2016010028 xnews

WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

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WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

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WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016 | WWW.X254.CO

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SENATOR FEARS FOR HIS LIFE AFTER SPAT WITH GOVERNOR MURANG’A’S KEMBI GITURA SAYS HE HAS RECEIVED DEATH THREATS FOLLOWING YESTERDAY’S HEATED EXCHANGE WITH WA IRIA AT THE SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING

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GOR MAHIA, TUSKER SPICE UP LEAGUE ENDING AS EACH CHASE TITLE

STRIKER MICHAEL OLUNGA SCORES TWICE TO HELP CLUB IN LEAGUE MATCH WIN

EACC detectives raid Afya House over Sh5bn scandal

D

EACC deputy Chief Executive Michael Mubea. He led two commissioners and detectives in storming Afya House today.

PHOTOS: COURTESY

etectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) today raided the ministry of health headquarters in Nairobi as part of their investigation into the Sh5 billion scam that has rocked Afya House.

Accompanied by two commissioners and four detectives, EACC Deputy CEO Micheal Mubea arrived at the headquarters at around 10:45am and lodged into several offices before he met Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu.

The minister and the detectives were locked in an hour-long meeting where it is believed Dr Mailu was grilled over the reported loss of billions in his ministry.

The money is suspected to have been stolen in the last financial year or paid to phony companies through manipulation of books of accounts according to a leaked audit report addressed to the Cabinet Secretary.

Mr Mubea told reporters that the commission has constituted

a committee to collect all the documents related to the scandal by end business today.

These developments came after it emerged that files of companies mentioned in the scandal have gone missing at the State Law Office.

“We have met the Cabinet Secretary and formed a joint committee mandated to collect all documents related to the alleged loss of money in the ministry by end of business today,” Mubea said.

He asserted that with huge chunks of money mentioned in the scandal, the commission would expedite investigations and issue a conclusive report in a week’s time.

“The matter is weighty noting the amounts mentioned.

Our promise to Kenyans is a conclusive report by next week,” he stated.

The raid comes a day after senior officials at the ministry declined to co-operate in shedding light on the leaked audit report as was demanded by the commission.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu

Health Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri

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NEWS

Witnesses ignore MPs as committees lack teeth WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

Chief suspect is the National Youth Service Sh791 million theft Josephine Kabura is the latest person to ignore summon to appear before a committee of Members of Parliament.

Ms Kabura has on three consecutive occasions snub the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee which is probing the NYS scandal.

Early this week, the MPs ordered police boss Joseph Boinnet to arrest her and forcefully produce her before them for questioning.

Before her, Meru Governor Peter Munya had also snubbed a similar committee summon by the senate.

Mr Munya claimed the senators had nothing serious to ask him and that the answers to the audit queries the lawmakers sought could be given by his executive for Finance.

Munya later appeared before the committee, but after snubbing them for four consecutive occasions.

But why do witnesses ignore summons by the lawmakers?

It is believed that the parliamentary committees lack prosecutorial powers, something that encourages those

summoned to skip.

And the MPs have noted it.

Mbalambala MP Abdikadir Aden said it is time the committees seek amendment of the standing orders so that they can be given powers to prosecute.

He said that they had raised the matter with the speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi sometimes back and he had no objection to it.

“We need to go back to the speaker and renew our request so that we can have prosecution powers to help us in such circumstances where we call witnesses as much as three times and they don’t turn up,” Aden said after they ordered for Ms Kabura’s arrest.

His call was supported by a majority of the members of the Public Accounts Committee.

Currently the committees have powers to summon anyone to appear before them and even compel them to produce evidence and documents required in relation to the probe but no powers to prosecute.

They can only work with relevant offices such as the Ethics and Anti-

Corruption Commission (EACC), the Inspector General, Director of Criminal Investigations to investigate further any information or allegations of corruption, economic crimes and any violation of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Chairman Public Accounts Committee in the Senate Anyang’ Nyong’o last week expressed concern that most public officers especially Governors now snub committee summons and run to courts for protections.

In the meeting with various investigating agencies Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Director of Public Prosecutions, Assets Recovery Agency and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Nyong’o asked for support in order to help the public get value for their money.

“We need to your support as far as holding public officers accountable.

Majority of them have perfected the art of rushing to court to get temporary orders baring us from grilling them on various expenditures,” Prof Nyong’o said. @ sam_x254

Businesswoman Josephine Kabura who is accused of having received the Sh791 millions stolen from NYS. She has snubbed a summon to appear before the Parl;iamentary Public Accounts Committee on three consecutive occassions.

PHOTO: Courtesy

Driver who pocketed millions from NYS scandal MPs yesterday questioned how a driver turned into an overnight millionaire at the height of the Sh791 million theft at the national Youth Service (NYS).

Members of the Public Accounts Committee were taken aback that John Kago, a suspended Kenya Commercial Bank driver, owns a multi-million shilling property in Nairobi including a fleet of high-end vehicles.

Mr Kago, however, denied owning the millions of shillings wired into his account by key NYS suspects Josephine Kabura and Ben Gethi.

The committee however confronted him with a trail of transactions totaling Sh346 million which was transacted through his account between January and April 2015.

Kago received Sh136 million from Ben Gethi and another Sh156 from Josephine Kabura, all transacted through his accounts held at KCB and Family Bank.

He however denied the charge, only acknowledging receiving Sh60 million from Kabura as ‘soft loan’ to expand his business.

He told the committee that he was to repay the money within five months at an interest

rate of 10% per month, an amount he confirmed that he repaid within a month in full and in cash.

“It is shocking that Kago was able to get Sh60 million as loan in the streets of Nairobi without any collateral. This must have been a sweet deal,” Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire said.

Asked about his relationship with Kabura and how they knew each other, Kago told the Nicholas Gumbo lead committee that they met in December 2014 when Kabura wanted to buy a property.

“I met Kabura in the nature of my business.

We met in the banking hall after somebody told me that she was lending money at an interest,” Kago told MPs. He said that he runs a cars hire and property business. He revealed that he owns a Sh23 million range rover, a 350 S class and an 8-seater land cruiser and a Toyota fielder all of which are available for hire.

The range rover registration number KBC 700Z has since been seized by the assets recovery authority, but Mr. Kago has not surrendered it given that it is in the hands of his client; a Mr Ireri Kaburu who had hired

Former Kenya Commercial Bank driver John Kago when he appeared before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee yesterday.

PHOTO: Courtesy

it at Sh40,000 per day a week before orders were issued for surrender.

“The car has not been surrendered because the police issued orders that anybody found driving it be shot on sight. I know where the car is but I am unable to reach Kaburu who hired it,” he said.

Kago was at pains to explain how he transferred the ownership of the fuel guzzler to lawyer Patrick Ogola before he was paid the purchase amount of Sh18 million.

“We entered into a sale agreement that I retain the car but transfer ownership to him until he clears the amount within 18 months. He has the logbook and I have the car,” he told the MPs. Gumbo directed Kago to immediately surrender the vehicle to Assets recovery authority by Monday and report back to the committee.

The rarieda MP questioned the rationale behind Mr Kago’s continued services as the KCB driver when his accounts holds millions of shillings.

“Are you a driver or a decoy? You own property worth millions of shillings including high end vehicles that some of the privileged Kenyans like myself don’t drive. It negates why people work,” Gumbo said.

Balambala MP Abdikadir Aden put Mr Kago on the spot over the transactions between him, Ms Kabura and Gethi.

In a series of transactions by himself, his company Good Luck Limited, Mr Abdikadir said Mr Kago had channeled a total of Sh346 million contrary to his evidence that he only received Sh60 million from Gethi’s mother Charity Wangui Gethi.

Mr Kago maintained that he has never held any transactions or known Mr Gethi and informed the committee that the said Sh346 million had been challenged in court.

“I have challenged the information that you are presenting to me in court. The money you are mentioning doesn’t reflect in my account and no evidence has been adduced to show I received the money,” he countered. @hillary_x254

EACC detectives raid Afya House over Sh5bn scandal However, the CS with his PS Dr Nicholas Muraguri had not commented on the raid by the time we went to press.

Instead, Dr mailu promised to address the press later in the afternoon.

Only yesterday, Senators asked the minister and his Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri to take responsibility for the mess and resign.

The senate Health Committee, the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee and that on Public Investment separately demanded that the CS and his PS step aside.

“The President should ask them to immediately step down, they should not even be in office from this morning,” Wajir senator Abdirahman Ali Hassan demanded.

“We can’t take matters lying down any more people must take political responsibility and step down,” he added.

The Sh5.3 billion scandal at Afya House, the largest under the Jubilee administration, may take longer to unearth after emerged that registration details of companies involved in the transactions have gone missing from the State Law Office.

Staff at the Companies Registry were yesterday unable to trace the files for Estama

Investments, registered as an EPZ company, and Life Care Medics which the audit report adversely mentioned.

The two companies were beneficiaries of cash meant for patients, expectant mothers and new-born babies.

Records of a third supplier, Medafrica, were non-existent, raising questions about its identity.

Without the files, it becomes impossible to unmask the people behind what may turn out to be the biggest scandal in Kenya’s history.

Bernard Mucheru, the ministrys internal auditor, raised the red flag after he found huge unexplained discrepancies between the manual financial records and the records in Ifmis.

“Since the two records are derived from the same transactional data and the same principles of accounts are applied in the treatment of the transactions, the balances should be the same apart from clerical errors,” the report notes.

Mr Mucheru said this raised a red flag on possible manipulation of books of accounts, raising the question of reliability and authenticity regarding the financial statements. @wilson_x254

NEWS 5 WEEKEND EDITION OCTOBER. 28-30, 2016

US Nairobi Embassy closed after shooting incident

The US Embassy in Nairobi remained closed Friday following the killing of a man who was shot after stabbing a GSU officer outside its precincts on Thursday.

A statement from the Embassy said that routine consular services have been cancelled but it will continue to serve US citizens in need of emergency services.

“The Embassy will be closed to the public on October 28. While routine consular services have been cancelled, emergency consular services for U.S. citizens continue to be available,” the statement said, adding that “No Embassy personnel were involved and no U.S. citizens are known to have been affected by this incident.”

US citizens were urged to remain vigilant at all times. “Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security,” it added.

A knife-wielding assailant attacked an armed Kenyan police officer guarding an entrance to the embassy’s visa section, yesterday afternoon. The section was closed at the time. Witnesses said the attacker had walked up to the officer, pulled out a knife and began shouting: “Why? Why? Why?” He stabbed the officer in the face, and the officer struggled to push him away. One witness said the men tumbled, with the assailant landing on top of the officer.

The GSU man who was carrying an assault rifle then jerked up his weapon and at least four shots were fired, foreign journalists who were near the scene reported. Kenyan

Kenyan police officers and their FBI counterparts stand guard near the body of a man who was shot dead by police in front of the US embassy in Gigiri, Nairobi yesterday.

The Embassy remained closed today following the shooting incident.

PHOTO: DAI KUROKAWA/ EPA.

detectives investigating the incident said they had identified the man who was killed after stabbing the GSU officer, as a 24-yearold Kenyan from Wajir. Gigiri OCPD Vitallis Otieno said investigations are ongoing to establish if he had other accomplices when he set out to attack the officer outside the heavily guarded facility in Kenya.

“We already know who he is, he has been identified as a Kenyan from Wajir, but we

‘Moral policeman’ wants social media regulated

Kenya’s moral policeman, the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) now wants content availed on social media to be regulated.

KFCB chief executive Ezekiel Mutua yesterday asked MPs to develop tight laws to regulate popular social sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instgram warning that they could plunge the country into another round of chaos if left unchecked. “The country is faced with a serious moral crisis, thanks to the technology and world globalization,” Mutua said. “Should we face another postelection violence, it will be because of incitement and spread of hate speech on social media,” he warned. Mr Mutua was speaking when the KFCB board of directors appeared before the parliamentary committee on Labour and Social Welfare where they asked for amendments to several laws that relate to film and broadcast regulation.

“The current challenges in the film industry are not the same as those the industry faced some years back.

As the regulator of content development in Kenya, we want all laws that govern the industry be harmonized to empower the board in its efforts to bring sanity to the industry,” board chairman Bishop Kosgey said. They cited inconsistency in law, inadequate personnel capacity, limited space and budgetary constraints as some of the factors that have hindered board’s work in regulating the film and broadcast industry.

Mr Kosgey said laws that supplement the work of his board like NCIC act 2008, the sexual offences Act 2006, the alcoholic Drinks control Act 2010 and other laws should be made consistent with that which established KFCB. @hillary_x254

cannot provide more details at this time because investigations are underway,” Otieno said, adding that they were also keen to know if he had accomplices.

Security has since been tightened around the US embassy and the United Nations in Gigiri following the attack as police seek to establish terrorism links on the slain man.

The wounded officer was rushed to hospital after suffering injuries to the head and hand,

but police said they had been assured that he was out of danger. The US Embassy, located opposite the main UN complex in Nairobi’s up market Gigiri, is one of the most heavily fortified buildings in East Africa. The area which is also very popular with expatriates is constantly ringed by heavily armed Kenyan police officers, mostly of the paramilitary wing, GSU. MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

Jubilee MPs fight to reinstate Cord defectors

Opposition MPs who were de-whipped from parliamentary various committees could find their way back to the teams after those in the ruling Jubilee coalition opposed their sacking citing a breach of the law.

National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale Thursday afternoon told Parliament that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has already de-whipped some of their members from various committee yet a disciplinary mechanism instituted to punish the perceived rebels has not exhausted.

While he admitted that the house standing orders give political parties liberty to de-whip errant members, he maintained that the constitution provides for fair administrative action.

“The affected members must be given a fair chance to be heard by the party before any decision is reached. This a total abuse of law and our standing orders,” Duale said.

“If this will be left to happen, the de-whipped MPs could not perform their oversight and representation duties to their constituents,” he lamented. Duale challenged the legality of ODM party’s decision on the basis that the affected members were never given a fair hearing.

Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chairman Samuel Chepkonga (Ainakmoi) has also filed a

7

Duale

Rege

Number of ODM MPs who were dewhipped

Chepkonga

Karuiki

Waluke

petition to change the Standing Orders to rescue the de-whipped members.

ODM on Tuesday this week de-whipped seven of its members from various committees.

Among those dropped by ODM from committees are Budalang’i’s Ababu Namwamba who has been axed from the Budget and Appropriations

Mwaura

Committee, the Committee on Administration and National Security and the Constitution Implementation Oversight and Committee.

Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura has been axed from the the Environment and House Procedure Committees and John Waluke (Sirisia) from the National Security and Delegated Legislation

Committee. Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi was dropped from the Lands committee while Karachuonyo’s James Rege was axed from the committees of Energy and Equal Opportunity and National Cohesion.

Steven Kariuki of Mathare was recalled from the committees of Education, Constitution Oversight and Implementation while Igembe Central’s Cyprian Kubai was removed from the Committees of Finance and Regional Integration.

The MPs are perceived to have defected from the party hence the action taken against them.

But Chepkonga said that the standing orders should be amended since they have been misused by political parties to punish errand members.

His petition seeks to take away the powers of political parties to remove their members from committees.

Speaker Justin Muturi is expected to give a ruling on the constitutionality of removing members from committees following a request from Duale.

Muturi will in two weeks’ time direct whether the house standing orders which give political parties authority to de-whip members are in contravention of the constitution which provides for fair hearing before a member is disciplined. @hillary_x254

MPs panel throws out petition seeking to reduce number of elected leaders

Senator fears for his life after spat with Governor

Murang’a senator Kembi Gitura (pictured above) has expressed fears over his life following a stormy session yesterday at the senate Public Accounts Committee with Governor Mwangi Wa Iria.

Gitura told journalists at his office that he has received information from the parliamentary security team that the Governors’ team has threatened to kill him if he steps in the County.

“I have received information from parliament security team that the Governor and his goons have said that if I set foot in Murang’a any day then there will be bloodshed,” Gitura said.

Gitura said he is not taking the threat over his life lightly but said no amount of threats will deter him from carrying out his duty as a senator.

“I’m not afraid of death and nothing will cow me from doing my duty. In this era no one should use death threats to deter a member of parliament from doing his duty,” Gitura said.

The former ambassador who is also the senate deputy speaker and Governor Wa Iria were involved in a heated verbal exchange at the senate Public Accounts Committee hearing yesterday over the purchase of 34 acres of land valued at Sh34 million by the County Government. The committee turned chaotic after the political differences of the two leaders took centre stage with the two leaders almost exchanging blows after they differed on the audit query.

Committee chairman Prof Anyang Nyong’o was forced to adjourn the hearings as the governor was thrown out. @sam_x254

devolution and separation of powers,” reads part of the report. …On the proposal to amend Article 152(3) of the Constitution to provide for the appointment of Cabinet Secretaries from among the Members of Parliament, the Committee observed that as it is currently, the Constitution does not prohibit or bar the appointment of Cabinet Secretaries from among Members of Parliament. However, upon being appointed as a Cabinet Secretary, one is required to relinquish his or her position as a Member of Parliament. “The proposal undermines the principle of separation of powers, checks and balances and accountability between the Executive and Legislature which is enshrined in the Constitution,” committee chairman Njoroge Baiya said when he presented the report of the committee to the House yesterday.

In regard to the proposal to amend Article 97(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution to reduce the number of constituencies 290 to 210 and abolish the position of the 47 women representatives, the committee observed that the 290 number of constituencies was arrived at after extensive negotiations and that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is mandated under Article 88(4) (c) and 89 of the Constitution to undertake delimitation of constituencies boundaries at intervals of not less than eight years but not more than 12 years.

“We observed that there is no demonstrated justification that the cost of representation overrides the need for constitutional representation,” Baiya Mr Njoroge Baiya who chairs the National Assembly’s committee on Constitutional said.

Implementation and Oversight.

MPs have thrown out a petition that sought to have the number of elected leaders reduced among other changes in the constitution. The National Assembly’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) has thrown out a petition presented by Rage Ismael Hussein, a resident of Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County who wanted the house to introduce a Bill to amend various provisions of the Constitution.

In the petition, Hussein proposed that the salaries of the elective positions be revised downwards to reduce the huge wage bill.

The petitioner also wanted the position of a governor abolished and counties be led by county commissioners.

He also wanted article 152(3) of the Constitution be amended to provide for the appointment of Cabinet Secretaries from persons serving as Members of Parliament.

The petitioner also proposed that

article 97(1) (a) and (b) of the Constitution amended to reduce the number of constituencies from 290 to 210 and abolish the position of 47 women representatives.

According to the petitioner, article 27(8) of the Constitution should also be amended to provide that the two-thirds gender rule applies to appointive and not elective positions. However the implementation committee in its report presented to Parliament yesterday pointed out that it is the responsibility of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to set and regularly review the remuneration and benefits of all State Officers and that Salaries and Remuneration Commission is an independent Commission and therefore the proposal does not call for amendment of the Constitution.

“Regarding the proposal for abolition of the position of a governor and the proposal that counties be instead led by county commissioners, the Committee observed that the proposal is constitutionally untenable as it violates key constitutional principles regarding

@sam_x254

NEWS 7 WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

NEWS 9 WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

WEEKEnD EDITIOn, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016 | WWW.x254.CO

BUSINESS

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

Sovereign debt crisis to thwart vision 2030 agenda - SG Kituyi Kenya and her global countrtparts need a new mechanism to deal with sovereign debt, which represents a growing danger to the economic stability of many developing countries, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has said. The UN body has warned that these crises will thwart the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Speaking ahead of a UN meeting on sovereign debt restructuring, UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi said developing countries, especially from Africa, have been stacking up debt, even as their ability to repay these arrears is shrinking.

“Falling commodity prices, a rising dollar and the prospect of higher interest payments mean these debts may be harder than ever to repay,” said Dr. Kituyi.

He added that previous debt crises have seen the emergence of highly speculative funds run by non-cooperative or holdout bondholders, including so-called vulture funds, which aggressively pursue debt repayments, making them more expensive and possibly disruptive.

“Sovereign nations do not have the protection of bankruptcy laws to restructure or delay their debt repayments in the same way that private debtors can,” he said.

“But while creditors cannot easily seize non-commercial public assets, sovereign debt faults bring major problems in terms of reputation and access to further loans,” he added.

Since 2000, hedge funds have been the

UNCTAD Secretary-General, Mukhisa Kituyi speaks during a past press conference at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. main plaintiff in 75 per cent of all litigation cases against sovereign debtors.

New research set to be published in November 2016 dubbed ‘Assessing Recent Determinants of Borrowing Costs in Sub-Saharan Africa’, shows that the latest round of borrowing goes back to 2006 when the Seychelles issued a sovereign bond, the first sub-Saharan African country with the exception of South Africa to do so in 30 years.

In the decade since then, Kenya, Angola,

the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia have accumulated more than $25 billion (Sh2.54 trillion) worth of bonds, with a principal amount of more than $35 billion (Sh3.55 trillion).

Many African countries are now facing repayment difficulties, the researchers, Aleksandr V. Gevorkyan and Ingrid Harvold Kvangraven, said.

Ghana, for instance, is in a difficult, yet

KRA seizes more luxury vehicles as body intensifies crackdown on tax evasion The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is investigating five cars among them, 3 Range Rovers, One Toyota Landcruiser Prado V8 and a Subaru for tax evasion.

The vehicles, held at Nairobi County Police Headquarters, were impounded by flying squad on Wednesday while on routine patrol.

They were seized along Mombasa Road following a tip off.

The five vehicles are part of some 300 vehicles profiled earlier in the year owing to non-payment of taxes and improper registration procedures.

The motor vehicles with irregularities are; KAY939L – Land Rover Sport, KCH956T –Range Rover Vogue, KCG899V - Range Rover Vogue, KCB786J- Toyota Landcruiser Prado V8 and KCE219D – Subaru Forester.

Early this month, the Authority intercepted a container with two Range Rovers that had been wrongly

declared at the Port of Mombasa following intelligence from the United Kingdom. The vehicles were declared as bicycles but scanned images, including those from the intelligence source, contradicted the declaration.

The Kenya Revenue Authority has in the recent past, publicly listed 124 vehicles comprising of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and related luxury vehicles, with outstanding tax issues.

The vehicles have been under investigation for tax evasion and other fraudulent schemes. Some were initially declared as transit cargo but later dumped in the country.

“The Kenya Revenue Authority has tightened the noose against masterminds of the syndicate that evades tax by mis-declaring and under-declaring goods,” KRA said in a statement. @ Dennis_x254

unfortunately common, position as it depends on commodity exports such as gold, oil and cocoa, they said.

In September 2015, following work done

by UNCTAD, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution saying that sovereign debt restructuring processes should be guided by basic international principles of law, such as sovereignty, good faith, transparency, legitimacy, equitable treatment and sustainability. @enock _x254

MEAN 101.3828 123.8636 110.5628 7.2753 34.1282 21.5225

BUY SELL 101.2856 101.4800 123.7272 124.0000 110.4444 110.6811 7.2660 7.2846 34.0461 34.2102 21.4525 21.5924

Kenya Airways in move to secure fresh bailout funds from shareholders Kenya Airways (KQ), the country’s flagship carrier, is seeking a bailout deal from its shareholders in a bid to sustain its business.

The flyer intends to renegotiate for new funds as part of a drive to return the airline to its once-profitable status.

KQ Managing Director Mbuvi Ngunze says the move is also intended to reduce the overall debt structure to a sustainable level.

“This is what is occupying my team, our advisors and business partners that we work with we will give an update when we are ready,” he stated.

The firm has been going through financial turbulence and has since sold a five acre piece of land and some aircrafts. In the half year ended September 30, 2016 the airline received one off cash injection of Sh1.7 billion from sale of assets and a bridge loan of Sh9.8 billion from Government of Kenya.

In the period under review, the airline’s cost of borrowing went up to Sh3.8 billion.The African Export – Import (Afrexim) Bank last year agreed to lend the airline Sh20 billion as a bridging loan to ease its cash – flow constrains and has already received about Sh10 billion. The government also bailed out the airline with Sh20 billion in March 2016 to help the firm through its financial crisis.

The airline posted Sh4.7 billion loss in half year ended September 30, 2016 on Thursday. This is a 60 per cent loss reduction from the Sh11.9billion posted during the same period last year. The improvement was attributed to growth in cabin factor by 3.3 per cent during the period, with an increase of passenger numbers by 89,000 to 2.2 million and lower operating costs made possible by fleet rationalization.

Over 100 RMS employees to lose their jobs as media house embarks on retrenchment drive At least 100 Royal Media Service (RMS) employees are set to lose their jobs in an ongoing retrenchment drive, a move the company says is aimed at cutting costs given the sector’s less than stellar business environment.

A source from the newsroom who sought anonymity confirmed that the process, which started yesterday, cuts across all departments, beginning with cleaners in an upward trend to the newsroom.

RMS Group Managing Director Wachira Waruru said the firm has for the last two years, witnessed various developments within the broadcasting industry, which have adversely affected the entire business.

“As a result, the company was left with no choice but to reorganise its operations including rationalization of various departments,” said Wachira.

“Unfortunately and regrettably, the action will result in reduction of our work force

through job redundancies,” he added.

He said the process will be done in accordance to the law and the media house will help the affected employees cope with the transition process.

“The exercise will be undertaken within the provision of law and the company will provide those affected with necessary support to ensure they manage the transition as the management realizes that the exercise will be difficult for the affected members of staff and their families,” he explained.

Sources confirm that it is not only lower tier employees that will face the cut. Top tier executives in the company are also expected to be released as RMS seeks to reduce the wage bill. RMS is owned

by S.K. Macharia. The media house has taken the airwaves by storm thanks to its numerous outlets and is one of the most established media houses in the country. @ enock_x254

NEWS 11 WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

ACCESS I JUST WRITE WHAT I FEEL. IF I’M IN A SAD OR NEGATIVE MOOD ON A PARTICULAR DAY THEN I’LL WRITE A SAD SONG Ethiopian singer/songwriter Betty G was recently in town for her debut performance on Coke Studio. Teamed up with Cameroonian legends X-Maleya, she tells XACCESS about the collaboration and the heart of the message behind her music.

B tty G HOT TOPICS

How has the process been like?

I’m learning so so much. I thought I was an alright artiste before I started this process but I am now realising that I have a long way to go and that I have a lot to learn.

But it’s been beautiful.

Did you have any perceptions of Coke Studio before becoming a part of the show?

I had talked to a couple of artistes who had been a part of the process before and they told me it would be so much work, that I would be working with deadlines, that it’s hectic and it has been!

But it’s also been one of the best experiences I’ve ever gone through.

Considering your different sounds, how have you and X-Maleya fused your music?

X-Maleya have a very rich melody, it is so beautiful to hear them sing. I can say that the only challenging part

would be finding a sound that best represents the both of us as artistes. The scale of Coke Studio is so big, it’s an international show and at the end of the day you don’t want to create something you don’t fully believe in.

The journey of getting there has been a great one though.

Where do you draw inspiration from while crafting music?

I just write what I feel. If I’m in a sad or negative mood on a particular day then I’ll write a sad song, if I’m in a great mood then I’ll write a happy song. My process is pretty simple!

Your heritage features a lot in your music, is that something that will come out in the collaboration?

I am very proud of where I come from and Ethiopian music but although my videos do have a lot of traditional aspects of Ethiopian culture in them I do a lot of other things too. I do Afro pop and the like so a bit of my culture might be incorporated into the product but definitely so will X-Maleya’s culture and their sound too. So it’ll sort of be half and half.

The theme of this season’s show has been ‘Discover’ how has that featured in the music?

I am discovering everything! For me especially as an Ethiopian artiste I feel like we are a little closed off from the world and this is an opportunity to show our sound to the rest of the world. So I’m

discovering X-Maleya’s sound, I’m discovering Cameroonian music and working with Chopstix is helping me discover Nigerian music.

You have been known to collaborate with some big Ethiopian artistes such as Teddy Afro and Jhonny Raga, what do you usually look for in an artiste in order to partner up with them?

For the big artistes that I’ve worked with I can say I was very fortunate to get a chance to create something with them. A big artiste coming along and saying ‘I like your music’ is so validating that the only thing I can say is that it was an honour.

Would you say you are a feminist?

Yes, why wouldn’t I be one? Considering the environment and the cultures that surround us as African women I always try and at least show women in an independent and positive light. Being the first female Ethiopian musician to come on Coke Studio is a great honour to me. I’m also the ambassador for Studio Samuel, which is an organisation that helps girls learn how to be independent, teaches them life skills and creates jobs for them. So yes I could say I am! @christine_x254

@christine_x254

launched in Kenya

F

OX Life which is a constituent channel belonging to the larger FOX TV family was yesterday launched at the Caramel Restaurant and Lounge in Westlands. Its basic programming includes numerous television series, sitcoms and movies, among others, which includes some original programming in certain regions. The channel, which will begin broadcast on 3rd October will focus on promoting local talent and content by offering program options catered to the Kenyan audience. The station will aim to build local personalities and be competitive in the local market. Some of the shows that will be aired on FOX Life include Pitch, Atlanta, Cuppy Takes Africa! Telenovelas, Lira: Dreamchaser and local drama Wrath. Speaking at the event Fox International Channels Africa marketing executive Khosi Khanyile said, “The Kenyan audience will be seeing more local talent on their screens with this channel.”

and billionaire boyfriend break up

M

ariah Carey and fiancé James Packer have reportedly not been in communication for over a month according to TMZ. After an incident took place involving Packer and one of Carey’s assistants while the couple was on vacation in Greece, the singer allegedly left her partner and returned to LA. Reports indicate that Carey developed a close relationship with one of her backup dancers, now identified as Brian Tanaka. Apparently Packer’s behavior played a major part in the split. An insider told E News that, “James is not in a mentally healthy place right now and he has not been present for her. Unfortunately, his absence and behavior was not a good situation for her, so she had to leave him.” The singer’s camp recently released a statement indicating they the pair might be trying to settle their differences, “They are trying to work it out but right now they are not sure if they will stay together. They are discussing it and plan to release a statement about their future.”

13

ACCESS

WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

CLOSET RAID

HILLARY CLINTON will always be remembered for her colourful pantsuits.

JACQUELINE KENNEDY conquered the 60s with her bold fashion taste.

MICHELE OBAMA has made a mark with her millennial fashion taste.

PAT NIXON was the First Lady of fashion in the 70s.

NANCY REAGAN brought color to the 80s with her simple yet bold tastes.

@cmercy_x254

looks

Last week, Michelle Obama stunned in Atelier Versace for her last State Dinner in the White House. In celebration of the unforgettable style moment, today we take you right into the White House, looking back at the best-dressed First Ladies ever in the modern history of the US.

TOP

RANK LUV

HOP P I H RNB D AN GS N O S

TITLE

ARTISTE

1 2

Starboy Broccoli

The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Juju On That Beat

Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall Tory Lanez Young M.A Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla Rihanna Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Ty Dolla $ign Amine

Luv OOOUUU Black Beatles One Dance Needed Me Sucker For Pain Caroline

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SPORT

Gor, Tusker spice up league ending WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

Gor Mahia striker Meddie Kagere is optimistic the club will retain their premier league title even though they lie four points behind leaders Tusker FC with just three matches to go.

K’Ogaloh were able to cut the lead over the weekend when they beat arch rivals AFC Leopards 2-0 at Nyayo National Stadium while Tusker stumbled with a draw against relegation candidates Nairobi City Stars. tables against the brewers and topple them to the league crown. believes their remaining three games are crucial and can help them to an unprecedented fourth consecutive title. with Western Stima last Wednesday. We needed something special coming to the derby,” said the Rwandese.

Gor face Mathare United on Sunday at the

Sugar at the Awendo Green Stadium.

K’Ogaloh will next travel to Kisumu to meet hosts Muhoroni Youth on Saturday next weekend before Tusker square it out with AFC Leopards at the Afraha Stadium in nakuru in a match that could as well end the battle, that is if Tusker can claim maximum points against Sony tomorrow.

“We have to focus on the next two matches which will determine the kind of tempo we will carry

stated. tie between the two chasing sides at the Kasarani “We have to keep going and hoping to do our part.

If favors come from other teams then that will be a big plus to us,” noted Kagere.

Coach Marcelo Ferreira knows his team’s fate are no longer in their hands but has chosen to focus on winning his remaining matches.

“By the end of next weekend it will be clear end of the season or not,” he said.

“I know that Tusker drew their last game and yes, I followed their performance every week, but I don’t want to be preoccupied with whether they win or lose their other matches. My mind will fully be on Gor and our upcoming matches,” added the Brazilian tactician.

“What is most important to me right now is to ensure that the team performs well in the remaining games and that means collecting maximum points,” he said. number at Tusker FC Paul Nkata made the bold declaration that he will guide his team to the 2016 SportPesa Premier League title to achieve an enviable double this season.

Nkata told the league’s website that everything is working out well for the brewers, and that he

PHOTO: WAMBUGU MAINA

league title.

Shield. We are now in a good position to win the league title and that is where all my focus now lies,” Nkata said as the brewers look to recapture

the Kenyan championship they last won in 2012.

He added: “I am not saying that it will be easy. It especially from Gor Mahia. I am, however, very end of the season,” declared the Ugandan.

@amos_x254

PREMIER LEAGUE

bclb:806

SPORT 15

Olunga scores twice in club league match win WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 28-30, 2016

Alex Ferguson: Liverpool are serious title contenders Liverpool are serious Premier League title contenders this season, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Reds are third in the table, level on points with leaders Manchester City.

Ex-Manchester United boss Ferguson told German magazine Kicker Jurgen Klopp had “revived Liverpool’s enthusiasm” since taking over as manager in October 2015.

He said: “For two decades, Liverpool changed managers without building their own identity. You can now sense you truly have to count them in this year.”

In Klopp’s first season, Liverpool finished eighth in the league, lost the League Cup final to Manchester City on penalties and were beaten by

Sevilla in the Europa League final.

In their nine league matches in 201617 they have already played four of the current top seven - Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United - as well as defending champions Leicester.

Their next seven league matches are all against sides outside of the top seven - starting with a trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday tomorrow.

“You can see Klopp’s dedication on the sideline. I’m convinced his work in training is similar. He’s a strong personality. That’s absolutely vital at a big club,” Ferguson added.

Back in December, Ferguson claimed that he was worried that the German would take Liverpool over United.

Kenyan international Michael Olunga struck twice in either half to gift his club Djurgårdens IF with a win against Helsingborg in the Swedish top flight division.

It took the striker just an hour to register his name on the scoresheet. Olunga who was paired with Zimbabwean Tino Kadewere in attack applied a cool finish to a pass from his partner who had robbed their opponents of possession before setting him up.

And it came as a relief for the team who had seen an effort from Olunga miss target in the fifth minute before an assist to Alexander Faltsetas also came off the cross bar 20 minutes later.

With just two points keeping them above the relegation zone, the hosts came back from the break with renewed energy which paid off in the 66th minute when defender Peter Larsson scored from a corner.

But Olunga had other ideas.

The former Gor Mahia striker restored his team’s lead almost instantly when he nodded home a cross from Kebba Cessay on the right.

The brace lifts his season tally to ten goals so far.

The win also helped Djurgardens end

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Michael Olunga celebrates with teammate Toni Kadewere after scoring for Djurgardens IF against Helsingborg in the Swedish league last evening. PHOTO: COURTESY

a recent bad spell of four win-less matches.

But coach Mark Dempsey will be concerned ahead of their next match against Kacken on Monday with Olunga suspended for the home game

after being booked in yesterday’s fixture.

The Kenyan tried to delay the game with their hosts chasing for an equalizer and was duly booked by the referee. @peter_x254