20150108 xnew

THURSDAY JANUARY 8, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

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FRENCH MAGAZINE TERROR ATTACK POLICE NAME SUSPECTS

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HELLO MOTO MOTOROLA SET FOR CHINESE MARKET RETURN

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BUNNY TOUR KING KAKA SET TO TOUR EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

NEWS

clubs order for probe into rugby board operations

victor Valdes accepts offer to join Manchester United

Europe backs Paris after terror deaths

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here were marches all over Europe as the continent rallied for unity with France which was hit a terrorist attack that left at least 12 people killed.

Residents of most cities across Europe, including London, Barcelona, Berlin and Rome, joined counterparts in Paris in demonstrations. Crowds declared themselves unbowed by the gunmen’s

assault on the offices of French satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo.

The marchers raised pens skyward, lit candles in the dark and wrote “liberty” and “free expression” on placards in rallies that came just hours after the attack.

Four cartoonists were among those killed in the gunfire.

“The world has become so sick that being a humorist or cartoonist has become a dangerous profession!” said a poster carried by one woman in a mass of protesters in Paris’ Place de la Republique.

Rallies also unfolded Wednesday night in Tours, Toulouse, Brest, Lyon, Rennes and Poitiers in France, long regarded as a cradle of democracy and liberty.

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The making of a super star Airtel Trace Music Stars contest reaches the big money stage

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Dealing with Identity theft

Find out how you can protect yourself from identity theft criminals prowling the internet

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ROLE MODEL unbowed: Residents across major European cities rallied behind France following the murder of 12 people by suspected terrorists on the offices of French satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo. Twelve people were murdered in the terror attack.

Meet the 23-year-old don and find out what makes her tick

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NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

Terror deaths rally Europe behind France From Page 1

The most immediate rallying cry against the attack was “Je Suis Charlie,” or “I Am Charlie,” in reference to the weekly satirical magazine’s title, Charlie Hebdo.

French police have named two brothers as suspects in the attack as a manhunt continues.

They issued photos of Cherif and Said Kouachi, said to be “armed and dangerous”, and arrest warrants. A third suspect reportedly surrendered.

France is holding a day of mourning for the 12 people killed in the attack.

A minute’s silence will be observed at noon across the country and the bells of Notre Dame in the capital will toll.

Security forces carried out a major overnight operation in the eastern city of Reims but no arrests were made. Police cordoned off a block of flats and forensic teams could be seen inside.

The country has been placed on the highest terror alert and extra troops have been deployed to guard media offices, places of worship, transport and other sensitive areas.

Eight journalists, including the magazine’s editor, died along with two policemen, a maintenance worker and a visitor when masked men armed with assault rifles stormed the Charlie Hebdo offices.

The magazine is said to have angered some Muslims in the past by printing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The offices were firebombed in 2011.

The gunmen were heard shouting “we have avenged the Prophet Muhammad” and “God is Great” in Arabic (“Allahu Akbar”).

French President Francois Hollande described the attack as “exceptional barbarity”, saying the country’s tradition of free speech had been attacked. He called on all French people to stand together.

In a sombre televised address late on Wednesday he said: “Today the French

Republic as a whole was the target.”

Thursday’s national day of mourning is only the fifth held in France in the past 50 years.

The attack took place as the magazine was holding its weekly editorial meeting. French media have named three cartoonists killed as Cabu, Tignous

“They said they belonged to al-Qaeda,” she said, adding they had spoken in fluent French.

Witnesses said they heard as many as 50 shots fired both inside the Charlie Hebdo office and on the streets outside.

The gunmen were filmed on amateur video shooting one injured police officer

at point blank range in the head on the pavement outside.

Police said the men fled to northern Paris, before abandoning their car and hijacking a second one. The attack was swiftly condemned by world leaders, with US President Barack Obama offering to help France track down those responsible.

solidarity: Marchers raised pens skyward, lit candles in the dark and wrote “liberty” and “free expression” on placards in rallies that unfolded Wednesday night in Tours, Toulouse, Brest, Lyon, Rennes and Poitiers in France, long regarded as a cradle of democracy and liberty.

BanKi Moon outraged by attack on French magazine UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (pictured) has condemned the appalling and “cold-blooded crime” committed by terrorists who attacked the French magazine Charlie Hebdo, which news reports indicate killed 10 media workers and two police officers.

“I am appalled and deeply shocked by the attack against Charlie Hebdo in Paris this morning,” Ki Moon said. “This act of violence can in no way be justified.

This is an attack against freedom of expression and freedom of the press - the two pillars of democracy.”

Media reports indicated that masked gunmen opened fire with assault rifles in the office of Charlie Hebdo in central Paris, reportedly killing four of the magazine’s cartoonists and its editor.

The unidentified gunmen were reported to have then fled the scene,

and Wolinski, as well as Charlie Hebdo contributor and French economist Bernard Maris.

Eleven people were wounded, some seriously.

Cartoonist Corinne Rey said the gunmen entered the building after forcing her to enter the code to open the door.

exchanging shots with police in the street, killing two officers.

In remarks delivered during a New Year visit to the UN Correspondents Association, the Secretary-General extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, stressed his solidarity with the Government and people of France and said he trusted the French authorities to do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly.

“This horrific attack is meant to divide. We must not fall into that trap,” he said.

“This is a moment for solidarity.

Around the world, we must stand strong for freedom of expression and tolerance and stand against forces of division and hate.”

Trader taken to hospital after mall shouting drama Controversial trader Paul Kobia (pictured) has been arrested, disarmed, rushed to a police station and finally to hospital.

Kobia was arrested at about 8 am outside Village Market by police seconded to Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko after allegedly causing a stir. He is reported to have shouted what officials called “crazy things.”

Police said Kobia had a mental problem and had been taken to Gigiri Police Station and later moved to hospital.

Sonko said Kobia had caused a stir at the shopping mall by shouting what he termed wild allegations about him and the late Fidel Odinga.

Police spokeswoman Ziporah Mboroki said officers took Kobia to hospital for check-up.

“He was taken to hospital because we think he has run mad. Let us not speculate much on all he has been shouting,” said Mboroki.

NEWS 3 THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS

CARTOONSPEAK

Government servants call for pay hike

Hackers can now steal fingerprints from photographs

The Union of Kenya Civil Servants has asked the Government to review civil servants salaries. The call comes a day after the Salaries and Remuneration Commission released a circular containing details car loans and mortgage schemes for civil servants. While he welcomed the move, Secretary General Tom Odege asked the Government to increase the duration of car loan repayment from the proposed five years.

Hackers have proven that they can get a copy of a person’s fingerprints using a simple photograph.

In fact, one expert has actually recreated the fingerprints of Germany’s Minister of Defence, Ursula von der Leyen. The security researcher known as Starbug, used publicly-available software known as ‘VeriFinger’ with photos of the Minister’s finger taken from different angles.

Starbug, whose real name is Jan Krissler, told attendees of the Chaos Computer Club’s (CCC) 31st annual congress in Hamburg, Germany, how he achieved the feat.

12 cars stolen from same estate within 30 days

Treaasury rules out pay hike for teachers as strike persists

PHOTO: (Back) The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz WE HAVE NO MONEY: Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich. The Treasury has said that it is only prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog. (Front) flick when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk focusing on the implementation of harmonised civil servants’ allowances and not pay increments.

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The National Treasury says it is not ready for any pay rise for teachers even as negotiations to end the ongoing strike continue.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said on Wednesday the ministry is only focusing on the implementation of harmonised civil servants’ allowances and not pay increments.

“We are in a situation where we are implementing what is good and required by the new Constitution. We are facing problems where people were used to Collective Bargaining Agreements.

But you cannot be negotiating wages every year,” Rotich said.

He said it would be unfair to raise salaries selectively considering that salaries for all public servants have been harmonised on the guidance of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. The CS says by implementing harmonised allowances, the Government will spend Sh19.6 billion to be included in the next financial budget of 2015/16.

“Half of this amount will go to teachers,” the CS said. Teachers

have tabled at least 38 demands to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), among a 300 per cent pay rise. The Government has insisted on austerity measures that would help manage the wage bill.

“The wage bill is unsustainable and we are working on an exercise that includes weeding out ghost workers apart from harmonising salaries and allowances,” Rotich said. More efforts will be directed at job evaluation for better performance in the public sector. He urged for co-operation from all stakeholders to allow the Government implement SRC recommendations on salaries and allowances.

“What we are prepared for is the harmonisation of allowances whose first phase will be effective 2015/16. We plan to start looking at issues of salaries comprehensively,” he said.

Consultations between Knut, TSC, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and the Government officials on how to harmonise salaries have not yielded fruits.

Police are looking for carjackers who stole a car that had been driven from Mombasa this morning. The robbery that occurred near Imara Daima raises to 12 the number of cars that have been stolen from the same area in the past month. No recovery or arrest has been made. On Monday, a driver was gunned down in the area as he resisted an attack.

Police say the drivers are usually attacked as they pick passengers along Mombasa Highway.

Liberia launches Ebola virus drug trials A trial of a potential drug to treat Ebola has started at a Medecins Sans Frontieres centre in Liberia. The antiviral - brincidofovir - is being tested on Ebola patients on voluntary basis. Patients who do not consent to the tests receive standard care. Oxford University scientists, who are leading the research, say initial results are expected in a few months.

A study involving a similar drug - favipiravir - started in Guinea in December.

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

Govt rejects teachers’ Sh700 billion salary demand, Kambi insists on Sh9 billion offer: Kuppet officials walked out of the meeting saying that Sh9.3 billion offer tabled by government only covers allowances and not basic salaries of teachers. “There is no commitment from government to solve the problem by giving teachers a basic pay offer,” Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori said. Knut had also rejected the government’s Sh9.3 billion offer on allowances during the start of the meeting on Tuesday. The amount covers housing, hardship and leave allowances...

Revealed: How ethnic groups share public jobs The Civil Service is dominated by four communities who take up more than half of all the jobs, a new government report has revealed. Members of the Kikuyu community lead the pack, followed by their counterparts from the Kalenjin, Luhya and Kamba communities. Together, they control 58 per cent of the workforce in government ministries, departments and agencies. However, the report, dated December 2014, says that new appointments in the last financial year were done in a manner that ensured ethnic balance...

Questions over ICC witness killing as family speaks : Questions arose over the gruesome killing of Meshack Yebei, a witness in the ongoing International Criminal Court trial, whom Deputy President William Ruto described as his critical man on his list of witnesses in The Hague. The dust of blame games appeared to rise to the skies over who might have been responsible for the killing of a man who the ICC itself conceded was on the witness list but left its safe house for his home in Turbo. Yebei was reportedly abducted on December 28 last year...

Forget new pay demands, Rotich tells teachers: The government yesterday maintained it has no money to meet the salary demands by the striking teachers.

“We are implementing what is good and required by the Constitution but at the same time facing problems because people were used to Collective Bargaining Agreements,” said Treasury Cabinet secretary Henry Rotich.

“But you cannot be negotiating wages every year,” said an emphatic Rotich...

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NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

Renew your licenses or risk arrest, City Hall tells traders

TAKE HEED: City Hall offices in Nairobi. The Nairobi County Government has warned that traders who have not renewed their licenses risk being arrested for operating illegal business.

City traders who have not renewed their licenses risk being arrested for operating illegal business, the county government has warned.

Nairobi City County Government says it will soon launch a crackdown on businesses operating without valid licenses.

“Business communities are hereby reminded to renew their 2015 Single Business Permits before the due date as inspection and enforcement including arrests and prosecution of those not compliant will start from January 2, 2015,” County secretary Lilian Ndegwa said.

The notice comes despite the end of March deadline where all businesses are supposed to have renewed their licenses after the January 1 expiry.

Finance Executive Gregory Mwakanongo has also insisted that any businessman operating without a valid 2015 permit is operating an illegal business.

“We are being lenient so

that people can renew and that’s why we put up the notice to remind them to pay up,” he said.

He said the county government is currently lenient to allow the businesspeople to renew the licenses.

“Beyond March 31, those who will not have paid for their permits will incur a three per cent penalty on the outstanding amount,” he said.

The county government significantly increased the cost of doing business in the city by imposing new rates that took effect last year.

Traders protested the move that saw them pay up to 66 per cent more than in previous years for a licence to operate within the county’s boundaries.

It is believed that the rush to force businessmen to renew their licences before March as has always been the tradition is fueled by the urgent need of cash by the County Government to offset most of its debt.

Nkaissery summons top police commanders Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery today summoned all top police commanders for a meeting over insecurity.

Nkaissery who assumed the position some two weeks ago, wanted to meet all regional police commanders, CID commanders, Administration Police commanders and those based at police headquarters today at Jogoo House to discuss the strategies they have for the year.

The meeting started at 8 a.m. and was expected to last for three hours.

The minister wants to hear from individual commanders on their strategies on the way forward given that different regions face varied security challenges.

Those at the meeting include Benson Kibue (Nairobi), Gideon Amalla (Rift Valley), Peter Mwania (North Eastern), Robert Kitur (Coast), Willy Lugusa (Nyan-

za), Gerald Mbaabu (Western), David Baya (Eastern) and Larry Kyeng (Central).

Nkaissery has been meeting departmental heads under his ministry in efforts to familiarise himself with his new role. Officials however said he is more concerned with the police and immigration that have been accused of corruption and ineptitude.

During his vetting by the parliamentary committee on appointments, a tough-talking Nkaissery said he would not tolerate incompetence and laziness if named Interior Cabinet Secretary.

He said that security agencies must be headed by people who are “bold, courageous and stand by what is right”.

“We don’t want intimidation.

People must work. They are paid to work. If they don’t work they must take a walk.”

MAIN MAN: Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery.

MILESTONE: A scanning electron micrograph of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Teixobactin kills a wide range of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA.

US scientists antibiotic breakthrough could put to an end drug resistance in diseases The decades-long drought in antibiotic discovery could be over after an apparent breakthrough by US scientists.

Their novel method for growing bacteria has yielded 25 new antibiotics, with one deemed “very promising”.

The last new class of antibiotics to make it to clinic was discovered nearly three decades ago.

The study, in the journal Nature, has been described as a “game-changer” and experts believe the antibiotic haul is just the “tip of the iceberg”.

The heyday of antibiotic discovery was in the 1950s and 1960s, but nothing found since 1987 has made it into doctor’s hands.

Since then microbes have become incredibly resistant.

Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis ignores nearly every-

thing medicine can throw at it.

The researchers, at the Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, turned to the source of nearly all antibiotics - soil.

This is teeming with microbes, but only 1 percent can be grown in the laboratory.

The team created a “subterranean hotel” for bacteria. One bacterium was placed in each “room” and the whole device was buried in soil.

It allowed the unique chemistry of soil to permeate the room, but kept the bacteria in place for study.

The scientists involved believe they can grow nearly half of all soil bacteria.

Chemicals produced by the microbes, dug up from one researcher’s back yard, were then

tested for antimicrobial properties. The lead scientist, Prof Kim Lewis, said: “So far 25 new antibiotics have been discovered using this method and teixobactin is the latest and most promising one.

“The study shows uncultured bacteria do harbour novel chemistry that we have not seen before. That is a promising source of new antimicrobials and will hopefully help revive the field of antibiotic discovery.”

Human tests are now needed.

The researchers also believe that bacteria are unlikely to develop resistance to teixobactin.

It targets fats which are essential for building the bacterial cell wall, and the scientists argue it would be difficult to evolve resistance.

“Here is an antibiotic that es-

sentially evolved to be free of resistance,” said Prof Lewis. “We haven’t seen that before.

“It has several independent different tricks that minimise resistance development.”

Prof Laura Piddock from the University of Birmingham said it was an “amazing” and “exciting” study and that the tool “could be a game-changer”.

“The discovery of this new antibiotic, from a new class with a novel mode of action, is very exciting.

There is wide concern that the world is cruising into a “post-antibiotic” era.

It could leave many common infections untreatable and make many staples of modern medicine - including surgery, chemotherapy and organ transplants - impossible.

Uchumi CEO bullish as issue shares start NSE trading Retail chain Uchumi’s shares worth 99 million have started trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange at Sh9.

The move comes after a successful Rights Issue that was over-subscribed by 83 per cent.

CEO Jonathan Ciano said the company was seeking additional capital to fund regional growth and other expansion plans.

Ciano said the additional capital will also be used to raise market share and grow

sales volumes.

“The funds have been earmarked for the expansion of our branch network in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda as well as for refurbishing local branches,” said Ciano.

Ciano said the shares issue was a major milestone for the company which survived insolvency in July 2006. He said he was satisfied with the success of the issue which shows public confidence in the

company.

“The success is an indication of high interest in capital market business and we are happy our shareholders and the public have continued to believe in our brand,” Ciano said.

Uchumi has 37 stores in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and plans to venture into Rwanda and Burundi in the near future.

BUSINESS 5 THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS Focus on creating youth jobs, wealth, African leaders told African leaders have been told to focus on creating wealth and jobs for the youth ahead of this year’s International Conference on Financing for Development.

The summit which will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has drawn world leaders for talks on emerging issues.

It will also focus on strengthening financing of development across the globe.

Kenya has been among a few countries working to improve the lives of her citizens in liaison with the private sector.

A number of companies, including Google, Microsoft, and Huawei, have

implemented youth training programmes in Kenya and other countries.

Amadou Sy, a senior fellow at the Africa Growth Initiative says: “African and world leaders must not only seek more and better finance, but also more value for money if they are to support sustainable, inclusive development in the most efficient way.”

He adds: “It will also be important to think carefully about the role aid donors play in supporting job creation and skills acquisition while also addressing sectors that private sector investment typically neglects.”

Cost of housing in Russia triples as economic crisis worsens

milestone: Treasury CS Henry Rotich rings the bell to signal the start of the trading of the new Uchumi rights shares as the company CEO Jonathan Ciano (right) leads in the celebrations.

Housing rents in parts of Russia are higher than salaries as an ongoing economic crisis grips the nation.

As the value of the Rubble, the nation’s currency, continues to dip, thousands of Russians are unable to pay for homes even by working longer hours and getting a second job.

A large number of Russians took home loans calculated in a foreign currency to take advantage of lower interest rates abroad.

As Russia’s currency collapsed in recent months, the cost of repaying home loans has gone through the roof.

A young couple who took a housing loan in 2008 notes that their monthly payment was equivalent to 38,000 rubbles (54,500). By the end of 2014, it was 129,000 Rubles (Sh185,000), more than three times what they were used to.

Motorola to re-enter Chinese market Electronics Company, Motorola, plans a comeback in the Chinese smartphone market starting February.

Motorola had withdrawn from the market in 2013 after Google took over its ownership. Before the exit, it had a 40 per cent market share in China’s smartphone market. With the purchase of the company by Chinese firm, Lenovo, in October last year, they are now enable to re-enter the market.

Lenovo is the world’s bestselling personal computer maker. The company had said it purchased Motorola to take advantage of existing relationships with network operators in North America and Europe. The brand had

found the market difficult to make a breakthrough.

Motorola products, Moto X, new Moto X Pro and new Moto G will go on sale from early February or after the Chinese New Year holiday season.

They have not yet announced the pricing of its products, but analysts say it will compete against local manufacturers, including Xiaomi and Huawei and other international brands such as Apple and Samsung.

They will also start asking potential customers for feedback about its products.

After the Chinese New Year holiday festival was over, customers would be able to design their own Moto X through the firm’s Moto Maker design tool.

comeback brand: Electronics company Motorola plans a comeback in the Chinese smartphone market starting next month.

the industry

uphill task: Agriculture Principal Secretary Sicily Kariuki says Kenyan cane producers need to cut production costs to make the industry more competitive.

Farmers face stiff rivalry from cheaper sugar imports Unless changes are made, Kenyan sugar producers will waste millions of shillings and suffer serious losses this year when a new set of import rules is introduced, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture have warned.

Agriculture Principal Secretary, Sicily Kariuki says that Kenyan sugar producers need to slash costs and diversify into products like ethanol to make the industry more competitive before import safeguards are removed in 2015.

A report by Bloomberg shows that last year, Kenya got a one-year extension to

fully open up sugar trade to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) nations.

The nations include Kenya, Burundi, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Uganda and Egypt.

Kenya enforces a law that dictates the amount of sugar that can be imported duty-free from Comesa nations to protect farmers whose cost of production is more than twice as much as countries like Egypt.

Close to 6 million Kenyans are directly or indirectly employed by the industry. Up to

12,500 Kenyans work in plantations and factories.

Following the new import rules, workers and farmers are likely to suffer losses once cheaper imports flood the market.

Consumers, on the other hand, will be spoilt for choice with importers bringing in lower-priced brands.

Kariuki says to rescue Kenyan farmers and other stakeholders, the industry should move away from a “traditional high-cost, single-commodity supplier to a competitive, multiproduct industry that is self-sufficient.”

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BUSINESS THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

BIZ GADGET Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

LINKING YOUTH WITH EMPLOYERS: Kenya Youth Empowerment Program (KYEP) Director Ehud Gachugu. Over 15,000 youths have benefitted from KYEP to secure jobs in both formal and informal sectors..

Youth programme secures 15,000 jobs for Kenyans Over 15,000 youths have benefitted from the Kenya Youth Empowerment Program (KYEP), to secure jobs in both formal and informal sectors.

The internship program, supported by the World Bank was started in 2011 seeks to make its members financially independent and job creators by imparting entrepreneurial skills.

KYEP Project Director, Ehud Gachugu, said the program has enabled the youth to acquire

adequate skills to meet the job market requirements.

“The goal of the program is to bridge the gap between youth experience and employment by empowering them with relevant skills through offering trainings and workplace experience as has been recommended by employers in the job market,” said Gachungu.

Gachungu explained that the youth usually locked out of jobs in the formal sector due to the three year

work experience requirement demanded by most employers.

15,000 Number of jobs created by the Kenya Youth Empowerment Programme

KYEP Project Coordinator, Carol Moraa said the program is free of charge and implemented in two cycles with applicants undergoing thorough interviews

GREEN ENERGY: The Ngong Hills Wind Farm. U.S. multinational firm General Electric (GE) has announced that a wind power farm it is helping set up in the Kinangop area in Kenya will be operational within the next year.

The Kenya National Archives building is located between Tom Mboya Street and Moi Avenue, just adjacent to the Ambassadeur Hotel. It’s main entrance faces Moi Avenue.

The cream-coloured building with maroon pillars is considered a national landmark located within the Cen-

to determine the unemployed.

“This program is entirely free and each trainee is paid Sh200 every day to cover transport and other basic amenities to encourage them complete the course.

Lunch is also provided at specific training centers except while on attachment,’’ said Moraa.

Christine Nthambi, a beneficiary of the program managed to employ three youthful bloods at her soap making shop in Huruma Estate.

U.S. multinational firm General Electric (GE) has announced that a wind power farm it is helping set up in the Kinangop area in Kenya will be operational within the next year.

The farm will help bring down the cost of electricity, which has already fallen by 30 per cent since last year.

The deal, which was signed in September 2013, comes under the Vision 2030 project, an initiative aimed at improving the livelihoods

tral Business District.

The Archive was established in 1965 by an Act of the Parliament of Kenya in 1965 and was placed under the office of the Vice President and the Minister of Home Affairs.

The building also houses the Murumbi Gallery which contains African artefacts that were collected in the

known as Snapdragon 805 and has an Adreno 420 CPU and 3GB of RAM, which makes the experience quite enjoyable.

HARDWARE The device allows for expandable storage given its microSD card slot. When it comes to battery life, the device comes with a 3000mAh battery package. It also has a fast charger that allows you to get your phone from 0-100 in 45 minutes.

CAMERA It features a 16MP rear shooter with various modes and quality videos that most users have come to expect from Samsung.

However, the camera handling experience is not great due to the curve.

Overall, the Galaxy Note Edge is a fantastic device.

General Electric assures Kinangop wind power farm will be operational by 2016

INFRA STRUCTURE

CITY SCAPE

Samsung decided to bring a very interesting device into the market when it launched the Galaxy Note Edge.

DESIGN When it comes to display, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge has a similar design to the Note 4, with its same faux-leather back and its brushed metallic sides. However, the Note Edge is different since its right side gently curves to the edge.

This makes handling experience a little bit different. You can say that the curve acts as a ‘’multi window screen’’.

DISPLAY The Note Edge has a 5.6 inch screen with a higher pixel density than the original Note, meaning that it produces clearer and crisper images.

PERFORMANCE The device runs on a system

of Kenyans.

GE officials have since announced that the firm is “committed to sustainable power generation in Kenya.”

They have also mentioned that the firm will expand its investments in Kenya’s energy, infrastructure, transport and health sectors.

“We have a long-term view as far as investments in Kenya are concerned and insecurity will not change that position. We operate in major hotspots across the

Kenya National Archives 19th century.

The gallery is located on the ground floor of the building and it is named after Joseph Murumbi, who was the second Vice President of Kenya. It is currently the largest Pan-African art gallery in Africa and contains ancient art collections from different regions and communities in Africa.

world,” General Electric Africa CEO Jay Ireland said in an earlier announcement.

Speaking to journalists in Nairobi, Ireland added that aside from financing infrastructure projects, General Electric has partnered with the Health Ministry in order to equip hospitals with modern diagnostic equipment.

Ireland said the wind power project will be operational by 2016.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

ACCESS topstory

After months of searching and listening to thousands of hopefuls, a new musical star is about to born.

THE MAKING OF A MUSIC STAR L ast year, Airtel and Trace TV partnered to produce a unique premier mobile song contest dubbed “Airtel Trace Music Stars”. It launched on September 25 and included 13 participating countries, among them Kenya. Akon was appointed the Airtel Trace Music Star ambassador and has been mentoring the shortlisted contestants thus far. The show followed a simple format that had participants audition via a mobile phone instead of the usual tedious queuing method.

All the hopefuls had to do was record their song on phone.

They also had the option of rehearsing on a phone karaoke that graded the performance.

The only limiting factor is that the competitors had to be active Airtel subscribers.

The Kenyan version of the competition closed on January 4, 2015 in time with other chosen finalists from each of the 13 participating countries.

Their choice of judges was also impressive.

The musical genius of Afro Fusion artiste Atemi Oyungu, all hands on deck and super song writer Chris Adwar and Wyre aka The ‘Love Child’ made the judging bench who selected the six Kenyan finalists. After scrutinizing thousands of entries, Bliss Muthama, Benjamin Webi, Joy Gitau, Caroline Njeri, Phyllis

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the youngest don

Mwihaki and Trina Mungai emerged the finest vocalists of all the entrants. Judges chose them based on their singing skillsquality, pitch, originality, tone and range.

The ever-controversial voting by fans also made for a percentage.

This was done digitally and only applied at the final six stage.

Bliss and Phyllis are students while Benjamin, Joy, Caroline and Trina are up and coming artistes.

With each waiting to see if they could flirt with fame and fortune come Saturday, a car worth Sh1.5million and direct entry into the Pan African Airtel Trace Music Star competition awaits the best singer. The Pan African event will take place late February with competitors from all participating countries.

Nationally, first runners up will be awarded with a phone worth Sh90,000 and cash reward of Sh100,000, while the second runners up will get a phone worth Sh50,000 and a cash prize of Sh50,000.

The winner of the grand continental finale will receive a cash package of 30,000 Euros (Sh3million), land a recording deal with Kon Live, a distributed label through Universal Music Group, a luxurious trip to New York City and a mentorship programme with Akon in the United States of America.

Who will be the latest music star and millionaire come Saturday?

Ugandan journalist Cynthia Tumwine walked away with USh1000,000 (KSh32,000) during the launch of the competition.

Atemi Wyre

Is Diamond’s girlfriend a deadbeat mum?

The relationship between Zari and Diamond is hitting headlines again. This time it is because Zari is allegedly neglecting her children since she started dating Diamond. A man, identified as Kinglawrenc, went ahead to offer Bongo’s finest $40,000 (Sh3.7million) as compensation if he left Zari, Uganda’s popular mogul and socialite.

Bahati takes son to school Kenya’s darling gospel artiste Bahati accompanied his adopted son to school yesterday. He posted a selfie of him and Morgan Bahati on his Facebook fan page captioning it ‘back to school time’. Bahati adopted young Morgan early last year. He is taking his role as father very seriously by stepping up to the plate. How exemplary!

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ACCESS

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY, JANUARY 26th NOVEMBER 8, 2015 2014

YOLO

A while bAck, cAroline Mutoko’s identity wAs stolen by soMeone who wAs extorting Money froM others

HOT TOPICS

Rabbit, aka King Kaka, is set to treat East African fans from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi to an epic music tour. The fine rapper has not been to Burundi before and says this is a major deal for him.

nazizi is back The First Lady of hip hop will unveil the video of her new song “over you” this Saturday.

Nazizi has been keeping a low profile but has now resurfaced with a song and video to boot. Further, she has made a complete body transformation by slimming down, wearing a dress and make up — she is indeed over him!

Juliana kanyomozi to release new single

Juliana Kanyomozi is strongly back on her feet with a new single titled ‘Woman’ underway.

The Mpita njia hit maker went through a heartbreaking moment when she lost her only child Keron last year. She voiced her gratitude to God, fans, friends and family for supporting and keeping her in their thoughts. Welcome back Juliana!

Identity

theft on social media We have finally come to accept that everybody is on social media these days and if they are not, partS of their lives has made it there. Every few minutes, someone shares pictures and information on their whereabouts with their many friends and followers on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. But with this increased sharing or personal information comes an ugly menace in the form of identity theft. Identity theft involves someone assuming the identity of someone else to extort money from others or gain favours fraudulently.

It is rampant on social media, especially Facebook. One

hot dates

kaka sungura’s east Africa tour

creates an account with the same name as say, an influential person or celebrity then uploads pictures and updates pretending to be the real person. Last year, singer Avril was a victim when someone created an account claiming to be her and went on to extort money from upcoming artistes with promises of helping them land major recording deals.

The case came to fore when the fake Avril tried to con Governor Alfred Mutua.

Another celebrity, Caroline Mutoko, has also tasted the bitterness of identity theft when someone went around extorting money from publics

saying they would help them secure jobs at Radio Africa.

On social media, people are not always who they say they are. It is very easy for somebody to create a profile with your name and pictures and friend request all your friends pretending to be you saying the other account was hacked. And in no time, the person is asking your friends for money.

The con artistes are aware that once your friends get appeal messages from you, they might be driven to immediately send money to the number provided thinking you are in trouble.

Thankfully, Twitter and

Instagram have put in place certain security features to keep you safe. For instance, no one account can have the same username.

So how do you guard yourself against identity theft?

There is no real formula but there are a few ways to try ensure the safety of your account.

First, always sign out when you are using a public computer. Secondly, choose settings on your profile that do not allow people who are not your friends to view what you post. Lastly, ask your friends to notify you if a profile with your name friend requests them or asks them for money.

An Art-filled weekend If you love art, and especially good art, then here is your plan for the weekend.

The Little Art Gallery Exhibition: Empty Walls, No More.

From Friday, January 9 (Tomorrow), the exhibition at 202 Daisy Rd, Off Duom Palm Rd in New Runda will be open.

The official opening is Saturday (January 10) at 2pm and will include cocktails.

Artists exhibiting include: Alex Mbevo, Boniface Maina, Michael Musyoka, Douglas Musyoka, Patrick Kinuthia, Patrick Mukabi, James Njoroge, Peter Elung’at, Samuel Njuguna, Michael Soi, Tom Mboya, Anthony Wanjau and most notably Adrian Nduma Nduma is famous for his semi-abstract wildlife in bold and colourful textures.

He has two large pieces of artwork at the entrance of State House, Nairobi, so expect some good art pieces from him on the day.

ACCESS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

CAMPUSVIBE

most universities are set to open tomorrow

Babu owino vs egerton VC SONU chairman Paul Ongili, alias Babu Owino. (INSET) Prof. Tuitoek

Babu Owino, the chairman of all the university students in Kenya, has broken his silence over the leadership style of Egerton University Vice Chancellor Prof. J.K Tuitoek. Babu has told Tuitoek to prepare for war.

The student leader was addressing students after receiving reports that three Students Union of

CAReeRCHAt

While most people her age go to university to learn, 23 year old Terry Ngugi goes to the university to teach. She is a freelance lecturer at Catholic university of eastern Africa. Her passion for education and the youth has seen her launch an NgO.What makes her tick?

Egerton University (SUEU) leaders, among them, the union chairman Mr. Isaac Ongoma, had been indefinitely suspended by the university senate. The management, through a letter to the trio, explained that it had suspended the them after establishing that they either directly or indirectly incited students

to go on rampage. The university is set to open its doors for registration tomorrow and has informed students that no exam cards will be issued if they do not clear their school fees and damage fines.

Babu had earlier on asked the Egerton students to ignore the threats by the administration and

Harsh new policy Egerton University, through the office of the registrar academic affairs, has sent out an internal memo to students informing them that anybody who will not have cleared fees by the time classes start should defer their studies. The announcement comes even as the chairman of the student union Mr. Isaac Ongoma indicated that he had pleaded with the administration to allow all students back to campus. Mr Ongoma said that the issue with fee was complicated but he had done his best to ensure that no student would defer their studies.

avoid paying the said damage fees. He said that every public university had insured their buildings and properties against student riots hence the management should use the funds from the insurance company to repair the window panes and shops that were destroyed.

tHe

youngest don What does your job entail?

In a nutshell, my job entails teaching students of all age groups at the university.

How did you start?

I initially started lecturing certificate and diploma courses at local colleges then ventured to degree courses at the university. My masters has also played a huge role in securing my job.

How many hours do you work in a day?

Approximately 6 hours in a day.

How much do you earn?

(Hesitates) I find that a bit too personal but I cannot really complain.

What qualifications do you need for your job?

The field is quite diverse as there are many subjects and specialties involved. I am in the Development Studies field which requires some knowledge and skills in communication, social work, psychology and community development.

Was this your dream career?

Well I have always dreamt of a people centered career that would enable me to share my knowledge with others. So far lecturing has accomplished all that.

Does your job interfere with your social life?

No it hardly interferes with my social life because I always try to balance work and leisure time. I am lucky to have supportive friends and family who understand that.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is meeting people from different walks of life which makes me appreciate every human being in this world and I get to understand that we are all created differently with unique gifts.

What is the worst part of your job?

Honestly, I cannot think of any at the moment. I enjoy every bit of it.

Any advice for people who want to venture in to your line of work?

It is important to get ones priorities right. Following your passion is key and finally it is better to try and fail rather than sit down and keep wishing you tried.

Challenges so far?

When I started out some students were a reluctant to listen as I was in the same age group as some while others where older than me.

With time I have been able to overcome it.

Looking out for comrade Wadi

Several students of Moi University have condemned the manner in which finalist student Alan Wadi was arrested, charged and prosecuted, claiming it is steeped in secrecy, arbitrariness and appeared flawed. The students are said to be planning a peaceful demo at the college to demand clear answers as to why the university is doing little to engage the government on what hate-speech. Other comrades led by their all-powerful Chair Babu Owino also pleaded with president Uhuru to pardon Wadi.

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ACCESS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

FASHIONScoop

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

MELISSA McCARTHY

ADRIA GREINER BELLAMY YOUNG

ANTHONY ANDERSON

RED CARPET

GLAM

VIOLA DAVIS

TOP

MALE ANCHORS

Mark Masai Women say God took his time creating this man. From his smile to his sharp looks, yes, Mark Masai is Kenya’s hottest TV Presenter. He’s got ladies drooling all over him on social media and he is said to have ended many a relationship as ladies try to shape a “Mark Masai” out of their boyfriends!

Mark works with NTV and his Press Pass show is popular.

Hollywood stars hit the red carpet again yesterday for the second time this week for the 41st People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles. As always, the red carpet was filled with the best in the fashion.

Black and white seemed to be the colour of choice for most of the celebrities, with the menswear chic being a favourite with ladies. But it could be assumed that they are saving their elegant gowns for Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards.

Here are some of the looks that got the world talking.

Hussein Mohammed Too bad this eye candy is off the market now; but it is not a crime to still drool over him, is it? Hussein Mohammed’s cuteness, coupled with his good command of English, makes ladies stay glued to the screen in the name of watching news. He is best known as the co-anchor to gorgeous Janet Mbugua on Citizen TV.

GABRIELLE UNION

The hosTs: ANNA FARIs AND ALLIsoN JANNeY

John Allan Namu Talk about a killer body!

This guy not only drives women crazy with his awesome physique but is also blessed with looks and definitely brains. Many hearts were broken when he got married but he still has many female fans who would kill just for a piece of him. Catch Allan with Moha on KTN for the best investigative pieces and Saturday bulletin.

PLAY 11 THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 You’re likely to feel especially friendly and outgoing today, Capricorn. People you meet, particularly through groups, are likely to be strongly attracted to you. Friendships, partnerships, and romantic relationships should continue to grow closer, enhanced by your high level of communication.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 You should be in a warm and romantic mood today, Aquarius. You will want to schedule an intimate evening with your partner, but you probably won’t feel like staying in. You desire an evening out, perhaps to a restaurant, concert, or play. Enjoy your evening.

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 The mutual exploration of spiritual and intellectual ideas could bring you closer to friends and lovers. Fascinating discussions open new horizons to all participants. You may be overcome by the strong feeling of unity. It can only help you grow.

THURSday 08/01/2015

sunny

26

26ºC 47%

FRIday 09/01/2015

More sun than clouds

26 6:33 am 6:45 pm

26ºC 48%

6:34 am 6:45 pm

SATURday

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 feel especially sexy right now. A powerful feeling of love and a need to physically express it could be with you all day. If you’re involved, you want to spend a romantic evening with your lover. If you aren’t, you could channel the energy into creative activities.

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Close relationships could lead to a feeling of spiritual unity today. In fact, Taurus, you might feel as if those who share your interests are actually your family now. If you’re involved, expect to experience warm and passionate feelings toward your partner.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Love, sex, and romance are on your mind today, Gemini, so you will want to spend as much time as possible with your lover. You could also grow closer to your friends, resulting in a powerful feeling of unity. If decisions need to be made along this line, this is the time to make them.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Close relationships should grow closer today, and new relationships become close ones.

Romantic relationships, especially, could grow more intimate and physical. You like the way you feel, Cancer, but want to express it outwardly through gifts or intimacy.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Mutual goals and shared wins and losses are likely to bring you closer. Communication with friends and other acquaintances should be open and honest without being blunt, Leo, providing you with a rewarding day. You probably won’t spend much of your day alone.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 You should feel loving today toward just about anyone you like and respect. Clear communication with friends, lovers, and children could enhance your understanding of them, and vice versa. Current bonds grow more devoted, while new ones become close.

MUSTREAD The Hangman’s Song,

by James Oswald

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Powerful feelings of love well up today, particularly toward family members. Romantic matters could thrive now, as you will be in the mood to physically express your feelings. Old friends form stronger bonds, while you discover common interests with new friends.

A man’s body is found hanging in an empty house and police rule it out as a simple suicide case. A few days later, another body is found.

This time, the body is hanging from an identical rope with the knot used to tie the noose the same as the first victim’s. A third body appears with similar characteristics as the others. Who is killing the people? Agent McLean sets out to find the person behind the murders. As he digs into the mystery, he enters a world where laws are not followed. The truth is always not what it seems.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Messages from close friends expressing their love and admiration for you may seem to arrive out of the blue. Your accomplishments over the past few weeks may have caused them to see you in a new light. Today you will experience the full force of their feelings.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 You’re always one to face things logically, Sagittarius, and today you turn that logic, along with your intuition, toward reassessing some of your values. Your judgment is especially acute, so any decisions you make or any new avenues you want to explore are likely to be just what you need now.

INSTAMOMENTS 1

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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.

Kenya should promote regional harmony It is unfortunate to read of vehicles with Tanzanian plates being barred from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Tanzania vexed

by JKIA ‘lock-out’ of tour vehicles, Wednesday 7,

2015). Such a move is bound to hamper the unity we are trying to cultivate among East African countries.

It does not make sense when Tanzania-bound tourists are barred from

our airport because at the end of the day, they will still go on with their lives and plans. Sometime last year, Tanzania was accused of frustrating Kenyan drivers from crossing the

border. But even if the claim was true, I don’t think it is mature for us to play revenge. We should be the big brother and try to get things in order.

— Joyce Chepngetich, Nairobi

1. Killing one donkey to save another-John Mutunga, Karen 2. Making sure your bike is clean when it rains-Mary, N., Westlands 3. I have had the bike for years, and it has zero miles on it-PK, Nrb.

Sport THURSday, JANUARY 8, 2015

AK orders roll call for foreign athletics agents As doing claims continue to haunt Kenyan runners, Athletics Kenya (AK) president Isaiah Kiplagat has asked all agents to register with the federation.

The move, he said, will close in on athletes and agents engaging in doping.

“All agents will from be required to register athletes with AK and provide blood passports which will be used to monitor blood values frequently,” said Kiplagat.

“Those who will be found to have varying blood values will have questions to answer.”

“Athletes will have to declare their whereabouts to the antidoping team who will visit them frequently for tests,” Kiplagat said.

He said agents who engage in doping will be blacklisted and their athletes banned for four years.

shadowy operators: British athletics agent/manager Ian Ladbrooke (left) was once accused of owing close to half a million US dollars to third world runners, including Kenya’s Catherine Kilel. Italian agent Gianni Demadonna was once runner Nahashon Koech’s manager. Athletics Kenya president Isaiah Kiplagat has asked all agents to register with the federation.

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SPORT THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

NO SPONSOR YET: Gor Mahia FC ie-hard fan Jaro Soja speaks to President Uhuru Kenyatta when the team visited State House last year. The President honoured his Sh2 million pledge to the team on Tuesday but the team is still yet to land a sponsor.

Uhuru honours Sh2m Gor Mahia pledge President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday honoured his pledge to give Kenyan champions Gor Mahia Sh2 million he had promised the team when he met them last year. However one promise of finding the cash-

strapped side a sponsor remains farfetched.

Uhuru had promised to help K’Ogalo find a sponsor during their famous visit following their Kenyan Premier League title triumph in November.

Gor have a huge financial burden as they prepare to face Madagascar champions CNaPS in the CAF Champions League.

With the December and part of November salaries for players yet to be met, financing their

Champions League ambition will be a migraine with an estimated shsh10million budget needed for the continental club showpiece.

“We need at least Sh5 million for each leg of the Champions’ League and after that, our

monthly budget for the team is almost Sh6million. If indeed a sponsor comes on board, then it will be a huge relief. At the moment, we are relying on our own fund raisers,” said Gor deputy secretary Ronald Ngala.

Sakho ruled out of Senegal AFCON squad West Ham striker Diafra Sakho has been ruled out of Senegal’s final Africa Cup of Nations squad due to a back injury.

“Sakho is not on the list of 23 players, his back problem is even preventing him from moving,” Senegal coach Alain Giresse announced.

The 25-year-old had been due to arrive in Dakar on Tuesday for the Senegal medical staff to assess his recurring back problem.

He will be replaced by Moussa Konate, 21, who plays for Sion in Switzerland.

Sakho, who has scored eight Premier League goals this season, suffered the latest recurrence of the back injury when he limped off against West Bromwich Albion after scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw on 1 January. His manager at West Ham, Sam Allardyce, claims the injury Sakho “mistreated so badly”, when he was on international duty with Senegal in November. Giresse is yet to make public his final 23-man list for the Nations Cup. The squad are due to travel to Morocco on Wednesday for their final preparations ahead of the Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea that kicks off on 17 January. While in Morocco the Teranga Lions will play two friendly matches against Gabon on 9 January and then Guinea four days later.

Ngala further adds that there is sponsor on board yet while remaining optimistic a deal will be struck that will see the team boosted financially in the 2015 season.

Korean GP dropped from 2015 F1 calendar

OMITTED: The opening of the 2011 Formula 1 Korea Grand Prix in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do in Korea’s South Jeolla Province. Korea has been dropped from the 2015 calendar.

The Korean Grand Prix has been dropped from the 2015 Formula One calendar, reducing the season to 20 races.

The race was a surprise addition to the schedule last month but the FIA said on Wednesday that it had now been omitted from the final version of the calendar.

A spokesman said Korea had been added at commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone’s request and removed when it became clear it was not viable.

The decision is not a surprise. It had been scheduled as the fifth race of the season on 3 May, just a week before the first European race in Spain, but sources had always insisted its inclusion was a ruse.

It was added as a potential way to allow the engine manufacturers to continue to use five engines this season, rather than the four demanded in the 2015 rules.

This plan was based on a rule that says each driver could have five engines in 2015 if the calendar had more than 20 races “as originally scheduled”.

Top-level sources said the move came after pressure from, particularly, Renault and its works team Red Bull.

Renault struggled with reliability last year and is under pressure to improve its engine to try to catch up with the dominant unit from Mercedes.

SPORT 15 THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 , 2015

Clubs call for probe into rugby board operations Kenya Cup clubs are ready to investigate Kenya Rugby Union board which suffered massive resignations, including that of former chairman Mwangi Muthee last month.

Heading the task force is Nakuru chairman Simpson Osiemo. Osiemo said a fiveman committee has been formed to look into the claims of wrongdoings that led to the resignation of Muthee, directors Godwin Karuga, Maurice Masiga and Kenya Sevens coach Paul Treu.

Osiemo, who is the chairman of Kenya Cup clubs, said they will investigate all allegations and

draw a report in a fortnight.

“We started compiling the report in November and we are determined to get to the bottom of the matter in a bid to restore sanity to the sport,” he said.

He said it would be pointless to call for a Special General Meeting to send the board home based on hearsay.

“We must come up with credible evidence to ensure it will stand the test of time,” he said.

In October, the Kenya Cup clubs asked for a forensic audit of the 2014 Safaricom Sevens and Bamburi Super Series held in May last year.

SMELLY AFFAIRS? Immediate former Kenya Rugby Union chairman Mwangi Muthee (right) and former 7s coach Paul Treu. Kenya Cup clubs are ready to investigate the board after massive resignations of members, including Muthee, last month.

Injury knocks Tsonga out of Australian Open World number 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has pulled out of this month’s Australian Open with an arm injury.

The Frenchman, 29, has struggled with the injury for over a month and missed the defence of his Hopman Cup title this week.

“I am still suffering from a forearm inflammation that prevents me being 100% in a competition,” said Tsonga.

Britain’s James Ward’s improved ranking means he could receive a late call-up to the Australian Open main draw.

The British number two, 27, moved up six places to a career-high 101 in the latest ATP world rankings. At only one ranking point outside the top 100, he is well placed to enter the main draw if players withdraw through injury.

Tsonga reached the final of the 2008 Australian Open, losing to Novak Djokovic and is twice a Wimbledon semifinalist.

He described the setback as a “big disappointment.

I’m going to receive over three weeks all the needed treatments to be able to be back on track in the best conditions.”

Meanwhile, US Open champion Marin Cilic is a doubt for the Australian Open

with a shoulder injury.

The world number nine said: “Considering the full recovery

and opportunity for practice, it is highly questionable if I will be able to play.”

Murray, Watson fall at Hopman Cup doubles Andy Murray and Heather Watson suffered mixed doubles fall as Great Britain lost 2-1 to Poland in the Hopman Cup. Watson, 22, lost the opening rubber 6-3 6-1 to Agnieszka Radwanska. But Murray, 27, levelled the tie with a 6-2 6-4 win over Jerzy Janowicz in Perth.

But the British duo lost the mixed doubles 6-4 6-4 as Group B leaders Poland remained undefeated.

Britain will play Australia on Friday, with only group winners reaching Saturday’s final.

Poland, who are the only team in the group not to lose, will qualify for the final if they beat France on Friday.

The format guarantees all the players at least three singles matches as they prepare for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on 19 January.

Man U to sign ex-Barca keeper

OUT: Jo–Wilfried Tsonga has ruled himself out of the Australian Open due to a forearm strain. The Frenchman has been struggling with the injury since the Davis Cup final against Switzerland at Lille in November.

Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has accepted an offer to join Manchester United.

The Spain international, who has been training with United in his bid to recover from a serious knee injury, has agreed an 18-month contract.

Valdes, 32, won six La Liga and three Champions League titles with Barcelona, before leaving at the end of last season at the expiry of his contract.

The deal could lead to reserve keeper Anders Lindegaard leaving Old Trafford.

It also poses questions on the future of 24-year-old first-choice goalkeeper David De Gea, who was the club’s player of the year last season and has

excelled again this term.

His contract expires in 2016 and United sources have said they are relaxed on his signing of an extension.

Before last season started, Valdes confirmed it would be his final one at Nou Camp, but his campaign ended in March when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. The injury kept him out of the World Cup. United are third in the EPL log, nine points from joint leaders Chelsea and Man City.

De Gea has played in every match for United this season but conceded four in the League Cup defeat at MK Dons in August and five in the Premier League loss to Leicester on September 21.

16

sport

tHUrsDAY, JANUArY 8, 2015

Real subdued at Atlético Fernando Torres made a winning return to Atlético Madrid as his side beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Copa del Rey. The striker did not score on his return to the Vicente Calderon but a senseless foul in the area from Ramos gave Raul Garcia the perfect chance to score from the spot and give his side the first leg advantage.

Jose Gimenez then rose to head a Gabi corner home doubling Atletico’s first-leg lead in this last-16 Copa del Rey match and deal Real Madrid their second defeat in four days.

Ramos, so often worthy of ‘world’s best defender’ tag, had one of his incomprehensible lapses dragging down Raul Garcia in front of referee Carlos Clos on 58 minutes and Raul Garcia scored from the spot.

Torres was quiet and was replaced after 59 minutes as the Spanish champions beat the European champions.

The 30-year-old, who signed on loan from Italian side AC Milan last week, was Atletico’s top scorer for five consecutive seasons before he joined Liverpool in 2007.

More than 45,000 fans had attended the Vicente Calderon on Sunday when Torres was paraded, with 2,000 shirts adorned with his name selling within 24 hours.

But his second debut did not match the hype as he often found himself chasing balls close to the touchline or in an offside position.

Indeed, Atlético’s opening goal - from Garcia’s well-taken penalty after he had been fouled by Sergio Ramos - was their first shot on target and came just one minute before Torres was replaced by Koke.

In a game of few chances, Real’s Sergio Ramos had a header saved in the opening minute and Gareth Bale, who scored the winner for Real in their 2-1 win against Barcelona in the 2014 Copa Del Rey final, had a headed effort disallowed for offside.

Atletico, who last won the competition in 2013, doubled their lead in the 76th minute as Gimenez headed in a corner.

They now play Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday, before the second leg at Real’s Bernabeu on 15 January.

The winners of the tie will face either Barcelona or Elche in the quarter-finals.

HOW ABOUT THAT: Atletico defender Jose Gimenez heads home from a set piece in the second half to take a two goal advantage to the Bernabeu when the two sides clash again in the second leg of the Spanish Copa del Rey.

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