2016011011 xnews

WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016 | WWW.X254.CO

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WHY REFUGEE REPATRIATION WILL TAKE LONGER

IGAD’S SPECIAL ENVOY ON SOMALIA MOHAMED AFFEY SAYS ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO GUARANTEE SAFETY OF RETURNEES ARE NOT YET IN PLACE

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NEWS

KPL NOW SAYS IOT IS OPEN TO TALKS WITH FKF OVER LEAGUE EXPANSION TO 18 TEAMS

Understanding Karua’s latest political move

ENGALND AND SCOTLAND RENEW RIVALY IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST FOOTBALL TIES

Trump: Obama is a ‘very good man’

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hat is seen as a weak leadership demonstrated so far by the incumbent Governor for Kirinyaga Joseph Ndathi and the corruption case embroiling former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru could be the reasons that have made Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua plunge herself into the Kirinyaga Gubernatorial race, analysts believe.

They say the former Gichugu MP wants to exploit the opportunity as Waiguru is still embroiled in the National Youth Service (NYS) saga.

Karua also knew that she stands little chance if she opposes President Uhuru Kenyatta thus forcing her to throw her weight behind the Jubilee party leader’s 2017 re-election bid.

According to Geoffrey Andati, Karua’s decision to support President Kenyatta’s re-election is only meant to boost her chances of clinching the Kirinyaga Governor’s seat. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

US President Barack Obama (R) listens to President-elect Donald Trump (L) deliver remarks to members of the news media during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, last evening. The two leaders met to discuss efforts toward a smooth transition of power to Mr Trump. Story on Page 2.

PHOTO: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA

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NEWS

Donald Trump heaps praise on Obama, says he will seek his advice in future WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

change in the political mood between the frenzied last days of an election campaign and the reality of government and the transition of power between two administrations that follows.

“My No. 1 priority in the next two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our President-elect is successful,” Obama said.

Obama told Trump: “If you succeed, the country succeeds,” as the two men sat in high-backed chairs in front of the fireplace in the Oval Office.

Trump thanked Obama for the meeting which he said had originally been scheduled for 10 minutes and went on for 90.

“Mr. President, it was a great honor being with you and I look forward to being with you many, many more times,”

President Barack Obama welcomed President-elect Donald Trump to the White House Thursday, as both men put past antagonisms aside in a time-honored ritual epitomizing the peaceful transfer of political power.

Three days after mocking Trump as unfit to control the codes needed to launch nuclear weapons, Obama told his successor that he wanted him to succeed and would do everything he could to ensure a smooth transition.

Trump, who spent years pursuing Obama over false claims he is not a natural-born American and accused him of being the founder of ISIS on the campaign trail, called Obama a “very good man” and said he would seek his counsel in future.

The extraordinary meeting was a reflection of the swift and sudden

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US President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with President-elect Donald Trump (L) at the end of their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, last evening.

PHOTO: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA

Trump said, adding that he and Obama had spoken about some wonderful and difficult things and “some high-flying assets.”

It was not immediately clear what he meant.

The President-elect also said he would seek “counsel” from Obama.

As the pool of reporters were led out, Trump told them several times that Obama was “a very good man.”

It comes with many Americans, especially Democrats and liberals, still in disbelief and shock at Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, after the most vicious and unconventional campaign in modern history.

The meeting, and Trump’s stern demeanor, also underscored how the heavy burden of the presidency begins to settle on the shoulders of a Presidentelect. In Trump’s case, that process will be especially challenging given that he will be the first president elected with not political, diplomatic or military executive experience.

Republican National Committee chairman Reince Preibus, who is being mentioned as a possible chief of staff in Trump’s White House, told CNN’s Jake Tapper that Americans would appreciate Trump’s demeanor in Washington.

“I hope that everyone has seen sort of this presidential Donald Trump that we knew all along was up to the task and I think is going to make us all proud,” Preibus said.

Thursday evening, Trump tweeted about the meeting, writing, “A fantastic day in D.C. Met with President Obama for first time. Really good meeting, great chemistry. Melania liked Mrs. O a lot!”

It is also clear that Obama’s determination to facilitate a smooth and effective transition, like the one he was provided

by George W. Bush, is a reflection of his desire not to permit any animosity towards Trump from him or his staff that would detract from his own legacy in the final days of his presidency.

The temporary truce between the White House and Trump and his Republican Party however obscures the deep shock, and disquiet about Trump and his temperament inside the White House

and among Democrats.

CNN’s Jim Acosta said one senior White House official responded with a single word -- “unbelievable” when asked about Trump’s comment that he would seek “counsel” from the current President. The official said no one in the White House had changed their mind about Trump, despite their commitment to a smooth political transition.

Still, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that given the history between them, the meeting between Obama and Trump in which they were alone in the Oval Office, was “a little less awkward” than might be expected and they did not recreate some kind of presidential debate during the talks over their stark political differences.

While Trump and Obama met, first lady Michelle Obama spent time with Trump’s wife, Melania.

Trump’s first visit to Washington began as the President-elect began around 10:30 a.m. when the plane emblazoned with his last name landed at Reagan National Airport, marking a new beginning for America.

Trump went to meet House Speaker Paul Ryan on Capitol Hill after the White House visit and also saw Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell while in town.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence met Vice President Joe Biden.

After meeting McConnell, Trump outlined his priorities.

“We’ll look very strongly at immigration.

We’re going to look at the border, very important. We’re going to look very strongly on health care. And we’re looking at jobs, big league jobs.”

While Trump and Obama were meeting, the billionaire’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and communications aide Hope Hicks met senior members of the White House staff.

Earnest said that Obama briefed Trump on his last foreign trip -- to Greece, Germany and Peru next week, and that the President left the talks with “renewed confidence” that Trump was committed to a smooth transition.

The symbolism of a President and a President-elect being together is always

powerful. But it was especially notable on Thursday given the bitter history between them.

Throughout Obama’s presidency, Trump persistently sought to undermine the legitimacy of the nation’s first AfricanAmerican presidency by questioning his citizenship and his Christian faith.

“He doesn’t have a birth certificate. He may have one, but there’s something on that, maybe religion, maybe it says he is a Muslim,” Trump told Fox News in 2011.

“I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t want that.”

The campaign was considered a racial attack by many people close to Obama.

When Obama, attempting to put a stop to the falsehood, released his “long-form” birth certificate from Hawaii in April 2011, Trump continued to claim it was somehow faked.

It took until September 2016, two months before a presidential election in which he was already the Republican Party’s nominee, for Trump to admit the reality that Obama was, indeed, born in the United States.

Obama has directed his own barbs at Trump, too.

At the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner, with Trump in the audience, Obama mocked Trump’s birtherism, in a biting attack that crossed the line between humor and sarcasm into overt personal hostility.

“He can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter -- like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?” Obama said of Trump.

He also cast Trump as incompetent and unhinged on the campaign trail, citing a New York Times report that Trump’s staff had taken his Twitter account away from him after a 3 a.m. rant about former Miss Universe Alicia Machado.

“They had so little confidence in his selfcontrol, they said, ‘We are just going to take away your Twitter.’ Now, if somebody can’t handle a Twitter account, they can’t handle the nuclear codes,” Obama said on Sunday in Florida, and made similar comments in New Hampshire on election eve.

NEWS 3 WEEKEND EDITION NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

Protests very unfair, President elect says Less than 48 hours after all the polls closed, President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter Thursday to call the widespread protests around the country against his presidential victory “very unfair.”

Trump tweeted, “Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!”

The tweet is Mr Trump’s first comment railing against the media since he earned the title of President-elect early Wednesday morning.

This tweet also comes after The New York Times reported his aides took control of his Twitter account during his presidential campaign hoping to tame his controversial Internet presence. It also comes after he’s struck a conciliatory tone in both his victory speech and meeting with President Barack Obama last evening.

For many Americans, Trump’s victory is one they refuse to accept. Protesters chanted “Not my president” in rallies coast to coast. Asked about the protesters, Trump’s former campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, defended his ability

to unite the country, telling CNN’s Anderson Cooper that protesters should listen to his victory speech. “I would just commend the protestors to listen to Donald Trump from his victory speech, where he said, ‘I will be a president for all Americans, including those who did not support me and who don’t support me,’” she said on “Anderson Cooper 360.” She continued: “I also would tell them please look at what happened today. Less than 36 hours after being elected president of the United States, Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, our next first lady, went down to Washington and met with President and First Lady Obama.

And I think people should really echo what happened today in Washington. It was a great meeting.” “I’m telling you, Mr. Trump was just very happy with the meeting today,” Conway said about the meeting. Conway also wouldn’t say when asked whether she was offered a position in Trump’s administration.

“That’s between President-elect Trump and me at the moment. And to be frank with you, I’m not that focused on me,” she said. “We have transition of government to form.”

SA’s Zuma survives no confidence vote A motion of no confidence in South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has been defeated in parliament despite a spate of recent corruption scandals.

Mr Zuma’s African National Congress (ANC) has a huge majority in parliament and the opposition motion was defeated by 214 votes to 126.

This was his third time no confidence vote in less than a year. An investigation by the country’s anticorruption watchdog said a judicial inquiry should be set up to further investigate allegations of criminal activity in Mr Zuma’s government.

The investigation found evidence that the Guptas, a business family with links to Mr Zuma, may have wielded undue political influence over the appointment of ministers. Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing. “To put it plainly, we can choose Jacob Zuma, or we can choose South Africa,” Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) which tabled the motion, told parliament during a heated debate. But ANC minister Nomvula Mokonyane said the motion had been introduced “to distract the ANC... from dealing with the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality”.

In order for the motion to succeed, a large number of ANC MPs had to vote with the opposition something which analysts said was always unlikely.

Earlier this year, the Constitutional Court ruled that Mr Zuma had breached the country’s constitution by refusing to repay government money spent on his private home in rural Nkandla.

This followed another report by the anti-corruption watchdog.

People protest with an effigy of Donald Trump in response to his election as President of the United States, out in front of Trump Tower in New York, on November 09, 2016.

Mr Trump has termed the protests unfair.

PHOTO: PETER FOLEY/EPA

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

Governors renew opposition to new Kenya Roads Bill

Governors have renewed their opposition to the reclassification of roads claiming it is a plot by the national government to reverse the road function which has been devolved.

Speaking during a consensus building forum for the proposed Kenya Roads Bill, Council of Governors vice chairman John Mruttu claimed the bill is a plot by the national government to retain he roads function despite the constitution devolving a section of roads.

In the proposed bill, rural roads in the counties have now been renamed as ‘secondary national trunk roads’ while urban roads within the jurisdiction of counties have simply been taken away from the counties.

“We are aware that the renaming of roads is a systematic plan by the Transport Ministry to retain the road function. The courts have severally ruled that they are devolved which the COG abides by. We have not changed our stance,” Governor Mruttu said.

They maintained that the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) should be disbanded because the present constitutional dispensation does not recognize them.

“The argument that counties do not have capacity to handle the roads Sector is plainly untrue. It will be un-constitutional to retain the KERRA & KURA in the present constitutional dispensation or even rename them and purport to make them undertake County functions,” added the Taita Taveta governor. The Transport ministry announced early this year that it would reclassify roads and put most of them under the national government to guarantee development for the 10,000 km promised by the Jubilee Administration. Transport CS James Macharia argued that the move would enable Kenyans to get value for their tax by eliminating rogue contractors who are constructing poor quality roads by using technologies that have not been approved by the government. “We have seen certain counties coming up with roads constructed by contractors from other countries or using techniques and technologies which they argue are cheaper but do not guarantee the standard lifespan of roads,” he argued.

If the bill becomes law, counties will get 28 per cent of the revenue collected by the Kenya Roads Board as fuel levy, something governors have vehemently opposed.

“Outdoor advertising on road reserves are under the county governments. As such, no authority can purport to impose any fees for the use of the said reserves for outdoor advertising, street lighting, traffic and parking without consultation with and the approval of the respective county government,” Eng. Mruttu said. They also want Commission on Revenue Allocation calculation of 25 per cent reviewed. “As the Council of Governors, we contend that this is an underestimation because every year Counties have built more roads,” Mruttu added. @wilson_x254

IGAD’s Special Envoy on Somalia Mohamed Affey. He has said the deadline for Kenya’s repatriation of Somali refugees at the Daadab camp might not be met since essential ionfrasture has not been put in place to guarantee a safe return. PHOTO: COURTESY

Why repatriation of Somalis from Daadab may take longer

The deadline by the Kenyan government to repatriate all Somalis back to their country and have Daadab refugee camp closed may not be met, a special envoy on the matter has said.

Kenya had vowed to close the camp which is home to some 500,000 refugees by end of November this year.

IGAD’s Special Envoy on Somalia Mohamed Affey said the closure of the camp may delay after some of the refugees declined to enlist themselves for the repatriation exercise.

Affey says majority of the refugees have expressed skepticism and reluctance to go back to their country as they believe that their security will not be guaranteed as it is now in the camp.

He painted a picture of a desperate population that is ready and willing to pay the price just to remain in the camp.

“There are serious teething problems that the refugees need to be assured of before they are repatriated back to Somali. They say the country is volatile and not safe for human inhabitation.

All the respective agencies involved need to guarantee them of their security,” he told X-News in an interview.

According to the former Wajir South MP, it would be difficult to convince the refugees to return home since the essential infrastructure is yet to be established in their mother country to facilitate a safe repatriation.

“This voluntarily repatriation exercise has a long way to go but if serious consultations are made then then we expect change of attitude and acceptance from the refugees,” Ambassador Affey noted.

Since the repatriation exercise was announced last year, tens of thousands of refugees have been making the journey back home after decades in the camp.

However, Somalis born in the Dadaab refugee camp say they are distraught at Kenya’s plans to forcibly repatriate them.

However, recently, a Human Rights Watch report found that the repatriation of Somali refugees from the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya failed to meet recommended international standards for voluntary return.

The report noted many of those returning to Somalia are motivated by fear of being forced out under the Tripartite Commission for the

voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees from Kenya.

The operations plan is based on the positive evaluation of the pilot phase concluded on 30 June 2015, which supported the launch of the enhanced phase of the repatriation exercise from July 2015.

It constitutes an operational guide for UNHCR and its partners in Kenya and Somalia to strengthen the voluntary repatriation process to support returns of Somali refugees from Kenya and their reintegration in Somalia.

The Daadab refugee complex in Garissa County happens is the biggest camp with the concentration of the Somali nationals and owing to its proximity to the horn of Africa country.

The camp has been on the government’s security radar, with the Kenyan authorities claiming that the camp has been turned into a safe haven for alShabaab militants and their sympathizers.

Subsequently, the government announced the closure of the camp and the eventual repatriation of its occupants by November this year. @hillary_x254

Ombudsman demands sacking of NGO board boss

The Commission on Administrative Justice has demanded for the sacking of the NGOs Coordination board boss Fazul Mohammed citing his unsuitability to hold public office.

In a detrimental report, the Ombudsman argues that Mr Fazul holds his office illegally as he does not hold the requisite academic qualifications.

It says Mr Fazul presented false information at the time of his appointment.

The agency further wants Fazul to refund the more than Sh8.5 million he earned in cumulative

salary in the time he has served as the NGO board executive director.

The report comes a few days after the high court reinstated Fazul by overturning the decision by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri to send him on a compulsory leave last October.

“Fazul should not hold public office for violating Chapter six of the Constitution of KenyaLeadership and Integrity. He presented forged academic documents and false information during the interview. Furthermore he has

been found culpable of abuse of power and misconduct,” CAJ report says.

Mr Fazul is not new to controversy.

He has in several occasions been accused of victimizing his juniors and abuse of office including irregular promotions and transfer of staff without approval of the board in disregard of human resource policies.

The Ombudsman also wants the DCI to institute investigations against him for presenting forged documents. @wilson_x254

NEWS 5 WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

Understanding Karua’s latest political move What is seen as a weak leadership demonstrated so far by the incumbent Governor for Kirinyaga Joseph Ndathi and the corruption case embroiling former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru could be the reasons that have made Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua plunge herself into the Kirinyaga Gubernatorial race, analysts believe.

They say the former Gichugu MP wants to exploit the opportunity as Waiguru is still embroiled in the National Youth Service (NYS) saga.

Karua also knew that she stands little chance if she opposes President Uhuru Kenyatta thus forcing her to throw her weight behind the Jubilee party leader’s 2017 re-election bid.

According to Geoffrey Andati, Karua’s decision to support President Kenyatta’s re-election is only meant to boost her chances of clinching the Kirinyaga Governor’s seat.

“Karua is a smart senior politician, she knew what to tell the public to make them happy and probably get the votes in her bag,” Andati said.

Andati added that the sudden change of tune

by Karua to support President Kenyatta’s administration should not puzzle anyone since all politicians would have done the same were they in her shoes. “Kenya’s politicians are the most insincere ones, they don’t have strong values as people may want to believe, they only support something if they know they will benefit out of it,” added the political analyst.

But it won’t be easy for Mrs karua either.

“It would be over for Karua if Waiguru gets the Jubilee Party ticket, so it’s not yet time to celebrate for the Nark Kenya leader,” he said.

Another political commentator Barack Muluka said Karua still has to convince Kirinyaga residents that she is fully done with the opposition.

“She has to convince the people that she has nothing at the moment to do with opposition and more association with Raila Odinga otherwise it is still not easy for her,” Muluka said

Catholic church bans politicians The Catholic Church has today issued a ban on politicians from addressing congregations.

Consequently, church functions and places of worship will no longer be used as campaign platforms for those seeking elective positions.

Under the banner of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), the church leaders noted that the country has been put in a pensive mood by early campaigns from aspirants that threaten to polarize the nation.

The clergy, in a state of the nation address in Kakamega, cited a pattern of pre-poll violence witnessed in previous elections happening at the moment.

“The church must be above politics and the pulpit should not be used to promote any aspirant,” KCCB Vice-chair Bishop John Ogola said.

The bishops also advocated for thorough investigations into the alleged loss of Sh5.3 billion at the Ministry of Health, calling those implicated to step aside.

They also applauded Education Ministry’s credible handling of this year’s national examinations. @harrison_x254

Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua (center) when she addressed a press conference at the party’s headquarters in nairobi last week. Ms Karua yesterday threw her weight behind President Uhuru Kenyatta’s 2017 re-election as she angles to win the Kirinyaga gubernatorial race.

PHOTO: GITOBU IKUNDA/X-NEWS

Muluka however said Karua could be the best placed challenger if she lines up her party behind Uhuru as Waiguru still has questions around the NYS hanging around her neck which might derail her bid in the race.

Ms Karua ditched the opposition and formally declared her support for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election bid. Karua defended the

President in the fight against corruption, saying he was doing the best to fight the vice.

“I will join hands with the President to fight graft. Everyone should back his efforts,” she said.

“I want to declare here publicly that Narc-Kenya is not a member of the so-called opposition National Supper Alliance (NASA). We are not even a member of Cord,’’ she said. “My party will

Lack of equipment hamper Kisii building rescue efforts

The National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) has appealed for cutters and drillers to aid in the rescue of those they believe remain trapped underneath the rubble of the 10-storey building that collapsed in Kisii Town yesterday.

Death toll from the tragedy has reached six with more than 40 others left injured following the collapse of the building that was still under construction. Deputy Director of the NDMU Mwachi Pius Masai who is leading the rescue efforts said the number of recorded injuries

stand at 44 with rescue efforts ongoing.

“The building was under construction but there were kiosks next to it and passer-bys.

That’s why we believe many remain trapped but the going is slow because we lack the necessary equipment,” Mwachi told reporters.

Nyanza regional police coordinator Willy Lugusa had indicated that police are looking for the owner and contractor of the building along the Daraja Moja-Nyambera Road to help with investigations. www.capitalfm.co.ke

not be fielding a presidential candidate in 2017 and the residents from this region want Uhuru to go back to State House.

The Narc-Kenya leader together with opposition chief Raila Odinga have been major critics of the Jubilee government especially on matters of corruption. @sam_x254

Orengo commends Senate Committee Siaya Senator James Orengo has commended the senate for putting Governors to account for every shilling spent at the counties.

Orengo said the hawk-eyed senators in their watchdog role as protectors of devolution have helped save a lot of money from being squandered.

“The senate has played its role very well, Governors have been made to account for every shilling allocated to them. Tha is why this year no massive theft have been reported at the counties,” Orengo said yesterday.

He urged Governors that are yet to appear before the senate Public Accounts Committee to do so as the committee is not a place for victimization.

“Governors should not see the senate Public Accounts as a tussle ground, senators in that committee are just playing their role in making sure that devolution succeeds,” Orengo added.

The senate Public Accounts Committee is currently interrogating Governors over the 2013/14 report of the Auditor General.

The committee is yet to present its report to house for deliberations. @sam_x254

WEEKEnD EDITIOn, nOVEMBER 11-13, 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

Climatic shocks, 2017 elections likely to wreak havoc on economy Adverse climatic shocks affecting Kenya’s largely rain-fed agricultural sector, unintended effects of the interest rate cap, and potential uncertainties in the run-up to the 2017 general elections could scare off investors and dampen short-term growth prospects for the country.

Coupled with delays to fiscal consolidation, weaker than expected growth in the global economy, volatility in global financial markets and a hike in world oil prices, Kenya’s economy may be set for what experts have described as a bumpy ride.

Diariétou Gaye, World Bank Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Eritrea, said that while Kenya has had almost a decade of resilient economic growth are commendable achievements, more effort is needed to attain the higher growth rates required to achieve the goals envisioned under Vision 2030.

She explained that in order to increase the pace of growth, productivity in Kenya must improve, not only in the private sectors, but also in the public sector.

In its fourteenth edition of the Kenya Economic Update report, the World Bank focuses on how higher levels of growth can be achieved by enhancing the productivity of public investments which has declined in the recent years as reflected in the weak execution of infrastructure projects.

Citing the report, Gaye, a Senegalese national, said Kenya has remained one of the bright spots in the region.

“With economic growth rates sustained at above 5 per cent, Kenya has outperformed

Families fetch water from a bore-hole outside Egerton. In 2009, over 20,000 families were to be evicted from the Mau forest complex, the country’s biggest closed-canopy forest and a vital water catchment area, as part of the coalition governments efforts to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. It is estimated that less than 2 per cent of Kenya’s total area is covered by forest but experts warn that forest cover of around 10 per cent is required for the country to sustain life naturally. the Sub-Sahara Africa regional average for eight consecutive years,” she added.

“Our macroeconomic team projects that gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Kenya will increase to 5.9 per cent in 2016 and could accelerate to 6.1 per cent by 2018. Both Kenya’s current performance and the positive medium-term outlook are in sharp contrast to the regional growth

deceleration—average per capita incomes in the Sub-Saharan Africa will decline — and the global economic slowdown,” Gaye explained.

The Country Director made some of her statements in an address earlier this month, noting that private consumption and government investment are the key drivers of Kenya’s recent growth

KICC upgrade to kick off in 2017 as state moves to build new centre in Mombasa The expansion of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) is set to begin in the first quarter of 2017.

The move is expected to enhance the Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions (MICE) segment that has continued to grow significantly.

Kenya has seen a steady rise in MICE tourist arrivals over the past few years.

In 2015 the country hosted 117,630 foreign arrivals taking part in MICE activities, representing a 13 per cent increase on the 2014 total, and 15.6 per cent of the total number of international tourist arrivals for the year.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala says the Ministry is in search of a consultant who will do the work of building another Tsavo Ballroom at the COMESA grounds. The Ministry

is also planning to build another convention centre in Mombasa on a 2.5 acre piece of land.

“I have mandated both the board

and the management of KICC and Tourism Finance Corporation to look for a consultant and fast track the process and advertisements for a consultant have already been done however it must be done within the confines of the law,” Balala said.

“We need to up our game, the competition is stiff and Kenya will lose out if we don’t,” he explained.

In light of this, CS Balala has formed a special task force to establish a Kenya Convention Bureau, to promote the country’s MICE segment. The main purpose of the Bureau is to increase the number of events, conferences and other such meetings held in the country.

The Cabinet Secretary charged the team with coming up with a working strategy in the next 60 days.

performance, underpinned by a stable macroeconomic environment, lower oil prices, diversification, improved security perceptions, and ongoing structural reforms.

Gaye said that growth in private consumption would be fueled by an emerging middle class. @Dennis _x254

MEAN 101.4139 131.9744 114.2769 7.5429 33.2007 21.5750

BUY SELL 101.3222 101.5056 131.8261 132.1228 114.1494 114.4044 7.5347 7.5511 33.1213 33.2800 21.5062 21.6438

East Africa Portland Cement sees profit fall 49pc to Sh3.7bn East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) has posted a pre-tax profit Sh3.73 billion for the year ended June 30, 2016, down from Sh7.34 billion during a similar period last year. The fall in revenue represents a 49.2 per cent drop in profit during the period under review.

The fall came just as the Group’s expenses jumped to Sh3.25 billion for the year ended June 30 2016, up from Sh2.61 billion last year.

Announcing both the Group and the Company’s results, the firm’s Board of Directors noted that financial service providers, Deloitte and Touche were tasked with auditing EAPPC’s books for the year ended June 30, 2016.

The Group posted a gross profit of Sh1.59 billion down from Sh1.83 billion during the same period last year. During the period under review, group revenue jumped to Sh8.87 billion from Sh8.42 billion a year ago.

The cement maker has been grappling with a number of challenges throughout the year. In May, MP for Kajiado East Constituency, Peris Tobiko petitioned to have French conglomerate Lafarge kicked out of Portland’s management.

At the time,she argued that Lafarge could nnot be trusted in managing the company profitably and that its position at EAPCC is in conflict with its majority ownership in competitor, Bamburi Cement Company Limited.

The company’s Board earlier this year appointed Simon Peter Ole Nkeri as the firm’s new Chief executive Officer. He joined the firm at a time when it had posted a net loss of Sh531 million for the six month period ended December 2015. @Dennis _x254

Use trade in fight against climate change, Kituyi urges policy makers National governments should take a closer look at the ways in which trade can help spread the use of green technologies and therefore tackle climate change, UNCTAD Secretary-General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi has said.

He says that policy makers see international trade as traditional purchase and sale of finished goods, but in fact, the vast majority of it involves intermediate and unfinished goods, brought together from different countries for assembly in a single, final location.

Dr. Kituyi has argued that silicon modules, which are vital to the production of solar panels, may be labelled “Made in the US”, but their component parts are sourced from China, Japan, and Europe. Similarly, photovoltaic cells “Made in China” are manufactured with equipment from Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.

“If our goal is to spread the use of green technology, then we have to ease trade within value chains, boost innovation,

and help transfer green technology into the developing world,” said Dr. Kituyi.

“But we have to use trade policy in such a way that we move away from protectionism towards sharing the benefits of a cleaner, greener global economy,” he added.

Liberalizing the trade of green goods by dropping tariffs and addressing non-tariff measures would facilitate access to these goods, and therefore their use.

Dr. Kituyi said that developing countries, which aim to produce more green goods, may wish to explore ways to enter the relevant value chains.

Tomorrow, UNCTAD, the ITC, WTO, and IFAD will host a panel discussion at COP 22 in Marrakesh, Morocco, to discuss the Paris Agreement and the linkages to trade.

“We may come from different nations, but we are one, single global community, and on both climate change and trade, we sink or swim together,” said the Secretary@enock _x254 General.

8

BUSINESS

Toyota Kenya partners with NTSA to enhance road safety WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

Motorcycle Assembler, Yamaha and vehicle distributor, Toyota Kenya have partnered with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Kenya Police Service to offer enhanced safety training to motorcycle riders.

Toyota Kenya, through the Yamaha Riding Academy, rolled out the specialized training with the Kenya Police Service being the first beneficiary.

“The Kenya Police Service through its Traffic department is the go to authority on road usage and has the additional responsibility of administering examinations to all categories of road users. It is therefore befitting that we begin our training by equipping them with the skills to enhance safety among riders and to train road users,” Toyota Kenya MD, Mr. Sachio Yotsukura said.

Yamaha Division General Manager, Mr. Augustine Juma says the training is aimed at enhancing riding skills among motorcycle riders to curb the growing number of road accident fatalities associated with poorly trained riders.

Yamaha, which is a division of Toyota Kenya, is also looking to certify Boda Boda riders to act as trainers and road safety ambassadors. Mr. Yotsukura said that all stakeholders within the cycling industry must continue to invest in the enhancement of safety to ensure that all road users are protected.

“While our products come equipped with various features to ensure the safety of motorcyclist, we cannot ignore the most important factor of all; the rider.

It is our responsibility as manufacturers to ensure the safety of our customers, in this regard Yamaha through the Yamaha Riding Academy will extend free training opportunities for Boda Boda operators and will work with the NTSA to enhance the quality of training available to Boda Boda operators and their trainers,” Mr. Yotsukura said.

Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) reveals that the number of fatalities resulting from

Yamaha Riding Academy Chief Instructor Hidenobu Toh instructs sergent Anwar Kusimba during a specialized safety training session for Police Motorcycle trainers in collaboration with the NTSA. Motorcycle related road accidents increased by 23 per cent in the first half of 2016 with a total of 283 Kenyans losing their lives, while an additional 321 Kenyans suffered from serious injuries. NTSA Director of safety John Muya said that the leading cause of accidents is due to inexperienced and untrained Boda Boda operators.

“We have registered over 800,000 motorcycles in the country 90 per cent of them are boda bodas 70 per cent of whom are not formally trained. While the number of motorcyclist across the country continues to grow, we are concerned that most of them remain

untrained and ill equipped to handle the motorcycles. Most of them rely on peer training after which they take to the roads without any additional road user or safety training. This has resulted in an increase in the number of fatal accidents.’ Mr. Muya said.

NTSA has already developed new regulations for cyclists and is developing a new curriculum for instructors of motorcyclists to enable them train and certify boda boda operators.

To remedy the situation, Yamaha Kenya intends to train and certify Boda Boda operators to act as road safety champions and safety trainers

for other operators. Under the initiative Yamaha through the Yamaha Riders Academy will also provide specialized safety training riding schools across the country and offer international safety accreditation for instructors with the aim of enhancing road safety.

The Boda Boda subsector has been identified as one of the fastest growing sources of employment within the local economy. The sector’s annual tax contribution is estimated at over Sh2.2 billion with daily revenues estimated at over Sh400 million. @kevin_x254

StarTimes introduces new entertainment channels

StarTimes Media has announced the introduction of four new entertainment channels on its platform with a key focus on documentary and Pan-African content.

The four include National Geographic Wild and National Geographic, both of which will feature tales from the natural world, premium science, with a focus on adventure and exploration.

Other channels include Fox Life and Star Bollywood Africa, which will feature Pan African content focused on aspirational, entertaining and compelling local and international drama, telenovelas and reality shows. Star Bollywood Africa will offer internationally-acclaimed back to back Indian movies and drama with English subtitles.

The company has also announced plans to roll out open week from 12th to 20th November where Kenyan subscribers on StarTimes free to air, terrestrial and satellite pay television services will enjoy a week long free access to select premium channels including the four new channels.

Commenting on this latest development, StarTimes Vice President for Marketing Mr. Mark Lisboa noted that subscribers are increasingly becoming astute in the kind of programming availed to them with the new channels offering incisive exploration, adventure and entertainment for the whole family viewing.

“The introduction of these new channels will go a long way in boosting the education and knowledge sharing content for our subscribers. This has coincided with the open week running between 12th to 20th November enabling every household including those with the StarTimes free to air decoders to sample our enriched content at no cost.” said Mr. Lisboa.

Other channels that will be available during the open week include IDX, World Football, ST Movies, Sports Premium and ST Series E1. The brand will continue to offer the same subscription fees from as low as Sh259 for the StarTimes Nyota package and Sh1,499 for the Unique/ Super package.

StarTimes Vice President for Marketing Mr. Mark Lisboa

Over 5,000 diabetics to benefit from Broadway campaign

Broadway Bakery has announced plans to offer free testing to over 5,000 undiagnosed young people suffering from diabetes a head of the World Diabetes Day on Monday November 14, 2016.

The free tests, which involve a split-second needle prick to the thumb, will be facilitated by Broadway Bakery, in conjunction with the County Government of Kiambu, Nairobi Hospital, Jalaram Medical Services and Chemoquip Ltd. “Our mission on World Diabetes Day this year is to find and identify as many Kenyans as suffering from undiagnosed diabetes as possible, in a drive that we hope will save hundreds of lives in a single weekend,” said Broadway Bakery MD, Mr. Bimal Shah.

The move follows a recent survey commissioned by Broadway Bakery, which revealed that the young generation is consuming twice the amount of sugar the body needs. The analysis also revealed that poor lifestyle choices such as these are striking Kenyans as young as 16 years.

The survey further showed that 5 per cent of Kenyans in their 20s are now suffering from the permanent and debilitating condition, which causes comas, blindness, leg amputations and kidney failure.

“At the current prevalence rates, the testing is set to alert as many as 500 sufferers to a condition that, if managed, need not be a killer,” said Mr. Shah.

“Poor lifestyles, limited exercise and high sugar, fat and salt diets are converting into an array of lifestyle diseases that are set to be the cause of death for 60 per cent of Kenyans by the year 2030,” he added.

Shah urged Kenyans, to stop adding sugar into their tea and coffee saying drinking sugarladen beverages and exposing their children to sugary and sweet treats in large quantities will see diabetes become a catastrophe for both the health system and the nation.

It is assumed that the killer disease has already afflicted almost every family in Kenya, with the study revealing that almost every Kenyan has a member of their family or friends suffering from diabetes.

Last year, over 500,000 Kenyans were diagnosed with diabetes, with a worrying rise in cases among children and young people. @enock_x254

BUSINESS 9

Lifestyle diseases leading to increased cases of heart attack

WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

Leading insurer, Resolution Insurance has encouraged more people to seek early medical screening and checkups given the rising cases of Peripheral Arterial Diseases – a condition that raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Kenyans have been advised to undergo screening for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a lifestyle disease in which a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts blood supply to leg muscles.

This is in order to detect it early and avoid debilitating complications. PAD is also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

Speaking this morning during the ‘Resolution Insurance Wellness Summit’ at a Nairobi Hotel, Resolution Insurance Managing Director for Kenya, Alice Mwai noted that PAD incidence is on the rise in Kenya and this is consistent with the increased incidence of non-communicable diseases.

“We believe prevention through screening and awareness for our corporate clients is key and a major objective for Resolution Insurance,” she said.

Dr. Hardeep Gill, the only vascular surgeon in the entire Sub-Saharan Africa region says there is an increased risk of PAD among Africans; 10% prevalence amongst Kenyans, rising to 20% for people over the age of 70 years.

Dr. Gill is a consultant Vascular and General Surgeon qualified from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

He holds a gold medal in general surgery and performs a wide range of Vascular Surgeries, Venous Surgeries, Dialysis Access Surgeries as well as

Consultant Vascular and General Surgeon at M.P Shah Hospital, Dr.Hardeep S.Gill .

Photo:Gitobu/X-News General Surgeries.

Speaking at the Resolution Insurance Wellness Summit, Dr. Hardeep Gill said, the most common symptom of PAD is pain in the legs with exertion such as walking. Patients with a history of vascular diseases, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, high BMI, Cigarette smoking or used to smoke are at a risk of suffering from

the disease.

“Physical activity and exercise are important for preventing PAD and for improving the symptoms. Avoid use of tobacco; Cigarette smoking increases the risk of PAD by two to six times and it worsens the symptom and control of high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Severe cases may require surgery to bypass blocked arteries,” he

added.

Resolution Insurance has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the insurance industry in East Africa and is today present in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan as well as known for its innovation and creating industry benchmarks. @enock_x254

Trade Ministry to merge Women, Youth and Uwezo Fund to form Biashara Bank Kenya’s Trade and Industry Ministry has announced plans to merge the Women Enterprise Fund, Youth Enterprise Fund and Uwezo Fund into a one banking institution called Biashara Bank.

Small and Medium Enterprises, starups and small borrowers are said to be the main target beneficiaries of the bank once the plan stakes root as they will have access to cheaper and immediate mortgages. Once the new lending institution becomes operational, it is projected that the number of women who own businesses will increase by double digits from the current 31.4 per cent as the lender will ensure equitable access to credit for both genders. The move follows a recent report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), published on October 24, revealing that MSME’s still have no access to credit despite amendments in the banking industry that lowered benchmark rates.

“Business people face challenges in raising finances to support their entrepreneurial pursuits. Over the years, traditional sources of financing for MSMEs have revolved around personal savings, loans from friends and family among other informal sources,” said the report.

Lack of financial access by the players resulted in the closure of up to 2.2 million business across the country in the 2015 alone. Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich earlier this week said his Ministry is working on legislation which ties this together. @enock_x254

Horticultural exports jump 19pc as demand for cut flowers rises The export value of Kenya’s horticultural produce has gone up by 19 per cent in the nine months ended September, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has confirmed. During the period under review, cut flowers, which account for 69.2 per cent of horticultural produce, recorded an 18.5 per cent growth in value exported.

The Kenya Flower Council states that 2016’s earnings are expected to surpass 2015’s earnings on the back of higher prices fetched. The Council says sales by growers in the Kenya to buyers in places such as Japan, Russia and Dubai now make up 60 per cent of the nation’s exports, compared with only 20 per cent five years ago.

It has since emerged that lower oil prices made transport logistics through Nairobi’s main airport cheaper, which helped to boost direct exports.

The Bureau has found that vegetables that account for 22.9 per cent of horticultural produce grew 22.7 per cent while fruits that account for 7.9 per cent of horticultural exports recorded a 21.4 per cent shoot in value exported.

Horticultural products are Kenya’s key foreign exchange earners with their key market being Europe.

Currently, the deadline to withdraw Kenya’s preferential market access to the EU market

was extended to February 2, 2017 as the East African Community (EAC) waits for Tanzania and Burundi to sign the EU-EAC economic partnership agreement (EPA).

Kenya and Botswana this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding as the two countries look to build their trade and investment partnerships in various economic sectors, including horticulture.

Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed confirmed that Kenya had been proactive in its efforts to improve relations between the two nations to capitalise on business and investment opportunities for their mutual benefit.

“We are excited at the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding as a show of commitment to strengthen our trade and investment ties with Botswana as we seek to leverage our competitive advantages in diverse industries for our mutual benefit”, said Mohamed.

“We have had productive trade connections in the past and the forum today will further bond us as we expand our portfolio of commodities to develop and diversify our economic capacity,” he added.

A flower vendor cuts leaves off his flowers at a market in downtown Nairobi.

10

BUSINESS

Kenya’s oil exporting prospects at risk following Donald Trump’s victory WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

Economists have projected a weaker economic outlook for both the United States and the entire globe following Donald Trump’s winning of the U.S. presidential race.

While Trump’s victory did not destabilize the Kenyan shilling as much as it did the Mexican peso, his win does not bode well for Kenya, which is to begin exporting oil next year.

The shilling was firm on Wednesday and Thursday, steadied by the Central Bank’s advice to dealers that it would offer support as needed following shake-ups involving other world currencies after the U.S. election showed Trump edging towards the presidency.

Experts warn that Trump’s victory will send ripples across the globe with oil producing and exporting countries projected to be the most hit.

During his campaign, the multibillionaire pledged to open all federal land and waters for fossil fuel exploration and tighten policies on Iran just as oil companies begin to slowly return to the Islamic Republic. The move is seen to be a major bugbear for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

“Buckle up your seatbelts for a more turbulent and uncertain global economy that is ahead,” said Pulitzer Prize-winning U.S. oil historian, Daniel Yergin, Vice-Chairman of the IHS Markit think tank.

“The outcome of the U.S. election adds to the challenges for the oil exporters because it will likely lead to weaker economic growth in an already fragile global economy. And that means

US President Barack Obama (R) and President-elect Donald Trump (L) meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, November 10, 2016. additional pressure on oil demand,” he added.

Oil prices plummeted by almost 4 per cent just hours after Trump’s victory on Wednesday but recovered to trade up slightly at around $46 (Sh4,700) per barrel by 1055 GMT. Meanwhile, Kenya expects to begin exporting oil from as early as March 2017.

OPEC will meet later this month in an effort to curtail output and reduce the global oil glut that has seen prices more than halve since 2014.

OPEC sources said they expected oil to remain weak in the days and weeks ahead due to worries about the global economy and uncertainty about Trump’s policies for the Middle East.

However, Trump has promised tax cuts,

deregulation and protectionism, which will stimulate enterprise, investment and job creation, and put trade relations with the rest of the world on a fairer, more sustainable, footing to “make America great again.”

“We have a great economic plan. We will double our growth and have the strongest economy anywhere in the world,” he said in his victory speech.

“I’ve spent my entire life in business looking at the untapped potential in projects and people around the world.

That is what I now want to do for our country,” he said.

“We’re going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become second to none. We will put millions of our people to work as we rebuild it.”

GOtv adds new content in bid to Central depository corporation drive up subscription numbers unveils system that allows NSE trades to be settled in one day GOtv has added new content to their packages, a move that will see an additional number of channels on their bouquets.

The move will see all GOtv subscribers on the GOtv Plus package experience “the best of Latin American telenovelas” on Eva Plus, which will air on GOtv channel 13.

Eva Plus will offer high production value Latin American telenovelas fully dubbed in English and Portuguese, and will be the first channel in AMC Networks International, UK’s regional portfolio to be available on MultiChoice DTT platform.

The service provider will also launch B4U Movies this month on GOtv Channel 24, offering viewers access to a variety of Bollywood films, from the latest blockbusters to classic old time favourites.

GOtv said in aa statement that the channel provides a diverse range of films for Bollywood fans worldwide as well as “unprecedented access to the magic of Bollywood with star-studded interviews, exclusive footage, behind the scenes, and the making of films.”

Fans of Africa Magic’s local content will get a boost in their entertainment via the addition of the newly-rebranded Africa Magic Igbo on GOtv Value and GOtv Plus packages on GOtv channel 11.

The growing line-up of Africa Magic’ portfolio

on GOtv will include; Africa Magic Epic on GOtv channel 9, which is rooted in culture and Africa Magic Family on GOtv channel 2.

Africa Magic Igbo also joins two other channels that show locally-produced movies in popular languages in Nigeria; Africa Magic Hausa on GOtv channel 4 and Africa Magic Yoruba on GOtv @enock_x254 channel 5.

GOtv Kenya General Manager, Mr. Felix Kyengo.

The Central Depository and Settlement Corporation (CDSC) is set to launch a new platform that will allow trades to be settled in one day.

“April next year is when we will launch the new system, and then after that is when we can talk about day trading,” CEO of the CDSC, Rose Mambo said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in Nairobi, Mambo said the system could handle same-day trades but said regulatory approval was needed before this would go ahead, adding that the Capital Markets Authority would likely need to develop new regulations and guidelines before this happened.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) now uses a system in which transactions are completed three days later, known as T+3. Experts say same-day trading and settlement would deepen liquidity on the bourse. Trades are handled by the CDSC, which provides clearing, settlement and depository services for listed securities.

The securities settlements platform had initially been expected to go live a year ago, but was

delayed to ensure the new system worked seamlessly with the one working on the bourse.

The CDSC was looking at the possibility of adding stocks from bourses in other countries to its depository, starting with Nigeria, Mambo said. She noted that tests are currently ongoing.

“By the time we implement the new system in April next year we should be able to open up the space for any Kenyans or Nigerians to trade shares across the two countries,” she said.

WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

ACCESS BACK IN JAMAICA WE GREW UP UNDER THE BRITISH SYSTEM AND KENYA WAS UNDER THAT SAME SYSTEM

BREAD

Reggae icons and legends of the musical genre, who have enjoyed a career spanning over 50 years, The Wailing Souls, were in the country last week. The duo consisting of Winston “Pipe” Matthews and Lloyd “Bread” McDonald dropped a few pearls of wisdom on XACCESS as they continue on their mission of spreading peace and love.

I

PIPE

Souls

@kevin_x254

Nairobi County Government officials and their National Environment Management Authority counterparts Wednesday night shut down Space Lounge situated off Ngong Road over noise pollution. This is the second time the establishment was deemed to be on the wrong side of the law following complaints from residents neighbouring the club. Earlier in the year, the establishment was allegedly served with a notice to bring down the noise levels, a notice which officials say was ignored.

According to the law, clubs and bars within residential areas are not permitted to play loud music as this amounts to disturbance.

HOT TOPICS

County government officials shut down city joint over noise pollution

trying a couple of times in the past PIPE: It’s a wonderful place. We had never been to Africa before and it’s a pleasure to be here because I had been told by a lot of people that Kenya is a special place for reggae music. People love us here.

BREAD: Back in Jamaica we grew up under the British system and Kenya was under that same system too, British kind of school, British kind of government, so it’s similar in that way.

People feel that roots reggae is dead because of the kind of raunchy, explicit and no-message music that comes out of Jamaica nowadays.

What is your take on that?

PIPE: You are right but that is one of the reasons why we still try and make good music even though we are living in the States. All these great producers in Jamaica want us to come back home because they say we can bring back the music. We are working on album now and we want it to be released next year, we don’t want to rush it.

BREAD: It will be our 27th album What do you think of dancehall

music?

BREAD: Dancehall music is a part of reggae and we always have to tell people this. Dancehall music is the original Jamaican music because Jamaican music started in the dancehall!

PIPE: See what really happened confused the word and that is why you see all this derogatory music play is the dancehall! So that’s why

the music started.

BREAD: Back in those days we didn’t have a lot of radio stations, we didn’t have social media. It was ghetto music so we didn’t get a lot of exposure. So the producers would have sound plays is the dancehall.

Can you tell us more about the album?

BREAD: We are basically on a mission right now to take back the music. It’s going to be a massive album. Over 15 tracks so far.

PIPE: We still have more that we are working on. We are only using one

ustin Bieber has denied getting back together with Selena Gomez after an American tabloid linked the duo to a wedding i n the making. ‘Are those wedding bells we hear?! A source has exclusively revealed that Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are not only speaking again, but also that things are getting so serious that they are considering getting married,’ the magazine had reported. Bieber has however clarified that he and Selena are actually moving on in different directions and that any rumors of a wedding or getting back together should be treated as just that, a rumor!

denies wedding bell rumors with Gomez

producer because we only work with artistes if it is right.

Are there any young reggae/ragga artistes you would love to work with?

BREAD: Tarrus Riley is a nice youth.

We worked with Tarrus on tours and the reggae tunes so he’s a nice kid and we knew his father quite well. We did a song with Jimmy Riley ‘Come Check We’ plus he hooked us up with Negrille.

What was your connection to Bob PIPE: We were living like brothers. If we had things to do they would join us and if they had things to do we would join them because everything was coming from the same house.

BREAD: We all sang in ‘Trenchtown Souls sing that song. It was actually couple of other songs the two of us sang harmonies in like ‘Guava Jelly’ and ‘Lick Samba.’

PIPE: song would never reproduce again!

2 groups sang that song, never reproduce again.

@christine_x254

t’s beef season yet again in the Kenyan rap scene. After Femi One dissed a number of rappers in her rap video dubbed ‘Pilau’ Njeri’, female rapper Njeri who was adversely targeted in the track has come out guns blazing with a scathing response titled ‘Femiplan’. Popular for her rhyme in the local Kikuyu dialect, the rapper in this track does a good job getting her message home in the ‘sheng’ slang. Diss tracks are fast gaining ground in the Kenyan rap scene with industry players linking rap artistes to seeking fame through trolling a fellow artiste for no apparent reason.

RAPPER FEMI ONE

NJERI

responds to Femi One’s ‘Pilau Njeri’

12

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY 26th NOVEMBER WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER2014 11-13, 2016

GRACE MURIUKI’S MIXES AND MATCHES

M

ismuriuki has an incredibly glam but surprisingly relatable aesthetic. Connoisseur Grace Muriuki, serves up nothing but the most fashion forward and innovative wardrobe mixes and matches with a coy but knowing smile.

“My oversized crisp white shirt is my current favorite. It’s very versatile in that I can either dress up or dress down in it.

The fact that it is white is an added advantage as white is my second favorite color after black, “she says about her enviable closet style.

Dressed down basics with a white shirt and brown leather and suede accents.

MOOD: a white off shoulder top and pink wax print cullotes.

Work fab in a matching peach duster and slacks set and black crew neck shirt.

BLOGGER: Grace Muriuki PHOTOGRAPHER: Ogega Andere MAKEUP ARTIST: Lily Katule.

All black everything in a tank top, skinny jeans and wide brim hat.

Statement bag and bomber jacket on the side.

Sunny vibes in a yellow fit and flare dress and snake skin heels.

te

n

TO P

Grace Muriuki

Weekend ready in an Ankara knee-length waistcoat, matching shorts and a white tank top.

RD A O B BILL MS U ALB MY JOANE

LADY GAGA

Leather and lace in a lacy top and pencil skirt with lace up gladiator heels.

RANK

TITLE

ARTISTE

1 2

Trap Or Die 3 Cosmic Hallelujah

Jeezy Kenny Chesney

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

DC4

Meek Mill Avenged Sevenfold Lady Gaga Pentatonix Drake Soundtrack Michael Bublé Tove Lo

The Stage Joanne A Pentatonix Christmas Views Suicide Squad: The Album Nobody But Me Lady Wood

CLASSIFIED 13 WEEKEND EDITION, ANOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

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Configuring the vertical lift system. The railway can rise to 10-floor high, 30 meters height.

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14

SPORT

KPL says it’s open to talks with FKF WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

The Kenyan Premier League management says it is open to negotiations with Football Kenya Federation over the expansion of the top tier league to 18 teams next year.

There has been a stalemate over FKF’s wish to expand the league by a further two teams with KPL last month going to the Sports Tribunal stopping discussion of the same during the FKF Annual General meeting.

The fiasco has now invited the attention of world football governing body FIFA who wrote to FKF President Nick Mwendwa affirming that it was indeed the prerogative of the federation to dictate composition of its leagues.

“We therefore deem that the FKF is responsible for organising the top-tier competitions in Kenya and that any Kenyan league must be subordinate to the FKF. The FKF constitution foresees the possibility of delegating the organisation of the top-tier competition to a subordinate league, which could be the KPL,” FIFA’s letter to Mwendwa, signed by Secretary general Fatma Samoura said.

And while speaking to Capital Sport, KPL CEO Jack Oguda said they have not closed the door on talks to solve the stalemate.

“The matter is currently at the tribunal and therefore we will not want to talk so much about it. Yes, we have seen the letter from FIFA but I can’t say much because I am yet to see the initial letter FKF sent to FIFA. We are open to

negotiations but insist it should follow the right procedure,” Oguda said.

The case was heard at the Sports Tribunal on Tuesday but the full hearing is set for November 22 after KPL lawyers asked for more time to study an affidavit filed by the federation.

In the affidavit, FKF has punched holes into the ownership of KPL, saying contrary to the popular belief that all Premier League teams are shareholders at KPL, only four parties have shares in the limited company.

According to FKF who obtained information from the registrar of companies, the four who have shares in the KPL are Xxcel Africa Limited which owns Mathare United under its chairman Bob Munro, AFC Leopards through former chair Voltaire Kegode, Gor Mahia FC through former Secretary General Fred Odera and Sher Agencies through former Secretary General Vitalis Osodo.

FKF president Nick Mwendwa has now called for a consultative meeting between KPL and FKF to solve the impasse saying; “The FKF president’s move has been necessitated by a letter from FIFA in regard to leagues management in the country and concerns that, KPL as currently constituted is ineligible to own, run, organize and manage the Kenya Premier League Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda chats with KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier at a past Association’s Football Leagues as it ostensibly consultative meeting . The KPL now says it is open to talks with FKF over the expnasion of the league to 18 teams. does and claims.” MORE ON THIS STORY PHOTO: CAPITAL FM www.capitalfm.co.ke

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England, Scotland renew rivalry at Wembley WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016

England and Scotland meet for the 113th time at Wembley on Friday night as a rivalry which “is known throughout the world” returns.

The oldest fixture in international football is the first competitive meeting of the sides since 1999.

With only one team guaranteed a place at Russia 2018, England top Group F after three games with Scotland fourth.

Wayne Rooney returns to captain England with Scotland captain Darren Fletcher saying a draw would be a good result.

The sides - who first met in 1872 played friendlies in 2013 and 2014 but last played competitive matches in a two-legged play-off for Euro 2000 in November 1999.

Scotland won at Wembley but England won 2-1 on aggregate.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson, who captained the team against Slovenia, said: “It is a massive game. If you look at the history of the fixture, it’s not a normal game.

“We watched a video of a lot of the past games. There was a few I can remember, especially Paul Gascoigne’s goal at Euro 96. “The lads know the importance of the game, not only because it’s England v Scotland but also because we want to qualify for the World Cup.” Henderson also addressed criticism that England are a team lacking in

Interim England manager Gareth Southgate (R) with Theo Walcott during a press conference in London, Britain, last month. England face Scotland at a world cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium tonight.

PHOTO: ANDY RAIN/EPA

leadership.

The Liverpool captain told BBC Radio 5 live: “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion - I’ve learned that over the years - but it doesn’t really matter what other people think, it only matters what the team thinks and what the manager and the management team think.

“They are the only important opinions

that matter to us. I know there are leaders in the team, I know we’ve got great characters so that isn’t a question in our dressing room.

“The question is can we got out there and perform at the highest level to win the game. I’m confident we can.”

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan - who has faced scrutiny coming into

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the game - says he does not need to impress on his players the importance of the match.

“My players are intelligent enough to understand the fixture,” Strachan said.

“I don’t think I have to show them anything. “They know the fixture, everybody knows the fixture. It’s known throughout the world. So I don’t have to

show them the importance.

“The importance is not to become caught up in the emotion of the game.

It’s important to use your emotion and passion, to run further than you’ve ever run before, to jump higher than you’ve ever jumped, to concentrate more.

England’s interim boss Gareth Southgate insists his focus is on the match and that whatever happens after comes second.

Southgate was put in charge of the senior team for four games following the departure of Sam Allardyce after only one match. Under him, England beat Malta 2-0 and drew with Slovenia in World Cup qualifiers.

After the match against Scotland, England meet Spain in a friendly at Wembley on 15 November.

Asked if he wanted the job on a permanent basis, he said: “I’m really enjoying being in the role.

“My focus is 100% on the match and it would irresponsible and unprofessional for it to be any other way.”

“What happens to me is not important.

We have to win this game for the country, and because we want to be top of the group and heading to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“What happens to me is important to my family, but other than that it isn’t the purpose of the game. I want the players to enjoy the football and play well.

WEEKEND EDITION, NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016 | WWW.X254.CO

ENGLAND FACE OFF WITH SCOTLAND AT WEMBLEY IN WORLD’S OLDEST CLASH

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Brazil thrash Argentina in American Superclasico B

razil thrashed arch-rivals Argentina 3-0 in South America’s Superclasico to tighten their grip on the region’s 2018 World Cup qualification campaign early today. Uruguay also maintained their push towards the finals with a hard-fought 2-1 defeat of Ecuador while Chile were held to a goal less draw by Colombia.

Brazil had no problem with their neighbors, as Neymar, Paulinho and Coutinho all scored in a stunningly dominant victory in Belo Horizonte.

Barcelona superstar Neymar outshone club-mate Lionel Messi with his 50th international goal for Brazil at the Estadio Mineirao.

It was a sweet return to the venue for Brazil, who were humiliated 7-1 at the same ground by Germany in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup. Neymar`s landmark strike was sandwiched by a spectacular effort from Liverpool`s Philippe Coutinho and a second-half finish from China-based midfielder Paulinho.

Coutinho opened the scoring just 25 minutes in with a wonderful strike, and Neymar scored just before the end of the first half to double the lead as Brazil departed the field to an emotional ovation from the home fans.

Looking for answers, Edgardo Bauza took off Enzo Perez in favor of another forward, Sergio Aguero, but that brought nothing to Argentina in the second half as the reigning World Cup finalist looked more like a mid-table South American team, which is where they are in the standings.

Paulinho then got Brazil’s third just before the hour mark to cement the scoreline, and it was the knockout punch as the visitors created next to nothing in attack for 90 minutes.

The win sees Brazil remain atop of the qualifying table in South America with 24 points, while Argentina remains outside of the qualification zone in sixth place at 16 points. Uruguay remain in second place with

23 points while Colombia are third on 18 points with both Ecuador and Chile, who are level on 17 points after 11 games in fourth and fifth respectively.

Argentina have taken just two points from their past four qualifiers and will come up against Colombia on Tuesday next week in a crucial game at home in which they must win to avoid falling further off the pace.

In Montevideo, Uruguay took the lead against Ecuador after just 12 minutes when former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates bundled in a corner from close range for his first international goal.

Espanyol striker Felipe Caicedo then rounded off a sweeping Ecuador counter-attack to equalise just before half-time. But the home team responded immediately when Diego Rolan stabbed home a low finish on the stroke of half time.

In Colombia, Chile had Captain and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to thank for the hard-earned point in Barranquilla. The Chileans were missing the services of injured Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez and needed two superb saves from Bravo to keep Colombia at bay in a gritty game played in sweltering conditions.

He did well to deny Oscar Murillo and Miguel Borja as the hosts put pressure to break the deadlock But the Manchester City goalkeeper’s heroic display was tempered by an injury which forced him off midway through the second half. In another South American World Cup qualifier, Venezuela thrashed Bolivia 5-0 while Peru won 4-1 away in Paraguay.

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Brazil’s Neymar (R) in action against Argentina’s Lionel Messi during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers match at Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, early today.

Neymar scored as Brazil won 3-0.

PHOTO: FERNANDO BIZERRA/ EPA