201601025 xnews

MONday, JaNUaRy 25, 2016 | www.x254.cO

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kavuludi defends police conduct national police service commission chairman says up to 96 percent of officers conduct themselves professionally contrary to public perception that all officers are bad

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NEWS

boost for kenya prisons as mwombe, moraa both return

butali seeks to open big margin in hockey league

Accountants back T Treasury in tussle over Eurobond

he Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (Icpak) has waded into the controversial Eurobond debate by endorsing the reports issued by the National Audit Office and the Office of Controller of Budget that gave accounting of the Eurobond proceeds a clean bill of health.

Icpak chief executive Dr Patrick Ngumi in a statement said the institute supports and has confidence in the two constitutional offices on their recent reports on the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Eurobond saga.

swearing to deliver

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero during a church service at the Deliverance Church International in Westlands on Sunday. The Governor said Nairobi’s development agenda is on course and that the county government has achieved a lot since it came into office three years ago. See story on page 3.

MP in fresh call to have IEBC bosses sent home

Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch has renewed calls for the disbandment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) saying the body does not meet the required integrity standards.

Olago said IEBC has lost the goodwill of Kenyans to oversee country’s electoral process, adding that majority of voters had lost confidence in the commission.

Speaking on Sunday in his constituency, Olago said going by the IEBC performance of the commission during the 2013 General Election, it lacks credibility to oversee any polls.

“IEBC cannot be in office with all these rigging claims, the commissioners should resign to pave way for an independent and fresh body,” he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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NEWS MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

Accountants give Treasury a clean bill of health over Eurobond saga From Page 1 “The two institutions have confirmed to Kenyans and the world at large that Kenya did not lose any cash, having been received and reflected appropriately in line with generally agreed principles of government accounting. The receipt and accounting of the funds is confirmed independently by the records of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK),” Said Ngumi.. Ngumi said pursuit for the truth should now be focused on calling on all accounting officers of government ministries, departments and agencies that received the cash to explain how they utilised the

money.

“It is in the interest of all Kenyans to have this debate move to another level and hold accountable the accounting officers who are tasked with utilisation and implementation of government development programmes as well as custody of public resources,” added Ngumi.

Meanwhile, the National Treasury has maintained its stance that all monies from the Eurobond proceeds were accounted for but its documents have raised credibility questions that have drawn mixed reactions on the matter.

While responding to questions

raised concerning the multibillion proceeds and the signatories of the off shore accounts, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich dismissed allegations that the accounts were private, saying they were public and under the CBK. “The account in New York is a public account not a private account belonging to Rotich. All documents are on our website and if we were hiding anything we would not have put them there,” said the CS. He added: “The Federal Reserve Bank does not deal with private accounts. It’s only commercial banks that can own accounts there. This is

a Central Bank account and the CBK has all the documents to show the various transactions.”

Weighing in to the debate, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko has said the investigations file on the Eurobond issue will remain open until the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission clarifies some information and fill gaps in its report.

Tobiko said he was unable to make a decision on whether to close the file or not after perusing the investigative report because some missing information.

“In the course of reviewing the

file, my officers noted some crucial areas that require clarification and or additional information before a definitive decision can be made on this matter,” he said.

Opposition Chief Raila Odinga has maintained a tough battle with the government on what he claims that over sh 100 billion was lost from the Eurobond proceeds, accusations the government has vehemently absolved.

Raila, who has named the suspect ‘beneficiaries’, has also urged the government to pin point specific projects that were funded by the proceeds bring the matter to rest. wilson_x254

MP in fresh call to disband IEBC over integrity concerns

National Police Service Commission chairman Johnstone Kavuludi speaks during a press conference at the commission’s offices in Nairobi last week. He has defended officers against claims of bad conduct.

Kavuludi defends police officers against ‘bad conduct’ perception Only six per cent of police officers in the country are rogue and unprofessional, tainting the name of other officers, National Police Service Commission (NPSC) chairman Johnstone Kavuludi has said.

Kavuludi said contrary to the public perception that police officers are bad, majority are indeed good.

“I know my views do not resonate with that of many Kenyans who think all police officers are bad, but they should get it from me that only six per cent of officers are bad, the rest are doing a good job,” he said.

“We should not offer blanket condemnation to the police over a few, who have professional issues,” said Kavuludi.

Over the years, Kenya police has been ranked as the most corrupt institution in the country.

On the ongoing police reforms, the NPSC chairman said everything is on course as planned.

“I know many people expect sudden change, but issues to do with reforms are not instant, we are on course,” he said.

The ‘cleansing’ of the police officers by Kavuludi comes barely a week after his team found out that Charles Nyakeri used his cousin Nelson Omwenga Nyakundi’s academic certificate to get recruited into the police force over two decades ago.

For the last 22 years, Nyakeri alias Nyakundi rose through the ranks in the Administration Police to the position of superintendent before the ongoing vetting smoked him out.

Nyakeri is among seven police officers, who face the sack after they were found unsuitable to hold public office by NPSC.

“There is no way he would be in Standard One while aged three years.

It was a revelation that even shocked his relatives. This probe was launched after a complaint was lodged here,” said Kavuludi.

The seven were among 31 officers whose vetting results were last October withheld for further investigations.

Kavuludi said the use of fake papers is not only rampant in the police service but also in the public sector.

“I know there might be many officers with fake papers like Nyakeri, the problem is not only within the police service, but also in among civil servants,” Kavuludi.

The chairman welcomed the public to volunteer information to the NPSC to help in the police reforms. sam_x254

Olago said as Cord, his they do not believe the Issack Hassan-led commission is independent despite the ruling in favour of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula on voter bribery case.

He however, said plans are underway to push for an allinclusive electoral body to reflect the interest of various stakeholders.

“The country’s electoral body must not only be seen as independent in the letter but in every sense of the word,” said Olago The legislator, who is a member of the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, said electoral commission would only be independent if the management of its affairs including its budgetary allocation becomes a preserve of the August House.

“Let Parliament determine and manage the budgetary needs of the country’s electoral body so that the

commission does not play to the whims of any authority.

That is only when you can say you have a truly independent commission,” added the MP. The vocal legislator said Cord will oppose a motion set to be tabled in parliament by the Jubilee Majority Leader Aden Duale, seeking to extend the term of the current IEBC commissioners.

Cord is pushing for termination of IEBC commissioners’ tenure for allegedly mismanaging the 2013 General Election, they have further proposed electoral reforms through ‘Okoa Kenya’ referendum initiative to drive their agenda.

Recently, they opposed the IEBC plans for mass voter registration and demanded the commission deploy more voter registrars and biometric kits in addition to the two officers and one kit; as earlier planned for. hillary_x254

IEBC chairman Issack Hassan and his vice Lillian Mahiri Zaja display the commission’s booklet of road map for the 2017 elections. MP Olago Aluoch wants the electoral body disbanded.

NEWS 3 MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

Nairobi ranked among world’s top cities

A new study has ranked Nairobi among the top 20 cities in the world renowned for their innovation, livability and capacity to re-invent themselves.

The City Momentum Index (CMI) ranked Nairobi 11th, the only one in Africa to make it to the list due to its lifestyle and location which, it said, is unmatched anywhere in the continent.

The survey was conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), a professional services and investment management company.

London topped the list for the second year in a row for its economic growth and real

estate structures as well as initiatives that are transforming transport, such as the research centre currently being developed at White City.

“Alongside great cities such as London, Nairobi has made it to the top 20 most successful cities for its innovation, livability and capacity to reinvent itself. The top scoring cities offer an environment that “nurtures talent and an innovation-orientated economy,” the study states.

Other cities that made it to the top 20 include Dublin, Silicon Valley, Bangalore and Boston.

Dublin scored high on the ranking thanks to its high

City development agenda on course, says Gov Kidero Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (pictured below) has defended his tenure at City Hall, saying he has engineered visible change in the county.

Speaking at the House of Bread, Deliverance Church International in Westlands, on Sunday, Kidero said major gains have been realised since he took over the management of the city.

“We have done tremendous work in the security sector as at today. In 2013 between 50-56 crimes incidences were reported per day. This has now reduced to 2-4 crime incidences per day and none at all in some days in the city centre,” he said.

He urged city residents to appreciate the gains realised and support the County government in its efforts to make Nairobi a better city and place to live, work and invest in. “Great things are happening and will continue happening. It may not be as fast as it should, but good things are happening,” he added. Meanwhile, the governor has distanced his administration from a video clip that shows county askaris beating a hawker.

Kidero said the viral video clip was taken long before he took over at City Hall.

“Nairobi County government has exercised caution while dealing with the hawkers to avoid the long-standing controversy that was carried over from the previous regime,” he said Kidero said his government is committed to dialogue and he is guided by the rule of law; including giving sufficient notice of evictions to respective hackers.

He accused a group of criminal gangs who masquerade as county askaris, for killing hawkers in the city.

The governor, however, said his government has put in place sufficient measures to make sure residents enjoy maximum security.

“My County government has agreed with the Inspector General of Police that protection will be provided to the business community against harassment by extortionist and any other criminal gang,” he said.

Recently, Nairobi Senator, Mike Sonko had alleged that 19 hawkers had lost their lives in the past 12 months.

Last week, Three Nairobi County askaris suspected to be behind the serial killings of hawkers in the city were charged with murder.

Alfred Maranya, alias Ogesi, Julius Omanyo Ochieng and Marigo Protus, alias Sarara, were charged before justice Luka Kimaru where they all denied killing a hawker Irungu Kamau. @hillary_x254

concentration of tech startups, which generate demand for commercial property. It has cemented its position as one of Europe’s most dynamic cities with projects such as the regeneration of the Docklands, where up to 350,000 sq metres of commercial space is set to be built.

The 120 cities shortlisted by the CMI were chosen for their population, GDP, corporate presence, air connectivity,

real estate investment activity and commercial real estate stock. London and Dublin are the only European cities in the CMI top 20.

The unrivalled technology sector in the Bay Area of San Francisco pushed Silicon Valley to second place and San Francisco to 10th place in the index.

JLL said the two regions had the characteristic to sustain future growth.

The study tracks the speed of change in a city’s economic base and their commercial real estate market and aims to provide information to help developers choose which cities will see growth and success in the future.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero hailed the study, saying it reveals the city’s importance stretches far beyond its role as an administrative or political capital. “I am proud of Nai-

robi’s continuing position as one of the continent’s major urban hubs. The city is now in its 53rd year as the capital of an Independent Kenya. Yet its importance stretches far beyond its role as an administrative or political centre,” he said. In 2015, The Intelligent Community Forum (IFC) ranked Nairobi the most successful city in Africa.

MORE ON THIS STORY @www.capitalfm.co.ke

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NEWS MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

NEWS BRIEF

South Sudan fails to form government

South Sudan has missed a key deadline to create a transitional government, after the president increased the number of provinces from 10 to 28.

The plan for a unity government was part of a peace deal in August to end the civil war which began in 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his then-deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

The two sides blame each other for violating the terms of the agreement.

Thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced since 2013.

President Kiir (pictured above), who said he had “reservations” about the August peace deal, appointed 28 new governors for the new provinces, just as rebel delegates arrived in the capital Juba, to begin work on the new government.

The former president of Botswana and head of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, Festus Mogae, told Al Jazeera the move was one of the many barriers to peace.

“One important one that has occurred, unfortunate in its timing, is the creation of 28 states because it’s inconsistent with what is envisaged in the [peace] agreement and, therefore, it is not acceptable,” Mr Mogae said.

The United Nations released a report this week, accusing both President Kiir’s forces and Mr Machar’s rebels of mutual killings, including “hundreds of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, gang-rapes, sexual slavery, forced abortion, [and] massive child soldier recruitment”. Peter Schumann, former director of the UN Mission in Southern Sudan told All Africa he would have been surprised if the transitional government had been established.

“Both parties have different agendas and do not follow their agreements,” Mr Schumann said.

“There is no peaceful solution, because both parties are trying to control territory and oil resources.”

US faces blizzard-hit week Millions of people across the eastern US are clearing up after the weekend’s massive snowstorm that virtually paralysed the region.

They have been digging out their cars and clearing pathways of snow which reached 3ft (91cm) in five states.

Public transport remains disrupted as the working week is set to begin.

Many flights have been cancelled.

Government buildings in Washington and many schools will be closed on Monday.

At least 29 deaths have been reported since Friday, when the blizzard began, as a result of car accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning and heart attacks suffered while shovelling snow. The storm, dubbed “Snowmageddon” and “Snowzilla”, has now weakened and headed out into the Atlantic Ocean.

It affected some 85 million people, at one point cutting the power of 300,000 people. The heaviest fall was recorded in Glengary, West Virginia, which had 42in.

In New York City - which saw its second-highest snowfall since records began in 1869 - a travel ban that effectively shut the city down now been lifted.

However, officials are urging residents to stay off the roads while they are cleared by snow ploughs.

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has said that

A man wades through snow in Washington over the weekend. Snowstorms have virtually paralysed operations in the eastern states of the US.

almost all public transport services will be running in time for the morning rush hour, including nearly 80% of the overground Long Island Rail Road.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged people to leave their cars covered with snow all week, but he tweeted that the city was now “bouncing back”. In Washington

DC, an “extremely limited” metro, rail and bus service is due to run and residents have been warned to expect delays. Officials said fares would not be charged. Federal government offices and public schools in the US capital will remain shut throughout the day, and there will be no classes in the suburbs on Tuesday as well. The Pennsylvania

Turnpike reopened on Sunday afternoon, after hundreds of vehicles got stuck on the key motorway that runs across the state.

Hundreds of Monday flights have been cancelled, although a number of airports in the area are now operating.

Nearly 12,000 flights had to be postponed over the weekend.

Replace ANC leaders, says Mandela friend Veteran African National Congress (ANC) activist Denis Goldberg has called for leaders of the party to be replaced. In a BBC interview, he alleged that the ANC leadership, locally and nationally, was riddled with corruption.

Mr Goldberg said that leaders’ focus on personal enrichment was threatening freedom in South Africa. As a member of the ANC’s military wing, he was convicted of armed resistance to apartheid and

sentenced to four life terms in 1964.

Mr Goldberg was the only white man to be convicted among 10 people on trial for their lives alongside Nelson Mandela.

Huge steps had been made in education, health care and the development of the civil service since the end of apartheid, Mr Goldberg said.

“We have undoubtedly made huge progress, [but] we have more progress to make,” he told John

Pienaar in an exclusive interview on BBC Radio 5 live.

The economy is three times larger than it was when apartheid came to an end in 1994, he said.

“Corruption is a problem. I personally believe, and I will say it publicly as I do in South Africa, the members of the ANC need to renew the leadership from top to bottom.

“I’m not going to name names, because it’s a problem throughout, from national, provincial and local

government level.”

The ANC veteran told the Pienaar’s Politics programme that “a definite attempt” was now required by ANC members to say “enough is enough” and instigate a leadership clearout.

“Let us focus on the needs of our people, not on your needs as new political leaders with access to power, and therefore wealth and personal enrichment, which robs us, in a way, of our freedom,” he said.

Five dead, thousands stranded as cold snap sweeps across Eastern Asia

A cold snap sweeping across East Asia has led to more than 50 deaths in Taiwan and stranded at least 60,000 tourists in South Korea.

Taiwanese media reported a rash of deaths from hypothermia and cardiac disease following a sudden drop in temperature over the weekend. Meanwhile heavy snow forced the closure of the airport on the Korean holiday island of Jeju, cancelling flights. The cold spell has also hit Hong Kong, southern

China and Japan.

Many of those who died in Taiwan were elderly people living in northern regions such as Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taoyuan.

The north saw an unusually low temperature of 4C (39F) on Sunday.

Authorities have warned people, especially senior citizens, to keep warm and stay out of the cold.

In South Korea, more than 500 domestic and international flights have been cancelled in Jeju as the

island, known for balmy weather and beaches, saw -6C weather.

The airport is due to reopen on Monday night.

Thousands of tourists were left stranded over the weekend.

Yonhap news agency reported that local officials were scrambling to find transport and accommodation.

In Hong Kong, residents shivered in 3C, the lowest temperature there in nearly 60 years.

Parts of Guangzhou and Shenzhen

in southern China have also seen the rare appearance of snow, while the southern Japanese island of Okinawa has seen sleet for the first time ever, report Chinese and Japanese media.

Snow storms have hit large parts of Japan as well, with more than 600 domestic flights cancelled across the country on Sunday and Monday, reported NHK news.

At least five people have died from the snow so far and more than 100 have been injured in Japan.

NEWS 5 MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

Morning newspaper summaries ODM to stagger 2017 Rich families in court Eurobond; Rotich Petrol price increase nomination: ODM will stagger its battles over Sh500bn dodges one billion dollar looms in Rotich’s new party nominations for next year’s elections. wealth: An estimated Sh500 question: Treasury Secretary September tax: The Treasury According to multiple sources, the party has decided to hold its nominations three months to the August 8, 2017 elections. This proposal is among issues the party plans to discuss today during its strategy meeting. Poorly conducted party nominations have previously cost Raila presidential votes and have also seen popular candidates ditch the party and get elected on other parties’ tickets.

billion is at the centre of succession disputes between relatives of prominent multi-millionaires who left a legacy of successful business empires. From late politicians Njenga Karume and Mbiyu Koinange to businessman Stephen Kagiri Kung’u, the trend of fighting over a patriarch’s wealth in court shows that family ties are not that rosy when the head of the family dies.

Henry Rotich Sunday responded to some of the questions on the Eurobond funds, but could not provide proof on what happened to the cash stashed in the Federal Reserve Bank in the United States. Journalist Sarah Elderkin last week gave a chronology of events based on documents on Treasury’s website, to show the possibility that some of the Eurobond money was never brought to Kenya.

Kenyans petition Obama .Enrolment scandal puts Kiraitu to battle Munya to probe Eurobond saga: school in the spotlight: for top Meru seat: Meru The controversial Sh250 billion Eurobond saga may finally get US President Barack Obama’s attention. This is after Kenyans yesterday started the process of petitioning Obama to help in the recovery of what they termed as “looted Eurobond proceeds” with the aid of US banks. In the petition being signed on the White House website, Kenyans said Obama should order US Attorney General Loretta Lynch to unlock the Sh250 billion Eurobond deal.

The Education Ministry is investigating a number of schools in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Machakos for allegedly inflating enrolment figures to get unfair share of the free learning cash. Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, warned that appropriate action will be taken against individuals involved in the scandal.

Auditor-General’s report on the Ministry for the 2013/2014 financial year says the government had lost millions of shillings.

Senator Kiraitu Murungi has announced plans to take on Governor Peter Munya in the next General Election. A meeting at Mikinduri stadium at the weekend attended by a section of the county’s leadership endorsed the senator for the top seat. During a charged official function that turned into a political meeting in Tigania East, Kiraitu was accompanied by six MPs, County Speaker Joseph Kaberia, his deputy Gideon Kimathi and tens of MCAs.

is on course to introducing a 16 per cent value added tax (VAT) on petroleum products, setting up consumers for another round of pump price increases even as global crude price continues its side of the bottom. Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich told the Business Daily that no decision had been made to defer the coming into force of the tax in September.

Nairobi taxi drivers now launch own battle against Uber: Kenyan taxi

drivers have launched their own version of the ongoing global revolt against taxi hailing service Uber, arguing that its pricing model is driving them out of business. The taxi drivers last Thursday warned of an impending attack on Uber partners, prompting the US tech firm that owns the service to alert its Kenyan associates to move with care.

Nearly all senators want Ruto seeks AU backing Joy as grandfather finally Centum to build to become governors: With in Hague case: The post- weds his sweetheart 12MW plants for Two barely 18 months to the 2017 General election violence case against Deputy after 27-year spell in jail: Rivers Mall: Centum Election, a large number of senators President William Ruto will once again plan to wrest power from incumbent governors. The opportunity to control billions of shillings in the counties is said to the reason why 15 of 47 elected senators have declared their interest in the powerful positions. Several legislators have rolled out strategies, among them going back to school, as part of their preparations to challenge incumbent governors next year.

feature prominently at the 26th African Union Summit, as Kenya prepares to push for the adoption of the outcome of the ICC’s 14th Assembly of State Parties.

Mr Ruto’s legal adviser Dr Korir Sing’oei told the Nation that Kenya wants the AU to “adopt and affirm” its position on the use of the Rule 68 of the ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence on the use of recanted testimony.

A former inmate, who recently received presidential pardon after serving 27 years in jail for robbery with violence, finally wedded his wife Josephine Wanjiru in a colourful church ceremony in Nakuru town. Yesterday, Charles Kinyua, 52, said he was fulfilling a promise he made to his childhood sweetheart before he was arrested and convicted in 1989.

Investment is constructing solar and diesel power plants that will generate 12 megawatts (MW) of electricity to power its Two Rivers Development, a real estate project that is designed to host the largest shopping mall in the region.

The firm has secured a licence from the energy regulator to generate and supply electricity at the mixed-use commercial development.

Top stories from X News global partners States lift travel bans Clinton and Sanders A newly emerging Brexit a ‘mistake’, say after 19 deaths and near- Battle for Future of disease is threatening the pharma leaders: A British record snowfall: The city that Democratic Party: The race Americas: ZIKA, a mosquito- exit from the EU would isolate never sleeps came grinding to a halt. The the country’s scientists and reduce capital that lives and breathes politics found something else to obsess about.

New York and Washington were among major American cities entering recovery mode on Sunday, after 24 hours of whiteout blizzard conditions buried them in near-record snow and caused 28 deaths.

Although the damage was profound, and likely to cost hundreds of millions of dollars to clear up, there was also a sense of relief among many who had stocked up on baked beans, bottled water and candles that “Snowzilla” did not quite reach the scale of past superstorms. Governors around the eastern US lifted emergency travel bans on Sunday morning. www.theguardian.com

between Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders, which voters will begin deciding a week from Monday, is not just about the White House anymore.

It has intensified into an epochal battle over their vastly different visions for the Democratic Party. Mr. Sanders, a New Deal-style liberal from Vermont, last week became the party’s first top-tier candidate since the 1980s to propose broad-based tax increases. He argues that only muscular government action — Wall Street regulations, public works jobs, Medicare for all — will topple America’s “rigged” economy. www.nytimes.com

borne virus that arrived in Brazil last May, is an avid traveller—and an increasingly feared guest. It has since found its way into 17 other countries in the Americas.

Until October, Zika was not thought much of a threat: only a fifth of infected people fall ill, usually with just mild fever, rash, joint aches and red eyes. Since then, though, evidence has been piling up that it may cause birth defects in children and neurological problems in adults.

On January 15th America’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised pregnant women not to travel to countries where Zika is circulating. www.economist.com

its influence in medicine, global pharmaceuticals executives have warned, as David Cameron fights for a deal in time for a June referendum.

The warning by executives at some of the world’s biggest drugmakers follows a plea by the UK prime minister for business to enter the debate and comes as the pro-Europe campaign steps up its rhetoric over the potential risks of Brexit.

Stuart Rose, chairman of Britain Stronger In Europe, will on Monday argue that British companies could lose hundreds of billions of pounds a year in foreign investment and trade. www.ft.com

To enquire about digital advertising with these international brands, email julian@x254.co

xnews | MOnday, JanUaRy 25, 2016 | www.x254.cO

BUSINESS

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

MEAN 102.3828 145.1986 111.4519 6.0851 33.9413 21.3415

(AS OF 22/1/2016)

BUY SELL 102.2833 102.4824 145.0300 145.3672 111.3300 111.5739 6.0781 6.0921 33.8595 34.0231 21.2720 21.4111

Marketing strategies to lift Kenya’s domestic tourism by three per cent The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) projects that contribution of bed nights by domestic tourists is expected to grow from the current 47 per cent to 50 per cent by next year. KTB hopes this will be achieved with the kickoff of the domestic tourism recovery strategies that began last week.

Speaking after presenting prizes to the first five winners of the ongoing tourism promotion campaigns, KTB Director of Marketing Jacinta Nzioka said domestic tourism has the potential that needs to be harnessed.

“This is a rich market that has all the potential for growth, and with our various marketing tactics we have put in place, we shall grow the sector to the next level,” says Nzioka.

Last week, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala launched a Sh30 million SMS campaign to woo in domestic travelers as part of its recovery strategy. The five winners won prizes for a three-

Najib Balala returns from his sky-dive above Watamu. Photo: Make it Kenya/Stuart Price. day excursion in Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu National Reserve and Nakuru National Park.

The winners; Geoffrey Ngeno, Purity Kaugi, Karimjee Fazal Hussein and Amos Kyalo Musyoka will also be spending two nights in

different facilities within the Parks after a safari experience. KTB Company Secretary Allan Njoroge said the SMS campaign will have

BUSINESS DIARY Galana irrigation project will WeCreate Kenya to launch succeed, says Wamalwa Startup Academy on Jan 27 WeCreate Kenya, a group that serves as an entrepreneurial community center is set to launch The StartUp Academy, one of the first experiential business model and customer development-based programs in the world. The affair is set to launch on January 27, 2016.

StartUp Academy is made up of eight or fifteen weekly interactive business-building sessions. Each weekly session is lead by a collection of local business-building mentors who train and share their expertise with tailored solutions that support local

new business creation.

Each interactive course includes: Direct interaction with trained local Mentors who support guiding entrepreneurs through the business building process Training “The Art of Business Model Design” through visual thinking tools, or “VizToolz” focus on value creation and customer development training of startup financial/ revenue model development All women-led, womenowned or co-owned start-ups and SME’s are eligible to signup.

StartUpAfrica women meet StartUpAfrica has announced its all-star speaker lineup for its Women Entrepreneurship Forum, to be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi.

The speakers will include Dr Joann Rolle, Dean of the Medgar Evers College School of Business in New York

and Ida Ng’ang’a, director of Strategic Partnerships at RCD Africa.

The event seeks to provide entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs and other professionals in the entrepreneurship industry with a place to learn from experts, discuss issues, exchange ideas, and network.

Kenya could export maize in the near future should the Galana-Kalulu project succeed, Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugen Wamalwa has said.

Wamalwa said the project would not only address Kenya’s food security, but also create jobs opportnities.

The CS said the project if successful would lower the price of Unga to Sh84 per 2-Kilogramme packet which currently stands at more than Sh100.

Speaking to the press at his office, the CS expressed concerns over the government use of over Sh 50 billion annually to import foodstuff, yet the country has the potential to produce even excess food. ‘’For years, our country has relied on rain-fed agriculture as a source of food security and this is not sustainable. To make our nation more food secure, we have to be innovative and creative by adopting modern farming methods such as irrigation,’’ he said.

According to CS Wamalwa,

100 youths will get free training on irrigation engineering in Israel annually for the next six years through the GalanaKalulu Food Security Project in partnership with the government of Israel to improve agriculture in the country.

He said the new roadmap for the project will deliver the 10,000-acre model farm at Sh7.2 billion down from Sh14 billion. ‘’The Inter-ministerial task force that I formed reviewed

the Galana contract and phased out what was not essential,’’ he said.

Wamalwa expressed optimism in the project, despite the project being hit hard by criticism both locally and abroad with arguments that it is impractical and would likely hurt the economy.

The 2015 Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Food Security Index ranks Kenya 83rd globally and 9th in Sub Saharan Africa. enock_x254

a direct impact on domestic tourist numbers as it supports the ongoing efforts to position the country’s tourist attractions to the local audience.

The eight-week long campaign will see couples and individuals win prizes during the campaign which will include two nights and three days to various attractions.

He said there will be a grand prize for two people for five nights with a flying package either to Maasai Mara or Samburu. To register for the competition, one will be required to send his or her name to 21888.

KTB says the campaign will add impetus to the ongoing Tembea Kenya Campaign seeking to encourage more Kenyans to tour their country and sample its diverse tourism attractions. Njoroge called on the hotels to offer affordable packages to the local market as a cushion during low season. kevin_x254

Airtel introduces UnlimiNET 20 Daily Bundles

Airtel has today introduced a new ‘UnlimiNET 20 bundles’ product that is the most affordable bundled offer for voice, messages and data on Airtel’s network.

Speaking today during the launch, Airtel CEO Adil Youssefi said the firm is committed to continuously satisfying the needs of its customers with a wide variety of options aimed at helping them achieve unlimited connections.

“The new bundles are an extension of the now popular Airtel UnlimiNET bundles that was launched early last year to revolutionize the way customers communicate through unlimited connections for Kenyans,’’ he said.

Youssefi ascertained that the company has put measures in place to deal with the problem of Internet connectivity that has been affecting some of its customers, saying such problems won’t be experienced again With Sh20 customers will be given eight minutes voice data across all networks, 20 SMS, 20 MB as well as free Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp all day. enock_x254

BUSINESS 7

ARM cautionary announcement over deal MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

Athi River Mining (ARM) Cement Limited has issued a cautionary announcement regarding its proposed Sh12.7 billion investment by an international institutional investor.

ARM had in December, announced a deal with a strategic investor in a bid

to support its ongoing expansion plans.

The cement manufacturer said at the time that discussions were still going on and further details of the investment would be made available to the company’s shareholders and the public in due course.

Now the firm has updated

its earlier statement in the form of a cautionary announcement.

“ARM hereby notifies its shareholders and the general public that further to the Cautionary Announcement made on 23rd December 2015 on the subject of a proposed equity investment of

USD 125 million (Sh12.7 billion) by an international institutional investor (“the Investor”), the process for the proposed investment remains ongoing,” the group said in a statement dated January 21.

Pursuant to a term sheet signed on 30 December 2015, the Investor

proposes to make an equity investment of up to $125 million (Sh12.7 billion) by subscribing for convertible preference shares in the Company.

ARM has said that this long term structured instrument is “likely to be of seven years tenor and, on conversion to ordinary

shares in the company, is not expected to reach the threshold which would require a mandatory take-over bid, based on the current issued share capital.”

Shareholders and the public have been advised to exercise caution when dealing in the shares of the company.

Dennis_x254

therise Sasini Limited Sasini Ltd was the week’s top gainer after going up by 17.48 per cent during the review period. The share price was up to Sh20.50 from the previous week’s Sh17.45. The tea and coffee producer sold some of its land and the proceeds are expected to be invested in areas the management feels will be more productive. Sasini shares have gained 4.9 per cent year-todate.

thefall Williamson Tea Williamson Tea Kenya Limited (WTKL) was last week’s top losing stock for the second consecutive week following a 30.3 per cent slide in its share price over the course of the week’s trading. Williamson Tea shares ended the week at a price of Sh163 from their previous closing price of Sh234. The company is trading ex-bonus on its onefor-one offer that closed on January 8. Williamson Tea Kenya Limited has shed 57.6 per cent of its value year-todate.

Analysis by Amana Capital info@amanacapital.co.ke

8

BUSINESS

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

Appreciating US dollar threatens shilling stability ahead of tough year The projected appreciation of the US dollar will threaten the Kenya shilling’s stability as Kenya gears for a tough year ahead, experts have warned.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in one of its latest reports, has said 2016 will be a tough year for developing economies such as Kenya and that currencies facing off against the dollar are likely to take a hit.

The US dollar, which was trading at Sh102.31 as of this morning, up from less than Sh90 in 2012, has been on an upward trajectory.

A further appreciation of the dollar and tighter global financing conditions could raise vulnerabilities in emerging markets, the IMF said.

These developments could have adverse effects on corporate balance sheets and raise funding challenges for those with high dollar exposures, the group added.

The pickup in global growth is weak and uneven across economies, with risks now tilted toward the emerging markets, says the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update.

The update states, however, that advanced economies will see a modest recovery, while emerging market and developing economies face the new reality of slower growth.

The WEO Update now projects global growth at 3.4 per cent this

The US dollar, which was trading at Sh102.31 as of this morning, up from less than Sh90 in 2012, has been on an upward trajectory. year and 3.6 per cent in 2017 slightly lower than the forecast issued in October 2015. The downgraded forecast echoes that of Kenya’s National Treasury, which also lowered its expectations with regard to the country’s economic growth.

“This coming year is going to be a year of great challenges and policymakers should be thinking about short-term resilience and the ways they can bolster it, but also about the longer-term growth prospects,” said Maurice Obstfeld,

IMF Economic Counsellor and Director of Research. ”Those long-term actions,” he continued, “will actually have positive effects in the short run by increasing confidence and increasing people’s faith in the

future.” The IMF has warned that a sudden bout of global risk aversion, regardless of the trigger, could lead to sharp further depreciations and possible financial strains in vulnerable emerging market economies.

Dennis_x254

LG to herald 2016 as “Year of Innovation” Global technology innovator LG is reaffirming its commitment by ushering in a new and exciting product line-up this year as it hosts the annual innovation festival dubbed the ‘innofest’.

The Annual “Innovation Festival” is set to highlight the company’s strengths in designing and developing stylish products with smarter technology The InnoFest 2016, which marks its first edition in the UAE and its third year in the region, represents a crucial platform for reinforcing LG’s position in the global consumer electronics and appliance industries, as well as responding to local market needs under LG’s brand identity theme of “Innovation”.

The event will be held in February where over 250 regional partners, distributors and key customers will be flown in to showcase and brief them

about the innovative line-up of LG’s consumer electronic products. Commenting on the upcoming LG InnoFest 2016, Kevin Cha, Executive Vice President at LG Electronics for the MEA region said, “LG has been delving deeply into design and research that takes full advantage of the technologically advanced era.”

“Successful businesses not only respond to current needs, but often anticipate future trends and develop an idea, product or service that allows them to meet a future demand rapidly and effectively and for that, innovation is the key to stay ahead as technologies or trends evolve”, he added.

From the revolutionary OLED TVs to the groundbreaking TWIN WashTM washing machines, and everything in between, LG continues to deliver products that makes consumers’ lives easier.

Kevin_x254

Airtel CEO Kenya Adil Elyoussefi and Marketing Director Levi Nyakundi hold a dummy during the launch of unlimiNET 20 daily bundles at Intercontinental Hotel Nairobi today. The new bundle offer will allow subscribers free internet access and SMS the whole day (Story on Page 6).

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

ACCESS newacT W

role model. His voice inspires me. I need to learn some more from him.

Apart from music what else do you do?

I do not have any side hustle. I am giving my career extra concentration.

Are you dropping an album anytime soon?

Yes by August 2016.

What do you think of the Kenyan industry?

In the Kenyan industry you can only make it if you have the right people around you, like a good management a n d marketing networks. But you must also have talent and believe in it.

@duncan_x254

ho is Madini?

I am an up and coming artiste born in Mwanza, Tanzania but raised in Nyanza.

What is your genre of Music?

I do zouk music fused with Afro and soft RnB. When did you start out?

I started singing way back in high school but as a recording artiste been in that line for 2years now.

What is your first single?

My first single was Nipe Mapenzi. lt is actually a true story. I got inspired after meeting this lady whose family was well off and all I asked from her was just love, but then you know how it goes, that kind of love rarely blossoms!

Who inspired you to do music?

Belle 9 has been my long time

John PhiliPs is born in Mwanza and raised in nyanza and is ready to take uP his rightful Position in kenya

factfile Favorite Food: I like assorted vegies.

Favorite Quote: God will always do his work Favorite Sport: Boxing Age: 21.

i n i d a

f O M D il H c a S D l R WO

fashion Parad e

10

10

ACCESS

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY JANUARY 26th NOVEMBER 25, 2016 2014

FASHIONparade

@ PGA AwArds 2016

cool and calm

mArciA hArden: Casually classy.

Last weekend saw one of the awards season’s marquee events, the Producers Guild Awards, go down in color to celebrate the finest production work of the year, and to honor some of the living legends who have shaped the 2015-16 film entertainment scene. Unlike the Oscars where hints of racism have been noted recently, the PGA Awards addressed diversity by declaring Shonda Rhimes one of the big winners of the night.

And the red carpet did not disappoint.

shondA rhymes: We loved her silver bag.

@mercy_x254

Jenifer LeiGh: frilled fashion.

sArAh PAuLson: Not the best look on her.

AmericA ferrerA: Polka dots are always a good choice.

aY featuring diamond Platnumz

zigo remix

AY is back! This time in collaboration with Diamond Platnumz in the remix of his hit single dubbed Zigo. In less than three days, Zigo the remix has received about 200,000 Youtube views thanks to the creative lyrics and captivating rhythm of the song.

You know when two heavyweight collabo, it is a must have.

third hand music

helena

lyriclab

Third Hand Music is not a widely known name in most musical circles but unforgettable to those who’ve watched them perform on stage. They are pretty new but their single Helena is already making headlines with fans claiming a second Sauti Sol in the making.

Helena is a love song sang to a beautiful Kenyan girl and if you are yet to listen then wait no more, it is bound to make you catch some feelings.

suzAn cryer: Doing maroon justice.

Victoria Kimani featuring Khuli chana all the WaY

Victoria Kimani is going All the way featuring South African rapper Khuli Chana.

The song titled All the way is riding high on its uniqueness in which Vicky delivers in English and one of South Africa’s native languages thus breaking language barriers and stereotypes in African music. Khuli Chana gives this song an old school touch which mixed with Victoria’s urban pseudo Naija feel is a winner.

ACCESS

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

11

CENTRESTAGE

review of top weekend gigs

Mzazi and Mseto thrill Kisumu The hosts did a great job hyping the crowd as Mzazi Tuva got down to dance the afternoon away.

HOT topics

the late salim junior

Salim Junior set to be buried this week

Mugiithi maestro Salim Junior will be buried later in the week at his home in Subukia, according to a close member of the family. Salim who was known as the King of Mugiithi, passed on Saturday morning after a prolonged illness at Nakuru Memorial Hospital. We pray for his family at this trying time.

octopizzo

Mzazi Tuva with Fundi Frank on stage.

T

he Mseto East Africa campus tour on Saturday hit the lakeside city of Kisumu thrilling students of the Kisumu National Polytechnic also known as the Kisumu University College. Dubbed the HHL tour, the campus tours now sponsored

by BIDCO Africa seeks to spread

the Happy Healthy Living (HHL) message to young Kenyans with cholesterol free cooking oils fronted as the gateway to happy healthy living. Hosted

by Mzazi Willy Tuva, Sameer Bry and Fundi Frank, the fan struck revelers were treated to great music mixes by radio

Citizen’s DJ Flash who as usual showed great skill on the decks.

The afternoon concert attracted hundreds of students and young residents alike who thronged the Kisumu University College grounds for a piece of the action.

Rap trio The Kansoul as well as Calvo Mistari performed some of

their hit singles amid cheers from the crowd.

The hosts did a great job hyping the crowd as Mzazi Tuva got down to dance the afternoon away.

Well, if you thought Tuva can’t dance, then you thought wrong, his moves were legendry!

Octopizzo received Sh 3000 as royalties!

As the dance between MCSK and artistes continues to gain momentum, more revelations on how much artistes get per year continue to shock industry players and fans. Apparently, Octopizzo, he of Namba Nane hit song received only three thousand shillings last year!

Adele snubs the Oscars

Adele will snub this year’s Academy Awards also known as the Oscars. It not quite certain why the Hello tune sensation has opted to skip the awards given that she was expected to attend and present an award. According to Adele, she is double booked and not ready to jeopardise her earlier travel arrangements. Hello Adele? Really? adele

Prezzo Offers English Lesson To Jaguar DJ Flash

classIFIEd Monday, JanUary 25, 2016

Technical insTiTuTe EstablishEd in 1964

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

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

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

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

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

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

0792-764-647

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Cut other people some slack when you think they aren’t wearing as big a smile as you are. If you want people to trust you, you need to prove that you can bring yourself to the same level that they’re on. Show a greater understanding of other people’s needs.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 It could be that you don’t feel as if you can begin your day until you’ve made it clear to someone that you have an issue that needs to be dealt with, Aquarius. You have a greater amount of emotional strength than usual, and you’ll find that it’s important that you hold on to this feeling against all odds.

WEATHERFORECAST Monday 25/1/2016

sUnny

25

26ºc 46%

TUEday 26/1/2016

MorE sUn Than cloUds

26 6:40 aM 6:50pM

26ºc 48%

6:40aM 6:50pM

WEdnEsday

26

Fill in the blanks with the numbers 1-9. every row, column and 3x3 box must contain all nine digits with no repeated number.

Sunday’s Solution

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Don’t let another person’s small, thoughtless comment ruin your entire day, Pisces. People may be a bit stingy with everything from money to emotions to time spent with loved ones. The more you tell someone else that they’re wrong, the more that person is going to reject your advice.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 It could be extremely tempting to roll with the crowd and participate in all the fun. You don’t want to miss out on a single thing going on around you. Resist the temptation to disregard the important messages that are coming from your body. Slow down.

SuDOku

12

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 This is one of those days in which you may end up wasting your time and everyone else’s by continuing to insist that things be done a certain way. If you want to do something your way, then do it. If someone else wants to do something his or her way, then let that person do it.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 More than likely there is a person in your world who desperately wants to get closer to you, Gemini.

Conflict is apt to arise tonight if you don’t open up and let this person in a bit closer. This person wants to share more of an intimate space with you, but perhaps they just don’t know how.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 It may be easy for you to show up at a party or answer the phone when you know that it’s your best friend calling with good news, but where are you when the going gets rough, Cancer? Make sure you show your support to people in all situations.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Realize that your inner state of mind is quite apparent to people just by the look on your face, Leo. Don’t think you can hide things from others, especially today. You’re better off just saying how you feel even if you think someone may be put off by it.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 Remember, however, that there are other people who share the world with you, so don’t disregard them as you plow though the day. Expressing your thoughts should be no problem, but expressing your emotions could be a whole different matter.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 This is one of those days in which emotional outbursts could explode in your face as a result of other people’s reactions to your pressure. Don’t feel like you need to take on the responsibility of everyone else’s actions.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 While other people may get upset when their plans go awry, you’ll find that you can surf the waves easily and turn any situation into a positive one, regardless of the way in which you planned things to work out originally.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Come out of your shell today and try not to be so aloof, Sagittarius. The good news is that you should be feeling quite strong emotionally, giving you the confidence to approach people with authority, thereby earning their respect and faith in whatever project you’re involved with now.

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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

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PLAY

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. Common musical wrap-up 8. Homegrown 13. Let the air out 14. 1990 Depp musical 16. Acting the ham 17. Religious dissenter 18. Fiction genre 19. Nothing special 20. Starer 21. Sigur ___ (Icelandic rock band) 22. Indian author Santha Rama ___ 23. Subject of Caesar 25. ____ bladder 27. Lip 28. Return someone to their country of origin 31. Sch. attended by Romney and Obama 32. Discipline 33. Caspian or Red 36. “Nashville Skyline” song 40. HBO relative 41. Now and ____ 42. Hearing-related 44. Scanned code 45. Here, in Spain

46. iPod variety 47. Aykroyd’s Blues Brothers partner 49. Empties a suitcase 52. More audacious 53. Can’t stand 54. Dillydallies 55. Party’s candidate 56. Bombeck and others 57. Tooth problem Down 1. Sailor’s jacket 2. Rudy Giuliani, e.g.

3. Unit of speech 4. Rodent snare 5. Pelvis parts 6. D.C. pols 7. Innovative and daring 8. Greek harps 9. German for ‘above’ 10. Nose-and-throat problem 11. Advice-giver Van Buren 12. Concert halls 14. Flimflam man 15. Rebelled against 24. Salt, chemically 25. Signs of stress 26. Bridal walkway

29. Prime Minister before Major 30. Irish New Age singer 33. Chin scruff 34. Nero or Claudius I 35. Kudos 37. Asylum resident 38. Mythic spider-woman 39. New York team 43. Red ink entries 45. Hearth heap 48. Org. for Borg 49. Radius partner 50. Novice, slangily 51. Actress Dawber and namesakes

Thursday’s answers

YOURSAY Bad governance can only be cured during polls How do we promote equality and justice, uphold freedom and human rights and end conflict and corruption in Africa, particularly in Kenya?

A few good leaders and the public are concerned with our chronic leadership problems such as abuse of power and corruption, among other ills, but have failed to sustain their efforts.

For a long time, the common mwananchi has been cheated by politicians. It is high time we set the job descriptions and specifications, including the pay, for MCAs, MPs, governors and even the President because we are their

employer.

Time for asking hard questions is now, not tomorrow. Time to stop laughing and joking about a wheelbarrow worth Sh100,000, a Sh2 million Facebook page, the NYS grand corruption and many other corruption cases is now.

It is evident that some sections of the current Constitution were deliberately meant to benefit politicians. This year, we should come up with a mwananchi referendum to save ourselves.

We have not heard of MCAs, senators, MPs, governors and other senior State officials threatening to

strike because they have not been paid their salaries! It’s only commoners who face such inconveniences. Why? Because politicians know how to take care of themselves!

We need to ensure only servant leaders are elected.

And they should never demand anything beyond what has been set by mwananchi. I predict a better future for all Kenyans if voters can stick to this.

We need to make more of a heaven here, and have a longrange view of a new social order where justice prevails.

— Anonymous

NTSA should do more than irregular crackdowns The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) should focus on real issues affecting the transport industry rather than concentrate on minor issues such as graffiti.

NTSA should re-look into the major factors that lead to the escalating number of accidents and indiscipline among motorists and other road users.

For instance, the regulator should invest in cameras that will capture offenders in real

time and make it possible for the drivers and owners to be penalised.

NTSA ought to check compliance with these regulations frequently, keep a track record of offenders and lock them out of future licensing based on their past record.

This would go a long way in making roads safer by increasing the levels of compliance other than waiting for crackdowns which often have to wait until

matters grow into crises.

The regulator should invest more in technology-assisted policing to ensure they do not regress. As it is, there are too many public service vehicles on the roads and not enough officers to police them.

And besides targeting the drivers, the law should also place sanctions against the owners of such vehicles, including locking them out of future licensing based on their past record.

— Nderitu, Donholm

Has voters come of age as 2017 elections nears?

Kenyans should use the 2017 General Election to prove that indeed, they have come of age. With the August 8 2017 already set by The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission as the election date, Kenyans from all walks of life must decide whom they want to choose to represent them through General Elections, under their Universal rights of suffrage.

Known to some or all, it’s also a defining moment, you could say, it’s the day Kenya has a date with destiny. Kenyans must not allow themselves to be sucked into this hopeless vortex of blame games and rigging rumours, for they need to exercise their rights and choose wisely.

By now, the electorate should be familiar with the kind of political class that we have in the country. There are those who invoke tribal persuasions while cloaked in the thick fog of nationalism and there will be, men and women of valour whose only enticement to join politics will be to serve Kenyans diligently.

Meritocracy, honesty, truthfulness and the yearning to serve Kenyans should be the

guiding planks of how we vote in the next polls. Anything short of that, will continue to suck us into the morass of tribalism, negative ethnicity and the social ills bedevil Kenya as a country.

Among the many aspirants that will seek votes, are those, who will promise all sorts of thingsdangling huge promises but will sprint in a huff as soon as they are elected to office.

Others will be political deadbeats looking for renewal and they will dish out huge cash and make many rhetorical promises.

The peace and tranquility that Kenyans enjoy should be safeguarded at all costs, that’s why I welcome IEBC assertion that anybody who promotes violence, will be barred from contesting.

On the Election Day, let Kenyans prove that indeed we have learned from our past and conduct peaceful elections that preclude any form of violence. Politicians from across the political divide should shun violence, tribal bile and any form of divisive politics among Kenyans.

— Hillary, Westlands

Troops in Somalia should immediately return home It is now close to four years since Operation Linda Nchi was launched, and Kenyan troops entered Somalia to fight the al-Shabaab who had threatened our security.

Our soldiers in African Union Mission to Somalia have done and continue to do a tremendous job and they deserve a pat on the back.

However, the recent attack in El Adde camp in Somalia has left many dead and scores injured, and the country

grieving. The government has not helped matters by opting to remain tight-lipped on the whereabouts and the number of fallen soldiers, putting families and relatives in a precarious situation.

The government and the entire security team should come up with an exit strategy for our soldiers to return home and secure our borders.

The mission is already complete and we need them to secure our country by

Send your letters to news@x254.co | Letters will be edited for summary and clarity

being deployed within our boarders and not in Somalia.

The Commander-In-Chief should liaise with various security organs and adopt a plan in which our troops will come home and enjoy the peace in their mother land Kenya.

Let us withdraw our soldiers and deploy them along our border with Somalia t guard against the.

— Mageka, Kibra

14

SPORT MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS

Prisons’ boost as Mwombe, Moraa eye return to action

Zarika, Okolla to take part in boxing bout

Kenya’s top female boxer Zarika Fatuma and heavyweight champion Morris Okolla have both confirmed participation in the Knock out Night Boxing Extravaganza to be held on March 5 at the Carnivore Restaurant. The event dubbed the “mother of all battles” has attracted foreign Boxers drawn from neighbouring Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi.

“This time, we are bringing the best boxers as recommended by their respective federations. No joyriders,” said Skipper promotion’s chief executive Steve Sijenyi.

Kenya top pugilists including defending light heavyweight champion Daniel Wanyonyi and Michael Nyawade among others will be on parade. The glamour event has been sanctioned by the Kenya Professional Boxing Federation (KPBC) and the Nairobi County government. Sijenyi, who last month organised another similar event said preparations for the big event are at an advanced stages, adding that names of the foreign boxers will be disclosed in the next few coming weeks.

Kenya Prisons centre Esther Mwombe will return to action in the next four months.

Mwombe who suffered a torn knee ligament injury while playing for the national team in the last African Games held in Congo, Brazzaville is on her path to return for the her side.

She is expected to go through operation in the course of this week to correct the damage.

“I have been going through physiotherapy and I feel better,” Mwombe told X-Sport.

“I’m supposed to go through the surgery next week,” she said over the weekend.

If the operation turns out successful, she will need four week rest before she can begin light training.

“The doctor told me that I will be completely healed and ready for a full return in four months, but by the fourth week I should be able to begin light training,” she added.

Her return will boost Prisons, who will be without three dependable players, Everlyn Makuto, Jane Wacu and Mercy Moim who are away in France and Finland respectively.

Meanwhile, setter Florence Moraa will also make a return to the squad after four years out of the court.

Moraa who last played competitively for the Wardresses in 2012 took four year maternity leave. Before she left, Moraa suffered a broken ankle cup that kept her out of action for the better part of that season.

X-Sport has reliably learned the setter has also recovered from severe chest problem late last year.

“I’ve been under treatment, and I am responding well apart from occasional fatigue, but that is something am ready to deal with,” she told X-Sport. elvince_x254

Rono wins ahead of National cross country

Vincent Rono continued to impress in the build-up to the Kenyan Cross Country Championships with a hard-fought win over a distinguished field at the Kenya Prisons Services Cross Country Championships at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on Saturday. Rono, 25, is preparing to challenge for a maiden place on the Kenyan team for the African Cross Country Championships in Yaounde, Cameroon in March. Fresh from claiming victory at the final leg of the AK/KCB series in Sotik a fortnight ago, he notched up another win in heavy conditions over 10km in 30:11. He defeated Julius Kogo by two seconds and 1500m specialist Cornelius Kangogo who came third. Last year’s winner Philip Langat, who made the Kenyan team for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Guiyang 2015 finished outside the top 20 while sub-3:30 1500m performer Silas Kiplagat did not finish.

Ivory Coast win tie to reach CHAN quarters

Ivory Coast booked their place in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Gabon in their final Group A game. Hosts Rwanda, who had already qualified, were thrashed 4-1 by Morocco in another match. Despite their big win, Morocco were eliminated along with Gabon. The results left the Ivorians second in the standings - level on points with leaders Rwanda - who beat them in their opening game. Ivory Coast took the lead against Gabon in the 19th minute through Aka Essis. That goal separated the two sides until the 51st minute when Franck Obambou’s header put Gabon level. Striker Djedje Guiza struck on 62 minutes, substitute Koffi Boua made it 3-1 after 77 minutes and Nilmar Ble struck Ivory Coast’s fourth goal just six minutes from time.

RETURN: Kenya Prisons Center Esher Mwombe who sustained knee injury will soon return to action.

Van Gaal admits failing United fans Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits he has not lived up to expectations as his side were booed by fans after losing against Southampton.

United supporters were mutinous following their 1-0 loss at Old Trafford Saturday.

They have now failed to net a first-half goal for the 11th game in a row.

“They have - or they had - great expectations of me, and I cannot fulfil them, so I am very frustrated because of that,” said Dutchman Van Gaal.

United are fifth in the Premier League table, five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and 10 off leaders Leicester.

The Red Devils have taken 37 points from

their first 23 games, their lowest total in the Premier League era and three points fewer than under David Moyes during the 2013-14 season.

After the defeat against Southampton, Van Gaal had said: “They are right to boo. I cannot deny that, I saw the match.

“For better or for worse we have to stick together. We are working very hard, but we have had a lot of injuries. That you cannot change.”

Van Gaal was also criticised on the club’s official television channel, MUTV, with former Reds winger Bojan Djordjic suggesting “the only corner we are turning into is some dark alley where we get robbed again”.

Next up for United is a trip to face Championship side Derby in the FA Cup fourth round on On Saturday, United were without Ashley Young, who Van Gaal says faces “a long time” out with a serious groin injury, and lost fellow defender Matteo Darmian mid-way through the second half following a clash with Shane Long.

Van Gaal revealed the Italian was “spitting blood” after leaving the pitch and had gone to hospital.

If the 26-year-old is now sidelined it will leave United without a fit senior full-back, with Luke Shaw still out after suffering a double fracture of his right leg last September.

Hockey league title up for grabs: Butali coach Butali Warriors head coach Cliff Okello wants to open a four-point gap ahead of their return leg match with arch-rivals Kenya Police in the Kenya hockey Union premier league.

Police surrendered the league lead last weekend after dropping two points away in Mombasa. That gave Butali the chance to go top with a point margin with a game in hand.

It is this margin Okello wants to take full advantage of before he meets Police who beat them in the first leg.

“If we go into that match (against Police) with four points then whatever the outcome, we’ll still be on the right course to challenge for the trophy,”

added a cautious Okello.

Butali, who still have three tricky fixtures on the grass and murrun in Kakamega, Mombasa and Nakuru think that the league is still open.

“If it rains at Kapsabet High School ((home to Nakuru) they will definitely beat you. The same is true for Western Jaguars (in Kakamega),” he added.

Despite ascending to the summit of the league thanks to identical 5-0 humiliation over Nairobi Simba at Park road last weekend, Okello still believe his squad is yet to hit their maximum form.

“In terms of team form we are at 60 per cent and maybe 80 per cent team

cohesion,” added the soft but tough speaking coach.

“If we continue playing like this until Easter (holidays) then we can say that we will challenge for the trophy,” he added.

USIU-A also beat JKUAT 5-0 in another premier league match over the weekend while Wazalendo and Kenyatta University played 1-1 and 0-0 draw against Daystar and Mount Kenya University respectively. George Mutira’s brace helped Chase Sailors open the gap in the national men’s league thanks to a 4-1 win against Thika Rovers. elvince_x254

Kenya Police and Kenya Simba players fight for the ball during past action.

Police dropped points at the weekend to surrender their top spot to Butali Warriors.

Adidas in threat to terminate Sh230m IAAF deal International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will lose about Sh210 million if Sportswear giants Adidas make good their threat goes to terminate their contract with the Athletics mother body.

Adidas, the IAAF’s biggest sponsor, has told athletics’ world governing body that it will terminate their sponsorship deal four years early.

The sportswear giant informed the IAAF of its decision understood to be a direct result of the doping scandal sweeping the sport, earlier this week.

Sources have told the BBC the move will result in millions of dollars in losses in income to IAAF. And it is sure to come as a major blow for embattled president Lord Coe. Neither Adidas nor the IAAF have made any comment.

The BBC understands Adidas informed the IAAF in November it was considering ending their relationship early as a result of the World AntiDoping Agency (Wada) Independent Commission’s first report, which detailed claims of State-sponsored doping within Russia.

Earlier this month, the commission’s chairman, Dick Pound, delivered a second damning report which revealed that “corruption was embedded” within the IAAF under former president Lamine Diack.

Within days, a decision at the highest level in Adidas was taken to terminate the relationship.

It is understood the German multinational believes the doping revelations in Pound’s reports constitute a breach of its agreement with the IAAF.

The 11-year sponsorship deal was signed in 2008 and was due to run until 2019. At the time of signing, it was reported the deal would be Sh230 million. But sources have told the BBC the figure is much higher, and that in terms of cash and product, it is worth about Sh56 million annually. This would mean the projected lost revenue for the IAAF over the next four years will be more than Sh210 million.

It now seems Adidas believes there is too much reputational risk to its brand to continue its association with the IAAF. Adidas has also expressed its displeasure at the corruption scandal engulfing Fifa, although it remains world football’s governing body’s oldest commercial partner. elvince_x254

SPORT 15 MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | www.x254.c0

prisons’ boost as MwoMbe, Moraa return to action

p14

SENT OFF: Referee Mark Clattenburg shows a red card to Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker during yesterday’s clash with Chelsea at the Emirates. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has blamed the decision for his team’s loss.

Wenger blames Costa A

rsenal boss Arsene Wenger said they had again fallen victim to Chelsea’s Diego Costa after Per Mertesacker’s “harsh” red card in Sunday’s defeat.

Mertesacker was sent off in the 18th minute after tripping Costa - who scored the only goal in Chelsea’s win.

“Costa has got two of our players sent off in the last two games against Chelsea,” said Wenger. “Is the decision right or wrong? I don’t know. That is a fact, without accusing him of anything.”

Costa was also involved in the clash that saw Arsenal’s Gabriel sent off in Chelsea’s 2-0 home win in September.

Mertesacker’s 18th-minute dismissal changed the complexion of Sunday’s game at the Emirates, with Arsenal’s defeat leaving them three points behind Premier League leaders Leicester.

It is the seventh red card the Gunners have been shown in games against Chelsea their most against any one team - and the third they have suffered this season against

the Blues, with Santi Cazorla also sent off at Stamford Bridge. Costa was given a retrospective three-game ban after that game for a clash with Laurent Koscielny.

Wenger added: “I don’t know whether Costa was offside or not or whether Per Mertesacker touched him or not. It was a decision we had to take on the chin and I thought we did that.

“The referee was very quick to take the red card out. We coped with the decision well and should have had a draw at least.

We had the chances. Mentally we were focused. Sometimes when you lose you can still say ‘well done’ to the players.”

Asked whether Costa had made the most of the situation, Wenger said: “Yes. That is the game of the striker. Diego Costa is good at that.”

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink, predictably, disagreed and said: “There was no doubt.

It was a great ball through and Diego could run straight at Petr Cech but he was tripped. That is obvious.”

Wenger’s response to Mertesacker’s red card was to sacrifice main striker and 18goal top scorer Olivier Giroud, replacing him with defender Gabriel.

This left Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell as the Gunners’ chief attacking threats, both of whom were later withdrawn and replaced by Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Wenger said: “Do you want to make a poll on every decision? I thought it was quite a normal decision.

“We knew we had to go deeper and then use pace. The fact is we needed to get strength on the counter attack and needed pace - that’s why I made that decision.”

The league defeat is Arsenal’s fifth of the season and their first at home since the 2-0 opening day loss to West Ham. It leaves them level with second-placed Manchester City on points - but behind the 2013-14 champions on goal difference and two points above fourth-placed north London rivals Tottenham. Chelsea’s win lifts them to 13th place in the Premier

League, 14 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

They are now on the longest current unbeaten run in the division, having won three and drawn four of their last seven games. The reigning champions are unbeaten in all competitions since Jose Mourinho was sacked as manager in December following the 2-1 home loss to Leicester. Captain John Terry insists a top four place is still “do-able” and Hiddink said: “When the captain says that then I will follow the captain. “It is a gap and the Premier League is competitive with all teams whether you are down at the bottom or higher in the rankings. If the captain says ‘yes’ we will follow the captain.” @XNewsKenya

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