201506025 xnews

ThURSDAY, JuNE 25, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

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YET ANOTHER ULTIMATUM FOR EMBATTLED WAIGURU CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS AND NGO’S WANT THE MINISTER TO IMPLEMENT THE PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS BENEFITS ACT OF 2013 OR FACE COURT ACTION

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NEWS

Three goals win sends Gor to second round of gotv cup

Sports Kenya confirms IRB standard stadia contSruction

Tobiko: I make decisions based on evidence STORY ON PAGE 2

COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM

P.7

KING OF POP

SIX YEARS OF REMEMBERING MICHAEL JACKSON

P.8

Deputy President William Ruto arrives at KICC to open the regional conference on security. He is with Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery and PS Monica Juma.

home coming x-news.co.ke

Award winning actress Lupita to tour Kenya in a week’s time

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NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

Tobiko defends office from bias claims The Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko has today defended his office from claims of biasness saying his decisions are always based on evidence.

The DPP’s office has dismissed some charges against four of five Cabinet Secretaries who were forced to step aside in March because of corruption related allegations.

Only Michael Kamau and Charity Ngilu have since been arraigned in court while Felix Koskei, Davis

Chirchir and Kazungu Kambi had charges against them dismissed by the DPP. This has led to accusations with Mr Tobiko being accused of biasness in deciding who to be prosecuted.

But while appearing before senators today, Tobiko said he doesn’t “toss a coin” when making his decisions.

“The decision making is made based on two factors; sufficiency of evidence and public interest.

Not media pressure or political

pressure,” he said.

But he acknowledged that politics has dented the prosecution of corruption cases. He said politicians who often claim that their people are being targeted in the war on graft have been putting pressure on his office to an extent of interfering with their budgetary allocations.

He also cited judicial interventions which he said have greatly hampered his office from successfully prosecuting corruption

cases.

The DPP said corruption suspects have perfected the act of running to courts to seek injunctions stopping their prosecution through application of stay orders.

Asked about the list of 175 individuals whose investigations were ordered by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Tobiko said he has received 41 files from EACC for the prosecution of 132 individuals.

“12 files of the 41 are corruption

related,” he said.

He said his office is also seeking updates on the progress of the investigation of the Mumias Sugar corruption case.

He said he had written to the Director of Criminal Investigations on February 12, requesting for progress on the matter. Mumias Sugar, he added, is among the 175 cases under investigations.

COMMUTERS’ AGONY AS NTSA SUSPENDS EMBASSAVA SACCO The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has indefinitely suspended popular Embassava Sacco PSV buses, after one of its drivers was found on the wrong in an accident that killed two people along Jogoo road last week.

Several commuters using some of Nairobi’s Eastlands routes were today stranded for hours following the suspension.

The authority says the fleet has breached traffic rules and regulations and will remain off the roads until they fulfill all the required conditions.

“We have suspended them and we will allow them to resume operations once they fulfill all the set conditions,” NTSA Director General Francis Meja confirmed.

“NTSA will not hesitate to suspend the operating license of the culpable PSV Saccos,” he added.

And the fleet’s management announced to commuters yesterday that they are likely

to remain of the roads for about two weeks though NTSA did not specify the number of its suspension.

The Embassava Sacco matatus ply most of Eastlands routes; therefore the ban caused a crisis as many commuters were forced to look for alternative means to their places of work.

Other operators on the Eastland routes include City Hoppa, City Shuttle, Double M and Royal which all combined have less vehicles than Embassava.

And they took advantage of the ban to make a kill hiking fares between various estates to the city center.

“It’s normally Sh60 or Sh70 from Donholm to CBD but we are being charged Sh150 for fare,” complained a commuter who boarded a Citi Hoppa bus.

It was the same case with those leaving the city center.

“We as passengers have suffered just because of one person, we feel the pain even trying to

IF AND ONLY IF: NTSA Director General Francis Meja. He has said that ban on Embassava will not be lifted until they fulfill the required conditions.

get a vehicle to town is a problem,” another passengers lamented.

“Suspending the SACCO must not be the solution. The commuters are the ones suffering. Put tough rules and invest in driver training. Take the rogue ones to jail,” said yet another.

But for some, especially private motorists, the ban came as a huge relief with traffic flow easing considerably.

“Thank you Embassava for being banned.

I’ve taken a record 21 minutes from Fedha to Town,” Tweeted @Murungamurush.

Briton in student murder case wanted to fly out, court told A British national held over the killing of his Kenyan lover was planning to leave the country before the murder, a court was told yesterday.

The prosecution said Mr Carl Singleton had booked a flight before he was arrested and charged with the murder of university student Ashley Agumbi.

The two are said to have met on Facebook after which the Briton travelled to Kenya to live with Ms Agumbi. He allegedly killed her in Gachie, near Nairobi six months ago.

Mr Singleton’s lawyer, Anthony Okulo, who was making a fresh plea for his release on bail, said the judge made a mistake in pegging

her ruling on the flight ticket.

“Britain and Kenya have an extradition treaty and Mr Singleton is unlikely to abscond,” Mr Okulo submitted.

He added that his client was ailing in detention and needed specialised treatment abroad.

Mr Okulo asked Justice Roselyn Korir to review a ruling she made against Mr Singleton on May 11 that denied him bail because he was a flight risk.

The judge had been shown a copy of a flight ticket the suspect had booked but the lawyer said he had planned to travel before the killing. A ruling will

BEHIND BARS: British national Carl Singleton in jail.

be made on June 30.

Ms Agumbi later developed complications and died.

She had reported a case of assault before her demise. A statement she wrote before the incident states that her lover had hit her over the

head after complaining that she was disturbing his sleep.

She stated that she had woken up in the middle of the night to relieve herself in latrine inside the house when Carl woke up and attacked her.

NEWS 3

CARTOONSPEAK

THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2015

420 blaze it: It’s okay to smoke one joint a week, scientists say

NEWS BRIEFS

The world’s first set of guidelines on the safe use of cannabis has been officially launched.

Much to the acrimony of anti-drug lobbyists, a team of experts has launched the results of a study that is the first of its kind and may change the face of the drug’s consumption across the globe. Their extensive research, which surveyed more than 40,000 cannabis users, has concluded that smoking a “joint” once a week is not harmful to one’s health.

In light of these developments, Dr Adam Winstock, a consultant psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist, is launching an application dubbed the Safer Use Limits app.

The app is based on the experiences and results of the study known as Global Drugs Survey. “We’ve spent the past few years looking at the data from drug users around the world in an effort to settle on what that advice should be,” said Dr Winstock. The research warns that drug addicts are unlikely to take up this regiment and that the long term effects of marijuana use will still apply to those who abuse the drug.

It listed a very high risk of dependence, withdrawal, a negative impact on interpersonal relationships and diminished motivation as some of the symptoms of extended drug use.

Reprieve for City Hall official as court halts accounts freeze

South Africa threatens to ditch ICC over Bashir row

presidents Jacob Zuma (south africa) and omar al bashir (sudan) in an earlier meeting in Khartoum. south africa has threatened to ditch icc over demands to arrest bashir.

South Africa has said it might leave the International Criminal Court (ICC) after a row over the court’s attempt to have Sudan’s president arrested there.

Omar al-Bashir was allowed to attend an African Union summit in South Africa despite being wanted by the ICC on charges of genocide and war crimes. After a cabinet meeting, the government said it would review membership “for a number of reasons”.

But it stressed it took its international obligations “seriously”. A South African court had ordered Mr Bashir to stay in the country while it ruled whether he could be arrested.

The government said he enjoyed diplomatic immunity. Mr Bashir denies allegations committed atrocities in Sudan’s troubled western Darfur region. A senior South African minister, Jeff Radebe, said his government had done nothing wrong, and always obeyed the law. He was speaking a day after a judge had angrily accused the government of ignoring the constitution and pushing South African democracy towards collapse.

At issue: a government decision to allow Sudan’s President, Omar al-Bashir, to leave South Africa last week, in direct defiance of a court order.

Mr Radebe said the International Criminal Court’s rules about arresting a head of state were contradictory, and he accused ICC officials of failing to consult, and of not acting in good faith. This issue is unlikely to fade away, with a number of senior South African officials facing possible criminal charges, for their role in allowing Sudan’s president to fly home. South Africa had “to balance its obligations to the ICC with its obligations to the AU and individual states”, the South African government tweeted. The country may consider withdrawing from the ICC as a “last resort”, it added.

Previously, the AU has urged member states not to cooperate with the ICC, accusing it of bias against Africa.

The South African government is due to explain its decision later on Thursday, although its statement may not be made public.

WHAT OTHERS SAID TODAY...

nYs loses sh250M on food deals: More financial mess has emerged at the National Youth Service. The price for food supplies to NYS this year appears to have been inflated by up to 100 percent. The NYS spent Shs558,886,000 on fooodstuffs between January and June this year, according to IMF printouts makde available to the Star. On average the price paid for food supplies appears to be double the market rates, creating a potential loss of over Sh250 million for the NYS. The Intergrated Financial Management Information System for NYS paid Sh7,490 for...

hand over nYs files after probe, detectives told: The likelihood of prosecution over the hacking of government computers at the National Youth Service increased on Wednesday after the public prosecutor joined the investigation. Mr Keriako Tobiko, the Director of Public Prosecutions, has asked the chief of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Mr Ndegwa Muhoro, to give him the files and findings on the hacking of the government financial system called Ifmis. Serious questions had been asked about financial transactions at the Ministry...

UhUrU’s plan to recover stolen MUMias Millions: Mumias, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta wants former managers who looted Mumias Sugar Company Limited charged in court and forced to return the money they stole. He spoke in Mumias town after handing over a symbolic Sh1 billion cheque representing the State’s bailout cash for the sugar miller to the chairman Dan Ameyo and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya at the Mumias Sports Complex. President Kenyatta said the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)...

The High Court has lifted an order freezing the accounts of City Hall finance Chief Jimmy Kiamba.

High Court judge Mbogholi Msagha ruled that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) didn’t provide sufficient evidence to show that the Sh123 million in his accounts were obtained fraudulently.

The judge also faulted the anti-graft body for failing to serve Kiamba (pictured above) with freeze orders as required by the law and also enjoining his wife and their firm who are not party to the freeze order.

Kiamba who is facing other fraud charges is now free to access the multi million shillings funds in his accounts after the court declined to stay its orders as requested by EACC who wanted to appeal the decision.

Burundi VP flees country One of Burundi’s vice-presidents has fled saying that he could not support the third-term bid of President Pierre Nkurunziza. There have been months of turmoil in the country since the president announced that he would be running for office again in July’s elections. Gervais Rufyikiri told France24 TV that a third term for the president was unconstitutional. A government spokesman however said the vice-president is on a foreign mission. Violent protests in the capital Bujumbura followed the 25 April announcement that Mr Nkurunziza would seek re-election. Rights groups say at least 70 people have been killed and 500 wounded as demonstrators clashed with police over the past two months. More than 100,000 people have fled Burundi since the start of the crisis, the UN says.

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NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

NEWS BRIEFS Teachers Commission appoints Nancy Macharia as new boss to replace Lengoiboni The Teachers Service Commission has appointed Mrs Nancy Macharia as its new Secretary and Chief Executive Officer to replace Gabriel Lengoiboni whose term ends next week. TSC chairperson Lydia Nzomo said the appointment follows the conclusion of a competitive recruitment process that started on May 1, 2015 when the position was advertised. The post attracted 69 applicants from which four were shortlisted. Nancy who holds a master degree in Policy and Management will serve a term of five years. She emerged top among the four shortlisted candidates.

CS Waiguru given 14-day ultimatum over PBO Act Civil Society Organisations have given Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru a fortnight to implement the Public Benefits Organisations Act, 2013.

The National Council of NGOs, the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, the National Defenders of Human Rights Defenders and the CSO Reference Group said there was no longer a reason to delay its implementation “It doesn’t make sense to pass a law in 2013 and almost three years later it’s not yet been put into effect; almost three years later; that’s a child that’s walking,” Regina Opondo, Executive Secretary of the Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRE-CO) complained. The CSOs also took issue with the delay in making the report of the taskforce public with two of its 13 members. According to Executive Director of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya Francis Kagema and Chairman of The Nation-

More on this story at www.capitalfm.co.ke

Devolution CS Anne Waiguru.

al Council of NGOs Wilson Kipsang, accused Waiguru of “sitting,” on the report and questioned her motives.

“It was supposed to be in the public domain immediately after handing over. We went back to the secretariat who were handling it and they said the only one who can

give us copies is the CS,” said Kipsang.

According to him, they have been sending messages without any response.

“We’re concerned as people who signed, we’ve also been denied copies. It is interesting. We’ve been in other taskforces and we’ve never seen

this,” He explained. Failure to implement the Act, the CSO representatives said, had hampered their operations and frustrated the government’s demands of accountability from them.

Kipsang said the NGO Co-ordination Act 1990 is almost obsolete. It’s no longer work-

able in this century.

They threatened they would resort to either court action, a petition or even protests if CS Waiguru fail to meet their 14day deadline, they “We’re not beyond pursuing petitions of no confidence in the state on this matter,” Opondo added.

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xnews | THURsday, JUNE 25, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

BIZ BRIEFS

BUSINESS

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

MEAN BUY SELL 96.8727 97.1111 97.2971 148.8847 149.7528 150.0728 108.4642 109.6189 109.8578 7.9405 7.8408 7.8609 31.7428 31.9331 32.0973 22.1425 22.3234 22.4691

Foundation donates ambulance to help fight new born mortality

UK house renting costs just as high as in Kenya

The M-Pesa foundation handed over an ambulance to serve as a referral transport for expectant mothers in Samburu County.

The ambulance is part of Phase II of its ongoing Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health program that is aimed at significantly decreasing maternal and new born mortality in Samburu County.

The first phase involved rehabilitation of the Barsaloi and Suguta health facilities in Samburu County.

M-Pesa Foundation Executive Director Les

Rent in the UK takes up close to 39.1 per cent of a tenant’s salary, new data from the country’s National Housing Federation has revealed.

The country mirrors costs in Kenya where rent costs consumers roughly 40 per cent of their income, on average.

The Federation has found that UK rental costs are the highest in Europe, where the average rate is 28 per cent. However, homeowners are benefiting from cheap mortgages.

The Federation, which represents the region’s housing associations, said homeowners are benefitting from competition between lenders, leading to low interest rates.

The data also revealed that the cost of an average housing unit in the UK is £272,000 (Sh42.4 million).

Baillie said the group wants to see an increase in the number of hospital deliveries and antenatal care visits.

He added that the Foundation aims to reduce the number of expectant mothers and newborns dying from preventable causes.

Phase two of the program will also see more Community Health Volunteers trained using the Health Enabling and Learning Platform, a mobile learning solution and the introduction of M-Tiba, a payment system leveraging mobile money.

CMC opens dedicated showroom for Suzuki CMC Motors Group Limited has opened a new showroom to enhance its regional marketing and business development activities in Nairobi.

CMC officially opened the doors to a new purpose built Suzuki Showroom at the firm’s Nairobi HQ along Lusaka road.

According to Mark Kass, CMC’s CEO the launch is part of a strategic business development plan by the firm geared at meeting East Africa’s diverse motoring needs.

“CMC Motors Group has invested heavily to rejuvenate the Suzuki brand in Kenya.” He said.

Suzuki’s new models launched by CMC Motors include the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross, Ciaz,

APV Panel Van and Suzuki Carry.

The firm said it has invested in people, infrastructure and facilities to showcase the new and current range of Suzuki vehicles while enhancing its customer service capacity through technical training and spare parts inventories.

The CEO also confirmed that CMC has embarked on a regional marketing effort to highlight the exciting, new generation Suzuki vehicle models.

“At CMC Motors Group, we want to create innovative financing and leasing schemes to put more people in new cars that offer improved safety, technology and reliability,’’ He said.

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BUSINESS THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

BIZ GADGET LG Electronics last week unveiled the first edition of its 2015 Super Ultra High Definition (UHD) TVs to the Kenyan market.

“With our efforts to provide a stunning 4K viewing experience, we strongly believe that the super UHD TV will reinforce LG’s brand as synonymous with life-like picture quality, elegant design and convenient smart features,” said Moses

LG unveils new Super Ultra-HD TV in Kenya

Marji, Marketing -General Manager for LG East Africa.

“We are also furthering our advancement in cutting-edge, premium display technologies and convenience-enhancing TV features to place the company in a very favorable position as a global premium TV market leader,” he added.

Display The new super UHD television

features what the industry describes asColorPrime technology, ultraluminance, a 4K In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel and a Prime mastering engine to offer what the tech maker describes as a“cinema-like experience.”

The new set is a premium tier above the company’s Ultra HD TV. LG’s ColorPrime technology magnifies the range of colors that can be displayed on screen.

According to the tech firm, it also utilizes the full color spectrum to render a wider range of hues and shades, thereby creating greater image depth and realism.

Sound On the sound front, LG has teamed up with premium audio manufacturer, Harman/Kardon, to give the new LG’s Super UHD TV a deep, rich sound system that incorporates 60W speakers and

ultra-surroundsound system.

LG’s “Smart Sound Mode” automatically selects optimal sound settings to clarify and crystallize individual sound characteristics.

The Super UHD TV is available in the local market and can be acquired from LG brand shops and from all hyper markets with the support of the local distributor Opalnet.

Kenya Power enters Sh3.2bn deal with firms for upgrade Kenya Power Company has signed contracts worth Sh3.2 billion (USD 32.5M) with local firms to implement 12 substation upgrade projects in the country.

To meet the high growing customer demand, the project will involve construction of additional 33Kwh power distribution lines.

According to the KPLC CEO, Ben Chumo, the CEO the upgrade project will be reliable with the ability to contribute to reduction of technical loses while provide additional capacity to supply electricity to new consumers. He said that successful conclusion of the contracts will further reinforce the Company’s procurement motto. “‘Buy Kenyan, Build Kenya’ is aimed at giving opportunities to local companies in projects implementation, building capacity and provision of goods and services,” he explained.

Kenya Power is planning to provide major power equipment such as transformers with external contractors expected to provide additional auxiliary equipment.

The contractors, Chumo said, will carry out engineering designs, test and commission the 12 substations located in Nairobi, Mombasa, Machakos, Nakuru, Thika, Eldama Ravine and Naivasha.

This is part of recommendations for electricity refurbishment and expansion projects detailed out in Power Distribution Master Plan study concluded by Parsons Brinckerhoff of the United Kingdom in 2013.

According to financial reports, Kenya Power spent a cool Sh 6.2 billion in 2014 -almost 80 percent of its annual procurement budgeton materials procured from India and China.

INFRA STRUCTURE

MEN AT WORK: KPLC engineers work on a transformer. The company has contracted firms to upgrade 12 substations across the country.

Belgian airline exits Kenyan airspace

EXODUS: Belgian carrier, Brussels Airlines has announced that it will be exiting its Nairobi-Brussels route beginning October 24th, 2015.

Belgian carrier, Brussels Airlines has announced that it will be exiting its Nairobi-Brussels route beginning October 24th, 2015.

The airline has been operating to and from Nairobi since 2002.

Country Manager Pierre Declerck said it will be replaced by the German airline Lufthansa, which will fly passengers to and from Frankfurt beginning the same month.

Lufthansa in the past, relied on its partners Brussels Airlines and Swissair, which are part of what is known as a code-share agreement, to connect passengers to Nairobi.

Early this month, Lufthansa announced it will be resuming

its direct flights to Kenya after 18 years.

The airline will be flying to Nairobi four times a week from October 27th this year and five times a week from December 11th.

“All Swiss and Lufthansa flights out of Nairobi are operated in close cooperation with Brussels Airlines and I am convinced that our customers are in best hands with our partner airlines,” Declerck said.

Brussels Airlines reported it is optimistic her passengers to and from Kenya will take the options of Swissair and Lufthansa offering directs flights between Nairobi and Europe.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

ACCESS topstory

FASHION SCOOP

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You are not an actor until You have been tried and tested in theatre, thankfullY our actors have come of age, and dreamgirls bY sterling QualitY companY is changing the landscape one melodY at a time.

REMEMBERING MICHAEL JACKSON, THE KING OF POP

Finally a Kenyan version of

Dreamgirls

M

usicals, who does not enjoy them? Especially when they have been well produced and choreographed. Kenya has little or no Broadway shows that really ignite the spark and make you want to get on stage. Nothing compares to seeing a Broadway musical unfold on stage. The stage does this magic to characters; it brings them alive on stage and sparks fly giving birth to a spectacular performance.

Starting today evening the Braeburn Theatre and Sterling Quality Silver Company will be staging a Dreamgirls musical that will be one of a kind.

The production company makes a comeback to the theatre scene after an eight year hiatus with the production of the Broadway hit musical, Dreamgirls.

Dreamgirls is a 1981 Broadway musical by composer Henry Krieger. The film adaptation o f

Before

the musical was done in 2006 and featured big stars like Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, and Jennifer Hudson. The film adaptation had a production cost of USD 80 million, which made it the most expensive film to feature an all-black cast. When the film opened in theatres, it garnered a record USD 154 million at the box office. The film received a number of awards that catapulted it to star status.

Dreamgirls documents a time in American history when R&B fused with other sounds to create a new American sound showing the evolution of music in the 1960s and 1970s. The musical documents the history of Motown record label. It follows the story of a Detroit girl group known as, The Dreams as they try to navigate the music industry and following their dreams while being pulled back by their manipulative manager.

Directed by Pauline KomuKyama, the musical will feature 19 cast members who will leave their heart and soul on stage. Patience Mbinya will play the talented and temperamental Effie White, Sefu

is here

Sanni will play the good-natured Lorell Robinson, Ruth Kagiri will play the shy lead singer of the Dreams, Deena Jones and Robert Orwa will play the adulterous performer, Jimmy. The cast will be accompanied by a live band.

Tickets for Dreamgirls are available for Sh. 2, 500.00 per person.

Dreamgirls.

On June 25, 2009, the world lost Michael Jackson, one of music’s true greats.

Six years after his death, fans still remember the King of Pop as a pioneer whose work remains a huge part of our cultural consciousness. The legendary artiste began his career at just 9 years old then as when The Jackson Five.

He was only 11 when the group had their first single, “I Want You Back,” hit number one in 1970. A two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Jackson continued to write and record original work for four decades, and still holds the record for best-selling album of all time for his 1982 record, “Thriller.”

Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim. A 13-time Grammy recipient, Michael’s career transcends musical and cultural genres and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories.

Here are six top things that only Michael could pull off: 1. The moonwalk and crotch grab move; enough said. No one has ever made this cooler.

2. Three quarter trousers; can I hear an Amen?

3. White socks; only sports people can get away with this.

4. Nose mask and gloves; and they became fashion statements!

5. Win 13 Grammys; that record is yet to be broken 6.Be loved by all and sundry; speaks for itself, Michael is still beloved.

RIP Michael Jackson, you are dearly missed.

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ACCESS

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY, JUNE 26th25, NOVEMBER 2015 2014

YOLO

The Bad Blood singer enjoys a huge following on social media.

HOT

StAr Power oN SociAL MediA;

TOPICS

Lupita Nyong’o coming home finally!

the day Swift took on Apple and won!

M

usic is the only universal language in the world. It has the power to reach out to all people from around the world regardless of the language they speak.

Apple has been running a three month free trial period for their new Apple Music streaming service. The phone company has been offering customers a platform to stream some of their favourite music online.

One pop music artiste, Taylor Swift took offense with Apple.

During its three months free trial did not compensate the artistes whose music they used. The pop singer took to Tumblr to voice her opinion. She wrote an open letter titled, To Apple, Love Taylor that quickly went viral. Her letter read in part, “This is not about me.

Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band,

hot date

crew, and entire management team by playing live shows.”

Immediately she put up the post she started receiving thumbs up comments from fellow American musicians like Christina Aguilera and rumoured beau Calvin Harris who supported her sentiments.

“We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation,” the letter continued.

The Bad Blood singer enjoys a huge following on social media.

Her posts always reach a huge number of people seconds after she has put it up. She used this to her advantage by bringing awareness to a sensitive issue. Paying artistes their well-earned royalties. Piracy is the vice that is killing the music industry abroad and back home.

Not being able to ignore it any longer, Apple responded through

their senior vice president saying they saw and realized the important of paying artistes for their art. The senior vice president of Internet software and services Eddy Cue Tweeted “#AppleMusic will pay artistes for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period.”

Taylor had threatened to withhold her 1989 album from Apple’s streaming service. After Eddy Cue’s assurance, Taylor accepted the solution saying, her fans helped her change the music scene.. You need to be influential and a celebrity to get attention. With just a tweet and an article on Tumblr, Taylor Swift changed the landscape of music forever. With her numbers she has the power to bring down a brand and discourage her fans from going after a particular brand. Star power can win wars previously unheard of.

It is a new world order.

FAFA ANd MAybeLLiNe FASHioN PArty T

he biggest night in fashion is here. On Saturday 27th the FAFA and Maybelline Fashion Party will be going down at the Ebony Lounge on Langata Road from 6 pm. The event will launch six young up and coming designers as well as announce the new face of Maybelline.

Tickets are going for Sh. 1,500 general and VIP advance tickets, Sh. 2,500. There will be lots of great music and wine.

fafa models.

Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o will arrive in Kenya in a week’s time to conduct a homecoming tour that includes activities that aim to uplift the Kenyan arts community as well as raise awareness on conservancy efforts in the country. Ms. Nyong’o will participate in a number of initiatives including an immersive mentorship session with young Kenyan students and artists on June 30th, where she will discuss her acting career and provide tips on how to succeed in the arts. She will also take part in a Gala Dinner on July 2nd where she will be the chief guest at an evening event that aims to fête the arts and fashion community in Kenya.

During her tour, Lupita will take part in a number of conservancy projects aimed at boosting the country’s capacity to manage its elephant population, with a view to working closely with communities to ensure that the sale of ivory is eradicated to protect the animals.Lupita arrives on 29th.

lupiTa

Artiste who trespassed State House offered three recording deals Mathew Maina is an ambitious young man. He scaled the walls of State House to get audience with the head of state.

But let’s start from the beginning; Mathew is an up and coming artiste who only wanted the president to sponsor his recording costs. When the news hit the headlines artistes came out offering him recording deals. Jaguar King Kaka and Pacho have all offered to record Mathew for free!

king kaka

ACCESS

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

CAMPUSVIBE

all round news and updates from universities.

Are Some UniverSiTieS prodUcing hAlf-bAKed grAdUATeS?

JKUAT STUdenT in TroUble wiTh SAfAricom

There are loud whispers in higher education corridors that some of our prestigious universities have been conning parents by offering meaningless parallel degrees to graduates. A verdict issued by the Council of legal Education in a Gazette notice found that Moi University, University of Nairobi and Mombasa Campus are unsuitable to offer law courses. Students of Moi University studying the course may be lucky as the varsity has been given three months to meet set requirements or risk the program being discontinued. Unfortunately University of Nairobi and Mombasa campus had their application for operation rejected.

A third year student at Jomo Kenyatta University finds himself in hot soup for damaging Safaricom Company Limited reputation.

The student is said to have started a 15-part series ‘How Safaricom steals from Kenyans with third parties,’ which portrays Safaricom as a thief and a fraud, and obtains money and profits in form of airtime from its subscribers through none existence subscriptions. Cyprus Nyakundi a nonsense blogger and registered noise maker and activist, is also alleged to have written an article claiming that the Telco infringe on its customers privacy and nothing has been done about it. The company through its lawyer have filed a court case against Cyprian and he is required by the court to put to halt and pull down the posts concerning the telco. nyakundi

UoN VC breaks silence following the death of Yusuf and Omondi U

niversity of Nairobi VC has finally broke its silence following the unfortunate killings of the two students last weekend.

The two University students Yusuf and Omondi were lynched by a mob late in the night after they were allegedly mistaken for thieves.

The varsity administration issued a press statement explaining how the incident happened and confirmed that five men had snatched a laptop and its accessories before escaping. Three of them managed to escape while the two were caught and matched back towards hall 2 and beaten.

The University however, echoed its stand to uphold the rule of law and highly condemn the act of mob justice by the students who were involved.

This week has seen social media erupt in condemning the SONU honcho Babu Owino who has since denied any association.

STUdenTS defendS Their righTS To USe helb cASh, ThreATen To STriKe The Higher Education Loans Board caused a storm when they aired their plans to disburse money through smart cards.

Students from all public universities emptied their anger and frustration towards the CEO for attempting to deny them rights of choosing how to use their money.

They complained that the HELB money was too little for their course let alone living a lavish lifestyle.

Most of the students demanded total freedom in using the money as they pleased, saying that they will still pay it back as it is not a grant.

They asked the lender to mind his business and not to interfere with how the money is being used by the beneficiary.

Students even threatened to demonstrate once the smart card starts operating.

Kenya university students association president Babu Owino support the view by the students saying that students will be charged Sh 33 for every swipe. He further accused HELB and Education stakeholders of conspiring to mint money from unsuspecting students.

Should varsity students be left to use the HELB money as they please?

University of Nairobi.

cAreerchAT

W

hat does your job entail?

My role is always to educate, inform and entertain my audience in an organized, accessible and attractive way.

How many hours do you work in a day?

Approximately eleven hours and this may depend on the magnitude of the work, sometimes it can be longer than that.

What qualifications do you need for your job?

Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, Journalism or an equivalent course.

Was this your dream career?

Hahahahahah! No it was not. Can you imagine I wanted to become a priest at some point?

How did you start out?

Initially I studied computer engineering but as time went by, and after working for one year as an IT guy, I realized it was not for me. I switched to Journalism.

What achievements have you had so far?

Giving back to the society through my organization which has a mentorship program dubbed the

futurists where we visit secondary schools, and campuses telling them what we were never told, providing sanitary pads to less fortunate girls, who can’t afford them because one girl is much better than 20 boys, a woman’s destiny, they say, is not fulfilled until she holds in her arms her own little book. Without them we are nothing.

Any challenges you have experienced so far?

Challenges are there, and love them since they strengthen you to become better in your field. This is a cut throat industry but every obstacle is a platform to be better.

Does your job interfere with your social life?

Yes it does, sometimes I don’t have time for my lovely kids. But whenever I get the chance I always ensure I compensate for time lost.

What is the best part of your job?

Meeting different people that cut across the board, to doing assignments and learning new things every day, especially coming across a challenge, it always make me see how far I can stretch myself .

What is the worst part of your job?

Being on standby always, even if you are off-duty, anything can happen at any time, and you will be required to report back to the office.

Children and loved ones always get disappointed.

Any advice for budding television hosts?

Life is a struggle, it will throw curve balls at you but never give up however difficult it might be.

THAT

speCiAl NiCHe....

9

Brian Ogana 30, is a TV host at GBS in his own league. He tells us the story behind his rise and success in the world of entertainment.

10

ACCESS THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

FASHIONScoop

nAwAbzAdI FIRYAl nuR’S ColleCTIon.

All set for the beach.

Rock on in this punkchic outfit.

Keep it simple yet classy the African way.

Hot pants are hotter when designed from kitenge.

Wear it to the office or for a cocktail, you will still look fabulous.

SPoRTY & AFRICAn n

awabzadi Firyal Nur is among the young designers showcasing at the FAFA and Maybelline fashion party event this Saturday and if her previous collection is anything to go by, we are in for a good show.

Her style as she describes it is sporty African luxury, “I use fabrics such as kitenge, hand woven silk, cotton, which are African inspired, “ she told XAccess.

Nur designs for both male and female but her urban-chic female collections have been the talk of the town. They feature crop tops, hot pants, fitting dresses and even hoods.

TOP

IPhone

most reliable handsets IPhone is a line of smartphones designed and marketed by Apple Inc. They run Apple’s iOS mobile operating system. This phone is a must have. In terms of speed, performance and design, you will absolutely be in love with it.

Especially if you love taking good pictures, this is the ideal phone considering it has the best camera.

SAmSung

This is another amazing handset that runs on Android operating system. The best thing about this phone is that it has the capability to multitask considering not all smartphone can achieve that.

Its battery life also compared to other smartphones, is actually the best. And with so many Samsung phone types emerging, one can easily get a good handset on a budget.

The dress silhouette brings out the sophisticated you.

wIndowS Phone-lumIA

Formerly known as Nokia when it still used to run on Symbian Operating System. It was later bought by Windows and the Operating system changed from Symbian to Windows hence the birth of Lumia. These phones are amazingly fast. And the latest windows phone has wireless charging. Honestly, how cool is that?

PLAY 11 THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Don’t stress about work or the things you need to get done. With today’s aspects, it’s a day that shouldn’t be filled with sour energy from the past. You experience a rebirth every time you wake up in the morning. Venture forth into new adventures!

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Today should run quite smoothly for you, Aquarius. You will find that there’s a great deal of power fueling your emotions and that you’re able to take that power to the extreme. Use your strong, dynamic nature to win the hearts of others. Lead the charge toward good-natured fun.

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Come out of the intensity of the last couple days and laugh out loud. Don’t stress over things you don’t understand. Go with the flow and keep smiling. You can’t go wrong as long as you join in the good cheer and merriment of the day.

THURSday 11/06/2015

sunny

22

FRIday 12/06/2015

More sun than clouds

21

24ºC 66%

6:31 am 6:34pm

21ºC 72%

6:31 am 6:34 pm

Sudoku

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Lay low today, Taurus. Don’t try to force any answers from people. Eat a healthy breakfast and stay away from caffeine. Relate to people on an intellectual or philosophical level and discuss the meaning of life. If you’re looking for sympathy, you may need to wait a couple days.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Have them join you on the sunny side of the street. Share your cheer with other people and lead them into boisterous discussions about the world. You will be on cloud nine, with a great deal of strength behind your happy-go-lucky emotions.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Don’t be so impatient about fixing a problem that you end up doing something rash. You may do more damage than you would if you just let things sit for a couple days. Mull over the situation, talk it out with others, and approach the issue at another time with a different frame of mind.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 Don’t spill all the beans at once. Let the person warm up to your intense emotional nature before you unleash it full force. People are going to need their space, so make sure you allow enough room for emotional and physical freedom.

MUSTREAD A Place in the World — by Malcolm Frierson

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Whatever you put into this day will come back to you tenfold. Feel free to indulge and delight in your fun-loving nature. This day speaks of freedom from restraint of all kinds. Break the chains and explore new worlds in your mind and your physical surroundings.

The book moves between Ghana, Baltimore and Georgia.

Kwame is a brilliant university professor who is married to Abena a dedicated elementary school teacher. The couple is thinking of adopting from Ghana. So they leave the US to go live in Ghana for a year to be able to adopt Kofi. Kofi becomes the centre of their world and now they are a family that will live happily ever after or so they think.

Things change when Kofi’s parents divorce. Kwame marries Layla, his graduate student who has a shocking secret.

Abena meanwhile marries Brian who is white. Kofi is caught between his parent’s conflicts while trying to find his own identity in a world that is constantly shaking and moving.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Put the past behind you and move on. Grab opportunities with both hands and rev your engine into high gear. Stop looking at what lies behind and focus on the wide-open horizon in front of you. This is an excellent day to turn up the heat and start brewing some new adventures.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Have a dance party in your living room and liven things up with some freshly cut flowers on your table. This is a great day to direct your energies outward into the world. Plow headfirst into new projects and let your good luck carry you through. Don’t worry about the details.

INSTAMOMENTS 1 1

3 3

2

4

22

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

Yesterday’s Solution

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 It might seem like you’re trying to get a handle on the issues, but somehow things are slipping through your fingers. Don’t make any major decisions, and certainly don’t try to herd people into corners. Let others have their freedom and consider simply riding out the storm.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Play the lottery today, Leo. The concept for you is profit with no effort. The windfall will come when you least expect it. The less you try to shape things, the more they will generally flow in your favor. Enjoy the day and don’t sweat the details. Things will work themselves out.

FRIday SATURday

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. Mukhosia 1. Trust mewas when happy I tellwith youthe I know first what course I am of his doing-Martin 5-course meal Jagero, - Edwin Nrb W. 2. Luhya 2. Authentic kids be gun like: holster-The “Haya, wapi power sukuma is in wiki?” the weapon-Caro Migiro, Nrb 3. How 3. The politicians real African feedRanger their children ready for when action-Dennis looking for Mwanzio, votes in Bungoma Nrib

12

PLAY

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. “When ____ a kid...”

5. Ethnic slur 9. Complaints, in slang 14. Half of a golden horse 15. Spanish thing 16. ___ bird special 17. Vegas staples 19. Gory 20. Blender brand 21. Scheming bunch 23. Digital image format 25. Uke ditty 30. Carpenters ditty 33. Road goo 35. Toni Morrison novel of 1973 36. Hindu master 37. Or more 39. “Twin Peaks” director 42. “Yeah, sure” 43. Word after “last” or before “of passage” 45. Quaker pronoun 47. Suffix with robot or poet 48. Where rock’s R.E.M. was formed 52. More rash 53. USMC rank 54. Dallas suburb 57. Pockets 61. Hamper 65. One effect of gas bubbles 67. See eye to eye 68. Eternally 69. “Now ____ me down to sleep...”

70. Without stopping 71. Beatty and Flanders 72. It’s fired in a kiln Down 1. ___ jure: by the law itself 2. Nursery cries 3. Scads 4. Site of South African riots in 1976 5. Chem. or phys.

6. Quilled animal, briefly 7. It’s surrounded by agua 8. The Clash rocked it 9. Roars 10. Water, in France 11. Blunder 12. With “Max,” a golf brand 13. Charlie Chaplin’s half brother 18. Come to ___ with 22. Pub potable 24. Not fair 26. “____ Met Your Mother” (Neil Patrick Harris sitcom) 27. Lawrence’s land 28. Ancient Mexican 29. Adds or deletes text 30. Veracious words 31. Tackle box item 32. Oncle’s spouse 33. Bar mitzvah reading source 34. Hill or Ekberg 38. Amanda of “The Whole Nine Yards” 40. ___ Chang (Potter character) 41. Belonging to the woman

44. Cut with quick strokes 46. Ova lobber 49. Partner of poivre 50. Carved, as an image 51. Like right-slanting type 55. Church section 56. Kind of column 58. Bakery product 59. Coll. sports org.

60. Vodka brand 61. Is able 62. With “Fa,” a 1996 Oscar winner 63. “Right you ___!”

64. “Two and a Half ____” 66. Places for M.D.s and R.N.s

Yesterday’s answers

YOURSAY

Are surging KCSE ‘A’ grades genuine?

Lately, there have been agitations by education experts and other stakeholders to review the current secondary school syllabus. The dominance theme in the just concluded secondary school heads meeting in Mombasa was a call for changes in the current syllabus, where every guest speaker expressed fear over the surging As in the KCSE results.

By the way, is there anything wrong with a student scoring an A in an exam? No there is isn’t. Neither should they be disparaged per se.

Nevertheless, can the As earn

them a perpetual enthusiasm in life or they are just ephemeral and short-lived?

How far can these As take them?

Three things are supposedly possible with these grades.

First, it can be that the current syllabus is nothing more than result- oriented and not for any general knowledge. Second, the world is producing brilliant children than it ever was with other generations. Third, the grades are as result of conglomerated efforts within and without the students. Time will tell —Phabian Paul, Jr, Nairobi

Women volleyball should now train eyes on World Cup Let’s all join our Kenya women Volleyball team for the good work they did as they won all matches beating every team in straight sets of 3-0 to be crowned African champions and qualify for the World Cup as well.

But as we celebrate, I would like to urge coach Atman to shift the focus to intense training ahead of the World Cup in Japan.

—Enock ndayala, Kawangware

Markets illuminate Africa

It is great that Africa’s energy infrastructure is evolving, and tapping more private capital. However, most of the increase in generating capacity will serve the existing transmission and distribution system, and do little to help the huge numbers of people living beyond the grid.

The economics of trying to provide universal grid coverage for poor areas with sparse population densities just do not work. The International Energy Agency estimates that 600m people in subSaharan Africa do not have access to mains electricity; only 40% of these would benefit from extending the grid. The other 60% would be better served by small-scale solutions; solar power for single dwellings, for example, and mini-grid power systems for rural communities.

For this off-grid electricity market to succeed in Africa we need access to financial capital, more human capital, good market regulation, consumer awareness and effective routes to market. These are all challenges that the private sector probably cannot fix alone. But we think it is a good model for shifting from traditional donor-driven aid to a more market-oriented approach for achieving development objectives.

—Ben Good, Nairobi

Will we all become redundant?

It is true that large companies will have fewer employees in the future. But the most important reason for this is that today’s “virtual” companies employ fewer people directly and buy so much more of their output from other businesses. The world’s 4,000 largest businesses (where the information is available) spend 70% of their revenues on their suppliers and only 12% on their people. It is this which forces the segmentation of the workforce and the decisions about which elements of business to keep in house.

—Joan N, Kitengela

It is fair that Waiguru is forced to step aside While it is true that politics have infiltrated the allegations of financial impropriety at the Devolution ministry, President Uhuru Kenyatta must rise above petty utterances and do the fairest thing - to force Ms Waiguru to step aside and allow for independent investigations.

It is unfair to force other ministers like Michael Kamau and Felix Koskei to step aside when they did not even know what they were accused of. Waiguru too is a CS and the bar should be set at a standard for all. She must step aside and wait to be cleared of any wrongdoing before she can resume her ministerial duties. Otherwise the President makes the war on graft look like another joke­ —Jane Mbela, Kino

Why is it that in football the manager always gets the blame?

Why is the manager of a football team, for instance former Manchester United coach David Moyes, blamed for a team’s poor performance?

It’s not like he is one of those on the pitch, trying to score the goals. Surely the players are the people who hold ultimate responsibility for the success or otherwise of the team?

— Paul Karanja, Nairobi

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

SPORT 13 THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

Three goals win sends Gor to second round

SKY IS ONLY LIMIT: Gor Mahia, began their hunt for a possible second silverware this season with a hasslefree 3-0 victory over Lang’ata Gremio in the GoTV shield cup, Wednesday afternoon.

Gor Mahia, began their hunt for a possible second silverware this season with a hassle-free 3-0 victory over Lang’ata Gremio in the GoTV shield cup, Wednesday afternoon.

A first half goal from joint KPL topscorer, Meddie Kagere, and a goal each from George Odhiambo and Dirkir Glay after the interval were enough Nuttall’s side to steer their way past a potentially tricky Gremio outfit.

The KPL champions named a strong starting lineup with club captain Jerim Onyango returning between the posts while Musa Mohammed who missed the CHAN tie away to Ethiopia.

The ‘K’ogalo’ captain was declared fit to start at center-back as Erick Ochieng’, Ernest Wendo and Ronald Otieno were given rare opportunities to impress as starters.

Meddie Kagere partnered George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo upfront in the absence of Michael Olunga and Ali Abondo.

Gor Mahia lost on penalties to

little-known- GFC 105 in the third round in last year’s edition, started brightly with an upper hand in ball possession.

They could have been at least two goals ahead by the time they got the breakthrough through Kagere. He showed he hasn’t lost form and flare during the mid-season with a goal just after the quarter-hour mark.

It could have been 2-0 almost immediately when the 2012 champions were handed a penalty but Karim Nizigiyimana blasted well over. Gor Mahia’s pressure against their opponents continued to show with Kagere and George Odhiambo coming close but failed to find the second goal as the first half ended 1-0.

A second goal looked inevitable and it came just after the half hour mark, ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo shot-ontarget doubled the lead.

The 80th minute header into the net by defender Dirk Glay wrapped up the win placing Gor easily into the second round.

Murray seeded third, eyes Wimbledon title Andy Murray has been seeded third for Wimbledon as he bids to regain the title he won in 2013.

World’s number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic tops the men’s seeds from seven-time champ Roger Federer for the event, which starts on 29 June.

Spain’s two-time champion Rafael Nadal is down to 10th seed, meaning he could face one of the leading contenders in the last 16.

Twenty grand slams winner

Serena Williams heads the women’s line-up ahead of 2014 winner Petra Kvitova.

Murray’s seeding means he could expect to face either Djokovic or Federer in the semi-finals should he progress.

The 28-year-old Scot, who went out in the quarterfinals when defending the title last year, goes to SW19 in fine form after his fourth victory at Queen’s Club.

He may well be keen to avoid Nadal in Friday’s draw given that the Spaniard could meet

any of the top four seeds as early as the quarter-finals.

FOR GLORY: Britain’s Andy Murray has been seeded third for Wimbledon as he bids to regain the title he won in 2013.

Top seeds - Men’s singles 1 Novak Djokovic (SRB), 2 Roger Federer (SUI), 3 Andy Murray (GBR), 4 Stan Wawrinka (SUI), 5 Kei Nishikori (JPN).

Top seeds - Women’s singles 1 Serena Williams (USA), 2 Petra Kvitova (CZE), 3 Simona Halep (ROU), 4 Maria Sharapova (RUS), 5 Caroline Wozniacki (DEN). ​

in the offing for Sports Kenya confirms construction Relegation 15’s in Sunday’s faceoff of international IRB standard stadia The Government is set to build an International Rugby Board standard Stadium in Nairobi by 2017.

According to Fred Muteti, Sports Kenya Board chairman the stadium is among the three allocated Sh1.8bn by Treasury in the recent budget reading by CS Henry Rotich.

He maintained allocated funds were meant to kick-start the projects as opposed to covering total costs of the facilities as read

by Finance CS Henry Rotich.

“We have allocated land along Nairobi’s Ngong Road where we will build an international Rugby Stadium that can accommodate a tennis court and football pitch.”

He said.

He added that the board went for a bench marking tour in May in preparation to the building of digital stadiums.

“We toured Europe, where we were able to see how stadiums are built and managed. When we do the Jubilee stadiums, we want to involve all the stake holders

including private sector,” Muteti said.

The first Stadium to be constructed will be in Mombasa where reports indicate Sports Kenya gave KSh 50M to the County Government.

Ngong Road’s RFUEA Grounds being the only standard rugby pitch in the country, the completion of the multi-purpose stadium will come at the right time as the game is rapidly growing.

The National 15’s team face relegation to the Africa Cup Division 1A Championship if they lose to Tunisia this Sunday at RFUEA Grounds.

Both sides suffered eight point losses in their opening fixtures.

Simba went down 20-28 away to Zimbabwe whilst Tunisia lost 1422 at home to World Cup bound Namibia a fortnight ago.

The results left 15’s coach, Paarwater, with a must win option on Sunday to revive their chances of reclaiming the continental title. The team last listed two years ago before wrapping up their round robin fixture with a tough clash away to champions Namibia.

Kenya are nonetheless boosted by

the presence of former skipper, Wilson Kopondo; he missed the last two matches against Portugal and Zimbabwe due to academic commitments.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Harlequins lock alongside KCB as their forward Maxwell Adaka resumed training Monday from an injury.

Kabras Sugar duo of Edwin Achayo and Nick Baraza are still recovering from injuries.

The two sides have met seven times; with Tunisia who are ranked nine places above Kenya in the world having a better head to head record on four wins compared to Simba’s three.

14

SPORT THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015

Gerrard speaks out: St George’s Park is ‘boring’ and needs golf course Former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has described St George’s Park as “boring”.

Gerrard says the Football Association’s £105 national football centre needs to be more player friendly.

The 35-year-old also says that his slip against Chelsea, as Liverpool missed out on the 2013-14 Premier League title “kills” him.

And he admits being left out against Real Madrid last season’s Champions League hastened his Liverpool exit.

The 330-acre St George’s Park site in Burton, Staffordshire, opened in 2012 as a base for all 24 England teams at various levels. It includes a replica of the Wembley surface and an altitude chamber to mimic a variety of playing conditions.

But in an interview with Rio Ferdinand Gerrard said he thinks the

complex needs a golf course to help overcome the “shyness” in the England squad.

“It’s an unbelievable site but they need to be a bit more realistic around it,” he said. “They need to make it a little bit friendlier for the players.

“It’s a top place to train and prepare but away from training pitch and the games, it can be boring. We need to create that atmosphere where England players are desperate to get away and do well.”

“When you get to England, you want to have your lunch and go to bed and keep away from everyone because there’s a shyness. There needs to be an England atmosphere when you turn up and you know each other, you want to be with each other.

Gerrard announced he was leaving Liverpool after 17 years in January to join MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy.

Keshi, Enyeama await NFF disciplinary rulings Coach Stephen Keshi met with the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) disciplinary committee on Thursday to answer questions on why his name appeared on a list of candidates to manage Ivory Coast.

However goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama declined the chance to appear to answer questions

about comments he made about playing an international match in Kaduna.

The NFF executive board will have the final say on any punishments, on a date yet to be decided.

Keshi, who signed a new two-year deal with the NFF in April, was on a list of 59 applicants published recently

by the Ivorian federation (FIF) to take over from Frenchman Herve Renard.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles captain Enyeama made “uncomplimentary remarks” regarding safety and security in Kaduna for a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad.

England dumped out of U-21 World Cup YOUNG LIONS: Ings and Kane look on despairingly, as England were left with a monumental task to attempt to reach the semifinals.

England Under-21s’ European Championship campaign came to a dismal end as they lost 3-1 to Italy at the Ander stadium in the Czech Republic.

With Portugal drawing with Sweden in Group B’s other game, a point would have taken England to the semi-finals.

But they conceded two goals in as many first-half minutes with Andrea Belotti and Marco Benassi scoring.

Benassi added a second with a header.

Nathan Redmond scored late on but England finished bottom of the group.

England’s win over Sweden on Sunday means they depart the tournament in the Czech Republic with one more victory than their abject campaign two years ago, but for a third successive tournament the Young Lions have failed to progress beyond the group stages.

The decision to omit eligible players who had previously been promoted to the senior squad - including the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley, Luke Shaw and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - will now come under renewed scrutiny.

Coach Gareth Southgate was part of the England team that famously secured qualification for the 1998 World Cup with a 0-0 draw away to Italy but his own side failed to show such solidity and discipline.

Instead an England Under-21 team who had advanced to the tournament at a canter, dropping just two points in their qualifying group, dissolved in the space of two first-

half minutes.

First, centre forward Belotti darted between England’s dawdling centre-backs to meet Domenico Berardi’s cross with a superb sliding volley to score the opener.

England had not regained their shape when Lorenzo Crisetig ran at a retreating rearguard and slipped the ball to Benassi, whose careful side-foot shot found the bottom corner via a slight deflection off Ben Gibson.

Harry Kane was England’s likeliest route to a comeback. The Tottenham striker’s incisive through-ball set up an early chance which Danny Ings wasted with the game still scoreless. He then tested Francesco Bardi in the Italy goal with a fierce left-foot of his own soon after.

But Italy’s defensive shape and England’s poor passing meant that the supply lines to Kane were limited in the second half and, apart from a couple of bright moments from Jesse Lingard, Southgate’s side looked unlikely to force their way back into the contest.

Their fate was sealed when Benassi rose unchallenged to send home a header from Marcello Trotta’s hooked cross with 18 minutes to go.

Italy’s victory proved in vain with Sweden and Portugal’s draw depriving them of a qualifying spot and Redmond’s fierce low shot in injury time was the final act in a deflating evening for both teams.

Cycler Froome admits missed drug test, blames zealous hotel staff Great Britain’s 2013 Tour de France winner Chris Froome has revealed he missed a drugs test earlier this year.

After British athlete Mo Farah confirmed he missed two tests before winning double gold at the 2012 Olympics, Froome said he missed one while on holiday in Italy this year.

“We came down for breakfast and hotel staff said ‘anti-doping guys were here, but it’s our policy not to let anyone disturb our clients’,” said Froome, 30.

“It was hugely frustrating.”

At the time of Farah’s missed tests, three in 18 months could lead to a ban, but rules have been amended so a suspension comes after three in 12 months.

Team Sky rider Froome, who was tested “30 times in three weeks” when he won the Tour in 2013, failed in an appeal to have his missed test struck from the record, but still accepts responsibility.

“The authorities showed up at seven o’clock in the morning and the hotel wouldn’t give them access to our room. They also refused to let them call up to the room,” said Froome, whose attempt to win this year’s Tour begins in Utrecht on 4 July.

“I should’ve been more proactive in letting the hotel know that this is a possibility that I could be tested. I’ve certainly learnt my lesson there. “It’s always the athlete’s responsibility to make sure he or she is available for testing.”

The 2013 Tour de France winner, Chris Froome, is one of the favourites to win this year’s race.

Maxxis Tyres rally together with Mayes in Save Elephants campaign Maxxis Tyres Kenya has been confirmed as title sponsors for wildlife guide Geoff Mayes as he tackles the forthcoming KCB Eldoret Rally. Geoff, who most recently finished the gruelling KCB Safari Rally in his two wheel drive Toyota, will once again be raising awareness for the “Hands off our Elephants” campaign.

As well as partnering Mayes, Maxxis Kenya is offering a discounted rate on their range of rally tyres for competitors to use on

the Eldoret Rally which takes place on 04 July. Competitors will receive an enormous discount if they buy 4 or more rally tyres. Maxxis Kenya will also be donating 20% of all sales of rally tyres sold prior to the Eldoret Rally to Wildlife Direct, who run the “Hands off our Elephants” campaign! Geoff Mayes; “the show of faith from Maxxis Kenya is truly humbling, not just for me as a competitor and wildlife conservationist, but also to the wildlife and people of

Kenya as a whole. I urge my fellow competitors to take advantage of this incredible deal - in three days of rallying action on the recent Safari Rally I didn’t have a single puncture.... Testimony to my Maxxis Tyres for sure!” The KCB Eldoret Rally takes place on Saturday 04 July 2015 and will include two runs of the world famous Flouspar Stage, one of the most widely recognised tests of the World Rally Championship for many years!

xnews | THURsDAY, jUne 25, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

SPRORTS KENYA TO BUILD IRB STANDARD STADIA

p14 VERBAL EXCHANGE: Heated exchange between Chile and Uruguay players during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, June 24, 2015.

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Edinson Cavani sees red for foul on Jara in highly tempered encounter

H

osts Chile moved into the Copa America semi-finals after Mauricio Isla’s late winner knocked nine-man holders Uruguay out of the tournament.

Chile dominated a bruising contest, Eduardo Vargas and Arturo Vidal both going close before Edinson Cavani was sent-off for a second yellow card.

Uruguay held out until the 82nd minute when Isla smashed home from 16 yards.

In the closing moments of an ugly game Uruguay defender Jorge Fucile was red carded for a second caution.

Chile will now face the winners of Friday’s match between Bolivia and Peru for a place in the final.

For Uruguay, their tournament ended in disgrace in a stormy game which saw six yellow cards in addition to two reds at Estadio Nacional in Santiago.

The biggest talking point before Isla’s winner was Cavani’s first red card for Uruguay on his 76th appearance for his country.

Having been shown a yellow card for

confronting a linesman, the 28-yearold Paris St-Germain forward was ordered off after catching defender Gonzalo Jara off the ball.

Jara theatrically fell to the ground but Cavani, whose father was involved in a fatal car crash in Uruguay this week, could have few complaints.

He argued with the referee for several minutes before finally being persuaded to leave the pitch.

Uruguay self-destructed after falling behind, Fucile sent off for a second booking with two minutes remaining after bringing down Alexis Sanchez.

The match was then halted for several minutes after Uruguay’s players surrounded the referee and linesman and officials and players from both sides scuffled on the field.

Chile, who dominated the match with 80% possession, have never won the Copa America since its inception in 1916.

The other two quarterfinals feature Argentina against Colombia on Saturday and Brazil versus Paraguay on Sunday.

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