201505020 xnews

WEDNESday, MAY 20, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

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poaching purge KRA officer linked to Ivory seizure now suspended

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online job search Kenya leads African countries in Hunting for jobs on websites

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Miss Kenya launch plenty of beauties as event kicks off at Hilton hotel

NEWS

Harambee Starlets eye slot in 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics

David De Gea voted Manchester united player of the season

Why presidential losers could end up in parliament

P.7

SEE STORY ON PAGE 2

Keter, Birdi Finally charged over rant

End of an era

Popular music reality show ‘American Idol’ comes to a close after 15 seasons

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Home improvement Guilty oR not Guilty: MPs Sonia Birdi (R) and Charles Keter (L) addressing journalists in a past press conference. They appeared before Naivasha magistrate Peter Gesora this morning to face charges of incitement. They denied the charges and were released on a Sh150, 000 cash bail. See story on page 2

Three new magic rules when arranging furniture in the living room

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NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015

Team offers presidential losers soft landing Presidential candidates who lose in the next general election could be handed a soft landing by becoming governors, MPs or senators.

This is because they will be allowed to simultaneously run for those positions if proposals by a government team are adopted.

A taskforce set up by the government to audit the impact of the new constitution on the economy

and finances of the country also recommended scrapping the reduction of elective seats for MPs and MCAs by almost half.

In its interim report, the team, headed by Auditor General Edward Ouko, noted that presidential candidates are leaders of their parties and should be allowed to run for multiple offices so as to remain in mainstream political platforms.

“When they lose, the politicians who are leaders of their parties are subsequently excluded from mainstream political platforms.

Their exclusion weakens checks and balances emanating from those forums,” said the report, which was presented to the Budget and Appropriations Committee at the Boma Hotel yesterday.

Presidential candidates are not

allowed to run for multiple offices under the new constitution, unlike previously when they could run for parliamentary seats simultaneously.

And such, most of the candidates who ran against President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto have been pushed to political oblivion.

The team is proposing that the law be amended, allowing the presidential

candidates to run for multiple offices.

Another key recommendation the team made is for Senators to be elected by County Assemblies in order to reduce the ego battles between them and governors.

Member Abdirizak Nunow says there is no evidence that Senators are performing their mandate due to bad relationships with the county bosses.

KRA officer in Sh578 million Singapore ivory scandal suspended

Listen Guys: Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery when he appeared before MPs at parliament buildings yesterday.

SECURITY BUDGET CUT WILL PUT KENYAN LIVES AT RISK, WARNS NKAISSERY Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery has warned Parliament against reducing the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Interior, warning that this will jeopardise the fight against terror.

While appearing before the Committee on Administration and National Security, Nkaissery said with the evolution of threats, more funds would be required to boost personnel and equipment to heighten security.

“The complex nature of the threats, including global terrorism, piracy, trans- national crimes such as trafficking and cybercrime, the growing youth

radicalisation are some of the emerging security concerns the country is facing,” explained Nkaissery.

“In order to secure the country from these challenges, we are proposing Sh59 billion be availed to bridge the gap and mitigate the emerging issues. If you do not give us enough money please don’t blame the General (Nkaissery) but yourselves for failing to push for resources,” he warned.

The Treasury has allocated the ministry Sh102 billion in the 2015/16 financial year but Nkaissery insists that they require Sh161.8 billion for recurrent and development expenditure.

He warned that if the ministry was not adequately funded, they would not win the war against terror, which they had intensified following the myriad of attacks that have rocked the country, the most recent being the Garissa University College terror attack, which claimed the lives of 148 people.

Nkaissery was responding to questions fired at him over why the ministry was demanding more money yet most of what has been allocated in the past has been lost to corruption, which in turn, has been blamed for the security lapses.

The Kenya Revenue Authority has suspended an officer who handled an illegal shipment that contained ivory and other wildlife products worth Sh578 million that was seized in Singapore yesterday.

KRA officials said the directors of the exporting company, which handled the cargo, and the driver of a truck used to ferry the two 20-foot containers containing the wildlife trophy, are being sought.

“So far, the truck owner has provided statements to the investigation team but the driver is still at large. The directors of the exporting company have absconded but are being sought,” KRA Commissioner General, John Njiraini said in a statement released today.

He said other KRA port staff are being investigated and “appropriate actions will be taken as the relevant details emerge”.

Customs officials in Singapore yesterday apprehended about 3.7 tonnes of ivory and exotic animal products, which were being smuggled from Kenya to Vietnam.

According to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority in Singapore, the animal parts worth $6 million (Sh578 million) were stashed among bags of tea leaves in two 20-foot containers while transiting through the city state of Vietnam.

They discovered 1,783 pieces of raw ivory tusk hidden among the bags.

Inside the containers were also four pieces of rhino horn and 22 teeth believed to be from cheetahs and leopards.

Njiraini says the seizure was facilitated by KRA officials, who issued an alert to Singaporean authorities on April 28.

He says KRA established that the initial consignment was stuffed at Siginon Container Freight Station and thereafter, transported to Kilindini on a truck with the registration number KNY 944.

The cargo, which was declared as tea destined for Dubai, entered Kilindini on March 23 this year. It was then loaded and shipped out on April 6.

“Post-shipment, several manifest amendments were made changing the destination from Dubai to Thailand and Vietman through Singapore,” Njiraini explained.

“The amendments were not shared with Kenya Customs and these omissions are part of the issues being addressed with the shippers undertaken by the KRA team,” he added.

Local conservationists have demanded immediate investigations to also include 511 elephant tusks that were seized in Thailand on April, 25.

Keter, Birdi charged, released on cash bail Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and Nominated MP Sonia Bird were today charged by a Naivasha court before being freed on a Sh150,000 cash bail.

The two faced criminal charges relating to the Gilgil weighbridge rant in January.

x-news.co.ke

They had been directed to present themselves before the Magistrates court in Naivasha after the High Court in Nairobi rejected their bid to block prosecutions.

Justice Mumbi Ngugi declined to grant the application saying it had not raised sufficient

grounds to stop their indictment.

Justice Ngugi allowed the application by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of CID, who has recommended their prosecution.

Their prosecution had since been approved

by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keriako Tobiko, following completion of an investigation by the EACC. The two were charged for breaching Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya and the Provisions of the Ethics and Integrity Act 2013.

Keter and Birdi were captured on video harassing weighbridge officials in Gilgil, where they had gone to demand the release of a truck belonging to the nominated MP. The truck had been detained for flouting traffic rules.

CARTOONSPEAK

WEDNESDAY MAY 20, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS

Children are cruel, inconsiderate loudmouths, research confirms Children are cruel, inconsiderate loudmouths who would rather see people suffer than have their demands unmet, a new study has revealed.

Scientists have discovered that toddlers as young as two understand that the sounds they make influence the people around them.

They use these sounds to irritate, manipulate and frustrate those around them. Child development experts say that children also know how to adjust the loudness of their activities according to different situations.

This implies that a child will scream for attention on one occasion and later keep quiet while playing in places where they would not want to be discovered.

NEWS 3 Woman shot dead, man wounded in city robberies

This phenomenon, which is especially evident in two-year-olds, is often described as the ‘terrible twos’. It is a phase in a child’s development where he or she becomes particularly stubborn and unruly.

“It means that it’s developmentally appropriate to talk to 2-year-olds about hearing and ask them to be quiet.” It sheds new light into understanding how different skills unfold throughout childhood between the ages of 2 and 3.

“This study is among the first to test young children’s ability to understand how sounds are perceived by others and influence others,”’ says Andrew Meltzoff, co-director of the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences.

A middle aged woman was last night shot dead during a robbery incident at a shop in Utawala. In a similar incident in Pipeline, a man was seriously wounded as crime rate surges in Nairobi. The woman was shot in the chest by a gang of three that stole her mobile phone and a TV set from her shop. The gang raided the shop and demanded cash and other valuables. This prompted a confrontation that left the mother of one identified as Evangeline Wanjiru dead.

Police say the gang escaped on foot soon after the incident. In Pipeline, the man was shot in the wrist in a confrontation with suspected thugs yesterday evening before being robbed of unknown valuables and money.

Parents of radicalised youths in Mombasa also go missing

SERVING AND PROTECTING: Coast regional police boss Robert Kitur. He has confirmed the disappearance of the parents of some radicalised youths who had also earlier dissappeared.

Some parents of youths who have been reported missing in the coastal region have also disappeared.

Coast regional authorities say the parents vanished for fear of reporting the disappearances of their children to the police as had been earlier ordered. Coast regional police boss Robert Kitur, has confirmed the disappearance of the parents in some mysterious condition adding that investigations are now ongoing into the matter.

“Even the parents have gone missing; I don’t know what they fear. Just surrender yourself before we come looking for you,” he said.

“There is no need for us to publish your name in the newspapers for you to surrender, just do it yourself because if we come looking for you it will be a different case,” he added.

The police boss also called on the religious leaders in the region to avail any information on the whereabouts or any information

of the disappearances of both the parents and the children.

He says the parents are aware of the whereabouts of their children but have feared to report to the authorities. Most of the cases have been reported after the expiry of the amnesty that was issued by the government.

A number of youths in the country have been reported of joining the Al shabaab in Somalia and Isis in Syria with the recent reports of two Muslim girls missing from Nairobi’s South C estate. It was reported that the two, Salwa Abdalla and Twafiqa Dahir are said to be in Syria where they joined the ISIS group after one of them sent a text message claiming to be in Syria.

“Am now in Syria nimefika leo (arrived today).

Tell everyone not to look for me am doing very fine. I will contact kina mummy when I settle down after two weeks. In Shaa Allah,” read a section of the text message.

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

Obama to address MPs in July trip: US President Barack Obama is likely to address a joint session of Parliament and the senate when he visits Kenya in the last week of July. Parliament’s leadership has been asked to prepare for the possibility of a special sitting as Obama’s visit will fall on a weekend. Yesterday, a team of American officials led by US Ambassador Robert Godec was at Parliament Buildings on a mission to evaluate security arrangments. The Star established that the tour was part of the plans for Obama’s visit. The visit put into perspective the new security measures...

Best MP in Kenya as ranked by voters: Emuhaya’s Wilber Ottichilo has been ranked as the elected MP with the highest approval rating from his constituents, according to a new survey by Infotrak Research & Consulting. Dr Ottichilo, 53, is a second-term MP, having first joined the National Assembly in early 2008 to replace Mr Kenneth Marende, who had been elected Speaker.

Yesterday, the ODM lawmaker said he was thrilled to hear he had the highest approval rating among his 289 elected colleagues. He was followed by Sirisia MP John Waluke...

Audit proposes sending MPs home to save cash: A task force has recommended that 60,000 civil servants be sacked and the number of MPs and Members of County Assemblies ( MCAs) be reduced by half to lower the public wage bill. The shocking interim report was drawn up by a team set up to find ways of reducing the cost of running the two levels of government created by the Constitution. Reducing members of the national and county assemblies by 50 per cent would mean dropping 145 MPs and 1,110 MCAs. The report, called the Socio-Economic Audit of...

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xnews | Wednesday, May 20, 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 96.3111 96.2222 96.4000 150.8656 150.7256 151.0056 109.0106 108.9144 109.1067 8.1472 8.1366 8.1577 31.1491 31.0685 31.2298 21.0257 20.9544 21.0970

Mui Basin coal project expected to drive down costs of power Kenya has entered a deal to develop two coal blocks in the Eastern region, a move that could help drive down the cost of electricity.

The government has chosen China’s HCIG Energy Investment Company and Liketh Investments Kenya Ltd to develop the coal blocks, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum said on Tuesday.

The companies will be tasked with mining and processing coal within the Mui basin.

The deal will include the construction of a coal-fired power plant that will sell additional electricity to Kenya’s national grid, said the ministry in a statement.

The new power plant will cost about Sh193 billion and will be a major step in the government’s plan to increase the

country’s ability to generate more power.

The government hopes that the project will cut import costs, thereby bringing down the cost of power for consumers.

Some of the coal will go to some of Kenya’s cement and steel industries, which import large volumes of coal, Reuters reports.

The rest, says Reuters, will be used for energy generation, reducing the country’s

Faulty airbags from maker Takata trigger largest auto recall ever Takata, a leading Japanese airbag maker has said that the inflation devices it made for as many as 34 million vehicles, scattered across the world, are faulty.

Takata has, in the recent past, been linked to the manufacture of faulty airbags, which have caused at least 6 deaths and over 100 injuries in the US alone.

The firm said on Tuesday that mechanisms in the airbags of almost 34 million vehicles are defective.

This blunder will therefore lead to the largest vehicle recall in US automotive history, affecting models from 11 carmakers, the BBC reports.

The number is twice as much as previous estimates for faulty air bags from the manufacturer.

“Today is a major step forward for public safety,” US Transportation Secretary.

Anthony Foxx said following the announcement.

He added that “the Department of Transportation is taking the proactive steps necessary to ensure that defective inflators are replaced with safe ones as quickly as possible, and that the highest risks are

reliance on diesel-powered and thermal plants.

Earlier this year, the government injected 280 megawatts (MW) of power into the grid.

This move brought down the cost of electricity by 30 per cent. Now the state plans to add roughly 3,000megawatts by 2017.

Consumer rights Kenya leads Africa in online jobs search According to a Pew research, over half (53 percent) of internet users in Kenya use the web to search and apply for jobs, more than any other African country and slightly behind Bangladesh and India. That is peculiar, considering the international average for people looking for jobs online is 35 percent.

Google trends confirm Pew’s research with ‘jobs’ being among the all-time search terms in Kenya.

But while only a half of Kenyans internet users are looking for jobs online, a whopping 88 percent use social networking

sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, second only to Philippines at 93 percent in the emerging nations.

“Among people in emerging and developing nations who have access to the internet, nearly twothirds (a median of 66%) access it daily,” states the Pew Global research.

In Kenya, and for most parts of developing countries, the smartphone has become the primary access to the internet.

The Communications Authority reveals nearly 99 percent of active internet users in Kenya browse the web using their smartphones.

QA TESTING: Takata experts performing quality assurance checks on airbags.

addressed first.”

The Transport Department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said its analysis of test results “points to moisture infiltrating the defective inflators over extended periods of time as a factor”.

That moisture may make the chemicals that ignite to set off

JOB MARKET Oxygen8 East Africa Limited, a subsidiary of the Oxygen 8 Group is hiring accountants and software engineers.

“Interested candidates should apply by emailing a CV and Cover Letter explaining their interest in the position and what they could bring to it,” reads a statement from

an airbag burn too quickly, causing the structure to break and “sends metal shards into the passenger cabin that can lead to serious injury or death”, said the administration.

Both passenger and driver airbags will be recalled in an effort that started in highhumidity areas of the US, but will now spread across

the country. Last week, Japanese carmakers, Honda and Daihatsu said they would recall roughly five million cars globally to replace the potentially deadly airbag inflators made by Takata.

Toyota and Nissan also said they would be recalling 6.5 million vehicles over the same issue.

ONLINE: Kenyans in a matatu browsing the internet on their mobile phones. A new research shows that Kenyans are using the internet to look for jobs more than any other African country.

Oxygen 8 is hiring Accountants and Software Engineers

the recruiters.

Applicants are advised to send their letters of intent to “careers. ke@oxygen8.com” by May 30, 2015.

Those applying for the position of accountants must have at least 3 years’ experience in Finance and must be a Certified Public

Accountant (CPA).

They must also possess excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills in both English and Kiswahili.

Those applying for the post of Software Engineer must have a 3rd level qualification in a numerate discipline, ideally a computer

related field.

They must possess proven industry experience in C++, technical competency within a Linux environment, strong analytical and design skills and previous experience in a Telco environment (fixed or mobile).

Oxygen 8 has said the firm is

looking to hire a “self-starter, with the ability to learn and understand complex systems without difficulty.”

Candidates for this post must also have good written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills in English and Kiswahili.

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BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015

farm biz

Engineer discovers fortunes in coffee and pigs

PIG STY: Pig rearing requires a lot of discipline and dedication. You have to stick to the right feeding rations and times if you are to be successful in the business.

Behind towering coffee bushes with enticing red berries, a pulping machine and a modern pigsty hosting dozens of pigs is the make or break story of Timothy Njogu, an engineer who found passion in agriculture.

His commitment has paid off seeing him voted the winner in the Elgon Kenya National farmers award, small scale farm fully commercialised category.

And while the win has made him a celebrity in his Nyeri area, seeing farmers flock his farm to learn the secret behind his success, Njogu has remained true to his passion, with discipline, dedication and commitment guiding his forte. “I have been in this business for some time. I can’t quite remember when I started. It has been many

years ago, but I definitely enjoy doing it. I guess the reason I have reached where I am is because I don’t take anything for granted,” he said.

This dedication is what has seen him transform his farm from a few coffee bushes that he started with to the 45 acre empire he has created today which has seen him purchase a coffee pulping machine that aids him in removing the soft pulp in coffee berries and taming uncontrollable fermentation and rot.

Njogu first started with a few coffee bushes and pigs as I way of trial. But when the demand for his produce picked up, he knew farming was made for him. His coffee and pig business have both blend in so well, a

Kenya could spend over Sh200 million on Cholera outbreak Kenya spends Sh212 million every year treating Cholera, a study by the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) has revealed.

Following a recent spate of Cholera outbreaks in some parts of the country, it has emerged that the money spent this year may rise incrementally if something is not done to curb the threat.

The WSP reports that on average, there are 3,500 cases of cholera affecting Kenya every year.

Over the past few weeks, a total of 3,234 cases have been reported.

Outbreaks like these are usually mitigated through Kenya’s Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Program, an initiative that seeks to educate and empower communities while preventing the spread of diseases.

The annual cost of the necessary WASH response for Cholera is estimated to be US$2.2 million (Sh212 million).

“However, the economic implications of a cholera outbreak go beyond the immediate health system response,” explains a statement from the WSP. The Program indicates that given the nature of the disease, the country loses productivity since most infected people are unable to work.

This, along with cases of premature death, causes a ripple effect, diverting expenditures from other essential items while leading to losses in trade and tourism revenue.

Health Cabinet Secretary, James Macharia said in a statement released in Nairobi that there have been more than 300 new cases of Cholera reported in the last week.

This is a significant rise from the 226 cases that were previously reported during the previous week.

The outbreak began in Western Kenya

HEALTH MATTERS: Children collecting water from a communal tap in the Kibera slum on Feb. 26, 2015. A cholera outbreak there has brought about a ban on eating raw food.

CREDIT POINTER At a time when bank lending rates are competitive, there are many services that cater to small businesses but few are tailored to meet the needs of women.

In light of these challenges, Family Bank, in conjunction with the Ministry of Gender, under the

late last year and is now evident in 11 out of 47 counties, including Nairobi.

Erratic weather and recent floods have only served to aggravate the situation, the Ministry of Health reports.

The Ministry has since taken steps to deal with the threat, including the distribution of medicine and water treatment chemicals to several counties.

fact he attributes to keeping him in business.

“Pig rearing requires a lot of discipline and dedication. You have to stick to the right feeding rations and times if you are to be successful in the business. In the pig trade it is the little things that matters. It is ensuring that you don’t overlook any detail, no matter how small and insignificant it may appear,” he added. Testament to his thriving farming empire is a butchery that his wife Mrs. Njogu operates. Once pigs are mature, they are taken to the butchery where business is booming. “Although we sell the mature pigs to the traders around, we decided to set up our own butchery and we haven’t regretted.

Business is good. People love pork,” Njogu concludes.

BIZ BRIEF

I’VE RESIGNED: Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi, who has voluntarily resigned from Britam’s board of Directors.

Equity CEO resigns from Britam board Britam has announced the resignation of James Mwangi from its Board of Directors.

Mwangi, who is also the Equity Group CEO, has been replaced by Walter Andrew Hollas, a former Senior Partner and CEO at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Mwangi however, still retains his shareholding stake in the company.

“This is purely a voluntary move, agreed mutually with Britam Board of Directors to help us further minimise conflict of interest risks, as Britam, has recently enhanced its shareholding in banking services provider, HF,” Britam Group Managing Director, Benson Wairegi said while confirming the changes.

Hollas is a former PwC

Senior Partner and was responsible for PricewaterhouseCoopers’ East, Central and West Africa operations.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a member of the UK Institute of Directors, and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya.

The firm has noted that despite the changes, the group’s property strategy, which includes the ongoing construction of a 31-storey building, was on course.

The structure, dubbed Britam Tower, is to be developed at a cost of Sh7 billion and is projected to be the tallest building in Kenya and the third tallest in Africa.

Maridadi Loan from Family Bank

Women Enterprise Fund has launched a service that offers Kenyan women loan products to boost their upcoming businesses.

Described as a “Smart Boost for Kenyan Business Women”, the Maridadi Loan offers credit worth up to Sh500,000.

The product comes with a low interest rate of 8 per cent and offers personal accident insurance for account holders.

This service, explains the lender, is a revolving fund for women above the age of 18.

“Family Bank recognises the role

and potential of women in shaping and realizing a better future for our country,” reads a statement from the lender.

It adds: “That’s why the bank has partnered with The Women Enterprise Development Fund to provide this loan to our customers.”

Under the service, the bank promises flexible security requirements such as putting up household items as collateral.

It also offers flexible monthly repayments of up to 24 months.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015

ACCESS topstory

When the shoW started, it used to pull an average audience of 30 million.

Kelly Clarkson

Carrie Underwood

Amos and Josh

SAYING GOODBYE TO

AMERICAN IDOL I

n case you missed it, the buzz in showbiz is still on about the cancellation of the most successful music show of all time. It was announced that American Idol will come to a close after its 15th season next year. The iconic show has been running since 2001 with franchises across the globe.

When the show started, it used to pull an average audience of 30 million viewers, last Wednesday during the finale the show pulled just under 6.9 million viewers. A paltry figure for a show that commanded a lot of clout.

What exactly made the show fail?

There are many conspiracy theories doing rounds. But let us start with past winners. How many do you know? Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson are some of the most notable Idol contestants who went on to do greater things.

Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol and has become a common stay on the music industry ever since. Her first album, Thankful was certified Platinum twice a big feat

for someone just starting out. Her second album Breakaway (2004) was certified platinum six times! Over the course of her career, Clarkson has had 91 number one songs on the Billboard charts, 11 international number one singles and has sold over 45 million albums worldwide.

She has also won countless awards and been nominated for a lot more.

Carrie Underwood went the country music way winning various awards and accolades since winning in 2004.

She went on to win seven Grammy Awards, seventeen Billboard Music Awards, eleven Academy of Country Music Awards and eight American Music Awards, along with being nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

There are other idol winners who also made a bit of buzz like Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Daughtry and Adam Lambert.

But what exactly could have really made the show flop? Fingers are pointing towards the judges. The franchise has changed its judges so

Esther

much that in a way it made the show loose its lustre. Some of the judges brought on did not necessarily know music. Like Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey! Really? The two were only brought on to spice up the show with their countless fights. Simon Cowell, a judge who knew what he was doing left after its 10th season dealing a blow to the already failing show. Let’s admit it; people only watched the show because of Simon Cowell’s comments and remarks. We lived for that. Then he left. The show also focused too much on the judges instead of the contestants. That is where shows like The Voice and X Factor is ahead of them. The show is about the contestants not the judges.

Lastly, the world has changed and now everything is about social media and the presence someone has on there. American Idol failed miserably in generating their presence on social media. They never let fans interact with the judges and contestants something that should really happen.

Closer home, our own Tusker Project

Ruth Matete

Fame came to an abrupt end the other day. Reaching season six, the show has not been heard of since nor has its winners. Ironically, the runners up of the show are the ones making music.

Valerie Kimani won the first season of Tusker Project fame. She then released her debut album Baisikeli and has not been heard from since. Apart from her acting roles in Shuga: Love, Sex, and Money nothing else has been heard from her. Her music did not really break the mold in the Kenyan music scene. Her other counterparts who did not win like Nakaaya of Tanzania and Wendy Kimani have been doing well by consistently releasing songs.

Esther Mugizi the season two winner has not been heard of since she left the country after the show with her five million in tow. Alpha Rwirangira who won in the third season has been quoted as saying the organisers did not fulfil their promises of recording contracts. The Rwandese has been bitter about how the show’s winners are handled and has been speaking up about it. Hillary Davis Ntare on the other hand has been trying his hand at

Valerie Kimani

music back home in Uganda but is yet to make any impact.He is somewhere floating around in the music sphere of Uganda. Ruth Matete who won the fifth season has been having a really tough time at it. Scandals have rocked her career giving her a false start at music. She has been eratic in her music releasing some half-baked gospel singles. The last instalment of Project fame saw Burundi’s Hope Irakoze win. Everybody had thought the duo Amos and Josh would win but they emerged Runners up. Look at what Amos and Josh are up to now!

They are collaborating with some of the Industry’s big names from Sauti Sol to King Kaka and they are still on the rise.

What really ails these music talent shows? Why do some of the contestants not make it big? Is it lack of mentorship? Or are the winners not well equipped to deal with the fame and money that comes with winning?

Questions we would want answered as the biggest music show comes to a close.

8

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 26th WEDNESDAY, MAY NOVEMBER 20, 2015 2014

HOME& LIVING

arrange your seats in a Way that alloWs people to have a normal pitCh Conversation.

DIY

How to be a cool E

veryone is different.

What may be appealing to one person may be reproaching to another and let’s face it, being a punk in Kenya could be considered extreme. Try pulling an all leather outfit with purely dark make up and maroon or green hair, and everyone in the streets will probably think you are mad or recently joined the illuminati!

However, there are several subtle methods to being a punk without being too conspicuous.

Have you ever thought about expressing yourself through your phone?

Small as it may be, it might

be the solution to all your problems.

Customizing your mobile phone case is simple. All you need is a plain mobile phone case (available at any electronics shop), super glue, a mark pen and spiky studs (which you can obtain from any jewelry shop).

On the backside of the plain mobile phone case, carefully sketch several thick lines using the marker pen, one inch apart or according to the size of your mobile phone case. Depending on your preference, the sketched lines can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal or

even wavy. You only ha to ensure that they a neat. Apply super gl along the sketched lin and then carefully pla your studs on the sup glue smeared surface w the pointed edges faci upwards.

Remember super gl dries up pretty fast, you will have to wo hastily. Give the mob phone case some hours properly dry up and th place your phone insi and you are all set.

The end result is a clas and unique creation th brings out the rock star you without attracting t much negative attention!

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Y

ou have been living in your cozy apartment for years, yet something has always felt off in your living room. You have tried making all manner of changes such as painting walls dramatically, using neon lights or even adding more furniture, but that has only made things worse.

The truth is, you are being punished for disobeying the rules of furniture arrangement!

In the living room, your furniture

is the most prominent component that contributes to the overall appearance of the room. If you therefore place your furniture haphazardly, you will never be satisfied with your living room.

Do not worry though; we have compiled three of the most revered rules of furniture arrangement. Try applying them in your living room and you will immediately notice the difference.

Do not place furniture against walls Kenyans are especially notorious for disobeying this rule. However, it is important to leave some space between furniture and walls, as this creates the illusion that the room is more spacious than it actually is.

When you squeeze seats against the wall, the impression created is that you are desperately trying to ‘push’ the wall back in order to create more space.

Create conversation space Arrange your seats in a way that allows people to have a normal pitch conversation (one that does not involve shouting in order to be heard). Your furniture arrangement should allow people sitting in your living room to be close to one another but without invading each other’s personal space.

Have an anchor The anchor is what gives your living room a balanced appearance

by acting as a focal point. Ensure that your furniture is arranged facing the focal point which is in most cases a coffee table.

The focal point also eliminates the awkwardness of a room without a table, which makes it seem more like a reception or hospital waiting room than a home interaction space.

FurniturE arrangEmEnt magic r u l E s

Your furniture arrangement should allow people sitting in your living room to be close to one another but without invading each other’s personal space.

ave are lue nes ace per with ing

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 2015

When one is stressed vitamin C is lost, so this Can be replenish by drinking a Cup of Warm lemon Water.

Lemon water can lead to cleaner skin when toxins are flush out and digestion is improved.

ssy hat in too !

n m

g

HEALTH &FITNESS

benefits of drinking A

lemon water

n unhealthy gut can lead to a myriad of diseases like diabetes and obesity. Adding a glass of this concoction (water, honey and lemon) to your morning ritual can keep the doctor at bay.

Drinking lemon water in the morning relieves your gut by stimulating the production of hydrochloric acid, a critical ingredient needed by our stomach to digest and expel waste because it is rich in vitamin C. Here are some of the benefits of this concoction.

Boost your energy level Drinking lemon water especially when drained in

lue so ork bile s to hen ide

9

the afternoon helps increase energy levels and hence acts like an energy drink.

Prevents bad breath This is by killing the bacteria causing bad breath in the mouth and also by flashing away toxins from the liver that when overworked releases bad smelling substances to the bloodstream, lungs then the mouth.

Lowers stress levels When one is stressed vitamin C is lost, so this can be replenish by drinking a cup of warm lemon water.

Supports weight loss Lemon juice contains pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to aid in weight-loss.

This beverage will

cut calories from your daily diet.

It soothes an upset tummy Hot water cleanses your system, while the flavonoids from lemon juice may help reduce acidity in your stomach when you have a pesky heartburn or a bloated belly.

Clears skin Lemon water can lead to cleaner skin when toxins are flush out and digestion is improved. It also contains vitamin C which is needed for collagen production for smooth, healthy skin.

WORKOUT While working out usually follows the “no pain no gain” rule, you do not have to cripple yourself the next day to get fit.

HOW to aVOiD

WORKOUT PAIN

Y

ou just completed a really intense workout and it feels like you are finally making progress in your training.

The next day you can barely stand up. The pain of working out the previous day is finally getting to you. This is what experts refer to as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, or simply DOMS. While the pain, may seem unbearable, it is the kind of pain athletes and bodybuilders wear with pride.

Muscle soreness usually occurs 24 to 48 hours following intense activity, and may go on for days. The body usually tends to ‘remember’ a workout!

DOMS usually sets in when you introduce a new training routine

which the muscles are yet to adapt to especially when new to physical activity.

The best course of action would be to keep the muscles working, rather than keeping off the gym as this will keep the pain for longer.

One should also massage in the most affected areas, alternating between cold and hot showers and increasing protein intake to help with the muscles repair.

While working out usually follows the “no pain no gain” rule, you do not have to cripple yourself the next day to get fit. It can still be a good workout without having to necessarily be sore afterwards. Consistency is the main ingredient. You can still achieve your goals without DOMS.

10

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 7th WEDNESDAY, MAYJANUARY 20, 2015 2015

FASHIONparade

@The Miss Kenya launch.

BerNice chepkurui she was glittering, literally.

Teresa MweNde she pulled off the yellow dress.

TONy chirah looking all good and noble.

crysTal Olisa Took animal print to a new level

Mercy Nyagaka we love this dress!

the

MInI MeMo

JOyce pushaTi she wins the competition for the shortest dress.

Is Collonel Moustapha trying too hard?

Collonel Moustapha is best remembered for being the equal half of hit boy duo Deux Vultures.He also created a buzz when he publicly dated the then fast rising singer Myra. Some time back he tried being relevant by creating some kind of buzz with socialite Huddah Monroe but it didn’t catch on. Now he has gone back to the studio and is yet to release Dodoma Singida.

The said video promises to raunchier than any to ever grace our screens. It is two days to the release date, will he make it back on top?

T

he Miss Kenya beauty pageant was launched yesterday evening at the Hilton Hotel and as expected there was no shortage of beautiful women at the event!

The trend of the event was minis from peplum to balloon dresses but it was the man of the moment, Tony Chirah, who caught our attention. He took the moment to channel a sharp beige military suit and won our hearts. That is definitely a lesson in how to steal the show.

hOt tOPICS

King Kaka country wide tour begins As promised at the launch of his album the king Kaka tour kicks off in Kakamega at the end of the month and will see him traverse the country in a bid to take his music to the masses.

Moustapha

King Kaka

Jackie NdiraNgu This peplum dress is a perfect fit.

Janet Jackson is back after 7 years After a seven years hiatus Janet Jackson is back. The one time hit maker moved to Qatar after getting married to her billionaire husband. She recently took to twitter to announce her return to music.

Most of her fans thought that Janet would never come back to music again. In the video announcement, the singer said, “I promised you’d hear it from my lips. And now you will. This year. New music.

New world tour. A new movement.

I’ve been listening. Let’s keep the conversation going.”

Janet Jackson

PLAY 11 WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 If you have children, their difficulties may remind you of your own, Capricorn. Or their education brings back memories of your own. Have you held onto any issues from that period that still bother you today? This would be a good time to ask yourself that question.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Don’t spend beyond your means today, Aquarius! If you happen to be in a crowd of enthusiastic shoppers, it could be disastrous for your wallet. You could yield to the prevailing spending mood all too easily! On the other hand, perhaps you owe yourself a treat.

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Minor tensions will arise today, Pisces. Someone close to you, perhaps your partner or a parental figure - seems to be trying to convince you to adopt a certain behavior you aren’t willing to follow. Will you negotiate gently or forcefully? The second seems more likely.

WEATHERFORECAST WEDESday 20/05/2015

sunny

23

THURday 21/05/2015

More sun than clouds

24

24ºC 68%

6:28 am 6:31pm

24ºC 66%

6:28 am 6:31pm

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 This isn’t a day for subtle, sensitive people like you, Taurus. In fact, the winner will probably be the one who shouts the loudest and bangs on the table. The air of aggression will have an effect on you. You could be somewhat upset and more vulnerable than usual.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 You could find your beloved taking more liberties than you allow yourself. This could be a chance to realize that you need more novelty in the emotional realm. Be open to looking into the possibilities. The day ahead could bring you just what you seek.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 You may be all too aware of the constraints of your chief occupation. You’re likely to hanker for appropriate rewards for your labors. This is a good day to define new personal and professional goals. They will sustain you through your chores.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 Perhaps old demons have come back to haunt you about your freedom, and now you have doubts. Don’t listen to the doubts, because if you do, you may regress ten paces in your emotional life. Roll the dice and decide.

MUSTREAD Zulu —by Caryl Férey

When he was younger, Ali Neuman and his mother ran away from home to escape the Inkatha. Inkatha was a militant political party that was at war with African National Congress.

Years later, Neuman is grown up and is the chief of homicide in Cape Town. Violence and AIDS are the mains scourges he fights on a daily basis. His job gets even more difficult when the body of a white woman is found in the city’s botanical garden. Even before he has started investigating the murder, a second body of a white woman surfaces and this time there are clear signs that she was used for a Zulu ritual.

Now Neuman must rush against time to figure out who the murderer is. The search takes him back to his home town where he discovers the Inkatha bloodshed was more than he remembered.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 You aren’t the biggest advocate for working under constraints, Libra, so today is going to be good for you. You will accept them, and gracefully. Do you understand the meaning of such a day? It would be wonderful if you learned how to hold onto the paradox you discover.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Abandon the myth that you don’t have any gifts or means at your disposal, Scorpio. The proof is that you have your body. Are you taking care of yourself? Do you take care of minor health issues? You regard your gifts the same way you regard your body.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Sagittarius, if you’re waiting for someone to fulfill all of your needs, you may have to wait a very long time. The paradox of love is that it arrives on your doorstep in its most profound form when you need it least. So take whatever steps you must in order to fulfill yourself.

INSTAMOMENTS 1

3

2

4

24

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 After meeting the challenges presented by the past several days, you’re likely to want a little peace and quiet! But you can expect to be sought out and asked to assume your duties. You may feel like forgetting the whole thing and running away.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Until now, you may have been too stubborn about doing what you want without trying to address the question of your financial means, Leo. Push ahead and try to raise your standard of living, because you have something to learn in this domain.

THURsday

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

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. Trust me, Farukh. I’m an engineer - Edwin Obare, Nairobi 2. Looking for the Constituency Development Funds that serikali promised 3. When the government says there is still some gold in Ikolomani - BG, Nbi

12

PLAY

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. 1984 John Heard movie 5. “____ light through yonder window breaks...”

9. Lines for writing notes 14. Celebratory round dance 15. Island tourist destination in Indonesia 16. Bushed 17. Alice on “The Brady Bunch” 19. Question poser 20. Put down more seed 21. Test one’s metal 23. Rock’s Fleetwood ____ 25. Like some hairdos 30. Cornelius Ryan book 33. Modern LP’s 35. Cold, in Cádiz 36. Nick of films 37. Luggage fastener 39. Piece of cake 42. Mug 43. Construction element 45. Start of an octave 47. Minister’s deg.

48. Bush and Rove, for example 52. Willa Cather’s “My ___” 53. Neth. neighbor 54. “___ recommend it!”

57. “’Twas the ___ before Christmas...”

61. Film director Frank 65. Approaches 67. Baseball great Lefty 68. Adversary’s antithesis

69. Actress Rowlands 70. Kitchen appliances 71. Lovett of country music 72. Wild party Down 1. Burn the chops 2. Sharpen, as a knife 3. Coffeehouse servers 4. All that and a bag o’ chips 5. Prizefighters’ org.

6. Part of a song heard at bar mitzvahs 7. Actress MacGraw, et al.

8. Sneezer’s request 9. Decides not to quit 10. “____ the season to be jolly...”

11. Place of refuge 12. Charge 13. New Deal pres.

18. Dopey or Doc 22. Appropriate 24. Cyl. part 26. Canine communication 27. Some piano keys 28. “___ Adams” (Robin Williams film) 29. Chased up a trunk 30. Concur 31. Movie set VIP 32. Edam relative 33. Granada girl 34. Apply, as ointment 38. El ____, Texas 40. Clever comment 41. Naval hoosegow 44. Drones

46. ___ the score (gets revenge) 49. Free (of) 50. Graffiti artist, e.g.

51. ___ bragh 55. Air France hub 56. Like some orders 58. Grandpa Walton portrayer 59. Dangle 60. Airline passenger’s table 61. Dove sound 62. Part of speech (abbr.)

63. Edgar Allan ____ 64. Flee 66. Hay-on-____ (Welsh “town of books”)

Yesterday’s answers

YOURSAY

Incompetent MPs CA should know that Internet is now should be sacked a basic human right and impeached Next time you have trouble finding a Wi-Fi signal, you can claim your rights are being trampled upon. The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution in 2012 affirming Internet access as a human right.

This means that every single person in the country currently has the right to be connected to the web.

Holding factors like poverty and unemployment constant, the world is moving so fast that Kenya is falling this far behind, then someone is not doing their job.

I call on Mr. Ngene Gituku as Chairman of the Communications Authority of Kenya to address this issue. In the near future, Wi-Fi should be available in every urban centre and every place that has so much as a link to the national power grid.

Internet access is now a basic human right and depriving people of it is a step towards oppression and dictatorship!

— Paul Mirera, Lang’ata

We should sack or impeach incompetent Members of Parliament and other politicians of their ilk.

It’s not a question of “should we do it?”, but a question of “how fast we can get rid of these idiots before they cause more damage than they already have?”

Let’s start with those buggers in Budalangi. Flooding there happens like clockwork and no real progress has been made to stem the crisis.

Any funds that are poured into that constituency are either being misused, mishandled or stolen altogether.

Whoever is in charge of sacking such incompetent dunderheads should get right on it! I think we should give our elected officials 6 initial months in office to prove that they are competent, instead of giving them 5 years to steal as much of our tax money as they can.

—Ronnie Kagiri, Lavington

Thousands are starving while MPs ask for allowances Is someone feeding the starving Kenyans in West Pokot? As we struggle with floods across the country, has someone stopped to consider our starving comrades on the other side of the map?

I vote that any MP, Senator or County Rep who can afford to have three square meals a day should do what they can to ensure their constituents have the same.

You can’t ask for allowances when 67,000 people are starving to death, you sick bastards! Get your act together. And someone help West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo. He has his hands full with warring tribes in the area! The government is trying to encourage farming in the Pokot region but how long until we see the first real, sustainable harvest? We need to do is create a drainage system that takes the excess water from the Nairobi floods to the arid West Pokot region. It sounds far-fetched but if Israel can import soil, you best believe Kenya can “sambaza” water. Can I get an Amen? — Ken Kairu, Kenyatta University

Medical insurance is cheap now, everyone should have it It comes as a surprise to me that many Kenyans still don’t have medical insurance. The schemes that insurance companies are offering

have become so affordable that a person can get a cover for as little as Sh7 a day!

I think the medical community,

and the Ministry of Health, in particular, should create incentives to make health insurance mandatory.

Local clinics should encourage ev-

ery patient to open a scheme.

They should make it a priority to have people registered under whatever policy they can afford. Given

the recent rise in cases of treatable diseases, it is evident that Kenyans need to be prodded in the right direction. — Steve Mbai, Nairobi

Just why can’t drivers in Nairobi obey traffic lights?

Jeff Koinange’s rights were trampled upon in his arrest

When traffic lights were introduced in the city, people thought that they would ease traffic. But they seem to have made traffic worse as some people obey the lights while others don’t.

Police, who are usually at junctions and roundabouts also share a fair share of the

Being a free world that we live in, freedom of speech is one of the most important things.

We should be able to speak out our minds.

And in this case, Jeff Koinange was doing just that and he being a journalist, being truthful and shedding light to matters that affect the

blame.

I think that the main reason as to why traffic lights were put up at junctions and roundabouts was to obviously retore order on the city roads and not the chaos we see and endure every day.

— Brian Okinyi, Nairobi

Nation is his job. Was he warned about not discussing certain businessmen? Yes he was.

But him and his business partner Tony Gachoka still went ahead and did it. But maybe its coz the information was in the best interest of the viewers.

—Anonymous, Nairobi

Send your letters to news@x-news.co.ke | Letters will be edited for summary and clarity

SPORT 13 WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015

Harambee Starlets eyeing slot in Rio Olympics

The national ladies football team are charged to secure a 2016 Rio Olympics games slot ahead of this weekend’s qualifier match against Botswana in Laboste.

The team’s coach David Ouma says the hurriedly assembled side has hopes of achieving what their male counterparts failed on a couple of weeks ago. The team is expected to leave for Botswana on Wednesday evening.

Ouma maintains he is instilling positive mentality to the players despite them being inactive for a long time and a head of the qualifiers.

“The last international friendly match was against Egypt in March where we were able to select players,” he said.

“Our greatest undoing is that the players have not attained the international standards of fitness, we are working to see that at least we are at par with our competitors,” Ouma added.

Kenya and Botswana were given a bye in the first round of the qualifiers alongside Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, Mali, Congo and Equatorial Guinea.

Gabon, Libya, Liberia and Guinea Bissau on the other hand had to start their campaign from the first round.

Ouma says he wishes the national team is involved more often to give the player the much needed international exposure and match fitness if they are to compete favourably at the continental stage and globally.

“Looking at the team we will come up against, there is disparity in the events and build up to such crucial matches, that is something we need to copy,” he said.

Starlets were last year eliminated in the first of the African Women Championship by the She Amavubi of Rwanda.

The under-20 team was eliminated in the third round of the FIFA women’s World Cup in 2012.

CHARGING STARLETS: National women’s football team in a past action at Nyayo Stadium.

Gatlin claims he was ‘kicked out’ of Beijing meeting by organisers Justin Gatlin says he was “kicked out” of the Beijing World Challenge by meeting organisers.

The 33-year-old, who has served two doping bans, was due to race in China on Wednesday after running his fastest ever 100m time of 9.74 seconds in Doha.

Gatlin was unsure about his fitness following a flight to Beijing but appeared ready to compete after coming through a training session on Monday.

“They didn’t have any respect for me so they said ‘you better leave’,” he said.

“I was happy to stay. I was cramping a lot after the fastest my body has ever run.”

closer: Napoli’s Dries Meretens 9R) celebrates his second goal against Cesena on Monday with team mate Marek Hamsik.

Dries Mertens brace keeps alive Napoli’s Champions League hopes Napoli remain in contention for a Champions League place after Dries Mertens scored twice in their win over relegated Cesena on Monday.

Gregoire Defrel’s left-foot strike put visiting Cesena ahead before Mertens pounced after a shot from Jose Callejon deflected into his path.

Mertens set up Manolo Gabbiadini to make it 2-1 only for Defrel to level before the break.

But Mertens struck the winner from Marek Hamsik’s pass before the hour.

The win means Rafa Benitez’s team have 63 points in Serie A, three behind third-placed Lazio and four adrift of second-placed Roma.

Finishing second earns a team group stage entry in the Champions League, while the third-placed team joins the competition in the final qualifying round. Meanwhile, Fiorentina beat relegated Parma 3-0 on Monday with Gonzalo Rodriguez, Alberto Gilardino and Mohamed Salah scoring.

The meeting organisers have yet to respond to the American’s comments.

Gatlin’s time of 9.74 from Friday’s Doha Diamond League meeting is the fastest in the world so far this year and joint-sixth quickest 100m time in history.

“It’s crazy. I have no idea what they were thinking. I think they thought I wasn’t man enough and I might pull up in the race, or not finish it and then still ask for money,” added Gatlin.

“But I’m not a man like that. I’m not the kind of guy to cheat people of their money or let the fans down ... that’s not what I do.”

DISRESPECTED: Justin Gatlin celebrates after winning the 100m in 9.74sec in Doha.

14

SPORT WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 THE HARD WAY: The Kenya Sevens rugby team in action against Canada in a past IRB series encounter. Coach Felix Ochieng says the team will qualify for 2016 Rio Olympics the hard way.

Kenya will make for Rio the hard way - Ochieng Kenya sevens had the easy route of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil but failed to take it, they will now have to do it the hard way, says head coach Felix Ochieng.

The coach said this upon the team return to the country on Tuesday from London after the conclusion of arguably their worst outing to the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Kenya ended the World Series campaign winning the Bowl trophy

at the London sevens on Sunday.

Ochieng admitted for a team of Kenya’s status, the campaign has been far from good something that should inspire the players ahead of the Olympics qualifiers set for November 14/15 in the City of Gold, Johannesburg in south Africa.

“Targets were set high on an automatic qualification to Rio this season, a shot we have failed

miserably on. Now we have no option but do it the hard way,” he said.

“Despite having a poor season, the have been great individual highs which we need to incorporate in order to have one strong side,” he added.

The coach once again praised vicecaptain Collins Injera, who hit the right headlines in a campaign that has drained hope for Kenya when

added.

Kenya Rugby Union boss, Richard Omwela told the players the forthcoming regional Olympic Games qualifiers can make up for the bad season they have endured Series “That is the priority and we need to plan adequately, the likes of Zimbabwe and Tunisia will be coming preparing for us,” Omwela said.

Langer rules himself out of England job

SETBACK: Seahawks’ Jesse Williams smiles as he puts on his helmet during OTAs on June 2, 2014, in Renton.

Seahawks’ Jesse Williams diagnosed with kidney cancer Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jesse Williams will undergo kidney surgery after being diagnosed with cancer.

The 24-year-old, who was Seattle’s fifth-round draft pick in 2013 but is yet to make his NFL debut, has been diagnosed with papillary Type 2 cancer.

“Although disappointing, I am a fighter and will handle this,” Australian

he became the third man in history to score over 200 tries to remain third on the all-time top try scorers list behind leader Santiago Gomez from Argentina and England’s Ben Gollings.

“No doubt that is a big milestone for Injera who is a key component of the team, sadly his achievement is overshadowed the bad season we have hard, next season we all have reasons to make it better,” Ochieng

Williams said in a statement.

“I am going to focus on my health and fighting this battle with a return to football as my ultimate goal.”

In a message posted on Instagram Williams added: “Fire is the test of gold; adversity of strong men.

Appreciate the support from all over the world. Ready for what’s coming.

Recovery is up next.”

Justin Langer has ruled himself out of the running for the England coaching job by signing a two-year contract extension with Western Australia.

The former Australia opener was in contention to replace Peter Moores, who was sacked on 9 May, and had also been linked with the India coaching role.

Langer, 44, said he was approached

by England’s new director of cricket Andrew Strauss last week.

“I told him for lots of reasons I’m going to stay in Perth,” he said.

Langer, who has been Western Australia’s coach since 2012, said he spoke to Strauss last Tuesday and “had another conversation on Friday night” before telling his former Middlesex team-mate on Saturday that he would be staying in Australia.

“I am flattered to be associated with

I’M OUT: Justin Langer plays with a rugby ball during a cricket practice session in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad March 22, 2011. He has ruled himself out of the running for the England coaching job.

potential international coaching opportunities but the timing isn’t right for my family,” he said.

Speaking to the Australian Associated Press, Langer, who played 105 Tests, added: “Was it a tough decision? When I followed my gut and my heart it was an easy decision. If I was listening to my head, it was probably a hard

decision.”

Langer’s former Test team-mate and current Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie remains the favourite to succeed Moores.

Assistant coach Paul Farbrace is in charge of the England side for the two-Test series against New Zealand, which starts at Lord’s on Thursday.

Makwata named SJAK April player of the month Ulinzi Stars midfielder John Makwata is the second winner of the SportPesa Sports Journalists Assocition of Kenya, SJAK player of the month for April.

He was awarded with Ksh. 50,000, a personalized trophy and a 42 inch smart TV courtesy of Sports Journalists Association of Kenya in partnership with the local sports betting company.

The ceremony held at the Afraha stadium in Nakuru on Tuesday morning saw the player being voted the best for the month of April succeeding Ali

Abondo of Gor Mahia who won the Inagural award for March.

The award is given to the best performing player in the country in one particular month. The nominees for the award are picked by SJAK members and the winner determined through voting by a seven-member panel.

Makwatta had been nominated for the April Award alongside Thika United’s Jackson Macharia and Tusker captain Jesse Were but he emerged the winner for his outstanding performance for the

soldiers in April after garnering 4 votes out of seven, Macharia came second while Were finished third.

Makwatta is Ulinzi’s top scorer has netted seven goals in 11 Kenyan Premier League outings so far this season. In April he scored a total of five goals in their four league matches to help the soldiers maintain their position among the top teams in the KPL. He scored a brace against Muhoroni Youth and one goal against Bandari FC, Ushuru FC and neighbors, Nakuru AllStars.

MAIN MAN: John Makwata of Ulinzi Stars in action against David King’atua of Thika United during their Kenyan Premier League match at the Thika County Stadium on October 25, 2014.

Ghanaian Andre Ayew named top African player in France

Ghana and Marseille midfielder Andre Ayew has been named best African player in France’s Ligue 1.

The 25-year-old beat Ivory Coast’s Max-Alain Gradel (Saint-Etienne) and Tunisia’s Aymen Abdennour (Monaco) to the Marc-Vivien Foe Trophy.

It is set to be the last thing he will achieve as a Marseille players as he has stated he is leaving the club at the end of the season.

Ayew scored 10 goals in 27 appearances for the French giants this campaign.

He joined the club in 2007, going out on loan to L’Orient and then ArlesAvignon in the early part of his career before becoming a key member of the team.

“The president (Vincent Labrune)

has spoken thus everything has been brought out into the open more or less,” said Ayew, who has played 158 games and scored 43 goals for Marseille.

“I am going to leave the club and it is a page turned.

“There are lots of things behind the decision. We tried to find a solution which would enable me to stay but for both parties it was complicated, whether it be for sporting or financial reasons.

“I was expecting more, I hoped the club would have a more competitive team for next year that could be title contenders and that’s not certain.

“Also the club cannot offer me the same salary that I’m on at the moment.”

Ayew, whose younger brother Jordan

was also at Marseille before leaving for Lorient at the beginning of the season, has attracted interest from several English Premier League clubs.

BIG IN FRANCE: Andre Dede Ayew in action for merseille. He has been named best African player in France’s Ligue 1.

xnews | weDnesDAY, MAY 20, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

OCHIENG VOWS SEVENS TEAM WILL MAKE FOR RIO OLYMPICS

BY ALL MEANS

DAVE SAVES: : Manchester United’s Spanish custodian David De Gea in club action.

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De Gea voted united player of the season Spaniard is players and fans’ favourite

M

anchester United boss Louis van Gaal produced what was described as the “greatest speech of all time” to steal the show at the club’s player of the year awards evening.

After Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea won both the Players’ Player and Fans’ Player of the Year accolades for a second year running.

Recalling a team meeting at which captain Wayne Rooney said United could push for second in the Premier League, the Dutchman bellowed “yes” and punched the air.

Repeatedly referencing the fact United had won 13 points from the first 10 games of the season, the 63-year-old described the club’s fans as the “best in the world”.

After praising the players’ spirit a number of times during a seven-minute monologue, Van Gaal said his team “could have been the champions” and were “very close”, despite a 15-point deficit to title-winners Chelsea.

Then, with presenter Jim Rosenthal wrapping up proceedings in Old Trafford’s Manchester Suite, there was a Van Gaal encore. Returning to the stage and grabbing

the microphone, he shouted: “Hello, hello, pay attention to the manager!”

He then admonished those present for not applauding the female saxophonist, who he said had played “fantastically”.

When Van Gaal returned to his seat, MUTV presenter Mandy Henry said: “How do you follow that?”

Midfielder Juan Mata, who won goal of the season for his acrobatic strike in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield, said Van Gaal’s speech was “fun”.

The Spaniard added: “I think he enjoyed it.

Obviously we have a lot of meetings during the season. We know how he can behave.”

Former United defender Gary Neville tweeted: “LVG is cracking me up here. Great entertainment! One of the best/funniest 20 mins I’ve ever had!”

Ex-England cricket captain Michael Vaughan described it as the “greatest speech of all time”.

Earlier, Van Gaal light-heartedly clipped assistant manager Ryan Giggs round the head after the Welshman outbid him in an auction for a round of golf with former United striker Dwight Yorke.

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