201504015 xnews

WEDNESDAY, ApRil 15, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

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aliens nabbed 40 ethiopian immigrants arrested in eastleigh

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educational trip KCB Biashara Club members set for Israel agri-tech tour

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fashion scoop tamu kenya have created a unique bag line using canvas

NEWS

Gor coach least worried by congested fixtures

congo midfielder Oniangue wants national team action

Sonko asks court to stop Kidero plans on city roundabouts

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airobi senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko has filed a court petition seeking to stop the county government from reconfiguring roundabouts on the city’s major highways.

In an application which was certified as “urgent”

by High Court judge Justice Mumbi Ngugi, Sonko argues that closure of parts of Lusaka, Bunyala and Westlands round-abouts had affected traffic flow on Uhuru Highway. The disruption, he argues, has

caused displeasure to a majority of members of the public.

He has asked the court to order that the roundabouts be permanently restored.

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Do it yourself

Learn inexpensive ways to properly set up your home office

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

one killed as city building is demolished

Health & Fitness Getting enough rest is important for proper functioning of body systems

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Muscle show LUCKY ESCAPE: Medics and volunteers from St John Ambulance rescue an injured man after material from a building that was being demolished fell on him at Wakulima market in Muthurwa, Nairobi, earlier today. One person died while four others were taken to Kenyatta National Hospital with injuries sustained during the incident.

The voting phase of the 2015 Kenyan Blog Awards is now open.

Visit: http://www.blogawards.co.ke/vote/

Bodybuilders to show off their toned bodies in May 9 Mr. Nairobi contest

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NEWS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015

Roundabouts: Sonko sues Kidero From Page 1 “The action by respondents is unlawful by altering the structure of the affected roads without necessary roads engineering structural maps to execute such a task is unconstitutional,” he said.

Although pressure from motorists forced Kidero to order for the removal of barriers blocking the Lusaka and

Bunyala roundabouts, he maintains that the U-turn orders were only effective for three days to allow the completion of the Southern Bypass which is set for reopening on Friday.

“We are just reviewing strategy and tweaking plans, but the plan for decongestion has not been abandoned,” he said.

But Senator Sonko says blockage of the round-abouts has not yielded solutions to the traffic problems and will not work.

“The barriers at roundabouts have been inconveniencing city motorists leading to heavy traffic jams occasioning economic loses and suffering,” Sonko argues.

The senator says the county government did not involve the public before coming

up with the decision to block right turns on major round-abouts.

“Users are given alternative routes to use to ensure the inconveniences are taken care of whenever roads are to be blocked,” he says.

But Kidero has called for patience.

“We need more discipline and patience on our roads to achieve the traffic flow

we all desire,” he said when he announced the latest changes at City Hall yesterday.

He was flanked by acting Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia.

He expressed optimism that once the bypass is reopened on Friday, traffic flow on Mombasa road will reduce by 30 per cent.

The case is set for hearing tomorrow.

Ministry blames mothers over HIV toll on infants Failure by expectant HIV carrying mothers to take antiretroviral drugs is the biggest challenge facing Kenya’s struggle to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

During a meeting hosted by National Aids and STI Control Programme (Nascop) to evaluate progress made, the Director of Medical Services, Dr Nicholas Muraguri, said fewer mothers are taking up the drugs.

He said the failure has hampered efforts to eliminate HIV transmission from mother to child during pregnancy.

Kenya is one of the 21 countries with the highest transmission rates. The global deadline to eliminate the scourge is December 31, 2015.

During the opening day of Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and Keeping Mothers Alive in Kenya Stock-taking meeting in Nairobi yesterday, it emerged that 17,432 of 69,815 expectant mothers who tested positive for HIV in 2014

did not take up anti-retroviral therapy. This a contrast to 2012 when only 4,175 of 56,355 who tested positive failed to take the drugs. Nine counties were identified as having the worst uptake of ARVs to form Dr Muraguri’s List of Shame.

These include Nairobi, Kisumu, Busia, Homa Bay, Migori, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu, Nakuru and Siaya.

“If I were meant to go to hell and I told God I helped save his children from HIV, I’m sure he would grant me the visa into heaven. How about the nine counties?” he posed to county health officials at Tuesday’s meeting.

The meeting identified several contributors to the low uptake of ARVs in the counties, including labour challenges and stigma.

“The go-slow in Pumwani which handles 20,000 births a year is a case in point. What happens to mothers who go there for clinic today? Who will test them for HIV? Who will get them on ARTs?” Muraguri posed.

Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia placed the burden on county governments given that the health function had been devolved. But Muraguri said the national government was working with county authorities to boost capacity.

“We have trained health workers looking for employment opportunities which counties can capitalise on. Through Nascop, we’re training county health workers on how to handle HIV cases and sensitivities they need to employ,” he told Capital FM News.

He said 88 per cent of expectant mothers were tested for HIV in 2013, only two percentage points short of the 90 per cent global deadline.He said First Lady Margaret Kenyatta’s Beyond Zero campaign and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s order that the Ministry of Health should ensure all HIV positive children are on ARVs was proof of the government’s commitment to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of the deadly virus.

BLAMING MOTHERS: A mother breastfeeds an infant. Failure by expectant mothers to take anti-retroviral drugs has been identified as the biggest challenge that has frustrated Kenya’s struggle to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

400 illegal migrants feared dead in Libya boat disaster About 400 migrants are feared dead after their boat capsized off Libya, survivors have told Save the Children.

The Italian coast guard had rescued 144 people on Monday and launched air and sea search operation in the hope of rescuing others. Save the Children said many survivors were “young men, probably minors”.

voxpop....

The European Union says more than 7,000 migrants have been rescued from the Mediterranean since Friday. Survivors say the latest tragedy occurred after the boat, carrying an estimated total of 550 migrants, overturned a day after leaving Libya.

Nine bodies have been recovered, but no more survivors have since been found.

Michele Prosperi of Save the Children Italy told BBC it was still trying to find out how many young people were on the boat. “There were a few minors” among the survivors, he said.

The migration season had just started, and “when the weather improves... we may have many more arrivals,” he said.

Late last year, EU scaled back

maritime rescue operations, as some argued the service could encourage more migrants.

But the latest numbers show EU’s policy of deterring people is not working, BBC’s James Reynolds in Sicily says.

Meanwhile, EU’s Frontex border agency said people smugglers had fired shots in the air to warn away another coast guard vessel

rescuing migrants.

The incident on Monday took place about 60 nautical miles off Libya after an Italian vessel and an Icelandic coast guard ship came to the rescue of 250 migrants on a tugboat.

After majority of the migrants were rescued, traffickers in a speedboat drove towards the rescuers, firing shots before

retrieving the now-empty migrant boat.

The vessel was carrying 342 migrants from a previous rescue.

More than 280,000 people entered EU illegally last year, many fleeing conflicts in Syria, Eritrea and Somalia.

An estimated 3,400 migrants died in 2014 as they attempted to reach Europe by sea.

Is Kaimenyi’s move to equip himself with sacking powers over head teachers wise?

Brain Chasia

Geoffrey Musa Kaimenyi’s move is not smart especially if we consider the teachers’ views. If he gives himself authority to appoint, it will be easy for the system to be manipulated because it will be under one person.

CS Muli Not wise at all. If he gives himself authority to hire or fire, it will be like micromanaging schools. There are people responsible for choosing who to appoint as head teachers. That is not his work.

Sankei Nicholas The move is not good. He should not give himself power to choose head teachers because that is taking more than he is entitled to. Teachers have every right to go on strike if they think what he is doing is not right.

It is a wise step.

Teachers are constantly striking and boycotting work. They always raise fresh grievances which never seem to end.

Teachers are fond of issuing threats and I’m sure they won’t go on strike over the matter.

NEWS 3

CARTOONSPEAK

WEDNESDAY APRIL 15, 2015

Police are more corrupt than politicians, survey shows Kenya’s police are more corrupt than its politicians. In fact, most Kenyans say corruption has increased over the past year and the government has performed poorly in fighting it, the latest Afrobarometer survey has shown.

More than six out of every 10 Kenyans say the police, government officials, members of Parliament, and business executives are the most corrupt individuals within the society.

Afrobarometer, a non-partisan research network that conducts surveys on democracy, governance, and related issues across more than 30 countries, carried out five rounds of surveys between 1999 and 2013 to come up with their numbers.

Round 6 surveys are currently under way for the 2014-2015 period.

The organisation conducts hundreds and sometimes thousands of face-toface interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice.

“Although most citizens believe they

NEWS BRIEFS Ethiopian aliens arrested in Nairobi

can make a difference in fighting corruption by refusing to pay bribes and by reporting bribery, a majority of those who said they paid bribes did not report the incidents,” says a part of the report that was published by advocacy group, Transparency International Kenya (TI-K).

TI-K says the main reasons for not reporting incidences are fear of consequences and perceived inaction by authorities. It was discovered that twothirds (64 per cent) of Kenyans say that the level of corruption in the country has increased “somewhat” or “a lot” in the past year.

As many as 8 out of 10 Kenyans say “most” or “all” of the police are corrupt, followed by government officials and members of Parliament and finally, Business executives.

Despite the bleak outlook, more than half of all Kenyans believe that ordinary citizens can make a difference in the fight against corruption.

More than 40 Ethiopians were last night arrested from two separate houses in Kiamaiko and Eastleigh area, Nairobi in an operation. The men who had no travelling documents told the police they were headed for South Africa. They said they had been brought there by an agent and were to be picked to continue with their journey to South Africa. Police say the men cannot communicate in English or Swahili.

The arrests are the latest in a series of others that have been made in the city over the last few months.

Two killed in city night attacks

KRA to destroy counterfeits worth Sh60m tomorrow

BOOTLEG ALERT: The CEO Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Betty Maina in a past event. She has said that the amount of illicit goods getting into the country remains alarming despite the enactment of the Anti-Counterfeit law in 2008.

Counterfeit cigarettes, wines and spirits worth Sh60 million are set to be destroyed tomorrow in Ruai.

Through a press invite send to newsrooms, the Kenya Revenue Authority says it will destroy recently seized counterfeits products tomorrow morning.

It says the products were confiscated in Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri and Embu counties. “Representatives from Nairobi County, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) will be present,” the invite said.

The destruction will come at a time when manufactures have decried the increasing prevalence of counterfeits in the country.

KRA acknowledges that the counterfeits cost the country some Sh6 billion each year with consumers also left at the risk of negative repercussions.

A recent report by the Kenya As-

sociation of manufacturers named India and China as the countries with the highest number of counterfeits in the Kenyan market.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga while launching the report last week, noted that previous attempt to save Kenyans from the menace have not made any considerable results accusing some institutions of sabotaging the efforts.

“We have tried all we could do, but corruption has taken root. It has really affected the prevention and prosecution of the trade,” he said.

The CEO Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Betty Maina, said the amount of illicit goods getting into the country remains alarming despite the enactment of the Anti-Counterfeit law in 2008.

“Yes we had put in place good laws and regulations but this is not helping much in this fight. Courts underpin social stability and economic growth,” she said.

Two men were killed last night in separate attacks within the city. In Kibera, a man was killed in after robbers stormed into a bar. The victim who was in the company of his colleagues was hit on his head when he refused to cooperate with the gang. The gang escaped soon after the attack. No arrest has been made. In Pipeline, another man was killed in a similar attack in a video room. The victim was shot at close range by gunmen who escaped soon after the incident. Elsewhere, a seven-year-old boy was electrocuted in Mathare. The victim was playing with other children there when he touched a live electric wire killing him on the spot.

WHO issues safe sex warning to Ebola survivors The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged Ebola survivors to be even more cautious during sexual contact to ensure the virus is not passed on to their partners. The warning comes after a survivor was found to have traces of Ebola in his semen almost six months after recovery. This is some 90 days later than previously documented. It is unclear whether Ebola can still be spread at this point. But officials have launched further investigations to evaluate the risks.

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

Kenya ignores Shabaab info, says Somali commander: Kenya is ignoring intelligence information about al Shabaab, a senior Somali National Army commander has said. Yassin Bare Hassan, the SNA commander in the Gedo region immediately next to Kenya, sensationally claimed some senior Kenyan security officials turn a blind eye to al Shabaab. Speaking to the Star near Bulla Hawa town, near Mandera, along the Kenya-Somalia border, Hassan said attempts by his forces to collaborate with Kenya have repeatedly failed.

“Knya is not serious in the fight against Shabaab...

Ababu’s PAC team sent home for graft: The scandal-plagued Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly has been disbanded.

While sending the committee members packing on Tuesday, Parliament also gave the House majority and minority leaders seven days to pick new members who will replace the team led by Budalang’i MP and ODM secretary-general Ababu Namwamba. The House adopted the report and recommendations of the Powers and Privileges Committee, which had investigated the affairs...

How counties shared Sh291 billion cash pie: The Senate has approved Sh291 billion to be shared out among the 47 county governments in the next financial year, with Nairobi taking the lion’s shareatSh19.95billion. The County Allocation of RevenueBill2015proposes a total of Sh291.44 billion be divided among the 47county governments. The proposed amount is Sh7 billion more than what was passed by the National Assembly under the Division of Revenue Act, which provides for equitable division of the revenue raised nationally between the national...

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FUSION CAPITAL FUNDED PROPERTY PRIME OFFICE COMPLEX FOR SALE (SINGLE BUYER/ YIELD INVESTORS PREFERRED)

FOR SALE

Flamingo Towers

About The Project

Flamingo Towers is a Grade A office development located in Upperhill, Mara Road, next to the Japanese Embassy.

It comprises 18 levels; 12 levels of office space and 6 levels of parking Total lettable space of 149,081 sq.ft

Interested buyers are requested to submit an offer letter to the address below Contact us on: Tel:+254 721576697, P.O. Box 47538-00100, Nairobi Email: ckirima@fusiongroupafrica.com ACK Garden House, Ground floor, 1st Ngong Avenue, Off Bishops Road

xnews | Wednesday, APRIL 15, 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 93.1561 93.3339 93.2450 136.6361 136.3989 136.7875 98.2533 98.4622 98.3578 7.6747 7.6945 7.6846 31.9605 32.1289 32.0447 19.7677 19.9128 19.8403

105 KCB Biashara Club members set for Israel agri-tech tour Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) will send more than 105 Biashara club members to Israel for the upcoming Agri-Tech Exhibition.

The trip is set for April 23-30 and is expected to boost the farming sector through knowledge transfer by opening up networking opportunities.

The programme is in line with KCB’s efforts to support growth of SMEs by supporting platforms for learning and

knowledge sharing. KCB Retail Banking Director Annastacia Kimtai says the tour seeks to expose SME entrepreneurs to global business and agriculture practices.

Beneficiaries are expected to learn from more established SMEs in Israel.

“The SME sector plays a critical role in creation of jobs and generating income for low income people. It has also been credited for fostering economic growth, social stability, and contributing to the

development of a dynamic private sector.

As such, access to financial services, innovative technologies and learning opportunities that are vital in developing a vibrant SME sector in our economy need to be enhanced. This trip is one such initiative,” said Kimtai.

Israeli Consular Yaron Gal Weis urged beneficiaries to tap into Israel’s vast experience in agricultural technology and irrigation farming.

VALUABLE EXPOSURE: KCB Director of Retail Banking Annastancia Kimtai. Kimtai says an eight-day tour of Israel by 105 Biashara club members for the Agri-Tech Exhibition will expose SME entrepreneurs to global business and agriculture practices.

US to issue 233,000 non immigrant visas next year

HP drives crackdown on fake ink cartridges US-based tech company HP has launched a world-wide crackdown on fake goods that pose a threat to businesses and consumers.

Often referred to as Hewlett Packard, the company has warned consumers against buying HP items that may pose health and safety risks.

The company says fake cartridges have been known to damage printers and may often explode without warning.

The company has consequently launched the HP Global Product Authentication Service (GPAS), a protection solution that helps organisations deal with counterfeit products.

HP GPAS allows customers to use smartphones to scan products’ QR code with immediate results helping verify whether product are counterfeit.

HP has used HP GPAS internally since 2012 to protect ink and toner business. At the time,

JOB MARKET Security Group Africa, a multinational security organisation, has asked qualified candidates to compete for 25 open drivers’ positions.

A group spokesperson says interested parties should

x-news.co.ke

The number of H-1B visas allowing US businesses to hire foreign staff in science, engineering and computer programming made a record total of 233,000 for the 2016 fiscal year.

An H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa in US which allows employers to temporarily employ foreign staff in specialty occupations.

The programme was implemented due to President Obama’s move last year to ease immigration rules that make it easier for entrepreneurs to work in US. He also extended a programme that allows foreign students who graduate with advanced degrees from US universities to work on temporary basis.

More than 85,000 work visas,

including 20,000 for holders of master’s degrees, are available each year under limits set by US Congress.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services use a computer-generated lottery process to issue the visas. The department will start processing the documents by May 11 this year, the agency said in a statement.

“Year after year, the government uses a lottery system to determine which US employers will ‘win’ the ability to hire top world talent,” Lynn Shotwell, executive director of the Council for Global Immigration said.

The program has been criticized by some labour organisations in the US saying it keeps down wages in the technology sector.

one in every two HP toners sold in Kenya was fake, says a report by New Zealand based tech firm, IT Brief.

HP Sales Executive Robin Thornton says the tech firm pioneered the technology to ensure authenticity of products and disrupt counterfeiters. Thornton says only one in eight products is fake and “consumers around the world can easily assess if they are buying a genuine HP product.”

Security Group Africa to employ 25 drivers

send applications and detailed CVs, including copy of IDs and driving licence to hr@securitygroupke. com or “drop the applications at our offices along Mombasa road.”

All applications must be addressed to “The Human Resource Manager”.

Deadline for applications is April 22, 2015.

Security Group is an organisation with fixed base

operations in East African region. It services security contracts throughout Africa from its regional headquarters in Nairobi.

“Due to the rapid expansion of our operations, we are seeking highly motivated individuals for the above position which has arisen,” the spokesperson has said.

The primary duty and responsibilities of the recruits will include ensuring vehicles they operate are roadworthy and in good working condition.

They will also “drive to locations specified as authorised in a responsible and professional manner.”

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BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015

CREDIT POINTER Check-off loans from the Kenya Commercial Bank

TOUCHING LIVES: President of the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation Dr. Susan Mboya (above center) during a past event. Susan said the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation(TCCAF) and its partners are working working to improve sustainable safe water access for million Africans.

Coca-Cola invests Sh6bn in safe water programmes Coca-Cola International has announced an expansion of The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation’s (TCCAF) and Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), pledging an additional of US$35 million (Sh3.3 billion) to support PanAfrican sustainable safe water access, for 4 million people by 2020.

This new funding builds on an original RAIN commitment of US$30 million (Sh2.7 billion) to bring safe water access to 2 million people across the African continent by the end of 2015 made at the 5th World Water Forum in 2009.

Speaking during the 7th World Water Forum,

farm biz

Dr. Susan Mboya President of the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation said that through the RAIN program expansion, TCCAF and its partners will work to improve sustainable safe water access for million Africans.

“Our commitment to the well-being of African communities is unwavering. Through the efforts of RAIN, we are reinforcing the incredible progress made to date with our many partners and are pledging to do even more.” she said. In addition to improving sustainable safe water access for 6 million Africans, RAIN partners aim to economically empower up to 250,000 women and youth;

shows that the average rate for commercial banks stands at 16 per cent, down from 18 per cent about a year ago.

For one to qualify for the loan, they must be a government employees and if not, they must be salaried persons working for a company with a check-off agreements with KCB. One must also submit original copy of a national ID, three latest original pay slip copies, employment card where applicable, letter of introduction from your company and must have had an account with KCB for a period of not less than threes months.

promote health and hygiene in thousands of communities, schools, and health centers; and return up to 18.5 billion liters of water to nature and communities.

RAIN and its partners announced programs that will protect watersheds, provide sustainable clean water access and create new opportunities for women and youth entrepreneurs in Africa by the end of 2020.

Today, with more than 140 partners, RAIN is a public-private partnership led by TCCAF whose programs currently empower 2,000 communities through WASH programs in 37 African countries.

Fake seeds choking crop yields and stifling farmers’ earnings Fake seeds have been a major problem facing agriculture sector in Kenya and Africa at large.

This has been revealed in a report

by The African Seed Access Index, TASAI, dedicated to monitor the state of Africa’s rapidly evolving seed sector. The report issued detailed scorecards on seed development and distribution in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Zimbabwe with a focus on increasing choices for smallholder farmers. Kenyan seed companies outshine all other countries in making seed accessible to smallholder farmers in miniature packs of less than five kilos.

Agriculture experts say this is

HUSTLERS’ SECTOR Brick makers can earn between Sh300 and Sh19,500 a day, depending on how fast and hard they work.

The brick-making sector may not be glamorous, but it has the potential to be quite profitable.

A report from a microfinance group known as Zidisha has found that some brick makers earn as much as Sh50,000 a month working with clay.

This muddy substance is often moulded, cut, reshaped and finally sun-dried to form bricks, which are later used for building purposes.

Data from the Central Bank reveals that despite high interest rates, loans uptake amongst Kenyans is hitting significant highs. Uptake of personal loans has increased by 65 per cent.

KCB Bank is cashing in on this trend through a product known as the ‘Unsecured Check-off Loan’.

This service offers loans from as low as Sh10,000 to as high as Sh4 million, to be paid in a period of up to 72 months or 6 years depending on the amount of money. Though KCB’s interest rates are negotiable, the latest report from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)

important because in Kenya, as in most other countries in the region, smallholder farmers account for the majority of crop production, and they want seeds in relatively small packages. According to another research by the Kenya Agricultural Research and Livestock Organization, KARLO, approximately four out of ten seeds packed are fake resulting to planting of more than three quarters of fake seed.

“It’s crucial that smallholder farmers in Africa have access to a wide range of crop varieties, because small farms are the mainstay of food production in the region,” said Joe Devries, the director of the Program for African

Seed Systems at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

Leldet Seed Company Ltd in Nakuru is typical of the companies now leading the way in expanding seed options to farmers, by taking on the high registration and approval fees, but then packaging seeds for underutilised seeds such as pigeon pea, sorghum, soya beans, chick pea and ground nut into tiny, sample packets, for farmers to use for their own trials.

As a private company with a 750 hectare farm, Leldet has drawn on help from international organizations and research institutions to help more than 5,000 farmers access improved seeds at affordable prices.

Brick makers can earn as much as Sh19,500 a day

Ann Keter, a brick-maker who works in Rongai applied for funding from the Zidisha group.

She sells one brick for Sh10, having placed the estimated cost of labour at Sh3.She can make as many as 500 bricks a week. This gives her a gross profit of Sh20,000.

While this is barely enough to cater for one’s basic and extra needs, brick-makers like Keter have been known to work harder to boost their profit. She once made 5,000 bricks in a single month, earning her Sh50,000.

However, the real money in brickmaking comes from scaling up the operation.

According to a recent report by Global Hand, a non-profit organization, a brick-making machine costs roughly Sh333,000. This machine ensures that work is carried out faster and in a more efficient manner.

Those that produce interlocking bricks can sell each piece for Sh15 and make as many as 1,300 pieces every hour. Simply put, they produce Sh19,500 worth of bricks every day.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015

ACCESS topstory

RogeRs Mbithi does not deny that he used the plane foR peRsonal business...

Mbithi

#i47isnotJustanumber:

The curious case of The police boss’ daughTer’s insTagram picTure

A

lot can be said about the Garissa attack.

Information keeps streaming in everyday, some of it astounding, some of it shocking and some of it just plainly unbelievable.

It was shocking that the attack happened at all and the manner in which the events unfolded that day had everybody’s hearts in their throats. The past week has witnessed the surfacing of secrets that might explain why there was delay in response by the authorities.

On Thursday April 2 while a university burned to the ground the people in charge of stopping that from happening were in Nairobi, delayed, and arrived nearly 12 hours too late. At the time, no reasonable explanation was given for the General Service Unit’s Reece Squad’s appalling

lateness and it was chalked up to the general Kenyan Government’s incompetence.

New information has shown that the plane the team was waiting for was carrying Kenya Police Airwing boss Rogers Mbithi’s family.

The Plane arrived at Wilson Airport in Nairobi at 11:35am carrying Commandant Rogers Mbithi’s daughter-in-law and her two sons.

As innocent people were being massacred as a valuable piece of government machinery was being used for private purposes.

After this discovery things have only become hazier as the story keeps changing.

Rogers Mbithi admitted that the plane had carried his daughter-in-law but denied that anything ulterior was happening. “There is nothing to hide.

It came back with her and two small

scenes from garissa memorial concerT

#147isnotJustanumber

Before

children. I took full responsibility and explained that,” he said.

Records show that the plane in question left the plane left Wilson Airport for Mombasa at 7:30am for a routine training flight. The Garissa attack reportedly began at around 5am. With this in mind, it is worrying that the plane was being used for training during an emergency.

Mbiti might not deny that he used the plane for personal business but in the wake of such destruction doesn’t it seem just a tad thoughtless?

A past photo that Mbithi’s daughter shared, on Instagram, captioned ‘MOMBASA NI RAHA TU’, the two ladies are seen posing with a police chopper.

After the Instagram post surfaced, there was public outrage as more details revealed about how many times Mbithi and his family have used

the plane on private missions.

Mbithi himself described the deed as ‘common’ among members of law enforcement.

By all appearances, this seems like misuse of power, of Government resources and of the Tax-payer’s money, which unfortunately, as time has proved again and again is nothing new in Kenya. From tear gassing children on school property to grabbing land assigned for conservation purposes, impunity is deeply ingrained in our society.

What comes off as striking in the entire debacle is that Mr Mbithi has so far shown no regret or remorse.

And this is not the first time Mbithi has found himself on the wrong for using public vehicles for his own functions. Three years ago Mbithi was mentioned in the inquiry of the the death of former Internal Security

Miniter Professor George Saitoti and his deputy Orwa Ojode.

It was discovered that the day before that fateful crash, Mbithi had taken the plane on an undocumented flight.

He appeared in front of a commission of inquiry but nothing much emerged from the ensuing investigations.

The practice of individuals in privileged positions getting away with anything that they want is nothing new.

It only shows the hopeless state of affairs in the country-that a Kenyan citizen has the luxury of ‘Mombasa Raha’ during one of the worst experiences the country has undergone.

Both the Instagram and Twitter account of the user have been deleted but not before offending the public with a shameful mockery of our security structures.

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ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 26th WEDNESDAY, APRIL NOVEMBER 15, 2015 2014

hOT TOPIcS

rapper raj is in love Raj, who is known for his song Obe Baba, has a new song out, Nakuhenza. Nakuhenza is a love song where a boy from Kisii meets a Giriama girl. The song takes the listener back to how the boy and girl met and how they fell in love.

Nakuhenza has that Kisii Flow sound that Raj is famous for. Will the song be a hit?

cleaning your wallpaper will leave a bright, fresh room behinD.

DIY

HOME& LIVING

setting up your office

Home

the return of Bamboo One-time-famous K-South Rapper Bamboo is making a comeback.

The born again musician released his new song, Too Much Potential, yesterday.

The song showcases a different Bamboo than we are used to but his rhymes are still on point. He talks about each and every individual having the potential to be great in what they do.

s

how to clean your w paper... a l l

tippled wallpaper is great at hiding dust, grime, and even stains. Because you cannot easily see dirt buildup on many wallpaper designs, you may be surprised by how dirty your wallpaper has become.

Cleaning your wallpaper will leave a bright, fresh room behind, so it is well worth the effort to spruce it up from time to time. First of all you need the following: ladder, soft brush, detergent, sponge, water, bucket and a dry towel.

Follow these tips to get rid of everyday dust or to take care of those can’t-miss spots and stains.

You may begin by lining the floor with plastic where you’ll be working to prevent damage from excess water or spills. Then use a brush to whisk away loose dirt, dust, and cobwebs. Make sure you start at the top of the wall. You’ll want to clean from side to side and from the top to bottom in sections as you work around the room. After all the dusting, fill the bucket half to two thirds full of warm water. Then add just enough detergent to create a few bubbles when the water is agitated. Adding too much soap will cause the walls to become sticky and attract more dirt. Dip the sponge in the water and squeeze out excess water. Wipe the wall down with a moist (not wet) sponge as explained in step three, rinsing sponge frequently. Use the dry towel to wipe up excess moisture as you work.

scenes from garissa memorial concert

#147isnotJustanumber

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orking from home can be fun and exciting. Working at your own pace and creating your own space is important to increasing efficiency.

Choosing a location would be the first thing to do.

Try to find a nook where distractions will be minimized and where there’s no noise, whether from traffic or from neighbours. If a built-in alcove is already in the room you choose to have the office in, then finding the location will be easy. But if it is a matter of creating space then choosing a corner in either the living room or the bedroom would be ideal.

The next thing to do would be finding a table that works for you. If storage is not a priority then using a sturdy table that ties in to the general theme of the home office is a good choice. All the office equipment and supplies that you might need on hand

sh the tab int ha De tha for sta ne sp so tha wo Ge wil an go rou Or an all wo on for sp rem offi pro do

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015

HEALTH &FITNESS

Drinking caffeine any time after the morning hours can affect your sleep.

How to get restorative sleep

hould be accommodated on e table. The design of the ble should also be able to fit to the work space that you ave chosen. esks usually have drawers at offer additional storage r any documents or ationery that you might eed. If any other storage pace is required, getting ome colourful office cabinets at will spruce up the space ould be a big advantage. et a comfortable chair that ll provide maximum support nd will keep you alert as you o through your day-to-day utine. rganise all the stationery nd supplies into their lotted spaces. Arrange you ork area and ensure that nly times that you require r your work get into the pace to avoid clutter. And member an office is an fice wherever it is so only oductive work should be one at the home offce.

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G

etting enough rest is super important for the body’s ability to recover, repair and stay healthy. It keeps our metabolism firing and helps to fight stress. It is also important for emotional balance.

Here are some of the tips on how to get enough sleep so that you can feel energetic and live optimally.

Build Routine Going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning will help your body regulate. Staying up later than needed and waking up early can throw off the body’s natural clock and prevent you from going into the deeper REM phases of sleep.

Exercise daily but not too close to bedtime Exercising at least 20 minutes each day is important for getting beneficial sleep, but be sure not to

exercise too close to bed time, unless you are doing light stretching or gentle yoga.

Avoid caffeine after 10am Drinking caffeine any time after the morning hours can affect your sleep. Caffeine stays in the body for up to 12 hours, so if you are super sensitive, it could be a culprit of sleep interruption. Have a calming cup of herbal tea before bed, or make some golden milk.

Wind down and unplug This includes unplugging from all “blue light” electronics at least an hour or more before your bed time. Do some light reading, deep breathing, crossword puzzles or a creative activity that doesn’t require too much brain power.

WORKOUT

How much work out is too W

e all tend to believe that to gain an amazing body, we have to put in maximum effort in the gym. Yes it is true that exercise is probably the best thing you can offer your body from a health point of view. But as all other good things, it must come in moderation. A work out regime resembles a balloon in the sense that a balloon inevitably explodes if you put in too much air, likewise, excessive training can result in the body breaking rather than building. So, how much is too much?

We all have varying body types (Ectomorphs, Endomorphs and

mUch?

Mesomorphs), so there is no standard workout schedule for every individual.

Exercise regimes can vary from 30 minutes to more than an hour, depending on one’s level of fitness, but there is always a threshold to one’s abilities, and some physical symptoms can act as a guide as to whether you are overdoing it.

The body needs a span of time to recover, especially after an intense workout. This is normally around two to three days, for the body to ‘autorepair’ itself. Any period of recovery less than this, and you are definitely over-doing it. Another giveaway that

you are engaging in too much sweatsession is in your behavior. Since the body is not repairing, one tends to feel irritable and moody. Few people are happy when in pain. Most of us have ever experienced, Delayed Onset Muscle Syndrome, DOMS, a condition in which we feel some pain a day or two after the workout. If pain goes on longer, chances are that the muscles are being overwhelmed. A decent workout sparks a desire to fill up your belly. A loss of appetite after a workout is an indication that there is something off with your training regime. It is advisable to turn down the intensity of

your training to keep the body functions optimal. Since workouts increase the heart rate, you can monitor your pulse in the morning to see if it is in its standard rate. A morning heart rate that is above normal is a clear sign of overtraining. Finally, one major fitness sin people make is biting more than you can chew. Once you feel that your routine is too comfortable for your body, increase your body training gradually, rather than jumping the gun.

The best approach would be to follow the 10 per cent rule, where you only increase the intensity of your workout by 10 per cent or less each week.

10

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 7th WEDNESDAY, APRIL JANUARY 15, 20152015

FASHIONScoop

For an outdoor date, this bag is guaranteed to ensure everything fits perfectly.

TAMU KENYA BAG AFFAIRS.

The colour is great, the design is amazing, we just love it!

For the ultimate handbag experience, this is it.

Let your bag do the talking!

Classy and it will complement your outfit, this bag is a must-have.

It brings out the fashionista in you.

BOLD AND VIBRANT

bags

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handbag is essential to every woman, and the designers at fashion house Tamu Kenya know just that. The label designs classy and unique handbags for the modern and trendy woman. Head designer and founder Karen Khagram was inspired to bring something new to the fashion industry and she came up with an extensive range of bags for your everyday

use as well as travel needs. The fabric of choice was printed canvas laminated with a PVC coating and fused into the fabric for durability and waterproofing. he variety is impressive from overnight bags, beach bags, tote bags, makeup bags, wash bags, aprons, laptop sleeves and ladies bags. Here is a look at her latest bold and vibrant collection.

T

PLAY 11 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Career matters may be put on hold for a few days, Capricorn, but your professional future probably won’t be far from your thoughts, even in the midst of time spent with family and friends. Don’t mull them over too much now. You don’t want to neglect your loved ones.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Some of what you’ve heard could be so radical that it will take some time to make sense of it.

You could also want to memorialize your thoughts, perhaps by making some notes or writing an article. Watching TV might get your mind off it all and help you relax a little. Go to it!

WEDNESday 15/04/2015

sunny

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PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 If this is a casual relationship, it may suddenly become more. If you’re involved but not committed, you could reach an understanding. If you’re already committed, there may even be talk of marriage. The end result of this conversation should be happiness for both of you.

25ºC 64%

THURsday 15/04/2015

More sun than clouds

24 6:30 am 6:35pm

25ºC 62%

6:30 am 6:35 pm

FRIday

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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 This morning you may wake up from a dream with many inspiring new ideas. If you’re into creative activity of any kind, you will want to jot these ideas down, as well as possibilities for bringing them to the rest of the world. Don’t be surprised if your style changes a little.

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 A few more letters need to be written, a few more cleaning chores should be done, and you might still want to dress the place up a little. Your mood is very positive, and you should speed through these tasks with little energy drain. You will have plenty left for socializing tonight.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Children may be a part of your day today, Gemini. At some point you might even be telling them a story. This will probably be as much fun for you as for your audience, who are likely to be very appreciative. Don’t be afraid to ham it up a little - they’ll love it!

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Books that you may have received as gifts could have you thinking deeply about spiritual or philosophical matters today, Cancer. Your mind is quicker than usual, so you can probably grasp some rather complex ideas. This should become clear to you eventually.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Your level of physical and mental energy is high today, Leo. You may have been overindulging in food and drink lately, and so you could spend much of the day working out at the gym. At the end of the day you will feel good about yourself and ready to overindulge some more!

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 A memory, dream, vision, or meditation could trigger a rush of spiritual energy, Virgo. As a result, you might want to jot your experiences down so you won’t forget them. Try not to dwell on it too much. This isn’t the time to be reclusive! The process won’t stop.

MUSTREAD Three Strong Women — by Marie NDiaye

Norah, a French-born lawyer, has a Senegalese father and a French mother. She is summoned by the ageing father in Dakar who has always made Norah and her sisters feel inadequate.

According to the father, her daughters are not pretty enough.

Norah is asked to help her brother out after he is arrested for murder.

Fanta lives a modest life in Dakar and wants to follow her boyfriend back to France. She is looking forward to exploring a new country. The lover is depressed and spoils Fanta’s experience in France. Will she ever enjoy the beautiful country?

Khady is a broke widow. Her late husband’s family threw her out of her home and scooped up all her husband’s assets, leaving her with nothing. She sets out to find her only saviour, her distant cousin who lives in France. But France is a foreign land for Khady. She can scarcely wrap her head about moving there.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 The good news may involve travel, money, or a love relationship. There could also be an intellectual matter that you’re anxious to look into, perhaps for the purpose of writing or teaching. A journey, possibly related to education, could be in the offing, perhaps with friends.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 A lot of different possibilities have opened up for you recently, and you’re trying to figure out which is the most appropriate now. Sometimes it’s better to let things churn around in your subconscious for a while, and this could be one of those times. Forget it for now and have fun.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Talk of traveling to distant and exotic places could come up at a gathering of family and friends, Sagittarius. Some of the talk is pure fantasy, but there are a few people among you who are genuinely serious about their plans. Are you considering going away for a while?

INSTAMOMENTS 1

3

2

4

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.

winning captions

1. When petrol is cheaper than milk and tea -Evelynn Wambua 2. Wafula forgot the thermos, but that’s none of my business -Ben K. 3. What’s the name of your GYM? “Athi river Mining” -Willie Mutua

Court ruling on rape victim inspiring The milestone ruling by a Kenyan court in favour of a rape victim is encouraging. The judgement has set a positive precedence in Kenya’s history of gender based violence.

The victim ‘Liz’ was gang-raped two years ago, touching off a major outcry in mainstream and social media.

The incident represents one of the success stories in our criminal-justice system where a

victim has had a final laugh.

The landmark ruling should send a clear signal to merchants of sexual violence offences and their sympathisers that the grand war against the vice is unstoppable.

Meanwhile, an attitude change among Kenyans is required. As Komotho Waiganjo, a High Court advocate noted, after a rape incident, blame is always directed towards the victim.

Majority of Kenyans are fond of insinuating that the survivor failed to take precautions and is partly or fully responsible for her fate!

Interestingly, the blame the victim mentality and reasoning lacks in other forms of crimes such as burglary!

Reports from sexual offence agencies show about 70 per cent of rape attacks go unreported for a number of reasons. Liz‘s success story

should be a motivation to many who may be suffering in silence.

The message to the criminal justice systems is that Kenyans are tired of cover-up strategies, half-hearted attempts to secure justice and silencing of victims. When they feel shortchanged, they are ready to demand justice.

— Abuga A., Nairobi

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PLAY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. Grey in black and white 5. Spay or neuter 10. Groups entering Noah’s ark 14. Get in ____ 15. “___ Trouble” (1994 movie) 16. French breakfast staple 17. Incensed 19. Thin smoke trail 20. Magic or Bird, e.g.

21. Divulged 22. More run-down 26. Computer mishap 30. Amiens attraction 34. Wiesbaden’s state 35. Italian word before “buco” 36. Not closed, in poetry 37. Pleasurable appreciation 39. Short musical passage 42. “Love ____ Battlefield” (Pat Benatarhit) 43. Forearm bone 47. Dog’s master 48. Apart 51. Not neat 52. Veggie 54. Sends out 57. Famed Russian author 62. Goggle 63. Last birthday of some octogenarians 66. Nacho topper, slangily 67. Famous Canadian physician 68. Holders of ashes 69. Ends’ partner 70. Oxford attachment?

71. H.S. class

Down 1. ‘90s cohost of “CBS This Morning” 2. “This is ____ for Superman!”

3. Auto parts giant 4. Supreme rulers (abbr.)

5. Mideast monetary unit 6. Crete-born artist 7. ___ tam (Thai salad) 8. Spacewalk, for short 9. Checked off 10. In the direction of 11. Film director Peter 12. River near York 13. Bay Area law enforcement org.

18. Requires scratching 21. Honey maker 23. Some Duracells 24. Some chessmen (abbr.)

25. Breakfast chain, for short 26. Rock on a stage 27. Pee Wee of Ebbets Field 28. Get ____ on the wrist 29. Fed. disability support org.

31. Reddish equines 32. Church nooks 33. Suspicious (of) 38. ‘50s Red Scare gp.

40. Inspirational saying 41. Monogram of “the Sage of Concord” 44. Maj.’s superior 45. Book before Esth. in the Bible 46. In ___ (agitated) 49. Tlaxcalteca enemies 50. Moscow loc.

53. Our, to Henri 54. Breakfast brand 55. Actress Adams of James Bond films 56. Apple gadget 58. Form-fitting 59. Grow weary 60. Words before occasion or account 61. Polite rural reply 63. Sister of Helios 64. Approximation suffix 65. Italian article

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

— Barack Obama

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

— John F. Kennedy

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

— George Bernard Shaw

“Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies.”

— Robert Kennedy

“They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or — Confucius

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

“Ignorance is always afraid of change.”

— Winston Churchill — Jawaharlal Nehru — Heraclitus

“There is nothing permanent except change.”

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

— Nathaniel Branden

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

— Woodrow Wilson

“There is nothing so stable as change.”

— Bob Dylan

“Change before you have to.”

— Jack Welch

“Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature’s delight.”

— Marcus Aurelius

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS

SPORT 13 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015

Gor Mahia coach least worried by congested fixtures Gor Mahia title winning coach Frank Nuttal says the team is not worried over a congested programme ahead of Wednesday’s league match against Nairobi City Stars.

The champions have not had enough time to rest after last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with arch rivals AFC Leopards. The team must focus on the tie against struggling Kawangware based outfit at City Stadium.

“I don’t believe we will crumble because the fitness of players is very high. They are a group of passionate professionals and I don’t think they will succumb to pressure,” said Nuttal. Gor will face last year’s runners-up, Sofapaka, on Sunday.

“It is good for the team and good for players to play as many matches as possible especially at this moment that we are enjoying good form,” Nuttal said.

The Scot believes the fixtures should make his side stronger as they work on retaining the Kenyan title for the third time in a row.

Ahead of the match at hand, Gor maintain the top spot even after dropping the first point of the season against AFC Leopards as Western Stima failed in their bid to recapture the driver’s seat.

Union chief defends Sterling over oxide inhaling incident Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling’s apparent inhaling of laughing gas will be “a minor blip” in a “fantastic career”, says a players’ union chief.

The 20-year-old appears to inhale nitrous oxide.

Sterling will discuss his lifestyle with manager Brendan Rodgers.

But Bobby Barnes, deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, said: “He’s made a mistake and people are human.”

Barnes added: “Nobody would condone the use of these types of substances, whether legal or otherwise, as footballers are seen as role models.

“But many of us look back at things we did in our teens and early 20s and

wish we hadn’t done them.”

“I’m sure this will be a minor blip on his path to a fantastic career.”

Sterling, who scored in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Newcastle at Anfield on Monday, also hit the headlines for the wrong reasons at the weekend when pictures of the player allegedly smoking a shisha-pipe did rounds.

John Bramhall, fellow deputy chief executive at the PFA, says players are educated from a young age about how to lead their lives.

“Every club has its own lifestyle programmes, offered from the age of 16 onwards - and sometimes earlier depending on a club’s academy system - where they tell young lads exactly what is expected of them,” said Bramhall.

Cantona predicts Manchester United title glory next year Eric Cantona says Manchester United’s derby win over Manchester City proves they are capable of winning the Premier League title next season.

United beat City 4-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday to consolidate their third place in the Premier League table.

“They are the kings of the city,” said Cantona, who won four titles for United between 1992 and 1997.

“Sometimes you have a season when you lose games and you finish fourth

or fifth. Next year they can win.”

Despite going behind to an early Sergio Aguero goal, United came back strongly with goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling before Aguero added a late consolation.

The first home derby victory since 2011 put them four points ahead of league champions City and firmly on course for a return to the Champions League next season.

NOWHERE TO GO: Gor’s Michael Olunga is blocked by Noah Wafula of AFC during their match last Sunday. Gor may not have had enough time to rest after the 1-1 draw but coach Frank Nuttal says he is not worried

Congo midfielder wants action on national team Congo midfielder Prince Oniangue (pictured) says the future looks bleak for the national side unless authorities “get their act together”.

At the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, Congo reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1992.

Oniangue said: “After that success we need to progress and not take several steps backward.

“The federation has to work with the ministry, the coaches and the players so we can all progress as a unit.”

Congo enjoyed their heyday in the 1970s, winning the trophy in 1972 with a 3-2 victory over Mali in the final, and reaching the semifinals two years later where they lost in extratime to But a barren spell has since seen them go without a Nations Cup finals victory since 1974 until the 26-year-old Oniangue scored a winner against Gabon this year.

Oniangue does not want a return to the dark days and has called for the resolution of Congolese football’s administrative issues before qualifiers start for the next edition of the tournament.

To book a place at Gabon 2017, Congo must face a group that contains Zambia, Kenya and Guinea Bissau and Oniangue is worried the team will not receive the required support o achieve the desired results.

“Everyone wants to progress but before you can do that you need to have a solid foundation,” he said. “At the moment in Congo we have nothing on ground. We were meant to play some friendly games in March but the national team didn’t play.” he said.

14

SPORT WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015

WRANGLING NO MORE: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton (R) sprays champagne with teammate German driver Nico Rosberg (L) after winning the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 15, 2015. Nico Rosberg says that he and Lewis Hamilton are back on good terms after their Chinese GP war of words.

Rosberg on Lewis Hamilton tension: ‘It’s a thing of the past’ Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg says his latest row with team-mate Lewis Hamilton is a ‘thing of the past’ following talks after Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.

The German had accused race winner Hamilton of deliberately driving slowly to back him up into the chasing Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton denied the charge and Rosberg says the matter has been resolved.“It was definitely tense after the race but we had a good sit down, a good discussion,” he said.

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff had earlier said the drivers had cleared the air in their post-race debrief.

And backing up those claims, Rosberg added the team was now focused on the next grand prix.

“There was a lot of constructive criticism and now for everybody it is a thing of the past and we’re moving on to Bahrain,” he insisted.

The fall-out was the latest post-race spat

between the pair since Mercedes started to dominate Formula 1, including a crash involving the two at last August’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Meanwhile Hamilton believes he has the psychological upper hand on teammate Rosberg in their title battle this season. The world champion made his

claim after the German accused him of gamesmanship during the Chinese Grand Prix.“I’ve always said he is really strong mentally,” Hamilton said. “But I’d like to think I’m stronger this year.”

Rosberg claimed the Briton slowed down deliberately to make him vulnerable to attack from behind.

I am in the country legally, says athletics agent Rosa SLUGFEST: Elizabeth Andiego fighting Kazakhstan’s Marina Volnova (R) during their Women’s Middle (75kg) Round of 16 boxing match during the London 2012 Olympics.

Italian Athletics agent Federico Rosa says his stay in Kenyan and involvement with top athletes has been truthful and professional.

His words came after Athletics Kenya (AK) on Monday suspended Rosa Associati and

Volare Sports for six months pending investigations into doping dealing a potential blow to the careers of famous elite athletes under the Italian.

The national federation accused the two firms of being responsible

for the surge in doping cases in the country that has seen 36 runners test positive, including the high profile bust of star female runner; thrice Boston and twice Chicago marathon champion, Rita Jeptoo of Rosa who was banned for two

Boxer Andiego in hospital after accident Kenyan boxing Olympian Elizabeth Andiego’s hopes of participating in the Rio Games hang in the balance after she was involved in a near-fatal accident in Nairobi on Monday night.

Andiego, who was riding home on a motorcycle, was hit by a speeding taxi that left her with a fractured leg and a cracked skull along Nairobi’s Kangundo Road.

The sensational boxer was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital by a good Samaritan. “The taxi, belonging to Kenatco Taxi Company, hit us before landing in a ditch,” said the boxer.

She was scheduled for surgery but lacked money for the procedure.

Andiego, who fears for her career following the accident, hopes to

get back on her feet soon to carry on her 2016 Rio Olympics dream.

She was set to contest for a slot that would lead to the Olympics, All Africa Games in Brazzaville in September and the Senior Africa Boxing Championship during the Boxing Association of Kenya national selection event in Nairobi on April 22-26.

Boxing Association of Kenya President John Kameta said the accident came at a time when the country was on the verge of crucial international qualifications. “Andiego has been our greatest hope in women’s boxing. The federation and the Sports ministry will do what we can to support her during this time,” said Kameta.

BANNED: The agent of disgraced Kenyan marathoner Rita Jeptoo, Federico Rosa, arrives on January 15, 2015 at the Athletics Kenya headquarters in Nairobi for a hearing to find out how long she will be banned from the sport.

years in January for EPO use.

“There have been a lot of reports relating to doping in Kenya and a lot of fingers pointed at people, agents, doctors and pharmacists.

We know it’s an intricate issue and critical matter and we want to deal with it.

“Our involvement in Kenyan sports has been official and professional, it’s only recently when our permit was renewed, it puzzles me why the sudden change of heart,” pondered Rosa “We just hope the investigations will be completed as soon as possible since our clients out there need our services,” he said.

Rosa, led by Dr. Gabrielle Rosa and his son Federico; closed their female marathon training camp in Kapsabet recently over doping allegations subjecting all athletes in their camp to dope testing at Eldoret Hospital.

Some of the top Kenyan athletes managed by the Italian include, two-time world 1500 champion Asbel Kiprop, World Cross Country silver medlaist Bedan Karoki, 800m world champion Eunice Sum, Jairus Birech 3000m steeplechase, Marathoner Priscah Jeptoo among others.

Bodybuilders to flex muscles in May 9 Mr Nairobi contest Penthouse Gymnasium body builder Zablon Osiemo is among athletes eyeing the Kenya Body Building Federation (KBBF) Mr Nairobi title in a competition set for May 9, 2015.

The 2014 Muscle Mania Africa runners-up says he is ready for the challenge.

“I have pumped in enough. I feel tip-top and what’s remaining is for me to furnish shoulders, legs and tummy as I wait for the event,” Osiemo said during training at Penthouse gymnasium in Nairobi.

Osiemo, who recently won a new role as the Ultimate Supplements and Nutrition( USN ) ambassador, will also vie for the overall title against seasoned athletes. These include three time Mr Kenya title holder Leonard Lihanda and 2012 Mr Kericho Samuel ‘Kush’Otieno.

In the ladies category, model Caroline Yidah has challenged women not to shy away from the sport.

Categories to be contested include bantam weight, light weight, welterweight, middle

weight, light heavyweight and heavyweight.

There will also be male physique (models) and women bikini/figure, athletic and physique.

KBBF chairman Christantus Omedo has warned athletes against illegal substances that are likely to ruin their health.

Meanwhile, Pent House Gymnasium Managing Director Sabina Musa has urged athletes to register for April 25 training.

ready to rock: Penthouse gymnasium bodybuilder Zablon Osiemo (above) is among athletes eyeing the Kenya Body Building Federation Mr Nairobi title in a competition set for May 9 in Nairobi.

Heptathlon queen due back on track July 24 Britain’s Jessica Ennis-Hill (inset) will compete at the Anniversary Games Diamond League meeting in London’s Olympic Stadium on July 24-25.

The 2012 Olympic heptathlon champion will return to competition after giving birth to son Reggie in July 2014. In May, Ennis-Hill, 29, will participate in her first heptathlon since London 2012 at the Hypo-Meeting in Austria.

She is “realistic about the challenge of getting back to competitive shape” but is targeting the 2016 Rio Olympics.

An Achilles tendon injury brought an early end to the Sheffield athlete’s 2013 season after a handful of single discipline events. But she returned to training in October 2014 after giving birth.

“My race schedule is starting to take shape,” she said. “My main goal this season is to be as competitive as possible with the long term goal being at the Rio Olympics.”

Ennis-Hill, who was fourth in 100m hurdles at the 2013 Anniversary Games, has not specified which event she will compete in this year.

xnews | weDnesDAY, April 15, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

F1 CHAMP ROSEBERG SAYS ROW WITH HAMILTON IS NOW PAST

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NO WAY: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, vies for the ball with Atlético Madrid midfielders Mario Suárez and Koke.

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

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DERBY DEADLOCK

Atlético, Real in spiky goalless Champions League first leg tie Gareth Bale missed a glorious chance as Atletico Madrid held rivals Real Madrid to a goalless draw in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. Wales forward Bale was through on goal in the third minute, but was thwarted by Jan Oblak, who was impressive for the home side throughout.

The goalkeeper also made a crucial save from James Rodriguez, as Mario Suarez missed a late chance for Atletico. The sides meet again in the second leg at the Bernabeu on 22 April.

Real are aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back European Cups since AC Milan in 1989 and 1990, having defeated Atletico in last season’s final. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have now not beaten their opponents

Vidal spot kick sinks Monaco

in seven meetings since claiming La Decima - their 10th European Cup which includes a 4-0 La Liga thumping in February.

The Italian manager fielded a line-up which had Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema up front, and former Tottenham winger Bale also started after missing the weekend league victory over Eibar with a thigh injury.

Their attacking intent was clear to see as Los Blancos monopolised possession, but the organised structure of Diego Simeone’s well-drilled side who defended stoutly at the Vicente Calderon - meant the visitors were unable to find a breakthrough.

The second half became increasing bad tempered. Real defender Sergio Ramos drew blood from Atletico

striker Mario Mandzukic after catching him on the head with his elbow as he headed clear a cross into the box.

Although there seemed to be no intent, the Croatia forward was left incensed by the incident and later appeared to be punched by Dani Carvajal. Atletico’s best chances came in the final few minutes as midfielder Suarez had an overhead kick pushed away by Iker Casillas - making a record 147th appearance in the competition - and Alvaro Arbeloa blocked Mandzukic’s rasping drive.

Ronaldo, whose only real effort on goal was a 30-yard free kick gathered easily by Oblak, failed to become the Champions League’s record goalscorer, remaining on 75 goals in the competition with rival Lionel Messi.

Juventus will take a narrow lead to Monaco for their Champions League last-eight second leg after Arturo Vidal’s penalty split the sides in Turin.

Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco wasted a clear opening for the visitors before Carlos Tevez fluffed a volley for Juve.

Vidal, who had blazed over just before the break, then blasted home an emphatic penalty following Ricardo Carvalho’s trip on Alvaro Morata.

Dimitar Berbatov headed just over but Monaco were mostly kept at bay.

Leonardo Jardim, the Principality side’s manager, claimed that the result was a “big injustice” with the decisive spot-kick “inexistent”. Repeated viewings suggested Carvalho tripped Morata fractionally outside the penalty area, but it would be hard to blame referee Pavel Kralovec on such a marginal call.

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