201601012 xnews

TUESday, JaNUaRy 12 , 2016 | www.x254.co

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Barcelona ace messi wins record fifth Ballon d’or

He beats closest cHallenger ronaldo to tHe most coveted individual football award to bag tHe gong at last evening’s gala in zuricH, switzerland

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new signing jacob keli promises to score lots of goals for gor mahia

van gaal admits united’s style of play is ‘sometimes’ boring

Jubilee in plans to extend term of IEBC T

IEBC Chairman Isaac Hassan (centre), his vice Lillian-Mahiri Zaja and Commissioner Yusuf Nzibo. The Jubilee Alliance is planning to extend the term of the current commissioners by at least six months to enable them conduct next year’s polls and the subsequent petitions.

he ruling Jubilee coalition is considering an extension to the tenure of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) bosses by between three and six months in what proponents of the move say will avoid an ‘oversight vacuum’ in case next year’s presidential elections go into a run-off.

The term of current IEBC commissioners ends on November 9, 2017 barely three months after the general elections scheduled for August 8, the same year.

That means there will be no commissioners in office in time for a run-off of the top two presidential candidates in case of a dispute and the Supreme Court rules in favour of a run-off.

Although the commissioners will still have enough time to oversee a run-off if the top two contenders both fail to get the constitutionally required 50 plus one percent of the total votes to be declared an outright winner, proponents argue that a dispute which ends in the Supreme Court may drag the dates to well beyond the November 9, expiry date for the tenure of the current commissioners.

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Teachers seek to have TSC compelled to remit dues Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) wants Labour Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie to intervene and help resolve its tussle with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over non-remittance of teachers’ union dues.

Through their lawyer Paul

Muite, the giant teachers’ union wants Kandie to appoint a conciliator in the matter saying the non-remittance of union dues has affected operations in its 110 branches.

“This letter is a formal request

by Knut that you instruct TSC to immediately remit

the deduction for the months of October, November and December 2015 and henceforth effect future deduction sand remission without any delay.

Alternatively, please immediately appoint a conciliator on these issues of union dues,” he stated in the

letter to the CS.“I am instructed to reiterate that Knut would wish to see this and other issues in dispute resolved amicably but will not hesitate to initiate all lawful means to secure the interests of the teachers including but not limited to appropriate court proceedings.”

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NEWS TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Jubilee mulls extension to tenure of election bosses

Teachers now want TSC compelled to remit dues

From Page 1

A run-off should take place 60 days after the announcement of official results. But a dispute may take another one month to resolve.

As such, Jubilee lawmakers are said to be crafting a proposal that will see the term of the commissioners extended by at least six months.

And they have vowed to use their numerical strength in parliament to push the extension quest through.

The move is expected to provoke a fierce reaction from the opposition which has consistently demanded that the current commissioners of the national electoral body be sent home, claiming they bungled the March 2013 presidential elections in which Jubilee’s Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner after beating CORD’s Raila Odinga.

Speaking in Garissa, National Assembly Leader of Majority Aden Duale said that the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee which is chaired

by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga is working on a bill seeking to extend the commission’s term in office to enable it address the contentious election calendar issues of a possible run-off or repeat of the General Election.

He added that the extension of term would top the government agenda so as to ensure the commission completes the electoral process smoothly.

“This extension will give IEBC ample time to take the country through the electoral process in case of a re-run or petition in the presidential poll”, said Duale.

His declaration comes barely a week, after the office of the Ombudsman advised IEBC to start packing up to

SAFE JOURNEY: National Assembly majority Leader Aden Duale and his senate counterpart Kithure Kindiki speak to Deputy President William Ruto at the JKIA yesterday shortly before the DP departed for The Hague, Netherlands.

Duale has said Jubilee is considering to extend the term of IEBC commissioners by at least six months.

allow a new body to conduct the 2017 elections.

In its advice, the Ombudsman recommended to the commission that the expiry of its term conflicts with the election cycle may plunge the country into a constitutional crisis.

The Ombudsman which is also the public complains body stated various timelines related to a contested Presidential poll, including a possible run-off that would take the election cycle to December 2, 2017.

Already, the opposition has scaled up its attacks on the electoral body. Yesterday, MPs allied to cord sensationally claimed that IEBC intends to involve the National Intelligence Services (NIS) in the

voter registration set to begin next month.

The opposition alleged that NIS officers were being trained in batches of 100, “to be used to recruit” presiding officers, returning officers and registration clerks. Further amplifying cord’s claims that the state is planning to rig elections.

They advised IEBC to shelve its plans of conducting voter registration citing that they were ill-prepared.

“IEBC has done nothing to procure kits to cover all polling stations in the country and is still stuck with just 15,000 BVR kits, whose status nobody knows. The commission is not ready even for the voter registration,” said Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu who read

a statement.

The opposition coalition since losing the 2013 general election have levelled attacks on IEBC calling for its disbandment and formation of a new team.

However, Duale has differed with opposition claims to have IEBC disband saying that the constitution had provided a very clear road map in how IEBC will be disband and reconstituted.

“If we want to replace IEBC, the road map to doing so and recruiting new commissioners is in article 88 of the constitution. Those calling for its disbandment are doing so from an ignorant point of view”, he said. hillary_x254

From Page 1 He claimed that the objective of denying Knut funds is aimed at paralysis its operations and rendering it unable to fight for the welfare of teachers.

“KNUT has not doubts at all that the complaints by the few teachers who may have complained and the subsequent ‘validation exercise’ extending to all Knut membership is but an excuse, not a reason. It is not a coincidence that this failure to effect and remit union dues comes hot on the heels of an acrimonious dispute over basic salaries. Significantly, the GoK took a public position on the issues to which TSC is co-towing despite its constitutional independence,” Muite argued.

Knut further complained that the commission is yet to hand over the details of teachers it claims had objected to deduction and remittance of union dues claiming they are not members. Muite claimed this has made it to validate the complaints, adding it was unreasonable for TSC to continue withholding deductions for over 20,000 teachers who voluntarily signed for the check off system for the union dues.

The teachers’ union declared that it will not be able to comply with the CS’s directive that it holds elections because it does not have funds to handle the logistics countrywide.

“Your ministry has directed Knut to hold elections. You must be aware that without the union dues, it will be logistically challenging for Knut to conduct the elections. As a minimum, I am instructed to request that you instruct TSC to release Knut’s register of members since it is only on the basis of the members register that credible elections can be held,” Muite said.

MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

Wetang’ula defends himself before IEBC hearing team Cord co-principal and Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula’s legal team has this morning put up a spirited fight in a bid to save him from being struck off the voter’s register.

The lawyers argued that the only legal way to bar a voter from being included in the elections register is by first being disqualified to vie.

Led by senior counsel James Orengo, the legal team said the Supreme Court did not disqualify Moses Wetang’ula from vying in 2013 Bungoma Senate seat by-election thus IEBC cannot bar the Senator from participating in the next election.

“The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal did not make a decision over Wetang’ula’s fate. A Committee cannot make a key

decision after the two biggest courts in the land failed to. It will be overstretching of mandate,” said Orengo.

He reiterated that decision of the elections’ panel will not hold as the ruling by courts that Wetang’ula had bribed voters in the 2013 election had already being decided by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko.

“He has not been convicted of an election offence hence he cannot be barred. You can commit an offence, but you have not been convicted of that offence,” Orengo argued.

The DPP in his investigation did not find sufficient evidence to prosecute the senator.

The Thomas Letangule-led team is hearing defence submission before announcing its ruling by January 20. hillary_x254

Senator Wetangula’s lawyer James Orengo make submissions before IEBC committee at the Mlimani Law Court today. Wetangula has defended himself against being struck off the voter register

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Uhuru faulted for snubbing Joho in Mombasa

Political analysts Adams Oloo has faulted President Uhuru Kenyatta for snubbing Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho in most of his functions during his tour in the Coastal County.

According to Oloo, the President’s handlers should have reached out to the Governor despite the political differences that might exist.

“The President is a symbol of national unity despite Joho coming from the Opposition, he should have reached out to him on this occasion,” Oloo said this morning.

Oloo said all the political differences between Jubilee and the Opposition (Cord) should have been shelved for the sake of national unity.

“What is it that Joho did that was so wrong that made the organisers of the tour to sideline him for the better part of the Presidential tour in the Coast region? he posed. Joho last week openly complained to the President for snubbing him though he had invited governors from the region.

School heads have until Friday to submit courses Secondary school principals have four days to submit diploma and degree course choices for last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education candidates. The applications to the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service are submitted online, but the principals are required to download, print and sign completed application documents containing the candidates’ choices and other details. These must be delivered to the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service offices by Friday, January 15, 2016. The online application only accessible to school principals through the portal schools.kuccps.net is the first stage of the selection of students to join universities and colleges under government sponsorship. The second stage which entails revision of course choices begins in April after the release of results.

tuESday, JaNuaRy 12, 2016

Commission raises alarm over rise in gender based violence The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has raised a red flag on what it has termed as ‘systematic’ increase of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.

The commission has warned that perpetrators continue to wreak havoc on innocent victims and if not checked the trend will have far-reaching implications. In a statement sent to newsrooms, NGEC chairperson Winnie Lichuma said gender-based violence survivors are at high risk of severe and long-lasting health problems, which could be physical or psychological in nature.

“Time has come when all duty bearers need to be proactive in preventing and responding to the vice through reliable public services and rights awareness,” said Lichuma.

“Society must also play its role by taking a firm stand against all forms of gender violence and ensuring such cases are reported to the law enforcement agencies immediately they occur for appropriate action.” She said the alleged transgressions not only amount to “domestic violence” but

STABBED: Doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital attend to Fatuma Ibrahim who was stabbed on the cheeck by her husband in Wajir. The Gender commission is now raising concerns over the rise in such violence.

also constitute several offences under the Protection against Domestic Violence (PADV) Act, 2015 including “wounding” “causing grievous harm” or even “attempted murder” with a penalty of up to life imprisonment. Lichuma was responding to a domestic attack on 32-year-old Fatuma Ibrahim, who was airlifted on Thursday from Wajir County to Nairobi for specialised treatment af-

Bishop asks for further discussions on new regulations Presiding Bishop of Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) David Oginde has called on the Attorney General to give churches more time to deliberate on new regulations governing the operation of the church.

He said they are not opposed to the regulations, but wondered why the AG did not consult them to discuss the final draft of the regulations.

“We have never had any substantive consultation with the Attorney General and we are wondering, why the rush, why the AG publish the new regulations without calling us to see the final draft,” he said.

Oginde, however admitted that indeed there are some ‘rogue elements’ within the ministry that must be tamed, but not all churches should be punished.

“It is true there are some rogue elements among us, but the government should go for individuals instead of condemning all of us,” said the Bishop.

Oginde said their position should, however not be interpreted to mean they are opposing the government, but it must be done fairly.

He said most churches file their returns annually and their accounts are audited.

He said in the ministry of the gospel, education is not important as it’s a calling.

Yesterday local evangelical churches came out strongly to oppose the new regulations, vowing to fight them until they are consulted.

Bishop Mark Kariuki on behalf of the evangelists said they would use whatever means to ensure the government does not gazette regulations which they described as an attack on the church. Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday, assured the Christian community that the new regulations set to govern how churches conduct their activities are meant to weed out fake preachers and conmen and would in no way muzzle their freedom to preach the gospel or infringe on the right of true men and women of God to attend to their calling. @Sam_x254

ter her husband lodged a knife at Fatuma’s cheeks. Doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) last week successfully managed to remove the knife that had lodged in her cheeks.

Lichuma urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to commence urgent investigations on the matter and prefer appropriate charges against the perpetrator for justice to prevail.

The Gender Commission chair also

said under the PADV Act, the victim Fatuma Ibrahim required protection from the husband as well as compensation. “We therefore advise her to seek protection orders as soon as she recuperates as well as consider filing a claim for compensation against the husband for the injuries sustained as a result of the attack,” she said. @hillary_x254

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NEWS TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

UN in evacuation call to rescue 400 starving in besieged Syria town Some 400 people in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya need to be urgently evacuated for medical treatment, says UN humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien.

After briefing the UN Security Council on the crisis in the rebel-held town near Damascus, he warned that those people could die.

Earlier, an aid convoy brought food to 40,000 town residents who have been under government siege for six months.

The UN says it has received credible reports of people dying of starvation.

Simultaneously, aid lorries entered two towns besieged by rebel forces in the northern province of Idlib under a deal between the warring parties.

The situation in Foah and Kefraya is also said to be extremely dire, with an estimated 20,000 people trapped there since March.

The arrival of the aid was delayed until both sets of lorries were ready to enter the towns.

Mr O’Brien was speaking at the UN headquarters in New York after the Security Council held an urgent meeting to discuss the crisis.

“I’ve just been told by the humanitarian coordinator, Yacoub El Hillo, that whilst he was at the hospital in Madaya he saw that there were around 400 people who must be evacuated immediately.

“We must seek to do this and put the arrangements in place as soon as possible for

medical treatment. Or they are in grave peril of losing their lives and dying with either the causes being from malnutrition or for complications for other medical reasons,” Mr O’Brien said.

A few town residents were given permission to leave and could be seen with belongings awaiting evacuation.

In total, some 44 lorries operated by the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Syrian Red Crescent and the World Food Programme (WFP) reached Madaya from Damascus on Monday.

The convoy brought in food and medicines, as well as blankets, shelter materials and soap.

The distribution of supplies was expected to continue through the night.

Pawel Krzysiek, who is with the ICRC in Madaya, said after arriving: “The people... were coming every five minutes asking, ‘Listen, did you bring food, did you bring medicine?’

“Some are smiling and waving at us but many are just simply too weak, with a very bleak expression, too tired.”

Mr El Hillo told the BBC that UN staff saw starving children in the town.

One resident, Hiba Abdel Rahman, 17, told the AFP: “For 15 days we have been eating only soup. “I saw a young man killing cats and presenting the meat to members of his family as rabbit. Some people went through garbage bins, others ate grass. We sought food from the

fighters but they refused to give it to us.”

Madaya, which is about 25km (15 miles) north-west of Damascus and 11km from the border with Lebanon, been besieged since early July by government forces and their allies in Lebanon’s Shia Islamist Hezbollah

Buhari ally returns ‘stolen money’ Lawal Jafaru Isa who is a senior member of the governing All Progressive Congress and a close ally of President Mohamed Buhari was arrested last week over corruption in the national security docket. He has agreed to return some Sh50 million he allegedly received from the national security adviser.

A close associate of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has returned $500,000 (about Sh50 million) he allegedly received from the embattled former national security adviser Sambo Dasuki, the Daily Trust newspaper reports.

Lawal Jafaru Isa, a leading member of the governing All Progressive Congress, was arrested last week as part of an ongoing investigation into $2bn, meant to buy military equipment to fight militant Islamist group Boko Haram, that had allegedly gone missing during the rule

of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr Isa was the first ally of Mr Buhari to be arrested over alleged corruption.

He was accused of receiving $850,000 from Mr Dasuki.

Local media reports say he has been released after promising to return the remaining $350,000 he allegedly received.

Mr Isa has said he was given the money to buy a house for Mr Dasuki, and was unaware that the money had come from government coffers.

Mr Dasuki has not commented on the allegation concerning Mr Isa, but has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Dasuki, a close ally of the expresident, is standing trial for allegedly diverting $68m of government money.He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Several leading opposition politicians are facing trial over the the alleged fraud. Some 17,000 people have been killed in north-eastern Nigeria during Boko Haram’s six-year insurgency to create an Islamic state.

IN DIRE NEED: Trucks carrying relief movement.

food was allowed to enter the besieged town of Madaya following a deal struck between the warring parties. UN says about 400 people need urgent evacuation for medical treatment.

Pistorius seeks to appeal murder conviction The South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is to seek an appeal against his conviction for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius killed Ms Steenkamp in February 2013 after firing four times through a locked toilet door.

A manslaughter verdict was overturned last month and a murder verdict introduced in its place.

The athlete’s defence has lodged papers at the Constitutional Court, urging a review of his murder conviction. He is currently under house arrest after spending one year of his original five-year sentence in jail. South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in December that the lower court had not applied correctly the rule of dolus eventualis - whether Pistorius knew that a death would be a likely result of his actions.

Last month, Justice Eric Leach said that having armed himself with a high-calibre weapon, Pistorius must have foreseen that whoever was behind the door might die, especially given his firearms training.

Pistorius has always maintained he believed he was shooting at an intruder. His lawyers say the appeals court made fundamental errors, claiming in appeal papers that the court “acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally when it rejected the factual finding of the Trial Court and replaced it with a contrary factual finding of its own”.

Pistorius’s lawyer, Andrew Fawcett, says the appeal is now in the hands of the director of public prosecutions, who must decide whether there are grounds for appeal. If so, the case will go before the Constitutional Court.

NEWS 5

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Morning newspaper summaries Plot to replace Auditor Raila party warns of How fish family looted New tax hits small car General over Eurobond: chaos over voter list: The Sh34 billion from Bank: buyers hard as duty on Panic has gripped Auditor General Opposition is demanding the suspension luxury vehicles drops: Commercial banks are known to be Edward Ouko’s office over an alleged plot to kick him out and have one of his senior deputies take over. The details emerged just days after Parliament and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission independently ordered Ouko’s office to conduct a special audit on the Sh250 billion Eurobond cash that the latter later gave a clean bill of health.

of mass voter registration scheduled for next month until enough equipment is available. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has planned to register voters for a month between February 15 and March 15 at the 24,618 centres that it used for the same purpose ahead the last election.

IEBC had asked the government for Sh2 billion for the registration exercise.

the safest place to keep and grow your money. But as 50,000 depositors of Imperial Bank have painfully found out, their money would have been much safer at home under their mattresses. This is after a forensic audit revealed shocking details of how eight members of a family conspired with the bank’s top managers to siphon Sh34b from the bank.

The roll out of new tax regime for imported used cars last month caused a massive retail price inflation that is expected to depress the motor vehicle market in the coming months, dealers said. The new taxes, which came into force last December have increased the prices of small motor vehicles and cut the cost of the luxury ones by up to Sh1.27 million.

Cord: NIS is being Accept and move on, Main churches split on Regulators clash over recruited for 2017 poll: man in HIV love saga state’s rules on religion plan to censor Netflix Cord yesterday claimed that officers from told: Kenyans have urged Mr Kelvin as Muslims declare online movies: The the National Intelligence Service are Karuga Mwaura to accept and move on Communications of Kenya never: In what is shaping up to be (CA) has differedAuthority being recruited to preside over the 2017 after his attempts to win over his HIV with the Kenya General Election. The coalition said the IEBC is training NIS officers in batches of 100 to participate in the elections, but warned the conspiracy tilting the electoral landscape will backfire “and the cost may be too high for the country”. Cord said the NIS agents are targeted for recruitment as Presiding Officers and Returning Officers.

positive lover hit a brick wall. In an earlier interview with the Nation, Mr Mwaura said he was willing to contract the virus from his lover who has insisted that she can only marry a person who is living with Aids like herself.

confrontation with the state in many years, religious organizations are bracing for an all-out war over new regulations to govern their operations. Chrsitians and Muslims leaders vowed to the proposed laws in and out of the houses of worship, and even in court while the government, maintains its ground.

Films and Classification Board (KFCB) over the handling of American online movie streaming service Netflix, which launched operations in Kenya last week.

The CA Monday said Netflix will not be asked to apply for a local broadcasting licence while KFCB want it regulated.

time at Nairobi’s middle Uhuru bypasses tycoons Rollout of e-payment in Defining to go for Coast vote: counties put off: The National ICC as Ruto, Sang class inflation up to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s strategy of Treasury has postponed the roll out and Bensouda make 27-month high: Nairobi’s directly engaging community leaders of the e-procurement system in all the middle class bore the burden of rising at the Coast in his continued stay in 47 counties until after March 2016. In submissions: Deputy President cost of living as appetite for decent the region has rattled ODM leaders, including Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho. Kenyatta, for the first time as President, has camped in Mombasa for 20 days as he prepared to roll out his strategy to win over a region that voted for Cord leader Raila Odinga overwhelmingly at the last election.

a circular by Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, which is also copied to President Uhuru Kenyatta, the ministry has given county governments a 90-day window to allow for a proper set-up of the system expected to curb fraud in government procurement. After the setting up, the e-procurement will then be rolled out.

William Ruto yesterday arrived in The Netherlands where he is scheduled to attend the hearings of ‘no case to answer’ motion at the International Criminal Court. Starting today, Ruto and his coaccused Joshua arap Sang will seek to convince ICC judges that Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has no case against them.

housing, beer and processed food pushed the segment’s inflation rate to a 27-month high. Official data shows that inflation for the middle income group rose from 5.03 per cent in November to 7.09 per cent last month — the highest rate since September 2013.

Top stories from X News global partners Dozens dead in spate of Smaller US bombs are Mexico’s most wanted Clinton plans extra ISIS bombers, gunmen adding fuel to nuclear man is captured—again: 4 per cent tax on accomplished” tweeted attack in Iraq: At least 51 people fear: As North Korea dug tunnels MISSION America’s wealthy: Hillary Mexico’s president, Enrique Peña Nieto, have been killed in a spate of attacks by suicide bombers and gunmen in Baghdad and nearby towns, with Islamic State claiming responsibility for three of the assaults. Gunmen detonated suicide vests inside a shopping complex in Baghdad on Monday and a car bomb exploded nearby killing at least 18 people and wounded 40 others. Two bombs later went off in the eastern town of Muqdadiya, killing at least 23 people and wounding another 51, security and medical sources said.

Another blast in a southeastern Baghdad suburb killed seven more while earlier in the day three people were killed when a car bomb went off near Baquba.

at its nuclear test site last fall, watched

by American spy satellites, the Obama administration was preparing a test of its own in the Nevada desert. A fighter jet took off with a mock version of the nation’s first precision-guided atom bomb. Adapted from an older weapon, it was designed with problems like North Korea in mind: Its computer brain and four maneuverable fins let it zero in on deeply buried targets like testing tunnels and weapon sites. And its yield, the bomb’s explosive force, can be dialed up or down depending on the target, to minimize collateral damage. In short, the Pentagon have been readying a line of weapon to counter it.

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at around noon on January 8th. He had good reason to feel satisfied. Earlier that day, after six months on the run, Joaquín “El Chapo” (Shorty) Guzmán, the country’s most notorious drug-trafficker, had been recaptured. Apparently acting on a tip-off, Mexican marines raided a house in Los Mochis, a town in Mr Guzmán’s home state of Sinaloa, in north-western Mexico. They killed five occupants and arrested six, including Mr Guzmán. This brings to an end one of the most painful episodes of Mr Peña’s presidency, which is now starting its fourth year. www.economist.com

Clinton, the Democratic frontrunner for the White House, has proposed a 4 per cent additional tax on US individuals who earn more than $5m a year. The so-called “surcharge”, to be announced during a campaign stop in Iowa on Monday, is the first detailed tax policy proposal from Mrs Clinton who has repeatedly said she plans to raise taxes on America’s wealthiest. More tax proposals will be announced over the coming week, an aide to Mrs Clinton said. Later on, Mrs Clinton will roll out separate tax relief proposals aimed at the American middle class, the aide said. www.ft.com

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xnews | Tuesday, JanuaRy 12, 2016 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

Cytonn Investment projects 6 pc growth for economy The Kenyan economy is projected to grow at six per cent in 2016 as contractors of mega-infrastructural projects come under pressure from both National and County governments, a new report by Cytonn Investments indicate.

The firm attributes the projected growth to the looming campaign period in this preelection year as both levels of government will be rushing to complete their megainfrastructural developments including railway and roads to make strides which they can leverage for votes.

“We expect 2016 GDP growth to be between 5.5 per cent and six per cent supported by the government stepping up infrastructure developments as a ‘campaign move’,” said Cytonn investment manager Maurice Oduor on Monday during the launch of the report.

Mega projects such as the commissioning of 280 megawatts of geothermal and 20.4 megawatts of wind power coupled with completion of a number of ongoing infrastructural projects, development of real estates, improved security, and a revived tourism sector will help spur the economy that has been shrinking in 2015.

The investment firm also projects that corporate earnings will grow by between 7.5 per cent and 10 per cent which is low compared to previous levels due to the scaling high interest rates, sliding shilling and a slow credit uptake.

According to the report dubbed Cytonn 2016 Business and Market Outlook’, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) will not respond to the

Cytonn investment manager Maurice Oduor at a past function. challenges with higher interest rates instead likely to hold the current rates in fear of triggering another money markets upheaval “We don’t see any rate increases by CBK during the year given the adverse effect it may have on the economy,” added Odour.

Cytonn growth prediction is higher than World Bank’s 5.7 per cent, which had revised the growth downwards in 2015 by 0.6 percentage points to 5.4 per cent, following a volatile exchange rate and unsustainable infrastructural spending that wiped out the fiscal space leaving the government in a cash crunch.

The Treasury has been urged to be creative in financing of the budget amidst low tax revenues and limited borrowing options.

Treasury has also revised the country’s economic growth citing the effects of the El Nino phenomenon and tightening monetary policy.

MrOduor said international debt may be a difficult nut to crack this year given the negative publicity around the debut Eurobond and a change of market conditions which have seen its yields rise to above nine per cent. wilson_x254

CBK EXCHaNGE ratES 1 US DOllar 1 UK pOUND 1 EUr O 1 S.a raND 1 KSH/USH 1 KSH/tSH

MEaN 102.2165 149.0081 111.2678 6.3335 33.5563 21.4252

BUY SEll 102.1189 102.3141 148.8483 149.1678 110.1444 111.3911 6.3265 6.3405 33.4753 33.6373 21.3558 21.4946

Belgium ordered to reverse tax breaks European Authorities have ordered Belgium to recover Sh78 billion ($763m) from 35 multinational companies after the country gave them illegal tax breaks.

Under a tax scheme in place since 2005, some firms were reported to have reduced taxable profits in Belgium by up to 90 per cent.

However, companies that were not part of the global groups will not claim the same benefits which Europe’s Competition Commission said distorts competition.

According to the European Union (EU), the European firms were the main beneficiaries.

Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “Belgium has given a select number of multinationals substantial tax advantages that break EU state aid rules.”

“It distorts competition on the merits by putting smaller competitors who are not multinational on an unequal footing,” the Commissioner added.

The excess profits scheme has been on hold since last year when the EU announced its investigations.

However, the Commission has not yet mentioned any firms by name, but media reports say the firms include brewer AB Inbev and British American Tobacco. enock_x254

Central African countries should bank on East Africa: IMF Central African countries should exploit their resources to bank on East Africa and drive up development across the continent, International Monetary Fund (IMF) official have said.

Mirroring infrastructure development initiatives evident in countries like Kenya, could help nations from the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) grow their economies and provide employment for thousands of

people both in their region and in East Africa as well.

The IMF has said by leveraging new infrastructure projects, such as the deep-sea port and hydroelectric dams in Cameroon, the boundaries of the community could expand well beyond its national limits.

The group added that through such initiatives, big consumer markets in Nigeria and East Africa could be tapped, providing a significant impetus for private sector development and economic

diversification.

Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund said during a recent address in the Cameroon capital of Yaoundé that CEMAC is one of the most important regional groupings in Africa.

She described the CEMAC member states, which include Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon as the “heart of Africa.”

She added that the continent’s fortunes are tightly linked to those of the region.

“Over the past few years – and much like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa – the region has seen robust growth and macroeconomic stability. The high tide of oil prices boosted activity and supported a surge in much-needed infrastructure investment. Today that tide has receded, and may stay out for a prolonged period,” Lagarde explained.

However, security-related disruptions are taking an additional toll on economic activity and fiscal resources in the region.

The IMF has stated that CEMAC members could benefit from better inter-governmental cooperation and coordination on tax policies.

“More broadly, raising revenues to fund the investments that will be needed to meet the new Sustainable Development Goals, for all IMF members, is at the top of our agenda.

Dennis_x254

CapItal alErt USAid, partners to fund maternal initiatives The United States Agency for International Development (USAid), in partnership with the Government of Norway, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grand Challenges Canada, DFID (UK Department for International Development) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has launched the sixth round of ‘Saving Lives of Birth: A Grand Challenge for

Development.’

Under the programme, a call is made for groundbreaking prevention and treatment approaches for pregnant women and newborns in poor, hardto-reach communities around the time of childbirth.

The call is open to all countries across the globe.

The programme supports approaches that integrate the latest behaviour

change approaches with scientific and/or technological advances and service delivery platforms into radical solutions for widespread impact on maternal and newborn health.

Interested parties are advised to visit “grants.gov” for details.

The deadline for applications is February 29, 2016 “Through a rigorous review process,

the program will identify and support transformational, scalable approaches that advance equity and quality of care to dramatically – and sustainably – reduce deaths and poor birth outcomes for millions of vulnerable women and newborns in the hardest to reach communities of the world,” a spokesperson on behalf of the organisations has said.

Ideas with the potential for high-

return will be funded through: Seed Funds to develop and assess the feasibility of innovative ideas, Validation Funds to introduce and validate the effectiveness of innovations to reach proof-ofconcept, and Transition Funds to transition innovations with demonstrated proof-of concept toward scale up.

Dennis_x254

Kenya banks on renewable energy as others play catch up Kenya’s recent moves to invest in renewable energy have prompted other countries across the continent to follow suit.

While Kenya is making headway in its plans to fully exploit its wind and geothermal potential, the country has yet to see substantial growth in the sector evident in countries such as Turkey, which has, since 2001, commissioned 16,000 megawatts (MW) of private sector hydro, wind, geothermal and other renewable sources.

Nonetheless, the World Bank states that similar results are being achieved in India, Kenya, Mongolia and many other countries around the world.

“Now that the climate deal has been struck, it’s time for countries to scale up action to make their economic development more sustainable and fully climate operational” the lender said in a statement.

Kenya’s moves seem to have inspired other African nations like Liberia.

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors yesterday approved a new financing

agreement of $27 million (Sh2.7 billion) to increase access to affordable and reliable electricity and to foster the use of renewable energy sources in Liberia. This agreement comprises of US$25 million (Sh2.5 billion) grant from the Strategic Climate Fund Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program and US$2 million International Development Association (IDA) credit.

The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA),

established in 1960, and helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zerointerest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives.

IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 77 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.8 billion people, the majority of whom live on less than $2 (Sh200)

a day. Last year, the Bank stated that through the IDA, more than 630,000 Kenyans would benefit from access to electricity. The global lender added that existing consumers will enjoy better quality of electricity services, and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (Kenya Power) will be financially stronger as a result of new projects approved by the World Bank Group in March.

Dennis_x254

While Kenya is making headway in its plans to fully exploit its wind and geothermal potential, the country has yet to see substantial growth like in countries such as Turkey.

Baringo dairy farmers to milk more money Dairy farmers in Baringo County are expecting increased milk supply and income after they received at least 70 chaff cutters to enable them cut hay into small pieces for feeding their animals.

The machines were bought with an interest free loan of Sh2.1 million that KCB Foundation advanced to Torongo Farmer’s Cooperative Society last month.

The investment by KCB Foundation through its Mifugo Ni Mali programme has been informed by research which revealed that animal feed is not only the most significant input in animal production but also a key determinant in any viable livestock business.

“Chaff mixes well with other feeds due to its small size. Feeding animals with chaff is economical as well as enhancing digestion, thus increased milk production,” notes Chairman, Torongo Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society, David Bartao.

During the handover ceremony, KCB Eldama Ravine acting branch manager Margaret Omuse encouraged farmers to enjoy other agribusiness products like dairy herd improvement loan, dairy instalment loan and livestock insurance.

According to the 2008 National Livestock Policy, livestock feeds account for 60-80 per cent of production costs in livestock

farming in Kenya, depending on the intensity of farming.

To help mitigate the challenge, KCB Foundation has been working with Baringo livestock farmers to improve animal nutrition, health and production following the signing of an MOU by the two partners.

Despite the county boasting of over 150,000 dairy cows, farmers record low milk production of three to seven litres on average per day, partly because dairy farming is a seasonal venture since they rely on rain fed grass to feed their animals.

“Farmers should adopt innovative

farming technologies so as to meet the huge demand for livestock products within and without the county. This will also cushion them against frequent huge losses arising from drought,” said Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi.

He said the initiative will contribute to the county’s bid to increase revenue from the livestock sector from Sh3 billion to Sh10 billion annually.

The KCB Foundation Mifugo ni Mali programme was launched in 2014 and aims at encouraging commercialisation of the livestock sector for farmers in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) to earn better returns. enock_x254

Seychelles endorses WTO pact Seychelles has approved the new Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), becoming the 66th WTO member to do so following the historic WTO Nairobi meet. Seychelles submitted its instrument of acceptance to the WTO Secretariat yesterday. Lesotho and Georgia are the other two new member states that are now part of the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

The TFA, which was concluded at the WTO’s 2013 Bali Ministerial Conference, contains provisions for hastening the movement,

release and clearance of goods across various regions. It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues.

It further contains provisions for technical assistance and capacity building in this area.

The WTO Secretariat received the new countries’ instruments of acceptance last week. These new confirmations - or ratifications as they are known - bring the number of WTO members that have formally accepted the TFA to 66. Several

ratifications were submitted by ministers during the organization’s Tenth Ministerial Conference in Nairobi last month.

Kenya had just ratified the new Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), less than a week before it hosted the important highlevel WTO trade meeting in December 2015. Seychelles’ ratification of the TFA comes less than a year after it joined the WTO as the organization’s 161st member.

Seychelles committed to joining the TFA provided to help them achieve that capacity.

Kevin_x254

BUSINESS 7 TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

BIZ BRIEFS Fast, internet could make Netflix gamechanger in Africa

Fast, reliable affordable internet could make Netflix a game-changer in Africa, experts have said. A recent announcement had stated that Netflix--the US-based multinational provider of on-demand internet streaming media--is not a real threat to other entertainment service providers in countries like Kenya and South Africa.

However, it has emerged that the only major challenge that Netflix faces as it branches into the continent is a customer base with access to reliable and inexpensive internet services.

Standard Investment Bank Research had anticipated that the company’s growth in Kenya would be modest as access to highspeed internet is still expensive, making the total cost of watching internet TV content out of reach to majority of potential subscribers.

Nonetheless, it has been speculated that internet service providers may decide to lower costs to grow their client base.

World Bank’s new appointments seek to end global poverty World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim has announced the appointments of Mr Shaolin Yang as Chief Administrative Officer and Mr Joaquim Levy as Chief Financial Officer for the World Bank Group. The two individuals, each of whom joins the Bank Group with vast financial and management expertise, come at a critical juncture as the organization works to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity across the globe.

Kim said that rhe addition of Shaolin and Joaquim strengthens the Bank’s roster of leaders with broad geographical representation.

With Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the lender’s Chief Operating Officer and former Minister of Finance for Indonesia, the three critical roles of CAO, CFO, and COO are now all filled with nationals from developing countries.

China’s richest man buys Hollywood studio China’s Dalian Wanda Group will buy a controlling stake in Hollywood film studio Legendary Entertainment in a deal valued at $3.5bn (Sh358 billion).

The announcement, made at a press conference by both firms in Beijing, comes after a week of rumours about a possible deal.

Wanda is the world’s biggest movie theatre operator with a majority stake in the US chain AMC, the BBC reports. The group is led by Wang Jianlin, China’s richest man. Mr Wang has been looking to buy a Hollywood studio for several years.

Legendary Entertainment is renowned for producing blockbuster hits such as Jurassic World, the Dark Knight and Godzilla.

Mr Wang plans to pair the Hollywood studio with its in-house film production unit and make a stock market listing.

8

BUSINESS TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Star Wars breaks China box office record, studio says The latest Star Wars film has taken Sh5.4b ($53m) in ticket sales on its first weekend in China, the country’s highest ever opening weekend.

Globally, The Force Awakens has become the third most commercially successful film in history, according to the Walt Disney studio.

The release is mostly due to the fact that foreign studios had already used up China’s annual quota of 34 foreign films.

Released in 1997, Titanic is number two and 2009’s Avatar is top, with a total box office take of $2.8bn.

The film was released in China a month after its global release.

Disney, owners of the intergalactic adventure franchise, have focussed considerable market efforts on China going as far as putting 500 Stormtroopers on the Great Wall of China for an event.

It is the first episode many Chinese have seen, as the original Star Wars was not released in China at the time.

In 2015 almost every single country celebrated the release of the new star Wars film but China had to wait until this weekend.

When the original Star Wars films were at the peak of their popularity in the rest of the world, it was during late 1970s when China was just emerging from the Cultural Revolution. China is the world’s second largest film market. enock_x254

India cement company eyes controlling pie at NSE’s ARM India-based UltraTech is set to acquire a majority stake in the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) listed firm ARM cement where it could buy preference shares of up to Sh12.7 billion.

UltraTech, Indias biggest cement manufacturer, is said to be negotiating with ARM for the controlling stake in Kenya’s secondlargest cement manufacturer after the French-owned Bamburi Cement.

ARM chief executive Pradeep Paunrana, however, declined to

comment on the issue, nor confirm that the company is in talks with the Indian giant.

“Such matters and information release are subject to regulatory compliance,” said Mr Paunrana.

UltraTech Cement is the largest producer of grey cement, ready mix concrete and white cement in India and is also one of the leading manufacturers of the commodities globally.

Its operations span India, UAE, Bahrain, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and South Africa. The

multinational made a net profit of Sh30.8 billion in the year ended March 2015 on gross revenues of Sh393.5 billion.

UltraTech’s potential entry in Kenya marks increased interest in the local highly competitive cement market that has seen the establishment of several new players over the past few years, including Savannah Cement.

Nigeria’s Dangote Cement has also announced plans to enter the local market in the near term, setting the stage for increased competition

against established players like Bamburi Cement that is majority owned by LafargeHolcim.

For ARM, raising the funds from the intended sale of preference shares will ease the pressure of mounting debts that has weighed down its earnings.

The firm had planned to raise Sh10.7 billion from a five-year private bond to retire its expensive short term debts but shelved the plan, opting to sell preference shares to the strategic investor. wilson_x254

UltraTech, India’s biggest cement manufacturer, is said to be negotiating with ARM for the controlling stake in Kenya’s second-largest cement manufacturer.

Unite in graft fight, Keter promises to drive down ‘skyrocketing’ cost of power says Collymore Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore has urged the private sector to join the government in the fight against graft for a healthier business environment and a thriving economy.

Speaking during the official launch of the 3rd Biennial Africa Academy of Management Conference, Collymore said corruption is the main hindrance impeding investment.

“Corruption undermines fair competition, distorts development and impedes long-term foreign and domestic investment,” he said.

The request by the Chief Executive comes months after president Uhuru Kenyatta declared graft a national security treat and called on the private sector to aid in curbing the menace.

As part of the initiative, the President ordered firms to sign approved code of conduct for them to transact businesses with the government failure to which

they would not be involved in government tenders.

The concerns follows reports from the Ethics and AntiCorruption Commission (EACC) estimating that over 70 per cent of real and perceived corruption allegations stem from procurement where private sector plays a significant role.

The conference at Strathmore was attended by over 200 delegates from 16 African countries as well as a poll of other delegates from the UK, US, Europe and Asia.

Bob stressed on the need to skill solutions that will benefit our companies, communities and the environment in which business operates.

However, comments by other business owners and leaders would encourage the push to fight corruption across all affices in the country. enock_x254

The Ministry of Energy has announced plans aimed at driving down the cost of electricity.

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter (pictured) says he will speed up existing plans geared towards reducing the cost of energy.

He assured that reducing the cost of energy will be his priority as he gets down to work in the ministry.

“I want to assure Kenyans that we will try to reduce the cost of energy because energy drives the economy of this country,” he said.

Speaking at a Nairobi Hotel where his former campus mates hosted a congratulatory party in his honour and that of Devolution and Planning Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, Keter assured citizens that he will reduce the cost of energy to foster economic growth.The CS pledged to transform the Energy and Petroleum ministry and improve service delivery.

“My brother Kiunjuri and I will go beyond expectation to deliver. We will transform organisations so that delivery of services will be beneficial

to all,” he said adding that “I want to promise you as my colleagues, brothers and sisters I’m not going to let you down.” Keter assured Kenyans that he will uphold good morals and honesty as he takes over the ministry riddled with integrity issues.

Kiunjuri urged Kenyans to work extra hard towards improving their lives through education because this would in turn push the development agenda of the country forward.

“Any effort you take to develop yourself will have direct impact

on the nation’s development,” said Kiunjuri. He, however, called upon the Opposition and the media to work with the government towards pushing the country forward.

“We have to work together, the government, the media ant the Opposition as well,” said Mr Kiunjuri. The two Cabinet Secretaries are graduates of United States International University’s Global Executive Masters in Business Administration (GeMBA). enock_x254

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

ACCESS topsto

fashionscoop

11

For Di Caprio, it was his eleventh nomination anD thirD win

Lesson some from the

DENzEL mARK SELIgER

TARAjI P. HENSON BEST AcTRESS TV DRAmA EmPIRE

Emmy ScHumER

Golden Globe

AwArds

The all boy trio of Kleptomaniacs had a hit song ’tuendelee ama tusiendelee and the one

stanza that stood out was ‘kabla ujulikane itachukua miaka ka nane…

The showbiz industry is not kind, not for everyone and it helps to know that patience of purpose is an ingredient for everyone brave enough to keep trying. Which is why the Golden Globes nod is big news for many.

Names like Taraji P. Henson of Empire, Leonardo DiCaprio him of the Titanic and later The Great Gatsby, Denzel

Washington, and Amy Schumer featured prominently. It is a no brainer, each one of these acts have traveled a long and winding journey to grasp an award and recognition of a job well done.

Empire, the melodrama series featuring Taraji P Henson, is a case in point. The series, although heavy on melodrama, is

McsK, pRisK anD KaMp LaUnch hEaLTh schEME Yesterday finally saw artistes breathe a sigh of relief after MCSK, KAMP AND PRISK officially launched the NHIF medical scheme. The vent was officiated by former PM Raila Odinga and went down at the Michael Joseph Safaricom center. The scheme will see registered artistes get medical cover in addition to other health benefits.

celebrated for its top-notch cast, musical entertainment, and engrossing plots. For Taraji, an African American born in Washington, and having featured on numerous dramas including Persons Of Interest, it was an honor to have waited and in her own words “it feels like twenty years.”

Leornado DiCaprio on the same night grabbed the Golden Globe Award for best actor in a drama for his performance in The Revenant. For Di Caprio, it was his eleventh nomination and third win. He first earned a trophy for Best Actor for The Aviator in 2005, followed by The Wolf of Wall Street in 2014. He is yet to bag an Oscar and tongues are

wagging that maybe this is his lucky year.

Denzel Washington, having done more than outstanding work received the Cecil B. DeMille Award which honors extraordinary contributions to the entertainment world.

Denzel is an icon in the industry but even he does not dismiss the value of patience and hard work.

With the changes in the TV and Film industry currently taking centre stage; there is a lot to learn from Hollywood Awards season, perhaps to better shape and prepare Kenya for the best. The recent gazettement of new broadcasting rules should set the benchmark for where the industry strives to be. @duncan_x254

HOT TOPICS

ROBERT ALAI

alai poking okari

socialite Kwamboka’s 1M dining table DENNIS OKARI

Controversial blogger Robert Alai is fanning the heat on the recent Prezzo and KTN’s Betty Kyallo’s situation. Alai, is claiming that Betty is responsible for provoking CMB Prezzo and

hence he is not to blame. Yesterday Prezzo finally spoke with Kiss FM saying that he was merely providing entertainment and Alai seems to agree. Okari however is upset with the blogger for ‘not seeing his point’

Socialite Corazon Kwamboka seems to be preparing to have heavy meals in 2016. This is after she allegedly spent a million shillings purchasing a dining table from Cuba.

Corazon lamented that she will have to wait for three months for the designer table to arrive.

10

ACCESS

ART&CULTURE

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 26th NOVEMBER 222015 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER JANUARY 12, 2016 2014

aboutLove

Without a doubt, being a step-parent is hard.

You are treading in uncertain territorY

OGIEKS: Kenyas’ forgotten tribe The Ogiek are hunter-gatherers – some in the deep forest live purely by hunting and gathering, while the majority grow vegetables and keep livestock also.

They have traditionally hunted such animals as antelope and wild pigs, which is now generally illegal.

Ever since colonial times there have been attempts to evict the Ogiek from their ancestral forest, usually on the pretext that they are degrading it. But when the Ogiek are removed, their forest is not protected but rather exploited by logging and tea plantations – some owned by government officials. This influx of illegal settlers has been so extreme in recent years that much of the Mau forest is severely degraded. The Kenyan government is trying to evict everyone from the forest, including the Ogiek who have been living there for centuries.

If the Ogiek are evicted from their forest home it could spell disaster for the forest and for the Ogiek, who will become ‘conservation refugees’.

STEP PAREnTInG B

ecoming a step-parent can be a blessing or a gigantic stress. There are certain things, certain minefields that step-parents should avoid to keep the relationship with the stepkids positive.

When you marry someone with kids, everyone talks about the builtin family. What they don’t mention, though, is the fact that it comes with an array of challenges. Chances are that the road to having good, positive, happy relationships with your stepchildren will be paved with a few minefields.

Avoiding them starts with relaxing.

You aren’t going to be perfect. The relationship isn’t going to be perfect, either. Just take it slowly, and learn how to navigate the new road together.

Here are a few things that a stepparent should never, ever do: Don’t bad-mouth the biological parents You are going to have your opinions.

Perhaps the ex is way too lax about the rules. Perhaps you really don’t like her. Whatever it is you are feeling and thinking, don’t mention it. Your stepchild has the right to love

ADVICE ON BOUNDARIES

his parents... even if you see them as imperfect.

It’s also simply not your place to get involved in disputes between the biological parents. Make it clear to the child that the relationship she has with her biological parent does not have to change just because you are present in her life.

Don’t be a disciplinarian Without a doubt, being a stepparent is hard. You are treading in uncertain territory. One of the keys to maintaining your footing is to resist taking on a parenting role per se. Use your creativity and positive thoughts to create environments where relationships with your step-children are encouraged, not stifled.”

That said, you still need to set rules for your house. Just do it in consultation with your spouse, and don’t be afraid to enforce them.

Don’t be a replacement parent Again, the challenging role of a stepparent is tough and uncertain. But no matter how bad the biological parent is, you aren’t supposed to take her place -- or try. It could lead to bigtime resentment. “Don’t try to replace

asK dr X

SHE’S nOT THE GIRl I fEll In lOvE wITH Dear Dr X,

I feel I’ve been totally conned by my girlfriend.

I met her online in last year, and for the first six months we just talked. She was friendly and funny, and I really looked forward to her calls each night. We finally arranged to go away for the weekend and as soon as we saw each other, it was fantastic – like we’d known each other for ages. The sex was great, too, and we were both really sad when the weekend was over.

But since then things have never been the same. We still speak, but only meet up when she wants me to buy her things. It’s like there are two sides to her – I now get the feeling she doesn’t like my clothes or my opinions, and I often feel I just annoy her. Where did I go wrong?

—Hillary.

your step-child’s biological parent. Be there as a support system, role model, mentor and caring ear,” says Rosalind Sedacca, CCT, author of How Do I Tell the Kids About the Divorce?

Don’t expect things to be perfect When you and your step-child’s parent signed a marriage certificate, it didn’t flip a magical switch that would create a lovely family dynamic in your home. Sure, it would be nice if that were the case, but it simply isn’t.

So, expect some rough patches, and wait for the love to develop over time.

Don’t play favorites Step or not, a child is a child and shouldn’t have to face the fact that she may not be your favorite person.

“If you do have your own children, try not to show blatant favoritism to them. Chances are, you are never going to feel the same way about your stepchild as you do your own children. Kids know this on some level, but they do not need to see it blatantly played out in front of them, which can wreak serious havoc on self-esteem and set up an antagonistic relationship between bio kids and your stepchildren.

Dear Hillary,

I suspect she thoroughly enjoyed the flirting and the thrill of the chase, but as soon as you met, the spell was broken. Your girlfriend now sees that you’re a normal person, not a fantasy figure. But you have every right to dress and speak as you please – don’t feel you have to change to meet her expectations.

I hate the idea of this woman crushing your confidence and leaving you confused. Tell her today that you need some space, and don’t allow yourself to be anyone’s fool.

Dr X.

Send your agonising queries to adhyambo@x254.co

ARTSHOCK DIGITAl MAnIPUlATIOn

P

aint in water is always amazing to look at, and when it’s thrown in the air it has the power to bring forth a different kind of magnificence…

Chris Slabber, a South African artist, uses imagery of paint in water and air combined with human portraits through Photoshop to achieve outstanding art work.

In most of his work, Chris demonstrates that digital manipulation and old school photography can still work hand in hand, and if used correctly, can obtain amazing results.

11

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY TUESDAY, JANUARY 26th NOVEMBER 12, 2016 2014

FASHIONscoop

@The Golden Globes afTer-parTy

Vanessa hudGens: Just enough shimmer on her dress.

geTTIng down In STyle

I

f there is anyone who knows how to party, it has to be the Hollywood A-Listers. It seems the Golden Globe Awards ceremony was not party enough for them, which is probably why soon after the ceremony came to an end; they immediately switched from prim and proper to plunging necklines, thigh-high slits to get groovy on the dance floor!

bellamy younG: The perfect party dress.

@mercy_x254

nina dobreV: Perfect from head to toe.

KaT Graham: Daring plunge, but it worked.

selena Gomez: She could have done much better.

a perfecT day

our rating: H H H

filmlab

BEST

lea miChele: gleeful and confident.

Genre: Sci-fi rating: Unrated Cast: Brandon Routh, Ben FeldMan, Dane Cook runtime: 1 hr 31 min.

S

ophie and her colleagues are in a race against time to save the water supply for an abandoned community and they need get past bureaucrats, the military and local criminals to succeed in their mission. At the same time they need to keep it all a secret from their bosses. Will their secret stand amidst all the drama?

400 T

Genre: Art House & International, Drama rating: R Cast: Melanie Thierry, Benicio Del Toro, Tim Robbins runtime: 1 hr 46 min.

our rating: H H H

rIde along

dayS

his sci-fi flick focuses on four astronauts who are sent on a simulated mission to a distant planet to test the psychological effects of deep space travel. Being ‘away’ from earth for 400 days, they begin experiencing mental problems when they lose communication with the earth station and later realize that they had been set up: there was no simulation and they were actually sent into space!

T

he film builds on the original sequel plot which involved a security guard trying to convince a cop, that he is good enough for his sister and the cop does all in his power to scare the security guard off but he ends up proving that he is of more value than imagined both emotionally and in combating crime.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy rating: PG-13 Cast: Kevin Hart, Ice Cube, Tika Sumpter runtime: 1 hr 42 min.

our rating: H H H

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AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Surprising and very fortunate events could take place today, Aquarius. This could be an advancement that you weren’t expecting. The introduction of an interesting new person or the beginning of an exciting new project could raise your pulse. The day should therefore pass by very quickly.

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WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Your mind may be going a thousand miles an hour throughout the day. Ideas will be exchanged, stimulating conversations should take place, and you could meet some interesting new people.

Someone you meet, however, has an agenda too.

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TUESday 12/1/2016

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THURSday

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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 This is the sort of day when you can try just about anything new and still come out in one piece.

Why not enroll in a marathon, take rock-climbing lessons, or drive to a place you’ve never been to before? Wherever you end up, you should find peace and a heightened state of awareness.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Astrology, alchemy, numerology, or herbalism are all intriguing fields, and your mind should be especially attuned to them. One warning: beware of unethical teachers. You may or may not read the works of one, but nonetheless hang on to a little skepticism.

SuDOku

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TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 The opportunity to take a trip by air, perhaps at someone else’s expense, could come to you today, Taurus. This might be business related or it could be educational in some way. This is a good day to travel or make the arrangements for it.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 The symbols may include people or objects that you would never have thought of consciously in a hundred years. Nonetheless, they do have meaning for you right now. Sit down and make a list of the symbols and events in the dream, then try to analyze what they mean to you.

FIND THE KEYWORD IN RED AND SMS IT TO 22333

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 If you’re single, an exciting new potential love partner might be introduced to you, and you could spend the entire evening together. If you’re already involved, someone could come on the scene who could prove a valuable business contact and might even form a partnership with you.

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LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Some unexpected changes could happen today, Leo. You could find yourself confronting the prospect of having to get used to some new and totally state-of-the-art equipment that you’ve never used before. Don’t panic. You’ll do fine, you’ll be a real whiz once you get used to it.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 If so, you might meet someone fascinating on the trip. Don’t be shy, and don’t let pride or propriety stand in the way of striking up a conversation with this person. It will pass the time, you might learn something, and there is always the chance that you really could become friends.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 This could be a new computer, a state-of-the-art entertainment system, or perhaps a new appliance.

You and the other members of your household might spend much of the day trying to learn how to use it, although it could seem rather difficult. Take heart! It looks more complicated than it is.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 This person is apt to have good news for you, although he or she may be in a rather melancholy mood. A long conversation could result, the outcome of which is going to change your life, albeit in a subtle way. Nonetheless, this is apt to be a day full of pleasant surprises. Enjoy it!

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Perhaps it’s a bonus, repayment of a loan you’d long since forgotten, or a settlement of some kind.

Whatever it is, it will definitely be a pleasant surprise. Don’t, however, spend it all in one place. Wait a few days and then consult a professional about your financial future.

Barua Muganga

KENYAN HITS! Dumbala Remix Msaidizi Fundamentals Mungu Baba Uwepo Wako Milele Dongo Dongo Ulibeba Sobei Cheiso Worship You Sambaza Defender Tosheka Kereka Ningwendete Queen Ahuirania Ti Mundu Ndirakurekie

KENRAZY Visita, Madtraxx, DNA & Jay A

GLORIA MULIRO KEN WAMARIA RUFFTONE & GSU MERCYLINAH MARION SHAKO GERALDINE ODUOR EUNICE NJERI EMMY KOSGEI BMF FT MERCY WAIREGI ALICE KAMANDE DADDY OWEN MOG DK KWENYE BEAT JOAN WAIRIMU LOISE KIM N.D GITHUKA BETTY BAYO & MR SEED SIMON

KEN4 GM4 KT4 RUFF4 LIN4 SHA4 GER4 EN4 KOS4 BMF4 KAM4 DAD4 MOG4 DK4 VAN4 LK4 GAK4 BET4 SIM4

Kinyukia Kahora

JOAN WAIRIMU

VAN4

Nanena Adonai Zawadi Sitalia Tena Bongo Lala Sitalia Tena Hatarudi Nyuma Mapenzi Solo Penzi Langu Matokeo Born Again Lingala Ya Yesu Fanya Kitendo Muziki Ni Dawa Makeke Kitanzi Miss Hizo Naona Mbali Nime Wasamehe Hakuna Silaha

Ex: HC4 to 22333

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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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PLAY 13 TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. ____ wall (come to a stop) 5. H.S. subject 9. Gold or silver 14. Take ____ view of 15. Eastern domestic 16. Ex-Celtic Danny 17. Gland or its secretion 19. Type of card or finger 20. More demure 21. Skillful 23. Undergrad degrees (abbr.)

25. Ocean froth 30. “M*A*S*H” character 33. “Ni ___” (Chinese hello) 35. “The Golden Compass” tune performed by Kate Bush 36. Lesley of “60 Minutes” 37. Makes a gaffe 39. 1983 Streisand film 42. Suit to ____ 43. Ephron and Jones 45. Nut job 47. Palindromic Dutch city 48. “Hang ‘em High” star 52. Advanced in years 53. Long stretch 54. Customers 57. Actor Reeves 61. Come out ____ 65. Sound science 67. Title for a French nobleman

68. Word with arm or stick 69. Jon Arbuckle’s pooch 70. Barbaric 71. Idaho motto word 72. Crime-fighter Eliot Down 1. Hic-hoc link 2. SSN, for one 3. Spruce (up) 4. Microscopic swimmer 5. Subway unit 6. “____ coward?” (Hamlet quote) 7. “Never Never ____” 8. Swiss or American 9. Fruity rum drinks 10. One, in Germany 11. 1997 James Bond film, for short 12. Bio datum 13. Superman foe Luthor 18. Go on all fours 22. Enthusiasm 24. Vodka in a blue bottle 26. Salty cheese 27. Gave an address 28. Needed aspirin 29. Ruckus 30. Absolutely dreadful 31. Poetic preposition 32. Pulls suddenly 33. From this time onward 34. On ___ (winning) 38. Mentally sound

40. Toddler 41. “The West Wing” actor Rob 44. German dessert 46. Foolish folks 49. Windy City trains 50. Assent on a ship 51. Weight limit of some pickups 55. Some TVs 56. Arrange logically 58. Auxiliary 59. CBS military drama 60. Exploits 61. Duke’s sports org.

62. Vert. alternative 63. Relative of an ostrich 64. Dug in 66. Vegetable with sushi

Sunday’s answers

YOURSAY Jubilee merger calls threat to Kenyans freedom

The frantic efforts by the Jubilee leadership to have its allied parties close shop and join one political outfit may not be a good political strategy for the 2017 election as it poses a threat to political maturity.

The idea propagated by the President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto that a single political vehicle will unite Kenyans, is an outdated and stale ideology whose time has passed.

We all know that under the on one party democracy, the country almost went to the dogs because as those in power seized the opportunity to propagate dictatorship and muzzled the perceived dissenting voices.

During that time, the economy was on its knees, public servants were looting public funds almost to zero

and all the constitutional freedoms that we enjoy today were non-existence as Kenyans suffered under Kanu rule. The country, therefore cannot tolerate the ideology of one political outfit in the name of uniting Kenyans from all communities.

If the problem was our political parties, then President Uhuru and his deputy are too a problem to our politics because as party leaders they have failed to develop institutionalised political parties and instead have encouraged ‘tribal political outfits’.

If indeed we want to unite Kenyans, then let’s first institutionalise our political parties and mirror the Democrats and the Republicans in the US. Secondly, if Jubilee leadership idea is aimed at consolidating

its vote bases, then again the idea is myopic because it certainly flies in the face of all political and constitutional gains Kenya have made.

Any attempts to dissolve existing parties on the excuse of forging unity is an affront to the constitutional rights of Kenyans as the move does not give people the freedom of association, a freedom which may not necessarily be limited to elective politics.

Small parties enable individuals to grow their political careers. Unity can be achieved without necessarily herding people into single amorphous political entities that are dominated by a few individuals. Our leaders should refrain from engaging in underhand political manoeuvres which only serve individual interests.

—Megeka, Nairobi West

Law seeking to tame rogue preachers illegal The new regulations by the government aimed at streamlining the churches are unconstitutional as they violate the freedom of worship.

They are both contestable and laughable noting that they are laws to guide the human populace to the way of heaven. The new laws are also meant to tame rogue preachers, Imams, rabbis and other religious leaders. Facts need to be separated from fiction. In my considered view, there are no rogue preachers, they are conmen or fraudsters like other criminals in the streets. There is no need to introduce new laws as the country has numerous laws to curb such crimes. The drafters of the law should have focused on the ‘rogue followers’ who have been

blindfolded in the quest of instant miracles and blessings. For instance, when televangelist Maina Nganga and the controversial ‘ Bishop Kanyari’ were involved in dirty linen matters their followers, in full glare of the accusations levelled against them, still flocked churches.

Again drafters of the laws need not to seek academic papers as a qualification for one to be a cleric, but they need to understand the scripture which clearly that God calls and qualifies the unqualified, he needs not ones knowledge to use them. The clergy needs to meet and consultatively engage the different doctrines without necessarily invoking the wrath of the government.

—Nderitu, Makongeni

Cash could tilt 2017 polls in favour of Jubilee Kenya is one of those societies that for a long time has refused to learn despite countless lessons being given by elected leaders.

It’s a society that can be best described as deceitful, greedy and gluttonous. It is a society where voters mostly vote for dishonest leaders.

Integrity, a manifesto and societal do not matter and to add insult to injury track record doesn’t matter. They prefer the flashy, materialistic and moneyed class to represent them.

But the question pegs, what will be the determinant factors in 2017 General Election?

While the ICC case may be determinant factor, I also think that money will play a bigger role if what we are seeing over the brown envelope is something to go by.

But more disastrous, with the poverty stricken voters, money is likely to alter the political metrics completely as we stride towards 2017...

— Hillary, Jericho

Embrace sports to enhance Kenya’s unity Games should unite us all as a country. They help our school children break boundaries and rally together behind a common goal thus helping them learn team building skills and nationalism.

This is why I urge policy makers to consider encouraging more inter-region or inter-county sports as means of enhancing cohesion.

We should use all forms of sports to keep this country

united.

As patriotic Kenyans, we have a duty to keep the country together at all costs, where our neighbour’s pain or loss should be felt by all of us. Besides there is no way we shall reach Canaan after staying in the wilderness for 52 years in this era of technology, when the Israelites took only 40 years using celestial bodies as their technology if we don’t change the way we do things.

Everything always looks fine and funny until a something drastic happens in our midst. We then begin asking questions when it’s too late.

Half a decade is just too long a wait, lets embrace change and complete our dream of a one united and strong nation.

Kenya is my mother I will never let it down.

Change for a better country.

God bless Kenya.

— Hillary, Eastleigh

Teachers should sign performance contracts The recommendation by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to have teachers sign performance contracts is a positive move towards the ongoing reforms in the education sector. Performance contracting is now the norm in mainstream government departments as well as in the private sector where an individual’s output is monitored by the employer.

Teachers ought to be subjected to the assessment like other civil servants as this will give a fair assessment of their performance rather than being assessed by the outcomes of national examinations. Better than national

examinations, appraisals have better tools for assessing labour outputs given that there is a set of measurable objectives for evaluating achievements in the set time frame.

Independent reports have repeatedly indicated loopholes especially in public schools across the country where chronic teachers’ absenteeism has been reported It is therefore insincere and selfish for the teachers backed by their unions to reject the deal, arguing that their outputs are publicly screened annually by the outcomes of the national exams.

— Nderitu, Kabete

Send your letters to news@X254.co | Letters will be edited for summary and clarity

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SPORT TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS Kibra gets basketball court from GOA project

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Basketball outreach programme Giants of Africa (GOA) will soon complete the construction of a basketball court in Nairobi’s Kibra constituency. The project which is a collaboration of Nairobi County government is intended to boost the sport in Kenya. This is the second court being constructed by the organisation following the successful installation of a similar facility at Diwopa Catholic Church in Kayole Estate last August. The new court is located at Joseph Kang’ethe Grounds behind Moi Girls High School and is expected to be ready on January 31st. GOA will also host the finals of the tournament on the same day with the top two teams expected to feature. The primary objective of the project is to empower the youth with facilities to develop both physically and socially via sports. “GOA helps with the infrastructure and the county government avails the land and facilitates the tournament,” said GOA Basketball coordinator for Southern and Eastern Africa Abel Nson.

Man United draw Danish side in Europa round 32

Manchester United have been handed a trip into the unknown after being drawn against Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League last 32. Defeat at Wolfsburg saw Louis van Gaal’s side embarrassingly exit the Champions League early despite a favourable group. And they will face Brentford owner Matthew Benham’s Danish side, who have taken Europe by storm with their Moneyball approach to the game. Midtjylland beat Southampton in first round of the competition and can cause upsets to United. Liverpool, whose manager Jurgen Klopp avoided a sensational reunion with Dortmund, are to play Germans Augsburg and will fancy their chances of progressing to the last 16.

Augsburg surprised many by finishing above Dortmund and Schalke in the Bundesliga last season, but are languishing in mid-table this season. Tottenham will meet Fiorentina.

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1. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi looked nervous as they waited former World Player of the Year Kaka to announce the Ballon d’Or winner for 2015.

2. Fifa acting President Issa Hayatou and Kaka clap for Lionel Messi after he was named the 2015 Ballon d’Or winner.

Murray hope Djokovic form dips top win

Andy Murray says he may need number one Novak Djokovic’s form to dip to have a chance of victory in the Australian Open, which starts next week. The Briton has lost four finals in Melbourne - three to Serbia’s Djokovic. “You just have to keep trying to learn, watch his matches, see if there are any weaknesses you can capitalise on,” said Murray, second in the ATP rankings.

“Maybe he has a drop-off. It’s very difficult to maintain that level for such a long period.”

Murray, 28, lost the 2010 final to Roger Federer, before suffering defeat by Djokovic in 2011, 2013 and 2015. The Serb, also 28, holds three of the four Grand Slam titles, having won Wimbledon and the US Open in addition to the Australian Open. He prepared for the first major of the season, which runs from January 18 to 31, by beating Rafael Nadal in straight sets to win the Qatar open last week. Murray has indicated he will leave Melbourne to return home if his wife Kim goes into labour early with their first baby, who is due in midFebruary.

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3. Messi and Women Footballer of the Year Carli Lloyd pose with their trophies.

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4. Fifa World Team of the Year players Tiago Silva, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves, Iniesta, Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Paul Pogba and Luka Modric pose with their awards during the ceremony last night.

5. Ballon d’Or nominee Cristiano Ronaldo leans over fellow contender Lionel Messi as he greets his rival’s wife during last night’s gala. Looking on is Messi’s teammate at Barcelona Neymar.

Other winners during the awards at the Convention Center in Zurich Switzerland included Barcelona manager Luis Enrique who did not attend the ceremony.

SPORT 15 TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Wayne Rooney scored an injury-time penalty as Manchester United scraped past League One Sheffield United 1-0 in the third-round of the Emirates FA Cup. INSET: Manager Van Gaal

Some United matches are boring, admits LVG Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has finally admitted he has been “very bored or angry” in some of his side’s matches this season.

The under fire Dutch, who is in his first season at Old Trafford having replaced David Moyes said he had “enjoyed” some matches during a campaign defined by his unfamiliar ‘possession’based tactics.

“There are matches that I have enjoyed. And there are also matches where I’m very bored or angry because we are not disorganising our opponent’s defence, but that is football,” said the 64-year-old.

United got kicked out of the Champions League and are fifth in the Premier

League, something that has not gone well with home supporters who even booed Van Gaal’s team off at halftime in Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Sheffield United with thousands leaving early.

Asked why many fans had gone before Wane Rooney’s 93rd minute penalty secured a 1-0 third-round win, Van Gaal replied: “’They are not thinking that we would score, I think, and maybe also because of the traffic.”

He however suggested United fans should be happy with their team’s current form, despite the home side not managing a shot on target until the 69th minute against their League One opponents.

The man who guided

Netherlands to the world Cup final in Brazil in 2014 refused to react to former United midfielder Paul Scholes, who said both the players and manager looked “bored” and there was “no spirit”.

“There’s nobody having a go at each other, there’s no smiling, there’s no entertainment,” the 11-time Premier League winner said. “I think even Van Gaal on the bench looks bored, but he’ll come out and say he’s happy,” Scholes, one of several ex-United players critical of United’s style of play lamented after United’s slim win last weekend.

But Van Gaal said he never discusses such comments with assistant manager Ryan

Giggs - an ex-team-mate of Scholes - and defended his absence from the touchline during matches.

“I’m not Sir Alex, as you know,” said Van Gaal.

“Everybody is different and I don’t believe in yelling from the sidelines. I believe in communication during the week, during the preparation and I believe in my players who have to perform.

“A lot of managers are [yelling from the sidelines] but I doubt if they have real influence.”

United travel to the Championship’s secondplaced side Derby County in the fifth round.

I will score loads of goals for K’Ogalo, new striker Keli tells team followers Gor Mahia’s new acquisition Jacob Keli has promised to score 15 league goals for the reigning SportPesa Premier League champions Gor Mahia next season.

Keli joined Gor last week from Zambian side Nkana FC in a one year contract of undisclosed amount. Though it’s is not clear why he left Zambia, it is suspected the former FOYA player of the year found it hard adopting in Zambia forcing Nkana to drop him from their squad.

That however, to the former AFC Leopards and KCB forward is nothing but history.

He has promised to hit the back of the net

for K’Ogalo, at least 15 times this season in his effort to help the club retain their title.

This promise, though, may be considered slightly less ambitious target for the player whom Gor will heavily rely on considering that the champions will be without hit man, Michael Olunga who netted 19 goals last season is set to leave for Sweden and another goal poacher Meddie Kagere who is yet to commit his future with the club.

Kagere was reportedly dropped by Gor, but he asked for 48 hours (from Friday) to make up his mind whether to accept the offer to extend his one year contract with

Kenyan champions.

Keli, penned a one-year contract with the 15-time Kenyan champions last Friday awaiting to secure his International Transfer Certificate.

“I am eager to return to the Kenyan Premier League and I really want to score many goals for Gor. I know I have that ability and just ask for support from the fans. They are a big part of this big club,” he was quoted on KPL official website.

Keli terminated his Sh250,000 a month salary contract with Nkana over lack of play time.

xnews | tuesday, JanuaRy 12, 2016 | www.x254.co

NEW GOR MAHIA STRIKER JACOB KELI PROMISES LOADS OF GOALS NEXT SEASON

2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or winer Lionel Messi during the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala at the Kongresshaus yesterday in Zurich, Switzerland.

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Messi bags fifth Ballon d’Or Award Barcelona forward Lionel Messi became the first footballer to win five Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player.

Messi beat Christiano Ronaldo and Neymar in the last night awards held in Zurich, Switzerland in a night that was dominated by Barcelona. Barca’s coach Luis Enrique beat Bayern Munchen’s Pep Guardiola to lift the world coach of the year award. The 28-yearold Argentine had 41.33 per cent of the vote, with Real Madrid forward Ronaldo coming second with 27.76 per cent) while Brazilian Neymar only managed 7.86 per cent for third place. Messi and Ronaldo, who became a three-time winner last year, have dominated the last three awards with the Portuguese boasting of three. Messi extended his Ballon d’Or record haul after winning the treble with Barcelona including La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League - in 2014-15.

Portugal captain Ronaldo, 30, scored 57

goals in as many games in 2015 - including a record 16 in the Champions League - but that was not enough to win him Ballon d’Or number four.

Barcelona striker Neymar, 23, was the first Brazilian to finish in the top three since Kaka won the 2007 award.

He scored 45 goals in 62 games and is joint top scorer in this season’s La Liga with 15, level with team-mate Luis Suarez. “It’s a very special moment for me to be back here on this stage, winning again another Ballon d’Or after seeing Cristiano win it,” Messi said.

“It’s incredible that it’s my fifth. Much more than anything I would have dreamed of as a kid.” USA’s World Cup-winning midfielder Carli Lloyd 33, won the women’s world player of the year award.

More pictures on page 14. @elvince_x254

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