20160107 xnews

THursday, JANUARY 7, 2016 | www.x254.co

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Abolish KCPE exams, Mudavadi tells state Former Deputy prime minister and the Amani Party leader says the system has outlived its usefulness and is leading to waste of talent

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Kakamega woman wins Sh22 Million Serena williams, sharapova pull Sportpesa betting jackpot out of warm up tournament

Crisis meeting as City County staff is arrested STORY ON PAGE 2

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and his deputy Jonathan Mueke when they held a review meeting with county executives and directors last month. Dr Kidero today convened a crisis meeting following the arrest of County Chief of Staff George Wainaina by EACC detectives last night.

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Kiunjuri seeks to extend term of TA as Governors demand transfer of functions

A row is brewing between the County governments and the National Government over devolution of functions.

This follows today’s proposal by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri to extend the term of the Transitional Authority by one year so as to enable it continue handling some function that were set to be fully devolved by March this year.

The proposal to extend the term of the TA comes just a day after the Council of Governors called on the National Government to fully devolve road functions under class C to the counties.

While making the announcement on Tuesday, Council of Governors chairman Peter Munya said that this year, they will ensure all functions not fully devolved are transferred to the counties.

And immediately Mr Kiunjuri announced their intention to extend the tearm of the transition authority, Governors called for a press conference that was to be addressed later today in which devolution of all functions toped the issues they were to address.

The Devolution argues that the need to extend the term of the agency is informed by the workload the authority has not been able to clear over the past three years. While addressing the press at his office today, Mr Kiunjuri said TA has only been able to complete 65 per cent of their work and there was need to extend their term to ensure smooth transfer of functions.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

Mudavadi urges State to abolish KCPE exam Amani National Congress party leader Musalia Mudavadi has urged the government to scrap the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) saying it has lost its value.

Mudavadi said Class Eight candidates, who have failed to make it to secondary schools have nowhere to go, thereby condemning them to a wasted life.

“Let us scrap KCPE and replace it with the Continuous Assessment Test (CATs) to allow them join secondary school then evaluate them using the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education after four years (KCSE),” he said.

“It is wrong for the country to churn out young people with nowhere to go and lack values too, these young people can’t even be employed because they are still underage,” added the ANC leader.

Statistics by the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) indicates that over 200,000 candidates, who sat for the 2015 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and scored below 250 marks are likely to miss out slots in secondary school.

The statistics indicate that 3, 061 candidates scored between 000 and 100 marks while 215,614 candidates scored between 101 and 200 marks.

The KCPE results released on last week also indicates, 499,568 candidates scored between 201 and 300 marks, 201, 986 candidates

Amani National Congress Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi. He has asked the State to abolish KCPE examinations.

scored between 301 and 400 marks while 7,560 candidates scored between 401 and 500 marks.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i encouraged those who will not make it to secondary school to

join polytechnics.

Mudavadi said basic education should be up to Form Four. “Basic education should be up to form four, at this point at least the students are mature and can do other things,”

Sudanese mastermind of robberies, kidnappings arrested in Nairobi Police officers in Kilimani on Wednesday morning arrested a Sudanese national accused of masterminding kidnappings targeting foreigners, a few days after the arrest of two accomplices.

The suspect is accused of leading a three-member gang which had fake documents indicating they are members of the International Police (Interpol) Task Force which they used to lure the foreigners.

Kilimani Police boss Peter Katam said the three suspects would be arraigned in court today, even as he urged Kenyans

and foreigners who may have fallen victim to them to report their cases.

“We have made the arrest of the most wanted criminal who was masterminding robberies particularly involving foreign nationalities,” he said.

In addition to asking for ransom, he says the suspects used to torture victims while threatening to kill them as they recorded them on video.

The arrest of the three comes after they kidnapped a prominent businessman from Sudan whom they held hostage for 17 days in an apartment on Lenana Road and only released

him after they received a ransom.

“We also have video clips which were taken during the kidnapping session,” he said. Victims would oblige upon production of the fake documents.

“They have handcuffs; they are armed. No wonder they purport to be members of

Interpol,” he said.

Police believe the gang is widely networked and could be working with other people from the countries where the victims come from and also some Kenyans.

Investigations have been launched targeting their “agents.”

A senior Sudanese embassy official told Capital FM News that the key suspect was also wanted in Khartoum.

“They need to be punished… once Kenya is through with them, they will be deported. They will be punished severely,” he said.

MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

Kidero calls crisis meeting after EACC nab county official Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero today convened a crisis meeting with his county officials following last night’s arrest of his Chief of Staff George Wainaina by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission detectives.

Wainaina was arrested over corruption allegations after accusations of attempting to bribe Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko with Sh1 million not to raise corruption issues.

Wainaina was picked up by detectives from a church where he had been attending a funeral harambee and driven to Integrity Centre under tight security.

He spent the night in custody after the EACC officials declined to grant him a cash bail.

An EACC official told Capital News that Wainaina is being investigated on various allegations, including the sale of the multimillion shilling Loresho wetland.

“He is being investigated on a number of issues…

the Loresho water reservoir land is one of them,” he said.

The land was recently repossessed from a private developer, who had already started construction just a few metres from the reservoir that serves the Nairobi populace with clean water.

This was after the intervention of the Nairobi Senator, who first led a peaceful demonstration before reaching out to President Uhuru Kenyatta for help.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet led other senior officers including EACC chief executive Halakhe Waqo in effecting the orders to arrest Wainaina.

The private developer had earlier ignored court orders barring developing the disputed land.

He is expected to be arraigned in court once the investigations are completed.

Kidero today convened a meeting to deliberate on the way forward.

MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

Kiunjuri faces opposition in bid to extend TA term From Page 1

“It is clear from their presentation that the constitution did not envisage the heavy workload that the TA had to contend with” said Kiunjuri.

“More importantly, core functions are still pending.

These includes assets and liabilities auditing and transfer, rationalization of human resources between the two levels of governments” he added.

He said they will seek a consensus with relevant stakeholders to have the term of the authority extended by one year.

The authority is tasked with midwifing the process of devolution and ensuring its success. It was established after the Transition to Devolved Government Act which was enacted in 2012.

The Transition Authority core mandate is to facilitate and co-ordinate the transition to the devolved system of government. This includes supporting and assisting the national and county governments in building their capacity to govern and provide services effectively.

NEWS 3 THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

Uhuru to youth: Help us solve problems President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday held a question and answer session with over 600 young people from the Coast region at State House, Mombasa during which he told them to work with the government in finding solutions to problems facing them and the country.

He said his administration was confident that working closely with the youth would resolve most of the challenges facing Kenya.

“Let us not be a nation that only complains but also one that actually tackles and offers solutions to problems,” President Kenyatta said.

The 610 young men and women were from Mombasa, Lamu, Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale and Taita-Taveta counties of the Coast region.

President Kenyatta and Cabinet Secretaries responded to questions raised by the youth, ranging from the 30 percent allocation of all government procurement to the youth, women and people with disability to unemployment, training and the fight against drug and substance abuse in the region.

Kenyatta said data on government procurement for youth, women and people with disability will be published in the newspapers. This will show how much each department

President Uhuru Kenyatta responds to a querry during yesterday’s meeting with youths drawn from the coast region at State House, Mombasa. He urged them to work with the government in combating challenges.

and ministry are facilitating the programme, he said “Those who will not have met the 30 percent target will answer for it,” he said of the ministries.

The President also directed that young people doing excellent work in the community and volunteers be

identified for national honours.

He told an official in his office that the youth category should be created in the roll of honour this year, instructing him to work with County Commissioners in identifying the young people who stand out in what they do. The President also said any

We are ready to take over from CIC, says law commission Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC) has said it is ‘more than ready’ to take over the role of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) whose tenure expired last month.

The commission expressed its readiness to spearhead the process of constitution implementation, saying they had the capacity to take the mantle of implementing the Constitution from the CIC. Addressing a press conference in Nairobi, KLRC Chairperson Mbange Ng’ang’a said in the last five years, her commission has been an equal partner in implementing the Constitution which was promulgated in August, 2010. Mrs Ng’ang’a SAD her body was fit for the job as the Kenya Law Reform Act, 2013 gives her commission the mandate to be the premier agency in constitutional implementation. “The Commission considers the additional role that has been previously performed

by CIC in constitutional implementation as not new but instead we more than ready to take up this role that we are familiar with” said Mrs Ng’ang’a She further noted “it resonates with its ongoing work that broadly includes policy and administrative research, review of policy, legislative drafting and supporting both National and County governments on technical matters of law reform”.

The chairperson who was also franked by the commission vice-chair Doreen Muthaura and Chief Executive Officer Joash Dache noted that KLRC is vital in the initiation and formulation of bills. Muthaura said there is an urgent need to re-visit some bills among them the Land Amendment Bill, 2015 to ensure that all stakeholders are involved.

“Even as we prepare to take up this new role,

we note that there is need to have re-visit on some of the bills that have been passed by parliament without substantial input from stakeholders,” said Muthaura.

She urged Parliament to transfer funds which were allocated to the defunct CIC to KLRC even as express concerns that the commission was in need of the funds to play the oversight role in the remaining phase of the constitutional implementation.

The Vice Chair asked Parliament to increase its annual budgetary allocations from the current Shs223 million to over a half a billion to enable it fast-track the constitutional implementation process. She said the additional funds will also be used to hire six more legal officers to boost its workforce and enhance service delivery. The commission has only three commissioners including the Chairperson, Mbange Ng’ang’a, Vice-Chairperson Doreen Muthaura CEO and Chief Executive Officer, Joash Dache, his Deputy Ruth Kirwa

Kenya Law Reform Commission chairman Mbage Nganga and CEO Joash Ndache when they addressed the press in Nairobi yesterday.

Kenyan who has any information on corruption should send it to his office and “there will be no victimisation whatsoever”.

On issuance of national Identity cards, President Kenyatta ordered a team to be formed to ensure the youth who are of age get the import-

ant document so that harassment by security agencies end. He also discussed the progress the government has made in addressing the land problem in the region.

“This is the first government to give the answer to the land question.

We have dealt with the Lamu issues where more than titles deeds for more than 350,000 acres irregularly acquired were cancelled; progress at the Waitiki farm in Mombasa is good and in Kilifi County 2000 title deeds are ready for issuance,” he said. He also assured the youth that the first talent academy will be built in Mombasa to nurture and develop those gifted in various areas.

Other centres will be built in other counties. On the war against drugs, the President said rehabilitation centres will be built in Mombasa and Lamu.

“But the war needs to go to the drug barons. That way, we can be sure that the war will be won,” the President said.

Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said the government has lined up various programmes to empower the youth. She urged them seek that information so as to benefit from the programmes.

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NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

Libyan oil tanks burn after IS assault Shelling by so-called Islamic State (IS) on two oil terminals in Libya has started fires that have spread to giant storage tanks, officials say. The fires are reported to be raging in Sidra and Ras Lanouf, on the coast between Sirte and Benghazi.

Officials said at least 10 guards had been killed since IS attacked the neighbouring ports on Monday. Warplanes from Libya’s internationally recognised government have provided air support to help defend the area.

Libya has been split between rival militias and two competing governments since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

IS has been operating in Libya for about a year, and in December France warned that the group was aiming to seize the country’s oil wells. Ali al-Hassi, of the Petrol Facilities Guard militia, said on Wednesday that neither Sidra nor Ras Lanouf had fallen to IS so far.

Firefighters, he said, were trying to control blazes at four oil storage tanks in Sidra and one in Ras Lanouf - each thought to contain more than 400,000 barrels of oil.

Mr Hassi also said guards had recovered the bodies of 30 militants and had captured military vehicles. On Monday, IS said it had taken control of the town of Bin Jawad, 30km (19 miles) west of Sidra on the road from its stronghold in Sirte. The jihadists failed to take Sidra in an attack last October. In December, Libya’s rival politicians signed a UN-brokered deal to form a unity government, but that has not yet been implemented.

Guantanamo detainees sent to Ghana Two Yemeni detainees held at the controversial US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have been transferred to Ghana. The Pentagon said Khalid al-Dhuby had been approved for release since 2006 and Mahmoud Omar Bin Atef since 2009. Both have been held for more than a decade and have never been charged. Ghana has given permission for the men to stay for two years subject to security clearances, Foreign Minister Hanna Tetteh said. The West African nation has not previously taken any Guantanamo prisoners. According to military records, Mahmoud Omar Bin Atef is a Yemeni citizen born in Saudi Arabia in 1979 and was handed over to the US following his capture by Northern Alliance Forces in Afghanistan in 2001. US official documents say Khalid al-Dhuby was born in Saudi Arabia in 1981 and travelled to Afghanistan to fight.

Nigeria charges ex-minister who ‘stole weapons money’

Former Nigerian minister for Defence Bello Haliru Mohammed who was charged alongside his son for diverting Sh150 million meant for the purchase of weapons to fight Boko Haram. They both denied the charges.

Former Nigerian defence minister Bello Haliru Mohammed has been charged with money laundering.

He is accused along with his son, Bello Abba Mohammed, of diverting $1.5m (KSh150 million) that was meant to buy arms for soldiers fighting Islamist Boko Haram militants.

The two men have pleaded not guilty.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who took office in May, set up an investigation into the procurement of weapons for the military, which found that phantom contracts worth $2bn (Sh200 billion) had

been awarded.

Last month, former national security adviser Sambu Dasuki was arrested and charged with 19 counts of fraud, money laundering and criminal breach of trust in connection to the case.

Mr Dasuki, who oversaw the fight against Boko Haram while Goodluck Jonathan was president, denied the charges.

Bello Haliru Mohammed served as Mr Jonathan’s defence minister from 2011 to 2012 and still holds a senior position in the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

He appeared at the Abuja High

Court on Tuesday in a wheelchair and was transferred to a hospital when the case was adjourned, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said.

His son was remanded in prison until a bail hearing on Thursday.

Boko Haram has killed thousands in north-eastern Nigeria in its sixyear campaign to create an Islamic state.

Soldiers had complained that despite the military’s huge budget, they were ill-equipped to fight.

The soldiers have reported that they are better equipped since President Buhari came into office, but the

previous president’s supporters say this is because those weapons were ordered while Mr Jonathan was in power, says the BBC’s Abuja editor BBC’s Bashir Sa’ad Abdullahi.

Mr Buhari won elections last year with a promise to defeat Boko Haram, and gave the military a deadline of the end of 2015 to end the insurgency.

He told the BBC last month that the war against the militants had been “technically won”, but though they have been driven from most of the areas they once controlled, they continue to carry out suicide bombings.

UN vows action on North Korea’s nuclear test The UN Security Council says it will begin work immediately on new measures against North Korea, after Pyongyang said it had tested a hydrogen bomb.

The council condemned the test, saying “a clear threat to international peace and security continues to exist”.

This is the North’s fourth nuclear test since 2006, but if confirmed would be the first of an H-bomb.

However, the US has joined nuclear experts in questioning whether the blast was large enough for such a test. US White House spokesman Josh Earnest said “initial analysis was not consistent with North Korea’s claims of a successful hydrogen bomb test”.

He added: “Nothing that has occurred in the last 24 hours

has caused the United States government to change our assessment of North Korea’s technical and military capabilities.”

The Security Council held an emergency session on Wednesday.

It was called by the US, Japan and South Korea.

Uruguay’s UN Ambassador Elbio Rosselli, current president of the council, said: “The members... recalled that they have previously expressed their determination to take further significant measures in the event of another [North Korea] nuclear test.

“In line with this commitment and the gravity of this violation, [they] will begin to work immediately on such measures in a new Security Council resolution.”

Mr Earnest said North Korea’s

isolation had “deepened as they have sought to engage in increasingly provocative acts”.

Japan’s ambassador to the UN, Motohide Yoshikawa, called for a swift and robust new UN resolution.

He said: “The authority and credibility of the Security Council will be put in question if it does not take these measures.”

However, he and other members have not spelled out what they will be or when the resolution could be adopted. Russia’s UN ambassador said it would be going “too far” to say Moscow supported further sanctions.

North Korea’s tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013 triggered UN sanctions, with 20 entities and 12 individuals on a UN blacklist. If an H-bomb test were confirmed, it would mark

a major upgrade in North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.

Hydrogen bombs are more powerful and technologically advanced than atomic weapons, using fusion the merging of atoms - to unleash massive amounts of energy.

Atomic bombs, like the kind that devastated two Japanese cities in World War Two, use fission, or the splitting of atoms.

Bruce Bennett, an analyst with the Rand Corporation, was among those casting doubts on Pyongyang’s test: “The bang they should have gotten would have been 10 times greater than what they’re claiming.”

A South Korean politician, Lee Cheol-woo, said he was briefed by the country’s intelligence agency that the blast “probably falls short” of a hydrogen detonation.

NEWS 5

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

Morning newspaper summaries Jubilee blasts Raila over Raila is doyen of graft, Uhuru, Raila parties NYS theft case widens rigging allegations: President State House hits back: scramble for voters: Political with freeze of additional Uhuru Kenyatta’s communications State House on Wednesday lampooned parties have revealed plans for massive team yesterday launched a scathing and Cord leader Raila Odinga as the voter registration in preparation for the assets: Embattled businessman Ben personal attack on Cord leader Raila Odinga. In the first ever statement of its kind from State House, the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit directors told Raila that the government would not be distracted by his rhetoric. “The Jubilee administration’s agenda on national security, war on graft, infrastructure development and the delivery of its electoral promises are firmly on course.”

“oligarch of official graft and the doyen of economic sabotage” in a no-holds-barred rejoinder to his criticism of Jubilee as a failing government. In an unprecedented outbreak of political exchanges, State House appears to have compiled a dossier on the record of Cord leaders who served in the last administration and claims: “The entire Cord leadership is hobbled by corruption of the past.”

2017 General Election, which is less than 19 months away. The two main political parties, Jubilee and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) have outlined a raft of activities meant to strengthen their presence in the 47 counties. Jubilee will begin with county meeting on January 16 to sell the party to the grassroots ahead of their merger.

Gethi yesterday suffused yet another setback in the case involving the theft of Sh791 million from the National Youth Service (NYS) after the High Court issued fresh orders freezing properties belonging to his associates.

The Assets Recovery Authority (ARA) obtained the order after it filed afresh suit against eight individuals it suspects of purchasing a number of assets.

State fronts Marende Schools collects billions Lawyers challenge JSC Uchumi grapples with bankruptcy and Nyachae for Chief in extra fees: Secondary schools amendments in court: Uganda raking in billions of shillings as Lawyers yesterday moved to court in their suit: Retail chain Uchumi has filed Justice: Jubilee is weighing the are extra charges levied on Kenyans eager battle against legislative amendments for bankruptcy in Uganda, two months options between former Speaker Kenneth Marende and former CIC chairman Charles Nyachae to succeed Chief Justice Willy Mutunga when he retires in June.

There have been heightened interest and intense lobbying for the position of Chief Justice in the lead-up to Mutunga’s exit from the Supreme Court.

to see their children join form one.

With a student population of about of 2.34 million, secondary school heads are charging thousands of shillings for unnecessary items or for others already catered for by the government. Kenya National Parents Association says heads could be making about Sh22.5 billion.

giving the President powers to appoint top judges. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) had moved to court to challenge the Act to compel the Judicial Service Commission to forward three names to the President instead of one as provided for previously. High Court Judge George Odunga certified the matter as urgent.

after shutting down its cross-border operations in a move that is likely to complicate its future re-entry to the neighbouring country. The Nairobibased retailer has petitioned the High Court in Kampala to wind up Uchumi Supermarkets (U) Ltd, its whollyowned subsidiary in Uganda.

taking over of the role of the overseeing the Constitutional Implementation process. KLCR chief executive Joash Dache is also pushing for an independent vote such as was enjoyed by Constitutional Implementation Commission whose fiveyear term was not renewed and whose oversight role has been transferred to the KLCR.

launch a road map for the 2017 General Election. IEBC plans to unveil the elections schedule dabbed the Election Operations Plan (EOP) between January 14 and 18. The plan will outline key milestones in the lead up to the 2017 polls, including by which date State officers and public officers seeking elective posts will be required to resign from office.

has dropped to a low of Sh90 on cheap grain, easing inflationary pressure on households. The price of a 90-kilogramme bag of maize has so far dropped to Sh2, 000 from Sh2, 800 in October, giving millers room to cut the flour costs. The price of a two kilogramme packet of Pembe flour brand is retailing at Sh89, down from Sh97 last month in October.

Uhuru has snubbed me in Mombasa, says Joho: Agency wants funds for IEBC to launch 2017 Maize flour price drops road map: The to Sh90 low on cheaper A furious Mombasa Governor Hassan oversight: The Kenya Law Reforms polls Commission has asked for more funds Independent Electoral and Boundaries Joho yesterday told of his frustrations grain: The price of maize flour to enhance its independence ahead of its Commission (IEBC) will this month during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Coast tour, saying he had been sidelined and was just seeing “Uhuru walking around”.

Joho and Senator Hassan Omar have not been seen with the President in public since he arrived in Mombasa a few days before Christmas. Yesterday Joho said he has been targeted unfairly for frustration by the national government because he is a staunch member of the opposition.

Top stories from X News global partners UN considers new US and South Korea Facebook’s “free China suspends trading punitive action after Doubt North Korean internet” programme as stocks plunge: China’s equity market was shuttered North Korea nuclear test: Hydrogen Bomb: The United hits a roadblock in India: entire within half an hour of opening after

The United Nations Security Council has threatened new punitive measures against North Korea after it claimed to have tested a hydrogen bomb, but it was far from clear that the international community would agree on a means to contain the regime’s nuclear weapons programme. The White House, echoing nuclear experts around the world, said its initial analysis was “inconsistent” with Pyongyang’s claims to have detonated a hydrogen bomb. Even a miniaturised device would be expected to have created a blast far bigger than the more rudimentary atomic bombs North Korea has tested previously, they said.

www.theguardian.com

Nations Security Council condemned North Korea for its nuclear test on Wednesday, but there was no evidence yet that the North’s most powerful backer, China, was willing to stiffen sanctions in a way that could push the unpredictable country to the point of collapse or slow its nuclear progress. As the question of how the international community should respond remained unanswered, White House officials, said that initial data from its monitoring stations in Asia were “not consistent” with a test of a hydrogen bomb.

www.nytimes.com

“Who could possibly be against this?”

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s boss, asked in an editorial in the Times of India on December 28th. The “this” in question is “Free Basics”, a programme that gives its users free access to Facebook and a handful of other online services on their smartphones in 36 poor countries.

According to Mr Zuckerberg, Free Basics acts as a gateway drug to the internet. But as it turns out, plenty of people are against Free Basics. They include everyone from India’s internet-and-mobile-industry body (of which Facebook is itself a member) to a ragtag group of volunteer activists. www.economist.com

falling 7 per cent on further currency weakness as government rescue efforts failed to deter the tide of sellers.

China’s stock market meltdown and currency depreciation have spooked international investors in a replay of last summer’s rout that reverberated around the globe. So far this year — just four days — the bluechip CSI 300 index is down 12 per cent. Newly minted circuit breakers, introduced this week, kicked in on Thursday after the CSI 300 fell 7 per cent. Trading had earlier been halted for 15 minutes.

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xnews | THURsday, JANUARY 7, 2016 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

Broadcasters asked to set up complaints handling desk Local broadcasters have up to six months to set up a complaints handling unit or risk attracting one million shilling in fines and an additional 0.5 per cent of their annual revenues, the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) has said.

The regulations further demand that the broadcasters annually update the regulator on the issues tackled in a measure to ensure quality content.

Speaking at a Nairobi hotel, CA director general Francis Wangusi said the complaints handling desk will compel broadcasters to adhere to ethical standards of journalism by sticking to set programming norms.

“The requirement for broadcasters to comply within six months takes effect from this month, we have not made any audits to know how many of them are already compliant,” said Mr Wangusi.

He said programming code and complaints handling procedure were developed and communicated to broadcasters last month and are part of new regulations to ensure quality content as more broadcasters are licensed.

Last year, CA was to conduct a study to determine offensive content by audience standards.

However, with the help of the Kenya Films Classification Board, the regulator has been able to

Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Director General Francis Wangusi at a past press conference

set the standards dictated by the programme code.

“The unit will also handle copyright infringement and provide remedies of withdrawal of programmes affected, it will create awareness of existence of complaints mechanism,” said the director of Multimedia at the

‘Private sector activity expanded faster in December’

Kenyan business activity expanded at the fastest rate in eight months in December, a survey showed on Wednesday.

According to the review, the growth was majorly boosted by domestic demand that spurred production, hiring and purchasing by firms.

The survey, according to Reuters, has revealed that the Markit and CFC Stanbic Kenya Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose from 53.7 per cent to 55.5 per cent representing a 1.4 per cent rise climbing further above the 50-point line that denotes growth in business.

The hike in the sector as a whole was further boosted by faster job creation in December, the report revealed. According to the report, new business showed a similar trend in growth with the latest expansion the sharpest since June, largely accelerated by enhanced marketing and higher new export.

The PMI is one of the indicators watched by the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee.

industry watchdog Leo Boruett in a statement.

The authority will use the annual complaints register and an annual audience survey to determine whether broadcasters adhere to set codes.

As television firms apply for new licenses after the expiry of the

permit regime in June last year, the new regulations will take effect.

Broadcasters must also ensure that they achieve the 40 per cent local content quota within one year, and 60 per cent within four years after receipt of licence.

The regulations also dictate the time frame for advertisements.

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

MEAN 102.2742 150.1742 109.9211 6.5393 33.1756 21.3153

BUY SELL 102.1778 102.3706 150.0122 150.3361 109.7961 110.0461 6.5321 6.5465 33.0954 33.2558 21.2463 21.3843

Swiss-travel firm upbeat about Kenya’s tourism

Kuoni Travel, one of the world’s leading luxury tour operators, has predicted a revival in Kenya’s tourism sector following the recent relaxation of the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advisory.

The Switzerland-based organization has expressed confidence in the industry, saying tourist numbers are set to improve in the coming months.

The UK-based Foreign & Commonwealth Office or FCO as it is commonly known, had noted heightened security in parts of the country owing to terror-related attacks in Kenya.

The FCO said on December 21 the Kenyan Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government issued a public watch notice urging citizens to play a role in counter terrorism. The Ministry had advised Kenyan’s to do their part in the prevention of criminal activities by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity, items and people. The FCO had earlier advised against all but essential travel to areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border, Garissa County, the Eastleigh area of Nairobi, Lamu County and those areas of Tana River County, north of the Tana River, within 15km of the coast from the Tana river down to the Galana (Athi-Galana-Sabaki) river.

The advice against all but essential travel did not include Kenya’s safari destinations in the national parks, reserves and wildlife conservancies, including the Aberdare National Park, Amboseli, Laikipia, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Meru, Mount Kenya, Samburu, Shimba Hills, Tsavo, nor does it include the beach resorts of Mombasa, Malindi, Kilifi, Watamu and Diani. Mombasa airport (Moi International Airport) and Malindi airport were not included in the FCO advisory.

Macy’s to cut thousands of jobs amid stores shut US department store giant Macy’s has said it will cut thousands of jobs and close stores due to subsequent disappointing sales over the holiday season.

According to the firm, the cuts will impact 3,000 jobs, half of which are expected to be placed in other positions.

An additional 600 jobs will be lost in back-office operations, while 750 workers will go through the closing of a call centre amid the closure of nearly 36 stores early in the spring of this year.

The company expects a 2.7 per cent drop in the same store for the year to January, more that the up to a 2.2 per cent decline initially forecast.

“In light of our disappointing 2015 sales and earnings performance, we are making adjustments to become more efficient and productive in our operations,” said chief executive Terry J Lundgren

in a statement.

“In some cases, there will be short-term pain as we tighten our belt and realign our resources.”

Macy’s is the United States’ biggest department store chain which operates upscale retail chain Bloomingdale’s.

The deteriorated performance over the key winter holiday season was attributed to a strong US dollar, low spending by tourists, warm weather and excess of unsold inventory.

Consumer spending habits have also changed as people spend more money on travel and electronics and less on discretionary items such as clothing and cosmetics.

The retail giant has also been hit hard by deep discounts from e-commerce giants such as Amazon and low-cost rivals such as TJ Maxx.

Macy’s said the job losses and store closures would mean a

US retail giant, Macy’s, the world’s largest shopping store.

saving of Sh40 billion ($400m).

In 2015, the company announced plans to close up to 40 stores in the US as part of its turnaround strategies to maximize profits.

Macy’s shares were up more than 3 per centduring the after-hours trading as investors digested the news of the cost savings.

BUSINESS 7

Lesotho, Georgia join Kenya BIZ BRIEFS Africa Environment in ratification of WTO arm Action Plan poverty eredication call THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

Lesotho and Georgia are the two new member states that are now part of the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

The WTO Secretariat received the countries’ instruments of acceptance on January 4. These two confirmations - or ratifications as they are known - bring the number of WTO members that have formally accepted the TFA to 65. Several ratifications were submitted by ministers during the organization’s Tenth Ministerial Conference in Nairobi last month.

Kenya had just ratified the new Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), less than a week before it hosted the important high-level WTO trade meeting in December.

The TFA, which was concluded at the WTO’s 2013 Bali Ministerial Conference, contains provisions for hastening the movement, release and clearance of goods across various regons.

It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues.

It further contains provisions for technical assistance and capacity

building in this area.

“The TFA will enter into force once two-thirds of the WTO membership has formally accepted the Agreement,” said the WTO in a previous address.

In addition to Lesotho and Georgia, other WTO members that have already accepted the

TFA include : Myanmar, Norway, Viet Nam, Brunei, Zambia, Ukraine, Hong Kong China, Singapore, the United States, Mauritius, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Botswana, Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Niger, Belize, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei,

Lesotho and Georgia are now part of the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) the Trade Facilitation Agreement.

China, Liechtenstein, Lao PDR, New Zealand, Togo, Thailand, the European Union (on behalf of its 28 member states), the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Pakistan, Panama, Guyana, Côte d’Ivoire, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Kenya.

“The TFA broke new ground for developing and least-developed countries in the way it will be implemented,” WTO officials have affirmed.

The Agreement states that assistance and support should be provided to help them achieve that capacity.

A Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF) was also created at the request of developing and least-developed country members to help ensure that they receive the assistance needed to reap the full benefits of the TFA and to support the ultimate goal of full implementation of the new agreement by all members.

WTO data confirms that the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) has the potential to increase global merchandise exports by up to $1 trillion (Sh102 trillion) per annum.

Mauritian Xterra to invest Sh11.6b in Nairobi real estate Mauritian real estate fund Xterra Capital Advisors has identified Kenyan properties worth Sh11.6 billion in which it will invest the proceeds from its on-going fundraising drive.

The property fund says it will invest Sh11.6 billion in a 90,000 square metre high-end mixed-use development in Nairobi County to join the growing list of funds buying Kenyan properties in the office and retail space.

Xterra Capital Fund chief executive Wagane Diouf declined to give finer details of the properties due for completion in 2018 to avoid jeopardising the deals in the pipeline.

“We cannot give the names of the properties

due to competition to avoid risk factors that may arise,” said Mr Diouf.

Xterra Capital plans to raise Sh30.2 billion in equity and a similar amount in debt making a total of Sh61.4 billion, part of which will go to Kenya’s property market.

The rest of the funds will be invested in Rwanda, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda.

Fund raising will go on for the next three months after the investment firm got regulatory approval from the Stock Exchange of Mauritius and subsequently appointed a transaction advisor.

“We have appointed African Alliance Investment Bank as the placing agent,” said

Diouf.

The fund will invest 78 per cent of the proceeds in greenfield developments, 13 per cent in brownfield projects while the remaining nine per cent will go towards buildings that are already generating rental income.

Construction of the greenfield projects is expected to begin by the end of this month.

“Greenfield are developments that are breaking ground within six months of fund closing. Brownfield developments are ongoing and will be completed within 12 months of closing,” said a summary of the project.

See through, ‘rollable’ OLED LG screen finally here!

The future of unbreakable TV screens is here!

LG has unveiled an OLED screen that can be rolled up and scrunched around. LG Display has been working on its fully flexible screen for some time now, and its breathtaking!

At 18in (45.7cm) corner to corner, still the team at LG say they’re aiming for screens that are 55in and beyond. At that size, they will be able to produce a screen quality of 4K, they say - that’s four times HD.Right now, the resolution is 1,200 by 810 pixels.

How did they do it? Of course they wouldn’t share the precise details, but the crucial technological leap has been moving from LED TVs to OLED TVs.The O stands for organic, and it removes the necessity of a back panel providing light to the screen. Therefore, it bends.

Why would you want a bendable TV? LG says it’s ideal for making displays, like in a shop, but also for people who no longer want to sacrifice an entire corner of a room to a television.With a bendable screen like this, you can roll it up and pop it in a cupboard until you need it again.

Unfortunately LG isn’t able to say how much it would eventually cost, or indeed, when it will actually be sold at all. At the moment, the team is buried in the prototype stage.

“The larger prototype is expected in the near future. But as for a commercial product, we’re still planning the timing,” says KJ Kim, LG Display’s vice president of its marketing division.

But while the screen is remarkable, it suffers a few flaws.The night-time demo we saw, with

quick flashing lights, was designed to conceal the numerous “dead” pixels in the display.

Dead pixels are those that have been damaged, so instead of emitting the correct colour they appear as a tiny empty square.

Right now, the screen can only be rolled up in one direction, which isn’t a limitation, really, but something they will need to work on before it comes to market.Also, it’s crucial to point out that the screen can be rolled, but not folded flat.

Folding it flat would permanently damage it, and therefore the screen doesn’t represent a chance for something many have lusted over for a while, an interactive video newspaper that feels just like the paper product.

The Africa Environment Action Plan, a World Bank initiative aimed at improving environmental conditions in Africa, has unveiled its key findings in a recent report.

The Action Plan, which seeks to contribute to the achievement of economic growth and poverty eradication in the continent, has affirmed that partnerships should be a core part of the implementing an environmental management framework.

The Plan states that much of environmentally sustainable development is about mainstreaming environmental sustainability into broad-based sector development programs, such as infrastructure, agriculture, mining and energy, urban development and private sector development.

Nuclear Board gets new CEO as amid pwer cut move

Eng Collins Juma is the new acting CEO of the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board (Kneb) following his appointment by Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter.

Juma will replace Ochillo Ayacko, who has been the Board’s Executive Chairman and CEO. Ayacko’s term expired on December 2015. The appointment in a letter dated January 4, 2016 is effective from December 22, 2015. Juma has been serving as Director, Technical Affairs at KNEB for the past four years. He has worked in the energy sector for over 20 years, including stints at Kenya Power and Kenya Electricity Generating Company.

The Kneb was set up in 2012 to expedite the development of nuclear electricity generation. Kenya plans to set up a first nuclear power plant with a capacity of 1000Megawatts (MW) by 2025. This is expected to rise to a total of 4000MW by 2033 making nuclear electricity a key component of the country’s energy mix which is projected will be about 19,000MW in total.

Volkswagen promises to fix emissions problem

Troubled carmaker, Volkswagen said it is close to an approved fix for US cars with emissions-deceiving devices. Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Herbert Diess, head of the VW brand, said the company would have a fix in the coming weeks or months. However, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was less certain, saying that Volkswagen have not produced an acceptable way forward.

The EPA disclosed VW’s use of what experts are calling “defeat devices” in diesel cars in September. The devices disguised diesel cars’ pollution levels that were, in fact, up to 40 times above the US legal limit.

The EPA has insisted that the German carmaker comes up with a solution that will not cost money for VW owners, the BBC reports.

8

BUSINESS

Direct flights from Kenya to the US to take off in May THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

Kenya is set to start flying directly to the United States

by May after meeting most of the requirements set by an international aviation authority, the Ministry of Transport revealed yesterday.

Kenya, after hosting United states President Barack Obama last July, wants to boost exports to Washington and increase visits

by American tourists. Starting direct flights from Kenya to the US was part of a package of deals announced during President Obama’s visit. “We shall get direct flights to the US by May this year,” Cabinet minister James Macharia announced.

CS Macharia said several airlines were keen to offer direct flights between Kenya and the United States.

Though financially embattled, national carrier Kenya Airways also plans to offer direct flights. US traffic usually transits through hubs like Dubai and Amsterdam. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenya’s main airport, scored 88 per cent when it was assessed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) last September after a massive facelift that is still ongoing, the minister said, disclosing the score for the

first time. Inspectors from the United States Federal Aviation Administration are expected to complete their audit of the airport before the end of March, he said.

The airport failed the same assessment in 2013, but has since improved security, Macharia said. A new terminal opened

by Islamist militants from neighbouring Somalia in recent years which makes security a major concern especially at entry points such as airports.

Kenya’s main airport was built in the 1970s to handle 2.5 million passengers annually but now handles 6 million passengers a year.

Starting direct flights from Kenya to the US was part of a package of deals announced during President Obama’s visit.

Kenya ranked among top 10 must-visit destinations in the world by UK paper Kenya has been ranked among the top 10 must-visit destinations globally.

The country’s tourism sector has received a major boost after East Africa’s powerhouse was named among the top 10 destinations in the World which are a must-visit in 2016.

In the ranking by global travel publisher based in the UK, Rough Guides, and Kenya has emerged position nine and the only African country in the top 10.

However, Nepal has been rated the top must-visit country for 2016, followed by Colombia, Cuba, Jordan, Albania, Romania, Wales, and El Salvador while position 10 was taken by Sri Lanka.

“Once you’ve had your fill of lion, leopard and elephant tracking, there are pristine white sands waiting along the Indian Ocean, the otherworldly landscapes of Lake Turkana and the beautiful tribes of the northern Chalbi desert to discover,” the publication explains.

It is, however, quick to note the challenges Kenya has gone

two years ago and a second one will open soon, allowing the airport to separate departures and arrivals, a key security requirement.

“We have more trained security personnel and very modern scanners for people and goods,” the minister said. Kenya has suffered frequent attacks

through due to terror attacks since 2013, but explains the positive changes so far that have led to lifting of travel bans.

“Foreign media hasn’t been kind to Kenya lately, and the terrible attacks in Mombasa and Garissa in recent years have taken a heavy toll on the country’s tourism industry.’’

Nevertheless, travel bans have been lifted and most warnings are only in place within 60km of the Somali border, leaving the majority of this vast and breath-taking country safe for travel,” it added.

The recognition comes barely a month after Kenya was named the world’s leading safari destination in 2015 by the World Travel Awards (WTA), ahead of her competitors including South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania and Uganda.

With much effort to deal with terror attacks which has hit hard the tourism sector, stakeholders remain optimistic that 2016 will be a good year. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has assured changes with his focus being on security, product development and marketing.

Huawei sees 70 per cent increase in revenues

Tech giant Huawei Technologies’ consumer division’s revenue jetted 70 per cent to more than Sh2 trillion ($20bn) in 2015 from a year ago on strong smartphone sales.

The Chinese firm, which is one of the biggest smartphone vendors behind Apple and Samsung, said that its shipments also rose 44 per cent to 108 million units.

The company’s growth figures come as it launched its latest flagship smartphone the Huawei Mate 8 in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The telecommunication firm recorded best results despite banning of its telecom devices for carriers such as routers.

The Shenzhen-based company is also one of the world’s largest telecommunications firms, but has been blocked from participating in broadband projects in the US and Australia over espionage fears.

But other businesses, such as consumer electronic products including mobile devices, are allowed into the US market.

Huawei’s smartphone business has been growing rapidly. Earlier this year, the firm said sales had jumped almost 40 per cent in the first half of 2015.

The strong sales in China and Western Europe were the major boost for the growth in smartphones sales last year according to reports.

Its new premium Huawei Mate 8, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, is priced at Sh 65, 800 ($644) for the base model.

The firm has previously said it wants to shed its low-cost appeal and produce high-margin premium devices to challenge Samsung and Apple at the top end of the market.

WBG: ‘2016 is up to a slow start amid tougher first quarter’ Weak growth among major emerging markets will weigh on global growth in 2016, World Bank officials have said. However, economic activity should still pick up modestly to a 2.9 per cent pace, from 2.4 per cent growth in 2015, as advanced economies gain speed, according to the World Bank’s January 2016 Global Economic Prospects.

The report warns that simultaneous weakness in most major emerging markets is a concern for achieving the goals of poverty reduction and shared prosperity because those countries have been powerful contributors to global growth for the past decade.

It adds that spillovers from major emerging markets will constrain growth in developing countries and pose a threat to hard-won gains in raising people out of poverty.

“More than 40 per cent of the world’s poor live in the developing countries where growth slowed in 2015,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “Developing countries should focus on building resilience to a weaker economic environment and shielding the most vulnerable. The benefits from reforms to governance and business conditions are potentially large and could help offset the effects

of slow growth in larger economies,” he explained.

Global economic growth was less than expected in 2015, when falling commodity prices, flagging trade and capital flows, and episodes of financial volatility sapped economic activity.

Firmer growth ahead will depend on continued momentum in high income countries, the stabilization of commodity prices, and China’s gradual transition towards a more consumption and services-based growth model.

Developing economies are forecast to expand by 4.8 per cent in 2016, less than expected earlier but up from a post-crisis low of 4.3 percent in the year just ended. Growth is projected

to slow further in China, while Russia and Brazil are expected to remain in recession in 2016. The South Asia region, led by India, is projected to be a bright spot. The recently negotiated Trans-Pacific Partnership could provide a welcome boost to trade.

“There is greater divergence in performance among emerging economies. Compared to six months ago, risks have increased, particularly those associated with the possibility of a disorderly slowdown in a major emerging economy,” said World Bank Group Vice President and Chief Economist Kaushik Basu. “A combination of fiscal and central bank policies can be helpful in mitigating these risks and supporting growth.”

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

ACCESS

FASHION scoop

11

topstory

Week one has also seen discussions on the state of Nairobi garbage.

This prompted Nairobi Governor to take to social media and even TV stations to defend his stand on the #NairobiGarbage.

K

Obama

enyans on Tweeter (KOT) are slowly and steadily taking up the watchdog role of the society on the social scene.

Last year, the Kenyan tweeterrati proved to be quite a force to reckon with even bringing down CNN and forcing them to apologize while trending the ‘hotbed’ hashtag.

It was also KOT who managed to have the NYS corruption saga dealt with pushing CS Anne Waiguru to seek lighter duties.

2016 has started in earnest for KOT. It is just week one and already KOT is on fire with a million hashtags and causes to pursue. Some memes are hilarious, others silly but those like the online war between Jubilee and Cord is setting the pace for what is expected to be one of the most heated general elections come August 2017.

Allegedly both camps have set up whataspp groups and are busy snitching and screen shooting each trying to outdo the other. While the authenticity of the groups and updates may be in question, the discourse generated online is the envy of any corporate brand.

However,#RailaIstheAlternative trended for the better part of the week bringing out a very rare side of KOT;there were no tribal stereotypes.

Week one has also seen discussions on the state of Nairobi garbage.

This prompted Nairobi Governor to take to social media and even TV stations to defend his stand on the #NairobiGarbage.

Several stories have since ran in alternative media but the central government through NYs came in handy to clear some messes especially in the CBD and Kibera. Eastleigh is still a dumping site and KOT are not relenting.

If there is one man who knows how to play the netizens then it is Mike Mbuvi Sonko. After KOT highlighted the plight of the 87 year old granny from Migori jailed for stealing two plastic chairs, Sonko flew to action and the granny is now free!

Given that this is the week that most schools re-opened

Obama told off for crying in public Do you remember George Zimmerman, he of the black man shooting saga? Well, he has hit the headlines again, this time telling President Barack Obama to man up after he shed tears in public!

Obama was shedding tears while proposing strict gun control measures yesterday.

JANUARY

BLUES: Online Politics, resolutions and other delights

for the first term of 2016 #OnThe1stDayBackToSchool trended with @xtiandela noting #OnThe1stDayBackToSchool You hire the Coolest Bus/Matatu to take you to school so that you can flaunt it to kids from up country. Sometimes KOT just wants to take it easy and back to school tags took care of that.

New year resolutions also took center stage with hashtags of #wastehistimethisyear, #whywearedating, #wearenotbreakingupif among others. Top on the list however was losing weight and inspirational living. If week one of January is anything to go by then we are poised for a very colourful and vibrant scene.

HOT TOPICS

Netflix in Kenya Netflix, the American pay television service provider is now in Kenya. Netflix renowned for its variety of American programs like Marvels Dare Devi, Grace and Frankie and Marco Polo is set to give DSTV and Zuku a challenge. Netflix is offering one month’s free subscription, for viewers to sample their product.

Moustapha unveils new love interest After having a stint with Huddah Monroe, Colonel Moustapha has revealed his new catch. The rapper posted a photo of himself with a lady captioning cute and hot words. Rumour has it that Colonel’s girl is a budding gospel artiste.

Colonel Moustapha with his catch

10

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY, JANUARY 26th NOVEMBER 7, 2016 2014

CAMPUSVIBE

Prof Paul T. Zeleza

New USIU VC to take office As United Stated international University ushers in their fresh men for spring 2016, Prof. Paul T. Zeleza will be joining them as the new Vice Chancellor.

The USIU-A fraternity social pages are awash with happy messages welcoming the new VC. Prof. Paul was recruited last year, and takes office from Prof. Frieda Brown.

all round news and updates from universities

Strathmore mourns fallen rugby player

Strathmore School is in mourning. The school’s celebrated rugby player Geoffrey Macharia who died following a road accident just two days after his 28th birthday. A tribute from the University read “Leos has lost a charismatic leader who defied all odds to play rugby with his characteristics small physical look. He is a depiction of a true warrior.”

Macharia was the most decorated player of the Leos after winning numerous awards. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

The late Geoffrey Macharia.

KU VC not stepping aside, yet The Vocal Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Olive Mugenda is not going anywhere after all. This is after the labour courts reversed an earlier decision to send her on terminal leave.

Mugenda is expected to be in office for another 14 days, after Justice Nduma Nderi reversed orders by Justice Helen Wasilwa. The court also suspended any sort of recruitment for a Vice Chancellor for Kenyatta University until Mugenda’s case is heard and concluded.

Garissa University re-opens Victory was achieved after Garissa University reopened its doors earlier this week. The university was closed after a deadly terror attack mid last year, where 147 people lost their lives.

Africa Nazarene University nurturing youth

Olive Mugenda

hot date

CONNECTING CULTURES THROUGH

CE SIC & DAN

MU

This Saturday all roads lead to Visa Oshwal auditorium in Parklands where Amara Charitable Trust, Wanny Angara in moving cultures and cultural stopovers will hold a dance off. On stage will be the very talented Sarakasi Dancers, Nikolina Nikoleski Dance Company and Wanny Angera entertaining the guests in abid to raise funds for Amara. Ticket charges will be at Sh 2,500 only. Doors open at 6pm.

African Nazarene University hosted a youth conference with the theme of ‘Global Impact and mandate for the youth’.

The three day conference had Reverend Tim and Michelle Eby, as the main speakers who involved the youth on matters of faith and globalization.

The conference also discussed and participated in football, bible quiz, basketball and musical presentations.

USIU keeper nominated for SOYA Linus Sang, the agile USIU hockey goalkeeper has been nominated for the Male Sport Personality of The Year Award-SOYA Linus who is a final year IT major is battling for the personality title with

the likes of Javelin titan Julius Yego, footballer Michael Olunga and Diamond League winner and Athlete Asbel Kiprop.

Voting is ongoing and is expected to close on 12 of this month.

yolo

P

WHY YOU SHOULD NOT CONNECT TO THAT PUBLIC WIFI

ublic Wi-Fi hotspots are the in-thing now; in restaurants, shopping malls, even in matatus which means you have an array of options to use when you want to log onto the Internet with your mobile device. Remember, however, in the modern world nothing comes free of charge and that free Wi-Fi you so much treasure comes with a price, if you are not careful.

To begin with, public Wi-Fi is the best thing that ever happened to cyber criminals. From identity thieves, hackers and stalkers, whatever you are doing online is easy to track

without your knowledge. Accessing your passwords and other sensitive information for cyber criminals is made possible by eavesdropping software which, as the name suggests, listens into your online activity subtly and is enhanced by the openness of the public Wi-Fi waves!

The simple fact that a public network is supposedly protected by a password does not mean that you are off the cybercrime hook; remember that since the network is public, the passwords are shared so anyone can virtually peep into the network to see what you are doing, the result being malicious

activities such as hijacking of accounts, capturing of login credentials and web pages, cyberbullying and stalking.

The good news is, you can put several measures in place to protect yourself such as using encrypted connection (htttps instead of http), ensuring that your connection remains secure throughout your web session, always remember to logout of websites, do not access bank accounts and other sensitive sites on a public network, using VPN (virtual private network) and most important, don’t fall for the alluring fake networks. Happy browsing 2016!

11

ACCESS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

FASHIONscoop

@ the PeoPle’s choice awards 2016

Kate Hudson: Dazzling in White.

MegHan trainor: She was all about that bass.

Vanessa Hudgens: She looked sassy in silk.

sweet

glaMour t

he 2016 People’s Choice Awards took place last night but before awarding of the coveted trophies, there was a bigger matter to be attended to: the red carpet arrivals.

Those in attendance seemed to be in receipt of the memo; bring A game to this first large scale award show of the 2016 calendar. They no doubt set the tone for this year’s style trends.

Sample our favorite looks.

PriyanKa CHoPra: Still in the Christmas mood.

Julianne HougH: Her look was smooth and shiny.

CHristina Milian: She looked royal in purple.

TOP

celeBs with Birthdays today Blue ivy carter

y

Marcus scriBner

ou cannot be African or African American and not have watched the sitcom ‘Blackish’ in which this eye candy who has knocked Justin Beiber off the pretty boy throne, stars as a teenager tying to find his spot in a stereo-typed world.

He turns 16 today and still pretty!

B

eyoncé and Jay Z’s daughter turns 4 today! Despite being just a kid, Blue Ivy has had her share of fame not only for being born to famous parents but also for being the youngest person to appear on a Billboard chart in her dad’s “Glory” hit featuring B.I.C crying at the end.

nicholas cage

M

ost of us know him from the 90s action flicks ‘FaceOff’ and ‘ Gone in 60 Seconds’ but he has also starred in a dozen other films where his different roles have won him an Academy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Nicholas turns 52.

12

CLASSIFIED

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

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WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Today you might attend at least one festive social occasion, Capricorn, and therefore you may meet some very interesting people in unusual professions, such as film or TV. Expect to hear some bizarre stories, some of them true, others that are clearly exaggerated.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Your level of health and physical well-being is likely to be very high, Aquarius, and thus you’re probably glowing. As a result, you might find that those around you pay more attention to what you’re saying than they usually do. Make a note of it!

THURSday 7/1/2016

sunny

26

26ºC 53%

FRIday 8/1/2016

More sun than clouds

26 6:33 am 6:45 pm

26ºC 51%

6:33 am 6:45 pm

SATURday

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.

Yesterday’s Solution

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 You might be feeling especially adventurous today, Pisces. The same old streets and buildings in the same old town might suddenly seem to be closing in on you. Therefore, you might just grab a close friend or significant other, hop in the car, and take off for the mountains or the ocean.

Sudoku

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 You might see if you can find a few books on the subject, because all signs suggest that reading could bring a lot of useful information your way today. You might also want to write down an account of your experience.

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 This isn’t going to go unnoticed by the people you meet. You could make some new friends, and, if you aren’t currently romantically involved, you might actually meet an interesting potential love partner. This person is apt to be very polite and polished, not to mention smart!

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Today you might host a gathering of people interested in psychic or metaphysical matters, Gemini.

A very special guest could give a talk or lead a discussion group. This could be fascinating for everyone present. You, above all, should have a great time and enjoy talking with your friends.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 You could try your hand at a magazine article or perhaps fiction or poetry. However, even if all you write at this time is a letter to your cousin, what you say will undoubtedly be bright, gripping, and certainly very interesting. Go to it!

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Your income is rising, and you could be achieving a certain prominence in your field. Nonetheless, you could be looking for new opportunities. The field you’re in now may not be one that you want to continue for the next 20 years. You might be surprised at the opportunities out there.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 In fact, you might be leaving pretty soon, and you’re probably growing excited. Some surprising developments could come up during the course of this journey, and thus it’s likely to shape up to be more than a simple vacation.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 It could seem like a dream come true, yet it could disrupt your life in some way. You might find yourself facing a choice: go for it and change your entire way of life or let it go and take the risk that another great opportunity might never appear. Who said life was easy? Think about it!

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Work might be involved in some way, and it’s also possible that this person has been living in your neighborhood for a long time. A friend could introduce you to each other. You’ll probably spend at least an hour talking, and will probably make arrangements to meet again.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Some kind of unexpected shakeup could take place today, Sagittarius, and you could find yourself suddenly being offered more money or responsibilities. This might be just the break you’ve been waiting for, but it could take you so much by surprise that you might ask for time to think about it.

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13

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. Give a beatin’ to 5. Make nuts 10. Org. of court players 14. Small amount 15. Enter cyberspace 16. Sgts, e.g.

17. Like a tootsie with a fallen arch 19. Muslim mystic 20. Actor in the US version of “The Office” 21. At one’s limit 22. “I’ve had it ____...”

26. Standing upright 30. Edgy makeup items?

34. One thousandth: pref.

35. Meadow droplets 36. Actress Thompson 37. Verily 39. Little soarer 42. Work-related trauma (abbr.)

43. “___ It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)” 47. Comedian Martin 48. Capacity for feeling 51. Wished 52. Hardhearted 54. Squirrel’s staple 57. Italian cheese 62. Norse prankster 63. “Ragtime” author 66. Neap anagram 67. Performed well 68. Actor Billy of “Titanic”

69. Shared wedding vow response 70. Appears to be 71. Looked longingly at Down 1. Lucy, to Desi 2. Phone button 3. I-70’s western terminus 4. Liver spread 5. Tread heavily 6. Sat in the coop 7. FBI guy (abbr.)

8. “Avatar” actress, to friends 9. Culmination 10. Invisible 11. Missile type 12. Vegetarian’s staple 13. Take ____ (drink slowly) 18. QB Doug 21. Cal. heading 23. Santana’s “ ___ Como Va” 24. Fell with an axe 25. Additionally 26. Islamic princes 27. Cream ____ (type of hair conditioner) 28. Murphy’s philosophical house painter 29. Ohio airport code 31. Talk show host DeGeneres 32. A Chaucer pilgrim 33. Satisfied 38. Went kaput, as a car 40. Side 41. Popular Volkswagen model

44. Long-tailed antelope 45. Text-scanning acronym 46. Genteel lunch spot 49. 2006 Olympics site 50. “Son of,” in Arabia 53. Clicking sounds 54. 1989 bestseller about the IRS “____Unto Itself ” 55. Handle the situation 56. Approved 58. Flow like molasses 59. Buffet meal carrier 60. Vocal inflection 61. Astonished 63. Magazine VIPs (abbr.)

64. Little white ____ 65. HST successor

Yesterday’s answers

YOURSAY Iran cleric’s execution motivated by politics Saudi Arabia’s execution of Sheikh Nimr alNimr, a prominent Shia cleric, on Saturday was an act motivated more by politics than judicial considerations.

In Iran, the headquarters of Shia Islam, demonstrators set fire to the Saudi embassy while the authorities turned a blind eye, and the Saudis have now responded by severing diplomatic relations.

Bahrain quickly followed suit and the UAE downgraded its relations too. The execution has also triggered demonstrations among Shia communities elsewhere – including Bahrain, where the Shia majority is ruled by a Sunni minority.

More seriously, but no less predictably, the inflaming of sectarianism will have knockon effects in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, where Saudi Arabia backs Sunni Islamists and Iran is supporting President Assad, we can expect a hardening of positions at a time when international peace efforts are aimed at softening them and starting a dialogue. SaudiIranian rivalries have deep roots, of course, and the roots of the Sunni-Shia schism run even deeper. Saudi Arabia sees itself as the worldwide leader of Sunni Islam, while Iran is the main representative of Shia Islam.

There are plenty of reasons to worry about Iran, but on the ideological front its influence is always likely to be limited, because the Shia version of Islam is followed by only 10 per cent-13 per cent of the world’s Muslims.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, has been much more successful at promoting its own – Wahhabi – version of Sunni Islam. One reason is that Saudis have spent vast amounts of money doing so. Another is that, since the kingdom is the original birthplace of Islam, it’s a lot easier to persuade Muslims in other countries that the Saudi version is the most authentic.

This has had baleful effects in many parts of the world. Even where the Saudi regime has reasons to be fearful, the scale of the Iranian/

Shia threat has often been exaggerated for political reasons, and Saudi responses have turned out to be counterproductive.

For example, the establishment of Wahhabirun schools in Pakistan in the 1980s, intended as a bulwark against Iranian/Shia influence, helped fuel the conflict in Afghanistan.

In Yemen, aggressive Saudi-Wahhabi proselytising, starting in the 1990s, stirred unrest among the Zaidi communities (a branch of Shia Islam), which then led to a series of Houthi uprisings.

Today the Saudis are at war with the Houthis and Yemen is being destroyed in the process.

Naturally they have characterised this as a war with Iran, though in comparison with what the Saudis and their allies have been doing in Yemen, Iranian involvement has mostly been marginal. Another effect of this onslaught in Yemen, whether intentional or not, has been to empower militant Sunni elements there, including al-Qaida and Islamic State.

In the wake of the Arab spring uprisings, sectarian narratives have also proved a useful tool for Gulf monarchies leading the counterrevolution – characterising protesters as foreign-inspired or at least not representative of the Sunni mainstream.

Last month, the Saudis also suddenly announced the formation of a new “military coalition”, which looked suspiciously like an attempt to sectarianise counter-terrorism efforts. More than 30 predominantly Muslim countries were said to have joined forces to protect “the Islamic world” against terrorism.

Significantly, the list of members did not include Iran, though bizarrely it included Togo where Christians outnumber Muslims and the majority have indigenous beliefs of a sort that could easily get them arrested in Saudi Arabia.

One problem the Saudi regime now faces is that the sectarian and anti-Iranian narrative on which it relies has been undermined by the international nuclear deal struck with Iran last year.

—Via Email

Truce on fees between schools,ministry laudable

The about-turn by schoolheads to lower the exorbitant school fees charged on parents after public outcry is a move on the right direction.

It was also in order to resolve that any school in need of special consideration to hike fees to seek express authority from the education Cabinet Secretary and not from the county directors of education.

This will greatly reduce chances of the county directors and school heads

colluding to fleece parents as witnessed the recent past.

Their agreement to heed to the government’s stipulated guidelines on fee structures through a consultative manner raises the bar of sanity in the education sector.

Education ministry and the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) should continually engage with the National Treasury to properly coordinate the education sector financing.

Moreover, the ministry too

should engage the school heads further and review the fees structure guidelines to curb any future showdowns.

The government should train their guns on book publishers who have hiked prices of learning materials, citing VAT imposed on the same by the government.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i must maintain the aptness he has shown in dissolving crisis in the sector.

— Kamotho, Kawangware

Jubilee rigging remark by Shahbal unfortunate Mombasa-based politician Suleiman Shahbal’s endorsement of a possible rigging for the ruling Jubilee to remain in power during the 2017 polls is not only puzzling, but also showcases the mediocrity among our politicians.

Publicly claiming that ‘this time round I am telling you, come the 2017 election, we will win it by force; we will steal it; we will buy it’ amounts to an election fraud and political intolerance.

The sentiments were wrong and being made in front of Deputy President William Ruto

and National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, raises more queries.

Shahbal, who was a Wiper candidate in the Mombasa gubernatorial seat, went to court in 2013 when he denounced Hassan Joho’s election as governor, saying it was rigged. His sentiments only confirms doublespeak.

He should apologise to Kenyans for speaking horrible words that could trigger hostility among Kenyans in the 2017 polls — Nderitu, Kangemi

Remanding granny over grandson theft too bad Not that I hate the law, but I hate selective application of the law especially the abstract Kenya Laws. I hate enforcers of the law for the parochial premise of duality, where citizens are viewed through the prism of social stratification. People are grouped into a set of hierarchical social categories; the sacred verses the profane cows, nobles verses the humble. It is outrageous for a 87-yearold granny, whose grandson stole two plastic chairs from a neighbour in Migori to rot in police remand for the second month, while

aristocrats who stole millions of NYS money and billions of Eurobond proceeds are sacred and noble to walk scot-free. Must Chief Justice Willy Mutunga with his “baraza” courts? Wait until there a public outcry to order that other dispute resolution mechanism be applied in the granny’s case? The law knows no age, neither does it discriminate, I perfectly agree, but why do we discriminate against the poor, the humble. No, no, no, let justice roll down like water. Shame on judiciary.

— Phabian Paul Jr-Nairobi

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

14

SPORT THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS Tunisia face Congo in Olympic qualifier Africa representative to the last summer Olympics, Tunisia will begin their continental qualification n to Rio 2016 against host Congo Brazzaville today. Tunisia, who are looking for their second consecutive qualification to the Summer Games also landed Africa heavy weights, Egypt in Pool A of Men’s African Olympic qualification tournament which serves off today in Brazzaville, Congo.

Pool A, which also has host Congo, the 2015 All Africa Games silver medallists is considered group of death and whoever will come out top is most likely to win the single Olympics ticket. Pool B includes emerging African giant Algeria along with Cameroon, Congo RD and Nigeria. Cameroon faces Democratic Republic of Congo while Algeria meeting Nigeria in Pool B The drawing of lots was held on Wednesday in presence of CAVB President Dr Amr Elwani and Local Organising Committee President Jean Mopita.

Williams, Sharapova out of warm-up tournament Serena Williams has withdrawn from a warm-up tournament before this month’s Australian Open because of injury concerns.

World number one Williams retired with a knee injury when trailing Australia’s Jarmila Wolfe 7-5 2-1 in the Hopman Cup on Tuesday.

She had been due to play in the United States’ final match of the round-robin tournament later today.

Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Brisbane International this week.

T h e five-time

Grand Slam winner retired with an arm injury, while world number two Simona Halep pulled out with an inflamed Achilles and world number threeGarbine Muguruza quit the tournament with a foot injury.

The Australian Open begins on 18 January.

Williams, who also missed the United States’ opening Hopman Cup tie on Monday, will be replaced by Vicky Duval against the Czech Republic.

The 34-year-old, who will be attempting to retain her title in Melbourne, has recurrence of a problem that sidelined her

for much of the latter part of 2015.

She trained briefly on Tuesday and took to the court against Wolfe, but appeared very restricted in her movement, especially on her left side.

Williams served for the first set, but was broken by Wolfe, who then took the set 7-5.

When Wolfe broke her again for a 2-1 lead in the second set, Williams called for the trainer and retired after a brief discussion.

Russian Sharapova, world number four, was hoping to defend her title in Brisbane in what was her only scheduled event before the Australian Open.

SA Cricket skipper resigns after loss Hashim Amla resigned as South Africa captain immediately after his side drew the second Test against England. The 32-yearold had been in poor form, but made a double century to inspire his side’s fightback after England made 629-6 declared in Cape Town. “I believe I can be of greater value as a fully focused batsman and senior player at this time,” said Amla. AB de Villiers will lead South Africa in the third Test in Johannesburg, which starts on January 14. After his appointment as successor to Graeme Smith in June 2014, Amla captained the world number one side in 14 Tests. He won four and drew six but came under pressure during a 3-0 series defeat in India. Amla said he had considered quitting before the start of the series against England, who won the first test by 241 runs in Durban last week. Until his marathon effort at Newlands, Amla, a veteran of 90 Tests and 7,108 runs, had not hit a Test century since December 2014.

Nigerian Football official shot dead Nigerian football official Ibrahim Abubakar was shot dead on Wednesday ​ by armed robbers at his house in Abuja . Abubakar, 43 was head of protocol for the country’s football federation. Former Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu has described Abubakar’s death as “bad and sad news” on social media.

Local media have reported that Abubakar is survived by his wife and three children.

He was buried in Kaduna in the north-west of the country according to Islamic rituals.

The Super Eagles media officer Oluwatoyin Ibitoye said the killing was “shocking, devastating and tragic”. Nigeria play a warm-up match for the African Nations Championship against Angola in the South African city of Pretoria at on Wednesday.

The game will be behind closed doors at the request of the organisers.

Serena Williams reacts during a past match. She withdrawn from a warm-up tournament after sustaining an injury.

Nominees for SOYA School category award unveiled Five boys’ and girls’ secondary school teams will face off in the 2015 Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year (SOYA) School of the year award.

The annual sports awards bonanza will be held next week, January 15 in Nairobi.

They made the cut based on their exceptional performance at the national school games and also the East Africa games that were held in Rwanda last year.

Boys’ hockey national champions and East Africa bronze medalists Narok Boys School will be up against East Africa and national rugby 15s champions Laiser Hill Academy, who also shined in football.

Others in the run for the top prize are first rising St Peters Secondary School Chirikwa (handball), Maseno School (Basketball and Rugby) and Rugby sevens national champions

St Peters Mumias.

Volleyball champions AIC Kosirai, national Hockey winners Trans Nzoia Mixed, East Africa Hockey champions Sinyolo Girls, National Basketball title-holder Shimba Hills and girls’ national handball champions Moi Girls Kamusinga are among the nominees.

The School Coach of the Year category will be equally competitive with Rose Anyango, who guided Obambo Secondary School to the girls’ netball title facing Edgar Manyara of Wiyeta Girls (Football), Kelvin Lugalia of St. Anthony’s Kitale (Hockey), Richard Soi of AIC Kosirai (Volleyball) and Sinyolo Girls Hockey coach Alloise Owino.

Five boys and five girls were also shortlisted for the newly-introduced most outstanding performer of year accolade.

Upcoming sprinter and East Africa 100m and 200m champion and record holder Moffat Ngari, 10000m, 5000m national champion and East Africa silver medalist Andrew Lorot, tennis national champion and regional silver medalist Shivam Shah and swimmer Ian Ngatia, javelin East Africa champion and record holder David Parisitau will compete in the boys category.

Maxmilla Imali, who excelled in sprints winning 100m and 200m at the East Africa games and another runner Iveen Chepkemoi were shortlisted for the girls’ most outstanding performer of the year.

The other three in this category are girls’ best swimmer at the East Africa games Virginia Okumu, national and East Africa’s champion in both singles and doubles of tennis and regional badminton MVP Valery Kones.

Kakamega woman wins Sh22m Sportpesa jackpot

Elimah Khanaitsa pose with Sportpesa jackpot cheque of Sh22 million she won in betting at Nairobi’s Serena Hotel yesterday.

A Kakamega woman won Sh22 million Sportpesa jackpot after correctly predicting all the 13 games in her fifth attempt.

Elimah Khanaitsa, who works as a sales representative in a tea firm became the first woman to win the elusive Sportpesa jackpot.

Khanaitsa, a mother of two hid what would be considered the biggest mistake by a couple gambling with part of the family’s meagre resources.

“If my husband knew I was betting, that would be an automatic beating from him,” said the latest millionaire in town.

“He (husband) never liked it. He used to say those are con games; that is why I never let him knew it. I only told him that I was betting after I have won,” “If he knew that I was into betting, there would be war in the house, maybe some beating. But even after I got the confirmation message that I won, I was a bit sceptical. I was still fearful. We never believed it,” added Khamaitsa, herself a former netball player during her High School days.The 27-year-old Khanaitsa predicted rightfully only three matches out of 13 in her first attempt. Her fourth attempt returned nine correct results with her last shot, paying dividends of Sh22m.

Meanwhile, Sportpesa will assign financial advisers to future jackpot winners.

The company chief executive, Ronald Karauri said they are in talks to help future winners get free financial advice on how to invest the money to viable ventures.

The CEO also added that future jackpots will start at Sh10 million instead of five million.

SPORT 15 THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

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sms charged at 2/=

Inaugural IGAD games postponed indefinitely Kenya Secondary school Sports Association (KSSSA) wants the inaugural Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) games rescheduled after the kick-off was postponed.

The eight-nation games, which were set to kick off from January 16-26 in Djibouti were temporarily called off after member countries failed to confirm their participation in time.

Being a Junior (14-18 years) competition, KSSSA is expected to provide the bulk of participants. This however was not possible for the 2014 SOYA best Sports Federation of the year

who cited congestion in their fixture due to term 1A Game set to kick off next month across the country.

KSSA secretary general David Ngugi said April will be favourable to the Kenyan and East Africa countries in general.

Commissioner of Sports Gordon Oluoch, however said the government did not foresee the postponement, adding that they were working round the clock to beat the deadline.

“The Games were announced when many regional governments had already done their budgets without factoring in the event. It would have been a

problem to most countries.” Oluoch was quoted on the local online sports magazine, VoiceofSport However, the Kenyan management said they were eager to send their full quota of athletes invited to the games and that the postponement could have been a blessing in disguise.

Kenya had assembled their teams in Athletics, Basketball, Football, Handball and Table Tennis. The postponement however may have come as a blessing in disguise to most member nations, more so Kenya that is expected to take advantage and polish the rough ends of their preparations.

772

xnews | THURsDAY, JAnUARY 7, 2016 | www.254.co

KAKAMEGA WOMAN WINS SH22 MIllION SPORTPESA JACKPOT AfTER fIvE ATTEMPTS

p14

Lethal Lukaku stun Man City R

omelu Lukaku’s 19th goal of the season was all Everton needed to beat Manchester City 2-1 and carry the advantage to the second round Capital One Cup semi-final.

City looked to have secured a draw with 14 minutes left, when Jesus Navas finished a sweeping c o u nt e r- at t a c k following br i l li ant work by the indefatigable Argentine S e r g i o A g u e r o whose effort cancelled out Ramiro Funes Mo r i’s opener for Everton on the stroke of half-time.

But Everton refused to be sunk

by Navas’s sucker punch and responded within two minutes, Lukaku heading in his 12th goal in 12 games from Gareth Barry’s perfect cross.

Mori pounced after Willy Caballero saved Ross Barkley’s shot - although

Everton’s forward Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring against Manchester City in their first leg of the Capital One semi-final at Goodison Parklast night. Everton won 2-1.

City were nursing an understandable sense of injustice with Lukaku standing in an offside position in front of the keeper. Everton had efforts from John Stones and Lukaku rightly ruled out for offside - and it looked like a case of third time lucky for Martinez’s team when Mori struck just before half-time.

Caballero did well to block Barkley’s shot, even though the giant figure of Lukaku was clearly standing offside, and appeared to be in the City keeper’s line of vision.

Lukaku did not touch the ball, and did not appear to make a movement towards it, so the debate centred on whether he was interfering with an opponent by obstructing Caballero’s view.

Referee Robert Madley waved away City’s protests and Everton grasped at their good fortune - but the visitors had every right to feel they were hard done by.

That was not the only frustration for City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who felt his side had a strong penalty appeal rejected when Navas went down under a Kevin Mirallas challenge. “Everton’s first goal was absolutely offside and it was a clear penalty when Jesus Navas was fouled,” Pellegrini said. “I didn’t speak to the referee after the game - they were both clear.

“To lose 2-1 is a bad result but it just means we have to win 1-0 at home. I still think we are able to play in the Capital One Cup final.”

While Barry and Besic ran the show around him, City midfielder Yaya Toure looked every day of his 32 years and more besides.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure who captained the side.

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