201503016 xnews by X News

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

lost and found missing juja mca found in kinungi house after search

advice to japan Assemble motorcycles in Kenya, Amina tells Japan

GOLDEN COMB SECOND KENYA HAIR EXPO BRINGS OUT RARE TALENT

NEWS

Matimu tops Windsor leg of Barclays golf Circuit

korir pips compatriot Sambu by one second in New York marathon

Kenya President’s pay among world’s highest P The Big Knot resident Uhuru Kenyatta is among the highest paid world leaders, revelations on salaries of presidents and prime ministers of developed and emerging economies indicate. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong leads the pack of the highest paid heads of state and

government with a salary of Sh16.38 million a month. The pay is still more than what President Kenyatta earns in a year and more than five times what US President Barack Obama takes home every month. Loong’s salary is estimated to be more than 40 times that of an average Singaporean.

Obama, who is the second highest paid elected world leader, earns Sh3.03 million a month, bringing his annual pay to Sh36.4 million. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is third on the list with annual earnings of Sh31 million. He earns a monthly salary of Sh2.589 million.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

kenyan country music comes of age

Photo: Artville Company

P.8

Juliet Wambui and Benson Chege, who got engaged one year ago, took their matrimonial vows on Saturday

P.9

Mama does it best Yvonne Chaka Chaka, ‘The Princess of Africa’, brings the house down during sixth edition of the Koroga Festival

P.10

Fashion parade you know you love it: South Africa’s top country music band Rocking Horse performs at the Boots and Hats Festival, Kenya’s premier country music event, on Saturday. Nairobi-based South African singer CC ‘Cat’ Lamondt launched her album at the event. STORY ON PAGE 9

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NEWS MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

Uhuru’s pay among world’s highest From Page 1

He is followed by Ireland President Michael Higgins who takes home Sh2.55 million per month. Higgins has since requested that his pay be slashed by 23.5 per cent after he took oath of office in 2011. His pay is followed by that of Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel who earns Sh2.55 million a month. In Africa, South Africa’s Jacob Zuma leads the pay pack with Sh1.68 million monthly salary. Across the world, Zuma is ranked number 10.

Even after President Kenyatta took a 20 percent pay cut last year, he still remains the second highest earning African leader with a monthly pay of Sh1.35 million. Before the slash, he was earning Sh1.7 million per month. Algeria’s Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who comes third on the list of highest earning leaders in Africa, takes home Sh1.26 per month. Russia Vladimir Putin has recently announced plans to take a 10 per cent pay cut as his Moscow’s economy sinks into recession. The slash means the Russian

strongman will take home Sh1.02 million per month. China’s Xi Jinping remains among the least earning leaders with a monthly pay of just Sh165, 000 despite being in charge of the world’s second largest economy. The figure is after a 60 per cent pay rise at the start of the year. He is in a list along with India’s Narenda Modi who takes home Sh227,250 a month. Because each country has a different economic GDP, it is difficult to establish the impact the salaries have on the citizens.

President

Country

Monthly Country’s GDP Salary (KSh) per person ($)-2013

Lee Hsien Loong Barack Obama Tony Abbott Michael Higgins Xavier Bettel Stephen Harper John Key Angela Merkel Shinzo Abe Jacob Zuma Giorgio Napolitano Francois Hollande David Cameron Sauli Niniisto Olafu Grimsson Park Guen-hye Ma Ying-jeou Uhuru Kenyatta Mark Rutte Abdelaziz Bouteflika

(Singapore) (USA) (Australia) (Ireland) (Luxembourg) (Canada) (New Zealand) (Germany) (Japan) (South Africa) (Italy) (France) (UK) (Finland) (Iceland) (S. Korea) (Taiwan) (Kenya) (Netherlands) (Algeria)

16.8m 3.03m 2.59m 2.55m 2.55m 2.22m 2.18m 2.18m 2.05m 2.04m 2.03m 1.73m 1.61m 1.43m 1.41m 1.40m 1.38m 1.35m 1.28m 1.26m

55,182 53,041 67,458 50,503 110,697 51,958 41,555 46,268 38,633 6,617 35,925 42,503 41,787 49,146 47,461 25,976 31, 900 1, 245 50, 793 5, 360

PSVs fares won’t increse after fuel price hike, at least for now Matatu fares will not go up even after the regulator increased the price of petroleum for the month of March, Matatu Owners Association (MOA) says. The union says the sector operators will not adjust fares but noted that the fuel prices announced by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Saturday would negatively affect profits. “We are always blamed for raising the fares when there is an increase in fuel prices, but people should know we only do this when we can no longer shoulder the weight brought about by hiked fuel prices. We are still analysing the impact of the Sh4 rise announced last week, but as of now, no fare adjustments will be made,” Kimutai said ERC announced a Sh4.75 increase on prices of super petrol and kerosene while the price diesel was went up by Sh0.68 per litre. The changes saw a fuel price increase for the first time in more than six months. Director General Joseph Nganga attributed the increase to a weakening shilling and the rebounding of crude oil prices in February. He said the changes had led to higher prices of refined petroleum in the global market. “Global oil prices have rebounded in the last one month. They were at their lowest in December at $46 a barrel, but currently we are at about $58 a barrel which is an increase of 21.88 per cent,” he said Kimutai claims the adjustments will force PSV owners to incur losses of about Sh200 per day. But PSVs will still study the market trends before making adjustments for fares.

STILL HIGH: Matatu touts beckon passengers to their van. Matatu owners have said fares will not rise despite an increase in the price of petroleum for the month of March.

Kajiado Central voters queue to pick Nkaissery’s successor

my choice: A Kajiado Central resident casts the ballot in today’s by-election to elect the successor to Interior Cabinet Joseph Nkaissery.

Long queues were witnessed early today as voters in Kajiado Central constituency flocked various polling stations to cast their ballots for their next MP. The by-election was necessitated by the elevation of the then area MP Joseph Nkaissery to the cabinet last year. Most of the 39,545 registered voters of the constituency began casting their ballots at 6 am when the stations opened. Police said the exercise was largely peaceful, with no incident received from any of the centres across the constituency for the better part of the morning. The hotly contested race pitting Memusi Kanchory of ODM

against Patrick Tutui of the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) as well as Nkashuma Kuntai who is contesting as an independent candidate. Memusi cast his vote at Ilimisgiyo center at about 9 am while Tutui voted at Ilbissil township Primary school at about 10am. Kuntai was expected to cast his ballot at Engaboli Primary school. “We have distributed all the election materials and voting is progressing well,” Maurice Owino, the officer in charge of elections told Capital FM News. “We are urging voters and the candidates to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations.” The constituency has 87 polling

stations. A total of 500 security officers have been deployed to the area to oversee the smooth running of the exercise. There are also 300 clerks, 102 presiding officers and a similar number of deputy presiding officers overseeing the minipoll.

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NEWS 3 MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS

CARTOONSPEAK

Gone-missing Juja MCA found in Naivasha

Forever young: Google says people could live for 500 years Google, the famous multinational corporation specialising in Internet-related services and products, says that in the coming years, people could live for up to 500 years. This will be due to medical breakthroughs that the firm expects to make in the near future. Bill Maris, the founder of Google Ventures, a branch of Google that provides funding to promising companies, says that it may be possible to increase a person’s lifespan five-fold. Google Ventures has already invested in genetics firms and startups that are working to cure cancer The tech giant also set up ‘Calico’, a branch of laboratories that deal in anti-ageing research.

Mr Maris said: “We have the tools to achieve anything that you have the audacity to envision. I just hope to live long enough not to die.” Mr Maris founded Google Ventures in 2009 and oversees all of the fund’s global activities. He studied neuroscience at Middlebury College. Other experts are in agreement with Mr Maris. Dr Pankaj Kapahi from the Buck Institute for Research on Ageing believes that scientific breakthroughs could potentially extend human lives dramatically, by four or five fold. He made these claims after successfully running tests on a worm that made it live five times longer than it would have without his treatment.

Nacada launches campaign to limit sale of alcohol The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has launched a campaign dubbed ‘No ID, No Sale’ meant to limit the sale of alcohol to those aged 18 and above only. The campaign to be held in partnership with Responsible Alcohol Drinks Company Association targets 35,000 outlets within Nairobi. NACADA chairman John Mututho told journalists that the campaign is designed to empower alcohol traders to discourage the sale of alcohol to people who are below the legal drinking age. “Under the age of 18, you only live in a dream world…there is no single drink in the world that has a single standard of how you behave when you are drunk,” he pointed out. He warned that vendors caught selling alcohol to people below the said age will be fined Sh150,000 or jailed for 12 months. Mututho cautioned that already, plans to arrest illegal manufacturers of alcohol and unlicensed distributors are underway. “The information and intelli-

The missing Juja MCA Samuel Gitau was last night found alive in Kinungi area, Naivasha a week after he was reported missing. Gitau who has been moved to the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi briefly told police he had been in a car boot for that long and managed to free himself last night. A farmer Patrick Mugo told police he and other locals found Gitau in the area on the roadside and took him to his house before they alerted police. He looked soiled when he was picked up by his colleagues alongside Kiambu Governor William Kabogo. He was put in an ambulance and rushed to Nairobi.

gence we have is so accurate that we are now planning an attack…it does not matter where you drink at,” he warned. “People will not wait for long… it is going to be a hit that has not been done since 1992.” The Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2010, was assented to on August 13, 2010 which controls and regulates the production, manufacture, sale, labelling, promotion, sponsorship and consumption of alcoholic drinks. The Act seeks, he stated to protect the health of individuals; protect the consumers of alcoholic drinks from misleading and deceptive inducements and protect the health of persons under the age of 18. “If any adult wants to take alcohol in their homes, they should either get it themselves or send an ID holder,” he said. He also said the authority will enforce the directive requiring televisions to air alcohol advertisements only after 10pm.

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WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

Disband all JAP parties by 2016, Ruto demands Deputy President William Ruto has asked all political parties affiliated to the ruling Jubilee alliance to embrace the new Jubilee Party as their political vehicle for the 2017 General Election. In a starategy that is likely to generate political heat, Ruto maintained that all of the rulling alliance’s political allies should join JAP and stop hanging on to what he termed ‘small parties’. “We have resolved to bring all out parties, including the United Democratic Front, United Republican Party National Alliance....

Uhuru acts to rein in sleazy deals: President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered an audit of procurement and tender contracts awarded by all State corporations in the past two years. This means that all contracts awarded since the 2013 General Election that ushered his party into power will be scrutinised. State House warned that it would kick out corrupt officers from the public service. The President is said to be getting upset with the increasing cases of fresh corruption under the Jubilee administration. Foreign diplomats have warned that these could adversely affect...

KQ rejects Museveni request, sets off diplomatic unease: A parliamentary committee has summoned Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau and national carrier’s management over the airline’s rejection of President Museveni’s special request to be picked from his Mbarara hometown for a regional leader’s meeting in Nairobi. The Ugandan leader’s jet had problems and he sought Kenya Airway’s assistance but after his request was turned down, he arrived in Nairobi for the 16th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State a board Ethiopin Airlines..

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NEWS MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

Transplant gives hope over botched circumcision rituals When it was reported in August last year that a 13 year-old boy from Western Kenya lost his penis in a circumcision rite gone bad, many thought it was the end of the world for the young lad. Local officials blamed the circumciser who they said wasn’t properly trained and botched the surgery. But such worries may be gone after it emerged that a transplant can replace a member. This is after news emerged from South Africa about the world’s first successful penis transplant. A surgical team in Cape Town reported that they successful conducted the operation on a 21-year-old recipient, whose identify is being protected. The young man had lost his penis in a botched circumcision. The doctors said the operation was a success and the patient was happy and healthy. The team said there was extensive discussion about whether the operation, which is not life-saving in the same way as a heart transplant, was ethical. There have been attempts before, including one in China. Accounts suggested the operation went fine, but the penis was later rejected.

The man was 18 and already sexually active when he had the circumcision. The procedure is part of the transition from boyhood to adulthood in parts of South Africa. The boy was left with just 1cm of his original penis. Doctors say South Africa has some of the greatest need for penis transplants anywhere in the world. Dozens, although some say hundreds, of boys are maimed or die each year during traditional initiation ceremonies. Surgeons at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital performed a nine-hour operation to attach a donated penis. One of the surgeons, Andre Van der Merwe, who normally performs kidney transplants, told the BBC News website: “This is definitely much more difficult, the blood vessels are 1.5 mm wide. In the kidney it can be 1 cm.” The team used some of the techniques that had been developed to perform the first face transplants in order to connect the tiny blood vessels and nerves. The operation took place on 11 December last year. Three months later doctors say the re-

Brazil protesters demand President Rousseff ouster Demonstrators took to the streets across Brazil on Sunday, protesting corruption and demanding the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. Her administration is struggling amid a weak economy and a massive corruption scandal involving the country’s state-run oil company. “I love Brazil. I love my country. And I am tired of corruption. We are tired of corruption. It doesn’t matter which political party you are from, we are tired of being robbed,” a protester told CNN in Sao Paulo, where people packed the main Paulista Avenue. In Rio de Janeiro, they gathered along Copacabana beach, while in the capital, Brasilia, protesters marched on government headquarters. The mood was festive. Many demonstrators wore the coun-

try’s colors -- green, blue and yellow -- waved flags, and chanted: “Out Dilma.” Before becoming the country’s first female president in 2011, Rousseff, from the Workers’ Party, was chief of staff to former President Lula da Silva. She won re-election in October, in one of the tightest races in recent years, but has since seen her approval rate plummet along with the economy. Brazil is headed into recession again this year, inflation is up and the currency is at a 12-year low. Also knocking her administration, investigators are unraveling a huge money laundering and bribery case centered around Petrobras, Brazil’s state-run oil company. Dozens of politicians, some in Rousseff ’s party, are accused of accepting millions in payments. The President has not been im-

SICK AND TIRED: Demonstrators march to demand the impeachment of Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff in Sao Paulo, Brazil on March 15, 2015.

REAL ACES: A team of surgeons in South Africa who performed the ground-breaking operation three months ago. covery has been rapid. Full sensation has not returned and doctors suggest this could take two years. However, the man is able to pass urine, have an erection, orgasm and ejaculate. The procedure required a lot of

preparation. The team needed to be sure the patient was aware of the risks of a life-time of immunosuppressant drugs. Also some patients cannot cope with a transplant if they fail to recognise it as part of their body.

“Psychologically, we knew it would have a massive effect on the ego,” said Dr Van der Merwe. It took “a hell of a lot of time” to get ethical approval, he added. One of the concerns is a heart transplant balances the risk of the operation against a certain death,

but a penis transplant would not extend life span. Dr Van der Merwe told the BBC: “You may say it doesn’t save their life, but many of these young men when they have penile amputations are ostracised, stigmatised and take their own life.

REviEW ExpORt REquiREMENtS ON KENYAN flOWERS, CS AMiNA uRgES JApAN Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has urged Japanese authorities to review the fumigation requirements imposed on flower exports from Kenya. The Cabinet Secretary was speaking in Tokyo during bilateral talks with Mr. Akio Koizumi, Vice-President of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. “Under the present arrangement, flowers exported to Japan are required to be inspected and fumigated at the port of entry,” said Amb. Amina Mohamed. “This requirement has imposed extra costs on exporters which have eroded their benefits,” added the Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary conveyed the proposal by the Flower Council of Kenya for a review of this requirement to allow for fumigation of flowers in Kenya before exportation. Acknowledging the challenges this requirement has imposed on exporters, Mr. Akio Koizumi called for wider consultations between all stakeholders on the way forward. “We will consult with authorities responsible for standards and engage with the Kenya Bureau of Standards with a view to working out a way forward,” said Mr. Koizumi. In a separate engagement, Amb. Amina Mohamed urged Japan to consider assembling

motor cycles in Kenya in order to help generate jobs and support growth of the economy. “This will also enable Japan to meet the East African Community’s local content requirements and avoid the tariffs imposed on motor cycles,” said the Cabinet Secretary. Speaking during bilateral talks with Mr.Daishio Yamagiwa, Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Cabinet Secretary said the continued suspension of tariffs on motor cycles could not be guaranteed. At the same time, Amb. Amina Mohamed encouraged Japanese companies to participate in the development of a free port in

Mombasa in order to expedite the process. The Cabinet secretary expressed appreciation for role JICA is playing in this regard in developing a master plan for the special economic zones in Mombasa. “Currently, traders in the East and Central Africa region depend on the free port of Dubai for goods. This is expensive considering the distance and the travel and shipping costs involved,” said Amb. Amina Mohamed. “A free Port in Mombasa will therefore go a long way in reducing costs and consequently enhance intra-regional trade,” added the CS. The Cabinet Secretary said the involvement of Japanese compa-

nies in development of the port will enable them access the huge COMESA market with a population of over 450 million people. On the World Trade Organization (WTO) Conference to be hosted in Nairobi this year, the Cabinet Secretary reiterated the need for wide consultations in order to thrash out outstanding issues ahead of the Conference in December. “We intend to convene a Mini Ministerial Conference ahead of the main Conference to facilitate broad consensus on the deliverables of the MC10 in Nairobi. It is only in this way that we will ensure a successful Conference in December,” said Amb. Amina Mohamed.

BIG IN JAPAN: Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed in Tokyo during bilateral talks with Mr. Akio Koizumi, Vice-President of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. He urged Japanese authorities to review the fumigation requirements imposed on flower exports from Kenya.

xnews | MONday, MARCH 16, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

MAIN STORY

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 91.4839 91.6228 91.5533 138.6428 138.8644 138.7536 103.3422 103.5150 103.4286 7.8770 7.8944 7.8857 31.1822 31.3389 31.2605 19.5148 19.6537 19.5843

Assemble motorcycles in Kenya, Amina tells Japan Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has asked Japanese authorities to consider assembling motor cycles in Kenya. She says the move will generate jobs and support economic growth. Speaking during talks with Daishio Yamagiwa, Japan’s State Minister of

Economy, Trade and Industry, Amina said although the move does not guarantee the lifting of suspension of tariffs on motor cycles into the country, it will help Japan meet local content requirements. “This will also enable Japan to meet the East African Community’s local content require-

ments and avoid the tariffs imposed on motor cycles,” said Amina. The CS urged Japanese companies to participate in development of a free port in Mombasa to hasten the process. “A free port in Mombasa will go a long way in reducing costs and consequently enhance intra-regional

trade,” said Amina. She thanked the Japan International Cooperation Agency for its role in developing a master plan for the special economic zones in Mombasa. Amina said the port will allow many Japanese companies access Comesa market. She said the port will curb

challenges facing regional traders and enhance mutual economic growth between Kenya and Japan. “Traders in the East and Central Africa region depend on the free port of Dubai for goods. This is expensive considering the distance and the travel and shipping costs,” she said.

BuSINESS DIARY 2015 Africa tech expo set for City between March 23-5 The Kenya International Convention Centre will host this year’s Africa International Engineering and Technology (Africatex) expo from March 23 to 25 2015. The event will run daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm Africatex is an annual event that displays to Kenya and other African countries the major

accomplishments and strengths Indian and other Asian companies. Fields of interest include engineering, technology, manufacturing and services. The Africa International Engineering and Technology Fair, Kenya is “dedicated to engineering and manufacturing sector and is expected to set new benchmarks for the entire industry to follow,”

says a statement from the group. The event “will provide a wonderful opportunity to the entrepreneurs, exporters, traders and newer brands to shine at the finest business platform. It is the perfect platform to analyse market and interact with major consumers.” More than 100 exhibitors and 3,000 visitors are expected at the event.

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Nairobi to host Chama Investment Summit Mar 27-8

The Chama Investment Summit organised by Aitec Africa, will be held from March 27 to March 28, 2015 in Nairobi. Aitec has not announced the venue but those planning to attend can call 0727 383 128 or e-mail ‘kenyainfo@ aitecafrica.com’ for details. The conference will cover areas such as investment strategies with a focus on the theme ‘How To Manage An Investment Portfolio.’ Entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend.

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Sellers triple profits with registered brokers Brokers are sometimes associated with greed and selfishness, driving down the profits of the people who work with them. However, a group of farmers who traditionally sold their milk to milk hawkers are now tripling their income and yields by collecting the milk together and selling it to another group of brokers. Unlike their greedy counterparts, these middlemen come in the form of registered cooperatives. Now the farmers sell a litre of fresh milk for no less than Sh45 up from the meagre Sh15 they used to sell to hawkers. This has been achieved through a project supported by USAID and the Kenya Dairy Development Program. It has allowed farmers to sell up to 1,000 litres a day. Mary Rono, a retired government social worker in the Bomet area of Rift Valley, is one such farmer. From her eight cows she would sell her milk to hawkers at Sh18 a litre. This, combined with fresh produce from her farmland, provided her source of income. But still it wasn’t enough. Having been introduced to simple, yet affordable techniques to increase her milk yield, she became instrumental in forming a cooperative that would help her and other farmers’ bulk milk therefore enjoying economies of scale. Some of the tricks she uses include such as milking her cows several times a day and growing her own fodder to feed the cows instead of letting them graze by a local cooperative she set out on educating fellow farmers. Today, she is the chairperson of the 365-member Koitogos Dynamic Cooperative Society. She says: “We are now receiving even triple the price per litre. We have been able to do a lot with the proﬁts we get from the dairy. We are able to contribute to the school fees of our children.” Since it began in mid-2008, the dairy program, implemented with agribusiness cooperative giant Land O’Lakes, has assisted more than 319,000 smallholder milk producers, as well as hundreds of processors, retailers and exporters up and down Kenya’s dairy value chain. According to Mary Munene, a business development services specialist at USAID, as Kenya’s dairy farmers become more entrepreneurial, they create a demand for new and better services. “Thousands of privatesector service providers have emerged as the Kenya dairy sector grows.”

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CIC Insurance

BOC Kenya BOC Kenya took this week’s position of the top gaining stock having seen its share price rise by 8.82 per cent over the course of the week to close at Sh148 from Sh136. The company is primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of industrial gases, medical gases and welding products. The company which also operates in Uganda and Tanzania stands to benefit from recent increases in regional infrastructure

development expenditure which will support demand for the company’s products including welding gases. The company also stands to gain from lower electricity costs recorded over the second half of 2014.nt weeks as an opportunity to buy the counter.

Following the release of audited results for the year ended 31 December 2014 that showed a 16.57 per cent decline in profit, CIC insurance took this week’s position of top losing stock. Earnings per share fell to Sh0.43 from the Sh0.60 recorded in 2013. Gross written premiums grew by 23 per cent over the course of the year as regional operations in Uganda and South Sudan came online. Claims and policyholders

Analysis by Amana Capital info@amanacapital.co.ke

benefit costs, primarily attributed to the medical business, increased by 43.55 per cent in 2014. Management additionally highlighted plans to start operations in Malawi in 2015 as part of the company’s regional expansion initiative. The Company’s share price fell 16.81 per cent over the course of the week to close at Sh9.40 from Sh11.30.

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

ACCESS celebchat

Real Name: Habida Moloney Relationship: Married Age: 22 forever Best Food: Biriani and Thai Food. Best Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Best Quote: When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first timeMaya Angelou

hats

When the world met Habida, she was the object of affection in Nameless’ Sunshine. But then she varnished! Now she is back with a song of her own dubbed Superwoman.

ho is Habida? I would like to be a mentor, I would like to be someone that actions for honesty, women, love, and my biggest thing is love. I want to use my singing, my acting and my platform for bigger things as a voice for people who are not heard. I think I am a beautiful child of God. We haven’t heard from you in a while, what have you been up to? You know that is not true. I think being in South Africa it is like what I was doing there was not translating, because everything I was doing there I sent here. It is like Nairobi when they hear you are not around they forget about you. I released a new song, I Love you which I sent here and it was number one for three weeks straight. I am confused why people are saying I have not been around. I was conquering Africa putting Kenyan music on the map. You recently released a new song, Superwoman, what was the inspiration behind the song? When my dad died, this inspired the song. I went through my dad passing and saw how strong women were. The song was perfect to talk about the kinds of things women go through. Tell us about the Superwoman campaign… Dear superwoman is a campaign that was born from the song Superwoman to empower girls to dream. There is no specific thing to overcome but to overcome life in general. Telling women out there that we are all the same no matter what we do and we all go through difficult times the thing to remember is you overcome and keep moving. To remind women that even though we go through these things you forget, you know you are so busy trying to be the superstar, and it is not happening as fast as you want. This campaign is to remind you that you are a superwoman and you can do these things and you are doing them and people are watching you. How would you describe your sound? My sound is mine; It is the Habida’s world sound. It is not Kenyan, African or American. I have influences from all over the world. It is mine, it comes from my heart. Where do you draw inspiration for your music from? Anything. Sometimes I am sitting watching a show and I want to write about that or a friend tells me what they are going

factfile

fashion

through and I will put it down. I can also be going through something and I will write about it. Tell us about your acting Actually, acting is my first love, I have a degree in acting. But when I first came home, I found the pay was bad and the working conditions were not ideal so when my music took off I went with it. I have acted in a series called New Beginnings and we have done two seasons already. It should be out soon. You won fans over with Nameless on Sunshine. What should fans expect from your new album Love and Play? I know, when are we going to move on? Actually my biggest song is Kesho. My fans keep saying they love it. I actually had a fan the other day ask me where they can get a backing track to Kesho to propose to the girlfriend. The album has seven tracks on it, and it is available online for sale on iTunes. Expect new and great things from this album. Which artistes have you worked with? I have worked with DJ Clock he is big in South Africa. I want to work with Rabbit we have been discussing about it for forever and now I will find him and get into the studio with him. I would love to also work with Nazizi and Liquideep from South Africa. Who do you look up to in the industry? Beyonce. She is a business, she conducts herself like a product she is selling. Oprah because she has wisdom and Maya Angelou even though she passed on, she still inspires me. You look good. How did you get your body back after having a baby? I have been working hard in the gym. I work out like a lunatic. I do a lot of power lifting that has helped me with toning my body. I have also been careful about what I eat. You are what you eat, no more burgers and chips. What is next for Habida? I have a new EP coming out soon. I will be going to London soon for a show in April, so I will promote myself there. I want to go more into acting. Back in SA I want to push my music more out there. I also want to focus on dear superwoman campaign.

Habida: I AM SUPER WOMAN

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY MONDAY, MARCH 26th16, NOVEMBER 2015 2014

FASHIONScoop the BIGKNOT

n front of adoring family and friends, Juliet Wambui and Benson Chege professed their love for each other. At the beautifully-decorated PCEA Gateway church in Thome, the two love birds said their vows and were pronounced man and wife. Juliet and Ben met on her birthday, January 6, 2010. Their first date happened at a friend’s wedding. “On our first date, he invited me to tag a long to his friend’s wedding and the rest is history,” an elated Juliet told us. The church was decorated in yellow and purple, with the aisle adorned with cascading flowers on the pews and a white carpet sprinkled with rose petals. “My theme colours were at first yellow and brown but Ben suggested purple. So I dropped the brown to accommodate the purple and it has worked out well,” said Juliet. Ben, in his grey suit, and his best man, were the first to make their way into the church. Following closely, and dancing their hearts out, was their wedding party. The maids were in long flowy yellow dresses that clung to their bodies and fit them perfectly. The handsome men were in black, fitting suits with white shirts, and purple ties. They also had flowers on their lapels. “Juliet is beautiful, God fearing and with the kindest heart,” said Ben, when asked what he loved most about his wife.

I’m Black FashIon JaY Z Junk EVERY loVE sToRY Is BEauTIFul BuT ouRs Is mY quIZ FaVouRITE. mTV nEW YoRk

Juliet on the other hand had this to say about her knight in shining armour, “He is outgoing, generous, humble and loves me!” Ben proposed on February 28 2014 at Enashipai Lodge, Naivasha. Juliet describes it as the most exciting and long awaited time of her life. “I said yes because I love him. I knew he was the one because I was at peace every time we were together, he cared deeply for me and there has always been this magic that kept pulling us together,” she said. “I knew what I wanted and I was looking for someone to spend my life with. I wanted someone who loves God, loves me and loves family. Juliet embodies all three of those things,” said Ben while explaining how he knew Juliet was the woman for him. When it was time for the bride to come in, accompanied by her parents, she sauntered to the tunes of traditional bridal march, “Here comes the bride”. Halfway down the aisle, Juliet let her parents walk ahead then she followed looking regal in her gown. Her dress was a fitted chiffon mermaid gown, with a tierred bottom that hugged her in all the right places. The bodice and the dropped waist of the dress

was beaded catching the light when she moved. She had on a cathedral veil that trailed behind her. On her feet, Juliet wore silver wedge shoes. For her jewellery, she opted for diamante necklace and dainty drop pearl earrings. There was a lot of smiles and laughter as the two were pronounced man and wife. Ben was asked to take his new wife for a walk and off they went around the church saying hello to family and friends. When the church ceremony was over, the guests went off to Eden Bliss Gardens for the reception while the couple and their bridal party headed to the Windsor Golf Club for the photo session. After the photoshoot, Ben changed into a white suit for

Juliet and Ben’s

fairy tale wedding and

‘I was at peace every time we were together. He cared deeply for me and there has always been this magic that kept pulling us together’ — Juliet.

the reception. They were received by the Kayamba Africa band, which kept the crowd on their feet dancing. You could tell Juliet and Ben were happy to be finally married from their body language. Juliet and her maids had a special treat for their guests. They had prepared a dance presentation and in the middle of it started a flash mob, pulling guests from their seats to join in. Juliet wanted a wedding that had a lot of dancing and she certainly got it. Then came cake time— everybody lives for the cake at weddings and boy was their cake delicious! The three-tier cake was yellow, decorated with cascading purple flowers. The stand for the cake was a carriage on wheels that gave the whole setup a fairytale feel. Their wedding budget was in the neighborhood of Sh1.1 million and the couple had a great time enjoying their special day. “It has been a great day and we have enjoyed it immensely,” said Juliet. As for honeymoon plans, Ben was not willing to share. “It is a surprise and I cannot say. Juliet does not even know about it,” said a coy Ben. X Access wishes the couple a blissful marriage.

ACCESS MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

review of top weekend gigs.

Rocking Horse thrills at premier Hats and Boots Festival

CENTRESTAGE

yvOnne CHakaCHaka

Photo: Artville Company

Lovers of Country music had an exciting date at the Ngong Racecourse on Saturday where the first Hats and Boots Country Festival took place. South Africa’s number one Country music band Rocking Horse headlined the event that marked the release of CC Lamondt’s album, It’s Personal. Lamondt (pictured right, on stage) is a singer/songwriter living in Nairobi. Among the songs she performed were Goodbye Looks Good on You and Second Best ain’t Good Enough, from the new album. Born in South Africa, Lamondt is well known for her love for Kenya. “This is God’s country,” she once said. Other performers included Carlos and the Band and the Mojo Band.

Carlos, a regular performer at the Brew Bistro and Lounge, on Ngong Road, performed impressive renditions of popular Country songs. The main act, Rocking Horse, left the revellers yearning for more, after raising fire on stage with some of their greatest hits, among them Someone loves you, Down South in New Orleans, The Bluest Skies and I Can’t Dance. There were numerous food stalls on location and, of course, like with any Country music event worth its name, beer was served in litres.

HAir rAising AffAir And A goLden CoMB It was all about hair at the Prestige Plaza on Saturday as the second edition of the Kenya Hair Expo went down. 60 hair dressers competed for top honours in five different categories, weaving, ladies haircut, men’s haircut, bridal and fantasy. Judges Farouk Jannedy, Mercy Ollow and Ronnie Maingi rated the designers based on style, use of product, handling of hair and technique, with the best taking home the Golden Comb. The weaving category was arguably the most exciting challenging of the contest as competitors were given 20 minutes to attach a weave from a surprise pool of weaves. Having not prepared for the task, contestants had to think on their feet to come up with amazing installations. Elizabeth Ngote emerged the winner of the category. Ngote was also crowned the overall winner and she bagged an all-expense-paid trip to Dubai. Vincent Maguti was crowned the Barber of the Year while James Ngari took home the Cut and Style award. John Mwangi emerged the best bridal stylist as Zachary Mwaniki won the fantasy category.

THE LEGEND SHAKES THE STAGE AT 6TH KOROGA FEST T

he undisputed Princess of Africa, Yvnonne Chaka Chaka, was in Nairobi over the weekend for the sixth edition of the Koroga Festival and she gave a performance worth her reputation. The Koroga Festival is a bi-monthly event celebrating the greatest African acts from around the continent, food and culture. It is organized by Capital FM and sponsored by Safaricom, Nomadic Tents, Danish Beer Carlsberg and auto maker Renault, among other companies. The Sunday event was held at the Arboretum grounds along State House Road and it was packed to the rafters. MCs Soulo and Wangui Gitei did a good job getting the crowd worked up as Kenyan acts led by the fresh

faced Fena Gitu and ageless Nameless warmed the stage for Yvonne. Fena, the ‘Phenomenal Woman’, was first on stage and she got the hitherto passive crowd on their feet as they connected with her deep lyrics and laid-back sound. Nameless, whose musical career spans 15 years came up next, starting off with his first ever hit, Megarider, followed by numerous other great releases of his career. He paid tribute to fallen Boomba founder E-Sir, who lost his life to a road accident 12 years ago, today. Proving that their 10-year marriage is still going strong, Nameless invited his wife, Wahu, on stage and the two gave a thrilling performance, which came complete with near-x-rated dance moves. And when the crowd was ripe, at exactly 5:00pm, the Princess took to the platform

One of the creative hairstyles that was presented in the Fantasy category during Hair Expo 2015, on Saturday.

Jolie and Brad set to adopt kenyan child HOT TOPICS

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are some of the most influential people in the world today. The two will be in the country soon to film a biopic of Richard Leakey, titled Africa. Brad is supposedly set to play Richard Leakey, the conservationist. Blogs have reported that sources close to the couple have revealed that they will adopt a Kenyan child when they come increasing their brood to seven.

Bahati releasing new song this week Gospel artiste Bahati will be releasing his new song, Lover, on Friday. The artiste, and father, who is popularly known as Mama’s boy, has been under ground for a while and is now making a comeback into the scene. Some celebs have been talking about the song on social media, saying it will be an instant hit. We are waiting!

and starting with her 1986 hit ‘From Me to You’, pushed the excitement level a hundred shades higher. She then slowed the tempo a little and paid tribute to the late Father of the World, Nelson Mandela, with the song Amazing Name, drawn from her 22nd album. For the next one hour, she gave a scintillating performance comprising her ever-fresh composition Umqumbothi, a song about African beer. Her time on stage was punctuated by a stint from one her back up vocalists, who got the crowd charged with Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry and Don’t Worry About a Thing, before she returned with Take My Love, It’s Free. If nothing at all, the Princess just became queen!

ACCESS MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

FASHIONparade

drop A hAT collecTions.

The masaai colours on a cap, beautiful!.

The fascinator on showcase.

A percher for an outdoor wedding.

Tip the derby.

DROp IT LIKE IT IS A HATâ&#x20AC;Ś

f the current weather is anything to go by, then it is the season for sundresses, sunglasses and hats and fashion house Drop a Hat is on course. Chloe Mitchell, founder and head designer, is known for creating classy and out of

The percher for a brunch.

lyriclab

BEST...

Gichora- Sema Yote

been said to equal royalty by fashion critics. She uses fabrics such as peach-bloom felt, wool felt, straw and sinamay to bring out the spectacular in her designs. Take a peek and a pick!

Amani is back with Kizunguzungu after such a notable silence. Kizunguzungu is a love song released on 10th March. The video is impeccable perhaps due to the beautiful setting and her elegant style. Her vocals are still on point and bear a distinctive note that will call you to listen. We hope she is sticking around longer to reclaim her throne.

Wanjera

The flowers compliment the hat.

Amani

Ommy Dimpoz

Fikrah Teule ft.Victoria Fikrah and Victoria make a perfect collaboration in Sema yote. Fikrah exhibits impressive rap skills in Swahili while Victoria compliments his flow with her sultry voice. Sema yote precisely shows that at the end of the day, true love overrides everything. This track deserves proper airplay, it will grow on you.

the ordinary designs, which have become a favourite in the social circles. Her collections feature bridal headpieces, turbans, buttons, fascinators, fedoras, Safari hats, trilbies and cloches. Her stunning headwear has many times

anjera is another love song from the dimpled Bongo star. It features cameos from Big Brother Hotshot winner Idris Sultan and Diamondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ex-girlfriend and model/actress Wema Sepetu. Judging from the views the song has already garnered, it should make a massive hit on charts across East Africa.

Kizunguzungu

PLAY 11 MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 There may be no special occasion. You may have seen something in the store that you knew he or she would like or mentioned wanting. You aren’t doing this for the sake of appreciation. All the same, you will receive it. Don’t play down your own kindness. AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 A place far away that you haven’t visited for a while yet long to see again could be on your mind today, Aquarius. You might toy with the idea of going there, but you aren’t really sure if you can. Nonetheless, it certainly won’t hurt to look into it. What’s the plane fare? PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 You might want to schedule an intimate evening, perhaps at a favorite restaurant. A visit to an art gallery, concert, or play should prove informative and entertaining, and therefore provide fodder for enough conversation to get you through the evening and set the stage for the rest of the night.

m0nday 16/03/2015

sunny

tuesday 17 /03/2015

More sun than clouds

26ºC 35%

6:38 am 6:45pm

27ºC 38%

6:38 am 6:45 pm

wednesday

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 Organized parties, impromptu get-togethers, or other social events should be enjoyable today, Aries. You will feel a strong sense of belonging to a family or community and a rush of affection for everyone involved. No matter what you think you have to do, don’t turn down an invitation.

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 You’re likely to be getting along very well with your group, even the more difficult among them. As a result, you will probably accomplish a lot more together than usual. At the end of the day you will be pleased with what you’ve done and proud of yourself. Go to it! GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 You could be looking forward to getting together tonight, perhaps to attend a concert or sporting event. You should find this person’s presence very healing right now. At the end of the evening, you will feel mentally and physically inspired. Have fun! CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 This might come as a surprise because serving your friends is second nature to you. Rest assured that whatever you’ve been doing has made a big difference to this person. Relax in the knowledge that you’re loved, wanted, and appreciated. That can keep you going in the future. LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 The desire to write your thoughts on a subject you’ve been either thinking about or possibly even researching could arise today, Leo. If you’ve been thinking about trying your hand at a magazine article on this or any subject, this is the time to get started. VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 Your artistic talents could be put to good use today fixing up wherever it is that you work on, Virgo. You might want to repaint, put up new plants or pictures, or do anything else that makes the place seem a little more dressed up. This isn’t just fun. 0Have fun!

MUSTREAD

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 The visual arts should be of special interest to you today, Libra. Perhaps an exhibition by a favorite artist is opening, or maybe you’ve decided to try drawing or painting. Books of great art should also prove tempting, so stay out of bookstores! SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Your imagination is flying high today, Scorpio. Whatever challenges come up, you will find ingenious solutions to them. Love matters and the creative arts could come to the forefront. This is definitely a good day to indulge your interests, whatever they are. SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 A phone call could come from a friend bringing great news your way today, Sagittarius. This could involve the success of a project of some kind that you’ve both been involved with. The news should definitely be significant enough to merit a celebration. Have a little fun!

INSTAMOMENTS 1

YOURSAY

A Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is formed after the apartheid in South Africa to try bring peace and understanding among the people. Sarah Barcant is a successful prosecutor in New York but comes back to her hometown in South Africa at the request of mentor, Ben Hoffman. Ben is a flamboyant lawyer who is slowly dying. He needs Sarah’s help for a case involving finding Steve Sizela’s body, the son of the town’s respected headmaster. Alex Mpondo is back home just like Sarah, but is back to testify at the TRC hearing. He is the key witness at the hearing of Dirk Hendricks’, a former police deputy. Hendricks had tortured Alex, who survived apartheid by conditioning his mind to forget the atrocities. Will he ever be at peace with his past?

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.

Elected leaders should be educated, competent I think what Vice President William Ruto said about universities plan to exclusively hire doctorate (PhD) lecturers (Friday, March 13, 2015, Page 3) is commendable. I think the rule should be applied to politicians seeking office to ensure

Red Dust —by Gillian Slovo

we are not governed by incompetent, illiterate leaders. I believe a person working in higher ranks of the Finance ministry should have a respectable background in finance. I also believe those working in the Agriculture docket should

have qualifications that relate to the field. It’s not just lecturers that should be heavily qualified. Our leaders and representatives should show proof of competence and experience.

winning captions

1. First class boda boda-Jackline Mukare, Nairobi 2. How to ferry a plastic chair home in style after buying it-Samuel T 3. Helmet, not necessary, back-rest, oh yeah-Rider man, Nairobi

PLAY

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. Hesitant 8. Cut a rug 13. Queen’s worker 14. Owner of a clumsy cow 16. Athena, e.g. 17. Popular facial hair 18. Friend of Harvey the rabbit 19. Clever sayings 21. University officials 22. Formerly formerly 23. Sister of Ares 24. Handwoven Scandinavian rug 25. Licorice-flavored liqueur 26. Incensed 27. Down 30. These, to the French 31. “Laughing” scavenger of Africa 33. Plunders 35. Nautical rope 36. Ali, with “The” 40. “Love ___ you need” 42. Ballet move 43. Price or phone follower 46. Raison d’ ___ 47. Pell follower 48. Fictional Maine town in many Stephen King stories 50. Slips during recovery 52. Feline of ads 53. Washed away 54. Exhaust outlet 56. Mexican moolah 57. Collector of Cezanne, say 58. She played Endora on “Bewitched” 59. Entered again

Down 1. Shout 2. Regardless 3. Summer thirst quencher 4. Editors’ catches 5. Bibliog. abbr. 6. Teachers’ grp. 7. Pharmacy option 8. Be lazy 9. Sleep like ____ 10. Not so far 11. Waterfall 12. Recluses 13. Dug up weeds 15. Affirmatives 20. Sibilant attention-getter 22. Compass pt. 25. Not completely shut 26. Wedding day exchanges 28. Eur. country 29. General Robert 31. 1987 Def Leppard album with “Love Bites” 32. Like some sabbaticals 34. Frozen treat 35. Like a stadium 37. Fencing blade 38. Top athlete 39. No later than, briefly 41. Like the winter sky, often 44. Land, as a plane 45. Grumbled 47. Early PC interface 48. Singer Parton 49. Flemish river 51. Dijon dad 52. Potholder alternative 55. “___ you sure?”

FRIDAY’S SOLUTIONS

DAILY WISDOM “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”

— William Shakespeare, Hamlet

“A man has to live with himself, and he should see to it that he always has good company.”

— Charles Evans Hughes

“Dignity consists not in possessing honors, but in the consciousness — Aristotle

that we deserve them.”

“You do not wake up one morning a bad person. It happens by a thousand tiny surrenders of self-respect to self-interest.”

—Robert Brault “You can out-distance that which is running after you, but not what is running inside you.”

— Rwandan Proverb

“Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world.”

— George Bernard Shaw

“To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.”

— Confucius

“Just do good, don’t worry about the road ahead.” — Monk Waning “The only correct actions are those that demand no explanation and no apology.”

— Red Auerbach

Sport MONday, MARCH 16, 2015

Matimu tops Windsor leg of Barclays Circuit Bernard Matimu, playing off handicap 26, returned 41 points to top the list at the penultimate leg of the Barclays Golf Circuit held at Windsor Golf and Country Club. Matimu now looks forward to next month’s Kenya Open. Nancy Ndung’u, playing off handicap 10, returned 38 points to lead the women category in the Windsor leg on Friday. “I look forward to the final leg later this month and all Kenya Open. The season has been therefore wining today was sweet,” said Matimu. The Windsor leg was the last in the 2014/2015 Barclays Golf Circuit series ahead of the Grand Finale set for March 28 at Karen

Country Club. Other qualifiers from the Club are Bernard Wandawanda ( handicap 7), Evans Nyagah (15), Patrick Obath (17), Humphrey Maina (15), who returned 40, 39, 38 and 38 points respectively. The leg characterised the clamour to participate in the Barclays Kenya Open 2015 set for April 7th-12th at the Karen Country Club. More than 180 players have signed up for the tournament, all of whom eyeing for one of the 20 slots available for Kenya. Gerhard May, Windsor Golf and Country Club Captain, said: “The course was tough, but our players will bring stiff competition at the coming

Barclays Grand Finale.” Up to 90 players from across the country will participate in the Grand Finale . The players represent the country’s golfing best from which the Kenya team will be named. Those named will join qualifiers John Karichu (Limuru), Nelson Simwa, Robinson Owiti (Vet Lab), Alfred Nandwa (Railway), Boniface Kosgey (Golf Park) and Mathew Wahome (Nyali) Barclays Bank has been the title sponsor of the prestigious event since 2012. The bank has invested more Sh85 million to boost the profile of golf in Kenya and endear the sport to more youth.

ROUSING TOUCH! Kellie Gachaga reacts during the final Barclays Golf Circuit qualifiers at Muthaiga Golf Club a fortnight ago. Bernard Matimu playing off handicap 26 returned 41 points to go top at the penultimate leg of the Circuit at Windsor Golf and Country Club.

Korir pips Sambu by a second in New York race Kenya’s Leonard Korir outsprinted countryman and training partner Stephen Sambu by one second to win the New York City Half Marathon on Sunday. Sambu, who led for almost the entire race, appeared to have won when Korir burst from the leading pack with about half a

mile to go to time 1:01.07. Korir, 32, is the 2012 Boston Marathon champion and a twotime winner of the Los Angeles Marathon (2009, 2010). He recorded top-five finishes at Chicago Marathon (2010: fourth, 2011: second, 2012: fifth) and two times at Boston Marathon (2013:

fifth). This includes his personal best of 2:06:13 at Chicago in 2012. A year after running a halfmarathon personal best of 1:01:19 to finish fourth at 2012 in New Yor, he was elected MP. In the role, he has engaged in humanitarian efforts while training and racing at a high level.

SPORT MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

Lewis Hamilton eases to victory in Australian GP Lewis Hamilton dominated the Australian Grand Prix to get his world title defence off to the perfect start. He drove a measured race, controlling the gap to his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg throughout as the team left the rest of the field behind. Ferrari’s improved form was confirmed as new signing Sebastian Vettel took third, beating Williams’s Felipe Massa. Jenson Button achieved his aim of finishing in the slow and

unreliable McLaren-Honda but was 11th and last. The season started in dramatic style as the field lost three cars cars even before the start, in front of a capacity crowd in Albert Park under blue Melbourne skies, the warm sunshine tempered by a cool, strong and blustery wind. Williams’s Valtteri Bottas was ordered not to race by the official doctor after suffering an injured disc in his back in qualifying and spending the night in hospital. McLaren-Honda’s poor reliability

struck Kevin Magnussen as he headed around to take his place on the grid, the Dane stopping in a cloud of blue smoke between Turns Five and Six. Red Bull also lost a car before the start, Daniil Kvyat stopping shortly afterwards, just failing to make it around to the pits after hitting gearbox trouble. With the absence of the Manor Marussia team, who did not run at all throughout the weekend that meant just 15 cars took the start.

And another was lost within a few hundred metres, as Lotus’s Pastor Maldonado was tagged by Felipe Nasr’s Sauber at the first corner and spun into the barriers, bringing out the safety car. When the race finally started, the excitement ebbed away as Hamilton quickly built a lead and then controlled his pace until the first stops, holding it at about two seconds. It was the same story after their pit stops, Hamilton allowing an initial 4.6-second lead to reduce to the region of two

FRIENDLY FOES: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton (R) sprays champagne with teammate and bitter rival German driver Nico Rosberg (L) after winning the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 15, 2015.

seconds and holding it there. Movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger presented the trophies and did the podium interviews, Hamilton telling him: “My team did an amazing job today and it’s an incredible feeling to win and also to be here with you, man. I thought you were taller!” Rosberg said: “I was trying every lap to my maximum and I will do all year. I will give him a big run for his money and hopefully beat him.”

No dream start for Equity as KBF league kicks off Equity Bank ladies basketball team had a false start in their premier league debut losing 58-76 to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in Mombasa over the weekend. KPA fielded their new signings of Linda Nyikuli and Evelyn Nora both from Eagle Wings as well as Evelyn Itabo formerly with Safe Spaces and Anne Ndela. Defending champions United States International UniversityAfrica (USIU-A) beat Ulinzi Blades 66-45 at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium. Sarah Chan led the scores with 13 points while Zipporah Adhiambo added 11. Former champions Eagle Wings who have seen most of their key players depart beat Kenyatta University Oryx 52-24. In the men’s premier, newcomers Umoja lost their first game going down 51-67 away to Nakuru Club while champions KPA beat Equity Bank 70-56 with their new signings Arou Ramadhan, Athiey Lwal and Valentine Nyakinda. University of Nairobi Terrorists were 60-50 winners over Lions. Ulinzi Warriors kicked off their campaign with a 64-53 win over USIU-A, who proved to be a worthy opponent. Barclays Bank needed overtime to beat Africa Nazarene University (ANU) 83-67 in division one. The game tied at 63-all in regulation time after Barclays led 27-22 at halftime. Results: ANU 67 Barclays Bank 80, USIU Flames 66 Ulinzi Blades 45, USIU Tigers 53 Ulinzi Warriors 64, UoN Terror 60 Lions 50, Nakuru Club 65 Umoja 51, Eagle Wings 52 KU Oryx 24.

Kenya Cup: Kabras fall at the final hurdle KCB RFC ended the dream of surprise finalist Kabras by depositing a 27-3 victory in the final to end their eight-year Kenya Cup wait at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds on Saturday. The win saw KCB dethrone Nakuru RFC as league champions and win their fourth league title, the first one since 2007. Kabras proved heavier on the pack winning most of the scrums in the opening exchanges. Kabras had the opportunity to cut down the deficit five minutes later but Aluda Beda squandered a penalty. KCB appeared unsettled losing three of their early scrums to Kabras. Lilako received a yellow card in the 15th minute leaving KCB with one man down for ten minutes. The numerical disadvanted galvanized them in action resulting in to a second try in the 23rd through Jacob Ojee who got a clean pass from Mukidza after

KCb won a lineout. At halftime, KCB led 12-0. Seven minutes after resumption, Kabras went for points as Brian Tanga slotted in a penalty. In the 53rd minute, Oscar Okaron gifted Mukidza a try after fumbling inside the try box to extend the lead to 17-3. Hooker Peter Karia then touched down from a rolling maul in the 70th minute with Mukidza adding the conversion and a penalty. Kabras’ challenge had withered down in the closing moments of the game as their contests at set pieces was weak. “I am lost for words. I have chased the title for the past two seasons in vain but it has worked in the third. At the start of this season, we had the target of winning the title which we have managed,” noted Olago.

CHAMPIONS: KCB RFC ended the dream of surprise debutants Kabras by depositing a 27-3 victory in the final to end their eight-year Kenya Cup wait at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds on Saturday.

SPORT 15

Gor crash at home to Congo’s AC Leopards Champions Gor Mahia failed to sparkle at home before falling 1-0 to Congo’s AC Leopards in the first leg of CAF Champions League first round tie in Nairobi. Cedric Gandze left footed half volley from the edge of the box was all the difference between the two teams. The invaluable away goal may prove vital in the second leg to be played at Dolisie in a fortnight. Leopards’ coach Lamine Ndiaye hopes the team that won CAF Confederations Cup in 2012 can maintain form when they play before home fans. Gor coach Frank Nuttal was pleased with his side’s show but regretted the many wasted chances in the first period. “This tie is still winnable and I am happy with my players because they played their hearts out …they deserved something from the game. We limited our opponents and it was a decent show. We need to work harder for the return leg and I believe there is a chance,” he said.

Gor started brightly with Michael Olunga forcing keeper Chansel Massa to a save on the first minute from a left footed volley. Olunga forced Massa into another save from a far post header after connecting with Godfrey Walusimbi’s cross. Gor came closest from the resulting corner as Dirkir Glay saw a header come off the crossbar. But Leopards slowly pulled themselves into the game after managing to swallow pressure from the home side and Mahemade Cisse swung a shot wide in the 12th minute from Mangokele Bissiki’s cross. They had another chance in the 34th minute after catching Gor flat-footed as Cedric Gandze played a through pass to Junior Makiesse. But the forward’s attempt to chip the ball over advancing Boniface Oluoch went wide. Leopards hit the underside of the crossbar in the 40th minute as Guelord Babev beat Oluoch to the ball. But his header coming off the bar.

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

TIGHT MARKING: Gor Mahia’s Timothy Otieno (left) tussles for the ball with AC Leopards’ Magnokene during the first leg Caf Champions League first round clash at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Gor lost 1-0.

Bale strikes twice as Real maintain pace with Barca Gareth Bale scored his first goals in nine matches as Real Madrid kept pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a comfortable win over Levante. Bale powered home an opener after latching onto a loose ball following Levante goalkeeper’s save on Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrobatic effort. The Welshman added his second by diverting Ronaldo’s low driven shot, which appeared to be going wide. Real trail leaders Barca, who beat Eibar 2-0 on Saturday, by one point. Bale’s last goal for Real came in a 2-1 victory over Cordoba in January. The record signing has weathered criticism in the Spanish press. The former Tottenham winger was visibly relieved after reacting quick-

Ibrahimovic apology over France remarks Paris St-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (pictured) has apologised after saying France “does not deserve” PSG. Ibrahimovic’s outburst came in the tunnel following his side’s 3-2 Ligue 1 fall to Bordeaux yesterday. French sports minister Patrick Kanner had urged Ibrahimovic to say sorry, and later commended the “welcome apology from a great champion.” The Swede, 33, said: “I was speaking in anger. My remarks were not aimed at

France or the French people.” Ibrahimovic, who had also criticised referee Lionel Jaffredo, said he was “talking about football and not something else” and apologised “if people felt offended”. His remarks - broadcast by infosport+ came after he scored twice in PSG’s third league defeat of the season. The fall left them two points behind leaders Lyon. Ibrahimovic first equalised after Lamine Sane’s opener, then cancelled out Wahbi Khazri’s goal.

But Diego Rodin struck with two minutes left to snatch victory for the hosts. Lyon missed the chance to extend their lead over PSG to a maximum of four points after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Marseille, who remain third. Elsewhere, Liverpool’s on-loan striker Divock Origi ended a six-month scoring drought with a hat-trick from three shots on target, as Lille defeated Rennes 3-0.

est to put Real ahead with a powerful right-foot strike. Real went into the game trailing Barcelona by four points after allowing the rivals to overtake them by claiming just two points from their last two games. The home side should have scored more than twice, with Ronaldo especially culpable of wasting chances. It was the Portuguese, a frustrated figure for much of the encounter, whose shot allowed Bale to turn in Real’s second goal before half-time. Although there was at first confusion as to whether Bale got a touch, replays showed Ronaldo’s effort was going wide, with the Welshman providing the faintest but most crucial of deflections.

Six-point lead over City rivals elates Mourinho Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said a six-point lead over rivals Manchester City made up for the disappointment of the 1-1 draw at home to Southampton. The result saw the Blues move up to 64 points in the table after 28 matches. “I’m happy with the situation. I’m happy with the six-point lead, but I’m not happy with the result,” he said. “If somebody tells me in August that at the end of March we are six points in front and one match in hand, I would sign immediately.” Chelsea took the lead through Diego Costa early in the first half, although the advantage only lasted a few min-

utes when Dusan Tadic scored from the spot. The penalty was awarded by referee Mike Dean after he judged that Nemanja Matic, who was shown a yellow card, had fouled forward Sadio Mane. Replays suggested the midfielder also made contact with the ball. The Blues later had a penalty appeal of their own turned down when Tadic clipped the heel of Branislav Ivanovic. The Serb fell inside the area, but referee Dean waved away appeals. “My opinion is not important. Important is Mr Mike Dean,” said Mourinho. “His decision was a penalty and his decision was no penalty on Ivanovic.”

xnews |MOnDAY, MARCH 16, 2015 | www.x-news.CO.ke

hamilton eases to victory in season-opening australian gp

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united blow out pitiful spurs

anchester United cemented their place in the Premier League’s top four with the finest display of manager Louis van Gaal’s reign as Tottenham were easily dismissed at Old Trafford. Van Gaal and United were under pressure to produce after Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final loss at home to Arsenal left them with a place in next season’s Champions League as their only target. And they did so in style as a performance of pace and verve rarely seen this season ripped top-four rivals Spurs apart, especially in a first half where United raced into a three-goal lead. Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick effectively settled the contest with two early goals before captain Wayne Rooney added a third - complete with a self-mocking boxing knockout celebration after the publication of a video showing him being floored by Stoke City’s Phil Bardsley in an impromptu bout in his kitchen. Manager Louis van Gaal believes Manchester City are being sucked into the “rat race” for the top four Premier League places.

BEATEN TO IT: United’s captain Wayne Rooney watches as Michael Carrick’s headed shot beats Spurs’ goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to make it to the back of the net for the second goal.

This is after United closed the gap on City to two points after their shock defeat by Burnley . “It is a rat race and we are now two points from second position,” Van Gaal said after the win kept United fourth. “So whether they (Man City) want that or don’t want that, that is the position. They are in it.” He added: “It is good for us, good for the fans and good for the media because there will be lots of things to write about.” Chelsea are six points clear of City at the top - but Arsenal are now only one point adrift of Manuel Pellegrini’s side, while Liverpool could move to within four with victory at Swansea City tonight. “I was very pleased but I’m not sure if it was our best. You have to watch it again on video but we played like a team, very determined after a defeat like we had against Arsenal, that we lost because of ourselves,” Van Gaal said. “We are looking step by step and our next game is at Liverpool and I believe it is not so often that United have won at Anfield recently.”

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