201501208 xnew

TUESday, DECEMBER 8, 2015 | www.x254.co

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Corruption denying women access to state tenders Public service and gender affairs cabinet secretary nominee sicily kariuki says women are often asked to give a bribe before their bids are considered

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NEWS

Gor’s Michael Olunga leads chase for KPL player of the year award

Arsenal draw sunderland in fa cup third round tie

Kenyans feel economic situation is worsening T

he economic situation of a majority of Kenyans has worsened over the last three months, a new survey by Ipsos indicates.

The survey by Ipsos Kenya found out that 54 per cent of Kenyans household economic conditions have worsened over the last three months with only 19 per cent of those interviewed saying their situations have improved.

Of those whose situation has worsened, 41 per cent attribute it to high cost of living, 24 per cent corruption while 13 per cent believe leadership has led to their current situation.

Those whose situation has improved attributed it to the two reasons most frequently given – employment/job situations and the cost-of-living (34 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively).

At the same time, this “wrong direction” figure Ipsos lead researcher Tom Wolf in August during the release of survey findings. The lastest survey by the research firm indicates that the economic situation of a majority of Kenyan households have worsened over the last three months.

represents a significant increase since Ipsos’ previous survey in August (by 13 per cent, from 41 per cent); even if in the latter part of 2013 and the first half of 2014 the “worsened” figure was as higher or higher.

Residents of North Eastern, Coast and Nairobi want the government to create more job opportunities at 75 per cent, 65 per cent and 62 percent respectively in order to alleviate poverty.

2,058 Kenyans were interviewed during the survey that focused on 41 counties, with residents of Nairobi county prioritising on the need to have water for the current situation to change.

“While the explanation for this (negative) increase is not immediately apparent, the fact that about one-in-five households captured in the survey, have a family members who is a public school teacher (during a period when teachers’ salaries had been withheld by their employer) may have at least contributed to this lower figure,” reads the report.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Eurobond saga: EACC summons Raila over claims

CORD leader Raila Odinga has been summoned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to provide more information on the controversy surrounding the Eurobond cash, which he claims was misappropriated.

An EACC official told Capital FM News that they had already dispatched a letter asking the former Prime Minister to present himself this Thursday at the commission’s offices in Nairobi.

“The letter was already sent to him and we expect him here on Thursday,” the official said.

EACC detectives investigating the matter have already questioned Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge, seeking to establish how the Sh250 billion was spent.

While the two have stated that the money was spent prudently, Odinga insists that the government is unable to account for Sh140 billion.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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NEWS TUESDAY,DECEMBER 8, 2015

Kenya, Ethiopia sign development pact President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, yesterday oversaw the signing of a pact between Kenya and Ethiopia to transform their shared border regions into bridges for development.

The pact signed in the border town of Moyale will empower the local communities and bridge the isolation gap that has been a barrier to development by fostering peace through prosperity.

Among the programmes that will be implemented by the two governments in conjunction with the United Nations include capacity building projects, creation of alternative livelihoods, cross-border trade aimed at reducing poverty and inequality, improving education and health facilities; creation of more employment opportunities and efficient utilisation of natural resources.

Another pillar of the plan of the Cross-Border Integrated Programme for Sustainable Peace and Socioeconomic Transformation –Marsabit County and Borana Zone, Ethiopia— which has already started with a funding of Sh20 billion from the United Nations, is to make the region peaceful through peace building and conflict management initiatives.

The objective of the plan to transform the region includes increasing opportunities for trade, investment and tourism. It also includes improvement of infrastructure and the facilitation of cross-border movement of people.

President Uhuru underscored the need for cooperation between the two countries in addressing the

DEAL: President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn witness the signing of a peace and trade pact between the two countries in Moyale yesterday. The cross border integrated programme for sustainable peace and socio-economic transformation started with a funding of Sh20 billion.

needs of the border communities and emphasising cross-border management of resources.

“We know that our prosperity and security demand cooperation between the two countries. We have learned from the past: we can no longer make policy about our resources without considering our neighbour’s legitimate interests, and doing what we can to accommodate them” he said. “That way, we avoid wastage, while building on each other’s strengths. That is what our brotherhood requires of us.”

Desalegn said Ethiopia attaches importance to cooperation with Kenya and is determined to see the joint efforts succeed.

“The leadership of Kenya has for decades demonstrated its faith in Ethiopia and we are building on that foundation, which was laid down by our forefathers,” he said.

The Prime Minister said Ethiopia will place a lot of emphasis on ensuring the effort to bring development to the border region succeeds to create prosperity for the local community.

Desalegn said the ties between Kenya and Ethiopia have strengthened under President Uhuru’s leadership. “You are a strong leader for the benefit of both our countries,” he said.

On his part President Uhuru said the friendship between Kenya and Ethiopia is old and strong.

“Our bond is as strong now as it was then. Together we have worked to defend Africa’s cause abroad and at home” said the President.

“The project we launch today, therefore, is only the latest instance of cooperation between our countries. That is why we are confident that we will succeed” The UN Resident Coordinator Nardos Bekele-Thomas said the Moyale region will be a pillar for development if the new plans becomes succeed.

She said Moyale has the potential to become the future Dubai of the Horn of Africa if the local communities abandon conflicts and embrace development.

Economy worsens as experts raise alarm From Page 1

ALARM BELLS: Economist David Ndii speaks during a devolution forum at the Stanely Hotel today. He has warned of dire economic consequences if the government continues with its borrowing spree.

The views vary across the country’s main political divide, with somewhat more optimism among Jubilee than Opposition Cord supporters. The release of the findings came even as economic experts warned of the likelihood of a cash crunch if the government fails to fully account for Eurobond proceeds.

While addressing a devolution forum dubbed NumbersDontLie at the Stanely Hotel today, economist David Ndii said the explanation the government has so far given on the ongoing liquidity crisis has been inadequate, contradictory and in some cases out rightly deceptive.

“The Eurobond proceeds was totally mismanaged including accounting and booking, the money was borrowed and brought to the country but we are not told how it was spent” he said.

He warned that the country’s economy might be in jeopardy because of the insincerity of the government officers.

“There is no way you can borrow but fail to factor the money in the books of accounts” he said.

Dr Ndii warned that if the government continues with its borrowing trend from foreign markets then the country risks bring broke.

“This crisis, if not handed well, has a potential of shutting down the government altogether” he warned.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the two countries by the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Amina Mohamed and Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom.

Cabinet Secretaries Gen (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery (Internal Security), Hassan Wario (Sports) and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua attended the function.

Governor Ukur Yattani said the Marsabit County government will play its role in ensuring the project succeeds. Governors from Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir and Tana River, Senators and MPs attended the function.

Driver burnt to death in Manyani tanker accident A driver has been burnt to death in road accident at Manyani on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

Police say a petrol tanker collided with two trucks and exploded on impact.

Coast Traffic Commandant Martin Kariuki said three people including the other two drivers and a loader escaped with minor injuries.

Elsewhere, four people were killed in an accident that occurred on the Kisumu-Busia Road on Tuesday morning.

According to police, the accident occurred when a matatu collided with a truck at Rangala.

The matatu is said to have been overtaking when it collided with the truck, killing the four instantly including the driver of the matatu.

Nine other passengers are admitted to hospital with injuries.

Raila summoned

by EACC over Eurobond saga From Page 1 Odinga and other cord leaders have demanded the sacking of Rotich and Thugge, declaring “the time for sideshows is over”.

The former premier last week turned down an invitation from the Treasury to go and scrutinise documents on how the money was spent. Odinga’s claims have angered many top government officials, with Deputy President William Ruto saying he is out to sabotage the economy by scaring away investors. Economist David Ndii at the weekend published an extensive analysis of the Eurobond, outlining what he termed as glaring anomalies contained in a statement issued by the Treasury soon after Odinga questioned how the money was spent. Ndii’s figures have been disputed by the Treasury technocrats who described them as “confusing”.

Mr Odinga’s demands have received the rare support of TNA politician Mike Sonko. The Nairobi senator yesterday said Mr Odinga is right to demand accountability from the government. “I want to say that I respect the role played by Raila in relation to putting the government on toes and demanding to know how each coin from the public coffer is spent,” said Sonko.

MORE @www.capitalfm.co.ke

NE WS 3 NEWS TUESDAY, DECEMBER NOVENBER 10, 8, 2015 2015

‘Corruption denying women tenders’ Corruption is preventing many women from accessing the 30 per cent government tenders, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Nominee Sicily Kariuki has said.

Kariuki, the current Agriculture PS, today said women are often willing and ready to bid for tenders but are met with challenges including being asked for bribe in exchange for tenders.

“For women to be qualified in a tendering process, they are asked to part with some amount of money to facilitate their tender bid. They are asked to buy chai (tea) before their tender documents are processed,” she said.

Kariuki said lack of awareness in the availability of the tenders among the disadvantaged groups is still a hindrance in accessing tenders, adding that women, youth and persons with disabilities especially in the rural areas are not aware of the government directive on the 30 per cent tenders for them.

She said that there is untimely or no reporting on corruption cases which makes women lose.

She, however, said there are measures put in place to address the issues.

Speaking at Kenya Private Sector Alliance meeting with government parastatals on preferential government procurement quota reserved for women, Kariuki acknowledged that the 30 per cent procurement preference provision was still on the right track, saying the increase in awarding of tenders to women, youth and persons with disabilities is on course.

More pain as Wasreb announces 5 per cent increase in water levies The Water Services Regulatory Board (Wasreb) has proposed a five per cent increase on water bills.

The proposed increase in levy is meant to cover the 750 million annual revenue deficit in the provision of sewerage services and avoid scaling down capital investment programmes by relying solely on the government funding and donor aid in the sanitation programmes.

The levy will cover part of the collection, treatment and disposal costs of sewerage in the urban centers.

Under the National Water Master Plan, Wasreb seeks to address the areas of sanitation previously ignored in the past.

Under the plan, the sewerage systems will be developed in 95 out of the 215 urban centres at an estimated cost of Sh476.5 billion by 2030.

Speaking during the launch of the 8th issue of the water services sub-sector performance report, State department of Water Principal Secretary Prof Fred Segor said the situation of sewerage in the country is not good.

The current access to sewerage services in the country is 16 per cent and with only 30 out of the 215 urban centres in the country

having modern sewer systems. “The country risks experiencing undesirable effects such as poor health and disease as a result of poor sanitation,” he said.

Segor called for the inclusion of sewerage components in all the investments made for water services in urban areas.

The PS, however observed that water coverage has been improving in the urban areas recording a 53 percentage coverage against a targeted 80 percentage in the year 2015.

“The low coverage can be attributed to the rising demand, driven mainly by the increase in population and high rate of urbanisation,” he said, acknowledging the great transformation in the country’s water services sector.

The reforms in the sector have seen the formalisation of water services as public limited companies to operate according to commercial business principles, leading to the services being provided by licensed utilities that provided quality, sustainable and affordable services.

The said the provision of water services though a devolved function, requires greater clarity and certainty. He cited the Water Bill 2014 as some of the measures being taken to resolve it, but said more clarity is still required on functional assignments of the National and County Governments which should have complementary and not conflicting roles.

Wasreb chairman Anthony Kiroken said devolution of water services is a step in the right direction and would take services closer to consumers. “It provides an opportunity to deepen water sector reforms by enhancing the gains realised and improving on service delivery”, he said.

“Cumulatively, over Sh 25 billion worth of tenders have been awarded to youth, women and PWDs since inception of the programme.

Women awarded tenders totalling to 55.96 per cent, youth 42.48 per cent and PWDs 1.55 per cent”, She said.

Speaking at the same venue, UN WOMEN County Director Zebib Kavuma called for a joint effort to enforce preferential procurement not only in government but also in the private sector.

“There is need for awareness and sensitisation of the procurement process especially in the county levels to the youth, women and PWDs”, she said.

Zebib assured the commitment of UN WOMEN to support Kenya government in attaining the 30 per cent procurement allocation.

Public Service and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary nominee Sicily Kariuki. She has said corruption is hindering women’s chances of securing state tenders.

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NEWS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

NEWS BRIEF

Shabaab leader killed in Somalia airstrikes: US A senior leader of al-Shabaab was killed in a US air strike in Somalia last week, US has announced. US Defence Department said Abdirahman Sandhere also known as “Ukash” was killed in what it described as “a significant blow to al-Shabaab and reflects the painstaking work by our intelligence, military, and law enforcement professionals.” It also confirmed that the Islamic State (IS) group’s senior leader in Libya, Iraqi national, Abu Nabil, had been killed in an airstrike last month on a compound in the city of Derna, it reports. Meanwhile, an American member of Somali Islamist militant group has been arrested in Somalia, an official has told the BBC. The man had been stopped while he was trying to escape from al-Shabaab after some of his friends were killed in an internal rift, Barawe District Commissioner Hussein Barre Mohamed told the BBC Somali service. The cause of the dispute is not clear.

One man killed in Eastleigh as gangs fight over woman A fight between two rival illegal gangs in Eastleigh, Nairobi left one man dead and another wounded before police arrived at the scene. The man died on the spot after being stabbed twice in the stomach as the gangs fought over a woman. Another man is admitted in hospital after the fight that took almost an hour along Fifth Street. Police say the gangs are believed to be from Superpower illegal group that operate in the area. No arrest has been made so far, but police have launched a manhunt on those behind the incident. The gangs operate in the area committing murder and unabated extortion.

Armed gang storms City studio steals valuables, cash A gang raided a studio on Gilfilan House in the city along Kenyatta Avenue and robbed occupants of cameras, laptops and Sh25,000. The suspects had posed as customers who wanted to hire professional cameras when one of them drew out a gun and ordered the occupants to lie down. According to police, they tied the workers and bundled them into a room before grabbing six cameras and four laptops plus personal mobile phones before escaping.

Police say they were informed of the robbery long after the gang had escaped. Police patrols have been enhanced in the city to address cases of armed robberies ahead of the holidays.

Trump wants all Muslims barred from entering US

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has called for a halt to Muslims entering the US, in the wake of the deadly California shootings.

He said in a campaign statement the border shutdown should remain “until our country’s representatives can figure out” Muslim attitudes towards the US. At a campaign rally in South Carolina later, frontrunner Trump repeated the pledge, to loud cheers.

Criticism from the White House and other Republicans was swift.

Trump’s comments were contrary to US values and its national security interests, a statement from the White House said.

Republican Jeb Bush, also running for President, said the New York businessman was “unhinged”.

Trump’s statement was delivered as the US comes to term with its deadliest terror attack since 9/11.

Last week a Muslim couple, believed to have been radicalised, opened fire and killed 14 people at a health centre in San Bernardino.

On Sunday, President Barack Obama made a rare Oval Office address in response to the attack and warned against the US falling prey to divisiveness.

Trump’s statement to reporters on Monday said polling by the Centre for Security Policy, a conservative think-tank, indicated that 25 per cent of Muslims in the US believed violence against America was justified.

“Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension.

Where this hatred comes from and why, we will have to determine.

“Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have

STOP THEM: Controversial Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a past function. He has urged US government to ban all Muslims from entering America after the California attack that killed 14 people at the weekend.

no sense of reason or respect for human life.”

When asked by The Hill if that included Muslim Americans who may currently be abroad, his spokeswoman said: “Trump says everyone.”

The director of the Council on American Islamic Relations, Nihad Awad, said Trump sounded like the leader of a lynch mob rather than a great nation.

Soon after his statement was released, Trump’s Republican rival Ben Carson called on all visitors to the US to “register and be monitored” during their stay.

But his spokesman added: “We do not and would not advocate being

selective on one’s religion.”

Another Republican presidential hopeful, Senator Lindsey Graham, urged all those running to condemn Trump’s remarks, which they did.

However, Trump later acknowledged during a raucous South Carolina rally that his call for barring all Muslim foreigners from entering the United States is “probably not politically correct.”

But he had three words for his critics: “I don’t care.”

And if his South Carolina rally, with its whoops and cheers, was any indication, that support will stick.

Six of eight Trump supporters at

the rally who spoke with CNN said they supported the Muslim travel ban, which has drawn swift criticism from other Republican and Democratic presidential contenders alike who slammed the proposal as contrary to American values of religious tolerance. And the two supporters at the rally who disagreed said they were still likely to vote for Trump.

“I think that we should definitely disallow any Muslims from coming in. Any of them. The reason is simple: we cannot identify what their attitude is,” said 75-year-old Charlie Marzka of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

California attackers had target practice, says FBI The two people behind the San Bernardino attack that killed 14 people had target practice days before, the FBI has said.

Tashfeen Malik and husband Syed Farook visited ranges in the Los Angeles area, said David Bowdich, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles office.

He said both were radicalised and had been “for some time”.

The US is investigating last week’s attack, which happened at a health care centre, as an act of terrorism.

But Bowdich said there is no evidence yet that last week’s

tragedy, the most deadly terror attack in the US since 9/11, was plotted from overseas.

The FBI did not have an investigation open on restaurant inspector Farook before he and his wife opened fire on his colleagues at a work event at the Inland Regional Centre.

They were both killed hours later in a shoot-out with police.

Investigators said they found 19 pipes that could have been turned into bombs at the couple’s apartment, rather than the 12 previously reported.

A photo obtained by ABC News

shows the couple arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport from Saudi Arabia in July 2014.

US officials have said that Farook travelled to Saudi Arabia and returned about two weeks later with Malik, who was able to come to the country on a fiance visa.

Farook’s father told Italian newspaper La Stampa his son sympathised with IS and was fixated with Israel.

The family’s lawyer said he had recently told them co-workers had mocked his beard, and that the family knew he had two

handguns and two rifles.

But they did not know about the arsenal of weapons the couple had amassed.

Malik reportedly praised the socalled Islamic State on Facebook on the day of the attacks.

The US Justice Department said on Monday it is monitoring any anti-Muslim sentiments or attacks that may emerge in the wake of the mass shooting.

US President Barack Obama made a rare Oval Office address in which he said the killings were “an act of terrorism designed to kill innocent people”.

NEWS 5

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

Morning newspaper summaries a Kenyan I have evidence to jail Herders stumble on Waiguru blames graft How Ruto, says Bensouda: ICC Mandera mass grave: probe on Uhuru office: engineered Tanzania’s Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has said she Police yesterday exhumed 12 bodies big loan scandal: A Kenyan Former Devolution Cabinet Secretary has enough evidence to convict Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang. In her response to their nocase-to-answer motion, Bensouda told the ICC judges that the evidence submitted so far shows the two were responsible for the 2008 post-election violence. “The Prosecution submits that the evidence presented, taken at its highest, is sufficient to satisfy a reasonable trial.

from a mass grave at Lathe, a village 45 kilometres from Mandera town. The bodies were found at three sites and officers believe there are more yet to be dug out. They have applied for court orders before exhuming the rest. Local leaders, who said the bodies are of victims of extra-judicial executions by the security services, estimated that 25 bodies had been found.

Anne Waiguru now blames the office of the President for the ongoing corruption allegations against her. Yesterday, through her lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi, Ms Waiguru said Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is no longer a credible institution since it lacks independence. “It has been reduced to a department of OP,” said Ahmednasir.

insurance executive has been named as one of the people, who pocketed part of the $6 billion bribe that Stanbic Bank-which operates in Kenya as CFC Stanbic Bank-paid to wheeler-dealers to help win a lucrative fundraising deal from the Tanzania’s government. Peter Nyabuti, the managing director at Astra Insurance Brokers in Tanzania, is listed as a co-signatory.

IED injures four KDF Kenya gets more time to Why Muturi called Garden City Mall soldiers in Lamu: Four KDF revive sugar sector: The EACC over MPS Sh606m row with soldiers were injured when an improvised government was yesterday given more mileage claims: Cases of fake contractor sucks in explosive device exploded on a route time to turn five state-owned sugar millers mileage claims nearly sparked a legislative Equity Bank: Equity Bank has they were using on routine patrol in the into profitability after Kenya secured a mutiny in the National Assembly, forcing Ishakani area. It was suspected the IED was planted by Shabaab militants. KDF spokesman David Obonyo confirmed the incident and said one soldier was seriously injured. He said the soldiers were taken to a hospital in Mombasa where they are receiving treatment and dismissed reports that anyone had been killed.

one-year extension on safeguards which protect the factories from cheap imports in the Comesa region. The extension will cushion troubled farmers and millers from threats of cheaper imports from the trade bloc. The sector has been dragged down by inefficiencies rendering it unproductive.

Speaker Justin Muturi to invite the Ethics and Ant-Corruption Commission. The uproar was led by legislators from 17 constituencies in Nairobi and those round the capital, who are not entitled to mileage claims. Led by Benson Mutura (Makadara) the lawmakers wrote to the speaker and SRC.

blamed its failure to pay the owners of Garden City Mall a $5.496 million (Sh606 million) performance bond on a court order obtained by contractor of the shopping complex, Sinohydro.

The lender says Sinohydro obtained the court order before queries it had raised on the mall’s demands were answered.

Mass grave: MPs ask Sh20bn deal to make Outrage as shallow Kenya wins sixth Uhuru to investigate: A border safe: Kenya and Ethiopia grave with 12 bodies Comesa protection mass grave containing at least 12 freshly yesterday signed a Sh20 billion deal to found: Eleven MPs from Mandera from cheap sugar: Kenya buried bodies was discovered in Mandera end conflict along their common border yesterday as MPs from the region demanded independent investigations into the matter. The discovery, the second in seven months, has fueled suspicion of possible extrajudicial killings. The first one was found in Wajir on May 1 and it contained at least 11 bodies. Among the bodies found in the Mandera mass grave was that of a woman identified as Isnina.

and spur development. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ethiopian Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn witnessed Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Amina Mohamed and her Ethiopian counterpart Tedros Adhanom ink the 5-year agreement. “This is a historic function. The presence of the Prime Minister is a reminder of Ethiopia’s commitment to deeper relationship between the two countries.

and Wajir counties yesterday reacted angrily to the discovery of mass grave at Lethe in Arabia Ward within Mandera East Constituency. The shallow grave with 12 bodies, including a woman’s, has sparked fear of return of extra-judicial killing in an area where police and military have been battling al-Shabaab militants. The leaders have asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene.

has been granted another one-year extension of sugar import limits from the regional trade bloc Comesa, offering relief to local millers that would have to deal with tougher competition from more efficient producers. The decision to grant Kenya a sixth extension to February 2017 was reached during the 35th (Comesa) Council of Ministers meeting in Zambia.

Top stories from X News global partners

Trump calls to ban all Trump calls on US to Bar South Africa gets a Global resources rout Muslims from entering Entry to All Muslims for rating downgrade: South hits Asia shares: Stock is again moving towards the edge markets; across Asia Pacific fell amid US: Donald Trump, the leading Now: Donald J. Trump called on Africa of an economic precipice. Public debt is the deepening global commodities

contender to become the Republican party’s nominee for US presidential candidate, has called for a “total and complete shutdown” of the country’s borders to Muslims in the wake of the San Bernardino terrorist attack. Trump made his most extreme pledge yet – in a race in which he has consistently pushed the boat out on issues of race and immigration – in a statement released to the media through his presidential campaign team. He said there was such hatred among Muslims around the world towards Americans that it was necessary to rebuff them en masse, until the problem was better understood.

www.theguardian.com

Monday for the United States to bar all Muslims from entering the country until the nation’s leaders can “figure out what is going on” after the terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, Calif., an extraordinary escalation of rhetoric aimed at voters’ fears about members of the Islamic faith. A prohibition of Muslims – an unprecedented proposal by a leading American presidential candidate, and an idea more typically associated with hate groups – reflects a progression of mistrust that is rooted in ideology as much as politics. In September, Trump had declared “I love the Muslims,”

www.nytimes.com

rising fast, as are the costs of servicing it. The economy has staggered to a nearstandstill. On December 4th Fitch, a rating agency, cut its assessment of South Africa’s creditworthiness, saying its debt was now just one notch above “junk”, financial jargon for bonds below a certain rating that have a higher risk of not being repaid. On the same day Standard & Poor’s, another agency, changed its outlook for the country, implying it was likely to downgrade its rating to junk over the next two years. The agencies’ statements spooked bond and currency markets.

www.economist.com

rout, although oil recovered some of the previous day’s steep losses. Oil prices rallied slightly after hitting their lowest levels since the financial crisis overnight. The latest slide followed last week’s rancorous Opec meeting that exposed the organisation’s inability to tackle a global oil glut. In Asian trading Tuesday however Brent crude recovered 0.6 per cent to $40.98 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate added 0.4 per cent to $37.81. Brent, the industry benchmark, fell 5.2 per cent on Monday to $41.75, the lowest since March 2009.

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xnews | Tuesday, DeCEMBER 8, 2015 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

More than half of urban Kenyans access water Water Service Regulatory Board (Wasreb) – the body charged with the regulation of water services in Kenya – has released its latest Impact Report in a bid to evaluate and assess the performance of the water sector.

The reports sets out the need for increased funding for infrastructure development and high non-revenue water levels as key challenges facing the water sector. According to the report, half of country’s urban population has water coverage, revealing an increased demand for water against depleting resources.

The report has stated the need for efficiency in resource utilization, the need for increased investments and the need for sector stability, including sound, working institutions.

Dubbed ‘Impact 8, 2015’, the annual publication tracks the progress of the sector by monitoring key indicators such as: Water coverage, sanitation coverage, unaccounted for water, water quality, hours of supply, metering and revenue collection efficiency.

Speaking during the launch yesterday, Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, said reviewing sector’s performance is an important step towards facilitating learning from best practices, while taking cognisance of weaknesses identified, and summoning efforts to overcome them.

“The Impact Report serves as Wasrebs’s main tool for public reporting and documents the performance of Kenya’s water services sector over a given period. It is meant to spur comparative competition in the sector, thus creating impetus for institutions to improve their performance whilst encouraging accountability of stakeholders to the public,” he said.

The Impact Report creates awareness to consumers on the current status of water in Kenya and gives players in the industry a forum to understand trends in the sector. It promotes healthy competition among the utilities and the boards, resulting in improved performance in the sector. It also creates a platform for Wasreb to give regulatory

direction in the sector.

According to the report, water coverage in Kenya stood at 53 per cent for urban areas and 49 per cent for rural areas.

The report also submitted that - as per last year’s annual average growth of 1 per cent - attaining the 100 per cent water coverage as envisioned in Vision 2030 appeared to be beyond reach. Furthermore, the water services regulator noted that in order to realise universal water access by the year 2030, more investment was required in water supply.

“In the current issue, we observe that there has been scanty improvement in water coverage – which is attributable to the growth in population.

However, the attainment of national targets for water continues being a challenge and in order to improve access levels, we not only need to adopt innovative approaches but require prudent investment to reach both national and global goals,” Wasreb CEO Eng Robert Gakubia said during the launch.

CBK EXCHANGE RATES 1 US DOLLAR 1 UK POUND 1 EUR O 1 S.A RAND 1 KSH/USH 1 KSH/TSH

MEAN 102.1611 154.3722 111.3364 7.1139 32.4782 21.1725

BUY SELL 102.0622 102.2600 154.2056 154.5389 111.2200 111.4528 7.1055 7.1223 32.3978 32.5586 21.1031 21.2419

Pay-as-you-travel for Nairobi cab users Nairobi county government is set to introduce ‘pay time and distance-based charges’ metering devices that will be used to charge taxi users in the city if a proposed law that supportsthe devices is approved.

The metered payment is set to replace the current system where fares are subject to an agreement between the passenger and the taxi driver.

“Any owner of a taxi-cab shall be provided with a taximeter of a type approved by the executive committee, which shall be maintained in proper working order and shall be set to indicate no greater fares than those prescribed under this Act,” the Nairobi City County Taxi Cabs Bill, 2015 says.

A taximeter is a device fitted in a vehicle that calculates the fee chargeable based on distance travelled and time taken according to a set tariff.

If passed, the new law will put Nairobi in line with other world cities where taximeters are used to calculate fares payable.

Taxi drivers will be expected to openly display a tariff card on which the rates charged are based.

“The taximeter shall be placed so that all letters and figures on the face thereof are at all times plainly visible to the passenger,” the Taxi Cabs Bill, 2015 stipulates.

Any extra charges besides the distance and time should also be displayed on the tariff card or will not apply, the bill adds.

Further,the bill provides that any driver who charges more than the amount indicated in the taximeter and or Operates without a taximeter or having a faulty one will attract a fine of up to Sh20, 000.

The proposed law, however, does not indicate what would happen in the event of stops such as mechanical breakdowns.

Capital alert Sh3m Global development cash up for grabs

Participants at the 2015 Global Development Network Awards.

The Global Development Awards Competition, an innovative award scheme launched by the Global Development network (GDN) with support from Japan’s Ministry of Finance, is offering up to Sh3 million in funding as part of its latest call for submissions.

The competition recognises excellence in policy-oriented research, supports research capacity development of researchers in developing countries and funds innovative social development projects benefiting marginalised groups in the developing world.

The deadline for applications is January 15, 2016.

Since its inception in 2000, GDN has provided $3.8 million (Sh388 million) in awards and travel grants to finalists and winners, according to a report by development group, Funds for NGOs.

The organisation is now calling on development groups to apply for its latest round of funding.

The winners of the current round will be chosen by an eminent jury at GDN’s 17th Annual Global Development Conference to be held in Peru from March 17 to 18, 2016, an event expected to be attended by over 200 practitioners in the field of development where finalists will present their proposals.

Finalists from both award categories will be invited to present their proposals at the conference.

The competition is accepting submissions in two categories: the Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development (ORD) and the Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP).

The Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development (ORD)

is a competitive research grant program that identifies and funds outstanding research proposals submitted by researchers from developing countries and transition economies that have a high potential for excellence in research and clear policy implications for addressing development issues in any of the four research sub-themes.

The First Prize for this award is $30,000 (Sh3 million), while the Second Prize is $ 10,000 (Sh1 million) and the Third Prize is $5,000 (Sh510,000).

On the other hand, the Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project is a competitive grant program that provides grants worth $45,000 to Non-Governmental Organisations in developing countries to help scale up their innovative projects.

SA mining firm to sack 400 workers as union fights layoff Australian-listed company, South32 plans to cut nearly 447 jobs at a South African manganese mine, the National Union of Mine (NUM) work has said.

The union, which is the country’s largest mining labour body, said it received a notice from South32 stating that the firm was planning to

cut jobs for it to survive.

As soon as it received the notice, NUM says it called on the mines ministry to intervene in order to prevent the layoffs in the embattled industry. NUM said over 1,000 workers are employed at the Hotazel mine in Kuruman, about 550 km (341 miles) south east of

Johannesburg, Reuters confirms.

However, Lulu Letlape, spokesman for South32 said the company was consulting with employees through unions on job cuts.

She said voluntary redundancies and early mainstays were being considered to minimize the impact on workers.

South32 produces manganese, silver, nickel and coking coal, some of the industrial mainstays that have been hardest hit globally in the wake of China’s economic slowdown.

South32 was spun off from BHP Billiton in May saying its review of its South African manganese operations would be completed

by December ascertaining that its mines were unlikely to restart until January.

Mining companies in South Africa are under pressure from rising costs and falling prices, forcing companies to close shafts and cut jobs to survive, angering unions, which have opposed the layoffs.

BUSINESS 7

Kenya wins one-year reprieve from cheap sugar imports Kenya has been granted a oneyear extension on sugar import limits from the regional trade block, Common Markets for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) to facelift its bedridden sugar industry.

The arrangement, capping cheaper imports from Comesa, was scheduled to expire in February 2016 but the government pleaded for more time to revive the sector.

However, the extension will operate on the basis of the terms and conditions set out in Directive No 1 of 2007.

Speaking in Lusaka Zambia during the Comesa Policy Organ, Enterprise and Industrialisation minister Adan Mohamed said it is a big win for Kenya but called for the fast-tracking of the reforms in the sugar sector.

“This Comesa extension will give interim comfort to the sugar sector in Kenya, enabling the ongoing privatisation process,” Mohamed said on his official Twitter handle.

The industry faces high cost and loss-making sugar factories where the country produces 600,000 tonnes of sugar annually which

is far much below the annual consumption of approximately 800,000 tonnes a year.

The deficit of 200,000 tonnes is covered by the controlled imports from Comesa.

Kenya’s application was, however, based on Article 62 of the Comesa treaty which provides for safeguard measures for domestic industries need protection against international competition until

they become mature and stable.

To make its sugar industry more competitive, the country last week invited bids for the purchase of stakes in five state-owned sugar companies where the government aims to sell 51 per cent stake to strategic investors reserving 24 per cent for farmers and employers.

However, experts have blamed a high cost of production for the

woes affecting Kenya’s industry, inadequate funds to repaired machines prone to frequent break down and poor roads in sugar growing areas.

Data from the Kenya Sugar Directorate has estimated the cost of producing a tonne of sugar at about Sh 76,000 in western Kenya compared with Sh 29600 in rival producers such as Egypt.

BIZ BRIEFS El Nino, hunger enslaves 10 million people to hunger

Approximately 10 million people from Ethiopia will not have enough food in 2016 due to the adverse effects of a crippling drought worsened by the El-Nino weather phenomenon, the Save the Children foundation has said.

According to John Graham, Save the Children Country Director, said local grains in the country have dried up due to successful failure of seasonal rains and the adverse effects of the El-Nino.

Of the 10 million children who are more than half of the total population are in need of emergency food assistance. The US Agency for International Development confirms that nearly 44 per cent of the children below five years of age suffer severe chronic malnutrition despite Ethiopia’s fastgrowing economy. El Nino is a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific that occurs every few years, triggering scorching weather in east Africa and in Asia as well as heavy rains in South America.

Airtel to milk big from WTO meeting in roaming service

Data from the Kenya Sugar Directorate has estimated the cost of producing a tonne of sugar at about Sh 76,000 in western Kenya compared with Sh 29600 in rival producers such as Egypt.

Leadership congress for Wings to Fly scholars Equity Group Foundation has concluded a five-day annual Education and Leadership congress that brought together more than 4,000 students who are beneficiaries of its Wings to Fly scholarship programme at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi.

Themed “Value basedLeadership”, the scholars were addressed and mentored by top academia, CEOs of corporate organisations, motivational speakers and government leaders. Some of the key notable speakers included Industrialist Dr Manu Chandaraia, Centum

TUESDAY,DECEMBER 8, 2015

CEO James Mworia, popular TV host Jeff Koinange, IBM research Director Dr Kamal Bhattacharya, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, founder and chairman Mt Kenya University Dr Simon Gicharu, PS Ministry of Education Dr Belio Kipsang, Deputy Governor Central Bank of Kenya Sheila M’Mbijjewe, Vice Dean of Executive Talent Development at Strathmore Business School Patricia Murugami amongst other industry leaders.

Guided by the proposed theme, the speakers focused on assisting the scholars to look at leadership as an opportunity to serve.

“Making effort is not doing what others do. It is doing something new for others to follow” Dr Chandaria said.

Murugami said life is like google, you just need to know what you are searching for.

Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr James Mwangi said being a leader commands one to be a leader in every circumstances, adding that they (Equity) have an objective of having 30,000 Wings to Fly leaders in 10 years.

The event also sought to nurture leadership skills and create a global mindset in Equity scholars

by exposing them to mentoring opportunities by outstanding role models drawn from business, professionals, academia, the public service and partners amongst others: “You are being nurtured to be global leaders. Globalize your mind, there is life beyond your community and nation,” said Mwangi.

The Wings To Fly programme was launched in 2010 with an initial 5,000 scholarships from The MasterCard Foundation. The program has since surpassed its target and benefited more than 10,377 scholars to date.

KCB, Easy Taxi to enhance cashless transport KCB Group has entered into an agreement with Easy Taxi, one of Kenya’s leading online taxi service to enable customers pay for their rides using the KCB Pepea Debit Card.

The partnership will see KCB and Easy Taxi customers download an App and link it with their Pepea cards. Customers will then be able to pay for taxi services using the debit cards.

Speaking during the official unveiling of the partnership, Easy Taxi Kenya Chief Executive Officer Paul Ndichu said that the incorporation of KCB Pepea into the Easy

Taxi App will increase convenience for customers and reduce over-reliance on cash or mobile money to pay for taxi services.

Easy Taxi is a technology company that allows users to book a taxi and track it in real time and has taken the transport industry in Kenya by storm bringing convenience to hundreds of thousands of clients.

Globally, Easy Taxi had a client base of more than 20 million and has over 400,000 taxi drivers spread across 420 cities including Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru.

“KCB Pepea Card brings on board a new experience and fantastic features. Through

this channel, customers will be able to track their expenditure as well as eliminate the dangers that come with handling of physical cash. The increased convenience that the KCB Pepea Card brings to the Easy Taxi APP, is not just for individual clients but also for corporate clients who will find this mode of payment more convenient, said Ndichu.

KCB Retail director Annastacia Kimtai said the new partnership is a game changer in the fast growing taxi-hailing service in the country, as the economy gradually moves into digital payments.

Airtel, Kenya has announced plans to woo delegates who will be attending the World Trade Organiation conference that is set to take place between December 15 and 19 2 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

The company has said it will provide roaming services to all the delegates from Africa and beyond who will be traveling to Kenya for the 3-day conference.

“One Airtel is expected to ease the burden of roaming costs as those who will be roaming on Airtel Kenya network.

Business leaders and delegates from any of Airtel’s 17 operations across Africa will be able to benefit from affordable One Airtel,” said a statement on behalf of the company.

One Airtel is a service offer that enables Airtel roamers or visiting customers from all Airtel African countries to be treated as local customers in the visited country.

Smartphone maker OPPO offers 30 pc Christmas discounts

International smartphone maker OPPO has announced that it will be offering a 30 per cent discount on selected products ahead of the holiday season. The tech company made the announcement just as it launched it new product, the OPPO R7s.

Since its debut into the Kenyan market earlier this year, OPPO has positioned itself as a provider of unique products in an otherwise competitive environment.

The firm is responsible for producing the world’s slimmest smartphone, the OPPO R5, as well as the OPPO N3, the world’s first swivel camera phone.

OPPO currently has more than 60 points of sale in Nairobi and its environs and plans to expand into other major towns in the country. The company said that it is growing its product range with the introduction of 2 new smartphones; the R7s and Neo 7.

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BUSINESS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

Sh40m reward programme for Nakumatt customers Nakumatt Holdings has unveiled an elaborate festive season shoppers’ reward campaign valued at more than Sh40 million as the peak retail season kicks off. This year, Nakumatt has more than doubled its prize kitty to roll out the Nakumatt Santa-in-Blue Christmas reward scheme, which will see 15 customers winning Sh1 million worth of shopping each. In addition, December 1 to 31 Sh750, 000 worth of shopping vouchers will be won by 150 lucky winners every day, as instant prizes.

The festive season, which is globally ignited by Diwali and Christmas festivities in the lead up to New Year celebrations, is also a key trading season for retailers.

Speaking when he confirmed the formal launch of the campaign, Nakumatt Holdings Regional Strategy and Operations Director Thiagarajan Ramamurthy said the firmis projecting a 12 per cent sales growth this festive season.

Globally, the National Retail Federation (NRF) recently disclosed that it expects sales in November and December to rise 3.7 per cent to a value of more than US $630.7 billion, giving many retailers hope that they may pull off a passable if not great year. The holiday season is crucial for many retailers, making or breaking the year for some chains and generating as much as 30 per cent of sales.

Kenya’s economy among most vulnerable in continent: Report Kenya has been ranked as the 6th most vulnerable economy in Africa and is set to face major challenges as global economic turmoil continues to worsen.

This is according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) survey dubbed Economic Insight: Africa Q4 2015.

The study examines the impact of key economic events of 2015 based on the future outlook of African development. The ICAEW determines the risk levels

of various economies within the continent in relation to the rise in US Federal Reserve rate.

In order to determine the risk levels affecting African economies, a vulnerability index was constructed, which focuses on three measures; a country’s current account balance, its growth in private sector credit, as well as its ratio of foreign debt to reserves.

These indicators are scaled, harmonised and added together to provide an overall vulnerability score for each economy. The higher

the score, the more vulnerable the economy to the rise in the US Federal Reserve rate. According to the results, Ghana emerges as the weakest economy with a score of 273 out of 300. This is due to a very high current account deficit as well as a history of rapid credit growth.

Seychelles came in at a close second place followed by Guinea, Tanzania and the DRC. Kenya ranked 6th in terms of vulnerability, scoring just under 250 points out of 300. This can be attributed to the nation’s current

The study examines the impact of key economic events of 2015 based on the future outlook of African development.

Public investment, improved tourism to support sub-Saharan Africa’s growth A World Bankf iscal report has indicated that public investment and an improving tourism sector will support sub-Saharan Africa’s growth in 2016.

Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa will slow to 4.1 per cent in 2015, down from 4.5 per cent in 2014, according to the World Bank’s Fiscal Overview for 2015. The downturn largely reflects the decline in the prices of oil and other commodities. Growth will remain strong in most lowincome countries, however, thanks to infrastructure investment and agriculture expansion, although lower commodity prices will dampen activity in countries that export metals and other key commodities, states the report.

Continued expansion of non-oil sectors, particularly services, is expected to lift growth in 2016 and beyond. Growth is expected to increase in lower-middle- and upper-middle-income countries, propelled by higher public investment and the recovery of

tourism. World Bank assistance will also play a major role in the region’s recovery.

The bank approved $11.6 billion for the region for 103 projects this fiscal year. Support included $1.2 billion(in IBRD loans and $10.4 billion in IDA commitments.

The leading sectors were public administration, law, and justice ($3.0 billion); Health and other social services ($2.8 billion); and transportation ($1.2 billion).

World Bank activity in Africa included supporting regional integration, addressing development-related drivers of fragility and conflict, increasing access to power, supporting small farmers and boosting agricultural productivity, as well as designing and implementing economic recovery plans in the countries affected by the Ebola epidemic.

Regional integration in Africa remains a critical piece of the Bank’s work to improve connectivity, leverage economies

of scale, and enhance productivity.

This fiscal year, regional integration continued to move forward, with sub regional initiatives to address the drivers of fragility and conflict in the Great Lakes, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. This year, Sub-Saharan Africa’s regional integration–related lending was about $2.3 billion. IDA assistance finances regional infrastructure (energy, transport, irrigation, information and communication technology); sexual and gender-

based antiviolence and women’s health initiatives; trade and economic integration; and regional public goods, such as disease surveillance laboratories. Approved projects include support to improve access to essential productive assets, services, and markets for pastoralists and agro pastoralists across six Sahel countries; and support to power pools, such as the South Africa Power Pool, which create regional markets for electricity to boost generation.

account deficit, which stands at 10.4 per cent. At the other end of the spectrum, Botswana, Gabon, Swaziland and Nigeria all have current account surpluses meaning their economies are at a lesser risk of suffering when imports become more expensive in the face of a stronger dollar.

Growth in private sector credit also presents a risk, as it indicates a dependence on debt to drive growth. Within the major African economies, Ghana tops the list, with a private sector credit growth rate of 18.4 per cent followed closely by Kenya with a rate of 17.8 per cent between 2013 and 2015. Botswana and Mauritius have seen a growth of under 10 per cent while other economies such as Zimbabwe have seen credit decline by 24 per cent over the same period.

While the index provides insights into the vulnerability of emerging markets in relation to a US Federal Reserve rate hike, it is not exhaustive.

“Of course, there are many factors to consider, like financial openness and the level of integration into the world economy, which all affect the level of vulnerability to global economic shocks,” explained Michael Armstrong, Regional Director, ICAEW Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

Acacia Premier opens doors in Kisumu county Diversified business services group Simba Corporation has launched Acacia Premier, the first in the chain of hotels branded Acacia that will be spread throughout East Africa.

Fronted to bring style, sophistication and elegance to the City of Kisumu, the new brand will be handled under the company’s hospitality arm known as Simba Hospitality and will be spearheaded through the rollout of four and three star hotels aptly branded Acacia Premier and Acacia Express respectively.

“At Acacia Premier we offer world class service and value for money.

Kisumu being a growing market, there are more travelers who expect quality facilities and exceptional service as they visit the city,” said Simba Corp CEO AdilPopat at the launch.The premier hotel located in Kisumu central business district has four restaurants including; the Barista Coffee Lounge, Café Acacia, Buzz Bar and Aqua Pool Bar and Grill.

The hotel has 94 rooms which include four bay suites, one Presidential Suite, superior rooms facing Lake Victoria.

ACCESS

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fashionscoop

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

topstory Denno came into the limelight courtesy of a hit collabo with gospel sensation Daddy Owen titled Mbona.

They went ahead to win several awards including cash and endorsements. What happened? Why is Denno languishing in poverty according to a new collabo with Bahati dubbed story yangu?

DADDY OWeN

bAhAtI

DeNNO

Daddy owen: i have no comment on Denno’s situation

G

distress call from Denno telling him that he was poor and was losing hope in the music industry.

The narratives further adds that Denno was in a terrible economic situation and he had requested Bahati to open a shop for him having given up on his music career.

Instead of helping to open a shop, Bahati offered to do a collabo and have Denno’s career back on track.

Speaking to X Access this Morning, Owen said, “I am not the best place person to tell you what is going on with Denno.”

Adding that it is only Denno who can clear a developing confusion over claims that he is languishing in poverty.

In mid-2012, Denno then 24 years old and born blind, seemed to have

that Denno has only himself to blame if he were indeed poor and giving up on music.

Rufftone said in part, “I am a witness to Daddy Owen starting a business for Denno and you all remember Daddy Owen gave him 1 Million shillings.”

Daddy Owen has not said a word but has noted on his page “Bwana ndiye mtetetzi wangu,” (God is my witness).

The statements from Bahati, Daddy Owen and Rufftone have left the gospel flock confused. Efforts to reach Bahati and Denno were futile as Bahati’s phone went an unanswered the better part of yesterday and switched off in the afternoon.

We know the circus has just began, your guess is as good as ours.

overcome his woes guided strongly by his internal vision.

The song Mbona, a collabo between Daddy Owen and Denno, is said to have sufficiently amassed an audience and downloads proficient of having good royalties in addition to this scooping the KISMA award which had a prized tag of 1 Million shillings.

The Bahati Denno collabo has split the gospel fraternity into half with most claiming Bahati was simply looking for a new hit after his latest collaborations flopped.

But more pertinent question lingers; has Denno received any royalties or cash for his part in Mbona? Owen is tight lipped but elder brother Rufftone took to Instagram to support his little brother and retaliate

Madowo Vs nyakundi

GRAMMY AWARDS

HOT TOPICS

B

logger Cyprian Nyakundi is ready for war with outwardly boisterous NTV news anchor and columnists Larry Madowo. The two have taken their battle to the court after Nyakundi sued for defamation over purported grievous character assassination. The suit which is one of its kind between writers arose from comments made

by Madowo that Nyakundi uses his blog and fans to tarnish other people’s names for a fee. Nyakundi went further to request for an apology and after Madowo decline Nyakundi sued. Madowo later accepted the duel with sarcasm advising Nyakundi to take a loan and noting it will be fun. The duel has caused a stir on social media trending with #NyakunkdiSuesMadowo.

The Grammy awards nomination List is out NYAKUNDI

MADOWO

ospel artiste Daddy Owen, has told XAccess that he has no comment regarding claims by Bahati that Denno is broke and almost dirt poor.

The recent claims and subsequent release of a heart wrenching song has created a gospel cloud of ambiguity and misgiving revolving around Bahati, Dennis Karanja aka Denno Wa Mbona and Daddy Owen.

Bahati the gospel ‘Wonder Kid’ expressed his responsibility of helping Denno the visually impaired gospel artiste.

Here is how it all started; Sunday evening, Bahati posted on his social media platform that he received a

i

ts awards season and the nomination list for Grammy awards 2016 is out! Kendrick Lamar is leading the roost, with expectations of grabbing a Grammy, after more than five nominations, the likes of Justin Bieber are hiding in the dark corners of Hollywood for being left out. Tension is already building.

ACCESS

ART&CULTURE

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 26th NOVEMBER 3, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER DECEMBER 8, 2015 2015 2014

aboutLove

JeAlouSy iS An emotion And typicAlly referS to the negAtive thoughtS And feelingS of inSecurity

ASK dr X

Dear Dr X,

I am 26 years old and have been dating my boyfriend for about a year now. We are okay as we do not have any major issues in our relationship. My problem is, a few weeks ago I met another guy who I am totally in lust with and I do not know what to do. I have not acted upon any of my intense urges but I am worried I won’t be able to keep off the temptation for long. I do not know whether to give up this current relationship or to suffer through the feelings I am getting now. Please help.

—Disturbed.

Dear Disturbed,

HeLP i AM in LUST WiTH AnOTHeR GUy!

First of all, the fact that you feel lust for more than one man is normal. Of course what distinguishes us from animals is the fact that we have a brain and—hopefully—the capacity to not ONLY act like animals in heat. This means that we don’t jump on every rump that presents itself. We want to.

But, deep down we are all looking to bond with that special someone. Once we do, we resist acting on our lustful urges in order to preserve our sacred bonds. This is the ideal that we all must strive to achieve. Every decision you make will have its consequences. Grass is always greener where you water it.Stick to who you love, and do your best to nurture your relationship. The feelings of lust will eventually go away. All the best.

Dr X.

Send your agonising queries to adhyambo@x254.co

All about the Amerus

OUR TOOTS

10

The Meru tribe also known as Ameru is from the Bantu community. They are divided into seven sub-tribes, namely: Tigania, Igemebe, Imenti, Miutuni, Igoji, Mwimbi and Muthambi. The Chuka and Tharaka are now considered part of the Meru but they have different oral histories and mythology. The majority of Meru people are subsistence farmers who live on small family plots where they raise food and produce a large variety of food crops, including staples such as corn, beans, potatoes, and millet. Coffee is the most popularly grown cash crop, along with tea.

They are also best known for farming miraa (khat), a stimulant plant from which they still earn their largest income to date. Male circumcision is still one of the most significant rituals in this culture. This rite of passage transforms a young man into an adult, giving him the right to marry, acquire wealth and property, and make independent decisions. Just like other Bantus, bride price is in form of cows, goats and sheep and is paid by the groom’s family to the bride’s family before marriage. A man is considered the head of the household and has defined roles and duties while the women tend to the farms and raise the children.Ofcourse these roles have since changed in modern day living but most remain intact.

ARTSHOCK

MySTiC & inTRiCATe

T

he art work of Fabian Oefner is a mystic skill that is compelling, yet intricate.

Fabian uses a power drill and paint and a camera to capture cosmic like supernova explosion. He spins the drill in with a dash of paint and captures the result in split seconds, roughly as fast as the blink of an eye.

TAMING

JeALOUSy

in A ReLATiOnSHiP

There are several wounds that cause one to be jealous

T

here is a common saying that a jealous partner is a faithful partner.

Granted this may be true but it I can also get out of hand if you get overly protective of your significant other.

Are you a victim? Do you walk on eggshells when a call or text comes through?

Jealousy could be holding your relationship hostage.

Jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that you value, especially a

human connection. It is often a combination of anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness and disgust.

Where do you lie? Lack of self-confidence, poor selfimage, fear of rejection and abandonment or insecurity?

The root cause of all these is lack of self-love.

If you love yourself for the unique person you are, then you should not feel threatened by imaginary rivals. And when you are no longer in competition with other women or men, you will become less vulnerable to feelings of jealousy.

Relationships mirror how you feel inside. If you feel irreplaceable in your relationship, you become irreplaceable, and then jealousy disappears.

It is about raising your personal net worth. This consists of becoming a loving and affirming parent to yourself, tending to your physical, emotional and spiritual needs, and surrounding yourself with loving and supportive people.

Love thyself first for you are unique and irreplaceable and then allow others in.

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26th NOVEMBER 8, 2015 2014

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FASHIONscoop

@Kennedy Centre Honors 2015

Laura osnes: Graceful and elegant.

Kerry WasHington: Her dresses’ upper detail was impeccable.

JaneLLe Monae: Her heels were on fleek.

sara bareiLLes: She looked simple in silk.

rosie Perez: Her dress was flowing floral.

Miranda LaMbert: She stunned in this extra ordinary hue.

DIgNIfIeD style

Award ceremonies have become the norm nowadays especially with the official commencement of the award season, but you know it’s a glamorous event when the most powerful man in the world is in attendance. President Barack Obama was among the dignitaries paying homage to this year’s artistic and entertainment honorees in the 38th edition of the Kennedy Centre Honors. Serious as the occasion was, the attendees had ample time to show off their glam fashion on the red carpet and we have the best looks of the night.

filmlab

our rating: H H H

blAck mAss

I

BEST...

tells the story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history.

genre: Action and adventure. rating: PG13 Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell. runtime: 1hr 40 min.

fANtAstIc fOUR

genre: Drama rating: R Cast: Johnny Depp, Jesse Plemons, Dakota Johnsons. runtime: 2hrs 2min.

n 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Johnny Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama

genre: Comedy rating: R Cast: Jessica Barth, Mark Walhberg, Morgan Freeman. runtime: 2hrs.

N

ewlywed couple Ted and Tami-Lynn want to have a baby, but in order to qualify to be a parent, Ted will have to prove he’s a person in a court of law.

our rating: H H H

A

contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. our rating: H H H

12

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WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 You may be in a quagmire of indecision. Your brain is turning in many directions but not coming to any conclusion. Work with this energy rather than become frustrated by it. Feel free to examine every idea thoroughly. By the time you really have to make a decision, you’ll know what you want.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 The latest magazines and trends in fashion and movies will catch your attention. There’s a piece of late-breaking news that will matter a great deal to you. Conversations revolving around these topics are likely to come up at dinner tonight. You’ll have a fresh tidbit of information to share with others.

TUESday 8/12/2015

sunny

More sun than clouds

24

24

25ºC 64%

WEDNEsday 9/12/2015

6:19 am 6:30pm

24ºC 65%

6:19am 6:31pm

THURsday

24

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 You may feel like a scatterbrain when you forget where you put your keys and put detergent in the dryer with your freshly washed clothes. Your brain is tossed every which way, and it may be hard to follow through on anything you start. Don’t get too hung up on this.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Things should be going your way, and you may feel like quite a bit is getting done without your having to lift a finger. At the same time, a nagging voice in the back of your mind is telling you to watch your back. Have all your bases covered.

Sudoku

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TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Your current paradigm may get shifted a bit. Your mind may be spinning. Don’t get caught up in the mental maelstrom. You can cut through the jargon that your mind may be feeding you by relying on your sixth sense - your keen intuition - for the answers you seek.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Ordering one item from the menu isn’t going to satisfy you today. You need a buffet table where you can try everything - either that or an eight-course meal served with a smile. You’re happy to share your meal with others as long as you can have a bite of what everyone else is having as well.

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CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 By speaking about a problem out loud, you’ll eventually talk your way to a solution. By externalizing what’s going on in your head, the issue is somehow easier to handle. Keeping it all inside gives it very little room to move around. You’re closer to a solution than you think.

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LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Once someone brings up philosophy or religion, it seems like the floodgates open. You’ll be occupied for a few hours as you engage in a discussion. Your mind will jump around, and you’ll be happy to consider many perspectives, although you’ll have the last say about what you believe.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 The trick is to not take anything too emotionally. Keep things on the light side, and don’t get too frustrated if you can’t seem to find the tools to dig as deeply as you’d like. You may be more productive if you skim many issues instead of trying to penetrate deeply into one in particular.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 This is a very climactic time of month on the emotional front, and you may lash out for no apparent reason. This is a time when any emotions that you’ve stored up inside are forced to come out in one way or another. You may feel like you have little control over how you express feelings.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 There may be times when you have to wait for someone and you’ll want to be productive. You’ll inevitably get antsy and could get angry with the person holding up your day. Having something to focus on will calm you and make you feel like you’re not wasting your time.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Your mind is hungry for stimulation, so give it plenty of food to chew on. This food could come in the form of a lively discussion about politics and world events or perhaps an offbeat periodical. Your perspective could change on a dime, so keep your mind open to new ideas.

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PLAY 13 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. European rival of Kodak 5. Khyber Pass country, for short 9. Midsection 14. Raindrop sound 15. Hockey player Kovalchuk 16. Iron ___ 17. Not in the proper sequence 19. Walks unsteadily 20. Pinched 21. “Dueling” instrument 23. ___ glance 25. Places for fish 30. Author of “She” 33. Get long in the tooth 35. Play for a sucker 36. Doc Baker on “Little House on the Prairie,” familiarly 37. 100% 39. Group of things 42. Period after dark, in ads 43. Feudal vassal 45. Spiced drink 47. X 48. Unbelievably 52. Stork’s haul 53. Italian article 54. Musical wrap-ups 57. ___-Loompa (Wonka factory employee) 61. G-sharp equivalent 65. Space traveler

67. “A Beautiful Mind” star 68. Pond denizen 69. Army vet 70. Removed with a hitch 71. Flows away 72. Catalogue Down 1. Blood drive spec.

2. Superabundance 3. Picture, in commercial names 4. Like some nerve cells 5. Small island in a river 6. Blow it 7. Jazz fusion band Spyro ____ 8. ____ Montana 9. Brooklyn, for one 10. Common PC file extension 11. Fib 12. Cholesterol letters 13. Affirmative answer 18. Stinky 22. Presidential inits.

24. Rub-____ 26. Fer’s opposite 27. Unlikely occurrence 28. Incensed 29. Pitching specialists 30. “From ___ Eternity” 31. Anti-pollution org.

32. Gag 33. “Sounds like ___!”

34. Deceptive appearance

38. “Ghostbusters” character 40. Frat letter 41. Send to the gallows 44. Put on the books 46. Arctic abode 49. “Am ___ understand...”

50. Give Valium to 51. Toy train maker 55. Give someone ____ story 56. Try 58. Hippie skirt 59. Percy of “Pocahontas,” and others 60. Slaving away 61. Be in a cast 62. Big hairdo, for short 63. Rather blue 64. Humbling feeling 66. Aves. and hwys.

Sunwday’s answers

YOURSAY Uhuru’s war on corruption PR gimmick, opaque After President Uhuru Kenyatta declared Corruption a national security threat just a week ago and spelt out a raft of measures to deal with the vice, there was beam of hope.

Unfortunately, after a few days Kenyans are disappointed by the President’s inaction and indecisiveness to deal with graft.

The tendency of leaders to retreat to their tribal base, whenever implicated in corruption has heavily weighed on the fight against the vice.

My question is, why do we allow those mentioned in corruption to use us as a shield to evade the law and get away with the loot? Don’t we know that the consequences of the same will eventually

affect us all?

When one visits a supermarket to buy sugar or bread be it a Kisii, a Kalenjin, Kamba and or any other tribe, the effect on our economy is the same.

Why must Kenyans keep celebrating the corrupt, greedy and wrong people in this country? No one is paying attention to the things that should be done to deal with corruption.

The institutions mandated to fight graft have gone to bed with the corrupt and are now celebrating and hiding the thieving regardless of stringent laws in the Constitution to deal with the vice.

Our leaders have abdicated their role, to safeguard the interests of the electorate, no

single leaders is speaking on issues that benefit Kenyans.

Kenyans are being overtaxed and there is widespread stealing of public resources.

Tax-free nations such as Dubai and Switzerland have showed that increasing taxes won’t grow the economy.

If President Uhuru could feel the pain and stress of Kenyans, he would champion prudent spending, not imposing huge taxes and lethargic approach in dealing with corruption being witnessed.

All I pray that Kenya will wake up to reality before life become unbearable, forcing citizens to resort to mass protest to demand the rightful place in government.

—Hillary Mageka, Kangemi

Instant fines on traffic offenders fueling graft Instant fines imposed on motorist who violate traffic rules by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is wrong because it fuels corruption.

The fines will only catalyse the offences and accidents on our roads as motorist remain careless with the knowledge that they have insurance policies and no charges will be preferred against them. They will only need to carry notes to buy ‘justice’ from the traffic police and go Scot-free. The officers who are labeled as the most corrupt will only open another avenue to collect bribes and compromise the rule of law.

Traffic offenders should be arrested and taken to court to face charges raised against them.

Any penalties or fines should be paid in court not on the streets. However, the cases should be hastened especially for the minor offenders.

NTSA should also seek other measures of controlling traffic offences. For instance, ensuring all vehicles are inspected at least once in three months to eradicate unworthy road vehicles. They should enforce law on refreshment courses on all motorist to maintain qualified drivers on our roads.

— Nderitu, Kamkunji

State must not continue paying sacked CSs The revelation that former Cabinet Secretaries are still on the government’s payroll is shocking at a time the country is faced with myriad of problems which requires financial intervention. The Public Service Commission indeed confirmed that there are some contractual agreements which cannot be breached even upon suspension of the public officers. Now that the Cabinet Secretaries have been sent home, can the taxpayers be saved from this extra burden of paying individuals,

who were linked to graft cases and are no longer serving anybody except their families?

There ought to be austerity measures from the Public Service to cut down cost to save the already overburdened Kenyans by paying those who have been shown the door. The argument by the PSC chairperson that the former Cabinet Secretaries had a binding contract that runs till 2017 holds no water at this time.

— Bukende Steve, Pipeline

ODM polls should be manned by external body The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) should consider contracting an external body to conduct its grassroots election. The Orange party primaries have always been marred with chaos and violence, giving it a bad image. The recent chaos in Homa Bay County where supporters of the Women’s

Rep Gladys Wanga and Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma clashed should not be tolerated. ODM being the single largest party in the country should demonstrate to outfits how peaceful elections can be carried out.

The party currently does not depict an outfit that is ready to lead on issues of

democracy. The only solution is for the leadership of the party to admit that its internal mechanism of conducting elections has failed, therefore the mandate should be given to another external independent body.

— Otieno Nyakrathia, South B

Uhuru sycophants must give us a break on trips It is absurd that when the public raises concerns over President Uhuru Kenyatta’s constant trips abroad, his supporters have defended the trips, comparing the Kenya’s presidential visits to those of the United States of America President Obama oblivious of the size of economies of the two nations.

The same sycophant bandied the same mantra during the teachers’ strike that paralysed learning for more than a month when they

compared teacher’s salaries and remuneration with teachers from countries such as Burundi and Uganda. It is only fair that we recognise that Kenya is still a third world country and cannot compete with countries ranked in the top 50 or even 100 when it comes to economic stability. Let us call a spade a spade and use the little we have in developing our country and not on foreign trips.

— Otieno HD, Nairobi

Send your letters to news@X254.co | Letters will be edited for summary and clarity

14

SPORT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

SPORTS BRIEFS CAF now clears Sierra Leone to host matches

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has cleared Sierra Leone to host international matches after the country was declared Ebola-free. CAF banned Sierra Leone from hosting matches upon the recommendations of the World Health Organisation due to ebola outbreak in the country last year. But the ban, which took effect in August 2014, has now been lifted following the end of the Ebola epidemic in the West African country, CAF told the Sierra Leone Football Association by letter on 6 December. Guinea, who were also banned from hosting matches because of the threat of Ebola in their countries are yet to be cleared. However Liberia which was also affected by the pandemic has been given the go-ahead to resume internationals, Guinea have not yet been cleared Ebola-free by the WHO and so the CAF suspension remains in place. Guinea currently host games in Mali and Morocco, while Sierra Leone fulfilled home 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Cameroon, DRC and Ivory Coast at the grounds of their opponents and collected only one point.

Hamilton’s move to Mercedes emotional Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Mercedes was “emotional” and not based on knowledge of the team’s potential, according to Jenson Button. Hamilton decided to join Mercedes after the 2012 Singapore Grand Prix, in which he had to retire from the lead. His then McLaren team-mate Button said: “Lewis is one of the quickest guys ever in an F1 car, but he did not know (they would be so quick) when he signed. “We’re all emotional, he took it emotionally, but it has paid off.”

Hamilton, who has won the past two titles, has always insisted the decision was based on Mercedes’ plans for the future, after several weeks of persuasion from then team boss Ross Brawn and non-executive chairman Niki Lauda. Brawn and Lauda sold Hamilton on their plans for the new turbo hybrid formula, which they have dominated since its introduction in 2014.

KCB offer ‘competitive’ package for new coach

Relegated Kenya Commercial Bank has pulled a first one in Kenyan football by advertising for the position of a head coach.

KCB was demoted to the FKF Premier league after finishing 15th in the ended season.

What followed was the unceremonious firing of ailing former coach Rashid Shedu and the release of 12 players. “KCB is looking for a well organised, result oriented and highly motivated individual to fill the position oh head coach,” the advert posted on the internet reads in parts. KCB that has always lost good players to rival clubs with each passing season seems to have learned from their mistake. The new coach should be able to assembles and retain the winning team of players and technical bench. He will also be required to negotiate and close players contract to deliver a high performance team. The ideal candidate, should have a football CAF/UEFA ‘A’ license and a certificate in management.

Hermaphrodite Semenya weds long-time girlfriend South African 2012 Olympics silver medallist Caster Semenya has married her long-time girlfriend Violet Raseboya.

Semenya whose sex had been the subject of discussion in the athletics quarter held the private traditional wedding ceremony at the weekend.

According to South Africa media, Semenya, 2009 World championship winner (800m) whose sex test revealed that she is a woman and a man and her long-time girlfriend, Raseboya, had their traditional wedding ceremony in Ga-Dikgale in the Capricorn District of Limpopo.

The athlete, who was reported on the Sun in 2012 as having payed “lobola” dowry to her fiancé was found to have no womb or ovaries though her testosterone levels are more than three times higher than those of a normal female, according to reports.

The test that were ordered by International Association of Athletics Federations –IAAF also concluded that the athlete who rose to fame in 2009 when she beat the likes of Pamela Jelimo is a hermaphrodite – (having both male and female organs).

Pictures of her and Raseboya dressed in traditional ‘wedding’ attire were published on the media over the weekend in what is suspected to be a wedding ceremony.

Last year it was reported that the pair had become engaged after dating for a long time, and their union got the approval of their families.

However, shortly after the reports emerged Semenya denied the claims.

“There is no wedding. Do not believe the rumours you read in the news” she was quoted on the, Sowetan.

It’s believed that there is some confusion on whether it was an engagement or a traditional wedding.

However the person claiming to be Semenya’s cousin later said; “There was no wedding. If I say there was no wedding then there was no wedding.”

South African 2012 Olympics silver medalist Caster Semenya during a past event. She has dismissed reports that she wedded her long-time girlfriend Violet Raseboya. INSET: Leaked photos of Semenya and Raseboya during the wedding.

Okumbi exit paves way for Kimanzi’s Mathare return Former Tusker FC head coach Francis Kimanzi top the list of possible replacement of Stanley Okumbi as Mathare head Coach after the latter quit.

Okumbi ended his three years stint with the Slum-based side after he resigned last Monday, for the second time this year.

Kimanzi (pictured), who was asked to step aside from Tusker following poor run of form that saw the brewers finish fifth, is understood to be eying a return to his former club which he guided to their only Kenyan Premier League trophy in 2008.

Okumbi mid this year resigned by a word of mouth before making an about-turn to guide Mathare to their ninth place finish.

Okumbi until his resignation was the longest serving coach in the top tier league following his close to three years stint at Mathare, a side he

joined in March 2012 before he announced his exit.

The 2015 Spotpesa Premier League season, where the Slum Boys finished 9th, was the biggest test of his three-year managerial reign at the club.

In August 2015, he announced his resignation after a 3-1 defeat against Ushuru which left Mathare 10th on the log but he rescinded that decision after Bob Munro, the club owner and chairman intervened. He went on to take charge of the remaining eight matches, winning one, drawing four and losing three.

Within his three years stint at Mathare, Okumbi finished in the top half of the table only once in his debut season in 2012 which the Slum Boys placed 8th after garnering 41 points. They dropped to 13th in 2013 (32 points), went up to 10th in 2014 (38 points) and finished the 2015 season in 9th (36 points).

SPORT 15

Olunga lead chase for Sh1m YOY- MVP Awards Gor Mahia forward Michael Olunga who scored 19 goals and Tusker hitman Jesse Were (22) lead the chase for Sh1million prize for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) SJAK/KPL Award set for Wednesday.

Other still gunning for the prize include Karim Nizigiyimana (Gor Mahia), AFC Leopards midfielder Bernard Mang’oli and Nairobi City Stars striker Ebrimah Sanneh.

The final list of nominees was released today by Kenya Premier League and Sports Journalist Association of Kenya –SJAK. Interestingly, all the nominees for the MVP awards have a double nomination.

Olunga and Were will face-off each other in the golden boot category though Were stands to win the award after scoring three more goals than Olunga.

Burundian Nizigiyimana will also

battle it out with dead ball specialist Noah Abich (Mathare United), Shariff Mohammed (Bandari), Geoffrey Kokoyo (Ulinzi Stars) and teammate Musa Mohammed for the defender of the year awards.

Sanneh got the extra ticket to contest for the new player of the year alongside teammate Luis Masika, Eston Esiye (Western Stima), George Mandela (Muhoroni Youth) and Alphonce Ndonye from Mathare United.

Sofapaka veteran forward John Baraza is in line for the fair play award. He will face Vincent Nyaberi (Thika United), Shaban Kenga (Bandari), Alfred Onyango (Sony Sugar) and Gabriel Andika fromWestern Stima.

Gor Mahia custodian Boniface Oluoch, Chemelil Sugar’s Jairus Adira, Faruk Shikhalo from Muhoroin Youth and Wilson Obungu of Bandari will battle for the golden glove.

Nominees MVP

Michael Olunga, Karim Nizigiyimana (Gor Mahia), Jesse Were (Tusker), Ebrimah Sanneh (City Stars), Bernard Mangoli (AFC Leopards) Midfielder of the Year Khalid Aucho (Gor Mahia), Eric Johanna (Mathare United), David Kingatua, Antony Kimani (Bandari) Defender of the Year Karim Nizigiyimana (Gor Mahia), Noah Abich (Mathare United), Shariff Mohammed (Bandari), Geoffrey Kokoyo (Ulinzi Stars), Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia) New Player of the Year Ebrimah Sanneh (City Stars), Eston Esiye (Western Stima), George Mandela (Muhoroni Youth), Alphonce Ndonye (Mathare United), Luis Masika (City Stars) Golden Glove Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Jairus Adira (Chemelil Sugar), Faruk Shikhalo (Muhoroin Youth), Wilson Obungu (Bandari) Golden Boot Jesse Were (Tusker), Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia), John Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars) Fair play Player of the Year Vincent Nyaberi (Thika United), John Baraza (Sofapaka), Shaban Kenga (Bandari), Alfred Onyango (Sony Sugar), Gabriel Andika (Western Stima)

Gor Mahia striker Michael Olunga will tomorrow battle it out with other players for this year’s the Most Valuable Player (MVP) SJAK/KPL Award. With soccer pundits saying his performance both for the club and the national team could boost his chances.

Arsenal draw Sunderland in FA third round FA Cup holders Arsenal will begin their defence at home against Sunderland in the third round that also paired five all premier league ties.

Arsenal have won the FA Cup a record 11 times and will be aiming for a third straight victory after they beat Hull in the 2014 final and Aston Villa in 2015.

Leicester are leading the way in the Premier League, but the four-time FA Cup finalists have never won the competition.

They face a Tottenham side aiming for a first FA Cup victory since 1991.

Manchester City claimed the last of their FA Cup victories in 2011 and, having been knocked out by Championship sides in the past two years, face struggling top-flight rivals Norwich City. City have suffered from inconsistency this season, while the Canaries - 16th in the top flight - have won just once in their last 10 games and may

welcome the distraction of the FA Cup. Southampton won the FA Cup in 1976, but have not gone further than the fifth round in the past 10 seasons, and they will welcome former manager Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace, runners-up in 1990, to St Mary’s Stadium for the third round.

Watford, losing finalists in 1984, host sixtime winners Newcastle, who have lost in the third round in each of the past three seasons.

Non-league Eastleigh are at home to Bolton, while fellow part-timers Whitehawk will go to Everton if they can overcome Dagenham & Redbridge.

Liverpool face a trip to League Two Exeter, while the top flight’s bottom club Aston Villa also go to a League Two side in Wycombe. Manchester United will host Sheffield United as Chelsea travel to

Oxford.

Eastleigh are currently eighth in the National League and face a Bolton side struggling at the foot of the Championship.

National League South side Whitehawk play in the sixth tier of English football and their manager Steve King, whose side will play League Two Dagenham & Redbridge in a secondround replay, had wanted a tie against Liverpool.

Seventh-tier Salford are the lowest team left in the competition and need to beat Hartlepool if they are to progress to a third-round tie against Championship promotion-chasers Derby.

National League Grimsby play League One Shrewsbury on Monday and the winner faces a trip to Championship side Cardiff City. The games will be played between 8 and 11 January 2016.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

xnews | tuesday, deCeMBeR 8, 2015 | www.x254.Co

SEMENYA WEDS LONG-TIME GIRLFRIEND RASEBOYA IN TRADITIONAL CEREMONY

Striker Anthony Martial will lead United attack against Wolfsburg in a must-win champions league tie at the Volkswagen Arena tonight.

Uphill task awaits United in Germany

p14

M

anchester United will Ham while Schneiderlin, who be without striker limped out in the same match Wayne Rooney and did not travel to Germany for tomidfielder Morgan night’s crunch match. Defenders Schneiderlin for their must- Phil Jones (ankle), Marcos Rojo win Champions League match (shoulder) and midfielder Ander against Group B leaders Wolfs- Herrera (hamstring) are all sideburg to progress to last 16. Only lined. victory will guarantee United Anthony Martial will need the a place in the next round. Any killer instinct that was missing slip-up for Luis Van Gaal side in United’s draw last week that and a three points for PSV Eind- saw them drop to fourth on the hoven against CSKA Moscow EPL table when they take on the will see them drop out of Eu- Germans. rope’s elite race and return to Eu- Chelsea manager Jose Mourinropa League. Last season United ho, though under pressure to even failed to make it to Europa deliver will need just a point after finishing a distant seventh against his former club, Porto in in English league. the group G to progress to the Van Gaal’s team are second in next round.

Group B, one point ahead of Chelsea is joint top on 10 points PSV Eindhoven, who have a with the visitors and this match superior head-to-head record promises excitement as the bathaving beaten United in the tle for group leaders which come Netherlands and drawn 0-0 at with a relatively weaker oppoOld Trafford. They need to win nents up all to fight for. or at least draw and hope that The Portuguese side edged out CSKA Moscow beat Eindhoven Chelsea 2-1 in the first leg of in order for them to progress. this fixture and Mourinho who Rooney remains out with the an- lost their ninth league match, to kle injury that forced him to miss Bournemouth last weekend will Saturday’s 0-0 draw with West want to avoid any defeat.

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