed for the execution of their plan in a salon car when police who had been on their trail struck on Thursday night.

One of the men who had an AK 47 rifle managed to escape after he shot and damaged a police car, police said.

The officers from the Special Crimes Prevention Unit say they had been pursuing information that the gang was planning to erect an illegal road block and rob motorists when the confrontation started at about 9pm.

Police had to use a sniffer dog to flush out one suspect who had dashed and hid in a nearby thicket and later shot him as he escaped.

Head of the unit Noah Katumo said the gang had traffic

police uniforms that they have been using in their robbery missions “They have been terrorizing locals and motorists robbing them of cash and valuables.

They were shot at after they had also shot at our officers and damaged their car,” he said.

Apart from the uniforms, police also found a pistol that had six bullets on the slain men.

The bodies were later taken to the mortuary.

Cases of armed robberies are increasing in the city with several incidences of carjackings reportedly at least every day.

On Wednesday, another two suspects were killed as police thwarted another robbery plan in Dandora. Police said they recovered a mini ceska pistol from the slain suspects.

The same day, another three suspects were arrested in Pangani after they attacked and carjacked a motorist in Kileleshwa.

Matatu Welfare Association (MWA) is asking for more time before the cashless fare system is implemented. Association chairman Dickson Mbugua said matatu operators are not yet prepared for the system that has already been previously postponed.

“The problem is the preparation on the ground by the stakeholders mainly by the PSV operators. It has not been easy and we can tell that the industry players are not yet prepared,” he said.

Uhuru pushes for schools titles President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the Ministry of Lands and the Nairobi County Government to issue title deeds to all schools in the name of school committees and boards of governors. He asked leaders, including Members of County Assembly (MCA), to report to the authorities land stolen in their areas. “If you are an MCA and you know there is public land that has been grabbed, inform us so that appropriate action can be taken to ensure justice has been done,” he said.

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

Kiai, Omar saved Raila from ICC, says Uhuru team: President Uhuru Kenyatta says top officials from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights doctored their own report on the post election violence to save Raila Odinga from prosecution. Uhuru maintained that the damning report the ICC heavily relied on for his prosecution at the Hague was undependable and partisan, citing the alleged altercation that spared Raila. The president inisited that KNCHR officials, then led by human rights crusader Maina Kiai, ordered the quashing of their initial report...

ICC: ‘Small fish’ ask Uhuru to shield them: President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday steered clear of the ongoing debate sparked by the release of the allegations levelled against him by ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on Tuesday. However, his allies, including former Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu, raised the matter at a public rally that Mr Kenyatta addressed during Thursday’s launch of the building of roads to ease the flow of traffic in Nairobi. Mr Waititu was named in the dossier released this week as among the political leaders who were involved in organising...

Questions arise over Ruto witness fate after negative DNA test: The mystery surrounding the whereabouts of a man Deputy President William Ruto described as his ‘critical witness’ at the International Criminal Court ( ICC) deepened after the body thought to be his turned out to be someone else’s. Thursday, police revealed DNA tests had shown that the body that was being contested by two families in Eldoret belongs to Yusuf Hussein, a matatu tout, from Chepsonoi in Nandi County...

UNAVAILABLE

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NEWS FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

6 lane Outer Ring Road project launched to help decongest city

NEW STUFF: President Uhuru Kenyatta shakes hands with Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero after unveiling a plaque during the official commissioning of the expansion of Outering Road in Nairobi as Transport Cabinet Secretary.

MPresident Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday launched two road projects to decongest the eastern parts of Nairobi where a majority of the city’s residents live.

The first project will decongest Outer Ring Road, which carries the heaviest traffic volumes in the city, while the second involves Nairobi Eastern Missing Link Roads.

The Outer Ring Road project involves the creation of two-lane passages on each side and a 9-metre Bus Rapid Transit corridor to be integrated at a later stage at a cost of Sh8.5 billion.

The Nairobi Eastern Missing link roads will cost Sh4.58b, with the Government settling 32.65 per cent of the funds, while the European Union and African Development Bank will contribute the 67.45 pc balance.

President Kenyatta said the projects will benefit 13 out of the 17 constituencies in Nairobi City County by easing severe traffic pressure that hikes the cost of transport in the capital city.

“The Government will change this and we will make Nairobi equal. We will take development to areas where majority of Kenyans live, including informal settlements,” he said.

The project is expected to be completed in 30 months. The President said the road is among the Vision 2030 flagship projects expected to improve transport facilities in major towns across the country.

President Kenyatta, who spoke at Outer Ring /Mutindwa roads junction, said development in Nairobi has always been biased towards the western parts of the metropolis.

“We want to serve all Kenyans… and I assure to serve those who voted for us and those who did not. It the right of all Kenyans to be served by the Government,” he said.

He said the Government’s development plan covers all Kenyans irrespective of party affiliation.

“We do so because it is just for Kenyans to be served equally by the government in power,” he said.

The President said congestion in Nairobi has been an obstacle to progress in the city and the upgrade projects will place the city in similar league with top urban centres around the world. Outer Ring Road bears the heaviest traffic volumes, with 87,000 vehicles using it on a daily basis. The project will have ripple effects in other parts of the city.

Government statistics read at the event by Governor Evans Kidero indicate that the Kenya Revenue Authority registers 8,000 new cars every month, 7,000 of which belong to Nairobi residents.

The President said the Government will continue implementing projects to improve the infrastructure of Nairobi, which he said faces many challenges.

“We have engaged the National Youth Service to uplift the standards of informal settlements,” he said.

He directed contractors working on the roads to hire local youth for construction works.

The President urged politicians to stop engaging in endless politics and focus on serving Kenyans.

“Stop reminding us that you are affiliated to this coalition or other coalition…we know one tribe which is Kenya and all Kenyans have a right to be served,” he said.

“We want to raise the living standards of all MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

Kenyan grandmother is world’s oldest pupil A 90-year-old Kenyan woman who goes to class with six of her great-great-grandchildren is believed to be the oldest primary school pupil in the world.

Sitting at the front of class four in her school uniform, Priscilla Sitienei listens intently while she writes the English names of animals in her notebook.

She joined Leaders Vision Preparatory School five years ago and has also served her village of Ndalat in the Rift Valley as a midwife for the last 65 years.

In fact, she has helped deliver some of her own classmates, who are aged between 10 and 14.

Affectionately known as “Gogo”, which means grandmother in the local Kalenjin language, she says at 90 she is finally learning to read and write - an opportunity she never had as a child.

More comfortable speaking in Kalenjin than English, she explains why she wanted to return to school.

“I’d like to be able to read the Bible; I also want to inspire children to get an education.

“Too many older children are not in school. They even have children themselves.”

Gogo says she confronts children who are not in school and asks them why. “They tell me they are too old,” she says, “I tell

them, ‘Well I am at school and so should you.’ “I see children who are lost, children who are without fathers, just going round and round, hopeless. I want to inspire them to go to school.”

At first the school turned her away but soon understood how committed she was to learning.

Headmaster David Kinyanjui believes Gogo, who boards at the village school, is an example to the rest of her class.

“I’m very proud of her,” he says.

“Gogo has been a blessing to this school, she has been a motivator to all the pupils.

“She is loved by every pupil, they all want to learn and play with her.

“She is doing well… considering her age I can say I have seen a big difference in this school since she came.”

Ms Sitienei grew up in a Kenya occupied by the British and she lived through her country’s struggle for independence.

Now a prefect, she takes part in all of the classes - Maths, English, PE, dance, drama and singing.

In her blue school uniform and green jumper, she also tells stories to her classmates under trees near the playing fields to make sure her knowledge of local customs are passed on.

AGING GRACEFULLY: Priscila Sitienei, 90, with her fellow classmates. She joined Leaders Vision Preparatory School five years ago and has also served her village of Ndalat in the Rift Valley as a midwife for the last 65 years.

The children sit and listen to every word she says.

An 11-year-old girl says she is Gogo’s best friend “because she tells us stories and we go to PE together”.

A 10-year-old schoolboy says the grandmother also likes to keep them in order.

“We love Gogo because when we

make noise she tells us to keep quiet,” he says.

The current record for oldest primary school pupil in the Guinness Book of Records is held by another Kenyan, the late Kimani Maruge. He went to school at the age of 84 in 2004 and died five years later.

The primary school in Ndalat

says it will write to the record keepers to inform them about their 90-year-old student.

Gogo says she also wanted to learn how to read and write so she could help pass on her midwifery skills.

Expectant mothers still come to see her - usually on Saturdays - and she has been known to

assist in births in her dormitory, which she shares with one of her great-great-grandchildren.

“I want to say to the children of the world, especially girls, that education will be your wealth, don’t look back and run to your father,” she says. “With education you can be whatever you want, a doctor, lawyer or a pilot.”

BUSINESS 5

Carol Munene named new AAR Insurance boss Caroline Munene has been appointed the new AAR Insurance Managing Director. The appointment took effect on January 1.

In her new role, Ms Munene will oversee the positioning of the company as a leader in the medical insurance category.

She was appointed due to her strong educational background and years of experience in the industry which the company expects will boost its market presence.

“Caroline’s success in growing the insurance arm after AAR evolved into two independent Companies that is AAR Healthcare and AAR insurance, coupled with over 20 years’ experience in the industry gives her a critical advantage in understanding the changing ways consumers interact with insurance products,” said Geoffrey Nzau, Group CEO AAR Insurance.

Speaking after the appointment, Munene pledged to do her best to drive the company torwards further leadership in the healthcare sector.

“With the impressive growth pattern, I’m looking forward to leading the brand into the next level in the growth of up to 100 percent in the next 3 years. Focusing on the vision of being the insurance partner that protects Africa’s future,” she said.

Until her appointment, Munene held the position of General Manager at the company.

She is pursuing a doctorate degree at the University of Nairobi, which is also her alma mater after graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce – insurance option and MBA – Marketing option degrees.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Facebook on 1,200 staff hiring spree In an ambitious drive to launch a fresh range of virtual reality products, Facebook has advertised for a range of new staff.

Following the acquisition of Oculus Rift, which makes virtual reality headsets that Facebook acquired in a $2billion deal last year, the social media giant is on a hiring spree.

Among the roles Facebook needs to fill for the Oculus business are managers to oversee logistics, procurement and global supply chain planning.

Some analysts say this is a sign the Occulus product is nearing commercial release.

They also report that the hiring spree is likely to bring with it attractive pay since it was recently revealed that even entry-level engineers at the company earn $106,000 (Sh14.7 million) a year or Sh1.2 million a month.

“We are an ambitious company run by an ambitious CEO,” Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said after an announcement earlier this week.

“Our users are growing and our business is growing and we want to support that,” she said, noting that Facebook’s business is much more expansive today than a few years ago, with offices all over the world.

city wallet Kenyans spend more on airtime than healthcare CALLING THE SHOTS: The new AAR Insurance Managing Director Carol Munene previously served as the company’s General Manager.

GLOBE waTCH

eBay to axe 2,400 employees US e-commerce giant, eBay, plans to sack 2,400 employees who are scattered across the globe in the first quarter of 2015.

The company said on Wednesday the number is about 7 per cent of the total workforce. The jobs are to be cut in coming months.

The move comes ahead of a plan to split from partner PayPal this year. PayPal is an online payment platform. eBay plans to sell it off to another firm. eBay made the announcement in its fourth quarter earnings report in a statement that said the company wanted to refocus the businesses and ensure it was “set-up to compete and win”.

The tech giant also said it has made an agreement with billionaire and activist investor, Carl Icahn, to give investors a greater say in its PayPal business once it is spun off in the second half of this year.

The billionaire investor has been trying to gather support for the proposed split.

Implications The sackings are a way to make the sale of PayPal to other companies seem more appealing since corporations don’t favour the

hassle of acquiring a large work force, experts have implied.

“A leaner workforce could make the smaller company a more attractive takeover target, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier on

Wednesday. Large companies, including Alibaba, Google and Amazon are all potential acquirers for both eBay and the new PayPal, analysts expect.

Kenyans would rather spend money on airtime than on healthcare, new research has revealed.

Forty-five per cent of Kenyans say they cannot afford to pay for medical needs.

Meanwhile, 50 per cent insist they can barely afford it medicare and only generate a fraction of what is needed to cater for medical needs.

Only 5 per cent say they can afford medical care.

But the study shows that Kenyans can afford medical care but choose not to. Experts from the Private Sector Innovation Programme for Health (PSP4H) have discovered that Kenyans spend an average Sh20,000 a year on healthcare.

PSP4H researchers say a programme funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) show the budget represents a little more than Sh50 per day.

“Such figures fit surprisingly well within the average household disposable income for a working poor family,” they reveal.

This disposable income is roughly Sh100 a day in rural households and Sh300 in urban homes.

“The problem working poor Kenyans face involves cash flow, not an absolute inability to afford services. The poor pay for the service they need at the time they need it,” say the researchers. The team comprised Dr Anne Kamau and Bernard Munyao Muiya of Kenyatta University.

LEAN TEAM: eBay workers take part in a team activity at in London. The company is planning to sack 2400 of its employees in the first quarter of 2015.

The researchers have concluded that majority of Kenyans would rather use extra money on food, water, school fees and airtime than on a trip to hospital.

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BUSINESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Leather City project to polish economy with Sh100b yearly Kenya has a plan to pull the country’s leather industry up by its bootstraps.

The country is set to benefit from an upcoming leather city which has a potential of generating Sh100 billion in annual revenue.

The proposed project will be located on a 500 acre piece of land at Kinanie in Athi River targeting 15 tanneries. It is expected to be in operation after 18 months.

Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Industrialisation, Adan Mohamed, said the country’s leather industry will receive a boost from the project in terms of value addition and increased production.

“The sector generates Sh10 billion, but has capacity to generate 10 times more if we move from export of wet blue

(semi-processed) to finished leather.

The hub will target 15 tanneries which will produce 150 tonnes of raw hides per day and manufacturing units that will produce 10,000 pairs of shoes daily, hand bags, leather garments and industrial gloves,” said Mohamed.

Mohamed added that the industry has a high potential and that it can create over 20,000 jobs if key challenges are addressed.

“The government has identified leather and textiles as focus areas in plans to increase exports and create jobs in a relatively short time. We are held back by the huge investment required, the need for effluent treatment plant systems and export of raw materials,” Adan added.

BusinessNEWS Government tells World Bank to speed up disbursement of loans The government has pressed the World Bank to remove its currently bureaucratic hurdles, which delay the disbursement of its loans that are needed to boost the country’s development process President Uhuru Kenyatta met visiting World Bank Executive Director, Louis Larose on Wednesday and said the removal of the bottlenecks will boost access to funding from lenders like the Bretton Woods institution.

He explained that Kenya is currently working on a number of mega projects that desperately require funding.

“We are looking at the Word Bank as an institution that will nurture these projects for the benefit of Kenyans,” he said in a statement issued after the meeting.

“We are looking at expanding our railway and our power connectivity. We are determined to promote education and health sectors,” Kenyatta said.

Executive Director, Larose told the President that Kenya could count on the World Bank’s support.

He assured Kenyatta that the Bank was looking at Kenya with “positive lenses.”

BIZ GADGET

The government has identified leather and textiles as focus areas in plans to increase exports and create jobs in a relatively short time.

— Adan Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Industrialisation.

MORE POLISH TO LEATHER INDUSTRY: Industrialisation Cabinet secretary Adan Mohamed when he announced that the Kenyan army would henceforth buy boots from local manufacturers and not European suppliers mid last year. He has announced an elaborate project to spearhead the recovery of Kenya’s leather industry.

Granaries saving farmers from destructive floods

FLOOD PROOF: A make-shift granary. Farmers in Budalangi are sparing themselves losses from floods by erecting community granaries to store their produce.

Farmers in the Bunyala area in Budalangi, tired of losing their crops to incessant floods, have decided to use community granaries to keep the water at bay.

The granaries, which are raised above water levels, were built by pooling together the resources of local farmers.

By allowing farmers to delay selling their produce and only sell them when there is market shortage, the granaries have helped boot the earnings of those who purchased them.

Traditionally, as farmers planted and harvested their crops at the same time, an over-supply of produce dominated the market.

Richard Uzero, a maize farmer in the area and one of the pioneer farmers in embracing the community granary concept knows just how important the initiative means to him and his family of five.

The granary has a clerk who keeps records of what comes in and out.

To ensure the project is safe and secure, once a farmer brings the produce.

He is then assigned a specific membership number and card, which lists how many bags or kilos have been brought. The farmer can walk in and out any time to remove his produce but must produce his membership number and card each time.

Members give monthly contributions of Sh250, which goes into the maintenance of the granary and the payment of the clerk.

Lenovo yoga tablet 2 pro Lenovo released a seemingly large 13.3-inch tablet. So what does it have to offer?

Design This tablet is quite thin and is mostly made of plastic except for the cylinder at the bottom, which is a key feature for the Yoga series. The cylinder at the bottom houses an in-built kickstand. As stated earlier, this is one of the few parts of the tablet that is made of metal.

Display The tablet features a 13.3-inch LCD display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution.

Performance On performance, the Yoga packs a quadcore Intel Atom Z3745 processor, clocked at 1.86 GHz, along with 2 GB of RAM. Despite the processing package looking great on paper, the tablet does not have the greatest performance, especially when it comes to animations.

Camera This tablet offers a 1.6 megapixel (MP) frontfacing camera and an 8MP rear camera. As we all know, cameras are never really a key

feature when it comes to tablets so not much is put into them.

Battery The Tablet comes with a rather well-sized battery package of 9,600 mAh, which performs quite well. With decent use, one can get about 3 days of battery life, which is great.

Software The Yoga runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system (OS). Its user Interface is flat and colourful.

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

ACCESS CELEBCHAT

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Real Name: melissa Ommeh age: 29 Songs: Stalker Relationship status: Dating

ow would you describe yourself?

I began my musical career as a background artiste. I did background vocals for Afro jazz artistes like Iddi Achieng, Makadem, Zippy Okoth and many more. I also got a chance to do the musical Mo Faya with Eric Wainaina. Through the mentorship from all these artistes I felt the urge to find my own music and sound.

I am a child of all worlds.

Who exactly is Asali?

Asali means honey and because sugar enlightens the mind and awakens the mind. I chose to call myself Asali because when your brain is energetic and open, you become enlightened. My music enlightens people. That is what I seek when I perform. I am an artiste, I was placed on this earth to act.

What have you been up to?

I have been in South Africa at the AFDA University, studying theatre

Sharon Mundia is face of Uber Award-winning fashion blogger Sharon Mundia, also known as This is Ess, has brands fighting to have her as their ambassador. The other day she announced that she was the face of Samsung A mobile series and even before the dust settles, she is now promoting the new taxi service app, Uber. It seems the sky is the limit for the 25-year-old beauty.

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Spoken word artiste, singer and actress, Asali is the embodiment of art and living life to its full potential. Now caught between two worlds, South Africa and Kenya, she speaks to X Access about her plans.

Asali’s world

factfile

closet raid: DIANA MACHIRA

performance and music performance.

It has been enriching and inspiring especially in my line of work. Being in that particular space has opened my mind to networking opportunities and improved my music.

Your music is Afro fusion and spoken word with Kijiba chants, explain.

Kijiba chanting is like your own form of gibberish. I feel that some emotions are too intense and placing a word on them diminishes the intention. Kijiba to me is like adlibbing in my own way. I put the words in my peformances to express words and express intense emotions.

Where do you draw inspiration for your music from?

For my spoken word poetry I draw inspiration from society. I am never afraid of what a politician will say, I just express it. I am not scared of anything and if I do not believe in it I will not perform it. I refuse to be a puppet.

Everyday life and what I see inspires my spoken word. For music, I seek is to tell my story. I desire to tell my story and go deeper into my life. I am music, I write.

Music is my release— the day I stop I would rather die.

Who do you look up to in the industry?

Michael Jackson—and my friends laugh at me because they do not understand why. I feel so connected to him because he lived his life, he was an artiste. He was a performer, he loved the stage and lived for his music.

What is going on with your acting?

When I started in the industry I started as an actress .When I launched my album in 2010, I had to choose one, music or acting. After touring with the musical Mo Faya I came back and decided to do music. I love my music so much.

Acting takes a lot of time and its time will come. But for now I am focusing on music.

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

I did a collaboration with Abbi Nyinza. I would like to work with Eric Wainanina definitely. For me to collaborate with an artiste, the purpose has to be important.

What challenges have you faced?

The biggest challenge was adapting to this new sound I am working on with my producer Tuma. I didn’t really realize that it took a lot to do quality

music, it was not just a one day affair.

I needed to decolonize my mind so that I can produce things I am proud of and are well executed. My priority is to sleep at night knowing that my art will grow and live on.

What is next for Asali Msanii?

More and more writing and recording new material. The music never stops. It is the heartbeat Your hair! Let’s talk about that.

My friend Jalango once said, “If you date Asali you date two people, herself and her hair, it is a threesome.” My hair is spiritual to me, it goes with my moods.

There was a time I changed my hair by shaving half off because I lost a friend. I later shaved it all off when I was going through a soul searching period. Now I have on a punk hairstyle and I intend on keeping it for a while. I like having unique hair.

Drumroll! Is Asali dating?

I am dating. I will just leave it at that.

Asali leaves for SA Monday and will be producing her next single Jonny in the coming weeks.

Gichuru has HoT Julie her husband’s back ToPICS

The Lang’ata Road Primary land saga has been in the news for the past few days. Yesterday, the people who were supposedly involved in the land grabbing, a couple of Singhs, were named. Earlier, controversial blogger Robert Alai had taken to his blog to say that Julie Gichuru’s husband Antony Gichuru was involved. This resulted in backlash from Kenyans on the internet. Julie was outraged at what had been said, saying she will take action against the blogger. She tweeted: “Just raised my head from a productive & busy day to find utter nonsense on a certain blog! This time we shall meet in court! #Disgusted”.

8

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 26th 23, NOVEMBER 2014 FRIDAY JANUARY 2015

SHOPPING

The

T

The Greenhouse has no shorTaGe of reTail fashion sTores which miGhT seem a liTTle excessive for some shoppers.

GREEN HOUSE Experience

he Greenhouse is not your run-of-the-mill shopping mall. Located along Ngong Road right next to Adam’s Arcade, The Greenhouse offers an experience that can only be compared to spending a day at the spa.

It would be important to take a minute and appreciate the architectural mastery that went into creating this building. The atmosphere is airy and easy on the senses, with a lot of emphasis on light and space.

From outside, the parking space can seem inadequate because there is only one narrow lot designated for public use but there is a supplementary parking lot underground. It’s sufficient albeit hard to spot.

A rather large water feature greets you right as you enter the building and there is a clear distinction between the world outside and the world inside the mall. There seems to be a concerted effort to provide the shopper or client with the most serene environment possible to work with. There are trees and a number of water features at strategic points in the plaza where people can sit, unwind and even take their meals as they take in the scenery.

Lower levels of the complex are reserved for shops, restaurants and boutiques while the upper floors are

mostly office space.

Despite the fact that here is no specific food court to speak of, The Greenhouse does offer quite a few eateries and cafes that would still satisfy anybody’ s hunger pangs.

The famous Misono Japanese restaurant, which is very popular with the foreign crowd, offers superb traditional Japanese cuisine served the teppanyaki way. Here food is prepared right in front of the guests by the chef on an iron grill. This also gives the customers an opportunity to feel involved in the meal preparation process. Prices range between Sh2300 and Sh4000 plus there is an a la carte menu available.

There is also the Damera Restaurant and Club located at the ground floor.

This is an Eritrean restaurant that supplies traditional food with a modern ambience.

There are numerous hair and beauty shops inside the mall where anybody can get pampered and treated. Head Gamez Hair Salon, His and Hers Hair Studio, Nails Bar n’ Spa, which serves both men and women, and Pals Hair Studio, which proved to be the stand out. Pals hosts an executive barber shop in the boutique and provides hot stone and Thai massages, aromatherapy and Swedish massages,

among other services.

On the first floor a little surprise awaits shoppers. The original Kenyan socialite, Vera Sidika has a hair lounge situated right there for your convenience. The Vera Sidika Hair Lounge is available for any of you ladies looking for hair weaves that supposedly cost six figures.

The Greenhouse has no shortage of retail fashion stores, which might seem a little excessive for some shoppers but would probably be appreciated by fashionistas. Kate’s Collection and Craydon Fashions cater to women while Lord’s serves men. Turquoise is a perfume shop that sells signature scents to women in a pretty white and lilac shop. Health services are offered

by Medimart Pharmacy and Avenue Health Clinic which have branches there. AAR and Uzima Welness Centre provide childcare including obstetrician and gynaecological services.

There are also taxi cabs available through Brea Cabs which make transport much easier.

Other significant points are that there seemed to be a lack of electronic shops on the premises and the emergency

amos and Josh score sauti sol mentorship Sauti Sol are the biggest and most sought after group in Kenya right now. TPF6 finalists Amos and Josh are also not too far behind. They were all in studio together yesterday and it seems they are working together on a project. Amos and Josh shared a picture of them with Sauti Sol in studio saying: “In studio with Sautisol Maaaad excitement!!! Gnite #TeamAJ you make us smile!!!” A new single by the duo”Unanifurahisha roho is already playing. It was written by Bien and directed by Sauti Sol.

HOT TOPICS

exits a r e n o t clearly marked out which may pose a problem.

Although The Greenhouse is still very much coming into its own, the elevators are a joy to ride and the elevated relaxation spots are a unique touch. It is a nice place to relax and get a little dose of nature while still in the city.

ugandan artiste up in arms against pirates Ugandan singer Iryn Namubiru, with the help of Interpol, will take on anyone who re-uploads her music without her consent. The artiste had earlier issued a stern copyright warning to anyone infringing on her rights. If one is found, they will be arrested by police and charged with copyright infringement. Namubiru had complained that websites and YouTube channels were uploading her works without consent and using it to make money. Maybe Kenyan artistes should take a page out of her book?

ACCESS

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

WEEKENDPLANNER

your comprehensive gig guide.

tea aNd Coffee festival FRIDAY SATURDAY

WHERE: Nairobi National Park WHEN: 9 AM WHO: Tea and Coffee Lovers HOW MUCH: Adults Sh 500, Children Sh 300

TOMORROW

FRIDAY TODAY

BlaNkets aNd striNgs

i am frasha laUNCh WHERE: Michael Joseph Centre WHEN: 7 PM WHO: Kidum, STL and Eric Wainaina HOW MUCH: Invite only

out&about

WHERE: Karen Blixen Coffee Garden WHEN: 3.30 PM WHO: Salut Salon &Ghetto Classics HOW MUCH: Adults Sh 1200, Children Sh 500

Nairobi’s

traditioNal heaveN

I

f you are in town and craving a traditional Kenyan meal, Ranalo, aka K’Osewe, should be your only destination. It is located on Kimathi Street, opposite Kenwood House, in the CBD.The restaurant has withstood the test of time and managed to carve a niche in the African cuisine market. Once you walk in you feel right at home. The ambience is carefree and manifests the

true African spirit of hospitality. While the décor has nothing to write home about, it serves the purpose of making one feel at ease. You do not have to fight with your fork and knife struggling to conform to Western etiquette. This is K’osewe, and your fingers are the only cutlery you need!

The place is renowned for its tasty ugali, soft chapattis, and traditional greens with Osuga topping the list and of course

9

sumptuous tilapia. Please do not dare leave the place without trying the fish in coconut stew or fried tilapia, they are a classic and a favorite for many.

The food comes hot and fresh, ready to tantalize your taste buds. You do not have to worry about breaking the bank to foot your bills either. The price of complete meals range from Sh400 to Sh700. A glass of fresh juice goes for Sh150. The

soothing Benga music and Rhumba tunes streaming in from well-placed speakers, bring the lakeside feel to the restaurant.

On the downside, parking is a big problem. But his does not seem to hinder foodies from walking in for their favorite dishes!

You cannot say you have tasted the good things in life if you have not yet been to K’Osewe.

10

ACCESS

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

FASHIONScoop

Diana Machira is a fashion blogger (DeniManDcateye.coM) anD a confesseD fashion junkie, we founD her closet to be effortlessly classy.

What is your best fashion accessory?

I am currently fighting the urge to wear my ankara neck piece daily.

What is the one fashion item you cannot leave the house without?

Lip care; be it lipstick, lip balm or lip gloss and my eyeliner

What is your guilty pleasure (fashion wise)?

I love shoes and statement pieces.

ID A R A T R I E S H O CL MAC

A N A I D

TOP 10 TRaCKS TRACKS TOP

How would you describe your fashion style?

Expressive!

Eric

P-Unit

Disco

Weka weka

What is your favourite fashion colour?

I love colour in general, so I do not discriminate.

The more, the merrier.

y and

ll ire loca

u adm le do yo

closet in sty arvey’s H fashion e e s ri o jo h W ? d Ma tionally toon an interna id Folake Hun by? ra ou live ss for I would t. e that y life if you dre a ic e v b d rt a a e n in io ah t h n s a fa w the you y What is have anything ationall n r intern e n ig s “You ca Head. e shion d ith y it.”- Ed ur favourite fa i has m o y is e Zanott p p e s Who iu ally? igner, G n. and loc ally, shoe des ig

By Des on ti ra a ie rn v a te L In is it y call heart, lo

H_art The Band

Willy Paul

Wagechi

Nikikutazama

Mamangu

Analogue dreams

Christina

Ninang’ara

Akothee

Avril

Djele djele

Hello baby

Size 8

Jemedari

Jaya Awinja

Wewe ndiwe

PLAY 11 FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Today you may discover that you have a previously untapped talent for the occult sciences, Capricorn. You tend to be intuitive by nature, and studying these fields may offer an opportunity to train that ability to a higher level of accuracy. Find an expert in one of those areas.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 There’s someone you’ve wanted to meet for a long time, Aquarius, and today you might have the opportunity to introduce yourself. This could be a potential romantic interest, a teacher you’ve wanted to study with, or someone interesting you might like for a friend.

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Do you feel helpless in the face of problems with technology? Some software that you use a lot could go haywire, and you won’t want to take the time to wait for a professional. Some study could enable you to come up with the solution on your own.

FRIday 23/01/2015

sunny

26

SATURday 24/01/2015

More sun than clouds

27

26ºC 43%

6:39 am 6:50 pm

26ºC 38%

6:39 am 6:50 pm

Sunday

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 If you’ve been thinking about studying astrology, numerology, or other occult sciences, Aries, this is the day to start. By doing this, you could open doors to new knowledge, meet new friends who share your interests, and steer your life in a fascinating new direction.

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 A woman you meet at work might point you in a new direction, Taurus. You should investigate all possible options. This could be a new intellectual interest, a technological skill, or possibly a new and more lucrative source of income. It may involve an unusual field, but don’t worry about that.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 A friend from far away could contact you by phone, email, or even in person, Gemini. This could involve a new intellectual study or possibly a new circle of friends. At any rate, you will certainly enjoy catching up and hearing what your friend has to say.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 You might try to learn a new computer program today, Cancer. You could find it a little confusing at first, but as you continue to learn, you will find that it makes things easier for you.

You should master it more quickly than you thought.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Today you may stumble into an unexpected new friendship, Leo. This could come as the result of a social event or an introduction by a close friend. You will discover new rapport the likes of which you haven’t experienced in a long time. You could spend hours trading ideas.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 Whatever business the group has planned should be taken care of quickly and then you will be able to hang out and socialize. You might discover new aspects of your guests you didn’t know existed. This could prove very enlightening for all concerned.

MUSTREAD The Martian — by Andy Weir Mark Watney became one of the first men to walk on Mars. Now he is sure he will be the first to die on a foreign planet. When they landed on Mars, a dust storm tore his suit, nearly killing him. In the process, his crew to Mars abandoned him because they thought he was dead. He is stranded millions of miles away from the Earth with no way of signalling anybody that he is alive.

Things look bleak but he is not ready to give up. Armed with his engineering skills and resourcefulness, he tries to overcome the odds against him. But will he accomplish the impossible?

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 A phone call from a close friend or love partner could bring a thrilling surprise your way today, Libra. An event has occurred that you either gave up on long ago or never dreamed of. You will be so happy that this happened that you won’t mind the time you spend on it.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 This might involve real estate, but it could also involve other resources like stocks, bonds, or family heirlooms. What you choose to do with this information is up to you, but you will probably decide to hang on to what you have. It’s just nice to know it’s valuable.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 A surprising phone call or email could come your way today from a friend you haven’t heard from in a long time, Sagittarius. Some business changes may have occurred for your friend, but possible new opportunities might also be in the cards for you.

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

winning captions

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.

Is Ngilu’s Lang’ata school land grab list a decoy?

After keeping the country pensive for hours, Lands CS Charity Ngilu finally named a couple of Singhs as the suspected Lang’ata Road Primary School land grabbers (Will Ngilu

expose Lang’ata grabber?

Thursday, January 22, 2014). After reading the list, I’m left wondering whether these are the people who would have made Ngilu resign. I

know Ngilu was under pressure to release the names before a 24-hour ultimatum she had been given expired. But she made us believe the person(s) she was

going to expose had the power to make her life as minister miserable.

Could the Singhs be a decoy?

— James Kioko, Nairobi

1. It’s Njaanuary, everybody needs money-Ben Okoko, Nairobi 2. The husks on the ground tell you business is good-Jane M. Nrb 3. The maize is probably counterfeit. No? Ok.-Juma M.-Outering

12

PLAY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. Trip to Mecca 5. Latin eyes 10. Brotherhood, for short 14. Butterine 15. Actress June 16. Million or billion ending 17. Type of entertainment.

19. Cougar’s quarters 20. Inoculated protection 21. She played Nana in “Nana” 23. Brand of microwave wax 26. Swipes 27. Background check for a lender 32. Mason’s need 33. Jungle vine 34. From Rome: Prefix 38. Jump in a rink 40. Coach Amos Alonzo ___ 42. Cooking chamber 43. 10th U.S. president 45. Online marketing 47. Honshu bay 48. Boxing honor 51. Form a conception 54. King’s land in a Broadway musical 55. Phone the folks 58. Liege’s river 62. “And to ___ good night” 63. 1990’s fad 66. Alexander ___, secretary of state under Reagan 67. Details 68. Salinger gal 69. Number of feline lives 70. “___ easy to fall in love” (1977 lyric) 71. Nautical chains Down 1. Big “Bonanza” brother 2. High mountain, to Henri 3. Sweetheart 4. Merry 5. “Just as I suspected!”

6. Salary restriction 7. Iris layer 8. Desolate, once 9. Response to a doubter 10. Frankie Valli’s 4 Seasons singing style 11. Cowpoke’s rope 12. Durant who co-wrote “The Story of Civilization” 13. Sea birds 18. Online correspondence 22. Longfellow town 24. “___ a far cry..”

25. For adults, as films 27. Talk online 28. Name of theatrical fame

29. 1963 Pulitzer biographer Leon 30. Mother’s brother, e.g.

31. Heathens 35. Tel __ 36. __ majesty 37. Billfold stuffers 39. What a minor hasn’t yet achieved 41. 1958 musical 44. Rocker David Lee ___ 46. Fine Peruvian wool 49. 10th-century pope

50. Eggy dish 51. Billionaire Carl 52. __ Lama 53. Mrs. Berlin 56. First baseman’s glove 57. “You are” in Spain 59. “___-daisy!”

60. Dotted 61. Hot times in Bordeaux 64. Patented product names: Abbr.

65. Grp. putting on shows for the troops

QUOTE OF THE DAY “If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be ‘meetings.” ― Dave Barry Pulitzer Prize-winning American author and columnist

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS

Sport FRIday, JANUARY 23, 2015

down but not out Diminishing Kenya Sevens team still eyeing Olympics P.14

Humility key, says Congo skipper Congo captain Prince Oniangué says his team needs to maintain humility even after moving to the top of Group A following the Gabon 1-0 hammering on Wednesday.

The result moves Congo to top of the group after Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea drew their game.

“We achieved a good result but the group remains wide open, everything is still possible,” Oniangue said.

“We have a young generation, the top level is new to many of the players so we must stay humble.

“We used a lot of energy. We are going to recover and it’s only after our game against Burkina Faso that we will know if the dream carries on.

“We are happy for our country’s President (Joseph Kabila) who wanted us to win this match for the whole nation.”

Congo face 2013 Afcon runners-up Burkina Faso, who are bottom of the group, on January 25.

AERIAL COMBAT: Congo Captain Prince Oniangue (right) took advantage of a lapse in Gabon’s defensive communication to hit a low ball into the net.

e.Guinea coach lauds team’s fighting spirit Equatorial Guinea are “like ants” compared with Burkina Faso, coach Esteban Becker said after their second draw of the Africa Nations Cup. The hosts, the lowest-ranked team, will qualify for the last eight if they beat Gabon on Sunday.

“Burkina Faso have eight players who play in the French league.

We are like ants compared to them,” said Becker.

“I’m very proud of this young team, which is 100% Equatoguinean and wants to defend the country’s colours.”

When co-hosting the finals in 2012, Equatorial Guinea reached the quarter-finals in their debut appearance in Africa’s biggest sporting event.

They are sitting third in Group A but will qualify with a win in their final match of the round following Gabon’s shock defeat to table toppers Congo.

“I’m not just satisfied, I’m very satisfied,” said Becker, who only took charge of the Equatoguineans on 6 January.

“We could have been a goal down in the first half. We made some tactical mistakes and lost the midfield.

“But in the second half, we were courageous. We had a penalty appeal which was not given and we could even have won the game.”

Gervinho’s two match suspension for violence Ivory Coast forward Gervinho has been handed a two-game ban following his expulsion in the 1-1 Africa Cup of Nations draw with Guinea in Malabo on Tuesday.

The Confederation of African Football announced the penalty which means the 27-year-old will miss the Elephants’ remaining Group D games against Mali and Cameroon.

He will only feature again at the competition if his side reaches the quarter-finals.

Gervinho was shown a straight red card in the second half of the Group

D game for hitting Guinea’s Naby Keita.

On Wednesday, the Roma forward said on Twitter: “I would like to apologise to the Ivorian nation, my team-mates, supporters and to organisers of CAN for this angry gesture which is totally out of character and evidently has no place on a football pitch.”

Without him, Herve Renard’s side came from a goal down to earn a point thanks to a strike from substitute Seydou Doumbia.

Nigerian defender keen on Celtic move

WIGGLE ROOM: Ivan Bolado Palacios (right) of Equatorial Guinea dribbles past Mohamed Koffi of Burkina Faso during their CAF clash at Bata Stadium.

Nigeria left-back Juwon Oshaniwa claims Celtic have contacted his Israeli club Ashdod to enquire about his availability.

The 24-year-old has 11 caps and played in all four of his country’s World Cup games in Brazil.

Oshaniwa said: “My club have told me Celtic have contacted them about me and said they were interested in me.

“A move to play for Celtic would be a dream come true for me.”

Oshaniwa has 18 months left on his contract at Ashdod, where Efe Ambrose played before his move to Celtic Park and where striker Stefan Scepovic spent a period on loan in 2013 before moving to Sporting Gijon and then Parkhead.

He added: “I would be so glad to meet up with my international team-mate Efe Ambrose.

“I would love to play at Celtic. I have heard great things about the club and know how big they are.

“I have played on the biggest stage in the world at the World Cup and it’s time for me to move on. Football is a game of movement and it is time for me to move to a big club.

“I would love to play with them in the Champions League.”

He has been offered a new deal at the Israeli club but insists the time is right for him to move.

Hull City and other English clubs have previously shown an interest in the Nigerian.

14

SPORT FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 TOP OF THE WORLD: Real Madrid player after the team were crowned the champions of Europe 2013/2014 season. The club has matched its 10th triumph as champions of Europe by topping the Deloitte football rich list for a 10th straight year.

Real Madrid tops football rich list for 10th consecutive year Real Madrid has matched its 10th triumph as champions of Europe by topping the Deloitte football rich list for a 10th straight year.

Manchester United moves up from fourth to second on the list, which is based on season 2013-14 revenues.

Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris

Saint-Germain filled the next spots.

English clubs Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool were placed sixth to ninth, all of them showing healthy rises in revenues.

Tottenham were in 13th spot, while there were new entries for Newcastle United and Everton at 19th and 20th.

The total combined revenue for the top 20 richest clubs rose by 14% to €6.2bn, the report found. The list only looks at revenues accrued and does not take into account club debts.

Real Madrid, which won its so-called “Decima” European Cup/Champions League after beating city neighbours

Atletico 4-1 last May, saw revenues of €549.5m (£459.5m, at average exchange rate for the year ending 30 June 2014).

The club saw revenue growth of €30.6m, from increases of 8% and 9% in broadcast and commercial revenues respectively.

Meanwhile, broadcast rights deals pushed the entire Premier League into

the wider top 40 highest earning clubs.

“The Premier League’s new broadcast deals have translated into big revenue increases across the English top flight,” said Austin Houlihan, senior manager at Deloitte.

“In fact, every Premier League club reported record revenues in 2013-14.”

Diminishing Kenya 7s still eyeing Olympics Kenya sevens national side have not given up their hopes of making up to next year’s Rio Olympic Games. The team is set to rekindle their hopes in the fourth and fifth HSBC World Series legs in Wellington and Las Vegas next month.

Kenya lie in unfamiliar territories after the first three legs in 14th with a mere 11 points. Head coach Felix Ochieng says the remaining six legs will be very crucial.

Top four teams this season will earn direct qualification which now seems to be a farfetched target for Kenya.

“We are aiming for direct qualification,” said Ochieng while downplaying the option of regional qualifiers “Our goals remain making it to Rio Olympics and also avoid relegation. The boys have made a commitment towards achieving that,” added the coach ahead of his first assignment after replacing South African Paul Treu who resigned late last year.

Collins Injera, Denis Ombachi, Lavin Asego and Philip Wamae are some of the players who have resumed full training. Humphrey Kayange, Augustine Lugonzo and Max Theuri are expected to resume full training mid next month while Fabian Olando, Mike Agevi and Biko Adema are still out injured. They will be up for selection as early as the Hong Kong leg in late March. Wellington Sevens takes place from February 6-7 and Kenya is in Pool D alongside Argentina, Scotland and Samoa.

IAAF concerned over Russia doping cases

DOWN BUT NOT OUT: Kenya sevens national side have not given up their hopes of making up to next year’s Rio Olympic Games, as the team seeks to rekindle their hopes in the fourth and fifth HSBC World Series legs in Wellington and Las Vegas next month.

Athletics governing body, IAAF says it is concerned about the number of Russian doping cases in the sport.

Out of 37 athletes sanctioned under the IAAF’s biological passport programme since 2009, 23 are Russian.

On Tuesday, Russia’s antidoping agency banned five racewalkers, including three Olympic champions.

“The number of Russian doping cases in athletics generally, and in race walking specifically, is a major concern,” said a statement.

London 2012 men’s walk winner Sergey Kirdyapkin, women’s 2008 Olympic gold medalist Olga Kaniskina and 2011 world champion Sergei

Bakulin were all banned for three years and two months with their cases backdated from late 2012.

Olympic 2008 winner Valery Borchin was banned for eight years and Vladimir Kanaykin for life.

The IAAF also says that major international titles will be redistributed, although the bans do not affect any Olympic medals, but not until they have received and analysed the decision from the Russian Athletics Federation to make sure they are in compliance with their rules.

Separately, the World AntiDoping Agency is investigating allegations of widespread doping and corruption.

SPORT 15 FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

How to play 1. Register SMS the word ‘GAME’ to 79079. You will receive a message confirming that your SPESA account has been opened.

2. Top up your account Deposit money in your MPesa, Airtel Money, Orange Money or Yu Cash.

Once deposited send the amount you want to your SPESA account, using MPesa Paybill 955100, Airtel Money Paybill SPORTPESA, Orange Money Paybill 079079 or Yu Cash Paybill 107079 3. Place a bet Send an SMS in the following format to 79079: GAME ID#(OUTCOME i.e 1, X or 2)#AMOUNT OF MONEY. For instance, in tomorrow’s match between Manchester City and Chelsea, if you want to bet Sh100 for a Man City win, you will send the following SMS to 79079: 6112#1#100

Weekend matches predictions

Lazio vs Milan

Sampdoria vs Palermo

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

Despite an impressive run of form, Lazio were beaten at the Olimpico by a sharper Napoli side.

The loss has seen them slip to 5th in the league standings. Milan’s poor season continued as they lost at home to Atalanta. The loss piled more pressure on Inzaghi’s side as he desperately tries to bolster his ranks before the transfer window closes next week.

XSport: 2-1 Lazio Lisa: 1-1 Steve: 1-0 Milan Game ID: 9452 Pick 1(Lazio win)

X (Draw) 2 (Milan win)

La Samp’s superb season continued under Sinisa Mihajlovic, who’s side currently lie third in the standings. Palermo have done well this season, considering they have only just returned to the Serie A. They put on a spirited display to hold Roma to a draw in Sicily.

XSport: 1-0 Sampdoria Lisa: 2-1 Palermo Steve: 0-0

Game ID: 9996 Pick 1 Samp win)

X (Draw) 2 (Palerm win)

Odd

2.11

3.12

3.07

Bet Amount

Odd

2.11

3.02

3.17

100

100

100

100

100

100

Possible win (KSh)

Bet Amount

211

312

307

Possible win (KSh)

211

302

317

Fiorentina vs Roma

Verona vs Atalanta

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

Verona conceded a total of 10 goals in four days when they met Juventus in the Italian Cup and Serie A. Atalanta pulled off a shock 0-1 win at the San Siro in what was a determined display over a toothless Milan side. Just one point separates these two sides.

XSport: 1-1 Lisa: 2-0 Atalanta Steve: 1-0 Verona

Fiorentina showed great resolve to secure a late victory over Chievo to remain in the hunt of European football next season. Roma left Sicily frustrated after conceding an early goal in a defensive blunder. I expect an exciting game between the two sides who love to play attacking football.

XSport: 2-1 Fiorentina Lisa: 1-0 Roma Steve: 1-1

Game ID: 1197 Pick 1 (Verona X (Draw) 2 (Atalan win) win)

Game ID: 7081 Pick 1 (Fioren X (Draw) 2 (Roma win) win)

Odd

2.27

Bet Amount

100

Possible win (KSh)

227

2.87

Odd

2.42

3.08

2.62

100

100

Bet Amount

100

100

100

302

287

Possible win (KSh)

242

308

262

3.02

Birmingham vs W. Brom SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

Birmingham City have enjoyed better form in recent weeks thanks to the appointment of manager Gary Rowett. West Bromwich Albion are also reaping the benefits of changing the manager during the season. Tony Pulis, who has done excellent work in the Premier League with Crystal Palace and Stoke City in the past, has implemented a more structured style to the team’s play and it is paying off thus far.

XSport: 2-2 West Brom Lisa: 2-2 Steve: 1-0 Birmingham Game ID: 1227 Pick Odd

1 (Birmi X (Draw) 1 (W.Bro win) win) 3.02

Bet Amount

100

Possible win (KSh)

302

Aston vs Bournemouth The Villains’ lack of goal scoring power this season is well documented. Paul Lambert’s men have delivered just the 11 league goals this season. They have won 1-0 at home win over Championship strugglers Blackpool in the third round. Championship leaders Bournemouth, who beat West Brom in the Capital One Cup, will bring heavier firepower to Villa Park at the weekend.

XSport: 1-0 Bournemouth Lisa: 0-0 Steve: 1-0 Villa Game ID: X2826 Pick 1 (A. Villa X (Draw) 2 (Bourn win) win)

2.11

Odd

2.36

3.O5

2.51

100

100

Bet Amount

100

100

100

308

211

Possible win (KSh)

236

305

251

3.08

16

sport

africa cup of nations

FrIDAY, JANUArY 23, 2015

2015

todaY’s matches GHANA Vs ALGERIA

Estadio de mongomo

7pm s. AFRICA Vs sENEGAL

Estadio de mongomo

HEAD TO HEAD: Tunisia’s defender Rami Bedoui vies for the ball with Zambia’s forward Emmanuel Mayuka (L) during their AFCON 2015 Group B clash.

10pm

eagles pick chipolopolo tunisia pip zambia, misfiring congo dr held

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Yassine Chikhaoui’s glancing header two minutes from time gave Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles a 2-1 win over Zambia in their Africa Cup of Nations match at Estadio de Ebebiyín.

It gives Tunisia four points in Group B and a strong chance to advance to the quarter-finals, while Zambia, who were the tournament winners in 2012, are in deep peril but have only themselves to blame after missing a host of chances.

Emmanuel Mayuka, who had two good first-half opportunities, broke the deadlock on the hour with a rasping shot but will rue heading straight at the Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi in the 41st minute and then, on the stroke of half-time, miscuing a

shot straight in front of goal.

Zambia dominated most of the first-half exchanges and eventually reaped a reward for their attacking application when Mayuka was found unmarked at the back post to fire home from close range. He was set up by a pass from the captain, Rainford Kalaba, who jinked his way through a static Tunisian defence. Mayuka later went off with a groin injury.

A missed effort from Evans Kangwa was further evidence of a wasteful night, allowing Tunisia to stay in connection. They equalised from a 70th-minute corner, where Syam Ben Youssef touched on the ball for Ahmed Akaïchi to score at the back post as Zambia’s defence were caught ball-watching.

Youssef Msakni, restored to th starting lineup, then set up th winner with a chase of a lon ball, which he kept in play b fore chipping in a cross th Chikhaoui connected with aft timing his run into the defenc with perfect precision.

Both Tunisia and Zambia dre their opening game but Zam bia must win their last matc against Cape Verde on Monda while a draw for Tunisia again the Democratic Republic Congo, at the same time in Bat should be enough to take the into the quarter-finals. In anoth er match, key saves in the fin five minutes by Robert Kidiab ensured Democratic Republic Congo achieved a goalless dra with Cape Verde.

Man United boss Louis van Gaal defends Di Maria striking switch Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he is using Angel Di Maria as a striker so he can inject more pace into his side’s attack.

Di Maria, 26, scored three goals in his first five games for United after his British record move from Real Madrid. He has managed one in the last 10 and Van Gaal’s decision to move the Argentine up front has been criticised.

“I tried it because I didn’t have the preparation at the

beginning of the season,” said Van Gaal. “I tried him as a striker as we needed pace in that position. W must stretch the pitch.”

The Dutchman added: “Then you make the pitch bigger, your midfielders can play in a bigger spac and play a better positional game Fans chanted “4-4-2” at half-time during United’ Premier League game at Queens Park Rangers on 1 January.

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