2016012019 xnews

MOnday, deCeeMBeR 19, 2016 | www.x254.CO

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TREASURY AND KRA MOVE TO SEAL LOOPHOLES ON TAX EVASION TREASURY CABINET SECRETARY AND KRA COMMISSIONER GENERAL JOHN NJIRIANI LAUNCHES AN INTERGRATED SYSTEM BRINGING TOGETHER IFMIS AND ITAX IN A BID TO CURB TAX EVASION BY SUPPLIERS

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NEWS

TRIZAH ATUKA EMERGES BEST OVERALL AT THE MAGHARIBI MICHEZO AWARDS

RONALDO NETS TREBLE AS REAL MADRID BEAT KASHIMA ANTLERS TO LIFT FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Lifestyle and Ethical Audit beckons new IEBC chiefs T

he new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissioners should be ready for a lifestyle and ethical audit if the former Mombasa Mayor Taib Ali Taib becomes the next chairperson of the electoral commission.

Taib, who was the first candidate to be interviewed by the Bernadette Musundi led selection panel which is holding its sittings at the County Hall in the search of the next IEBC chairperson said should he be nominated to the post, he would seek the services of a reputable audit firm to probe the ethics of the commission’s staff as well as ensure a transparent audit of the voter register.

The former mayor further said that there was need to have the yet- to- be established commission and the secretariat to sign an integrity pact to ensure that both parties worked coherently towards the August 2017 General Election.

“The most important thing is to have an audit of all staff, structures and the voter register. We must clean the house first before embarking on any other business.

Thereafter we shall implement the law to detail. ,” said Taib.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

No light at the end of the tunnel as Doctors strike persists Former Mombasa Mayor Taib Ali Taib at a past function.He was interviwed today morning by IEBC selection panel for the position of chairperson of the commission.He has vowed to condcut lifestyle and ethical audit of all commissioners and syaff if appointed chairman.

STORY ON PAGE 2

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NEWS

KPMG starts auditing of voters register despite opposition MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

International Audit firm, KPMG started auditing the voters register on Monday following the award of a contract by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) last week.

IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba said the exercise will be finalised on January 15, next year.

KPMG was among 12 companies that had placed bids for the tender to scrutinise the list of 15.85 million registered voters.

The audit is meant to authenticate genuine voters in the register by weeding out ghost voters.

But CORD leader Raila Odinga and Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi who have teamed up on a super alliance, NASA, insist the company has no experience to handle the job and have vowed to challenge the process in court.

“The decision by the IEBC to contract KPMG to carry out a voter registration audit is malicious. We are opposed to it because the contract was executed secretly,” National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale on Sunday lashed out at the Opposition leaders and accused them of ‘frequent meddling with the IEBC’s mandate.”

IEBC had initially set the scrutiny to end on January 3, 2017 but in the revised timeline, the process will be completed by February 17, 2017 after verification and approval by

From Page 1

Voters line up for registration during the last exercise condcuted by the Electoral commission

Parliament.

The audit process was sanctioned by Parliament following recommendations of a 14-member Joint Parliamentary Select Committee which reached a consensus allowing an audit of the voter register instead of fresh registration of voters as had

been proposed by the opposition side of the committee.

The Elections Laws (Amendment) Act requires the IEBC to implement the audit’s recommendations by February 17, two days after the end of the next mass voter registration exercise.

Mass Voter Registration (MVR) is scheduled to start on January 16, 2017 locally and on February 1 for those in the Diaspora. The exercise will end on February 15.

MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

No light at the end of the tunnel as Doctors strike persists From Page 1

Attempts by the state to bring to an end the ongoing strike by doctors have failed once again as the doctors union remained adamant to renegotiating the 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

A four hour long meeting that had been called by the ministry of Labor failed to yield results as the doctors maintained that there was nothing to discuss about the already signed 2013 CBA, arguing it was only awaiting implementation.

KMPDU Secretary General Ouma Oluga maintained that the doctors were willing to stretch the strike further until their demands are met even as the Industrial court declared the strike illegal.

Lifestyle and Ethical Audit beckons new IEBC commissioners -Taib

“We cannot negotiate an already negotiated and signed CBA. We are ready to negotiate its implementation process and our arrears,” Dr Oluga maintained.

The council of governors who were part of the talks argued that the CBA was defective as it was signed before devolution took root in the country adding that the current resources at their disposal cannot sustain such a huge pay demand.

But Dr Oluga upheld that doctors belonged to the whole country and are not owned by county governments.

“We are doctors of Kenya and not of the counties. The more pain the government exerts on doctors the higher the price they will pay plus all accrued arrears. If you ask for a better pay you become criminal, if you steal

you become a hero,” added Oluga KMPDU officials, ministry of health and the Council of Governors had for the third day convened at the Labor Ministry headquarters in Nairobi to reach a compromise over the ongoing doctor’s strike that entered its 13th day today.

Contrary to the ministry of health ministry officials and those from the counties who refuted the existence of the CBA, Labor CS Phylis Kandie acknowledged it but denied it’s supposed implementation structure.

According to the 27 page CBA, doctors were supposed to start enjoying their increased salaries from July 1, 2013.

The stipulated agreement states that on entry into the field a medical officer is expected to earn a gross salary of more than 300,000 shillings while the

highest paid medical officer earning over 800,000 shillings.

However, the Council of Governors claims that the agreed demand, that was signed before the country was devolved, is outrageous and beyond the resource capacity reach of the devolved units. The doctors however would here none of it, demanding a total implementation of the agreed CBA, rejecting a counter offer by the governors.

The court is said to have suspended the implementation of Article that touches on Salaries and Remuneration of medical officers and interns to allow for re negotiation between the conflicting parties. @wilson_x254

He has underscored the importance of a continued involvement of all key stakeholders to allow them whistle blow any improprieties by the commission to build confidence and trust of a fair and transparent election.

“We must consult widely with our stakeholders, if the political players perceives us a corrupt or unfair then we will have lost the game. We must rebuild confidence first,” he added.

Taib also told politicians fond of breaking the law during electioneering period to brace themselves for a tough campaign session as the law would be implemented sternly but without prejudice.

“We fail because we are shy to implement the law. I want to assure the country that if I am appointed to head the commission those who are used to flout laws will face its wrath,” he said.

Others lined up to face the panel include Former Judicial Service Commissioner (JSC) Florence Muoti Mwangangi and advocates Wanyonyi Wafula Chebukati, Tukero Ole Kina and Lucas Leperes Ole Naikuni according to a schedule released by the Panel.

The Panel had initially shortlisted Devolution expert Dr Mutakha Kangu, Roseline Odhiambo-Odede, who was a member of the now defunct Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board , former Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commissioner Margaret Wambui Ngugi Shava and advocates David Kiprop Malakwen and David Mukii Mereka who will now be interviewed on Tuesday.

The Selection Panel was accused of almost scuttling the exercise after it was forced to re-advertise for the position of chairman just two days to the start of the interviews scheduled for November 28.

After conducting interviews, the Selection Panel shall select two persons qualified to be appointed as IEBC Chairperson and nine others for appointment as commissioners of the electoral body whose names will be forwarded to President Uhuru Kenyatta for consideration.

Under the law, the President is required to nominate one person for appointment as the Chairperson and six others for appointment as commissioners.

The Selection Panel shall stand dissolved upon the requisite appointments being made. @wilson_x254

NE WS 3 NEWS

Government moves to seal gaps of tax evasion MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

The government has now integrated the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), iTax system of Kenya Revenue Authority and Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) systems as part of the move to curb tax evasion by suppliers.

A press statement signed by the National Treasury Principal Secretary Kamau Thuge and KRA’s Commissioner General John Njiraini said the integration will now help the government to track payment of suppliers both in the National government and County governments.

“The main objective of the integration is to facilitate timely payment to suppliers, generation of withholding tax certificates on amounts withheld by withholding agents and faster processing of Tax Compliance Certificates ,” reads part of the statement.

Consequently suppliers are now expected to update their records both the iTax and IFMIS by the end of January 2017 to avoid any

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich at a past conference.Treasury in collaboration with the Kenya Revenue Authrity have moved to seal all loopholes of tax evasion through intergration system.

inconvenience when the new system will be fully operation.

Suppliers will be required to update

their registration details, which include company/business registration number issued by the registrar of

companies. The registered business name, physical address (building and street), postal address, telephone

number and email address.

Sole proprietors operating more than one business entity will be required to update their details in iTax system for each business name.

Those that will have failed to update their details by the due date may have difficulties in submitting their bids through the e-procurement module and in receiving payments through IFMIS. This process will help suppliers to ‘selfclean’ their details in IFMIS. Suppliers who will not have updated their details by the due date may have difficulties in submitting their bids through the e-procurement module and in receiving payments through IFMIS. “In order to update registration details in iTax and IFMIS, suppliers will be required to first update their records in iTax upon which they will proceed to update their records in IFMIS Portal,” further reads the statement. @sam_x254

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NEWS MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

Hundreds die’ in India police custody, says rights group report

Nearly 600 people died in police custody in India between 2010 and 2015, says the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) report.

The rights group said no policeman was convicted for a prisoner’s death in custody during this period.

India’s police routinely attributes deaths in custody to illness, attempted escape, suicide and accidents.

The rights groups however say a large number of such deaths happen because of torture in custody, claims officials reject.

The 114-page report released today examines “police disregard for arrest regulations, custodial deaths from torture, and impunity for those responsible”.

The report draws on in-depth investigations into 17 deaths in custody that occurred between 2009 and 2015, including more than 70 interviews with victims’ family members, witnesses, justice experts, and police officials.

In each of the 17 cases, the report says, the police did not follow proper arrest procedures, making the suspect more vulnerable to abuse.

“Police in India will learn that beating suspects to confess is unacceptable only after officers are prosecuted for torture,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

“Our research shows that too often, the police officers investigating deaths in custody are more concerned about shielding their colleagues than bringing those responsible to justice.”

By law, every person taken into custody must be medically examined and produced before a magistrate within 24 hours.

Human Rights Watch said the government data revealed that in 67 of 97 deaths in custody in 2015, the police either failed to produce the suspect before a magistrate within 24 hours or the suspect died within 24 hours of being arrested.w The rights group said official investigations to examine wrongdoing rarely find police culpable, and the police also delay or resist filing complaints against implicated police officers.

An indian police officer keep a close watch to a convict.A Human Rights Report has accused the police of killings.

A view of the debris reamaining in some of the buildings of Alepo where evacuation has resumed with over 350 people evaciated using Ambulances and buses.

Evacuations resumes from War tone East Aleppo by UN

Evacuations have resumed from east Aleppo, with buses and ambulances leaving rebel areas of the Syrian city, a UN official says.

At least 350 people reportedly left rebel enclaves in convoys late on Sunday, towards government territory.

Earlier, buses sent to take people out of government-controlled areas, besieged by rebels, were set alight, halting the latest evacuation deal.

Thousands are waiting to leave east Aleppo in desperate conditions.

The UN Security Council is said to have agreed a compromise to allow UN monitoring of the operation. Russia earlier rejected a French-drafted plan to send UN officials to east Aleppo as “a disaster”.

“We expect to vote unanimously for this text,” said US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power.

Initial efforts to evacuate the last rebel-held enclaves in the city collapsed on Friday, leaving civilians stranded at various points along the route out without access to food or shelter. Bombardment of east Aleppo has left it virtually without medical facilities.

Despite further setbacks on yesterday, buses and ambulances began moving out of the area after nightfall.

“Evacuations are on,” the UN official said in an email message to Reuters news agency, adding that the first people left east Aleppo at around 23:00 local time (21:00 GMT).

Five buses carrying evacuees arrived in rebel-held Khan al-Assal, AFP news agency quoted Ahmad al-Dbis, who heads a team of doctors coordinating evacuations to the town, as saying.

From Khan al-Assal, the evacuees are expected to travel to government held parts of Aleppo and Idlib provinces.

Pro-government forces previously demanded that people must be allowed to leave the mainly Shia villages of Foah and Kefraya in Idlib province, besieged by rebels, in order for the evacuation of east Aleppo to restart.

Some 1,200 people were due to be taken out of the former rebel enclave in return for a similar number moved out of the two government-held villages, Foah and Kefraya.

However, it is not thought any of the some 2,000

people believed to live in the two villages left on Sunday.

Earlier on Sunday, armed men set fire to at least five buses that were about to transport the sick and injured from the villages.

Several reports said the Jabhat Fatah al-Sham rebel group, formerly al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, was responsible. But Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group fighting alongside Syria’s government, said the blaze started during fighting between the jihadist Fatah al-Sham and another Islamist rebel group that supported the evacuations.

The jihadist groups have not commented on the attack.

However, the Free Syrian Army, a more moderate rebel faction, condemned it as a “reckless act endangering the lives of nearly 50,000 people” in east Aleppo.

Among the people waiting to leave eastern Aleppo are sick and wounded children, said the children’s charity Unicef.

Some young children have been forced to leave without their parents, the charity said, and hundreds of vulnerable children remain trapped.

NEWS 5

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

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NEWS MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

A section of Kenyan journalists adress the press after holding a peaceful demonstration in October this year.A new report by Human Rights shows that 57 journalists were killed this year on line of duty.Photo:Gitobu\X-news

57 journalists killed worldwide in 2016: rights group report

At least 57 journalists have been killed around the world in this year while doing their job, according to Reporters without Borders.

The press freedom group said 19 were killed in Syria alone, followed by 10 in Afghanistan, nine in Mexico and five in Iraq.

Almost all of those killed were locally-based journalists.

Although the number was fewer than the 67 killed in 2015, the group put the decrease down to “the fact that many journalists have fled countries that became too dangerous, especially Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan and Burundi”.

It said the withdrawal of reporters from these conflict-ridden countries had created “news and information black holes where impunity reigns”.

Nine bloggers and eight media workers have also been killed this year.

Reporters Without Borders said the fall in deaths was also the result of the “terror” imposed by what it called “press freedom predators” who close media outlets arbitrarily and gag journalists.

In countries such as Mexico, this led to journalists self-censoring to avoid being murdered, the group said in its annual report.

In Afghanistan, all of the 10 journalists killed were deliberately targeted because of their profession.

Seven, including three women, were killed in a suicide attack in January on a minibus used by privately-owned Tolo TV. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

Yemen, where more than 7,000 people have been killed since 2015 in a war pitting Saudi-backed regime forces against Huthi rebels, was another a black spot for journalists with five killed.

“The violence against journalists is more and more deliberate,” RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.

“They are clearly being targeted and murdered because they are journalists.

“This alarming situation reflects the glaring failure of the international initiatives aimed at protecting them, and is a death warrant for independent reporting in those areas where all possible means are used to impose censorship and propaganda, especially by fundamentalist groups in the Middle East.”

The group called for incoming UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a special representative for the protection of journalists.

— AFP

Russian plane crashes in Siberia with 16 injured A plane belonging to the Russian defence ministry has crashed in Yakutia in Siberia with 39 people on board.

The defence ministry said 16 people were seriously injured.

The plane was carrying 32 passengers and seven crew when it came down near Tiksi in the Bulun district of Russia’s Far East.

Weather conditions were reportedly bad in the area when the crash happened.

The plane was carrying out a scheduled flight from Kansk when it came down

about 30km (18 miles) short of Tiksi at 04:45 (19:45 GMT Sunday).

The plane broke into three pieces in what appears to have been an emergency landing.

Three Mi-8 helicopters were dispatched to the crash site by Russia’s Emergency Ministry.

As well as the 16 seriously injured, another seven people on board the plane required hospital treatment.

xnews | MONday, DECEMBER 19, 2016 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

Donors makes Sh7.7 trillion commitment to end poverty

A coalition of more than 60 donor and borrower governments agreed to ratchet up the fight against extreme poverty with a record $75 billion (Sh7.66 trillion) commitment for the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries.

The IDA has financially supported Kenya on various occasions. Its latest move comes at a time when a study by the US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has shown that using digital wallets has led to significant reduction in poverty in Kenya, particularly among households lead by women.

“The digital wallets available on mobile phones allow Kenyans to save more money, as well as be better equipped to handle times of financial crisis,” states the analysis.

The study, conducted since 2008, has showed that two per cent of Kenyan Households have since been lifted out of extreme poverty. Mobile financial services have helped 185,000 women start their own businesses and move on from farming related occupations.

These among other initiatives, are in line with the Kenya government’s agenda to deepen implementation of devolution

of Friday CBK EXCHANGE RATES (As December 2/2016)

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

the development trajectory of the world’s poorest countries.”

The funding will enable IDA to scale up development interventions to tackle conflict, fragility and violence, forced displacement, climate change, and gender inequality; and promote governance and institution building, as well as jobs and economic transformation areas of special

BUY SELL 101.7544 101.9461 127.4883 127.7644 108.0272 108.2611 7.2530 7.2719 35.4893 35.6545 21.3348 21.4733

KRA gives suppliers deadline to update IFMIS profiles

A family standing in front of their home in the Manyatta slum in Kisumu. The slum houses about half a million people who have to cope with poverty, problematic sanitary conditions as well as HIV/Aids. and strengthen governance institutions, while addressing other challenges including land reforms and the reduction extreme poverty, and youth employment.

“This is a pivotal step in the movement to end extreme poverty,” World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said in regard to the agreements. “The commitments made by our partners...will transform

MEAN 101.8503 127.6264 108.1442 7.2625 35.5719 21.4040

focus over the next three years.

“With this innovative package, the world’s poorest countries will get the support they need to make themselves more resilient to shocks and crises,” said Kyle Peters, World Bank Group Interim Managing Director and Co-Chair of the IDA18 negotiations.

Suppliers doing business with the government have until January 31, 2017 to update their profile details in the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). The completion of the integration of IFMIS, iTax and the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) systems means the government will now track supplies and payments across the national and county governments.

In a statement, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) said suppliers who will not have updated their details by the due date may have difficulties in submitting their bids through the e-procurement module and in receiving payments through IFMIS. “This process will help suppliers to ‘selfclean’ their details in IFMIS,” said the statement, co-signed by the National Treasury. “The integration will facilitate timely payment to suppliers, generation of withholding tax certificates on amounts withheld by Withholding Agents and faster processing of Tax Compliance Certificates (TCC).”

Suppliers are required to work with government procuring entities to facilitate the updating of business names, registration number, physical address, PIN, postal address, telephone number and email address. In addition, sole proprietors operating more than one business, are now required to update their details in iTax for each business name.

BuSINESS DIARY US travelers outpace UK as sector posts Entrepreneurs’ cocktail event at San Valencia Restaurant

Push And Pull Kenya will on Friday, December 23, 2016, host a cocktail event titled ‘From Employee, Investor to Entrepreneur’ at the San Valencia Restaurant in Nairobi. The affair, which will run from 4:00pm to 8:00pm, seeks to teach attendees how to grow from an employee, business owner, investor to an entrepreneur.

The event, which costs Sh2,000 to attend, will feature various keynote speakers, including: Paul Muhami Mentor and Motivational Speaker; Waithera Gaitho from Altanatives Africa; Gichira Mwendia - CEO and Founder of New Trends Hospitality Services and Kabu Simon - CEO of Bonfire Adventures. Attendees are advised to call 0708459336 for details.

Entrepreneurs’ Day meet at Laiboni Centre

Glass House PR will on Friday, December 23, host an event dubbed ‘Entrepreneur’s Day’ from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. The event, to be held at the Glass House PR Office at Laiboni Centre along Lenana Road Nairobi, is a networking affair for entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals.

Glass House PR helps clients communicate, engage and build relationships with their stakeholders. The firm believes that only by harnessing public relations can brands, government and business retain immediacy and transparency to build credibility and trust.

16 per cent increase in tourist numbers The number of tourists coming to Kenya grew by 16.1 per cent in 2016 with tourists from the United States surpassing visitors from the UK for the first time.

The US market grew by 16.4 per cent compared to a 4 per cent decline in tourists from the UK. In total, international arrivals for January to October 2016 by air and sea closed at 729,682 compared to 628,345 in 2015 Speaking at the launch of the construction of the Sh350 million Cruise Ship Terminal at the Port of Mombasa, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said sustained marketing efforts will continue in the coming year to improve tourist arrivals in the country.

“In February 2017, we are going to host 3000 travel agents from the United States so that market this (Kenya tourism) product to the American market,” said Balala.

Tourists from Uganda increased by 85 per cent to reach 45,000, while arrivals from South Africa and India stood at 28,000 and 55,000 respectively. In that same period, the Kenya Ports Authority Mombasa handled 1,880 arrivals by cruise ship.

Kenya has also gained recognition from hosting international conferences in 2016 with Nairobi voted Africa’s leading Meetings and Conference Destination this year at the

annual World Travel Awards.

“These events have raised and boosted visitor and investor confidence in the destination, as well as positively projecting Kenya on the global tourism map. This positive

environment has attracted new investors in the hospitality sector who are keen to cash-in on the growing meetings and conferencing market,” said Chairman of the Kenya Tourism Board, Jimi Kariuki in an earlier statement.

ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru said that his Ministry plans to train 350 youth officers across the country in airplane a sensitization that will Passengers disembark a Kenya Airways at the campaign Jomo Kenyatta airport in mobilise young people to take up online jobs.

Nairobi.

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BUSINESS

Uber bosses express optimism over firm’s future prospects MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

Uber, the ride hailing service that has been a game-changing addition to the Kenyan economy, is set to see its presence expand in the coming year. The firm has expressed confidence regarding its future prospects in Kenya despite increasing competition from other service providers.

Earlier this year, Uber reduced its charges by 35 per cent in Nairobi as more appdriven cab companies continued their expansion into the Kenyan market. The move later saw rival service providers cut down their prices in what appeared to be a battle for the country’s consumers.

Speaking at a Driver Appreciation Day event held at the Kenya Harlequins grounds, Uber Kenya’s Operations Lead, Kagure Wamunyu said the technology company has had an extremely strong year and that she is optimistic about our future in Kenya. “We think we’re part of a pretty exciting change at the moment, and Uber’s technology makes Kenyans’ lives easier and simpler. The way people think about transportation and are moving around their cities is changing, and Uber is a big part of that change.

We remain excited about the endless opportunities in Kenya. There is so much potential in this country,” she told guests.

Wamunyu said Uber wanted to recognize all the driver-partners for the dedicated service that they provide to riders.

“Driver Appreciation Day is about pausing – if even for a short while – within the hectic pace that is life in this city in order to celebrate together all that we have achieved as well as recognizing the commitment and contribution of driver-partners,” stated Wamunyu.

A man holds his mobile phone displaying the Uber app next to a local taxi in the streets of Nairobi.

Uber Kenya staff last week celebrated driver-partners using the Uber App as part of the annual Driver Appreciation Day activities.

Joining in the appreciation luncheon was Sidian Bank and CMC Motors who joined their counterparts from Uber in saying a rousing “thank you” to the corps of dedicated drivers and partners for the professional service they deliver daily to riders across the city.

Wamunyu continued to highlight the importance of the Driver Appreciation Day, stating that, “recognizing and celebrating the efforts of driver partners in this way emphasizes that they are one of the driving forces behind the success of Uber.”

The highlight of the day was the announcement of the driver partners who won various prizes in a random drawing, including phones worth

over Sh100,000. Through the random prize drawing, 5 driver-partners were cumulatively awarded with cash prizes worth Sh300,000 from CMC Motors.

Another three lucky winners: John Migwi, Harrison Gachukia and Nelson Ndungu, saw their bank accounts loaded with Sh100,000 each from a raffle draw cast during the luncheon, courtesy of Sidian Bank.

Amref Health feted as best African employer in continental brand awards Amref Health Africa has been recognized among the best organisations to work for in Africa at the just concluded 11th Employer Branding Awards ceremony held in the island nation of Mauritius.

Amref Health Africa scooped the ‘Africa Best Employer Brand Award’ while the organisation’s Group CEO, Dr Githinji Gitahi, was honored for his outstanding leadership, receiving the ‘Africa NGO Leadership Award’.

The Best Employer awards featured 56 entries from organisations across the region.

The Nairobi-based Amref Health Africa, which is the only international health development NGO with roots and headquarters in Africa, has for the past six decades, worked with communities in more than 35 countries across the continent to create sustainable health change.

“We work in some of the most remote and challenging environments in Africa. A well-motivated work force that is passionate about changing lives is essential to our success. That is why we purposely invest in the development and well-being of our staff,” remarked Dr Gitahi.

“Our focus on people is reflected not just in the way we treat our staff, but also in our emphasis on communitybased health solutions that ensure access to health care for people at the grassroots,” Dr Gitahi said.

He gave an example of Amref Health Africa’s ongoing campaign for African governments to remunerate community health workers and integrate them into the formal health system. @Dennis_x254

Nakumatt continues with expansion despite credit rating downgrade Regional retailer, Nakumatt Holdings has continued with its ongoing expansion strategy despite seeing its credit rating fall following a spike in its debt level.

The supermarket chain has opened its 64th branch in Kigali, Rwanda just as South African financial services group, Global Credit Ratings (GCR) downgraded Nakumatt’s long-term rating to BB- from BB, indicating a weakened ability to meet outstanding financial obligations.

The firm stated that Nakumatt’s debt level has quadrupled in the last four years to Sh18 billion, up from Sh4.7 billion in 2012. The ratings agency added that growth in the business has been highly leveraged with its ever-growing working capital and capex requirements having been largely funded through short-term credit. The GCR disclosed it did not factor in plans by the regional retailer to sell a minority stake to new investors during the rating process as previous such plans had fallen flat.

The new Nakumatt Kagugu Supermarket covering a shop floor space of more than

5,000square feet and located at Merez Centre Kagugu now pushes the retailer’s footprint in Rwanda to 3 branches.

Speaking when he confirmed the opening of the new Nakumatt Kagugu, Nakumatt Holdings Managing Director, Atul Shah reiterated the firm’s

commitment to further deepen the value of the regional formal retail trade.

Deepening of the regional formal retail trade space through branch expansions and stocking of commodities sourced from the region, Shah said, will play a key role in fostering meaningful regional

integration.

From Rwanda into Kenya, Nakumatt, he said is considering the regional importation of popular products such as Arabica Coffee, Macadamia Oil and the Akabanga hot Chili sauce, Sabana chili sauce and Nyungwe honey.

Such unique Rwanda-produced products will be stocked in Nakumatt branches in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Similar initiatives will be undertaken to ensure the stocking of unique products from other east African countries within the Nakumatt network.

“For us at Nakumatt, we are restructuring the business to continue playing a pivotal role in the regional retail space by providing a market platform across the region for local produce,” Shah assured.

Nakumatt opened its first Supermarket (Nakumatt UTC) in Rwanda in 2008 followed by a Hypermarket outlet (Nakumatt KTC) in 2011 and has continued to enjoy steady growth in the fast developing nation.

The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) reported a growth of 7.3 per cent in the first quarter before slowing down to 5.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2016. This performance in both Q1 and Q2 was driven by high growth in the industrial sector of 10 per cent, and services and agriculture sectors, which grew by 7 per cent each.

BUSINESS 9

Government gives Chepyuk squatters title deeds following President’s directive MONDAY, DECEEMBER 19, 2016

President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched phase one of the issuance of title deeds to squatters living in the disputed Chepyuk settlement in Mt Elgon Constituency, Bungoma County.

The Head of State said the Government was committed to ensuring problems associated with land ownership across the country were solved once and for all.

Addressing the public at Kopsiro grounds when he launched the issuance of more than 2,000 title deeds for squatters in the area last week, President Kenyatta said issuance of title deeds remains key in solving problems of land conflicts.

“My Government will continue to

Kubota Fund calls on Kenyan innovators to apply for 2017 grant The Kubota Fund, a Japanese organization with interests in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and parts of Europe, has called on Kenyan innovators to apply for their latest round of funding, offering applicants up to Sh105,000 in grant money.

The Fund is seeking applications for its grant from trainees and students from developing countries that belong to study or training programs provided by private enterprises or research/educational institutes located in Japan.

The Kubota Fund is based upon Founder of Nippon Koei, Mr. Yutaka Kubota’s conviction that economic development and social stability of developing countries are ultimately produced by engineers’ self-esteem and self-reliance for which the training of engineers is crucial.

The Fund is offering grants of between 80,000 Yen and 120,000 Yen (Sh70,000 and Sh105,000).The period of each grant is one year. The deadline for applications is January 20, 2017.

The Fund seeks to provide financial aid to those who come from developing countries for receiving training or doing research (particularly in such fields as civil, electrical, agricultural engineering, environment, energy or development economics) at business firms or other organizations in Japan.

Applicants must be a national of developing country or born and raised at a developing region.

Applicants should also belong to a business enterprise, research/educational institute located in Japan.

Applicants must be (or will have to be) pursuing an academic degree or conducting a research project on a specific engineering development theme (preferably civil, electrical, agricultural engineering, environment, energy or development economics).

focus its energies on issuance of land title deeds as the only solution to land conflicts,” said the President.

“When you gave me your blessings in 2013, I promised that I would solve the problem of land in this place if given the opportunity. Kenyans including you gave me the opportunity and this is why I am here today to implement what

I promised you,” he added.

The President, who was accompanied

by Deputy President William Ruto, said the title deeds would give the residents a sense of ownership of the land and enable them borrow loans and engage in projects that can uplift their lives.

The Deputy President said the Government was committed to solving

problems facing residents in the area including the Chepyuk land issue that had dragged for long.

In line with these developments, the Government has already settled 70,790 families in various schemes covering more than 35,300 hectares in Kwale, Kilifi, Malindi and Lamu, from a region where 128,900 squatter families have

been identified and registered.

Kenya’s Ministry of Lands has also audited absentee landlords in the coastal region and found they own an estimated 77,753.02 hectares, although comprehensive data is still being sought to establish the actual acreage controlled by this category.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

ACCESS @christine_x254

YOU CANNOT DO EVERYTHING ON YOUR OWN ell us about yourself/your sound We are your favorite girl band The Band Beca. Beca has been derived from the first letters of our names Becky and Carol. We are live performing artistes.

Our sound is alternative reggae and dance hall How did the two of you meet?

We met during auditions at the Sauti Academy. We became friends all through during the period we were studying music.

How did you get your start in the industry?

After we graduated we became background vocalists and we have backed up several artistes. While doing the background singing Pinye who is behind the project ‘Dreams to Beats’ discovered us and approached us to be in the project. That is how we found ourselves in the mainstream industry What would you say is the message of your music?

Our message is women empowerment, we want to influence the world and tackle issues affecting people especially women through music. If you have listened to our first single ‘Toka’ you will realize it is passing across strong women empowerment messages.

Dynamic Duo, The Band Beca are on their way to the top.

Riding off the success of their new single ‘Brathe’ this girl band is quickly making waves on the scene.

XACCESS had a quick chance to catch up with them and this is what they had to say.

Who/What inspires you?

Our fans, everyone who listens to us and who look upon us to produce quality music, those are the people who inspire us to keep learning, growing and doing music What are you working on currently?

We are currently working on many projects like writing and recording more songs, vocal classes, our performances and shooting the video for our next single, ‘Brathe.’

Are there any artistes, both established and new, that you would love to work with?

Of course, we would want to work with different artistes Sauti Sol, Elani, Dela to name but a few in Kenya. Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Beyoncé (our dreams are valid).

Do you ever listen to your own

music on your playlists?

Yes we do we are our own fans before anyone else What are the major challenges you’ve faced trying to break into the industry?

We faced the challenge of getting a team of competent people who would believe in our dream.

Any advice for other up and coming artistes?

We would like to tell them to never stop growing, they should invest in a vocal trainer, and also get a team to work with. You cannot do everything alone.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

We are looking at being the biggest girl group across Africa, win awards but most of all having mentored other artistes as well as having changed the world through our music.

Girl band on the rise

The Band Beca

ACCESS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

11

FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS DO AN EXCELLENT JOB OF MAKING YOU BELIEVE THAT THEIR SALADS ARE LOW-CALORIE

REVEIEW OF THE WEEK’S EVENTS

but born in Nyali, Mombasa is a lyrically creative hip hop artist who uses the energy around him to create unique, positive, catchy and energetic music.

C2K lyrics are witty and fun his punchlines leave the listeners laughing and entertained. C2K knows how to tap into the pulse of the nation because he is a conscious rapper, he touches on political issues and is aware of his social surroundings which allows him to relate to the wider population. He is part of the Double Cup record label. His previous works include KIDERO GRASS ft Kagwe Mungai, BABA WHILE YOU WERE AWAY, LUPITA NYONGO and BEMBELEZA. He has now released a new video ‘TURNT’ and it is a certified banger.

Boniface Mwangi announces ‘retirement’

Silas Miami sizzles at AfroLoving x Withdrawal Symptoms Alchemist Bar last Friday night. On the menu was alt producer/DJ Jinku who held down the decks for the span of the night, songstress Sage, singer Priscah Ojwang and artiste Silas Miami who decidedly took the cake with his stirring, powerful vocals on an equally eclectic beat.

@christine_x254

C2K

HOT TOPICS

releases visuals for ‘TURNT’ C2K based in Nairobi

Silas Miami belting out some tunes

In a lengthy Facebook update posted last week, activist Boniface Mwangi bid adieu to the place that sparked

Patricia Kihoro served as MC for the night.

@kevin_x254

photojournalist announced his resignation from PAWA254 as the awakening when I realized that the material things, but the system that propagated poverty. In taking my stance, I sold the cars and started young people than l thought possible. PAWA has done a lot to advance the art industry in this country,” continuing, “I am currently serving my notice at PAWA254, January will succeeding leadership team will continue with the good work, and take PAWA254 to new heights.”

Nigerian

Ugandan courts have been ordered to place Afrobeats

Sage on stage. obligation on the musician’s part. Cosmopolitan

Jinku on the decks. behalf of Face TV Ltd. Both Wizkid and his manager have been accused of breaching a contract between the two parties, although the artist claims he cancelled all his shows for the rest of the year due to health of $60,000, while Face TV claims to have racked up a $300,000 bill for the entire concert.

superstar Wizkid issued with arrest warrant

A guest on the dancefloor.

Priscah Ojwang takes the mic.

12

ACCESS

ACCESS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

BEST RED CARPET LOOKS FROM 2016

The countdowm begins F

or the fashion obsessed, award season is less about the awards and more about the red carpet.

The Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, and more star-studded events are all about who wore what, and this year’s red carpet looks were exceptionally good.

Check out several of our best picks from our 2016 roundup which we will be sampling all week long.

Bella Hadid at the Cannes Film Festival.

Rooney Mara at the Oscars

Gabrielle Union at the BET Awards

Lupita Nyongo at the Queen of Katwe premiere

Blake Lively at the Cannes Film Festival

Selena Gomez at the AMAs

KENRAZY FT AVRIL

n this positively saccharine tune, Jux and Vanessa Mdee head for the beach and express their elevating love for one another. It’s a nice little song with great visuals and it’s hard not be mesmerized as they frolic and fawn over each other.

Directed by Justin Campos of Gorilla Films, who has become a go-to for Mdee, there’s a smattering of tight shots in the video but it works in this instance.

@christine_x254

I

ZILE VITU

JUU

VANESSA MDEE, JUX

This bouncy ditty just snuck right into the chart at the end of the year. The partnership of Avril and Kenrazy on paper should work and on an audio level, it does but the visuals could do with an upgrade. Produced by Beat ya Vista and directed by BigJey Cutz, it’s fun to listen to but not the cleanest watch. Still a definite club banger.

THITIMA CHRISTMAS RENDITION

KYMO AND STIGAH

T

he description of this video is ‘We are diverse, let us not consider: tribal lines, race or color define who we are. This festive season, as you enjoy, let Christ Jesus, be born into your Hearts.’

Great message, maybe the song is a little extraneous at this point. The original ‘Thitima Anthem’ surprised everyone with how funny and innovative it was, this mix is still funny but seems opportunistic.

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SPORT

Trizah Atuka emrerges Overall Sports personality at Magharibi Michezo Awards MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

Kenya Pipeline’s centre blocker Trizah Atuka was over the weekend crowned the Magharibi Michezo Awards Overall Personality of the year during a colourful 2016 Gala night held at the Bungoma Sports Club in Bungoma County.

Atuka beat Kenyan Premier League Top scorer John Mark who was had earlier been crowned the MMA footballer of the year.

Atuka , who Schooled in Mukumu Girls , started her professional volleyball career at KCB in 2011 before switching to her current club Kenya Pipeline in 2013.

This year, the promising centre blocker played in all but two legs of the local competitions helping Pipeline to retain the league for the third year running against tough opposition from the Star studded rivals Kenya Prisons.

Atuka has been a permanent figure in the national team in the recent past including taking part in the 2016 Olympic qualifiers and the WGP with Malkia Strikers this season.

Her outstanding performance this year

Shield for the first time ever scoring six goals in as many matches.

His impact for Ulinzi was undoubted even when they crossed the borders to Rwanda for the East Africa Military Games where Makwatta was the tournament’s best scorer with three goals as the Kenyans reclaimed the trophy from the hosts.

Makwatta’s goal scoring antics did not stop there as he scored two goals in Ulinzi’s run up to the semi-final of the KPL Top 8 Cup. The Bungoma-born forward who joined Ulinzi from City Stars in 2014 now hopes he can translate the same form to continental football when his team represents Kenya in the CAF Confederations Cup.

saw her being named Kenya Volleyball Federation league Most Valuable Player (MVP).

John Mark Makwatta, the golden boy

of military side Ulinzi Stars has had a stellar season, scoring 26 goals across all competitions.

On top of capping up the year with

the Kenyan Premier League Golden boot award with 15 goals in the league, Makwatta played an integral role as the soldiers reached the final of the GOtv

Kenya Pipeline and Malikia Strikers Trizah Atuka centre emerged the overall Sports personality of the year at the Magharibi Michezo Awards over the weekend.

SPORT 15

Perfect year for Ronaldo as real claim Club world Cup MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

Mourinho tells Man United stars to give fans their shirts Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he instructed his players to give their shirts to the travelling supporters after victory at West Brom.

Captain Wayne Rooney, midfielder Paul Pogba and striker Marcus Rashford all took their shirts off and went over to the away fans at the final whistle.

“I told them to do that. It is Christmas time,” said Mourinho.

Two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave the Red Devils a 2-0 Premier League win against Albion at The Hawthorns.

It took the Swede’s tally to 11 for the season in the Premier League, with only Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy (12) scoring more in his first 16 league games for the club.

United are unbeaten in their past 10 games in all competitions and next face Sunderland on Boxing Day. Mourinho added: “A shirt for a fan coming directly from the game with sweat means a lot.

“It is a pity that not everyone can get one but for the ones that can get it, it is a great feeling.

“For them [the players], it is just one more shirt.

They will arrive in the dressing room and give it to the kitman, to a friend or change with a West Brom friend.”

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hattrick as Real Madrid survived a scare to beat Japanese side Kashima Antlers in extra time and win the Club World Cup. Real took the lead in the ninth minute through Karim Benzema, but Gaku Shibasaki scored either side of half-time to put Kashima in front.

Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot on the hour mark after Lucas Vazquez was fouled by Shuto Yamamoto.

The Ballon d’Or winner put his side ahead in extra time after being played through by Benzema, and completed his hat-trick seven minutes later.

Victory gave Real their second Club World Cup and extended their unbeaten run to 37 games in all competitions.

It also means nine of the past 10 winners of the competition have come from Europe.

The Champions League winners looked set for a comfortable afternoon when Benzema put

Real Madrid super star Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates one of his three goals with team mates Benzemna and Marcelo in Sunday’s Fifa Club World Cup final where they beat Kashima 4-2.

them ahead, and they dominated possession in the opening stages.

But Kashima - the first Japanese team to reach a Club World Cup

955700

final - impressed in an entertaining game, and Shibasaki took both goals well.

Indeed, after Ronaldo’s equalising

penalty, Kashima had the better chances late in normal time.

First Keylor Navas saved a longrange strike from Fabricio, then Yasushi Endo shot wide at the back post with the final kick of the 90 minutes. At 3-2 down, Yuma Suzuki hit the bar with a header.

The Japanese side also felt Real captain Sergio Ramos should have been sent off in normal time when he appeared to body-check an opponent when on a yellow card.

Afterwards Cristiano Ronaldo said 2016 was the “perfect year” after he added a Fifaa title to the Euro 2016 and Champions league crowns. Ronaldo also collected his fourth Ballon d’Or award in Paris last week.

“This is the trophy we really wanted to end the year in the best way possible,” said the Portuguese forward.

Ronaldo, who has scored 16 goals in 22 appearances for La Liga leaders Real this season, also took another swipe at his perceived critics.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

RONALDO STEALS THE SHOW AS REAL MADRID BEAT KASHIMA TO LIFT FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

P15

Suarez, Messi star in Barca win

L

uis Suarez scored twice as Barcelona moved up to second in La Liga with victory in the derby against Espanyol.

The striker calmly rolled in his first after running clear, before tapping in a second from close range.

Jordi Alba smashed home a third and David Lopez stuck for Espanyol before Lionel Messi added a fourth late on.

Barca are now three points behind leaders Real Madrid, who have played one game fewer after being crowned Club World Cup champions earlier on Sunday.

Barcelona forward Messi produced two moments of brilliance in the second half to give Luis Enrique’s side a comfortable victory at the Nou Camp.

The Argentine danced past four Espanyol defenders for Suarez’s second, with the Uruguayan quickest to react following Espanyol goalkeeper Roberto’s fumble.

A minute later, Messi beat the same number of players before laying the ball into the path of Alba to score.

Messi completed his masterclass performance with a welldeserved goal, poking in through the legs of Roberto f r o m Suarez’s lobbed pass.

INSIDE

p ATUKA VOTED

14

MMA’S BEST

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring the winner as the Etihad based side staged a comeback against Arsenal winning 2-1 and moving second in the English Premier League PHOTO: EPA

Man City fight back to beat Arsenal and move second

Manchester City moved up to second in the Premier League table as Arsenal squandered a lead to lose for the second successive game.

Theo Walcott’s cool fifth-minute finish from Alexis Sanchez’s pass put the Gunners in control at the interval - but the second half brought a familiar painful fate for manager Arsene Wenger and his players.

As at Everton on Tuesday, they were overpowered and the credits were rolling once Leroy Sane ran on to David Silva’s pass to beat Petr Cech with Arsenal appealing in vain for offside.

City were on a roll and Arsenal were on the rack, the winner coming 19 minutes from time when Raheem Sterling was the beneficiary of Kevin de Bruyne’s brilliant pass to arrow a low finish past Cech at his near post.

It bolstered City’s title ambitions, although they are still seven points behind leaders Chelsea and completed a damaging double for Arsenal as they now lie nine points behind Antonio Conte’s side.

Manchester City needed their main man when they trailed at half-time - and in the absence of the suspended Sergio Aguero that role is assumed

by De Bruyne.

And how the Belgian responded, delivering a virtuoso second-half performance crowned by that superb pass that led to Sterling’s winner.

De Bruyne was the driving force behind City’s second-half transformation that saw Pep Guardiola’s team wrestle control from Arsenal with a change of tempo and intensity that was simply too much for Arsenal to resist.

The same could not be said for Arsenal’s elite players and the main culprit was Mesut Ozil who, as in the fierce atmosphere of Goodison Park on Tuesday, shrank from the occasion and wandered around aimlessly and ineffectively on the game’s periphery. Ozil is in the middle of what are likely to be very lucrative contract negotiations.

Performances like this will diminish his hand in the bargaining rather than strengthen it.

Manchester City and Guardiola knew a lot was riding on two home games this week after the result, and the manner of the 4-2 defeat at Leicester City last Saturday.

City simply had to beat Watford and Arsenal, the stakes even higher after Chelsea stretched their lead to nine points with victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday. A draw was no use to either

side here - so the notion of defeat was even more unpalatable.

Just when some of the old doubts about Arsenal’s resilience and resistance to pressure seemed to be receding, all the familiar questions will return after the way they have lost a lead and slumped to defeat at Everton and now at Manchester City.

Arsenal looked in calm control holding the advantage on both occasions but have twice found themselves broken by physical presence and the greater intensity of opponents who were simply prepared to dig deeper.

Wenger was wearing a familiar frustrated expression at the final whistle.

And at the back of many Arsenal minds will be the familiar tales and pain of previous seasons when promise and potential ended in title underachievement. City were on the brink as they were behind at half-time but Guardiola responded by sending on Bacary Sagna for Pablo Zabaleta and Sane, who had been out on the wing, was soon racing through to score from a central position.

It was a win City needed desperately and its importance was illustrated by the celebrations at the final whistle.

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