201505026 xnews by X News

TUESday, MAY 26, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

fighting insecurity govt wants all ngos registered with national ngos board

city plans garden city mall is opening on thursday

art world how about learning the ropes in the art of animation?

NEWS

setter wacu makes return to women volleyball team

richie porte ditches giro d’italia to focus on tour de france

Police deny deaths in fresh Garissa attacks S

everal police officers are feared dead after they were ambushed by gunmen believed to be Al-Shabaab militants in Yumbis village, Garissa County. Earlier reports had indicated that at least 20 officers were feared to have been killed in the ambush. But police spokesman George Kinoti said they had not confirmed any deaths, although

he admitted 13 officers were missing. “There was an ambush on officers who were on patrol and as a result, 13 officers are missing,” he said adding, “two others sustained injuries and have been taken to hospital.” The officers were in a convoy of four vehicles heading to Yumbis in Fafi constituency to reinforce security in the area following an earlier attack on their colleagues on Monday..

At least three police officers were seriously injured after a land mine exploded on their vehicle while on patrol in Yumbis. The vehicle was extensively damaged following the explosion. Acting Garissa County Commander Shadrack Maithya later confirmed that the missing officers had been found after a search in the area.

KILLER TORNADO LEAVES DEADLY TRAIL IN mexico, texas

“We have accounted for all the officers. Two were critically injured and they are being taken to Nairobi for treatment,” said Maithya. This followed a heavy security operation that was launched in the area today morning following the attack. Reinforcements were dispatched to locate the officers missing according to Kinoti.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

P.9

Love matters

What if your sweetheart is a couple of years behind you. Is age just a number?

P.16

NATURAL PILLAGE: Vehicles were left upended against buildings in the aftermath of a deadly storm that hit Ciudad Acuna city in North Eastern Mexico near the border with USA. At least 13 people were killed following the tornado which also claimed three lives in Texas, US. See story on page 2

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Ancelotti axed Real Madrid sacks Carlo Ancelotti as coach with Benitez tipped to take over

NEWS TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

Police say no officer was killed in ambush From Page 1 The attack came barely four days after the militants stormed Yumbis village and held villagers at ransom for several hours lecturing them against volunteering information on al-Shabaab sympathisers to the

authorities. The Thursday evening incident was confirmed by Taragon who said the gunmen also hoisted their flag at an abandoned Administration Police post in the area. Locals said they had been rounded them up and forced to

sit at an open ground where they were lectured by the gunmen as others kept vigil. It is believed that the group that rounded up the villagers was led by Mohamed Kuno alias Gamadhere who is on a most wanted list of al-Shabaab commanders.

Gamadhere is a Kenyan from Garissa County. A bounty of Sh20 million has been placed on his head by the government for anyone who will help capture him. He has been linked to the Garisssa university attack on April 2 in which 148 people were killed by terrorists.

LUCKY ESCAPE: Firefighters use a carnoe to rescue a family that had clung on a tree in Texas after heavy flash floods swept through their estate.

Tragedy as heavy storms rock Mexico and texas At least 13 people have been killed by a tornado that hit the northern Mexico border city of Ciudad Acuna. Hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed in the city, in Coahuila state, just across the border from Del Rio, Texas. The US state has had big floods, with at least three dead and 12 missing. Images from Mexico showed cars and buildings badly damaged. Many people have been injured and there are fears the death toll could rise. Coahuila Governor Ruben Moreira, on a visit to the stricken area, said 10 adults and three

children had died and a baby was missing. Another 150 people had been taken to hospital, he said. The authorities say that more than 1,000 homes have been damaged by the storm. At one point the tornado reached a speed of 270-300km/h (168-186mph). Most of those who died were walking on the street when it struck, officials said. The missing baby’s child carrier was ripped from its mother’s hands by a sudden gust of wind, Coahuila state Interior Secretary Victor Zamora told the AP news agency. Ciudad Acuna Mayor Evaristo Lenin Perez

said that it was the first tornado to hit Acuna since the city’s foundation, more than 100 years ago. Rescuers were searching the 750 damaged properties for more casualties. “There are cars on top of houses, there are dead people lying in the street, it is total chaos,” said local resident Maria del Rosario Ramirez, quoted by Mexican newspaper La Jornada. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto expressed his “solidarity” with the relatives of the victims, and later travelled to some of the areas affected by the storm. He said the government would “take stock of the damage and provide all appropriate support”.

Kaimenyi in last minute talks to avert strikes Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi is holding talks with various education stakeholders to iron out outstanding issues in his ministry, among them a looming strike by teachers. Various stakeholders have clashed with the minister over new rules and guidelines issued by the ministry and pressuring him to call for urgent talks to resolve the contentious issues. Yesterday, the minister met with Kenya Secondary School Heads Association and the Private Schools Association in a threeday schedule of the meetings. Early today, the minister was meeting with officials of the Teachers Service Commission, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet). Among the key issues expected to be discussed in the new NHIF premium rates which the teachers have vehemently opposed. Both Knut and Kuppet have vowed to call their members to a strike early next month if the new rates are not halted. Yesterday, the CS admitted that the government is bothered by the strike notice, and will try to mediate between the teachers and the NHIF officials. He said he would also ask TSC to move with speed in holding talks with the teachers on the medical cover stalemate. “Anything that interferes with the learning of our children bothers all of us, particularly me, but you know the welfare of the teachers is the function of the TSC, which is an independent constitutional commission. However, I will talk to them and see how to solve the matter,” he said. He has also urged TSC to move with speed and address the education crisis that has seen most learners in North Eastern miss several classes due to lack of teachers. Teachers from the region made good their threat to back-off following a wave of insecurity. Some schools are reportedly being merged with others as a measure to address the resultant shortage of tutors. The minister wants TSC to make arrangements to ensure that the pupils recover the lost time since no special exams will be given. At the same time the minister has urged the teachers union to explore other alternative means to air their grievances as opposed to strike threats.

PSs, parastatal CEOs face sack over failure to implement IFMIS At least 20 Principal Secretaries and chief executive officers of parastatals risk being sacked for violating executive orders on e-procurement. Sources say that the public officers have already been issued with tough memos ordering that they explain why they should not be sacked for failing to implement the directive. At the same time, the government has cancelled tenders worth Sh286 billion for failing to comply with the

e-procurement requirements. President Uhuru Kenyatta warned two weeks ago that he would soon take action against Principal Secretaries who fail to adhere to the procurement guidelines. “When we say we must be on e-procurement we must be, I am following this up myself and if by next week you will not have integrated fully, there are other Kenyans who can have your position,” he warned

at the JKIA during the opening of the airport’s Terminal II. “I am reminding government officials that they are left with one week and all those in charge of government agencies will be held personally responsible if they fail to adopt the e-procurement system,” he added. This is after an executive order instructing all the ministries to ensure that all procurement is done via the Integrated Financial

Management Information System (IFMIS) was issued in March. Head of civil service Joseph Kinyua is said to have sent the memos to the PSs who are the accounting officers of government ministries. The new procurement laws are aimed at enhancing transparency in government business. Sources told Capital News that seven Principal Secretaries have been issued with warning letters.

Speaking in Abidjan Finance Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, however, says the government will not chip in to facilitate the frozen tenders. He insisted that all those interested in government tenders must use the new system. “Those issuing and those seeking the tenders must follow the set rules, and the rules are that we must use the e-procurement. There is no shortcut in that,” he said.

NEWS 3

CARTOONSPEAK

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS

Alcohol makes people friendly, rude, inconsiderate, kind and ‘invincible’

Teachers arrested for defiling minors

Consuming alcohol people feel confident, happy, angry, cruel, inconsiderate and invincible, science has confirmed. Though this has been common knowledge for quite some time, researchers have finally outlined the specific behaviour of drunken revelers. A team of experts has discovered that the friendliness that intoxixated people experience does not always extend to everyone. In fact drinking alcohol encourages people to treat their friends with kindness while treating those outside their social circles with disrespect and contempt. According to, Ian Mitchell a Senior Lecturer at the University of Birmingham, when a person drinks, the alcohol consumed attaches itself to a specific part of the brain and boosts the activity of a natural brain chemical called GABA. Speaking in an academic journal dubbed The Conversation, Mitchell explained that at the beginning of a drinking session, the alcohol acts on a drinker’s GABA systems to boost the levels of dopamine, the brain’s “reward” chemical, giving the drinker a sense of well-being. Alcohol also impairs the brain’s ability to make a person feel anxious. With higher doses, alcohol “shuts down” a second part of the brain that controls fear.

Three teachers have been arrested after they were accused of defiling two minors in Bomet town. Both girls are aged 12. The teachers include the headmaster of the primary school where the victims were learning. They were arrested after the pupils mentioned them in a probe. The pupils had earlier been found with love letters which were later traced to the teachers. They were expected to be arraigned in court today.

Bodaboda rider killed in Kasarani

All NGOs must be registered: Amina

ALL OF THEM : Foreign Affairs cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed. She says that all NGOs in the country must be registered the National NGOs Board.

The government has insisted that all Non- Governmental Organizations in the country must be registered the National NGOs Board. This will help the government to monitor their activities and ensure none of them is involved in terror-related activities according to Foreign Affairs cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed. She said such organizations must also give their financial records to the government to help in the fight against terror. ‘’All the NGOs must adhere to the new regulations set by the National Registration Board to ensure that the government is closely monitoring their activities,” said Amina. The sentiments comes even as the government of Kenya faces diplomatic spats with the US, UK, and Norway after it linked the foreign countries with fund-

ing local terror activities. The government has already frozen the accounts for Haki Africa Organization after it was claimed to be involved in financing terror activities. However, Amina says they are currently holding talks with the envoys from the three nations to ready find a solution on the same. ‘’We are holding discussions with the envoys from UK, US and Norway to reach a consensus on the matter,” added Amina. Norway has so far refuted the claims linking it to terror funding. Amina spoke when she opened a WTO Regional Trade negotiation meeting at the Norfolk Hotel here in Nairobi. The meeting is expected to address transatlantic trade and investment partnerships with the US, European Union and the Asian countries.

A bodaboda rider was killed in an attack by suspected thugs in Kasarani area, Nairobi. The man had dropped a passenger in the area and was returning to his station when he was ambushed by gunmen. Police say nothing was stolen from the victim whose body was found lying next to his motorbike. Efforts to trace the attackers have been launched. Elsewhere in Ngong, a suspected thug was lynched in an attempted robbery. The suspect was in the company of three others and had attacked locals when an alarm was raised alerting a mob.

Guineans jailed for putting Ebola corpse in taxi Six people have been put in isolation in prison in Guinea after being accused of travelling with a corpse of a relative who had died of Ebola. The authorities said the body was seated upright in a taxi, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans with sunglasses and sandwiched between three others. Head of Guinea’s Ebola response, Dr Sakoba Keita, says those now in quarantine in prison had been travelling in a taxi with the body of the police recruit from the town of Forecariah towards Conakry.

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

Uhuru plans to sack PSs over tenders: President Uhuru Kenyatta has given accounting officers in a number of ministries until Friday to explain why they should not be fired for flouting an Executive Order on procument. It is understood that procurement contract worth Sh200 billion awarded outside e-procurement systems have been frozen. Through his Chief of Staff Joseph Kinnyua, the President has told the officers that they should explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them. Accounting officers are the Principal Secretaries who are...

Ngilu, Koskei cleared, others to chrged: Cabinet secretaries Charity Ngilu and Felix Koskei were on Monday on course to be cleared of corruption charges after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission recommended that Ms Ngilu’s file be closed and Mr Koskei be made a witness. However, their two colleagues, Mr Michael Kamau and Mr Kazungu Kambi, are likely to face abuse of office charges, a move that could mark the end of their tenure as Cabinet secretaries. Should that happen, Mr Kamau and Mr Kambi could...

Ngilu not safe yet, Kambi, Kamau face graft charges: Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Land Charity Ngilu Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Kaluki Ngilu will not be charged in court over the coast land saga, but is not yet clear as investigations are ongoing in two other cases where she is accused of abuse of office. Also enjoying temporary reprieve is Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei, who may instead become the State’s key witness against the managing director of the Kenya Veterinary Vaccine Production Institute (Kevevapi). But suspended cabinet...

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xnews | Tuesday, MAY 26, 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 97.2944 150.5656 106.8783 8.1642 30.7235 20.9987

BUY SELL 97.4824 97.3884 150.8761 150.7208 107.1083 106.9933 8.1849 8.1746 30.8856 30.8046 21.1420 21.0703

Hundreds of jobs lost as insurance sector grows Bancassurance in Kenya is threatening the welfare of insurance agents, raising fears that these brokers may soon become irrelevant. Bancassurance is an arrangement in which a bank and an insurance company form a partnership so that the insurance firm can sell its products to the bank’s client base. According to the Insurance Regulatory Authority, the industry has experienced an increase in dropouts of agents in the last five years. In 2013, there were 593 new registered agents down from 1,085 new agents registered in 2012. Over 1,900 agents dropped out of the industry in 2013 up from the 758 agents who dropped out in 2012. Other factors leading to the decline in insurance agents include pressure to meet targets, financial constraints, low commissions and job insecurity.

CITY PLANS

“We pointed out the same last year, especially with the introduction of bancassurance, noting how insurance agents were losing their established business to banks, and our complaints were falling on deaf years,” said Washington Ndegea, Chairman Bima Intermediaries Association of Kenya (BIAK). “It’s even happening now, agents losing business to banks, and this is causing agents to leave the industry in droves. In the process it’s becoming less attractive for new agents to join the industry,” he added. Ndegea said that failure to meet targets is tied to faulty one-sided agreements that agents sign with insurance companies This often puts agents at a disadvantage, since they are pressured to produce results at all costs. Financial constraints, Ndegea said, can be addressed by agents getting good returns for their work and not

Garden City Mall to open on Thursday

FINAL TOUCHES: Engineers at the Garden City Mall along Thika Superhighway. The mall is set to open on Thursday.

Capital alert The Food & Business Global Challenges Programme has invited NGOs to apply for funding and benefits worth up to 600,000 Euros (Sh64.3 million). The Programme is open for organizations in Low or Middle-Income Countries, including Kenya. It aims to encourage scientific research and innovation projects that support food security and related private sector development. The project focuses on initiatives that contribute to long-term access to

illegally deducting their commissions in the form of “claw-backs”, especially in the life industry. “You have got to remember that the lack of a structured system to address agents’ needs is what has brought these problems to where they are, but we as the association are addressing all those needs, together with the regulator, although the process is painstakingly slow,” he noted. On his part, Association of Kenya Insurers CEO Tom Gichuhi said banks are best positioned to sell insurance because of their dense networks of regional branches and their sales style, highlighted by close community relationships. He says this venture is likely to see increased competition, leading to cheaper insurance products easily available to the average Kenyan. “However, we have heard cases of Banks coercing their customers forcing them to use their agents. This is not a good practice and should stop, “he warned.

The garden city mall is set to open on Thursday 28th as phase one of the 32-acre mixed project along Thika Highway nears its completion. Upon its completion, the first phase will comprise a retail space of 33,000 square metres including 120 local and international brands, spread across three levels. The first floor will be anchored by Game, the flagship store in Kenya for this giant retail which is part of the Walmart group, alongside Nakumatt supermarket, Tile and Carpet and Victoria courts. “Phase one of the mall is almost fully leased, and we’re expecting more than 50 percent of our retail tenants to be ready to open with us on the May 28, including our anchor tenants, Game and

Nakumatt. We are very excited to be able to open our doors and invite everyone inside to start shopping, and to begin growing our Garden City community,” said Actis Nairobi director Michael Turner. The mall promises to attract many businesses to the Kenyan retail market due ti its unique state-ofthe-art design making maximum use of natural and fresh air together with boosting the largest solar paneled carp ort in east Africa. Shoppers will access the Garden City Mall through the overpass at the Garden Estate interchange at Exit 7, while those coming from Thika will use Exit 8 and then branch left into the new service road which cuts through Willmary Estate, adjacent to the mall.

Global Challenges Programme calls NGOs to apply for funding

affordable, safe and nutritious food for vulnerable and resource-poor populations in Low and Middle-Income Countries. Those applying are advised to send Letters of Intent to the Netherland Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). “Teams of researchers and other public or private partners from Low or Middle Income Country are invited to submit proposals,” Rashmi Kanti, a spokesperson on behalf of the Programme has said. Funding is available for two types of

research projects, including Integrated Projects lasting up to 4 years and Fast Track Research Projects lasting 2 to 3 years. The funding for winning proposals include a maximum of 600,000 Euros for each Integrated Project and a maximum of 250,000 Euros (Sh26.8 million) for each Fast Track Research project . Kanti has said applications can be submitted electronically via email through “nwo.nl”.

WHERE THE MONEY IS: A screenshot showing the registration webstite portal.

BUSINESS TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

PRICE DRIVER Govt sell of STAKE IN sugar companies could stabilise prices The government’s recent move to sell its stake in local sugar companies may stabilise prices, which have been in a state of disarray. Sugar prices have been on a downward trend in recent months as local producers struggle with production costs and cheap imports drive down the cost of the sweetener. Kenya produces roughly 600,000 tonnes of sugar a year while the populace consumes about 800,000 tonnes. The deficit is covered through the strict import quotas from Common

Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Reuters reports. Due to stifling competition from other brands, local sugar prices have fallen. Earlier this year, the cost of a 50 kg bag fell from Sh4,300 to Sh4,000. Last year, prices fell to as low as Sh3,200. A 2kg packet currently retails at about Sh250 and is likely to fall if government initiatives do not curb the runaway prices. While this is a reprieve for consumers, industry stakeholders stand to make devastating losses. In light of these challenges, Kenya has approved the sale of the

government’s stakes in five sugar companies. The move will be completed within the next 12 months, the Privatisation Commission said in a previous statement. Reuters reports that the five companies are in “urgent need of modernisation to survive competition from the entry of other sugar producers and an impending end to sugar import limits from the COMESA trade bloc. Recent reports show that Kenya is not alone in its suffering. Africa’s sugar industry has seen prices fall to their lowest levels since 2010.

SWEET MOVE: Prices of sugar are expected to stabilise after the government’s recent move to sell its stake in local sugar companies.

You can pay your taxes via Airtel Money, telco says

ALL ABOUT MOBILE CONVENIENCE: Airtel Kenya CEO Mr Adil el Youssefi. His company has unveiled a service that allows its customers across the country to inquire for KRA services

Airtel Kenya has unveiled a service that allows its customers across the country to inquire for KRA services, generate Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) payment reference numbers (PRN) and make payments through Airtel Money. By dialing *572#, Airtel Money customers will now be able to access both their KRA electronic slip and their invoice number. The new service provides Airtel Money customers in Kenya a convenient, flexible and time saving option for tax payment, the telco said in a recent announcement. The mobile service provider added that customers “will no longer have to walk into KRA banking halls to queue to pay their taxes.” Taxpayers who pay taxes using Airtel Money are assured that their payments will be cleared, processed and credited to the KRA account in real-time, said Airtel. Airtel Kenya CEO, Adil El Youssefi noted that the new partnership will “usher in unparalleled customer convenience”, stressing that the move is aimed at increasing Airtel Money customer satisfaction and convenience. “Airtel will continue to partner with corporate and government entities as it seeks to revolutionize its services and more importantly provide customers with convenient, fast and secure options of transacting on Airtel Money,” he said. All services to be paid for require a KRA payment reference number (PRN or an e-slip/ invoice number), which can either be acquired on their website or through one’s mobile phone. KRA services can be paid through Airtel Money for amounts of up to Sh140, 000 per day. The charges to the telco’s customers vary from Sh10 to Sh270 based on amounts being paid.

China cuts import taxes to boost consumer demand In a bid to boost consumer spending, China has cut import taxes on consumer goods by more than 50 per cent on average. Chinese consumers have resorted to shopping abroad or through agents due to the high tariffs set for

imported goods. The cutting of the import taxes is hope that consumer spending will be brought back home. Consumers in China pay up to 20 per cent more for luxury goods than those in Europe, economic analysts say.

“The tariff reduction is an important measure to create stable growth and push forward structural reform”, said China’s Ministry of Finance. From 1st June, tariffs for Westernstyle clothing will be reduced from 14-23 per cent to 7-10 per cent, taxes

on ankle-high boots and sports shoes will be reduced to 12 per cent. Import tariffs on skincare products will fall from 5 per cent to 2 per cent. China is the second biggest importer of both goods and commercial services.

The government wants to promote domestic demand due to the slow rate at which the country is growing. China’s economy has slowed down since 2009. Last year, it grew 7.4 per cent and 6.8 per cent for this year and 6.3 per cent for 2016.

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

ACCESS topstory

The relaunch of WelleWelle in 3D has raised the creativity bar.

fashion

scoop

The Welle Welle video just goes to show how far artistes are willing to go to create good content that sets them apart from others.

aRTisTEs ChURninG oUT

CREaTiVE MUsiC ViDEos

he industry is constantly evolving and artistes are looking for ways to be on top of the game. So when a 3D music video is launched in Kenya it comes as no surprise. Actually it does! About a week ago, Kenya and Africa saw the release of the first 3D music video. The video belongs to the Welle Welle remix by Timmy Tdat featuring Collo, Cannibal, Nonini, DNA, Avril and King Kaka. Timmy Tdat wanted something that was different and fresh for the remix. The first Welle Welle song, was animation but not on a bigger scale like the remix. “In this industry, there is a lot of competition. So you have to always stand out and be different from everyone else,” said the artiste. “I wanted something that was unique and could appeal to everybody even kids,” he added. The video is the first of its kind

TiMMy TDaT

in Kenya and Africa. It features rotoscoping which involves animators tracing over footage and getting every movement and strand of hair on a subject. The Welle Welle video manages to capture every single movement of the artistes from their mannerisms to their poses. Something fans would notice immediately they watch the video. The making of the video involved the artistes shooting their scenes and links which took less than an hour. Then the video director, Thome of Boomba Pictures, had to use Rotoscope technology to trace over the artistes and capture all their mannerisms. “It took three and a half months to complete the video,” said Timmy. The video had 10 people working on it with each of them having a different skill. “It took that long because they had to trace over movements

down to the strands of hair on the artiste’s head,” said Timmy. The video has managed to be one of the trendsetters in the industry. “It is the first 3D animation video in Africa. We took a risk with it because we wanted something different and now it is working out,” said Timmy. The reception for the video has been great so far and fans have been loving it. “The video is doing great and people are appreciating it so far,” said Timmy. The Welle Welle video just goes to show how far artistes are willing to go to create good content that sets them apart from others. It has set the bar high for artistes to think out of the box and not give fans the same boring videos day in day out. Now who else would venture into creating a 3D video, other top videos making waves include Nerea and Follow Me.

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY TUESDAY, MAY 26th 26, NOVEMBER 2015 2014

ARTWORLD

AN ARTIST CANNOT FAIL. IT IS A SUCCESS JUST TO BE ONE.

artshock

DucT Tape arT

The

aRT of animaTion

OUR R00TS

e all love watching animated movies, but have you ever wondered how the beautiful princesses such as Cinderella and Rapunzel came to exist? How about the ugly ogres such as Shrek and the weird creatures such as Gollum and Rumpelstiltskin, not forgetting superheroes such as Superman? The very first step to making an animation flick is the conceptualization of the characters, which is done by illustrators who, as a major requirement, are immensely skilled drawers. It takes natural talent to be an animation illustrator, since drawing is not a skill that you can acquire in class; you can only improve on your innate talent. Abdullahi Bonaya, a Film and Animation student takes pride in being one of the few talented illustrators in the Kenyan animation sector, a field that is fairly new in our country’s

Taita death rituals The Taita observed a unique set of rites and customs when death occurred in the community. They buried the dead differently according to their stature in the society. People breathing their last were supported in a sitting position until their bodies relaxed. The corpse was then laid down on a bed; eyelids properly closed for fear of evil eye. Womenfolk were allowed to wail, however, men were expected to exercise self-restraint. The body was washed and hair shaved by old women past child bearing age. The corpse was then placed in the grave in an upright position. After one year the skull was exhumed and taken to a local shrine. If a medicine man died, wailing was not allowed, until after a sheep had been sacrificed. If death was caused by a certain epidemic, the mourners were first cleansed before mourning Those who were regarded as important and famous in the community were buried in a hut. The deceased relatives were later washed at the doorway of the hut. The following day a goat was slaughtered and the contents of the stomach placed aside for sacrificial purposes. Later, the meat was roasted in the doorway and eaten with porridge. The first seven mouthfuls were spewed on the ground. The contents of the sacrificed goat was then scattered over crops. If the deceased had been widowed before, the hut would be sold for a goat or sheep and then dismantled.

ianna Melton is an artist based in the United States. She is a trained Veterinary technician who took up art as a way to fill up her days. She creates art from duct tape. Using a pencil, she outlines a photo and notes where the highlights and shadows will be then using colored strips of duct tape she begins to create art. She mainly uses comics and pop culture figures as inspiration because they have more colour. She finds doing human portraits a bit limiting because there is no duct tape that would match perfectly the colour of someone’s skin. She started it as a hobby and has now considered doing it full time.

Abdul

‘Sometimes my mum and I would sit at a table, then she would draw me and I would draw her’ —Abdul

entertainment industry. Even before joining school, the son of ‘two great artists’ as he describes his parents had already started making drawings based on the cartoons he used to watch as a child. He especially looked up to his mother who would take time to draw with him in his younger years. “Sometimes my mum and I would sit at a table, then she would draw me and I would draw her,” says Abdul, as he is popularly known, explaining his source of inspiration. In just a single day, he is able to fully complete a character’s sketch at maximum concentration, with his tools of trade comprising of pencils, crayons, sketchpads and graphic tablets. When he goes blank on ideas, he only has to take a walk or watch some cartoons to get his artistic groove back on. The young artist who is in his third year of studies considers the purpose of his illustrations to be purely for entertainment,

with hopes of being employed either at Disney or Pixar animation studios, although his priority is to be a self-employed illustrator. Abdul’s pro-active nature and interest in animation has made him very ambitious, having already become proficient in two-dimension animation techniques. He terms this as his greatest achievement so far, since he is yet to be taught the 2D topic in his school curriculum. With his role models being Oscar Ramos, J Scott Campbell and Mike Muthiga, Abdul has a vision of working successfully as an illustrator in the next five years. When asked what factor sets him apart from the other illustrators in the industry, he needs no time to think it over. “When I get a concept, I tend to characterize it in a comical way and that is a virtue many artists have not explored,” he confidently states.

ACCESS TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

Men Are egoiStic in nAture And even if he iS younger thAn you Are, he Still needS to feel thAt he iS the one in control.

aboutLove

hot toPICS Moustapha breaks BIG NACENT blind rappers home as he divorces’ twerking’ wife Following the drama that surrounds Col Moustaphas’ new raunchy video, Big Nascent has separated from his wife. The rapper confirmed last evening via a live radio interview that he could not take back his wife after her philandering ways.Moustapha however maintains that he did nothing wrong and never meant to harm the rapper or the family. The woman in question has since gone underground.

Marya in love triangle Marya, who has been showing off her new found love on social media is courting trouble. The Chokoza hit maker it emerged is dating someone’s husband. In an interview with a local daily, Marya’s boyfriend Kevo said he was divorced from his wife late last year. It has now emerged that he was never divorced. The legal wife who is Salma Mbuvi’s aunt, took to social media saying she had not received divorce papers from Kevin. Is Marya officially a husband snatcher?

IS A CLASS BEHIND So you have been dating for two years and now you are graduating but alas, your sweetheart still has two years to go. Can your love withstand the test of time, age and distance?

MARyA

Willy Paul wows Dallas Willy Paul is in the US on tour. The artiste is currently Dallas, Texas where he had gone to perform for the memorial weekend. It is reported that the controversial singer pulled a huge crowd going to prove that people still love and appreciate his music.

Rapdamu and Frasha song out Rapdamu and Frasha have worked on yet another new song, Kuthibu. The two previously worked on Wale Wabaya together and we must say they are in sync. Maybe Frasha going in solo was not such a bad idea.

e have compiled some guidelines to help keep your relationship steady if you are in this messy situation. Have a sit down: You are both grown-ups who can have a serious (though awkward) conversation. Let him know how you feel about leaving him behind. It might seem extreme, but the best thing to do is to give him the option of either walking away at that moment or staying with the promise of remaining faithful even though you will not be around to monitor him once you complete your studies. If he chooses to walk away, let him go. You might despise him at that moment but he is way better than one who would have chosen to stay just so as not to hurt your feelings, only to end up devastating you later on. As they say, the painful truth is always better than a sweet lie. Don’t treat him like a baby: It makes no sense to keep visiting your campus boyfriend daily claiming that you miss him, while what you are really doing is spying on his social activities.

If you decide to keep the relationship going even after you have completed your studies, then you need to trust that you are the only one he is interested in. Visiting him daily makes you look more of his nanny than his girlfriend. Stop looking for trouble where there is none: Some women are so insecure that they go to the extent of making unannounced visits to their boyfriend’s campus hostels in a bid to catch them cheating. When you look too hard for problems, you are bound to find them. If he is being unfaithful, you will find out sooner or later, so let nature take its course. Leave his female friends alone: We all have that one female friend of our boyfriend who we would give anything to eliminate from his life, especially if you are a lady leaving her boyfriend behind in campus. Making threats to his female friends and demanding that they stay away may seem like the female- macho thing to do. However, it is not the solution. The girl you threaten will tell your

boyfriend what you have been up to especially if she really is interested in him, because she knows that you and your boyfriend are bound to fight over your actions and things might work out in her favor. Don’t belittle him: Men are egoistic in nature and even if he is younger than you are, he still needs to feel that he is the one in control. Don’t look down on him just because you have gotten a well-paying job while he still depends on his parents for pocket money. When you go out, let him pay for food or drinks if he wants to. In short, pamper his ego while encouraging him to work hard for his own money at the same time. Create your alone time: Even though you should not constantly nag your boyfriend, you also should not totally neglect him. When you get a job, remember to set apart some time to give him your attention. Try to maintain a balance between your presence and your absence.

RAPDAMU

ASK dr X Dear Dr X,

I have been dating my boyfriend for six months now. He recently got a new job that allowed him to save enough and move out of his parent’s home. He now wants us to move in together. I live alone and I enjoy the freedom and space it accords me. I don’t think I am ready to move in with him yet. He keeps insisting and I do not know what answer to give him. I am also a bit old school and I believe people should only live together when they are married. How do I let him know that it is not the right time for me? —Lillian.

Should I move In wIth hIm? Dear Lillian,

It is good that you want to hold on to your independence for a little longer. You are entitled to that. Have you tried talking to him about it? Choose a day that he is relaxed and gently let him know how you feel. Because if you do not he will only feel slighted that you do not

want to think about his preposition. Also, six months of dating is a tad too early to move in together. You may find that there are things that you may not necessarily like about the person. So get to know him a little bit better before you make a decision. Best of luck.

Send your agonising queries to drx@x-news.co.ke

DR X.

ACCESS TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

FASHIONScoop

NIKU SINGH’S COlleCTION.

The way the neck piece hugs the body, is perfect!

Walk around looking like an Egyptian princess.

It looks chunky but it is worth it.

niKU SinGh maKeS another Statement Niku Singh is back with a jewellery collection that fashion critics and enthusiasts are describing as his best work yet. The collection debuted over the weekend and explores a new dimension of the art of jewellery. The dangling statement neckpieces are bound to catch the attention of everyone add that to bracelets that make the hands standout and your statement couldn’t get any bolder. Niku kept to signature design, where the neckpiece extends all the way to the back. It was specifically designed for ladies with the indian-chic bride in mind. Materials used include; pure brass, aluminum and precious stones.

Our rating: H H H

filmlab

BEST...

Rating: PG Genre: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Cast: George Clooney, britt Robertson, and Hugh Laurie Time: 1hr 47 min.

a woRLD

tomorrowland beyonD

The movie has great visuals but the storyline meanders and never seems to have particular direction. Frank is a former boy-genius who has been preparing all his life for the future. Casey is an optimistic teen who has an insatiable scientific curiosity. They are brought together by destiny and together they embark on a journey to find a place that only exists in their memory.

Steal the show with these on.

Fashion statements are made like this.

Rating: PG 13 Genre: Drama Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Helen Mirren, Katie Holmes Time: 1hr 50 mins

Rating: R Genre: Drama Cast: Russell Crowe, Isabel Lucas, Jai Courtney Time: 1hr 51 mins.

woman in Gold

the water diviner A film that is full of pain and anguish. Russell Crowe delivers a stellar performance in this one. An Australian man travels to a distant land, Turkey Our rating: H H H

You will be forgiven for showing a little attitude when wearing this neckpiece.

to try and locate his three sons. They were separated after the battle of Gallipoli and now he would go to the ends of the earth to find his children.

It has a strong cast but lacks in execution. The cast is great and do their best but the storyline falls short when it could have been a masterpiece. A Jewish woman, Maria Altmann, fled Vienna sixty years ago during World War II. Now years later she starts a journey to reclaim her family’s possessions that were seized by the Nazis. Together with her lawyer they embark on a major battle to recover the items.

Our rating: H H

PLAY 11 TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Today you might decide to put in some extra hours on the job or take on an extra project of some sort in order to bring in a little more money. Since you’re feeling strong and energetic enough to move mountains, Capricorn, you need to take care not to overexert yourself. AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Passion and determination mark today. This is the perfect day to give whatever goals you’ve been trying to accomplish that one last push toward completion. You may surprise yourself with the power and quality of your work and the positive attention your efforts receive. PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Some intense dreams and revelations could come from deep within, allowing you to release old traumas and phobias, and enabling you to move ahead with more confidence. Physical energy is high, though you may feel you need more sleep than usual. Use it!

WEATHERFORECAST TUESday 26/05/2015

sunny

WEDNEsday 27/05/2015

More sun than clouds

25ºC 62%

6:28 am 6:31pm

25ºC 58%

6:28 am 6:31pm

THURsday

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

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Working toward goals you share with others could bring you closer together as friends and lovers, Aries. The whole is definitely more than the sum of the parts. You’re likely to produce better results as a group or partnership than you would have otherwise.

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Today you might face a task that seems as workable as emptying the ocean with a teacup. But with help from others, you will not only be able to handle it but also produce exceptional results. Physically, you’re likely to feel full of strength and stamina, ready to move mountains. GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 The desire to travel, perhaps to visit a close friend, may come up today, Gemini. You may put a lot of energy into exploring the possibilities. You might also want to travel to places where you can get some artistic inspiration for creative projects. CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Expect a lot of activity in your home today, Cancer. A group, perhaps a large one, hosted by you or a family member could meet there and provoke stimulating conversations. You could get caught up in the energy, putting you in touch with a new awareness of your feelings. LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 The desire to meet with a romantic partner and look and feel your best could give rise to a lot of short journeys in your area. Perhaps you will want to work out, buy some new clothes, or get a haircut. This might be a good idea. Passions promise to run high today. VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 It’s time to stop acting like you think others want to see you act, Virgo. The planetary configuration confirms that it’s time to express yourself - your emotions, desires, and point of view - to take a firmer stand and define more clearly who you are to others and to yourself.

MUSTREAD The Bride Price — by Buchi Emecheta

Aku-nna is Nigerian and she is allowed to get diploma because it would increase her bride price. But she rebels against traditions when she refuses to get married to a man of her family’s choice. Aku-nna meets Chike, the son of a wealthy former slave. Fate pts them in each other’s way and despite obstacles that stand between them, they find a way to be happy. Chike wants to marry Aku-nna so he visits her people and gives out the required bride price. Her uncle however refuses to accept the bride price. Now Aku-nna is living in constant fear of dying while giving birth, which according to myth is the fate that awaits any girl whose bride price is not paid.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Your energy is high and your stamina particularly strong today. Working out or playing sports could appeal to you now. Running or aerobics could offer valuable exercise and clear your head to allow for new ideas. You also should feel particularly passionate. SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 A reunion with a family member who has been away or out of touch could generate some powerful emotions, Scorpio. Memories could come flooding back, making you both nostalgic and maybe a bit angry. Take care to curb the latter. You don’t want to spoil your reunion. You might have to spend a lot of time running errands in the car. You could also be planning a long vacation, perhaps one centered on a group function or seminar of some sort. Your physical energy is high, but there’s still a danger of tiring yourself out.

INSTAMOMENTS 1

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

Yesterday’s winning photo

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. Working on my government-issued laptop. Thanks, Uhuru - K. Kiarie 2. Mum I’m not high. I just need to update Adobe. Be with U in a minute - DK 3. What it feels like, working in the office on a Friday afternoon - Bilha Bunei

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TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. Sneaker 5. Clock radio letters 9. Corner pieces, in chess 14. Lecherous one 15. “Memento ____” (1959 Spark novel) 16. Jennifer in “Dreamgirls” 17. Unintelligent ones 19. Wonderland message on a cake 20. Sky, in San Juan 21. Neighbor of Lucy 23. Chow ___-Fat 25. Explorer Vespucci 30. Not noticeable 33. Quayle or Rather 35. Words to Silver 36. ____ wave 37. East London greeting 39. Futhark symbols 42. Shop-opening time 43. Haunted house sounds 45. “Tell ___ the judge” 47. Common conjunction 48. Perfect 52. Turns in a coupon 53. Defunct GM make 54. Herb popular in Indian food 57. Nether regions 61. Greek weight units 65. Reverting to an earlier type 67. Firehouse foreman 68. Gps. that may work with foreign governments

69. Fashion entrepreneur Marc 70. Hot liquor drink 71. Pirate song start 72. Subj. for Aristotle Down 1. ____ and span (clean) 2. Sphere opening 3. Iron Maiden’s “Be Quick ____ Dead” 4. Author Waugh 5. Friend in France 6. Spy 7. ____-à-porter (ready-to-wear) 8. Contretemps 9. Incumbent’s campaign word 10. U.S. ___ 11. Many times, in verse 12. Delaney of “NYPD Blue” 13. Witness 18. Certain seat 22. Brit. recording giant 24. Café ____ 26. Wreck 27. I may stand for it 28. Bat splat? 29. Historic Johns Hopkins physician 30. Embedded 31. Manhattan sch. 32. Type of boom 33. Protest 34. In seclusion 38. Tab-grabber’s phrase 40. Numerical suffix 41. Without a date

44. State in detail 46. Division symbols 49. Cassowary kin 50. The same number 51. Slacker 55. “Make ____ away!” 56. Sodium hydroxide, chemically 58. Irritation 59. “Just Do It” brand 60. Sean Connery, for one 61. Calendar abbr. 62. Presidential initials 63. Ending with fact or human 64. Commanded 66. Brandy bottle letters

Yesterday’s answers

YOURSAY

Seriously, some Dear Dr. Kidero, what’s the battle plan matatu touts could with the manholes? use some grooming Nairobi is currently exploding with manholes – which simply highlight aging infrastructure. Manholes are not a problem, the problem is that nothing is being done about them. How many limbs and arms should be broken and twisted before the Nairobi County government embarks on serious repairs on the manholes and potholes within the city? I’m still planning to buy a car –which won’t spare me

any of this menace but in the meantime I am tired of stumbling inside the holes that are all over the streets especially when it rains. You step into the holes thinking that it is just the ground surface covered with water, only to find yourself sinking into a hole that is several inches deep. I’m a very careful taxpayer and I’m not sure where I’ll end up next time I fall into a manhole. I speak for many. — Benjamin Kiptoo, Daima

The #WashAtout campaign should kick off already. We must have noted that some matatu conductors haven’t had a bath for quite a long time. Others don’t brush their teeth while another good number of them don’t change their clothes. It’s a serious insult to commonsense when someone is smelling like a thousand rotten corpses. It also kills ones desire to travel though it leaves us with no options, but just why would you allow yourself to stink like a polecat? Inasmuch as it’s totally understood that touts endure some really tough working conditions because of the nature of their jobs which I highly respect, let them keep in mind that a little hygiene goes along way. — Amunga Evan, Nairobi

What happened to ‘Michuki Rules’? The ‘Michuki Rules’ were introduced with the aim of restoring order and sanity within the public transport sector. The rules which came into effect in February 2004 required all public vehicles to be installed with speed governors, passenger safety belts, operate in clearly defined routes, to carry a specified number of passengers and their drivers and conductors to be disciplined and to have a clean security record. These days however, the

rules have since bitten dust. Passengers rarely use the safety belts – if they are lucky enough to be in a matatu that has any, matatus overload, overspeed and most of the conductors and drivers are definitely not disciplined. We really appreciate what the NTSA has been doing recently but I still feel that it’s still a poor effort. We need stricter rules for the sake of safety and road sanity. — Joyce Imali, Nairobi

Road construction exposes shoddy work by Kenya Power The ongoing tarmacking of road C-37 in Nandi County which passes through Baraton Trading cente amongst other places, has exposed poor planning and

engineering works by the Kenya Power company. A few electric posts were found to have been ‘planted’ right in the middle of the service road, with

some electric wires precariously dangling as low as 10-12 feet above the road. During compaction stage, mere tremors caused by vibrating earthmovers caused power poles to

tilt at dangerous angles. On Saturday morning, one of the road construction workers risked being electrocuted when he raised a live electric cable using a broom.

It is this kind of negligence that results to fatal and unnecessary disasters. Somebody at Kenya Power had better note this. — Alfred Mosoti Abuga,Baraton

One way not to die; avoid mutura Do gospel musicians just love controversy?

Recently, media news bulletins have been awash with cholera and things to do with cholera. I think as much as the government is fighting the disease, it’s important we start dealing with it at grassroots level, as they say treatment is better than cure. In my humble opinion, it could be better if people could stop eating mutura, christened

‘the African Sausage’. Most people just stop by a mutura stand and start munching on the undeniably delicious rolls with unwashed hands. It’s really unhealthy as tonnes of germs are exchanged in the process. That could explain why cholera has been a serious menace in neighbourhoods where mutura vendors are just around every corner. — Kenneth Mutavi, Nairobi

As seen in the past few weeks, there has been so much tension between Willly Paul and Bahati. All telling us different stories. But what really is the truth? Willy Paul has reportedly been lying about who his real mother is and does not even take a moment to clarify whether it was true or not. This leaves us, as

fans, with very many questions. Was Bahati on the other hand telling us the truth about his fellow gospel musician? Or is it just a publicity stunt that he’s trying to pull so as to get more fans? Who’s got any answers? — Bernard Adika, Nairobi

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

SPORT 13

Sam Timbe happy with Sofapaka run over Tusker Sofapaka Coach Sam Timbe says his side’s resilience against Tusker is a sign that his boys will give Gor Mahia a run for their money in the Kenyan Premeir League. The GOtv Shield champions were 2-1 winners over the brewers on Sunday a result that piled more misery on head coach Francis Kimanzi whose future is subject to intense speculation after his fourth straight game without victory. “There is some history between this two clubs, my players play with more passion whenever we play Tusker. There is some history, but I like it that

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

we have the upper hand in almost all the occasions,” said the Ugandan. “Now we can focus on narrowing the gap with runaway leaders and champions Gor Mahia. Our sis to keep winning while hoping they drop points on the way,” he said. Veteran striker John Baraza and Mourice Odipo were on target to see Sofapaka push up to second on 24 points, taking advantage of AFC Leopard’s 2-0 loss to Western Stima on Saturday to take over as Gor’s closest challengers. Kimanzi’s Brewers dropped to seven

with their second successive loss as their stated title-challenge suffered a potentially fatal blow. After a goalless first-half, Baraza gave the visitors the lead from the spot after James Situma handled Fiston Abdul Razak’s ball in the box but substitute

Stephen Owusu restored parity in the 61st from a Kevin Kimani corner. With the match destined for a stalemate, Odipo restored Sofapaka’s lead in the 83rd to extend Batoto ba Mungu’s impressive run over Tusker since 2011.

TOUCHLINE COUNSEL: Sofapaka Coach Sam Timbe, right instructing his players during a past match. He says his side’s resilience against Tusker is a sign that his boys will give Gor Mahia a run for their money in the Kenyan Premeir League.

Drogba, Ayew make emotional farewells

FARE THEE WELL: Chelsea’s Didier Drogba (C) is carried off the pitch by his teammates after being substituted against Sunderland during a Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London on 24 May 2015.

African football legends Didier Drogba and Andre Ayew made emotional farewells at the weekend from clubs they have served with distinction, as most European leagues ended. Drogba, 37, first signed for the club in 2004 and has scored a total of 164 goals in 381 appearances. “In order to play more football I feel I need to go to another club,” he said. He said: “I want to play for at least one more season.” Drogba scored a late equaliser

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits his Anfield future is uncertain Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers accepted his future at the club is in doubt after Steven Gerrard’s final match ended in a humiliating defeat. The Reds said goodbye to captain Gerrard with a 6-1 thrashing at stoke to finish sixth in the Premier League. “I’ve always said if the owners want me to go, then I go,” said Rodgers, who has won two of his last nine games. It was the first time in 52 years the Reds had let in six goals in the league but Rodgers, 42, insisted he still has “a lot to offer the club”, despite winning no silverware during his three years in charge. Liverpool must also now go through two qualifying rounds if they are to compete

INSECURE: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers conceded that his side were “very poor” in the 6-1 defeat to Stoke and claimed that if the club’s owners Fenway Sports Group want him to depart, then he will.

in the group stage of next season’s Europa League. “A lot has happened this year which has made the job difficult,” added Rodgers, who guided the Reds to second place last season.

“Last season, when things were working well, we had the support of everyone but performances like today do not help that and I fully understand that,” Rodgers added.

and the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out against Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final. Blues boss Jose Mourinho re-signed the forward in 2014 on a one-year deal after he left Galatasaray as a free agent. Voted the club’s greatest ever player in a fans’ poll in 2012, Drogba then had a spell with Shanghai Shenhua in China before helping Galatasaray to a Turkish league title in 2013. He returned to Stamford Bridge to “make more history” and this

season collected his fourth Premier League winner’s medal and third League Cup medal. Drogba, who signed from Marseille for £24m 11 years ago, has now won 12 trophies in two spells at Chelsea. He added “All the fans know my love for Chelsea and I hope to be back here in the future in another role. “This group of players gave me the best present. I came back and have won the league and today is a big celebration. We deserve it.”

West Ham back to square one in search for new manager to replace Big Sam West Ham have set a list of criteria as they sift through a shortlist of candidates to replace Sam Allardyce as manager of the Premier League club. Allardyce, 60, will not be signing a new deal to remain as the Hammers boss. Owners David Gold and David Sullivan want an ambitious boss to take the club to “the next level” and win trophies. The candidate will be expected to understand the club, its fans and culture, and can encourage the ‘West Ham way’ of playing attacking football. Gold believes the Hammers, who finished the season 12th, are almost certain to have qualified for the Europa League via a Uefsa fair play place. Allardyce, after four years with the club in which he won promotion and ensured Premier League stability but was criticised by some sections of the fanbase for a supposedly negative approach, was told on Friday his contract would not be renewed. West Ham are content with taking their time

over appointing a replacement, with the club preparing for their final season at the Boleyn Ground before moving across East London to the Olympic Stadium in time for the 201617 season. Gold and Sullivan themselves are leading the hunt for Allardyce’s replacement and have drawn up a list of candidates, although one contender - former Liverpool manager and current Napoli boss Rafael Benitez - is being strongly linked with a move to Spanish side Real Madrid. The new boss is likely to oversee a European campaign starting in July, with Gold saying the club is “99.9% certain” to have reached the Europa League through the Fair Play criteria, which is expected to be confirmed this week. Club sources say Gold and Sullivan are looking for a manager who understands the culture surrounding West Ham, and will be enthused by the stadium move. The successful candidate will also be expected to promote the club’s academy and give young players a chance to break through into the first team.

SPORT TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: Thomas Schünemann co-driven by Mathias Kahle during the Silk Way Rally 2014. The two are in the list of famous rally drivers expected to grace the 2015 KQ Classic Safari Rally in Mombasa.

International drivers warming up for KQ Classic Safari rally With just over six months to go before the start of the Kenya Airways Safari Classic Rally in Mombasa, Kenya, many of the entrants and their teams are taking the opportunity to go out on events and shake off a few cobwebs. In Belgium, the BMA team have been particularly busy. Not only are they running modern Skoda Fabia S2000s for Freddy Loix, Belgian Rally Champion in 2013 and 2014, and German driver, Mark Wallenwein, but they are also entering a

Porsche 911 on selected events for team principal, Bernard Munster. Currently, Loix has won two of the three Belgian Championship rounds – by winning the TAC Rally last weekend, his list of outright wins now totals thirty-nine – and he lies second in the 2015 struggle for the Belgian title. Munster’s Porsche 911 is basically the same car that he will drive on the Safari Classic in November and in which he, partnered by Andrée Hansen, finished in third place on

the Legend Boucles at the end of February. This was after initially dropping to thirty-second place overall after being a little too fast on a regularity stage and checking in too early at the finish. BMA have four Porsche 911s entered for the Safari Classic with the three drivers already nominated – Bernard Munster, Gregoire de Mevius and François Kicq – all having already driven BMA Porsches on the 2013 Safari Classic. BMA have entered six Porsche 911s for Yves Loubet’s

Rallye du Maroc Historique in midMay with their lead car being driven by Bernard Munster and co-driven by the man who is also reading the pace notes for Loix in the Skoda, Johan Gitsels. Jorge Perez Companc from Argentina together with his codriver, José María Volta, have already had their Viking Escort Mk2 out on the Classic Rally South Africa where they took second place overall. John Lloyd’s co-driver for the Safari Classic is Adrian Cavenagh, one of

Lord’s roar is music to Cook’s ears as England beat Kiwis

BRITISH SPRINT QUEEN: Asher-Smith celebrates crossing the line after the 100m heat in Eugene, Oregon last year.

Sprinter Dina Asher-Smith sets women’s British 100m record Teenage sprinter Dina Asher-Smith has become the fastest British woman in history - and says she can go quicker. The Londoner, 19, set a British 100m record of 11.02 seconds at the World Challenge Meeting in the Netherlands. She was second behind Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers, who won in a time of 10.94 - but Asher-Smith’s time beat Montell Douglas’s 11.05 GB record set in

two rallying Cavenaghs from Kenya. The other one is elder brother Alastair who has recently acquired a Francis Tuthill prepared Porsche 911 and, over the Easter weekend, he gave it an airing on the KCB Safari Rally. This event caters mainly for modern rally cars like Mitsubishis, Subarus, Ford Fiestas and Protons but it also has a class for classic rally cars. Much to his surprise and pleasure, Alastair won the classic category and finished eleventh overall.

2008. “I think it being May is hopefully a good point for me to go faster later in the season,” said Asher-Smith. Asha Philip, 24, set the third fastest time by a British woman (11.10) in Hengelo, to finish third. Asher-Smith, the world 100m junior champion who won a silver medal in the European Indoor 60m in March, said

she could have started better in Sunday’s race. “I was absolutely over the moon. I really wasn’t expecting to run that time with the kind of race that I ran so I was really happy,” she said. “I’ve got a few things to work on so I think that points to me being able to replicate and do a bit better later in the season.”

England captain Alastair Cook said a team effort after a “rocky road” earned his side victory in the first Test against New Zealand. A 124-run win at Lord’s came in the month England sacked coach Peter Moores and again told Kevin Pietersen he would not be considered for selection. “It’s been a rocky road over two weeks. From the moment we turned up on Monday the spirit has been good,” said Cook.“It’s been a team effort. We’re pleased to play with such freedom and passion.” England fought back from 30-4 on the first morning and from conceding a firstinnings deficit of 134 to record their fifth win in seven Test matches. Root made scores of 98 and 84 and Cook 162 in England’s

second innings and Ben Stokes 92 and 101, an 85-ball hundred that was the fastest made in a Lord’s Test match. With New Zealand set 345 to win, they were bowled out for 220, Durham all-rounder Stokes taking 3-38, including the wickets of Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum in successive deliveries. Cook also paid tribute to the England supporters, with Lord’s packed by a raucous crowd that took advantage of cut-price final-day tickets. “It was a really good day played in front of a great crowd,” said Cook. “I’ve never heard Lord’s sounding like that. “When Ben got two wickets in two balls, Stuart Broad ran past me and said ‘this is amazing’ and it was. It was an incredible day,” he said.

First choice setter Wacu happy to return to national team After a year absence, national team first choice setter Jane Wacu shares her joy on returning to the national team. Wacu and center Praxides Agala have been named in a national provisional squad of 14 players currently at the Safaricom Indoor Arena, Kasarani ahead of the women’s Africa Cup of Nation Championship set for June 10-20 in Nairobi. Wacu has been on a one-year contract to French side Charmalier since leaving Kenya Prisons mid last year. Wacu who missed the recently concluded All Africa Games qualifiers in Kampala, Uganda where the national team was unbeaten says the feeling of playing for your country is

unimaginable. “I have had the chance of training with my teammates in the past week and I must say the felling is always great. I want to play and help my team,” said Wacu. Wacu was quick to pay tribute to long serving setter Janeth Wanja who she says has been great over the years. In the absence of Wacu, national team head coach David Lung’aho relied on Wanja who was feted the best setter during the women’s Africa Club Championship in Cairo Egypt early last month and Joy Luseneka in the setter position.

COMEBACK: First choice setter Jane Wacu in action for Kenya. She has shared her joy on returning to the national team.

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1. 30.05.15