201504027 xnews

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

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pay increment Workers demand 20 per cent minimum wage rise

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5

CHANGE OF HANDS Mauritius Government takes up Sh13billion Britam shares

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celebrity chat Nessa has been gaining fame since releasing her first song

NEWS

gor mahia defeat ushuru to maintain an unbeaten run

Van Gaal had suspected his team would struggle at goodison park

More than 3800 killed in Nepal Earthquake A

t least 3,812 people died in a massive earthquake which hit Nepal on Saturday, officials say. More than 6,500 people have been injured, according to the National Emergency Operation Centre.

Dozens of people are also reported to have been killed in neighbouring China and India.

Thousands more spent a second night outside after the 7.8-magnitude quake, which also triggered deadly avalanches

around Mount Everest.

Vast tent cities have sprung up in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, for those displaced or afraid to return to their homes as strong aftershocks persist. Officials have warned that the number of casualties could rise as

rescue teams reach remote mountainous areas of western Nepal. Initial reports suggest that many communities, especially those close to mountainsides, suffered significant quake damage.

“Villages like this are routinely affected

by landslides, and it’s not uncommon for entire villages of 200, 300, up to 1,000 people to be completely buried by rock falls,” Matt Darvas, spokesman for aid agency World Vision said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

filipinos appeal for the life of death-row client

P.8

The Big Knot

Prince William and his wife Katherine will be celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary on Wednesday

FIGHTING TO SAVE A LIFE: Activists light candles in front of the Indonesian embassy on Sunday, April 26 in support of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina convicted in a drug-related case in Indonesia, who is set to be executed tomorrow. Her family and supporters, among them famous boxer Manny Pacquiao, have appealed to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to spare her life. Veloso was arrested after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin sewn into her suitcase at the Yogyakarta Airport in 2010.

She has maintained that she did not know that there were drugs in her luggage. In his appeal, Pacquiao referenced his upcoming fight, saying that if she survives, it will be a “morale booster” for him.

P.9

CONVENTION

Second NAICCON festival, held at Sarit, records impressive attendance

The Kenyan Blog Awards will take place on May 2. You just have one week to vote

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

2

NEWS MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

More than 3800 killed in Nepal Earthquake From Page 1

A man evacuated by helicopter to Pokhara, 200km from Kathmandu, said almost every home in his village of more than 1,000 houses had been destroyed, Mr Darvas told the BBC. In Dhading district, 80km west of Kathmandu, people were camped in the open, the hospital was overflowing, the power was off and shops were closed, Reuters news agency reported.

A senior official in Gorkha district, the location of the earthquake’s epicentre,

told AP he had heard reports of 70% of houses being destroyed.

“Things are really bad in the district, especially in remote mountain villages,” Udav Prashad Timalsin said. “There are people who are not getting food and shelter.”

The roads to where the epicentre was, northwest of the capital, have been cleared and rescue teams are on their way.

Rescue missions and aid are arriving in Nepal to help cope with the aftermath of

the earthquake, the worst to hit Nepal for more than 80 years.

There are 14 international medical teams on the way to Nepal, the UN says, and up to 15 international search-andrescue have been sent.

Efforts to dig victims out from under the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kathmandu are also continuing.

But home ministry official Laxmi Prasad Dhakal told Reuters rescuers were “in a really bad shape” after working nonstop for two days. “We are all about to

HEAVY FLOODING AS RAINS POUND NAIROBI A heavy downpour in Nairobi that began last evening and lasted throughout the night has left the city flooded, and most roads impassable.

The Central Business District, in particular, was not spared with its poor drainage system leaving most streets and avenues flooded.

The aftermath forced many to walk barefoot as they waded through the streets.

And a stalled train that broke down in the middle of the road near Taj Mall worsened the situation on Outering Road with a massive snarl up experienced in the area this morning.

In Kileleshwa, the roads were totally flooded with residents blaming the situation on poor drainage system.

“So now pedestrians have to wade through floods flowing with sewage and garbage. The rains have taken over from the drums with the flooded road at Imara Daima leaving only one lane,” one @gadhuru tweeted.

“Mombasa road is parking lot from the junction with Likoni road coming from CBD 8:00am,” another Kenyan said.

The situation was not any different in the slums such as Mathare and Mukuru Kwa Njenga as many houses got flooded following the rains. Several businesses were closed down.

Njiru which is normally hit by such flash floods was not left out although no tragic news were reported.

And the meteorological department says the rains are expected to continue for

the next month. It called on Kenyans to be more cautious. The department has warned that the floods might also affect most parts of the western region.

“Heavy rainfall expected over western Kenya, central highlands and parts Nairobi. Rainfall expected to continue over several parts of the country,” it said in a forecast.

collapse.”

A powerful aftershock was felt on Sunday in Nepal, India and Bangladesh, and more avalanches were reported near Everest.

The 6.7-magnitude tremor, centred 60km (40 miles) east of Kathmandu, sent people running in panic for open ground in the city.

It brought down some houses that had been damaged in the initial quake.

At hospitals rattled by the aftershocks, staff moved sick and injured patients

outside on Sunday afternoon.

The weather cleared on Monday morning and helicopters are heading out to the Mount Everest base camp to try to bring down 210 stranded climbers.

Foreign climbers and their Nepalese guides around Mt Everest were caught by the tremors and a huge avalanche that buried part of the base camp.

At least 18 people were killed and 60 more injured; others are still missing.

Protests rock Burundi as Nkurunziza seeks 3rd term At least two people have been killed in violent clashes in Burundi, a day after President Pierre Nkurunziza launched his bid for a third term in office.

Thousands defied a ban to take to the streets of the capital Bujumbura. Police shot live ammunition in the air to disperse them.

President Nkurunziza was nominated to run by his governing CNDD-FDD party.

Opponents say it is unconstitutional and threatens a peace deal that ended the 12year civil war in 2005.

More than 300,000 people died in the war.

Angry protesters on Sunday threw rocks and lit tyres. Police responded with tear gas, water cannon and live ammunition, blocking access to the centre of the capital.

The Burundian Red Cross spokesman Alexis Manirakiza told the BBC that at least five protesters were injured in the clashes and that one was in a coma.

Many demonstrators have been detained.

Police also threatened to shut down a private radio station unless it stopped live broadcasts about the protests.

At his nomination by a special party congress, President Nkurunziza said: “I call people to go to the election in peace.

“But I would like to warn everyone: Whoever wants to create problems with the ruling party elected by the people, he’ll find himself in trouble,” he added, Reuters reported.

Mr Nkurunziza has served two terms as president, coming to the office at the end of the civil war.

Burundi’s constitution only allows the president to be elected twice. But Mr Nkurunziza’s supporters argue he is eligible for another term since he was appointed by parliament in 2005.

More than 12,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries in recent weeks.

NEWS 3 MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

Workers demand 20pc minimum wage increase Workers will be demanding a 20 percent increase in their minimum wage during this year’s Labour Day celebrations to be held this Friday.

Through their umbrella union, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) the workers have complained of failure to increase their basic wages in the last two years.

“Minimum wage must go up by more than 20 percent, what is 20 percent of Sh6, 000. These people are scaring the President that he should not increase the workers’ pay yet the majority of workers do not even earn Sh10, 000, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said.

He said as soon as the issue of minimum wage was addressed, it would be easier to work with provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement which demand data based on cost of living and the inflation rate.

He took a swipe at Kambi for allegedly neglecting workers saying he had failed in his role of bridging the gap between employers, workers and the President and instead worked for the interests of his cronies. “He failed to facilitate

NEWS BRIEFS Officer shot and wounded in Dandora robbery A police officer was shot and wounded in a robbery incident in Dandora last night. This brought to three, the number of officers injured in shooting incidences over the last seven days in Nairobi alone.

One had been shot along Ngong Road near Race Course and another shot in Muthangari area in botched robbery missions. In the Dandora incident, the officer had resisted an attempt to rob him of his mobile phone. The gang grabbed the phone and escaped on foot after shooting him.

Woman hacked to death in attack A woman was hacked to death in an attack by thugs in Mukuru slums, Nairobi. The victim is said to have stepped outside her house to check on the door after it was knocked when she was killed. Police say the attackers were looking for her husband with a motive yet to be established. In another incident of robbery in Riruta, a guard was killed after he tried to block the entry of a gang to a premise he was guarding. The thugs shot him dead. Police say the gang escaped soon after the incident.

MORE PAY: COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli in a past Labour Day celebrations. Workers will be demanding a 20 percent increase in their minimum wage during this year’s Labour Day celebrations to be held this Friday. the tripartite members and social partners to access you easily and talk to you (President), and we could not get you – now you have given us an acting CS, come and listen to us – we have been patient,” implored Atwoli.

He further lamented that many of the industries had made immense profits yet their workers were poorly paid, threatening to

‘name and shame’ industries and companies that did not consider the plight of the workers.

“We expect the Head of State to show up because we have invited him,” he said.

He urged the President to look at the plight of workers going ahead to accuse Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) of side-stepping the Federation of Kenya Employ-

ers (FKE) and selfishly propagating their agenda at the expense of hard working Kenyans.

Speaking during a pre- golden jubilee celebration meeting at the COTU headquarters, Atwoli urged them to turn out in their numbers at Uhuru park grounds for the Labour Day celebrations saying this would push the government to consider their pleas.

More on this story at

www.capitalfm.co.ke

The Legend of

the Man-Eating Tree has been par t of

Madagascan folklore for centuries.

And may even have some basis in fact.

I T ’ S N O T A L WAY S

Indeed, the island is home to the world’s largest variety of pitcher plants, some known to digest small rodents and birds.

And the Kumaya Killer Tree, which gives of f a poisonous gas

ADVISABLE

when it flowers, is a cer tifiable botanical fact, though examples of the species are rare nowadays, to say the least.

One thing’s for sure, if such a species did indeed exist it would not be out of place on this remarkable island, home to

TO STOP AND SMELL

over 200,000 varieties of plants, 150,000 of which can be found nowhere else on ear th.

Imagine translucent mushrooms that glow the colours of the

THE

F L O W E R S.

rainbow, octopus trees, over one hundred varieties of orchids and avenue after avenue of swollen Baobabs, some over eight hundred years old.

Dwarf chameleons, tomato frogs, giraf fe-necked weevils and

A RO U N D H E R E E V E N T H E Y

over ninety dif ferent species of lemurs.

A 150,000-hectare limestone forest which sits atop a labyrinth

CAN

EAT

Y O U.

of caves, some larger than Wembley stadium.

All

these

wonders

and

more

await

you

at

a

holiday

destination that like many others claims to be like nowhere else on ear th but in this case actually is.

For more infor mation on our tours to Madagascar visit info@tavelshoppe.co.ke.

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 | MONday, APRIL 27, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

BUSINESS

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

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

NEWS BRIEFS

Jambojet increases flights to Kisumu and Ukunda Kenyan low cost carrier Jambojet has increased flights to Kisumu and Ukunda in Diani as it scales up operations in the domestic market.

The airline’s CEO Willem Hondius saidJambojet will now fly twice to Kisumu on Sunday and three times daily on Thursday and Friday, bringing the total number of flights to the lakeside city to 16 per week.

Hondius also disclosed that Jambojet has chartered an additional Bombardier Q400 aircraft to service the Kisumu and Eldoret routes.

“All flights on the Kisumu and

Mauritius Gov’t takes up Sh13b Britam shares Britam, one of the country’s leading diversified financial services firm, has received a major boost from the Mauritius Government following a crisis that had caused a bit of confusion in the recent past.

Mauritius has announced plans to take over the shareholding stake held by a Mauritian businessman in the company, who was on the receiving end of charges over alleged financial offenses.

In a move expected to significantly restore Britam’s local investor confidence, the Mauritian Minister for Financial Services, Good Governance and Institutional Reforms, Mr. Roshi Bhadain, confirmed that the State Insurance Company of Mauritius (SICOM), would soon be taking over the 23.9 per cent stake held by Businessman, Mr. Dawood Rawat, in the financial services firm.

The assurance by the Minister comes in the wake of a recent move by the government of

Mauritius that places Mr. Rawat’s firms in receivership of charges over alleged financial offenses.

“Our attention has been drawn to local and international media reports about the unfolding events in Mauritius relating to the appointment of a receiver and the revocation of the license of Bramer Banking Corporation Ltd (“Bramer Bank”) and the appointment of a conservator in BAI Co,” Britam said in a public statement.

The investment group noted that neither of the two companies are subsidiaries nor are they holding companies of Britam.

Speaking from his office over the weekend, Mr. Bhadain said the takeover move for Mr. Rawat’s shareholding at Britam, valued at more than Sh13 billion, was being undertaken in good faith to secure the interests of the local and international shareholders.

He further confirmed that Kenya had not

been affected by the Mauritian government’s purge against Rawat’s interests.

This, he said, is because Mr. Rawat, never held a controlling stake and neither is Britam directly linked with the businessman’s Mauritian operations.

“I can assure the Kenya government, Insurance Regulator, Shareholders among other stakeholders that the investment in Britam earlier held by Mr. Rawat is now in safe hands as it will be held by the government of Mauritius. There’s no risk at all,” Bhadain said.

Speaking in Nairobi, Britam Chairman, Amb. Dr. Francis Muthaura, through a public statement, said that Britam operations are running “as normal.”

He pointed out that the firm’s leadership “remains committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and business ethics.”

Eldoret routes will be serviced by the Q400 which we have chartered from DAC Aviation,” said Hondius.

“We will introduce a second frequency to Kisumu on Sundays and a third daily frequency to Kisumu on Thursday and Friday bringing the total number of frequencies to Kisumu to 16 per week compared to 13 previously’’.

The airline which has flown 500,000 passengers since inception a year ago is targeting the growing domestic travel market to cement its position in Kenya’s nascent low cost airline market.

BuSINESS DIARY Young Entrepreneurs Corner at the KICC The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) will host the 8th edition of the Young Entrepreneurs Corner on Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm.

Young Entrepreneurs Corner is a monthly networking event organised by Ideas Spot in partnership with Afrom Media.

The event targets aspiring young entrepreneurs, young business owners, business mentors,

investors, financiers and business professionals.

The ‘Corner’ is a platform used to promote and encourage youth enterprises and entrepreneurship in Kenya.

“The evening event is typically informal where participants meet peers and friends, build contacts, share success stories and strike business partnerships,” says a statement from the organizers.

NSE Investment Challenge The Nairobi Securities Exchange will play host to the NSE Investment Challenge, an edutainment initiative targeting Kenyan youth who are in tertiary learning institution.

These include universities, technical institutes and other post secondary colleges.

The event will kick off on Friday, May 01, 2015 at 09:00 am Taking place at the Nairobi Securities Exchange Building in Westlands, Nairobi, the challenge is an online simulation of live trading at the Nairobi

Securities Exchange, where each participating group or individual is given virtual startup capital to invest using the NSE real time information for a period of 3 months.

The winner is the team or individual with the highest portfolio value. One can participate as an individual or a group of maximum 4 members from the same institution.

Those planning to attend are advised to visit “nse.co.ke” for details.

GET NEWS WE RATE XCLUSIVE! Send the word XNEWS to 21313 To opt out of this subscription sms, send “Stop XNEWS” to 21313. Each Message costs kshs 10

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BUSINESS MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

Taita farmers taste Aloe Vera millions Depressed rainfall and low yields have not dampened the hopes of a farmers’ group in Voi, Taita Taveta County.

The group has discovered a new route out of poverty by embracing Aloe Vera cultivation and value addition.

Their group venture is now seeing them pocket up to Sh3 million after every value addition exercise, from a pant has for long been regarded as an irritant shrub.

Marungu Aloe Common Interest Group came together seven years ago to produce Aloe products as an alternative source of generating income and they say, the progress has been impressive.

They have adopted new technologies on Aloe which have enabled them produce large volumes of sap which triggered the need for value addition.

Through a value addition proposal, the group received a grant of Sh1.2 million for the purchase of Aloe sap extracting machine and value addition.

The machine is installed in one of the members’ houses, after entering into a comprehensive agreement with other group members. The group is currently processing and selling Aloe products such as soap, cream, lotion, shampoo, detergent, petty jelly and Aloe Vera juice.

The group got permission to cultivate Aloe Secundiflora from Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) as the variety is classified as ‘endangered’. KWS even supported the group by supplying members with Aloe Secundiflora seedlings. KWS also facilitated the group on issues of conflict resolution, and the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The project is not only generating money but the products also plays an important role in treatment of skin diseases. The money earned is used by members to educate their children in high school and colleges.

Through the groups’ service provider Miss. Kisikeu, it has received recognition from various collaboration and has even participated in a number of exhibitions and conferences.

therise

Eveready East Africa

The Manufacturing & Allied Sector took centre stage with Eveready East Africa and Unga Group each gaining 11.11 per cent, closing the week at Sh4.50 and Sh50.00 from last week’s closing price of ShSh4.05 and Sh45.00 respectively, to emerge as this week’s top gaining stocks. Eveready East Africa had last year closed its primary battery plant in Nakuru citing an increasingly difficult

operating environment caused by cheap imports and counterfeit dry cells entering the Kenyan market. More recently the Company has been finalising plans to diversify into the real estate sector by way of development of its land holdings in Nakuru. Improved investor sentiment on the share has seen its price rally by 21.62 per cent so far in 2015.

thefall

Kapchorua Tea Company The Agricultural sector provided this week’s top losing stock by way of Kapchorua Tea Company, which closed the week down by -11.35 per cent at Sh125.00 from Sh141.00 previously, though trading on relatively thin volumes. The company which is engaged in the cultivation, manufacture and sale of tea has seen its share price decline by -8.76 per cent so far into 2015 despite a recent

Analysis by Amana Capital info@amanacapital.co.ke

improvement in the price of Kenyan tea at auction. The company had previously projected that full year earnings for the financial year ended March 2015 will be at least 25 per cent lower than 2013 figures as a result of increased costs of doing business and a weak market due to depressed tea prices recorded over the course of last year.

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

ACCESS A pilot who sings! Since releasing her song Loweka, the Nessa plane has been on the up and up and is not about to slow down. Can she survive the storm?

celebchat factfile Real Name: Priscillah Vanessa Mmbone Lumbasyo RelatioNship: You tell me…. age: Super Sweet Sixteen Best Food: Extremely spicy fried chicken thighs. Just the thighs. Extra HAAT! Best Book: The Bible Best Quote: “I came, I saw, I conquered. Veni vidi vici.”

‘I get inspiration from many different areas. I mostly sing about personal experiences and stories that I hear from my friends. Sometimes from songs I heard and liked’

Keep calm

Nessa De Diva is in control lyriclab sauti sol ft. amos & Josh Sauti Sol, Amos and Josh teamed up to deliver a powerful message. Nerea, is a beautifully packaged song condemning abortion. The new single is already a top hit just days after its release.

nerea

W

ho is Nessa?

Nessa is a firework!

When did you start out in music?

I have always loved music since I was younger. I started performing at the age of 9 at school concerts and events. Professionally, I started recording in 2009 but took a brief break to further my studies. I took up music again in 2013 and here I am.

How would you describe your sound?

I do not have a specific sound. My sound is like a blend of everything but it always has a touch of African flavour.

Tell us about your latest song, Si Ndwele (Zouk) Si Ndwele is a break up song, but not one of those “I miss you”

types. It is more like, “I am happy and I want to move on so let me go, you are bugging me!” It was originally an RnB track however my team and I felt that the song did not reach its full potential. So we decided to launch a zouk version.

How do you manage to balance flying planes and doing music?

I am not working full time as a pilot yet. So I have a bit of time that allows me to do my music.

Where do you get inspiration for your music?

I get inspiration from many different areas. I get inspiration mostly from experiences and stories that I hear from my friends. Sometimes from songs I heard and liked.

Who do you look up to in the industry?

I look up to Kamene Goro because she is my boo thang! I also greatly admire the late Brenda Fassie and Miriam Makeba. Beyoncé has a

certain fierceness about her that makes me admire her. I admire Jill Scott has grace, flavour and soul and finally, Tiwa Savage who challenges me greatly each passing day.

What are some of the challenges you faced while starting out?

Finding that producer that you have great musical chemistry with has been quite a task. In the industry you will always find people who are asking for favours in return for other favours.

Which artistes would you like to work with?

Locally I would like to work with Amos & Josh. From the rest of Africa; Mafikizolo, Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy. Internationally I would like to work with Beyoncé and Timbaland.

What is next for Nessa?

Stay tuned, there is more to come.

8

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY MONDAY, APRIL 26th 27NOVEMBER 2015 2014

FASHIONScoop the BIGKNOT

P

rince William, Duke of Cambridge, and his wife Katherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, will be celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary on Wednesday. The pair got married on April 29, 2011 at the Westminster Abbey in London, England. Their wedding was termed as the Royal Wedding of the century. It is estimated that more than 500,000 people lined the streets outside the Westminster Abbey and the Buckingham Palace to watch and bid the happy newlyweds good luck on their wedding day.

Hundreds of millions others are estimated to have watched the proceedings on television. Prince William is second in line to the throne and their wedding was filled with all the pomp and glamour.

The Duchess wore a breath taking Ivory lace dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Her dress has since been replicated by ladies who want to look like the Duchess on her wedding day. The Duke on the other had was in a red tunic of an Irish Guards colonel. The couple was involved in planning their wedding from choosing the music to the flowers and the cake.

Two years after their marriage, the couple welcomed their first child, Prince George

I’m Black FashIon JaY Z Junk haPPY WEDDInG annIVERsaRY To ThE RoYals. mTV quIZ nEW YoRk

Alexander Louis of Cambridge. Prince George is the third-in-line, after his father, to ascend to the throne. The couple is now expecting a second child, who is due anytime soon. There have been speculations that the second born, who is the spare will be a girl. People have been camping outside the hospital that Kate is expected to give birth waiting in anticipation.

Breaking away from tradition, it has been reported that the birth will be announced on Twitter, instead of a notice outside the Buckingham Palace.

We wish the royalties a h a p p y w e d d i n g anniversary.

H

the

Royal

haPPily eveR afteR

The Duchess wore a breath taking Ivory lace dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

H

ACCESS MONDAY, APRIL 27 2015

review of top weekenD gigs.

CENTRESTAGE

Behind the scenes in the making of Follow Me video

Y

The video director for the day was Kevin Bosco Jnr, who has done videos like Victoria Kimani’s Prokoto, H_art the Band’s Uliza Kiatu, and many more. They shot in five different locations. The team has promised to release the song and video in two weeks’ tim.

By the look of what went down, it will be an instant hit.

PHOTOS: PICHACLEAR FILMS

esterday, X Access got an opportunity to be on the set of top comedian Obinna’s new music video for his yet to be released jam, Follow Me. “I am happy about this new song, let’s hope other people will be happy about it. The video is going to be fire!” said Obinna.

“I can’t wait for people to finally see it,” he added.

9

FEMIONE

10-A-Side after party Last weekend was characterised with heavy showers and flooding, but this did not stop the parties. On Saturday, at the 10-A-Side rugby after party Cheda, Avril, Femione and Rabbit got on stage to perform for the fans that had braved the rain. Despite the cold, fans rose and grooved to the artistes’ performances.

Cheda was first on stage and he danced his heart out entertaining the revellers with his creativity. Next on stage was Avril. The minute she stepped on stage the crowd went wild. Her dancers, Blaq Blingers, went before her to warm up the crowd, before she joind them. And boy did she deliver a spectacular performance!. One fan was so

overwhelmed at seeing the singer that he went down on his knees and started crying out to Avril to recognise him and say hallo. She did and invited him on stage where they got to talk. After her show, Avril introduced Rabbit, the King himself on stage and the crowd went even more ballistic. Avril sang along with King Kaka for a few minutes then left the stage as Kaka introduced Femione to the fans. Both of them rapped their respective verses from the Ligi Soo the remix.

When it was Femione’s turn to rap, the crowd went silent almost hanging on to her every word and

cheering at punchlines. You could see the awe in their face as they watched her do her thing. Rabbit then performed some of his all-time hits, among Swahili Shakespeare, which was most requested by fans and his latest track Kichinjio. One fan, Lennox, was spotted by King Kaka’s DJ, DJ Jr Kaka Empire singing along to Kichinjio and he was invited on stage to perform— Lennox killed it. The young man rapped to the beat and did not miss a single line from the song.

That there, was a true fan.

A date with NAICCON L

ast weekend, East Africa’s premier comic convention, dubbed NAICCON, was held at the Sarit Center, Nairobi. This was the second time the event was being held. NAICCON is a bi-annual event that promotes and displays both international and local comic content, gaming products and latest technologies in the entertainment space. It was first held in December 2014. Like with all other comic convetions, fans show up dressed as their favorite super heroes.

KING KAKA

AVRIL

Happy Birthday Jalang’o!

Comedian Jalang’o is celebrating his birthday today. The star has risen to be one of the most sought after funny men in the country. His journey is one that has inspired people and now many comedians in the industry consider him as their mentor. Jalang’o always strives to bring up and mentor young comedians in the industry.

We wish him many more returns on his day.

HOT

TOPICS

DJ Crème de La Crème is a dad again This morning, DJ Crème de la Crème and his lovely wife welcomed a baby girl. This is a second child for the couple. Their son, Jamari happens to also be celebrating his second birthday today.

Their babies share birthdays!

How cool is that!

WE HAVE A CHOICE: GO OUT INTO THE FIELDS AND BE RAPED. OR HIDE IN THE JUNGLE AND STARVE TO DEATH. WE CHOOSE TO STARVE.

M I R I N D I I W A S AT H O M E W I T H H E R FA M I LY W H E N T H E R E B E L S AT TA C K E D . T H E Y B R O K E I N T O H E R H O M E , T O O K A L L H E R P O S S E S S I O N S A N D B U R N T I T T O T H E G R O U N D .

THEN THE HORROR BEGAN. ‘ T H E Y FO RC E D M Y S O N TO H AV E S E X W I T H M E A N D W H E N H E H A D F I N I S H E D T H E Y K I L L E D H I M . T H E N T H E Y R A P E D M E I N F RO N T O F M Y H U S B A N D A N D K I L L E D H I M TO O , B E F O R E TA K I N G A W AY M Y T H R E E D A U G H T E R S . ’ S H E H A S N ’ T S E E N H E R T H R E E G I R L S , A G E D 1 3 , 1 4 A N D 17 S I N C E .

F LO R I A N E , 1 9 , WA S S I X T E E N W H E N S H E WA S A B D U C T E D W H I L S T O U T LO O K I N G FO R F I R E WO O D A N D H E L D A S A S E X S L AV E FO R OV E R T H R E E Y E A R S . ‘ T H E Y U S E D T O B E AT M E W I T H A N I R O N B A R , J U S T L I K E A N A N I M A L , A N D I C A N N O L O N G E R M O V E M Y L E F T A R M . S O M E T I M E S A S M A N Y A S E I G H T S O L D I E R S W O U L D R A P E M E AT N I G H T A N D I B E C A M E P R E G N A N T. T H E V E R Y D AY I G A V E B I R T H , S E V E R A L S O L D I E R S R A P E D M E . ’ L U M O , 1 8 , W A S W I T H H E R F R I E N D A N D T W O O T H E R W O M E N , B O T H P R E G N A N T, W H E N T H E Y W E R E TA K E N A N D M A R C H E D D E E P I N T O T H E J U N G L E . T H E P R E G N A N T W O M E N A S K E D T O O M A N Y Q U E S T I O N S A L O N G T H E W AY A N D W E R E K I L L E D . ‘ F I F T Y O F T H E M R A P E D M E A N D M Y F R I E N D . I T B E G A N AT 2 P M A N D W E N T U N T I L T H E E A R LY H O U R S O F T H E M O R N I N G . I L O S T M Y M I N D . I W A S H O S P I TA L I S E D F O R T H R E E Y E A R S A N D A F T E R N I N E O P E R AT I O N S S T I L L S U F F E R F R O M F I S T U L A S . M Y H U S B A N D L E F T M E A F T E R T H E R A P E S A N D G O T H I S D O W R Y B A C K . M Y F R I E N D E N D E D U P D Y I N G . ’ MSIMIRE BACHIYUNJUZE, 21 , WAS JUST THIRTEEN WHEN SHE WAS FIRST RAPED. ‘ I N O W H A V E T H R E E C H I L D R E N B O R N T H R O U G H R A P E A N D I ’ M H I V P O S I T I V E A S A R E S U LT O F W H AT T H E Y D I D T O M E . ’ C H R I S T I N E S H U L L E R - D E S C H R Y E R I S A H U M A N R I G H T S L A W Y E R , S TAT I O N E D I N T H E E A S T O F T H E C O U N T R Y. ‘I WAS IN MY OFFICE WHEN A WOMAN RAN IN WITH A BABY GIRL OF JUST OF EIGHTEEN MONTHS. BOTH OF HER LEGS HAD BEEN BROKEN BACK – SHE’D BEEN RAPED. S H E D I E D I N M Y C A R O N T H E W AY T O T H E H O S P I TA L . I R A N I N T O A N E A R B Y C AT H E D R A L , S H O U T I N G AT G O D … ’

The war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began after the 1984

where they face diseases like malaria, typhoid and dysentery.

Rwandan genocide, when Rwanda sent troops over the border to pursue Hutu

Where they’re slowly starving to death.

militia hiding in what was then Zaire.

In the Congo women account for more than 70% of those active in

In the free-for-all that followed until 2002, over six million Congolese died, making it the deadliest conflict since World War 2.

agriculture and produce more than 80% of the food.

No women to work the fields. No food.

And over 400,000 women and young girls were raped.

It’s that simple.

Despite a peace deal and an election in 2006, the fighting continues,

According to a recent UN report, more than 48,000 people die every month,

especially around rich mining areas.

mainly from malnutrition.

And women continue to be raped on an unimaginable scale.

In the first six months of last year, over twelve thousand women were raped.

Many of these rapes are marked by a level of brutality that is hard to

No one- doctors, aid workers, researchers - can explain why the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s rape problem is the worst in the world.

fathom, even by the twisted standards of a place riven by civil war and overrun by

No one seems to know how to put a stop to the atrocities.

viscious warlords and drug crazed child soldiers.

No one seems to know when, if ever, the horror will end.

Public rapes in front of friends and community and forced rapes between victims, often from the same family, are common.

So too are rapes performed using rifles, knives and sticks.

Women have had their limbs and breasts cut-off, molten rubber poured into their vaginas and been disfigured in other unimaginable ways.

And no female, no matter her age, is safe. Attacks have been committed on women as old as eighty and girls as young as two.

Many die as a direct result of rape. Many who survive wish they hadn’t.

Adequate medical care is very hard to come by and survivors remain ill and in pain for the rest of their lives.

Young girls who are not fully developed often suffer from obstructed birth.

Other victims can’t walk or stand, a consequence of nerve damage that is the frequent by-product of anal and vaginal fistulas.

Sexual assault has also seen an alarming rise in the HIV rate.

Before hostilities, 5% of the population was HIV positive.

Now that figure is over 20%. It is estimated that more than half the population could be infected within the next ten years.

Still there are signs that things are slowly changing.

European aid agencies are funding the construction of new courthouses and prisons, in large part to punish rapists.

Mobile courts are holding rape trials deep in the jungle that haven’t seen a magistrate since the Belgians ruled.

And survivors are receiving help from a number of aid agencies and NGOs. But progress is being hindered by a government in denial about the scale of the atrocities and intent on silencing everyone from talking about it.

So what can you do to help?

On our website you’ll find a list of charities involved in helping the victims of sexual abuse in the DRC, all of which could do with your support.

Please give as generously as you can.

Also write to the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila Kabange.

Urge the government to do more to put an end to sexual violence. Letters should be to P.O. Box 3862, New York NY 10163.

The women of the Congo have made their choice.

They have chosen to risk starvation, disease and death over unimaginable

In the battle against rapists, the women of the Congo have only one weapon. Stealth. More and more are fleeing their communities for the jungle

suffering, over unspeakable horror.

You too have a choice - to help or not. Thank you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT XNEWS.COM

12

PLAY

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 This will be a great day to meditate, Capricorn. You may be a bit dissatisfied with yourself because your various projects have yet to take form. You’re impatient, but who wouldn’t be?

This waiting period has lasted for about two months, but will soon end.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 You might be tempted to think that minor financial difficulties are already behind you. Alas, they are not. What you do today provides the blueprint for your future. Continued efforts to stabilize your behavior will provide the future security you desire.

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 You’re in the home stretch now, Pisces! Kiss your worries goodbye. Your efforts pay off in spades as people listen to your advice and bend over backward to please you. Although certain details in your love life still need ironing out, it’s safe to coast for a while.

m0nday 20/04/2015

sunny

23

tuesday 21/04/2015

More sun than clouds

24

24ºC 67%

6:29 am 6:34pm

25ºC 58%

6:29 am 6:34pm

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Sometimes friends become a person’s real family. Your friendships are deep and enduring.

Many people are eager to give you help today, so why are you reluctant to receive it? Haven’t you been the one promoting the benefits of warm, sincere friendship?

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 You’ve made it over the hump, Gemini. You’ve moved beyond the problems of the recent past and are entering a more peaceful phase. You will complete your projects at work, and your domestic life will be the picture of bliss and harmony. Enjoy this period of rest and relaxation.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 The current alignment of the planets and the somewhat oppressive atmosphere of the past few days inspire you to change your surroundings and visit new places.All signs indicate that now is the best time for such an adventure. If you delay, you will feel stuck in the same old routine again.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 You’re finished with the hassles you’ve experienced recently and have now entered a calmer period. Those who could only criticize before can’t find enough words to praise you. Take the compliments at face value. There’s nothing wrong with being happy with yourself.

MUSTREAD The Hired Man

— by Aminatta Forna

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 You have a day of profound reflection ahead. While you may be tempted to think about how far you’ve come, your time would be better spent thinking about what the future holds. You’ve entered a period of rethinking your identity and objectives. These aren’t small things.

Gost is a quite hidden town that is surrounded by mountains and big fields of wild flowers. One day as Duro is out hunting, he notices that the old house on the boundaries of the town has some life. N English family has moved in to the old house and Duro heads over to say hi.

He quickly becomes a friend and starts helping the family with a few things around the house. The people of Gost are not happy with the arrival of the English family. They distrust them and are hostile towards the family. Duro acts as a shield between the family and the townsfolk who want the family gone. The newcomers’ arrival sets off a string of things that unearths a secret the town has been struggling to keep under wraps.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Don’t kid yourself that those back problems will just go away - ditto that pain in your knee. Pick up the phone and make that appointment with the physical therapist. It won’t hurt you to set aside your ambition and responsibilities for one day.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Was it sufficient to stop there? More profound changes might be in order. Take a look at what motivated you to create the life you live now. Pay special attention to the choices you’ve made in your professional life. Are you sure you’re doing what you were meant to do?

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

Friday’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.

PEDESTRIANS NEED TO BE PROTECTED It is my firm belief that motorists, cops and local authorities are as much to blame for road carnage as pedestrians. It is not fair to fine pedestrians for illegal crossing when flyovers are kilometers away. It is not fair to punish pedestrians when

25

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

Friday’s Solution

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Your life certainly seems to revolve around human contact. You’re an outgoing, cheerful, engaging conversationalist who enjoys bringing people together, though lately you’ve been yearning to be alone. Aries, don’t ignore any urge you feel for solitude.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 You’re able to observe what is going around you while still retaining your distance. Other people’s ambitions will seem amusing to you as they play their parts more like caricatures than real people. Stepping back like this does you good. You should do it more often.

wednesday

motorists ignore red lights and zebra crossings.

Our County government should focus on keeping us safe by building more pathways and better pavements. We did not pay taxes to walk on muddy pavements, especially not in this rainy

weather when vehicles are splashing dirty water on innocent bystanders due to the potholes our government refuses to fix.

In light of these challenges, local authorities should either step up or step out! —Nairobi resident

winning captions

1. Helmet tough, pot tough...therefore, pot=helmet-Waweru, D. Nrb 2. It’s fool-proof, Police will not notice-Jackson Muhia, Nairobi 3. I have another for the passenger, trust me-Darius B., Nairobi

SPORT 13 MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

Gor maintain unbeaten run Gor Mahia registered their sixth win of the season and maintained an unbeaten run with a 2-0 win over Ushuru at the Nyayo National Stadium yesterday evening.

With the victory, Gor stretched their lead at the top of the table to 20 points, two ahead Thika United who beat Nairobi City Stars 1-0 at the Thika Municipal Stadium, Jackson Macharia scoring the

all-important goal.

Despite Gor’s dominance in the first half, the second interval was rather different as substitutes Allan Katerega and Rosevelt Blatty forced them to defend deep.

The two players have been handful for the taxmen this season, Against Ulinzi, Blatty came off the bench to score the equalizer, Kateregga also came off the bench to score the winner as Ushuru beat

AFC Leopards 1-0.

At the half hour mark, former Gor Mahia defender David Otieno’s short back pass to his keeper Samuel Odhiambo being intercepted by forward Michael Olunga who easily tapped past the advancing keeper.

The goal increased Gor’s comfort and Ushuru Coach Ken Kenyatta was forced into a 40th minute substitution pulling

out Robert Omnuk who was largely ineffective for Evans Kiwanuka.

Two minutes from the restart, Ugandanborn Rwandan footballer Meddie Kagere getting to the end of a very beautiful build up from K’Ogalo to make it two.

He had picked up a pass from Khalid Aucho, back-heeling to Olunga who returned the favour with a nifty volleyed pass to Kagere who made the most with a

side foot tap into the far post.

But as soon as Kateregga and Blatty came on for Barrack Odhiambo and Nelson Simwa respectively the balances tipped in Ushuru’s favour.

Only the crossbar and an on-form Gor custodian Boniface Oluoch kept the scores much the same until the final whistle.

KEEP COMING BROTHER: Gor Mahia’s Abuba Sibomana blocks Ushuru’s Mohammed during their match on Sunday.

Wolfsburg loss confirms Bayern’s 25th Bundesliga title Bayern Munich won their third straight Bundesliga title thanks to Wolfsburg’s 1-0 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Pep Guardiola’s side beat Hertha Berlin 1-0 on Saturday to put them within sight of the title.

Wolfsburg had to beat Gladbach to make Bayern wait another week for a 24th Bundesliga title and 25th overall championship, but lost to a Max Kruse goal. The Bundesliga started in 1963.

Bayern are still in the Champions League and German Cup semis.

They will have little time to celebrate this success as they face rivals Borussia Dortmund in the last four of the domestic cup on Tuesday.

Bayern are bidding for their third consecutive domestic double, and second treble in three years.

Guardiola has won five domestic titles in his six years as a manager; three out of four with Barcelona and now two in two for Bayern.

The Bavarians face Barca in the Champions League semi-finals in May. Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “Retaining the title is a magnificent achievement.

All credit to the coach and the team. They’ve been fantastic throughout, in a season following

a World Cup where we had a host of players in action.

“We’ll have a magnificent party at some stage, no worries. But all in

good time. When we do, it’ll be a huge celebration.”

Van Gaal had a gut-feeling that his team would have it rough against Everton Louis van Gaal has said he feared his Manchester United side would struggle at Everton after watching the warm-up.

The visitors went behind after just five minutes when a counter attack culminated in James McCarthy’s finish.

Goals by John Stones and Kevin Mirallas confirmed United’s 3-0 loss,which the Dutchman put down to Everton having “more aggression and motivation”.

“I had the feeling; the warm-up was not so good,” said Van Gaal, whose concern was shared by assistant Ryan Giggs.

“In the last minutes before the

game you hope you can recover and stimulate your players but then it is too late.

“You have to prepare the match already two or three days before and Everton have done that and they have won because of that.”

United could have increased the gap to Liverpool in the race to secure the Champions League places with a win.

But instead they remain seven points clear of their fifth-placed rivals, having played a game more. “This is the first match that the other team have shown more fighting spirit than us,” Van Gaal added.

Torino to bring 20-year Turin Derby jinx to an end

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!: Bayern Munich claimed their 25th Bundesliga title after Wolfsburg lost to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Torino came from behind to beat runaway leaders Juventus, securing their first Turin Derby victory for 20 years.

Juve would have wrapped up a fourth consecutive title with a win, coupled with a Lazio defeat, and led when Andrea Pirlo curled home a free-kick.

Matteo Darmian levelled in style as he chipped the ball into the box with his first touch from a cross and lashed home with his

second.

And Fabio Quagliarella tapped home against his old club for a famous win.

At least 10 Torino fans were injured in the first half when a paper banger exploded, causing splinters from seats to hit supporters.

Elsewhere, second-placed Lazio drew 1-1 with Chievo, meaning a Juventus win would not have secured the title anyway.

14

SPORT MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

GLORY: Kenya’s Eliud Kipsang crossing the finishing line to win the London Marathon men’s race. Kipchoge, the 2003 5,000m world champion finished five seconds in front of another Kenyan athlete, Wilson Kipsang.

Kipchoge pips Kipsang, Kimetto in London race Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge won the men’s London Marathon, with Ethiopia’s Tigist Tufa victorious in the women’s race.

Kipchoge, the 5,000m world champion in 2003, finished five seconds in front of another Kenyan athlete, Wilson Kipsang.

Kipchoge and Kipsang were level with 600m of their race left before the former moved ahead to win the event for the first time, clocking two hours four minutes 42 seconds.

Kipsang, the 2012 and 2014 winner, came home

ahead of world record holder Dennis Kimetto, who completed a Kenyan one-two-three.

“The race was good and I feel OK,” said Kipchoge.

“This is a major championships and it was like an Olympic Games. To only have 500 metres to go and be next to someone like Kipsang shows this is a major competition. The crowd was wonderful and they lifted my spirits.”

Kipsang added: “This is one of the best races and a really strong field. I’m happy for my friend to have won and for me as defending champion to

run a good time and get second place, I’m really happy. It was a very tough race but a fantastic one.”

In the women’s race, 2014 Shanghai Marathon winner Tufa sprinted clear to finish in 2:23:22 and comfortably beat Kenya’s two-time London winner Mary Keitany.

The Ethiopian was among a group of nine athletes with three miles to go before she and compatriot Tirfi Tsegaye broke away from the rest.

Tufa, 28, then moved clear alone to win by 18

seconds from Keitany, the 2011 and 2012 winner.

Tsegaye was third with Sonia Samuels, the first British athlete to finish, 16th in a time of 2:31:45.

“The weather was very difficult for me and I found it a very slow race until the end and I was pushed,” said Tufa.

“I’ve always dreamed about winning the London Marathon and I can’t say how happy I am that this has come true.”

Organisers say a record number 37,500 started the race, raising millions of pounds for charity.

Charged Bulls maul Homeboyz Police, Orange retain Vaisakhi crowns to win Nairobi 10s rugby title Elkins Musonye scored two tries to steer Western Bulls to a 15-0 win over Homeboyz in the final of this year’s Nairobi 10’s tournament played at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground yesterday.

This is the first major title for the Kakamega-based side. The final was played in a waterlogged pitch following a heavy downpour. It was Western Bulls who mastered the slippery conditions to score three tries. Evin Asena scored the third try.

At halftime, the Echulusi led 10-0 with Leonard Mugaisi and Haroun Lubisia spending two minutes each sin binned for Homeboyz at different intervals.

“Just like most of the teams, we had the opportunity to use our young players who have done well,” head coach Brian Makalama said after the win.

Musonye was the man of the

moment in the semifinals as Western Bulls beat Impala RFC 12-0. He scored a try in each half with Asena converting once to single-handedly take Western Bulls to the final.

In the quarter finals, Western Bulls beat Blak Blad 7-0 while Homeboyz overran Kenya Harlequin 28-5 in the semi-final to book a date with Western Bulls.

They led 21-0 at halftime courtesy of tries by Collins Shikoli, Daniel Abuonji and Leonard Mugaisi while Mike Wanjala kicked over three conversions.

In the second half, Alvin Otieno added a try converted by Wanjala while Johnstone Mung’ao scored the consolation try for Quins.

The deejays were 19-0 winners over Strathmore University in the quarterfinals while Quins beat Nondescript RFC 27-0. The other quarterfinal had Impala beat Mwamba RFC 12-7.

TITLE CLAIMED: Western Bulls (Echulusi) players celebrating after beating Homeboyz RFC 15-0 to win the Nairobi 10s trophy.

National women champions Telkom Orange and former men champions Kenya Police successfully defended their titles for the Vaisakhi tournament which ended at the City Park Stadium yesterday.

Orange beat Strathmore University 3-0 and Kenya Police followed suit by beating Sikh Union (Nairobi) Simba 3-0 in the men’s final.

The match between Telkom Orange and Strathmore University was a repeat of last year’s final which Telkom Orange won 7-0. Jackline Mwangi scored two goals while Hellen Chemtai and Audrey Omaido added a goal each.

In the men’s final, Police scored three goals in the first half of a sizzling display of attacking hockey. Kenya Police, who completely outplayed their opponents, struck three goals in a space of six minutes through

Oliver Echenje, Samson Kibirir and Edmond Makona.

The first goal came in the 21st minute from Police’s third penalty corner. Captain Brian Saina did not take the strike and instead relayed to Echenje who slammed the ball home with a hard drive.

Kibirir then made it 2-0 for Kenya Police three minutes later as he connected a fine pass from the right by Moses Cheplaiti. Two minutes later, Felix Okoth and Sammy Oungo combined well, dribbling past four players before passing the ball to Makona who scored the third of the match to shut out Sikh Union.

The second half saw Police squandering scoring chances with Sikh Union’s goalkeeper Ajay Dosaja being called in thrice to stop Police from scoring more goals.

Dunford retires, maybe One of Kenya’s finest swimmers Jason Dunford has retired.

The 27-year-old, had announced his retirement after last year’s Commonwealth Games, a decision he recalled later.

Gutted and disappointed after failing to make the 50m butterfly final during the commonwealth Games, Dunford, who was the defending champion, said he would consider retiring after the “Club” Games.

However, he later said he will consider the decision to bow out upon completion of his next two events, the 100m freestyle and butterfly respectively.

He was largely expected to make his parting shot in next year’s Rio Olympics, but it appears he changed his mind.

“I am formally announcing my retirement from competitive swimming,”Dunford said on Sunday.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Kenya and I have achieved more than I could have dreamed, but I know the time is right for me to call time on my career,” he added.

Dunford won multiple gold medals at the AllAfrican games, the Africa championships, Universiade games and broke several championships records . He competed in the 50m and 100m Butterfly and Freestyle events.

TOUGH GUN: Jason Dunford pumps His Fist In The Air After Winning The Men’s 50m Butterfly On Day One Of The Finals Of The Fina / Arena Swimming World Cup in 2011.

Nishikori wins Barcelona Open Defending Champion Kei Nishikori beat Spain’s Pablo Andujar to retain the Barcelona Open title on Sunday.

Japan’s Nishikori, 25, won 6-4 6-4 to claim his ninth ATP World Tour title.

“I’m very happy,” he said. “It was one of the best tournaments so far this year. I always love playing here.”

Earlier Britain’s Jamie Murray and Australian partner John Peers lost 3-6 7-6 (6) 9-11 to Croatia’s Marin Draganja and Henri Kontinen of Finland in the men’s doubles final.

Andujar defeated Fabio Fognini and David Ferrer on his way to the final and immediately broke Nishikori’s serve in Sunday’s match.

However, Nishikori, ranked fifth in the world, broke straight back and eventually ground out a hard-fought victory.

“I hope I can come back next year,” added Nishikori.

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xnews |MOnDAY, April 27, 2015 | www.x-news.cO.ke

eliud kipchoge wins london marathon

pg.14

HAZARDOUS: Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. He has won the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award.

hazard named pFa player of the Year Eden Hazard has won the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award.

Hazard, 24, has scored 13 goals and made eight assists in 33 Premier League games to help leaders Chelsea move to the cusp of the title.

The award was voted for by the Belgian midfielder’s fellow professionals.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, 21, was named PFA Young Player of the Year, while Chelsea midfielder Ji SoYun took the Women’s Player of the Year award. Hazard, who won last season’s young player accolade, was handed the prize at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Sunday. “I’m very happy. One day I want to be the

best and what I did this season is play very well, Chelsea played very well,” he said.

Six Chelsea players are in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

Defenders Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry and Gary Cahill are joined by midfielders Nemanja Matic and Eden Hazard plus striker Diego Costa.

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