201602029 xnews

MONday, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 | www.x254.co

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slow prosecution to blame for rising graft cases cotu boss francis atwoli says anti-corruption agencies are not doing enough to pin down individuals implicated in various scandals

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NEWS

Eliud Kipchoge, Mary keitany win sh100 million in Japan marathon

olympic lyon beat PSG 2-1 to end the champion’s unbeaten run

P Police on alert as

al-Shabaab target airports in Kenya

FROM LEFT: Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desaglem, President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Djibouti counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud pose for a photo in Djibouti before the start of Heads of State and Government Summit for countries contributing troops and police to Amisom in Somalia. Mr Kenyatta has called for increased funding to the Amisom force.

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olice are on high alert following intelligence reports of planned terror attacks on main airports in Nairobi and Mombasa.

An internal memo sent to all airport managers across the country warned that suicide bombers have been undergoing airborne suicide missions in Somalia for the planned attacks.

The memo dated February 26 is signed

by Kenya Airports Authority Security Manager Eric Kiraithe who said the attackers are likely to target domestic flights.

“A team of 11 suicide bombers have undergone training within Somalia on airborne suicide missions in readiness CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 for the attacks.

Uhuru calls for increased funding to Amisom force

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on the international community to allocate adequate resources to the military operations in Somalia.

He said there is need to increase land, air and maritime capabilities of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) forces to achieve their strategic objective of stabilising the country.

According to Mr Kenyatta, Amisom currently lacks the requisite force multipliers to effectively deliver on its mandate. He regretted that the 12 military helicopters authorised by the UN Security council in 2012 are yet to be deployed.

“Denying a mission like Amisom these capabilities is not only unacceptable, but untenable,” President Kenyatta said yesterday in Djibouti during the Heads of State and Government Summit of countries contributing troops and police to the mission. He expressed disappointment at the international community’s failure to live up to its obligation having also forgotten that the African Union is in Somali on behalf of the United Nations.

“Whereas the continent is footing the bill of stabilising Somalia by blood and flesh, it is disheartening that the international community is even contemplating to reduce support to Amisom,” he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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NEWS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Al-Shabaab targeting Kenya airports From Page 1

Five operatives will target Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson Airport while the rest will focus on airports at the Coast region among them Moi International Airport,” Kiraithe stated, adding “The planned attacks by al Shabaab against Kenyan airports are likely to paralyse operations at the vital install installations with far reaching ramifications to national security.”

Kiraithe confirmed the authenticity of the memo but declined to immediately offer more details.

The warning comes barely three weeks after a bomb attack on a passenger plane shortly after take-off from Somalia’s main airport, killing one person.

The blast punched a onemetre (three-foot) hole in the side of the Airbus A321 about 15 minutes after it had taken off from Mogadishu

heading to Djibouti.

A passenger identified as Abdulahi Abdisalam was killed, probably after being propelled out of the aircraft in the explosion, investigators said.

Another two out of the 60 passengers on board were slightly injured.

The pilot, a 64-year-old Serb named Vladimir Vodopivec, told a friend that he was convinced the blast had been caused by a bomb, according

to the Serbian daily Blic.

The explosion did not damage the plane’s navigation system, and this is what enabled the pilot to make the emergency landing, the report said.

Al-Shabaab have lately intensified their attacks, most of them carried out inside Somalia.

Last month, the militants attacked a KDF camp in El Adde and killed an unknown number of soldiers before

staging another raid at a beach in Mogadishu.

And just last Friday, the group stormed a hotel in the Somali capital, leaving at least nine people dead.

The attackers set off a car bomb outside the heavily fortified Somali Youth League hotel before moving in. The hotel, situated near the presidential palace, is popular with government personnel.

An explosion also targeted a

popular park known as the Peace Garden.

Witnesses said they heard a loud explosion that was followed by gunfire. 40 minutes after the first car bomb went off, another explosion of the same magnitude was heard.

Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, is waging an armed insurgency in Somalia. peter_x254 MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

Uhuru calls for increased funding to Amisom force From Page 1 He said that the primary mandate of promoting international peace and security world over including Somalia, still remains with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

He called on the Amisom leaders to reject insinuations that the African Union meet the cost of the military mission in Somalia.

“At the minimum, the continent should demand that Amisom’s funding be drawn from the UN Assessed Contributions,” said President Kenyatta.

He urged African leaders to prepare proposals for submission to the United Nations regarding the future of Amisom, especially postAugust 2016.

“Interaction must focus attention on whether the mandate of Amisom as currently provided can deal with the today’s threat dynamics. Our assessment in Kenya suggests not,” President Kenyatta said.

The President cited various challenges facing Amisom troops that reduced the efficiency and effectiveness of mission. He stressed the urgent need for the mission to immediately deploy troops in all designated areas.

Deployment, the President added, could be effected through a re-organisation of the current posture or a troops surge to enable the establishment of an effective presence that guarantees sustenance of Amisom’s current success on the ground, and further liberation of areas under the terrorists.

“As a matter of urgency, Amisom must quickly deploy

troops in Gedo region in Sector 3,” said the President.

Part of the Kenyan contingent of Amisom at El Adde camp in the region was recently attacked by al Shabaab.

Other challenges facing Amisom include recommendations by the Joint AU-UN benchmarking exercise conducted on April 14-25, 2016, to replace military forces with Police Formed Units.

He said while the importance of policing functions in the attainment of Amisom’s broad mandate cannot be ignored, such role will not be achieved through a military draw-down.

The President shared Kenya’s own internal review that points to the need for a surge of both military and police units within the shortest time possible, preferably before the 2016 election in Somalia.

President Kenyatta proposed the suspension of the implementation of the recommendations of the Joint AU-UN Benchmarking exercise and a comprehensive review of the Concept of Operations is conducted instead. Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and host Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh said the Somali National Army and the police need to be properly coordinated to ensure security and stability.

They thanked Amisom member countries, AU and UN for being steadfast in undertaking measures aimed at increasing resource to completely degrade al Shabaab. peter_x254

NEWS 3 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Don’t spare anyone in corruption war, Gordec urges Uhuru US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta not to relent in the fight against corruption.

Godec said nobody should be spared in the fight against corruption.

“Anybody found guilty of engaging in corruption should not be spared no matter how powerful he is, I urge President Kenyatta not to relent in the fight against corruption,” he said. The US ambassador spoke at the Supreme Court on Friday during the launch of the Judiciary Committee on elections 2016-2019 strategic plan.

Godec said the Judiciary and other public institutions should be the democratic places and trusted by the public.

“The public must see institutions such as the Judiciary as the most democratic places devoid of corruption as the country heads to the General Elections next year,” Godec said. “Free and fair elections is critical to the people and therefore we need strong institutions such as Judiciary to make this a reality,” he added.

The US ambassador hailed the Judiciary for launching the strategic plan, saying it’s an indication that it’s prepared to handle any dispute that might come up in the next poll.

“Solving of elections disputes quickly is one of the ways of giving people their right and therefore this is a good move in enhancing democratic space in the country,” Godec said. @sam_x254

EACC has failed in war against graft: Atwoli

Central Organisation of Trade Union (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has blamed the runaway corruption on failure by anti-corruption agencies to firmly and expeditiously deal with graft cases.

He said the slow wheel of justice system in the country is solely to blame for the rising cases of corruption.

“The wheels of justice are slow in this country, look at the cases of corruption, how far have they gone? Agencies such as Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) are not doing enough in the graft war and this, a serious drawback,” said Atwoli.

EACC has been on the spot for initially clearing former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru of any wrongdoing in the Sh791 million National Youth Service (NYS) scandal.

Just days after the anti-graft body authored a letter clearing Waiguru, businesswoman Josephine Kabura in a sworn affidavit accused the former CS of being the architect of the scandal.

The EACC has so far made an aboutturn in their earlier communicating, saying Waiguru was not cleared over the NYS scandal and has now opened

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) boss Francis Atwoli at a past function. He has blamed the rising cases of corruption on EACC ineptness.

a fresh investigations. During a recent press conference, EACC chairman Phillip Kinisu said the commission has set up a special investigations team, to deal with corruption cases including the NYS scam.

He said the agency will summon all

person of interest in the NYS saga to help with investigations.

The Cotu boss said only functional bodies will help solve corruption problem in the country. @sam_x254

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International boundary discussion

MONDAY,FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Hope for patients as ministry buys cheaper drugs

Patients suffering from respiratory, non-communicable and cardiovascular diseases can now breathe a sigh of relief after the Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical company, Norvatis shipped in affordable drugs.

The patients will now access the Sh150per-month drugs down from the hundreds of thousands they used in earlier days for treatment. Health Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri has said that the roll out of the drugs will be done in county by county phased approach for easy access.

“The roll-out of Novartis Access will be done county by county. Through this phased approach, we aim to build a steady supply of medicines for patients that are already on Novartis Access treatments as chronic diseases require long-term treatments,” said Muraguri.

Muraguri said the government is committed to tackling health matters in the country and applauded Norvatis for enabling Kenyan patients to access affordable treatment.

“I thank Norvitas for making it happen.

With this implementation, our people shall benefit from cheap medical access on NCDs and will no longer seek treatment overseas” added Muraguri.

The drugs in the first shipment include 1,000 Salbutamol packs for respiratory diseases, 400 packs of Tamoxifen for breast cancer and 4,000 packs of 5mg Amlodipine for heart failure and hypertension.

Others are 2,000 packs of 10mg Amlodipine for heart failure and hypertension, 1,500

of one gram Metformin for diabetes and 4,000 of 500mg Metformin 500 for diabetes.

Muraguri said eight out of the 15 medicines in the Novartis Access portfolio have received marketing authorisation in the country.

The shipment is currently being stored in the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) stores in Nairobi, a faith-based, not-for-profit medical supply chain and capacity building organisation in Kenya.

Mr Muraguri said the initial shipment sets the beginning of a steady supply of Novartis Access medicines in the country.

“The programme supports our government’s efforts to expand access to prevention and treatment for people with cancer and other chronic diseases,” he said. MEDS managing director Paschal Manyuru said the initiative offers much needed relief for many Kenyan families struggling to meet the high cost of managing diseases such as hypertension, breast cancer, diabetes and asthma.

“The low-cost drugs will not only cushion those affected but also promote better management of the diseases,” said Manyuru.

He said MEDS has already placed a followup order that is expected in the next few weeks. Global Head of Novartis Access, Harald Nusser, said the integrity of the distribution chain should be checked for patients who need them to receive at the stipulated prices. @wilson_x254

Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry official Wahib Muluneh (right) and Kenya’s director of Surveys Cesare Mbaria, during the Kenya Ethiopia Joint Boundary Technical Committee (JBTC) meeting in Naivasha. The weeklong meeting that ended yesterday was a follow-up of a similar one held in Hawassa, Ethiopia in 2014 and discussed the inspection and maintenance work of the common boundary between the two countries.

CS denies NYS-IEBC voter drive claims Cabinet Secretary Youth and Gender Affairs Ms Sicily Kariuki has denied claims that the ongoing biometric registration of youths from communities engaged in the National Youth Service projects is a scheme by government to rig the 2017 elections. “I want to make it clear that the ongoing biometric registration of youths involved in the NYS projects is not a parallel exercise to IEBC’s Mass voter registration but it’s an undertaking that aims at reducing loopholes in accountability of NYS funds” said Ms Kariuki. “And we want the politicians to support our programs as we seek to

assist and mentor our youths economically,” she added saying the exercise targets all parts of the country. She said the National Youth Service projects are non-nonpartisan.

Ms Kariuki also announced that NYS projects that were halted in November last year will resume soon after measures to ensure accountability have been put in place. The Cabinet Secretary was speaking at Musila gardens in Mwingi over the weekend during disbursement of Uwezo fund, Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) and Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) cheques amounting to Sh11,685,000 to 109 groups

in Kitui. She said Sh5.3 billion had been disbursed by Uwezo fund to support women and youth with the Fund currently benefiting all the 290 constituencies in the country.

She added that Sh7.5 billion had been disbursed to over 1.1 million women through the WEF and Kshs 10.9 billion to over 294 youths through the YEDF respectively. “I challenge the youth to take advantage of the youth enterprise development fund (YEDF) so as to benefit from the 30 per cent tenders allocated to them by government “concluded Ms Kariuki. hillary_x254

Top stories from X News global partners Court’s Tangles With Iranian elections deal Obama Set Stage for The real danger of Merkel insists ‘no ‘plan The battle is joined, at last.

B’ on migrants: German blow to hardliners as Nominee Fight: The first time Brexit: David Cameron has called a referendum chancellor Angela Merkel said she had reformists gain: Hardliners in President Obama sat down to pick a new on Britain’s membership of the European no “Plan B” for solving the refugee Iran have been dealt a humiliating blow after reformist-backed candidates in Friday’s hard-fought elections appeared on course for a sweeping victory in Tehran, with a combination of moderates and independents sympathetic to President Hassan Rouhani leading in provinces.

A coalition of candidates supported by the reformists, dubbed “the list of hope”, is likely to take all of the capital’s 30 parliamentary seats, according to the latest tally released by the interior ministry, in surprising results seen as a strong vote of confidence in Rouhani’s moderate agenda.

Mohammad Reza is at the top of the list.

www.theguardian.com

Supreme Court justice, surprised aides discovered that he had gone beyond the briefing memos to read the leading candidate’s past judicial rulings. The president, a onetime constitutional law teacher, was in his element, a “legal nerd,” as one aide called him, putting theory into practice. But if nothing else, the last seven years have made clear to Mr. Obama that the Supreme Court is anything but a nerdy, academic exercise. His current standoff with the Senate over replacing Justice Antonin Scalia culminates a profoundly consequential struggle over not just the law, but power, politics and his legacy. www.nytimes.com

Union for June 23rd, promising to campaign hard to stay in. What began as a gambit to hold together his divided Tory party is turning into an alarmingly close contest. Betting markets put the odds that Britons opt to leave at two-toone; some polls suggest the voters are evenly split; several cabinet ministers are campaigning for Brexit. There is a real chance that in four months’ time Britain could be casting off from Europe’s shores.

That would be grave news—and not just for Britain. A vote to leave would damage the economy, certainly in the short term and probably in the long run. www.economist.com

crisis, and insisted there was nothing that would make her change course — despite growing popular anger in Germany at her government’s handling of the issue. Speaking on a talkshow on Germany’s ARD TV channel, Ms Merkel said she could “understand” a recent poll which showed 81 per cent believed her government had lost control of the migrant crisis. But she rejected the proposal backed by many in Germany to introduce an upper limit on migration. There was no point, she said, in making a promise she couldn’t keep.

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NEWS 5

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Nigeria sacks 24, 000 ghost workers The Nigerian government has removed nearly 24,000 workers from its payroll after an audit revealed they did not exist, the Finance Ministry has said.

The move has enabled a monthly saving of around $11,5m (£8m).

The audit is part of an anti-corruption campaign by President Muhammadu Buhari, who took power last year.

Corruption and mismanagement have long been a challenge to Nigeria’s growth, and the government has promised to cut costs to face an economic slowdown.

Nigeria is Africa’s biggest economy and the continent’s top oil producer, and its finances are under strain due to the recent collapse in oil prices.

The country has also faced rising

United Nations to expand Syria aid amid partial truce The UN says it plans to deliver aid to about 150,000 Syrians in besieged areas over the next five days amid a partial truce in the country’s civil war.

It said it was ready to help an estimated 1.7 million people in hard-to-reach areas by the end of March.

A cessation of hostilities began on Saturday and there have been complaints of breaches from both sides.

But it otherwise appears to be intact with a key Syrian opposition group saying the situation is much better.

Western powers have accused Russia of attacking moderate rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad; Moscow says it only targets UN-designated terror groups.

The UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Syria, Yacoub elHillo, called the truce “the best opportunity that the Syrian people have had over the last five years for lasting peace and

stability”.

The organisation plans to use the lull to deliver food, water and medicine to towns like Madaya, where residents have reportedly been starving to death.

It says it needs the approval of Syria’s warring parties before it can further expand its deliveries.

Efforts to deliver aid to Islamic State-besieged Deir al-Zour by air last week failed when several pallets were damaged, disappeared or landed in noman’s land.

Almost 500,000 people are living under siege in Syria, the UN estimates.

The cessation of hostilities was agreed as part of a plan by the US and Russia, who have backed opposing sides in Syria’s civil war.

It does not apply to the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS) or the Nusra Front, which is linked to al-Qaeda.

Trucks with relief goods head to the besieged towns of Madaya and al-Zabadani in countryside Damascus, Syria on February 17, 2016. The UN has announced plans to expand their reach in the next five days. PHOTO: YOUSSEF BADAWI/EPA

inflation, a stock market slump and the slowest pace of economic growth in more than a decade.

The audit started in December used biometric data and a bank verification number to identify holders of bank accounts into which salaries were being paid, Reuters news agency reports.

This process allowed the identification

of some workers who were receiving a salary that did not correspond to the names linked to the bank accounts.

It also revealed that some employees were receiving salaries from multiple sources.

Some 23,846 non-existent workers were removed from the payroll, an adviser to the finance minister was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Periodic checks and electronic audit techniques will be periodically carried out to prevent new frauds, the ministry said.

Officials have said the savings resulted from the anti-corruption measures will help the country tackle its crisis and prevent job cuts.

xnews | MONday, FEBRUARY 29, 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 101.7805 141.7575 111.7878 6.5054 33.4053 21.4973

(AS OF 26/2/2016)

BUY SELL 101.6839 101.8771 141.6050 141.9100 111.6667 111.9089 6.4969 6.5139 33.3245 33.4861 21.4278 21.5668

NBK’s Sh5m shot in the arm for First Lady’s campaign ahead of marathon National Bank of Kenya has donated Sh5 million to the First Lady’s ‘Beyond Zero’ campaign.

The allocation seeks to raise Sh105 million towards First Lady Margaret Kenyatta’s campaign, an initiative aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality.

The funds will help the First Lady increase access to better health care facilities for women through the establishment of mobile clinics to less well-off Kenyans.

The bank’s Managing Director and CEO Munir Ahmed said the campaign is making significant contribution to the improvement of healthcare conditions in low income set ups and in far-flung rural Kenya.

“We are proud of First Lady’s effort in the Beyond Zero campaign,” he said.

The kitty will further aid plans of introducing maternal shelters in farflung areas such as Wajir, rescuing pregnant women from the torment of having to travel long distances to get maternity services.

The move comes even as data revealed that one in every 14 babies born die before their first birthday whereas one in every nine children die before their

fifth birthday.

Munir, who last year accompanied Mrs Kenyatta to Mandera, noted that some areas where the ‘Beyond Zero’ mobile clinics were presently operating would not have been served any other way «than with a solution where the clinic goes to the patients».

Other sponsor for the campaign include Sh52.68million from private and public organisations, Sh20 million from KCB, Sh 10 million from Vivo Energy among others.

NBK said its partnership with the First Lady kicked off in 2013, when the bank took up the challenge of championing afforestation efforts in the country in a Kenya@50 project.

Last year, as Mrs Kenyatta officially opened the bank’s Mandera branch, she hailed the planting of 100,000 trees by the bank in the arid county.

NBK ispresently nurturing two and a half million trees across 40 counties, in what is the record single largest corporate-driven afforestation initiative in Kenya today.

Over 100 NBK employees will participate in this year’s First Lady’s Half Marathon (FLHM) scheduled for March 6. enock_x254

National Bank of Kenya’s Managing Director & CEO Munir S. Ahmed, Executive Director Corporate, Institutional and Business Banking Mr. Boniface Biko and Director Marketing & Corporate Communications Ms. Bernadette Ngara present a cheque donation of Ksh.5 Million to Kenya’s First Lady H.E. Margaret Kenyatta in support of the Beyond Zero Campaign. NBK lauded the campaign as having achieved a great medical impact for masses at the bottom of the health care pyramid.

BuSINESS DIARY Barclays bank MD denies market exit claims Startup funding workshop at Nailab on Wednesday Ideas Sport a group that seeks to empower local entrepreneurs, will be hosting an event dubbed “Startup Funding 101: How to Raise Capital for Your Idea” on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

The affair is targeting groups or individuals that have a business idea or product that needs funding. Ideas Spot has described the event

as a beginner fundraising workshop, which will provide practical, step by step advice, and feature talks from entrepreneurs who have successfully raised money for their businesses, and investors actively funding businesses. The event will be held at Nailab, along George Padmore Lane in Nairobi.

Entry is free.

Corporate career week at the University of Nairobi The University of Nairobi will host an affair dubbed the Parklands Corporate Career Week, a new event introduced to specifically help law students who do not wish to become advocates or wish do something on the sides. The event has targeted successful entrepreneurs and head of organizations to talk about several issues including and not limited

to; the opportunities of a law student in his/her industry of specialty, the available internships in his/her business, his/her journey as an entrepreneur and how one can get jobs and internships with them and any other thing that is relevant that they wish to talk about.

The University of Nairobi invited other universities such as Kenyatta University.

Barclays Bank has denied claims that it is set to exit the African market. In the past few weeks, there have been speculative reports in local and international media about Barclays considering exiting Africa raising a lot of concerns among stakeholders.

Barclays Bank Managing Director Jeremy Awori has said the bank is not shutting down. “I reiterate ...Barclays Bank of Kenya is not shutting down and there are no plans at local, regional or group level to shut down our operations here’, Awori said in a statement this morning. He further revealed that the on-going speculations were related to the shareholding of Barclays Africa Group

Ltd, the holding company of Barclays Bank of Kenya and were not in any way connected to the day to day running of the institution.

When Barclays Africa Group was formed in 2013, it became one of the biggest banking groups on the continent.

Barclays PLC owns 62.3 per cent of Barclays Africa Group Limited which in turn holds a controlling stake in Barclays Bank of Kenya and 11 other operations in Africa. Consequently any decisions concerning the operations of Barclays Kenya can only be made by Barclays Africa Group Limited in consultation with other investors who are shareholders in the business.

Mr. Awori assured customers that their accounts are and continue to be safe and are not impacted in any way by the speculations. “I assure you that your money is safe with us and you should not be concerned about the operation of your account. We remain, as always, at your service’, he said. Barclays bank of Kenya has continued to grow its business in Kenya and only last week launched the first Mobile Point of Sale (mPOS) payment solution in the market showing its unrivaled commitment. In the next few days, Barclays plans to roll out its agency banking proposition to give customers easier access to services. kevin_x254

IMF advice on reliable economic policies The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Kenya and its neighbouring states to adopt economic policies based on reliable data in order to improve the livelihoods of its citizens.

The Fund, in one of its latest reports, has affirmed that comparable, high-quality, and timely data are critical to supporting sound policymaking and foster economic growth in the region.

During a conference in Accra, Ghana earlier this month, senior officials from over 40 African countries, as well as representatives from academia, banks, rating agencies, think tanks, and

international organisations debated the particular data challenges facing African policymakers.

The conference, which was one of the largest of its kind in the continent, was organised by the Government of Ghana, the IMF’s Statistics Department (STA), and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID).

At the meeting, Ghana Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Seth Terkper said enhanced data for better policies was a “fundamental key” to accelerating the economic growth of the region in the coming decades.

“All of our efforts to strengthen our statistical framework contribute to enhancing our capacity to implement better policies, which also enhances our relationship with credit rating agencies, thus allowing us to deepen our access to markets,” he said.

“In Africa, as elsewhere, we need to jump ahead of crisis management when it comes to data, and seek to enhance the gathering, processing, dissemination, and analysis of data to help us formulate and implement the best possible set of economic and financial policies,” said.

Dennis_x254

BUSINESS 7

LG Sh20m drive for orthopaedic rehab MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

LG Electronics has announced plans to re-up its support of Orthopaedic rehabilitation for needy patients in the country as it moves to raise more than Sh20 million in funding.

During an event organised at P.C.E.A Kikuyu Hospital, the tech company reaffirmed its commitment for the hospital’s orthopaedic rehabilitation unit.

LG said it will organise an annual

therise Longhorn Publishers Limited Longhorn Publishers Ltd was the week’s top gainer after edging upwards by 12.26 per cent during the review period. The share price was up to Sh5.95 from the previous week’s close of Sh5.30. The stock is trading exdividend and the firm has announced it plans to raise Sh500 million through a rights issue to aid in its expansion.

Year-to-date its share price has gained 28.0 per cent.

thefall East Africa Portland Cement Company East Africa Portland Cement Company Ltd (EAPCC) was this week’s top losing stock following a 9.91 per cent slide in its share price over the course of the week’s trading. EAPCCshares ended the week at a price of Sh47.75 from their previous closing price of Sh53.00.The company reported a net loss of Sh531 million in first half 2016 compared to an after tax loss of Sh65.3mn in the same period in 2015. The firm has disclosed plans to restructure its debt portfolio as it seeks to rebound to profitability after announcing a profit warning. EAPCC has gained 2.1 per cent of its value year-to-date.

Analysis by Amana Capital info@amanacapital.co.ke

five-kilometer walk in Kikuyu targeting organisations and more than 5,000 participants. The event will begin in August this year.

LG’s initiative comes at a time when the average cost for above knee prosthesis for both adults and children is about Sh50,000 while below knee prosthesis is about Sh30,000.

The most common causes of physical impairments include

accidents and diseases.

Kikuyu Hospital alone receives over 500 cases from across the country requiring prosthetics annually but owing to the high cost of treatment, it is only about half of that number that gets support to acquire artificial limbs.

The funds will be used to pay bills for needy patients and equip the unit with prosthetics. They will also be used to create awareness on

the plight of persons with physical impairments.

The Hospital’s CEO Patrick Kimpiatu lauded the move and thanked LG for its continued support.

LG has been an established leader in the healthcare industry with more than three decades of experience and technological expertise. The tech company boasts of a dedicated healthcare

division that serves the needs of hospitals and long term care facilities by delivering premium display solutions with the latest features and technologies.

Its latest move is part of the company’s policy on Corporate Social Responsibility and will not only aid numerous patients, but reinforce the firm’s brand presence as well.

Dennis_x254

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BUSINESS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Airtel free Internet for schools goes live in Kisii Mobile firm Airtel has launched it’s Free Internet for Schools Programme in Kisii County by connecting 20 schools to the internet for free. Additionally, Kenyoro Secondary School received new computers fully installed with requisite software donated by Computer for Schools Kenya (CFSK).

Speaking at Kenyoro Mixed Secondary School in Kisii County where he launched the programme, Education Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i said the ongoing exercise by Airtel to connect more schools to the internet for free is a huge boost to the education sector that will go a long way in helping students do better in school and prepare them for lifelong success.

“It is encouraging to see Airtel take this initiative with the objective of enhancing the quality of learning through the provision of free internet connectivity to schools. This is an opportunity for our students to access the relevant educational information available online which will enable them to grow with knowledge needed for the future,” said Dr. Matiang’i.

“The Internet is becoming more and more important for those in pursuit of knowledge and success in life. This is why Airtel is dedicated to enable more students across Kenya have easy and reliable access to high speed internet free of charge that guarantees them limitless new educational opportunities,” said Airtel Kenya CEO Adil El Youssefi said in a statement.

Adil said the company remains committed to supporting the government’s Digital Learning Programme by providing free internet for the trial period of the project

Airtel says it will support Digital Learning Programmes by providing free internet for the trial period of the project, which starts with 150 schools. which starts with 150 schools.

The 20 schools connected in Kisii County join another 197 institutions and 250,000 students in 32 Counties across Kenya as beneficiaries of the Airtel Free Internet for Schools Programme. The programme is intended to reach 1 million students in all counties across the country by the end of 2016.

Airtel also continues to work with British Council and Global Peace Foundation

(GPF) to provide free internet connection to over 60 hubs located in schools around the country. The high speed broadband access for the hubs guarantees teachers and students limitless new educational opportunities. The Hubs in Schools serve as ICT Centres for teachers, students and wider communities. kevin_x254

Kenya to benefit from free trade as Comesa renews MoU with Council Kenya is set to benefit from the Comesa free trade area (FTA) model with the planned construction of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mombasa’s Dongo Kundu area.

The move comes just as the Comesa Business Council (CBC) and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) strengthened their working alliance by renewing their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which sets out how they will enhance regional integration and cooperate in areas of trade promotion and private sector development.

The FTA and MoU are part of a broader initiative aimed at creating hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities in the region at a time when 50 per cent of African youth are jobless.

The Kenyan Cabinet this month approved the development of the Special Economic Zones, which will enjoy lower taxes to boost Kenya’s investment profile.

The Ministry of Industrialisation confirmed last year that the designated trading zones will be established in the first quarter of 2016.

SEZs, are designated areas in

countries that possess special economic regulations that are different from other areas in the same country and seek to help investors cut down on key cost drivers such as transport, with the hope that surplus funds would go towards value addition.

“Over the years we have worked well together to promote regional trade,” said Dr. Amany Asfour, CBC Chairperson. “The renewal of this collaboration will not only ensure that we maintain close contact with each other but it will also facilitate exchange of information on policies and procedures relating to trade, industry, agriculture, infrastructure and investment.”

The Comesa MoU, which is valid for a period of three years was signed during the Corporate Council on Africa’s 10th biennial U.S.Africa Business Summit held in Addis, Ethiopia earlier this month. It details how the parties will cooperate by ensuring that there is a continuous and sustainable process in the sharing of lessons and experiences in establishing, strengthening and harmonizing the role of the private sector.

Dennis_x254

Malawi top civil servants to take pay cut over weak tax revenue, aid freeze KenGen powers up Sh5.7bn profit The government of Malawi will cut the benefits enjoyed by Cabinet ministers and top civil servants as the government works to rein in spending due to a foreign aid freeze and weak tax revenue, the finance minister said at the weekend.

International donors, led by Malawi’s former colonial ruler, Britain, halted direct aid to the southern African nation in 2013 over the so-called “cashgate” scandal in which senior government officials siphoned millions of dollars from State coffers.

“Cabinet has decided that the National Treasury and the Office of the President and Cabinet should review the various perks, including travel, vehicle and fuel entitlements for minister and senior public servants that should be scaled down,” Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe said.

The Finance minister spoke a day after outlining plans to trim the 2015/16 national budget to 906 billion kwacha ($1.23 billion) from 929 billion kwacha previously because of the failure to

Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe. International donors, led by Britain, halted direct aid to the southern African nation in 2013 over the so-called “cashgate” scandal. meet revenue targets in the first half of the year. Like many of its neighbours, Malawi is also grappling with a steep devaluation of its kwacha currency that has been fueled by the aid suspension and declining export earnings from the key tobacco crop.

British High Commissioner to Malawi Michael Nevin has said that the proposed budget cut was “a bold move” aimed at improving the economic prospects of the country, which previously relied on aid for 40 per cent of its budget.

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has recorded a profit of Sh5.7 billion for the six months period ended December 2015.

This represents a 15 per cent hike compared to Sh 4.9 billion the firm recorded the same period in 2014.

KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Albert Mugo, attributed the company’s impressive performance and solid financial foundation to new capacity, additional generation and other strategic initiatives undertaken to diversify revenue base.

“To sustain our current direction, we are stepping up investments to drive continued generation capacity growth and we anticipate this will result in sequential revenue growth in geothermal and wind segments going forward,” he said at an investor briefing in Nairobi today morning.

Eng. Mugo disclosed energy unit sales from geothermal grew by 35 per cent, while favourable hydrological conditions lead to 9 per cent growth in sales from hydro plants. Wind generation also had full impact following the completion of Ngong 20.4MW plants in September 2014. During the period under review, the company’s total revenue increased by 52 per cent to Sh 18,523m in December 2015 from Sh 12,183m in December 2014. Electricity revenue grew by 27 per cent to Sh 14,757bn in December 2015 compared with Sh 11,659bn in December 2014 as a result of growth in capacity and energy revenue. enock_x254

fashion Parad e

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

ACCESS

Why

ho is Kenon?

Kenon is a strong believer in Christ, a gospel artiste, an actor and music producer. My real name is Kennedy Liech.

How do you juggle all these?

I try to find time for each and every act, but focus more on music and production.

When did you start your music career?

I started in 2008 when I was in high school, by performing in talent shows.

What genre of music do you do and why this genre?

I major in gospel Hip- Hop, it is the one I am comfortable with. It mainly targets the younger generation in order to spread the word of God. Who inspired you i n t o music?

I get my inspiration from Lecrae, a US based gospel artiste.

I like his songs and music videos, I believe he does a good job.

What is your first song all about?

My first song Ali Penda Doh(He liked Money). It focuses on how Judas Iscariot liked money to the extent of betraying Jesus Christ.

What is the main message in the song?

The love of money is too evil and people should focus more on loving the word of God. Apart from music what else do you do?

I am an actor, I have featured on Santalal with the Nigerian actor Desmond Elliot, I am also featured on Makutano Junction season 4, both I played the role of a Maasai.

What do you think of the Kenyan music industry?

Locally, I think the youth have talent and they are working hard every day to get to the people, the problem lies with MCSK and I think the government should be involved and help.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I think, I will be the person to be looked for, I believe there is sufficient talent in me.

BELIEVES IN MUSIC

@duncan_x254

Kennedy Oliech is a yOung man after gOd’s Own heart. he is a gOspel prOducer, cOmpOser and singer. he believes in the pOwer Of music tO praise the lOrd

newacT

W

10

faCtfILE faCtfILE Favorite Food: Chapo Madondo Favorite Sport: Basket Ball (I was the captain in High School) Favorite Artiste: Lecrae Favorite Quote: Never despise humble beginnings.

10

ACCESS

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 26th NOVEMBER 29, 2016 2014

@mercy_x254

FASHIONparade

@2016 Oscar awards

aND the best DresseD Goes to….

D

uring any Academy Awards, even before the coveted Oscars are handed out, a competitive mood is set on the red carpet where the most glamorous gowns and dapper tuxedos are paraded. This year was no different and although we expected to see a lot more creativity than we did, we still have to hand it to these stars who might not have gone home with an Oscar to their name, but won the award for best dressed:

alicia ViKander wore Louis Vuitton.

Kerry washingTOn wore Atelier Versace.

KaTe winsleT wore Ralph Lauren.

sOfia Vergara wore Marchesa.

charlize TherOn wore Dior.

lyriclab

obiNNa

super star

Nameless aND NyashiNsky let it Go There is one name that evokes goodness in Kenya’s music industry and that name is Nameless! Add the one time lovable part of Klepto Nyashinsky and it is a collabo to boot. Friday also saw Nameless team up with Nyashinsky to produce Let It Go.It features the much loved and missed vocals of Nyash and the timeless style that can only be Nameless’. The bridge reminds one of why Nyash needs to make a comeback and fast. A must listen.

reese wiTherspOOn wore Oscar De La Renta.

sauti sol hiGher-haiya The all boy band Sauti Sol have unleashed a national anthem dubbed Higher-Haiya. The song seeks to encourage good habits when it comes to having a breakfast trend. One thing that is always ignored by most Kenyans. Trust Sauti Sol to make any song, even a commercial one sexy.

Last Friday Funny man turned singer Obinna Ike Igwee released yet another gospel song in collaboration with Charmant Miguel dubbed Super Star. The feel good praise our lord jam is meant to proclaim God’s all time stardom. The video directed by Obinna is shot in a slum and features well knows celebs in the gospel and contemporary world. This is Obinna’s second shot at directing and it would appear gospel artistry.

ACCESS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

review of top weekend gigs

HOW CHRIS ROCK ACED THE ALL WHITE OSCARS

hris Rock is the most feared awards show host in Hollywood right now. Even before the outspoken actor/director/comic stepped on the Dolby Theatre’s massive stage to emcee the 88th Academy Awards on Sunday night, he had all of the film industry — including the normally unflappable Harvey Weinstein — quaking in its boots. Specifically, attendees fretted about — and looked forward to — how Rock planned to address the raging #OscarsSoWhitecontroversy that’s swirled around this year’s ceremony since the nominations were announced in January, and immediately engendered controversy for their lack of diversity.

Rock’s cryptic Tweets and Instagram photos leading up to the Oscars only heightened the speculation about his opening remarks. And he wasted no time addressing the elephant in the room with a searing monologue that may well rank up there with the awards’ best: “I’m here at the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the White People’s Choice Awards.

If they nominated hosts, I wouldn’t even get this job.

You’d all be watching Neil

Patrick Harris right now!” Rock went on to acknowledge that he had the “craziest” Oscar hosting gig and addressed the debate about whether he should have passed on the assignment. “People [said] ‘You should boycott. Chris, you should quit.’ I realized that it’s only unemployed people who tell you to quit! I thought about quitting, I thought about it really hard. But I realized they’re going to have the Oscars anyway, and the last thing I need is to lose another job to Kevin Hart.” The jokes didn’t stop there: Rock devoted his entire monologue to the subject of diversity in Hollywood, putting it in context of the Oscars’ 88-year history.

“Why this Oscars?

It’s the 88th

Elegance meets Sophistication @ 6th

Academy Awards, which means, this whole no- black-nominees thing has happened at least 71 other times. You’ve got to figure it happened in the ‘50s and the ‘60s.

And black people did not protest.

You know why?

Because we had real things to protest at the time. We were too busy being raped and lynched to care about who won Best

Leo

Fashion High Tea

Cinematographer.”

He also namechecked the famous black celebrities who declined to attend this year. “Spike [Lee] got mad.

Jada [Pinkett Smith] got mad. Will [Smith] got mad. Jada said she’s not coming. Jada boycotting the Oscar is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited!” Rock then advanced a modest proposal for how to increase diversity: Make black categories like Best Black Friend. “Winning for the 18th year in a row is Wanda Sykes! Is Hollywood racist? You’re damn right Hollywood is racist. But not the racism you’re accustomed to.

It’s sorority racist.” At the end of that stemwinder of a monologue, Rock struck a hopeful note. “Things are changing. We got a black Rocky this year. Some people call it Creed, I call it Black Rocky. Rocky takes place in a world where white athletes are as good a black athletes. Rocky is a science fiction movie! There are things that happen in Star Wars that are more believable.” We wrapped it up with a simple plea: “We want opportunity. We want the black actors to get the same opportunities as white actors. That’s it.”

Rock

T

o attend Fashion High Tea is to belong, for the ladies it’s all about the hat and for the men sufficient gentlemanliness is recommended.

Elegance met sophistication at the Zen Garden where Haute Couture graced the 6th edition of Fashion High Tea. From sequins and frocks to fedoras and three piece suites, the audience matched up to the standards of High Tea. To begin with, the setting is of proper lush green with splendid sail inspired sunshades and assorted merriment.

The merriment is all inclusive of open bars serving the best blend of whiskies including the coveted Remmy Martin.

From whiskies to the runway where designers and

CENTRESTAGE HOT topics

Alaine and the bull fights Jamaican artiste Alaine, who recently toured Western Kenya to shoot her video Wafula says she was shocked to see bulls fighting. Alaine, witnessed a duel of two bulls locking heads head on, and tearing into the ground. “Though shocking it was also very exciting,’ she said this morning in an interview with citizen TV. The video Wafula has premiered today.

Alaine

Madonna in trouble with Philippines

Apparently in Philippines one is not allowed to use the flags’ colors as a dress or uniform.

Madonna did not know this and she is said to have angered the whole of Philippines after dressing in their flag. This has prompted possible stern actions which might include arrest for the pop icon. Maddona wore a costume with colors of the Philippines flag while on a world tour to promote her album Red Heart.

@duncan_x254

C

11

supermodel exuded utter grace, from there sophistication, it is safe to say Fashion High Tea outdid itself. The stylishness of it all, topped with arrays of sufficient buffet with finger licking deep fried chicken and fish fingers, was of ample affluence. An affluence oozing from a sophisticated upper middle class, that had a

Lamborghini parked by one and only Mr. Barry, was truly overwhelming.

It is an upwardly astute cause where all the sophistication is geared towards charity from donations to Kenyatta Cancer ward, to Pumwani Maternity and Beyond Zero Campaign.

Madonna

Wema Sepetu is not dead A movie scene where Wema Sepetu acted dead caused panic in Tanzania after a passerby updated that the Tanzanian singer is dead.

However, fans of Wema Sepetu were calmed down after the same person who claimed the death apologized noting that it’s just a movie scene!Wema has lately been in the news for sad reasons like losing her pregnancy and fighting with her Ex’s current flame Zari over Diamond.

Wema

12

CLASSIFIED MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Job VACANCY! EARN

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DEPARTMENT. CALL NOW: Call 0708192229/ 0763983531

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 This will definitely make your journey more interesting; however, the friendship might not survive the trip. You may be from opposite sides of the country, and one or both of you could be involved with other people. Nonetheless, if neither of those restrictions applies, it’s worth pursuing. Go for it!

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 If you own stocks, bonds, or land, expect their value to skyrocket. If you work for a company that has a good profit-sharing plan, don’t be surprised if the amount of profits earned this year doubles.

Whichever it is, you’re on your way!

WEATHERFORECAST Monday 29/2/2016

sunny

25

25ºC 59%

TUEday 1/3/2016

More sun than clouds

26 6:41 am 6:49pm

26ºC 55%

6:41am 6:49pm

Wednesday

26

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

Sunday’s Solution

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 There is also the possibility that you could fall in love at first sight, maybe with someone from far away. Any sort of partnership formed today will have its ups and downs, but with work, it could succeed. If it feels right, go for it!

Sudoku

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 You’ve been working hard and may have felt as if you’ve been barking up the wrong tree. Don’t hesitate to research possibilities on the Internet, prepare your resume, and chat up knowledgeable people in social situations. It’s time to pass carefully from reflection to action.!

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 If you aren’t presently attached, you could be by the end of the day. You might meet someone new and exciting, probably an intelligent person who could be involved with modern technology. Make sure you look your best, and expect the unexpected!

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 This change in your outer self is due to transformations taking place within. You’ve probably been releasing a lot of old traumas from the past, and therefore considerable stress and tension have vanished from your face. Treat yourself to some new clothes. It’s a great time to do it!

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 This discussion may only indirectly concern the status of your relationship, but you will learn a lot about each other that could cause you to seriously consider whether or not you want to continue the relationship. However, all signs indicate that the relationship might change slightly but will continue.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 You could spend a lot of time in libraries or on the Internet trying to discern certain facts that you need for a project that could make a big difference in your income. This can be fascinating and exciting, but there is one caution: remember to rest your eyes from time to time.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 Your friend might feel a little taken aback, but is likely to be flattered and therefore respond in a positive manner. This might not have the potential to become a committed relationship, so don’t expect anything from it.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 This could be something you read and forgot, or it might be something you overheard in a restaurant. Whatever it is, look into it carefully, and then if the information seems to be accurate and useful, go for it. These days, fortunes are being made in surprising ways!

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 As a result, you might find this person very attractive and direct a rush of physical passion their way.

This could be disconcerting, but don’t brush it off because you’ve always thought of this person as a friend. The most successful marriages are the ones that start out as friendships.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 This may be the break you’ve been hoping for, and you’re apt to be very excited about it. Any new enterprise begun today is going to have its ups and downs, but all signs indicate that it will succeed.

Consider the project carefully before making a decision. Then if it feels right, go for 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

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Ex: HC4 to 22333

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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

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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 29, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. Social insects 5. Dubai bigwigs 10. Calcutta butter 14. Wall of earth 15. Bonkers 16. Classic theater name 17. Pig’s attitude?

19. Smart ___ 20. Remote 21. Take a paddle to 22. Ringling Museum of Art locale 26. Cooks in a caldron 30. Strain or galaxy 34. Amor vincit ___ 35. Strike defier 36. Slangy denial 37. Comes back, as a dream 39. Apartment option 42. Big grocery store chain 43. Land for space cadets?

47. Predatory lending practice 48. Natural sweetener 51. Diarist of the 1600’s 52. Lone Ranger, to Tonto 54. Tilted 57. “Neighbors” was his last film 62. Bad, to Benita 63. Double-crossing 66. German Mrs. 67. African capital 68. Eve’s partner

69. Wintergreen is not a true one 70. Fake 71. Like a doily Down 1. Alphabet run 2. Soda pop brand 3. Musical syllables 4. Censor’s target 5. Patsy’s “Absolutely Fabulous” sidekick 6. Sacred words 7. “___ Did It” (2007 memoir) 8. Baseball positions (abbr.)

9. Starter with phony or pathetic 10. Pie cracker 11. Greeting in Granada 12. Bus. bigwig 13. Flemish painter 18. Alma mater of Meryl Streep 21. Global trade grp.

23. Mandela org.

24. Prot. denomination that keeps Sabbath on Sat. (abbr.)

25. Many Christmas ornaments 26. Type of acid 27. Psi follower 28. Old Peruvian 29. Lucy of “Kill Bill” 31. Ultimately become 32. Type of farm 33. Tars’ calls 38. Run-down place 40. Mississippi city

41. In ____ (occupied) 44. Back in time 45. Spanish article 46. Speedy horse 49. ___ a living (just get by) 50. Stitch (up) 53. Actress Grable 54. Boom box button 55. Rani’s garb 56. Part of KKK 58. River to the Caspian Sea 59. Bar mixer 60. Red-scare org.

61. “The Lord ____ shepherd...”

63. Mil. unit 64. Pep rally cry 65. Actress Olivia d’___

Thursday’s answers

YOURSAY NYS scandal will soon explode on Jubilee Now let me educate you folks. In this NYS saga, don’t celebrate too soon. In Drama there is what we call motive, objective and super objective.

Motive is what drives people to do something.

Objective is the temporary goal of an action.

These are the two things that everyone can see.

Even for educated people this is the furthest they can see.

What most people cannot understand is the super objective. The super objective is the ultimate goal that only the actor knows.

I will explain some more. Your girlfriend wants to leave you for new boyfriend. It is hard just to walk away like that...So she starts a fight over petty things that previously she never ever questioned you about. Within a week she drops a bombshell, “Sweets, I think you no longer care about me. I want a break and see what happens, “she says it with such panache you know it is over.

You will sit many days afterwards blaming yourself thinking it is staying out late at night and not buying her gifts that led her away.

But in reality, she met a thug who promised her heaven and may be hit it right.

It is only her who knows why. So you will think her motive was just to take a break, and objective to get back to you or to punish you, but she had something more sinister. The girl’s secret dating with another man and ultimate decision to dump you for ‘better’ is the ultimate super objective.

So on the NYS saga, below the surface there is a bigger goal, maybe we are being hoodwinked and we are swallowing the hook, line and sinker.

Of course, no one will be jailed and we will be taken in circles until we lose interest. I for one have zero faith in Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). It is the most useless institution that only fattens a few men and the odd woman thrown there for gender balance.

That we have it is a problem in itself. EACC will never ever achieve anything.

So think again even as we revel in schadenfreude about Waiguru. There is something going on. Something larger than the affidavits. If you know it, tell me please. But be wiser and smart. In the meantime I want the last word on Eurobond...

— Silas Nyachwani

Raila has no locus standi to speak on corruption Again, at the risk of this being turned into a discussion about my last name, I’ll say this: When Cord leader Raila Odinga speaks of corruption and faults the government’s handling of the same, I become very curious.

Sure, corruption needs to be stemmed, but, I think Raila lost the moral authority to speak on corruption matters after millions of shillings meant for the youth in the Kazi Kwa Vijana initiative were swindled under his watch and he could not explained what came of the money. Nobody at Cord wants to speak about this!

The same individual bashing the government about corruption killed a programme that

would have directly improved the lives of millions.

The World Bank later demanded a refund of Sh4.3 billion after they discovered the money had ‘grown legs’. Had the programme worked, over one million youth would now be selfemployed.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero is accused of bribing Supreme Court Judge, because he is a Cord governor and comes from Raila’s party, he goes mute. You can’t convince me Raila was not privy to the goings on! Come on!!!

So, how do you listen to a doctor, who watched a patient die when he discredits a doctor who is actually trying!?

— Wilson Mburu

NEWS JOB OPPORTUNITy X News, Kenya’s first and largest circulation free newspaper and Kenya’s only Cannes award winner needs brilliant, passionate, young staff to help us win more awards and achieve new firsts.

INTERN JouRNalIsTs Reporting to the various desk editors, the ideal candidate must demonstrate a passion for news and unbiased approach to its reportage.

Key responsibilities • To seek out and investigate breaking stories.

• To produce concise and accurate copy according to our house style and to strict deadlines.

• To create and upload news content to digital platforms.

• To online report or real-time blog ‘live’ stories.

• To build contacts in order to maintain a flow of news • To attend press conferences and events that generate stories • To work closely with the news team, photographers and editors; If you fit this description and you want to be part of the most innovative media house in the region, send us your application and a detailed CV to hr@x-news.co.ke with the subject INTERN Note: If you have worked at one of the old fashioned media houses, you will need to impress us that you have the capacity to shape a new tomorrow rather cling to yesteryears.

X News is an equal opportunity employer. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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

14

SPORT MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS Kiprop breaks Tokyo race course record

Kenyan Helah Kiprop took the honours at the 2016 Tokyo Marathon with course record of 2:21:27at the IAAF Gold Label Road Race on Sunday. This was an improvement from her performance last year where she came second with a personal best of 2:24:03. “I did not know if I can win this race until I actually crossed the finish line. I was surprised to run even faster to set the course record,” she said after the race. The women’s race started at record pace, the leaders covering 5km in 16:38, 10km in 33:27, 15km in 50:17, and 20km in 1:07:05 before passing through the halfway point in 1:10:41, 25km in1:23:39 – a 16:34 5km split which was the fastest of the race and 30km in 1:40:26. At 35km, which was reached in 1:57:08, four runners – Kenya’s Helah Kiprop and Edna Kiplagat, and the Ethiopian pair of Amane Gobena and Aberu Kebede – were together in the lead pace while defending champion Birhane Dibaba had fallen off the pace.

Messi hits 30-goal mark in eight seasons running

BAK plans sit-in at ministry offices over Olympic funds Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK) has threatened to stage a-sit-in protest at the Ministry of Sports headquarters if the ministry fails to release Sh7 million budget for the Olympic qualifiers in Cameroon.

Kenya is set to travel for the Continental qualifiers set for March 9 in Cameroon, but the trip now hangs in the balance after the ministry failed to commit funds.

A tussle is now looming between BAK and Hassan Wario-led ministry over the fate of the important trip. BAK chairman John Kameta said they will not accept the move by the government to reduce the number of participants, saying all the players deserve the chance to fight for their places in the Olympics.

“Boxing is not like athletics. We cannot say a boxer is weak to get a qualification because maybe in his/her category that day the opponent is weaker and so we cannot say that some boxers are weak and therefore should not go for the qualifiers. We need to send the whole team to qualify a good number of boxers,” added Kameta.

“They are telling me to reduce the number

of my boxers, but I am telling them it is not possible because we have really worked hard to keep this team in camp,” added Kameta who has now taken the bull by the horn.

“If we do not get any positive response, I am going to take all these boxers to Kencom House (Sports Ministry offices) and sit there until we get what we deserve. We cannot work so hard only to be told in the last minute that we are not going for the trip. It is their responsibility,” threatened Kameta.

Kameta has challenge Wario to come out and address the issue which has also affected Boxing before and Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) who failed to get funds to send the team for the second and last leg of Olympics qualifiers.

“Instead of Wario accusing the federation of what we are doing, he should come out and address this issue of qualification, it is hurting see my team go through such strenuous training without being assured they travel for the qualification,” added Kameta who rubbished the ministry’s call to use part of their league sponsorship from SportPesa to carter for the trip.

Lionel Messi reached the 30-goal mark for the eighth consecutive season as he helped Spanish leaders Barcelona come back from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1.

Sixth-placed Sevilla, the last team to beat Barca back in early October, led when Vitolo volleyed in a left-wing cross at the far post. Messi’s sublime 20-yard freekick levelled before he teed up Gerard Pique to side foot in the close-range winner. Barca, who have not lost in 34 games, are now eight points clear in La Liga. The Catalan side’s fightback at the Nou Camp means they have equalled the longest unbeaten run of a La Liga team in all competitions, levelling Real Madrid’s run in the 1988-89 season. But more concerning for the Bernabeu club is the huge gap that has opened up between them and their arch-rivals Barca.

Zinedine Zidane’s third-placed side are 12 points adrift of the leaders’ following Saturday’s home derby defeat by Atletico Madrid.

Eldoret man commits suicide after losing bet

A Kenyan soccer lover from Eldoret took his life after he lost Sh45,000 bank loan on betting. Last weekend was full of football action, presenting a perfect opportunity for “Investors’ to place bets on their favourite teams for a possible rewards. But in Eldoret, a family is mourning the death of a football fan, Ken Kosgei, who hanged himself after realising that he lost the bet. Kosgei is understood to have placed a bet on Real Madrid to win only for the Spanish side to lose to Atletico in a Madrid Derby.

After acquiring the loan, Kosgei ​ whose body was found hanging under the tree placed two bets using two different accounts, but all the ‘investment’ returned no dividends after Atletico beat Real 2-1. Kosgey is not the first gambler to have lost huge chunk of money. Last month, a student from Maseno University lost Sh40,000 Helb loan on a bet.

“It is true we got Sh20 million from SportPesa, but that money is budgeted for. The sponsors cannot stand in for the government. We will have to account for every penny from our sponsors. We are not going to touch that money.”

Currently there are 13 boxers including Benson Gicharu, who took part in the last Olympics in London, 2012, Nixon Abaka and Elizabeth Akinyi in camp. Kameta however did not say how many boxers the government wants the Federation to drop.

“I am not only seeking to qualify, but Gold,” said Gicheru in his passionate appal to the government to send the team to Cameroon.

“Unfortunately, the government has not given us any supports ahead of this trip,” said Gichru who lost his first Olympic match to Egyptian Hesham Abdelaal.

“It is not easy picking one or two players from the pool then telling them that they are out of the qualifiers. If some are to remain, then it is better if I don’t travel,” Team Kenya head coach said. @elvince_x254 @elvince_x254

2012 Olympian Benson Gicharu (left) during a past bout. He is among the boxers whose 2016 Olympic qualification trip to Cameroon has been affected due to lack of government’s funding.

Bandari win successive 10th swimming national title Redhwan Abubakar broke two national records in two weeks to help Bandari Swimming Club retain the overall team trophy for the 10th year in a row.

Abubakar, who is tipped to fill in the void left by the Danfords, posted the impressive times during the National Age Group, Open and Relays Swimming Championship yesterday at the Moi International Sport Centre, Kasarani.

Last week, Abubakar broke Jason Dunford’s national record of 1:01.92 in the boys 100m Butterflies short calls before slashing Amaher Arunani time of 2:28 in the 200m Butterfly, just seven days apart.

This was just one of the five record shuttered

by Mombasa-based Swimming Club which interestingly trains at the substandard 25

metre pool at the coast. The event took place in the 50meter pool.

“We only have one pool in Mombasa and if anything can happen to the only facility then we’ll have nowhere to train,” said Coach Fakhri Mansoor who has been at the helm of the club for close to 20 years.

As a confirmation of his bright future in the pools, Abubakar yet again set the new record in the 200m butterfly, stopping the timer at 2:26 to slash off a clean two seconds off the record that was set in 2010.

Mansoor, nick named ‘Mourinho’ by his players due to the “respect they have for him” also broke the Kenya Free Style which was being held by the Dolphins Swimming Club since 10,1,2010.

The old record stood at 1:43.05 but a Bandari team of Rushad Shah, Mohamed Khalwala, Edman Vuko, Redhwan Abubakar, stopped the clock at 1:41.09 to set the new national time.

Bandari’s boys’ team which includes Sikfri ​​ Hatuma, Edman Vuko, Radhid Shah and Shikri Hatuma also combined well to bring down the 21-year old record set by NASA way back in 1995 in the Medley Relay 4*50 metres.

The new national record stand at 2:18.06, erasing the old time of 2:22.06.

They also shuttered the All Comers Category record which they set at1:52.65, erasing a clear five minutes from the old time of 1:57.74. @elvince_x254

SPORT 15 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line to win the 42nd Berlin Marathon in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, last year. He and his compatriot Mary Keitany won Sh100 million Abbott World Marathon Majors at the conclusion of Tokyo Marathon on Sunday. PHOTO: EPA

Kipchoge, Keitany win Sh100 million AbbottWMM prize

Kenyan duo of Eliud Kipchoge and Mary Keitany were declared Abbott World Marathon Majors Series IX champions after the conclusion of Tokyo Marathon, the final race of the Series, on Sunday.

The prize come with a Sh100 million prize money to be shared by the two new winners.

Keitany, who was tied along with Ethiopia’s Mare Dibaba and Kenya’s Helah Kiprop with 41 points, was selected as the Series IX women’s champion in a vote by the leaders of the six AbbottWMM member races, in accordance with the AbbottWMM tie-breaking procedure.

Kipchoge and Keitany will each earn Sh50 million prize money for the two winners. The duo were honoured at an Awards ceremony to mark the conclusion of the year-long series that featured the AbbottWMM races: the Tokyo, Boston, Virgin Money London, BMW BERLIN, Bank of

America Chicago and TCS New York City marathons – all IAAF Gold Label Road Races – and the IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015 marathons.

“This year we have demonstrated our commitment to championing the sport, supporting the elite runners who prove that marathoners are among the world’s greatest athletes, and celebrating the 250,000 runners who every year join us on our iconic courses,” said AbbottWMM general manager Tim Hadzima on IAAF website.

Kipchoge finished at the top of the AbbottWMM Series IX leader board with 50 points for his victories at the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon and the 2015 BMW BERLIN Marathon.

Keitany won the 2015 TCS New York City Marathon and a second-place finish at the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon.

Winners are selected among the top five in qualifying races during the 12-month period where number one in each of the majors take 25 points, second placed is awarded 16 points, 3rd, 4th and 5th nine, four and one point respectively.

The champions are the male and female athletes who score the most points during the one-year scoring period.

Points from a maximum of two races are scored. An athlete must start in at least two races over the cycle to be eligible. If an athlete earns points in more than two events, the athlete’s highest two finishes are recorded.

The unanimous vote for the women’s champion focused on the strength of the race fields in which Keitany, Dibaba and Kiprop featured in, as determined by the number of total AbbottWMM points earned by their competitors in the respective races.

Olympic Lyon beat PSG 2-1 to end their 36 match unbeaten record Sergi Darder ended Paris St-Germain’s 36-match unbeaten run when he scored Lyon’s winner in their 2-1 Ligue 1 win.

The win saw Olympic Lyon move into the third and final Champions League qualification spot.

Maxwell Cornet controlled Alexandre Lacazette’s pass to drive in an opener before Darder added an exquisite second on half-time, controlling Rafael’s cross and flicking it past Kevin Trapp.

Despite Lucas Moura’s steered finish, PSG lost their first league game since last March, but still have a 23-point

lead at the top.

Laurent Blanc’s side had not lost a league match since a 3-2 defeat at Bordeaux 11 months earlier, but looked off the pace and struggled without the creative influence of injured winger Angel di Maria.

After Cornet’s opener, PSG could have been reduced to 10 men, as midfielder Thiago Motta escaped with a booking for raising his fist to the side of Jordan Ferri’s head.

The leaders’ best spell of pressure came shortly before Darder made it 2-0, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic having a shot beaten out by Lyon keeper

Anthony Lopes.

PSG rarely looked like equalising after Lucas scored, and the excellent Rachid Ghezzal should have added a third for the home side when clean through, but Trapp advanced from his line to block.

Monaco are in second place, having narrowed the gap at the top, despite dropping points themselves in a 0-0 draw at Nantes.

Caen had moved above Lyon and into third earlier on Sunday by winning 2-1 at St-Etienne, with former Wigan striker Andy Delort among the scorers.

MONDAY, februArY 29, 2016 | www.x254.c0

KIPCHOGE, KEItany wIn SH100m abbOttwmm PrIzE

p15 Manchester City players celebrate with the trophy after their penalty shootout win over Liverpool in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley last evening.

INSET: A dejected Philippe Coutinho after the loss.

PHOTO: ANDY RAIN/EPA

Man City beat Reds to win Capital One Cup

Willy Caballero saved three penalties to hand Manchester City’s a hard fought win over Liverpool in a dramatic shoot out to lift the Capital One Cup at Wembley last night.

The 34-year-old Argentine goalkeeper spectacularly rewarded the faith of manager Manuel Pellegrini with saves from Lucas, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana in the shoot-out after he was selected ahead of first-choice Joe Hart.

Fernandinho put City ahead just after the break after an error by Liverpool’s otherwise heroic keeper Simon Mignolet. But two glaring misses from former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling opened the door for Coutinho’s late leveller.

In the shootout, Fernandinho hit a post with City’s first kick, but Jesus Navas and Sergio Aguero were on target as Caballero made his decisive saves, allowing Yaya Toure to convert the winning penalty.

Pellegrini made a huge call in selecting the veteran Caballero ahead of Hart, particularly in the light of his dreadful display in the 5-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge a week ago.

City’s manager has always trusted the keeper he coached at Malaga before bringing him to Manchester - and it was repaid with interest as Caballero made a magnificent stop from Divock Origi’s header before defying Liverpool in the shootout.

The temptation would have been to reinstate Hart after Caballero’s struggles last Sunday, but Pellegrini kept to his tried and trusted policy in this competition - and came out a deserved winner. It ensured at least one trophy for the Chilean coach in his final season before Pep Guardiola takes over, with success in the Premier League and Champions League still a possibility.

Liverpool keeper Mignolet showed the inconsistency that brings him as much criticism as praise.

The Belgian was badly at fault for letting Fernandinho’s shot slip under his body, but redeemed himself - and more besides - with some stunning stops from Aguero,

and also dived bravely into a sixyard box scramble to clear as City threatened once more.

This, it seems, will always be life with Mignolet in goal, but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp trusts the keeper the extent that he was recently awarded a five-year contract.

It still remains to be seen whether he is the long-term solution because he simply cannot eradicate important errors from his game. If Sterling joined Manchester City’s celebrations with even more gusto than his team-mates, it may have been through relief as much as joy.

This is because if City had lost, the forward who made an acrimonious Sh4.9 billion move from Liverpool

in the summer would have carried a large portion of the blame.

Sterling was guilty of two dreadful misses when City were 1-0 up and seeking the second goal that would have eased their path to victory.

The England international steered wide of an open goal when it seemed so much easier to score, then was off target with another perfect opportunity after being set up by Aguero.

Sterling, whose every touch was jeered by Liverpool’s fans once again showed that the weaknesses that have lingered in his game, namely finishing and decision-making, still exist. A work in progress.

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