201505025 xnews

MONDAY, May 25, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

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doctors’ exodus over 2,000 doctors have quit public service since 2013

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SMART FARMING sorghum could be one big meal of financial might

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fashion parade of fatma bridals and their show-stopping gowns

NEWS

k’ogallo pip muhoroni to maintain unbeaten run

man united confirm flop striker radamel falcao will not stay

Do not blame IEBC, Ruto tells opposition D

eputy President William Ruto has defended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from critics, saying the Opposition must put their house

in order if they want to earn the confidence of Kenyans. Speaking in Nanyuki town after attending a church service at the Nanyuki PCEA Church yesterday, Ruto said IEBC does not elect leaders and should therefore not be

blamed for politicians’ failures.

He singled out the opposition, telling them to stop blaming their failures on the electoral body.

“The IEBC does not vote. It is the Kenyan electorate that votes to elect leaders. So anyone who

is aspiring to be elected to any leadership position in the country should demonstrate that by work and service to the people and not blame the commission,” he said.

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Celeb Chat

Meet the most sought after wedding photographers, Ben and Gathoni Kiruthi. Just what makes them click?

P.9

Kaka Mugged SALUTATIONS: Deputy President William Ruto greets wananchi during a stop over in Nanyuki Town yesterday.

Rap maestro Kaka Sungura met thieves on Friday. What became of that?

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NEWS MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Ruto defends IEBC from critics From Page 1 The opposition coalition, Cord, has warned that it could boycott the general elections in 2017 if radical changes at IEBC are not effected.

But Ruto termed the threats as unfortunate and secret machinations for 2017.

“Let me tell them that the 2017 elections will not be won by demonstrations and boycotts but

by the work they will have put into service for the people,” he said.

Mr Ruto at the same time emphasised that the government was on course in delivering its election pledges and asked Kenyans to ignore those bent on derailing the government’s development agenda.

The DP said no one would stop the government from achieving

what they pledged in the Jubilee manifesto, noting that it was firmly on course and will grow the economy and improve education, health, agriculture and security, among other development programmes.

“We are firmly on course, we know why we were elected and we are following the script, no amount of noise will distract us from our

goals,” he said.

He asked elected leaders in Jubilee to work as a team, noting that any discordant voices amongst them would play into the hands of the opposition.

“We must work as a team to deliver on our election promises.

Differences in opinion should not be let to derail our development programmes,” he added.

On security, the DP said the government was recruiting more security officers and equipping all security agencies with modern facilities to make them more effective.

“I would, however, urge the farmers, pastoralists and ranchers in this county to find an acceptable way of sharing the available pasture to reduce conflicts,” he said.

Laptops project still Somali MP on course, says Uhuru killed in The jubilee administration’s laptops project for primary school kids is on course and will soon be re-launched, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.

While addressing wananchi in Nyeri town after unveiling a plaque in commemoration of Sister Irene Stefani over the weekend, Kenyatta said many of the jubilee government initiated projects are on course.

He said that some 18000 schools have been connected to the national grid while the remaining 2000 will soon be connected to enable the laptop project roll-out.

“Those who thought that this laptop project has failed are in for a rude shock,” said the President.

He said the Government will continue initiating more power projects to ensure cheaper electricity supplies to spur more economic growth.

President Kenyatta said major projects being implemented by the Jubilee Government including the Standard Gauge Railway, the Annuity Roads Programme of tarmacking 10,000 kilometers of road and the Sh38 billion project to

Mogadishu attack

WE’RE KEEPING THAT IN MIND: President Uhuru Kenyatta delivers his speech, in Nyeri on Saturday May 23, 2015 during the beatification ceremony of Irene Stefani, an Italian nun who worked in Kenya. He announced plans by the Jubilee government to re-launch the schools’ laptops project.

equip two selected hospitals in every county to the standards of a referral hospital will change Kenya.

At the same time, Mr Kenyatta asked governors to put the interest of Kenyans above everything else.

He told the county bosses to utilize funds they get from the national government prudently to benefit Kenyans

instead of engaging in a chorus for more funding before they have even shown how they have used what was allocated to them.

The President said other groups asking for changes to the Constitution were misleading Kenyans for their own selfish interests.

“What we don’t want is noise, calls for more funds and

referendum to change the Constitution are misplaced, those making a lot of noise are the same people who said the constitution will not be changed even a coma,” he said.

He advised governors to work more closely with the government to ensure Kenyans get better services and benefit from the devolved system of government.

A Somali parliamentarian has been shot dead in Mogadishu in an attack by suspected Islamist militants.

Yusuf Dirir was killed when gunmen opened fire on his car, security officials said.

Three workers from the Transport Ministry also died in a separate drive-by shooting on Saturday.

The attacks in the capital city came as a number of people were killed in clashes between al-Shabab gunmen and government troops in southern Somalia.

Police said that Mr Dirir had been killed when gunmen in a minibus blocked his route and sprayed the car with bullets.

“He was a man that has long served his country and wanted to see a united Somalia,” said speaker of parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari.

Local media said that another MP had also been wounded in the incident and was in hospital.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the killings are the latest in a string of assassinations of politicians in the war-torn country.

At least five MPs were murdered last year and the group has said that it will continue to target MPs. In another development, al-Shabab clashed with government troops early on Saturday in Awdigle district and Mubarak village, south of Mogadishu.

At least 17 people have reportedly been killed but the death toll has not been confirmed.

Al-Shabab was pushed out of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu

by African peacekeeping forces in 2011.

But since then, the group has carried out a series of gun and grenade attacks to try to overthrow the government and impose its strict version of Sharia law.

Burundi crisis deepens as opposition suspends talks Opposition parties have suspended talks with the government to protest the deteriorating security situation and the assassination of Burundian opposition leader Zedi Feruzi.

The country is plunging deeper into crisis following the

decision by President Pierre Nkurunzinza to seek a third term in office and a failed coup earlier this month.

Domitien Ndayizeye, a former Burundian president and the head of National Gathering for Change, known as RANAC, confirmed to CNN on Sunday

x-news.co.ke

that opposition parties have suspended their dialogue with Nkurunzinza’s government.

Pacifique Nininahazwe, a leading activist, said, “We cannot continue to talk with the threats and killings.”

Feruzi, the leader of the Union for Peace and Development

party, was killed on Saturday along with his bodyguard in a drive-by shooting in Bujumbura.

A day earlier, at least three people had been killed and 21 wounded after two grenades were thrown in a market attack in Bujumbura.

And last week, the president, under pressure from international bodies after violent protests, moved the election to June 6, ten days later than originally scheduled.

The killing occurred as demonstrators held a two-day truce, to allow residents to

stock up on supplies and bury the dead following weeks of protest against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to run for a third term.

At least 30 people have been killed since the protests began.

The presidency has denied any involvement in the assassination of the opposition chief saying it was “shocked” by the attack.

Nininahazwe warned that protests would resume today with an even “greater force.”

NEWS 3

CARTOONSPEAK

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS

Female artists have smarter lyrics than male counterparts

Officer kills two, turns gun on self

When it comes to music, male performers are described as talkative loudmouths with little to say while female artists tend to have smarter lyrics.

Over the past decade, one researcher has gathered information on some of the world’s top musicians and found that women do it better.

From artistes like Drake to Beyoncé, Kanye West to Katy Perry, Chris Brown to Adele and Eminem to Ke$ha, new research has confirmed that top performing women have the most intelligent lyrics.

Andrew Powell-Morse, an analyst for entertainment company, SeatSmart, recently compiled information on Hip Hop, Rock, Country and Pop music lyrics.

The data, which spans over the past 10 years, showed that on average, male artists say more words, but female artists have smarter things to say. Powell-Morse studied hundreds of songs in the four different music genres using a method known as the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level test.

He however admitted that the study is partially flawed since it’s largely based on the way that artists in different genres write lyrics.

A police officer shot dead his girlfriend and another senior police officer before turning the gun on himself in Igembe North, Meru County last night.

Constable Joseph Kipngetich Cheruiyot who was based at Laare Police Station is said to have picked the gun for official duties before sneaking into club Tenax in Mutuati market, some six kilometers away where he committed the murders. At the club, he found his girlfriend constable Grace Sheila Kioko having drinks with Chief Inspector Benson Mwadime and shot them dead without uttering a word. He then turned the gun on himself according to Kenya Police spokesperson Zipporah Mboroki.

Union raises alarm over quitting doctors

CAUTION: KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Oluga Ouma (C), treasurer Daisy Koris (L) and Chairman Oroko Samuel addressing the press in a past media briefing.

More than 2000 doctors have quit serving in the public hospitals since the health sector was devolved to the counties in 2013.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentist Union (KMPDU) has attributed this to low salaries, long working hours and poor general management of the health workforce by the county governments.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr Ouma Oluga says there are only 2,200 doctors at the moment serving in the public sector.

“Two thousand doctors have left public service since devolution.

About 1,800 of them resigned in just about one year. In 2011 the country had about 3,700, in public service and our president acknowledges this but we cannot talk about a problem without looking for a remedy,” Oluga

said in a media briefing over the weekend. He said that the country has over 8,000 doctors but majority are working in private hospitals or engaged in different careers. “We need to pay the doctors what they deserve otherwise they will keep leaving the public sector,” Oluga said adding that a qualified doctor is supposed to receive a minimum salary of Sh350, 000 every month.

The doctors now want the government to honour and implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in June 2013 which addresses some of the crucial challenges.

National Chairman Oroko Samuel says the two year CBA will be expiring next month and they will have consultations with their members on the next course of action.

2,020 refugees already repatriated from Dadaab A total of 2,020 refugees have been repatriated to Somalia from Dadaab camp in an ongoing pilot phase, the Department of Refugee Affairs has announced.

Acting Commissioner for Refugees Affairs Haron Komen said a caravan of 200 others are expected to be repatriated this week after the exercise was halted due to heavy rains.

Three guards found dead Police have urged city residents to avoid using jiko to warm themselves as the cold season approaches. This i after three guards were found dead in a generator room in Mukuru Kwa Njenga area, Nairobi after a suspected suffocation. Police and locals suspect the three who were guards at a supermarket suffocated after inhaling gas emitted from the generator. The generator was running when they went to seek refuge in the room on Saturday night because of the cold.

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

Uhuru war on graft is a fraud, says Raila: Cord leader Raila Odinga yesterday said the much-publicised war on corruption is a fraud and a publicity stunt by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Raila claimed the high priests of corruption were well-known to the government and that the forced resignation of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s top commissioners “at the very time they were required to provide leadership and guidance in the fight against corruption is highly suspect”. Speaking after a church service, Raila declared, “You cannot be fighting corruption...

Ministers, Sonko face arrest in graft purge: Four Cabinet secretaries, a senator and an MP are likely to be charged over corruption after the anti-graft agency concluded investigations against them. At the same time, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has written to President Uhuru Kenyatta, asking for more time to complete investigations on another 68 corruption cases after the 60 days he had given it expired on Sunday. Mr Michael Kamau (Transport), Ms Charity Ngilu (Lands), Mr Felix Koskei (Agriculture) and Mr Kazungu Kambi...

Graft probes on Ngilu, Kambi, Kamau sealed... as Raila takes on Uhuru over corruption: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has accused President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee government of not doing enough to fight corruption. Raila accused the Government of paying lip service to Kenyans even as the country reeled from corruption, ethnicity and insecurity that threatens to tear apart nationhood. The former PM said despite President Kenyatta’s 60-day directive to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to conclude investigations into...

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xnews | MONday, MAY 25, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

BIZ BRIEFS

BUSINESS

Old Mutual celebrates 170-year milestone as company continues African expansion Old Mutual Group celebrated its 170 years in the financial services market with an African-themed party at their offices in upper hill earlier this month.

As part of celebrations, the group launched a cloud computing milestone.

OMAM, a product from the Old Mutual Group and the current market leader in managing pension funds in the country, with over Sh75 billion in assets under its management has been selected to manage the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

“This has notably improved our efficiency and has redefined the customer experience,” Old Mutual told Reuters in its recent report.

Old mutual is best known for its financial planning, education planning, and life insurance services in subject to regulatory approval earlier this year.

The group plans to expand its footprints across the continent having established presence in several countries including Kenya and South Africa.

(L-R): Old Mutual’s Client Services Manager Roselyne Kirera joins Group CEO Peter Mwangi and Central Operations Manager Agnes Wamburu to mark Old Mutual’s 170th birthday.

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

Gusts of opposition hit Kenyan wind farm project Farmers in central Kenya have opposed to the Sh1.4 billion planned wind power project claiming the project could cause health hazards and moreover make them squatters.

This comes despite the Kenyan developers of the Kinangop wind park clean energy project assured to compensate farmers for any land offered to them.

Developers say Kenya needs energy and they have adhered to international standards in planning the 16-square-kilometre project at the foot of the Aberdare mountain range. The governor Nyandarua County in a public rally blamed the leaders from the opposition saying they are the ones inciting citizens not to comply with the power project. He says leaders are taking advantage of people’s ignorance to excite their emotions. The plant aims to provide electrical power to 150,000 Kenyan homes by 2018.

BuSINESS DIARY

Egypt & Middle East Expo at the Sarit Centre

CSR: Airtel Kenya’s Nairobi West Trade Marketing Executive Daniel Mbai loads garbage as Trade Sales Executive Brighton Kiute balances the wheelbarrow. The Airtel Spirit is a code which the brand and staff engage in sustainable community development initiatives to create lasting value beyond monetary value.

Airtel staff clean up Kinyago slum Airtel Kenya staff on Friday engaged in a clean-up exercise at Kinyago slum in Eastleigh.

Eastleigh South District Officer (D.O) Charles Muiruri, Kinyago area chief Rose Ayere and SubChief Joshua Karanja both participated in the exercise.

The initiative was carried out as part of a partnership with the area’s Jitolee Pamoja Youth Group.

Over 80 people turned out in support of the activity, collecting garbage and unblocking drainage systems

and trenches following the heavy rains experienced in Nairobi.

“One way of ensuring that a community thrives is by protecting its environment and we are pleased with the youth group continuous cleanup activity and proud of our staff for taking part in it as well,” said Airtel Kenya CEO, Adil El Youssefi .

He added: “Encouraging our employees to give of their time and energy to our customers is one way for us to ensure that we promote proper sanitation while at the

same time create awareness on the importance of proper hygiene to the community that we live in.”

Speaking during the exercise, Eastleigh South District Officer, Charles Kariuki thanked Airtel employees, the Jitolee Pamoja Youth Group and the residents who took time out of their busy schedule to participate in the activity.

He urged residents to ensure environmental cleanliness in order to avoid preventable diseases such as Cholera.

His remarks come at a time

when an outbreak of the disease has affected different parts of the country.

To further support the initiative, Airtel donated wheelbarrows, racks, and protective gear, including gumboots, gloves and dust masks to the youth group.

These resources, said the company, will help them continue with their weekly clean-up activities.

The initiative is in line with the Airtel Spirit, a code which encourages the staff to engage in sustainable community development initiatives.

The Sarit Centre will play host to this year’s Egypt & Middle East Expo on Thursday, May 28 2015 from 10:00 am.

The event will draw exhibitors from Egypt, Emirates, Syria, Iran, India, Pakistan, Lebanon, Turkey as well as Kenya, all of whom will showcase a wide range of products.

The affair is also set to attract Traders, Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Tourism Agencies, Import &

Export Companies and Governmental Organizations.

As one of the most prominent exhibitions of its kind, the expo will feature Wooden Furniture, Metal Furniture, Chandeliers & Lamps, Glass Products, Handcrafts, Perfumes, Herbs, Cosmetics, Fabrics, Decoration Materials, Hotel Supplies, Kitchenware and Leather Products, among others.

Entry is free.

One Acre Fund, VC4Africa networking event at the Vogue Café The One Acre Fund and VC4Africa have partnered to launch a joint networking venture to be held at the Vogue Café in the Nairobi National Museum The One Acre Fund is an organization that supplies smallholder farmers with tools and financing.

VC4Africa is the largest online community of entrepreneurs and investors.

The event will be held on May 27, 2015 “We’ve had Social Enterprise Happy Hours before, and we’ve had VC4A Meet-Ups as well. This month, we’re combining these two events for a bigger & better joint networking session,” says a statement from the organizers.

The goal of the meet-up is to “facilitate stronger connections, expand the exchange of ideas and increase collaboration between two of the most industrious communities in Nairobi.”

The organizers are offering 1 free drink for everyone who arrives by 6:45pm.

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BUSINESS MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Sorghum turns out to be meal of financial might Farmers in Western Kenya have grown maize for over centuries. However, exhausted soils have led to low outputs which thus force them to convert their maize plantations into fodder for their livestock.

However thanks to One Acre Fund (OAF), the farmers have realised millions in sorghum.

Rosemary Wanjala shares her sorghum farming success story.

Before joining One Acre Fund this year, Rosemary had endured numerous struggles on her farm.

“The maize and sorghum I used to plant would grow to knee-high levels then remain stunted forcing me to cut them down and give to my neighbors as fodder to their livestock,” she says.

Last year, she enrolled with One Acre Fund, which granted her access to quality seed and fertiliser and farm training on practices like spacing, land preparation among others.

“I never imagined that my farm could yield so much sorghum,” she says, referring to the results she got after applying her lessons.

She harvested sorghum enough to fill two 90kg bags which is capable of sustaining her family for more than nine months.

With her previous harvest, Rosemary is assured of her family’s food security for the year. “I now look forward to the future with a lot of hope knowing that my family will not go hungry again, and I’m no longer going to work on anyone’s farm just to provide for my family,” she says, adding that the extra profits will pay her grandchildren’s school fees.

She also plans to expand her sorghum farm from quarter to half an acre next season.

“It’s so humbling to realise that finally I’m no longer the farmer whose crops provide fodder for other people’s livestock, but I’ve become a learning example for others,” she said.

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Kapchorua Tea Company

The Agricultural sector provided last week’s top gaining stock by way of Kapchorua Tea Company Ltd. The company, which is engaged in the cultivation, manufacture and sale of tea, saw its share price climb an impressive 12.07 per cent in the course of the week to close at a price of Sh130.00 from a close of Sh116 in the previous week, though trading on relatively low volumes.

Year-to-date, Kapchorua shares are down -5.11 per cent. The price of Kenyan tea at auction recently partially reversed gains that had been made over the course of 2015.

Tea prices had in recent weeks been hovering at near 2 year highs while the company’s share price had receded in recent weeks.

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Pan Africa Insurance Holdings For a second consecutive week, Pan Africa 13. While the market price has factored Insurance Holdings Ltd took the week’s position of top losing stock. The company’s share price declined by -19.23 per cent over the course of the week following a decline of -26.02 per cent in the previous week.

The sharp decline followed book closure for the company’s bonus share dividend of one new share for every two held, on May

Analysis by Amana Capital info@amanacapital.co.ke

in the dilutive effect of the additional shares introduced through the bonus issue, the share has continued to shed value, indicating negative investor sentiment on the counter. Having previously issued a profit warning relating to the company’s 2014 full year results, Pan Africa’s earnings per share fell by -30.50 per cent in 2014.

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

ACCESS

fashion parade

Meet the most sought after wedding photographers in Kenya. What makes them click?

celebchat

W

ho are the Kiruthis?

We are a husband and wife photography team, who are passionate about Christ and making a difference through the gift that God has granted us which is wedding photography.

How did you start out in photography?

I am a trained Computer and Electronics Engineer whilst my wife is a trained Horticulturist.

I started photography after both of us felt that it was what God was calling us to do with our lives.

When Gathoni graduated from campus, she joined the company as a wedding photographer. We have run the company together ever since.

Ben you first started out as a fashion photographer, what led you to move to wedding photography?

Fashion photography was a great passion of mine just when I started photography.

The only issue was that it caused great conflict between my Christian faith and my work. Many a times I was admonished by a fellow Christian for the work that I posted online as a result of my fashion shoots. My turning point came when my youth pastor at church approached me and told me that my work was causing many people to stumble and as a good Christian it was my responsibility to let my light shine and not to be a stumbling block to many.

BEHIND THE LENSE

Ben and Gathoni Kiruthi

That is when Gathoni & I decided to take up wedding photography and leave Fashion photography for good.

Tell us about your photography workshops…

It had always been our passion to train as many people as we could in photography. We have currently held multiple workshops in Nairobi, Mombasa, Malindi, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nakuru.

Your blog is all the rave, tell us how it started Together with my wife, we

We once had a wedding at the Nanyuki Airstrip that still stands out as one of our most memorable weddings to date. It was a small intimate affair and we enjoyed it a lot. Also at the beginning of this year we had a wedding at the Coast that we really loved…

run a wedding photography blog on the domain (www. benkiruthi.com). The blog started about 4 years ago, about a year after we started our photography career. It is a blog purely dedicated to wedding photography and the in betweens of our lives Describe some of your most memorable wedding shoots.

We once had a wedding at the Nanyuki Airstrip that still stands out as one of our most memorable weddings to date. It was a small intimate affair and we enjoyed it a lot.

Also at the beginning of this year we had a wedding at the Coast that we really loved…it was between two people who loved each other and every thing about their wedding was magical. Definitely one of the weddings we enjoyed being a part of.

You recently won at the Social Media awards in Nigeria, are you excited?

Well, we give all glory to God for the wonderful award.

It was one of our best awards and we got honoured on an African wide stage.

Glory be to God and we hope that we will receive more and more awards on a world stage.

Any advice for budding photographers?

Keep God first and you will be first in all you do. Dare to be different, do things that people are afraid to and be a trendsetter.

Always do your

research that is key.

Practice until you can do it with your eyes closed, it is called mastering your craft. Lastly, specializedon’t not be a Jack of all trades and master of none.

8

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY MONDAY, MAY26th 25, NOVEMBER 2015 2014

FASHIONScoop the BIGKNOT

ThERE FashIon aRE onlY TWo ThaT I WanT I’m Black JaY TImEs Z Junk BE nEW WITh You; mTV To quIZ YoRknoW and FoREVER.

“It feels so great to be married.

I have come to realize that it is a blessing that comes from God and it is the first union that God created.”

— Caroline.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER FOR Caroline & Kevin

A

H

fter five years of dating Caroline Wanjiru and Kelvin Otieno exchanged vows at CITAM Church on Ngong Road last Saturday. The joy was evident. They were finally getting married. As Caroline walked down the aisle towards her prince charming tears flowed freely. Finally she was going to be his wife. Their love story started on Valentine’s Day when Kelvine proposed. Caroline tells XAccess, “This Valentine’s Day was rainy and wet and I had decided that we could just stay indoors.

Then Kelvin went down on one knee and asked me marry him. I was shocked because I was not expecting it and I had not seen it coming,” Being that the two were from different cultures, their wedding had different elements from both sides. Their theme was blue and orange blended with traditional toppings from both cultures.

“We are proudly from different cultures so we wanted our wedding to represent that,” said an elated Caroline.

Kelvin was dressed in an embroidered blue kitenge shirt with beige trousers. His groomsmen also spotted kitenge shirts and brown trousers. The Bridesmaids were in kitenge dresses featuring black tops and orange print bottoms.

The bride had on a fitted white A-line gown with embellishments just below the bust and a simple white embroidered veil. She had accessorized with diamond necklace and earrings. On her feet, Caroline rocked elegant white pumps and literally floated down the aisle towards her husband to be. The Arboretum was the photo shoot venue while the guest proceeded to the reception. The couple had a budget of Sh, 530,000 and their day went according to plan. They headed to Naivasha for their honeymoon.

“It feels so great to be married. I have come to realize that it is a blessing that comes from God and it is the first union that God created,” said Caroline.

Congratulations Caroline and Kelvin.

9

ACCESS MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

CENTRESTAGE

review of top weekend gigs.

ZEETECH CROWNS THEIR KING AND QUEEN O

n Friday, Mr and Miss Zetech University was going down at Le 63 Lounge and Restaurant, Uhuru Gardens on Lang’ata Road. The event started out late due to the heavy rains that had hit the city earlier in the evening. Wyre the love child took to the stage at midnight to entertain the guests who were gathered.

His performance energized the crowd and shook off the cold. There is a reason he has been able to remain relevant, he truly brings it to the stage when performing.

After Wyre’s performance, the pageant continued and contestants of the Mr and Miss Zetech university went at it category after category.

The crowning was finally

A

The crowning was finally done at 4:30 am! Victoria Rugutt and Daniel Rafiro emerged the winners of the hotly contested crown.

done at 4:30 am! Victoria Rugutt and Daniel Rafiro emerged the winners of the hotly contested crown. It did not matter that the sun was threatening to rise, DJ Crème De La Crème introduced Avril with exaggerated pomp at 5 am,then Timmy Tdat of the Welle Welle fame took to the stage and performed Welle Welle with Rapdamu. They worked the crowd up for King Kaka who took to the podium at 6 am and paraded Femi One and Amos and Josh. Pitson was next and set the stage for H_ART the Band.They shut it down!

The trio did an acoustic performance for their fans who were beyond delighted.

The show ended at 8am!

King Kaka and Femione

Amos

Josh

WEDDING GOWNS & HEENA AT THE

l Muslimah Magazine organized its 3rd annual wedding fair and we have to say it keeps getting better.

The event began at 9am setting the stage for shopping at the many exhibitions for wedding gowns, perfumes, food, make up, cakes, home utensils and many more. No doubt the favourite were the heena booths. But the moment of the day, was the fashion show. Kike trendz were the

first to showcase with an easy going collection, not just for the brides but also for the maids.

Next was C.J designs with a collection straight from India. Ultimate brides took to the runway, with an all-white gowns collection accessorized with unique colourful head bands. Fatma bridalz closed t h e

owcasing their Nubian models sh . latest collection

Happy Birthday Savara!

If you love Sauti Sol then chances are you love Savara. He has a distinct voice that tends to soar above the rest. Today he celebrates his birthday. He is also a talented producer who has worked with the

Avril

likes of Elani on their album and also worked on Sauti Sol’s upcoming album, Live and Die in Africa.If we had our way we would like him to sing the Happy Birthday ballad himself! Happy Birthday Savara!

Saturday show in style with colourful gowns from pink, green to purple, stealing the show.

Sunday s a w

HOT TOPICS

TOPICS

different designers take to the runway, first was Niku designs with a unique jewellery line. Then came Navis international with an Indian-chic collection. Nubian wear were next showcasing not just their latest collection but also their culture, dancing on the runway to Nubian tunes.

Al Muslimah Magazine also launched their new spinoff, “Al Muslimah” weddings that will focus on Muslim Ifrah brides. modelling

AL MUSLIMAH WEDDING FAIR

The editor, Sameera, unveiling the first edition of Al Muslimah Weddings magazine.

HOT

Ulitimate brides collection.

King Kaka Robbed at gun point King Kaka was on Friday robbed at gun point. This is the second time this month the rap maestro is being robbed at gun point. The artiste had gone for a meeting with a client at Bistro, Total near Nyayo Stadium when the thieves descended. The thieves had apparently robbed people at Madaraka and had come to finish off at Bistro. King Kaka told X Access that he was scared for his life and was thankful when he was left in one piece. He lost his phone, wallet and laptop in the melee but still made it for his performance at the Mr and Miss Zetech show.

Vera Sidika to start waist trainer’s line Socialite Vera Sidika is a woman who sees business opportunities almost everywhere. Over the weekend she posted a provocative photo of her in a bikini announcing that she will be starting her waist training line soon. Waist trainers are all the rage now with big stars like Kim Kardashian and our very own Avril cashing in on the phenomenon. The socialite who is in South Africa on ‘holiday’ advised ladies to invest in one because it would apparently save their lives!

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ACCESS MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

FASHIONparade

Fatma bridals collection.

A one shoulder gown that is quite unique.

Something new and blue for your wedding.

Pink is becoming a common wedding gown colour, it is the new white.

Jane mukami: Looking fit as always.

Purple? Now this is new.

Show SToPPIng This lace detail, the embroidery and the 3D petals bring this gown to life.

lyriclab Johnny VIgETI

Simba

F

gownS

atma Bridals launched their new colourful collection over the weekend and it was show stopping! The collection featured ball gowns mainly with diamond encrusted hand embroidery accessories. They used silk, chiffon, lace, organza and satin. “I used fabrics that would not make the gowns heavy, giving the bride a hard time carrying it around on her special day,” Fatma told XAccess.

The collection she says was inspired by her clients who have been asking for a lively, fun and out of the ordinary collection to make their wedding day even more special.

Go green for your wedding, literally.

BEST...

For one to diss an artiste like Khaligraph Jones straight up in a song requires guts, and that is exactly what Johnny Vigeti has done in this new track. The former Kalamashaka vocalist confidently mentions Khaligraph’s name in the first verse of this cypher which is addressed to haters and artistes who are on their high horses.

He also mentions Kaka Sungura in the final verse which he dedicates to young rappers who are hard headed. Could he be looking to spark up some beef?

Nimwabudu It seems that the gospel fever is spreading in the Kenyan scene. Soon after Kalekye Mumo released a hit gospel track, Elani, the band everyone adores, has teamed up with former Daystar university student Chikwaza to produce a lovely version of the common worship song ‘Nimwabudu nani’.

IddI SIngEr, Landan BaLLa and PETra

ChIkwaza and ELanI

In the Chikwaza FT Elani version, the original song does not change much and it still instills the lesson that there is none other to be worshipped but God. The koo koo singers had been off the scene for a while, but this track is bound to get their name on everybody’s lips once again.

The Ones

Iddi singer may soon be referred to as Kenya’s king of collabo. The young star who recently teamed up with Xtatic has now collaborated with Landan Balla and Petra to bring us this hip hop track. The track carries the message of prosperity and being set apart from the rest due to natural talent and a successful career. Kenyan female rappers should watch out for Petra but Landan Balla seems to be trying too hard to have the Lil Wayne look and sound.

PLAY 11 MONDA0Y, MAY 25, 2015

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Don’t trust any gossip that comes your way! It’s probably passed through at least half a dozen people and retains little, if any, of the facts. Someone might be passing along rumors for their own reasons, so believe nothing you hear without checking it out.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Some unusual events could cause you to feel discontented from your life and contemplate some big changes, Aquarius. Money matters might need attention and could prove frustrating.

Outrageous ideas for improving your financial status could come to mind.

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Recent activities have suddenly made you bored with your job and the people you deal with.

You may feel restless and contemplate changes to your professional life, Pisces. This could be appropriate now, but it might not. It’s best to look at your options logically and practically.

WEATHERFORECAST m0nday 25/05/2015

sunny

23

tuesday 26/05/2015

24

24ºC 67%

6:28 am 6:31pm

25ºC 61%

wednesday

More sun than clouds

6:28 am 6:31pm

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.

Frisday’s Solution

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Gloom might descend on you, as if responsibilities of the moment are too much for you. Try to be the observer. If a friend came to you for advice with your problem, what would you say?

Take your own advice. You might also want to consider streamlining your activities.

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 An unexpected setback could interfere with reaching a long-term goal as soon as you’d hoped.

Don’t let it get you down, Taurus. A little innovative thought and extra planning could get you back on track. This is a day best spent alone, working on projects of your own.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Your partner’s family obligations could interfere with things you wanted to do together, Gemini.

Your desire to help could also get in the way of other responsibilities. The best way to handle days like today is to plan carefully. There’s always a way to squeeze it all in.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 You may be looking forward to a vacation, but responsibilities that suddenly crop up could postpone the trip. This probably won’t be necessary, but some adjustments need to be made before you can both do what you want and fulfill your responsibilities, too.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 If you’ve made plans to meet a close friend or lover, Leo, don’t count on it happening.

Unexpected events might force a postponement. Problems with schedules could have you playing phone tag. This also isn’t a good day to work on creative or artistic projects.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 Upsets and disappointments on the part of a family member could have the household in an uproar. Problems with household equipment could throw a monkey wrench into everyone’s routine. On days like this, it’s best for everyone to get out and distract themselves.

MUSTREAD Saturday’s Shadows — by Ayesha Harruna Attah

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Today you may need to contact a lot of people, Libra, but the process could be frustrating.

People may not be home, messages might not be delivered, or your equipment might not work properly. Unless it’s urgent, it might be better to wait until tomorrow to try to reach them.

A 17 year military dictatorship in a West African country is coming to an end. The Avoka household is struggling to stay afloat in these times. The father Theo has been contracted to write the memoirs of the dictator who is now president. He loathes the man and cannot see himself writing the memoir but he has to to take care of his family. Zahra is Theo’s wife and the mother of the house. She rekindles an affair with an old lover and is struggling to keep the family and her sanity intact. Theo and Zahra’s son finally gets to go to the boarding school of his dreams. When he gets there he finds that it is not what he expected. Will the family survive the tumultuous times ahead of them?

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Unexpected events may require some immediate purchases that you hadn’t planned on. They might require some scrimping, but you should be able to minimize the need if you plan carefully. Don’t make yourself crazy over anything today. You will get through it!

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Plan some distractions like movies or videos, or invite some other people over. Talking with this couple alone might result in heated discussions that accomplish nothing but get everyone worked up and stressed. Whatever happens, don’t let it get you down.

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

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. Chinese Engineers built the railway, Kenyans built the “Train“ - Wilfred N. 2. Kenya Railways has just unveiled their latest train model - Kevin Kiptoo 3. Avoiding the morning traffic like a boss - Hilda Munene

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PLAY

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. “_____ your best behavior” 5. Detox locale 10. Work the field 14. Puerto follower 15. Run away to be married 16. Hockey great Gordie 17. Augment (abbr.)

18. Stalwart 20. Lions or Tigers 21. Metric measurements (abbr.)

22. Some fishermen 23. Investment firm Goldman ____ 25. Ozone hazard, for short 26. “____ were big” (1988 movie line) 28. Psychos 33. Comic Margaret 34. Language related to Aleut 36. Islam units of weight 37. Maxine ____ Kingston (“China Men” author) 39. Golfer Palmer, to fans 41. “Fly ___ the Moon” 42. Terrorist ___ bin Laden 44. Rap star West 46. Diplomatic figure (abbr.)

47. Backslides 49. French schools 51. Best effort 52. Exult annoyingly 53. Complaint to a personal trainer, maybe 57. Chinese Muslim ethnic group 58. God with a hammer 61. Homemade hooch

63. Hawaiian city that looks like two antonyms 64. Crammer’s concern 65. Book name 66. Big British refs.

67. Wee warblers 68. Float 69. Not tied down Down 1. Bloke, say 2. Bild article 3. Now and then 4. Actress Shearer et al.

5. Cold War country 6. Sch. designations 7. Red ____ (cinnamon candies) 8. Mighty Joe Young, e.g.

9. Deprived (of) 10. “Dr. ____” 11. Singular 12. One in debt 13. Forms a union 19. Tourist magnet 24. The Cubs, on scoreboards 25. Jump the line 26. Mythological blood 27. “____ Line Is It Anyway?”

28. Columbus ship and namesakes 29. Upper limb 30. More surreptitious 31. Alice’s cake instruction 32. Not neatniks 35. “Family Matters” nerd 38. “Today” rival, for short 40. Makeup item

43. Not together 45. System starter 48. Gumshoe 50. ___ Office 52. Deceitfulness 53. Cynic’s comment 54. Long skirt 55. Now, in ER talk 56. Electrical resistance units 57. Channel for interior decorators and landscapers 59. Merrie ____ England 60. Valentine bouquet flower 62. Obit segment

Thurday’s answers

YOURSAY

Phone etiquette Have you ever called an office or a customer care service and the person who answers the phone talks to you as if you gave them a ticket to hell?

I thought that when answering a phone call one is supposed to be polite and calm. They need to kindly ask what the caller needs and not be all cold and

mean!

A company can lose clients just because of their rude and lousy customer care agents or receptionists.

No matter who you are or who you are talking to, please just learn to have some phone etiquette!

—Betty Karani, Muthaiga

Return my change!

At a point in life if not all of us, have used a PSV vehicle to move from one point to another. Honestly this saves us a lot of deal especially if you are in a haste to reach somewhere particularly when time is not on your side.

However, it is so irritating that some of these vehicles are in a habit of stealing from passengers in broad

daylight.

When it comes to asking for the fare, the conductor is very careful not to forget but when it is time to return ones change he gets amnesia. Most drivers will even drive away leaving you at the bus stop if you dare ask for change.

—Tom Chasimba, Karen

Lousy matatu etiquette I am sick and tired with this matatu slogan “kupanda ni popote kushuka ni stage” translated you can board a matatu anywhere but you have to alight at the designated stage. This is because, the other day I boarded the matatu as usual and then all of a sudden they decided that they had reached the final destination because there was heavy traffic. As if that was not enough they didn’t even get us another vehicle. Conductors should style up, I don’t care if there is traffic. If I paid, I need to reach where I was going.

—Ann Mwende, Nairobi

A little courtesy goes a long way What CORD should do to get in power They say a little courtesy goes a long way. The other day I was at a restaurant with a friend of mine. I ordered my meal and she ordered hers which she wanted accompanied with a glass of juice. Can you believe we were brought for spoilt mango juice? Well, I couldn’t either so when we went ahead and complained they

acted like it was nothing when you could smell the rotten mangoes from a mile. To all the restaurants out there please remind your staff that a little courtesy indeed goes a long way.

—Evan Matano, Nairobi Umoja

Make use of footbridges It seems that people really love to gamble with death. Many are the times you will see people crossing a busy highway or road and yet there is a footbridge just a few meters from where they are. If someone happens to be hit while crossing the road and there is a footbridge close by, he or she will be the one on the wrong and may even be charged.

I really wonder whether it is they just being to lazy to climb the footbridge or it is just sheer stupidity!

We only live once so we should avoid any kind of accidents as much as we can. Stay safe by making use of the footbridges!

—Jack Amungune, Karen

The problem of election rigging in Kenya has been a disease that no one can fight.

Since the IEBC has dismissed calls by the opposition to boycott the 2017 polls if the election body will not be reformed, it’s earlier for the Raila’s team to restrategize.

It could have been better for CORD to mobilize youths especially from Western, Nyanza and

Machakos region to register as voters as early as now to increase the number of votes.

The opposition should unite the western region to find one presidential aspirant.

It is better to propose a leader who is in the government like Moses Wetang’ula than even the former Prime Minister.

— John Wafula, Nairobi

Traffic intervention needed Something needs to be done about the heavy traffic snarl up on the Eastern bypass especially at the Ruiru underpass. Thika Road dwellers are spending more time trying to maneuver a small distance of less than 500 meters than the time spent from town to that particular point which is a distance of several kilometers.

This makes Matatus drop off passengers on the highway instead of the designated stage in a bid to avoid traffic without considering the danger posed to the passengers by speeding motorists on the highway.

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

— Adamba Kitoto, Nairobi

SPORT 13 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Gor squeeze past hard-fighting Muhoroni to keep unbeaten run

STILL UNDONE: Muhoroni Youth’s Mike Adul vies for the ball with Gor Mahia’s David Owino during a past KPL match at Moi Stadium in Kisumu. Gor edged out a hard-fighting Mohoroni Youth 1-0 yesterday to extend their unbeaten run in the 2015 season.

Champions Gor Mahia guided their unbeaten run to the 2015 Kenyan Premier League after edging out hard-fighting Mohoroni Youth 1-0 at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium yesterday.

At Nairobi’s Ruaraka Grounds, GOtv Shield champions Sofapaka were 2-1 winners over Tusker FC to pile more misery on head coach Francis Kimanzi whose future is subject to intense speculation after his fourth straight game without victory.

Elsewhere, Ushuru beat KCB 2-1, Nakuru All Stars played to a 2-2 draw with Chemelil Sugar while in Mombasa, Mathare United held hosts Bandari to a barren stalemate.

With only two matches to the conclusion of the first leg, K’Ogalo are sure of finishing top in mid-season after Michael Olunga’s scored the winner in the 11th minute to take his personal tally to seven, one less than than joint top scorers, team-mates Meddie Kagere and Ali Abondo as well as AFC Leopard’s Jacob Keli.

“It was a tough game and we congratulate Muhoroni for giving a good fight. We could have scored a couple of other chances, Abondo hit the post but everything considered, we played well,” Gor head

Man United confirm flop striker Falcao will not stay Louis Van Gaal has confirmed football’s worst kept secret - that Manchester United will not keep Radamel Falcao following the end of his season-long loan from Monaco.

The Colombian missed Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Hull due to injury and scored just four goals in 29 appearances.

United did not take up a reported £43.2m (Sh6.6 billion) option to buy the 29-yearold, who failed to net in his last 13 games.

“Falcao is a top professional and a good human being. I would like to wish him well for the future,” Van Gaal said.

The former Porto and Atletico Madrid striker’s last goal came against Leicester on 31 January.

The South American, who missed the World Cup after suffering a serious knee injury in January, made a point of waving to the United fans when he was

ADIOS! Radamel Falcao applauds to the fans as he leaves the pitch after being substituted.

substituted in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal on 17 May, in what proved to be his last appearance.

It is the first decision in what is expected to be a busy summer for Van Gaal, who will look to reshape a squad he has consistently said isnot balanced.

And while the 63-year-old is ready to go on an extended holiday to Portugal, after spending most of last summer guiding the Netherlands to third place at the World Cup, he intends to remain in touch with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

coach, Frank Nuttall said after the win.

Muhoroni head coach, Francis Baraza cried foul over poor officiating after his fourth match without a win in a match where Uganda’s Geodfrey Walusimbi was lucky to escape with only a yellow card for stamping.

“Referees must improve because Olunga’s goal was a hand ball and also he gave all the advantage to Gor, so I salute my boys for giving a hard fight. I have a young team and we will improve in the second leg after I bring in two or three experienced players,” the former Western Stima coach complained.

Meanwhile Gor Mahia midfielder Victor Ali Abondo has won the Fans Player of the Month – March Award.

The player was awarded with a trophy and Ksh 10,000 after the Muhoroni versus Gor Mahia match.He beat Bandari youngster Masoud Juma, AFC Leopards’ Emmanuel Ngama, Tusker FC striker Jesse Were and his teammate Boniface Oluoch to bag the inaugural Fans Player of the Month Award.

“I’m really happy to have won this award and dedicate it to my teammates. Without teamwork I would not have won this,” he said.

Steve Bruce admits Hull ‘were not good enough’ Hull manager Steve Bruce admitted his side were “not good enough” after being relegated to the Championship.

City drew 0-0 with Manchester United but saw their chances of staying in the Premier League disappear after Newcastle’s 2-0 win over West Ham. “It’s an awful experience and it will dawn on the players we are not in the Premier League anymore,” said Bruce.

“There is talking and soul searching to be done. It is bitter and sad at the moment.”

The Tigers - FA Cup finalists last season - were two points adrift of safety at the start of the day, needing a victory and for the Magpies not to beat West

Ham. But goals from Moussa Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez at St James’ Park took Hull’s destiny out of their own hands, dropping down to the second tier after just two season.

They themselves could have beaten Louis van Gaal’s side, but were not able to find a way past Spaniard Victor Valdes making his full debut for United - who made two superb saves from Ahmed Elmohamady and Nikica Jelavic.

“In football, there are times when you feel like today; relegation from the Premier League. You are desperately disappointed with what has happened,” added Bruce.

Argentine player dies after collapsing on pitch Argentine defender Cristian Gomez has died after collapsing during a game for his club Atletico Parana on Sunday.

The 27-year-old fell unconscious half-anhour into the match against Boca Unidos in Argentina’s second-tier Primera B. “We tried to revive him and he died on the way to hospital,” said Miguel Darre,

doctor of home side Boca Unidos.

Matches in Argentina had only just resumed this weekend after the death of Emanuel Ortega on 14 May. San Martin de Burzaco defender Ortega, 21, died in hospital after failing to come out of a coma following injuries when he hit his head on a concrete wall

surrounding the pitch. When Gomez collapsed, team-mates and opponents immediately took off their shirts to fan him and cried for help. “The doctors told us they couldn’t resuscitate him. This is totally unexpected, unbelievable. He’d never had anything wrong with him,” said match supervisor Ramon Gomez.

DISMAY: Hull City boss Steve Bruce reacts after the barren draw against Manchester United that saw the Tigers relegated from the Premier League.

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SPORT MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

UP AND COMING BREED: Athletes battle during one of the races in the men’s 10,000m final of the New KCC/Athletics Kenya meeting at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret in May 2009.

Newbies impress at Keino stadium Two-time world champion, Asbel Kiprop was a no show with upcoming athletes taking their chance to shine on Saturday as the final 2015 Athletics Kenya Track and Field Series meeting concluded in a jam-packed Dr. Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.

Kiprop, the 2008 Olympics champion, was all the rave of Day 1 on Friday when he dropped a new stadium record in the heats, stopping the clock at a commendable 3:36.06 in the heats but with the IAAF Ostrava World Challenge and

Diamond League Eugene meetings next week, he was among a slew of stars who gave the domestic showdown the miss.

Others such as Commonwealth champion, Mercy Cherono and World Cross titleholder, Agnes Tirop simply eased off the gas to allow upstarts to have their name in the lights as the self-styled athletics capital of Kenya reveled in the first public tartan track outside Nairobi in the newly refurbished stadium.

Bahamas World Relays Distance Medley silver medalist Timothy

Rosberg: Hamilton should have won Monaco Grand Prix Nico Rosberg admitted to “mixed” feelings over his Monaco Grand Prix success after a team error cost Lewis Hamilton victory.

A decision by their Mercedes team to pit Hamilton under a late safety car handed the win to Rosberg.

“Lewis did a great job and deserved to win - I’m very well aware of that. I feel for him because it’s such a horrible way to lose,” said Rosberg. “On the other side a win is a win. Luck is such a big factor in sport.”

Rosberg, 29, added: “I have

a lot of space for empathy towards Lewis because I know how horrible a day it is for him after such a strong weekend. “To lose it like that, that really sucks, so I have a lot of capacity for that and I do feel that.” The German’s third consecutive win in Monaco means he is now just 10 points adrift in the championship, below 30-year-old Hamilton who finished third behind Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.

But he said: “I’m not really thinking about that. Of course it is good for all that, but I am just enjoying the win.”

Cheruiyot, who was second fastest in the men 1500m heats stepped up to take the glory in the final that lived up to the ranking order from Friday.

Abednego Chesebe (3:41.9), and Mark Bett (3:42.2) took silver and bronze with Mathew Kiptanui (3:43.2), Hosea Cherongei (3:44.0) and Robert Kapting’ei (3:44.0) sealing the top six in that order.

“I am happy with victory since I was not expecting it. I shall work hard to maintain the performance,” Cheruiyot who is off to Eugene, Oregon to reacquaint himself with

America’s rising mid distance sensation, Ben Blankenship who anchored his team to gold in Bahamas said.

The return of forgotten star, the past World Junior and All African Games (African Games) gold medalist, Willy Komen, from long term Achilles injury ended with silver in his 3000m steeplechase specialty behind newcomer Felix Kerong who was the commanding victor with 8:37.2 on the clock against the bridesmaid’s 8:40.5. Patrick Churus stopped the timer in 8:41.9

well adrift to close the podium.

Elijah Kipchirchir motored to an impressive 13:51.8 for victory in the 5000m, considering the punishing elevation of Eldoret to run the rule over more illustrious challengers who were led home by Peter Lagat who posted 13:57.2 as Kipng’etich Rono took silver in 13:57.2.

Willy Kwemoi (14:04.8) led Bernard Korir (14:10.6) across the line to complete the top-five.

Former World Youth silver medalist Alex Sampao, completed a 47.0 victory in 400m.

Nikhil Sachania is on a roll

BRAVE: Nikhil Sachania after winning motorsport personality-of-the year (2014) award during the Kenya Motor Sport Federation awards gala night on Saturday.

Barely six months after scooping the 2014 Safaricom SOYA disability award, Nikhil Sachania is at it again.

The 26 year old physically challenged driver became the first ever physically challenged competitor to win the coveted motorsport personalityof-the year (2014) award during the Kenya Motor Sport Federation awards gala night held in Nairobi on Saturday.

He now joins the list of Kenya’s greats among them Baldev Chager, Carl Tundo, Lee Rose (94), Patrick Njiru (90, 96), Paul Bailey (98), Gregory Kibiti (99) Rory Green & Orson Tailor in 2000), biker Anthony Nielsen in 2002 and 2006, Ian Duncan in 87, 2003 and 2010 and the prolific motorcycle rider Shivam Vinayak in 2012.

Sachania, who recently upgraded from a massive Mitsubishi Challenger

pickup to a custom-made Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000 achieved the feat after clinching the 2014 KNRC SPV (specially prepared vehicles) championship for drivers.

Sachania who works with Samani Construction Limited was rewarded for demonstrating skill, will, speed, endurance and above all the courage to embrace a sport that nearly killed him two years ago.

“The accident which paralysed me happened in Athi River. I was training with Shazar Anwar and Zane Young trying to get ready for my first Rally Raid event. I hit a rock at high speed, landed head first. The impact shattered my spine. I have always wanted to race no matter what. I love the feeling!” explained Nikhil.

Nikhil delivered an emotional speech after his rare feat and asserted that he is into motorsports for the long haul.

Federer faults French open after security scare Roger Federer criticised French Open security after a spectator ran on to court and attempted to take a photograph with the Swiss.

Federer had just completed a 6-3 6-3 6-4 over Colombia’s Alejandro Falla when a young fan approached him on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The intruder was eventually ushered away but only after he had been able to ask Federer to pose for a selfie.

“I’m not happy about it,” said the 33-yearold 17-time Grand Slam champion.

“It happened in the practice, too. It was just a kid, but then three more kids came.

“And on centre court, where you would think this is a place where nobody can

come on, he just wanders on and nothing happens.

“It happened during the finals in 2009 as well for me, so I definitely think that something needs to happen quickly.

Basically yesterday already.”

Federer was playing in the 2009 final against Robin Soderling when another intruder breached security, while a protestor with a flare made it onto the same court during the 2013 final between Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer.

“Normally I only speak on behalf of myself, but in this situation I think I can speak on behalf of all the players,” added Federer, who said tournament director Gilbert Ysern had apologised to him

after Sunday’s match.

“That’s where you do your job, that’s where you want to feel safe, and so clearly I’m not happy about it.

“But nothing happened, so I’m relieved.

But clearly it wasn’t a nice situation to be in.”

Tournament director Gilbert Ysern said the incident was embarrassing but did not believe there was a reason to change security procedures.

“It was just a lack of judgment this afternoon. Clearly the security people who were on court did not do the job the way they should have done of course, to say the least,” he said. “But it’s not the end of the world.”

SWISS FINEST: Roger Federer blasted French Open organisers Sunday after a fan breached tight security and raced on to court to grab a ‘selfie’ with the Swiss great.

Demonde brace lifts Shabana above Agro Chemicals A Demonde Selenga double was enough to lift Shabana over Agro chemicals in the FKF Premier League standings on Saturday.

Unbeaten Kakamega Homeboyz dislodged Zoo Kericho from the summit following their 3-0 win over Modern while Zoo Kericho Fell 1-2 at home to Kariobangi Sharks.

The loss to Sharks saw Zoo drop to the third position while their opponents moved up to the fourth position, three points off Zoo. In other Sunday matches, Finlays Horticulture and Mosca FC settled for a 1-1 draw in a match played in Naivasha while Posta Rangers beat troubled St Joseph 1-0 thanks to Gearson Likono’s

strike.

In Saturday matches, Oserian beat visiting Ligi Ndogo 3-2 while Nakumatt FC beat West Kenya Sugar 1-0 to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches.

On Saturday hosts Nairobi Stima fell 1-2 to Nzoia United while bottom placed FC Talanta lost 2-0 to Bidco United.

xnews |MOnDAY, MAY 25, 2015 | www.x-news.cO.ke

new crop of athletes impress at kip keino stadium

pg.14

JOB DONE: Jonás Gutiérrez of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal against West Ham.

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…as Hull get relegated and Liverpool embarrassed at Stoke

Newcastle United survived relegation from the Premier League by securing the win they needed against West Ham to assure safety at St James’ Park.

They knew victory against Sam Allardyce’s side - in his last game after it was revealed his West Ham contract would not be renewed would condemn Hull City to relegation to the Championship.

The three points were duly delivered on an afternoon of tension on Tyneside, courtesy of Moussa Sissoko’s header early in the second half that sent a thunderous roar around the stadium in an outpouring of elation and sheer relief.

And, in a fitting moment high on emotion, Jonas Gutierrez added a second late on - a goal ecstatically received, not simply for its significance in the context of the Premier League but also because the Argentine is a hugely popular figure after returning to the side in March following treatment for testicular cancer.

Newcastle’s fans rejoiced in the result that ensured they will be in the Premier League next season

while manager John Carver, who has had such a miserable time since succeeding Alan Pardew at the turn of the year, could at least have the consolation of not being the man to take this giant of a club down.

For West Ham counterpart Allardyce, this was a miserable conclusion to his stay at Upton Park.

Even in the moments of joy that followed the final whistle, Newcastle fans swiftly turned their attention to their unpopular owner Mike Ashley, with resounding chants of “Get Out Of Our Club” - a wish it seems he has no intention of granting.

Ashley gave a rare interview before kick-off, insisting he would not sell and would remain in charge until they won a trophy - but for now survival equals success for a club that has slumped so spectacularly since the turn of the year.

The scale and significance of the occasion could be measured in the number of Newcastle fans gathered around St James’ Park hours before kick-off in anticipation of what Carver

described as the club’s biggest game for six years.

In a noisy, tense atmosphere Newcastle almost got the perfect start inside two minutes when Emmanuel Riviere made space inside the area but flashed an effort across goal.

Newcastle picked up the pace once more at the start of the second half and after Riviere had missed another good chance, failing to connect with Daryl Janmaat’s cross from six yards out, the breakthrough the whole of Tyneside craved arrived after 54 minutes.Gutierrez provided an inviting cross to the far post where Sissoko rose highest to head low past keeper Adrian to spark an outpouring of joy and noise that could have been heard on the nearby Tyne Bridge.After Vernon Anita wasted a perfect opportunity to at least afford the Newcastle fans some relaxation, Gutierrez stepped in to add the second.And after directing anger at Ashley, Newcastle’s fans broke off to give Gutierrez a rapturous reception as he was last off the pitch and in to the arms of the waiting Carver.

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