201601019 xnews

TUESday, JaNUaRy 19 , 2016 | www.x254.co

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Wetang’ula survives, remains a voter

Committee of the independent eleCtoral and boundaries Commission says it has found no lawful justifiCation to delete the senator from the register

NEWS

Konta eases Past eighth seed venus swansea beat watford to climb to second round of australian oPen out of ePl relegation zone

Uhuru salutes fallen soldiers, vows revenge

KDF soldiers at Wilson airport last evening when they received the bodies of four of their fallen colleagues.

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resident Uhuru Kenyatta has today saluted Kenyan soldiers who lost their lives in an attack at their military camp in Somalia last week saying Kenya will avenge their deaths.

In an address to the nation from State House Mombasa, President Kenyatta said the soldiers did not die in vain and that Kenya will pursue their killers to the end.

“We are determined and will continue to pursue those criminals and ensure the pay heavily for their crimes. Our soldiers did not die in vain,” he said.

An unknown number of Kenya Defence Forces troops were killed last week after al-Shabaab militants attacked them at their camp at El Adde in Southern Somalia.

Four bodies have already been flown to Nairobi while 19 of those injured are receiving treatment in the capital.

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Governors, MPs in fight for road billions Governors and MPs are headed for a collision path as they battle for the control of billions meant for roads.

A source has told X-news that Members of Parliament are contemplating hijacking the process of transferring the road function earmarked by the Constitution as one

the functions to be managed by counties and instead have it channel through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). To make their scheme a success, a team of legislators have been tasked to draft a Bill that will reverse the road management function from the county bosses to

members of National Assembly.

And Governors have furiously opposed the move and termed it as an attempt by the legislature to undermine devolution. Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga said that the MPs want to draft the Bill to deny county governments some of their roles and divert

resources meant for roads to CDF so that they can have more control over roads.

“We want roads under the Kenya roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to be given to us since we are repairing roads which are under them,” said Akaranga.

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www.x254.co Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga.

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NEWS TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016

Wetangula survives bid to have him struck off voters register Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula has survived being struck off the voters’ register by the Independent and Boundaries Electoral Commission (IEBC).

A special committee constituted by IEBC to look into the matter today said it found no ‘lawful justification’ to warrant deleting the name of the senator from the register.

While delivering its verdict at the Milimani law courts today, commissioner Thomas Letangule who chaired the three-person committee they carefully studied the rulings of the court that found Mr Wetangula not guilty.

He said the decision was unanimous.

“We find no lawful justification to delete the name of senator Wetangula from IEBC register” said Letangule.

He said that their work was administrative not to re-evaluate the court rulings.

It’s was a pivotal moment for the troubled senator who risked losing his seat if IEBC approved a report by the Supreme Court which found him guilty of committing an electoral offence.

Accepting the verdict, Wetangula said “You have made it in clear terms that the lightning does not strike twice.”

Hundreds of supporters of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula thronged to Milimani Law Courts to express their support as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) delivered its finding.

Armed Police officers was deployed inside and outside of the court to ensure law and order remained.

Wetangula, who is also the Senate Minority Leader had earlier argued that the electoral body would not deregister him as a voter despite the

VICTORIOUS: Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula salutes his supporters outside the Milimani law courts last week. A committee set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to decide whether to have him struck off the voter’s register has today said their is no justification to do so.

High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court all finding that he committed an electoral offence by bribing voters in the 2013 General Election.

Wetangula’s legal team last week mounted a spirited fight to save the opposition chief from being struck off the voter’s register.

The lawyers led by senior counsel James Orengo told the court that the only way permitted by law to bar a voter from being included in the elections book is by first being

disqualified to vie.

They argued that the Supreme Court did not disqualify the opposition chief from vying in 2013 subsequent by elections thus the IEBC would not bar the Senator from participating in the 2017 next elections.

“The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal did not make a decision over Wetangula’s fate. A Committee cannot make a key decision after the two biggest courts in the land failed to. It will be going over your mandate,” said Orengo.

He reiterated that decision of the elections court will not hold as the ruling by courts that Wetangula had bribed voters in the 2013 elections had already being decided by the Director of public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko.

The IEBC committee also had Lilian Mahiri-Zaja and Mr Mohamed Alawi.

Crispin Owiye (IEBC’s investigations and prosecutions manager) was the committee’s secretary and Moses Kipkosgei is the assisting counsel.

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President Uhuru salutes fallen soldiers From Page 1 The official toll is yet to be released as rescue mission is still underway.

President Kenyatta said he stands with the soldiers and asked Kenyans to do the same.

“Kenyans must understand that this war needs the unity of all of us. Let us rally behind our gallant soldiers,” he said.

He said Kenya will know no peace so long as the threat of terror continues to exist in the region.

“We are all aware that peace has a price and our forces are ready to do their duty,” he said.

Yesterday, defence Cabinet Secretary Rachel Omamo called for patience saying Kenyans will be updated on any developments.

“We appreciate the support we are receiving from Kenyans. We

urge patience and we shall keep the nation abreast. It’s a complex situation and we are handling it meticulously,” she said after receiving the bodies of the four fallen soldiers at Wilson Airport last evening.

“We expect to see more of our soldiers in the coming days,” she added.

And while giving his condolences to the families whose loved ones died in the attack, President Kenyatta said the Ministry of Defence will proceed will burial arrangements according to their traditions.

“The military has its own arrangements and traditions and the Ministry of defense and KDF will proceed with the funeral arrangements in line with these traditions,” he said. peter_x254

Defence CS Rachel Omamo comforts an injured KDF soldier upon arrival at Wilson Airport last evening. President Kenyatta has today vowed that Kenya will revenge the attack on KDF camp in Somalia

Governors, MPs tussle over billions meant for rural roads

From Page 1 “We want nothing less of that because we are working and handling functions of the national government as well, forcing us to spend the meagre resources we are allocated on roads.”

Last week, a section of MPs launched scathing attacks on the governors for moving to Court and blocking further use of the funds meant to maintain access roads in their respective areas, a move that angered the legislators.

Governors have accused the MPs of working with cohorts to siphon huge amounts of money by using some construction companies which they either owned individually or through proxies. The county chiefs also accused the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) engineers of working in partnership with the MPs to steal funds meant for roads maintenance.

“We have information that these engineers, just like the MPs, also have their own construction companies through proxies which reap big benefits from the lucrative road tenders, and that was why most rural access roads in the country are in poor state’’, claimed one of the governors who sought for anonymity. The COG has been censuring the national government for holding on to some county functions provided for in the Constitution and they have raised a red flag as the move continue derail service delivery in counties.

They have insisted that the Executive is plotting to cling on to some of the assigned functions by developing legislation that will retain the devolved functions at the national level.

Speaking in Meru on Friday during the launch of the Meru County Microfinance bank, Council of Governors Chairman, Peter Munya alleged that state is still hanging on to some functions because it fears devolving the resources attached to them, and only wants to allocate less to the county governments while the lion share of the funds remain at the national level. Munya advised kenyans not to blame his colleagues over the poor state of roads in their counties since KERA and MPs were the ones controlling funds meant for the same.

“I know my colleagues have gone to court seeking to control the road funds but as at now, I should not be held responsible for the sorry state of most roads in this county,” he said.

However, Munya seems not be the only one concerned over the delay transfer of road function, his Kirinyaga counterpart, Joseph Ndathi is equally concerned about the issue and has the termed jitters amongst some MPs as ‘inconsequential’ “These MPs who are now shouting loudest blaming governors of being responsible for the poor roads; are full of deceit for they are afraid that their companies will no longer be used to siphon money meant for the maintenance of the roads,” said Ndathi. He added that some of the MPs opposed to the court decision were afraid because they fear being named and shamed once a forensic audit is carried hillary_x254 out on the funds.

NE WS 3 NEWS

NEWS BRIEFS

Guard shot in hunt for city robbers

A guard was shot and seriously wounded in a police operation targeting gunmen who had carjacked a lorry and robbed the crew of Sh29,000 in Kayole, Nairobi.

The guard is in hospital in a stable condition following the shooting incident. The incident happened when a gang duped a driver and his turnboy that there were sacks to be picked from a room in Kayole. The two had dropped sacks of charcoal in Eastleigh and were planning to drive back to Lodwar when they were duped. Therein, they were tied and abandoned as the lorry was driven away up to Ruiru where police later traced it after the shooting.

The hunt on the gunmen is ongoing. Elsewhere, a suspected thug was killed in a botched robbery in Shauri Moyo. The suspect is said to have been part of a threeman gang that had attacked and robbed pedestrians in the area.

tuESday, JaNuaRy 19, 2016

Police arrest city ‘kingpins’ of fake money Police yesterday apprehended two men whom they describe as ‘kingpins’ of a money laundering ring with about Sh110 billion of fake money which was stored in a house along Mombasa road.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett said an additional 369 million Euros was also seized during the operation. Boinett says the two Cameroon and Niger nationals were arrested following a tip off from a member of the public and warned anybody dealing in fake currency that their days were numbered. “We came by this huge haul based on a tip-off by a member of the public that an individual had been conned of a Sh40 million purportedly in exchange of US dollars and Euros that had been shipped in from Syria. The subsequent police operation led to the discovery of 693 million

dollars in fake currency,” he stated.

He urged Kenyans to be careful of dealers in fake currency who he says have swindled many of their hard earned cash. “We also discovered 369 million fake Euros and some of it was just plain paper, cleverly bundled up together to appear as if they were genuine currency. We also discovered money printing machines, computers and chemicals, all being materials used to make foreign currencies,” he said. He lauded the person who provided the tip-off and emphasized the need for everyone to work together in the war against crime. “In this respect I would like to thank not only the individual who gave us that tip off but also other members of the public who have continued to support us in the war on crime,” he stated. He explained that following the arrest, a number

Tax rise warning as market analysts predioct Kenya’s outlook for 2016 Analysts have warned of a possible tax rise despite predicting a generally bright future for the Kenyan economy. Global asset manager PineBridge Investments says they expect Kenya to experience some growth in 2016 despite the year having begun in one of the worst starts seen in recent years. This marginal growth is attributed to the increase in infrastructure funding. At a media briefing today morning at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, the investment group said that fiscal spending will be required in some sectors, including infrastructure and energy in order to support sustained economic growth in the medium to the long term. “Infrastructure will have a multiplying effect on growth,” PineBridge Investments East Africa Senior Investment Manager Edward Gitahi said. “We expect to have a more stable interest rate environment in 2016,” Gitahi added, noting that the marginal growth of 2015 would likely see its momentum maintained. However, he said that PineBridge expects modest increases in inflation in the first half of 2016. “We are confident it will be maintained below 9 per cent,” he said.

“We expect the shilling to be less volatile in 2016,” Gitahi noted, in spite of the fact that the Kenyan currency fell 13 per cent against the dollar in 2015. The group said whilst domestic debt levels are most likely sustainable, risks remain from hard currency sovereign borrowing – most recently via Eurobonds, the repayment of which needs to be supported by foreign exchange reserves. PineBridge expects to see additional pressures on revenue financing with aggressive tax collection being required. The group sees a likelihood of additional tax being levied.

Nonetheless, their projections for 2016 remain positive. PineBridge CEO Jonathan Stichbury told stakeholders that the banking

sector would show some stability despite the recent receivership of Imperial Bank last year.

“Imperial Bank is an isolated case,” Stichbury assured the forum. “We don’t think there is weakness in the banking sector.”

PineBridge Investments East Africa Chief Investment Officer, Nicholas Malaki said spending pressure to meet infrastructure development will remain as it was in 2015.

“We don’t see these pressures abetting any time soon, but it is the financing of this spending that will be most keenly watched,” he said.

The investment company said public sector-led spending economic growth has continued over the past three years with heavy spending on energy, infrastructure and the social sectors, mainly education and health.

In addition, favourable weather patterns have seen agriculture recover from the shocks of the 2011 drought. Lower interest rates also helped drive up corporate and household spending.

In general, PineBridge expects these trends to continue. The National Treasury twice revised growth forecasts for 2015/16 downwards, initially from 7 per cent to 6.5 per cent, then to 5.8 per cent, citing the impact of the tightening monetary policy. PineBridge believes this target is still too aggressive and forecasts 2016 growth t between5.0 per cent and 5.2 per cent. “It was a difficult year for investors in the equity markets as the three year rally came to an end,” Stichbury said. “This was as a result of weaker currencies, higher interest rates and expectations of a general dip in corporate earnings. However, we now expect renewed interest from investors due to the valuations for many listed corporates being offered much lower levels, which look attractive when compared with their historical averages and similar-sized emerging stock markets,” he said. @dennis_x254

A journalist walks past the fake money haul at the CID headquarters in Nairobi. Police yesterday arrested individuals behind the fake money racket in the city.

of complaints have been received regarding such money laundering rings which con people. “I wish also to inform you that rising out of the activities of these individuals, we have received complaints emanating as far as Comoros that there are in

our midst individuals who print fake currencies that are exported beyond our shores and that does not make us look good at all,” he said.

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NEWS TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016

NEWS BRIEF

HeadfbdbdjaEthiopian duabdumigrants held in Tanzania abdua dba Tanzanian police have arrested more than 80 Ethiopian migrants believed to be heading to South Africa. The 83 migrants were found crammed into the back of a lorry that was headed towards the Tanzania-Malawi border.

Most were dehydrated and could have died if they had not been found, said local police chief Peter Kakamba. Tanzania has become a key staging post for people fleeing drought and conflict in Ethiopia and Somalia, and trying to reach South Africa. “We had to have a team of nurses to put them on drips, they were starving, very weak, they were lying on top of each other in that lorry,” said Kakamba. “They were in such a bad condition, if we had delayed in finding them, they would have suffocated and lost their lives.” He said that patrols are being stepped up to intercept migrants, as well as the Tanzanians assisting them. The migrants were found travelling towards the southern town of Mbeya. Late last year, more than 100 Ethiopian migrants were rounded up on their way to South Africa.

At least 10 killed in Pakistan bombing At least 10 people have been killed by a suicide bomber riding a motorbike close to a police checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan, police say. About 20 people were also wounded in the blast, which took place in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) on the outskirts of Peshawar.

There has been fierce fighting in the region between security forces and the Pakistani Taliban. No-one has yet said they carried out the attack. TV footage of the latest attack showed vehicles parked near the blast site on fire after the explosion. At least five policemen are among the dead. Their vehicle was targeted by the bomber, officials said. Several civilians were also killed, including a child and a local journalist. The bomb went off near Peshawar’s Karkhano Market, The Express Tribune reported.

A suspected suicide attack at a government office in north-western Pakistan killed at least 26 people last month. That bomb went off outside the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) office in the town of Mardan. The attack was one of the deadliest since the December 2014 massacre by the Taliban of 150 pupils and teachers in Peshawar.

Senegal’s Sall in surprise demand for shorter terms

Senegal’s President Macky Sall has proposed to cut his own term in office by two years.

Changing the president’s mandate from seven to five years is part of several proposals for constitutional reforms which are to be put to a referendum.

The president’s office say they are aiming to strengthen democracy.

Several African presidents have recently done the opposite - changing constitutions to extend their time in power.

The new constitution would not allow a president to run for more than two consecutive terms in office.

After reducing his term in office, Mr Sall is then expected to put himself forward for reelection in 2017 instead of 2019.

Other suggested amendments to the constitution include an upper age limit of 75 years.

The date of the referendum is yet to be announced.

Mr Sall, 54, was elected in 2012, defeating the incumbent Abdoulaye Wade, who had controversially sought a third term in office.

The debate on term limits remain a flare across Africa where most leaders prefer to hold on to power by hook or crook.

Rwanda held a referendum in December which voted overwhelmingly for the country’s current leader, Paul Kagame, to seek a third term and potentially stay in power until 2034.

In October, a similar referendum has already

TERM LIMITS: Senegal President Macky Sall who wants his term cut short by two years.

made it legal for Denis Sassou Nguesso, in Congo-Brazzaville, to run again in 2016.

He has been in power for 31 years. Protests against the constitution change were brutally repressed.

In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for nearly 30 years, is seeking re-election next month. He scrapped term limits in 2005. The worst case is Burundi

which has been engulfed in months of protests since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced last April he would run for a third term. Hundreds have died, there has been an attempted coup and a rebel movement has formed. In nearby DR Congo, elections are due this year but they may be postponed, enabling President Joseph Kabila to remain in office.

Burkina Faso hotel attackers named

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has named three militants who it says carried out last week’s hotel attack in Burkina Faso, killing 29 people. AQIM’s statement - carried by monitoring group SITE - said Ouagadougou’s fourstar Splendid Hotel was a “den of global espionage”.

The statement has not been independently verified.

AQIM is based in the Sahara Desert between Mali, Niger and Algeria and has attacked West African countries.

This was its first attack on Burkina Faso. In its statement, AQIM published photographs

of three men wearing military uniforms and holding guns, naming them as Battar alAnsari, Abu Muhammad alBuqali al-Ansari and Ahmed al-Fulani al-Ansari. These names appear to be noms de guerre and no further details were released.

It described the hotel as “one of the most dangerous dens of global espionage in the west of the African continent”.

AQIM earlier said the gunmen were from jihadist group alMurabitoun of Algeria’s militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar.

At least three attackers died in the assaults, officials say.

However, some witnesses were

quoted as saying that they saw more than three gunmen.

Neighbouring countries have pledged to help Burkina Faso after the attack. “We’re not going to just sit on our hands. We will react and respond,” said Benin President Thomas Boni Yayi on behalf of the West African body, Ecowas. “The question is: ‘Whose turn is it next?” he asked, reports the AFP news agency.

Earlier, Mali, which borders Burkina Faso and experienced a similar attack last November, vowed to help the government in Ouagadougou tackle Islamist militants, “We have decided to go forward together, hand in

hand, to fight against terrorism and jihadism,” Prime Minister Modibo Keita said during a visit to Burkina Faso. Forensic experts from France and Burkina Faso were on Monday sifting through the wreckage of the hotel for clues about the attack.

Militants attacked the Splendid Hotel and the nearby Cappuccino cafe on Friday evening, setting off several explosions.

About half of those killed were foreigners, including citizens of Canada, Ukraine, France, Portugal, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the US. French special forces helped bring the siege to an end.

DR Congo mines accused of using child labour Human rights organisation Amnesty has accused Apple, Samsung and Sony, among others, of failing to do basic checks to ensure minerals used in their products are not mined by children. In a report into cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it found children as young as seven working in dangerous conditions.

Cobalt is a vital component of lithium-ion batteries. The

firms said that they had a zero tolerance policy towards child labour. The DRC produces at least 50% of the world’s cobalt.

Miners working in the area face long-term health problems and the risk of fatal accidents, according to Amnesty. It claimed that at least 80 miners had died underground in southern DRC between September 2014 and December 2015. It also collected the testimonies of children who

allegedly work in the mines.

UNICEF estimates that there are approximately 40,000 children working in mines across southern DRC. In response to the report, Apple said: “Underage labour is never tolerated in our supply chain and we are proud to have led the industry in pioneering new safeguards.” Samsung said that it had a “zero tolerance policy” towards child labour and that, it too, conducted regular

and rigorous audits of its supply chain. “If a violation of child labour is found, contracts with suppliers who use child labour will be immediately terminated,” it said.

Sony commented: “We are working with the suppliers to address issues related to human rights and labour conditions at the production sites, as well as in the procurement of minerals and other raw materials.”

NEWS 5

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016

Morning newspaper summaries Uhuru to rule from KDF strike Shabaab The homecoming: The 2, 000 former Telkom get Sh1.8bn outside Nairobi: President bases, launch rescue: military aircraft carrying four bodies of staff Uhuru Kenyatta has drawn up an President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday the fallen Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) severance payoff: Telkom elaborate diary that will see him shift daily operations from State House, Nairobi, to regional State Lodges for the next nine months. The move is part of Uhuru’s bigger political strategy to consolidate his vote blocs and endear himself to the opposition strongholds, less than 20 months to the epic 2017 general election.

The Star has learnt that Uhuru will spend less time travelling outside the country.

declared that Kenya would not be cowed by terrorists as Kenya Defence Forces mounted a counter-offensive strike against Al-Shabaab bases in Somalia.

Although the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Samsom Mwathethe, described the counter-attack as “a delicate operation”, military planes conducted air strikes against Al-Shabaab while on the ground, in retaliation to Friday’s attack.

officials arrived at Wilson airport at exactly 9.35pm. They were received in elaborate military parade that was attended by Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo, Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe, Kenya Airforce Commander Samuel Thuita and other top military officials.

Kenya has agreed to settle retrenchment dues at the centre of legal disputes with former employees that have been in court for nearly 10 years. France Telkom, the majority owner of the company, has agreed to pay the nearly 20, 000 former employees Sh1.8 billion ahead of the planned sale of its 70 per cent stake tot Helios investment Partners.

Kingi hits at Kenyatta Youths ‘want riches by Police swoop nets Suppliers eyeing over Malindi by-election: hook or crook’: More than half Sh110b fake dollar government tenders Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi yesterday of Kenyan youth have no qualms making and Euro notes: Police have face tougher scrutiny: accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of money using dubious means, according to using state resources to intimidate local leaders. Kingi said the President was using state resources to campaign for the Jubilee candidate in the upcoming by-election.

“Jubilee has displayed the highest level of political intolerance. If you don’t like ODM, come tell the people why ODM is not good, but you don’t go around pulling down billboards,” he said.

a survey published in Nairobi yesterday.

About half of those interviewed in the study by the East African Institute, said that they would have no problem evading taxes or taking a bribe as long as they do not end up in jail. According to the Kenya Youth Survey Report, 47% of respondents said they admired the people who have made money through “hook or crook”

unearthed an international currencyprinting racket and recovered counterfeit dollars and Euros amounting to Sh110 billion in a residential house in Nairobi.

The officers also arrested a Cameroonian and a Niger nationals from a house in Diamond Park Estate, South C. The police launched the hunt for the moneyprinting criminals after they allegedly conned a businessman of Sh40 million.

Suppliers eyeing government tenders face tougher scrutiny under the new code of ethics published by the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) to curb graft in public contracts. All the mandatory permits required for bidding would have to be certified by issuing authorities to ascertain authenticity.

Mutunga tells EACC CJ wants lifestyle audit EACC vows fresh tactics Cartel keeps wheat prices high to audit him, judges: in Judiciary: Chief Justice Willy in graft war: The new Ethics and flour Chief Justice Willy Mutunga yesterday Mutunga has invited the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) despite glut: A cartel of traders revealed he has invited the anti-graft Anti-Corruption Commission, and the team comprising four commissioners agency to conduct a lifestyle audit on him and judges of the Supreme Court.

He said he is ready to give the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission his wealth declaration forms and any other documents they might need. The CJ told the new commissioners the fight against corruption is not easy and they should be ready for political pressure, unfair smear campaigns and even threats to their lives.

Auditor-General to conduct a lifestyle audit of judicial officers. Dr Mutunga promised to lead the way by declaring his wealth once the new EACC commissioners come up with a framework to undertake the investigation. “I have asked the EACC and the Auditor-General to conduct a lifestyle audit in the Judiciary starting with me and Supreme Court judges,” said Dr Mutunga.

and a Chairman was sworn into office yesterday. During the ceremony, the new Chairman, Phillip Kinisu, pledged to fight corruption with a new tactic. Mr Kinisu said the newly appointed team of four commissioners together with the ones who are already working will be using a new strategy to tame the vice, which is in the books of a national disaster.

has kept the price of wheat flour and bread high in the market despite “oversupply” of cheap imports that has forced local millers to stop buying farmers’ produce. According to Cereal Growers Association (CGA), a lobby for local farmers, millers have shunned their produce in favour of imports as oversupply in the international market has driven down wheat prices.

Top stories from X News global partners Chinese economy grows Clinton Readies for a The Iran nuclear deal: Big Iran storms back into glutted oil market: Iran imminent; big problems ahead: In his at slowest pace in 25 Long Primary Fight day announced its full return to the global valedictory state-of-the-union address years, latest GDP figures Against Sanders: Facing a Barack Obama devoted only a few lines oil market by ordering an immediate than expected challenge from to his main foreign-policy achievement: increase in production, prompting show: China’s economy grew at its tougher Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, warnings from fellow Opec members slowest pace for a quarter of a century in the three months up to December, raising the pressure on Beijing to quickly address fears of a prolonged slowdown and ease the jitters affecting global financial markets.

At 6.9% full-year growth is China’s weakest economic performance for 25 years, and will set alarm bells ringing in the US, Japan and other major economies.

The economy grew 6.8% in the three months to December, easing from 6.9% in the third quarter – the slowest quarterly rate for seven years - according to the country’s national bureau of statistics. www.theguardian.com

Hillary Clinton’s campaign is preparing for a primary fight that could stretch into late April or early May and require a sprawling field operation in states and territories from Pennsylvania to Guam.

With the Iowa caucuses in two weeks and Mr. Sanders’s insurgent candidacy chipping away at Mrs. Clinton’s once formidable lead there, Clinton aides are acknowledging that the road to the party’s July convention could be an expensive slog. “Remember, I campaigned all the way into June last time,” Mrs. Clinton told CNN last week. www.nytimes.com

the accord with Iran to restrain its nuclear programme. The words he chose, however, could almost be a summary of the Obama doctrine, if there is such a thing. Contrasting his record with that of predecessors who got bogged down fighting unwinnable wars, Mr Obama said that there was a “smarter approach” based on “patient and disciplined strategy” and mobilising “the world to work with us…that’s why we built a global coalition, with sanctions and principled diplomacy, to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.” Mr Obama is justified in hailing the Iran deal as a diplomatic triumph. www.economist.com

that it risks prolonging the biggest price crash in a decade. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, fell below $28 a barrel for the first time since 2003, as Iranian tankers loaded with 50m barrels of crude prepared to set sail following the lifting of US and EU sanctions. Marking the end of years of economic isolation, the head of Iran’s national oil company gave the instruction to increase output by about 500,000 barrels a day, further straining relations with regional rival Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter.

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xnews | Tuesday, JanuaRy 19, 2016 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

Developing nations improve, still face public debt hitches More diverse financing sources can raise new opportunities for countries across the globe, but can also pose risks, according to a joint IMF-World Bank report on public debt vulnerabilities in low-income countries.

While the share of low-income countries at high risk fell by almost half between 2007 and 2013, debt vulnerability has actually increased in the past two years.

Kenya’s public debt, for instance, stood at Sh2.93 trillion as of October 2015. According to the report, which looks at 74 low-income countries, public debt trends have changed significantly over the past decade. Debt relief programmes, strong growth, and high demand for commodities, drove the average debt-toGDP ratio down from 66 per cent in 2006 to around 48 per cent at the end of 2014.

Good macroeconomic performance in many low-income countries, especially in frontiermarket economies like Kenya, has helped expand their financing sources through increased access to external markets.

Kenya recently leaped from an emerging market economy to a frontier market economy, according to a World Bank report.

Kenya’s economy has grown over the years at a somewhat steady pace and has seen its middleclass population increase in recent months.

According to the latest statistics, Kenya is now a Frontier Market, a country with an economy in a better state than an Emerging Market, but less productive than an Advanced Market economy.

The IMF study shows that the financing options for low-income countries expanded over the past decade despite an increase in debt

Bridge destroyed in December 2012, by cyclone in Apia, Somoa, which caused losses of about 30 percent of GDP. vulnerabilities in last two years.

However, a less favorable global environment calls for fiscal prudence, improved debt management, the IMF has said. Of the 74 countries covered by this report, 13 issued Eurobonds between 2010 and 2014, with each market issue providing average financing equivalent to 3.2 per cent of GDP. New data suggests that low-income countries’ bond issuances have been mainly driven by greater economic development. The study also shows that issuance of Eurobonds is generally not associated with a near term loosening of economic policy.

The report added that how countries respond to shifts in the global environment will determine

whether their public debt vulnerabilities will remain manageable.

“Looking forward, strengthened policy frameworks and careful debt management will be critical for all low-income countries. The weaker growth outlook in key advanced and emerging market economies is likely to impact low-income countries through lower demand for traded goods, with commodity exporters particularly affected. Prospects for tighter global liquidity conditions could raise the cost of borrowing and especially impact frontier markets with increased reliance on marketbased financing, both domestic and external,” the study said.

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

MEAN 102.3617 146.1131 111.5303 6.1239 34.0460 21.2483

BUY SELL 102.2628 102.4606 145.9583 146.2678 111.3994 111.6611 7.1169 7.1310 33.9643 34.1278 21.1789 21.3176

Robots to eliminate 5 million jobs by 2020 More than five million jobs will be lost by 2020 as a result of developments in genetics, artificial intelligence, robotics and other technological change, according to World Economic Forum research.

About 7 million jobs will be lost and 2 million gained as a result of technological change in 15 major developed and emerging economies, WEF founder Klaus Schwab and managing board member Richard Samans said in “The Future of Jobs.”

The findings are taken from a survey of 15 economies covering about 1.9 billion workers, about 65 percent of the world’s total workforce.

The blurred lines between physical, digital and biological spheres amount to a Fourth Industrial Revolution, according to the WEF, which will address the idea as the idea at its annual meeting of policy makers, academics and economists in Davos, Switzerland.

It’s already a hot topic thanks in part to books such as ‘The Second Machine Age’ and ‘The Rise of The Robots,’ while Bank of England Chief Economist Andy Haldane has warned that the millions of jobs at risk from automation are creating issues officials need to address.

Tourism ministry to launch beach rehabilitation programmes The Tourism ministry in partnership with the industry has announced that it will launch initiatives to improve beaches in order to attract tourists to the Coast.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala says his Ministry will work closely with the Environment Ministry, county governments and the private sector to give the beach products a face-lift. The government recently rolled out a Sh1.2 billion Charter Incentive Programme that will see all tourist charters with passengers terminating at Moi International Airport, Mombasa and

Malindi Airport enjoy landing fee waiver.

The charters will also benefit from a $30 (Sh3000) passenger subsidy per seat filled by international passengers who terminate or disembark in Kenya over 30 months. Balala said the beaches were the leading tourism attraction in the Kenyan coast noting that enhancement of water sport activities to provide beach lovers with options of activities was part of the initiatives to improving the beach product.

“This programme is aimed at restoring the competitive edge of

Kenya’s coastal area as a tourism destination while ensuring that the marine and beach tourism products are sustained. We shall, therefore, be teaming up with the private sector in ensuring this is goal is met,” said Balala.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) initiated a beach rehabilitation program, about four years ago, within Mombasa County putting in place frequent patrols, daily beach clean-up exercise and reorganisation of beach vendors making the beach friendly to tourists.

The CS was speaking in Watamu

beach in Kilifi County after releasing a rehabilitated turtle into Watamu Marine National Park, a conservation initiative that will have positive impact on the beach product improvement. The CS took a sky dive in Watamu beach and said he was leading by example by endorsing beach sports activities.

He said he will embark on an engagement mission with the county governments of Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa to identify viable and sustainable ways on beach management initiatives. Balala lauded the efforts undertaken by the

non- governmental organisations on conserving the beach product through conservation initiatives in Watamu.

Local Ocean Conservation is one such organisation that has together with the community and KWS rescued over 13,000 sea turtles and returned them to the ocean.

According to the project manager Casper Van De Geer, the project is one of its kind in the world and one of the major break-through in beach product conservation efforts.

Kevin_x254

Poverty is falling faster for female-headed households in Africa Living standards have risen and poverty has fallen faster for femaleheaded households considerably across Sub-Saharan Africa since the late 1990s data reveals.

Female headship is rising during a period of economic growth among other factors that are changing across Africa affecting this fundamental

feature of household structure, including changes in demographic and population characteristics, social norms and education levels.

Nearly one in four households across Africa are headed by a woman though the figures are not the same in all countries.

Female headship has been increasing

across all countries where cases of woman aged 15 heading households has been on a hike in all sub-Saharan regions and at every age.

Research suggests that economic growth brings lower female headship, presumably in part due to a decline in work-related migration by men associated with a growing

local economy.

Other factors include extra year of schooling, overall life expectancy, conflict and HIV among others.

The discourse about female households has generally been that these households are poorer compared to those headed by men mainly due to living standards.

Decomposing the change in poverty shows that, rather than putting a break on poverty reduction, Female households are contributing appreciably to the overall decline in poverty.

This is impressive given that they are a minority standing at 25 per cent of all households.

Konza team, developers hold forum to market techno city The Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) in conjunction with the Kenya Property Developers Association has today held a follow up breakfast forum that seeks to position Konza as a global centre for innovation and Africa’s technology hub.

Investors will also take this opportunity to get information on the opportunities for the real estate sector within the Konza techno city. Konza Techno City is envisioned to be a sustainable, world-class technology hub and a major economic driver for Kenya, with a vibrant mix of businesses, workers, residents, and urban amenities. The city will create high value jobs, boost the country’s GDP by focusing on Research & Development and Entrepreneurship in Science Technology Innovation (STI) sector.

The City will attract investors and build programs aimed at commercializing the products of research. It will provide a good innovation ecosystem to educate new and existing tech entrepreneurs and for Multinational Companies entering Africa to consider setting their offices/branches. So far, the city has made great milestones in infrastructure.

Konza Techno City (KTC) popularly referred to as Konza, was inspired by the rapid international development of Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO). The global offshore BPO/ ITES revenue was estimated at US$ 110 billion in 2010 and projected to reach US$ 300 billion by 2015. In 2009, the Government of Kenya (GoK) hired the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as transaction advisors for the development

of the technology city. The IFC commissioned feasibility studies on the viability of the project and concluded that it would immensely contribute to economic development if successfully implemented.

Kenya’s vision of a knowledge based economy aims at shifting the current industrial development path towards innovation – where creation, adoption, adaptation and use of knowledge remain the key source of economic growth.

Konza will focus on clustering the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, Internet Enabled Services (ITES) industry, Software Development industry, Data Centers, Call Centres and

Light Assembly Manufacturing industries in its drive of Kenya’s economic growth of achieving a 10% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate.

‘We have come to the stage of the project when time is ripe for the uptake of 24 parcels of land as part of Phase 1. It is therefore most opportune that KPDA and other potential investors here today take advantage of this unique opportunity to be a part of tomorrow,’ noted the PS ICT& Innovation, Ministry of Information Victor Kyalo.

Speaking at the forum, the Ps said the Techno City project was established, with the first stage being the purchase of 5,000

acres from Malili Ranch for its development and that it is a Vision 2030 flagship project — will be a smart city with world class infrastructure and technology to spur innovation. The forum seeks to Showcase available investment opportunities as well as discuss engagements and possible joint ventures with investors. Following revelations that the Konza city will be a sustainable world class economic driver, the KPDA and the KoTDA highlighted upcoming tenders and other upcoming opportunities.

Kevin_x254

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016

BIZ BRIEFS World Bank launches Sudan Evidence Base drive The World Bank has launched the Sudan Evidence Base and Data Literacy Capacity Development Program meant to improve development out comes through stronger evidence based policy making programme design and monitoring.

Funded by UKAid, delivered by the World Bank, and drawing on expertise from both organisations, the programme is the first of its kind in Sudan.

This capacity development programme commenced on January 10 and will continue through the coming eight months.

“There is a recognisable need for reliable data in Sudan”, said Igbal Khalid of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

“We are pleased to start the first statistical and data literacy training course, which is the result of close collaboration between the Ministry of Finance, the World Bank and UKAid. I would also like to thank the World Bank for making possible this initiative toward building a strong economic model for Sudan.”

Good quality and reliable statistics and highly-skilled statisticians are prerequisites for better and more targeted policy-making to respond to needs of the poor and marginalized to ensure that no one is left behind.

Apple, Samsung, Sony face child labour claims, says BBC

An artist’s impression of the Konza Techno City, popularly known as Konza.

Terror attacks inhibit tourism in Africa: UNWTO Attacks by the Islamic State group (ISIS) have led to a dramatic fall in tourism sector especially in parts of North Africa, where millions rely on the trade to make a living.

Data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) show that visits to North Africa fell by 8 per cent in 2015, bucking a global upward trend.

International tourism grew by 4.4 per cent overall, to reach a total of 1.18bn arrivals, according to the UNWTO. But countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco have been hit hard.

Beach resorts such as Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, where a

BUSINESS 7

passenger jet was loaded with a bomb in November, and Sousse in Tunisia, where gunmen opened fire at holidaymakers in June have seen visitors numbers sharply deteriorate.

Some 3,500 British tourists left Tunisia in the days after the Sousse attack, in which 38 people, 30 of them British were shot by Islamist gunman at the Port El Kantaoui resort.

Egypt on the other hand was also trying to rehabilitate its image after the 2011 uprising there, and had been promoting the Sharm el-Sheikh resort as a safe and luxurious destination.

However, the plane crash, which claimed 148 lives attributed to IS,

led a number of foreign countries to ground all flights to and from the resort.

Limited data available for Africa as a whole suggested that tourism was down by 3 per cent to 53m of which 8 per cent in North Africa and 1 per cent in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Strong continued growth in other parts of the world meant that global tourism rose, although no individual region saw gains as high as North Africa’s decline.

Europe, the Americas, and Asia and the Pacific all recorded about 5 per cent growth.

Arrivals reached 609 million in Europe, 29 million more than in 2014. Arrivals in the Americas

grew 9 million to 191 million and Asia and the Pacific recorded 277 million, 13 million more than last year.

Arrivals to the Middle East increased by 3 per cent to a total of 54 million.

China is among the largest sources of tourists, according to the UNWTO, benefitting Asian destinations such as Japan and Thailand, as well as the United States and various European countries.

Citing a “larger degree of uncertainty and volatility”, the UNWTO has predicted between 3.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent of growth in global tourism in 2016. enock_x254

Human rights organisation Amnesty has accused Apple, Samsung and Sony, among others, of failing to do basic checks to ensure minerals used in their products are not mined by children.

In a report into cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it found children as young as seven working in dangerous conditions.

Cobalt is a vital component of lithium-ion batteries. The firms said that they had a zero tolerance policy towards child labour.

The DRC produces at least 50 per cent of the world’s cobalt. Miners working in the area face long-term health problems and the risk of fatal accidents, according to Amnesty.

It claimed that at least 80 miners had died underground in southern DRC between September 2014 and December 2015.

UNICEF estimates that there are approximately 40,000 children working in mines across southern DRC. However, in response to the report, Apple said: “Underage labour is never tolerated in our supply chain and we are proud to have led the industry in pioneering new safeguards.”

Kenya’s new car sales jump 12.86 per cent

Kenya’s new car sales increased by 12.86 per cent last year to 19,524 units, the Kenya Motor Industry Association said on yesterday.

According to Rita Kavashe, who chairs the association, said in a statement that the growth was majorly driven by high demand for trucks used to distribute goods and construction material.

8

BUSINESS TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016

Kenyans in diaspora remit Sh163bn last year

Kenya was ranked fourth highest recipient of remittance in 2015 in Sub Saharan Africa receiving Sh 163.7 billion, World Bank’s Migration and Remittances Factbook 2016 has revealed.

This according to the report represents a 16.6 per cent hike compared to the previous year.

Nigeria was ranked first receiving Sh2 trillion ($20.8 billion) as Ghana received Sh204 billion ($2billion) while Senegal emerged third with Sh163 billion ($1.6 billion).

Kenya was also among the top 10 remittance senders in 2015, sending about Sh20.4 billion, falling behind Angola Sh 133 billion ($l.3billion), South Africa Sh 112 billion ($1.1billion), Liberia Sh 40 billion ($O.4billion), Uganda Sh 30 billion ($0.3billion) as Mozambique and Mauritania tied at Sh 20 billion ($0.2billion).

In 2015, the top recipient countries of recorded remittances were India, China, the Philippines, Mexico, and France.

Globally, remittance flows in the year under review are estimated to have exceeded $601 billion.

Of that amount, developing countries are estimated to receive about $441billion, nearly three times the amount of official development assistance.

The true size of remittances, including unrecorded flows through formal and informal channels, is believed to be significantly larger.

More than 247 million people which is 3.4 per cent of the world population, live outside their countries of birth.

Kenya’s economy to grow by 6 per cent, predicts Oxford Kenya’s economic growth is expected to accelerate slightly in 2016 to 6 per cent, according to a recent report from the Oxford Business Group (OBG).

According to the group, Kenyan economy performed fairly strong in 2015 despite the global economic headwinds such as domestic hurdles, depreciating currency, weaker tourism receipts and a slow growth in Europe.

The group attributes the growth would be driven predominantly

by continued infrastructure expenditures for projects such as the Lamu-Southern SudanEthiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor. According to the World Bank, GDP growth is expected to reach 5.4 per cent this past year, aided in large part by sustained public sector capital spending.

If all goes according to plan, the targeted infrastructure expenditures will lay the foundation for elevated GDP growth in the future.

Among the planned investments is Kenya’s flagship project for the Vision 2030 development programme, the majorityChinese-funded Standard Gauge Railway, which will connect the nation’s main port in Mombasa to the capital Nairobi, further easing the flow of goods across the region.

With 60 per cent of the project’s 608-km first phase complete as of mid-December, plans to extend the railway to Malaba, on the border with neighbouring Uganda, are

The ongoing construction of the multi-billion shillings Standard Gauge Railway.

VW most criticised company by NGO’s German carmaker Volkswagen was relaunched campaigns against greenhouse gas emissions with a one of the “most disliked” companies new focus on VW.VW was found in for pressure groups last year following September to have fitted millions of its emissions scandal, a survey has found.VW was the seventh most US cars with defeat devices which criticised firm in a top 10 dominated disguised emission levels in diesel cars. by energy and chemical companies, Half of the top-10 most criticised according to consultancy Sigwatch. companies on Sigwatch’s list were Shell was the most criticised by Nairobi is expected to host to Kenya,energy technology campaigners, followed

by Monsanto, firms,thatbecause of “the close to 4,000 delegates who moves with time in which makes genetically modified elephant the in three the room - climate sectors, ” said Florence will be attending the Water, change,” MrSugut Blood said. Top was food. Sigwatch monitored more of Ikapa Media EastTransCanada, Africa, Electricity and Power expo Shell, but ExxonMobil, than 7,500 non-governmental one eventand organisers.

(WEPEX), which(NGOs).Singled is set to BP also featured. Shell said organisations outof the EDF take February She &addedit would that the expo to engage with continue forplace mostbetween praise were Nestlé, Marks 2 and 4. would also attract delegates Spencer and McDonald’s.

NGOs to ensure a “high-energy, low and exhibitors from energy future for Organisers expo criticism But it wasofthe the increased carbon, responsible Africa, Middle East, says that there is growing our planet”. Asia of VW which was one of the most and Far East “most looking for demand for reliable water striking findings, according to The sensitive” companies to opportunities in Kenya’s and power connectivity from NGO concerns were food companies Sigwatch. the“Volkswagen growing population in figure renewable energy sector. didn’t even as and retailers.That included theanregion.

The NGO target in 2014. By 2015 M&S,participating which was praised for its countrieswill also showcase “Asthey population theremost hated were thegrows, top seven environmental and animal welfare their latestwork, technologies is company need for more Mr Bloodand said. in the sustainable world as far as NGOs equipment“Itinknows a bid what to lure power, cleanmanaging water, director its customers want went,” more Sigwatch more electricity, and andnew its markets. customers are Greenpeace Robert Blood told themore BBC. investors and renewable andbecause safe energy.

“It’s entirely of ‘Dieselgate’,” supporters, ” he said. wilson_x254 That is what WEPEX brings groups he said, as pressure

Nairobi to hold WEPEX expo in February

under way.

The government has also been investing heavily in new energy transmission and generation infrastructure, with Kenya Electricity Generation Company commissioning 253 MW of geothermal power in 2015 and Kenya Power increasing the electrification rate to 50 per cent as of October.

These developments have resulted in a 35 per cent drop in the price of power, Deputy-President William Ruto told media in late December, in a boon to investors in energyintensive industries.

Upbeat outlooks for several sectors robust projections for the agriculture sector, one of Kenya’s key export earners, followed strong year-end rains, while recovery in the tourism industry is also expected to drive growth.

The country has seen a series of positive developments that are expected to improve business sentiment in 2016 and beyond such as resignation of five ministers on graft allegations.

These efforts, along with other reforms to the country’s regulatory system, were recognised in the World Bank’s “Doing Business 2016” report, in which Kenya jumped from 136th to 108th place in the ease of doing business category, making it the third-most improved country in the world. enock_x254

Cartels push wheat flour prices through the roof Cartels have kept the prices of wheat flour and its products high in the market despite the plenty supply of cheap imports that has forced local millers to stop buying farmers’ produce.

According to Cereal Growers Association (CGA), a lobby for local farmers, millers have shunned their produce in favour of cheap imports in the international market which has driven down wheat prices by more than 30 per cent since last year.

“The price of wheat products has remained high in the country despite sufficient supply in the market resulting from low imports,” said CGA chief executive Anthony Kioko in a statement.

He accused the millers of refusing to pass the benefits of cheap wheat to consumers, noting that the price of the produce is not in tandem with the cost of wheat flour and bread.

A two-kilogramme packet

of wheat flour is trading at between Sh126 and Sh140 in the supermarkets, almost the same price at which it had been retailing whole of last year.

Hundreds of farmers in the Rift Valley are stuck with more than 165,000 bags of wheat from last season’s crop as millers say that their stores are full and cannot absorb more of the commodity at the moment.

“Millers are no longer buying wheat from farmers and when you look at the imports, you realise that the bulk of goods coming in is wheat,” said Mr Kioko.

The Cereal Millers Association (CMA) chief executive Paloma Fernandes said it was unfortunate that they had received complaints from farmers that millers are not buying their wheat.

“We will endeavour to do our best to ensure that all local wheat is bought by millers immediately and hope that the situation can be

solved amicably as possible,” said the CEO in a statement copied to government officials.

Statistics on the cargo handled through the Mombasa port in the last two weeks indicated that the bulk of it was wheat implying that millers have been importing more of the grain.

The report from the Kenya Ports Authority indicates that direct discharge of wheat bulk through the conveyor belt accounted for 42,640 tonnes, dominating the sectional operations.

Millers have been lobbying to import wheat at duty-free after they exhaust what’s available from local farmers.

They argue the move will keep prices of wheat products low when the duty is set aside as the country imports up to 75 per cent of wheat yearly. Kenya is a net importer of the grain, producing 350,000 tonnes against an annual consumption of 900,000 tonnes.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016

ACCESS topstory

fashionscoop

11

The cuT and dry TruTh is ThaT corrupTion is noThing new

some

anne waiguru

passaris

Breaking the glass ceiling: Why being

comes a woman inwithcharge extra baggage

h

olding public office in Kenya can only be described as a popularity contest. Aspirants clamour for jobs with a fervour that is only seen during the electioneering period and dissipates just as quickly as it comes. This makes you question the exact conditions and terms that would make an individual step down and decide that a life in the public eye was just not for them.

Former Devolution and Planning CS Anne Waiguru resigned from a job that many would literally and figuratively give an arm and a leg for. Following the firestorm of accusations and allegations lobbied against her; talk of corruption, attacks on her character and her family and left her a very public and political shambles. The reasoning behind her leaving her job was whittled down to ‘doctor’s orders.’

The cut and dry truth is that corruption is nothing new. It has become part of our day to day life in the country so much that we barely

lillian Muli

take notice of it. How many times have we settled for reasons such as ‘clerical errors’ to explain away inaccuracies?

It could be that former CS Anne Waiguru was fighting a losing battle. She was a woman in power and that can leave an individual vulnerable in some ways, but more than that, she was a woman. It’s no secret that modern society has transformed the role and position of women. Only good can come from that but with these new changes are not without their short comings.

Before a woman can hold any sort of public office her family has to come into question.

Which type of school her children attend, what kind of job her husband does even the amount of money she earns. Studies show that women earn remarkably less money for the same amount of work done than their male counterparts. This paints a disheartening picture especially considering employees have been known to exhibit a fair amount of apprehension when selecting female employees.

It somehow became major news that Yahoo CEO, Marissa Mayer,

Kanye West not sleeping with nike

Kanye West is not willing to re-ignite their affair with Nike after they broke up two years ago. Kanye reportedly answered in the negative of ever having a deal with the giant sports brand even after being wooed back an option that would have had him drop Adidas.

became pregnant a few years ago. This is an everyday occurrence, so it is surprising that doubt in her abilities to lead the company began to crop up just because she was with child!

Here at home businesswoman, Esther Passaris, who is no stranger to scandal, has had her name dragged through the mud numerous times, whether it is on social media, blogs or due to her children’s father.

All of this does not negate the fact that she has been extremely successful in her entrepreneurial endeavours but this side is unfairly overshadowed in the media.

Another name people are familiar with is Lillian Muli, a woman that seemingly changed the journalism game overnight in Kenya. There have been lists published online documenting numerous men that she has allegedly liaised with, from politicians to businessmen; she was accused of flirting with a popular Jamaican dancehall artiste on live television and people seem to have made a sport of guessing who she is dating. All of these accounts have been baseless and aimed

right at her integrity, at her as a person and as a woman. This is apparently the world a woman in power has to live in. it is not a question of whether women are capable or qualified; it is a question of their perseverance in the face of persecution. Would these accusations have surfaced if the Devolution and Planning Secretary at the time was a man? If so would they have gained any traction or would the discrepancies have been ‘explained away’?

Taiwan has recently voted in their first female president and the first question was why she has never married. We all loved her answer’ she needs not buy a whole pig just for the sausage! @duncan_x254

HOT

y

TOPICS

Janet is back on air

After a successful delivery, Janet Mbugua is back on TV. The soft spoken anchor looks fine and toned despite having delivered just three months ago.

Blogging awards 2016 Launched The blogging scene is getting fiercer after launching this year’s Awards ceremony. The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), wishes to reward and recognise enthusiast bloggers making a positive impact to the society. Last year one thousand plus bloggers participated with over 15 thousand votes cast. Can you make your mark this year?

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ACCESS

ART&CULTURE

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 26th NOVEMBER 222015 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER JANUARY 19, 2016 2014

aboutLove

All of us fAll in love for different reAsons

A LUO TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE

A

fter the bridegroom and the bride have decided to get married, they both discuss the matter or give the news to both parents. If both parents have agreed with the plan they then get together for the preparation with the help of some elders and in- laws. The Bride price always comprised of a bull, cows and goats.

The bride price is never paid in full .The bride should not prepare food for the groom’s family or the in-laws the same applies to the groom’s family. The bride’s family prepares the food. It is said that the bride should not be around the cooking area or within the compound.

The bride’s mother prepare s chicken “Gweno” and other meals including a cow which had to be slaughtered on the same day..

The groom’s in –law/ family should not stay at the bride’s house beyond 6:00 pm.

After that, the bride and the bridegroom are given five weeks to prepare for the wedding ceremony. It is said that the girl should be placed in the house for three days before marriage. The locking of the girl is to ensure that the girl is fully prepared for marriage.

After the three days the bride and bridegroom are supposed to spend the night together, Afterwards the girl is handed over to the bridegroom’s family.

Taking a break can lead to a sense of relationship renewal and better communication between you and your partner.

How to manage

a break in a relationship

S

o you feel as if nothing is working out in your life or maybe some things are working out for you but your current relationship has executed a wrong turn and has failed to find the right road again. If you are frustrated in your relationship or with your partner you might want to consider taking a break. Taking a break does not mean that you no longer love each other.

A break does not mean that you will not resolve your issues within the relationship. A break is a common practice among people who are dating, live together or our married.

Taking a break can lead to a sense of relationship renewal and better communication between you and your partner. If you are unsatisfied with your relationship there are a few things to consider before you decide to take a break.

First of all you should sit down and ask yourself why you are unhappy

MY GIRLFRIEND HAS NO SEX DRIVE Dear Dr X,

My girlfriend and I have been together for about one year now and so far we haven’t had sex yet. We have discussed this and, at first, she said she did want to have sex with me, but was worried that it would end up like her previous disastrous relationships.

Now, after a few months, her sex drive has completely dried up. She knows the situation is getting me down and says she’s sorry, but she doesn’t make any effort to try to fix things. She just keeps telling me that it’ll happen soon.

I don’t know what to do because I love her to bits, but it’s affecting my happiness.

—Sean.

in the relationship. Make a list of the characteristics you love about your partner. Remember why you fell in love in the first place. Was it because of common interests or because they were what you needed at the time?

All of us fall in love for different reasons. Next write down your partners characteristics that have been bothering you. See if there are any dangerous warning signs such as excessive alcohol use or a violent temper. After you have made your list carefully consider your goals in life, your life plan and figure out how your current relationship fits into this plan.

Also, take into consideration that your relationship stress may have nothing do to with the relationship itself. You could be experiencing the pressure of financial stress or maybe you just faced a traumatic event or you feel overwhelmed in your life right now. Many times relationships suffer when external sources are

negatively impacting us. Figure out what is going on in your life and separate the external stress factors.

After you have carefully thought all of this through it is time to sit down and talk with your partner.

It is only fair that you are honest with your partner about your feelings.

Nothing can be resolved without clear communication. Both of you should engage in a serious discussion about your relationship and where it is going. Your partner may be just as unhappy as you are. After all is said and done the two of you may decide to take a break. Remember to define the break and give it a time line. During a break make sure to talk with your partner, check and see how things are going and discuss what you want for the future. Relationships are stronger after a break but only when it is defined and there is a consulted effort from both parties to make it work.

AsK dr X Dear Sean,

Do you want a life without sexual intimacy? It sounds like she has issues around sex that she needs to deal with, but just blaming it on past relationships is vague. Has she been specific with you? If not, she should be. If she’s hoping for a future with you, she needs to open up to you because it’s not a situation that can carry on indefinitely. Part of the difficulty might be that now sex (or lack of it) is perceived as a ‘problem’ – it won’t happen naturally. It’s become the elephant in the room.

I think the only way forward is to have an in-depth discussion of what

exactly happened in her past relationships that has made her reluctant to have sex or even afraid of it, and what you can do to calm those worries.

Then maybe agree not to talk about it for a while and see if things can progress naturally in the bedroom.

You don’t have to threaten her with ending the relationship or give her an ultimatum, but you can be honest. Make it clear that while you love her and want to be with her, you can’t be with someone long-term where sex isn’t part of the relationship. All the best.

Dr X.

Send your agonising queries to adhyambo@x254.co

ARTSHOCK FROM ORDINARY pApER TO EXTRAORDINARY ART

W

e always interact with paper on a daily basis. Perhaps for writing, drawing or printing. Apart from the convectional use of paper, there are a million and one ways to make art using paper. Yulia Brodskaya from Moscow has his art startling and stand out making ordinary paper worth looking at twice.

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY TUESDAY, JANUARY 26th NOVEMBER 19, 2016 2014

FASHIONscoop

@2016 CritiCs ChoiCe AwArds worst dressed

WHEN BAD clOTHEs HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPlE Not everyone is a winner during award shows and the same translates to the red carpet. The Critics Choice Awards went down last weekend and while some of the stars shone bright fashion wise, others shone for all the wrong reasons. There was bad color, pattern and uncoordinated design combos, revealing too much or revealing nothing at all.

Have a look at the stars who fell flat on the fashion front. @mercy_x254

11

JAnuAry Jones: Her beaded and embroider outfit was too busy.

Abbey Lee: Crisscross, mesh and ruffle equals ugly.

tiziAnA rokkA: In tatters!

Jenifer Aniston: Not on target.

DIRTY GRANDPA

our rating: H H H

filmlab Zac Efron and Robert De Niro team up in this comedy production revolving around the life of a junior employee who is about to get hitched to his boss’ daughter while at the same time trying to make partner at the law firm where he works.

The looming monotony is broken by the groomto-be grandfather who is extremely foul mouthed and makes the journey to the nuptials a pretty interesting one.

BEST

zoe krAvitz: When did red and orange ever match?

LAurA hAddoCks: Are those mittens on a dress?

rating: PG-13 Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy Cast: Moeka Monroe, Chloe Grace, Nick Robinson runtime: 1 hr 52 min.

An alien invasion devastates the earth and Cassie Sullivan is one of the few who still possess the will to survive. The invasion is progressively decimating the original population and has already put mankind back to the Stone Age. Will the 16 year old survive?

rating: R Genre: Comedy Cast: Zac Efron, Robert De Niro runtime: 1 hr. 42 min our rating: H H H

THE

5TH

THE BOY

WAVE

This is a treat for the lovers of horror flicks. The frightening thriller tells the story of a woman who is employed as a nanny in England to care for a doll, which her employers view as their long dead son. Soon she gets engrossed in the madness and starts to believe that the doll is actually alive.

rating: PG-13 Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Horror Cast: Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans, Jim Norton runtime: 1 hr 37 min.

our rating: H H H

claSSIFIEd TUESday, JaNUaRy 19, 2016

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WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Perhaps hard work has paid off in career and financial advancement. Support and encouragement from friends and family are likely to spur you on to further accomplishments, particularly in areas requiring leadership. If you make good use of these abilities now, this trend could continue.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Visitors in the home could share stories of strange experiences of some sort, perhaps intense and vivid dreams, visions, or maybe premonitions that have come true. This could spark some deep thought, Aquarius, causing you to reflect on similar experiences of your own.

TUESday 19/1/2016

SUNNy

MoRE SUN THaN cloUdS

23

21

20ºc 86%

WEdNESday 20/1/2016

6:38 aM 6:49pM

23ºc 76%

6:38aM 6:49pM

THURSday

24

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 Today you could enter a new romantic relationship, Pisces, or you could experience a new sense of unity and commitment within an existing one. Whichever it is, the relationship might become very intense, so be sure that you and your partner make the effort to give each other plenty of space.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Today you’re likely to be feeling especially fit and healthy and able to take on the most monumental of tasks, Aries. Therefore, you could well decide to clean out the basement or tear all the weeds out of the backyard. Take care to pace yourself! These things need to be done, but not all at once.

SuDOku

12

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 You probably share a number of goals, Taurus, and discussions could lead to how you could work together in order to make them happen for both of you. You’re more likely to take the lead, however, since your communicative abilities are particularly high right now. Enjoy!

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Discussions with others could result in new plans and opportunities for advancing yourself on any level you wish: career, financial, or social. So many ideas may come your way that it might not be feasible to try to use them all.

FIND THE KEYWORD IN RED AND SMS IT TO 22333

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Success and good fortune have increased your self-image, and business and money matters should be going well. Today you should pause to take some time to assess your situation and decide in which direction you want to go. You now have it in your power to make dreams come true.

RINGTONES: 30 KSHS PER DAY Nipe Nafasi You will receive a sms “2 download. . . ”Go to this Glory to Glory link using GPRS or WAP & download your content.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Visions, premonitions, and telepathic messages from others could pop into your mind all day. This shouldn’t be treated as something strange, but rather you should regard it as a source of inner power. Abilities like this increase your understanding of others as well as yourself.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 Don’t be afraid to be more ambitious than before, Virgo, because you’ve acquired an inner power that gives you more confidence and a stronger belief in yourself. It is belief in our own self-worth that gives us the power to move mountains.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 You aren’t likely to want to rest on your laurels, Libra. Striving to reach new horizons is important to you, and today is the perfect day to consider what horizons are the most critical to you now.

Nonetheless, it’s important to be sure. Don’t feel the need to rush into anything just yet.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 You could find it difficult to think of much else, Scorpio, and so it might be a good idea to try to find the most beneficial ways to pursue this subject. Your abilities for in-depth study are enhanced by intuition, so reading could well prove especially beneficial right now. Find what works best for you!

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 You’re likely to be more aware than usual of your inner power. Reading about various possibilities could be enlightening, especially as you’re feeling particularly capable today and therefore more likely to be able to zero in on whatever method is best for you.

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

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JOAN WAIRIMU

VAN4

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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 19, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. Call attention (to) 6. The bat lead-in?

14. Skills-sharpening piano piece 15. Price of a ticket 17. Drop by 18. Game of X’s and O’s 19. Rapturous states 21. Alaskan island 22. Emperor of Japan 23. Cuff 25. Noted marathoner Martin 26. Office PC linkups 28. Loch critter, slangily 29. Pig pen 30. Underlying 32. Three times, in prescriptions 33. Assuaged 34. Distress signal 37. Antiseptic surgery pioneer 38. Washington st. capital (abbr.)

41. Rio Grande city 43. ___ Nordegren, ex-wife of Tiger Woods 45. Game opponent 46. Mandela of South Africa 47. Skating exhibition 49. To me, in Marseilles 50. Central

52. Book opener 55. Gold Rush figure, for short 56. Way up or down 57. Rosetta ____ 58. Sleazy lawyers 59. Not verbose Down 1. Exposes 2. Online reservation 3. In an overly-particular manner 4. Singer Piaf 5. Sell in stores 6. Integers, e.g.

7. “And if ___ before...”

8. Some SUVs 9. Smack 10. Bag-screening gp.

11. Movie awards 12. Most apt to survive 13. Under-the-table flirtation 16. Spay 20. Mare’s mate 23. “The Tale of the Body Thief ” author 24. No longer working, for short 27. Maryland or Hawaii 31. Pencils in a purse, perhaps 33. “Not only that...”

34. Obama was in it until November 2008

35. Oxford university, familiarly 36. Irregular stain 38. Matron ____ 39. Relaxes, as a grip 40. Bow-maker’s source of raw material, historically 42. “____ Dying” (Faulkner novel) 44. Nobel prize winner in chemistry (1920) 48. Strike 50. Ending for sat or potent 51. Actor Haing S. 53. Chicago transports 54. Singer Benatar

Sunday’s answers

YOURSAY What women want in their would-be husbands Carry your wife to the bed when she dozes off in the sitting room, make her feel like a baby The truth is, every woman wants to be treated like a two-year-old girl. You may have an argument with your wife and the next thing is that you will see her putting her bags outside the house, it doesn’t mean she is asking for a divorce, she simply wants you to hold her, look her in the eyes and say “I am sorry for the argument”.

Every brother needs to study in the “University of Women” before getting married, read books about them, learn what the Bible says about them and you will hardly have a problem with them.

Challenges will always be there because you are both from different backgrounds and your imperfections are bound to stand, but men

should be ready to learn one or two things on marriage, an ideal home, child upbringing and importance of marriage.

Don’t just jump into marriage with an empty head, you will have problems or jump out disappointed.

How many men can tolerate their wives nagging let alone shouting? It’s said that, you should be quiet when your spouse is angry, when one person is fire, the other person should be water. Brothers, when your wife steps on your feet intentionally or mistakenly, don’t let your eyes turn red, just smile at her, if she did it intentionally, she is just playing with you, if she did it mistakenly, it’s not her fault. So why shout at her over every small mistake? As a man learn to ignore some things, don’t be petty.

Some men are feminist; Do “hide and seek” with your

wife, sing poems for your wife in the garden or inside the house, even if she is teasing you.

Assist her in the house chores, pound yam, fetch water, and don’t make her look like your maid.

Bathe together, wake her up for prayers, swim with her if it’s available, cook together, and teach her how to cook if she doesn’t know how to.

Cooking is not the ticket to Paradise. It’s not only a feminine duty.

Use blind folds to cover her eyes and tickle her, scare her at times, call her from work/ school, text her, write “I love you” in a small note and put it under her pillow or in her purse or in her bathroom or in her cosmetics box or inside her cupboard. Kiss her always, cuddle her, pamper her and play with her hair.

— Via mail

State must strengthen intelligence to curb attacks The government should work towards strengthening the National Intelligence Service (NIS) as its power bank on the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities.

Our NIS, though one of the heftily funded department in the current financial year, it has not worked fully to ascertain the multi-billion funding.

Major terror activities that have hit our country have been blamed on intelligence lapses. In most instances, the intelligence report was not vivid to be worked upon. Other than terrorism, criminal activities such as bank frauds have been on the rise. President Uhuru Kenyatta

has on several occasions been jeered by chaotic audiences, incidences that did not occur to his predecessors. Such unceremonious habits could have only occurred due to lack of proper groundwork before the visit. It’s a big shame and self-defeating to note that KDF soldiers lost their lives as a result of intelligence lapses.

When a department fails, it’s either blamed on the management or the ghost of corruption.

In my view, both vices are eating up our intelligence forces. New strategies and further training should be crafted to aid the ailing department for it to work as expected.

— Nderitu, Ummoa

ODM botched polls speaks volume about Raila Opposition chief Raila Odinga is an astute politician who has won admiration across the country with his anti-graft crusade. Even his opponents will tell you Raila is an opposition leader worth its salt. But one waterloo for the son of Jaramogi is political party management no wonder this man has been party hopping since he joined politics. Raila won the first parliamentary seat on a Ford Kenya ticket before forming his National Development Party (NDP) which he used to recapture his seat during a by-election after decamping from Ford Kenya. Raila contested the presidency in the 1997 General Election, but later formed a merger with Kanu in 2001 only to decamp to the Rainbow Alliance and then to the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and now to

ODM. If the chaos witnessed in the Orange party during nominations are anything to go by, it indeed confirms my worst fear that Raila is a politician who does not believe in political parties. Raila’s ODM is the singlemost largest party in the country, but also ranks the worst managed party in the nation.

The recent chaotic party official election witnessed in Migori and Homa Bay and the latest being the botched party nomination in Malindi speak volume about Raila. Is Raila poor in management? Or he is a double-faced politician who does not walk the talk. If the party fails once, it is understandable, but failing all the time is now by design.

— Bukende Stephen, South C

Social media ‘fear messages’ ill-intended Welcome to Africa where typing Amen to Pastor’s prayers on Facebook will save you from your village witches and make you a billionaire.

Welcome’s to Africa where Jesus Christ sends you a WhatsApp message and threatens to kill you if you do not send it to 20 people.

The most annoying thing is that graduates and supposed learned people send these ‘miracle messages’ to their friend’s every day. These messages carry lots of threats; some of the messages say you will suffer or go broke for a week if you don’t send them.

As Christians, we need to keep an open mind and be

discerning and also open our hearts and minds to healthy discussions. We need to think.

Do you believe God will punish you if you refuse to send those messages? Do you think your destiny is tied to a message on social media?

Do you genuinely believe you will receive instant miracles after you type ‘’Amen’’ on that post?

We claim to be children of God, but we are scared of the future, scared of little things. You relay a message to 20 people on social media and believe in your heart that you will wake up tomorrow a billionaire?

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

What is wrong with us?

Like seriously, what is really wrong with us?

Without prayers, hardwork, determination & purpose, ‘’miracle messages’’ on social media are not invisible hands that can instantly make us rich.

Stop spreading your fears on social media because we are not gullible.

Our God is too big to send threats to make people obey Him. Our God will never do that. We need messages that will transform souls and not messages that will threaten people to create unnecessary fear and panic.

— Mageka, Kamkunji

14

SPORT TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS Muyoti appointed new AFC assistant coach

Nicholas Muyoti has been named AFC Leopards new assistant coach in a one year contract. The former Kenya international was the head coach of FKF Premier League club Oserian FC until late 2015. He will deputise the recently-rappointed Jan to steer Ingwe to good tidings in the league.

“It is a privilege to be named a deputy coach in this big club and I will definitely give the team my best. Koops and I have an understanding which I think played a big role in my recommendation for the position, but our main aim will be to help the team reclaim the league title,” he said.

Ingwe chairman Mathews Opwora said the team settled on Muyoti to bring unity in the technical bench and get results.

AFC Leopards has been in the limelight for the wrong reasons, the latest being the leadership wrangles that have ended in court. It would be interesting to see how the team will deal with the feuds and financial constraints in the new season.

Konta eases past Venus Williams Australian Open

Johanna Konta outclassed eighth seed Venus Williams 6-4 6-2 to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

Britain’s number one, 24, raced to victory in 79 minutes as seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams, her left thigh heavily strapped, struggled. Konta denied that 35-year-old Williams’ age had anything to do with the American’s laboured display.

“It’s irrelevant how old she is because she’s such a champion with so much experience and knowledge,” said Konta.

“Even if she’s playing with one leg out there, you’ve got to really take care of things on your own because she’s an incredible player. I have all the respect for her in the world.”

Konta, who reached the last 16 at the 2015 US Open, is the only British woman left in the singles draw following Heather Watson’s defeat

on Monday.

The world number 47, making her Australian Open debut, will now face either Carina Witthoeft or Saisai Zheng. The Briton, who has described Williams as her idol, moved her opponent around the court and hit deep into the corners to take control of the match.

Konta broke serve twice in the first set and then eased to a 5-0 lead in the second before the American rallied briefly.

But Konta held her nerve to secure a famous victory over the former world number one.

“Right now it is still very much a blur,” added Konta, who lost in the first round at her two warm-up tournaments.

“When the draw came out and I saw who I was playing, I was just hoping to stay out there more than an hour.

“I played two previous tournaments and didn’t

quite get the results I wanted but I have a very strong belief in the way I want to play and the way I want to be thinking.”

Meanwhile, British number one Andy Murray saw off German teenager Alexander Zverev with ease to reach the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Murray, 28, dominated throughout against the former junior world number one to secure a 6-1 6-2 6-3 victory.

The world number two will now face Australian Sam Groth, holder of the game’s fastest serve, on Thursday. Murray joined fellow Briton Johanna Konta in the second round but Dan Evans and Aljaz Bedene both went out.

Zverev, 18, is widely considered one of the game’s rising stars but the winner of last year’s ATP Star of Tomorrow Award could not match Murray’s consistency in the first two sets.

Glasgow’s Wilson cited for ‘testicle grabbing’ Glasgow’s Scotland flanker Ryan Wilson has been cited for allegedly grabbing the testicles of Northampton’s scrum-half Lee Dickson. If found guilty of the incident, which occurred in the 25th minute of Sunday’s European Champions Cup game, Wilson, 26, could face a minimum 12-week ban. Wilson’s disciplinary hearing will take place on Wednesday, with any ban likely to rule him out of the Six Nations.

Glasgow lock Tim Swinson has also been cited after a yellow card for punching.

Swinson was sin-binned in the 74th minute, but his offence could bring further punishment after being highlighted by match citing commissioner Jeff Mark.

Wilson has won 15 Scotland caps since his debut against Wales in 2013, and featured in four games at last year’s Rugby World Cup.

Thomas targets best Tour de France finish Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas has targeted a best ever finish as well as supporting Chris Froome at the 2016 Tour de France. The Welshman was praised for the support he gave team leader Froome when he won his second Le Tour in 2015. Thomas, 29, finished a career-best 15th overall but had been fourth until the 19th stage, where his efforts finally took their toll. “Last year I was there purely to help Froomey,” Thomas told BBC Wales Sport. “I wasn’t thinking about my own GC (general classification position) at all, and whatever needed to be done I would just do it straight away with no question. Thomas and fellow Welshman Luke Rowe are part of Team Sky’s line-up for Australia’s Tour Down Under, which starts on 19 January. Cardiff-born Thomas says the six-stage race based around Adelaide is a warm-up for bigger ambitions to come in 2016, which will include the Tour de France and the Rio Olympics. He cut short his 2015 season by a few weeks and had a slightly longer off-season than in previous years following his wedding to long-term girlfriend Sara in October.

Britain’s Johanna Konta serves during her women’s singles match against US Venus Williams on day two of the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne today morning.

NBA to shift matches from Railways to pave way for Sh25m court renovation Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) will have to look for an alternative venue to host future league matches following the construction of kid Basketball Court at Railways Club.

Railways has played host to selected NBA matches in the past, but a new partnership between Railways Club and an American company to construct three kids Basketball Course will force NBA to look for other alternatives.

“The NBA league will use this facility at the mercy of the children who are our priority,” said Railways Club manger Eliud Wesang’ula

during the project’s ground breaking ceremony yesterday.

This pronouncement means that NBA will have to fight for space with the mother body at the leaking Nyayo Gymnasium, the only public venue that currently hosts the national league matches.

The project will cost Sh25 million. BE OWN Sport- will construct 60 more courts across Africa.

The project will take three months to complete.

The construction work is expected to start by end of this week with its completion expected

to be in April.

“When I came to Nairobi five years ago I saw a young girl pick up a nasty knee injury after diving for the ball, and the next day the court had been flooded after heavy rain, it moved me to act,” remembered BE OWN Sport chief executive Ally Samsvaly who reiterates that the Courts will be owned be kids.

“Walking around Kenya, I have seen poor courts that are health hazard to players,” added Samabaly who played in the NCAA basketball league, alongside Basketball legend Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant.

SPORT 15

Nigeria beat Niger as Guinea hold Tunisia in CHAN games Nigeria’s forward Chisom Chikara scored a hat-trick against Niger despite coming on as a substitute. Nigeria beat Niger 4-1 in their opening match at the 2016 CHAN in Kigali, Rwanda last might.

Nigeria beat Niger 4-1 as Guinea equalised late to earn a 2-2 draw with Tunisia in the opening Group C games at the 2016 African Nations Championship.

There was a hat-trick for Nigeria’s Chisom Chikatara despite only coming on as a substitute in the 57th minute.

While Alseny Camara scored with just eight minutes left on the clock to earn a point for Guinea.

The next Group C matches in Rwanda are on Friday when Tunisia play Nigeria and Niger take on Guinea.

Nigeria’s coach Sunday Oliseh (pictured) was a frustrated man at the end of a scrappy and goalless first half against Niger.

Oliseh’s mood was lifted moments after the break when Moses Okoro scored after a good team move.

Chikatara replaced Tunde Adeniji, who had helped in the build-up to the opening goal, with just over 30 minutes left to play.

He scored the first of his three goals 15 minutes later when he fired home from a ball played over the top by Okoro.

Niger got back into the game shortly after that when Adje Zakari Adebayor found the net with a long range effort.

Their hope was short-lived though as Chikatara scored his second just a minute later, he then spurned chances for his hat-trick before eventually getting his third in injury time.

Tunisia twice took the lead against Guinea through Etoile du Sahel’s Ahmed Akaichim his opener was an acrobatic finish on 32 minutes, he then hit the bar shortly after.

Alseny Camara tapped in to

level on 39 minutes, but after the break Akaichi restored Tunisia’s lead with a drive.

Guinea escaped when Tunisia’s Zied Boughattas headed against the bar and they completed a comeback when Camara hit his second from a corner.

While the point will be celebrated by Guinea, they will be concerned that Camara was carried from the field with three minutes remaining and they will hope he is fit to continue in the tournament.

Swansea climb out of relegation after a scrappy win over Watford Swansea City climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a gritty win against Watford.

With new head coach Francesco Guidolin watching from the stands, Swansea edged an uneventful first half thanks to Ashley Williams’ header.

Watford’s Miguel Britos and Jose Manuel Jurado had chances to equalise, but the hosts defended stoically to hold on.

Swansea, who are now 17th in the table, almost got a second but substitute Bafetimbi Gomis hit a post late on.

Having started the season in sparkling fashion, the Hornets’ fourth straight loss leaves them eight points above the bottom three. The spectre of relegation still looms large for Swansea, but this crucial victory sees the Welsh side leapfrog Newcastle to go one point above the bottom three.

Having won only one of their previous 11

Premier League games, Swansea sought to arrest their decline by appointing former Udinese manager Guidolin to work alongside interim boss Alan Curtis.

On an evening of new arrivals, former Chelsea midfielder Gabriele Ambrosetti also joined the Swans’ coaching staff and Watford announced the signing of Morocco forward Nordin Amrabat from Malaga.

Guidolin may not have been entertained by a drab first half, but he will have been encouraged to see Swansea take the lead for only the fifth time in 22 league matches this season.

After a corner was half-cleared, Ki Sungyueng’s fine cross found Williams, who headed in firmly for the first top-flight goal by a Swansea defender since he struck against Everton in March 2014. Watford were aiming to recapture their early-

season form, a run of three successive league defeats denting what had been an unlikely push for the European places.

Strikers Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney had scored 19 league goals between them prior to this match - the same amount as the entire Swansea team - but their influence was limited as Watford created precious few chances, their best falling to Britos, who nodded narrowly over from Ben Watson’s whipped free-kick.

Sensing only a third win from 18 Premier League games was within their grasp, Swansea retreated and had to withstand heavy pressure from the visitors late on.

Jurado had two good chances for the Hornets but fired wide on both occasions.

The Swansea defenders threw themselves at the flurry of Watford shots, and they almost scored a second in added time but Gomis’ shot came back off the post.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016

tuesday, JaNuaRy 19, 2016 | www.x254.co

Nigeria beat Niger as guiNea deNies tuNisia iN africaN champioNships

p15

Record Sackings A record 29 managers in the top four English divisions were sacked in the first half of this season.

Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool), Tim Sherwood (Aston Villa), Gary Monk (Swansea) and Dick Advocaat (Sunderland) were all replaced in the Premier League, while 10 managers were fired in the Championship.

The 29 dismissals across the 92 Football League clubs between 1 June and 31 December 2015 is the most ever at this stage of the season. The highest number for a single season is 53, in the 200102 season. “We must continue to shine a light on this issue,” said League Managers’ Association (LMA) chief executive Richard Bevan.

“With the hire-andfire culture engrained

Jose Mourinho who was sacked by Chelsea FC in December and (down) Brendan Rodgers who suffered a similar fate in the hands of Liverpool. A record number of managers in England were sacked from the period between June 1, 2015 and december 31, 2015.

within football, it’s so difficult to survive for any meaningful length of time in order to learn your trade, learn from mistakes and experiences. Managers must cope with instant judgements and, often, success and failure are rarely that far apart.”

The tally of 29 dismissals at this stage of the campaign is two more than the previous high set in the 2014-15 season.

In the Championship Blackburn, Brentford, Bristol City, Charlton, Fulham, Huddersfield, Leeds, QPR, Reading and Rotherham have already changed managers this season.

There have been five further managerial moves in January, with Steve Cotteril of Bristol City, Ian Hendon of Leyton Orient and Mark Robins of Scunthorpe all losing their jobs in the past four days. A statement from the LMA

said: “If the trend continues, we are on course to exceed the highest number of dismissals in one season over the past 10 years.

The managers dismissed so far this season had held their job for an average of only 1.58 years, and eight of the 29 were first-time managers.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger remains the longest-serving current manager at 19.26 years, with Exeter City boss Paul Tisdale in second place on 9.52 years.

“Professional football is the ultimate results-driven business, with owners, boards and supporters’ expectation levels going up and up year on year,” added Bevan.

“Boards need to take a step back and look at their league position compared to resources, squad, stadium capacity, attendances, and compare themselves with other similar clubs.”

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