201502018 xnews

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

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new directive Give arvs to infected kids, president uhuru orders

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green energy Sh3b solar energy plant being set up in Kajiado

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RETURN OF THE HEARTTHROB NICK BACK in SHUGA SSN 4

NEWS

Coach optimistic Sofapaka will hit Platinum in Harare

united boss Van Gaal hails team spirit in FA Cup win over preston

Obama axes Africa from terror summit

T

he US has opened a three-day summit on countering violent extremism, with Africa, which has shouldered one the heaviest brunt of militant group operations, largely ignored.

The summit started on Tuesday and involves top US

law enforcement and counter-terror officials. Other participants include foreign and interior ministers from Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Delegates are expected to discuss ways of battling the threat of extremism made more real by recent attacks in France, Denmark, Canada and Australia.

But Africa, which has also witnessed a steady rise in violent extremism in the hands of Boko Haram in Nigeria, Al-Shabab in the Horn of Africa and ISIS, whose militants decapitated 21 Egyptian Christians early this week, has been ignored by the organisers.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

KQ REWARDS SHUJAA’S PERFORMANCE

P.8

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P.9

All-natural aphrodisiacs

See which foods if taken in right amounts can get your juices flowing.

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Fashion scoop WELL DONE: The Kenya Sevens rugby team receives a $14,994 (Sh1.5 million) cheque from sponsors, Kenya Airways, as reward for their impressive performance at the Las Vegas Sevens tournament.

Sophie Umazi partners with Briggit Wazike to launch new collection

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NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Obama axes Africa from terror summit From Page 1 White House says the summit had originally been set for October but was postponed for unspecified reasons. The January terrorist attacks in Paris, which were perpetrated by Islamic extremists, prompted Obama’s aides to place the summit back on schedule. During the months the summit was delayed, Islamists have carried out attacks in

Canada, Australia and Denmark.

Obama hosted an African leaders’ summit last October during which rising terrorist activities in the continent were discussed.

The current summit is expected to focus on efforts by US to combat extremist ideologies and programmes being developed overseas.

US officials say they want community and national leaders to share effective techniques that

can be used to combat extremist messages, with particular focus on social or religious communities’ ability to counter extremism within their ranks.

White House also wants to instill a sense of urgency in dealing with threats posed by home-grown terrorism and radicalization.

The summit is also expected to address the recruitment of Americans, especially disaffected young people, into extremist

groups ranks.

Vice President Joe Biden said it has become important to engage immigrants who may be radicalised because of marginalization.

Washington hopes to give them “a sense of belonging that discredits the terrorist’s appeal to fear, isolation, hatred and resentment”.

“We need answers that go beyond force. Countries, all of us, including US, have to work

from the ground up and engage our communities and engage those who might be susceptible to being radicalised because they are marginalised for societies have to provide an affirmative alternative for immigrant communities,” he said in opening remarks yesterday.

He said White House believes Europe is especially susceptible to attacks because immigrants in the region are less integrated into the

mainstream society.

“National security flows from a sense of community,” Biden said, adding that the most vital lesson US can learn is that “inclusion counts”.

Obama is expected to make remarks twice: once tonight during a meeting on how specific US cities are handling the threat of extremism and during a meeting with foreign ministers at the State Department tomorrow.

remembering kimathi ALONE: The Dedan Kimathi Statue standing tall on Kimathis Street. The freedom fighter’s widow, Mukami (inset) was alone as she commemorated her husband’s death at the statue.

Kimathi widow urges State to show family hero’s grave The widow of Kenyan liberation hero Dedan Kimathi today staged a sit-in at his statue in Nairobi to mark his killing more than 50 years ago.

The freedom fighter was shot by colonial masters on February 18, 1956 in Nyeri with the day often used to remember him.

voxpop....

“This is the day we commemorate when Kimathi was shot and arrested by the white colonial masters in1956, at Kahiga-ini in Nyeri County. We are kickstarting our commemoration here then we head to Kahiga-ini,” the widow Mukami said.

She asked the Government to

help the family trace the grave in which Kimathi was buried so that the hero can be given a befitting send-off.

“Kimathi was a freedom fighter for Kenya…. now that we are no longer under the British colonial masters, why can’t the Government tell us where the remains of Kimathi are

so that we give him a befitting sendoff,” she said.

Mukami is so keen on finding her husband’s grave that in 2013, she instructed a UK law firm to petition the British government to disclose where they interred the remains of the war hero.

It is believed Kimathi’s grave

lies somewhere inside Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, about 21 kilometres northeast of Nairobi where the war veteran was allegedly buried in an unmarked mass grave.

And in her own assessment of the state of the nation, Mukami has asked the Government to do

more.

“I think we are badly off as a nation, but a lot should be done to instill national values to the younger generation. The leadership should also address the issues of land grabbing as well as fight for the rights of freedom fighters,” she said.

Is it right for Kenya and Tanzania to lock out rival tour vans from game parks? What will be the impact of the clash on the economy of the region?

Steven Kithukuma

Nelly Odero I think it is right because they restrict us; why shouldn’t we? I don’t think the economy will suffer that much. We will be ok because we still have other avenues for tourism.

George Ongadi It is right. If they open their end we will also do the same. Because it is a two-way issue, one side cannot be the one bowing to the other’s pressure. I feel the economies of both countries will lose.

This will pull down the region’s growth.

Judy Namalwa I don’t think it is right.

We will all lose because tourism is a business.

If both countries work together and resolve the issues, everything will be fine. But if they fail to do so, it will be a major setback.

Kenya and Tanzania will lose a lot while Uganda is busy investing. If Tanzania close their end I don’t think we should reciprocate because maybe they are wary of issues Kenyans are facing such as insecurity and terrorism.

If we restrict them, we will pull ourselves backwards.

Our economy will also lose.

NEWS 3 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS

CARTOONSPEAK

NCIC now wants Moses Kuria bond cancelled

China produces enough plastic waste to cover Nairobi with 2 layers of garbage Around 8 million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the world’s oceans each year, polluting the water and posing a threat to numerous forms of aquatic life. 8 million tonnes is enough to cover the entire Nairobi area with 4 layers of garbage.

In a shocking new discovery, it has emerged that China is responsible for close to half this waste.

The country dumps roughly 3.5 million tonnes of plastic into the ocean each year, enough to cover Nairobi with 2 layers of waste.

In Nairobi alone, 173,000 tonnes of plastic is dumped every year but not much of it reaches the ocean. This is about 2 per cent of the waste the world produces. Meanwhile, the US, which

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) now wants a Nairobi court to cancel the bond issued to Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria due to persistent hate speech. In an application filed in court Tuesday afternoon, the NCIC says the legislator has continued to spew hate messages on social media despite an assurance that he would stop. The court has now given Kuria 14 days to respond to the application, before a decision is made.

is far larger than Nairobi and Kenya as a whole, is only responsible for 77,000 tonnes. This is less than 1 per cent of the world total. From bottles to plastic bags, to toys and outdated pieces of technology, ecologists have warned that this ‘ocean of plastic’ can harm sea life. Turtles can mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and eat them. The bags then block their stomachs, which causes them to starve to death. Sea birds also often mistake floating plastic for food and over 90 per cent of a breed known as fulmars have died in the North Sea because of this. It is also feared that the waste could be harmful to anyone who eats the fish that have consumed plastic.

Korogocho woman kills three children

We are ready to talk; CS says over digital migration standoff

A blood thirsty woman who killed three children and confessed to eating their intestines was yesterday saved by police in Korogocho, Nairobi from angry members of the public who wanted to lynch her. The 20-year-old woman is said to have killed her one week-old son, slit his stomach and ate his intestines before going for her neighbours two children whom she also killed. Angry residents who responded to the tragedy descended on the woman and attempted to lynch her before she was saved by police officers on patrol.

DIGITAL VERSUS ANALOG: Cabinet Secretary ICT Dr. Fred Matiangi addresses guests at the Speakers Breakfast Forum held at The Serena Hotel on Tuesday 21st May 2013.

Information, Communication and Technology Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i yesterday expressed willingness to dialogue with owners of NTV, QTV, KTN and Citizen provided the four television stations accept to migrate to the digital platform.

The minister who was responding to queries by MPs yesterday said digital migra-

Ukraine ceasefire deal fails

tion is on but the government can still listen to the owners of the four stations.

“We will have discussions as long as two things are not on the table; that we go back to analogue and that we are not given lectures on the spectrum resources available,” he told the parliamentary committee on energy and communication yesterday.

Matiang’i however told the committee that

there was more to the stand-off than just digital migration. “What we are fighting is control and monopolistic tendencies. If we love our country, time has come to migrate to digital broadcasting; If the cost we are going to pay is by taking a firm position, we as government are prepared to be firm because we act in trust of the people of Kenya,” he told the committee chaired by

Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau.

“This war to a greater extent has nothing to do with the games being played; it has got to do with a bit more than that. Even if we changed the dates, it is not going to change the reality. I recognise that the bigger investors put more resources than the small investors but even so, we still must be fair,” he added.

The ceasefire deal in Ukraine has now faltered with continued fighting in and around Debaltseve, which has resulted in numerous civilian casualties. The US has accused Russia of violating the Minsk agreement on Ukraine, as the UN Security Council voted unanimously to approve the ceasefire deal. US Vice-President Joe Biden said “the costs to Russia will rise” if it continued to violate the accord.

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

Uhuru lawyers blast Bensuda as ‘amaateur’: President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legal team at the International Criminal Court has launched another scathing attack on the ICC, describing investigations by the Prosecutor as ‘amateur’ and ‘unprofessional. In a report published by British newspaper The Independent on Sunday, one of Uhuru’s lawyers, Gary Summers, said the ICC failed to investigate the case against the President in a professional way. ‘It needs a new director of investigations [for the ICC] to subject their procedures to the microscope from top to bottom...

Minister quizzed on digital migration row: Information Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Communications Authority boss Francis Wangusi were Tuesday challenged by MPs to explain the cause of the stalemate between the government and the three leading broadcasters over the digital migration. Dr Matiang’i and Mr Wangusi were criticised for their attitude towards the broadcasters, the allocation of the bulk of a national resource to a foreign company and the protracted battle that has forced the television stations with 90 per cent of the audience to shut...

MPs grill Matiang’i as outrage rise over TVs: MPs are unhappy with the Government over its hardline stance four days after a regulator cut off transmission signals for three independent television stations. The action by Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has also forced the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) to postpone the launch of the draft bill for its referendum bid. Yesterday, members of the National Assembly’s Energy, Communication and Information Committee pressed Information...

NO COPY BY PRESS TIME

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NEWS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Give ARVs to kids, Uhuru orders President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday gave the Ministries of Health and Education a year to ensure all HIV positive children in the country get on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).

He said it was unacceptable for 42 percent of over 140,000 adolescents living with HIV not to be on ART as it goes against the International Convention on Children’s Rights and the Kenyan Constitution which guarantees healthcare for all.

“Come up and tell me what kind of programme you are going to put in place within the next year to ensure that 42 percent of children who do not have access to anti-retrovirals will be put on this programme,” he directed.

He also directed the Ministry of Education to ensure children living with the HIV virus are not stigmatised in schools and can access information on how to “live positively,” with the virus.

“We have to do something to change our own attitude even in our schools. And I would urge the Ministry of Education to look at your own curriculum and look at your own teachers and see how you can get them engaged so they can also engage those of our young people living with this disease in a positive manner,” he said. President Kenyatta gave the directive in response to a challenge thrown to

him by an 11-year-old living with HIV. “I would be made to sit at the back of the class by my teacher. There’s a time they denied me the right to participate in the diabetes walk because they feared I was too weak despite raising enough money for two T-Shirts and despite the fact that I felt capable. I had to sleep in the bus. Our schools need to know that HIV is not a death sentence.

That with the right food and drugs you can live like any other person.

I’m lucky my mother is so enlightened,” he testified to President Kenyatta at the launch of the #EndAdolescentAIDS campaign yesterday. There are currently 262,403 Kenyans between the ages of 15 and 24 living with HIV; 16 percent of the total population. In 2014, close to 10,000 of them succumbed to the virus.

This age bracket also accounts for 29 percent of new HIV infections in the country with a ratio of four female infections for each male between the ages of 17 and 24.

But despite them being at high risk for infection, only 23.5 percent of them know their HIV status.

And in support of UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS, PEPFAR and the Global Fund’s joint #EndAdolescentAIDS campaign, President Kenyatta has pledged to increase his government’s budget for HIV related services.

More on this story at www.capitalfm.co.ke

SHARING IS CARING: President Kenyatta during the Global All In launch, a campaign aimed at reducing new HIV/AIDS infections among adolescents and young women. He directed the ministries of Education and Health to initiate programmes that will ensure all HIV positive children are provided with life-saving medication.

Boko Haram suicide attacks leave dozens dead in Nigeria Dozens of people have been killed in suicide attacks in Nigeria.

Twenty people died following explosions at a military checkpoint outside the north-eastern town of Biu. Troops present at the checkpoint fired back, killing 17 of the insurgents.

It is believed they were from Boko Haram. On Tuesday the group released a video in which Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau vowed to disrupt Nige-

ria’s elections at any cost.

The 15-minute film was released via the group’s newly created Twitter account, prompting some analysts to question whether they had been influenced by Islamic State.

Previous Boko Haram videos were of a lower quality and distributed to journalists on DVD. Also on Tuesday, a suicide bomber killed four and injured five at a restaurant near a military checkpoint in Potiskum,

north-eastern Nigeria.

Meanwhile an attack at an opposition rally in the south of the country killed one police officer and injured four others, while a reporter covering the event was stabbed. The attack targeted a rally by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s main opposition - in Okrika, a small port town south of Port Harcourt in the heart of Nigeria’s oil-producing region.

APC members were waiting

for the rally to begin, witnesses said, when there was several explosions and gunfire.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack. Boko Haram is not known to operate in the region. There are fears that Nigeria is becoming increasingly unstable ahead of its delayed general election, pushed back from 14 February to 28 March after the military requested more time to curb the insurgency in the north-east.

AFTERMATH: A child, at rear, walks through the scene of an explosion in a mobile phone market in Potiskum, Nigeria, Monday Jan. 12, 2015. Two female suicide bombers targeted the busy marketplace on Sunday.

Fears as toddler becomes latest victim Tanzania’s sickening Albino trade A toddler appears to have become the latest victim of Tanzania’s sickening trade in albino body parts, after machete-wielding kidnappers stormed his home and attacked his distraught mother.

The 18-month-old Yohana Bahati was taken from his home in Chato, on the shores of Lake Victoria, late on Saturday.

His mother could do little after the family home was stormed by the kidnappers, who attacked her with machetes as they stole her son.

It is feared the little boy will be killed, and his body parts will be used in potions and charms which are believed by some to bring luck and wealth.

The body parts of albino people, who lack pigment in their skin, are allegedly highly sought after by witchdoctors in Tanzania.

The country banned witchcraft in December in an attempt to prevent attacks and kidnappings.

The boy’s father, who was nearby during the attack, is being questioned, regional police chief Joseph Konyo told AFP news agency.

The men who carried out the abduction are still on the loose.

“We have asked the public for co-operation to arrest the suspects,” Mr Konyo said.

More than 70 albinos have been murdered in the east African country since 2000, according to

the United Nations.

A 2006 report by BMC Public Health said albinism affects one Tanzanian in 1,400 - around 33,000 people - a far higher rate than in the West, where it affects just one in 20,000.

The higher rate is thought to be due to inbreeding.

Witchdoctors are prepared to pay high prices for albinos, according to the Red Cross. Police officers in Dar es Salaam told the charity that a complete set of albino body parts can fetch $75,000 (about Sh6.7 million).

Only yesterday, chairman of the Albinism Society of Kenya (ASK) Isaac Mwaura asked the East African Secretariat to move in and help tackle the threats to people with albinism especially in Tanzania.

Mwaura said such people are kidnapped and their body parts used in cultic purposes and asked EAC to seriously address the matter.

“It is unfortunate that such heinous activities continue to be meted on our people in this day and age.

However it gets even worse when the respective governments of the member states fail to keenly look into the matter, formulate the necessary laws and deal with the criminals who carry out these horrific activities to fellow human beings, simply because of their skin colour.”

xnews | Wednesday, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

BUSINESS

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

MEAN BUY SELL 91.4644 91.6089 91.5367 140.6572 140.9178 140.7875 103.9217 104.1144 104.0181 7.8545 7.8720 7.8633 31.1869 31.3455 31.2662 19.9216 20.0624 19.9920

MAIN STORY

CS launches Sh600m battery plant Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed has launched the first locally made, maintenance-free car battery.

The batteries are manufactured in a Sh600 million plant owned by Associated Battery Manufacturers (ABM).

Addressing the launching ceremony, Adan hailed ABM for investing in the new technology. He urged others to invest in industries to reduce over-dependence on imports, save foreign exchange and provide more jobs for Kenyans.

“This is an encouraging sign of the confidence and commitment investors have in Government’s policies in place. As a government, we remain committed to maintaining an environment that is conducive for investment and supporting growth.

This will provide a platform for the creation of more employment opportunities for our youth,” said Mohamed.

ABM Chief Executive Officer Guy Jack said the battery range comprises five types but more will soon be mafuctured.

“The Powerlast range consists of five types with more to follow shortly. ABM will soon manufacture a full range of MF batteries to cover all motor vehicles and generators. In addition the company will continue producing Chloride Exide lead acid batteries,” said Jack. He hailed the Government for passing the Scrap Metals Act that bans export of lead in any form. Lead is the most vital raw material for ABM manufacturing plant which makes batteries for local and export market.

NEW FRONTIER: ABM’s Sh600m factory which was launched by Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed is expected to reduce the country’s dependence on imports, save foreign exchange and provide more job opportunities.

Nestle pull out chocolate’s fake flavours after US consumer fury

MORE BENEFICIARIES: More Kenyans are expected to get connection to the national electricity grid as operating costs demanded by Kenya Power continue to drop.

US consumers have expressed outrage over artificial colours and flavours found in their chocolate.

This has prompted Nestle, the famous Swiss food giant, to remove all artificial flavours and colours from its chocolate products in the US market.

Its US unit has pledged to get rid of artificial flavours and government-certified colours in more than 250 chocolates by the end of the year.

The move followed market researchers’ proof that US consumers wanted the additives removed.

Nestle will replace the flavours and colours with natural ingredients, the firm said on Tuesday.

The ingredients from natural sources are certified as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the company said.

Nestle’s Butterfinger bars, one of its most popular brands of chocolate, will now have annatto. The ingredient is derived from seeds found in the fruit of an achiote tree instead of certified colours Red 40 and Yellow 5, a company spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday. The company said: “In CRUNCH, natural vanilla flavour will replace artificial vanillin.”

The company is making changes to more than 75 recipes, said health and wellness manager Leslie Mohr. She said consumer testing had been done on the new recipes.

More than 60 per cent of US consumers said the absence of artificial colouring or flavouring was a key factor in their decision to buy food, a recent Nielsen survey showed.

The new products are expected to be available for sale by mid next year.

Geothermal production to to lower electricity costs More Kenyans are likely to be connected to the national electricity grid as operating costs continue to fall.

The move follows fresh initiatives power generator KenGen has been carrying out.

A KenGen spokesperson said earlier this week a sharp rise in geothermal

power production has lowered costs for consumers. The move has also lowered reliance on costly diesel generators.

Experts say power costs will continue to fall. Reuters reports that energy costs could fall by as much as 30 per cent.

Agnes Achieng, a research analyst at Sterling Investment Bank, said investors

JOB MARKET The Central Bank of Kenya is hiring staff for administration, information security and applications development departments.

Applications are being accepted from “suitably qualified, experienced and self-motivated candidates with proven track record.”

The vacant positions include head office

x-news.co.ke

have been attracted by Kenya Power’s long-term prospects, especially at a time when operating costs are falling. The price of electricity is also declining.

She said with reduced cost of electricity “they will be able to connect more customers.”

CBK to hire experienced IT officers, administrators

administrator, information security administrator and applications developer.

The bank will also hire IT security officer, head of information technology, procurement manager and a human resources manager, among others.

Those planning to apply can visit the ‘careers section’ of Central Bank website, ‘centralbank.go.ke’.

A statement from the bank says the lender is looking for “proactive and self-driven” recruits.

Deadline for applications is February27, 2015.

A spokesperson for the bank says only short-listed candidates will be contacted. “The Central Bank of Kenya is an equal opportunity employer,” the statement said.

VACANCIES OPEN: A Central Bank employee tries out a chair. The bank is accepting applications for vacancies at IT, human resource and administration departments.

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BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Sh3 billion solar energy plant being set up in Kajiado A Sh3 billion solar energy plant is set to be commissioned in Kajiado County before the end of the year and is expected to add 40 megawatts of solar energy into the national grid.

The project which will sit on a 160 acre piece of land will be spearheaded by Green Energy Africa (GEA), a local social

enterprise which was launched in 2010.

Speaking during an interview with Capital FM, Founder and CEO of Green Energy Africa, Edwin Kinyatti said the plant is set to be one of the biggest in the region and that all the plans are ready to launch but the project is awaiting approval from the

Ministry of Energy.

“To produce 1MW, we will need four acres of land. So we want to do 40MW in the whole farm. We have already sent EOIs (Express of Interest) to the ministry and we are waiting for the documentation. The investor is already on board,” said Kinyatti.

Kinyatti added though the

project was started by default, it is targeting to cover all the counties with renewable energy solutions by the year 2020 and compliment other power project being carried out by the government.

Key financial partners in the project include the Embassy of Sweden and UKAid.

CREDIT POINTER

PAYDAY: Faulu Kenya rewarding a client after he won a competition.

With Faulu’s Chama Loan, Chamas can access loans of up to Sh350 million with interest rates as low as 9.5 per cent.

Faulu Chama loans

GREEN ENERGY: A desert solar farm in Nevada USA. Green Energy Africa is setting up a similar project on a 160 acre piece of land in Kajiado County which will be expected to inject 40 megawatts of power into the national grid.

SMART MOVE

HUSTLER SECTOR Sh25,000 from a job that simply requires installing equipment.

Since many plumbers work in teams, the cash is often divided amongst at least two people though some groups have as many as five.

From Westlands to Karen and Hurlingham to Kariokor, these skilled workers have found that the industry requires not only skills, but also experience.

Some, like Brian Obiaki, who

low as 9.5 per cent, arguably the lowest rate in the market.

Their long-term loans give borrowers up to 72 months (6 years) to pay back the money.

In order to qualify for this service, borrowers must either own a business that has been in existence for at least 6 months or be a salaried individual whose employer has agreed to do a check-off with Faulu.

Alternatively, borrowers can have an active savings account that is at least 6 months old.

“Group clients and individuals must undergo the Loan Orientation Seminar before accessing their first loan,” says a statement from Faulu.

Class Four dropout making 30k from 2-acre farm Ronald Nyagaka is a class four dropout who earns more than Sh30, 000 a month from his two acre farm. This comes at a time when most young people his age have moved to urban areas in search of better lives but are still struggling to make ends meet as jobs become elusive.

For Ronald, his journey that began when his parents could not afford his school fees. This saw him drop out of school at a tender age, but later culminated with him

Plumbers can make between Sh1,000 and Sh25,000 in a single day, research has revealed.

While some plumbers work for established organisations, those who operate independently are able to make thousands of shillings from a single contract.

A spot check by X News has found that while setting up a plumbing system can take days or even weeks, qualified plumbers can get up to

Most Kenyans have the misconception that a Sacco, popularly known as Chama, is a ‘merry-go-round’ where each member gets a short term loan from time to time.

For lenders like the Faulu Microfinance Bank, a Chama is a chance to make a worthwhile investment. And for this reason, the bank has released a service known as the Chama Loan. The target and purpose of this loan is for family-based groups and other investment groups to save their money for future short term or long term investments.

The service allows Chamas to access loans of up to Sh350 million with interest rates as

being crowned the overall winner of the youth category in the Elgon Kenya National Farmers Awards for 2014.

As other children his age then woke up early to get to school on time, Ronald woke early to head to his parents’ two acre farm. The most pressing need then was to produce food for the family. His parents had no meaningful source of income. A visit by extension officers in 2005 convinced Ronald that there was more money in the soil.

With his parents’ blessing, Ronald delved into a serious commercial farming venture. Living in Kisii, which is well known for its banana production, Ronald decided to try his hand on banana farming, which he thought had a guaranteed market. Noting that there was growing demand for fresh produce, Ronald decided to diversify his venture. He started with cabbages, which gave him impressive returns and inspired him to try his hands

in various crops.

He would later subdivide the land to accommodate two high grade cows, 50 indigenous chicken, 10 beehives and two fish ponds.

The success of his venture has transcended Kisii boundaries.

And although Ronald never had the privilege of completing his education, he is using proceeds from his farming venture to educate his children, hoping to give them the best education he can..

Independent plumbers can make Sh25k from single contract

is based in Nairobi West have a few years of experience with others having up to 14.

Plumbing jobs require a network of clients since income is usually sporadic or irregular for freelance agents.

This is why many independent plumbers dabble as caretakers.

This ensures that whether they are maintaining a set of flats, an apartment building or a residential piece of property, a regular salary is assured.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

ACCESS topstory

Gender lines are increasinGly blurred…

fashion gets weirder at

New York Fashion Week

I

t has been stated before that fashion is only fashion if it pushes the limits, if it breaks boundaries and that seems to be happening with every year at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Newyork.

If a designer exhibits clothes that are wearable, they are called ‘boring’ and if he pushes the limits, then they are often described as ‘impractical’.

One inexplicable trend that refuses to leave the world of fashion from the last couple of decades is the androgynous look. This look makes it difficult t o differentiate between male and female models, and ut us almost an epidemic in global runways. It might be that clothes

are easier to sell when you don’t have a defined target market or maybe designers just like models that essentially look like they have not hit puberty yet!

This year’s New York Fashion Week has had its fair share of weirdness.

There are the indescribable contraptions from the Antonio Urzi collection at the FTL Moda fashion show and then there are challenging Hood By Air and Public School designs.

Shayne Oliver of Hood By Air seems is one of a group of designers who appear to be dreaming of a world where gender distinction is non existent. Morphing both masculine and feminine elements in his designs, he has created something

out of your wildest dreams.

Men wear thigh high dresses with slits and masks which obscured their faces.

Teflar Clemens dressed two of his models in cashmere mini dresses and leg warmers while women wore boxy, loose jackets and pants that did not serve to flatter their shapes in any way.

In a world where gender roles are sometimes rigid and unyielding where do people who do not colour inside the lines and dare to be different, to be more than what they were born between their legs dictate fall? Maybe clothes serve more than to just cover you up. We are still planning on what to say about Kanye West’s collection!

10 FASHION SCOOP

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ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 26th WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY NOVEMBER 18, 2015 2014

HOME& LIVING

curing your potatoes befor storage makes their skins tough.

DIY

how to store

P

otatoes are almost an essential in every household.

They are an easy go-to when meal options and time is limited. We simply cannot do without potatoes and this might explain why people usually buy them by the sack-full.

As with anything perishable, when stored for a long time potatoes begin to rot and decay due to moisture in the air and temperature. Following a few easy steps the wastage of your potatoes will be a thing of the past. Curing your potatoes would be a good option before long term storage takes place. Curing them makes the skins tougher and more resistant to damage. Curing requires

potato

that you lay down potatoes in a well ventilated room in cool temperatures on newspaper. This is to be done at least two weeks before storage.

By the time the two weeks is through the potato skins will be as tough as you need them to be.

Remove any large clumps of dirt or mud on the potatoes but do not wash them because it might cause bruises and increase dampness.

One thing to remember would be that whenever attempting to store or preserve anything as little moisture as possible should be involved in the process because water assists in the decomposition process.

Remove any potatoes that show

damage o be discard Use a la creating l After ever of news prevents potatoes. would be potatoes unpleasan After la cover the store the away from the potato that none might affe

To figure out what type of lighting you need for different spaces you must consider how you want a particular space to look.

make your

Lighting T

he way your home is lit is important as it dictates the feel and function of certain spaces, setting the tone and mood. Great lighting will make your home warm and inviting.

Bad lighting can expose one to health risks such as headaches and difficulty with vision.

Lighting is the most important aspect in a

work for you home that is why it is always left for last. It is so important that it has the potential to change your mood and the colours of your walls and furnishings.

To figure out what type of lighting you need for different spaces you must consider how you want a particular space to look.

Different rooms in your house need

different lighting and installing those harsh fluorescent bulbs everywhere only diminishes a room’s potential.

For instance, the living room needs a bit of warm and dramatic lighting to bring out the best features of the space. Bathrooms, on the other hand, need stronger lighting especially around the mirrors because of shaving and doing make-up needs.

The kitchen needs to be well lit for proper cooking and to avoid accidents.

For the bedroom, soft and dim lighting is ideal to enable you relax.

But you need to remember that lighting is not a ‘one size fits all’ affair.

It all depends on your needs and getting it right will make you feel happy in your living space.

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

HEALTH &FITNESS

remember, when your body is hungry it needs nutrients not calories.

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

or bruising. These should ded or used immediately. arge wicker basket and start layers with the potatoes. ry layer cover with a sheet spaper. The newspaper light from reaching the The point to note here that exposure to light turns green and gives it that nt taste. ayering all the potatoes top with a newspaper, and basket in a cool dry place m direct sunlight. Check on oes periodically to ensure of them are rotting as this ect the entire bunch.

health-friendly

aphrodisiacs to sweeten yourlove

Avocado

Avocados have a storied history about their benefits in the bedroom. Ancient Aztecs consumed them for this reason and it probably had something to do with its bulbous appearance.

Avocados are a rich in potassium, which is necessary for production of sex hormone, testosterone. Its mild flavour is easy on the taste buds.

Chili Peppers

In addtion to making your meeals ‘hot’ , chili pepper can also increase heat between the sheets.

Spicy foods get your blood flowing and this is an important element in the process of sexual arousal.

Garlic Don’t

let

the

TIPS TO ENJOYING YOUR

WORKOUT

oes

It might be after Valentine’s Day but that doesn’t mean you can’t spread the love.

It’s not an exact science but here are 4 foods guaranteed to get your juices flowing and get you in the right mood for some naughtiness.

Healthy aphrodisiacs that will boost your performance in the bedroom and are still a lot of fun to consume.

Work outs

Let’s face it. Exercising is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Most of us do not enjoy working hard to get that runway model physique we desire. Sometimes we are guilty of just wishing to get the model bodies without really having to break a sweat to achieve them. It does not matter what the gym trainers tell us— There are some things their constant motivation cannot really fix. Having fun while exercising is top on the list. Below are easy tips to help you enjoy your work out more.

Pump up the music: We all know that music is food for the soul. Well carry your mp3 player or iPod with you and ensure it is stocked with funky and upbeat songs which will inspire you to break a sweat. Go for high tempo songs which will make you keep up with the pace and make the work out more fun.

Shorten the workouts: Long workouts tend to kill one’s enthusiasm and psyche even before you have engaged in the exercises. You can either opt for shorter high intensity workouts of 20 to 30 minutes each or break your long workout sessions into small bits of different fun exercises.

Invest in trendy and attractive exercise wear: This will get you more excited about working out. Get those colorful sport

9

shoes you have been eying at the store and pair them up with comfortable fitness clothes which will definitely make you look forward to working out.

Reward yourself: Every time you meet your goals and occasionally when you actually exercise, reward yourself. This will motivate you to work harder to achieve your goals.

Make time: Strive to consciously set aside a specific time for working out and make sure it is when you are at your optimum. Whether you are a morning or evening person, ensure you utilize such times as you are more likely to feel motivated and more energized to work out.Exercise does not have to be boring and strenuous. You can have fun while shedding off that extra weight.

strong

flavour

life

and scent dissuade you, garlic has character. It is a versatile ingredient and can add a kick to nearly any meal. Garlic prevents heart disease in men and promotes proper blood flow. If you are worried about the after effects of garlic chew on some gum or mint tablet.

Alcohol

It is no secret that too much alcohol is bad for our health but when consumed in small amounts it not only lowers risk for heart disease and diabetes, but also makes things interesting in the bedroom.

Acohol helps lower inhibitions and improves confidence.

The drink here to watch out for would be champagne because its effects are felt faster.

10

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 7th WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY JANUARY 18,2015 2015

FASHIONScoop

A collAborAtion of fresh tAlented designers…

HOT TOPICS

HUDDAH COUlD HAvE PADDED HER bUTT

S

ocialite Huddah Monroe has released new pictures in a bikini. What is standing out though is that the formerly petite lass now has a well-rounded derriere. Could she have done more than a boob job? Also gone is the short cropped hair. The boss lady says she was just sharing some love!

Unapologetically

TRENDY

Young designer Sophie Umazi is already causing a stir with her unique designs. she has now partnered with fellow designer Brigitt Wasike (Gittah) to create a collection that promies to take the fashion industry by storm .

The all-female collection dubbed, Be Geometric, was inspired by Maasai beadwork. It features pants, skirts and dress all official wear in black

Gaga engaged Lady Gaga is off the market. The singer announced her engagement to her boyfriend of four years Taylor Kinney.

The bad romance star and her model boyfriend have been dating for four years. They first met on the set for one her music videos in which Taylor was starring. Gaga announced the wonderful news via her Instagram showing off her gigantic heart shaped diamond.

She said, “He gave me his heart on Valentine’s Day, and I said YES!”

HOT

TOPICS

and white. The designers used plain fabric in order to keep all attention on the beautiful cuts and designs and not the fabric patterns.

The clothes were designed to cater to the young working woman who may not find something youthful, trendy and still official to wear to the office.

If this is anything to go by, then 2015 fashion just scored a major A.

Nick Mutuma to return for Shuga season 4

I

t was recently announced that the Shuga series was coming back for a fourth season and will be set in Nigeria.

Yesterday, through their website, Shuga announced that sexy Kenyan actor, Nick Mutuma will make a comeback to the series. Nick is set to reprise his role as Leo with a dramatic storyline. We can’t wait to see what Leo will be up to. Nick will join the all Nigerian Shuga cast.

Amani to release new single

M

usician Amani has been on a personal hiatus making her loyal fans wonder about her next move.

But that is about to change as she has announced a major come with her new song Kizungu zungu . The singer announced the news via her Instagram sharing the behind the scenes pictures of the video for the upcoming song.

PLAY 11 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Emotions could be running high, Capricorn. Someone in your entourage may have a problem with an authority figure and political issues could come up. You’re likely to feel especially powerful now, and so you might be tempted to throw your hat in the ring.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Your curiosity is especially sharp right now. You might even consider advancing your education somehow, especially since new interests have been popping up for some time. New friends in fascinating fields might also have started you thinking. This is a good time to look into this.

WEDNESday 18/02/2015

sunny

27

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Pisces, your intuition might increase today to the point where you feel like you could deduce the thoughts and motives of people you’ve never met before. Reading the news might bring you sudden insights as to how things are going to turn out. Do this if you can - within reason.

26ºC 46%

THURsday 19/02/2015

More sun than clouds

27 6:42 am 6:51pm

27ºC 43%

6:42 am 6:51 pm

FRIday

28

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

Friday’s Solution

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 You should be feeling especially passionate now, Aries, especially regarding partnerships.

Romantic partnerships definitely call for an evening alone together. Professional and creative ones, on the other hand, call for a new project that you both believe in.

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 If you haven’t been feeling like yourself lately, Taurus, a surge of inner power could push you over the top and make you feel strong and healthy again. You could decide to complete all your unfinished tasks today. You could get most of them done by day’s end.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 A surge of passion could dominate your day unless you find an outlet for it, Gemini. Romantic passion is high, so an intimate evening with a lover is a good idea. Creative passion is strong.

You could have a sudden inspiration, perhaps influenced by a distant place.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Your emotions are intense right now, however, so you need to use your intuition to judge exactly how much of your feelings you should reveal. You might discover a new field of interest, and you will want to study it at home for hours.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Information received from far away could compel you to learn more about the subject, Leo. You might be inspired to use your new knowledge in a project that includes a partner. Your mind is insightful now. If you face decisions, this is definitely the day to follow your heart.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 Money matters may be advanced through using your intuition and inner power today, Virgo.

You might have a hunch that your idea for making extra money might just work. Look into it at least. Don’t let anyone talk you out of it until you know the facts.

MUSTREAD

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 A surge of inner power could make you feel like you can move mountains, Libra. Career matters, romance, and creative projects could all be advanced today by careful effort on your part.

Give it some thought, write down your ideas, consider all contingencies, and move ahead.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 You may wonder why you’re suddenly thinking about them, but they probably represent a release of old emotional hang-ups that have been holding you back. By midafternoon you should feel more focused, determined, and ready to take on anything.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 An old friend could reappear in your life and bring up memories that are both pleasant and disconcerting, Sagittarius. Don’t worry too much about this. It probably represents a needed release. You may also get involved with a group that has goals you embrace.

INSTAMOMENTS 1

3

2

4

YOURSAY

Zimako and Anuli are a happily married couple. Nigeria has been their home since birth and has never failed them. Things start falling apart after Nigeria changes government. Zimako feels he can no longer live in Nigeria after it turns into a place he does not recognise. He convinces wife Anuli to move with him to Canada in search of greener pastures and start life all over again.

On arrival, the life they had envisioned turns out to be harder than they thought. Challenges hit them from all corners before they start drifting apart. Zimako walks out on Anuli to find comfort in successful Canadian Ryan’s arms. But is she ready to move on from her marriage?

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

Friday’s winning photo

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

Please do not give condoms to our children I am not sure whether this condoms for kids story trending on social media is a hoax, because if it isn’t then Kenyans should be very worried.

Our moral fiber has been

The Land of Honey – by Chinenye Obiajulu

deteriorating on a daily basis and such moves only serve to make the situation worse.

Whoever is behind the idea should critically think about its implications and consult relevant community leaders.

There are good ways of dealing with the rising cases of underage sex, and giving away free condoms is not one of them — Concerned citizen, Nairobi

winning captions

1. Be warned, thief, I am armed-Jone Mike, Nairobi.

2. A classic case of having the right tools and no skill-BT, Nairobi 3. Video game hero, faces real life threat-Margaret Musili, Nairobi

12

PLAY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. Vehicles in airplane aisles 6. Bargain-sealing phrase 14. Center Shaquille 15. ____ mentis 17. Explosive stuff, briefly 18. Spa experience?

19. Frosty blender concoctions 21. Eight (prefix) 22. Made of mud 23. “The ____ King” (1991 Robin Williams film) 25. Japanese telecom giant (abbr.)

26. Cysts 28. Slip that falls out of a magazine 29. French possessive pronoun 30. Lessee 32. ___ admin 33. Atrophy, in a way 34. Texting protocol 37. Persevere in 38. Deaf communication syst.

41. Kind of collision 43. Disparaging remark 45. Ill-fated colony (abbr.)

46. Lets out, say 47. Jennifer _____ (actress) 49. Acid ____ 50. Insignificant thing 52. One with an Ambien prescription, perhaps 55. Malia’s sister 56. Roughly mid-month, with “the” 57. Poly attachment?

58. See ____ (be in agreement) 59. Piece of broken pottery: Var.

Down 1. Approval 2. Give motion to 3. Quick answers 4. Psychic’s card 5. Slow-moving tree dwellers 6. Two-faced 7. Roomy bag 8. Classic gaming console 9. Here, in Havana 10. Comedian DeLuise 11. Adorn in relief 12. Army helicopters 13. Scratch-off game, e.g.

16. Bermudas, e.g.

20. Irreligious individuals 23. Calibrate 24. Pt. of IHOP 27. Impudent ones 31. Ski area disaster 33. Hershey bar with a Nordic name 34. Actor Omar 35. ____ Hamilton Wilkes (“Gone With the Wind” character) 36. Please 38. Pretentious performer 39. Balm 40. Nautical rope 42. Designate 44. Washes lightly 48. Synonymous rhyme for cache 50. Half a golf course 51. Like some meal 53. Big Apple museum, with “the” 54. Prefix meaning new

DAILY WISDOM “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

—Barack Obama “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

— John F. Kennedy “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

— George Bernard Shaw “Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies.”

— Robert Kennedy “They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.”

— Confucius “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”

—Winston Churchill “Ignorance is always afraid of change.”

— Jawaharlal Nehru “There is nothing permanent except change.”

— Heraclitus

“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”

— Nathaniel Branden “If you want to make enemies, try to change something.”

— Woodrow Wilson “There is nothing so stable as change.”

— Bob Dylan

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS

Sport WEDNESday, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Shujaa’s daunting task at Hong Kong 7s Kenya 7s have another daunting task for the sixth leg of the World Rugby Sevens World Series in Hong Kong as they face England, USA and Wales.

Coach Felix Ochieng, who this morning led the team to a breakfast meeting at a Nairobi hotel, said he knows the team will be under close scrutiny next month.

“It’s no doubt a reality check having won the Bowl in Las Vegas. We take mandatory 10-day break before resuming training.

There is lot that need to be done,” he said.

“Contact area, defence, tackling,

passing and line outs are urgent issues that need to be addressed,” he said.

On being pooled with former national head coach Mike Friday’s high-flying US in pool D, Ochieng said Friday has done tremendous job with his side.

“There is no doubt of his credibility… US are playing well and riding on good form. We have to plan in advance to tackle them,” he said.

The draw done in Hong Kong on Monday shows the core competition will see series leaders South Africa head Pool C alongside France, Argentina and

Japan. Fiji, second-placed on the international series, and winners of US Sevens, top Pool A with Canada, Samoa and Belgium.

New Zealand head up Pool B with Australia, Scotland and Portugal as US round out the groups in Pool D along with England, Kenya and Wales. Up to 40 teams will be in Hong Kong in March to mark 40 years of the shorter version of the game.

The highlight of the tournament will be the sixth leg of the World Rugby Sevens World Series where Belgium will make a debut among the 12-core teams who participate in the nine-leg Series.

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

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TIB4 HC4 GON4 GIT4 WT4 JC4 HOB4 HOK4 JAG4 SIM4 DUM4 DUM4 LIT4 PIG4 GM4 KEB4 BOM4 GIT4 RING4 JG4 GM4 ALA4 GON4 SOL4 SK4

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Phone must be WAP/GPRS ENABLED to download ringtones. Errors will be billed. To DEACTIVATE OR UNSUBSCRIBE, SMS STOP followed by the keyword i.e. STOP HC4 to 22333 or *100#. A deactivation fee of KES 30 will be charged unless passive deactivation is requested.Customer Support: 0711035333 or 0734488668 , SUN - FRI, 8:30AM - 6pm, SAT 9am - 5pm. or email: ke@smshelp.info.

14

SPORT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 TOO GOOD FOR SCOTS: New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum cuts a ball from the Scotland bowling during their 2015 Cricket World Cup match in Dunedin yesterday. New Zealand won by three wickets.

New Zealand tame Scotland challenge in tricky chase New Zealand made it two wins out of two in Pool A with a bizarre three-wicket victory against Scotland in Dunedin.

The Scots were reduced to 12-4 in the fifth over before Matt Machan (56) and Richie Berrington (50) put on 97.

Four batsmen fell first ball, a World Cup first, and only the third such instance in a one-day international, as they were 142 all out in the 37th over.

But New Zealand had more alarms than expected in a curious run chase, before winning with 25.1 overs to spare.

The Scots are in their third World Cup campaign and are yet to win a match in nine attempts, but came closer at the University Oval than anyone could scarcely have believed after such a destructive start.

They thrashed their higher ranked fellow qualifiers Ireland by 179 runs in a recent warm-up game yet it quickly became apparent they would not be emulating the Irish team’s victory over West Indies on Monday.

Facing an in-form New Zealand on

their own patch was a rather different proposition to a fragmented Windies, and the co-hosts, six times semi-finalists, justified their position as one of the leading contenders for the trophy with a fine display in the field after winning the toss.

Left-arm seamer Trent Boult expertly exploited the conditions, swinging the ball back into the right-handers at pace to claim wickets with his opening two deliveries in the second over.

Tim Southee also struck with consecutive

deliveries and there was concern the lowest World Cup total of 36 by Canada was in jeopardy.

But Sussex left-hander Machan played with calm assurance in a 79-ball innings to restore some respectability with the purposeful Berrington.

However, wily spinner Daniel Vettori wrapped up the innings with successive wickets and the Kiwis had almost 40 minutes of batting before the official lunch interval.

Skipper Brendon McCullum and opening

partner Martin Guptill appeared to want to reach the target in the nine overs bowled before the break, with number of wickets lost not affecting a team’s overall run-rate in the group table, and both were caught behind in the mini-session.

The prolific Kane Williamson top-scored with 38 but edged seamer Josh Davey in the 18th over, one of four wickets to fall for 31 in a surprisingly ragged batting display from the Kiwis, who next face England in a day-night fixture in Wellington on Friday.

MOEEN SAYS England will show more seriousness after Australia defeat All-rounder Moeen Ali says England have put their crushing World Cup defeat by Australia behind them and are ready to show they are a “good, serious side”.

“We have so much to play for,” he said. “The World Cup is not decided over one game. It is a long period of time.”

England take on New Zealand in their second Pool A match on Friday.

“Australia have set the standard and New Zealand is going to be just as hard. We are going to have to up our skill level and our game,” he added.

“It’s a very tough draw to play two of the best sides up front.

“If we can win on Friday, it puts us in a great position. It will show everybody that we are a good, serious side.”

England will fancy their chances of getting through to the knockout stages with matches against minnows Bangladesh, Scotland and Afghanistan to follow their game against Pool A leaders New Zealand in Wellington.

Moeen admitted England, who also lost to Australia in the tri-series finale a few days before the World Cup, had been well below the mark in their 111-run defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“That was probably the worst we’ve played in Australia throughout the trip so far,” he said.

“It’s good to get that game out the way, even though it was a bad result for us.”

And the Worcestershire player is determined to make a big score after being dismissed for 10 in that match.

“As a top-order batsman if we can get in and look to bat the 50 overs or even 35 overs

these days, you can get double hundreds,” he explained.

“Guys are getting close now, when they get a hundred they get big hundreds.

“It’s a about us getting in and doing it for the team.”

Kioko: Kenya want to qualify for Peru

HUMILIATED: Australia’s Mitch Marsh celebrates as Ian Bell departs for 36. Moeen Ali says England have put their crushing World Cup defeat by Australia behind them and are ready to show they are a good, serious side.

The national women volleyball under 20 team Coach Sylvester Kioko says Kenya’s sole purpose is to qualify for World Championships in Peru in June this year.

Kioko spoke has he and the technical bench does their finals preparations ahead of next weeks’ Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo, Egypt. “We have played a number of local friendly matches mostly with Kenyan clubs to good response. “said Kioko. “We got two final friendly matches with Kenya Prisons and Kenya Pipeline before they leave. I know my team so much want the sole slot

to Peru,” he said.

The team departs on 25th with the championships kicking off two days later in Cairo.

Team Centres: Anne Lowen (Kwanthanze), Carolyn Sirengo (Mautuma), Shyren Jepkemboi (Malava)-Left attackers: Melvin Wabwire(Mautuma), Maurine Okiru, Dorine Marani (Lugulu), Lilian Lelei (Kwanthanze)- Right attackers: Maurine Wekesa (Lugulu), Yvonne Wavinya (Kwanthanze)-Setters: Faith Imudia (Lugulu), Veronica Tanui (Mautuma).

SPORT 15

Coach optimistic Sofapaka will hit Platinum in Harare Sofapaka coach Sam Timbe says his side’s 2-1 fall to Platinum of Zimbabwe is part of football. And he is not worried over his team’s chances of overturning the scoreline.

His major concern was the wasted chances which put his side in the underdog status in Nairobi. But he says he understands what needs to be done in Zimbabwe.

“Anything can happen and a loss can be

overturned in the subsequent return leg match,” said the Ugandan over Sunday’s Confederation Cup first leg tie at Nyayo National Stadium.

“There is a thin line between taking chances and losing. That is what we allowed to happen to us. There is need to take control early enough and put the match to rest,” he said.

Timbe says his side is ready for local league and will progress to the next

round of Confederations Cup even after losing the last two successive matches.

“I’m not worried with the loss but concerned with the manner we conceded the two goals and yet we created over five clear chances. It’s quite unfortunate but I have not given up. The war is still on,” he said.

“There is need (for us) to show our true spirit, rise up and carry on,” he said.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Xabi Alonso sees red in Bayern, Shakhtar draw Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso was sent off in his 100th Champions League game as his side played out a drab stalemate at Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Spaniard fouled Alex Teixeira in the first half and carded again for upending Taison in the second period.

Earlier, Thomas Muller had pulled a shot wide when clean through for Bayern and he fired over before the break.

But neither side threatened after Alonso’s red in a tetchy game. They meet again in Munich on 11 March.

The sides shared 35 fouls and seven yellow cards in addition to Alonso’s red, with attacks often cut short by tactical fouls when danger looked likely.

Shakhtar, champions in Ukraine, will be “heroes” if they overcome Bayern according to their manager Mircea Lucescu as his side are still playing home fixtures away from the Donbass Arena because of conflict in the area.

They have also not played a competitive game since December as the Ukraine Premier League - in

which they sit second to Dynamo Kiev - is on its winter break.

Playing several hundred miles away from home in the western city of Lviv, they arrived to face a Bayern side who had hammered Hamburg 8-0 on Saturday.

But while they conceded the brunt of possession - 64% - Lucescu’s side snuffed out dangerous attacks with the energy in their defending and restricted the visitors to few chances.

Though Muller sprang the offside trap from Arjen Robben’s pass in the first half, he could only pull his shot across the goalmouth from 10 yards and he then fired over from a Franck Ribery pull-back late in the first period.

Shakhtar, boasting the tournament’s top scorer in Luiz Adriano, played on the break but only got their talisman into the game sparingly and he left the field late on having completed just 44% of his 18 passes.

Alonso tangled with Shakhtar winger Taison when the Brazilian threatened a break away, prompting a second yellow card, but the Ukrainians failed to make their advantage count and both sides settled for a point.

Cavani strike rescues PSG point in Chelsea tie

Optimistic: A Sofapaka player (right) in action during a local league fixture.

Coach Sam Timbe says he is not worried over his team’s chances of overturning the 2-1 Confederations Cup first leg loss to Zimbabwe’s Platinum in Nairobi.

Chelsea claimed a draw in the first leg of their Champions League last16 tie against Paris St Germaine.

Branislav Ivanovic headed Jose Mourinho’s team in front after Gary Cahill’s flick from John Terry’s cross.

But PSG dominated the second half and scored an equaliser when Edinson Cavani headed in.

Cavani came close to scoring a winner but prodded his effort went wide after swapping passes with Blaise Matuidi.

Chelsea progressed at PSG’s expense in last season’s quarter-finals when they won on away goals after it finished 3-3 on aggregate.

They lost the first leg 3-1 in Paris

last season but withstood pressure to return to Stamford Bridge on March 11 with a slight advantage thanks to the away goal.

David Luiz moved from Chelsea to PSG in the summer and performed well against his former club in midfield.

Luiz was occasionally used in the position by Mourinho during his time at Stamford Bridge but had not previously played there for PSG. With Luiz holding, Matuidi was free to stride forward and Thibaut Courtois, returning in place of Petr Cech, was forced into making saves in quick succession from the French midfielder and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Van Gaal hails team spirit in FA Cup win Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal praised his side’s “unbelievable team spirit” as they came from behind to beat Preston in the FA Cup fifth round.

Scott Laird gave the League One side the lead but goals from Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini and a Wayne Rooney penalty secured victory.

United will host Arsenal in the quarterfinals and Van Gaal said: “I was reasonably satisfied.

“But we showed an unbelievable team spirit after the Preston goal.”

United failed to register a single shot on target in the first half but improved when the ineffective Radamel Falcao was replaced by Ashley Young after Preston took the lead.

Fellaini was then pushed into attack and, after Herrera’s shot snuck in, the Belgian poked in United’s second to give them a lead they never relinquished.

“We changed the shape and that was the solution,” said Van Gaal.

“We can always overcome the pressure with Fellaini and he scores goals also.

“I played him for the first time in the position he wants but I have not always got a position for him and that’s my problem.”

GAME CHANGER: Maroun Fellaini scores United’s second goal against Preston.