201507024 26 xnews

WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

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KENYA’S FINEST singer LAUNCHEs song for obama

AFRO FUSION FINEST ACHIENG’ ABURA will also perform at a private function for PRESIDENT OBAMA and other dignitaries

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KPL, EABL in talks for new league sponsorship deals

Mourinho defends new keeper Begovic after debut errors

Obama’s visit to Kenya more than just symbolic B

arack Obama may not get quite the rapturous welcome he did when he visited Kenya as a senator back in 2006, but his presence in his ancestral home is something of a coup for the Kenyan leadership, and he is expected to be warmly received.

The country has never had a sitting US president visit before, and understandably there’s a sense of enormous pride.

For the Americans, this is a golden opportunity to gain some

leverage at a time when security threats posed by the Somali Islamist group al-Shabab bind both nations together.

From a personal standpoint, it’s a time for Mr Obama to build on his legacy here.

Without doubt, President Obama is trying to “recalibrate” the relationship between America and Kenya after some difficult diplomatic times.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was up until recently

indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for charges relating to a previous election.

That proved problematic for the US president, whose envoy warned Mr Kenyatta as he campaigned for the presidency back in 2013 that there would be “consequences” as a result of not trying to clear his name first.Months later, Mr Obama delivered a significant snub to Kenya, bypassing the country altogether during his last African tour. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NGOs complain after billboard goes down

WELCOM MR. PRESIDENT: A journalist poses with a statue of Obama erected at his father’s rural home in Kogelo, Siaya

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Pro-abortion group, Catholics for Choice, and its partner, Kenyan organisation Reproductive Health Services Kenya (RHSK), have protested the removal of a billboard they had legally erected on Chiromo Road.

The billboard was appealing to US President Obama to revise the Helms Ammendment, which “acts as a complete ban on using US foreign assistance for any abortion care or counselling options for pregnancy”.

“In practice, this prevents women in Kenya and around the world from following their conscience and getting the reproductive care they need,” said a statement from the group.

“With a wave of his hand, President Obama could do the right thing for countless women by clarifying this dangerous interpretation.

The billboard was positioned to attract Obama and his administrations attention, and two groups say they will continue pushing their message through other advertising avenues.

“We know how this unjust American policy can interfere with the medical care and treatment we need to provide for the Kenyan people,” said Dr. John Nyamu, executive director RHSK. Earlier this year, Catholics for Choice joined a diverse coalition of faith-based and other advocacy organizations from around the United States, as well as a rape survivor from Kenya, to urge President Obama to take immediate action to end the harsh implementation of the Helms Amendment.

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

Obama’s visit will serve many functions From Page 1 It was deeply felt here in Kenya.

Ordinary Kenyans saw it as a personal affront, and the diplomatic sidestepping was met with a ratcheting up of antiWestern sentiment by the Kenyan leadership.

But the charges against Mr Kenyatta have now been dropped, in part due to the Kenyan government’s apparent “lack of co-operation” with the court.

It would appear that all is forgiven, and the words of warmth have returned.

Mr Kenyatta confirmed as much in a pre-visit briefing, when he made it clear his US guest was expected to meet his deputy, William Ruto, who still has charges from the ICC hanging over his head.

The imperative of working to defeat terrorism would appear to trump matters of international justice.

In diplomatic speak, they call it “essential contact”.

Mr Kenyatta said “the fight against terror will be central” to bilateral talks, and pointed out that Kenya had “been working in very close collaboration with American agencies” and was expecting to “strengthen” ties during the visit.

That policy of appeasement is certainly something many security watchers in Kenya have sensed.

Peter Alling’o, from the Institute of Security in Nairobi, believes the US is seeking to restore close relations with Kenya, in order to gain a stronger foothold in the region’s security apparatus in the face of alShabab attacks.

It may also help to ensure a few more contracts go America’s way.

China and its eastern neighbours now player a bigger role in Kenya - not only in building roads and railways but also in the important area of defence procurement.

Military vehicles and some weapons have an increasingly Eastern flavour here.

Barack Obama visited Kenya as a senator in 2006. His father was a goat-herder-turned-economist from western Kenya.

Included in his itinerary were a visit to Wajir, a rural area in northeastern Kenya hit by a severe drought, and a tour of Kibera, a slum area housing at least 600,000 people.

He also took an HIV/Aids test at Kisumu, which had one of Kenya’s highest rates of HIV prevalence, to encourage local people to do the same.

During the trip, he was asked if he planned to run for president. He said: “The day after my election to the United States Senate, somebody asked me am I running in 2008. I said at that time, ‘No.’ “And nothing, so far, has changed my mind.”

So what will the Americans be hoping to get out of bilateral talks on security, and what about the Kenyans?

Kenya will be able to continue to count on the Americans for “closer military support, training and procurement of hardware”, says Mr Alling’o.

In return, by offering a growing sense of “confidence and trust” in the Kenyan security forces, he believes the American objective is to “penetrate the Kenyan intelligence services more deeply”.

It is a delicate relationship and one President Obama will have to navigate carefully.

The Americans have some misgivings about what many see as the heavy-handed approach applied by Kenyan security forces to the country’s Somali community.

Talk of building walls along the border, and closing the sprawling Dadaab refugee camp, which is

home to thousands of Somali refugees, has not impressed the US leadership, as was made clear during Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent visit.

But President Obama’s uncle, Said Obama, who has visited him several times at the White House, told me his nephew’s influence across Africa could be far more widespread once he had cast off the shackles and constraints of the presidential office.

Kenya is a proud nation and one that has proven resilient in the face of terrorist attacks, most notably those at the Westgate shopping centre and the assault on Garissa University earlier this year.

But the country’s leaders are likely to respond better to gentle persuasion rather than public humiliation when it comes to policy matters.

And Mr Obama may be perfectly placed to deliver that.

KDF kill 24 Shabaab militants in Somalia Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Somalia have killed 24 Al Shabaab militants in another offensive.

Military Spokesman David Obonyo disclosed that the terrorists were confronted when AMISOM forces captured Bardere Bridge where they recovered 25 AK47 rifles.

“AMISOM forces together with Somalia National Army (SNA) have captured the strategic Bardhere Bridge.

The capture of the bridge was a culmination of AMISOM operation ‘Juba Corridor’ which started on 14th July 2015. The operation

commenced from Fafadun and involved the liberation of a series of towns from Tarako, Jungal – bombarded by artillery a week ago and Tawakal,” he said.

He stated that four Somali soldiers were killed during the attack that occurred early Wednesday that also left two Kenyan soldiers wounded.

“In the morning engagement at Tawakal before capturing the bridge, 24 Al Shabaab terrorists were killed, four others were injured and one technical vehicle was destroyed. The AMISOM/ SNA forces seized 25 AK47 rifles, one PKM machine

gun and assorted rounds of ammunition,” he said.

“Bardhere Bridge is the main gateway into Gedo.

The Al Shabaab militia has predominantly used the bridge to move their fighters, weapons, ammunition and contraband goods into Gedo and wreck havoc into the Northern parts of Kenya.

The loss of the bridge is therefore a major operational milestone in the fight against Al Shabaab and plays and integral part in shaping up operations for the ultimate capture of Bardhere town,” he stated.

AMISOM forces have lately intensified offensives against Al Shabaab militants as they strive secure Kenya and the region ahead of Friday’s arrival of US President Barack Obama.

The assault comes even as Kenyans on social media continued to express fury against American broadcaster CNN after it described Kenya as a “hotbed” of terror during one of its broadcasts.

Bringing the hashtag #SomeoneTellCNN back to life, Kenyans on Twitter took exception to the news outlet’s reduction of Kenya to a target

BRAVE COMMANDOS: File photo of KDF forces in Somalia. Military Spokesman David Obonyo says the forces have killed 24 Al Shabaab militants in another offensive.

for the Al Shabaab.

They described it as an attempt to rain on Kenya’s parade ahead of what is largely seen as President Obama’s homecoming.

During Obama’s visit, Nairobi County Police Chief Benson Kibue announced that 10,000 officers will be deployed to provide security during the

time he is in the country.

Kibue stated that officers will be deployed to various venues, where President Obama will be and will work closely with the Secret Service in securing the world’s most powerful man and urged Kenyans to fully co-operate with security officials at all times and keep off events where they are not

invited.

Kibue assured Kenyans that during the visit, nobody will be harassed and urged everyone not to fear moving around the city during the period.

MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

Buhari: US ‘aiding’ Boko Haram with arms ban The US has “aided and abetted” the Boko Haram Islamist militant group by refusing to provide weapons to Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari says.

A US law prevents the government from selling arms to countries, which fail to tackle human rights abuses.

Mr Buhari met President Barack Obama in Washington on Monday to seek further assistance.

Boko Haram has killed some 10,000 people since 2009 and has also kidnapped hundreds of girls and women.

Last month, human rights group

Amnesty International said that some 8,000 men and boys had died in Nigerian military custody after being detained as suspected militants. The military rejected this allegation, Nigeria’s president promised an investigation but there have been no further details.

NEWS 3

OBAMA VISIT

WEEKEND EDITION JULY 24-26, 2015

JULY 2015

Cnn’s opinion about Kenya’s security misguided, CS Amina The Government has described as as unfair and alarmist remarks made by Cable News Network (CNN) in their pre-event coverage of US President visit to country, where they called Kenya a “hotbed of terror”.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed Cabinet said it was unfair for CNN to potray Kenya as the only country that suffers from the effects of

terrorism Amina said terrorism is a global problem that has led to the deaths of thousands of citizens from different countries and left a trail of destruction across the globe. “We claim no ownership of terrorism. If somebody wants to apportion ownership to us then they are mistaken, terror does not respect boundaries, does not respect nationalities, it is totally indiscriminate it affects everyone

and everywhere,” she said.

Several other African and Western countries like France and the United Kingdom have in the recent past been victims of terror attacks. “It is not unique to Kenya, it is global phenomenon it affects all of us. I think the sooner that everybody realises that… we had New York, Boston, Paris, London, Madrid, Russia almost three or four times in different parts of the

country,” Amina explained.

The Cabinet Secretary called on concerted effort to curb terrorism in the world instead of apportioning blame to Kenya only.

“Instead of segregating Kenya to make it look like the only victim of terrorism, Mohamed urged the world to consider terrorism as a universal blemish that requires global attention and concerted efforts, “Amina said.

Obama to boost Kenya, Ethiopia security ties TAKING CARE OF THE REGION: Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and Ethiopia Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn get on well.

Obama visit will strengthen security partneship between Kenya and Ethiopia When President Obama chose to visit Ghana and address its parliament, he congratulated the country for its democratization and increasing stability.

According to Johnnie Carson and Princeton Lyman - senior advisors at United States Institute of Peace (USIP) as Obama visits Kenya and Ethiopia he must somehow fit democracy promotion as the two countries have emerged as key security partners.

Human rights groups have criticized Obama for his planned talks in Ethiopia criticizing its activities especially when the ruling party declared a win of all 546 seats in its May elections.

An annual index of political rights and civil liberties by the non-profit Freedom House has evaluated Ethiopia as “Not Free” for five years straight.

Kenya, too, restricts free speech and its press, according to human rights groups and the State Department’s 2014 human rights report.

It has been “Partly Free” for 13 years in a row, according to Freedom House.

The country that the Obama’s administration is congratulating is Nigeria, which holds Africa’s largest population and economy, after its first peaceful transfer of power between elected

presidents.

However, a recent U.S visit of President Buhari was focused on helping Nigeria face the threats of the Boko Haram extremist movement, the country’s deep corruption, and poverty.

As one of the countries Obama is set to visit, Carson and Lyman underscored the political repression in Ethiopia while making key observations concerning his agenda.

According to them, Obama needs to engage the country’s leaders anyway because of its weight in the region and being Africa’s second-most populous nation, with 90 million people.

“The Obama administration’s overture also reflects its policy of engagement with a range of foreign powers, even as it criticizes their practices on human rights and other issues.” Carson said.

He noted that human rights activists have urged Obama not to meet Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn because of his government’s arrest and mistreatment of dissenters.

“Ethiopia is the classic example of where you’re balancing interests and they run up against each other,” said Lyman.

According to Lyman, Obama can’t fail to take account of how important Ethiopia and Kenya really are, as they both provide peacekeeping troops to the United Nations missions and

in the African Union (AU) backing Somalia’s new government against Al-Shabaab.

“Ethiopia is providing peacekeepers at a critical time,” he said.

In his visit to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, Obama will meet leaders of the African Union, the 13-year-old regional grouping of states.

According to Carson the AU is the most important body on the continent as it plays a better role on security and democratization than did its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity.

The U.S. president will meet with the chairperson of the AU Commission, South Africa’s Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the first woman to lead the AU. Under her leadership, Lyman said, the African Union has been active in promoting economic integration among its members and greater opportunities for women.

The two advisors included the ongoing conflict in South Sudan and speculated on hopes of Mr. Obama discussing peace moves to end the 18-month-old civil war.

“I would hope he (Obama) would discuss with the AU how to reconstruct the peace process for South Sudan,” said Lyman.

Obama will meet his relatives in Nairobi US President Barack Obama will not travel to his father’s rural home, Kogelo, when he arrives in the country for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, But the United States ambassador to Kenya, Robert Godec said Obama might link up with members of his family in Nairobi during his three day trip. “I do anticipate that the president will have time on his schedule for personal meetings with members of his family. And we expect his family to participate in some of his public events,” said Godec. “However, as Whitehouse said…due to logistical challenges, the President is not planning to travel to Kogelo.

At a White House press briefing on Thursday, US National Security Adviser Susan Rice confirmed that Mr Obama will have a private moment with some of his extended family members who are still living in Kenya. While releasing the president’s itinerary of his Kenya and Ethiopia’s visit, Ms Rice said Mr Obama will not be accompanied by his daughters Malia and Sasha “due to summer engagements”.

Be ready for network disruption, Safaricom Safaricom has warned Nairobi residents to prepare for network disruption in the three days that United States President Barack Obama will be in the country.

The disruptions will start on Friday afternoon, and will happen depending on Obama’s location.

“We recognize the fact that as the most protected individual in the world, there will be some security measures undertaken by his (Obama) team which could include the temporary disruption of mobile signals close to where the President is at any given time,” read a statement posted on Safaricom’s website.

“Accordingly, we wish to assure all our customers that there shall be minimal disruption to the network during the US President Obama’s visit later this week.”

The areas likely to be affected include residential areas near Mombasa road, Thika road, Limuru road, Uhuru highway and Waiyaki way.

Also to be affected are areas near State House, Nairobi.

The mobile service provider, however assure,d that it had taken measures to ensure that locations where the summit will be held shall have fast network “through network optimization”.

Obama will jet into the country on Friday evening, to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit that kicks off on Saturday at the UN Offices in Gigiri.

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION JULY 24-26 , 2015

Civil groups in Burundi will not recognise Nkurunziza Provisional results in Burundi’s controversial presidential elections are expected today Ahead of the results, a civil society leader has told Radio France International (RFI) that he will not recognise Pierre Nkurunziza as president at the end of his current mandate. Rights group Amnesty International has published a report accusing security forces of punishing protesters for expressing their political views in a violent crackdown.

“The people are sovereign, sovereignty belongs to the people,” Vital Nshimirimana, head of the Forum for Strengthening Civil Society told RFI. He says Burundian civil society will not recognise Nkurunziza as head of state past 26 August 2015, the end of his current mandate.

This week’s polls follow months of protests in Bujumbura against Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office. On the eve of the election, gunfire and grenade blasts were heard in Burundi’s capital.

Nshimirimana says he expects violence to continue, pointing out that political opponents were “hunted” and “extrajudicial killings” took place after the 2010 polls. The civil society leader refers back to the coup d’état in 1996, saying that “all the reasons that have led to the violence are there again”.

The US, European Union and former colonial power Belgium have all said Tuesday’s election was not credible. African Union monitors have arrived in the country and are expected to report on possible violations of human rights.

NEWS BRIEFS

CORD boss hopes Kenya gets more than just fame from Obama visit The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy hopes Kenya will capitalize on the upcoming visit by US President Barack Obama, to establish relationships that will lead to prosperity.

Party head Raila Odinga said fruitful discussions between Kenyan leaders Obama will make Kenya an anchor for prosperity and stability in the Eastern African region as well as an outstanding role model for developing countries around the world.

Odinga, in a press statement yesterday, said the coalition is keen to see a strong cooperation between Kenya and the US, which will expand political, commercial, and cultural relations.

“Obama’s visit underscores the strategic partnership between Kenya and the United States and the strong US commitment to political, economic and security cooperation with our country,” Odinga said.

THE VOTERS: Residents line up to cast their votes in the village of Buye, where incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza grew up. Members of civil society have said they will not recognize Nkurunziza’s presidency, should he win.

Kidero gets Sh500m to clean up city schools Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero has received Sh500million for the construction of and rehabilitation of schools in Nairobi. Among the beneficiaries of the fund is the Fuata Nyayo Primary school, in Eastlands, which will be built a cost of Sh98 million. The school is set to benefit children from Fuata Nyayo, Land Mawe and Viwandani estates.

Kidero also said that lans to construct Mihango Secondary School in Embakasi are also at an advanced stage.

Kidero was speaking at the Raila Odinga Educational Centre, in Langata, where he promised to rebuild the classrooms, set up two science laboratories and an ICT laboratory to be enjoyed by the 424 students in the secondary

school and 964 students in primary school.

“Our mission is to provide, promote and manage globally competitive basic education and training for the general welfare of Nairobi residents and their children,” he said. “ Quality education can only be achieved where the school environment is child friendly. A child friendly school is where there is effective teaching and learning, effective use of resources and child-centered learning.”

The Ministry of Education and the County government recently signed a memorandum of understanding that will guide the construction and management of public schools.

GUBERNATORIAL PROMISE: Nairobi Governor Dr. Evans Kidero addressing teachers and of Fuata Nyayo School.

When ‘SpartanS’ met Beijing police Dozens of half-naked models, dressed as Spartan warriors —familiar to Chinese moviegoers from the 2006 action-fantasy film “300” —were subdued by Beijing police while taking part in a marketing stunt.

They were on their way to serve lunches to office workers, but their appearance didn’t go over well with the police.

A number of them were arrested for “affecting public order,” local media reported.

The group of foreign models were hired to promote Sweetie Salad’s leafy offerings as part of its one year anniversary, according to a statement released by the company. The shirtless, caped and leather-hot panted models made a scene when they thundered into downtown Beijing holding boxes of salad, attracting

crowds eager to photograph them.

The Beijing Public Security Bureau said the promotion “disturbed social order,” and that the police had taken action to end the show.

Sweetie Salad also posted an official statement on its social media accounts.

In the statement, the company apologized for disturbing public order and blocking traffic.

“We have learned how inexperienced we are as a start-up company when it comes to organizing offline activities,” the statement reads. Many web users condemned the company’s marketing strategy for being vulgar and inappropriate.

In 2013, American clothing chain Hollister tried the trick, using shirtless, buff male models outside its brand-new Beijing flagship.

xnews | WEEKEND EDITION JULY 24-26, 2015 | www.x-news.co.ke

BUSINESS

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

MEAN BUY SELL 100.5213 100.4250 100.6176 157.0556 156.8644 157.2467 109.8906 109.7722 110.0089 8.0979 8.0858 8.1100 32.7295 32.6483 32.8106 21.0404 20.9705 21.1103

UNDER THE HOOD: A mechanic services a vehicle with some help from his colleague. A lot of entrepreneurial businesses have been nurtured within existing garages.

city wallet Kenyans will still pay more into NHIF despite protests and disgust

Despite protests from various stakeholders, Kenyans are set to pay more into the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) kitty. The new rates gazzeted early this year and which are now in effect will see those in employment and who earn Sh.5, 999 and below a month, remit a Sh.150 monthly premium. Employees in this category fall under the low income earners while the high income earners who earn over Sh. 100,000 will remit a monthly premium of Sh. 1,700.

Contributors earning between Sh.8, 000 and Sh11, 999 will contribute Sh400 while those earning between 12,000 and Sh14, 999 will contribute a premium of Sh500. Before the new rates were published by NHIF, the maximum monthly premium stood at sh.320.

Those earning Sh.15, 000 - 19,999 will contribute Sh. 600 while those earning Sh.20, 000 - 24,999 will pay a premium of Sh.750.

It is however unclear why high end earners: with a gross pay of between Sh.200, 000 and Sh.2, 000,000 still pay only Sh. 1,700.

Other middle class earners of Sh.25, 000 - 29,999 will contribute Sh. 850 while those earning sh.35, 000 - 39,999 will contribute sh. 950 monthly.

The upper middle class who earn Sh.60, 000 - 69,999 will pay a premium of Sh. 1300 as those earning Sh. 90,000 - 99,999 pay Sh. 1600 every month.

The National Hospital Insurance Fund is now under scrutiny after it emerged that it is not staying true to its mandate. Civil servants and the teachers union are currently in court to challenge the new rates.

Employers too are set to feel the bite as employees are expected to seek salary reviews to enable them comfortably adjust to the new rates.

GLOBE WATCH Communities in Liberia are being forced to sign away their land to make room for palm oil plantations, a human rights and anti-corruption group has reported.

According to Global Witness, Liberians have been beaten and arrested for refusing to comply. The group has called for a government investigation to curb the crisis.

Its officials have said Golden

General Electric Africa in conjunction with Gearbox plan to launch garages to help build a skilled workforce and drive entrepreneurial development in Kenya.

The GE Garages – Nairobi skills building program will bring together partners from academic and private sector including Gearbox, University of Nairobi, Technical University of Kenya and Seven Seas Technologies to support sustainable skills and job growth in Kenya.

Dr. Kamau Gachigi, CEO of Gearbox said Gearbox said this relationship is central to their objective of democratizing access to opportunities in industrialization.

Gearbox is in the process of assembling a formidable arsenal of modern machines and CAD/CAM software for digital fabrication, alongside more traditional but essential technologies.

The Garages will contribute to bridging the

technical skills gap in Kenya.

They will feature advanced manufacturing innovations like 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills for the industrial world to encourage entrepreneurial disruption and a skilled workforce for the future.

“We are delighted to collaborate with likeminded establishments on an initiative that aims to make more Kenyan youth employable in a fast changing technology-driven world” said President and CEO, GE Africa, Jay Ireland. This program went global with a workshop in Lagos Nigeria in 2014 and has since grown to include several countries in Europe and the Middle-East.

Professor Lucy Irungu, the Deputy ViceChancellor at the University of Nairobi, welcomed the collaboration which she sees as a great opportunity for engineering students, supervised by the engineering faculty at the University.

Main STORY

Top African firms set to launch garages for tech skills acquisition

New York Wage Board approves $15 hourly wage for fast-food workers Fast food restaurant workers’ in the US state of New York will see their salaries almost double to $15 (Sh1, 510) an hour up from $8.75 (Sh881), after a state wage board unanimously recommended the increase.

The news follows recent protests by first food workers across the country, who have been seeking a wage increase since the wake of the 2008 global economic crisis.

New York City workers will be the first to benefit, with the increase due to be in place by the end of 2018.

Fast food workers in the rest of the state will have to wait until mid-2021 for the rise.

New York State Governor, Andrew Cuomo said the vote marked “one of the really great days of my administration.”

MO’ MONEY: Some fast-food restaurant workers hold placards as the marched the streets of New York for a raise in hourly wages.

“You cannot live and support a family on $18,000 (Sh1.8 million) a year in the state of New York, he said, “Period.”

He added: “This is just the beginning. We will not stop until we reach true economic justice.”

The move is expected to affect

around 180,000 workers, employed in the fast food industry in the state of New York.

The decision follows similar minimum wage increases in other US cities, including Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Liberians forced to sell land for palm oil

Viroleum (GVL), the company behind the plantations, ramped up land clearances during the recent Ebola outbreak in the country.

Meanwhile, spokespeople for GVL argued that the firm only signed pre-existing agreements during the outbreak, the BBC reports.

Palm oil is a multi-billion dollar global industry owing to the fact that every major food manufacturer

uses it in their products. The oil has become a crucial element in Liberia’s development.

Global Witness says GVL dramatically expanded its operations in Liberia at the height of the Ebola outbreak last year, clearing thousands of acres of land while community support groups were busy dealing with the crisis.

GVL officials said in a statement

that the agreements signed with landowners during the Ebola crisis “were the culmination of extended engagement with the communities which began many months and in some cases years before the start of the Ebola outbreak”.

GVL may face prosecution and its agents may be incarcerated if the firm is found guilty of violent tactics, experts have said. However,

if their land deals are legitimate, a number of Liberian nationals may be forced to relocate.

On the other hand, the land owners may retaliate as they did in May. At the time, there were violent protests at a GVL plantation. Protestors in the south-east region of the country reportedly took several people hostage before they were freed by police.

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BUSINESS WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

Kisumu farmers baking fortunes from rice cakes and soaps A farming group in Kisumu is converting waste rice through value addition into cakes and soap earning them more extra cash.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, broken rice accounts for 15 per cent of the total rice harvested making it the major post-harvest lose incurred by rice farmers. ‘’Farmers have been losing 20 per cent of their produce but the group has given us new life line with the value added products from

broken rice earning more than the rice itself.’’ Carren Omanga, the chairperson of the group said.

Nyabende, Rice Farmer Support Group found a way to add value to this rice making host of products that are earning them extra income including cakes, soaps, body creams, and briquettes.

The Department of Home and Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture donated Sh 10,000 to the group as start-up capital and it now earns over Sh 40,000 monthly

with their products going at as high as Sh 8,000.

The group’s flagship product is rice wedding cakes going at Sh 8,000 which can take more than six months before it expires and the rice soap which goes for Sh 85 recommended for protection and cure of skin diseases.

Ugali rice which is made of mixing rice flour with maize flour has been enjoying fanatical uptake in the area and is being distributed to hospitals, school and business

centres. ‘’There is so much we can make from rice and it will reach a time where we will go full throttle into adding value to all rice we harvest.’’

Careen said. ‘’For example the husk itself can make bio ethanol a key component in making gasohol. Bio ethanol is unlimited in its use as it can also be used in medicine and making alcohol,” she added.

The value addition by the farmer group comes at a time

when research institutions and governments have identified value addition at farm level as key in inspiring commercial value addition in Kenya and Sub Saharan Africa which has been elusive.

Farmers who add value to their produce are known to earn up to eight times more than they earn selling raw produce which increases shelf life of their produce while guaranteeing them of year round income.

CS Mohammed: there’s something special in Kenya for investors At least 175 local entrepreneurs will attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) being graced by US President Barack Obama.

Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization and Enterprise Development, Mr Adan Mohamed has urged entrepreneurs to present ideas that will facilitate the creation of new policies to improve

business sector in the country for them to benefit from the summit.

“We want to makes sure that our entrepreneurs are able to really benefit through interactions that will be able to develop pipeline of opportunities for them,” he said.

According to him, the summit is an eye opener for

local entrepreneurs so seek partnership with foreign investors like ‘Shark Tank’ who have enough business experience and may be seeking to invest in Kenya.

“This is the time for all entrepreneurs in the country to start looking at Kenya as a unique place to do business. I mean, for all those investors to converge here in Nairobi,

is not a small thing, it means there something special for them in Kenya,” the CS said.

“Everybody monitors where President Obama goes in the whole World and many people would now want to know where Kenya is.

The Cabinet Secretary has mentioned tourism sector as main likely to get a huge boost both in short and long term attributing the large number of investors during and after the summit.

“The expected potential in

tourism is expected to be huge if we play it right. What this whole season is going to do is whichever way you want to look at it has got really some tremendous benefits,” he said.

Adan Mohammed: CS in charge of Industrialization.

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BIZ NEWS It is booming business in the Mara ahead of GES Hotels in Kenya’s Maasai Mara reserve have reported they are fully booked ahead of the expected Wildebeest migration expected in the next few weeks.

“The Great Migration of Wildebeests from Serengeti Park, Tanzania, via the Mara River into Maasai Mara is a favorite to many tourists.

“International tourists are streaming in to witness this event,” said Fairmont Mara Safari Club Manager MuneneNgotho.

According to the manager, spouses who are in the country for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit scheduled to take place this weekend are also part of the

tourists who have made the bookings.

Other camps such as the as ‘Kichwa Tembo’ located in the reserve also reported an increase in the number of tourists.

Maasai merchants at the Mara for instance reported that business is now booming following months of little to no business.

According to NaisenyaTanei, a trader at Musiara Gate near the Mara National Reserve, business is now looking up.

“Tourists have now come back to the Reserve and we are happy about it since business has been poor especially during the last one and a half years. We hope it stays this way,” she explained.

WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

ACCESS CELEBCHAT

COMEDY NIGHT

I started panIckIng and by god’s grace I remembered my frIend who used to stammer and asked myself If they were to rap how would they do It?

EKO DYDDA: I will always praise my God

W

ho is Eko Dydda?

I am just that guy. I never know how to answer this question; I always leave it to the fans to describe me.

Briefly tell us your musical journey My journey in music started way back in 2004 when I was in school. I recorded my first song in 2007. The first ever event I performed at was for Ghetto Radio. I was passing through town when I noticed they had an event, I went and registered. I performed in the evening but the reception I got was crazy. From there events started flowing in from Mad Love Lounge to WAPI. I then joined the Chit Chat group of Kijiji Records and went on tour with them all over the country.

How did the stammering come about?

I am a stammerer because it is the only option I have. When I first went into studio to record, I didn’t have money and the producer said I had to have a unique style to be able to record for free. I started panicking and by God’s grace I remembered my friend who used to stammer and asked myself if they were to rap how would they do it? Thus the style was born.

Where have you been?

You know, when I was younger I used to ask myself where a particular artiste disappeared to. Then I came to realise it is not them. I have been here; actually last year is when I released the most music since I started my career. Sadly, my songs were not being played and people did not know about my music. I do not know why. I believe I raised the bar high with my music last year but I

do not understand why it was not played.

Have you ever ran a race and felt like it is not being counted?

Is that why you have beef with DJs? I don’t have beef with them. All I am saying is that they should play more Kenyan music instead of playing foreign. Kenyans do not really care about foreign music; they want to hear their own this is proved by how they show up to our shows. Playing too much foreign music has brought about a disconnect. The DJs cannot talk about quality now because the music in Kenya has grown. If we only thought about building our own we would be ahead and that would mean more money for the industry.

Tell us about your latest single Nina One I wanted to tell people, if you see my success and everything just know it is not me, know I have one that is Christ my Lord saviour.

People do not understand how I made it, but God is the reason I am here today. He is responsible for all my success. I am always winning because of Him. Where do you get inspiration for your music?

Since day one, my love for Christ has always been my inspiration. I have never seen anyone who can love that much like Him. I came from a very poor family, we were poverty itself. But God pulled me from there and made me successful.

Who do you look up to in the industry?

I look up to very many people, all of those we started with and the ones who came after me. I admire Juliani and Holy Dave. I used to listen to their songs and to date I am still their

biggest fan.

I also admire Roughtone, SK Blue, Kris Eeh Baba, Christ Cycle and Recapp.

Highlight of your career?

When I was starting out, a foreigner had said he would sponsor my studio time. When I showed him what I had to offer he said he cannot work with me because of my style and that there was no talent there.

I felt disappointed and told God I had set a date and after that day I would go into crime because that was the only option. Before my deadline, I decided to do one last event at my local church. Do you know not even one church member showed up but the people who showed up were Mungiki, hooligan’s thieves and people who had been written off.

They showed up to my show and supported my music. The church was full and they made me redo my songs and at that time I only had three songs. I made Sh.9,000 from that event and that was the most money I had held in my life!

What more should fans expect?

They should expect more songs from me.

I just cannot stop talking about God’s greatness and love . They should also expect better and refined music from me.

FACTFILE

Real Name: Emmanuel Dydda Eko age: 29 RelatioNship: Happily married with two sons Best Food: Chapatti dondo Best Quote: Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 Best Book: The Bible, it is the only book with punch lines.

8

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 26th NOVEMBER 2014 WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

SHOPPING

Most fashion outlets at Westgate are located on the first floor, including Kache Botiq.

cOmmAndments OF teenAge shOPPing

P

arents of teenagers will agree that getting along with these young adults is harder than living with a person going through a midlife crisis, and it gets even harder when you try shopping for them.

Many parents will testify that they once bought clothes for their teenager only for the clothes to end up as pyjamas.Here are the three crucial commandments that should help you shop for your child or little sister.

Buy what you hate It sounds wrong, but most of the time, what parents consider nice is considered hideous by their teenage child. Parents should remember that they are from different generation and revere

MALLREVIEW

O

n arrival at the Westgate mall in Westlands, one can’t help but have mixed feelings about getting into the mall. You can see people slowly approaching the entrance and scanning the environment as if trying to gauge their safety; or are they trying to recreate the grisly scenes that splashed our media when terrorists attacked the mall in 2013?

Getting closer to the entrance however, the overwhelming number of armed officers as well as the long queue of anxious shoppers waiting for security screening serves as a reassurance that there is no safer place to be right now in Kenya than at the Westgate Mall. There is a tense moment when the state of the art metal detectors at the entrance beep loudly as an elderly lady makes her way into the mall. Everybody’s face registers the it-is-happening again-look but seconds later, they all burst into laughter of relief…the elderly lady forgot to take her phone out of her sweater pocket! Once inside the mall, the diverse range of shopping outlets overshadows memories from the past, and with no time one gets carried away by the vibrant mood of fellow shoppers in the mall.

Many shops have reopened at the Westgate mall which has also recorded several new entrants. Right at the door on the ground floor is the international fashion footwear brand Converse all Stars, which sits adjacent to Barclays bank. So far, Barclays and DTB are the only banks that have reset camp at Westgate.

Trendy glasses are provided at the Eye co outlet that is also on the ground floor, neighboring Kazuri fashion boutique which stocks the trendiest designs in men and women fashion. The Bata shop, Fragrance Lounge, Sir Henry’s, Home and Décor, Sona Nikon shop and the soon to open Art Café joint lead shoppers on to the anchor supermarket, Nakumatt, which occupies the space on the far left of all floors at Westgate.

Using the escalators, stairway or the see through lifts, one can access the first and second floor of the mall, with the first floor being home to two exquisite home products shops; the Sleep Centre and Palacina Interiors.

At the sleep center, vintage and modern wood king and queen size beds are stocked, with some selling at hefty prices of up to six figures.

The Palacina Interiors shop

totally different brands and designs. For example, a parent who grew up in the 80s might find baggy 50 Cent jeans cool, but today, skinny jeans are the in thing.

Avoid surprises If you want to surprise your teen on their birthday, plan a surprise party instead of trying to surprise them with clothes. It is better to go clothes shopping together and let them choose what they like, unless they have been ranting and raving about a particular clothing item, in which case you can purchase the item as a pleasant surprise.

If you direly want to surprise them, find one of their friends to act as a guide to the ‘absolutely’

and the ‘absolutely nots.’

Don’t buy clothes you’ve seen other people wearing You might be tempted to buy a jacket or dress design that you have seen other teenagers rocking, but most teens like being trendsetters, not followers.

Unless it is an extremely limited fashion edition, try finding something that will be unique to your child.

Do not buy clothes similar to yours ever! This is because teenagers have an ‘independent girl/boy reputation’ to preserve and wearing matching clothes with their parents like little children is a major burn to their fragile reputation.

AwArd winning AmbiAnce thAt is

wes tgAte mAll

Trendy glasses are provided at the Eye co outlet that is also on the ground floor, neighboring Kazuri fashion boutique which stocks the trendiest designs in men and women fashion.

is more versatile, stocking a range of household products such as flashy chandeliers and wall decorations.

Most fashion outlets at Westgate are located on the first floor, including Kache Botiq, Armex, Levis, Basic intimates and Eugen Clain.

Pet shops are uncommon in Kenya, and it is thus not a

surprise that the Aquapet shop at Westgate is always flocked with domestic animal lovers seeking new companions or treatment for their pets. For kids, the Mini Disney World play center on the first floor is the one stop destination at Westgate Mall, offering a near Disney World experience indoors.

The third and fourth floors of the mall are yet to open to the public, but business has picked up quite fast at Westgate, keeping in mind that the mall reopened less than a week ago. As of now, almost half of the outlets at Westgate are in operation, with the rest set to open anytime this month.

10

ACCESS

WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

FASHIONScoop

Martin M KiMathi is a rising star in the Media industry. he let us into his siMple but classy closet.

ClOseT RaiD

maRTin kimaThi ClassiC simPliCiY

Whose style do you admire locally and internationally?

Locally Ian Mugoya. Internationally Gabriel Macht from the series ‘Suits’ and Kanye West.

Which fashion trend have you sworn never to try and why?

You will never catch me in Khaki shorts. They look so stupid.

What is your guilty pleasure (fashion wise)?

Funny enough.. I have none.

What is your fashion lust at the moment?

A 24 Carat gold Rolex watch. Sigh dreams are always valid.

Which one do you prefer Timberland boots or converse?

I’m a sucker for both. But pit a gun on my head and I’ll go with Timberland boots.

What is your ideal outfit for a night out?

A well fitting sweatshirt blended with fitting jeans and a pair of Jordans or Timberland boots.

Which jewelry are you often wearing?

I’m really not into jewelry but I always have my studs on.

How would you describe your style?

Always on point.

What is the most treasured item in your closet?

My watch.

TOP 10

NICKI MINAJ

DanCehall

Rank

CHARLY BLACK

TiTle

aRTisTe

1 2

Hot Gyal Gal you a party animal

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

My Heaven my Hell

Nicki Minaj Charly Black Vybz Kartel

Fast Life Bedroom Fantasy One Minute Ay Vamos Goodbye to my Haters Nobody has to Know Never Sober

Vybz Kartel Alkaline Zuse Kirko Bangz Mavado Kranium Popcaan

9

ACCESS

WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

WEEKEND PLANNER

your comprehensive gig guide.

random Chill

CreW teflon

pop up

After

A

re you looking for a more relaxing place? A perfect place for lunch or dinner with meat as the main dish? Good food meets soothing music, eye-catching interiors and great service welcomes you to Pampa Churasscaria restaurant.

Pampa is a haven for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

The restaurant embraces a variety of different cuts of beef, chicken, goat, pork, lamb ,fish; exotic meats such as crocodile, camel, guinea fowl ,turkey and ostrich.

The restaurant is conveniently located at Thompson Estate, Kingara Road in Lavington.

Doors open from Monday to Sunday.

The first thing anyone will notice is the festive

Comedy night Live

Where: Carnivore Who: Eric Omondi, Atemi time: 9 PM Entry KSh 1500 advance, 2000 at the gate.

HOT

kAzi

Where: The Bus Who: The late Nelly Ochieng’ time: 7 PM.

Where: Skylux Lounge and Bar Who: DJ Armani Entry Ksh 300.

dj armani

sundAy

the late ochieng’ nelly

todAy

sAturdAy

Where: Creatives Garage Who: Crew Teflon time: 2 PM.

sAturdAy

white house AffAir

omondi

sAturdAy

TOPICS

Where: Kenyatta University Who: President Barrack Obama

obama

Out&About atmosphere that surrounds the place in a large colorful space with a floor to ceiling Brazilian ambience.

It is one of those places which offer a relaxing festive atmosphere away from the hullaballoos of everyday life, if you enjoy the thrill of live band performances one can pop in on Thursday or Friday.

The steak house offers Brazilian and continental cuisines with excellent Rodizio ‘eat as much as you like’ service in a charming high-energy ambience. Their tasty grilled pineapple with cinnamon and sugar that is served for dessert takes care the digestion of the food. If you are a sea food fan the restaurant ensures that your appetite is taken care of. French

fries, fried cassava, banana plantain and polenta are just a few of the side dishes they serve for the continental.

The bar is perfect and has a wide selection of beverages such as whiskey, single malts, beers and juices. The drinks are affordable ranging from Sh 120 for soda, Sh 250 local beer and juices, while wine will set you back just Sh 400 per glass. And the four course meal is affordable at Sh. 2,150 per person.

Pampa Churasscaria also has a branch at the Panari sky centre 1st Floor along Mombasa Road and serves just the same mouthwatering delicacies. With such an involuntary weekend holiday thrust upon us, this will not be a bad time to pop into a Pampa!

Achien’g Abura releases new song for obama Afro Fusion finest Achieng’ Abura has been a major icon in the Kenyan music industry. Her music has inspired the new generation of musicians who are coming up now. Still she keeps wowing us with her voice and music. Yesterday, Achien’g Abura released her latest song I Believe which is off her latest album. The song is inspired by what Obama stands for; hope and the vision of a future united in a peaceful world where all live a life of dignity and peace.

pAmpA ChurAssCAriA femione

is A hAven for meAt Lovers

femme fetale alert as nessa and femione collabo Nessa and Femione are currently some of the hottest artistes in their game at the moment. Nessa is a talented vocalist and Femione is a talented female femcees who floors everyone with her punch lines. The two have teamed up for a song, Wasupa. The song is set for release in August.

CLASSIFIED 11 WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

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WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 You may feel indecisive, but don’t sweat it. You don’t have to make any great commitments. You will do fine jumping around from task to task. Get out into the open and say what’s on your mind.

Engage in some sort of physical activity that gets you breathing deeply.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 The name of the game today is action, Aquarius. The air has cleared, and it feels like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. You might experience a sudden burst of physical energy, pushing you to get out and walk or go for a long bike ride. Enjoy the wind in your hair.

TUESday 23/07/2015

sunny

22

25ºC 58%

WEDNEsday 24/07/2015

22 6:38 am 6:41pm

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Take a break from the seriousness that has prevailed over the past couple days, Taurus. Upbeat conversations are the way to navigate through today’s waters. You might notice that others are more actively communicating and that words are especially effective. You talk and people listen.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Jump back on stage and say what you have to say, Gemini. Your participation in the conversation is critical to maintaining a healthy energy flow. The things you say will have a profound effect on others, so chose your words carefully. Enjoy a physical activity that involves a group.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22 Don’t let things stagnate, Virgo. It’s time to take action. See how far rather than deep you can go in everything you do today. Cover a wide range of topics and pick up a magazine or two. Take a break from your usual emotional intensity and enjoy the sunshine and the light conversation.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 You may feel like you’ve come into the light today, Libra. A weight has been lifted, but there is still a great deal of emotional drama that needs to work itself out. Go for a walk or jog this afternoon and work on increasing your lung capacity. Get your heart rate up and feel your blood pumping.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Look at things around you. Enjoy a night out with friends and take an active role in the conversation.

See a movie or play. Do more socializing and you will be able to release some of the tension that you might not even realize you have inside. Get the energy moving again.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Pay attention to the news today, Sagittarius, and not just the mainstream news but the offbeat, smaller publications, too. Question what you hear and read. Take responsibility for your citizenship by keeping an eye on what’s going on. Information is an important part of gaining power.

6:38 am 6:41 pm

22

Sudoku

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Your physical stamina is apt to be strong today, Aries. You should consider going to the gym to release some of that pent-up energy. Engage in team sports or something that involves strategy and good coordination. Pick up a tennis racquet or join a basketball game.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 There’s no excuse for laziness today, Leo. Get out of bed before noon. The more active you are, the happier you will be. Come out of your cave and express your thoughts to others. Get out in the open air and listen to what the wind has to say. Be active and flexible.

21ºC 62%

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.

Yesterday’s Solution

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Take some of that knowledge you’ve gathered and processed over the past few weeks and begin to spread it around, Pisces. Your emotions are strongly tied to your actions, and things will take on a much lighter tone than they have had in the past couple of days.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Your solid grounding may become a bit unstable today, Cancer, but don’t worry about it. Infuse laughter and playfulness into the picture. The exchange of ideas is critical. Get out of the house and into a social arena where you can enjoy lighthearted conversations.

More sun than clouds

MUSTREAD Deadly Harvest — by Michael Stanley

Girls have started disappearing in Botswana. A rumour is going round that they were kidnapped for muti. Muti is a witch doctor’s potion that is made from plants and animals and can sometimes be made by adding human remains. Detective David “Kubu” Bengu is put on the case. He is paired with a new detective, Samantha Khama for whom the case hits a bit close to home. As the investigations are ongoing, one of the missing girl’s father is convinced his daughter’s disappearance is linked to the recent spike in popularity of a certain political candidate. He takes the law into his own hands and flees. Kubu and Samantha find Muti containing human DNA in the politician’s home.

Now Kubu and Samantha have to race against time to stop the killers from striking again.

12

PLAY

WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

CROSSWORD Across 1. Mr. ____ (Dr Pepper rival) 5. Groups of players 10. Yodelers’ mountains 14. Out of town 15. Subtle vibes 16. Actor Robert De ____ 17. Assertion 19. Fed. investigators 20. Maya ___ 21. Catches, as a fish 22. Honor 26. Expand, as a collection 30. Like some illnesses 34. Humdinger 35. Plum relative 36. Dow’s equiv. in Hong Kong 37. Strong forward flow 39. Hank who voices Moe and Apu 42. Province east of N.B. 43. Training inst.

47. “___ a Symphony” (1965 hit) 48. Sum up 51. Hocks 52. More than usual 54. Coleco contemporary 57. Italian dumplings 62. Molokai neighbor 63. Diet queen 66. Red Hot Chili Peppers bass player 67. Have an ___ grind 68. Take down ____ or two (humble) 69. Pell ending

70. Words before nails or roses 71. Soul companion Down 1. South American beast 2. Triumphant taunt 3. Screen door sound 4. High-tech memory measure 5. Rapids shooter 6. Harvest seasons 7. Hindu Mr. 8. “____ Te Ching” 9. W-4 fig.

10. Some wool 11. Stretch ____ 12. It comes before elem. school 13. Boys, to men 18. George Jetson’s boy, and others 21. Playboy boss, briefly 23. Japanese delicacy 24. ___ Zedong 25. City near Anaheim 26. “Rope-____” (boxing style) 27. “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” director 28. Parthenon column style 29. Philosopher Lao-___ 31. Chucked 32. Thai or Taiwanese 33. Untrustworthy ones 38. Locking device 40. Sandwich bag brand 41. “Oh, I see” 44. Pool player’s item

45. Beer or wine (abbr.)

46. Think worthy of doing 49. TV antenna 50. Omega’s preceder 53. “Don’t give me ___ your lip!”

54. Radio type 55. Story 56. “The Clan of the Cave Bear” novelist 58. Zodiac symbol 59. Guitar bar 60. Hurried 61. Punk star ____ Pop 63. Boxer’s punch 64. Program file suffix 65. Nancy Drew’s beau

Yesterday’s answers

YOURSAY

Kenyans should forget about CNN; its just but a sinking ship My letter is in reference to yesterday’s X News frontpage story; “CNN report sparks Twitter backlash”.

Given the amount of ‘yellow

journalism’ going on at CNN, the international broadcaster could be on a free fall to God knows where. They are now the home of irresponsible

reporting, slovenly put together stories, speculations and all, referring to yesterday’s Virtually everyone knows that news networks live and die by

FIND THE KEYWORD IN RED AND SMS IT TO 22333 Barua Muganga RINGTONES: 30 KSHS PER DAY Nipe Nafasi You will receive a sms “2 download. . . ”Go to this Glory to Glory link using GPRS or WAP & download your content.

Nanena KENYAN HITS! Adonai KENRAZY Visita, Madtraxx, DNA & Jay A Dumbala Remix KEN4 Zawadi GLORIA MULIRO Msaidizi GM4 Sitalia Tena Fundamentals KT4 KEN WAMARIA Bongo Lala RUFFTONE & GSU RUFF4 Sitalia Tena Mungu Baba Uwepo Wako LIN4 MERCYLINAH Hatarudi Nyuma Milele SHA4 MARION SHAKO Mapenzi GERALDINE ODUOR GER4 Dongo Dongo Solo Ulibeba EN4 EUNICE NJERI Penzi Langu Sobei Cheiso KOS4 EMMY KOSGEI Matokeo Worship You BMF FT MERCY WAIREGI BMF4 Sambaza KAM4 Born Again ALICE KAMANDE Lingala Ya Yesu Defender DAD4 DADDY OWEN MOG4 Fanya Kitendo MOG Tosheka Muziki Ni Dawa Kereka DK4 DK KWENYE BEAT Makeke Ningwendete VAN4 JOAN WAIRIMU Kitanzi LK4 LOISE KIM Queen Miss Hizo Ahuirania N.D GITHUKA GAK4 Naona Mbali Ti Mundu BETTY BAYO & MR SEED BET4 Nime Wasamehe Ndirakurekie SIMON SIM4 Hakuna Silaha JOAN WAIRIMU Kinyukia Kahora VAN4

Ex: HC4 to 22333

BAHATI DJ LAPOZE JEMMO & DENNO BEN GITHAE HADASSAH PAUL EMMA OMONGE MASSMASILYA LAURENT MUGISHO MR. BISCUIT SIMON KIDUM & JULIANI KIDUM NGANGALITO KIDIS GLORIA MULIRO EKO DYDDA PITSON BEN GITHAE RINGTONE JIMMY GAIT GLORIA M & WILLY P ALA C DENNO SOLOMON MUKUBWA SARAH KIARIE

TIB4 HC4 GON4 GIT4 WT4 JC4 HOB4 HOK4 JAG4 SIM4 DUM4 DUM4 LIT4 PIG4 GM4 KEB4 BOM4 GIT4 RING4 JG4 GM4 ALA4 GON4 SOL4 SK4

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Phone must be WAP/GPRS ENABLED to download ringtones. Errors will be billed. To DEACTIVATE OR UNSUBSCRIBE, SMS STOP followed by the keyword i.e. STOP HC4 to 22333 or *100#. A deactivation fee of KES 30 will be charged unless passive deactivation is requested.Customer Support: 0711035333 or 0734488668 , SUN - FRI, 8:30AM - 6pm, SAT 9am - 5pm. or email: ke@smshelp.info.

ratings. CNN is no exception.

For the first quarter of 2015 CNN was up from the previous first quarter, which of 2014, but it still came in with a mere 466,000 viewers in prime time. That is pathetic for the investment Ted Turner made, and for

having been broadcasting for 35 years. Comparatively, the Fox News Network remained the top cable news network in America for 159 consecutive months, with 1.76 million prime time viewers for the first quarter of this year.

The obvious question lingers.

How much longer can (or will) CNN hang on with such dismal performance? If you just eliminate any political slant and examine CNN as a business investment, one would have to conclude it is a sinking ship.

—Victor Muisyo, Nairobi

Obama visit is a blessing and a curse US President Barack Obama is a superstar.

That much is clear.

But the lengths that our authorities have gone to in order to make POTUS fell welcome are beginning to pinch at my sides.

First it was the road closures. Now it’s the banks closing down and soon it will be M-Pesa on the fritz. Safaricom supposedly told its customers to expect a few hitches as the US President’s Secret Service tap our phones and deny us our right to privacy.

I want Obeezy to be safe. I know how much we care for him. But let’s be honest. This visit is a

welcome opportunity and a few sacrifices have to be made.

I just want to know that some politician somewhere is suffering as much as we are, sitting in a pub with no money except a few thousand shillings on his M-Pesa account, worrying about being a “mheshimiwa” who can’t foot his own bill.

If some of us must suffer for a few short days with POTUS, then we must all suffer. And we must do it together.

— —Dennis Lukhoba, Nairobi

We need to appreciate our disciplined forces

It is reported that US President Obama’s security team has taken over all security operations and that our Kenyan officers will only watch from a far. As much as President Obama’s security is high tech, we as a country should not look down on our men and women in blue.

Instead of criticizing, we need to observe and recommend to the government various measures that need to be taken to enhance our very own force.

—Collins Mosop , Kilimani

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

SPORT 13

Mourinho defends £8m keeper Asmir Begovic after debut errors

WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

POOR BEGO: Begovic in action for Stoke City last season. He conceded four goals on his Chelsea debut.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho defended “tired” keeper Asmir Begovic after he conceded four goals on debut in a 4-2 friendly defeat by New York Red Bulls.

The Bosnian, 28, came on as a half-time substitute in New York against a side made up of developmental players.

Mourinho said: “If we won 10-0 I would not be happy because it would mean it was too easy.

“Begovic was not sharp, a consequence of being tired from training. In the next game against PSG he will start.”

It was the first game of Premier League champions Chelsea’s three-match North American tour.

Begovic, an £8m signing from Stoke City this month, replaced Thibaut Courtois with Chelsea leading 1-0 courtesy of Loic Remy’s 12-yard strike.

Franklin Castellanos equalized after the interval before 16-year-old Tyler Adams put the hosts ahead in the 70th minute.

Sean Davis scored twice, either side of a low Eden Hazard drive, to give a Red Bulls side featuring only four players who have appeared in the MLS this season, victory in their first game against Chelsea.

“I was surprised by our fragilities,” said Mourinho. “I was surprised that we were

not good enough in the second half to cope with that.”

Chelsea play French champions Paris StGermain in North Carolina on Saturday and Spanish champions Barcelona in Washington DC on 29 July.

The Blues face Arsenal in the Community Shield on 2 August before beginning their premier League campaign against Swansea on 8 August.

KPL, EABL in talks for new league sponsorship deals Kenyan Premier League (KPL) officials and representatives from the East African Breweries Limited EABL will hold a meeting next week in efforts to renew a sponsorship for topflight football local topflight football.

The three-year Sh170m deal signed in 2011 lapsed on June 30. According to KPL CEO Jack Oguda, he is optimistic they can reach a new and bettered deal with EABL who have been sponsoring the league through their brand Tusker.

“They have been very good partners and all through we

have been engaging them in talks to renew the deal. The management has called us for a meeting next week and I am quite sure we will reach an agreement with them,” Oguda said However, Oguda has admitted KPL will be thrown into the deep end should the talks hit a snag, but he remains optimistic they will manage to see the league through.

“Most companies are now done with their yearly budgets and it will be quite tricky for us if we don’t get something from the Tusker deal. But, we will manage to

see the league to the end.”

Tusker has been the league’s title sponsor since 2000 and under their financial perk of approximately Sh56m a year, Oguda reveals that the league has seen some tremendous growth with better management due to an improved financial base.

Nonetheless, the league body came under intense scrutiny at the start of the season during the height of the FKF vs KPL wars, being slammed for their ridiculous spending like financing some of the league bosses for the annual Soccerex conference in South Africa for ridiculous.

SPONSORSHIP PACT: Kenyan Premier League (KPL) officials and representatives from the East African Breweries Limited EABL will hold a meeting next week in efforts to renew a sponsorship for topflight football local topflight football.

KBF cancels league matches in Nairobi Kenya Basketball Federation KBF has cancelled all the weekend matches, which were supposed to be played in Nairobi at the weekend.

This development has been occasioned by the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit that begins on Friday.

A statement from fixtures secretary

Joseph Amoko read; “note that due to the visiting of The President of USA and the meetings which will be held in Nairobi, games scheduled for this weekend in Nairobi have been shelved to a later date. Games outside Nairobi will go on as scheduled.”

Because of the cancellation, the inter-conference meeting in

Mombasa between Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and United States International University- Africa (USIU-A) in both men’s and women’s Premier Leagues will be the key highlight. KPA and USIU-A are still unbeaten in women’s Premier League.

While USIU-A has remained

consistent with players who won the league last season, KPA has an almost total transformation bringing in experienced players who have been impressive. Western Delight will host Kisumu Lady Bucks in Kakamega in the other women’s premier league.

KBF Weekend Fixtures Saturday: JKUAT vs Baraka Xtreme (10 a.m., MKU), MKU Thika vs World Hope (12 p.m.), KPA vs USIU-A Flames (2 p.m., KPA), KPA vs USIU-A Tigers (4 p.m.), Western Delight vs Kisumu Lady Bucks (10 a.m., KPC).

14

SPORT WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

SKY THE ONLY LIMIT: Kenya 15’s National Coach Jerome Paarwater has a firm belief that Homeboyz and Kenya XVs eighth man Joshua Chisanga (pictured below left).

—PHOTO/Ragahouse.com

Paarwater full of praise for eighth man Chisanga Polo returns to Nairobi after six months hiatus Polo returns to Nairobi after a six-month hiatus.

The Samsung Galaxy Mugs Mug 2015 tournament that has attracted interests of international players will be played at the Nairobi Polo Club(NPC) from Thursday July 23rd to Sunday July 26th.

The prestigious annual tournament has attracted 12 teams who will compete for trophies and honors in various categories ranging from the main cup Mugs Mug to Plate, Shield, Stonewig Bowl and Wooden Spoon.

Participating teams are Cruise Control, Flick Some Hoof,Cammastichie, Flat

Stick, Talent Search, Safi Gold, Griffunwiggs, Bench Warmers, Warrior Insight, Gipsy, Samurai and Murban Stallions.

The Gipsy, led by Martin Waiganjo, are confident of a good show in the tournament.

“We have been doing our practices at the Nairobi Polo Club this week and i can say we have mastered our game, the team has gelled and we are much ready for the tournament, “said handicap 2.5 Waiganjo.

POLO’S BACK: Action in the Pepsi Polo tournament at the Nairobi Polo Club.

Kenya 15’s National Coach Jerome Paarwater has a firm belief that Homeboyz and Kenya XVs eighth man Joshua Chisanga will play his trade outside the country in the very near future.

This he said at the close of the historic win over Spain on Saturday at the RFUEA Grounds where then Kenya Simbas proved to be the real Lion claiming the scalp of the Del Leons with a come from behind 36-27 win.

“I am glad to see that he (Chisanga) is 100 percent ready with that knee. He can run, he is strong and am very happy with his performance,” he said.

“I think soon he can get a call up from any high Province or any team around the World,” he added of the Homeboyz forward who was named the Most Valuable player MVP after the Spain

match.

But even despite wishing him to trade outside the country, Jerome further stated he will always want to see him in his squad adding “we will get him back to Kenya. He is a quality player.”

Chisanga featured prominently for Kenya during the Simbas participating in the 2014 Vodacom Cup as well as 2014 Africa Cup cum World Cup qualifiers held in Madagascar in June of last year.

He was to suffer a knee injury that during the qualifiers forcing him to undergo surgery to repair torn knee ligaments.

He started training later in December and after missing seven Kenya Cup games in the 2014/15 season, the man many call the ‘beast’ was back for club Homeboyz in January 2015.

Wenger questions Man United’s transfer policy Arsene Wenger has questioned Manchester United’s transfer policy, suggesting the club has sacrificed its principles in pursuit of glory.

United have spent close to £80m to lure the likes of Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin to Old Trafford, while Wenger has signed just one reinforcement so far in £10m goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The Frenchman reckons United have flexed financial muscle to the detriment of youth development and believes Louis van Gaal’s summer splurge is evidence of a club that has “no patience”.

“We want to continue to combine stronger financial resources with faith in our philosophy and policy,” Wenger said, outlining his approach to the transfer market.

“That means we want to continue to give

chances to young players and build the players from inside our club with our culture.

“Afterwards, if we can buy the exceptional players, we can compete today. But that will not be the basis of our policy.

“Most of the clubs who have been successful are clubs who have done that well. You can take Barcelona or Man United, who had a generation and built their success on players who came from within.

“These are our values and it is our DNA and it’s important we keep that.

“With United’s success they have created huge financial resources and today there is no patience for them to continue what they did.

“They have the financial resources to go with a different policy. And they do not have available players like Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham inside the club,” he said.

Its all sytems go as Motocross goes to Uganda this weekend Its all systems go as Kenya’s finest circuit rider Ivan Guya and Uganda superstar Maxime Van Pee renew their rivalry on the fifth round of the Uganda National Motocross Championship race meeting salted for Garuga racetrack in Entebbe on Sunday.

The eagerly awaited grudge race promises to be a real cracker what with renewed rivalry between two of the finest motocross riders in the region.

There has been some goodhumoured rivalry with fans from both countries bantering over who will emerge the victor in what is dubbed “Battle for Migingo”.

Guya vanquished Van Pee in their last encounter in Nairobi during the FIM Africa CAC regional event but the former skipped the last race in Kampala earlier in the year.

Guya departed to Uganda on Friday morning brimming with confidence. He is looking forward to a repeat of his Nairobi feat in Van Pee’s backyard.

Besides Guya, four other Kenyan riders Ngugi Waweru

STUFF OF CHAMPIONS: Ugandan motocross ace Maxime Van Pee in previous action.

(MX125 leader), Rolf Kihara (MX85), Dekker Kihara (MX50) and Alex Moi (MX125) are expected to put on a show against Team Uganda.

Guya, who is the reigning Kenya MX1 Champion, will alongside the rest of Team Kenya be riding in the Uganda series event as guest riders.

“I am excited to come back to Uganda, and definitely looking forward to the race. I haven’t

raced in Uganda for two years now.”

“The race will be very exciting for the fans since many people have wanted to see the battle between me and Maxime again,” he added.

Guya has however admitted that Maxime has improved his pace and will be up to the challenge.

“Van Pee is a great rider and I always enjoy racing him.

Whenever we race, we all give it our best. Am sure that is what we shall do on Sunday,” he asserted.

Maxime Van Pee told Kawowo Sports he is so prepared for the battle.

“Am prepared for the battle, Guya beat me in Kenya but now i also have the home advantage to win in Garuga on Sunday,” says Van Pee.

LAST PASS: England centre Jordan TurnerHall (below left) has retired at the age of 27 because of a hip injury.

Harlequins and former England centre Turner-Hall retires at 27 Harlequins and former England centre Jordan Turner-Hall has retired at the age of 27 because of a hip injury.

Turner-Hall, who won two international caps in 2012, came through the Quins academy and made 181 appearances.

“I’ve had so many great memories playing at Harlequins and they will live with me

forever,” he told the club’s website.

“Jordan has been a very special person and will be missed by us all,” said Quins director of rugby Conor O’Shea.

“He has played at times with no regard for himself, but always for the team.”

Turner-Hall, who played for England at every level from under-16s to under-20s,

helped Quins win the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2011 and the Premiership title in 2012.

He made only 11 appearances last season and did not feature after February.

He said: “You enjoy the buzz that you get before each game and it’s something I’ll miss hugely.”

SPORT 15

WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015

WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015 | WWW.x-NEWs.cO.KE

motocross heads to uganda this weekend

p15 Arturo Vidal has won the Serie A title in each of his four seasons at Juventus.

Bayern sign Vidal from Juventus

B

ayern Munich have agreed a deal to sign Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal and say “priceless” forward Thomas Muller will not be sold this summer.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed they have received offers for Muller, 25, who was reported to be a target for Manchester United.

He added: “There are some players who don’t have any price tag. We would be out of our minds to sell Muller.”

Vidal, 28, has agreed terms with Bayern and will have a medical this weekend.

The German champions will pay a reported £26m for the player, who is on holiday after helping Chile win the Copa America las month.

Bayern have already signed midfielder Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk, Stuttgart goalkeeper Sven Ulreich and former Stuttgart midfielder Joshua Kimmich this summer.

Long-serving midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been their highest-profile departure - the 30-year-old having joined Manchester United. Rummenigge, speaking on Bayern’s pre-season tour of China, also said no talks are planned to discuss a contract extension for coach Pep Guardiola.

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