2016012022 xnews

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016 | www.x254.Co

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STAREHE MP MAINA KAMANDA SAYS JUBILEE PARTY’S PRIMARIES WERE FREE AND FAIR

NEWS

KAMANDA HAS TOLD ASPIRANTS TO WORK WITH THE CURRENT ELECTED LEADERS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PARTY

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KENYA’S TUSKER FC TO PLAY AS PORT LOUIS OF MAURITIUS IN CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

KENYA WOMEN’S CRICKET TEAM TO EMBARK ON PREPS FOR T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFERS

Cord MPs walk out as Election Law is passed J

A section of Cord MPs led by minority leader in the National Assembly Jakoyo Midiwo walks out of parliament in protest as Jubilee Mps succesfully managed to pass the ammendments of the Electoral laws today.PHOTO EDWIN GITOBU-XNEWS

ubilee Mps today successfully managed to pass the Electoral Law changes in parliament allowing manual voting and transmission of poll results in the event technology fails in a one sided session that was held in camera at the beginning.

The development came even as Justice George Odunga said that he cannot stop the sittings as he does not know the effect of the laws that will be passed.

Odunga indicated that the court cannot adjudicate on the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of a law that is yet to see the light of the day as the amendments passed today will only become law after the President assents to it.When said the court cannot hijack the process.

The house was turned into an approval house rather than the debating chamber that is well known for as all the changes sailed through without anyone raising objection.

Opposition MPs who had put a spirited fight on Tuesday special sitting were today outmuscled with the government machinery who were determined to pass the changes. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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NEWS

Jubilee MPs have their way over poll laws THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

From Page 1 Police officers were deployed around and in the National Assembly a head of the special sitting.

The opposition Mps alleged that their Jubilee counterparts harassed and intimidated them especially their female colleagues.

Only Dikir MP Johana Ng’eno opposed but was shouted down by Jubilee Mps “What the Communication Authority of Kenya and the independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) said yesterday that the issue is not about technology failing but the fingerprints of some voters not captured and therefore what we need is to enhance technology so that it captures everything,” Ng’eno Senate minority leader Moses Wetangula claimed that Jubilee Mps got into the chambers with guns which they were wielding to the opposition legislators.

Wetangula said scores of armed police officers were deployed to parliament including along the corridors of the house and were harassing members of the opposition.

“I arrived in parliament today at 6:45 but was not allowed in until 45 minutes later. Along the corridors of my office there more than 50 police officers,” Wetangula said.

“We have information including video clips that the Jubilee Mps had instruction from their leaders to use the most lethal way to deal with Cord Mps,” Wetangula added.

“I want to tell President Uhuru Kenyatta that these things he is doing will come back and haunt him. Elections are not about the government of the day but about all the competitors,” Wetangula said

Cord MP’s demonstrating along the streets of Nairobi earlier today.They were walking to Millimani Law Courts where their Principals had presented a case challenging the legality of today’s parliament special sitting.Photo :EDWIN GITOBU XNEWS

In the morning session it was reported that Embakasi South MP Irshad Sumra assaulted by Tigania East Mp Mpuru Aburi.

Deputy minority leader in the National Assembly Jakoyo Midiwo faulted today’s sitting was illegal and accused the speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi of abusing his powers.

“The Speaker has abused his powers by calling for this special sittings.

A special sitting is only allowed to when something special has happened and cant wai.These include a State of emergency, appointment of commissioners, impeaching the

President and his Deputy and when declaring war,” Midiwo said.

“This thing is not bad for Cord but the electorates but doing a good for us coz they are actually adding us more votes,” Midiwo said.

“It’s absurd and I don’t think jubilee came to debate today, no media coverage was allowed and therefore we decided to walk out and this demonstrate that something has really gone bad with our country,” Midiwo said After walking out of the chamber, the opposition Mps later held a peaceful protest and walked to Milimani Law

Courts where Cord principals had taken the matter to court to declare the changes as null and void.

Outside the Milimani Court, Midiwo said “We have taken our fight to the streets as that is the only language tyrants understand. They can have their way inside the chambers with guns but they cannot intimidate judges. It’s going to be a very long last seven months for the duo “The law was a negotiated between Cord and Jubilee and what is it now that the jubilee are now trying to force a law even before the six months allowed for amendments has elapsed..it’s now

going to be minute by minute war until Kenya is liberated,” Midiwo said.

Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi said he has never seen scenes like the one he witnessed today in parliament even in the dictatorial days “The Jubilee Mps have attacked opposition Mps especially women.

Why attack only women and not face us—it’s the beginning of war. We will not allow Jubilee to destroy this country Namable Hon John Sakwa Bunyasi said the with the passage of the changes, the country has now been put in the league of Burundi and must rescue our country.

“Hope the courts will overturn these law.The action by Jubilee is an indication that they are determined to win the elections in whatever way,” Bunyasi said.

Balambala MP Abdikadir Aden said Jubilee cannot make laws in parliament by force through harassing fellow Members of Parliament who are not armed.

Addressing the media after the morning session, Majority leader Aden Duale said Cord leader Raila is afraid of the elections and that he will not derail the polls as set out.

“Kenya will go to the polls whether Odinga likes it or not, elections not about him. Cord not keen in going to the elections but the polls will take place as scheduled,” Duale said.

Duale also said that he will next year January bring a motion in parliament to discuss the conduct Judge George Odunga accusing him of being tribal in his tribal.

“Judiciary has come a long way and it has no place for tribal judges like Odunga,” Duale said. @sam_x254

Chebukati and Ole kina nominated to head IEBC by selection panel he Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission selection panel has today forwarded the names of lawyers Tukero Ole Kina and Wafula Chebukati to the president for consideration and appointment to head the electoral commission.

The two were among the 10 candidates who were eyeing to succeed Isaac Hassan.

The nominees now await vetting by Parliament before formal appointment

by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Bernadette Musundi led panel has also forwarded nine names for consideration to serve as the next commissioners who will handle the

August 2017 General Election.

The nine include Zephania Okeyo Aura, Roseline Kamboka akombe, Abdi Yakub Guliye, henry Kizito Okola, Samuel Kimeu, Paul Kibiwot Kurgat, Boya Molu, Nkatha Maina and Margret Wanjala Mwachaya.

“Upon completion of the interview process the Selection Panel picked the most suitable and qualified candidates for the positions advertised and recommended the same to the president,” the panel has said.

Once he considers the names, the president is expected to forward the names to parliament within seven days for approval.

Mr Chebukati’s last high-profile job was as the lawyer for former EACC chairman Phillip Kinisu. After a series of blunders, Mr Chebukati’s client was forced to leave the EACC a disgraced man after the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee okayed the establishment of a tribunal to investigate him. The advocate comes from Trans Nzoia.

Mr Kina is from Kilifi and is an advocate. He represented residents of Lamu in a case against Stima Investment Cooperative Society over land in Lamu valued at Sh107 million.

Mr Naikuni is also an advocate and is a partner at Naikuni Ngaah and Miencha Company Advocates.

The selection team concluded the interviews Wednesday, an exercise that saw nine candidates interviewed for the post of IEBC chair with another 35 interviewed for commissioners post.

The panel had been accused of mishandling the selection after it was forced to re-advertise for the position of chairman after it had picked five names.

Criticism arose after it failed to declare the first advertisement non-responsive as only 13 had applied for the job currently held by Ahmed Issack Hassan.

It had then shortlisted Roseline Odhiambo-Odede, David Malakwen Kiprop, Margaret Wambui Ngugi

Shava, David Mukii Mereka and Dr John Kangu Mutakha.

But with the Ethics and AntiCorruption Commission failing to clear all but one of them and the submissions by the public raising significant issues against the finalists, the panel was forced to ask for more applications.

By asking for more applications, the panel also spared itself the delicate task of selecting two individuals who would satisfy the major political coalitions by not creating the impression that they had chosen an individual who could be allied to either one of the sides. @wilson_x254

NEWS 3

Aspirants cry foul over party primaries THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

A faction of Nairobi Jubilee Party aspirants have expressed their fears of unfair party primaries as cracks continue to emerge after the just concluded party elections to elect interim officials.

Led by aspiring Starehe MP Stanley Gathogo, the hopefuls expressed their discontent in the manner the elections were held arguing that were inclined to favor the incumbent at the expense of locking out new aspirants.

They claimed that the campaign team led by Starehe MP Maina Kamanda and Women Representative Rachel Shebesh shared the slots among themselves locking out new aspirants to serve their own interest during the party primaries.

“We are not comfortable with the manner in which matters are conducted in our party. Incumbents are taking us for a ride and we appear to be playing a second fiddle. We are sure even the party primaries will be shambolic just like the election of interim officials,” said Gathogo who was accompanied by more than 30 hopefuls for various seats.

Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko(Right),Starehe Mp Maina Kamanda(centre) and Nairobi Women Reprsentative Rachael Shebesh at a past function.Kamanda has defended the recently concluded Jubilee Party elections as free and fair.

He said the campaign team was formed to spearhead the reelection of the president and not to sell their individual manifestos.

Similar sentiments were echoed by aspiring women representative

Millicent Omanga who accused the Mania Kamanda led team of selfishness and exclusion while making decisions for the party.

“We are surprised of the team given the mandate to campaign for

Jubilee calling a press conferences to announce decisions they made when other are not aware,” said Omanga.

She said that they will form a parallel Jubilee campaign team if they are not involved in decision making.

“Some of this incumbents are looking for survival tactics. They know they have not done anything and they will not win nomination hence looking for automatic nominations from the party, “she added.

But in a quick rejoinder the Nairobi campaign team leader Maina Kamanda said the elections to pick interim party leaders went as agreed in a pre-election deal to share positions among the 17 sub-counties and as laid in the party guidelines.

“The party which is democratic has seen the people elected represent the face of Kenya, the face of Nairobi and represent all the sub-counties,” said Mr Kamanda.

Jubilee party leaders, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto have maintained the party primaries will be conducted by the IEBC to ensure fairness to avoid mass defections to rival parties by disgruntled candidates. The party experienced chaos and political backstabbing during elections for interim officials conducted last week across the country.

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NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

MPs House attacked and five people killed by Taliban A house belonging to Kabul Member of Parliament was attacked and at least five people killed by Taliban militants Afghanistan.

The attack took place in the compound of the Helmand MP, Mir Wali. He is believed to have survived but two of his grandchildren are reported to have been killed.

Security in Kabul has deteriorated significantly throughout 2016.

The three gunmen began their assault early yesterday evening, with at least one of the attackers reported to have detonated explosives inside.

It reported that also among the dead were the 25-year-old son of Kandahar MP Obaidullah Barikzai and two security force members.

A number of people are reported to have been wounded including a former police chief.

Gunfire and explosions were recently reported to have been heard at the premises in the west of the city.

Relatives and friends of Mr Wali - who is reported to have escaped the attackers through the house of a neighbour - are believed to be among the hostages.

The Taliban in a statement said suicide bombers attacked the house because it was hosting an “important gathering of security officials”.

The attack again exposes continuing instability in Afghanistan, with regular strikes by suicide bombers and gunmen in recent months in Helmand and in Kabul. The city has been targeted repeatedly by the militants throughout this year.

Police Special Forces have now been deployed at the scene, officials say, and their priority is to evacuate people from the house and surrounding areas.

The Taliban have made sweeping gains in Helmand - a major opium-producing region since international coalition forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2014.

Gambian President refuse to step down despite poll loss Gambia’s president has reiterated he will not step down despite losing the December 1 election, as West African leaders and Western powers urge him to hand over power peacefully.

Yahya Jammeh initially conceded defeat on state television after 22 years in power, but a week later, reversed his position, denouncing the election results and demanding a new vote.

“Unless the court decides the case, there will be no inauguration on January 19,” Jammeh said on Tuesday.

His political party has lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court to overturn the December 1

vote result.

Last week, Gambian troops took over the Independent Electoral Commission office in the capital, Banjul, and instructed its chairman to leave while barring other employees from entering.

Jammeh’s pledge to stay, which broadcast on state television, indicated a hardening of his position.

It came a day after President-elect Adama Barrow said he was ready to take office on January 18 the day Jammeh’s mandate ends.

“I am not a coward. My right cannot be intimidated and violated. This is my position.

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh at a past function.He has refused to hand over power to the opposition despite losing the elections.

Nobody can deprive me of that victory except the Almighty [God],” Jammeh said.

Jammeh condemned West Africa’s regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), for what he termed “meddling” in Gambia’s affairs.

The political crisis in Gambia will be settled internally and peacefully, Jammeh said, adding he would maintain his position of challenging the election result.

A spokesman for the opposition coalition that backed President-elect Barrow assured, on Tuesday, that Jammeh will not face prosecution on leaving office.

Jammeh’s government has been accused of detaining, torturing and killing opponents.

“ECOWAS wanted to know whether the incoming administration plans to prosecute outgoing President Yahya Jammeh,” spokesman Halifa Sallah said, after talks with ECOWAS on the peaceful transfer of power.

“There is no indication of a threat [of prosecution] or the need to threaten outgoing President Yahya Jammeh.

“President-elect Barrow says he is going to treat outgoing President Yahya Jammeh like a former head of state and would consult him for advice.”

Backing the opposition candidate, French president Francois Hollande said the results of the December 1 polls were “indisputable”, and Barrow “must be installed as soon as possible”.

Last week, ECOWAS said Jammeh must step down when his term runs out and vowed “to take all necessary action to enforce the results” of the poll, without spelling out what those measures might be.

Jammeh, who came to power in 1994 as a 29-yearold army officer following a military coup, had won four previous polls.

Obama directs intelligence to investigate links of Russia to US lection hacking US President Barack Obama has directed his intelligence agencies to declassify as much as possible of their review into US election hacking. But just what kind of evidence might there be to link the activity to Russia and how much of it is likely to be made public?

Attributing cyber-attacks is hard - the ones and zeroes of online activity can be manipulated to mask an attacker’s identity.

But the details of the breach into the Democratic National Committee (DNC) are unusually public.

The DNC called in the company CrowdStrike to investigate this spring and then allowed them to publish much of the technical information.

That has allowed the wider community of cyber-security investigators to pore over the details.

The detective work involves comparing the types of malicious software - or malware - used in the attack with previous activity, the equivalent of fingerprints, as well as looking at

patterns of who is targeted.

In this case, CrowdStrike identified two actors inside the DNC network that it had seen before - one that it calls Cozy Bear (linked to Russia’s FSB) and the other Fancy Bear (linked to the GRU, Russian military intelligence).

Cozy Bear breached the network and stole data. Fancy Bear was linked to the release of the data from the DNC and other political figures.

“We did attribution back to the Russian government,” Shawn Henry of CrowdStrike told me before the election. “We believed with a high level of confidence that it was tied to Russia.”

Other experts say they saw custom Russian malware artefacts not available in the criminal marketplace on the DNC’s network.

Analysts also traced the route the information then took to get into the public domain.

“It is not a clear chain of custody,” says Toni Gidwani, director of research operations at threat intelligence firm

ThreatConnect, while adding that the evidence still points to Russia.

A hacker called Guccifer 2.0, who claimed responsibility for getting hold of the material and passing it on, appears to be more than one person.

This kind of analysis by the private sector produces an assessment rather than irrefutable proof, but it is one that can be contested in the public domain.

There are other methods that intelligence agencies can use, but they are far less public.

The material released by Edward Snowden revealed the ability of America’s National Security Agency (NSA), allied with Britain’s GCHQ, to watch data move at a global level, including spying on traffic passing through fibre-optic cables at key junction points.

This kind of signals intelligence (SIGINT) is a key part of cyberdefence.

It provides a unique ability to not just spy on others but also watch other spies do their spying.

Sometimes countries will even steal what other spies are taking from a third country - known as fourth-party collection.

“We are looking for patterns, signatures, segments which betray a compromise - the discovery that a hostile actor has penetrated a sensitive network (and) somehow is exfiltrating data which had been thought to be secure,” the head of GCHQ, Sir Ian Lobban, told me in an interview in 2013, before the Snowden revelations.

This “passive” SIGINT capacity is one possible reason why, as early as September 2015, the FBI was trying to warn the DNC about a possible breach.

Spies can also use active methods to try to get inside the networks of their adversaries, and plant malware in their machines in order to watch what they are doing.

GCHQ and NSA staff have sometimes found themselves wading through data on hackers’ computers, including pictures of pets and old family photos

to tie hacks to specific users.

Sometimes such searches are useful such as pictures of hackers from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, later publicised in an indictment for commercial espionage by the US Department of Justice.

The public attribution in that case was designed to induce a change of behaviour on the part of China. US officials say it had some success.

The US faced a similar dilemma about what to reveal in 2014 when it said North Korea attacked Sony Pictures.

A range of options was put to the president - including military strikes, cyber-retaliation and financial sanctions.

But there were questions over how sure the US was about North Korea’s responsibility.

That confidence was reportedly based on implants it had placed within the North Korean network.

NEWS 5

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

Enhanced port security fails to deter illegal ivory trade

Kenya is still a smuggling route for illegal ivory despite the measures put in place by the government to curb the vice, with large shipments of elephant tusks being shipped via Mombasa port.

Despite enhanced security at the Port, experts have it that trafficking is facilitated by corruption, with criminal gangs paying off police, customs officials and judges.

These developments come just as a cache of ivory was recently nabbed at the Mombasa Port.

Early this year, President Uhuru Kenyatta set alight over 105 tons of ivory and nearly 1.5 tons of rhino horns, in his speech sounding a sharp warning to poachers, financiers, traders and smugglers, however the warning seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

A multi-agency team comprised of officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), National Police Service, Interpol, Kenya Wildlife Services, National Intelligence Service, among other state agencies are conducting investigations to unmask cartels behind the smuggling of a shipment of ivory that had been sneaked out of the country through the Port of Mombasa before it was recalled.

It is not yet clear how two containers which were the only ones comprising contraband ivory managed to leave the Port as the remaining eight, which were free of contraband, were intercepted by

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

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers carry an elephant tusk at a burning site after offloading them from a container at the KWS headquarters in Nairobi. 20 April 2016. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU KRA agents.

KRA and KWS also failed to establish whether the Ivory was as a result of poaching activities within the country, across the borders or whether the consignment could have been stolen from a KWS stockpile.

The current state of affairs has questioned the integrity of the officials

charged with curbing illegal activities at the port.

A five-year study of wildlife cases before the Kenyan courts, carried out by conservation organization, Wildlife Direct and published in 2014, found that only seven per cent of those convicted of offences against elephants and rhinos actually went to jail, despite the crimes

carrying a maximum 10-year sentence.

By yesterday evening, KRA and KWS officers were still in the process of extracting the ivory pieces from the timber packages and by the time of going to press, they had counted more than 40 pieces. This comes at a time when there is increased demand for ivory, especially in Asia.

MEAN 102.3017 126.1858 106.0589 7.2734 34.8969 21.2900

BUY SELL 102.2072 102.3961 126.0433 126.3283 105.9417 106.1761 7.2641 7.2827 34.8158 34.9780 21.2215 21.3586

Cereal Programme helps farmers branch into commercial grain production

The Sh33 billion Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme setup in various counties across Kenya has seen at least 20,000 farmers adopt productive practices that have boosted production and improved livelihoods.

The Programme, currently being implemented in Bungoma, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Nandi and Nakuru Counties, encourages farmers to grow maize and beans on one acre parcels of land.

The programme’s coordinator, Caroline Kamau says participating farmers have acquired skills in grain production and post-harvest management, allowing them to venture into commercialized grain production rather than production for subsistence use.

The beneficiaries have also acquired skills in marketing and saving to enable them to seek timely and competitive markets for their grains and save 10 per cent of proceeds to buy certified farm inputs for the next planting seasons.

Based on the principle of Public Private Partnerships, the programme seeks to engage other value chain actors, including bulk buyers and storage agencies of maize and beans in a collaborative venture with the farmers.

This is in a bid to mitigate post-harvest losses.

Kamau was addressing the programme’s monitoring and evaluation committee at the Nakuru Farmers Training College during an evaluation exercise of the program`s activities.

Tatu City to sponsor UoN African startups move to dethrone students’ London study tour Kenya as region’s top innovation hub

Tatu City, the mixed-use, mixed-income satellite city development near Nairobi, is sponsoring University of Nairobi students from the Department Real Estate & Construction Management (RECM) for a two-week study tour in London.

Two students, Naomy Wangari and Nyaila Achieng, were named the overall winners of an “ideas competition” which gave the students an opportunity to contribute to the master plan of Tatu City’s Central Business District. The competition focused on four subjects, namely Identity, Retail Concept, Transport and Public Spaces.

“It is important for us, as an international developer, to localize our projects, and the students have provided a Kenyan view on our plans,” said Nick Langford, Country Head for Rendeavour, Tatu City’s owner and developer. The competition was held in conjunction with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the U.S.based architecture, engineering, and

urban planning firm which has master planned the Tatu City CBD. U.S. Ambassador Robert Godec presented the awards to the students at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. The twoweek, all-expense-paid study tour will allow the winning students to work alongside globally-renowned master planners and architects in the offices of SOM in London.

“For those who will not be travelling to London we are offering select opportunities for internships at Tatu City in 2017,” Langford said.

Tatu City is a 2,500-acre, mixed-use and mixed-income development with residential, commercial, industrial, tourism, social and recreation amenities for more than 100,000 residents and 30,000 day visitors. The Tatu City CBD will identify opportunities for investors, retailers, office users, education providers and residents in an inclusive and secure 24-hour-living environment.

West and Central African tech entrepreneurs are making moves to topple Kenya and position themselves among the region’s top innovators, a new World Bank analysis has revealed.

“While East African tech entrepreneurs from countries such as Kenya and Rwanda may have captured the attention of the media and investors over the past decade, West and Central Africa have slowly been cultivating budding digital entrepreneurs of its own, capable of developing technology and generating income that could change the economic landscape of the region,” states the report.

Countries such as Senegal are already well positioned to foster innovation and digital entrepreneurship. Home to five tech hubs, Senegal is among the leading African countries in terms of supporting information and communications technology (ICT) entrepreneurship, according to the World Bank’s 2016 Digital Dividends

report.

In addition, the Senegalese population is one of the most well-connected populations on the African continent, counting 12 to 13 million formally identified subscribers, according to Senegal’s Telecommunications Authority, the Autorité de régulation des télécommunications et des postes.

Honing in on Senegal’s potential, and that of the region as a whole, the World Bank Group last month launched the Jambar Tech Lab, a regional program coordinated by CTIC Dakar with the support of the World Bank Group’s infoDev program, and in partnership with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and Sonatel.

A six-month acceleration program, Jambar Tech Lab will help 40 West and Central African entrepreneurs develop and commercialize their

innovative digital products and services. Following a rigorous selection process that evaluates the viability and bankability of the business, selected entrepreneurs will participate in a seven-day immersion training in Dakar, after which they will have 24 weeks of access to tailored coaching and experienced mentors to work on ways to accelerate and scale up their business.

The program’s curriculum will cover key topics such as investment readiness and investor engagement, diaspora networks, and internationalization of digital enterprises, and will seek to create the capacity and networks necessary to scale high-potential ventures into profitable businesses.

The Bank states that digital innovations are some of the easiest services to export, and their use of the internet allows them to reach a global market directly.

BUSINESS 7

Kilifi County farmers, suppliers to benefit from Sh2.5bn deal

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

The County Government of Kilifi (CGK), Jiangxi Jianglian International Engineering CO LTD (JLIANCO) and Kenya Agribusiness and Agroindustry Alliance Limited (KAAA) have signed a partnership deal collaborating to establish the Kilifi Agro Food Park. The contract will see KAAA and JLIANCO providing an investment of Sh2.5 billion to establish and operationalize a fruit and vegetable agro food park within the county. The contract was signed by H.E. Jeffah Kingi, Governor of Kilifi County; Lucy Muchoki, Chief Executive Officer of KAAA and Yang Yugang, Vice President of JLIANCO. The Agro Food Park model brings together farmers, input suppliers, processors, retailers, wholesalers, exporters and other business service providers. It also links agricultural production to the market so as to ensure maximisation of value addition, minimise wastage. The deal seeks to address post-harvest losses in Kenya and other African countries, which account for up to 50 per cent of production. Additionally, the model resolves the problem of optimizing management of dispersed smallholder farmers by clustering them in more effective units and using modern ICT tools to manage the supply chain. This model has been hugely successful in countries such as Malaysia, China and India (with the Indian food industry growing from US$200 million (Sh20.5 billion) to US$310 million (Sh30.7 billion) within a year.

The Kilifi Agro Food Park will provide a facility that will transform the economy of the county by creating better integrated value chains which result in: greater value addition to farm produce, boosted income of farmers, lower postharvest losses, reduced price volatility and increased exposure to more efficient and effective technology and practices.

Over the long term, the establishment

The Kilifi Agro Food Park will provide a facility that will transform the economy of the county by creating better integrated value chains which result in: greater value addition to farm produce, boosted income of farmers, lower post-harvest losses, reduced price volatility and increased exposure to more efficient and effective technology and practices. of the Agro food park will result in an economic transformation and increase employment for the people of Kilifi County by providing a market for an estimated 200,000 farmers and creating 5,000 direct and 20,000 indirect employment opportunities.

Kilifi county has been selected as the site of the food park due to its strategic location in a rich production zone for fruits and vegetables which are available for processing; excellent connectivity by road & sea which; offers an excellent logistical advantages for domestic and international marketing; as well as the presence of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) research centre at Mtwapa.

The initiative is a follow up to the recently concluded Kilifi County International Investment Conference and has been supported by the County Government as it aligns with the County’s Vision of establishing ‘’An innovative, commercially-oriented and modern Agriculture and Rural Development Sector’’ Jiangxi Jianglian International Engineering CO LTD. (JLIANCO) is a Chinese company, established in 1958 and is an integrated enterprise in the agro processing and manufacturing sectors engaged in: research and development, manufacturing, sales and erection of and service of industrial infrastructure and equipment.

The Kenya Agribusiness and AgroIndustry Alliance (KAAA) is a leading agro-processing organization that was formed in 2013 whose membership is comprised of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), corporates, cooperatives, financial & investment institutions, producer organizations as well as other key private sector stakeholders. KAAA contributes to the development of more competitive agribusiness and agro processing sectors through its initiatives in: Lobbying & Advocacy, Market Linkages, Finance & Investments and Capacity Development.

Humanitarian leadership group calls on NGOs, professionals to gear up for 2017 Nairobi meet The Program on Humanitarian Leadership (PHL) has called on local NGOs and sector professionals to gear up for the latest edition of their development initiative.

Applications are open for the 2017edition of the PHL event, a rigorous, innovative blended learning leadership training programme for humanitarian professionals. The InPerson Leadership Training Course will be held from May 1 to May 5, 2017 in Nairobi.

The PHL curriculum will focus on three key areas that have been identified as critical to successful humanitarian programming: Leadership, Coordination, and Strategic Vision.

PHL seeks to strengthen leadership skills to improve decision-making and coordination It aims to increase knowledge to optimize current humanitarian programming and strategic vision.

PHL also seeks to contribute to building a network of humanitarian leaders and promote the development of a community of practice All costs required to participate in the in-person leadership training course including course fees, round-trip flight to Kenya, accommodation and meals during the in-person training only will be covered by PHL. PHL is designed for exemplary, midlevel career humanitarian professionals

working for non-governmental or community-based organizations in humanitarian settings. PHL will consider graduate students who have

worked previously in the humanitarian sector and have experience in at least one or more humanitarian emergency situations.

Uhuru launches Thika Volkswagen facility, calls on Kenyans to buy locallyassembled products President Uhuru Kenyatta has officially inaugurated a Volkswagen production facility at Thika with a call to Kenyans to buy products that are made, assembled or value added in the country.

The President welcomed the decision by the Volkswagen Group to invest in Kenya, saying it resonated well with his Administration’s stated policy to industrialize the economy.

“We have adopted this policy because we know that industrialization is the surest way to the destination we seek to achieve, that of a prosperous Kenya. A Kenya that makes the best use of the energy and enterprise of our most important asset, our young people,” the President said.

During the inauguration of the vehicle assembling facility, President Kenyatta drove, on test drive, the first Volkswagen car assembled in Kenya in four decades. The test drive of the VW Polo Vivo signified the roll out of production line at the Thika Volkswagen production facility.

The President underscored that the inauguration of the automobile production facility was only the start of the journey the country has embarked on to industrialize the economy, under the strategy dubbed ‘Kenya Industrialization Transformation Programme’.

“I assure the Volkswagen Group of our unqualified support to seeing this project succeed. This is just a start. We will do more in the shortest possible time,” President Kenyatta said.

Noting that the Thika VW vehicle assembling plant will create jobs for Kenyans, President Kenyatta said the national and county government should buy vehicles from the facility to boost its sales.

“With the opening of this facility, I expect to see a lot of VW Government vehicles. I hope the county governments will also buy Volkswagen cars,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta affirmed his administration’s commitment to nurture a vibrant automotive sector that will create jobs for the youth and accelerate the country’s economy.

“This we plan to achieve through supportive and progressive policies, and laws and regulations that will see a rapid shift from this initial investment to a full and scaled-up assembly,” President Kenyatta said.

He commended the German Government, the Volkswagen Group and other German businesses which have pledged to provide training not only for people working at the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers facility but also to build capacity for the entire automotive sector.

Volkswagen Brand CEO Herbert Diess thanked President Kenyatta for supporting the establishment of the

8

PROPERTY DEALS

State, private sector set to spend Sh600bn on phase one of Konza City THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

The Government and the private sector will invest Sh600 billion to finance the development of Phase 1 of Konza Techno City.

To facilitate investment by the private sector in the 400 acre piece of of land (Phase 1), the government will invest about 10 per cent in the development of core infrastructure in the technopolis.

“The implementation of Phase 1 of Konza Technopolis is already in progress and the government’s development

of the core infrastructure will pave way for direct involvement of the private sector from March 2017,” said Information, Communications and Technology Cabinet Secretary (CS), Mr. Joseph Mucheru.

Mr. Mucheru, who was speaking at a Nairobi hotel during the launch of the Konza Technopolis Strategic Plan (2016 – 2020), said the Master Plan for Phase 1 started on a 400 – acre piece of land and is expected to attract 30,000 residents,

Our Services • • •

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7,500 knowledge workers, and 16,700 other workers upon its completion.

“The Konza City support infrastructure is already in place with completion of a 132 KV power substation and the supply of over 2,000 cubic metres per day of water to sustain construction work,” said the CS. Mr. Mucheru said the road map of settling private investors in Phase 1 is clearly set out in the Strategic Plan, noting that the completion of the dual carriage

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He also pointed out that the construction of The Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KOTDA) headquarters, which is expected to host early investors and innovators, is progressing well.

The Cabinet Secretary said the procurement of a design consultant for the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-KAIST)

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which is funded by Korea Exim Bank through Economic Development Fund (EDCF) will begin in January, 2017.

Through the Energy, Procurement and Contract Funding (EPCF) contractual model, said Mr. Mucheru, a contractor has been identified to finance the construction of streetscape and sub-surface utilities, wastewater treatment and recycling facility, bulk water treatment, booster station and storage, fibre optic reticulation, power/electrical distribution and substation as well as solid waste management.

Present during the launch were Eng. Victor Kyalo, Principal Secretary, State Department of ICT and Innovation, Architect Reuben Mutiso, Chairman KOTDA Board, Eng. John Tanui (Pictured), Chief Executive Officer, KOTDA, and several investors.

As the buildings take-off in the Sh1.4 trillion Konza Techno City, Eng. Tanui said investors and the private sector will be engaged regularly to ensure that there is business continuity and mutual understanding on several development activities.

The Chief Executive said the land in the techno city will be leased out to investors for the development of low and higher density buildings that accommodate schools, commercial and residential premises.

The city has been described as Africa’s Silicon Savannah, and is poised to position Kenya as a leading ICT destination.

At the centre of Konza is the real time monitoring and integration of urban systems such as electricity grids, water systems and transportation networks through the use of sensors and mobile devices made possible by information technology.

KOTDA said that Konza will no doubt be a centre for innovation,

modern design concepts and novel systems of providing services. If we don’t get cities right in the 21st century, we will not get the 21st century right.

As many as 250,000 Kenyans are set to secure job opportunities once construction of the mixed use development is done.

The Konza Technopolis Development Authority recently confirmed that construction on a Sh10 billion Korean-funded learning facility dubbed the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is underway.

Eng. Tanui says the construction of the project is set to start in the second quarter of 2017 and would provide over 17,000 direct jobs in its first phase.

“Konza City, once fully established, will generate at least 250,000 jobs,” said Engineer Tanui.

This comes after the Governments of Kenya and South Korea agreed on a regulatory framework that will see the Asian nation inject Sh10 billion to set up the public research university at Konza Techno City.

“We want to move as quickly and as timely as possible to deliver Konza City. We had to get everything right, which is why we have invested heavily in developing the master plan and critical infrastructure including roads, water and electricity, all of which are now at Konza. These fundamentals have enabled all envisioned development to now take off, with KAIST as the anchor tenant at Konza,’’” said Dr Julius N. Muia, Director General of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat.

The announcement follows agreements signed between His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta and Her Excellency President Park Geun-Hye of South Korea during her recent visit to Kenya.

PROPERTY DEALS 9

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

HOT DATE

ACCESS

12

SHE ALWAYS LOOKS PRIMED AND READY FOR THE JOB.

Millie Odhiambo: loud, proud and purposefully stylish

“

Today I have said I have dedicated this day to tell Uhuru every negative thing I’ve wanted to tell him. Because some of us fought in this country for freedoms and democracy when Uhuru was busy enjoying himself out of the country as the son of the President and nyefnyef. He cannot come and take the freedoms that people like Muruli died for. That I come into Parliament as an elected Member of Parliament, naambiwa tembea,” Millie Odhiambo continues, “Uhuru is a fake President. Let him pack, prepare arudi P.O. Box Gatundu. He should stop harassing Kenyans.”

Mbita Member of Parliament, Millie Odhiambo, is said to have ‘set Twitter on fire’

with the unabashed remarks she made about current President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier in the week but time and time again the lawmaker has proved that she is not one to shy away from a crowd or camera for that matter. In April of this year she was ejected from Parliament by Speaker Justin Muturi for causing disruptions.

While the President made his address she ‘applied make-up’ in the House and because of this was asked to leave. Millie went directly to reporters waiting outside to air her grievances.

In a statement to Citizen, the MP said, “Jubilee has resorted to govern the country in a manner that has deprived Kenyans of their human rights. The harassment of Governor Joho is a

HOT TOPICS

Upcoming Industry Nite edition dubbed

@kevin_x254

‘Funky Fresh’

A

fter a killer show on 1st December of this year, Industry Nite is once again gearing up to be a sizzling show. On the line up are big stars Stella Mwangi, Anto Neo Soul, Phy and H-Art The Band with some newer but promising acts such as 1 Rail, Mumala Maloba, Evie Varaa and Just Imagine Africa. Set for 5th January at the Galileo Lounge and hosted by Kwambox from 6pm, funk will meet fresh on this one.

clear indication of how the government is trying to intimidate the Opposition into submission.”

The make-up part of the story is the real highlight. Millie Odhiambo, no matter her politics or manner of speaking, always looks primed and ready for the job. As other female legislators shrink into the background, the Mbita MP embraces her femininity. Although it is sketchy that she would pull out an item of make-up in the middle of the President speaking, the audacity of it is awe-inspiring.

She did reportedly weigh in on Steve Karisa AKA ‘Kenya’s hottest police officer’ when she remarked that he could help reign in the opposition demos that were happening earlier

this year.

Her hairdos are also not ones to be missed. She and Nairobi Women Rep Rachael Shebesh are similar in that way and arguably other ways too. Always in colourful get ups and African inspired looks, with the odd powersuit thrown into the mix now and then, Millie Odhiambo might be one of our most pronounced MPs, even as she protested barefoot outside Parliament in her tribal tunic and afro puff with blue pumps in her hand, but she is also one of the most stylish ones.

@christine_x254

‘Saratina’

proves to be a big hit online

A

nother parody film released by Eric Omondi titled ‘Saratina’ is turning out be quite popular, churning out thousands of hits in the two days since the video went up.

Meant as a play on the movie ‘Sarafina’ Eric Omondi’s 9-minute version is clean and clear and well-made not to mention a fun watch.

Produced and Directed by

TrueD Picture, this short film could actually pass for a legitimate movie if it lacked all the comedy and parody. It follows the story of Saratina as she faces ‘oppression’, ‘poverty’ and ‘police brutality’ with the plug, “Get ready...... can you guess the next line? Or can you fill the blank with the original lines from Sarafina? Let’s goo.”

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26th NOVEMBER 22, 2016 2014

11

ALL ROUND NEWS AND UPDATES FROM UNIVERSITIES

@christine_x254

T

he Zetech University graduation 2016 edition was a delight, complete with an exciting award ceremony to reward outstanding students who excelled not only in academics, but were also exceptional in co-curricular activities and leadership roles.

Commenting on the awards, Head of Communication, Corporate and Student Affairs Moses Maina noted with delight that the varsity is keen on honouring those dedicated to academic excellence while actively participating in out of class activities, “this is a special moment for us as we recognise students who have maintained excellence throughout their study at Zetech; it is indeed refreshing to see ladies dominate the list and put out a challenge to the gents to work harder.”

The overall Best Performing Student award for the 2015/2016 Academic Year was Jacinta Mbinya, who was awarded a shopping voucher sponsored by Eunitech Engineering; she also took home a captivating trophy presented by Corebase Solutions for her topping the Best student in the Faculty of IT. She was also the Chairperson of the ICT Club and a class representative.

WAYS TO BE A

better student next year

We could always do with some improvements in our school work and there are some simple ways to do that without making major changes in your lifestyle.

CREATE A SCHEDULE

Even though campus life is prone to last minute plans and changes, when it comes to your overall day, make a plan and stick to it; daily and weekly.

TAKE GOOD NOTES

W

hat was supposed to be uneventful meeting held by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) University of Nairobi Chapter turned into a brawl between Chairman Dr Richard Bosire and Secretary George Omondi. A reported Sh.185, 000 was allotted to a lunch meeting to be held next year but Chairman Richard Bosire wanted the meeting to be pushed to this month. This resulted in both officials writing letters addressed to UASU explaining the reasoning behind their moves.

In a statement to the press Bosire expressed that he was confident he

PARTICIPATE

It’ll be a lot easier to remember information you learned in class if you actually took part in the learning process.

Plus it’s a way to flex those mental muscles.

HOT DATE

LAYONN

his strikingly handsome songbird started writing and composing songs at the tender age of 15. His debut single titled ‘Toudoux’ released in 2015 and sang in French was a bouncy club anthem, while follow up ‘My Favorite Girl’ was a mild hit online. As he gears up for his next single ‘Kata’ the star is in Kenya for one night only at the Treehouse Club. This Thursday from 7pm come experience an explosion of Afro beat like no other. Cover charge is sh.300.

Layonn, The

Kenyan Boy in Nairobi for

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I @christine_x254

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dominate award list in 2016 Zetech graduation

UASU mired by petty disagreements

They are your primary source of information and there’s no need to get into the last minute rush when exams are coming up looking for decent notes to study.

@christine_x254

Female students

t’s normal to be curious about the weird things that happen in your life, but what about when you are inquisitive about the specific terms of your problem?

“We feel that to reveal embarrassing or private things, like a primitive person fearing that a photographer will steal his soul, we identify our secrets, our pasts and their blotches, with our

identity, that revealing our habits or losses or deeds somehow makes one less of oneself. But it’s just the opposite, more is more is more—more bleeding, more giving.” That unnecessarily somber quote by writer Dave Eggers is on the banner of Is it Normal. The website’s idea is nothing new. Yahoo Answers, although not the most reliable—it is the place that a member once asked, “If I die and go heaven c a n I still watch

would succeed in his mission, “The Secretary and other forces outside the Union are determined to derail our reform agenda and agitation for our rights. Together, we shall defeat these forces.” George Omondi on the other hand did not think the union was in a position to hold any meetings, “The said committee had not completed its preparations and had requested that the meeting and the luncheon be postponed to February 2017. All the elected officials had agreed to meet and approve the plan for the luncheon,” he said.

anime?” after all--or as popular as it once was, is a shining example of when too much time on your hands and blind curiosity meet.

Of course there are other

options for cleaner discourse about issues. One of the trending questions on the site recently was “Is It Normal to think black people should thank white people for slavery?” Consensus on that question was at 45 per cent in support. Many of the questions are downright troll-y, in internet lingo and in a broader sense the entire internet is troll-y. Google’s autocomplete search queries prove this. When typing in name of popstar Rihanna, ‘is so photosynthesis,’ is one of the results. If anything Is It Normal just shows how notnormal we all are.

Have a strange question?

‘Is It Normal’ is the answer

12

NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

NEWS PICTORIAL Communist party members and supporters carry late Joseph Stalin’s portraits and flowers as they walk in the Red Square in Moscow, Russia, 21 December 2016, to pay a visit to the Soviet dictator’s tomb to pay tribute to the 137th anniversary of his birth. Russian communists are marking the 137th anniversary of Josef Stalin’s birthday. While historians blame Stalin for the deaths of millions in purges, prison camps and forced collectivization, many in Russia still praise him for leading the Soviet Union to victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV

(L-R) Chief of Staff of Resolute Support Mission Juergen Weigt, Afghan Army General Major Mohamand Katawazi, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen and Deputy General Inspector General of the Federal Defence Forces of Germany Markus Kneip meet at Camp Marmal in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, 22 December 2016. EPA/GREGOR FISCHER / POOL

A Chinese woman wearing a mask pushes a baby buggy as haze hangs over Beijing, China, 20 December 2016. Serious air pollution hit in China's 11 provinces and cities on 19 December while the PM2.5 (particulate matter) Air Quality Index (AQI) has nearly reached 500 on the early morning of 20 December in Beijing. EPA/WU HONG Jordanian mourners carry the coffin of Police Warrant Officer Mohammed Jizawi, who was killed in clashes with gunmen a day earlier, during the funeral at Shajara Village near, Ramtha city, Jordan, 21 December 2016. Reports state four Jordanian police officers were killed on 20 December in renewed clashes with armed men in the southern governorate of Karak.

This latest incident came just two days after a Canadian tourist, two Jordanian civilians, four militants and seven police officers were killed in a series of shootouts between Jordanian police and a group of gunmen holed up in the historic citadel. EPA/JAMAL NASRALLAH

People light candles during a demonstration against the energy poverty and the austerity cuts held in Madrid, Spain, 21 December 2016. EPA/KIKO HUESCA

Israeli Arabs hold sign (R) reading ‘stop the massacre of the era’ as they protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, 20 December 2016. The Security Council unanimously approved on 19 December a resolution authorizing UN observers to monitor the evacuation of civilians and rebel fighters from the Syrian city of Aleppo. EPA/ABIR SULTAN

SPORT 13

Tusker face Mauritian side in CAF CL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

Kenyan Premier League Champions Tusker FC have been handed AS PortLouis 2000 from Mauritius in the 2017 CAF Champions League preliminary round.

Tusker will start their continental assignment away on the weekend of February 10 before hosting the Mauritian champions a fortnight later in Nairobi.

If they win the two-legged tie, Tusker will in the first round meet Al-Hilal of Egypt who were given a bye.

The Brewers, who will be under the tutelage of new head coach Ugandan George Nsimbe, who replaced double winning boss Ugandan Paul Nkata, return to the prestigious African top tier competition for the first time since 2013 where they were eliminated in the first round by Egyptian giants Egypt Al-Ahly.

AS Port-Louis 2000 return to the CAF Champions League for the first time in four years and they are not pushovers since they have lifted the Mauritian Premier League six times and two domestic Cup titles.

The Port Louis based side reached the second round of the CAF Champions League in 2003 which is their highest achievement.

Tusker qualified for the African Champions League after reclaiming the Kenyan Premier League from Gor Mahia.

In the CAF Confederations Cup,

Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker FC pose in a recent team photo. The side has be paired with AS Port Louis from Mauritius in the 2017 CAF Champions league Preliminary round

Kenyan representatives Ulinzi Stars were paired with Hilal Benghazi of Libya.

Ulinzi will start at home in Nairobi on the weekend of February 10 before

traveling to Libya for the return leg after two weeks. If Ulinzi makes it to the first round they will play Egypt’s Smouha SC in another two-legged encounter.

Unlike experienced Ulinzi Stars,

Hilal Benghazi have never won the Libyan Premier League with their best achievement seeing them reach the second round of the 2013 CAF Confederations Cup.

Ulinzi qualified for the Confederations Cup thanks to Tusker FC’s double after losing the GOtv Shield title to Tusker FC who went on to clinch a double after winning the Kenyan Premier League.

14

SPORT

Kenya Women’s Cricket turns attention to T20 World Cup qualifier, says Jackie THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

Cricket Kenya boss Jackie Janmohammed has said that the British Army women’s team has accepted an invitation to play the national women’s cricket team next year ahead of the African Qualifiers for the Women’s 2018 T20 Cricket World Cup. Janmohammed was speaking when she presented the team with cash rewards of Sh10, 200 ($100) each for winning the UAE women’s International Twenty20 Cup in Sharjah on Monday.

“We want to start preparing the girls for the World Cup qualifiers so our aim is to start exposing them early. They are very talented and focused and they just need is the exposure. We will be inviting teams in Kenya or sending them abroad to get the experience,” the Cricket Kenya boss said.

“The British Army team is coming in October next year for a two week tour so it will be a best platform to gauge our fitness level,” she added.

Kenya won the Twenty20 tournament after beating their hosts the UAE by five runs. The women’s team had seven players from Nairobi and seven from Nakuru and Janmohammed said the region has talent.

“Winning the tournament in UAE was the best Christmas gift ever. It shows our women are maturing. This was their first international tournament out of Africa and they brought the trophy home.”

Kenya Women’s Cricket team has turned attention to the T20 World Cup qualifier. The side has the support of the CK boss Jackie Janmohammed.

“Nakuru is just amazing, surprisingly there is no single male player that has come from Nakuru in the resent past but we have seven young girls

coming from Nakuru so there must be something that we are doing right there. We have had good coaches and are committed to the course and

I’m just hoping Nakuru grows from strength to strength,” the Cricket Kenya added.

Team coach Lameck Ngoche said that he wants the girls to face top level competition by playing at the Women’s World Cup. “My biggest interest is that I want to see the girls play in the World Cup. I really appreciate what the team did in UAE and this came because they followed the instructions. The run-outs happened in the game against Uganda because the girls were tensed but we managed to correct in the next games,” Ngoche stated.

“The most important thing is to start playing 50 Overs for them to spend time into the wicket then playing 20 Overs will become very easy,” the coach asserted.

Captain Daisy Wairimu said she looked up to the entire team when making decisions on the field of play.

“I’m so exited for winning the tournament being my first time to play outside Africa. The team was cooperative and we worked as a team. Everyone respected my decision and if my decision was not okay the senior players corrected me but I gave a priority to everyone’s opinion,” Wairimu said.

MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

SPORT 15

Barca hit Hercules for seven in Copa del Rey THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

Tusker hire Ugandan Nsimbe The 2016 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Tusker FC are in contract talks with Ugandan George ‘Best’ Nsimbe over a potential move to the Brewers as they seek a replacement for award-winning coach Paul Nkata who left the club at the close of the season.

Tusker are also keen to secure the services of Francis Baraza who led Chemelil Sugar to a decent fifthplace finish this season and who is now expected to deputise for Nsimbe.

Tusker lost the services of KPL Awards Coach of the Year Nkata after tactician pulled the plug on the Brewers in a shock move to Bandari FC. Nkata led the club to the domestic double, winning the GOtv Shield Cup in October before ending Gor Mahia’s three-year dominance of the KPL crown to win it back in 2016 with an impressive sevenpoint win margin.

“We I do not want preempt anything but hopefully if everything goes well we will have a new Head Coach in the next 24 hours,” Tusker FC director said.

Nsimbe’s immediate club was

Ugandan Super League (USL) side Vipers SC where he was the first assistant coach before he was dismissed earlier this month along with Head Coach Abdalla Mubiru and John Luyinda (second assistant).

The veteran tactician has previously coached KCCA FC where he won three USL titles – in 2008, 2013 and 2014 – before moving to Tanzanian Premier League giants Azam FC in December 2014 where he guided them to a second place league finish the following year.

At Azam, the 50-year-old had only been acquired as an assistant to Cameroonian John Omog before the latter was unceremoniously sacked. Omog’s departure saw Nismbe elevated to interim coach of one of the most glamorous clubs in East Africa.

However, Nsimbe’s reign was shortlived as Azam – in their financial clout – felt he was hardly the man for the job and were secretly courting Englishman Stewart Hall.

With Hall – who has since moved to 2016 KPL flops AFC Leopards – having no plans for Nsimbe the Ugandan was forced out.

Arda Turan scored a hat-trick as Barcelona claimed an emphatic win over third-tier Hercules to book their place in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey. With the tie at 1-1 after the first leg, Barca rested Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar but still had way too much for their opponents.

Lucas Digne broke the deadlock before Ivan Rakitic’s penalty and a Rafinha strike put Barca firmly in control.

Turan’s treble came in the second half, along with a Paco Alcacer header.

The Turkish midfielder’s first was a stooping header from close range, with his second a powerful finish into the roof of the net after Alcacer’s header had been saved.

His third was the best of the lot - a superb curling finish into the top corner after Hercules had failed to properly clear a corner.

Arguably the biggest cheer of the night, though, was reserved for the goal of Alcacer, who joined the club from Valencia in the summer for £25m but had failed to find the net in 12 previous appearances for his new club.

He could not miss from two yards out

Barcelona’s Paco Alcacer celebrates after scoring the team’s fifth goal in the 7-0 mauling of Hercules in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey , yesterday night.

PHOTO: ESTELA SILVA/EPA

after Rafinha’s cross had deflected his way.

It was ultimately the one-sided scoreline many had predicted but is a little harsh on Hercules, who claimed an impressive home draw in the first leg and frustrated Barca for over half

an hour in the Nou Camp.

However, once Digne had poked in the opener and Rakitic had scored from the spot - following Fernando Roman’s foul on Turan - Luis Tevenet’s side were exposed allowing Barca to take full advantage.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

B Mourinho wants longer United stay

M

anchester United manager Jose Mourinho wants to stay at the club for longer than his three-year contract because he is “loving” his time at Old Trafford.

Mourinho, 53, joined the club in July, and they lie sixth in the Premier League after 17 games.

In October, the Portuguese said that hotel living was a bit of a disaster and United struggled for form until a recent improvement in results.

“I know that if one day they bring a new contract, I will sign it,” he said.

Mourinho says he will not be making the switch to China - although he admitted that “China money is attractive for everyone”.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar has been linked with a move to Shanghai SIPG,where he could be paid as much as £400,000-a-week.

“I want to stay in the most difficult place to win,” he said.

“Too young, too many years of football to go to a place like China. China money is attractive for everyone but I love more my football at the highest level.”

In the interview with Sky Sports, Mourinho said that he “will be more than happy to keep the squad as it is” in January, and he regrets not being able to give some players more first-team opportunities.

“I still have some bad feelings towards myself because I didn’t give a real chance to everyone,” he said.

“To be honest, people like Ashley Young and Memphis Depay, I didn’t really give them a run of matches to play.”

INSIDE

p

15

Paco stars in Barca rout

ayern Munich will head into the winter break three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga following an emphatic win over second-placed RB Leipzig.

Goals from Thiago and Xabi Alonso put the home side firmly in control before Leipzig’s Emil Fosberg saw red for a nasty foul on Philipp Lahm.

Robert Lewandowski made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulasci had fouled Douglas Costa.

Lewandowski was denied twice as Leipzig kept Bayern at bay after the break.

It is just a second league loss of the season for Leipzig, who are in their debut Bundesliga campaign.

Formed in 2009 when drinks manufacturer Red Bull bought the licence of amateur club SSV Markranstadt and changed their name, Leipzig have achieved four promotions in seven years to reach the German top flight.

Under coach Ralph Hasenhuttl, they won 11 of their first 15 matches, including a victory over last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund.

However, they were emphatically put in their place by the reigning champions, who were fortunate not to fall behind early on when Yussuf Poulsen failed to connect with Timo Werner’s low cross, but after that were irresistible.

Thiago had a simple job in finding an empty net from close range after Lewandowski’s shot had struck the post.

Costa struck the upright from an angled strike but the home side would not be denied a second goal for long as Alonso drove home from inside the box after collecting a pass from the scorer of the first.

It was 3-0 and game over before the break as Costa was tripped in the box by Gulasci after running clear of the defence to collect Mats Hummels ball over the top.

Lewandowski converted from the spot and could have had a hat-trick but with just the keeper to beat on two separate occasions in the second half the Polish striker came off second best. Gulasci was beaten again late in the game but substitute Franck Ribery’s fierce strike from inside the box struck the crossbar and bounced on the goal-line before being cleared.

Midfielder Arturo Vidal is congratulated by manager Carlo Ancelotti after Bayern Munich managed a 3-0 win over RB LeipzigBritain, 21 December 2016. PHOTO: EPA/Nigel Roddis

Leaders Bayern cruise past second placed RB Leipzig Published By Xtra Publishing Limited, Chancery Building, Valley Road, Nairobi | Printed at The Standard Group Centre, Mombasa Road, Nairobi.

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