201601015 xnews

WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016 | www.x254.co

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EACC slaps Githinji with more NYS charges the anti-graft agency tells the director of public prosecutions to charge the former director general of the national youth service with abuse of office and conspiracy to defraud and fraudulently acquire public property

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NEWS

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Eurobond cash: So where is the truth?

T

he government has once again denied any misappropriations of Eurobond fund even as Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga named senior officials he claimed played a role in squandering the bond proceeds.

The latest response from Treasury Cabinet

Secretary Henry Rotich was provoked by Odinga’s dossier in which he yesterday claimed officials of the National Treasury together with their counterparts at the Central Bank of Kenya colluded in shadowy deals to commit a ‘grand robbery of Kenya’.

This continuing accusation and denial game has now left Kenyans wondering just who is

telling the truth.

While addressing the press at Serena Hotel yesterday, Odinga named eight individuals, among them Rotich and his Principal Secretary Kamau Thuge as ‘persons of interest’ who should be investigated over the alleged misappropriation of Eurobond cash.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich (left) and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Mr Odinga has accused the CS of trying to hide misappropriation od Eurobond cash, an allegation the minister has vehemently denied thus raising the question of who is telling the truth.

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016

Eurobond cash: So where is the truth?

From Page 1

Others also named for investigation on their role in the management of the Eurobond are head of public service Joseph Kinyua, Central Bank of Kenya chairman Mohamed Nyaoga, CBK’s Financial Markets director John Birech, former CBK governor Njuguna Ndung’u, CBK’s Financial Markets manager Moses Muthui, Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo and Julius Kilinda of the National Treasury’s Accounting Unit.

Mr Odinga has accused them of being part of a scheme that colluded to hide the theft of Eurobond billions through money laundering that also involved intermediaries in New York, London, South Africa and Qatar.

“The scheme is so elaborate, so thick and so reckless that we believe these officers acted for or on instructions from bosses higher up the Executive ladder,” Odinga said as he demanded the resignation of both Rotich and his PS. “They should resign immediately and be arraigned in court for deliberately misleading the (National Assembly’s) Public Accounts Committee and taxpayers that the Eurobond proceeds were paid in full into the Consolidated Fund,” he said.

But in his response released last evening, Rotich has accused Odinga of relying on lies to make allegations intended to hurt the Kenyan economy in a sabotage meant to keep away investors.

“Odinga has relied on outright lies, and subversion of the truth for political gain and at the expense of the Kenyan economy. Clearly, these statements are meant to hurt the

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga responds to questions from journalists during his press conference at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi yesterday.

Kenyan Economy through sabotage by keeping away investors,” Rotich said adding that the Kenyan people must hold Mr Odinga to account for lost opportunities now and in the future.

Unlike Kinyua and Nyaoga who have already threatened to sue Mr Odinga over the claims, Rotich did not talk about taking the former premier to court.

He instead defended the Treasury saying they have always provided required information on the use of the money.

He accused Odinga of failure to provide evidence despite persistently making allegations that the proceeds of the Eurobond were stolen or unaccounted for.

“Hon. Raila Odinga has persistently been making allegation that the proceeds of the Eurobond were stolen or unaccounted for. However, when asked to provide any evidence which could assist the investigative arms of Government, he has failed consistently. In addition, he was asked again yesterday in a public forum, he failed to provide any

evidence,” Rotich said.

While Mr Rotich is enjoying the backing of the Ethics and AntiCorruption Commission which has since found no culpability on any government official in the claims, Mr Odinga has been backed by some economist who say the minister’s explanations so far have not been satisfactory.

Last week, EACC released their report on Eurobond investigations in which they conclude that no government official was found culpable and recommended that the

file be closed. They advised that the Auditor General carry out a special audit in Ministries/ Departments and Agencies to verify how the proceeds of the Eurobond were applied.

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X News will be following the developments on this story for you. You can also speak to use on Facebook at X News Kenya and on Twitter @XNewsKenya

Al-Shabaab attack Amisom army base in Somalia There are fears that Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier might have been killed in Somalia after al-Shabaab militants raided an army base where the troops are based.

The Ministry of Defence in Nairobi has said the militants overran a Somali National Army (SNA) camp at 4am in El-Adde, triggering a counter attack by the Kenyan troops who are stationed nearby. Fiece fighting erupted and Military Spokesman David Obonyo said the number of casualties is not known. The fighting was still going on by 10am today.

“Al-Shabaab attacked the SNA camp, which is in close proximity to [the] KDF camp at Elade. The SNA camp was overrun and KDF troops under Amisom counterattacked in support of SNA. The fighting is still going on. KDF will provide more information once it becomes available,” Obonyo said.

Foreign News Agencies report that al-Shabaab claimed to

have killed soldiers, captured armoured vehicles and that the militants were in control of Ceel Cado.

Residents of el-Ade told the BBC that al-Shabab have raised their flag and paraded bodies of killed soldiers on the streets. The camp is located in el-Ade in southern Somalia, which is close to the Kenya and Ethiopia borders.

Kenyan troops moved to the area in 2011 under an operation to safeguard the Kenyan border.

There are about 4000 Kenyan troops serving under the Africa Union mission in Somalia Amisom.

AFP news agency while quoting a Somali army colonel Idris Ahmed giving details of today’s al-Shabab attack in el-Ade said “There was suicide attack followed by the fighting and it seems that the base was stormed.

And there was heavy fighting which caused casualties.”

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NEWS 3 WEEKEND EDITION JANUARY 15-17, 2016

Githinji faces fresh charges over NYS scam The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has pressed fresh abuse of office charges against former National Youth Service (NYS) director general Nelson Githinji.

The Anti-graft body has recommended that Githinji be charged for spending Sh497,335 belonging to NYS to maintain a personal vehicle. Githinji is also accused of conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent acquisition of public property.

EACC has also recommended that Nicholas Makokha who served as Githinji Personal Assistant and Geoffrey Kiriha, a senior superintendent at NYS be charged with abuse of office.

“EACC recommends that the suspects be charged with abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent acquisition of public property,” reads the statement from the antigraft agency.

The files have already been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko, who has said they will be independently reviewed and decisions made based on evidence.

Former Devolution Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti and Githinji were last year charged with attempting to induce the senior deputy director-general in charge of administration, Adan Harakhe “not to follow up the matter relating to the conspiracy” to steal money

NOT OFF THE HOOK YET: Former National Youth Service director general Githinji Mwangi woes have deepened after anti-graft body pressed more charges aginst him.

from the government. The duo have, however, denied that between May 27, 2015 and June 19, 2015 in Nairobi, they jointly attempted to induce Harakhe “to fail in his duty by threatening him with consequences should he continue following up the matter relating to the conspiracy to steal Sh695,400,000 with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations”.

The two senior officials were among 26 suspects charged over the loss of Sh791 million from the NYS. Githinji faces fresh charges over NYS cash loss The Ethics and

Transitional Athourity boss now hits back at governors Chairman of the Transition Authority Kinuthia Wamwangi has hit out at governors over claims that the agency intentionally dragged its feet to get term extension.

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri (pictured) had last week made a proposal to have the term of the authority extended to enable them complete their work.

But Governors led by the Council of Governors chairman Peter Munya and Bomet’s Isaac Ruto have dismissed the proposal and told the team to pack and leave upon the expiry of its term in March.

They said the authority has failed and that it intentionally dragged its feet to get an extension, a claim Wamwangi has denied.

The TA boss accused the county chiefs of insincerity, saying majority of them have refuse to heed the authority’s advice and guidance as stipulated in the law.

“Governors don’t want oversight. They don’t want to be told what to do; we’ve issued directives and they don’t follow,” said Wamwangi. He said the county chiefs have

ignored their directives and instead resorted to operate in total disregard to the County Governments Act 2012 and the new Constitution.

“We look after the staff in the counties who are now exposed to a lot of tribalism and nepotism, just visit the counties you will be shocked, this vice is being perpetuated across the board,” he said.

“Counties are firing people who are not from their ethnic groups and hiring people from their regions,” he alleged, adding that if their tenure will not be prolonged then the counties risk plunging into ‘chaos’.

Kinuthia said their push for their tenure extension was informed by the bulk of the work left by the authority and ought to be done before they exit office.

“There is a lot that remains to be done, we are yet to transfer ownership of land, assets and resources from the National to County governments; that is why we need to term extension,” he said.

He, however distanced himself from allegations by the former Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto that the plan to extend the authority’s tenure was part of the government plan to reluctantly implement devolution.

“It is clear that the Constitution did not envisage the heavy workload the authority had to contend with,” Kiunjuri said.

Although he said he would consult with stakeholders, governors have strongly opposed the move and called for the full transfer of functions upon the expiry of the authority’s term in two months-time. @hillary_x254

Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has pressed fresh abuse of office charges on former National Youth Service (NYS) director general Nelson Githinji.

The Anti-graft body has recommended that Githinji be charged for spending Sh497,335 belonging to NYS to maintain a personal vehicle. Githinji is also accused of conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent acquisition of public property. EACC has also recommended that Nicholas Makokha who served as Githinji Personal Assistant and

Geoffrey Kiriha, a senior superintendent at NYS be charged with abuse of office.

“EACC recommends that the suspects be charged with abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent acquisition of public property,” reads the statement from the anti-graft agency. The files have already been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko, who has said they will be independently reviewed and decisions made based on evidence.

Former Devolution Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti and Githinji were last year charged with attempting to induce the senior deputy director-general in charge of administration, Adan Harakhe “not to follow up the matter relating to the conspiracy” to steal money from the government.

The duo have, however, denied that between May 27, 2015 and June 19, 2015 in Nairobi, they jointly attempted to induce Harakhe “to fail in his duty by threatening him with consequences should he continue following up the matter relating to the conspiracy to steal Sh695,400,000 with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations”.

The two senior officials were among 26 suspects charged over the loss of Sh791 million from the NYS. @sam_x254

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION JANUARY 15-17 , 2016

We’ll expand Dandora dumpsite to take in more of Nairobi’s refuse, says Kidero Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero will next week meet with stakeholders to discuss ways of increasing the capacity of the Dandora dumpsite.

The meeting set to bring together engineers from City Hall, the Ministry of Public Works and the National Youth Service will come up with a plan aimed at compacting waste at the landfill.

Peaking after touring the site, Kidero indicated that the exercise is expected to create more space that will last for the next five years.

“We are going to employ new scientific methods to help us extend the life of Dandora for a little while.

We are currently collecting between 1,600 and 1,700 tonnes of waste daily.

Our challenge is private garbage collectors who keep on dumping waste in residential areas,” he said.

“Dandora got filled a little faster than it should have because it was not managed properly. So we are going to use a new scientific method to help us extend the life of the dumpsite before we get a new place.”

He also said plans to set up another dumpsite at Ruai have been put on hold as it would affect the aviation industry.

“We have had feasibility studies done on how to generate electricity or waste recirculation and we are working with a company which is going to put in Sh30 billion for the building of a segregation plant and a waste recycling plant and an electricity generating plant,” he said.

“Ruai being on the flight path of

international flights from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, there is hesitation in designing the new site in Ruai.”

Earlier last week, Kidero visited various parts of the city to inspect and assess the extent of the garbage situation that has caused uproar among Nairobi residents.

He toured Luthuli Avenue, Lenana Road, Ojijo Road, Ronald Ngala, Racecourse Road, Ngara as well the Globe Interchange where the cleanup work has commenced.

He also pledged to reconstruct Dandora roads leading to the dumpsite to the tune of Sh220 million and work with lobbies so as

to remedy the situation.

The governor said Nairobi will be spending Sh1 million daily for the next 45 days to address the garbage menace in the city, explaining that the money is to be spent under a performance contract basis following an agreement with the NYS.

More on this story at

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (in the middle with a green cap) wades through the Dandora dumpsite when he toured the area yesterday. He has announced plans to expand the site to take in more waste.

www.capitalfm.co.ke

Low use of contraceptives blamed for high birth rate in Wajir Women in Wajir are giving birth two times more than their counterparts in other parts of the country, according to the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey.

The survey indicates that Wajir women are having four times the number of children as their counterparts in Kirinyaga, at an average of EMBATTLED: Health Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri during the release of the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey in Nairobi yesterday.

eight children while those in Kirinyaga have an average of two. Women in Nyeri and Kiambu come close to meeting the government goal of two children per household at an average of three children. At the launch of the report on Thursday, Health Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri said the numbers correlate with

the use of contraceptives by women in those counties with only two per cent of women in Wajir and Mandera using contraceptives compared to 76 per cent in Kirinyaga. “The story is that men from that region (Central) come in at 3am. You have no time to have babies at 3am. Others are too drunk to open the door, they sleep on the door step and then people jump over them as they go to milk their cows. That’s not true.” “Why family size in Kirinyaga is 2.3 is simple, women are accessing family planning,” he said.

The Nyanza region on the other side of the spectrum recorded the highest number of deaths in children under five at 82 deaths per 1,000 children born; almost twice the number in Central. The report also showed that male children are more likely than female children to die during their first year of life at 44 deaths versus 37 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The survey does, however, show a national decline in deaths of children under five from 74 in 2009 to 52 in a 1,000 live births; an improvement which Muraguri attributed to a decline in home deliveries. “Ideally, an expectant mother should have a health facility she can deliver in within 30 minutes of her home. And if the positive trend continues,

names such as Mwanzia and Nzilani will become extinct.”

It’s also worth noting that while women in Wajir on average give birth to the highest number of children in the country, they are least likely to do so in a health facility with over 80 per cent of the births in the county over the last five years being home deliveries.

Kiambu followed by Kirinyaga recorded the highest number of deliveries made in health facilities over the last five years at 93.4 and 92.5 percent respectively. Under-five mortality rates in the two regions are, however, almost at par with North Eastern recording 44 deaths in every 1,000 live births and Central 42. Seventyseven per cent of Kenyans say they prefer two to four children with men more inclined to want three or four which is the current national average. The survey results are based on data collected from 36,430 households in the 47 counties between May and October, 2014.

The KDHS survey was been conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics every five years, with the support of USAID, since 1989 with the 2014 report being the first to contain county level information.

MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

NEWS

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WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016

Indonesia hunts terror cells in wake of attack as IS claims responsibility Police in Indonesia are hunting terror cells believed to be behind yesterday’s bomb and gun attack in the capital Jakarta that left at least two civilians and five attackers killed.

Jakarta’s chief of police inspector Gen Tito Karnavian said the attackers had been “neutralised” but were linked to groups across Indonesia and were “part of a global network”.

The Islamic State (IS) militant group has said it was behind the attack.

It released a statement online saying it had been carried out by “soldiers of the Caliphate”, targeting “citizens of the Crusader coalition” against the group.

Three men were arrested near Jakarta early on Friday, police told local media. It was not immediately clear whether they had direct links the attacks.

Authorities have named Bahrum Naim, an Indonesian believed to be fighting with IS in Syria, as the suspected co-ordinator.

Insp Gen Karnavian said Naim’s “vision” is to unite the various ISsupporting groups across South East Asia.

Indonesia - which has been attacked

by Islamist militants several times - had been on high terror alert following recent threats issued by IS. Security forces battled militants for hours on Thursday in a major business and shopping district of Jakarta.

The assault ended when two of the attackers were killed in a suicide bombing, said police, with the other three killed in gun battles.

A Canadian and an Indonesian national, both civilians, also died and at least 20 people were injured.

Some little normalcy resumed today

Indonesian police chief General Tito Karnavian speaks to the media at the scene of yesterday’s attack in Jakarta where at least two civilians and five attackers were killed. He says they are hunting terror cells believed to have been used to coordinate the attack.

at the junction where the attack occurred - but only up to a point.

Traffic is flowing and the road sweepers are busy, but the police post which was hit remains boarded up, and the Starbucks cafe at the centre of the attack is surrounded by iron fencing.

Insp Gen Karnavian told the BBC that main culprits had been “neutralised” but were “connected to other cells in Java and Sulawesi and we are chasing them”.

He said one IS plot had been foiled at the end of 2015 and a number of people detained, among them a man who said he had been instructed by Naim.

Naim has been linked to the IS-allied East Indonesia Mujahidin Group (MIT), which is based on the island of Sulawesi.

The police chief said Indonesia had significantly developed its understanding of domestic terror networks since the 2002 bomb attack

in Bali, which killed 202 people.

Some 1,000 people linked to radical networks had been brought to justice in Indonesia since 2000, he said, but some had since been released from prison and had “the potential to pose a threat”.

“What we need to do today is strengthen capability and also sharing information with others because it is not home grown in Indonesia but it is part of a global network,” he said.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has condemned the attacks as “acts of terror”.

He tweeted on Friday that there was “no place for terrorism on Earth” and that “every citizen in the world” needed to fight it.

Indonesia has suffered militant attacks in the past, but has been relatively successful in curbing home-grown Islamist extremism after a spate of attacks in the last decade.

Top stories from X News global partners ISIS claims responsibility Trump Trades Punches Obama: A voice in the BHP takes $7bn hit on for Jakarta gun and With Cruz as Others wilderness: To hear most of US shale operation: BHP revealed a huge hit from the bomb attack: Up to seven blasts Attack Obama: Donald Trump the contenders for this year’s presidential Billiton sharp fall in oil prices with a $7.2bn

and several gunfights took place in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, on Thursday in an apparently coordinated attack claimed by Islamic State (Isis). The attacks left seven people dead – a police officer, a Canadian man and five of the attackers. 17 people were wounded, including a Dutch man who was critically injured who had been working for the UN’s environment programme. It took security forces about three hours to end the siege near a Starbucks cafe and Sarinah’s, Jakarta’s oldest department store, after a team of about seven militants traded gunfire with police before blowing themselves up.

www.theguardian.com

and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas sharply attacked each other on Thursday night over the Canadian-born Mr. Cruz’s eligibility to be president and Mr. Trump’s “New York values,” shedding any semblance of cordiality as they dominated a Republican debate less than three weeks before the Iowa caucuses. Their cutting exchanges showcased the intense and unpredictable new phase of the race as polls tighten and 11 candidates jockey for political advantage and for breakout moments over issues like imposing tariffs on Chinese goods and fighting the Islamic State and matters of character and integrity.

www.nytimes.com

election tell it, America is in a horrible state.

Republicans both mainstream and whacko, from Jeb Bush to Donald Trump, describe a country enfeebled militarily, ailing economically and culturally corrupted by seven years of Democratic rule; on the left, Bernie Sanders describes an economy rigged against ordinary Americans. In his last state-of-the-union message to Congress on January 12th, Barack Obama delivered a rebuke to that miserabilism—and to the ugly nativism it is fuelling among voters.

During his first presidential campaign, Mr Obama promised Americans a lot of change they would like.

writedown on its extensive US shale assets. The asset impairment, which equates to $4.9bn after tax, is the largest announced by the Anglo-Australian group during a wrenching commodities downturn that is devastating the mining and energy sectors. BHP, the most valuable miner by market capitalisation, has always been unusual in the sector by virtue of its significant oil business.

It vastly expanded its exposure to oil in 2012 when it spent more than $20bn on US shale acquisitions.

www.economist.com

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WEEKEnD EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

KTDA raises bar for farmers seeking managerial positions

Tea farmers seeking management positions in their factories must have a minimum of a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate, a move that is aimed at addressing governance woes that have stalked the organisation in the past.

Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) National Chairman Peter Kanyago said the director’s rule has been necessitated by the new Companies Act, 2015 that sets the minimum education level for directors.

“For committee members, farmers need to be able to understand the issues being discussed thus the KCSE certificate proposal. We are deliberating on whether to include the new regulations as by-laws or amend the memorandum in the Articles of the Company Act of 2015,” he said.

The agency has also demanded a Sh600 million fertiliser subsidy reportedly promised by the government up from Sh400 million in the current financial year.

“Farmers will have to part with higher deductions for the fertilisers. The government should support us. Tea is the highest foreign exchange earner in the country,” he said.

The KTDA boss also said Kenya

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

Kenya Tea Development Agency management has frequently cited high cost of production as part of the reasons bonus paid to small-scale farmers has reduced over the years. was now eyeing Iran as a market for Kenyan tea once the United Nations removes sanctions imposed on the Middle East state.

“Before the sanctions we were selling a sizeable amount of tea to Iran. After the sanctions traders were unable to get the foreign exchange to do business in Iran.

But now, we want that market back,” said Kanyago.

On local production, Kanyago blamed farmers for delay in extending power to factories, saying they were refusing to grant the authority permission to put up poles in their farms.

KTDA has embarked on a plan

to generate hydro-electric power for its factories and sell excess electricity to Kenya Power.

KTDA management has frequently cited high cost of production as part of the reasons bonus paid to small-scale farmers has reduced over the years. wilson_x254

MEAN 102.3664 147.5753 110.9958 6.2455 33.9272 21.2473

BUY SELL 102.2717 102.4612 147.4283 147.7222 110.8756 111.1161 6.2385 6.2524 33.8470 33.3158 21.1788 21.3183

US to spend Sh409b on self-driving cars plan in all States The US Department of Transportation has announced a 10-year, $4 billion (Sh409 billion) proposal to bring self-driving cars to roads across the country. The plan seeks to implement consistent laws across all states and eventually eliminate human error on the road.

“That is a possibility worth pursuing,” explained Department of Transportation head Anthony Foxx at a Motor Show in the US state of Detroit on Thursday.

The plans are backed by carmakers and technology companies including Google, Tesla, Ford, General Motors and Volvo, the BBC reports.

The move, which was made by the Obama administration, comes after several firms complained that differing rules across the US were creating unnecessary headaches for those developing autonomous technology.

“The absence of one set of rules means car makers cannot conduct credible tests to develop cars that meet all the different guidelines of all 50 US states,” car maker, Volvo said in a statement last October.

Mr Foxx said his team was to spend the next six months developing the rules all states should adopt.

While the long-term aim is for fully autonomous driving, discussions will also look at features already being pushed to vehicles on sale today.

For example, drivers in the US are currently unable to use the BMW 7 series’ selfparking feature - although this is expected to change soon. Tesla chief Elon Musk said he envisions a time when one day, a Tesla will drive itself from Los Angeles to New York to pick up a passenger.

Airtel to sell some of its Old Mutual buys Sh 6.5b stake in firm In2Food operations to Orange Telecommunication firms Orange and Airtel have signed an agreement that will see Orange acquire Airtel’s subsidiaries in Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone. The deal will see Orange acquire 100 per cent of the two companies’ share capital at a combined revenue of about 275million Euros (Sh30.5 billion). In a statement, Orange said the move will strengthen its presence in Africa and add about 5.5 million customers to its mobile customer base.

“This acquisition marks an important step forward in Orange’s dynamic growth strategy and will bring the Group’s African footprint up to 20 countries in 2016,” reads a statement from the company. If the deal is

sealed, Orange will have an additional two more African countries under its footprint adding almost 5.5 million customers to its mobile customer base.

“The outlay for Orange for these transactions will be based on the financials of Airtel’s two subsidiaries for the year ended March 31, 2016and will represent the equivalent of 7.9 times Airtel’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization in these two countries at this time,” the statement continues. Additionally, if the agreement is approved by the competent authorities, implementation will be carried out in partnership with subsidiaries of Orange in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.

The move follows initial agreements in July last year regarding the potential acquisition of Airtel’s operations in Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Chad and Congo Brazzaville.

The agreements regarding potential transactions in the remaining two countries have however tumbled.

Lazard and SociétéGénérale were advisors to Orange for this transaction. Airtel was advised by Arma Partners LLP. The transaction follows Orange’s exit from the Kenyan market after it sold its entire stake to Helios Investment Partners in November last year and an earlier departure from Uganda.

Kevin_x254

Old Mutual’s private equity unit has invested Sh6.4 billion in In2Food, a maker of readymade meals and snacks in South Africa, as the investor bets on snowballing for convenience products among the country’s growing middle class.

The Two Rivers Lifestyle Centre (TRLC), the holding company for the Two Rivers Mall, in a land mark deal was arranged by Nabo Capital.

The transaction implies a total asset valuation for the mall of approximately Sh23 billion.

The division, Old Mutual Property (OMP) has made the investment via a subscription for a 10 percent shareholding of TRLC in newly issued stock and a loan that is convertible into an additional 40 percent shareholding, subject to the Competition Authority’s approval.

The transaction will see OMP in the long run hold a 50 per cent stake in TRLC. This investment will see the Two Rivers Mall deliver a retail, entertainment and lifestyle experience that is unprecedented in the

region.

“This deal is a very important affirmation of the investment-grade quality of the Two Rivers Mall. A private transaction of this magnitude by a reputable international investor of OMP’s stature is also a firm vote of confidence in Kenya and the region as an investment destination,” Nabo Capital Managing Director Pius Muchiri stated.

The Two Rivers Mall, sitting on 10.2 acres, is part of the larger 102 acre master-planned Two Rivers Development.

The development constitutes 851,000m2 of bulk space and is destined to be a worldclass destination.

It includes a 3-star hotel being undertaken

by City Lodge Hotel, an office building developed by Victoria Commercial Bank, a 5 star hotel and residential apartments that are in various stages of development.

Two Rivers Development Limited (TRDL) has been the sole shareholder of TRLC and is destined to be Africa’s Pre-eminent destination. enock_x254

BUSINESS 7

WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016

Fuel price falls as ERC awaits review on Valentine’s Day

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has announced a Sh1.42 drop in the price of super petrol and a fall of Sh1.81 and Sh7.14 per litre respectively in the prices of diesel and kerosene.

The ERC says the review has fully taken into consideration the increase in excise duty of Sh2.061 per litre on diesel which became effective on December 1, 2015.

Motorists will now purchase a litre of super petrol at Sh88.64, diesel at Sh76.70 and kerosene at Sh46.13 in Nairobi. In Mombasa, super petrol will retail at Sh85.34, diesel at Sh73.43 and kerosene at Sh43.44.

In Eldoret, a litre of super petrol will retail at Sh90.54, diesel at Sh78.78 and kerosene at Sh48.04 while in Kisumu super petrol will sell at Sh90.60, diesel at Sh78.85 and kerosene at Sh48.03.

The new price changes took effect from Thursday midnight and will run until February 14, 2016.

“The purpose of the fuel pricing regulations is to cap the pump prices of the products which are already in the country so that the importation and other prudent cost are recovered while ensuring reasonable prices for consumers,” the Commission said in a statement.

“The key driver of this decrease was as a result of the average landed cost of imported super petrol falling by 4.32 percent. For diesel, the average landed cost decreased by 7.63 per cent while kerosene decreased by 17.05 percent from $475.53 per ton to $439.25 per tonne,”

the ERC added.

The move comes even as international crude oil prices fell below $30 (Sh3,068) a barrel for the first time.

The Commission has warned petroleum retail station dealers of increasing cases of fraud

within the sector. The ERC urged registered dealers to be on the lookout for fraudsters claiming to monitor petroleum prices on behalf of the Commission.

Dennis_x254

#Blog4Dev calls on youth to compete for trip to Washington #Blog4Dev, an initiative aimed at supporting innovation and development in developing countries, has called on Kenyan, Rwandan and Ugandan citizens between the ages of 18 and 28 years to submit their ideas on how to boost opportunities for youth in their home country.

The initiative is a product of the World Bank and is offering participants the chance to either win an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC in April 2016 or have their work published by the Bank. #Blog4Dev has asked participants to submit a 500-word essay on how they would increase opportunities for young people in Kenya, Rwanda or Uganda.

Last year, a version of the competition offered participants the opportunity to share their perspective on pressing development issues discussed at the World Bank GroupIMF Spring Meetings in Washington the week of April 13.

Copy Cat, @iLabAfrica pact to promote innovation in tech ERC says the review has fully taken into consideration the increase in excise duty of Sh2.061 per litre on diesel which became effective on December 1, 2015.

Kenya lagging behind as digital revolution becomes development’s top priority Kenya is still lagging behind as a global ‘digital revolution’ begins to take shape. Despite being a world leader in mobile money and its recent adoption of the digital television spectrum, the Kenya government falls short in terms of providing its citizens with internet connectivity.

A new World Bank report has found that many developing nations, including Kenya, have failed to meet standards set in place by policy makers when it comes to providing fast, affordable and reliable internet connections.

While the private sector has done its part to provide such services, the state has not pushed hard enough in ensuring that these services are within the reach of the most common consumers.

They remain restrictive in the sense that most Kenyans see the internet as a luxury.

Universal access to the Internet has become a top development priority, explains the Bank.

“Getting there requires affordable, reliable access to fast, “always on” broadband networks, one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9.c),” adds World Bank correspondent Samia Melhem.

BIZ BRIEFS

Finland has recognized access to broadband as a fundamental human right since 2010.

In 2011, a key UN commission declared that broadband access is a basic human right, along with health care, shelter, and food. The Bank has reaffirmed that stance and states that affordable Internet access enables progress on some of the toughest development challenges in the world’s poorest communities.

According to one estimate, increasing the proportion of the world’s population that is connected to the Internet to 75 per cent (reaching 5.6 billion

people) would add $2 trillion (Sh204 trillion) per year to world GDP and help create 140 million jobs. Currently, only about 40 per cent of the world’s population (3.2 billion) is connected.

However, reaping those benefits requires more than adding Internet connections, explains the Bank.

That reevaluation is the focus of the World Bank’s World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends (WDR 16). It highlights the size of the digital divide and shows that a robust program of development in the supporting environment points

the way for the development community to make decisive headway on the enormous promise of the Internet.

The report indicates that affordable broadband Internet can help overcome remoteness, provides global and local news and educational resources, and disseminates transit information, health data, and disaster alerts. It can empower women and other vulnerable populations, generate consumer benefits, raise the level of government transparency and effectiveness, and boost capacity in virtually every social and economic endeavor.

The job spillovers created by digital technologies are important. In the United States, every high-tech job creates 4.9 additional jobs in other sectors.

In Kenya, 80,000 agent positions were created to manage M-pesa’s financial services nationwide.

Melhem says that In support of WDR 16, the World Bank’s Transport and ICT Global Practice is providiig a platform for financing digital innovation and development through its Digital Development Partnership (DDP), underpinned by a multidonor Dennis_x254 trust fund.

Kenya-based research centre, @iLabAfrica, has partnered with local IT solutions firm Copy Cat to collaborate in driving innovations in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector. The Internet of Things refers to the network of physical objects or “things” embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, which enables these objects to collect and exchange data. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by @iLabAfrica and Copy Cat will see the two entities collaborate on research and development while also building new tech solutions, according to a report by innovation hub, Disrupt Africa. @iLabAfrica and Copy Cat will pool their resources to arrange funding, mentorship, training and incubation for Kenyan ventures in the IoT space as well as organise related events such as ‘hackathons’, competitions for those working within the startup sector.

Nest thermostat bug leaves users cold and angry A software bug that caused Nest’s Smart Thermostat (a smart device for heating homes in countries that experience very cold and hot climates) to stop working has left many users both cold and angry.

Some of those affected took to Nest’s own forum and social media to vent their anger about the problem.

Nest, a tech company with operations in the US, Canada and Europe, has said that it was aware of the issue and that it had been fixed for 99.5 per cent of users.

Nest published a nine-step fix recommending those who still experience the problem to perform a manual reset.

The firm did not disclose the exact number of affected as the issue appears to have been traced to a software update in December with problems not emerging until early Jan.

8

BUSINESS

Visa in deal with UBA bank, SmartMoney now in Kenya

WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-10, 2016

India in BuyerSeller meeting in Nairobi

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in association with High Commission of India, and supported by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India has organized an event dubbed the “Promotion Programme for Indian Food Products including Buyer – Seller Meet” The event, currently being held in Nairobi, will run from the January 15 to17, 2016.

The buyer Seller Meet & Indian Brands promotion is the initiative of Government of India to promote Brand India and Indian industry overseas, especially in emerging markets with demand for Indian products.

S. S.Nayyar, General Manager, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India has termed Kenya as an important trade partner.

“Kenya is a focus market for Indian Food companies and we are enthused by the positive political and social sentiment of this beautiful country,” he said in a statement.

“Kenya is a profitable market for Food companies from India and that BSM presents a great opportunity for strengthening the trade relationship between our countries,” he added.

Kenya and India have a long trade history with the first trade agreement signing in 1981, both countries accorded Most Favoured Nation status to each other.

Global electronic payments company Visa, in partnership with United Bank of Africa Plc. (UBA) have announced the launch of “SmartMoney”, a 21st century banking solution comprising a prepaid card and a mobile app for the African market. The partnership brings together Visa’s trusted payments technology and SmartMoney’s mobile app experience to establish a millennial

Visa. The SmartMoney prepaid card allows young people to enjoy all the features of a bank account and the minimal costs associated with the prepaid card are a massive plus.”

Now that the SmartMoney app has been conceptualized and launched, the SmartMoney card has since evolved to become much more.

Once you download the app and link it to your card, you enter into a whole new world of controlling

From left; Dr. Yinka Adedeji Divisional Head E-Banking, UBA PLC, with Omokehinde Ojomuyide Vice President & Area Business Head MasterCard West Africa; Mr. Kennedy Uzoka Deputy Managing Director, United Bank for Africa PLC; Bayo Adeokun Managing Director Electronic PayPlus Limited and Mr Adedeji Olowe Head of Cards UBA PLC during the official launch of UBA All About U debit card in Lagos, Nigeria.

Renault suffers shares plunge after police raided its facilities French car maker Renault shares plunged 20 per cent, before recovering to close at 10.3 per cent lower, after police raids on the company’s facilities.

The firm confirmed the raids took place last week and said investigators wanted to check equipment at its factories.

Investors feared Renault was embroiled in cheating emissions tests, something Volkswagen admitted last year.

However, Renault stressed that tests have shown “no evidence” of devices designed to cheat emissions tests. Renault’s comments were backed up by French Energy minister Segolene Royal w. According to Renault the fraud investigators were looking at the way Renault uses exhaust emissions technology, and it was co-operating fully with the probe. The statement said that investigators “decided to carry out additional on-site

centric product platform, for consumers who want to be in control of their money.

Speaking about the launch, DMD & chief executive officer UBA Africa, Kennedy Uzoka said: “Modern, young Africans are constantly seeking and devising new ways to be banked. It is with this realization that the Smart- Money prepaid card was first developed and introduced into the market in partnership with

and material investigations in order to definitively confirm the first findings resulting from the analysis of the independent technical c om m i ss i on”. Inve st i g ators “went to the headquarters, the Renault Technical Centre in Lardy and the Technocentre in Guyancourt,” Renault said.

News of the searches first came from the CGT Renault union.

It said the raids targeted the engine control units and that they were likely to be “linked to the consequences of the Volkswagen rigged-engines affair”.

The union also said police officers took the personal computers of several directors.

Last month, Renault said it would invest €50m into bringing the real emissions of its cars into line with those measured in official test conditions.

your money. JabuBasopo, General Manager for Southern and East Africa added: “The SmartMoney prepaid card allows young Africans to be banked, without having a bank account. This means they are able to enjoy all the features of a bank account and at the same time have full visibility of their spending via the mobile app. “ SmartMoney provides convenience to make purchases, perform online transactions, shop during international travel and access to cash from ATMs. SmartMoney app users also have the ability to check card balances; track and budget spend, or send and receive funds between SmartMoney cardholders.

Visa and UBA have launched SmartMoney in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya before rolling out to other African markets in 2016. The SmartMoney Visa Prepaid card can be obtained and reloaded at UBA business offices. All that is required is a valid means of identification and a photo. The SmartMoney app can be downloaded from Google Play or Apple iOS Store, and gives you even further control of your money.

As part of the launch, SmartMoney has also partnered with Uber in Kenya to provide cardholders with a sign-up offer. First time Uber users who link their SmartMoney card for payment will get an Uber credit to the value of Sh2,000, by using promotion code VISANBO on sign-up.

Kevin_x254

BAGL to shift its operations to Johannesburg Barclays Africa Group will in March close its regional management office based in Nairobi shifting its operations to its South Africa premises as a result of redundancy.

The move is expected to see redeployment of over 30 staff based here but will not affect Barclays Bank Kenya employees.

“Barclays Africa Group Limited (BAGL) can confirm that it will close down its regional operations and technology management office in Nairobi, Kenya by March 31. Our Africa operations will continue to be supported by the pan-African regional Centre based in South Africa,” read part of a statement from Barclays Africa Group.

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed bank, in 2013 revealed plans to raise its revenues from the continent and make it account for 2025 per cent of its returns by 2016, said the move was meant to streamline its operations on the continent.

The office was established in 2010 to offer Barclays subsidiaries in Africa technical support but is said to have lost relevance in light of merging of operations with Absa to from Barclays Africa group.

Dispelling fears of a wind up from the continent whose economic engines of oil, copper and iron ore had decelerated, Barclays Africa Group said it will continue its investment strategy in the continent.

“We remain committed to continue growing our Kenyan business and offering our customers access to cutting edge financial solutions.

We will continue investing in our infrastructure as well as the development of innovative products and systems to improve the way we

reach and serve our customers across all African markets in which we operate,” the lender said Thursday.

The UK based bank has in the past also considered to break its more than a century years of history by selling some of its African banking operations.

Barclays has its retail banking in much of Africa including South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, Botswana and Zambia. It also has corporate and investment banking activities in the wilson_x254 region.

WEEKEND EDITION, jaNuary 15-17, 2016

aCCESS

celeb SPEAK DAN ‘CHIZI’ ACEDA What’s hot at the moment?

MCSK saga What is your take?

Artistes are not wrong to ask for their rights.MCSK needs to be accountable. What is so hard in providing up to date logs? There is more than meets the eye when discrepancies occur. They should do better, we expect better.

What are you working on?

A new album.

SUZANNA OWIYO What’s hot at the moment?

Obviously the MCSK, CMOs Elani speak saga. It is the talk of our circles.

What is your take?

We as artistes must actively participate in our own affairs. It is sad that it is coming out as though we are ignorant but it is also good because the truth will prevail. We need to be

10

fashion Parade

We as artistes must actively participate in our oWn affairs

fairly compensated.

What are you working on now?

I am in the studio, we released a collaboration late last year with a group of artistes. I am also deep into environmental advocacy.

L-JAY MAASAI What’s hot at the moment?

The beef between Bahati and Willy Paul, it’s getting out of hand.

What’s your take?

They need to chill out and concentrate on making music.

They are gospel artistes for Pete’s sake .It is childish and unnecessary to keep feuding. I do not support their recurring beefs. First as a Christian and a fellow artiste.

What are you working on now?

I am in the studio… I will reveal soon but I am ministering and looking forward to a good year.

l-Jay maasai

DAN ‘CHIZI’ ACEDA

SUZANNA OWIYO

For 15% off* subscriptions

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THE DESIGN AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS MAGAZINE OF THE FUTURE

10

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 26th NOVEMBER 2014 2015 WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17,

FASHIONScoop

Rule of sophistication: always unbutton youR suit befoRe sitting down

Crucial point to note: Always ensure that the jacket’s shoulders fit by ensuring there is no gap between your shirt’s collar and the jacket lapel.

Your tie’s width should match that of the jacket’s lapel (the folded flaps on the front of a jacket or a coat).

The bottom button of a suit vest should remain unbuttoned.

For business events, a double button jacket helps to endorse the official appeal.

Unlike common practice, a pocket square should not match your tie’s fabric or pattern.

eVeRY Man sUiTinG UP: seCReTs sHOUlD knOW

Just as a wise woman ensures she has a little black dress tucked away somewhere in her closet, a wise man also needs at least one dapper suit for that important interview, meeting or special date. Most men, however, don’t know the first thing about suiting it up so here are the essentials, straight out of Italy, the hub of suits. lYour belt should always match the color of your shoes. lFor a more fashionable appeal, opt for double vents in the back. lIf you are aiming for a casually suited up look, wear a single button lapel jacket. lRule of sophistication: Always unbutton your suit before sitting down lThe cuffs on your shirt should not be too visible. Half an inch is universally acceptable.

DRAKE

TOP

GlObal HiTs

lYour tie should not extend beyond the waistband of your trousers. lThe jacket, on the other hand, should extend further down to cover your pants zipper. lYour tie should always be darker than your shirt. lDo not wear a suit with ankle socks!

Ensure that you wear socks long enough to cover your legs when seated.

Rank

TiTle

aRTisTe

1 2

Hotline Bling My House

Drake Florida

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

One Call Away

Charlie Puth Justin Beiber Pitbull Gwen Stafani Sia Ariana Grande Selena Gomez Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor

What Do You Mean Freedom Used to Love Yous Reaper Focus Same Old Love Marvin Gaye

11

ACCESS

WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016

WEEKEND PLANNER

your comprehensive gig guide

TODAY

TODAY

WHO: Patrick Mboma WHERE: KICC.

SAUTI ACADEMY GRADUATION CONCERT TODAY

WHO: Steve Beatz WHERE: G-Skyye Lounge Parklands timE: 6 PM.

WHERE: Goethe Institut timE: 6:30 PM ENtRY: Sh500.

WHERE: Alchemist Bar Westlands timE: 7 PM.

NOISE ON DEMAND

SUNDAY

TODAY

SOYA AWARDS

CAMpUS IGNITION fIESTA

HOT

CITY WAlK

DJ CRèmE

TOPICS

WHERE: Railways Club timE: 8 AM ENtRY: From Sh1500.

TOUR

CRÈME NOW AT TRM Despite the hiccups witnessed last year DJ crème is still going strong. Crème is now the attraction at Persia lounge located at TRM. The DJ seemed to have accepted and completely moved on from 2015 woes.

CMB prezzo’s ex is getting married

HAvE YOU TRIED

Out&About

TERIYAKI?

immediately the grilled chicken turns golden in color you are allowed to accompany it with steamed rice (again Japanese style) noodles or fries.

I

t’s a new year and trying out new tastes won’t hurt. At Corner House, along Mama Ngina Street at the Central Business district lies Teriyaki.

This happens to be the latest entrant in the international food chain store clamor for Kenya.

The Japanese restaurant’s name is derived from its signature sauce “Teriyaki” a traditional Japanese sauce made with sugar and soy sauce. The sauce, gives grilled meat a shiny allure,

and tantalizing taste. With this signature sauce, Teriyaki restaurant simply beckons you to sample eat and take away exceptionally grilled chicken or beef.

Usually Teriyaki Japan stir fries are not cooked with oils or fats, there is no junk here its Japanese proper, where steaming water is used on the grill to keep the meat from sticking to the grill.

It is simply mind blowing, with its open flamed restaurant

approach where you engage your raw food as you choose, before you salivate by the grill as you watch Japanese chefs grill your chicken.

Immediately the grilled chicken turns golden in color you are allowed to accompany it with steamed rice (again Japanese style) noodles or fries.

You will be served with freshly cut and crisp vegetables. The experience is all worth it and all for as low as Sh 500 for a whole meal.

Notorious rap artiste CMB Prezzo’s ex, Barbie Chagga is soon going to tie the knot in Dar. Chagga who has been dating Nay wa Mitego, a Tanzanian rapper, is set to walk down the aisle very soon.

Chagga and Prezzo broke up in 2014 after a string of escapades where Prezzo was said to be a “parasite”.

BaRBiE CHagga

Avril earned just 5K in royalties!

As the debate on how artistes should be paid royalties continues, it seems Kenyan artistes are absolutely broke. Avril, joined the bandwagon to add pressure on MCSK to have their royalties paid. The sassy singer revealed that she earned less than Sh 5000 in royalties for the whole year.

Meanwhile there is still a deadlock on when exactly the Skiza tune cash will be paid with politicians now joining in the call for a speedy a n d amicable resolution. avRil

BUSINESS WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016

Technical insTiTuTe EstablishEd in 1964

Professional training institute Train for a career wiTh highesT remuneraTion and brighT fuTure

Intake In progress for the followIng courses advanced dIploma/ dIploma/certIfIcate

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ElEctrical EnginEEring MEchanical EnginEEring PluMbing and MEchanical sErvicEs basic ElEctronics Plant EnginEEring WatEr EnginEEring MachinE oPEration sWiMMing Pool MaintEnancE rEfrigEration and air conditioning radio and tv EnginEEring tElEcoMMunication EnginEEring architEctural draughtsMan shiP building and civil EnginEEring Motor vEhiclE and autoMotivE EnginEEring adult Education KcPE, KcsE, gcEo, gcEa coMPutEr PacKagEs

commercial courses English languagE hotEl and catEring ManagEMEnt l food & bEvEragE Production l Pastry & baKing l accounting and auditing l coMPutEr EnginEEring l EntrEPrEnEurshiP and industrial ManagEMEnt l salEsManshiP l booK-KEEPing and accountancy l huMan rEsourcE ManagEMEnt l ProcurEMEnt and logistics l businEss adMinistration l storE ManagEMEnt l Public rElations l Early childhood dEvEloPMEnt Education (EcdE) l dschool World lEarning gaMEs (juMP start E-lEarning) l l

We have trained couple of thousand students over the years who are competently contented.

contact: adMissions sEcrEtary: #0710726310 shah Mansion, MoKtar daddah strEEt, oPPositE jEEvanjEE gardEns Po. box 43545-001, nairobi, technicalinstitutegroups@yahoo.com

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Your mind is sharp, quick, and full of ideas, Capricorn. Discussions with others bring useful information that could well open new doors for you if you make the most of it. Group activities should prove especially stimulating for you at this time. By the end of the day, your brain should be buzzing.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 This might set your mind going in such a direction as to bring new ideas for projects or business opportunities your way. Expect an exciting and stimulating day, and by day’s end you’re likely to have opened up new doors for yourself.

FRIday 15/1/2016

sunny

22

24ºC 72%

SATURday 16/1/2016

More sun than clouds

23 6:36 am 6:48 pm

23ºC 76%

6:37 am 6:48 pm

SUNday

23

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 The opportunity to make a change in your life, which you may have been contemplating for a long time, could finally manifest itself today, Pisces. This could be a move to a new neighborhood, a return to school for an advanced degree, an entirely new profession, or all of the above.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Paperwork involving money could be a real drag today, Aries, but someone close to you might just show you a way to get it done quickly and efficiently on computers or via another technological innovation. You might actually find that you like doing it this way. Go to it!

Sudoku

12

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Discussions with others could also contribute. You might decide to embrace some innovative new concepts that could lead to an expansion of your horizons. At some point, go for a workout. You need to balance the mental with the physical.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Some new equipment made available for your use might prove fascinating, Gemini, and you’re apt to want to learn as much as you can about how it works. Therefore, this is a great day to increase your computer skills. You might also want to try your hand at sound or video recording.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 You’ll probably find it, perhaps through a friend or colleague. Or else it might show itself suddenly, making you want to shout, “Eureka!” After that, it’s smooth sailing all the way. You’ll be able to use this information to accomplish whatever you need and be successful. Make good use of it.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Perhaps this involves an opportunity to increase your skills or a new project or even a whole new job. Your mind is quick and especially innovative, so don’t be surprised if you’re able to contribute far more than you would have expected. Don’t think your efforts will go unappreciated.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 They may either share a current interest of yours or bring you opportunities to expand your interests. A lot of stimulating discussions could well result. If you’re currently romantically involved, expect these developments to bring you closer together. Enjoy!

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Perhaps a new housemate wants to move in, you could install some new equipment, or you might even have the chance to move to a roomier place. These are only ideas to be considered, however.

Final decisions should wait for a later day. There are still some facts that you need to learn first.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Everyone wants your advice, lots of people need favors, and those in authority have new tasks for you. Stay calm and don’t react by getting short with people. Play triage officer and help those in the most need first. Warn the others you might not get to them. Hang in there!

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 This may either be through the use of computers or through other forms of modern technology. You might find that you have a talent for such activity that you never realized before. You also might be enticed into going to a meeting or lecture on the subject.

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

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

Barua Muganga Nipe Nafasi Glory to Glory 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

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

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

This is a subscription service. Cost per message is KSH30. Content Delivered daily. A Joining fee of KSH30 applies.

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

PLAY

13

WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. Capital of Bangladesh, old style 6. Lightning follower 13. “Give it ___!”

14. Manicurist’s tool 15. Not fair?

16. Saddens 17. Crooning actor Montand 18. Wigwam 19. Granny, in Germany 20. Like Bill Clinton 22. ESPN sportscaster Hershiser 23. Like a wagon trail 24. “Well, that’s ___ how-do-youdo!”

25. Blew hard 26. Portfolio contents 27. Got ready to get out of town 28. Actors Bean and Welles 29. Confine with chains 30. Diamond situation 31. None of the above, on a survey 32. Put one ___ (fool) 33. “The Dance of the ____ Flutes” 34. Wonderful 38. Shiverer’s utterance 39. Posted 40. Coin factory

41. “La Bohème” lover 43. From that time 44. Scarcity 45. Talus 46. Connected, as hotel rooms 47. Unforgettable Ford Down 1. Tom’s “Splash” co-star 2. “What ___!” (compliment to a goalie) 3. Head honcho 4. Built 5. With “me,” substantial 6. Drew upon 7. Taken on staff 8. Beekeeper played by Peter Fonda in 1997 9. Only on display (abbr.)

10. Cause to lose one’s way 11. Strunk and White’s “The ___ of Style” 12. Used-goods transactions 14. Required 16. Damaged, as a fender 18. Rip 21. Early punk band ____ Du 22. Will phrase

24. ____ as possible 25. Hunters’ counterparts 26. “Roses ___, violets...”

27. Barrie boy 28. Limit ___ visit (coupon phrase) 29. Desisted from 30. Egg cells 32. Serving no purpose 34. “Full House” dad portrayer 35. Acts like a pig?

36. Cousin’s dad 37. Kind of wool 39. Spa treatment, for short 42. Island near Mauritius (abbr.)

43. Convenient enc.

Yesterday’s answers

YOURSAY Women should avoid married men like plague The moment you agree to date a married man, you agree to be a second class woman, and every second class person is classified as a person of lower values. Now look at it this way… If he is with you and his wife calls, he lies that he is still at the office or on an official assignment. You dare not interrupt his conversation or query him. But you can’t call him when he is at home with family.....

My sisters, you be a toy? He sneaks you from his car into his hotel room, but gives his wife his entire home.....

My beloved sisters grow up, please! He visits you at home, you introduce him to friends and neighbours as your boyfriend thereby blocking your chances of getting a genuine suitor, yet you don’t even know the name of the

street where he lives.....

My sisters, how long will you continue to sacrifice your future? He takes you out & buys you assorted types of alcoholic drinks, yet he will never allow his wife taste even a drop of alcoholic drink.

Common sense should tell you he is only doing that to get you drunk so he can truly destroy you in bed......

My dear sisters, na your body good pass for experiment? He gets you pregnant and gives you money for abortion, but when his wife gets pregnant he celebrates and gives her money for antenatal and baby things......

My sisters remember he is already raising his family. Oh just in case you don’t know, he describes your reactions during sex when he is with his friends, but will never

mention whatever happens between him and his wife.

This makes all his friends see a lesser human in you......

My sisters, na your matter them take they drink beer ooo. He gives you a few cash and you’re happy not knowing that whatever money he gives you is what he calls “Body no be firewood allowances” You have his picture on your phone and saved his number as “My Sweetheart” or whatever, yet your picture cannot be found on his phone and your number is saved on his phone as generator mechanic or refuse dispose........

My lovely sisters, you be learner? PLEASE let’s give ourselves a proper reevaluation today...u deserve better.

— Mageka, Parklanda

Laws seeking to regulate churches good for nation Since last week, I have watched keenly as evangelical churches protest and threaten the government of severe consequences if new rules by the Attorney General Githu Muigai to regulate churches will be implemented.

The churches have levelled allegations against the government such the interference with their freedom of worship and association. But today I would want to separate wheat from chaff.

First of all, the churches should not draw conclusions from a mere point of ignorance, but instead they should take their time and go through the document.

In my view, the published new regulations are not aimed at curtailing the freedom of worship

or assembly, but aimed at bring sanity in our places of worship.

Why should churches refuse to reveal their source of wealth or why should they refuse to be accountable to their flocks, yet they to stand for the truth.

If indeed, we are Christians and we mirror Jesus Christ then we should be the first to support the government to bring sanity to our churches. The proposed law will tame rogue pastors preaching ‘seed’ gospel which has been and rein on televangelists who encourage viewers to give money in exchange for miracles. We must stand up to be counted as the government steps up efforts to sanitise churches.

— Hillary, Westlands

New laws could restore sanity in Kenyan churches The church is whining not because the State has evaded her territory to chasten, counteract and expunge the incongruous practices of her ‘poimen’, but because modern church leaders perceive themselves to be holy, immaculate and pristine to be corrected by the state. A good student of Hermeneutics and Homiletics will concur with the state that indoctrination, pretext and mysticism exhibited by some of the clergy is on the rise and regulation is the remedy. The church only sees trees and not the forest because it is in the forest, the state cannot see the trees because it’s outside the forest, but can perfectly see the forest. The law of the land and the laws of the Bible are co-adjutors, but the antagonism comes when the laws of the bible are misinterpreted, that’s where the church’s rubber meets the government’s road.

Freedom of worship is squarely enshrined in the Kenya’s Constitution, yes, but controlling

freedom does not mean abrogation of the same. Remember, liberty without control is abuse of liberty. Therefore, to scholars of the bible, proper Hermeneutics is the rule. I laud the government for trying to restore the 1st Century Christianity, Christianity that appeals both to the intellect and emotions of men, unlike the modern Christianity where the ‘denominational’ preachers have tuned off the mind of their followers and cannot discern the wrongness or the rightness of the pastor’s teaching and practices because we are ignorant of Christianity. We are tired of ‘prosperity gospel’- gospel of wealth, healing and miracles which has reduced Christianity to an opium of the oppressed. For how long will the leopard continue to suck our innocent blood while we bow down and massage its anus? Awake ye, prisoners of the clergy.

— Phabian Jr-Nairobi

Raila’s Eurobond list will not achieve much after all The naming and shaming of Eurobond suspects by Cord leader Raila Odinga is inconsequential.

Reading from history, Kenya has had several such list with the most recent being tabled in Parliament by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Immediate former Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu also produced her list of four suspected individuals involved in the Lang’ata land grabbing saga.

Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale too, produced his

own list of persons that he accused were involved the Karen land saga.

Drawing from the above examples, the suspects were named and shamed and the expected results failed to mature.

None of the suspects have been convicted for the allegations levelled against them.

In a considered judgement of Raila’s list, it seems it is the same rhetoric our politicians treat us to whenever there is a scandal, yet even they

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themselves are not keen on what they propose.

The latest list will only lead to court battles and verbal exchanges between the accused and the former premier.

For validity, Raila ought to have gone delved into the matter deeper, exposing an individual and how he is directly linked to the scam, otherwise all his investigations will be to no avail and Kenyans will not take him seriously.

— Nderitu, Starehe

14

SPORT

Wazalendo now eye Hockey premier league third spot WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016

Wazalendo will move to third place in the Kenya Hockey Union men’s premier league table if they squeeze all the six available points this weekend.

Wazalendo, eighth on the table with only 25 points will be up against Kenya College of Accountancy University on Saturday, a match which they need to win to keep pace with runaway leaders, Kenya Police and Butali Sugar Warriors.

The leaders both have 41 and 40 points respectively. KCAU is a distant 10th with only 17 points after 16 matches and the patriots are expected to have an easy match ahead of another clash with Kenyatta University (KU) on Sunday.

KU who plays Parklands on Saturday sits just a place and a point below Wazalendo, though they have played a game more and any slip up will be a welcome news.

Third placed Green Sharks will travel to Nakuru in another tricky fixture. They are on the verge of losing their third place should they come back from Nakuru empty handed and Wazalendo grab all the six points. Sharks

Saturday Strathmore vs JKUAT Karate Axiom vs UoN Kenyatta vs Parkland KCAU vs Wazalendo Green Sharks vs Nakuru Sunday KCAU vs Parklands Impala vs Thika Rover Kenyatta University vs Wazalendo

Parklands Hockey club and Chase Sailors players battle for the ball during a past match at Nairobi’s City Park Hockey Stadium.

have accumulated 28 points from 16 matches. In another match, KCAU will return to City Park Hockey Stadium Sunday to take on Parklands.

In the national premier league, strugglers Karate Axiom, third from bottom in Pool B will be in search of a third win of the season from 10 matches against University of Nairobi (UoN). Axiom has only manged 10 points from four draws

and two wins.

Tail pullers Impala has so far soaked in 27 goals from their last nine matches and any further defensive frailty against Thika Rovers, forth from bottom will spell doom for their campaign.

Strathmore University could move to within a point of Sliders, second on the national women’s table should they beat Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and

Agriculture-JKUAT, subjecting them to their ninth loss of the season on Saturday.

Strathmore, who have accumulated 25 points from 11 games, just three less than Sliders will be upbeat going into the match, but they know too well the danger posed by their Juja-based colleagues Telkom Orange is perched top of the table with 39 points from 13 games. @elvince_x254

Amonde to return to 7s squad ahead of Wellington tie Kenya Seven’s Captain Andrew Amonde is expected to return to the squad for the next two legs of the HSBC world Sevens to be staged in Wellington and Sydney.

Amonde missed the opening two legs of Dubai and Cape Town due to personal commitments, but Coach Benjamin Ayimba is expected to draft him back to the squad to be named next week.

Form will not play a big role in Ayimba’s final selection, but the tactical aspect of the game from individual players will be key when selecting the pool.

Kenya which is pooled alongside Australia, Canada and Portugal currently lies ninth on the log with 20 points.

Kenya finished fourth overall at the last leg staged in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, defending Champions KCB will host Kenya Harlequin as Kenya Cup enters round seven this weekend with seven matches lined up across the country. The two sides will be looking for their first win after Quins lost to Kabras while KCB drew with Western Bulls last weekend. Strathmore Leos are back to action after taking a weekend off to mourn former squad member, Geoffrey Githaiga who died on a road accident last early in the year.

Kenyatta University host Blakblad as Kabras play host Menengai Cream Homeboyz who also missed last weekend action. @elvince_x254

Nevile’s Valencia beat Granada to reach Copa del Rey quarter-final Valencia comfortably reached the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey as they beat Granada 7-0 on aggregate.

Leading 4-0 from the first leg, midfielder Wilfried Zahibo extended Valencia’s lead just before half-time.

Spain striker Paco Alcacer made it 2-0 within seconds of coming on as a substitute before Pablo Piatti scored a late penalty for Gary Neville’s side.

Atletico Madrid beat Rayo Vallecano 3-0 on the night and went through on a 4-1 aggregate last eight.

Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Diego Simeone’s side sealed their place in Friday’s draw alongside holders Barcelona, Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Celta Vigo, Las Palmas and Mirandes.

Neville, has now won each of his three cup ties, but is yet to win any of his five La Liga games since taking charge at the Mestalla last month.

Meanwhile, Roma have appointed former coach Luciano Spalletti as successor to Rudi Garcia, who was sacked on Wednesday. Spalletti, 56, coached Roma

from 2005 to 2009, twice winning the Coppa Italia, before he resigned and joined Russian club Zenit St Petersburg.

The Italian won two league titles during his time in Russia, but he was sacked by Zenit in 2014.

Garica was dismissed by Roma after a poor run of results that saw the Italian side drop to fifth in Serie A. Roma have been drawn against Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League having qualified from the group stage with the lowest number of points.

Valencia’s Rodrigo de Paul in action during their game against Granada during the Copa Del Rey match last night. Valencia won 3-0 progress to quarters.

Murray faces 18 year-old Zverevin Australian Open Andy Murray search for the first title of the year will begin in Melbourne, when he faces German Alexander Zverev in the first round of the Australian Open from 18-31 January.

The Scot, 28, has lost four finals, including last year to Novak Djokovic.

Aljaz Bedene faces the USA’s Steve Johnson, while Britain’s Johanna Konta and Heather Watson take on American Venus Williams and Hungary’s Timea Babos respectively in the women’s draw.

Murray, seeded second and chasing a third Grand Slam title, was drawn in the

same half as Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka and Spain’s Rafael Nadal.

The Scot takes on 18-year-old Zverev, a player he beat comfortably in the Hopman Cup last week. Zverev is ranked 83rd in the world.

Last year’s men’s champion and world number one Djokovic starts against Hyeon Chung of South Korea.

Swiss number two seed Roger Federer begins his quest for a fifth Australian Open victory and 18th Grand Slam title against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Defending women’s champion Serena

Williams and number five-ranked Maria Sharapova were drawn into the same section of the draw, meaning last year’s finalists could meet in the quarter-finals.

Six-time champion Williams has a tough draw, starting in the opening round against Camila Giorgi of Italy, who finished 2015 at number 34 in the world and is the highest-ranked unseeded player.

Williams could also meet former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round.

SPORT 15 WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016

WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 15-17, 2016 | WWW.x254.cO

Gary nevile’s valecia beat Granada 3-0 to advance to copa del rey quarter-final

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FACE-OFF: Liverpool‘s Firminho (left) and United Wayne Rooney will line up against each other at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. The two scored two goals each in their midweek fixtures.

Reds, United clash on super Sunday Liverpool will be in search of a first league win against Manchester United since March 2014 when the two sides meet Sunday in the English Premier League match at Anfield.

Form doesn’t count much is such games. History does. It is on days like these when no matter the form, no matter the starting XI and position on the league table, it is the bragging rights that matter.

Stakes will be much higher when the two crimson meet owing not only to the old rivalry between the pair but also one of

the most famous rivalries in football history. At this point, in such games, the league position has no impact on the outcome neither is the big names, maybe even the team tactics will be thrown into the crowd. The only thing in focus, will be the two team crests, and the over 100 years of rivalry dating back to 1894.

On Sunday, two teams that have struggled to entertain all season will take on each other in a match which may move Liverpool back to top five with a win.

That will mean United drops two five points in the last two games.

The Reds are currently three places below United on the log.

United who crashed out of the Champions League at group stages will be seeking the all-important win that may push them up top four. Three points on top of their current 35 will guarantee Luis Van Gaal, whose style has been criticised by among others, former Manchester United players 38 points but no specific position. Crocked Liverpool, who will be missing their playmaker Philippe Cotinho and defender Skirtel for two matches in a row could dislodge United from the

sixth position should they floor them. The Reds trails United by two, the number of League titles won having lifted the trophy 18 times while the Red Devils boast of a record 20 in their cabinet.

But the two most successful English Clubs in terms of trophies faces each other from two different front. While Liverpool are still trying to find the balance of form, Old Trafford is also facing turbulence.

The two are going in to the match at the backdrop of draws in their midweek matches against Newcastle and Arsenal.

Wayne Rooney will be looking to score in four successive matches for United for the first time since March 2012, but must be warry of Christian Benteke who has scored in his last three league outings against United.

Leicester, joint top with Arsenal on 43 points each have the chance to move top when they take on bottom placed Aston Villa. Arsenal will take to Britannia Stadium for a late kick off with Stoke on Sunday. Chelsea has a date with Everton who forced Manchester City to a goalless draw last Wednesday.

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