2015012018 xnews

WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015 | www.x254.co

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fresh attempt to change the election date Kilifi North MP gideon Mung’aro says he is preparing a new amendment to move the polls from August 8, 2017 as already set by IEBC to december

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Chelsea official: Players not to blame for mourinho sacking

Kenya’s daniel adongo released by us side indianapolis colt

ICC told to act on Burundi killings

R Burundi.

egional lawyers have now asked International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to launch investigations for potential crimes against humanity being committed in

The lawyers, under their regional bar association, the East Africa Law Society, says Burundi continues to suffer widespread and systematic murders, torture and enforced disappearance of people since President Pierre Nkurunziza was announced winner of a disputed presidential election in July.

In a letter to Bensouda, the lawyers complain that despite the government of Burundi imposing a ban on the media, the association has continued to receive gruesome pictures of bodies of people killed and dumped on the streets of the capital city Bujumbura.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

new cabinet secretaries sworn in

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Incoming Health cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu takes oath of office during their swearing in at State House, Nairobi today. RIGHT: President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulates Public Service and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kanini Kariuki after being sworn. All the new CSs and Principal Secretaries will converge at the Kenya School of Government on Monday for induction.

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

Kenyans upbeat as new team takes over at EACC

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption commissioners are now set to take over office with high expectation of action from the public as cases of corruption continue to swirl up in the country.

The Commission which will now be chaired by Philip Kinusu following Parliament’s approval yesterday has its work cut out in fighting corruption. Kinusu will replace Mumo Matemu who resigned on May 12 this year.

The chairman alongside other commissioners cleared yesterday include Dabar Abdi Maalim, Paul Mwaniki Gachoka, Sophia Lepuchirit and Rose Mghoi Mtambo Macharia as commissioners to the anti-graft body.

Kinusu will be taking over a job that many people describe as one of the most challenging and has seen several former chairs including Justice (Rtd.) Aaron Ringera and Prof. PLO Lumumba kicked out under controversial circumstances.

During his vetting by the Justice and legal Affairs committee, Kinisu said he will not fall like the previous office holders since there is political goodwill at this time to eliminate the vice.

“I think for now unlike the past everyone is concerned about corruption, there is also political goodwill to fight the vice,” Kinisu said.

The 60-year-old former African chairman of the audit firm Pricewatercoopers said it’s not

Incoming Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Philip Kinisu when he appeared before MPs for vetting.

Kenyans are hoping the new team will be able to fight graft in the country.

the lack of laws that hampers the fight against corruption but lack of implementation.

“Within 100 days in office, I will find out who is not doing his work and why the laws in place cannot be implemented,” Kinisu said.

The commissioners are taking office when majority of Kenyans have lost confidence in the Anti-graft body.

A recent opinion poll conducted by

Infotrak indicated that Kenyans are least satisfied with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission at 48 per cent.

The low approval rating of the commission was due the inaction of the body in the fight against the seemingly heightened corruption.

Already, Members of Parliament have also hinted that they might send home the Secretariat headed

by Chief Executive Officer Halakhe

Waqo accusing it of not performing.

On Wednesday, National Assembly Aden Duale yesterday led MPs in castigating the EACC saying it has failed in its mandate and it’s the biggest obstacle in the fight against corruption.

“The commission has not lived up to its expectation and should be summoned by this House to explain reasons for its failure,” Duale said.

MP in fresh bid to change the election date Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro has renewed the calls to change the election date from August to December.

Mung’aro has sponsored another Bill to change the election date to December arguing that the current date of August set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will disrupt the schools calendar.

Similar attempts by Ugenya MP David Ochieng’ in August flopped in the floor of the House after it fell short to get the requisite 233 votes.

Ochieng’ then argued that the August date is too crowded with activities for Kenyans to effectively exercise their democratic right. He cited the school calendar and the high tourist season during the period.

The same argument has now been fronted gain by Mung’aro, saying holding the elections in August as envisaged in the Constitution will disrupt the education calendar and would also exclude many people from exercising their constitutional right to vote.

Speaking yesterday at Gretsa

Kilifi North MP during the graduation ceremony at Gretsa University where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in business administration yesterday.

University in Thika during a graduation ceremony, Mung’aro said it will be unfair to subject Kenyans to injustice by having the elections in August because it will lock out several people who vote from their rural areas but live in towns.

“Many people live in Nairobi but

prefer to travel to their rural areas to vote and this is usually very practical during the December holidays and that in case of a runoff, it will only get worse,” said Mung’aro.

He said that August date will disadvantage the learners in case of a presidential run-off.

“Parliament had once tried to change the election dates but the Bill was lost.

It is now time to re-introduce it after the elapse of the six month window period to cushion our children from untold education suffering,” he said.

Munga’ros renewed bid to change the election date comes just a week after IEBC set Tuesday August 8, 2017 as the date for the next General Election.

In addition, the commission in an ambitious plan has set a target of 22.4 million registered voters which will be 8 million more than the number registered for the 2013 General Election.

The MP said that Coast leaders will continue working with the government but revealed that they will not back any political party until they are sure which party had best interest of their people at heart.

“We as the coastal leaders will not announce whether we will join Jubilee Party or go to ODM party but will continue working with the Government on development matters,” he added.

Lawyers ask court to intervene in Burundi From Page 1 “It is upon this platform, and in accordance with Articles 15 and 54 of the Rome Statute which empowers the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to conduct investigations propio motu on the basis of information on possible crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court, that we call on the office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to commence investigations into possible commission of crimes against humanity by the government of the Republic of Burundi against its citizens,” reads the letter.

The lawyers have accused the Burundi Government of executing its citizens while quoting information from both national and international organisations operating in Burundi.

“Madam Prosecutor, considering that the International Criminal Court has committed to ensuring that the most serious crimes of international concern should not go unpunished; and that the perpetrators of these crimes should be held accountable through a combination of national and international mechanisms,” they pointed out.

“It is the hope of the East Africa Law Society that your office shall immediately initiate investigations into the ongoing potential crimes against humanity being committed in the Republic of Burundi, and ensures that those complicit or culpable are held to account.”

The volatile situation in the country has led to thousands of refugees fleeing Burundi to the neighbouring countries of Rwanda and Tanzania.

On Thursday, Washington’s envoy to the United Nations complained that the international body was not doing enough to address the worsening crisis in Burundi. Ambassador Samantha Power said there was “insufficient contingency planning” on Burundi, nearly five weeks after the Security Council adopted a resolution calling for such measures.

“Many council members are eager to see the pace of contingency planning accelerated,” Power told reporters. UN officials have said they are drawing up plans including possibly rushing peacekeepers to Burundi from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo if the violence gets worse.The African Union, still on Wednesday said violence in Burundi must end, warning it would not allow genocide to take place.

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NEWS 3 WEEKEND EDITION DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

Shollei faces more charges Former Judiciary Chief Registrar Gladys Shollei will face new prosecution after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ruled that she be charged forabuse of office and failure to comply with procurement laws.

“Upon careful and independent analysis of the evidence in the inquiry file, the DPP is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to support the recommended charges against all suspects,” said Tobiko.

The inquiry relates to allegations that the Judiciary had made an irregular payment of

Sh46 million to Ms.Timsales to build Mavoko Law Court for work not done.

The former Chief Registrar already has another case in court regarding procurement of a house for the Chief Justice. Last month, the Anti-graft agecy recommended to the DPP that Shollei be charged with abuse of office.

Shollei also faces allegations into irregular procurement in the acquisition of Elgon Place office apartments for the Judiciary and the Mavoko Law Courts.

She was dismissed as Chief Registrar in Former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Gldys Boss Shollei. The Director of Public Prosecutions has riled that sge be charged for abuse of office.

TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION

October 2013 after a myriad of allegations which she has since challenged in court.

She will be charged alongside seven other former employees namely Kakai Kissinger (Deputy Chief Reistrar), Martin Otieno (former director of supply chain management), Benedict Obonyo (former director of finance),Wyckliffe Wanga(Accounts controller), Nicholas Mubea (Transport officer), Nicholas Okwema (former legal counsel officer) and Thomas Oloo ( former director of ICT).

“Upon careful and independent analysis of the evidence in the inquiry file, the DPP is satisfied there is sufficient evidence to support the recommended charges against all the suspects,” said a statement sent to newsrooms.

However, former acting Director of Immigration Jane Waikenda and former National Social Security Fund managing trustees Richard Lang’at, are off the hook after the DPP ruled that there was no evidence to warrant their prosecution.

Tobiko said there was no evidence of criminal culpability to warrant a criminal prosecution against any member of the board of trustees or management of the NSSF. “In the premises, the DPP agreed with the EACC that there was no evidence of criminal culpability on the part of the members of the board of trustees to warrant criminal prosecution or administrative action,” he said.

Expedite bill on two-thirds rule Commission on Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) Chairman Charles Nyachae has urged the legislature to expedite the process of implementing the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill, 2015 seeking to entrench the twothirds gender rule.

The Commission said both Houses of Parliament should pass the amendment Bill in order to avoid a constitutional crisis after 2017 General Election in case one gender exceeds the gender limit.

Addressing the media yesterday, the Nyachae-led commission said it is the only way to make sure that the bicameral system of Parliament conforms to the gender principle set out in the new Constitution.

“CIC would like to call the attention of the Speakers and members of both the National Assembly and the Senate on the need to quickly process and pass this law,” he said.

However, he wondered why the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill, 2015 which was tabled in Parliament by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, was taking too ‘long’ to go into the second reading.

“The First Reading of the Bill was done on July 30; we wonder why it’s taking long,” he said.

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PUBLIC NOTICE We wish to notify all our esteemed clients and members of the public that our Headquarters offices, at TSC House along Kilimanjaro road, Upperhill Nairobi, will remain closed on Friday 18th December 2015. Normal services will resume on Monday 21st December 2015. We regret any inconveniences caused.

NANCY N. MACHARIA, OGW SECRETARY/CHIEF EXECUTIVE

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION DECEMBER 18-20 , 2015

Help us fight corruption, TA tells media Transitional Authority (TA) chairperson Kinuthia Mbugua has called on the media to create vibrant awareness and sensitisation programmes on corruption laws to help the public ‘tame’ rogue county leaders.

Kinuthia decried rampant cases as a result of the electorate’s failure to hold their leaders accountable to their actions and deeds.

Speaking today in Nairobi, Kinuthia said corruption poses a major threat to devolution, saying it had been decentralised from the National to the county governments.

“We’ve devolved corruption.

It’s an acquired skill by county leaders. The counties learn from the best,” he said. Kinuthia said wananchi should be sensitised on laws related to graft to enable them hold their county leaders accountable. He said people seemed helpless to report graft in the counties since they are not well equipped on corruption matters. It’s not that wananchi at the counties do not know that there is a massive looting of their funds by county bosses and their allies. They simply do not know where to report and actions be taken,” he added.

Sackings loom at City Hall as Kidero seeks EACC reports Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has requested for an update of the various cases facing county staff from the Ethics and AntiCorruption Commission (EACC).

In a letter to EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo, the Nairobi Governor said the report will enable him take action on all culpable officials.

He said some of the cases are more than 10 years old and range from extortion, bribe taking, soliciting and impersonation. “Forwarded please find a list of malpractices cases received from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. The purpose of this letter is to request for the status report on the same to enable the county take appropriate action,” he stated. The letter follow reports that some of the county officials are still enjoying their benefits despite the cases pending in court. One of the cases goes back to 2010 and involved a licensing officer who solicited a bribe of Sh2,000 from anti-corruption officials to license an imaginary bar in Umoja.

“They met him and after negotiations, he agreed to facilitate

TOUGH ACTION: Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has said he will act on the EACC report in which a number of county workers are implicated in graft cases.

the processing of the license for a bribe of sh2, 000. He was given Sh8,200 so as to process the license and a bribe of Sh2,000 was to be handed over after delivery,” a statement from the EACC pointed out. In another instance, a county official arrested an undercover agent for allegedly smoking outside the smoking zone at Uhuru Park and

demanded a bribe after which he was released. “He locked him up in a cell behind the dias and demanded for a bribe of Sh2,000 so as to release him. He, however, reduced the amount to sh400 which he received and thereafter he was arrested,” the statement explained. Another case was cited in which an official arrested a member of the public

and frog marched him to an ATM machine where he withdrew money and paid him to procure his release.

Two ward officers were also arrested in October this year while pretending to More on this story at be car park attendants and soliciting bribes from members of the public. www.capitalfm.co.ke

We’ll pay tax if recorgnised, City commercial sex workers tell government City commercial sex workers have pledged to pay taxes on condition that the government shield them from rampant harassment.

Speaking yesterday at Uhuru Park when the marked the End Violence against Sex workers International

Day, Nairobi sex workers said they are ready to pay taxes if recognised under the law.

“The law should accept us the same way it does with other professions.

We just need security and we will willingly contribute to the country’s

economy,” they said.

The sex workers said they are law abiding citizens, who have committed no crime to warrant harassment.

Apart from the traditional night duties, the commercial sex workers

also want the government to allow them operate during the day.

They also the government to abolish some sections of the law which they claim are stringent to their business and decriminalise the business.

Observing that violence against sex

workers is on the rise in the country, the sex workers urged the National and the county government to ensure they operate in a secure environment.

Top stories from X News global partners Secret US mission in Obama Case Against Scores die in Burundi Cameron rebuffed on Libya revealed after air Ground War; Too Many as political protests turn EU migrant benefits: Cameron was left searching for force posted pictures: A US Deaths: President Obama, violent: The sound of gunfire after David a face-saving plan B in his attempt to

secret US commando mission to Libya has been revealed after photographs of a special forces unit were posted on the Facebook page of the country’s air force.

Libya’s air force said 20 US soldiers arrived at Libya’s Wattiya airbase on Monday, but left soon after local commanders asked them to go because they had no permission to be at the base. It was unclear if another branch of the Libyan military had authorized the mission. Pentagon sources confirmed to US media that the special forces unit was part of a mission sent this week, but it was unclear if the soldiers had left the country. www.theguardian.com

seeking to counter pressure for a military escalation in response to terror attacks, told a group of news columnists this week that sending significant ground forces to the Middle East could conceivably result in the deaths of 100 soldiers every month.

In a private session at the White House, Obama said his refusal to redeploy large numbers of troops to the region was rooted in the grim assumption that the casualties and costs would rival the worst of the Iraq war. In such a scenario, he said, a renewed commitment could take up to $10 billion a month and leave as many as 500 troops wounded and others killed. www.nytimes.com

dark has become common in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, but the night of Friday 12th December was particularly bloody. By the next morning, as many as 87 people were dead. According to the army, gunmen launched co-ordinated attacks on three military bases and the assailants were killed in a counterattack.

Yet many of the dead seemed to have been killed not in firefights but at point blank range in the street. The government is apparently resorting to brute violence to suppress its opponents, who in turn are turning to arms. At what point do protests become a civil war?. www.economist.com

restrict immigration to the UK, after EU leaders rejected his plan to reform Britain’s relationship with the rest of Europe. Cameron’s plan to ban migrants from claiming British benefits for four years was opposed during talks at a summit in Brussels on Thursday, with French President François Hollande leading the resistance. He however emerged from the over four hours talks on the “British problem” to insist that he saw “a pathway to an agreement”.

EU leaders will try to strike a deal with Mr Cameron at a follow-up summit in February. www.ft.com

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WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

Africa won’t allow Burundi genocide The African Union, discussing the situation in Burundi, says Africa will “not allow another genocide to take place on its soil”.

The UN said it would send a factfinding mission to Burundi amid fears that violence could spiral into civil war and possible ethnic conflict.

Last Friday, 87 people were killed in clashes in the capital, Bujumbura.

Unrest began in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office.

He survived a coup attempt in May, and secured a third term in disputed elections in July.

AU Peace and Security Commissioner Smail Chergui has tweeted that the “clear” message coming from the AU is that the “killings in Burundi must stop immediately”.

The government has said there is no threat of genocide.

The AU’s peace and security council has been discussing sending an AU force to Burundi.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said that “Burundi is at bursting point, on the very cusp of a civil war”

Youths throw stones at police officers during a violent confrontation in Bujumbura, Burundi in June. The African Union has warned of a possible genocide in the Eastern African country saying it will not allow it to happen.

which could have “ethnic overtones” similar to past conflicts in Burundi.

At least 400 people have been killed, nearly 3,500 arrested and at least 220,000 people have fled the country since April, Mr al-Hussein said.

At a special session convened at the

US’ request to discuss the conflict, the UN Human Rights Council resolved to despatch independent investigators to Burundi to probe abuses.

An AU fact-finding mission returned from Burundi on Sunday

and in its preliminary findings said “members of the team heard reports of arbitrary killings, torture and the arbitrary... closure of some civil society organisations and the media”.

Ethnic conflict between Hutus and Tutsis in the 1990s claimed an

estimated 300,000 lives.

Mr Nkurunziza is the former leader of a Hutu rebel group, who has been in power since a 2005 peace deal.

Both the government and the opposition are ethnically mixed.

Analysts contend that although international diplomats have warned about a possible return of genocide in Burundi, this dispute has not split the country along ethnic lines.

Neither the government, nor the opposition have used ethnicity in their public statements, although each accuses the other of doing so.

Under the 2005 peace deal which brought former Hutu rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza to power, his fighters were integrated with the then Tutsi-dominated army and government.

This remains the case today, with Tutsis occupying senior government and military positions and remaining loyal to their former enemy.

Those opposed to Mr Nkurunziza are also ethnically mixed.

For example, Gen Godfroid Niyombare, the leader of May’s failed coup is a Hutu.

Beijing issues second smog red alert in a month Beijing has issued a second pollution red alert, little more than a week after the first ever such warning.

The Chinese capital will see hazardous smog from Saturday until Tuesday, the Beijing Meteorological Service said.

Nationwide, a vast area from Xian in central China to Harbin in the north-east would also be affected, the National Meteorological Centre said.

The alert triggers restrictions on vehicle use, factories and construction work.

The government has promised to take action to address often dangerous levels of pollution.

Meteorological authorities have said that the regional smog is likely to be worse than the last red alert earlier this month, with the PM2.5 pollution level to exceed 500 micrograms per cubic metre.

The smog which hit Beijing on 8 December

Above: Beijing when it is polluted. Below: When the smog cleared on December 4, 2015

had peaked just below 300. Residents are encouraged to stay indoors if levels exceed that level.

The World Health Organization recommends 25 micrograms per cubic metre as the maximum safe level.

Authorities released a map showing that heavy smog would blanket a swathe of the country spanning nearly 2,000km (1,200 miles), encompassing at least 12 major cities, with Beijing and nearby city Shijiazhuang heaviest hit.

The other cities would experience medium or lesser levels of smog.

The news was greeted with exasperation and worry among Chinese citizens online. “Here we go again!” said Weibo user JingjingchuchuV. “I really don’t know what the government is doing? It can predict the smog but not take the appropriate measures beforehand, rather it’s letting the smog harm citizens,” said Beijingpuer.

The current four-level alert system was instituted about two years years ago, although the red alert had never been issued until this month.

Coal-powered industries and heating systems - in heavy use during the cold Beijing winter - are major contributors to the smog, which is made worse by weather conditions and the city’s geography.

Beijing is bordered to the south and east by industrial areas that generate pollution, and to the north and west by mountains that trap it over the city.

China still depends on coal for more than 60% of its power, despite big investments in renewable energy sources.

Earlier this month China was part of the landmark Paris climate change agreement, that set a course for China, and the world, to move away from fossil fuels in the long term.

Festive Greetings

During the Holi day Season more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible.

And in this spir it we sincerely say Thank You an d Best Wishes for the Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.

The X News Team

WEEKEnD EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

WTO welcomes efforts to implement Trade Facilitation Agreement

World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevêdo has welcomed pledges made by governments and private sector entities to help developing and leastdeveloped countries implement the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), an initiative aimed at easing the flow of goods and services across various regions.

“There is significant support and funding available from a range of partners to help with trade facilitation measures, and specifically with the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement,” the Director-General said.

“This is very positive, and we must keep this momentum … the more extensive and faster

the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the greater the benefits will be,” he added in a statement on December 17.

DG Azevêdo was speaking at an event on trade facilitation which included the launch of the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, a new public-private platform that seeks to use private sector expertise and resources to support trade facilitation reforms. The event took place on the sidelines of the WTO’s 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi.

Adopted at the WTO’s 2013 Ministerial Conference in Bali, the TFA contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including

goods in transit. It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues.

The TFA will enter into force once two-thirds of the WTO’s membership has accepted the Agreement. To date, 63 WTO members have approved the TFA, with six new nations joining the rest in the past few days and others expected shortly.

The benefits of the TFA were highlighted at the event, with several speakers offering concrete examples of how trade facilitation is being implemented and how it has helped companies and national economies.

CBK EXCHANGE RATES MEAN BUY SELL 1 US DOLLAR 102.3157 102.2167 102.4147 1 UK POUND 152.92994 154.7722 153.0900 1 EURO 110.9992 110.4439 112.6911 1 S.A RAND 6.8100 6.8012 6.8189 1 KSH/USH 33.2794 33.5394 34.1434 1 KSH/TSH 21.1112 21.0419 21.1805

Delegates attending the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Meeting at Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

Elizabeth Kimani, General Manager of Nairobi-based Masai Flowers, cited the importance of quick customs clearance for her business.

DG Azevêdo noted the unique architecture of the TFA, which provides developing and leastdeveloped countries with the flexibility to tailor their commitments and implementation

schedules according to their specific needs and commensurate with their level of development.

In July 2014, the WTO announced the launch of the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF), which will assist developing and least-developed countries in implementing the TFA.

Grant to fund sanitation, informal settlement projects Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation and the Kenya Informal settlement Improvement projects are set to benefit following the signing of a grant agreement between the National Treasury and the French Development Agency.

The Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation project will receive Sh550 million in the grant agreement while the Informal settlement project will get Sh3.9 billion in credit.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich welcomed the grant,

saying the support would contribute enormously in the development of the country.

“Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project is part of a bigger regional project around Lake Victoria involving Tanzania and Uganda,’’ Rotich said.

The French Development Agency is the lead donor in the implementation of the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project alongside European Investment Bank (EIB), EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust

Fund and the government.

EIB will render 35 million euros while the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund will donate 5 million Euros whereas the government of Kenya will provide 10 million Euros.

The project will also provide sanitation and waste management services through rehabilitation and extension of sewage networks.

The initiative is pro-poor and will target the poor population where access to improved water and sanitation services is currently very

Facebook enters transport business deal with Uber Facebook, the social media giant, has agreed to work with Uber to allow users hail Uber cabs directly from the Messenger app.

The new service will allow Messenger users to ask for an Uber vehicle without leaving the Facebook software as users will not need to download another Uber app separately.

The ‘Uber on Messenger’ began its operationsthis week in parts of the United States, the two firms confirms.

If successful, the partnership between the firms will give Uber access to many new and potential clients since Facebook Messenger app has over 700 million users globally. ‘’With the ability to request, view and pay for an Uber ride in Messenger, taking your next ride is as simple as sending a message,’’ Uber said on its new blog.

However Facebook explained that “you can request a ride from a car service without ever needing to download an extraapp or leave a

conversation.’’

However, the social media giant said the new transportation function on its Messenger app was part of its ongoing development.

“Driver status updates and payment receipts will get delivered to a private conversation between you and Uber,” the firm explained.

Both Uber and Facebook said they will offer users their first ride free of charge for a trip worthy up to Sh2000 ($ 20) but Facebook said the offer would be in place for a limited time.

Facebook has some 1.5 billion users globally and Uber is the world’s biggest driver-hailing app in terms of financing.

The San Francisco-based Uber was founded six year below the line and it has operations in about 60 countries though it has faced opposition in some parts of the world.

More countries and other transportation partners will be available soon.

low.

The French Development Agency will also co-finance the settlement project alongside the World Bank, the Swedish International Development Agency and the government.

According to Rotich, the settlement initiative intends to improve livelihoods of at least 2.5million people living and working in informal sectors in Kenya.

“This project will involve improvement of roads, drainage

and footpaths, water and sanitation, infrastructure and installation of floodlights,” said Rotich.

The informal settlement project and the Lake Vitoria projects will be implemented respectively over three and five years respectively.

The agreements were signed by the Treasury Cabinet Secretary and the AFD Regional Director Yves Boudot with French Ambassador Remi Marechaux co-signing both agreements.

Annual Kimalele goat auction targets Sh24 million income

The government-sanctioned annual goat auction aims to make Sh24 million this year.

Organised annually by Baringo County Government, the goat auction is supported

by KCB Foundation with the aim of providing markets to farmers, thus eliminating middlemen who buy farm produce at low prices.

Baringo County is one of the beneficiaries of KCB Foundation’s Mifugo ni Mali programme, which seeks to boost the livestock sector and eradicate extreme poverty in ASAL counties by encouraging commercialisation of the sector.

Last year, the auction raised Sh18.7 million in less than 10 minutes. The event was presided over by Deputy President William Ruto.

Buyers comprising politicians, farmers and businessmen, bought over 1,500 goats from

Baringo County’s herders and breeders.

Former President Daniel Moi began the goat auction in 1986 while he was still in office.

The annual affair was later suspended for a decade after he retired in 2002.

Nonetheless, President Uhuru Kenyatta relaunched the event in 2013.

Ruto will tomorrow attend the annual Kimalel Goat Auction- in Baringo County at 9:30am.

Chai Sacco youth financial campaign to help groups

Chai Sacco in partnership with Nairobi City County is currently running a corporate social investment (CSI) campaign that will see 200 Nairobi-based youth groups get financial and management training in a bid to grow youth run business and inculcate a saving culture among their peers.

With more than 4,000 youth groups in Nairobi alone, Chai Sacco and the Nairobi County Government hopes this move will encourage and empower youths to efficiently utilise funding directed to the youth.

The investment group, a leading player in the Sacco movement, began the initiative earlier this year. Chai Sacco had announced in July that it will embark on a youth empowerment campaign in Nairobi county, targeting 200 youth groups that require financial and management training.

The campaign, which is being held in various part of Nairobi is being coordinated

by Chai Sacco and various financial experts who will be seeking to empower Nairobibased youth groups businesses in financial and management training, saving and offer financial advise services among other services.

“The future growth of the Kenyan economy will require a well-educated and financially informed populous,” Chai Sacco Chairman, Boniface Ayub explained in an earlier announcement.

“As such, we need to empower such youth groups and social clusters so that they can contribute to the social- economic development of Kenya and help attain

maximum potential,” he added.

Ayub also noted that Chai Sacco is committed to investing heavily in the in well-structured youth groups with serious investment potential.

He stated that the Sacco is setting aside money that will be extended to these groups in the form of affordable loans. The Chairman hopes that the youth groups will embrace the campaign as an avenue of gaining exposure on setting financial goals, managing and growing a business.

These developments come at a time when a majority of businesses in Kenya, and the larger continent tend to fail within the first 5 years of operation. This has been largely accredited to poor financial planning arising from inexperienced and would-be entrepreneurs.

“At the end of the campaign, we hope to inculcate basic financial and business management skills that will see more youthrun business succeed and tap into some of the opportunities provided by the government,” Mr Ayub said.

Young East Africans with US-based screenwriter Dwayne Johnson-Cochran during a previous seminar.

at KNH, OLX PR and Communications Manager Pauline Masese said all women discharged from hospital after giving birth would be given at least three tumblers each to store expressed milk. This will help encourage women to breastfeed longer even when they return to work.

“At OLX, our mission is to create a win-win situation to our buyers, sellers, environment and community. We are glad to be supporting Kenyatta National Hospital as part of our community and purchasing hospital needs like refrigerators and Tea Urns on OLX is a great way of empowering the community around us to win with OLX”, said Masese.

Speaking during the donations at KNH, Assistant Director of Reproductive Health, Dr Innocent Maranga emphasized on the

need to support exclusive breastfeeding for healthy babies.

The merchandise was purchased from OLX and selected by the hospital as per their need specifications. These developments come at a time when reproductive health has taken an integral part on the government’s development agenda.

Reforms such as the Adolescent Reproductive Health and Development (ARHD) policy have helped secure sustainable solutions in the way of maternity care. The policy focuses on improving the reproductive health and well-being of adolescents and youth. Ten years since the policy was developed, Kenya has experienced much advancement and change in the social, economic, and political environment for ARHD.

Women Enterprise Fund feted for use of ICT

Women Enterprise Fund has today rolled out laptops to volunteers in 290 constituencies.

The laptops will be used for online loan processing and ensure enhanced service delivery as the fund plays its role in women empowerment. This comes just days after the fund was feted by the Information Communication Technology Association of Kenya (ICTAK) for excellence in use of ICT under the State corporation category.

WFT, a semi-autonomous government agency in the

BIZ BRIEFS Kenya yet to sign ITA to scrap taxes on ICT imports Kenya is yet to sign the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement that is aimed at removing taxes on Information Communication Technology (ICT) products like TV decoders and computers to promote economic growth and jobs creation.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet secretary Amina Mohamed on Thursday said the State is still monitoring the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), which gives 201 goods duty-free access to markets of the WTO members from July next year.

“This is a plurilateral agreement, between a smaller number of countries as opposed to multilateral, and we will be looking at it closely in the coming months,” said Mohamed.

KenGen to add 500MW to national electricity grid

OLX, KNH pact to upgrade medical facilities OLX, a leading online classifieds company has partnered with the Kenyatta National Hospital to bolster the institution’s medical facilities. The online retailer has donated merchandise worth Sh500, 000 to the Kenyatta Hospital Labour Ward as a way of supporting reproductive health and promoting exclusive breastfeeding.

After establishing the needs of women in labour ward at KNH, OLX resolved to donate10,000 units (300ml) of breast milk storage bottles in support of exclusive breastfeeding under the World Health Organisation’s (WTO) guide.

OLX has also donated Tea Urns for serving hot tea to mothers in labour ward as well as a refrigerator for storing drugs.

Speaking during the donation ceremony

BUSINESS 7

WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

Ministry of Devolution and Planning was established in 2007 to play a critical role in promoting the realisation of Sustainable Development Goals on poverty reduction, gender equality and women empowerment. The fund is a Vision 2030 flagship project under the social pillar that seeks to make fundamental changes in opportunities, empowerment, capabilities and vulnerabilities.

In its quest to provide subsidised credit for enterprise development, Sh7.083 billion has been disbursed to 1,128,821

beneficiaries countrywide against exchequer receipts of Sh3 billion while the repayment rate stands at 90 per cent, an illustration that the revolving funds concept works well. Capacity building of women is key to the fund with beneficiaries getting training on entrepreneurship, business and financial management as a prerequisite to loan approval. To date, 699,415 women have undergone training.

In the local and international front, the fund has supported and facilitated marketing of

goods and services produced by women entrepreneurs through the formation of business clubs, certification of their products through partnership with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and through online marketing of goods produced by women. The fund has equally facilitated access to 30 per cent preference and preferential public procurement where 127 women, youth and Persons with Disability have been awarded tenders for provision of goods and services worth Sh22 million.

The Kenya Electricity Generating Co (KenGen) has announced plans to add nearly 500 megawatts (MW) to the national grid by 2017 at a cost of Sh160 billion.

Some of the cash will be raised in a planned rights issue, the company said.

Plans are currently underway to raise the country’s installed capacity to about 6,700 MW by 2017 from about 2,500 MW. Increased production also seeks to cut the cost of electricity for businesses and consumers alike while reducing the frequency of blackouts brought about by power rationing incentives.

The company is also planning to put up a 100 megawatts wind farm in Meru at a cost of Sh13.4 billion to be funded by the French Development Agency (AFD. It will also add 10 megawatts to the Ngong Wind farm at a cost of Sh1.9) from the government of Belgium.

Belgium has financed the Ngong wind project to a tune of Sh2.5 billion to produce 12 megawatts of wind power.

Developer creates app, threatens Facebook Serial developer Juraj Ivan has created a Chrome extension that gets rid of any unwanted Facebook posts in a move that is likely to deal a major blow to the social network’s business model.

The app creates a digital ‘filter’ that only shows posts by a Facebook user’s friends and updates from pages they follow, blocking out some of Facebook’s sponsored-content and unwanted advertorials.

The Slovakian developer said it took him just 24 hours to create the extension, thenextweb.com reports.

The etension has just gone live on Product Hunt, an online platform that highlights the latest mobile apps, websites, hardware projects, and tech creations.

According to The Next Web, Ivan has offered to develop one for Safari if enough people show interest.

8

BUSINESS

Ministry cuts cost of charter flights to bring sector to life

WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

Dadaab and Kakuma camps good for our economy: World Bank report The Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps inject Sh1.4 billion into the Kenya economy every year a new World Bank Group study report indicates.

The bank attributes the economic benefits to trade and employment opportunities around the camps’ ecosystem.

“Businesses inside and within the camps, contractors on refugeerelated supply and employment opportunities are the main contributors to the Kenyan economy,” read part of the report.

The report further indicates that host communities, who are mainly pastoralists, realise an estimated Sh300 million in annual income from sale of livestock and milk.

The camps hosts hundreds of shopping centres, taxi and matatu services and lodges that have turned them into economic zones that boost both local and the wider economy.

For instance, hiring a taxi between the several camps constituting Dadaab costs between Sh1, 000 and Sh3, 500. The taxis are mostly used by employees of agencies and foreigners visiting the camp.

The camps have also been a key driver of the growing heavy transport sector, employing thousands transporting relief supplies.

The Ministry of Tourism has reduced the cost of charter flights as part of its Sh1.2 billion Charter Incentive Programme aimed at reducing travel costs to recover lost business from tourist charter

companies.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said the incentives will boost the tourism and help restore Kenya’s tourism crown.

According to the CS, fees at

Mombasa and Malindi Airports for charter airlines has been waived offering a Sh3,000 per person charter flight subsidy for all charter flights landing at the coast with a minimum 80 per cent manifest.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala with his Foreign Affairs counterpart Amina Mohamed.

The reductions are slotted to kick off in January 2016 lasting for 18 months to June 2018 and if successful, will not only boost but also stimulate charter airlines to fly to the Kenyan coast.

“My intention is to lead from the front in declaring war on visitor costs. The government and industry stakeholders must work hand in hand to reduce visitor costs and attract tourists back to the Kenyan coast with a value for money product,” he said.

According to Balala, the industry depends heavily on security, infrastructure and value products.

“Whether Kenyan or from anywhere in the world, our holiday-makers want to be able to relax, they want a pleasant journey experience and they want products that suit every pocket,” he said.

He also revealed plans to unveil a tourism strategy that will further boost the sector.

“Early in the New Year, I will publish the Task Force Report on Tourism Recovery and unveil our tourism strategy that would boost the industry,’’ he said.

Balala said the world has shown great confidence in Kenya with an array of global statesmen visiting the nation.

“I know that the cumulative effect of Obama, the Pope and WTO MC10 will trickle through to the tourism industry with some proactive efforts,” he said.

Pharma boss who Ministers approve Afghanistan’s hiked price of Aids WTO membership at WTO meeting drug arrested

Pharmaceutical boss Martin Shkreli, who sparked outrage after hiking up the price of a medicine used by Aids patients, has been accused of fraud.

Shkreli has strongly denied the charges. He is accused of fraud relating to Retrophin, a drug company he previously headed and MSMB Capital Management, a hedge fund, where he was a fund manager, the BBC reports.

He is currently chief executive of Turing Pharmaceuticals. Mr Shkreli was arrested by the FBI and was later bailed on payment of a $5 million (Sh511 million) bond package.

A spokesman for Mr Shkreli said he expected to be “fully vindicated”. Mr Shkreli was accused of running a “Ponzi scheme” where Retrophin assets were illegally used to pay off debts after MSMB lost millions

of dollars.

At a news conference on Thursday, US Attorney Robert Capers, said: “Shkreli engaged in multiple schemes to ensnare investors through a web of lies and deceit.”

FBI prosecutors allege Mr Shkreli cheated the company’s investors out of $11m (Sh1.1 billion). The US Securities and Exchange Commission also charged him with defrauding investors in his hedge fund to hide poor investment choices.

In September, Shkreli faced a backlash from advocacy groups and the public at large after hiking up the price of popular medicine Daraprim by 5,000 per cent - from $13.50 to $750 (Sh1,400 to Sh77,000), prompting unfavourable reaction on social media.

The drug treats toxoplasmosis, a parasitic affliction.

Ministers have approved Afghanistan’s WTO membership terms at a special ceremony held at the MC1O in Nairobi.

Afghanistan’s First Deputy Chief Executive Mohammad Khan Rahmani (pictured) applauded the move, saying the ceremony marks a historic day for Afghanistan and other significant steps in the country’s journey towards economic and political reforms. Trade ministers unanimously welcomed Afghanistan’s ETO membership deal that was approved at a ceremony attended by Director-General Robert Azevedo and Mr Mohammed Khan of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Officially signed by DG Azevedo, Afghanistan will have until June 30 2016, to ratify the deal and would become a full-fledged WTO member 30 days after it notifies the acceptance of its protocolof Accession to the WTO Director General.

This makes Afghanistan 9th leastdeveloped country to join WTO since the organization was established in 1995.

In his address to ministers, DG Azevedo paid special tribute to the government of Afghanistan for “this historic achievement and for having undertaken an extensive programme of domestic reforms to accelerate economic growth despite very challenging circumstances”.

“Afghanistan’s WTO accession is a clear indication for the world to see that the country is building a business-friendly environment. I am optimistic that WTO membership

will contribute to establishing a firm foundation for Afghanistan’s future development and prosperity,” he said.

Mohammad Rahmani said, the countries efforts of joining the WTO will cement their economic long-standing commitment to open economy, transparency, rule of law, good governance, and non-discrimination and market instruments for the development of their private sector hence alleviating poverty.

“Trade-led growth will create new economic opportunities and jobs, especially for women reducing poverty, and increasing prosperity. It will certainly contribute in a major way to dramatically reduce extremism and achieve regional peace and security,” he said.

The package provides Afghanistan with a platform for a long-term agenda for domestic reforms, welfare and for enhancing growth. Then country had applied for WTO membership in 2004 though members of the working party concluded the negotiations on 11 November 2015.

WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

ACCESS

celeb chat W

hat was your initial reaction after the doctor revealed you have cancer?

Shock. My father passed away almost 8 years ago, also from lung cancer stage 4, so I wondered whether that was my fate. But at the same time I didn’t feel and look like a ‘stage 4’ so I kept asking whether the diagnosis was correct.

How is the journey so far?

Challenging, scary, inspiring.. I take a day at a time, especially when chemotherapy side effects hit and ordinary daily tasks become difficult.

Once you recover are you planning on taking any cancer related project(s)?

I feel strongly that I am supposed to help less privileged Kenyans access affordable, quality healthcare, because many are not as fortunate as I have been to have friends and networks that set up fundraising efforts for them.

Information needs to get out about the success stories and treatment available, locally and abroad.

Do you feel sad?

You see, most people believe that cancer equals death. They look at patients like we’re already dead. So I say, take a look at me. I am walking, dancing, playing with my kids, talking, laughing, eating (sometimes), still have most of my hair, have a few scars from various mini surgeries and inject holes (I call them my battle scars to show that I’ve already won this battle!). I am a living testimony that God is keeping me strong, healthy and happy to enjoy the goodness of this land till the moment He decides that my time is up. And I can assure you that my time is NOT up.

Do you consider yourself lucky given that Kenyans at large came to your rescue?

I am extremely fortunate and favored.

I still find it hard to understand why so many Kenyans who have never met or spoken to me would willingly open t h e i r hearts, prayers and pockets for me and mine. All I can say, again and again, is thank you.

What did you learn from the whole experience?

Going to India and back to Kenya?

I’m glad my husband and I decided to go to India for further

Former NTV News aNchor aNd TV preseNTer JaNNeT Ikua Is baTTlINg luNg caNcer. she shares her sTory so Far. consultation. We discovered hospitals that are well equipped with medical equipment and trained personnel that can more accurately determine sickness. Plus drugs that are far more affordable than what is available in Kenya. People speak badly about generic drugs but you know what, the fact is that statistics show they have a high success rate, so hopefully we’ll see more of them here giving poorer Kenyans a chance at longer life.

However I also discovered the power of natural alternative medicine, which is good because chemotherapy drugs are harsh on the body.

As a TV personality there may be assumptions that it’s possible to raise the 5.2 Million, what’s your take on this?

It was hard for me to admit that I needed help. My friends told me again and again that getting help was more important than my pride as a celebrity, that getting healed and being a fully functional mother and wife should be my focus. They knew that this medical journey had lasted 7 months, with hospitalizations in 4 different hospitals, numerous checkups and drugs. Initially I believed that insurance and our salaries would suffice, however we learnt a hard lesson about how insurance covers only 10% of premium covers if you have a preexisting, chronic condition. So twice it ran out. That’s when I allowed my friends and colleagues to fundraise however they wanted. I didn’t expect the overwhelming response but clearly, God answered my prayers and I’m forever grateful.

Has your worldview in life changed?

Oh yes I am a very different person. I’ve learnt to control my emotions, pick my battles, and ignore people who don’t want what’s best for me. Physically I’m more disciplined by eating healthier and ensuring my family does the same.

But best of all, spiritually I am closer to God than ever before.

Any inspiration words for other cancer patients?

Don’t call yourself a patient, call yourself a cancer Victor! A warrior!

Regardless of what your body feels like or what medical reports say, you must declare healing. And please refer to the story of Lazarus in the Bible - Mary and Martha may have wondered why Jesus was 4 days late but in truth, He was right on time to perform a miracle and glorify God through it. God is always on time. Trust Him. Believe.

Live.

JANNET IKUA: One day at a time

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THE DESIGN AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS MAGAZINE OF THE FUTURE

10

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 26th NOVEMBER 2014 2015 WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20,

FASHIONScoop closeT Raid

Deborah Chepkorir is a buDDing journalist. she enjoys fun stuff like roaD trips anD listening to louD musiC. her Closet we realizeD is just as fun

deBoRaH cHePkoRiR

How would you describe your style?

Simple and sophisticated.

What is that one thing that you can’t leave the house without?

My earrings.

What is your guilty pleasure (fashion wise)?

Shoes shoes!

ToP

deBoRaH’s daRinG sTYle

Which jewelry are you often wearing?

My earrings and neck pieces.

sinGles

adele

What is the most treasured item in your closet?

My jewelry, they can turn any boring attire into splendor!

What is your fashion lust at the moment?

A Hermes Birkin bag.

What is your fashion secret?

I find pieces that look good on me and maximize on them.

What fashion advice do you live by?

Dress for the body you have not the body you want.

Whose style do you admire locally and internationally?

Locally I would say, Victoria Kimani, Internationally, Khloe Kardashian.

Which fashion trend have you sworn never to try and why?

Animal print. I feel that it’s been overdone quite simply!

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

TiTle

aRTisTe

Hello Sorry

Adele Justin Beiber

Hotline Bling

Johnny Cash Justin Beiber Weekend Shawn Mendes Justin Beiber Justin Beiber Meghan Trainor Selena Gomez

What do you mean The Hills Stitches Love Yourself Here Like I’m gonna lose you Same old love

ACCESS

WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

SUMMER wINTER

BUNNIES

SALE

WHERE: K1 Club WHO: DJ Crème Dela Crème TIME: 6Pm ENTRY: Free.

IDD AZIZ

MAKADEM

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SUNDAY

SEASONS

FT ErIC WAINANINA

@ThE

Dance hall sensation Patoranking to usher in

FESTIVAL

Out&About

N

igerians dance hall start Patoranking is scheduled to usher in the New Year in Kenya. The ‘My Woman, My Everything’ hit song star is expected to grace the Hakuana Matata festival. The festival finale which has always been a show stopper will happen at Manera Farm in Naivasha in what is expected to be one of the hottest events of 2015.

‘BILLIONAIRERS’ ONLY

CAPITAL CLUB

MOVE OVER IF YOU ARE NOT YET IN ThIS MONEYED CLUB… Given that it is corporate money and not in any way associated with Ben Gethi , how about we spend it at Capital Club the Exclusive ‘Billionaires’ Club located at Imperial Court in Westlands?

Capital Club is succinctly noble.

It is luxurious. It gleams with a golden shimmer from the lifts to the gym and the rooftop lounge that has a charming allure.

The rooftop lounge christened Fresco Grill offers a delicate view of the springing

TOPICS

PAwA STREET

Capital Club is succinctly noble.

It is luxurious.

It gleams with a golden shimmer from the lifts to the gym and the rooftop lounge that has a charming allure.

To begin with Bob Collymore unleashed that he has hidden ‘under the pillow’ over to 200 Million in cash and assorted wealth. KCB CEO Joshua Oigara also has some millions and the new CS’s on the vetting are worth a whooping 2.7 Billion!

We ought to spend the Mulla this Christmas, a toss to Macallan or the grand Cognac Remmey Martin and perhaps to the Glenfiddich will not only suffice but is expected.

HOT

WHERE: Koinange Street.

WHO: Idd Aziz, Makadem, Valentine Ziki, Obinna TIME:10 Am – 9Pm ENTRY: Free.

PATORANKINg

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WHERE:The Elephant Lavington.

WHO: Eric Wainaina.

TIME: 8:30 Pm – 11:30Pm ENTRY: Advance Sh 1500, Gate Sh2000

Westlands skyline. These are complemented by a fusioninspired menu of finest quality steak and fish.

At Capital Club, there is class.

The kind of substance that the likes of Vera Sidika can’t even dream about.

This is not a club where you order those dwarf, green Kingfisher type of bottles, and you pay with an M-Shwari loan.

If that is your class, don’t come here! Be forewarned.

It is a private members club.

The corporate, diplomatic and individual business moguls.

It is only through one of these members that you can coddle with the sophistication; and here’s how. Bob Collymore chairs the board of governors.

And your connection to Bob is that you have or once had a Safaricom line, talk to him nicely; and party in extraordinaire class as you usher in the New Year, if of course you do have the money in Billions.

Celeb pastor Israel on why he dances for the Lord

C

elebrated Pastor, actor and Fashion contributor Robert Burale is on the defensive. In a long winded social media post, Burale opened his heart and explained all his sorrows which include loosing close family members to cancer.

He said that his dancing, which some have termed as explicit, is to thank God for tagging along with him during his times of pain and sorrow. Robert is known for very expressive sermons and dances.

IsRAEl RObERTs

WHERE: Bonzo Art Gallery, Ngong Rd WHO: Various Artists TIME: 11am – 6pm ENTRY: Free.

DJ CRèME

TODAY

TODAY

WEEKEND PLANNER

your comprehensive gig guide SATURDAY

11

12

BUSINESS WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 18-20, 2015

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WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Occultism, alchemy, or astrology could grab your interest today. Your mind is sharp, so whatever you decide to study you’ll learn faster and retain more. Reading and experimentation could teach you a lot now. Other possibilities include meditation, ritual, or past-life regression.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Friends involved in the arts and sciences may want to get together today, perhaps to brainstorm a few ideas. You should be feeling innovative. Perhaps you have a lot to contribute. Group activities should prove satisfying, particularly those involving humanitarian pursuits.

FRIday 18/12/2015

sunny

22

23ºC 69%

SATURDAYday More sun than clouds 19/12/2015

23 6:23 am 6:35 pm

24ºC 64%

6:24 am 6:36 pm

SUNday

23

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

Yesterday’s Solution

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Any attention that comes your way today is suspect. Don’t trust the motives of anyone who asks too many questions or who seems too interested in anything you’re doing. This isn’t a good day to start new projects or move forward with any new acquaintances.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 You may feel like you’re slowly plowing through mud, but things are starting to look up. A weight has been lifted and you’re ready to take flight. You might soon be back to your old self again. At the very least, it somehow feels easier to be you.

Sudoku

l

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Don’t take anything too seriously today. People may be careless with their words and end up hurting feelings or even breaking hearts. Don’t read too deeply into what’s said. Your overanalyzing of the situation could lead you to suspect scenarios that have no basis in reality.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Yes, it’s your turn now. Perhaps you’ve been waiting for something, but the timing hasn’t been right.

Perhaps there has been a mental or physical roadblock in the way. Wait no longer. The time is here.

Step up and say your peace. Don’t make excuses and don’t hold back.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Don’t get too bogged down in details today. If you keep trying to perfect every aspect of the package before you send it out, you’ll end up missing the boat and the package won’t go at all. Keep things moving quickly. Don’t worry so much about insignificant matters.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Heightened imagination and ingenuity could bring new thoughts for advancing yourself in the financial arena. Practical information from outside sources merges with insights to bring useful ideas your way. Consider everything carefully before taking any action.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 It may be hard to focus. If this is the case, don’t worry too much about it. Perhaps it’s the Universe telling you that it’s OK not to focus. Keep things light and carefree. There’s no need to stress out about something that only exists in your mind.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Go out and play today. Escape your work mode and have fun. Drive someplace new and take a long walk outside with friends. You have a lot of energy, so share your enthusiasm with others.

There’s an exciting buzz in the air that you should tap into and contribute to.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Get some of your thoughts on paper today. Communicate your feelings in a journal or write letters or emails to people you haven’t seen in a while. Keep the tone light. You have a lot of information to share whether you realize it or not. This is a good day to dress up, go out, and have fun.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 You’re the certified expert on many topics, so spread your knowledge around. Others will attend to your words. Use them carefully. You may jump from subject to subject, but that’s OK. The unexpected adventures you encounter will keep you entertained. Don’t worry about the consequences.

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

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13

WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. West Point freshman 5. Trot and gallop 10. Out of here 14. Go by train 15. WWI menace 16. Luau entertainment 17. Author of the Holocaust book “Night” (1955) 19. Neighbor of Saudi Arabia 20. Classic Atari game 21. Airborne pests 22. Littoral zone 26. Hooter’s chick 30. Fell back 34. Frankie who sang “Rawhide” 35. Bones, to some 36. Kitchenware brand 37. Poorly crafted 39. Short and thickset 42. Forever and a day 43. Cutlass or Toronado 47. Give ____ of approval 48. Longing for “the good old days” 51. Band together 52. Bill Clinton, by birth 54. Seattle cager, for short 57. Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa 62. Ray who founded McDonald’s 63. Diplomatic official 66. Connecting strip of land, for short

67. Gem mineral 68. Aptly named fruit 69. ___ Sad, Yugoslavia 70. Pursuit 71. Bread choices Down 1. Kind of school 2. Leslie Caron role 3. Amend a draft 4. Grievance, in slang 5. Deceitfulness 6. Lover of Heloise 7. Apple mobile op. sys.

8. Menlo Park inits.

9. Cardinal letters 10. Conakry’s country 11. Soup veggie 12. ____ as a pin 13. Titles for attys.

18. Squandered 21. College sr.’s exam 23. Blue whale relative 24. Taiwanese smartphone co.

25. Mined materials 26. Merlin of football and TV 27. Exuberant cry 28. Motor City team 29. Finis 31. Slater’s co-star in “Untamed Heart” 32. Brit in America, maybe 33. Holmes’ creator 38. “Sunny” egg part

40. Teases 41. Wing of the mil.

44. NYC airport, on tickets 45. Cacophony 46. Flounces 49. Graceful exercise routine 50. Storyline 53. Air traveler’s choice 54. Pelt 55. Roughly 56. “___ until you do your homework” 58. Bull (prefix) 59. Jittery 60. Play part 61. Hindu honorifics 63. “20/20” network 64. Unenthusiastic response 65. Victoria’s Secret purchase

Yesterday’s answers

YOURSAY Is Christmas a pagan or Christian festival?

Christmas, right? When churches throb to the fullest and streets go awash with “unfaithful believers” marching to and from churches in the name of ‘A child is born’, few if not none, would deny that this is just a subtle attempt to insert pagan festival into scripture.

Jesus Christ was born to a virgin lady, Mary, the Bible affirms that, but can your Pastor or Priests find anything within that context alluding to December 25, as the month he was born? If belief without evidence is superstition as has been said, then these are the times Christians become superstitious, mystical and ritualistic.

The simple fact of the matter, however, is that people follow along as they have been taught, assuming that what they believe and do is right. They take their belief for granted and most often take no time to prove why they do some of these things. A lot of people hitherto celebrate holidays and practice traditions learned from a young age in the name of Christianity without ever proving why.

The vast majority of ecclesiastical and secular

historians contend that Christmas and all the traditions surrounding it, are deeply rooted in pagan religion.

It come to us from the ancient Roman festival “Saturnalia” in December, which was a period of general merrymaking.

The fact that vernal festivals were general among pagan people, no doubt had much to do with the form assumed by the pagan ‘Saturnalia’” into modern-day Christmas festivals in the Christian churches.

When the church therefore, realised that such pagan festivals as Saturnalia because of many worldly pleasures involve, were keeping away pagans from Christianity, the church cunningly adopted similar festivals to lure and accommodate pagans. Consequently, the church got deeply mired into these pagan customs in that instead of converting pagans into Christianity, the church conformed to pagan practices and continued these festivals to present day. No, we do not need such trickery to get people into our churches anymore.

— Anonymous

Uhuru, Ruto must fight tribalism in public service A recent report by the Public Service Commission that State House is dominated by members of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tribe is a major setback in the gains Kenya has made in the fight against tribalism.

It not only dilutes the cohesion and integration, but encourages ethnicity both in public and private sector.

It is indeed an undoing to PSC currently grappling to

restructure the public service to reflect the face of the country with all communities given an opportunity to serve.

President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto should tackle tribalism in their respective offices if indeed they believe in their clarion call of one Kenya, one nation.

The government of the day must work hard to see to it that all regions and communities are part of the government by

equitably distributing all State jobs.

We want to see the values and principles envisaged in the Constitution are practised and followed to the letter.

The public service should ensure people from diverse ethnic backgrounds have equal educational opportunities to help them land the jobs.

— Mageka, Kariobangi

Leaders should speak out against Burundi unrest My attention has been drawn by the loud silence of African sitting presidents as Burundi more so from countries neighbouring Burundi as violence threatens to consume Burundians.

The leaders for reasons well known to them have deliberately refused intervene to end the political crisis as citizens continue to lose their lives due to bad governance.

Our leaders could have

prevailed on their colleague Pierre Nkuruzinza to heed the people’s plea and step down so that a fresh democratic process accepted

by Burundians is put in place.

If nothing is done to stop the unrest, then history of genocide will soon be in the offing with over 100 people so far killed and millions displaced.

African Union (AU) must speak up against the crimes

being committed by the State in Burundi and advise Nkurunziza to reconsider his position so that peace can prevail.

We do not want any more loss of life or property, but peace and tranquility.

Besides, African leaders should encourage a democratic system of governance where the people wishes are respected.

— Hillary, Bahati

Radical surgery, overhaul required in public service The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) earlier rejected a pay increment for public servants citing little work improvement for the last 10 years. A report by the Public Service Commission now says that out of 184,519 workers, only 55,355 hold at least a bachelor’s degree. It is saddening that some have mere primary education certificates or no qualifications at all yet we have a larger number of unemployed youth and qualified university graduates. The revelation explains the reasons why public offices have no proper

structure for internship, interns taken for training in these offices end up doing menial jobs such as serving tea before being ejected.

The PSC report has backed SRC stance over lack of improvement, surely none will come with these kind of staff. Lack of professional qualification in the sector is inhibiting work output and service delivery in public service.

The revelation should be ground for reforms in the sector including replacing the unqualified personnel with the qualified ones.

— Anne, Lang’ata

Our politicians only resign for better jobs In Kenya, politicians are only ready to step aside or resign when they are offered a better position. Take for example President Kenyatta’s appointment of Joseph Nkaissery to the Cabinet and now Senator Charles Keter and MP Dan Kazungu. They always want to be close to power and for such appointments they resign without question. But when they are hit with corruption allegations and other abuse of office charges and told to step aside for investigations, they will have a thousand

reasons to stay in office. As we speak, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter is in court over the Gilgil weigh bridge fiasco, but he has promptly stated that he cannot resign because he was elected by the people. These same people you claim you represent are getting tired of these theatrics. Kenyans should be wiser during elections and stricter when electing leaders more so those seeking re-election.

— Samuel Kiprop - Nairobi

Send your letters to news@x254.co | Letters will be edited for summary and clarity

14

SPORT

Kenyan Adongo released

by Colt

WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

Kenyan Daniel Adongo has been released by Indianapolis Colt in the American Football League barely a week after reports of domestic violence in his home.

Adongo, who ditched Rugby for American Football was ruled out of last Saturday’s game with Jaguras after police went to his home last Thursday to check on the welfare of a woman residing there who had texted a friend to say that she needed help.

When police arrived at Adongo’s residence, the woman said she did not need any assistance and couldn’t explain why she sent the text message according to NBC Sport.

By then, according to Police reports, Adongo had already left for work, leaving officers to file a report and sent it to prosecutors for review.

The line-backer fan favourite, who last year in training camp, showed significant improvement - particularly in the area of pass rush – before picking an injury early in the pre-season was yet to make a name in the American games, making only five games appearances over that stretch.

The Colts announced on Thursday that they have waived Adongo and promoted cornerback Tay Glover-Wright from the practice squad.

This year, he made his biggest push yet for the active roster, but he did not do a tonne in games and, with plenty of other options at outside line-backer, this comes as no surprise.

Coffee not good for you, ADAK tells players

BIG MAN: Kenya Daniel Adongo jumps in the air at a past American Football match. He has been released by Indianapolis Colt barely a week after reports of domestic violence in his home emerged.

Volleyball players have been cautioned against taking any drink with high level of caffeine like Coffee prior to the math.

This was the message of Kenya AntiDoping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) that held a one day Ant-doping seminar with the national women’s National Volleyball Team that is currently preparing for February, 2016 Continental Olympics qualifiers in Cameroon.

ADAK chief executive Agnes Mandu and Control Officer Geoffrey Mwangi also warned players buying drugs over the counter. Kenya faced doping allegations, though not been experienced in Volleyball. Athletics is the hardest hit with more than 40 runners being found to have doped. The latest high profile Kenyan Athlete guilty of abusing drugs is two times Chicago and Boston Marathon champion, Rita Jeptoo who is serving a two year ban from IAAF. Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) supported ADAK’s move to educate Athletes on the danger and consequences of doping.

Kenya will be under scrutiny during the qualifiers and should they book their Olympics slot, the seminar could have not come at a better time.

SPORT 15 WEEKEND EDITION, DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

Chelsea technical officials have absolved players from any blame after Jose Mourinho was shown the door. Midfielder Cesc Fabregas is among players who stood with ex-manager during the tough times.

Players not to blame for Mourinho sack, says club official Chelsea’s players are not to blame for manager Jose Mourinho sacking’s, club technical director Michael Emenalo has said.

Mourinho was sacked yesterday evening, just seven months after guiding the club to the Premier League trophy after his second return to Stamford Bridge which has been punctuated by both success and failure.

This was the second time that 52-yearold Portuguese has tasted the wrath of trigger happy and owner-Russian Billionaire Roman Abromavic who also sacked Mourinho in 2007/08 season.

Chelsea finished eight points clear last season and won the League Cup, but have lost nine of their 16 league games so far and are 16th in the table, one point above the relegation places.

Mourinho’s final match was Monday’s 2-1 defeat at leaders Leicester City.

Pep Guardiola, Guus Hiddink, Juande Ramos and Brendan Rodgers have all been touted as possible successors as Blues owner begins another managerial search.

Asked about the role of the squad in Mourinho’s exit, Emenalo said there was a “palpable discord between manager and players”. “It’s very easy to make that inference but it is not one the club accepts.”

“The players have a responsibility to go out and prove everybody wrong and

show a commitment to the decision that has been made to try and get the club up the league table.

“This club is in trouble and something needed to be done.”

In his two stints at Chelsea, Mourinho won three Premier League titles, two of those in his first spell between 2004 and 2007.

The Portuguese has also won the FA Cup, in 2007, and the League Cup three times - in 2005, 2007 and 2015 making him the most successful manager in the club’s 110-year history.

Dutch Guus Hiddink is set to replace Mourinho in a caretaker role until the end of the season.

Hiddink replace Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2009 before he was shown the door but he’s most likely se to return to England to try and help Chelsea avoid relegation as plans for a new manager is put in place.

Guardiola who will be out of contract at the end of the season with Bayern Munich and Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who may cost the club as high as Sh1.5billion are possible long term replacement for the ‘Special One’ Hiddink enjoyed a successful spell

during his first stint as caretaker at Stamford Bridge. The Dutchman lifted the FA Cup after Chelsea beat Everton 2-1 in the Wembley final that year.

Hiddink is reported to have said he will replace Mourinho as Chelsea’s new manager on an interim basis, according to former Blues striker Mateja Kezman.

Kezman, quoted by Croatian newspaper Index, said Hiddink has told him he will succeed Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

“I do not know if it is officially confirmed, whether the club has announced it, but Guus told me earlier,” Kezman said, according to the report. “ I am convinced that with him Chelsea will recover. I would even say they are one of the favourites for the Champions League.”

WEEKEND EDITION DECEMBER 18-20, 2015

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