201602015 xnews

MONday, FEBRUARY 15, 2016 | www.x254.co

3

governors will abide by SAGANA STATE LODGE RESOLUTIONS BUNGOMA GOVERNOR RUBBISHES CLAIMS THAT COUNTY BOSSES WHO DID NOT ATTEND LAST WEEK SUMMIT WITH PRESIDENT KENYATTA AT SAGANA WERE PROTESTING RULING JUBILEE LEADERSHIP

15

NEWS MALKIA STRIKERS TO FACE EGYPT IN OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION SEMI-FINAL

UPHILL TASK FOR GOR, BANDARI IN CAF COMPETITION AFTER LOSSES

Keep off City politics, Kidero tells DP Ruto Story On Page 2

VOTER Registration kick-off

Lobby urges Uhuru to set up Tunoi tribunal

A

IEBC chairman Issack Hassan displays a voter’s card to Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero during the official launch of the one-month voter registration exercise at Pumwani Social Hall in Nairobi. IEBC has urged Kenyans to come out and register as voters ahead of 2017 polls. See story on page 3

lobby group has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to expedite the process of forming a tribunal to investigate allegations of corruption and gross misconduct against Justice Philip Tunoi.

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)-Kenya chapter urged President Uhuru to hasten the process immediately he receives the recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) that concluded its investigations 10 days ago.

The group has expressed concern in the manner in which the Tunoi saga has been handled, warning that failure to treat the matter with necessary urgency could undermine the overall outcome.

In a press statement to newsrooms, ICJ said any delay in appointing the tribunal will undermine public confidence in the Judiciary.

“We are deeply concerned that failure to treat this matter with the necessary sensitivity and urgency could undermine its overall outcomes. Any delay in appointing the tribunal undermines public confidence in the process,” reads the statement.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

everyone can can drive NowNow everyone drive

Nowyou youcan canpay pay mpesa securely now byby mpesa securely Hotline:0704773300 0704773300www.rockyschool.co.ke www.rockyschool.co.ke Hotiine: l Nairobi l Mombasa l Kisumu l Nakuru l Eldoret lNairobi lMombasa lKisumu lNakuru Kisii llKtale Thika l lThika Athi River lAthi River lEldoret lKissii

Hospital boring.

Hospital cellings cellings are are boring.

Drive Safely!

Drive Safely!

2

NEWS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

Keep off Nairobi politics, governor tells DP Ruto Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has told Deputy President William Ruto to keep off Nairobi politics, saying the DP does not understand Nairobi politics.

Speaking during a public meeting in Nairobi Kibra’s Laini Saba Grounds at the weekend, Kidero promised to “teach Ruto and his Jubilee coalition a political lesson.”

“I will ensure the seat of the governor of Nairobi remains in Cord. Ruto should be told that he does not understand anything about Nairobi politics,” he said.

Kidero warned Jubilee Coalition to brave for a bruising battle for Nairobi Gubernatorial seat come 2017 General Election.

While dismissing last week remarks by Ruto that Jubilee Coalition will work tirelessly to unseat him, Kidero told the DP “to know that Nairobi has its owners” saying he is ready for a showdown against Jubilee in next year’s General Election.

Ruto while attending mass service at Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) in Nairobi said the government will ensure it captures Nairobi Governor seat in the next elections.

He urged Nairobi leaders to be ready to make sure a Jubilee aspirant wins the seat in the 2017 polls.

“This time round we will ensure Nairobi County has a Jubilee governor. It is not possible for the National government

President Uhuru told to expedite Tunoi tribunal From Page 1

KEEP OFF: Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero with Deputy President William Ruto at a past function. A war of words is looming between the two after Ruto said Jubilee government must grab Nairobi Governor seat from the Opposition.

to be headed by Jubilee while the leading county is headed by a governor from a different coalition,” said Ruto.

Political pundits have cited the political clout, prestige and close monitoring of the revenues in the Capital city as some of the reasons behind the government’s push to capture

the Nairobi Governor seat.

Barrack Muluka, a political commentator told X-News last week that any government in the world would like to have control of its Capital city.

He said the government is keen to not only grab the Nairobi Governor seat, but also get majority of Members of the

County Assembly (MCAs).

“The fundamental reason why the Jubilee government wants to control Nairobi is the plenty of resources that comes with it. In addition, the Presidents’ community members are business people and would want to know how their revenues are used in the city,” said Muluka. hillary_x254

ICJ executive director Samwel Mochochi said corruption allegations against such a highranking judicial officer and similar allegations against other judges of the Supreme Court taint the image of the highest forum in the country and erodes public confidence in the Judiciary.

Mochochi urged President Uhuru to act swiftly upon receiving the report by appointing a tribunal to probe the claims.

“The tribunal once appointed should expedite its investigations in light of the great public interest the matter has generated while paying due regard to the constitutional edicts on public participation,” he said.

Last week State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu said President Uhuru Kenyatta has not yet received a petition from JSC to form a tribunal on Justice Phillip Tunoi’s bribery claims.

Esipisu said the President was awaiting communication from the Judicial Service Commission before setting up the tribunal.

Under article 168 of the Constitution, the President has 14 days upon receiving the petition from JSC to suspend the Supreme Court judge from office and appoint a tribunal to investigate him.

The tribunal should have seven members including a chairperson and three other members who hold or have held office as judges of a superior court or who are qualified to be appointed as such, but have not been members of the JSC within the previous three years.

It must also have one advocate of 15 years standing and two other persons with experience in public affairs.

If Tunoi disagrees with the decision of the tribunal, he is allowed to file an appeal to the Supreme Court. sam_x254

Disclose information on enhanced benefits, FKE urges NHIF The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) wants the new management at the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to disclose full information about its enhanced benefits to regain members’ confidence.

The lobby said the delayed implementation of the enhanced benefits by the Insurance Fund dealt a huge blow to many patients seeking medical attention in various health facilities due to misinformation.

FKE chairman Linus Gitahi said that sick members require urgent attention as opposed to being turned away with their NHIF cards by hospitals due to misinformation.

“We hope that the current changes in the management of NHIF will not further delay the implementation of these enhanced benefits,” said Gitahi.

He added: “It is the employers’ mutual feeling that the process of rolling out the enhanced benefits has dragged on for over seven months and NHIF should immediately allow contributors to access the new benefits at preferred health facilities.”

Former NHIF finance and investments director Geoffrey Mwangi was last week appointed new acting chief executive, replacing Simeon ole Kirgotty after his contract lapsed.

Last week, the Fund disclosed that about 20 million of its principle members and their dependents will not access outpatient services, arguing that the members were locked out after they failed to choose their preferred health facilities last month.

Statistics released by NHIF indicates that only 945,640 principal members and their 1.3 million dependents responded within the NHIF deadline of January 15 to choose the facilities.

FKE Executive Director, Jacqueline Mugo, said the State agency needs to utilise their presence across the country to ensure everyone including contracted employees has access to medical treatment.

Mugo said all FKE members who have been remitting monthly NHIF deductions from workers without

fail need to be taken seriously.

“We are also pleading with NHIF not to lock out employees or contributors who have not signed contracts from getting treatment because employment is a continuous thing — this can be done through regular consultations,” said Ms Mugo.

“Any attempts to block contributors from accessing treatment would be unfair and is not backed by any law.”

The new capitation rates offered by the fund reveals that the principle contributors will only be allowed access to medication of between Sh 1,000 and Sh 1,400 outpatient cover per year under the new

regulations.

The arrangement means that service providers will be paid the declared amount depending on the number of contributors who chose their hospitals whether the contributor seeks care or not. wilson_x254

Federation of Kenya Employees(FKE) chairman Linus Gitahi at a past media briefing. The federation has urged NHIF to disclose information on their enhanced benefits.

NEWS 3 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

Summit: Absent governors defended Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka (pictured) has dispelled rumours that couty bosses, who skipped the Fifth National and County government meeting last week, were protesting President Uhuru Kenyatta’s leadership.

Lusaka said the decision reached at the summit that was chaired

by President Kenyatta is binding and that all governors will abide by it.

“Nothing much should be read from the governors that were absent from the summit, some sent apologies and other had engagements, its normal and

Voter enlisting kicks off as IEBC urges Kenyans to turn up The month-long countrywide mass voter registration started this morning with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) urging political leaders to sensitise the public to come out in large numbers and register.

IEBC chairman Issack Hassan officially launched the voter listing exercise this morning at the Pumwani Community Social Hall in Nairobi amid concerns by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) of unfair distribution of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits in its strongholds.

“I want to appeal to local leaders to help us reach more Kenyans during this one month voter listing exercise,” said Hassan.

The IEBC boss said the commission do not have enough money to conduct voter education and will rely on local leaders to mobilise Kenyans to participate in the exercise.

On the Opposition’s concerns, Hassan said the commission has added the BVR kits to 450 wards where Cord had raised eyebrows of skewed allocation.

“The 450 wards were picked and allocated more BVR kits due to their large size and dynamics,” Hassan said.

The chairman had also earlier explained that surface area played a critical role in the allocation of the kits.

“The larger the ward, the more the kits. This is to ensure potential voters are not discouraged by long distance travel to register,” he said.

The commission targets eight million voters before the next General Election.

In a bid to sensitise many Kenyans to come out and register, IEBC had a caravan in Eastland’s estates such as Kariokor, Mathare, Roysambu, Zimmerman, Kasarani, Umoja, Kayole and Pipeline.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero urged the government to allocate the commission enough funds to be able to carry out its function effectively.

“I want to urge the government to provide adequate funds to IEBC so that to register more Kenyans,” he said.

European Union last week committed Sh560 million aid to help IEBC prepare for the polls.

IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba said the money will mainly be used in institutional framework on elections, the planned mass voter registrations and civic education, election operations and security on and after Election Day. Hassan last week said a total of 5,756 Biometric Voter Registration Kits will be deployed across the 1,450 wards in the country for the exercise.

In addition, he said there will be 24,559 registration centres to be used during the voter registration exercise and the commission will deploy 290 Information Communication Technology Support Assistants to cover both the head office and field operations. @hillary_x254 @sam_x254

it can happen to anybody,” he said. “The decisions made at the summit are binding to both the governors that were present and absent, it was a unanimous decision,” added the Bungoma governor.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua, Turkana Governor Joseph Nanok, Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama, and Kilifi Amason Kingi were all absent.

Others are Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony, Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni), Joseph

Ndathi (Kirinyaga), Okoth Obado (Migori), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Godana Doyo (Isiolo), Julius Malombe (Kitui) and Tharaka Nithi Governor Samuel Mbae.

“We have some Governors even wrote letters explaining why they were not going to be present that to me is a clear indication of commitment and not protest,” said Lusaka.

The fifth National and County Government Co-coordinating summit was held last Wednesday at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri The two-day summit reviewed

achievements made under the devolved system of government with special focus on various reports by the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council, the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee and reports on Public finance management.

Among the resolutions reached was to cut down the County expenditure by 50 per cent and channel the proceeds to development projects at the counties. @sam_x254

4

NEWS MONDAY,FEBRUARY 15, 2016

NEWS BRIEF

Egypt court annuls protester death verdict Egypt’s highest court has annulled a 15-year jail sentence for a policeman accused of shooting dead a protester.

A retrial has been ordered over the death of Shaimaa el-Sabbagh in January last year. Images of the frail figure dying on a Cairo street after being hit by birdshot sparked outrage in Egypt and around the world. Ms Sabbagh was with activists marching to Tahrir Square to mark the revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak.

Why was one death singled out? The al-Yawm al-Sabi news website said the court had accepted an appeal filed by officer Yassin Hatim against his prison sentence and ordered a retrial. Some Egyptians condemned the decision on social media, with the prominent 6 April protest group saying “Justice is a right” (in Arabic). The 33-yearold mother was a leading member of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party and was among about 40 activists who had gathered to lay wreaths in Tahrir Square to commemorate those who died during the 2011 uprising.

Photographs showing her after she had been shot were widely shared on social media and hundreds of people attended her funeral in Alexandria. At least 18 people including three police cadets were killed in clashes the day after Ms Sabbagh’s death. Dozens of police officers who stood trial over the deaths of nearly 900 protesters during the 2011 uprising have been acquitted or received suspended sentences.

CAR votes to elect leader in poll run-off People in the Central African Republic have voted to elect a new president in a run-off contest between two former prime ministers. Final results in the poll - seen as a step towards restoring peace - are not expected for several weeks. The seizure of power by a mainly Muslim rebel group in 2013 led to prolonged bloodshed. Candidates Faustin Touadera and Anicet Dologuele have pledged to restore security and boost the economy. Both Touadera, portrayed by supporters as a peacemaker who can bridge the Christian-Muslim divide, and Dologuele, who has promised a break from the country’s violent past, expressed hope for a high turnout. Dologuele even referenced St Valentine’s Day as he exhorted citizens to vote “as an act of love for their country”, Radio Centrafrique reported. But a BBC correspondent in the region said there was less enthusiasm among voters than during the first round in December, although election officials said the voting had gone smoothly. Prime Minister Mahamat Kamoun echoed this, telling Radio Centrafrique that he was “not entirely satisfied” with voter turnout.

Trump, rivals trade sharp blows in Republican chaotic debate Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (left) reacts to businessman Donald Trump (right) as Texas Senator Ted Cruz (centre) listens during the Republican Presidential Debate sponsored by CBS News and the Republican National Committee at the Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina, USA, on Saturday. The South Carolina Republican presidential primary will be on February 20.

EPA/ERIK S. LESSER

The Republican candidates for president traded sharp blows over foreign policy and the future of the Supreme Court in an often unruly and chaotic debate.

After Iowa and New Hampshire, the race has now moved to South Carolina before the February 20 primary.

Front-runner Donald Trump repeatedly tangled with Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush in a series of tense exchanges. The lively audience repeatedly jeered and booed the candidates. As the candidates shouted down and interrupted each other, CBS moderator John

Dickerson warned: “We’re in danger of driving this into the dirt.”

Trump and Bush clashed over the war in Iraq and President George Bush’s role during the 11 September attacks.

Jeb Bush responded robustly to Trump’s attacks, a departure for the former governor who originally sought a “joyful” campaign.

“We should have never been in Iraq,” Trump said.

“They lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction.

There were none and they knew that there were none.”

Trump and Bush clashed over the war in Iraq and President George

Bush’s role during the 11 September attacks.

Jeb Bush responded robustly to Trump’s attacks, a departure for the former governor who originally sought a “joyful” campaign.

“We should have never been in Iraq,” Trump said.

“They lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction.

There were none and they knew that there were none.”

Cruz said “we are one justice away” from the court reversing conservative legal gains.

Trump said President Obama would probably pick a replacement, but stressed that Republi-

cans in the Senate should block him. “Delay, delay, delay,” Trump said.

Later, Cruz contended that Trump, who has supported Democrats in the past, would nominate liberal Supreme Court justices if elected president. “You are the single biggest liar,” Trump said to Cruz.

“This guy will say anything.”

The next primary and caucus is in South Carolina next week. Other states will have their turn over the coming weeks and months.

Each party formally announces their presidential candidate at conventions in July, four months before the presidential election.

Pope Francis tells Mexico to vanquish drugs scourge Pope Francis has delivered a strong denunciation of the drugs trade before an audience of 300,000

people attending an open-air mass in Ecatepec, one of poorest suburbs of Mexico City.

Pope Francis greets children during his visit at the pediatric hospital ‘Federico Gomez’ in Mexico City, Mexico on Sunday. The pontiff is in Mexico from 12 to 17 February as part of his tour, which will see him visiting six cities in four states.

EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO

He urged the congregation to rid Mexico of drug dealer “merchants of death”.

Ecatepec, with 1.6 million inhabitants, is notorious for drug violence, kidnappings and gangland-style killings, particularly of women.

The Pope was speaking at the biggest scheduled event of his visit to Mexico.

Throughout his trip he has condemned the evils of forced emigration and drugs, urging Mexico’s leaders to provide “true justice” to suffering citizens.

The Pope has described drug trafficking as a cancer that has devoured and destroyed Mexican society, while calling on the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico to do more than just condemn the problem.

Thousands of admirers lined the route of the Pope’s motorcade as it made its way to the huge field in Ecatepec where Sunday’s Mass

was celebrated.

In a final prayer in Ecatepec he urged Mexicans to turn their country into a land of opportunity “where there will be no need to emigrate in order to dream, no need to be exploited in order to work”.

On Saturday he celebrated mass at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, in front of tens of thousands of people.

On Monday, he visits Mexico’s poorest and least Roman Catholic region, the indigenous state of Chiapas in the south of the country.

The following day he heads to the capital of Michoacan, a western state also scarred by drug violence.

The Pope concludes his five-day trip in Ciudad Juarez on the US border, a city which has been blighted by drug-related murders.

A mass there will highlight the plight of migrants.

NEWS 5

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

Morning newspaper summaries Bill wants MPs with Suicides, shootings Battle for millions of new Kenya boosts China degrees: It will become mandatory haunt police service: The voters as registration ties with Sh7.9bn with to possess a university degree for one to crime scene: A pub in tana Delta Sub- starts: Rival coalitions are back in the purchase dea: Kenya last year vie for a parliamentary seat, if changes to County. An administration officer, in full trenches mobilising young supporters to register as voters. The youth are expected to join the list of millions of new voters that the electoral body seeks to recruit in the February-March registration window that opens today. Political parties preparing for next year’s elections are pushing to ensure nine million new voters are listed before the big race.

bought Sh7.9 billion worth of arms from China, strengthening the Easy Africa nation’s engagement with the Asian giant outside civil works and equipment imports. Military hardware that Nairobi ordered from Beijfing includes tanks, armoured vehicles and spare parts, according to a report

by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri).

DP Ruto in a fix as Contest for Malindi Kidero to Ruto on South Rift seat goes to MP seat hots up: Five Coast Nairobi seat: It won’t have urged voters in the region to opposition: It may have been just MPs be eas: Governor Evans Kidero has abandon Cord and join the ruling Jubilee

Former Kebs executive on the spot over Sh1.3bn tender: Former

the election laws are passed by Parliament.

This is one of the proposed changes in the Elections Laws (Amendment) Bill that was tabled for the First Reading in the National Assembly last week. The Bill seeks to amend the Elections Act, 2011 and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011.

a ward seat in Bomet County but the byelection loss by Jubileeis is being viewed as a possible political shift in the South Rift Valley. The People’s Patriotic Party of Kenya’s Andrew Maritim won in the Nyangores ward mini-polls, beating the Jubilee Alliance candidate Richard Leitich and Citizen’s Convention Party’s Bernard Terer.

uniform appeared before his boss, cocked his gun, put it on his own neck and pulled the trigger. Before anyone could grasp what was going on, the officer was on the ground, blood flowing freely from his neck as he lay dying. “He did not show any sign of being stressed. He had always been a quiet person,” one of Constable Ken Waweru’s colleagues said.

coalition to enable the area to achieve aster development. They used a football match to drum up support for Philip Chara, the Jubilee candidate for the Malindi by-elction, set for March7. MPs Gideon Mungaro Gonzi Rai, Dr Naomi Shaban, Sharsif Athman and Mr Peter Shehe said it was time the coat region turn away from Cord to join Jubilee.

dismissed Deputy President William Ruto’s assertion that Jubilee will win the Nairobi gubernatorial seat next year.

Dr Kidero, who beat his rival Ferdinard Waititu in the last election and in court to become governor, has promised Jubilee a bruising contest. The ODM county chief assured CORD supporters that he would do everything in his power to ensure the Opposition expands its dominance.

Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) managing director Eva Oduor is on the spot over the award and subsequent cancellation of a Sh1.3 billion tender for the construction of Mombasa regional offices and laboratories during her tenure. A new report by AuditorGeneral Edward Ouko says Ms Oduor irregularly awarded the tender.

Secret Valentine’s eve Massive listing of CORD leaders meet Rail firm plans Sh5bn escapade comes to light voters starts today: The governors to lay 2017 expansion on Nairobi countrywide mass voter as man dies: A Valentine’s Day Eve month-long campaign strategies: routes: Kenya Railways registration starts Monday, at a time secret escapade turned tragic when an ICT manager indulged in a drinking binge that led to his death and the arrest of a female friend. Nathaniel Lausi, a communications officer at Huawei, died after consuming alcohol and smoking bhang with a friend on Nairobi’s Donholm estate, Buru Buru police were told yesterday.

the electoral commission’s in-tray is overflowing. Apart from the Nyangores and Masongaleni ward by-elections on Friday, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is preparing for two key by-elections for the Kericho senatorial and Malindi constituency seats.

CORD principals yesterday held a closeddoor meeting at a Kisumu hotel with governors to strategise on the registration of new voters. The conference at Kisumu’s Acacia Hotel is the first since governors were assigned a critical role by CORD in the voter registration exercise, which officially begins today across the country.

Sources at the meeting said Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula.

Corporation (KRC) has announced a two-year plan to upgrade its Nairobi infrastructure at a cost of Sh5 billion in a move seeking to raise commuter numbers tenfold. Managing director Atanas Maina said the project has already commenced with upgrade of the Ruiru station at a cost of Sh300 million.

Top stories from X News global partners

Plane forced to return After Antonin Scalia’s A deplorable evening for Russia accused of to Heathrow after laser death, fierce battle lines the Republican Party: ‘weaponising’ Syria beam incident: Police are emerge: An epic Washington The new conventional wisdom about refugees: Russia is deliberately

investigating reports that a laser was shone at an aircraft that was forced to return to Heathrow airport on Sunday night when one of the crew fell ill. The Virgin Atlantic flight, which left London bound for New York shortly before 8pm, had to turn back soon after it passed over the west coast of Ireland, according to the flight tracking website Flight Radar. Metropolitan police officers said they were working to determine where the laser was shone from and that no one had been arrested on Sunday evening.

There has been a surge in the number of reported laser attacks on aircraft in the UK in the last few years.

www.theguardian.com

political battle took shape on Sunday after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia as Senate Republicans dug in and said they would refuse to act on any Supreme Court nomination by President Obama. But the White House vowed to select a nominee within weeks. Multiple Republican senators said they strongly supported the position of Senator Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican and majority leader, that the high court vacancy should not be filled until after the presidential election, denying Mr. Obama a chance to reconfigure the ideological makeup of the court in the last year of his second term.

www.nytimes.com

Donald Trump is that none of the old conventional wisdom applies to him.

Have his gaffes, prejudices and profanities hurt him in the race for the Republican nomination? “Gimme a break”, as Mr Trump might put it in one of his more temperate asides. Last night’s debate in Greenville—a comic but also disgraceful evening for the Republican Party—may test that proposition to destruction. Then again, perhaps it won’t. Ahead of the primary in South Carolina on February 20th, a do-or-die ballot for several of the six remaining candidates, the debate was billed as a knife-fight, and it became one.

www.economist.com

attacking civilians in northern Syria in an attempt to intensify the refugee crisis, western diplomats and politicians have warned, in a sign that a fragile ceasefire agreement for the war-ravaged country is crumbling before it begins. A pivotal part of Russia’s strategy was “to exacerbate the refugee crisis and use it as a weapon to divide the transatlantic alliance and undermine the European project”, US Senator John McCain said in a speech at an annual security conference in Munich on Sunday

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

www.ft.com

xnews | MONday, FEBRUARY 15, 2016 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

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

MEAN 102.2770 146.4986 111.3350 6.2447 33.9960 21.3929

(AS OF 12/2/2016)

BUY SELL 102.1806 102.3735 146.3389 146.6583 111.2133 111.4567 6.2374 6.2519 33.9150 34.0769 21.3239 21.4620

Assets Authority to pay Sh42 million in claims to settle unresolved cases The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) management will pay close to Sh42 million to more than 1,700 claimants, UFAA Board chair Katwa Kigen has said.

Speaking today morning during the provision of UFAA Regulations 2016, Kigen said the owners of these assets will be notified shortly to come and receive their disbursements but the remaining claimants will require beneficiaries to submit more supporting documents to the authority to authenticate the ownership.

Kigen said the gazettement of the UFAA Regulations 2016, affirms government’s commitment to reunification services. ‘’We are passionate about reuniting assets both in the temporal and permanent phases of separation following this development. I am happy to report to you that we are all set to star reunifying assets in our custody,’’ said Kigen. ‘’Since we entered into framework with capital market authority, Insurance Regulatory Authority and Integrated Population Registration system, we as the Authority has continued to build synergies to deepen compliance with

provision of the Unclaimed Financial Assets Act,’’ he added.

The new regulations will guide stakeholders on methods of surrendering and filling reports on unclaimed assets as well as providing needed requirements to transfer financial assets to the claimants.

Kellen Kariuki, UFAA said, the authority will roll out an education and awareness campaign to sensitize members of the public on their mandate as it is spelled out in strategic plan 2015-2018. ‘’These regulations provide the beginning of a compliance initiative by the Authority, given the reluctance of a few holders to report and remit these assets in accordance to the law,’’ she said.

The board also sanctioned management plans to start auditing holders who have surrendered assets upon issuance of notices last year directing the management to populate other known holders and start pursuing them for non-compliance according to the law.

Furthermore the authority has requested holders to continually remit unclaimed assets as and when they fall due. enock_x254

Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) CEO Kellen E. Kariuki (R) and Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) CEO Sammy Makove (L) exchange MOU documents shortly after entering into a partnership to jointly enforce compliance with Unclaimed Financial Assets reporting by insurance industry players.

BuSINESS DIARY ERC issue warning on LPG safety Arduino and Wearable Tech Workshop at UoN Foondi Workshops will hold an event dubbed the Arduino and Wearable Tech Workshop on February 20 at the University of Nairobi’s School of Built Environment (also known as the School of Art and Design). The full day affair will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and will cover an introduction to Arduino, the use of basic electronics and how to program sensors

and motors to create interactive projects.

Participants will learn how to use this to build wearable tech using electronics. The event is targeting Engineering, Architecture, Design, Computer Science, Medicine and Business students as well as anyone with an interested in tech. Charges are Sh250.

The fee will cover the cost of training, food and materials

The iHub will on Saturday, February 20 host the Startup Weekend Nairobi, an entrepreneur get together and pitch competition organised by ‘Ye! Community Kenya’. Startup Weekend Nairobi is a learning, pitch and networking event that brings together promising young entrepreneurs from Kenya between the ages of

16 and 30. The aim of the event is to guide young entrepreneurs from idea to startup to eventually exit in small events over one year.

The themes will be presented by a panel of experts who are themselves entrepreneurs and/or investors who work with early stage ventures.

Each event will be focused on a specific theme.

Startup Weekend brings together entrepreneurs

after cutting down fuel prices The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has slashed the cost of fuel in its latest price review, offering consumers a reprieve at a time when global economic volatility is set to shake up commodity prices in Kenya.

Under the ERC’s latest review, the cost of Super Petrol has fallen by Sh2.14, while the cost of diesel has fallen by Sh8.82 and kerosene by Sh6.51.

A litre of Super Petrol will retail at a maximum of Sh86.50 from Sh88.64 in Nairobi, Sh83.20 in Mombasa from Sh85.34 and Sh88.47 from Sh90.60 in Kisumu.

Diesel will retail at Sh67.88 in Nairobi from Sh76.7 and Sh70.05 in Kisumu from Sh78.85.

Meanwhile, the cost of a litre of kerosene, has fallen to Sh39.62 in Nairobi, Sh36.94 in Mombasa and Sh41.54 in Kisumu.

“The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is committed to ensuring safe access of LPG by consumers and at the same time assuring them of value for money,” the Commission said in a statement released just hours ago.

“For this reason ERC in conjunction with its appointed agents conduct regular inspections of premises undertaking LPG business to ensure that safety standards are adhered to and that the businesses are in compliance

with licensing conditions. Further, ERC undertakes constant surveillance of LPG businesses operating without the requisite licences as required by the Energy Act 2006,” the statement added.

In 2015, the ERC managed to demolish 4 unlicensed LPG facilities and also sealed over 20 others whose cases are still in court. The Commission has affirmed that illegal LPG businesses pose a great risk to the public due to the fact that their construction is done without due consideration of safety standards.

The ERC has therefore committed to intensifying enforcement efforts on such businesses and members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activities involving LPG in their neighborhoods.

“The price of LPG in Kenya is not regulated and is hence market driven.

However, ERC will continue monitoring the market and engaging stakeholders and consumers on this issue. Should there be grounds to regulate the price of LPG, ERC will then proceed to develop the necessary legal instruments to do so.

ERC continues to educate consumers on the critical areas of interest while purchasing LPG cylinders,” the Commission said.

Dennis_x254

Focus on fighting financial inequality, IMF tells Kenya The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Kenya and the rest of SubSaharan Africa to work on eliminating financial inequality in order to drive development. The IMF has encouraged governments in the region to work towards inclusive growth, which is one of the key challenges many nations face in the 21st Century.

“While poverty rates have fallen over time among small middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, efforts are still needed to ensure convergence in this area. Also, inequality remains unacceptably high in several countries.

If unchanged, this will lead to social pressures and hurt growth,” IMF Deputy Managing Director Zhu Min said in a recent announcement.

Outlining the IMF’s policies for growth and development, Min explained how countries can best deal with all domestic and external challenges, adapt to the new global environment and move to the next level of development.

“Reform needs vary according to the stage of economic development: what got you from low-income to middleincome will not necessarily take you to the next level?” the economist argued.

Dennis_x254

BUSINESS 7

Airtel in mobile banking deal with UBA MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

Leading telecommunications services provider Airtel has partnered with United Bank of Africa (UBA Bank) to provide mobile-based financial services. The partnership will enable Airtel and UBA to provide a Virtual Savings Account dubbed Akiba Mkononi to all Airtel customers as well as mobile banking services to Airtel Money users as the two companies seek to

therise CIC Insurance Group CIC Insurance Group Ltd was the week’s top gainer after edging upwards by 9.7 per cent during the review period. The share price was up to Sh6.20 from the previous week’s close of Sh5.65. CIC Insurance together with Jubilee Holdings Ltd is the only insurance companies that have not issued a profit warning for FY 2015 earnings.

Year-to-date, its share price has not changed.

thefall Trans-Century Limited Tr a n s - C e n t u r y Limited was last week’s top losing stock for the following a 19.1 per cent slide in its share price over the course of the week’s trading. TransCentury shares ended the week at a price of Sh5.70 from their previous closing price of Sh7.05. The firm has a Sh8 billion loan maturing in March which the Capital Markets Authority has requested them to notify the public how they plan to pay down the debt. TransCentury has shed 30.9 per cent of its value year-to-date.

Analysis by Amana Capital info@amanacapital.co.ke

expand their range of innovative financial services to Kenyans.

Kenyans will now be able to open and operate Savings Accounts with UBA bank from the convenience of their Airtel Kenya mobile phones. The Akiba Mkononi product enables customers to save from as low as Sh5 to as much as Sh140,000 daily on UBA bank from their Airtel Money accounts. All one needs to

do is dial *368# from their Airtel numbers to start saving money.

The Virtual savings will earn interest rates of up to 7 per cent per annum.

Additionally, UBA and Airtel Kenya have also announced that they will jointly launch new mobile based financial products and services with the objective of driving convenience to more Kenyans. This includes Airtel

Money PESA Card, a UBA Bank debit- VISA card that will allow Airtel money users to withdraw money from their Airtel Money accounts from over two million Visa and Kenswitch ATMs worldwide, shop and pay for goods and services using Airtel Money at tens of millions of Visa accepted merchants worldwide.

UBA Kenya Bank Ltd Managing Director and CEO Isaac Mwige

said: “UBA is always at the forefront of using a mobile based platform to provide ubiquitous financial services. The world is constantly changing and Banking must change with it. We all want safe, easy and convenient access to our money wherever we are and as such we must innovate past the notion of branches and traditional banking practices.

Kevin_x254

8

BUSINESS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

African cities remain hopeful in face of global economic downturn: Report In cities such as Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Kinshasa and Johannesburg, research has found that growth remains robust and investors are prospering in the retail, financial services, technology and construction sectors. A recent collapse in commodity prices over the past 18 months has however dealt a major blow to Africa’s biggest economies but investors are still keen to cash in on the region’s potential.

According to recent reports, this means investors can now re-adjust their strategy for Africa. Instead of taking a view on the continent as a whole, or choosing one country over another, they can seize opportunities city by city. It has been discovered that Sub-Saharan Africa is urbanizing faster than anywhere else in the world and city dwellers have more money to spend.

Nairobi is the most attractive destination for foreign investment, according to a 2015 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, followed by Accra, with Lagos and Johannesburg equal third.

Consumption per capita in Accra is 1.6 times greater than the average in Ghana, 2.3 times bigger in Lagos than the average in Nigeria, and 2.7 times larger in Nairobi than nationally in Kenya, Abraaj estimates.

Lagos, one of the world’s fastest growing cities and with a population of 20 million, expects economic growth of 7 percent this year, twice the pace of the country as a

Nairobi is the most attractive destination for foreign investment, according to a 2015 report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, followed by Accra, with Lagos and Johannesburg equal third. whole. Even South Africa, which is grappling with youth unemployment of over 40 percent and could slip into recession this year, has areas where

industry is booming.

This year, Kenya is set to unveil the Two River malls in Nairobi, the continent’s largest shopping centre

Kenya moves to export crude oil as global fuel prices goes up Global oil prices surged as much as 12 per cent after new suggestions that Opec nations were set to cut oil production. The United Arab Emirates’ energy minister said that Opec members were ready to reduce output. Nonetheless, countries like Kenya are especially vulnerable to shifting global fuel prices as the country moves to fasttrack several development on its crude oil exports in the coming months.

Stakeholders had earlier warned that shifts in the global fuel market may exacerbate Kenya’s plans.However, traders said sharp falls may have triggered some bargain-hunting. Eulogio Del Pino, the Venezuelan minister, who recently visited Russia and Saudi Arabia as part of a global tour to drum up support among both Opec and non-Opec producers, said “we’re on a very, very, very good path” to reducing production.

Brent crude closed up $3.30 at $33.36 a barrel in New York after falling below $30 last week.

After sinking to a 12-year low of $26.05 last week Thursday, US crude settled up 12per cent, or $3.23, to $29.44 a barrel - its biggest one-day rise since 2009.

Many traders were sceptical about the Journal’s report, pointing out that Venezuela and Russia had tried in vain earlier this week to stir Saudi Arabia and other major producers into agreeing to output cuts. However, some believe that prices would rebound sooner or

later if production tightened or demand rose.

Some traders still expected wilder price swings in the coming weeks.

“It’s not a one-way price movement anymore” in oil, said ABN Amro’s senior energy economist Hans van Cleef. “We will see a period of high volatility”.

Last week Friday’s price rises were also aided by figures from oil services company Baker Hughes, which said that US energy firms cut the number of oil rigs for the eighth consecutive week to the lowest levels since January 2010.Drillers removed 28 oil rigs, bringing the total rig count down to 439, Baker Hughes said.

The jump in oil prices helped to boost sentiment on stock markets, with the FTSE 100 in London closing 3.1% higher at 5,707 points.

Wall Street was also trading higher this past Friday, with the S&P 500 rising 1.8 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average up close to 2 per cent in late trading.

outside South Africa, with brands like Porsche, Hugo Boss and France’s Carrefour already booking space.

By 2025, Mckinsey estimates that

more than 80 cities in sub-Saharan Africa will have populations of more than one million, accounting for 58 percent of the region’s growth.

This rapid urbanisation means Africa’s big cities will need more roads, hospital and power stations, while growing numbers of new inhabitants will be buying consumer goods like instant noodles, washing powder and mobile phone cards.

Though some big companies like Massmart, Barclays and Nestle have slowed expansion plans in Africa in the last two years they are still making healthy profits in the big urban centres, according to banking sources.

The share of Africans living in urban areas is expected to grow from 36 percent in 2010 to 50 percent by 2030, with cities expected to be home to 85 percent of the national population in some countries, according to the World Bank. The rapid urbanisation of mostly the young and unemployed is placing a huge strain on infrastructure and will put pressure on politicians to direct more resources towards cities.

Inequality in African cities is already among the highest in the world.

African governments with stretched public finances will need to improve housing and social safety nets in cities and diversify their economies to support rural areas in order to avoid an increase in inequality that could stir up discontent.

Africa lags behind in match-making market

New research released his weekend ahead of Valentine’s Day has confirmed that Africa lags behind the rest of the world in the field of online dating.

Though millions of people use dating apps to overcome social barriers, busy schedules and social insecurity, data has found that Africans are still clinging to traditional methods of courtship.

Nonetheless, stakeholders in the match-making market are offering their services countries like Kenya and South Africa, where platforms for courtship like Badoo are quite popular.

Badoo is an app that allows users to know when potential suitors are nearby. It boasts an undisclosed number of users in Kenya while having a total of 298 million users worldwide.

The data defines a dating app as one that advertised itself as being for dating, or is primarily used for that purpose.

In Africa, the paid-for app market is in its infancy, states a recent report from the BBC. Dating apps

like Tinder lead the market in the UK, boasting 26 million “matches” per day globally.

The company says it broke its own records last Valentine’s Day as people flocked to the app looking for love. Behind the app is dating giant Match, which also owns other big names including match. com, OKCupid and Plenty of Fish.

The lack of good mobile internet in many parts of Africa means the app market is still in its infancy, states the report.

Many people in the region would rather use social networks than dedicated dating platforms to meet partners. As such, South Africa is the only African nation included in the world’s top 50 app markets.

For the world’s 50 biggest app markets (and two additional countries in Africa, Nigeria and Kenya), the research identified the most downloaded dating app in the lifestyle and social categories of Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store for the whole of 2015.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

ACCESS W

10

I have no control over my mood and sItuatIon at the tIme of song composItIon or over the tune that comes to my mInd

newacT ho is Tamar?

A child of God, passionate musician, someone’s daughter and virtuous wife in the making.

What’s your genre of Music?

Gospel Music, any genre but Opera.

Why this genre and if you are focusing on a number of them why?

I have no control over my mood and situation at the time of song composition or over the tune that comes to my mind. I also believe creativity must never be limited.

What is your first song and what is it about?

Kiwango. It talks about raising the standard in serving God and mankind, with the thought that we are not irreplaceable. If we excuse ourselves, God is able to

fashion Parad e

raise other people to do it for Him. Who inspired you into music?

My Sunday school teacher. She saw the potential in me, and gave me a platform to compose songs at an early age then teach the song to fellow Sunday school kids and then we would perform them on Sundays. That’s how the talent grew.

Apart from music what else do you do?

I blog and do Property management.

What do you think of the music industry?

I think it has the potential to become the biggest revenue earner, but as we speak, it doesn’t pay musicians as much as it should.

If you were to change something in the industry what would it be?

The policy system.

What challenges are you currently facing?

Juggling between work and performances or ministry. It is draining.

In the next five years where do you see yourself?

Married, singing more, having built an orphanage shelter in Marigat and supporting it through my GIIC (God is in Control) Foundation.

@duncan_x254

tamar

a cHilD Of GOD

factfile Favorite Food: Ugali Nyama Favorite Artistes: Lady J. B and Yemi Alade Favorite Sport: Athletics and Darts Age: 20s.

10

ACCESS

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 26th NOVEMBER 15, 2016 2014

FASHIONparade

@2016 BAFTA AwArds

Red aLeRT Despite being the subject of internet memes and trolls for never having won an Oscar, Leo DiCaprio was the man of the night at the 69th BAFTA Awards in London after he finally won the award for best actor, a category in which he had been unsuccessfully nominated three times before. Those attending the colorful ceremony, which took place yesterday, seemed to have received the Valentine’s memo, showering us with gorgeous reds, daring patterns, and lots of titillation.

AnnABell wAlis: Bringing back the Victorian era.

@mercy_x254

AnToniA ThomAs: In full rebellion of Valentine’s spirit.

AngelA BAsseT: Dressed In custom Galia Lahav. emiliA ClArke: Wearing Victoria Beckham.

dAkoTA Johnson: Dressed in Dior.

OPiPs feaTuRing JaRdeL

lyriclab nazizi

Wedding Ring

East Africa’s queen of hip hop and reggae Nazizi’s latest single titled Wedding Ring is music after many people’s hearts. Wedding Ring has become one of the most talked about comebacks in Kenya even making history as the only single to be advertised on billboards. Produced by Beat ya Keggah, the love themed track and video released on valentines is sure deep with love. Her choice of lyrics is amazing and the message stands out clear.

kATe winsleT: Dressed in Antonio Berardi.

nina feaTuRing WinyO

anOTheR WOman

POLO

This duo gives 2016 valentines a whole new meaning with a special dedication to all the lovers. Winyo and his beautiful wife Nina Ogot sing Polo from their new album Yote Yote. The acoustic and vocal filled track has lots of great harmonies and celebrates love, love and more love.

Opips and Jardel are the new Duo in town.

Signed by Team Mistari in 2015, they have great music lined up for 2016 and beyond.

They open the year with a Reggae riddim called Calabash Riddim p r o d u c e d

by Grandpa Records Producer Visita The title song, Another Woman, talks about the possibility of being caught cheating by your girlfriend. The song was recorded mixed and mastered by Dillie, Background vocals by Nessa and the baseline played by Tom Olang.

11

ACCESS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

review of top weekend gigs

O

n valentine’s eve, all boy band Sauti Sol treated, fans, family, friends and lovers of their music to an exceptional performance to mark the launch of their third album dubbed Live and Die in Afrika at the Ngong Race Course in Nairobi. The afro-pop band formed in Nairobi by vocalists Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano and Savara Mudigi in 2005 started out initially as an a capella group but soon after, guitarist Polycarp Otieno joined the trio forming a quad named Sauti Sol that has now become a household name.

Gates at the venue opened at six and die hard followers trooped in, in pairs and solo ready for an electrifying performance that is characteristic of their performances.

Sauti Sol released their debut studio album Mwanzo on 1st

November 2008, to critical acclaim. Their second studio album, Sol Filosofia, was released on 25th February 2011, earning the group a number of accolades and nominations in the process.

As promised, during their numerous, campaigns prior to the launch, Sauti Sol did not disappoint. The performance at the launch of Live and die in Afrika, which is their third album out did their previous launches of Mwanzo and Sol Philosophia.

From proper, stage set up to mind bending dance moves choreographed to perfection to an array of stunning wardrobe versatility, Sauti Sol simply astonished.

The awe-inspiring boy band, unleashed proper content, featuring all the hits in their album, from Sura Yako to, say Yeah and Isabela and finally unleashing the track

CENTRESTAGE HOT

that titled the album; Live and Die in Afrika.

Positioned to celebrate love, the Live and die in Afrika album launch secured a stellar performance that ushered in the lover’s day bringing with it the great people who have since the beginning of their journey supported their rise to the top as one of Kenya’s, Africa’s and the World’s finest. All was said to be jolly and good that left fans yearning for more.

topics

Lady Gaga gets a David Bowie tattoo Lady Gaga added to her already impressive collection of body art with a tattoo honoring David Bowie, and she documented the whole thing on Snapchat! The 29-year-old singer posted several videos and photos as she was getting inked at Shamrock Social Club in the wee hours Sunday morning. The ink will literally be fresh for her GRAMMYs p e r f o r m a n c e tonight. She’ll be paying tribute to Bowie, who died on Jan. 10 at age 69 after a battle with cancer.

Lady Gaga

As promised, during their numerous, campaigns prior to the launch, Sauti Sol did not disappoint. The performance at the launch of Live and die in Afrika .

fans ‘Live and Die in Afrika Sauti gives on Valentines eve Sol

Sauti Sol vows to live and die in Afrika Kenyan all boy-band Sauti Sol has vowed to live and die in Afrika. Launching their album, Live and Die in Afrika, on Valentines eve at the Ngong’ Racecourse, the band delivered an electrifying show that serenaded hundreds of fans, celebrities and persons in the music industry. And for the very first time, this concert brought together family members including parents of the band members. The all boy band speaking to Access, vowed to keep churning out tunes in Africa, for Africa and the world.

Sauti Sol

Love is in the air for Showbiz TV host Valentine ’s Day wouldn’t just go by without someone saying ‘YES’! Publicist and TV host Anyiko Owoko is officially taken. The beautiful fashion savvy TV host took her relationship to the next level yesterday when she revealed via social media that she had said yes and was thus engaged to her fiancée.

On Instagram, the news of her engagement was shared with a lovely ring on her finger followed by hundreds o f congratulatory messages.

Anyiko

12

CLASSIFIED MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

Job VACANCY! EARN

8500/=

Technical insTiTuTe EstablishEd in 1964

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

WEEKLY

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

AS YOU ARE LEARNING IN

AN

COMPANY,

Technical courses

AUSTRALIAN

RECRUICTING

l l l

LOCALLY

l l

PEOPLE

l l l l

OF FORM 4 AND ABOVE

l l

(28 YRS AND BELOW) IN

l

SALES, MARKETING AND

l l

DISTRIBUTION

l l

DEPARTMENT. CALL NOW:

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 You could be flooded with information from newspapers or the Internet that seems very strange to you. There’s a reason for this. It’s very likely to be misinformation! Don’t be afraid to take it with a grain of salt, even though others take it very seriously.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Some of your friends and colleagues could be calling you at home to discuss the matter. However, these rumors are probably based on little more than gossip, so don’t take them seriously. Someone could have an axe to grind and tend to blow things all out of proportion. That should get you through.

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

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

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

Call 0708192229/ 0763983531

DAILYHOROSCOPES

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

WEATHERFORECAST Monday 15/2/2016

sunny

24

25ºC 57%

TUEday 16/2/2016

More sun than clouds

26 6:42 am 6:51pm

26ºC 47%

6:42am 6:51pm

Wednesday

28

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

Sunday’s Solution

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Take care that you don’t get too excited, since this is very likely to be misinformation that some rather weird minds have garbled. Consider it interesting, think about it, but don’t take it seriously unless reliable sources confirm it.

Sudoku

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 What you’re hearing may be total misinformation. The future is probably going to shape up to be far different than the picture you draw from the news. In fact, you might find that your own personal finances take a definite turn for the better.

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 This opinion, however, is likely to be based on rumor, gossip, and other misinformation, so it would be a good idea to suggest that these concepts be explored in order to ascertain the facts. They’ll probably turn out to be far more positive than you hear today.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 It never hurts to consult a doctor, but when this person does, he or she is likely to find that these problems are probably nothing more than stress, too much work, or overindulgence in food or drink.

Therefore, don’t you panic, too!

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Animated discussions could turn into angry quarrels and this could offend your desire for harmony.

A lot of misinformation could be exchanged today and cause confusion and short tempers. Stay home if you can, but if you must go out, don’t be afraid to leave at the first sign of arguments.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 This person has heard some news that is confusing and probably untrue and therefore is wondering what effect this would have on their situation. If he or she discusses it with you, the best advice you could give would be to not panic until there’s a chance to check the facts.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 Attempts to contact others in different states or foreign countries today could go awry, Virgo, as technology that we tend to take for granted, such as telephones and the Internet, could malfunction, perhaps due to solar flares. The only thing you can do is wait!

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Machines involved in financial transactions, such as ATMs, phone systems, or banking websites could malfunction today, Libra, so you might have to resort to dealing with money in the old fashioned way: by going into the bank or writing checks.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Contact with others, no matter how much you love them, isn’t likely to go well, as most people are probably restless and in uncertain moods. This is a good day to catch up on your reading or web surfing and work on projects of your own that you may have been neglecting for a while.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Your brain could be going into overload, so it’s probably best to take it one step at a time! It’s also important to remember to take breaks and clear your head. Too much information all at once could result in your not being able to absorb any of it.

FIND THE KEYWORD IN RED AND SMS IT TO 22333 RINGTONES: 30 KSHS PER DAY You will receive a sms “2 download. . . ”Go to this link using GPRS or WAP & download your content.

KENYAN HITS! Dumbala Remix Msaidizi Fundamentals Mungu Baba Uwepo Wako Milele Dongo Dongo Ulibeba Sobei Cheiso Worship You Sambaza Defender Tosheka Kereka Ningwendete Queen Ahuirania Ti Mundu Ndirakurekie

KENRAZY Visita, Madtraxx, DNA & Jay A

GLORIA MULIRO KEN WAMARIA RUFFTONE & GSU MERCYLINAH MARION SHAKO GERALDINE ODUOR EUNICE NJERI EMMY KOSGEI BMF FT MERCY WAIREGI ALICE KAMANDE DADDY OWEN MOG DK KWENYE BEAT JOAN WAIRIMU LOISE KIM N.D GITHUKA BETTY BAYO & MR SEED SIMON

KEN4 GM4 KT4 RUFF4 LIN4 SHA4 GER4 EN4 KOS4 BMF4 KAM4 DAD4 MOG4 DK4 VAN4 LK4 GAK4 BET4 SIM4

Kinyukia Kahora

JOAN WAIRIMU

VAN4

Barua Muganga Nipe Nafasi Glory to Glory Nanena Adonai Zawadi Sitalia Tena Bongo Lala Sitalia Tena Hatarudi Nyuma Mapenzi Solo Penzi Langu Matokeo Born Again Lingala Ya Yesu Fanya Kitendo Muziki Ni Dawa Makeke Kitanzi Miss Hizo Naona Mbali Nime Wasamehe Hakuna Silaha

Ex: HC4 to 22333

BAHATI DJ LAPOZE JEMMO & DENNO BEN GITHAE HADASSAH PAUL EMMA OMONGE MASSMASILYA LAURENT MUGISHO MR. BISCUIT SIMON KIDUM & JULIANI KIDUM NGANGALITO KIDIS GLORIA MULIRO EKO DYDDA PITSON BEN GITHAE RINGTONE JIMMY GAIT GLORIA M & WILLY P ALA C DENNO SOLOMON MUKUBWA SARAH KIARIE

TIB4 HC4 GON4 GIT4 WT4 JC4 HOB4 HOK4 JAG4 SIM4 DUM4 DUM4 LIT4 PIG4 GM4 KEB4 BOM4 GIT4 RING4 JG4 GM4 ALA4 GON4 SOL4 SK4

This is a subscription service. Cost per message is KSH30. Content Delivered daily. A Joining fee of KSH30 applies.

Phone must be WAP/GPRS ENABLED to download ringtones. Errors will be billed. To DEACTIVATE OR UNSUBSCRIBE, SMS STOP followed by the keyword i.e. STOP HC4 to 22333 or *100#. A deactivation fee of KES 30 will be charged unless passive deactivation is requested.Customer Support: 0711035333 or 0734488668 , SUN - FRI, 8:30AM - 6pm, SAT 9am - 5pm. or email: ke@smshelp.info.

PLAY

13

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. Coat of frost 5. Distributed charity 10. First mos.

14. “Same ____ ever was” 15. Jazz pianist Blake 16. Bygone French coins 17. Devastating review, say 19. Chinese oil tree 20. May honorees 21. Flemish capital 22. Rudolph and teammates 26. Make ____ of money 30. Nova Scotia city 34. Partners 35. “It is the ___, and Juliet is the sun”: 36. Silicon monoxide, chemically 37. “Toodles!”

39. FBI employees 42. NASA moon craft 43. ___ Crunch (cereal brand) 47. Have ___ to play 48. In the past 51. Not as experienced 52. Business-related 54. Tough tests 57. Modern flier’s convenience 62. Salt formula 63. Representatives 66. Keystone State city 67. Proportional relationship 68. Scat queen 69. Iraq’s ____ City

70. Belarus capital 71. Playground response to “I don’t have cooties!”

Down 1. Obama adviser Emanuel 2. Aoki of the links 3. Hand protector 4. Write with acid 5. Big name in balers and harvesters 6. In the open air 7. Presidential monogram 8. “Old Macdonald” coda 9. Young socialite, for short 10. Jed Clampett’s nephew 11. Missed ____ (blew one’s entrance) 12. Berlin singer Terri ____ 13. USMC noncom 18. Religious dissent 21. Sparkler 23. Journalists’ grp.

24. Ph.D. holders 25. Vocalist James 26. Walk at a gentle pace 27. Score settler 28. Gossip notes 29. Beirut’s country (abbr.)

31. “Nothing’s Gonna Stop ___” (Starship song) 32. Championship 33. Swindler, slangily 38. Bounce back 40. Cherry ___ (Ben & Jerry’s

offering) 41. Feminists’ goal 44. Department of eastern France 45. Hamas rival, for short 46. Formidable opponent 49. Money handler 50. UK facilities 53. Consoling statement 54. Addition column 55. ____ avis 56. Corrosive liquid 58. Acceptance on the street, in slang 59. Metric mass 60. Congers 61. General of chicken fame 63. Hesitant non-fluency 64. Month after avril 65. London-based news provider

Thursday’s answers

YOURSAY Kenya could witnessed chaotic polls in 2017 If the recent events regarding the credibility and independence of institutions such as the Judiciary and the police are anything to go by, then Kenya is headed for the woods in as far as the 2017 General Election is concerned It is important to note that the country had a successful and peaceful election in 2013 simply because the institutions that managed the whole electoral process were largely perceived as independent and credible.

Before the last General Election, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had just delivered a successful referendum in 2010. The Judiciary, with Willy Mutunga at the helm, had regained confidence among Kenyans and the newly-rebranded National Police Service was teeming with Inspector General (IG) having been independently recruited.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) processes had proved to be a strong deterrent mechanism. Learning from the 2007/08 post-election violence, civil society and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had inundated Kenyans with tonnes of peace messages.

However, things changed immediately after the elections, sending signals that the 2017 elections may not be

as rosy and peaceful as many wished, hence the need to address some of the concerns.

The Supreme Court handling of the 2013 presidential election petition was not satisfying and at that moment I knew the rains had started beating us. In addition, the move by the Jubilee Administration to amend Section 30 of the Judicial Service Commission Act to allow the president a strong hand in choosing the next Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice is another veiled affront on the independence of Judiciary.

The bribery claims against Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi, is perhaps the final irreparable damage and indictment of the Judiciary.

The fact that Mutunga has termed Kenya a bandit economy sums it up.

Two, the failure of the electronic voter identification and tallying system, the multiple voter registers and the Chickengate scandal has completely tarnished the image of IEBC. Three, the Security Laws Amendment Act 2014 amended section 12 of the National Police Service Act by mandating the President to nominate a person for appointment as an InspectorGeneral and submit the name of the nominee to the National Assembly.

With Jubilee tyranny in

National Assembly, the nomination is as good as appointment and with this new development, the position of IG lost its independence. It is now an appendage of the Executive, which has direct interest in 2017 elections.

Four, the way the ICC handled President Uhuru Kenyatta’s case as well as the current ongoing case facing Deputy President William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang has sent a strong message that perhaps what you need is power and everything else, including ICC, can be sorted. On the other hand, if the recent AU resolution is anything to go by, come 2017, Kenya, and other African countries, may have walked out of the Rome Statute that established ICC. Finally, the political elites from the two leading coalitions have been spewing hate speech on a scale reminiscence of events leading to, during and after 2007 election.

From the foregoing, it will not be wild to conclude that we are approaching the 2017 elections from a weak point, at least institutionally. This is why everything must be put in place to address these institutional inadequacies and rein in hate speech.

—Mzungu Mweupe

Review law on IEBC commissioners to avert crisis There are few contentious issues going into an election in any democracy than the credibility and integrity of the electoral commission, which will preside over the poll.

This fact holds true for Kenya. Indeed, the clamour for comprehensive constitutional reforms was, in part, inspired by the need to have electoral reforms that would guarantee free, fair and transparent elections.

This was also the reasoning behind the formation of the Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group in 1997 through which the Opposition got to have a say on who presided over the elections, much as it was not anchored in law.

The 2010 Constitution established the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which removed the prerogative over the appointment of electoral commissioners from the presidency. In effect, the appointment of commissioners was made competitive. Political Parties no longer need to play a role in choosing the referee as it were.

As the country prepares for next year’s General Election, uncertainty over the current IEBC commissioners’ terms has again resurfaced.

The Commission on Administration of Justice raised constitutional questions that we should ignore as the country heads to the next

elections. In the Ombudsman’s analysis, the country could be plunged into a constitutional crisis if the uncertainty over the term of the current commissioners is not addressed now.

The term of the current commissioners ends just over two months after the August 8, 2017 General Election.

In the event a person is aggrieved by the results of the Presidential elections and there is a successful Supreme Court petition, the Ombudsman argues that the current commissioners may not be in office to oversee the re-run, thus plunging the country into a constitutional crisis since the electoral commission secretariat cannot assume the role of commissioners.

In a welcome move, the commission’s chief executive Ezra Chiloba has added his voice to the debate, urging that the uncertainty be dealt with in good time.

Rather than wait until late in the day when the country may not have the time to sort out the matter, it is imperative that a sober debate about the issue starts immediately so as to provide clarity on who will manage the next elections and avoid the possible constitutional crisis that the Ombudsman has warned about.

— Nderitu, Donholm

230,000 missing Form One slot blow to economy It is now apparent that the Jubilee duped Kenyans when it leaders pledged to give education sector the first priority if elected with more than 230,000, who sat their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) missing out Form One slots in the recently concluded selection.

Majority of bright students always miss opportunities to further their education

as a result of the expenses related to education despite government’s claims to boost education through free primary and subsidised secondary education.

Most students have not and will not be joining their favourite schools all in the name of poverty or lack of school fees.

This is a shocking figure that reveals that either our leaders

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

in charge of CDF (bursaries) or the government is killing the dreams of our bright students.

Thumps up to firms from the private sector such as Equity’s wings to fly initiative for supporting needy, but bright students to acquire slots in Form One and challenge other institutions to emulate Equity Bank.

—Enock ndayala, Nairobi.

14

SPORT MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS Martins joins mega rich Chinese league

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins has joined Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in a multi-million dollar deal. The 31-yearold makes the switch from Seattle Sounders, where he scored 43 goals in 84 appearances for the MLS club he joined in March 2013. Martins was linked with a move back to the Premier League in the January window, but British agent Tony Harris along with the player’s attorney Soroosh Abdi brokered the deal taking the Super Eagle star to China instead. Martins, will join Senegalese striker Demba Ba at the Shanghai and will become the latest high-profile player to make the switch to the cash-rich Super League. Colombia striker Jackson Martinez, former Chelsea midfielder Ramires, Cameroon captain Stephane Mbia and ex-Serie A duo Gervinho and Fredy Guarin are among the other big Chinese signings in 2016.

Martins burst into the international limelight at Italian side Inter Milan before switching to Newcastle in August 2006.

He scored 35 goals in his three seasons with the Magpies.

Venus wins 49th title in 21 years as Tennis Pro

Seven times Grand Slam winner Venus Williams on Sunday beat Misaki Doi 6-4 6-2 to win the inaugural Taiwan Open without dropping a set. Top seed Williams, 35, overcame the Japanese player to claim her 49th title of 21-year professional career. The American, who exit the Australian Open ​at the firstround stage in January, did not drop a set during the tournament in Kaohsiung.

Williams, elder sister to Serena Williams broke her second-seeded opponent three times in each set to win the final in one hour and 26 minutes. Williams’ latest victory leaves her seventh on the alltime list of tournament wins in women’s singles. Martina Navratilova leads the way on 167 titles, while world number one Serena, has 69 career tournament victories.

Kiplagat wins in Spain but with slower speed

Kenya’s Florence Kiplagat posted four second slower than her world record time despite winning the eDreams Mitja Marato Barcelona, an IAAF Bronze Label Road Race. Kiplagat, 28 had to settle for a time of 1:09:19, more than four minutes outside the half marathon world record of 1:05:09 she set in the same city 12 months ago. Kiplagat was not in the same form which led her to two world records on her previous two appearances in the Catalan city. Her usual pacemaker Marc Roig set a steady pace from the gun, but Kiplagat was better. She cleared the opening 5km in 16:31, nearly a full minute outside the impressive 15:38 she clocked last year. The pair hit the gas, reaching the 10km point in 32:42, a 16:09 split, and 15km in 49:06 but were still almost three minutes slower than last year when she clocked a world record for the distance with 46:13. “I’m short of fitness this year so another world record was not in my thoughts today. It was also windy so running fast was difficult.”

Kamworor, Karoki named in Africa XC squad despite lack of interest Geoffrey Kamworor and Bedan Karoki were all included in the Kenya squad for the forthcoming Africa Cross Country Championship despite the pair making it clear that they do not want to race in Cameroon.

Kamworor, the reigning world half marathon and world cross country champion beat Karoki last weekend at Uhuru Gardens with 50 metres dash to the tape in the tough course.

Karoki who is the reigning Africa Cross Country champion was not impressed by the reduction in the senior men’s race by two telemetres, from 12-10km “The distance is too short. It affected my game plan because the race is too fast, you have to maintain your endurance and speed at the same time,” said Karoki, who missed the chance to win his fourth national title in a row.

This was Kamworor’s first national title and what a better way to claim it than eclipsing his

best friend outside the course.

“I will wait and see what AK (Athletics Kenya) do but I would prefer to go defend my world (half marathon) title,” said Kamworor ahead of the March 26 race set to be held in Gardiff City, Great Britain after clocking 28:19.6 for first spot.

Japan-based Karoki who clocked 28:24.3 for second spot ahead of Kenya Police’s Leonard Barsoton, who retained his third spot also had reserved opinion about racing in Cameroon in March.

The world half marathon will be 14 days from Africa Cross which is set for March 12 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

I was sure of defending the title from the beginning. I am in good form and it is unfortunate to lose.

I made a mistake of kicking too early and running with the pack,”

I HAVE MADE IT: Geoffrey Kamworor crosses the tape yesterday when he won this year’s national Cross Country Championship at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.

said Karoki who was running for Central Athletics Kenya Region. Charles Mneria Yosei of Nairobi came fourth after cutting the tape in 28:28.6.

Faith Chepng’etich dropped out of the race in the second lap to leave no worthy competition for Africa 10,000 metres champion Alice Aprot, who convincingly won the women’s 10 kilometres, by close to 800 meters.

Aporot, who clocked 31:13.2, had to catch some breath for close to two minutes before her closest challenger, Beatrice Mutai, sister to Chepng’etich crossed the line 32:28.2, more than 500m behind for second place.

In the junior class, Sandra Felis Chebet of Nairobi covetously safeguarded her unbeaten tradition when she classically won the junior women crown while little known Nickson Kiplagat, also from Nairobi, won the junior women. @elvince_x254

Malkia Strikers face Egypt in Olympics qualifiers semis Kenya will meet arch rivals, Egypt today in the semi-final of the Confederation of Africa Volleyball Federation (CAVB) Olympics qualifiers in Yaoundé Cameroon.

This will be the first meeting between these two sides since March last year where they met in Uganda during the All Africa Games qualifiers.

Malkia Strikers confirmed their semi-final berth with 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 20-25, 25-9) win over fast rising Cameroon in the last group A match held last night at the Palais des Spots Hall in Yaoundé.

A towering Lydia Maiyo led Kenya top scorers with 20 points from her favorite right attack position. Setter Joy Lusenaka scored impressive 15 points while Stephanie Fotoso

led the losers as she contributed 12 points for her side.

They joined Algeria, who topped the other group ahead of Egypt whom they beat by similar sets (18-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-23).

Kenya took the first two sets, but gave away the third to allow the host some confidence and hope of coming back into the match, but the dreams were thwarted when nine times Africa champions grabbed the fourth set 25-9 Egypt led comfortably in the first set before Algeria came from behind to grab three successive sets with their tight block and successful attacks coming from outside hitter Yasmine Abdelrrahim. Lydia Oulmou led Algerian scorers with 10 points, while Aya El Shami led the losers with 11 points.

With the win, Algeria improved their winloss ratio to 3-0 to finish first of the pool.

Egypt dropped to 2-1 to end the preliminary round in the second position. The losers were better in blocking having the advantage 10/5, while Algeria had better serving gaining 5-2 advantages in ace services.

Botswana set the first win against Uganda 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 25-19, 10-25, 15-11) in the third place decider of Pool B to book a date with Tunisia for position five and six.

Gasekgonwe led Botswana scorers with 17 points, while Peace Busingye led Uganda with 8 points. Botswana finished the pool matches with 1-2 record to finish third ahead of Uganda (0-3). @elvince_x254

Barca thrash Celta Vigo as Suarez nets hat-trick Lionel Messi missed a chance to take his goal tally to 300 for Barcelona and instead assisted Luis Suarez for an audacious penalty as La Liga leaders thrashed Celta Vigo 6-1 to move three points clear.

With Barca leading 3-1, the Argentine nudged the spot-kick forward to his right for Suarez to run into the area and side-foot in to complete his hattrick and extend Barcelona’s unbeaten run to 30 games.

This move evoked memories when Barca legend Johan Cruyff played a one-two with Ajax team-mate Jesper Olsen to score from the spot in 1982, plus a less successful attempt by Arsenal pair Robert Pires and Thierry Henry in 2005.

Messi opened the scoring with a sublime free-

kick before Celta striker John Guidetti drilled in a penalty to level. Suarez’s second-half treble, Ivan Rakitic and Neymar sealed the rout.

The defending champions still have a game in hand on nearest rivals Atletico Madrid, with Real Madrid four points adrift of the leaders Celta, who Luis Enrique left to manage Barca in May 2014, earned surprise 1-0 win at the Nou Camp last season and thrashed their former boss’s side in a 4-1 home success in September.

And they will have been quietly confident of causing another upset as they held their hosts 1-1 at the break.

The Uruguayan striker completed a 22-minute hat-trick by converting Messi’s audacious penalty, before substitute Rakitic’s lob and Neymar’s cool finish.

“We practiced the penalty - it was for me, but Luis was closer and scored,” he

said. “It doesn’t matter, he scored so it worked well,” Brazilian Neymar said after the match.

“We love each other a lot and that friendship is the most important thing, no matter who scores the goals.”

“Some will like it, some won’t, but as Barca players and members of the club, on top of winning titles we try to enjoy our football in a spectacular way,” said Barca boss Enrique.

Second-placed Atletico Madrid briefly moved level with Barcelona following a 1-0 win at Getafe earlier on Sunday.

Spain striker Fernando Torres tapped in Yannick Carrasco’s low cross from the left after 61 seconds - and that proved enough for the visitors.

Diego Simeone’s team moved back into second at the expense of Real, who host their neighbours at the Bernabeu on February 27.

FC Barcelona’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Leo Messi celebrate Suarez’s third goal against Celta Vigo during their Primera Division soccer match played at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, last night. EPA/Quique Garcia

Uphill task awaits Bandari, Gor in CAF return legs

Bandari will have to score three goals against St. Eloi Lupopo to progress to Confederation’s Cup next stage after losing 2-0 in Congo.

The Dockers joined defending champions Gor Mahia in a poor start of the continental after the latter lost 2-1 to visiting Cnaps of Madagacar on Saturday at Nyanyo National Stadium.

Bandari went behind to a Mutshimba Mugala goal in the first half at a packed Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba. The DSTV Cup winners looked to have bravely held out to just a goal conceded in this away match only to fall to a late winner from Heritie Makambo that left them with the herculean task of

beating the Congolese side.

Gor whose lose was marred by dressing room alteration between head coach Frank Nuttal and goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch will also have to score two unanswered goals in the return leg to progress. Oluoch is understood to have engaged his coach in a physical confrontation when he was blamed for the opening goal.

Meanwhile, AFC Leopards put aside their pre-season problems punctuated by squabbles from the executive when they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Matahre United yesterday evening at Nyayo Nationa stadium.

Ingwe who landed a cool, Sh45million

a year deal with league sponsors, SportsPesa came from a goal down to draw with the slum boys.

Ingwe’s new catch, Andrew Tololwa scored from the spot against his former employer after Chrispinus Oduor handled Clifton Miheso shot inside the box. Obadiah Ndege had put Mathare ahead after just two minutes in to the mach. Elsewhere, Posta Rangers marked their return to the top tier league with a win over Muhoroni Youth. Gor Mahia loanee Timothy Otieno scored a brace for Posta to give Zedekiah Otieno his first win and Rangers first since in three year at the top flight. @elvince_x254

SPORT 15 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

MONDAY, februArY 15, 2016 | www.x254.c0

DAUNTING TASK FOR BANDARI, GOR IN CAF RETURN LEGS AFTER LOSSES

p15

Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen and Manchester City’s Fernando in action during the English Premier League match between the two sides at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Eriksen scored a late winner to condemn City to a 2-1 loss.

EPA/PETER POWELL

Tottenham beat City at home Tottenham moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Leicester as Christian Eriksen struck a late winner at fourthplaced Manchester City.

Spurs striker Harry Kane fired home from the spot in the second half after Raheem Sterling was controversially penalised for handling the ball at the edge of the box.

Yaya Toure struck a 20-yard freekick against the bar before teenage substitute Kelechi Iheanacho levelled for the Citizens, but Spurs earned a fifth league win in a row

as Eriksen slotted in the winner in the dying minutes of the second half.

The win took them back to second, above Arsenal’s who had beaten leaders Leicester City 2-1 with a late Danny Welbeck header.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side won 21 points from their opening nine league games, but have claimed just 26 points from their subsequent 17 matches.

They are six points off the Premier League summit after losing two consecutive home league matches for the first time since December

2008, and have lost ground to Tottenham and Arsenal.

City know the gap is not insurmountable, having been eight points behind Manchester United in April 2012 before snatching the Premier League title on the final day. But they are 11 points worse off than Leicester and Tottenham during this 17-game period and need to find form quickly.

City will point towards the penalty as a key moment against a Tottenham side who have not won a topflight title since 1961.

Both sides struggled to create

chances in a tight encounter but, despite Tottenham having more of the ball, the hosts will feel they deserved at least a point as David Silva scooped over late on.

The host were absolutely furious at Mark Clattenburg’s decision to award a penalty against Sterling.

The England forward had turned his back as he jumped to block Danny Rose’s cross, with the ball hitting is left elbow with eyes turned to the opposite direction.

Liverpool took their point tally to three points behind fifth placed Manchester United thanks to a 6-0

thrashing over Aston Villa at Vila Park.

Daniel Sturridge, made his first league start since October with a header before James Milner’s freekick crept in after being missed by keeper Mark Bunn.

Emre Can rifled in a shot, Divock Origi slotted home with his first touch in the field and Nathaniel Clyne bundled in to add to the Reds’ lead while the loss ensure that Villa are still rooted at the bottom of the table. Kolo Toure headed in a sixth as Villa were punished for a poor performance.

Published By Xtra Publishing Limited, Chancery Building, Valley Road, Nairobi | Printed By The Star, Lion Place, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi.

Paul Marshall-CEO, Fred Bunei-Finance Manager, Josiah Musee-Advertising Manager, Peter Obuya-Editor peter_x254 josiah_x254 PDMXNEWS fred_x254

ADVERTISING CONTACT DETAILS:

0722980807

020 2716525/6

Email: sales@x254.co

Mary - 0723060734, Irene - 0721404674, Robert 0718401663