20150204 xnews

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

3

give me time uhuru urges teachers to ‘work with the government’

14

6

financial kick KTDA’s Greeland Fedha receives Sh911.6m boost

10

war of words alai takes on maina kageni, says he got job through ‘connections’

NEWS

Athletes want Kiplagat retired, threaten to boycott trials

Provisional 40-man squad picked for Taekwondo tourney

Kenya joins global war against cancer

T

oday, February 4, 2015, people around the world will unite to celebrate World Cancer Day. This year’s theme is “Not Beyond Us”, and it encourages people to take a positive and

proactive approach to the war against the disease.

Not much is known about cancer by a vast majority of Kenyans as it continues to ravage the population at productive ages.

With only a handful of trained specialists to handle

the illness coupled with the unavailability of proper medical equipment, the country continues to suffer loss of life on daily basis.

But it is not all gloom. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

HORROR PLANE CRASH

P.7

Mejja is back

After some silence, popular rapper Mejja releases new song, which promises to be an instant hit

P.8

Setting up your first baby room

We give you simple pointers to help ease the pressure of making the baby room perfect

P.10

DESPERATE TIMES: Rescue staff work to free passengers from a TransAsia ATR 72-600 turboprop plane that crash-landed into a river outside Taiwan’s capital Taipei. The passenger plane crashed shortly after takeoff, killing at least 13 people. Story on Page 2

Fashion scoop x-news.co.ke

Take a peak at the couture collection that designer Maggy Wanjiru created

2

NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Kenya joins global war on cancer From Page 1

Earlier this week, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the Government will spend Sh21 billion to rehabilitate and equip 94 health facilities to care for cancer patients. He said two health centres in every county will be refurbished and their medics trained on the disease.

The Ministry of Health also unveiled the first National Cancer Institute (NCI) Board of Trustees.

The primary tasks of the board are cancer awareness; prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, including palliative care.

Since its formation three years ago, NCI has been grappling

with attempts to bring cancer care to efficient and affordable levels. The board of trustees will be responsible for bringing the efforts to success Some of the main challenges frustrating the war against cancer, especially across the developing world, include negative public

perceptions and stigma associated with the disease. Stigma stifles informed public discussion and perpetuates misconceptions about the disease. This frustrates efforts to raise awareness on prevention, healthy behaviours and seeking early diagnosis for signs and symptoms.

Medical experts have advocated for individuals and communities to be made aware that at least one third of the most common cancers can be prevented by reducing alcohol consumption, taking healthier diets and improved physical activity levels. If smoking is included, 50% of the

cases would be avoided.

In addition to the four common risk factors, protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation is also critical for skin cancer prevention.

Occupational and environmental exposures, including asbestos, contribute substantially to the cancer burden.

13 killed in TransAsia jet crash Fire destroys At least 13 people had been confirmed dead (by press time) after a TransAsia Airways plane clipped a bridge and crashed into a river near the Taiwanese capital, Taipei.

58 people were on board the domestic flight, and a number of

them were reportedly injured.

Taiwan Central News Agency (CNA) broadcast footage of the plane almost submerged in the Keelung river.

Rescue teams are trying to rescue several people still trapped in the jet.

The ATR-72 turbo-prop plane had just taken off from Taipei Songshan Airport on its way to the outlying Kinmen islands, off the coast of the south-eastern Chinese city of Xiamen, CNA said.

Flight controllers lost contact

with the plane at 10:55 local time (05:55 Nairobi).

Footage of the plane apparently filmed from inside passing cars showed it banking sharply, hitting a taxi and clipping the bridge before crashing into the river.

City building A fire razed the second floor of a building on Kimathi Street, Nairobi, on Wednesday morning.

Police said the cause of the fire was unclear. Sources said the blaze is believed to have originated from a small food kiosk on the second floor after a gas leak.

The floor also houses the City Star restaurant, computer stalls

and clothes shops.

The building’s occupants, and those in the adjacent Nation Centre, were evacuated by the City Fire Brigade before the blaze was swiftly put out.

Workers on the affected floor were evacuated through windows but no injuries were reported.

RESCUE MISSION: Military officers stepped in to help in rescue efforts after 12 people were killed in a TransAsia Airways plane crash near Taiwan capital, Taipei.

IMF agrees to give KenyaSh64b loan The International Monetary Fund has agreed to give Kenya $700m (more than 64billion) in loans.

The funds will be used as an insurance policy to protect

voxpop....

against threats to the national economy, considered a financial powerhouse in East Africa.

The Government requested the package as a precautionary

measure in case of an emergency such as natural disaster or militant attack.

The funds will be available in the next 12 months.

The Ministry of Finance told IMF it does not plan to use the funds but will instead use it as security against “economic shocks,” IMF said.

smoky escape: Occupants of the building and those in adjacent Nation Centre were evacuated by the City Fire Brigade. (Inse) A gas cylinder whose leakage is suspected to have started the blaze.

Is the Government taking concerns by teachers over the North Eastern security situation seriously?

Christopher Asike

Catherine Murage The Government is not serious. They haven’t taken any initiative to resolve the crisis and it may reach a time they may be forced to bow to the teachers’ demands because the situation cannot be solved.

Saidi Sakwa Teachers should not go back. They have to be assured of security and the Government is not doing that at the moment. Muslims, not Christians, are better suited to teach there.

They understand locals and the environment.

Molly Mboya The Government is imposing itself on teachers because if it were you, you can return to a place you watched a colleague get killed. Teachers are suffering and they should be given opportunity to return home and let locals who are familiar with the place teach there.

The Government should deploy Muslim teachers there and let Christian colleagues return home.

They (Islamists) target Christian and not Muslim teachers. You cannot go back to a place where you witnessed a colleague get killed. The Government should reshuffle officers and take Muslim teachers to North Eastern.

NEWS 3 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS

CARTOONSPEAK

6,000 youth to get waste management, beautification training

Eating eggs makes people more generous, ‘eggsperts’ claim People donate twice as much money when they consume a compound commonly found in eggs, a new study has claimed. Psychologists from the Leiden University in the Netherlands say that tryptophan, an essential amino acid in the human diet, which found in eggs, can increase generosity.

In their study, the ‘eggsperts’ found that tryptophan made volunteers who took it donate more money than those who did not. Once consumed, the strange compound, which eggs are rich in, is converted in the body into serotonin, another compound that is also referred to as ‘the feel-good chemical’. “Our study is the first demonstration that charitable donating can be enhanced by serotonin-related food supplements,” said the re-

searchers. The authors carried out an experiment on 32 men and women, in which half were given a powder containing 0.8 grams of TRP, and the others were given a harmless placebo powder.

Each participant was given £7.50 (Sh1,000) for taking part in the research and asked whether they were willing to donate part of their financial reward to charity. Four boxes for charitable organisations, including Unicef, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and World Wildlife Fund were left on a table. When the psychologists counted the takings, they found that those given the TRP powder donated an average of 75p (Sh100), while those who received the placebo donated half as much.

Uhuru to teachers: Give govt time to work on your demands LET’S WORK TOGETHER: President Uhuru Kenyatta shares a light moment with KNUT Secretary General, Wilson Sossion, during the opening of the 8th International Conference on Education earlier today. Looking on are Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi (left) and Nairobi Governor, Evans Kidero (second right).

President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged teachers to give his government time to work on some of their demands.

Speaking during the opening of 8th African Education International Regional Conference, the president said that the government has over the last two years made efforts to make sure that teachers earn a decent living. “But, we must realize

that we live in a world of limited resources.

Rome was not built in a day. The problem would be if we were moving back. Nipeni nafasi nipumue, please! (Give me space to breath, please!),” Uhuru said.

Kenyatta also promised that his government will ensure that all public primary schools in the country are be connected to the national electric grid. “In order for

us to have equity, we want to ensure that

by July every single primary school is connected to electricity,” he said.

“We are also committed to increasing technology access across the country.”

Kenyatta also urged the teachers to work hand in hand with the government, noting that some of the conflicts between the two bodies are unnecessary. “It is important

Nairobi City County youths signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japanese company EM Technologies, for waste management and beautification of the City.

The MoU signing was overseen by the County Executive in charge of Environment Evans Ondieki. The two partners agreed to boost good environmental practices and create a framework of interaction between the County government and EM Technologies Ltd. This project is set to benefit 6,000 youth from Nairobi County, who are set to receive training from EM Technologies to create capacity for carrying out the project in the coming days.

The Environment CEC insisted that youths should be active in the programme.

He further stated that the partnership will focus on the purification of Nairobi Dam since water is one of the key pillars of development of Nairobi Governor, Dr Evans Kidero.

EM Technologies will also offer water treatment services and dumpsite management. Purified water from Nairobi dam will be pumped to Nairobi residents and some used for irrigation.

“We are very optimistic of the success of the partnership,” says EM Technologies Chairman Yashuo Shiojiri.

that government and educationists maintain a solid partnership to drive the education agenda forward. This is because education is the foundation of justice, peace and prosperity,” he said. “We pride ourselves in being a country wher the single sector that takes the largest chunk of our budget is the education. We need time to work on some of our goals,” he said.

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

EACC chiefs sleeping on the job _ MPs: The leadership of Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission appears before a parliamentaty committee today to explain why it has failed to prosecute corrupt individuals despite runaway corruption.

The summons the National Assembly Justice and legal Affairs Committee raise serious concerns that the EACC, led by chairman Mumo Matemu and CEO Halakhe Waqo, is “a sleep on the job”. A member of the committee said they “They should come and explain why the public should continue funding...

Exam stars locked out of top schools: Angry teachers and parents Tuesday demanded the cancellation of the recent Form One selection, citing bias. They claimed students with low marks were selected to join top national schools while those with higher marks were locked out. In most cases, top performers were not even selected to join their second or third choice secondary schools, they said. A parent, who had camped at the Education Ministry headquarters in Jogoo House, Nairobi, said his daughter had been selected to join a day school in Busia County...

Tricks secondary schools use to collect higher fees: The new secondary school fees guidelines are a sham and students are being forced to pay more by schools that have found new ways of going around the ceilings set by the Government.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said inspectors would be dispatched to survey Form One admissions and warned principals charging exorbitant fees that they would be dealt with individually. “Our team is doing rounds and individual persons shall take responsibility because that is unacceptable,”...

Turkana, Pokot leaders clash in joint meeting: Senators who toured Kapedo on the Turkana-Baringo county border, on a fact-finding mission over perennial conflict, run into a rude practical situation when leaders from two communities living in the region clashed before them, forcing a joint meeting to be abandoned. Leaders from the Turkana and Pokot communities, both claiming ownership of the mineral-rich Kapedo area, engaged in an angry verbal exchange before members of the Senate Committee...

4

NEWS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2015

North Eastern teachers’ boycott persists as MPs snub meeting

NOT GOING BACK THERE: Teachers posted to the Northern Kenya region demonstrate outside Parliament building in Nairobi yesterday. They have refused to go back to their workplaces and are asking to be reassigned to other regions, citing insecurity in Mandera, Wajir and Garissa.

Teachers posted to North Eastern province have vowed to continue with their boycott even as the Parliamentary committee on Education snubbed them. The MPs were set to meet the teachers at their union headquarters on Tuesday, but they failed to show up.

After waiting for the law makers for about five hours, the teachers marched to Parliament where they sought audience with committee chairman.

The teachers have not resumed duty since schools re-opened over a month ago citing insecurity in Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties. John Nyongesa a Math teacher in Mandera who spoke on behalf of the group said they must be transferred from the area in order to go back to work.

“Our teachers were killed, no leader from Mandera stood with us as teachers, but now when we have refused to go back they are now insisting that we go back.

“He said.

Labour Cabinet Secretary Kambi Kazungu has at the same time insisted that teachers who have refused to report to work in North Eastern must do so immediately.

Kambi says that the government has beefed up security in the region.

Jordan executes prisoners after ISIS burn pilot alive Jordan executed two prisoners early Wednesday after a new video surfaced on the Internet Tuesday showing ISIS burning alive a Jordanian pilot the terror group had held since December.

Government spokesman Mohammed al-Momani said that prisoners Sajida al-Rishawi and Ziad al-Karbouli were executed.

Al-Rishawi has been on death row for her role in a triple hotel bombing in the Jordanian capital Amman in 2005 that killed

dozens. Over the past week, Jordan had twice offered to swap her for the pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh. However, officials have said his captors did not deliver proof he was still alive, and the swap never moved forward.

The 44-year-old Iraqi woman’s suicide belt did not detonate at the time of the Amman attack and she fled the scene, but was quickly arrested. After a televised confession, she recanted, but her appeal was turned

down. Al-Rishawi had family ties to the Iraqi branch of Al Qaeda, a precursor of ISIS. Ziad Al-Karbuli was a former aide to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Jordanian Al Qaeda operative who was killed in 2006.

The 22-minute video, which Jordan said is authentic, brought a grisly end to speculation into the fate of Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, 26, who was captured when his plane crashed during a bombing mission in Syria Dec.

24. The video, which reports said could have been made more than a month ago, shows the pilot standing in a cage with a line of fuel leading to him, which is then ignited, causing him to burst into flames. Islamic State had previously sought to trade Al-Kaseasbeh for Sajida al-Rishawi, an Iraqi woman who is in a Jordanian prison for her role in a 2005 suicide bomb attack that killed 60 people in Amman.

PURPLE DAY: Last year’s World Epileptic day event at Gertrude’s Hospital Nairobi. The event was organised by Bernice,Former Miss Nairobi University and current Miss Kenya Tharaka-nithi county.

Nairobi to celebrate first International Epilepsy Day

EXECUTED: Iraqi would-be suicide bomber Sajida Al-Rishawi. She has been on death row for her role in a triple hotel bombing in the Jordanian capital Amman in 2005 that killed dozens.

Nairobi City County Governor Dr. Evans Kidero will on Monday February 9 lead Nairobi residents in celebrating the first International Epilepsy Day. The event will take place at the Huruma Lions Health Centre where health education and awareness creation on management of epilepsy will be shared.

“The upcoming World day for epilepsy will be a major step in improving epilepsy awareness in every region of the world, Nairobi County included and will also highlight the urgent need for increased research into epilepsy,”

said Kidero. Kenya has an estimated one million people living with epilepsy 60,000 of whom live in Nairobi. In Nairobi, only 7000 patients received treatment in 2013 against a total of 13000 registered patients.

“We expect to have an increased number of epilepsy patients on treatment and leading an improved quality of life,” Kidero said. The World epilepsy day will be celebrated on an annual basis and will be used to sensitize residents of Nairobi on the effective ways of caring for patients with epilepsy.

xnews | Wednesday, FEBRUARY 4, 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 91.6683 91.5989 91.7378 137.7058 137.5800 137.8317 103.8161 103.7289 103.9033 7.9534 7.9444 7.9623 31.1777 31.0995 31.2558 19.5815 19.5121 19.6509

MAIN STORY

Child health project Sh11m boost A University of Nairobi project targeting lower child mortality rate and enhanced food security has received a Sh10.9 million boost from the GSK and Save the Children Healthcare Innovation Award.

The ‘Vaccination/Mother and Child Wellness Card’ project is headed by Benson Wamalwa, a lecturer at the Chemistry Department. It uses a bar coded card to track vaccinations and gives mothers who vaccinate their children discounts on farm inputs.

Wamalwa said the vaccination card uses a bar-code is later scanned through a phone scanner that recognises Quick Response (QR) codes for discounts on farm products.

“Children are vaccinated and protected

against preventable illnesses for the rest of their lives and households enjoy better harvests which safeguard their nutrition and livelihoods,” said Wamalwa.

The scheme also keeps track of available vaccine stocks and a facility that alerts when to restock. This ensures mothers are not turned away for lack of vaccines. The information can be shared on a central database.

The award was shared among three other African countries of Zambia, Uganda and South Africa.

The more than 2,000 rural families in Mt Elgon and Kitale have benefited from the project and there are plans to expand the project to Bungoma and Trans Nzoia.

SHOT IN THE ARM: Mothers and children wait for medical services at a health centre. A University of Nairobi project targeting lower child mortality rate has received a Sh10.9 million boost from GSK and Save the Children Healthcare Innovation Award.

Obama plans tax on firms that store profits overseas

ENTRY PLAN: ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih with the Transformer Book Trio at Computex Taipei 2013. The company, which is one of the world’s leading PC and tablet manufacturers, plans to introduce PCs, handsets and gaming products in Kenya.

Consumers to access ASUS latest technology

ASUS, one of the world’s leading PC and tablet manufacturers, plans to introduce PCs, handsets and gaming products in an expansion of their product range in Kenya.

The Taiwanese company says Kenyan consumers will soon access the latest innovations in computer technology.

The announcement comes as the industry faces changing demands and expectation trends from consumers.

Chris Wen, ASUS Kenya Country

Product Manager, said: “Tech products in 2015 will be geared towards application of the innovative demands of consumers as opposed to knowledge of trends. Our products will meet the demand.”

ASUS plans to introduce a smartphone, a tablet dubbed the ‘Transformer Book T300 Chi’ and a gaming PC machine by mid-2015. Some of the gadgets were part of the innovations introduced by the tech brand at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas

JOB MARKET chasing luck: Customers in a Nairobi casino. Finix Casino plans to hire administrators in their latest recruitment drive.

three weeks ago.

“Part of our strategy will be to try and introduce the innovations that have already been unveiled in more developed markets. This is because we believe that consumer’s needs are becoming similar in a more globalised world,” said Wen. Wen said the announcement of the product line-up shows Asus’ commitment to advancing tech innovations in gaming, Smartphone and PC industries.

US President Barack Obama plans to impose a one-off 14 per cent tax on firms that store profits overseas. He will also levy 19 per cent duty on future profits the companies earn in his 2016 budget.

The firms avoid paying tax on overseas profit as long as they do not take them into US. Last year, a research by Audit Analytics (an audit firm) showed that US firms had $2.1trillion (Sh192.04 trillion) worth of total profits stored overseas.

US conglomerate General Electric recorded the highest profit at $110bn (Sh1.01 trillion). Tech firms Microsoft and Apple were also in the top five firms with profits stored overseas.

The $238billion (Sh21.8 trillion) to be

raised if the proposal goes through will be used to fund road projects in US. “Despite several years of economic improvement, wages and incomes for middle class families were just now ticking up,” said Obama in an interview. “They haven’t been keeping pace over the last 30 years compared to corporate profits.”

But analysts say the Republican-controlled Congress are unlikely to approve the proposals.

The proposal includes tax cuts on earned income, including tax credits for child care and second earners.

The proposal also seeks to ease restrictions on military and domestic spending that has been in place since a budget deal in 2011.

FORTUNE MAKER: Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of General Electric, which recorded the highest profit (Sh1.01 trillion) for a US firm. President Obama plans to impose a 14 pc tax on firms that store profits overseas.

Finix Casino to hire administrators The Finix Casino plans to hire administrators in their latest recruitment drive.

Company officials say they are seeking candidates who are articulate, presentable and good team players.

Qualified candidates will be within the 25-30 year age range who possess excellent communication skills and work under minimum supervision.

They will possess a KCSE mean

grade C+ and at least C in Maths.

“A diploma in the hotel industry will be an added advantage,” reads a statement from the company.

Applicants should drop CVs, fullsize and passport photos, recommendation letters and a copy of the latest Certificate of Good Conduct at Nyaku House first floor, Hurlingham, Nairobi.

They should book an interview date by February 28, 2015.

6

BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

CREDIT POINTER Mortgages from Barclays Bank

GREEN HANDSHAKE: KTDA CEO Mr Lerionka Tiampati and Mr Nanno Kleiterp during the signing of Sh911.6 million contract at KTDA Head Office, Nairobi. Looking on is Greenland Fedha General Manager, Ms Anne Gathuku. The funds will allow the over 560, 000 small scale tea farmers access affordable credit facilities from Greenland Fedha.

KTDA’s Greeland Fedha receives Sh911.6m fund Over 560, 000 small scale tea farmers will soon have something else to pick; they will be able to access affordable credit facilities from Greenland Fedha Limited to enable them expand and diversify their business enterprises.

This comes after Greenland Fedha Limited, a subsidiary of Kenya Tea Development received a Sh911.6 million from FMO, a Dutch Development Bank that finances business and projects in

developing countries.

KTDA Chief Executive Officer Lerionka Tiampati said that the micro and small enterprise fund will empower tea growers to invest in other enterprises, besides tea, to supplement their earnings.

“We are very happy to be signing a contract with FMO, as we begin to set up financial structures that will allow tea growers to access credit easily and at affordable

SMART MOVE

POWER PUMP: A motorised pump in use. The new technology promises to transform smallholder farming.

rates,” said Tiampati.

FMO Chief Executive Officer, Nanno Kleiterp, said the agreement with KTDA will strengthen their relationship with small scale tea growers by assisting them to become selfsufficient.

“We are looking forward to establishing a long term relationship with KTDA through the Dutch Development Bank so that we can continue creating

carefully through the whole process.”

“We’ve been helping people with advice and mortgages for years, so we have the knowledge and experience to make owning your home simple,” reads a statement from the bank.

The service offers loan repayment periods up to 20 years Anyone from the age of 18 years and above can apply for the service.

All that is needed is an ID card or a Passport and proof that the borrower will be able to pay back the loan.

Barclays’ mortgage dealers guide the borrower through the process of dealing with mortgage related costs like stamp duty, legal costs and bank fees.

A LOAN THIS BIG: Barclays Bank of Kenya M.D Jeremy Awori addresses members of the press when the bank announced their half year financial results in the period ending June 30th 2014 on 12th August 2014.

Motorised chemical pump proves more effective A modern motorised pump that pumps pesticides four times faster than handheld pumps while covering a wider area has been introduced in the market.

The new technology promises to transform smallholder farming.

With the new pump, a farmer can cover five hectares of land a day, compared to handheld pumps that on average, cover a hectare within the same time.

It can also cover be host to spray crops ranging from coffee, tea and horticulture.

“One of its unique selling points is its ability to cover a wider

HUSTLER SECTOR Microsoft CEO and billionaire, Bill Gates nailed it when he said “I will always find a lazy person to do a difficult job, because he will find an easy way to do it.”

Brokers (popularly known in Kenya as agents), particularly those that deal in finding flats and apartments for desperate tenants, are similar to the lazy but brilliant people he was talking about.

These self-styled entrepreneurs actually practice real estate by simply posting their mobile phone numbers on walls

sustainable economic growth and thereby improving people’s living standards,” said Kleiterp.

Greenland Fedha General Manager, Anne Gathuku, said that the funding will help the subsidiary provide loans to small scale tea farmers to boost their revenue base and improve their livelihoods. “It is a big cash flow that will give us an opportunity to better our services to the farmers,” said Gathuku

While some banks still price home loans at extraordinary levels, there are a number of them that offer affordable and negotiable packages.

The Barclays Bank mortgage, for instance, is a home loan that may seem affordable, depending on where one stands.

The fact that majority of the properties in the country are fully paid for, according to a report by real estate dealer, HassConsult, there is evidence that a number of Kenyans can successfully invest in property.

The Barclays mortgage provides borrowers with financing of up to 90 per cent of the cost of the home they choose to buy.

Using their team of experts, the bank promises to “guide you

and lamp posts and waiting for someone to call.

By scouting for empty rooms and vacant apartments, they create a list of possible homes for their ‘clients’. From Eastlands to Buruburu and Donholm to Langatta, these brokers have made a name for themselves by putting in the time energy that working class Kenyans don’t have.

Charging anywhere between Sh1,000 and Sh3,000, these middlemen can get by with up to and over Sh20,000 a month.

distance within a short period of time,” says Samuel Ngetha, a sales manager at Hygrotech East Africa Ltd, the company which is supplying the sprayers.

Speaking during an earlier interview, he said that the device is equipped by strapping it onto the back of the person spraying.

It is then switched on as its nozzle is directed to the crops. Due to the fact that it is motorized, it allows for the altering of the pressure of the spray based on the crops and chemicals being used.

The pump contains a three-litre petrol tank.

According to Mr Ngetha, the pump is so effective that it can reach even the top of fruit trees.

While the hand-held pump weighs between six to 10 kilogrammes with its contents, the motorised one is much heavier at between 25 kilogrammes to 30 kilogrammes, including the chemical.

Its undoing, however, is its price, which costs over 6 times more than the hand held pump at Sh22,000 compared to Sh3,500 for the handheld pump.

Aware of this pricing knockdown, the company intends to sell the pumps to farmers through

cooperative societies, which would make them seem more affordable.

“We are using societies to purchase the pumps for farmers and then they will deduct it from their payment,” said Mr Ngetha in an earlier interview.

The huge success of the pumps in countries like China and South Africa is deemed to entice more farmers to buy them.

Hygrotech East Africa can be reached by visiting Tigoni Center, along Limuru Road or calling 0722 205 148.

Apartment brokers make up to Sh20,000 a month Though their income is never guaranteed, many of them have other side hustles to get them by.

A spot check by X News revealed that some brokers can rake in Sh10,000 in a single week while others can go an entire month and only scrape together Sh2,000.

Breaking into the sector is quite easy given that the only tools required are an eye for empty rooms, enough bus fare to move around looking for deals and a mobile phone.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

ACCESS topstory

9 habits that could be making you tired

Today The whole world is focused on cancer and how we can all be free from iT. are you doing your parT?

Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o

Wangari Maathai

beating

Cancer

One Step at a Time

C

an Kenya join the bandwagon of countries fighting and winning the war against cancer? Four years ago Professor Anyan’g Nyong’o revealed that he was suffering from prostate cancer. This came as a shock to most Kenyans, not simply because he was suffering from cancer but because he had announced it to the world.

The public declaration was a new and foreign thing to most people. We often suffer in silence in such situations that it took some time to register that a well-known dignitary in our country had veritably laid his scars bare.

The big picture in this case was that, even though Professor Nyong’o has taken a different route with the way he was tackling his disease, yet another Kenyan had been diagnosed with cancer.

The word ‘cancer’ is nothing new to anyone. We hear it on occasion on TV, on the radio read about it in the newspapers, but we never seem to stop and think that the disease might affect us the way it has or the way it should. Leaving out

cardiovascular and infectious diseases, cancer is the leading cause of death in Kenya.

Maybe it is because of its silent nature or maybe it is the inaccurate notion that cancer is a rich man’s disease that makes it still such an alien thing to the ordinary Kenyan. But then again, did you know that even your dog can get cancer? Research has shown that the leading forms of cancer affecting in women are cervical and breast cancer while in men it is prostate, head, neck and oesophageal cancer. All of them are preventable and all of them are treatable if detected early enough. But this does not seem to be the case in our country.

Kenya’s cancer statistics tell a disturbing story. Yet with all the cancer awareness campaigns that have been gaining momentum a lot more still needs to be done to educate the public.

Ignorance is rampant in all matters pertaining to the disease.

Some people still believe that cancer is as a result of a curse, or attacks by an evil eye. Some doctors have even recounted tales of patients sometimes turning down treatment when

68%

of Kenyan women diagonised with cervic cancer this year will die from the disease !

Mejja back on track with new song Mejja has been releasing songs with the group Kansoul and now he has released his own song. The song, Mi Nayo brings back his signature hilarious storytelling through music and documents how he feels after a night out. The song is bound to be a club banger with its crazy beats and catchy chorus. He is produced by Keggah.

HOT TOPICS

they find out that a mastectomy must be performed. Even the very nature of cancer examinations sometimes scare away patients.

To those that do seek out diagnosis and treatment, the country’s heath system on its own is in no shape to handle the rising number of cancer cases that are reported every year.

There are reportedly fewer than 20 oncologists in the country and the number one referral hospital remains to be Kenyatta Hospital, which balks at the number of patients it receives.

Anyang’ Nyong’o, on one of his recent drives, stated that Kenya is using technology that was discarded 20 years ago to fight cancer. The government also does not allocate adequate resources that can be used on research and proper facilitation in fighting the disease.

An unfortunate but clear distinction to be made is the

apparent socio-economics behind the disease. Cancer can attack anyone, but it is usually members of the community with resources to spare that can afford proper treatment for the disease.

Regrettably this is where the ‘rich man disease’ moniker comes from.

Announcements of politicians and other people in power dying from cancer help shine a light on the situation but do not change the status quo.

The fact that former cabinet minister Njenga Karume, civil rights leader Martin Shikuku, former NBK boss Reuben Mavambi and Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai all away succumbed cancer and its complications should exhibit the indiscriminate character of the disease.

There are simple things that everyone can do to reduce their risk of getting cancer, such as proper diet and exercise,

curbing the use of tobacco and cigarettes, and getting screened for diseases should be a priority because early detection lowers the risk of metastasis. Selfbreast examinations are quick, easy and effective in ensuring cancer prevention and so is abstaining from early sex. A number of organizations that hold free cancer screening are, Pathologists Lancet Kenya Ltd, Nairobi Pathology and Allied Services LTD, Medanta Africare and Path Care Kenya Ltd. The establishment of the National Cancer Prevention and Control Act, has helped to tackle the disease on a national level while the breast cancer screening and awareness month every October has helped the fight gain a fair amount of traction.

70% of all cancer cases related to infections are preventable.

Do your part, go get screened and let us all beat this monster, one step at a time.

Janet Mbugua’s brother now hitched Musician and actor in the Mali series, Kevin Mbugua tied the knot over the weekend. Kevin who is also brother to celebrated news anchor Janet Mbugua’s, tied the knot in an intimate private ceremony, attended by close friends and family.

8

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 26th WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY NOVEMBER 4, 2015 2014

DIY

HOME& LIVING

HoMe is anY foUr Walls tHat enClose tHe nigHt Person.

HoW to Clean CraYon Marks off

O

nce you start a family, things around the home inevitably get dirtier and harder to maintain. Among the overlooked parts of the house that suffer serious consequences of having an artistic chid are the walls.

Long gone are your pretty beige walls and here now is the canvas for a hyper active child.

Painting over the mess is unnecessary not to mention expensive. Getting crayon marks, pencil marks and tracks by markers off a wall is easy but care should be taken especially if the wall is painted so as to not damage

any of the paintwork.

The first thing to do would be to make sure all the furniture that might be in the way is covered up to prevent any transfer of dirt.

Dust the walls next, this should in fact be done on a regular basis but people forget that walls accumulate dust.

Choosing which cleaning implement you’ll use comes next. A wet rag can be used or even an old toothbrush, but it should be used with a gentle hand. Toothpaste is used as an abrasive in lifting the marks off the walls and it’s not too harsh in its action meaning your walls

setting UP a

BABY rooM

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Cartoon characters will have to be changed every few years because your child’s interest will change from time to time.

T

Walls

will remain unsullied.

Apply a little toothpaste onto your finger and work it gently into the wall. Use the brush or cloth get an even layer over the entire stain.

Keep working at the stain until it is no longer visible.

Rinse the wall with either a spray bottle or a splash of water. Wipe the residue off with a clean cloth and you are done, just remember to buy your child a colouring book to avoid future mishaps.

he baby is just a few months away and you need to setup a nursery where you can hang out with your new born during the day and feel at peace.

Getting it just right for your little one can be fun and rewarding. You will always remember how you set up your first baby room. It can sometimes seem a little daunting if you do not know where to start. Most parents-to-be opt to hire a

designer. But with these tips, you can do it yourself.

First, decide on the theme you want in the nursery. It could be an animal theme, constellations or characters. It all depends on what you want the room to reflect.

Once you have figured that out you can start on looking for furniture. Keeping your vision simple is the way to go as it keeps you from over-decorating. You

could pick a piece of furniture, say the crib and model everything around that.

Secondly, choose decor that you will not have to change every year. You’ll have to take into account how long the decor you have put up will last your child. Cartoon characters will have to be changed every few years because your child’s interest will change from time to time. You could alternatively choose to use vinyl wall stickers, which are cheap

and easy to chan colours for your using colours th too harsh and w need a calm rela Finally, remem friendly furniture room. As your c crawl, put things their head on alm prudent to be on

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

in addition to being deliCioUs, bananas are a riCH soUrCe of PotassiUM.

HEALTH &FITNESS

At one time or another we’ve all had to deal with the dreaded feeling of a full stomach and nothing to show for it when it’s time to unload. Bloating can be caused by the menstrual cycle, indigestion or even drinking through a straw. Whatever the case might be, it’s not the most comfortable or welcome feeling to have to deal with.

O

ne of the key remedies for bloating is potassium.

Potassium helps in balancing out the sodium levels in the body and reduce water retention, which is usually a big cause of bloating. In addition to being delicious, bananas are a rich source of potassium. They are a convenient way to ease bloating and are also relatively cheap.

Cucumbers are not just a way to make drinking water look fancy, they also help combat bloating and reduce swelling. They can be eaten as a standa l o n e

or part of a salad. Whichever way you choose to take them they do a world of good to anyone’s diet.

Another easy fix to bloating is avocados. They might not seem like the most enticing fruit to most people and don’t pack a punch in the taste department but they do help in lowering gas levels in your stomach because of their high potassium concentration.

Yoghurt is your friend. Not only for its nutritional value but all because of its seemingly endless list of benefits to the body. It can even stave off cravings for junk food. The probiotics in yogurt not only aid in digestion but also lessen the effects of bloating.

best foods for battling b l

nge. Thirdly, choose soft nursery room. Consider hat are soothing and not with a new born, one will axing atmosphere. mber to choose childe and accessories for the child keeps growing they s in their mouth and bang most everything. So, it is n the safe side.

oating

WORKOUT

D

o you wake up feeling tired all the time? Or feel extremely sleepy and drained in the afternoons?

Well, fatigue— or tiredness— is a common complaint which affects most people at one point of their lives or another. There are usually those days you just want to crawl up to bed, ignore everybody else and sleep. It is okay to have those days once in a while but what if they occur on a daily basis? What are you supposed to do about it? Here are some pointers to help you identify the probable cause: Skipping meals, especially breakfast With moving on the fast lane, one can get carried away by work so much that they end up forgetting to eat. Food acts as the body’s fuel and we need to stock up on

9

habits that could be making you tired healthy fuels to keep energized.

Over working yourself Work is good. But there is a limit one must adhere to so as not to burn out. The moment you find yourself working late into the night, during your vacation, over the weekends… know that something is wrong. Take some time off, make a timetable which incorporates all your daily activities including time to rest.

During your resting time ensure you get as much rest as you can without thinking about work.

Disorganized spaces Disorganized places are not only unsightly to look at but also take a lot of energy especially when looking for something in the mess. You do not have to be a perfectionist but arranging your

surfaces will help you save on energy in the long run.

Using mobile devices before sleeping.

The glaring light from such devices interferes with sleeping patterns, making it harder for you to get the much needed rest. It is advisable to avoid all tech devices one to two hours before going to sleep.

People pleasing People pleasing tends to suck up the life of an individual and it can get so bad that you sacrifice your energy, time and happiness for others. Learn to say no and watch your energy and confidence levels spiral up. If you still feel tired even after observing the above, seek medical advice.

You might be suffering from other health issues like anemia, depression or diabetes.

10

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 7th WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY JANUARY 4, 2015 2015

FASHIONScoop

O

PREVIEW OF maggy’s cOllEctIOn.

Couture eleganCe

n Saturday, Kenyan fashion will be taken to a whole new level as fashion designer Margaret Wangare launches her first ever collection dubbed “Couture by Maggy.” And as the name suggests, it will only be elegance on the runway on the day. The collection will feature evening wear, red carpet and party dresses.

W

angare used stretch fabric (among other fabrics) for most of the designs, which she says is perfect for all body sizes and hugs the figure just right. She will also launch a mens’ collection that will still stick with the theme, Couture. It will feature tailored fit suits in three and two piece ensemble.

Here is a sneak peek at the female collection.

Caroline Mutoko iMpersonated again

Hot topiCs

C

aroline Mutoko is not new to social media impersonations. This time, a fake account is claiming to give out money in her name. But In a statement through her official page, the former radio queen told her followers the account is fake. The statement read in part, “Fall for that nonsense at your own peril. I’ve always said and I maintain - only the greedy and feeble minded fall for these tricks. Clear minded people know a lie when they see it. Be aware.”

robert alai

robert alai criticises Maina kageni Robert Alai fears nothing, he says. He can go on television and take on anyone and any topic. He is purported to know almost everything about influential people in the country. He was recently on KTN’s Morning Express with Sophia Wainuna, where he said Maina Kageni has no talent for radio.

He dismissed Maina Kageni’s abilities saying he got into radio and TV by having ‘connections’. The blogger went on to say that almost everybody who is on TV and Radio got the job through back doors.

Maina kageni

PLAY 11 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Have you wanted to catch up on your reading, Capricorn? If so, this is definitely a good time to stay home, make yourself some tea, and curl up with a good book. If it’s a novel, you will enjoy it thoroughly. If it’s nonfiction, you will absorb the information quickly and retain more.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Intuition and imagination combine with good common sense to enable you to accomplish just about anything today, Aquarius. If you’re into the arts, ideas could come to you in profusion. It will be easy to bring them into reality with a stroke of the pen or brush.

WEDNESday 4/02/2015

sunny

28

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Conversations with friends take on a more serious note, Pisces. Whatever is discussed today could bring to the surface new ideas for making whatever you’re working on move smoothly and quickly to success. Metaphysical ideas seem clearer and more down to Earth.

27ºC 36%

THURsday 5/02/2015

More sun than clouds

28 6:42 am 6:52pm

27ºC 34%

6:42 am 6:52 pm

FRIday

29

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 In case you’re surrounded by a lot of people today, you can look forward to a very harmonious day, Aries. Your sensitivity is higher than usual, so you will be better able to understand others and be understood as well. As a result, you add another bond to your relationships.

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Learning comes easily to you, Taurus, as your mind is especially sharp and retentive. Your intuition is usually high, but today it’s especially acute, as is your concentration. Therefore, this is a great day to read or work on an art project. Set aside some time alone to contemplate.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 It should be easier than usual to concentrate on the practical aspects of finances, Gemini. A keener mind combines with enhanced intuition to give you a special edge when it comes to making decisions on everything that concern money, so make the most of it while you can.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Have you been thinking about attending a seminar of some kind, Cancer, perhaps business related? You and a partner might go together. This is a good time to do this, as your thinking is particularly clear and retentive and you find it easier than usual to concentrate.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 If so, you may suddenly notice that your efforts are finally bearing fruit. You should feel especially fit and strong, though maybe a little lightheaded. You will want to increase your exercise, and you have the discipline to do so. Make the most of this drive while you can.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 Intense feelings and words of love could suddenly come from your partner, which could take you by surprise but are no less welcome for that. Talk of a future together may result, but no concrete decisions will be made. Bask in the glow of the promise of lasting love.

MUSTREAD

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 For the most part, the meeting will go well and you will accomplish what you want. Communication flows freely and agreements are easily reached. Bear in mind that someone has an agenda of their own that might not correspond with the interests of everyone else.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 If you’re into writing, Scorpio, this is the perfect day to sit down and churn out the words, even if it’s only a letter to a friend. Your imagination is especially vivid, your expression clear and understandable, and your vocabulary skills especially acute. It will be that much better for it.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Do you have some paperwork regarding money that you’ve been putting off, Sagittarius? If so, this is a good day to get it out of the way once and for all. Your mind is especially sharp and your concentration strong, so you’re less likely to be distracted or make mistakes.

INSTAMOMENTS 1

3

2

4

YOURSAY

— by Alex Bell

Jay, Sophie’s boyfriend, has downloaded an Ouija board app onto his phone against her wishes. All the same, they decide to use it.

Sophie suggests using it to contact her dead cousin, Rebecca. The board ends up warning that Jay will die. And he does. Heartbroken, Sophie visits her dead cousin’s family in Scotland where she spends the summer with her cousins, brooding Cameron and his disfigured hand, Lilias. Lilias fears bones while Piper is a secrets store. Sophie ends up occupying her dead cousin’s room which is full of antique dolls. But there is somebody else in the room, Rebecca.

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.

Kenyan brands should splash global market While I am grateful that Turkey is investing in Kenya by opening stores in the country (page 6, February 3, 2015), it’s high time Kenyan brands splashed the international market. We should be selling ‘Akalas’ to

Frozen Charlotte

hipsters in the US and open authentic Kenyan stores to sell African couture across the world.

Where are our famed retail outlets abroad? Where are our custom designs? Even the famous Kitenge brand is

technically owned by British investors based in UK. Yet Kenya continues to restrict itself to selling within its borders. Someone needs to step up! Entrepreneurs abroad should fly our flag and cash in on the Kenyan brand.

winning captions

1.They think the cost of petrol is scarier than an exposion? - Junior 2. Petrol stations are so judgemental these days... - Angie Bett, NRB 3. Bei ya mafuta imeshuka! Wacha upuzi! - Calvin Ogutu, NRB,

12

PLAY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. Baldwin of “The Hunt for Red October” 5. “-__ Line,” Cash smash 10. Hall of Famer Speaker 14. Like some 1930s design, informally 15. Actress Shire of “Rocky” 16. Word before puppy or money 17. “Rocky Mountain High” singer 19. Prefix with bus or potent 20. Safe investment, informally 21. Wolverines’ home 23. Play ___ (do some tennis) 26. Paternally related 27. Awkward situation 32. Illustration, for short 33. Terse note from a boss 34. Windblown 38. ‘... and they lived happily ___ after’ 40. Dominion 42. Using metallic dishes in a microwave, e.g.

43. Jazz’s Chick 45. Hangs on a clothesline 47. Aria, “___ tu” 48. Stamina 51. Polemist 54. Make in income 55. Stashes 58. “___ you to cross that line!”

62. Amo, amas 63. Everyman 66. Desert-like 67. Made rapidly 68. “The Censor” of ancient Rome 69. Two-___ sloth 70. More eccentric 71. Ray who created the McDonald’s empire

Down 1. Mil. staff officer 2. Noel reversal 3. Sound in a cave 4. Cold+Flu maker 5. Israel ending 6. Pasty-faced 7. Thomas Edison’s middle name 8. Claim on property 9. Noted site of Egyptian ruins 10. “Our Town” writer Wilder 11. Dance that originated in Cuba 12. “Once ___ Enough” 13. Hobbits’ home, with “the” 18. Library stations 22. James, the author 24. Giver of regards 25. Informal in taste 27. Blueprint detail, briefly 28. Program recording device 29. One tending to a sprain, perhaps 30. ___ ware (Japanese porcelain) 31. “A New Day Has Come” singer Dion 35. Theater chain founder Marcus 36. Memorandum opener 37. Coconut-husk fiber 39. Arose as a consequence 41. Prefix with byte 44. Fit to____ 46. Twig 49. Triple Crown jockey Eddie 50. Next to bat 51. “...with ___ of thousands!”

(Hollywood hype) 52. Beau at the balcony 53. Bright light 56. Promo on the tube 57. Use Western Union, e.g.

59. Open just a little 60. Prefix with tiller 61. Org. overseeing fairness in hiring 64. “The Murders in the ___ Morgue” (Poe story) 65. Tax mo.

DAILY WISDOM “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

— Proverbs 12:22 “Woe unto those who give short measure, those who, when they are to receive their due from people, demand that it be given in full but when they have to measure or weigh whatever they owe to others, give less than what is due. Do they not know that they are bound to be raised from the dead (and called to account) on an awesome Day, the Day when all men shall stand before the Sustainer of all the worlds?”

— (Quran 83:1-6) “The seal of God is truth.”

“One should utter the truth.”

— Talmud, Shabbat 55

— Dhammapada 224

“Let your conduct be marked by truthfulness in word, deed, and thought.”

—Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11.1 “If you don’t know how, why pretend?”

“Half the truth is often a whole lie.”

— Huang O. — Ben Franklin

Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity.

— Zig Ziglar

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS

Sport WEDNESday, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Mwamba, Impala eye Kenya Cup fourth spot Kabras Sugar, Mwamba and Impala still have a mathematical chance of claiming the fourth spot in the Kenya Cup rugby series.

Mwamba, who play Mombasa Sports Club, Blak Blad and Mean Machine, look poised to end the fairy tale run by debutants Kabras Sugar.

Any slip would usher Impala and Homeboyz into the mix. The top three places are already decided with KCB, Pan Africa Strathmore

Leos and Top Fry Nakuru already qualified.

At the weekend, the biggest win was the 116-0 drubbing of Catholic University Monks by Pan Africa Strathmore Leos.

The fourth place could see Mwamba, Kabras and probably Impala slip through. However, the top three teams will be decided in the next two weeks.

Resolution Impala Saracens moved to sixth spot in hot pursuit

of a playoff position. They have 27 points, five less than fourthplaced Kabras, and two shy of Mwamba.

The shock result of the weekend was the 74-15 drubbing of a fastfading Kenya Harlequin by Kenya Commercial Bank.

The win saw KCB climb to top of standings by virtue of a better goal aggregate, though they have 48 points as do Top Fry.

KEEP OFF: A Kabras Sugar player (left) fights off opposition from United States International University of East Africa-Africa (USIU-A) during a past Sevens tournament in Kisumu. Kabras, Mwamba and Impala have slim chances of claiming the fourth spot in the Kenya Cup series.

Cleveland quarterback in rehab Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has entered rehab to deal with personal problems.

Manziel, 22, was 22nd in the 2014 draft after playing college football for Texas A&M, but started just two games last season.

“Johnny knows there are areas he needs to improve to help him be a better family member, friend and team-mate,” advisor Brad Beckworth said.

“So he decided to take this step in his life during the off-season.”

Cleveland Browns general

manager Ray Farmer added: “We respect Johnny’s initiative in this decision and will fully support him throughout this process.

“Johnny’s privacy will be respected by us during this very important period and we hope that others will do the same.”

14

SPORT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Athletes want boss Kiplagat retired as they threaten to boycott trials Kenyan athletes, current and retired have threatened to boycott the February 14 National Cross Country championships if the government does not move in to remove longserving Athletics Kenya (AK) chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat from office.

Led by 2008 Olympics 800m champion Wilfred Bungei and Olympics 5000m and five-time World Cross champion, John Ngugi, and representatives from Professional Athletes Association of Kenya (PAAK) also demanded a comprehensive list of those involved in positive doping cases from 2009 including the high profile EPO bust of female marathoner Rita Jeptoo, to be made public.

Other issues they want addressed within the week include claims of deductions of athlete’s prize money from last year’s Bahamas World Relay Championships as well as local events, an overhaul of the AK constitution, national team selection criteria and mismanagement at the federation headquarters.

“As retired and current athletes we feel we have been pushed so much and it’s high time we

ask the ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts to intervene or else we are going to down the spikes especially at the Cross Country Trials.

“AK has done nothing to improve athletics in the country since the same problems we found when joining the industry are the same, this time round we will not allow it to continue,” Bungei, the 2006 Moscow World Indoor Champion announced.

Bungei called on Sports, Culture and Arts Cabinet Secretary Dr. Hassan Wario to follow up his tough talking on Kiplagat to vacate office with action.

“We are beseeching the minister to take the lead and act not to be like his predecessors.

Kiplagat is not bigger that the country because at the moment it’s a one man show,” Bungei added.

The national championships which will be used to select the Kenyan team for the world cross country championships in Guiyang, China is scheduled to take place in a fortnight at Nairobi’s Uhuru Gardens.

BUNGEI IN HIS DAYS: Wilfred Bungei (C) in the Men’s 800m Final in the 2008 Olympic Games on August 23, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Bungei and other professional athletes are demanding the removal of AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat.

Mcllroy tees off court battle with Horizon Sports Management Rory Mcllroy’s court case against his former management agent is set to begin in the Irish High Court later.

The world’s number one golfer is suing Horizon Sports Management following a multi-million euros dispute over fees.

The period under dispute coincided with Mcllroy’s sponsorship deal with Nike, said to be worth about shs9.2billion.

The golfer complained that fees charged by Horizon were excessive. The Dublin firm is counter-suing for outstanding fees, alleging breaches of contract.

A preliminary hearing, at the city’s Commercial Court in October, heard that attempts to resolve the situation by mediation had failed.

McIlroy has previously claimed that an agreement that he signed when he was 22 is invalid and unenforceable on a number of grounds.

He said he was inexperienced and did not have independent legal advice at the time.

In January 2013, about two years after he entered the Horizon contract, he was unveiled as Nike’s brand ambassador.

The Nike deal made him one of the highest paid sports stars in the world.

By September 2013, he had parted company with his agent and set up his own company,

Rory McIlroy Incorporated, to manage his affairs.

At the time, a statement on the golfer’s website read: “Rory McIlroy confirms he has terminated his contract with Horizon Sports Management and that the details of the termination are in the hands of a legal team.”

The golfer said he hoped the court case could be sorted out quickly so that “everyone can move on with their lives”.

“It’s not something you want hanging over your head and it’s not something I’d want anyone to go through, it’s not a nice process,” McIlroy said.

Provisional 40 selected for Taekwondo squad

TO THE DOCKS: Rory Mcllroy’s court case against his former management agent is set to begin in the Irish High Court later.

A total of 40 players, both men and women have been selected for Kenya Taekwondo provisional national team for All Africa Games. This was done during Kenya-cum-Open first trials event held at Nyayo over the weekend.

The categories ranging from seniors and juniors will be heading to Mombasa early in April during the annual Chairman’s Cup where the final selection is expected to be done with only one player being selected from

the eight competitive categorises.

Technical vice-chairman Harrison Kalama was impressed with the first trials exercise that had attracted teams from Nairobi, Nyanza, Eastern, Rift Valley and Central regions.

“I have seen the level of know how among our players rise to a new level that heralds a new beginning for us in this sport that we haven’t given it much attention and am optimistic we are headed for greater things in Brazzaville,” said Kalama.

africa cup of nations 2015

Eto’o to stay at Sampdoria after training bust-up Samuel Eto’o will stay at Sampdoria despite a reported training dispute with boss Sinisa Mihajlovic.

The Serb coach accused Eto’o of showing a “serious lack of respect” by missing an extra training session on Monday.

But a source close to the striker, who joined Sampdoria from Everton last Tuesday, says “The incident was nothing to report.”

The source also dismissed claims in Italy that Eto’o, 33, was threatening to leave the Serie A club.

“He can’t leave anyway, because he has played for two clubs this season, and you can’t play for more than two in a season,” he said.

Mihajlovic scheduled two training sessions for his players on Monday after Sunday’s 5-1 Serie A defeat at Torino.

Eto’o left after the morning session without speaking to the coach and did not return, Italian media reported.

“I don’t know where he’s gone and I don’t know what the club intends to do,” Mihajlovic said.

“The only thing that is certain is that the player did not give me any explanation; I consider it to be a serious lack of respect to myself and the rest of the team.

“That’s the only truth today, the rest is pure fantasy. There hasn’t been a row with Eto’o, simply because you need two people to have an argument and he has done everything on his own.

“I haven’t seen him since the morning training and haven’t spoken to him either.”

staying put: Former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o will stay at new club Sampdoria even after training bust-up with manager Sinisa Mihajlovic.

SPORT 15 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Schalke tame Bayern toend perfect home record Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich remain eight points clear after earning a draw against Schalke with 10 men.

Bayern, beaten 4-1 at Wolfsburg on Friday, had Jerome Boateng sent off after 16 minutes for a professional foul on Sidney Sam. But Manuel Neuer saved Eric Maxim ChoupoMoting’s resulting penalty.

Arjen Robben headed Bayern in front before Benedikt Howedes equalised.

The result secured a point for Schalke coach Roberto Di Matteo on his return to the Allianz Arena, where he won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012.

Second-placed Wolfsburg failed to close the gap and needed a late Kevin De Bruyne equaliser to get a 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayern had dropped just six points

from their 17 Bundesliga matches before the winter break, but have failed to win either of their two league games since returning to action.

Boateng’s red card made life more difficult for Pep Guardiola’s side, who had a 100% home league record going into the match, but they continued to dominate possession.

They were denied a second-half opening goal in controversial circumstances when Robert Lewandowski squeezed a cross-shot in off Atsuto Uchida from the byline, only for the assistant referee to rule the ball had gone out of play first.

Bayern went ahead from the resulting corner as Robben nodded in from Xabi Alonso’s delivery.

Schalke hit back five minutes later as Germany centre-back Howedes headed in a corner from Sam.

Ronaldo worth Sh42b, claims agent Cristiano Ronaldo would sell for Sh42billion if Real Madrid were to let him leave, the Portuguese superstar’s agent says.

Jorge Mendes said the Portugal captain was the “best sportsman ever”.

“He is the best player ever in the world. You can’t compare him with anybody else,” Mendes told sports editor Dan Roan.

Ronaldo, 29, was voted the world’s best player for a third time last month, beating Lionel Messi to the award.

Asked how much he was worth, Mendes said: “Cristiano Ronaldo?

One billion. His buyout clause one billion, so it is one billion. It is impossible to buy someone like him.

“If for any reason the club decide to sell him tomorrow for 42billion , someone will pay.”

But Mendes insisted his countryman,

who cost Real Madrid a world record fee of Sh11.2billion in 2009, would stay at the Bernabeu, despite his “love” for supporters of former club Manchester United.

Asked if he will finish his career at the Barnabeu, Mendes said “for sure.

He will not leave Real Madrid.”

Mendes, who is reported to have brokered more than Sh140billion worth of transfers, has been described as the most powerful figure in the game.

He described football as the “most important sport in the world” and defended players’ wages, saying they “deserve the maximum possible”.

Mendes, a former DJ and nightclub owner, also represents Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria, James Rodriguez, David de Gea, Victor Valdes and Diego Costa.

Nigerian striker’s ‘ritual to end goal drought curse’ Nigeria international striker Emmanuel Emenike has declared his three-month goal drought a result of a curse placed on him.

Emenike went almost three months without scoring for Fenerbahçe in Turkey’s Süper Lig and claims bad luck was to blame for his lack of proficiency in front of goal.

The Super Eagles attacker spoke to Turkish newspaper, Milliyet, about the situation claiming “something is wrong.”

“My energy is not right, something is wrong, I just need a goal to get back to form,” Emenike said.

The former Spartak Moscow striker underwent a ritual called ‘Kur un Dökme’ apparently to “remove the curse.”

Emenike scored his first league goal since November 2, 2014 shortly after he reportedly underwent the ‘Kur un Dökme.’

He netted the winner as Fenerbahçe overcame Karabükspor at Dr. Necmettin Seyhoglu Stadi.

The striker has now netted three league goals this season.

Emenike had 15 attempts on goal, including blocked shots, between his second and third league goals.

goal famine: Nigeria international Emmanuel Emenike of Turkey Süper Lig side Fenerbahce went three months without scoring.

xnews | weDnesDAY, FeBRURY 4, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

africa cup of nations 2015 AFCON SeMIS tODAy CONgO DR vS IvORy COASt 10PM read P15

Man United set up date with Preston Manchester United survived an early scare to beat League Two Cambridge United and set up an FA Cup fifth-round trip to Preston North End. Striker Tom Elliott should have given Cambridge a shock lead in the replay but shot against a post after a Daley Blind error within the first minute.

Louis van Gaal’s side took the lead through Juan Mata’s closerange finish before Marcos Rojo headed in a second.

James Wilson’s 18-yard low strike sealed the win for the dominant hosts.

They will travel to Deepdale on 16 February to face League One promotion hopefuls Preston for the first time since 1972, after North End beat Sheffield United 3-1 yesterday night.

Cambridge defied the odds to hold their Premier League op-

ponents to a 0-0 draw at the Abb e y Stadium but, with the exception of the first minute, they never looked capable of causing another upset.

The lower league side were shown the ultimate respect as Van Gaal named a strong side, with the 13-times Premier League winners’ starting line-up costing shs32.34billion compared to Cambridge’s, which was made up of 10 free transfers and a loan signing.

The League Two side, 14th in the table and 79 places below Manchester United, are estimated to have earned £1m from Tuesday’s tie and were cheered on by more than 6,600 travelling fans among the 74,511 spectators inside Old Trafford.

UP AGAINST: Manchester United’s Captain Wayne Rooney vies for the ball with Cambridge United’s Greg Taylor during their FA Cup Fourth Round relay at Old Trafford.

United beat Cambridge 3-0 to march into the fifth round.

United crack on to fifth round 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.

Nanena KENYAN HITS! Adonai KENRAZY Visita, Madtraxx, DNA & Jay A KEN4 Dumbala Remix Zawadi Msaidizi GLORIA MULIRO GM4 Sitalia Tena Fundamentals KT4 KEN WAMARIA Bongo Lala RUFFTONE & GSU RUFF4 Sitalia Tena Mungu Baba Uwepo Wako LIN4 MERCYLINAH Hatarudi Nyuma Milele SHA4 MARION SHAKO Mapenzi Dongo Dongo GERALDINE ODUOR GER4 Solo Ulibeba EN4 EUNICE NJERI Penzi Langu Sobei Cheiso KOS4 EMMY KOSGEI Matokeo Worship You BMF FT MERCY WAIREGI BMF4 Sambaza ALICE KAMANDE KAM4 Born Again Defender DAD4 Lingala Ya Yesu DADDY OWEN MOG4 Fanya Kitendo MOG Tosheka Kereka DK KWENYE BEAT DK4 Muziki Ni Dawa Ningwendete VAN4 Makeke JOAN WAIRIMU LK4 Kitanzi Queen LOISE KIM Ahuirania N.D GITHUKA GAK4 Miss Hizo Ti Mundu BETTY BAYO & MR SEED BET4 Naona Mbali Ndirakurekie SIMON SIM4 Nime Wasamehe JOAN WAIRIMU Kinyukia Kahora VAN4 Hakuna Silaha

Ex: HC4 to 22333

BAHATI DJ LAPOZE JEMMO & DENNO BEN GITHAE HADASSAH PAUL EMMA OMONGE MASSMASILYA LAURENT MUGISHO MR. BISCUIT SIMON KIDUM & JULIANI KIDUM NGANGALITO KIDIS GLORIA MULIRO EKO DYDDA PITSON BEN GITHAE RINGTONE JIMMY GAIT GLORIA M & WILLY P ALA C DENNO SOLOMON MUKUBWA SARAH KIARIE

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

This is a subscription service. Cost per message is KSH30. Content Delivered daily. A Joining fee of KSH30 applies.

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 wil 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.

DR Congo coach Ibenge: We ‘must get over euphoria’ to beat Ivorians in AFCON Semis DR Congo coach Florent Ibenge has urged his side to forget their win over Congo and refocus for their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Ivory Coast tonight.

“I’ve been talking about it all the time in training,” Ibenge said of the need to look forward.

“We have to really get our concentration back and focus on what is going to be a really tough encounter.

“Our last game was one of great emotion but I’ve been working hard to get all the euphoria behind us.”

DR Congo booked their place in the last four of the tournament after a thrilling come-from-behind victory

Redknapp resigns at QPR citing need for knee surgery

over neighbours Congo.

They were 2-0 down just after an hour of the quarter-final in Bata but scored four goals without reply in the last 25 minutes to pull off a fantastic comeback.

However, Ibenge is aware that his players cannot afford to look back, and must prepare for a new challenge against favourites Ivory Coast.

“We expect a game full of a lot of tactics, very physical and with the need for strong mental concentration,” Ibenge added.

“It is difficult for the players in what will be their fifth game after two weeks of this tournament and also a Harry Redknapp has quit as QPR manager, blaming imminent knee replacement surgery for his decision.

The 67-year-old informed chairman Tony Fernandes on Tuesday morning of his decision to leave the club, who are second bottom of the Premier League.

“I need immediate surgery,” said Redknapp. “If I can’t give 100%, it’s better for someone else to take over.”

Head of football operations Les Ferdinand and academy coach Chris Ramsey will take temporary charge.

Redknapp led QPR to promotion to the

couple of weeks of preparations before the tournament.

“It will be complicated for us but we hope it will as difficult for them.”

DR Congo last played the Ivorians in the qualifiers in October when they produced another thrilling performance to force a surprise 4-3 away win.

“But no two games are the same and we must forget that one.

“The Ivory Coast team has changed a lot since then, they have stiffened up the midfield and since Kolo Toure came back they’ve been a lot tougher to break down in defence.”

Premier League last season via the Championship play-offs.

There were reports he was one game from the sack before the 2-0 defeat

by Manchester United on 17 January. Afterwards, Redknapp blamed an “insider” for attempting to destabilise the club, while QPR chairman Tony Fernandes issued a statement on 19 January saying he would remain as manager.

“I have had such a fantastic time at QPR,” said Redknapp, who took over Rangers in November 2012.

Published By Xtra Publishing Limited, Chancery Building, Valley Road, Nairobi | Printed By The Star, Lion Place, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi.