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37 senior officers to be vetted afresh national police service commission accepts the cops’ appeal against last year’s decision to have them sacked from the service

NEWS

mama sarah obama race now elevated to half-marathon

rio olympics to go on despite deadly zika virus outbreak

Kidero: I’ll sue my accusers for defamation See story on Page 2

Avert looming chaos, civil society told

C

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero speaks to journalists outside the Supreme Court Building after a session with the Judicial Service Commission committee probing allegations that he bribed Justice Philip Tunoi to influence the outcome of a petition against him.

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ivil society organisations have been asked to prevent the country from sliding back into chaos similar to those witnessed during the postelection violence of 2007/08.

Senators Beatrice Elachi (pictured above) and Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) alongside Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chief executive Ezra Chiloba have today warned that the country could plunge to chaos yet again.

They said the civil societies should educate the public because politicians cannot be trusted with the task.

Elachi said politicians will always champion their own interests and do not mind about the public.

“Politicians will always fight for their own agenda and can easily fuel violence. So it is upon the civil society to stand in the gap and promote peace in the country.

The nominated Senator was speaking this morning during a forum organised by the Civil Society Organisation on their roles in elections.

“Civil societies need to critically play their roles.

We don’t want to go back to the 2007/08 scene,” Elachi said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

Kidero now threatens to sue accusers in bribery claims

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has today threatened to sue anyone linking him to the Sh200 million bribery claims against Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi.

Geoffrey Kiplagat alleged that Kidero had bribed Justice Tunoi in the case filed by Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu challenging his election as the governor.

And today, when he appeared before a special committee of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) which is probing the allegations, Kidero denied bribing the judge and instead threatened to sue his accusers.

“I will sue those linking me to these allegations once the committee finishes its work,” Kidero told journalists after appearing before the team.

He said he will sue Geoffrey Kiplagat, who swore an affidavit that he acted as a conduit between Justice Tunoi and him, and lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi.

Ahmednasir had on Sunday added a new twist to the saga by claiming that the bribe was bigger than the Sh200 million earlier alleged, putting the figure at Sh300 million.

But Kidero claimed that Ahmednasir’s allegations are aimed at getting back at him for refusing to hire him in the petition challenging his election.

Dr Kidero who had appeared before the committee shortly after 10am was questioned for about 15 minutes.

Lawyer Katwa Kigen, who was also mentioned in Kiplagat’s affidavit also appeared before the JSC committee chaired by Margaret Kobia.

Kidero had previously denied bribing the Justice Tunoi, terming the allegations ‘fabrication’ by agents working to dent his image and have him thrown out of office in the 2017

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero when he appeared before the JSC team for questioning over the alleged Sh200 million bribe. He denied the allegations and threatened to sue those linking him with the matter.

General Election.

“The Sh200 million bribery claim against Tunoi is a political scheme against me by cartels strategising for the 2017 polls,” he said yesterday at a funds drive in Sori Karungu, Migori County.

According to him, the allegations do not add up because even transporting Sh200 million, the sum of the alleged

bribe, is not an easy task.

“It is all political. The story is laughable and the constructors and executors know very well it is a big lie,” he said.

He also denied any links with Justice Tunoi, saying he has only seen him on television.

“I don’t know Justice Tunoi, and personally I have never met him. I

have only seen him from a distant mostly on TV like other Kenyans do,” he said.

In his defence when he appeared before the committee yesterday, Justice Tunoi questioned the character of the accuser, saying the allegations against him are pegged on succession politics in Supreme Court positions. peter_x254

Avert looming chaos, civil society told From Page 1

She urged the government to adequately fund IEBC as it’s a critical commission especially at this time.

“It’s very sad that a critical body like IEBC is complaining that it doesn’t have money. We need to learn from our 2007/08 elections and fully provide funds for this body” she said.

Speaking at the same forum, IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba asked the organisations to critically play their oversight role.

Chiliba said election are too important to be left to the IEBC alone.

“Civil societies should play its three roles-oversight, active participation in the elections and creating awareness to the public he said.

Kisume Senator Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o who also spoke at the event said the results of the next General Election should be announced at the county level.

Nyong’o said transmitting of results to the national tallying center in the Bomas of Kenya is subject to manipulation.

“Alot of manipulation happen at the Bomas of Kenya thereby tampering with the final results and that’s not democracy,” he said.

“Let the results be announced at the Counties immediately after the closure of voting, the transmission of results to Nairobi has led to the election of illegitimate government.”

He said officials at the IEBC should be thoroughly subjected to Chapter Six of the Constitution as management of credible elections is directly related to the integrity of officials.

“The first thing we must ensure is that officials recruited at IEBC fully comply with Chapter Six of the Constitution,” the senator said.

Nyong’o urged the civil organisations to be vigilant and ensure democracy is not abused in the next general elections Sam_x254

37 sacked senior police officers to be vetted afresh The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has approved 37 petitions by senior police officers who appealed last year’s decision to dismiss them.

They were among 62 officers sacked after they failed to meet the set threshold on competence and suitability.

Commission chairman Johnstone Kavuludi said the officers will be vetted afresh with more attention being accorded to specific areas they feel could have been misconstrued.

Ten of those officers were invited for fresh vetting on Tuesday in an exercise that will run until Friday this week.

Recently, the commission dismissed seven senior police officers after they failed the vetting process.

The officers are of the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police, Assistant Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Police, same cohort with the ones to be re-vetted.

The review, according to Kavuludi can be based on “some mistake or error apparent on the face of the record or any reason that the commission considers just and proper.”

The next cohort to be vetted represents the backbone of policing services in the country.

According to the commission, it includes Chief Inspectors and Inspectors of Police both from Kenya Police and Administration Police posts, “the basic units of service delivery and the beginning point of the criminal justice system.”

Others to be vetted include officers of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and traffic police officers. Kavuludi says the commission is in the process of compiling a list of all these officers numbering about 12,000.

Apart from the commission’s website, this list will be available on the NPS and mygov.go.ke websites.

National Police Service Commission chairman Johnstone Kavuludi during the release of vetting results last month. Some 37 senior officers will now be vetted afresh.

The process is being conducted pursuant to Article 246 of the Constitution and the National Police Service Act (2011) Section 7(2) and (3) which stipulates that members of the National Police Service shall undergo vetting to assess their suitability and

competence.

Officers, who satisfy the commission with regard to competence and suitability, will be retained and those who do not removed from the service.

The overall objective of the exercise is to build confidence and trust in the

National Police Service.

The applicable vetting standards include officers’ satisfaction of entry and training requirements, their professional conduct and discipline, integrity, financial probity, and respect MORE ON THIS STORY for human rights. www.capitalfm.co.ke

NE WS 3 NEWS tuESday, FEBRuaRy 2, 2016

Zika now declared health emergency

The World Health Organization declared a “public health emergency of international concern” Monday over the Zika virus and the health problems that doctors fear it is causing.

The agency said the emergency is warranted because of how fast the mosquito-borne virus is spreading and its suspected link to an alarming spike in babies born with abnormally small heads -- a condition called microcephaly -- in Brazil and French Polynesia. Reports of a serious neurological condition, called Guillame-Barre Syndrome, that can lead to paralysis, have also risen in areas where the virus has been reported.

Health officials have specifically seen clusters of this in El Salvador, Brazil and French Polynesia, according to WHO’s Dr. Bruce Aylward.

The conditions have not yet been conclusively linked to the virus.

“The experts agreed that a causal relationship between Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly is strongly suspected, though not yet scientifically proven,” Dr. Margaret Chan, the WHO director-general said. But the large area potentially affected by the virus, the lack of vaccines and reliable diagnostic tests,

and lack of population immunity in the affected countries contributed to the need for the declaration, according to the WHO. Chan described Zika as an “extraordinary event” after the first meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee in Geneva, Switzerland. “Members of the committee admit that the situation meets the conditions for a public health emergency of international concern,” she said. “I have accepted this advice.

I am now declaring that the recent cluster of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in Latin America following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.”

The declaration is intended to facilitate international coordination of tracking, research and response to the virus and its effects.

Aylward was clear the Zika virus itself is, “not a clinically serious infection,” but that the associated concerns prompted the move.

Last week, the agency said the virus was “spreading explosively” in the Americas, with as many as 3 million to 4 million infections possible

The mosquito species that spreads the Zika virus.

The World Health Organisation has declared the virus a public health emergency of international concern.

over 12 months. On Monday, the Pan American Health Organization added Costa Rica and Jamaica to the list of nations in the Americas where Zika virus is currently circulating.

There are 28 nations currently on the list and health officials say they are monitoring the situation carefully and updating the list as necessary.

In Brazil, officials insisted on Monday that the Zika virus is only a risk to pregnant women and should not

deter tourists from attending the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. “If someone is bitten by a mosquito carrying the Zika virus, the damage is more dramatic if we are talking about a pregnant woman.

If I am a man or woman, unless I’m pregnant, I would develop the antibodies necessary to fight virus in 3 or 4 days,” said Jacques Wagner, chief of staff to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, following an emergency

meeting about Zika on Monday with the President and 31 cabinet ministers. “Unless we are talking about a pregnant woman, there is zero risk -- it’s zero in the sense of something major happening,” said Wagner in response to reporter questions about how the virus might impact attendance at the Olympics being hosted

by Brazil in six months’ time. @peter_x254

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NEWS

Trump dealt blow by Cruz in Iowa vote TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

Texas Senator Ted Cruz has won the Iowa Republican caucuses, the first vote to choose US presidential candidates.

“Tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives,” he declared, to great applause, as he railed against Washington, lobbyists and the media.

He took 28% of the Republican vote, beating his rival, the frontrunner Donald Trump, and Marco Rubio.

Votes in the Democratic race are still being counted, with Hillary Clinton’s camp believing they have narrowly won.

Her spokesman Brian Fallon has said the former secretary of state and first lady will beat Bernie Sanders, the 74-year-old senator from Vermont, by two delegates in Iowa.

In five precincts the vote was decided by the toss of a coin - all going to Ms Clinton, according to the Des Moines Register.

Mr Sanders said it was a “virtual tie” and Mrs Clinton told her supporters she was “breathing a sigh of relief ”.

There was no such ambiguity from Republican victor Mr Cruz, whose triumph was reward for months spent criss-crossing the state to woo influential conservative and evangelical leaders.

As country music blared across the loud speaker at his Des Moines rally, the 45-yearold conservative, who has been a thorn in the side of his party, relished his victory.

“Iowa has sent notice that the Republican nominee and the next president of the United States will not be chosen by the media, will not

NEWS BRIEF

China snow strands nearly 100, 000 people Heavy snow has disrupted public transport in China, stranding tens of thousands of people outside a rail station in south, police say.

The crowd outside Guangzhou station swelled to nearly 100,000 at its peak on Monday night, police said.

Central China has experienced some of its coldest weather in years.

The rare snow has coincided with the run-up to Chinese New Year - where hundreds of millions of migrant workers travel home to see their families. Many trains from north and central China were delayed by the snow - leaving passengers in the south stranded with no transport.

More than 50,000 people still remained stuck outside Guangzhou railway station on Tuesday, state media said.

Local police said 5,200 officers had been deployed to maintain order.

They urged passengers to check their train details online and avoid “blindly heading to the station to wait for trains”, saying this would exacerbate the overcrowding.

Officials estimate nearly three billion trips will take place over the holiday season, in what is considered the world’s biggest annual human migration.

ELATED: Senator Ted Cruz waves to supporters after winning the Republican Iowa vote.

be chosen by the Washington establishment,” said Mr Cruz. “Tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives across Iowa and all across this great nation.”

Mr Trump congratulated the Texas senator and said he was “honoured” by the secondplace finish.

Mr Rubio, who has struggled to gain support in recent months, has performed far better

than expected, and finished in third place just one percentage point behind Mr Trump.

Iowa has an unusual election system based on caucuses, which involve people gathering at private homes, schools and other public buildings across the state.

Democratic voters divide themselves into groups based on their preferred candidate, but the Republican caucus process is more like a

traditional ballot. Over the coming months, the other 49 states as well as US territories will vote for the party nominees.

Each states’ delegates will be tallied and a nominee will become apparent towards the middle of the year. In November, the US will pick who its next president will be. He or she will assume office in January 2017. @peter_x254

South Sudan army ‘killed 50 by suffocation’ South Sudan’s government troops killed about 50 civilians last October by stuffing them into a shipping container in baking heat, a report has said.

The document by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), which oversees the country’s ceasefire, said the incident took place in Unity State.

The government has not commented on the claim - the latest reported atrocities in more than two years of war.

Thousands of people have been

killed and millions displaced since then.

“About 50 people suffocated in a container on about 22 October. The investigation was protracted. Attribution of responsibility: Government Forces,” the JMEC report said.

The document by the monitoring group, which is backed by the African Union, was made public late on Sunday.

Metal containers are often used as makeshift prison cells in the country.

South Sudan’s government has repeatedly denied carrying out atrocities in the conflict.

The JMEC report also accused both government troops and rebel forces of rape, murder and looting. The civil war began in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

The two sides blame each other for violating the terms of a peace deal agreement reached in August.

UK judge frees Zimbabwean criminal who cannot be deported A judge has ordered immigration officials to release a Zimbabwean convicted criminal because the UK has “no prospect” of deporting him.

Mr Justice Garnham, at the High Court in London, accepted that Andre Babbage was “likely” to abscond and offend.

But he said Babbage’s continued detention was unjustified, because the home secretary was not going to be able to send him back to Zimbabwe. Babbage has UK convictions for supplying cocaine, assault and robbery. The Zimbabwean national, who was

born in 1986 and came to the UK with his mother in 2003, had been in immigration detention since October 2013.

Lawyers for Home Secretary Theresa May argued that continued detention pending deportation was lawful.

The judge said that Babbage had “no right to remain in the UK” and had “committed serious offences in this country”.

But he went on to say that Zimbabwe would only accept “returning nationals” if they had a passport or wished to return.

Babbage did not have a current

Zimbabwean passport, and had repeatedly made it clear that he did not consent to being returned to Zimbabwe, Mr Justice Garnham said. Therefore there was “no prospect” of deportation to Zimbabwe and continued detention “could not be justified”, he ruled. “It is my judgement that [he] would be likely, if released, to abscond and to commit further offences,” the ruling said.

“The question which arises here is whether the Home Secretary can justify [his] continued detention when he has made it clear that he will not return home.

“My answer to that question is ‘no’.” Babbage had been given leave to remain in Britain in 2007, the court heard.

In a period of about two years he built up a “serious criminal record”, committing offences including supplying cocaine, harassment, criminal damage and theft. In 2011, he was convicted of robbery, after a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court, and given a 30-month sentence.

Home Office officials made a deportation order in 2013 and he had been placed in immigration detention pending deportation.

NEWS 5

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

Morning newspaper summaries Tunoi bought 180 acres Tunoi; My employer is Big cash as Tunoi, KRA freezes envoy’s of land, says JSC: New evidence fighting me: Embattled Supreme accuser face panel: The assets in Sh385m tax has emerged that Supreme Court judge Court Judge Philip Tunoi yesterday evasion row: Assets Recovery investigations into the bribery allegations Philip Tunoi, who is at the centre of Sh200 million bribery allegations, acquired 180 acres of land recently. It also emerged that the man who blew the whistle on the bribe affair, Geoffrey Kiplagat, was promised Sh30 million, but was never paid his share. Once the money was paid, virtually all the people involved became hostile to him. The farms are said to be in Uasin Gishu County.

sought to clear his name in the wake of allegations that he received a Sh200 million bribe to influence a ruling in an election petition. In an affidavit filed with a special committee of the Judicial Service Commission, Justice Tunoi said the allegations against him were “fiction” and that they were made by “elements within the Judiciary” who did not wish to disclose their identities.

against Supreme Court judge Pdhilip Tunoi started yesterday amid heated exchanges dbetween counsel and the panel. The Special Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) committee separately grilled both the judge and his accuserformer Kass FM journalist Geoffrey Lelmet Kiplagat. Justice Tunoi appeared at 10.08.

Agency (ARA) has frozen bank accounts and property belonging to Eastleigh Mall-owned by Kenya’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohamed Mohamud and his partners. The ARA backed by Kenya Revenue Authority last week obtained a court order barring directors of Eastleigh Mall form interfering with its assets, pending determination of a Sh385 million tax evasion suit .

Counties to get billions: Finally teachers get leave How Presidency Tough times ahead as allowance: Teachers are smiling all was cleared of non- KRA misses half-year the way to the bank after their employer, compliance with ethics revenue target: The Kenya for the first time, paid them an annual leave Authority (KRA) missed its law: The anti-graft authority Revenue allowance. The highest paid teachers, who half -year tax collection targets by a

Counties will share Sh307 billion in the 2016/17 Budget, including some Sh3.8 billion in loans and grants, Treasury has proposed. According to the 2016/17 Budget Policy Statement, the equitable share for the 47 counties will be Sh285 billion, up from Sh259 billion in the current financial year. The devolved units will also receive an additional allocation of Sh18.2 billion for free maternal health, leasing of medical equipment, Level 5 hospitals and road repairs.

are the chief principals, will take home a leave allowance of Sh10, 000, whereas the lowest paid teacher, a P1, will get Sh4, 000. The allowances have considerably raised their gross salary this month. The Teachers Service Commission head of communication, Mr Kihumba Kamotho, confirmed the payment.

yesterday evening dramatically changed a report exposing State organs that had not complied with a key law on leadership and integrity. The Leadership and Integrity Act of 2012 requires all public entities to develop specific codes of conduct for approval and gazettement by the anti-graft body.

recruiting top ICT managers and assessing its equipment in readiness for the 2017 General Election. The commission’s new ICT Director James Muhati on Monday said the hiring of top managers is meant to strengthen the capacity of the department and enhance preparations for the polls.

The ICT boss said the department is keen on ensuring effective operations by hiring competent personnel.

Salgaa in a road accident late last year are crying for justice. The families have complained that no action was taken against those whole led to the December 31, 2015 car crash on the NairobiNakuru highway. The families want the office Director of Public Prosecutions to conduct more investigations on an Administration Police officer who hired out his vehicle to the teenagers.

massive Sh47.6 billion, signalling a possible widening of the budget deficit with far-reaching consequences on the economy. Newly-released data indicate that the shortfall mainly arose from a dip in payroll taxes and delayed application of the Excise Duty

Outrage over Ciano Poll agency changes ICT Families of five teenagers Uchumi insider deals: chiefs ahead of 2017 killed in Salgaa road Financial crisis looms as Treasury asks banks Kenyans yesterday reacted in shock at accident seek justice: The Independent Electoral and vote: the Star’s exposé on ex-Uchumi boss to recall county loans: Boundaries Commission has begun Families of five teenagers who died at Jonathan Ciano’s supply deals, most expressing disappointment at the formerly celebrated manager’s conduct. The story, based on an interview with current CEO Julius Kipng’etich, gave an insight into the extent of conflict of interest issues at the retail firm, which now faces massive financial problems. Uchumi, in business for more than 40 years, has undergone four turnaround eras.

Counties face a financial storm after the National Treasury asked banks to immediately recover loans advanced to the devolved units without its consent.

The directive effectively closes the financing window that counties have exploited as stop-gap measure as they await the release of money meant for the financial year from the national government.

Top stories from X News global partners Ted Cruz upsets Donald Ted Cruz Wins The “emergency brake” UN draws Syria rebels Trump to win Iowa’s Republican Caucuses is only symbolic, but it into peace talks: The UN has Republican caucus: Texas in Iowa NYT Now: He will probably work: It tells announced the official start of peace maverick Ted Cruz dramatically burst the bubble of Donald Trump on Monday in a surprise victory over his Republican rival in the Iowa caucus that supporters hope will herald a rightwing resurgence to match that of Ronald Reagan. Ignoring the media-friendly bombast of Trump in favour of a purer strain of anti-establishment conservatism, Republicans in the state voted in favor of Cruz, according to initial projections by the Associated Press. Florida senator Marco Rubio had a strong night, snapping at Trump’s heels and running a close third. With 90 per cent of votes in, Cruz held a 27.7 per cent to 24.4 per cent lead over Trump.

www.theguardian.com

took the stage as the bagpipes from the Dropkick Murphy’s played, his family close behind. He waved, thanked the crowd and told them he loved them. Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland ended his campaign for president in perhaps the most optimistically way possible, telling the 100 or so supporters at Wooly’s Bar here that they had not seen the last of him. “Tonight I have to tell you that I am ending this presidential bid, but I am not ending this fight,” he told the crowd.

With an occasional twinge of sadness in his voice, he ripped through parts of his stump speech one last time, hitting on climate change and immigration. www.nytimes.com

you a lot about David Cameron’s dinner in London last night with Donald Tusk that the press could not subsequently decide whether it was a coup or a disaster for the prime minister and his plan to renegotiate Britain’s EU membership.

On the one hand the European Council president bluntly commented “no deal” as he swept out. His team confirmed it would not be circulating a proposal if remaining differences cannot be ironed out. On the other hand, Downing Street described as a “significant breakthrough” the news that “the Commission have tabled a text making clear UK’s current circumstances meet criteria for triggering emergency brake.” www.economist.com

talks between Syria’s warring parties, despite the opposition’s insistence that it has not agreed to take part in negotiations.

Steffan de Mistura, the UN’s special envoy to Syria, has been trying to draw in the rebel High Negotiations Committee (HNC) whose delegates arrived in Geneva on Saturday, a day after talks were supposed to start.

He appears to be slowly gaining momentum after holding two meetings with the group. ”We are starting, officially, the Geneva talks,” Mr de Mistura said on Monday night. “The discussions are starting.”

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xnews | Tuesday, FeBRuaRy 2, 2016 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

Revamp regulations to boost agriculture sector, says Bank World Bank experts have urged Kenya, among other nations that depend heavily on agriculture, to enforce reforms aimed at supporting the industry.

Countries where agriculture is a major economic activity have greater room for improving key regulations that govern the agribusiness sector, a new World Bank report has confirmed.

The sector employs more than half of Kenya’s working population and is responsible for nearly a third (27 per cent) of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

In contrast, countries where agriculture accounts for less than 25 per cent of GDP have better regulatory systems that foster agribusiness and ensure quality control and safety of food production, says the first edition of Enabling the Business of Agriculture 2016: Comparing regulatory good practices.

The report, released just days ago, examines regulations that affect private enterprise in agribusiness in 40 countries around the world.

The world’s population is estimated to grow to 9 billion by 2050, from the current 7.3 billion people, and food demand is projected to rise by 20 per cent over the next 15 years, explains the Bank. The largest increases are expected in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and East Asia. As countries accelerate their efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ending poverty and hunger will require well-performing agriculture and food sectors that can cater to the rising demand, which in turn depends on smart regulations that enable agribusinesses to thrive.

“Well-designed agribusiness laws and

Countries where agriculture is a major economic activity have greater room for improving key regulations that govern the agribusiness sector. regulations are the bedrock of national and global efforts to address these daunting challenges. By focusing on key elements of the food production and distribution value chain, Enabling the Business of Agriculture hopes to promote regulatory systems that enable sustainable and inclusive agribusinesses to take root and thrive,” said Preeti Ahuja, Manager in the World Bank’s Agriculture Global Practice, which produced the report jointly with the Global Indicators Group in the Development Economics Vice Presidency.

The current edition presents country-level results on six topics including Seed; Fertilizer; Machinery; Finance; Transport; and Markets.

The report has confirmed that on average,

urbanised countries have smarter regulations in the topic areas measured by the report than countries where agriculture accounts for a larger role. Of the 40 countries surveyed, the urbanized economies of Colombia, Denmark, Greece, Poland and Spain perform above average on the measured areas.

However, in most countries, performance is mixed and numerous challenges remain.

Kenya’s agriculture sector, for instance, is mainly rain-fed and is entirely dependent on seasonal rainfall in most parts of the country.

A large proportion of the country, accounting for more than 80 per cent, is semi-arid and arid while droughts are frequent and crops fail in one out of every three seasons.

Dennis_x254

Resolution Insurance pays Sh800,000 in deal East Africa’s general insurer Resolution Insurance, has paid a Sh 800,000 bonus to the Resolution Impala Saracens rugby club. This is part of a three-year Sh21 million sponsorship deal between the insurer and the club. The insurer paid Sh6 million for the 2013/14 season; Sh6.3 million for the 2014/15 season and Sh8.7 million for the 2015/16 season.

This is excluding the exciting incentives the insurer has pledged to pay the players.

Resolution is committed to supporting the growth of talent and has committed a winning bonus for all matches won as well as the Kenya / Enterprise Cup win or the Eric Shirley Shield / Mwamba Cup win to a total value Sh 4.9

million.

The sponsorship covers 75 players insurance cover, manager fee, coaches, Physiotherapist and other miscellaneous day-to-day expenses.

“Resolution Insurance plays a leading role in the development of rugby and nurturing sports talent in the country and region. We are indeed happy to be associated with sports in line with our Healthy Living and Wellness propositions,” said Resolution Insurance Head of Marketing, Eunie Nyakundi.

Speaking when the bonus was presented, Resolution Impala Saracen Rugby Football Club Chairman OduorGangla said: “We are indeed pleased and welcome the unending

support from Resolution Insurance which has offered to support the Impala Rugby Internship Program to enhance player retention. This includes mentorship programmes where qualified players are given an opportunity to learn and work for the insurer or its partners in addition to receiving financial management and investment guidelines.”

The team has produced a number of leading players for the national teams while some of the players ply their trade in professional leagues in Europe and United States much to the delight of Resolution Insurance.

Kevin_x254

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

MEAN 102.2708 145.7892 111.056 6.3847 33.9492 21.3845

BUY SELL 102.1717 102.3700 145.6289 145.9494 110.9294 110.1717 6.3763 6.3932 33.8673 34.0310 21.3148 21.4541

Strathmore’s @ iLabAfrica flies top Agribusiness App developers to Canada

Two Kenyan students who developed agribusiness mobile App ConviFarm are the winners of the top prize for the @iLabAfrica- Waterloo University Agribusiness mobile tech challenge.

Norman Muga of Strathmore University and Mburu Njunge of Kenyatta University were handed their air tickets and invitations to stay at the University of Waterloo last week by @iLabAfrica at an event graced

by Kenya’s Ministry of Information and Communication Principal Secretary Dr Victor Kyalo.

The fast growing @iLabAfrica centre is Strathmore University’s technology research and innovations centre.

The centre in pact with the University of Waterloo of Canada in the agricultural mobile applications competition seeks to generate applications with high impact potential to Africa’s agribusiness sector.

“Agriculture is the mainstay of at least 80per cent of the Kenyan population. We chose this sector because it has a direct impact on the bottom of the pyramid masses,” said @iLabAfrica Director, Dr Joseph Sevilla.

The Agribusiness Mobile tech challenge is open to members of the public, students of Strathmore and other universities as well as private applications developers.

It has its top Prize being a two week trip to Ontario Canada, where winners join other developers around the world in training and incubation.

The second prize is a full scholarship for a 6 months Strathmore Entrepreneurship Development Program.

Speaking during the award ceremony, Dr Victor Kyalo commended @iLabAfrica for delivering global partnerships that deepen technology adoption and local innovation.

“This centre continues to develop programs that interest developers come up with world class mobile technology solutions targeted at the bottom of the pyramid in Africa,” he said.

The challenge is employing a virtual incubation technology developed by the Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre at the University of Waterloo, as a way to reach, nurture and incubate agribusiness mobile app ideas enock_x254 across Kenya.

SEED Foundation calls on local NGOs to apply for funding The SEED Foundation, a national nonprofit group that partners with urban communities to provide innovative educational opportunities, is seeking applications from organisations for its 2016 grant projects to support pilot schemes in favour of innovative agricultural development.

The group has invited applications from Kenya, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon and Cape Verde. The group will also welcome applications from Comoros, Congo, Côte

d’Ivoire,Djibouti, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Equatorial, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Uganda, Republic Central Africa, Republic democratic Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Chad, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The deadline for applications is February 7, 2016.

“The mission of Seed Foundation is to support agricultural and rural development in Africa to improve food security and living conditions

of the most vulnerable population,” Deepka Singh, a spokesperson on behalf of the group has said.

Interested applicants can download the application forms from the website ‘seedfoundation.org’.

SEED Foundation’s team will favour groups whose projects show relevance, feasibility and sustainability.

In terms of feasibility, the SEED Foundation team and the Selection Committee will

determine which projects offer the best balance between the capacity of the project owner and the local partner, the local anchoring and consistency with the context of the region as well as the consistency of the project budget.

In terms of relevance, the group will determine which projects offer the best balance between compliance with sustainable development objectives and the projects overall impact on communities.

Family bank targets more outlets in expansion plans Family Bank will open 10 new outlets this year as part of an expansion drive expected to increase its branch count to 100 by end of December.

The bank on Monday launched its 91st branch in Wote Town, Makueni, barely two months after opening three other outlets in Mlolongo, Maua and Kahawa West.

Family Bank says the extra branches will enable it to serve its 1.8 million customers better while also leaning on alternative financial access channels including agency banking to deliver services. The lender has already signed 3,000 agents spread across the country.

“We will be opening more branches this year to attain our target of 100 branches which will mark the final stretch of phase one of our expansion,” said the bank’s chief executive officer Peter Munyiri in a statement.

Family Bank has set a target of attaining tier one status in the short term, which informs the ongoing branch expansion.

Munyiri, who has overseen implementation of the expansion plan, has announced that he will exit from the bank in June after expiry of his five-year contract.

The lender made a net profit of Sh1.8 billion in the nine months to September last year compared to Sh1.36 billion posted during a similar period the previous year, a jump it attributed to increased lending. Its focus on small and medium enterprise lending and personal loans resulted in a significant jump in its loan book from Sh37.9 billion to Sh52.8 billion.

The bank recently received a Sh1 billion loan from Netherlandsbased Oikocredit for on-lending to small and medium-sized businesses, a pointer that its loan book is set to grow further this year. Family Bank closed

the year to December 2010 with approximately 54 branches.Its target of hitting the 100 branches mark will take it close to doubling its outlets count in six years.

“We will continue to fulfil our mandate to our customers

ensuring that we enhance our product offering while increasing our footprint to cement our onestop-shop positioning providing retail and consumer products,” said Munyiri. wilson_x254

BUSINESS 7 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

BIZ BRIEFS CBK rules for bank withdrawals of over Sh1m take effect

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced new regulations scrutinising over the counter withdrawals for amounts exceeding $10,000 (Sh1 million). Following the new guidelines, anyone making deposits or withdrawals that go over the stipulated amount will be required to fill a form, explaining the reasons for their transaction.

A statement from Chase Bank, dated February 2, 2016 has confirmed the CBK’s January announcement, noting that with immediate effect, customers conducting over the counter cash deposits or withdrawals equal to or exceeding USD 10,000 or its equivalent in any currency will be required to state why the transaction is necessary and why it cannot be made through electronic means.

Under the CBK’s directive, customers will also be required to explain where the money will be taken after it leaves the bank premises, what it will be used for and who the beneficiaries of the money are.

Samsung launches 2016 ‘Galaxy A’ phone in Klocal market

The bank recently received a Sh1 billion loan from Netherlands-based Oikocredit for onlending to small and medium-sized businesses,

Kenya eyes budget deficit of 6.9 pc in coming financial year, Treasury reveals Kenya is targeting a budget deficit of 6.9 per cent of GDP in the 2016/17 fiscal year, from a revised 8.1 per cent this fiscal year, the National Treasury has revealed in a draft budget policy statement.

The deficit for this fiscal year is expected to decline to 522.3 billion shillings ($5.11 billion), 8.1 per cent of gross domestic product, from 569.2 billion shillings, 8.7 per

cent of GDP, where it was set in a June budget, the Treasury said in the draft budget policy statement posted on its website. The narrower deficit will be arrived at through a reduction in expenditure and borrowing, the ministry said in the draft, which was published for the public to offer comments before it is finalised by the government.

The country has increased spending in recent

years, to build a modern railway, new roads and electricity plants, driving up the budget deficit and unnerving investors. “Borrowing from the domestic market has been revised down to 168.2 billion shillings from 221.5 billion shillings in the budget while external commercial borrowing has been raised to substitute for the lower domestic borrowing,” the Treasury said, referring to this fiscal year.

The deficit will fall to 6.9 percent of GDP in the next financial year before declining to 4.3 per cent in the medium term. Kenya is building a modern railway from the main port of Mombasa to the capital Nairobi and officials blame the investment for the higher budget deficit.

“Excluding expenditures related to the SGR (Standard Gauge Railway), the deficit declines from 6.3 percent of GDP in 2015/16 to 4.1 percent of GDP over the medium term,” the Treasury said.

Kevin_x254

Leading multinational tech manufacturer, Samsung Electronics has announced the release of the Galaxy A (2016) smartphones in the Kenyan market.

The announcement comes jst as the country’s middle-class is expanding at an unprecedented rate and as more consumers continue to express their purchasing power through the procurement of smart devices.

The Galaxy A (2016) will be available in three versions in all Samsung dealer shops including Galaxy A7, Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A3 with retail recommended prices ranging from Sh31,999 to Sh49,999, depending on the version of the device.

Samsung Electronics East Africa Jung Hyun Park Vice President said that the tech company is committed to continued innovation, inspired by the feedback and needs of their wide range of consumers.

Park added that with the introduction of the Galaxy A (2016), Samsung took consumer feedback from the release of the original Galaxy A models and made “thoughtful and impactful improvements.”

Airtel to launch Free Internet for School program in Machakos

Airtel Kenya will tomorrow morning host the ICT Cabinet Secretary Hon. Joe Mucheru in Machakos where he will be officially launching Airtel’s Free Internet for Schools in the County.

The Airtel Internet for Schools programme was launched in November 2014. The initiative allows students to enjoy free 24hour internet connectivity, giving them access to unlimited amounts of relevant educational information available online.

The Internet for Schools programme last year received renewed support through a training operation aimed at educating teachers with regard to the drive.

In November 2015, Airtel announced a partnership with Computer for Schools (CFSK) to train teachers from Machakos County on how the program works.

8

BUSINESS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

Mombasa trader wins remaining house in the ‘Lipa Na M-pesa promo A 53-year-old Mombasa businessman has won the third and final house in the ‘Lipa Na Mpesa Shinda 3 bedroom’ promotion launched by Safaricom in December 2015.

Mbarak Nassib, who runs a logistic firm in Mombasa, won the fully furnished house worth Sh14 million in the promotion geared at optimising Lipa Na M-pesa usage during the festive season and the beginning of the New Year. ‘’I saw adverts the promotion but I never imagined that I would be a winner of this lovely home,’’ Said the father of five. ‘’When I received the call from Safaricom, I first thought it was a prank and it is only after I verified did I start celebrating, ’he added.

Nassib said he has been using the ‘Lipa Na M-pesa’ quite often both for his business and for personal transactions since he said he finds the platform more convenient than dealing with huge cash. Speaking during the handover of the house, Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore congratulated the winner citing tremendous opportunities in the promotion.

“Nine out of 10 transactions in Kenya are made using cash. This shows that there is tremendous

opportunity for ‘Lipa Na M-pesa’ as well as other cashless transactions channelled to thrive in this market,’’ Collymore said.

Collymore said 18,000 M-pesa agents across the nation also won

part of the bonuses in terms of airtime and direct cash to their tills among other prizes.

The promotion, valued at Sh118 million, saw Ali Mlewa Ikuthu, 22, a Bodaboda rider and Lydia

and the service has enjoyed a fanatical uptake where customers pay their bills across various businesses making it emerge a safe alternative to cash. enock_x254

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore presents the key to Salim Nassib Mbarak, the winner of the ‘Lipa Na M-pesa shinda 3 bedroom’ promotion.

Yahoo to cut 1,600 jobs, close several units as CEO fights to resuscitate firm Yahoo Inc. Chief Executive Marissa Mayer (pictured) is set to reveal costcutting plans that include slashing 15 per cent of the company’s workforce (1,600 jobs) and closing several business units, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The plans are expected to be announced after Yahoo’s fourthquarter results today, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

However, the firm has not disclosed specifically the business units that might be shut down.

A Yahoo spokeswoman said the company could not comment during its quiet period before releasing earnings. Activist investors have pressed Yahoo to sell its core business rather than spin it off, even though a sale would likely incur more taxes.

It is unclear whether the plan Mayer is expected to announce would satisfy their demands, but cutting costs could make Yahoo more attractive to buyers.

Verizon has said it is interested in acquiring Yahoo if it were up for sale.

Other potential buyers would include media and private equity firms, analysts said.

Yahoo had about 11,000 employees as of June 30, according to its website, down from a Dec. 31, 2014 total of

Maina a secretary from Nakuru win similar houses. According to a KMPG report, the ‘Lipa Na M-pesa’ platform currently has more than 32,000 active merchants across the country since its launch

about 12,500 full-time employees and what it called fixed term contractors.

Separately, a former Yahoo employee filed a lawsuit against the company Monday challenging its “quarterly performance review” process, on grounds it assigned numerical ratings to workers that in some cases were used to fire those at the bottom of the scale.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Jose, California, said the plaintiff was terminated in 2014, despite being previously praised, as a result of the

QPR process.

The filing said Yahoo’s use of the QPR process to terminate large numbers of employees violates federal and California laws that require employers to disclose mass layoffs above a certain threshold.

Yahoo has struggled to expand its Internet business, which includes selling search and display ads on its news and sports sites and email service, in the face of competition from Alphabet Inc’s Google unit and Facebook Inc.

Facebook-owned WhatsApp hits billion users every month

Mobile messaging service WhatsApp is now used by a billion people every month.

The Facebook-owned app now outperforms the social network’s own Messenger mobile app, which has 800 million monthly users. The company said 42 billion messages and 250 million videos were sent over WhatsApp daily.

But one analyst said WhatsApp still trailed behind local competition in some key markets.

“There are big markets where WhatsApp isn’t the dominant player,” said Jack Kent, mobile analyst at IHS. “WeChat in China has more than 500 million users, while Line is popular in Japan, and Kakao Talk is big in South Korea. But WhatsApp is certainly the most internationally successful.

“Part of that is down to its pure focus on communication, providing low cost chat that is very reliable.

“Other apps have focused

on monetization, games and stickers but WhatsApp’s appeal is that it is light on monetization and it has now dropped its small annual fee completely.”

Facebook bought the mobile messaging app in 2014, in a deal worth $19bn (£11.4bn).

The usage data the platform generates for Facebook could help the company improve its targeted advertising, which is its core business model, said Mr Kent.

“Facebook had just started pushing people to its own standalone Messenger app, when it bought WhatsApp. But there was a risk it could have been acquired by a competitor and Facebook would lose millions of highly-engaged mobile users to a rival,” he said.

“But WhatsApp still faces those challenges from domestic players who monetize their services very well. It remains a competitive area.”

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

ACCESS topstory

fashionscoop

Uber was also attacked after what was alleged to be breaking the rUles of the taxi indUstry

individually owned Taxi operators gang up against Uber

h

ard economic times have resulted in several outcomes including cutthroat competition. Sometimes, competition can be so thick such that it results into dire measures. The war amongst private individual owned hire transport and Uber, a global taxi company, has resulted into life threating situations locally.

The #UberTaxiWars trended for the better part of yesterday as a result of a fierce supremacy battle between Uber and Local Taxi Ranks who either operate solo or as corporate entities.

The bone of contention is that Uber, the global tech savvy taxi operator, is cheap and convenient because of its modus operandi. Uber, generally operates like this: you download an application and from the application you can book for a taxi and get to know your price.

Ken Mwangi, who resides in Ngong

TAXI WARS

‘taxi drivers’ (read thugs) are fighting a losing battle in the same way the media fought against Digital TV” Another Kenyan notes “let’s see; Banks fought against M-Pesa they lost! @ WinnieKabintie Taxi operators should ask the Simu Ya Jamii guys how to handle the situation #UberTaxiWars.

None the less the Gurdian notes that after all is said and done, “expensive” is everything that Uber is not. @duncan_x254

HOT

y

TOPICS

a

merican Saxophonist and legendary maestro Branford Marsalis is set to headline this year’s Safaricom Jazz.

The international Jazz festival which is scheduled o take place on the 21st at the Kasarani Satadium will also see Afrosync, Parseen Edwards and The Different Faces Band represent Kenya. Gates will be open at 10am and the show will begin at 2pm with regular tickets going for a thousand bob.

drivers who really fear for their lives.

Four of their colleagues have been stabbed to death,” notes blogger Alai.

In addition, an inciting letter has trended on twitter that called for a meeting at Dagoreti Corner at a local hotel, to have action taken against Uber.

As the heat sheathes on Uber Nairobi, In Germany, Uber taxi was forced out of the market after, other Taxi Ranks took to the courts to report Uber for using unexperienced and unlicensed drivers. However, the hidden agenda was to drive the taxi operator out of the market. In Quebec Canada, Uber was also attacked after what was alleged to be breaking the rules of the taxi industry by encouraging cost sharing by clients.

In London there are rumbles of having Uber out, with one of the main stream dailies, The Gurdian noting that “Uber’s game plan is simple: it wants to drive the rates so low as to increase demand – by luring some of the customers who would otherwise have used their own car or public transport.”

Back home, #KOT has sided with Uber given that it is technologically driven.

Moreover, Uber rates are explained at request of service, are not over charged and Uber Cars are clean. KOT noted that the war will be won by Uber. @Its_ Sir_Dennis said “those

Dela tight lipped on second album

aBBass

Branford to headline safaricom Jazz

notes that, he prefers Uber given that its pricing is not speculative rather it operates on GPS, charging customers a regulated and reasonable price per kilometer.

“In the past I would pay four thousand or three thousand five hundred shillings to Ngong town, but with uber, I have been paying between sh 1000 and 1500 depending on where I get picked from,” he says.

It is however this convenience, that has ruffled feathers on the alleys of the taxi world not only in Kenya but across the globe. Solo taxi operators have been losing business given that Uber is cheaper and you can actually monitor where the car you booked is. The war has been so fierce that Uber has been forced to shut down business in some European Cities.

Nairobi has joined the war, and controversial blogger Robert Alai after being contacted by uber to raise a red flag broke the news on tweeter.

Alai unmasked violent acts that have had massive losses suffered by Uber.

Plots of rogue taxi operaters ganging up to beat up uber operators have been revealed with screen shots of WhatsApp messages perpetuating violence against Uber Operators surfacing. “I have talked to 3 @uber_kenya

abbass set To Drop Video

K

enya’s Rap sensation Abass Kubaff is set to unleash his video for Party Like A Moda featuring Victoria Kimani of the Chocolate city, Abbas speaking to Access noted that the video is almost ready and its will be dropped this month.

D dela

THE

Branford Marsalis

11

ela, of the Hello Swahili version is tight lipped over her second Album. Dela speaking to Access however noted that her album scheduled to be released this April, has collabos with Ugandan, Tanzania and maybe South African Artistes.

ACCESS

ART&CULTURE

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 26th NOVEMBER 222015 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER FEBRUARY 2, 2016 2014

aboutLove

She knowS your favorite meal and will not Sit comfortable in the houSe knowing your favorite peanut butter iS not in the kitchen cabinet

Defining the in your life

T

here is no denying that the man, single or not, always has a crowd of women in his life that affects him in one way or the other. All these women have competing interest that could sometime antagonize him especially when dealing with the lady in his life. The relationship amongst all of them then becomes a point of focus not to be overlooked as at one point or the other, these interests may collide and may then force the man to come to a point where he is in a very tricky situation.

You may want to reclassify the women in your life into 3. l The one l The ladies, l The rest

1. The one:

Everything about her matters. She ‘wifes’ you, even though you are not married to her legally she has decided to be patient till there is enough money for the big day. She practically assumes the role of the wife in your life. She gives you hope encourages and prays for you, she’d rather die than let you leave the house hungry horny and mean or looking like you just pulled your shirt out the mouth of a cow.

She knows your favorite meal and will not sit comfortable in the house knowing your favorite peanut butter is not in the kitchen cabinet. You know you are in trouble when it’s her birthday and you come home empty handed and worse still you didn’t acknowledge it.

She makes for the point of focus in your life.

2.The ladies:

Your mother, and, sisters, they are the very first relationship with women you know in your life, they influence the way you treat the woman in your life from when you were born. They talk candidly and will not relent on telling you that you have greens stuck on your teeth.... they make for good company, great insight and wonderful counselors. Simply amazing people or not, sometimes they could be so demanding that you don’t know what to prioritize and what to leave.

3.The resT:

This is the lot in the play of your life that forms the antagonistic characters, always waiting for you to miss a mark, hell yes most of the time they secretly wish they were “the one”, but the problem is themselves, they don’t just have the personality. They think you are amazing, that’s why it’s big talk when you slip, always waiting for the break up so they could have something to talk about, nobody wants to date them, somebody could but it never lasts a minute because they are so perfect in spoiling rather than building, most average people are.

You could be stupid enough to listen to what they say because they never lack some juicy news on how your woman was seen hugging another man and glowing like they never seen before.

The last category should be in the bottom, if not, nowhere near your “care” list, because the more you care , the more they will bring you down, they are down there so they want to get someone to go down with them. What they think, what they say, or what they will think is irrelevant and as helpful as the cleavage of the ugly woman is, to fixing her face... keep your distance from this category as far as possible, they could infect you with inferiority complex.

It is important then to prioritize what is important as committing to fulfill all the three competing interests is an elephant task. To coexist peacefully with all three you may want to establish a workable relationship with every single one of them so as not to live the life of the two lonesome islanders.

Relationships, as much as we would love them to be, are never really exclusive, in fact as you marry another person you marry them plus their family, it goes without saying then that you are not truly happy until this crown is comparatively happy. @kevin_x254

aSk dr X

AM i TOO NeeDy? Dear Dr. X,

I’ve been with my partner for 11 months. Everything was going great at the beginning. Im the kind of person that likes to be in touch throughout the day through texts, calls etc.

We have moved in together about 2 months ago, slowly things became more difficult. We fight a lot, he hardly ever calls or text me during the day.

When I bring it up he tells me that I need to stop going on about it. I don’t ask for him to text me 24/7 just a few texts that’s it. Communication is important to me and I’m starting to lose my patience with him. Please advice.

—Milly.

Dear Milly,

I don’t ask for him to text me 24/7

You probably can’t help it but trust me you are suffocating him. Things change when you are living together but that doesn’t mean he loves you less in anyway. Stop depending so much on texting and frequent calls

and only use the phone calls for necessities.

Be busy enough with whatever (work, school, chores, friends, hobbies, exercise) and this problem will go away. Right now, it definitely looks like you’ve got way too much time on your hands.

dr. X

Send your agonising queries to adhyambo@x254.co

The Nandi initiation ceremony

This paradox explains the highly guarded secrets of Nandi, Tugen, Marakwet, Kipsigis and Terik that all share a bit similar rituals and doctrines of initiation passage. Traditional elders along with the families identifies groups of young men said to be ready to undergo the secret practice in a very guarded and secluded bush – A bush that is only accessible by authorized people – matireniik and after 30 to 50 days of life in the cold characterized with intense and sophisticated training, eating, singing, hunting and gathering, art and crafting, everything is brought down to ashes leaving no single trace. The private and confidential ritual is done after public gathering called Cheptileet, which is done few hours to dusk to bid bye to families, friends, and the community, so that the real hit takes centre-stage through the midnight, far in the bushy and hardly accessible areas – for close to 50 days!

In the darkest hour, step by step the circumcision practise c o m m e n c e s .

Within a blink of an eye, thunderous folks, soft hymns and repetitive curse-like utterances c o v e r s the jinxed atmosphere o f uncertainty.

ARTSHOCK NAil ART JApANeSe STyle

N

ail art has conventionally used different shades of polish. Nonetheless, in Japan Nail art has evolved and it’s now embracing 3D designs. Popularly known as Kwaii, Japanese Nail art is known to be cute al over the world. The art includes assorted elements of polish, rose resin cabochons, Clay Ready Cooked Fruit and Canes Crystals which bring out the bling effect. Sample some of the Kawii art below.

OUR ROOTS

10

ACCESS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

FASHIONscoop

@2016 SAG

Julianne Moore: The green sequin was horribly unflattering.

w

11

sAG AwArds wOrsT drEssEd

hile most of the ladies at the 2016 SAG Awards flattered the red carpet, a few others totally missed the mark with their lessthan-impressive red carpet choices. Surprisingly, most of those topping the worst dressed list are renowned fashion icons in Hollywood, posing the lesson that even the biggest stars are not immune to fashion faux pas.

Demi Moore: We loathed the severe topknot the most.

Giuliana Rancic: Not so much of a fashion police now, are we?

@mercy_x254

y: Lori Pett ard aw And the of for worst t the wors es go dressed to‌

Sola Bamis: The bizarre bow on her back was an eyesore.

Rating: PG 13 Genre: Drama Runtime: 1 hr 49 Min Cast: Alexandra Daddario, Maggie Grace, and Tom Welling.

Rating: R Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Drama Runtime: 1 hr. 46 min.

Cast: Emma Watson, Ethan Hawke, and Aaron Ashmore

T

he year is 1990 and Detective Bruce Kenner is engrossed in an investigation into the case of Angela who accuses her father of grievous crimes. Her Our rating: H H H

rEGrEssIOn

G

abby Holland moves in next door to Travis Shaw and they enter a journey of romance despite their clashing personalities and beliefs. They wed and life is all smooth until trouble stirs when one of them is away yet they vowed to make life decisions together.

Will they survive this whirlwind?

father eventually pleads guilty and is accorded psychological treatment, which unravels an even more horrifying past and nationwide mystery.

Our rating: H H H

THE

CHOICE

filmlab

BEST

Nicole : Kidman a There are s ing million th ith wrong w this look.

PrIdE, PrEjudICE And ZOmbIEs

A

zombie outbreak has fallen upon 19th century England. As the zombie outbreak intensifies, a couple entangled in a boisterous relationship must swallow their pride and join forces on the blood-soaked battlefield using their expertise in martial arts, weaponry and zombie slaying to save the human race.

Rating: PG-13) Genre: Horror, Romance, and Comedy Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.

Cast: Lily James, Lena Heydey, and Jack Huston Our rating: H H H

claSSIFIEd TUESday, FEBRUaRy 2, 2016

Technical insTiTuTe EstablishEd in 1964

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

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

Technical courses l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

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

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

0792-764-647

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Your luck has just turned with regard to issues of love and romance, and wow! Has it turned for the better, Capricorn! You should be sitting on cloud nine today when it comes to matters of the heart.

If, for some reason, you aren’t, perhaps you should consider who is sitting next to you on that cloud.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 This could get you thinking about your own situation. If you want to make a move toward someone in the department of love and romance, feel free to go ahead, but don’t get too hung up on positive results. If you get your hopes up too high, you might end up falling hard. Just take it easy.

TUESday 2/2/2016

SUNNy

MoRE SUN THaN cloUdS

26

25

25ºc 45%

WEdNESday 3/2/2016

6:41 aM 6:51pM

25ºc 40%

6:41aM 6:51pM

THURSday

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.

Yesterday’s Solution

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Attention is apt to turn in your direction today when social acquaintances realize what an incredibly capable person you are. Focus on your strengths and accentuate these points in everything you do.

The people around you will find you irresistible.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 For some reason, even if you have a driving urge to get up and do something, it seems as if there’s a two-ton weight sitting right on top of your head. Meanwhile, everyone else is off and running.

You’re probably better off this way. Learn from others’ mistakes when they land flat on their face.

SuDOku

12

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Love is in the air, the trees, and the people around you. Whatever you do today, make sure that you spend the evening with someone special. Love is apt to be very expansive for you. Just the smallest seed will blossom into a gorgeous flower right before your eyes.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 More than likely there was at least one time in your life in which you felt like the ugly ducking, Gemini. Perhaps this had something to do with your weight. Whether this feeling of insecurity or self-consciousness was self-imposed or not, it’s time to rid yourself of such thoughts and feelings.

FIND THE KEYWORD IN RED AND SMS IT TO 22333

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Duels of love and romance are apt to come to a critical climax, Cancer, and you’ll find that the person who is challenging you has quite a bit of gunpowder at his or her disposal. Your best assets are your abilities to communicate and to see both sides of an issue.

RINGTONES: 30 KSHS PER DAY Nipe Nafasi You will receive a sms “2 download. . . ”Go to this Glory to Glory link using GPRS or WAP & download your content.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Your extremely overpowering emotions are apt to scare people off today, Leo, especially when it comes to matters involving intimate relationships. Unless your desired result is to convince everyone around you that you’re completely insane, it may be best for you to back off.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 While long-term trends in your life may not be going exactly the way you want them to, Virgo, you certainly have plenty of short-term pleasures to enjoy, especially today. There is a great opportunity now to form an extremely powerful bond with someone close to you.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 When it comes to matters of love and romance, this may be hard to do, especially on a day like today. Call upon your pioneering spirit to seek something new and not limit yourself to what you originally had in mind. Perhaps there is something bigger and better waiting for you.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 You may feel like going back to being a student in junior high, Scorpio, just going through puberty and joining the other kids in animated discussions about who likes whom and who’s going out with whom. Wear something red today in order to serve as a reminder of the radiance of your loving heart.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Your tender emotions are too sensitive to endure the thoughtlessness, bluntness, and ultimately the rejection of someone who simply wasn’t a good person for you to hang around with in the first place. Try not to invest yourself emotionally in situations or people today.

Barua Muganga

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

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PLAY 13 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. TiVo predecessors 5. “The Three Faces ____” (Woodward film) 10. Language spoken on Pandora 14. “Now I understand” 15. Shatner co-worker 16. “The Wizard ____” 17. English major’s concern 19. Spanish artist Joan 20. Big name in bikes 21. Locked up 22. Minimum ability 26. Burger King, to McDonald’s 30. Kansas state symbol 34. Pass a law 35. Like some vino 36. Outside (prefix) 37. Kind of fight 39. African republic 42. Freudian subject 43. Reagan’s first Secretary of State 47. Anglers’ needs 48. British P.M. through most of the Revolutionary War 51. Stop, in France 52. Take in again 54. Sat in neutral 57. Acupressure massage 62. “High ___” (1952 Gary Cooper film) 63. “He’s a tough ____” 66. Vampiric nickname 67. From ages past

68. Board game with a lead pipe 69. 10th Hebrew letter 70. Rap star West 71. The ____ (computer game) Down 1. UT athletes, in brief 2. Stylish 3. David Lee ___ 4. Bias 5. “... so ___ so forth” 6. Good physical shape 7. Down Under bird 8. Before, in German 9. Kind of chart 10. Part of a diner order, maybe 11. Doesn’t give ____ 12. Herbi or carni ending 13. Preppy shirt label 18. Bridge over Venice’s Grand Canal 21. Half of D 23. “___ sera, sera...”

24. Michael Jordan’s alma mater, for short 25. In ____ (muddled) 26. Push away 27. ____ Montoya (“The Princess Bride” role) 28. Mettle that’s grounds for a medal 29. Knee part, for short 31. Name on a grill 32. Napoleon, on Elba 33. Sunday supper 38. Cry made while the reins are pulled

40. Egypt’s official language 41. French sea 44. Wall St. figure 45. “____ Howdy Doody Time!”

46. Supernatural 49. Totally soak 50. “Waking ___ Devine” (1998 film) 53. “Island” on the Atlantic Coast 54. Big race 55. Golden, in Spain 56. Unit of laundry 58. They might form a circle 59. Neighbors of heel bones 60. Growth on some ponds 61. Luau strings 63. Stock symbol for a mobile tech. corp.

64. City east of Moscow 65. Coal unit

Sunday’s answers

YOURSAY It is Joho not Raila who named road after Fidel Over the weekend I read an article in one of the local dailies of Former Subukia MP Koigi wa Mwere blasting opposition Chief Raila Odinga for naming a street in Mombasa County with his son’s name.

However, what I failed to comprehend is the way Koigi draw his argument on the matter.

But today I wish to make it clear to Koigi that he should understand that it’s not Raila Odinga who is the governor of Mombasa, but Hasaan Joho.

I know for fact that Koigi must be a very bitter man as he thinks he is more important than Fidel which is totally wrong.

But I want to invite him to get a copy of Raila’s thank you speech to Mombasa County government and the reason for naming the road from Joho.

We don’t dispute what Koigi did for this country, but attacking Fidel just because the latter did not have dreadlocks is uncalled for.

However, it makes us think twice of why Koigi

was fighting for a just country and human rights, maybe he was high on foreign money other than a free heart to fight for the injustice.

If Koigi wanted a road to be renamed after him, it is simple, let him convince one of the governors to do that. Fidel was a hero of this generation, naming the road for a person who is buried hundreds of kilometres away from the road should trigger our minds to find out why.

Fidel was not tribal. He did not choose a tribe to associate himself with. Many of us including Koigi wa Mwere have always hidden behind our tribes. Supporting our own even if they are corrupt and also suspects of criminal activities.

This is not what Fidel stood for.

Friends without boundaries. This is the great lesson we should learn we the generation of the late 20 century onwards... Life without boundaries. Fidel our role model, RIP Castro.

— Hillary, Kayole

Jubilee initiative to connect all schools laudable The Jubilee government’s initiative to supply electricity to all learning institutions, mostly targeting primary schools is laudable.

This great stride will put the schools in a better position to offer quality education as well as empower them to venture into other viable cocurricular activities that shall benefit the schools.

The initiative if implemented well, could also benefit local communities. At least learners, especially in remote villages, will have a chance to

study and do proper practical lessons for the various subjects that they have not been able to undertake due to lack of reliable power supply.

Riding on the back of this effort, most schools will measure up to other schools ranking in best education standards.

The project will also help the Jubilee government achieve one of its grand pre-election pledge in 2013, to digitalise learning, but only I they will ensure the whole initiative is not marred by other obstacles

such as tendering hoaxes.

Kenya Power, Energy ministry and other stakeholders should work in collaboration to deter any further frustrations that have slow paced the project.

Kenyans are only hoping that this will not be another empty promise by Jubilee after the Standard One laptop project never was and the sports stadia that were to be constructed in Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret to help in tapping talents and empowering the youth.

— Nderitu, Ummoja

Pulling out of ICC will leave Kenya more exposed The Push by the Jubilee administration led by President Uhuru Kenya for Africa to walk out of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is saddening.

If there is any country that need ICC then it is Kenya. To prevent another post-election violence, the ICC must be hovering over our heads to instil fear among leaders.

Otherwise, inciting tribes

against each other before and after elections will become part of us. President Uhuru might be judged harshly by history for having spearheaded the current wave of Africa nations to withdraw from the Rome Statue.

He may be doing this innocently based on the current cases before the Hague-based court, but legal experts say even if the entire

Africa withdrew from the ICC, it would not have any significance on the current case against the DP and his co-accused radio journalist.

Kenya should have waited until the time its populace get enlightened and start voting based on issues and not tribes or party affiliation to think about withdrawing from the ICC. — Mageka, Langata

Uhuru, Raila portraits add no value to service delivery I disagree with Siaya Governor Cornel Rassanga, it is high time Cord governors removed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s portraits from their offices and put those of Cord leader Raila Odinga arguing that governors are not presidential appointees but politicians. It is indeed true that governors are elected unlike the County administrators such as chiefs, county commissioners and their deputies, but what value will the pictures have on service delivery to the ordinary citizens? I would have supported his argument if he proposed

the removal of the photos not campaigning for that one of Raila because still from his argument, they are elected by the people not Raila. The president already has his portraits in his office, home and even in his Cabinet and Principal Secretaries’ offices. In the same vain, If Raila cares about his portraits being put in offices, he has an office, and even his coalition headquarter or at Orange House not in counties.

— Wuod Betty, Kasarani

Nairobi governor seat not light duty CS wanted Former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru should eye smaller seats such as Member of County Assembly and Member of Parliament.

Am not opposing her dreams to eye Kidero’s seat since it’s her constitutional right to vie for any position of leadership, but her history speaks volume on her capability.

The former Cabinet Secretary

requested for lighter duties and any sane Kenyan will tell you Nairobi gubernatorial seat is nowhere near light duty and even Waiguru herself should know that being a Governor for Nairobi County is not a lighter duty.

Following massive loss of funds at the National Youth Service under Waiguru’s watch and widespread tendering fraud in Devolution

Send your letters to news@X254.co | Letters will be edited for summary and clarity

ministry during her tenure, no one will have faith in her to control and be in custody of the county’s budget.

Furthermore, Kenyans, going by the last General Election results are still not ready for a female governor and Waiguru must first deal with the hurdle.

—Legal hustler, Nairobi.

14

SPORT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS Mancini fined over match official abuse Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini has been fined Sh388,000 and one-game ban after he made an insulting gesture during Sunday›s Milan derby defeat.

The 51-year-old ex-Manchester City manager was dismissed for dissent as Inter lost 3-0 to fierce rivals AC Milan in Serie A. Mancini was upset his side was not awarded a penalty after a challenge

by Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on Inter striker Eder.

Serie A’s disciplinary tribunal said on Monday Mancini “made a derogatory remark to the fourth official when he was removed and then addressed the spectators with an insulting gesture”. He also used offensive language towards a television presenter during an interview after the match but that issue was not mentioned in the tribunal’s report.

Mancini will now watch from the stands when Inter host Chievo on Wednesday.

Debuchy move to Man United blocked Arsenal blocked a possible move for their defender to Manchester United and instead sent him across to Spain.

Defender Mathieu Debuchy has joined Ligue 1 side Bordeaux on loan for the rest of the season. Man U were reportedly interested in the players to bolster their defence which is missing the likes of Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Matteo Darmian and winger Ashley Young who has been deployed at the back. Debuchy joined the Gunners from Newcastle for Sh120 million in July 2014. The France international, 30, has made just seven appearances for Arsenal this season and has not featured since November. The right-back has been allowed to return to France for the chance of first-team football ahead of Euro 2016. Meanwhile, Everton have signed Senegal forward Oumar Niasse from Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow in a Sh2 billion deal.

Athletic officials in court to appeal ban The three athletics officials banned for life from the sport over an alleged doping cover-up have appealed against the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). Papa Massata Diack, son of ex-world athletics chief Lamine Diack, and Russians Valentin Balakhnichev and Alexei Melnikov want the bans annulled.

They were charged in December with multiple breaches of antidoping regulations relating to Russia’s Liliya Shabukhova. An IAAF ethics commission accused the trio of blackmail and bribery. Cas said the three had filed their appeals, but it would not comment any further at this time. Papa Massata Diack is a former consultant to athletics’ governing body. In a 170page report, the IAAF independent ethics commission panel ruled he, Balakhnichev and Melnikov conspired to “blackmail” Shobukhova to cover up her doping violations by paying them “bribes” of about Sh640.6 million.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta(second right) with Sowo patron Mama Sarah Obama flagging of the 2nd Edition of the Sowo race in Kogelo, Siaya county last year. The race has been elevated to a half marathon beginning this year.

Mama Sara Obama race elevated to half marathon

The 3rd Edition of Mama Sarah Obama (Sowo) slated for October this year has been elevated to a half marathon.

The event that will take place in Kogelo village, Siaya County has so far attracted additional 1,000 runners from 2,000, who graced the low altitude race.

Race director Samwel Koech confirmed elevation during the unveiling of this year’s theme “Go Green with Grandma Run.”

“We are going big on this challenge and we expect a grown event,” said Koech.

The event has attracted athletes from the wider Nyanza, Rift valley and parts of Western region. Few notable talents that have come through the event includes Leonard Kipkoech and Rose Chelimo who have gone ahead to make it in local athletics championships.

“The participants include

young and aspiring talents who are keen on trying to sharpen their careers,” He summed The race was launched over the weekend by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga in the presence of race ambassador, Mama Sarah, grandmother to the USA President Barrack Obama.

“I am happy to see this event grow and especially the theme on environment is encouraging.

I would urge partners to help us achieve this mission in years to come,” said Raila.

Koech said plans are underway to integrate a comprehensive package of activities to address the inadequate awareness and barriers to the development of ICS, Solar, and Bio-gas market in Kenya and promote the deployment of modern and sustainable clean energy resources. @elvince_x254

City to pay Guardiola Sh6trn in three years Manchester City will pay their new manager Pep Guardiola in excess of Sh4 trillion, the amount Kenya will spend in three financial years after the end of his three-year contract.

Guardiola, who signed a threeyear deal with the Citizens yesterday will be taking home a cool Sh6.8 trillion at the end of his three years stay at the Etihad.

His salaries alone, will be in excess of Sh4 trillion three times Kenya’s budget estimates for 2015/016 financial year.

This outrageous figure will be minus other bonuses. Every time the Spaniard check his bank balance from any ATM machine

at the end of every week, he will be greeted by a smiling face of Sh44 million in his account. In a month, he will be expecting Sh23 billion from his employers.

While Guardiola joins the most unpredictable league in the world in July, a league where defending champions, Chelsea find themselves at the tail bottom of the table with less than 15 matches to the end of the season, it remains to be seen if he will put up a squad to rule English football in the next decade.

So far, Guardiola has been give a go-ahead to join the crowded Sh130 billion race to sign Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba

and Everton defender John Stones.

The two players are on the radar of Chelsea, his former employer Barcelona and arch-rival Real Madrid, but the outgoing Bayern Munich manager has joined the war to lure Europe’s best talent to Etihad. The former Manchester United star, Pogba alone is rated at Sh8.2 billion while Stones who Everton declined to sell to Chelsea last season is going at Sh5.0 billion.

The Spaniard will be backed

by City’s oil-rich fortune and while Lionel Messi seems to be out of their range, the club will seek to reverse the trend

of major stars moving to Spain.

With impressive CV included, Guardiola has lost only 19 of his 239 league games as a manager and City believe the 45-yearold can attract marquee names.

Current manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed he would be leaving at the end of the season following his media conference before the match against Sunderland on Tuesday night.

Guardiola is expected to bring in his coaching team from Barcelona and Bayern, including Manuel Estiarte, Domenec Torrent, Lorenzo Buenaventura and Carles Planchart. @elvince_x254

Mashemeji set to unveil sponsor for new season The wo most successful footbal clubs in the country Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards are set to unveil new shirt sponsors.

The combined deals is rumoured to be around more than Sh100 million from either Betway or Sportspesa betting firms.

Gor’s deal is rumoured to be worth about Sh75 million a year while Leopards is understood to have signed Sh35 million a year.

The two clubs pulled it through last season, playing without a sponsor. Gor still managed to win a record three successive league cup unbeaten while Ingwe finished seventh.

K’Ogalo will also use the opportunity to present to the media their new signings ahead of the new season including KPL most expensive player, Rwandan striker Jacques Tuyisenge.

Gor chalked off Sh4.1 million to acquire former Rwanda Police striker.

The previous record was held by Sofapaka who paid Sh2.3 million on defender Joseph Owino from Simba SC of Tanzania.

Before the arrival of Tuyisenge, Burundian Floribert Ndayisaba whom AFC Leopard spent Sh1.5 million in 2012 was the most expensive foreign player to have played in the Kenyan.

In total, clubs splashed out KSh7.5 million to strengthen their squads over the December-January transfer period.

Gor Mahia’s big budget helped them purchase 13 new players while at the other end, Mathare were the most frugal, paying Ushuru Sh30,000 as development fee for midfielder Obadiah Ndege. All their other 10 new players joined on free transfer according to KPL website.

Only Thika United seemingly made some profit on the market as they sold Levis Opiyo to Posta Rangers for Sh100,000 and used Sh45,000 to bring in 13 new players.

League returnees Posta Rangers and Kenya Defence Forces side Ulinzi Stars spent Sh370, 000 and Sh360, 000 respectively making them the second and third highest spenders within this period.

Sofapaka signed a record 25 players, in effective completely changing their playing unit.

Thirteen-time league champions AFC Leopards were the second busiest team, bringing in 21 new players including Kenya internationals Clifton Miheso and Kepha Aswani.

The SportPesa Premier League kicks off on February 13. @elvince_x254

END OF PROBLEMS? Gor Mahia and Ingwe fans before a Mashemeji derby last year. The two teams will unveil new sponsors this week.

The two most followed teams in the country have been hit by financial problems due to lack of a sponsor.

Rio Olympics to go on despite deadly Zika virus outbreak

The 2016 Rio Olympics will go on as planned despite the threat posed by the deadly Zika virus outbreak.

Host country, Brazil has said there was no risk to athletes and spectators except pregnant women at the August event.

Earlier, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned a disease linked to Zika posed a global public health emergency requiring a united response.

The infection has been linked to cases of microcephaly, in which babies are born with underdeveloped brains.

“We have to explain to those coming to Brazil, the athletes, that there is zero risk if you are not a pregnant woman,” Reuters quoted President Dilma Rousseff ’s chief of staff Jaques Wagner saying.

President Rousseff earlier authorised health and sanitary inspectors to use force if necessary to gain access

to private buildings, as part of the government’s efforts to eradicate breeding grounds for mosquitoes especially stagnant waters.

The more than 200,000 inspectors have been given the greenlight to call in the police if necessary should one deny them access to the affected areas. The Brazilian health ministry says about 25 per cent of the country’s 49 million homes have so far been inspected.

Meanwhile, WHO director general Margaret Chan called Zika an “extraordinary event” that needed a coordinated response.

“I am now declaring that the recent cluster of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in Latin America following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern,” he said.

The WHO faced heavy criticism for waiting too long to declare the Ebola outbreak a public emergency.

Currently, there is no vaccine or medication to stop Zika. The only way to avoid catching it is to avoid getting bitten by the Aedes mosquitoes that transmit the infection.

The WHO has already warned that Zika is likely to “spread explosively” across nearly all of the Americas. More than 20 countries, including Brazil, are reporting cases.

Most infections are mild and cause few or no symptoms, although there have been some reported cases of a rare paralysis disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome.

The bigger health threat though is believed to be in pregnancy, to the unborn child.

SPORT 15 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

tuesday, FeBRuaRy 2, 2016 | www.x254.co

GOR MAHIA, AFC LEOPARDS TO UNVEIL SPONSORS AHEAD OF NEW SEASON

p15

Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama says they are ready to battle Arsenal at their own tuff. The Gunners host the Saints tonight at the Emirates Stadium in a league match.

Big Vic ready for Arsenal tie

next round of FA and a loss to Chelsea two weekends ago. The last three league fixtures for Arsen Wenger have only returned two points and any slip up and a triumph for Leicester against Liverpool will see them open a six-point lead at the top of the table.

Goalkeeper David Ospina, despite an assured performance last week will make way for Petr Cech same as Kieran Gibbs who is expected to pave way for Nacho Monreal. Spanish speedster Hector Bellerin will probably make an immediate return in place of Calum Chambers. The Saints are 11 points adrift of Arsenal who are joint second with City who enjoys superior goal difference. City will face Sunderland, second from bottom while Manchester United who sits below fourth placed Tottenham will host gritty Stoke City as Swansea travels to WestBrom. @elvince_x254

A

lexis Sanchez is the toughest player to contain, according to Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama. The Kenyan captain will face the Chilean today in an English Premier League match when Arsenal host Southampton from 10:45pm. Despite the threat posed by Sanchez, Wanyama doesn’t think Arsenal, as a team poses great threat. In fact he ranks them fourth behind struggling defending champions Chelsea and Manchester City.

“I would say Swansea. I believe there are a lot of tough teams such as Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal as well, but Swansea is top there,” Wanyama noted in a recorded Video by Brightcov.com The return of Sanchez will be greeted by both hands as Arsenal return to action after their progression to the

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