201503019 xnews by X News

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

red flag raised lobby group raises alarm over smoking regulation

the industry Eye for canned foods boosts sector recovery

NEWS Kenya anchor duo may miss Kampala showdown

Rich Kenyans drinking with age 12 minors

ore than half of underage drinkers in Kenya take alcohol for the first time between the ages of 12 and 16, a new report by research group, Ipsos Synovate has revealed. In what critics describe as a “shocking revelation”, it has been found that 46 per cent of underage drinkers received their first pint from friends and relatives. Beers and spirits are the most

consumed alcoholic beverage types by minors. Peer pressure is a leading driver of alcohol consumption among minors. One in three underage drinkers takes alcohol during school holidays as another 45 per cent do it on only special occasions. But there are a select few (about 3 per cent) who have a drink on a weekly basis. Ipsos has discovered that minors from single parents and grandparent-led families are

more vulnerable to underage drinking, possibly due to minimum supervision. A number of legislative measures have in the past been taken, including the implementation of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act (2013). The law imposes heavy penalties to those who sell alcohol to minors or even allow them access areas where alcohol is manufactured, sold or consumed. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Catfish flood China street after crash

FISHY STREET: A truck transporting fish accidentally flung its doors open on this street in China’s Guizhou Province, prompting a fight for writhing space along the avenue within minutes. Reports said about 6,800 kg of catfish spilled along the streets in Kaili city on Tuesday. The fish were later reloaded into the truck to complete the journey with the help of residents and fire brigade staff.

NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

12 year-old minors taking alcohol, says poll From Page 1 “The law also ensures the right to access information and education on health effects of alcohol abuse and access to treatment and rehabilitation programs for those facing the detrimental effects of alcohol,” says Ipsos. Some secondary schools in Kenya have also set up guidance and peer counselling initiatives to curb drug and alcohol abuse. Ipsos researchers note that national and corporate campaigns such as “Don’t Drug Me Down” and “WE ID” have been effective to a certain extent in the reduction of alcohol intake among minors.

In a more recent initiative, Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) launched a new drive against underage drinking, dubbed ‘Under 18 Asipewe’. The campaign, which was launched earlier this morning, comes against the backdrop of the Ipsos report. The campaign brings together key stakeholders, such as manufacturers, retailers, parents, teachers and Government, in addressing causes of underage drinking. The campaign seeks to provide sustainable solutions to society. Speaking during the launch of the campaign, KBL Corporate Relations Director Eric Kiniti said the initiative

seeks a collaborative platform that will result in significant and sustainable impact in curbing underage drinking. He said: “We realise curbing underage drinking is a mammoth task that requires collaborative efforts of not only manufacturers and regulators but also the critical and personalised guidance role that parents and teachers play.” “As a business, we are committed to creating a positive role for alcohol in society by engaging in responsible manufacture and sale of our products. We have made a commitment to the World Health Organisation to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. This campaign is therefore fundamental

in contributing towards achieving the goal,” Kiniti said. In the first phase of the drive, KBL has committed to train 15,000 retail staff on responsible retailing of alcoholic beverages. The brewer targets to reach out to more than 90,000 retail staff in the next two years. “If bar tenders understand and take responsibility for the consequences of selling alcohol to persons under the age of 18, it means we will have made one step in the right direction, towards curbing this menace,” said Kiniti. The law on underage drinking in Kenya requires that no person shall knowingly; provide alcohol to persons under the

age of 18 years. The trend in alcohol consumption among people below the legal purchasing age has however been on the rise with increasing reports in several parts of Kenya. The study shows key influencing factors of alcohol consumption include peer pressure, easy access to the alcoholic beverages and stress caused by schoolwork. Other factors include social environments such as parties, family problems and general culture of acceptance of alcohol.

Four charged with killing 35 Mandera quarry workers

NO TO TERROR: Protesters lit candles during prayers at the gate to the Bardo National Museum where 19 tourists were killed in a militant attack.

Tunisia declares war after militants massacre 19 tourists Tunisia’s president has vowed to fight terrorism “without mercy” following a gun attack on the Bardo Museum in capital Tunis which killed 19 people. Up to 17 tourists were killed in the attack, including visitors from Japan, Italy, Colombia, Australia, France, Poland and Spain, officials said. Two Tunisians, one a police officer, were also killed in Wednesday’s attack. Security forces have killed two gunmen but are continuing the search for their accomplices. Officials say more than 40 people, including tourists and Tunisians, were injured. President Beji Caid Essebsi said the country was “in a war with terror”.

voxpop....

“The monstrous minorities do not frighten us,” he said in remarks broadcast on national TV. “We will resist them until the deepest end without mercy. “Democracy will win and it will survive.” Prime Minister Habib Essid said: “It is a critical moment in our history, and a defining moment for our future.” At the time of the attack, deputies in the neighbouring parliamentary building were discussing anti-terrorism legislation. Parliament was evacuated, but later reconvened for an extraordinary session in the evening. Japan bear the greatest brunt of the attack with five of her nationals killed. Four of the foreigners killed were Italians

while both Colombia and Spain had two casualties each. There were also one national each from Australia, France and Poland among those killed according to Prime Minister Essid. Also killed were Tunisians, including a police officer involved in the security operation. Many Tunisians took to the streets of central Tunis to protest the attack, waving flags and lighting candles outside the museum. World leaders condemned the attack and expressed support for Tunisia’s counterterrorism efforts. The UN Security Council issued a statement saying no terrorist action could reverse Tunisia’s path towards democracy.

A Kenyan and his three accomplices from Somalia who have been linked by police to the Al-Shabaab terror group were yesterday charged with killing 35 people at a quarry in Mandera County. Abubakar Salim Kitonga, the alleged mastermind of the December 2 2014 attack, was charged alongside Maslah Daud Hassan, Musa Daud Hassan and Shukri Abdi Salat. Kitonga is also being investigated over the attack that targeted 28 passengers who were ambushed in a commuter bus barely two weeks before the Koromey quarry incident. Prosecution said the suspects carried out the atrocity jointly with others not before court, resulting in the death of 35 innocent Kenyans. An affidavit presented before a magistrate yesterday showed that police have information that the respondents and their associates who are still at large have a vast network meant to execute further terrorism acts across the country. “The situation in Mandera county is

still volatile…witness have expressed fear in giving evidence against the respondents due to retaliation by AlShabaab,” prosecutor Daniel Karori said. He asked the court to deny the suspects bond till the case is heard and determined. The quarry miners were shot dead and others beheaded at Koromey in Mandera when armed assailants suspected to be Al-Shabaab insurgents raided the camp. The incident occurred barely two weeks after 28 commuters were ambushed and killed as they travelled from Mandera to up-country destinations for holiday. Kitonga was also charged with being found with mobile phone data which had articles for use in instigating the commission of a terrorist act. His suspected accomplices were charged with being unlawfully present in Kenya. Prosecution said the Somalis were in the country illegally and did not have valid permit to allow them stay when they were arrested in Mandera on January 25, 2015.

SLAUGHTER SCENE: The quarry in Mandera County where 35 miners were murdered. Four people have been charged with the murder.

Does having a lot of money makes you mean and disrespectful?

Philip Okubasu

Joe Marigi To some extent. I have heard a number of people forgetting others in society. They disown even family members after forgetting their origin.

Joel Mwangi It is a matter of choice. You can allow money to change or refuse to let it take control. People who change because of money hang out with others who have it. That is why they come off as mean and disrespectful.

Paul Gitau To some extent yes and no. Money changes people for good or bad. Those who negatively change tend to forget their origins and look down on others who are not privileged. Those who got wealth genuinely give back to society. And when you give, it comes back.

No. Those who have more probably give more. Not all who have resources are mean except a few. Because those who have so much begin with solving a problem and by investing time and dedication, they reap the benefits.

NEWS 3 THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS

CARTOONSPEAK

US confirms killing Westgate attack suspect

Worms are intelligent, have free will and can think for themselves, research shows

The US defence department has confirmed that it killed AlShabab leader, Adan Garar. The Pentagon says the militant was hit by a drone equipped with Hellfire missiles in Somalia last Thursday. Garar was a suspect in the 2013 Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi that left 67 people dead. The US believes Garar was overseeing operations that “target US persons and other Western interests”. He was a member of the security and intelligence wing and a “key operative responsible for coordinating AlShabab’s external operations”, according to the Pentagon. The operation took place about 240 km west of Mogadishu near the town of Dinsoor.

Worms can think on their own and may have ‘free will’, an attribute that has, in the past, only been seen among more intelligent animals. Most animals do not exhibit free will, which is the ability to think for themselves. Most of their actions are forced on them by other factors like hunger, which prompts them to look for food and pain, which forces them to move away from whatever is hurting them. However, new research has revealed that worms, once thought to be some of the simplest animals known to man, can sometimes ‘think’ for themselves. The study was carried out by scientists at Rockefeller University in New York.They found that worms would choose to respond to a nearby odour depending on what they were ‘thinking’ about - suggesting they have free will just like humans. They found that, if offered a ‘delicious’ smell, the roundworm will usually stop its wandering to investigate the source - but sometimes it won’t. Just as with humans, the same stimulus does not always provoke the same response, even from the same individual. The study’s author, Dr Cori Bargmann indicates that the research could go a long way in helping scientists understand how the human brain works.

Lobby group raises alarm over smoking regulation A lobby group against tobacco has decried the contravention of the Tobacco Control Act in major towns saying it is putting the lives of more Kenyans at risk. Secretary General of the Kenya Tobacco Alliance John Inganga says nothing has been done against the trend despite having written to the county governments to take action. “We recently held a meeting with the county Government of Nairobi, and they said that their role is to safeguard the lives of Kenyans not to give them an alternative to smoke,” he said while also pointing an accusing finger at the delegated legislation Committee of the National Assembly for delaying the tabling of the report on the new regulations. Inganga says the report had already been completed by December last year but is yet to be tabled and made public. “The lives of more than 40 million Ken-

yans are in the hands of the 25-members of this committee, we would have saved the lives by making Kenyans known to these report. But the committee has sat on the report more than 3 months later.”Inganga said. Meanwhile, a new global fund has been launched to help developing countries fend off challenges to tobacco control measures by cigarette makers. The $4 million (364 million) fund is a joint effort by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They say tobacco control gains are being put at risk by the industry’s use of trade agreements and litigation. But tobacco companies argue they are protecting investments, including intellectual property rights. The fund has been launched in Abu Dhabi at an international conference on tobacco control.

X-NEWS, Kenya’s FIRST and largest FREE newspaper and the country’s only EVENING publication, will be dedicating the next one month to providing comprehensive information to our 300,000 daily readers — ambitious Kenyans looking for higher learning opportunities. We invite your institution to showcase your programmes and enlighten our readers on available opportunities by taking advantage of our one-of-a-kind advertising package throughout the March-April campaign period. TO BOOK SPACE: CALL: Eric 0722616208 Boniface 0721541406 Micah 0721266099 Willie 0727622516 —or — EMAIL: sales@x-news.co.ke

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

Isaac Rutto to run for president in 2017 poll: Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto plans to run for President in 2017. In preparation, the Chairman of the Council of Governors has began identifying a team of professionals and confidants who will evaluate his bid. Once the evaluation is done, Ruto will make public his plans sometime next year. Yesterday the Governor did not confirm or deny that he was in the race, insisting he was still considering the issue. “I am yet to make up my mind about the issue and so I have no comment at the moment”, Rutto told the The Star.

Hope fades for poor patients at Kenyatta: Lives of hundreds of cancer patients are at risk following the suspension of radiotherapy treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital on Monday. KNH, the only public treatment facility in the country for one of the country’s leading killers, had only two overworked radiotherapy machines, which have since broken down and will not be in use until the end of the month. The hospital has been turning away patients though the Health ministry said it had negotiated a discount...

Crisis in Parliament as bribes rock committees: There is no let-up in the crisis facing the National Assembly as more committees get sucked into allegations of dirty practices that are fast-eroding the credibility of parliamentary oversight. Never before in the history of the National Assembly has the House found itself entangled in such an unmitigated crisis of integrity, sending the leadership into a panic and triggering bitter public spats among lawmakers. What started as investigations into graft within the Public Accounts Committee ( PAC) has slowly taken on a life of its own...

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Mortgage Arrangements with

xnews | THURsday, MARCH 19, 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 91.9756 92.1256 92.0506 135.7500 136.0083 135.8792 97.3778 97.5539 97.4658 7.4267 7.4448 7.4357 31.4788 31.6388 31.5588 20.0813 20.2228 20.1520

Governor asks foreign firms to share contracts info with locals Multinational companies in extractive industries in Africa have been urged to reveal contractual agreements to foster transparency. Addressing the Chatham House Conference held in Central London, Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok said lack of transparency by the companies had often led to poor relations with locals. “Oil companies in Kenya do not divulge or share information with county governments and communities on their operations. This has strained relations and often led to protests by communities,” Nanok said. He said Kenya was not willing to turn oil into a curse or the ‘Dutch disease’. Senior Policy Manager for Oxfam America

Ian Gary urged extractive companies to disclose relevant data to avoid a repeat of past mistakes. ”For the last 12 years, we have been talking about transparency and still doing that… the pace has been slow,” Gary said. “Look at the case for the extractive industries in Kenya, the contract has still remained between President (Uhuru) Kenyatta and the companies.” Gary commended the World Bank and civil society for making it possible for open discussions on extractives to be carried out. He said residents initially had little information on their rights from the industries.

poor relations: Members of the Turkana community. Governor Josphat Nanok says oil companies in Kenya do not divulge or share information with communities on their operations, leading to strained relations and protests from communities. .

Chinese owned Canadian oil firm to sack 400 staff unprotected lot: The Kenya National Federation of Cane Farmers says trade restrictions meant to protect cane farmers and other stakeholders from cheap imported sugar have failed.

Govt accused of failure to protect sugar sector Trade restrictions meant to protect cane farmers from losses have failed. The set of rules are meant to protect the industry from cheap imports, which drive down profits for local manufacturers, farmers and distributors. But the regulations, which were effected in 2003, have not enhanced efficiency. Critics say instead of making it more efficient, protection has “fostered mismanagement, smuggling and delayed reforms for the sector to continue

supporting livelihoods of 4 million Kenyans. “There is a lot that needs to be done,” said Simon Wesechere, a farmer and senior official at the Kenya National Federation of Cane Farmers. “It leaves a sour taste in the mouth of farmers because it is registering negative returns.” The State has often attempted to bail out players like Mumias Sugar, the leading producer of the sweetener. In January, the Government invested

the industry Kenya’s canned food sector has suffered in recent years but promises to improve in coming months. A report by research group, Euromonitor International, indicates that the country continues to be plagued by “inherent mistrust that majority of Kenyans have for canned or preserved food.” But categories such as canned beans enjoy more

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Sh500 million in the firm after losing Sh2.08 billion between July and December trying to revive the company. Mumias Sugar executives were sacked after an audit by professional firm, KPMG, prompted investigations into sale and importation transactions. Chairman Dan Ameyo, who ordered the audit after he was appointed last year, said: “I’m determined to return the company to profitability and I’m determined to clean it up,” he told Reuters.

Canadian oil and gas company, Nexen, is set to cut 400 jobs in North America and UK. The reduction will be about 13 per cent of the company’s total 3,200 labour force. The firm says it will reduce jobs in North America by 340 workers, with UK losing 60. The recent plunge in oil prices has been cited as the cause of the cuts. “The cuts are a response to plunging oil prices, which has resulted in an industry downturn.” In 2013, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), bought Nexen for more than $15bn (Sh1.4 trillion) after approvals from US and Canadian governments. They pledged to the Canadian government that it

would keep Nexen’s management and staff along with investing in oil and gas sectors. CNOOC is China’s largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas. Fang Zhi, the CEO of Nexen, said in a statement: “While regrettable, these organisational changes are necessary to align the company with our reduced capital spending programme. We take these decisions seriously, and all impacted employees have been treated fairly and with respect.” Canadian Industry minister said he was reviewing the cuts to ensure the Chinese firm complies with commitments made at the company’s takeover.

JOBS THREAT: Workers at the Canadian oil and gas company, Nexen. The company has announced plans to lay off 400 workers in a restructuring exercise.

Eye for canned foods boosts sector recovery

trust and higher demand than canned meat and related products. Euromonitor experts say canned meat has won “a negative image due to health professionals publicising potential health problems derived from preservation methods used in the manufacture of foods.” Beans continue to lead the canning sector.

Euromonitor’s research coincides with the development of higher yielding, drought-resistant beans variety by researchers from the University of Nairobi. The breeds have good canning properties and are resistant to drought and a number of infections. The new varieties, which have been taken through a validation process by regulators, have a shorter

cooking time compared with rivals in the market. The attribute is favourable to the industry and consumers because it significantly reduces energy costs. Euromonitor experts say there is a blossoming demand for canned foods among middle-income Kenyans living in urban areas. This market needs quick meal preparation and packaged food products with a long shelf life and are likely to become more popular in coming months. Experts say as Kenya introduces devolved governments which are likely to increase food production in various regions, “this is likely to result in excess produce being canned and preserved to avoid wastage.”

BUSINESS THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

I&M bank ventures Biz GADGET into agency banking with MobiKash I&M Bank has entered a partnership with MobiKash, a deal that will enable its customers withdraw and deposit cash at MobiKash agent outlets. The partnership will also enable them send money from a MobiKash account to an I&M Bank account, as well as send money from an I&M Bank account to a MobiKash account. I&M Bank Group CEO Arun Mathur said the partnership will mutually benefit the two companies and more customers will be reached using MobiKash’s extensive network. “We are glad to roll out our services at the MobiKash agents outlets. We are now able to reach out to a much wider geographic spread of customers in both urban and rural centers without

having to incur costs in brick and mortar branches,” said Mathur. MobiKash CEO Duncan Otieno said the partnership will increase the transactions at MobiKash agent outlets as well as grow their presence. “We have invested in integration of our bank’s systems where mobile and card payments are fully synchronised with the bank’s core-banking system. This will in turn enable the bank to process transactions conducted at the MobiKash agent outlets in real-time,” he said. MobiKash will manage all its agents while I&M Bank will play an oversight role in this partnership. The Bank will support the agents in all the regions through its branch network where agents will maintain their floats in the Bank’s MobiKash trust account.

INFRA STRUCTURE

LG G FLEX 2

DEAL: Arun Mathur, CEO, I&M Bank Ltd (L) and Duncan Otieno, CEO, MobiKash Ltd (R) during the launch of a partnership that will see the Bank provide its financial services at authorised MobiKash agents’ outlets.

Hazina Towers is a building situated on the North Western side of the Central Business District along Monrovia Street and Utalii Lane, next to the Goethe-Institut. Serving primarily as an office complex, the building is 81 meters (266 feet) tall. It houses a number of businesses, among them, a bakery on the second floor. The structure boasts 24 floors above ground and is famous for its various shades of brown. Its geometric shape has what architects describe as a ‘highrise design.’

Unit (GPU) and 3GB of RAM. This device features the most recent developed processing packages. Hardware The phone has a MicroSD slot for any expansion required. When it comes to battery, the G Flex 2 has a 3,000 mAh battery unit, which is good enough to get your things done. The device comes in two colours Camera The device has a 13 megapixel (MP) rear facing camera with 4128 x 3096 pixels, while the front-facing camera is 2.1MP. The camera does its job quite well.

New fund will speed up construction of roads Kenyans are set to travel on smoother, well-constructed and paved roads as the government moves to set up a fund that will change the pace at which the country’s roads are constructed. The government announced last week it will set up what is known as a “Road Annuity Fund” to speed up the construction of roads in the country, Bloomberg reports. The announcement comes at a time when less than 10 per cent of Kenya’s 161,000-kilometer network is paved, according to the Kenya Roads Board. To speed up the construction of roads, which has been lagging in the past mainly due to funding problems, contractors will pay for construction themselves

CITY SCAPE

LG released the G flex 2 following their success with the world’s first curved smartphone, the original G Flex. The screen has been reduced in size to a more manageable 5.5 inches from its 6-inch predecessor. There are no buttons on the side. Instead, they are located below the camera optics. Display The phone has a 5.5 inch screen and brings a higher resolution than before, with an IPS 1080p screen. Performance This phone has a snapdragon 810 processor and is backed by Adreno 430 Graphics Processing

Hazina Towers

and then be reimbursed at a premium on completion. Before this initiative was set in place, the government used to finance projects while they were in progress, The Treasury will hand out 45 contracts “in two to three weeks” to groups of developers and financiers to build 10,000 kilometres of roads by 2020, said Ronoh Tuimising, a Public Private Partnership Unit Legal Expert. Kenya plans to raise as much as Sh1.2 trillion over the next ten years for the road fund as part of a plan to improve infrastructure and accelerate economic growth. A strong or growing economy translates to more jobs, higher salaries and better living

conditions for Kenyans across the board. “The way we see it working is for banks to team up with builders in consortia to bid for projects,” Tuimising said in a March 12 interview in the capital, Nairobi. Lenders may overlook past experiences of delayed payments from the government, which disrupted cash flow, and plan to increase lending to contractors, said Joshua Oigara, CEO of Kenya Commercial Bank, the nation’s biggest lender by assets. “It’s a very ambitious project, and we want all those who are able to, to support it,” said Oigara, who is also the chairman of the Kenya Bankers Association. “We are fully behind the program.”

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

ACCESS topstory

Campus debauChery still going strong….

CAMPUS SEX STORIES

niversity is usually the first taste of freedom that a young person gets after the stifling situation in secondary school. This explains why university seems like paradise for most students. The allure for experimentation seduces even the ones with the stringest moral standing and they eventually fall prey to the snare of fleeting attractions. Most students are carted off to school with prayers, copious amounts of advice and the hope that when they return home at the end they will be mature hard working adults who will contribute positively to society. The number one distraction in university is sex. Some mild drug and alcohol use snowballs into some clumsy sexual escapades in strange places, which then manifests into the general aimlessness that most campus students are characterised by. AIDS is past the point of being called a national disaster and has become something we live with every day. This has reduced the stigma against People Living With HIV/ AIDS but it, unfortunately, also seems to encourage recklessness. Parties, bashes and those Friday night hangouts are where most of the action goes down. Drinking, drugs and peer pressure are very strong forces under such situations. And one thing that will always remain is the influence friends have on young people. It is perfectly acceptable in all campus parties to have sex on the dance floor and follow it through immediately, sometimes even in the toilet or corridor! We’ve all heard the saying ‘you

Before

don’t eat a banana with the skin.’ This principle has been applied with scary diligence when it comes to sex in colleges. Going ‘kaletha’ has been courted with every excuse in the book, from ‘condoms feel uncomfortable’ to ‘it feels better this way’. And the ready availability of morning-after pills, which prevent unwanted pregnancies, also encourages unprotected sex in a way. This is in addtion to the physiological side effects they bear. What students seem to forget is that in university, many students particularly the male ones are ‘expected’ to have more than one sexual partner. The show of pseudo-machismo they seek to achieve is beyond clear reason. This is not to say that the girls themselves are saints. We were all present during the tedious trend of the ‘Campus Divas.’ It has become apparent that girls in campus are more fearful of getting pregnant than getting STDs. Which is disturbing, considering some STDs easily kill and some have no treatment. But it is clear that keeping up appearances is still the first priority in university. No matter what steps are taken by school administrations or the government to curb these attitudes, such as setting up of AIDS Control Units in universities, expanding the curriculum to include a course on HIV/AIDS, university testing days and peer education, irresponsible sexual decisions in campus have been sustained. Research has shown that the average age that people experience their first sexual

encounter keeps going up, which means that nobody should be shocked with the whole ‘Condoms for Kids’ debacle. Discovering yourself is all well and good and life in campus should by no means be boring, it would be preachy to state anything else. But freedom from the confines of childhood does not mean freedom from responsibility. Campus should be fun but living through it is more fun.

It is perfectly acceptable in all campus parties to simulate sex on the dance floor and follow it through immediately, sometimes even in the toilet or corridor!

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY, MARCH 26th NOVEMBER 19, 2015 2014

YOLO

gunning for the top in tech blogging.

HOT TOPICS

Vera Sidika having a bad day

ocialite Vera Sidika has been lying low, apparently building her business empire. Unfortunately, yesterday someone was hell bent on soiling her ‘good’ name. An Instagram user who goes by the name @The_Seeker_of_Truth_ was allegedly asked to expose Vera Sidika and Huddah Monroe. The user who posed as a wealthy Dubai businessman messaged the socialites on Instagram and started a conversation. Huddah was not quick to believe the user’s advances. Vera, on the other handm jumped at the opportunity and wasted no time. She quoted her price and stated what she was comfortable doing when it comes to sex. She said she charges Sh1.3 million and will only fly business class on Emirates. The revelation sparked outrage on social media and even led to a Wikipedia page being created for Vera which said she was a prostitute. Too harsh? Maybe.

Controversial activist hangs out with Jayden Smith

oniface Mwangi yesterday got to hang out with Jaden Smith and did not hide his joy. Mwangi, who is in the US for work, gushed about Will Smith’s son and posted the pictures on social media expressing his gratitude at the youngster’s good natured.

Nixon Kanali

techtrendske.co.ke

Top Blog: TeCHTrendS Kenya is setting trends S tarted in January 2014, Techtrends has grown in leaps and bounds to become one of the most sought after technology blogs in Kenya. “It is now one year and three months old and I am happy with the strides we are making with the blog,” Nixon Kanali the founder of the blog told XAccess. Together with Lilian Mutegi, Nixon creates content that has been instrumental in making TechTrendsKE what it is now. Both are trained journalists working in different fields which explains why their

content is fresh and relevant. The blog covers technological trends, new gadgets entering the market, StartUps, Applications and technology news. It seeks to inform readers about what is happening around them in the technology arena. “The blog helps readers make informed choices on technology. We want to be the blog that readers can trust when looking for information on particular products, “said Kanali. The blog does not only target individuals looking for information on a particular product it also targets

companies. . “We believe that ICT has become an integral part of a company’s business strategy and therefore through our blog we want to make it possible for companies to tap into new business segments and in the process help them achieve their target,” said Kanali. Having been nominated for the second year running came as good news to TechTrendsKE. “The nomination shows that our work is being read out there by Kenyans and people from across the globe. There are so many technology blogs in Kenya,

our content is not that different from theirs, so this nomination gives me and my partner a great feeling,” said Kanali. Kanali feels the blogging culture in Kenya is a vibrant adding that bloggers report on things that the mainstream media in Kenya overlooks. “Blogging should be encouraged. It is helping out many young people who have been unable to find employment to make money online which is a good thing. Head on over to the BAKE website and chip in your vote for TechTrendsKE in the Best Technology Blog category.

Octopizzo kills it at K1

esterday, Octopizzo launched his new music at K1. He was flanked by a number of artistes, who had come to support him. The song, Put Your Drinks Up, has an upbeat flow to it with Octopizzo killing it on the rhymes. Chipukeezy and Eric Omondi were in the house too. K1 is the place to be every Wednesday for the Afrobeat show, which provides a platform for artistes to launch their new music. It also promotes East African music which is played all through the night.

JulIanI

Café ubunTu fOr fIrePlaCe

hot date

Playing out his recent hot streak, rapper Juliani will be taking centre stage at the Fireplace at Café Ubuntu on Saturday, March 21. Café Ubuntu is a place where quality is assured. It is the first bakery in Maai Mahiu, where food comes directly from the farm and onto your plate, so get ready for a night of good food and good music. Nyama choma will be available on the menu and spoken word on the stage. Performances for the night appeal to

The voting phase of the 2015 Kenyan Blog Awards is now open. Visit: http://www.blogawards.co.ke/vote/

your creative side with the artistes’ profound sensibilities coming through in their art. The king of Djembe, Moseh the Drummist, will be tantalising the crowd with his rhythmical beats and there will be poetry pieces supplied by Ayrosh Collo, Poet Fuse and Poeticbee Wambui. Tickets are available on Ticketsasa and they come in different packages all inclusive of nyama choma and ranging from Sh1000 to Sh3000, which covers a self-contained room Maai Mahiu.

ACCESS

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

all round news and updates from universities.

CAMPUSVIBE

NTV Senior Reporter Ken Mijungu,(right) and founder of Girl Touch foundation Winnie Odinga at the launch.

Mr and Miss Maseno

he Mr and Miss Maseno gig was held last Saturday and the event this time round did not disappoint. The big winners of the night were

Mildred Wandia, a second year Interior Design student and Timothy Omondi an Education Arts student. This marked the first time that Mr and Miss Maseno were voted

in using an online platform at the school and chosen by the students themselves. The students were entertained by DJ Kalonje and DJ Scratch, who kept the decks spinning

all night while lyrical masters Kristoff and Kaligraph rocked the crowd with their rap skills. Songstress Marya performed her hit singles ‘Sishiki simu’ and ‘Chokoza.’

28-year-old Laura Akunga has defied all odds to be the Founder and CEO of Benchmark Solutions, a multinational company with a presence in more than 9 countries.

Laura Akunga

hat does your job entail? My role is to foster relationships with our strategic partners, provide leadership to my team and spearhead the strategic plan and growth of our global operations. How many hours do you work in a day? I work for approximately 7 hours a day. What qualifications do you need for your job? A degree in International Business Administration with a focus on Finance. Creative thinking, people skills and a thick skin comes in handy too. Was this your dream career? Yes. I always wanted to start and run my own business. How did you start out? I ventured into business while I was still in my second year in university. Like any budding entrepreneur, I pulled myself by my bootstraps. My business evolved over the years from marketing services to arranging financial solutions. What achievements have you had so far? As Benchmark solutions, we

have successfully closed transactions worth billions of shillings in favor of our clients and strategic partners. At a personal level, I have received local and international recognition including Young African Woman Entrepreneur Award 2010, Kenya’s top 40 under 40 in 2014 and Timeless woman of Wonder 2015. What challenges have you experienced? I have failed more times than I can count. My age and gender did not always work in my favor, it meant that I had to work twice as hard as those around me. Breaking into new markets also has cultural barriers and limitations. Does your job interfere with your social life? Not anymore. I have learnt to master the blend of my work and personal life. I also have a loving and supportive husband. Tell us more about the mentorship program you run? I have been blessed to support young girls through mentorship. In every country that Benchmark has a presence in, I make a deliberate effort to meet, greet

the boSS

LAdy

and interact with young girls. Here in Kenya we educate up to 50 orphaned girls. I am a product of mentorship and I am simply reciprocating. What is the best part of your job? Delivering on an assignment and witnessing the impact that our contribution has not only to our clients but in the communities they operate in. It is quite humbling. Worst part of your job? My duties require me to travel quite a bit. Sometimes I have to be away from family and friends for more days that I would prefer. Advice for budding entrepreneurs? It does not matter who you are, where you are from, what others have said for or against you. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. No matter how many times you fall down, get up, dust yourself and come back swinging!

n Monday March 16, the Reproductive Health Week was launched at the Parklands Law School where students and panellists conversed, debated and exchanged ideas on the topic ‘Is Reproductive Health a Fundamental Right in Kenya?’ The launch was the commencement of a week-long series of events happening at the same venue all aimed at empowering and educating the youth on their reproductive health rights and responsible sexual behaviour. On the team was NTV Senior Reporter Ken Mijungu, founder of Girl Touch foundation Winnie Odinga and writer and human rights activist Zarina Patel among other experts.

Student Stabbed durinG Sonu caMpaiGnS Election campaigns in universities are big business and stakes are incredibly high. In most campuses violence is not unheard of during the electioneering process and so when the recent SONU campaigns resulted in a student getting stabbed people were not shocked as they should be. This begs the question, are student elections a direct reflection of the current state of politics in the country or is this just an expression of wilful youth, money and too much time on student’s hands? The victim is recovering and investigations are underway.

careerchat

GlaMour Galore at 2015

Ken Mijungu at Reproductive Health Week launched

Delivering on an assignment and witnessing the impact that our contribution has to clients and communities they operate in, is the best part of my job. It is quite humbling.

ACCESS

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

FASHIONScoop

Suave deSignS iS Setting the trend when it comeS to cool bagS.

Add a little bit of colour and style to your everyday back pack with these ones.

For the casual night out with the friends, these bags will be good to keep your belongings safe and make you look cool.

Every girl needs a bag that is quite unique and diversifies their style

A combination of colours that we thought would never work on a bag but we love!

BAG

Suave designs is setting the trend when it comes to cool bags. Founded by Mohammed Awale, who is also the head designer, the company makes unique bags that simply cannot be duplicated! The materials he uses are also quite unique; they are a blend of differnt upcycled fabrics like tweed, wool,

Carry your laptops and notebooks with style and make people at work or school envy you.

TOP

IT COOL BY SUAVE DESIGNS cotton, herringbone, linen, corduroy, denim and leather.He ensures that the fabric is hard to make the bags durable. Awale, shops all by himself so that he can chooses his preference when it comes to colour and print. From these materials, he makes backpacks, laptop bags and sling bags. Here is a look at the unique collection.

best dressed males, kenya

e is currently the top male fashion blogger and oh boy does he know how to dress. Whatever he wears is a win and definitely makes heads turn. His wardrobe never disappoints.

Franklin Saiyalel

a.k.a kenyan StyliSta

his guy has been on our screens for a long time now. His wardrobe on set and out of set is always on point. He is quite notorious for stealing international celebrity looks but still manages to won them.

ian mugoya

African print redefined!

nick mutuma

his lad is an eye candy and dresses everyday as if it is an occasion. Maybe his motto in life is YOLO? Whatever the case he looks good in everything he puts on.

PLAY 11 THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Perhaps you discover a bank error in your favor, get repaid for a loan, or receive a generous gift. Whichever it is, it’s likely to make it possible for you to make a purchase you’ve been thinking you had to postpone for a while. Enjoy your good fortune and make the most of it! AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Today you might feel as though your mind is exploding, Aquarius. If you’ve been studying an intellectual or spiritual subject, insights could be coming thick and fast. Concepts that never made sense to you before suddenly seem clear. Make the most of them! PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Emotions and memories that have been buried in your psyche could suddenly well up today, Pisces. At first you might not be able to make sense of this. These memories could seem irrelevant to your present life. Still, a little reflection might reveal why you’re recalling them now.

THURSday 19/03/2015

sunny

FRIday 20/03/2015

More sun than clouds

27ºC 37%

6:37 am 6:44 pm

27ºC 34%

6:37 am 6:44 pm

SATURday

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

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Today a friendship could develop into something more, Aries. Someone you know fairly well but never thought of as a potential lover could suddenly show a romantic interest in you and you could respond. Whether or not you choose to do anything about it depends on you.

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Perhaps you’ve moved to another desk, room, floor, or building. Whichever it is, you will be less stressed out. Being near difficult people or sitting near a window where you can see out can recharge your batteries and make you more productive. GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Some intellectual knowledge that you gain today is apt to make a significant difference in whatever creative projects you’re working on, Gemini. A friend or partner could help in some way. A current enterprise may go in a new direction or you could start a new project. CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 The healing of some childhood traumas could be triggered today, Cancer, perhaps through contact with someone who knew you then. Don’t be surprised if you shed a few tears. This is a normal release. You could also suddenly laugh like crazy. LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 It might concern your relationship or it might involve some sort of good fortune coming to either you or your beloved. This bit of luck could free both of you in some way to further advance the relationship somehow. Don’t panic and don’t overanalyze it. Follow your heart! VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 Have you been working very hard to increase your income? More available income usually necessitates working even harder, but in your case, you might be able to relax for a while and thus rid yourself of all the stress and tension that’s been building up.

MUSTREAD I do not Come to You by Chance — by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Any current or potential romantic partner you encounter will probably pay you lots of attention and want to make plans for the two of you to get together. This might be just what you need, as the last few days may have been difficult. Get out of the house and have a little fun.

Kingsley Ibe is the first son of the family. He is lucky enough to get some privileges, such as a piece of meat in his egusi soup. He also wins chance to party in celebration of his graduation from university. As a first born, Kingsley is to pay for his siblings’ ways in school and ensure his parents get a good retirement. He soon realises that education is not everything. A tragedy befalls his family and he needs money badly. All his degrees cannot help him so he turns to the only person he believes will help, his uncle Boniface. Uncle Boniface always has money and is willing to help Kingsley out but at a cost. He has been rumoured to be running a booming empire from 411 email scams. With his uncle’s intervention, Kingsley’s family is safe. Now it is up to Kingsley to decide if education is more crucial than money and to take his position as the first son.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Intuition could prove extremely valuable when it comes to dealing with a sticky situation, Scorpio. You know all the rules, you know all the proper methods for whatever you do, but today you could be driven to make decisions based on gut feelings rather than rules or logic. SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Some gossip about a friend who has recently begun a new relationship could reach you today, Sagittarius. This might come as a surprise, as you’d never have expected it of this person. You will be glad, because you want your friend to be happy.

INSTAMOMENTS 1

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

yesterday’s winning photo

YOURSAY

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.

Moi varsity student killers should be held to account The rape and subsequent murder of a Moi University student earlier this year speaks volumes about the deteriorating security situation in institutions of higher learning and the nation at large. It is hard to comprehend how the victim was accosted and killed at a bus terminus. The station is only a few metres from the institution’s

gate and a stone-throw away from her residence. Yet the series of events never caught the attention of security personnel guarding the gate. Proactive measures should be taken by the university administration, student unions, private housing providers (landlords), police and public to ensure student safety is

guaranteed. The university administration should also ensure those who provide accommodation to students have premises well-lit and secured to act as a deterrent to criminal elements. Police should also conduct regular patrols. But the culprits must first be brought to book.—Alfred Mosoti

winning captions

1. Facebook addiction taken to a new level-Jackson Mutunga, Nrb 2. When you are chatting with you crush and can’t stop-CE, Nrb 3. We live on the internet, that’s what is up-Celina Buki, Nairobi

PLAY

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. First four in a series 5. Ribald 10. Durban’s land, briefly 14. Okinawa capital 15. Nebraska’s largest city 16. Alternative to Windows 17. Underdeveloped countries, collectively 19. Longest river in the world 20. Established law 21. Minstrels’ instruments 22. Winter transport 26. Russian pancake 30. Slits 34. “The Raven” writer, in footnotes 35. 640 acres, briefly 36. Pub quaff 37. Look over casually 39. Mooch 42. African lute 43. Casserole tubers 47. Hulk of wrestling 48. Deet, e.g. 51. Where to hear an aria 52. Fraternal bunch 54. Kim or Robert 57. Terrors 62. “... it hot in here ____ it just me?” 63. Palliation 66. Actress Daly 67. Near 68. Novus ____ seclorum (Great Seal phrase) 69. Big galoots 70. Fables 71. Put away

Down 1. Formicary denizens 2. Bangkok money 3. ____ Pet 4. Pointed projectile 5. Greet ceremoniously 6. Simple life forms 7. ____ of 1812 8. UPS alternative 9. Israel’s ___ Vashem 10. Bush aide John 11. Have ____ to pick 12. Salon tool 13. Prescribed meds 18. Obligations 21. Back muscle, to bodybuilders 23. N-R connection 24. Diamond or ruby 25. Pinot ____ 26. Modern jazz form 27. Movie cowboy Lash ___ 28. Modern music holders 29. Immediately 31. Where the deer and the antelope play 32. “Falstaff ” composer Sir Edward 33. “I’ve Just ____ Face” by The Beatles 38. Painter Jan van ___ 40. Overwhelming fear 41. “Alley ___!” 44. “___ for Apple” 45. Four CDs? 46. Unwilling to share 49. Razzes 50. Type 53. Presses 54. Nix on 55. Serengeti antelope 56. Creepy thing 58. Pontiac models 59. Trumpeter on the “Kill Bill” soundtrack 60. Hullabaloo 61. Winter precipitation 63. Palindrome for 1900 64. Adverb ending 65. Little one

DAILY WISDOM “The path of least resistance is the path of the loser.” “Show me a good loser, and I’ll show you a loser.”

— H. G. Wells — Vince Lombardi

“If at first you don’t succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.” — William Lyon Phelps “Second place is just the first place loser.”

— Dale Earnhardt

“Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep.” — Denis Waitley “No one knows what to say in the loser’s locker room.” — Muhammad Ali “You’re never a loser until you quit trying.”

— Mike Ditka

“Show me a good and gracious loser and I’ll show you a failure.” — Knute Rockne “It’s the good loser who finally loses out.”

— Kin Hubbard

“Fate is for losers.”

— Douglas Coupland

“Hope is the raw material of losers.”

— Fernando Flores

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS

SPORT 13 THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Kenya anchor duo may miss Kampala clash Kenya is likely to miss setter Jane Wacu and attacker Brackxides Khadambi at the All Africa Women Volleyball qualifiers set for April in Kampala as the pair engage in club playoffs. The national team is due to start training immediately after the Africa Club Championships set for March 25-April 6 in Cairo.

The two are based in Italy The women All Africa Games Qualifiers will be played in Uganda between April 20-28. The team will train for 10 days before travelling to Kampala. Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons are expected to have the highest number of players in the team. Kenya Volleyball Federation

Secretary Evans Wasike says they are exploring all options to ensure the two professionals are available for the matches in Uganda. Wasike says the return of Mercy Moim from a professional stint in Finland is a major boost for the team as her experience will be vital for the team’s chances.

ENGAGED: Italy-based Kenyan setter Jane Wacu (above) along with attacker Brackxides Khadambi are likely to miss the Kenya team clash in Kampala due to club engagement.

Kenya U13 in UK for schools sevens tourney Kenya U13 rugby squad has left the country for the International Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) annual Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens tournament in UK. Kenya has 12 players and three coaches for the battle with 7,000 other participants. Other teams include Nigeria, South Africa, Canada, China, Denmark, Guernsey, Hungary, India and Isle of Man. The list also includes Jersey, Poland, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales for the boys tournament to be held on March

23-24 at Rosslyn Park, London. The team is under coach Stephen Pope and Matt Dams from the Banda School and Billy Odengo (Pembroke House). It took the coaches six weeks to select the 12 players from 30 who turned up for a six-week trials at Banda School and Pembroke House. Year eight pupil, Ethan Harney, 13, of Banda School, will engage in his first global tournament and hopes for many wins. “I advise teammates to have no fear! No matter how big our opponents are, we must remain confident that we are just as

good – if not better than them,” says Harney. The squad left on Sunday night acclimatise ahead of the tournament. The country is determined to go beyond group stages the country has often finished in the tournament. “We have been unfortunate enough to draw some very strong teams in the pool round. This year luck has been a little kinder so we are confident of our chances,” said Dams. “We have a wealth of playing experience and have led a number of successful 7s teams through tournaments, including Rosslyn Park,” Dams said.

SPORT THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

South Africa roll Sri Lanka to reach Cricket World Cup semi-finals South Africa cruised into the World Cup semi-finals with a onesided thrashing of a sorry Sri Lanka in Sydney. Off-spinner JP Duminy took a hat-trick and leg-spinner Imran Tahir 4-26 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133. The Proteas then eased to their target for the loss of only one wicket in 18 overs, with Quinton de Kock making an unbeaten 78. They go on to a last-four meeting with New Zealand or West Indies in Auckland on Tuesday. South Africa’s first knockout victory in 23 years of playing World Cup cricket takes them to a first semi-final since a famous defeat by Australia in 1999. In reaching their target with 32 overs to spare, AB de Villiers’ side also completed the fastest successful run chase in a World Cup knockout match as Sri Lanka, finalists in the previous two World Cups, wilted. Their lacklustre display was not befitting what turned out to be the final international match for Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara’s last ODI. The duo have scored 117 international centuries between them. After the Proteas’ pace bowlers made early inroads, the spin pair of Duminy and Tahir took advantage of a succession of loose shots, while South Africa were excellent in the field throughout. Sangakkara, on the back of four successive hundreds, made a painstaking 45 and Lahiru Thirimanne a counter-attacking 41, but no other batsman reached 20. To cap South Africa’s day, wicketkeeper De Kock, who had managed only 53 runs in his six previous innings, returned to form with a string of cover drives. Still, their victory was built on a brilliant bowling performance after losing the toss on an excellent pitch. New-ball pair Kyle Abbott and Dale Steyn took the edges of

Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan respectively before Sangakkara and Thirimanne steadied with stand of 65. While Thirimanne was fluent through the off side, Sangakkara was stodgy, taking 16 balls to get off the mark and, at one point, having six from 42 balls. When Thirimanne became the first of the seven wickets to fall to spin, Sangakkara was forced to watch from the other end as the middle and lower order fell around him. With the ball holding in the pitch, Thirimanne patted back to Tahir and Jayawardene lobbed the same bowler to short mid-wicket. Duminy, filling the fifth bowler slot which has caused South Africa problems during the tournament, then got to work to become the first Proteas player to take a World Cup hat-trick. Angelo Mathews was caught at mid-on and, in Duminy’s next over, Nuwan Kulasekara feathered behind before debutant Tharindu Kaushal was pinned leg before. For 19-year-old Kaushal, it was a golden duck on his ODI debut having being added to the Sri Lanka squad on the morning of the match. Sangakkara was left to play a lone hand, but his attempt at aggression was ended with a slash to third man off Morne Morkel. He departed with 14,234 runs, a tally second only to Sachin Tendulkar, in 404 matches. This was the 150th one-dayer in which he batted with Jayawardene, who has 12,650 runs.

LEAP OF VICTORY: South Africa’s off-spinner JP Duminy celebrating his hat-trick during a one-sided thrashing of a sorry Sri Lanka in Sydney.

Ochieng names Kenya team for Hong Kong Sevens The Kenya Sevens rugby team is on course to reclaim its lost glory, head coach Felix Ochieng declared ahead of the sixth and seventh HSBC World Series legs in Hong Kong and Tokyo. It has been a tough journey in the HSBC World Series since the departure of former coach Mike Friday. Their outing in the last two legs has been the best performance since then managing the first quarterfinal spot. The team collected a total of 18 points, seven more than they managed in the first three legs. In Wellington, Kenya collected 10 points and 8 from Las Vegas. Overall, they are 12th with 29 points. Ochieng said the team is still not at its right position but was happy with the latest performance. “Hats off to the players for the effort that they put...the outcome was based on that effort. We are still not where we want to be but obviously I think that there is a lot of ground that we can cover,” he said. Ochieng says the players have been working hard for the next leg in Hong Kong on March 27-29 where Kenya has been pooled together with USA, England and Wales. The game to watch will be against USA when Ochieng will be up against his former boss Friday. Injured players led by Humphrey Kayange are

expected to be back and ready for selection ahead of the Hong Kong leg. Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) lauded the team saying they will continue to support them in all ways possible.

Squad Sheet Andrew Amonde, Patrice Agunda, Bush Mwale, Billy Odhiambo, Collins Injera, Leonard Mugaisi, Lavin Asego, Tonny Owuor, Michael Wanjala, Felix Ayange, Humphrey Khayange and Dan Sikuta.

DUMPED: Maria Sharapova in action during her defeat to Flavia Pennetta at Indian Wells.

Defending champion Flavia Pennetta floors Sharapova

UNSTOPPABLE: Horace Otieno of Kenya scores a try during the match between France and Kenya during day two of the 2013 Hong Kong Sevens at Hong Kong Stadium on March 23, 2013 in So Kon Po, Hong Kong.

Maria Sharapova was dumped out of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells by the defending champion Flavia Pennetta – but the world No1 Serena Williams did manage to reach the quarter-finals. Fresh from beating Victoria Azarenka in Monday’s third round, Sharapova looked ready to continue her fine run of form and took the first set against Pennetta, who seemed distracted and emotional throughout the opening games. The Italian rallied, however, forcing Sharapova into a decider before tightening her grip on

the match and closing out a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. Serena Williams beat Sloane Stephens to reach the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, but Maria Sharapova is out. Earlier, world number one Serena Williams had lost a first set tie-break to her compatriot, but fought back to win 6-7 (7-3) 6-2 6-2. “I’m still trying to find my bearings,” said Williams, 33, who has ended a 14-year boycott of the event. “I have been off a little this week.”

Gor host Bandari as KPL league resumes Kenyan Premier League action resumes on Thursday with Champions Gor Mahia hosting Bandari at the City Stadium. The game follows the lifting of a court injunction that had temporarily halted the top flight competition. The match will be the first in three weeks since the matter went to court. On Monday, Lady Justine Roselyn Aburili, lifted the injunction as Kenyan Premier League moves to re-arrange matches. The weekend will witness full blown competition with all top tier sides in action. Meanwhile, Bandari coach Twahir Muhiddin has lamented the state of the artificial field that will host the match. Muhiddin says the poor state makes it impossible to control balls and is likely to affect the quality of play. “My only concern is the state of

SPORT 15 THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

the pitch. Playing on it feels like being on a rough road. Players are exposed to serious injury risks, especially burning when they fall on the turf,” he said. Muhiddin has asked stadium managers to adopt new market models. “This one has worn out completely and needs to be replaced otherwise it will continue to hurt the players.”

PLAY RESUMES: Bandari and Gor Mahia players vie for the ball in a past Kenya Premier League clash. KPL matches resume on Thursday when Gor host the ports man at the City stadium.

Monaco not in Champions League class, insists Wenger Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Monaco did not deserve a place in the Champions League quarter-finals after failing to register a shot on target in the second leg of their tie. The Ligue 1 side advanced on away goals rule after beating Arsenal 3-1 at Emirates Stadium. Asked if Monaco deserved to progress, Wenger said: “I don’t believe so. “If you look at the number of shots on target they had you will be surprised. Every defeat hurts but we didn’t lose.” Wenger’s view contrasted with that of captain Per Mertesacker. The German said: “The best team went through. Monaco

deserved it because they played much better in the first leg. “We came here and tried absolutely everything. We could have scored more than two. We regret the first game.” Arsenal needed to score at least three unanswered away goals and went ahead through Olivier Giroud’s close-range finish. Aaron Ramsey came off the bench to score late on, but Monaco held on. It is the fifth straight year Arsenal have exited at the last-16 stage. While previous four defeats have been at the hands of Bayern Munich (twice), AC Milan and Barcelona, Wenger said this year was the most disappointing.

Sunderland to review Johnson’s suspension STANDING TALL: Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama fights for the ball in a past match clash Iran. Enyeama is set to win his 100th international cap after he was named in a squad that will face Bolivia in a friendly on March 26.

Keeper Enyeama set to win 100th cap for Nigeria Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is set to win his 100th international cap after being named in the squad that will face Bolivia in a friendly on March 26. The 32-year-old is among 28 players selected by Super Eagles caretaker coach Daniel Amokachi. In-form West Brom striker Brown Ideye

is in the list, along with Odion Ighalo of Championship side Watford. Injured Stoke forward Victor Moses is also in after assuring Amokachi he will be fit to play. The Nigeria squad will travel to South Africa for another friendly on March 29. Meanwhile, Enyeama says he hopes Lille can sustain a good run of form to finish in

respectable position in Ligue 1. Lille hit Rennes 3-0 on Sunday at Stade PierreMauroy as Liverpool loanee Divock Origi bagged a hat-trick against the away side. “I want to say a big thank you to God for the victory and I hope that we are going to make it big this time around,” he said.

Sunderland will review the suspension of midfielder Adam Johnson. The 27-year-old England international had his bail extended following his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. In a statement, Sunderland said: “Following the police decision, the club will be reviewing its position.” The decision comes a day after the club named former Rangers and Netherlands boss Dick Advocaat as manager until the

end of the season. Johnson was arrested on March 2 and questioned by police close to his County Durham home. He was immediately suspended by the club and has not played for Sunderland since. Speaking after his arrest, sacked Sunderland manager Gus Poyet described the day as one of the most difficult in his career. Johnson is due to report back to police on Thursday April 23 as investigation continues.

xnews | THURsDAY, MARCH 19, 2015 | www.x-news.Co.ke

ochieng namessevens team for hong kong

Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic lobs Manchester City out of Champions League

LOB: Ivan Rakitic lifts the ball over Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart to extend Barcelona’s aggregate lead.

messi mesmerises, england exits UcL Lionel Messi’s masterclass dumped Manchester City out of the Champions League as the Premier League failed to provide a team in the last eight for the second time in three seasons. Already leading 2-1 from the first leg of the last-16 tie, Barca tore through City as Neymar hit the post early on. Messi set up Ivan Rakitic, who lobbed Joe Hart for a first-half goal. City then needed two goals to take it to extra-time but Sergio Aguero’s penalty was saved after he was fouled. Although

that golden opportunity in the 78th minute would have ensured a tense finale at the Nou Camp, it would also have put an unfair slant on the game, which Barca dominated for long periods. The four-time champions registered 23 attempts toward the City goal but found keeper Hart in superb form as he almost took on a personal duel with Messi and kept the Argentine, and his teammates, at bay. City have now failed to reach the quarter-finals in each of their four Champions League campaigns As the best paid team in world sport, according to a recent study , it seems like a poor return on

that investment. With a fourth defeat in their last five games, there is also a genuine threat that their season could end up trophy-less. Manuel Pellegrini’s side sit six points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, who have a game in hand. The former Villarreal boss admitted this week that he did not feel under pressure despite speculation that he could be sacked at the end of the season. But after a wonderful exhibition of cute passing and mesmerising dribbling from Messi, there was little either Pellegrini or his team could do to stop the 27-year-old.

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

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