201603010 xnews

THursday, MARCH 10, 2016 | www.x-news.co.ke

3

Firm was paid Sh180 million for no job Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki says company at the center of youth fund scandal was not even listed among those contracted to offer services

15

NEWS

Liverpool, United renew rivalries in UEFA Europa league clash tonight

Gor Mahia to unveil new head coach jose ferreira tomorrow

Parties given December deadline for nominations

A

ll political parties have been directed to give their roadmap for nominations by December this year ahead of the General Elections scheduled for August, 2017.

Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u (pictured right) has today said that for her office to maintain sanity within the political parties, the party’s top brass must provide a clear guideline of how they intend to conduct their primaries.

Ndung’u argued that the country had for several times

slipped into election malpractices due to political spats during party nominations that eroded the political legitimacy of consequent elections.

“This time round we are asking all parties to give us their party’s nominations roadmap as early as December so that as an office, we are able to streamline their activities,” stated Ndung’u while addressing a consultative forum following the publication of the Elections amendment Bill, 2015 and the Political Parties Amendment Bill, Continued on page 2 2016.

‘High profile’ Shabaab leader killed in another raid by US forces

IEBC commissioner Yusuf Nzibo (left) and Nandi Senator Stephen Sang speak during a forum to build consensus for political parties on election laws at the Laico Regency today. Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u (above right) said the parties have until December to submit a road map on how they will conduct their primaries.

x-news.co.ke

A “high-profile target’ was yesterday killed following a fierce gun battle between US special forces and al-Shabaab militants in Somalia.

The US forces carried out a night-time raid by US on the Islamists during which more than 10 insurgents are said to have been killed.

A Somali intelligence official told the Associated Press that the casualties included a “high-profile target” who the raiders had hoped to capture.

US troops took part in the raid alongside Somali troops, American officials say.

Al-Shabab earlier said it had “fought off ” an attack by foreign forces but US officials said several militants were killed in the raid early on Wednesday.

Several countries have been supporting Somali officials in their efforts to combat al-Shabaab’s insurgency.

Continued on page 4

2

NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Registrar gives parties December deadline for nominations road map From Page 1 As a leading multiparty democracy in the region, she sais that party primaries must ensure inclusivity, gender balance and fairness among the participating candidates.

“The primaries must ensure credibility, fairness and inclusivity that must will reflect our preparedness ahead of the 2017 polls,” she added.

She urged the political parties with the assistance of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) to check their internal legal frameworks early enough to instil the culture of internal democracy.

Nandi County Senator Stephen Sang seemingly differed with Ndung’u as he maintained that it was the role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure transparency and credibility in all facets of any election.

“It’s the mandate of the IEBC to ensure transparency of all elections in this country. They should not pass the bark to any other party,” said Sang who is also the Chairman of the Justice and Legal Affairs committee in the Senate.

IEBC commissioner Yusuf Nzibo assured all the stakeholders that the

James Atema, a member of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal addressing a consultative forum of the political parties at Laico Regency earlier today.

commission was reading itself to conduct a transparent election.

“As you are aware we are I the process of listing voters ahead of the polls. We shall ensure that electoral laws are

followed to the letter,” said Nzibo.

The two amendment bills sponsored by the Justice and legal Affairs Committee of the National assembly seeks to ratify various electoral laws

ahead of the 2017 polls.

The proposed law shall require the electoral commission to verify the principal register of voters for inspection for 30 days up against the

14 days provided in the current laws.

A political party may soon require only five MPs and three senators to qualify for a share of the millions managed by the Registrar of Political Parties.

Under the current Political Parties Act, a party must garner at least five per cent of the total votes cast in a General Election to qualify for the money.

According to the changes, a party can also qualify for funding if three governors or 20 MCAs are elected on its ticket.

“A political party shall not be entitled to receive funding from the fund if it does not have at least five elected members of the National Assembly, three elected members of the Senate, or three elected members who are governors, 20 members of county assemblies,” read the changes made to the Political Parties Amendment Bill, 2015.

If this new proposal is adopted, small parties will have little motivation to wind up before the next General Election which could be a big blow to the ruling coalition which wants independent parties to fold into one camp. wilson_x254

Windfall for small parties as MPs approve Bill for funding

The National Assembly as it gets into session. MPs yesterday gave their nod to a Bill that seeks to have small political parties get funding.

Smaller parties may soon get a share of the political parties’ fund if the new proposals in the Political Parties Amendments Bill, 2015 becomes law.

Members of Parliament during the morning sessions yesterday made amendments reducing the threshold of getting the fund.

In the new changes, smaller political parties will now be required to have five elected MPs, three Senators, three Governors and 20 Members of the County Assembly.

Previously, only parties with five elected members in all positions and at least 25 MCAs qualified to get a share of the fund.

“A political party shall not be entitled to receive funding from the fund if it does not have at least five elected members of the National Assembly; three elected members of the Senate; or three elected members who are governors; or 20 members of county assemblies,” read the changes made to the Political Parties Amendment Bill, 2015. The bill is sponsored by Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa who said he has been working closely with the Registrar of Political Parties over the matter.

Wamalwa, however, maintained that the small parties must have a national outlook and should not only be seen to be working hard in order to get the money.

“The fund was to be used for purposes compatible with democracy to enable

political parties carry out political programmes democratically and independently without the influence of well to do individuals who fund political parties with the aim of taking over and personalising the parties hence being dictators, contrary to the principles of democracy and good governance,” reads part of the Bill.

Leader of Minority in the National Assembly Jakoyo Midiwo supported the amendments, saying Kenya is a multiparty state and even smaller parties must be given a lifeline to operate easily. The Gem MP, however, said the small political parties must work hard and get confidence from the people.

“This is a good move as it will bring more accountability to the public funds, however as we do this the smaller parties must also work hard and gain public confidence from the people across the country and not only rely on such amendments,” Midiwo said.

The National Alliance Party (TNA) chairman Johnstone Sakaja said the move is good as it will make leaders of the small parties not to be sycophants of the bigger parties that receive the funds.

“There are so many political parties that needs to be supported and by giving them funds, we will eliminate this practice where leaders of smaller parties have to be sycophants of the bigger ones in order to get help,” he

said.

Sakaja said political parties act should be observed very well especially on Gender related issues.

“Most political parties don’t have women in leadership position as required by the act, the Registrar of the Political Parties should look at this matter and compel parties who flout this rule to appoint women in leadership positions,” Sakaja said.

Orange Democratic Movement Chairman John Mbadi supported the amendments and also accused the Registrar of Political for allowing many parties to operate illegally.

Mbadi said the political parties act requires all parties to have operational offices in at least 24 counties, a rule he said is being flouted by many parties in the country.

The move to amend the act will give smaller parties a lifeline after they lost a bid to get a share of the fund two years ago.

Under the current Act, money set aside for political parties is calculated at 0.03 of the total government revenue. In the 2015/2016 financial year, the three largest political parties, ODM, URP and TNA shared over Sh300 million.

The current act also states that Political Parties Act, a party must garner at least five per cent of the total votes cast in a General Election to qualify for the money. This means that a party must get 3.4 million votes in order qualify for the funds. sam_x254

NEWS 3 THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Firm was paid Sh180 million for no services The Youth Enterprise Development Fund paid a whopping Sh180 million to a company that never offered any services to it.

Quorandum Limited Company which is at the center of a scandal at the youth fund was paid Sh180 million to render services that had already been undertaken by another firm.

Gender, Youth Affairs and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki yesterday told the Parliamentary Public Investments Committee the Quorandum is not even among the companies that were listed to offer any service.

She told the committee chaired by Eldas MP Aden Keynan that two months after assuming office, she checked the list of pre-qualified companies that were listed by the ministry of Devolution and Quondrum was not among them. “There was no tender meeting to authorize the payment nor to seek the services of the Quondrum Company, It has also come to my knowledge that the IT services were already in place and I didn’t understand why the company was contracted again,” Kariuki said.

“I checked the listed companies that were to help the ministry develop ICT strategy but Quondrum Limited wasn’t among them however they were paid,” Kariuki told the committee. Acting CEO Immanuel Odero told the committee that the ICT strategy currently being implemented at a cost of Sh5.9 million was

Public Service CS Sicily Kariuki when she appeared before MPs yesterday.

done by Macro Flex Limited and not Quondrum. “What we are currently developing is the strategy by Macro Flex Limited and not Quondrum. Macro Flex was contracted to develop the strategy between 2013-2107,” Odero told the committee. Committee vice chairman Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu) wondered why the ministry contracted Quondrum at a higher cost to offer a service that had already been given to

Kidero eyes Sh4 billion monthly revenue for city development

Nairobi County is eying a monthly revenue collection of Sh4 billion to cater for staff salaries and operational costs in order to create more funds for development. Governor Evans Kidero has today announced that the new revenue target will release the funds from the national government to be channlelled to development projects Speaking today at Maanzoni during a retreat for the County’s revenue collection team, Kidero directed his county executives and chief officers to ensure the target is met even as he maintained a zero tolerance war on corruption.

“I have forthwith set a target of Sh 4 billion to be collected every month which I believe is the bare minimum even though the county is capable of collecting more. The Sh 13.37 billion allocated to Nairobi County through

Treasury will only be used for development purposes,” said Dr. Kidero. He argued that the county had vast potential in revenue collection if all loopholes were sealed and avenues engaged fully. “We have so far only managed to collect 33 per cent of what we used to collect in the past. In 1964 the city council used to loan the government money while in 1968 it loaned foreign governments money.

Am sure we can do more as a county,” added Kidero. City Hall will now be wading in to untapped elements such as regularization of buildings, rates, car parks, building planning and local trade which manages the issuance of Single business permits.

He urged Nairobi residents who owe the county money to pay up to ensure consistent and quality service delivery and in order for the city to

regain its lost glory.

Kidero pledged to continue to create a Zero tolerance environment towards corruption by installing automated systems and processes that reduce staff exposure to corrupt acts Last year, the county introduced electronic pay systems dubbed e-jiji pay as a measure to increase its revenue. Its revenues rose to Sh1.3 billion. Currently 31 percent of all payments to the county are made electronically. The migration of parking payments to the electronic platform has been the biggest driver of uptake of the e-payments. Manual payments still dominate, revenue growth has been steady at an average increase of 6.3 per cent, while e-jiji Pay payments have registered 30 percent revenue growth.

another company. “It’s baffling that Quondrum was brought on board to offer a service at higher cost compared to what another company is offering at a much lower cost,” Ichungwa said.

The committee heard that the loss of Sh180 million was spearheaded by the suspended acting CEO Catherine Namuye and Board chairman Bruce Odhiambo.

The Cabinet Secretary told the committee that

Odhiambo instructed Chase Bank to change signatories making Namuye the sole signatory, a decision the CS admitted led to the easy loss of funds that were purportedly paid to Quondrum. Do you really feel for youth who are suffering outside there when you see two or three people misusing millions of funds meant to help? Asked Kiragu Chege (Limuru).

Kariuki said the law does not allow her to sack the CEO as he is an appointee of the President but he has barred the board from carrying out any transactions. “I have currently barred the board from to access the fund as I wait for a report for a report from the Inspectorate of State Corporation by the end of this month,” Kariuki said.

The committee called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to immediately suspend the CEO and entire board of the Fund in order to give investigations agencies time to do their work without interference.

“Taking into account our engagement with various stakeholders over this matter, it is clear that there was blatant misuse of public resources and therefore we call on President Kenyatta to disband the entire board pending investigations,” Keynan said adding “This is not what we thought would happen when parliament commended the formation @sam_x254 of youth fund.”

Now everyone can drive Now you can pay by mpesa securely Hotline: 0704773300 www.rockyschool.co.ke

@wilson_x254

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero with Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro at City hall yesterday when the latter paid Nairobi County a visit. dr Kidero has today announced a Sh4 billion revenue target for Nairobi to cater for salaries and release more funds for development.

Hospital cellings are boring.

Drive Safely!

4

NEWS THURSDAY,MARCH 10, 2016

NEWS BRIEFS Merkel condemns migrant route closure German Chancellor Angela Merkel has blamed European nations for “unilaterally” shutting the Balkan route for migrants.

She said this had put Greece in a “very difficult situation” and such decisions should be taken by the whole of the EU. Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and non-EU members Serbia and Macedonia have all acted to stem the migrant flow.

The EU and Turkey, from where migrants reach Greece, have set out a plan to ease the crisis.

Under the proposals, hammered out at a summit in Brussels on Monday but still to be finalised, all migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey would be sent back.

A draft statement from the Brussels summit had declared the Balkan route “closed”.

But Germany objected to the wording and it was changed.

Mrs Merkel said at the time that declaring the closure was wrong. Speaking to MDR radio on Thursday, she repeated her position, saying that closing the route “does not resolve the problem” and would “not be sustainable or lasting”.

She said: “Personally I think that Austria’s unilateral decision, and then those made subsequently by Balkan countries, will obviously bring us fewer refugees, but they put Greece in a very difficult situation. “If we do not manage to reach a deal with Turkey, then Greece cannot bear the weight for long.

“That’s why I am seeking a real European solution, that is, a solution for all 28 members,”

Social media ban for Tanzania civil servants Government workers in Tanzania have been banned from using social media and chat apps during work hours.

Transport and communication ministry officials have been warned that “gossiping” on social media will lead to dismissal.

It is not clear how the ban will be enforced amidst increasing social media popularity.

The minister told the BBC’s Halima Nyanza social media use was interfering with Tanzania’s development.

Makame Mbarawa addressed his department saying this practice was affecting productivity and believed his ministry should set a positive example to the wider civil service.

Clinton and Sanders spar again

US Democratic Presidential candidagtes Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders during the CNN Democratic Presidential candidates’ debate, at the Whiting Auditorium in Flint, Michigan, USA, on Sunday. The two rivals sparred yet again at a debate in Florida last night.

PHOTO: EDWARD M, PIO RODA/EPA

Democratic Party presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have sparred over immigration and other issues during a debate in Florida.

The televised event in Miami took place just days before the next round of primaries, including Florida.

With 246 delegates at stake, the southern state is the biggest prize.

Mr Sanders had a surprise victory in Michigan on Tuesday, but Hillary Clinton increased her overall lead with a big win in Mississippi.

In the Republican race on the same day, Donald Trump won three

more states (Michigan, Mississippi and Hawaii) in his bid to win the Republican nomination. Ted Cruz won a Republican-only race in Idaho.

The states were the latest to choose candidates to compete in November’s presidential election.

During the Miami debate, former Secretary of State Mrs Clinton criticised Vermont Senator Mr Sanders for voting against an immigration reform back in 2007.

“Just think, imagine where we would be today if we had achieved comprehensive immigration reform

nine years ago,” she said.

Mr Sanders responded by saying he had concerns about the treatment of guest workers. The proposed programme was “akin to slavery”, he said.

He also said that Mrs Clinton was against allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licences.

Nearly two million Hispanics live in Florida, and their support will play a big role in the 15 March primary.

Florida is home to nearly 1.8 million Hispanics, including about 15% of the state’s Democrats.

The two rivals also discussed job

creation, education and climate change.

And they both attacked Mr Trump, with Mrs Clinton saying that his “trafficking in prejudice and paranoia has no place in our political system”.

She said Mr Trump could not even decide “whether to disavow Ku Klux Klan”.

Meanwhile, Mr Sanders said: “I think that the American people are never going to elect a president who insults Mexicans, who insults Muslims, who insults women, who insults African-Americans.”

‘High profile’ Shabaab leader killed in another raid by US forces A “high-profile target’ was yesterday killed following a fierce gun battle between US special forces and alShabaab militants in Somalia.

The US forces carried out a nighttime raid by US on the Islamists during which more than 10 insurgents are said to have been killed. A Somali intelligence official told the Associated Press that the casualties included a “high-profile target” who the raiders had hoped to capture.

US troops took part in the raid alongside Somali troops, American officials say.

Al-Shabab earlier said it had “fought off ” an attack by foreign forces but US officials said several militants were killed in the raid early on Wednesday.

Several countries have been supporting Somali officials in their efforts to combat al-Shabaab’s insurgency. The assault comes after

the US said it conducted air strikes last Saturday on an al-Shabaab training camp.

Al-Shabaab said one of its fighters died in the battle, while a Somali official put the number of militants killed at 15.

A Somali intelligence official the particular “high-profile” individual had died in the attack.

The African Union mission in Somalia has not commented on the latest raid.

The operation targeted an alShabaab base near the town of Awdhegele, about 50km south of the capital Mogadishu.

“They were masked and spoke foreign languages which our fighters could not understand,” alShabab spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab told Reuters news agency.

He said the helicopters landed on the banks of the River Shabelle

and commandos from the aircraft advanced on the base.

They carried rocket launchers and M16 rifles, he told Reuters, citing a weapon used by US forces.

Awdhegle District Commissioner Mohamed Aweis told the BBC that the “helicopters were giving air support to an infantry special forces”.

Residents said there had been a gun battle, and that the group had sealed the area so it was not possible to confirm if there were any casualties.

Al-Shabab is battling the Westernbacked Somali government to establish Islamic rule in the country.

Local forces fighting the group have been backed by an African Union mission made up of forces from several African nations including Kenya.

The latest raid on al-Shabaab by US special forces is a sign the US is carrying out a more aggressive

campaign against militants.

Roughly 50 US special operations troops have been operating in Somalia on a rotational basis for the last few years.

But the recent raids point to more aggressive military actions in Somalia since a US military intervention in the early 1990s during a famine culminated in the so-called Black Hawk Down battle, with heavy US losses.

Asked if the latest raids meant the US was pursuing a different strategy, White House Spokesman Josh Earnest just said the situation was fluid.

“The threat has changed,” he said, describing “different kinds of terrorist groups operating in different parts of the world”.

While there is no official word about a change in strategy, a more aggressive effort towards militants in Somalia seems under way.

NEWS 5

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Morning newspaper summaries Waiguru sister, Harakhe IEBC probes Keter over Judges; Uhuru broke More pain for families quizzed on NYS: The Ethics Kericho poll: The Independent law in graft inquiry : The as private hospitals and Anti-Corruption Commission has Electoral and Boundaries Commission President violated the Constitution by increase maternity fees: secretly questioned former Devolution (IEBC) yesterday launched investigations ordering the anti-corruption commission Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru’s sister over the Sh791 million NYS scam. Loise Muthoni Mbarire who is Waiguru’s elder sister, ex-NYS director Aden Harakhe and Devolution ministry head of Administration Noor Hassan Noor appeared before EACC investigators last week. Kabura, 33, is the millionaire hairdresser through whose accounts the entire Sh791 million was channeled.

into allegations that Energy CS Charles Keter unlawfully meddled in the Kericho senatorial by-election. This came as three MPs affiliated to the Kanu brigade that lost the Monday duel threatened to table a Motion in Parliament to impeach Mr Keter on grounds that he indulged in politics and, therefore, as a public officer, broke the law.

to complete investigations against top State officials within 60 days, a court has ruled. The judges said the President ought to respect the independence of constitutional offices and should not have given such a directive without taking into consideration the magnitude of the investigations involved. The judges, however, declined to stop Tobiko from prosecuting former Cabinet secretaries.

Private hospitals have nearly doubled maternity charges in the past eight years in a move that has effectively countered government effort to improve the safety of mothers and new-borns with the removal of barriers to primary healthcare such as user fees. Charges for both normal and Caesarean Section (C-Section) deliveries rose by 90 per cent in major hospitals.

rule ex- Yes, we erred in clearing WB raises the red flag IEBC to probe CS Keter Judges over Kericho: The Independent ministers Kamau, Ngilu Waiguru, admits EACC: over drop in Kenyans’ The anti-corruption agency’s initial savings: The World Bank has raised Electoral and Boundaries Commission corruption cases to go clearance of Ms Anne Waiguru has the alarm on Kenya’s falling savings has launched investigations into claims come back to haunt it. Yesterday, the amid increased appetite for imported that Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles on: Former Cabinet secretaries Michael Keter participated in Monday’s Kericho by-election. If found guilty, Keter could be fined Sh1 million. IEBC boss Ezra Chiloba said yesterday that the commission was investigating state officers, among them Keter, for participating in the campaigns despite being barred by the Constitution.

Kamau and Charity Ngilu will have to face prosecution over corruption-related offences following a three-judge bench ruling yesterday. However, the judges said the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission was not properly constituted when the recommendation to have them prosecuted was issued.

head of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) conceded that the clearance of the former Devolution CS in relation to the Sh791 million National Youth Service scandal, highlighted the confusion within Government institutions.

goods, warning that the trend is slowing economic growth. The bank reckons that Kenyans are not investing in ventures like real estate and enterprises that can drive growth and generate jobs. This has put Kenya’s investment as a share of the (GDP) at 20 per cent.

CID boss angrily rejects Windfall for smaller Students to get personal NSE-listed firms to Ahmednasir claims on parties: MPs yesterday approved an numbers to curb fraud: reveal reasons for exit to the law that allows smaller All learners in public schools are set to of board members: Tatu City: CID Director Ndegwa amendment parties access to the Political Parties Fund get personal numbers to track academic

Muhoro has angrily denied allegations by lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi that he has been paid to drop investigations into the actions of former CBK governor Nahashon Nyagah and seven others over the Tatu City project. Ahmednasir, the lawyer for the foreign investors in the Tatu City project, made the claim in a letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko.

by lowering the qualification threshold.

Before the change, only the three biggest parties in terms of representative in the National Assembly, Senate, Governors and MCAs qualified. These are the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), The National Alliance Party (TNA) and the United Republican Party (URP).

progress and funding. Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the Government could be losing billions of shillings sent to schools annually. He said some school managers conspire to steal Government resources under their management and noted that his ministry was initiating plans to end the looting.

Companies listed on the Nairobi bourse will now have to disclose the reasons behind the exit of their board members and top managers such as chief executives and chief finance officers, as per fresh rules gazetted by the capital markets regulator. The new rule takes effect immediately and is expected to enforce a culture change among Kenya’s listed companies.

Top stories from X News global partners Isis document leak reportedly reveals identities of 22,000 recruits: More than a dozen Britons

and a handful of Americans are among Islamic State fighters reportedly named in a cache of 22,000 documents obtained by German intelligence. Britons identified in the documents so far had previously been revealed to the public and are dead, killed in US-led strikes, or their whereabouts unknown. Sixteen Britons are thought to be on the list, among them Junaid Hussain and Reyaad Khan. The documents, thought to be from a border crossing into Syria, are questionnaires of each would-be recruit. There are 23 questions, including names, date and place of birth,..

www.theguardian.com

In the Democratic China’s debt binge: Senior bankers voice Debate, Hillary Clinton putting off the inevitable: fears over ECB cuts: Some in China is piling up fast. Private of Europe’s most senior bankers have and Bernie Sanders DEBT debt, at 200 per cent of GDP, is only warned the European Central Bank of Clash on Immigration: slightly lower than it was in Japan at the the dangers of negative interest rates Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders clashed vividly over immigration reform, health care and Cuba during a contentious debate Wednesday as the two Democrats appealed to Hispanic voters and tried to outdo each other in assailing Donald J. Trump. Mrs. Clinton, bruised by her surprise loss in the Michigan primary a day earlier, was on the attack throughout the debate as she sought to undercut Mr. Sanders’s momentum before the next round of primaries. A Spanishlanguage sponsor of the debate, “I voted for that bill. Senator Sanders voted against it,” said Hillary. www.nytimes.com

onset of its lost decades, in 1991, and well above the level in America on the eve of the financial crisis of 2007-08.

China’s binging borrowers seem to have run out of good investments. The value of non-performing loans in China rose from 1.2 per cent of GDP in December 2014 to 1.9 per cent a year later. Some big firms are earning too little to service their debts; instead, they are making up the difference by borrowing yet more.

The IMF reckons that surging credit is “the single best predictor of financial instability”, but China might be able to avoid a crisis. www.economist.com

ahead of a widely anticipated cut at the bank’s policy meeting on Thursday. The ECB is expected to cut its deposit rate by 10 basis points to minus 0.4 per cent as it takes further action in its struggles to lift persistently low inflation and boost economic growth back to normal levels. Bank leaders are alarmed by the crippling effect on their profits of negative rates which they cannot pass on to ordinary customers, adding to concerns about the fragility of financial stability in some parts of the eurozone.

www.ft.com

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

xnews | THURsday, MARCH 10, 2016 | www.x-news.co.ke

BUSINESS

Japan loans country Sh41 billion for renewable energy Kenya and Japan have signed a $408 million (Sh41.4 billion) mortgage agreement towards the construction of a 140 megawatt (MW) geothermal power plant to be operational in the next two years. Olkaria V will be built in Rift valley by Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) in July 2016 and completed by the end of 2018.

The move is part of KenGen’s ongoing strategy to add 720 MW of electricity from geothermal sources to the grid between 2016 and 2020 approximated at a cost of $2 billion.“The credit we have received today will fund the construction of a power generation plant to tap on the vast geothermal steam at Olkaria Geothermal field for generation of additional 140 MW electricity to be put to the national grid,” National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said after signing the agreement.

Currently, Kenya is producing about 2,500 MW renewable energy though the country aims at producing 4,200 MW more to reach its target of 6,700 MW by 2017.

Once completed, the move will not only reduce electric bills but also tackle the problem regularly blamed for holding back Kenyan business through provision of electricity.

KenGen has a commitment to produce 844 MW for the grid under the plan, and says it had already added 374 MW. Rotich said that another project, the 300 MW Lake Turkana Wind

Power is expected to add 90 MW to the grid by the end of this year, and another 200 MW by the end of next year.

KenGen MD and CEO Eng. Albert Mugo yesterday said that

enock_x254

Olkaria V will be built in Rift valley by Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) in July 2016 and completed by the end of 2018.

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

MEAN 101.6020 144.3136 111.9775 6.6279 33.1195 21.5351

BUY SELL 101.5106 101.6935 144.1644 144.4628 111.8628 112.0922 6.4199 6.6359 33.0405 33.1985 21.4665 21.6037

Mobile app launched to enhance efficiency in local hotel bookings Hotel booking website, Jovago.com, has launched a mobile application that seeks to revolutionize the daily tasks of hotel managers and enhance customer experience. The Jovago Extranet App aims at giving more flexibility and independence to hotel managers.

The Android App will enable Hotel managers to confirm new reservations, see and search through all reservations, change rates for any time period and change room availability for any time period. They will also see customer reviews, confirm guest check in and get some unique statistics about hotel performance, all this at their convence. This will create a better experience for both the hotel and the Jovago customer.

“Jovago wants to give the best international standards of the hotel industry and the latest technologies to all our hotel partners, we want to democratise these new tools for all our partners and make their job easier”, said Paul Midy, CEO of Jovago.

Since inception, Jovago.com has ensured that its inventory of 25,000 hotels in Africa is accessible to customers online, by tapping on today’s technology. For instance, with insightful data provided by the company, a hotel manager will easily know the pricing of his competitors, thus making informed decisions on how to remain competitive.

“Hotels on Jovago benefit from focused local marketing reach in Africa, generating business they could not tap into otherwise. We want to empower these partners to get the best out of working with us,” says Eduard Meyjes, head of revenue management.

“Phone communication can be challenging in Africa. With the app, hotels can make fast and reliable changes exactly when they want to.

Especially smaller hotels can now benefit from smart tools that were only available to larger hotel chains before,” he added.

Kevin_x254

KCB to create 2.5 million jobs Kenya Commercial Bank Group has announced plans to create about 2.5 million jobs within the next five years through a Sh50 billion enterprise development programme.

The initiative dubbed “2JIAJIRI”, comes at a time when a majority of the country’s youth remain unemployed with thousands more looking for work every year.

The move seeks to ease the country’s unemployment crisis and seeks to help youthful entrepreneurs within the informal sector.

According to the Group, the programme is expected to benefit at least 500,000 entrepreneurs in five years who are in turn expected to create 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs during the period.

The programme will provide the beneficiaries with the vocational and enterprise development skills necessary to drive employment and wealth

the vision 2030 needs 1700 MW more from the current 2,300 MW national installed capacity.

CBK EXCHANGE RATES

creation in selected sectors such agricultural enterprise, automotive engineering, construction, beauty and domestic services, explained KCB Group CEO Joshua Oigara.

“We have worked out a comprehensive youth empowerment programme informed by our belief that the youth hold the greatest sway in the pace and trajectory that the East African economy will take into the future,” he said.

In the next five years Sh10 billion will be used annually towards driving this enterprise development programme.

“We want to dignify the informal sector and give it the skillsset needed to churn the next generation of businesses for the informal sector,” he added.

The programme targets both existing and potential entrepreneurs.

For existing entrepreneurs “2JIAJIRI” seeks to up skills and formalise the

technical and enterprise skills of the selected youthful entrepreneurs.

Upcoming entrepreneurs will receive technical skills, financial support for startups and business advisory services. Already, 2,000 youths have begun classes in 89 institutions spread across the country for the various 3-6 months courses. After their training, the graduates will be put under a 12 months incubation programme.

“Entrepreneurship and innovation are an integral part of our DNA. We operate under innovative platforms and with an incubation programme, we will promote ideas, offer mentorship, provide concepts and methods to create an optimal environment for free enterprise,” Oigara added.

We believe that through partnerships with organisations, we can redefine the youth unemployment challenges we are facing,” said, KCB Group Chairman Ngeny Biwott.

Dennis_x254

KRA officials intercept Kisumu-bound parcel with drugs from China at airport A team of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) yesterday seized a narcotics package earlier sent from China to a Kisumu address via an international courier company.

The officers, attached to the KRA Customs and Border Control division, intercepted the package at the DHL JKIA Warehouses and managed to seize the 1kg parcel containing a narcotic substance suspected to be heroine.

Speaking when he confirmed the seizure, KRA Customs and Border Control Commissioner, Julius Musyoki said the package containing the white narcotic substance had been concealed in a parcel earlier declared as Massage pens.

He confirmed that security agencies from Anti-Narcotics Unit have taken over probe process for the case.

All parcels and letters shipping through

any of the local entry points, he added will continue to be subjected to mandatory screening procedures.

Unlike in previous instances where such seizures have largely been on outbound parcels, the interception today, was on a package consigned for delivery to Kisumu.

“At all the ports of entry, we have significantly enhanced our capacity to identify narcotics and other illicit products as part of the KRA Customs and Border Control function,” Musyoki said, adding, “our officers have also intensified screening procedures on all cargo entering or leaving the country.”

Following the seizure, the authority has cautioned international courier companies to exercise internal surveillance measures to avoid being used as conduits by unscrupulous drug traffickers. enock_x254

BUSINESS 7

Kenya to kick off small-scale crude oil production by 2017, says CS Keter THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Kenya will begin small-scale crude oil production next year, the Ministry of Energy has confirmed.

According to Energy and Petroleum Minister Charles Keter, the oil will be sourced from the country’s northwest reservoir.

The CS said that the government has commenced work on road and rail infrastructure that will be used to transport its supply, adding that roads connecting the oilfields to Eldoret, in the west, were being improved.

He also noted that a railway from

Eldoret to the port city of Mombasa was also being improved as the government moves to fast-track the initiative.

Africa Oil and partner Tullow Oil first struck oil in Lokichar in northwest Kenya in 2012. The recoverable reserves total an estimated 600 million barrels, which will feed into a crude pipeline from Uganda when built, according to a Reuters report.

Keter stated that Africa Oil and Tullow were proceeding with plans to start small scale production by next

Nakumatt launches Sh100m sports gear departmental store Nakumatt Holdings has stepped up its business development ante with the launch of its first dedicated active sports gear departmental store. The launch of the Sh100 million Sports Planet branded goods store, marks the start of a product diversification strategy for Nakumatt, as it seeks to enhance its market reach in the sports retailing sector.

The 6,000-square foot concept store, located at the Westgate Shopping Mall and aptly branded as, Sports Planet, will stock a wide variety of sports gear and apparel featuring some of the leading global brands.

The diversification strategy, follows the recent launch of Private Brands (Nakumatt Blue Label, Nakumatt Select) and stand-alone footwear (Clarks & Skechers), toys (Kids &Co) and multimedia (Planet Media Cinema) stores.

Speaking at the launch of the new Sports Planet store, Nakumatt Holdings, Business Development lead, Neel Shah said plans are at an advanced stage to rollout similar concept stores at other locations in Kenya and the wider East Africa region. In a first for subSahara Africa, the tastefully designed, Sports Planet store, will also feature, an in store Golf Simulator machine to be manned by local Golf Pro. “Sports Planet, stores, will be the home of quality leading global brands and is part of Nakumatt’s overall commitment to deepen formal retailing in this region,” Neel explained,

adding that, “from the in store golf simulator to the widest range of sports gear and accessories, we shall be seeking to meet the needs of the discerning customers seeking to enrich their active lifestyles.”

Globally, in store golf simulator machines are gaining prominence as technological solutions designed to assist golfers purchase golfing clubs and related accessories that perfectly fit their swing.

The provision of such a machine, is part of the new Sports Planet business strategy to provide cutting edge customer service and product knowledge assistance.

At the new Sh100 million Sports Planet store, customers will choose from a variety of sporting gear including Treadmills, Gym equipment, weights, Gym accessories for home and commercial use. Sports Planet, will also stock a wide variety of sportswear and related accessories for mainstream sports activities such as, swimming, tennis, badminton, squash, hockey, cricket, rugby, football and golf.

Strategically, Sports Planet, has secured local brand licenses to resell sports gear and equipment marketed under the Proform, NordicTrack, FreeMotion, Puma, Adidas and Nike brands. The store will also stock a variety of Arena, Babolat, Head, Grays, Gilbert, Mitre and Callaway Golf products among others. kevin_x254

year.

“The production which we have talked with Tullow, with oil prices at $30, they will be able to produce about 2,000 barrels per day. But they are not going to go into full-scale production for commercialisation,” Keter told a news conference earlier this week.

In 2014, Tullow had said production could start as early as 2016, but that it would have to be initially trucked out by road and rail.

The announcement follows a joint

statement by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni last week when the leaders said the two countries were planning to build a pipeline from Ugandan oil fields to the Tanzanian coast, a move that could strike a blow to Kenyan pipeline plans.

Uganda, which has yet to start oil production, raised the possibility of a Tanzanian pipeline route last year.

The Heads of State made a joint call in August to implement a pipeline via Kenya’s northern region “without

further delay”.

Keter said they were still negotiating the best pipeline route, and the final decision will be made at the next meeting of presidents of the East African Community.

Resolving the pipeline route is vital in helping oil firms involved in Uganda and Kenya make a final investment decision on developing oilfields.

Tullow, Africa Oil and A.P. MollerMaersk aim for a final investment decision for commercial production in early 2017.

8

BUSINESS THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Ministry launches media awards to demystify energy sector issues The Ministry of Energy and petroleum, in conjunction with KenGen, has launched a new initiative to promote energy journalism in Kenya.

Dubbed: Energy Journalism Excellence Awards (EJEA), the initiative seeks encourage and sustain positive, objective and factual advocacy in the energy sector.

These annual awards are aimed at encouraging and sustaining positive, objective coverage of energy issues.

The EJEA will fairly recognise excellence in reporting energy sector news since energy issues need to be correct, objective and responsibly reported.

Speaking during the official unveiling of the programme, Energy Principal Secretary, Eng Joseph Njoroge urged the media to objectively report on energy to enhance citizens’ participation in economic development.

“As stakeholders in the energy sector, we need to facilitate and incentivise the media so that they can narrate developments that impact the economy,” said Njoroge. “ We need to be narrating stories of hope from each development,’’ the PS said, adding: “It’s not good for our forth arm of estate to be reporting only when we increase the price of fuel but should also publish when we reduce the price of fuel as well.’’

He further called upon stakeholders to engage media in their progress

Managing Director of Petroleum Eng. Alberto Mugo (Right) Principal Secretary Energy, Petroleum Company Joseph Njoroge (Centre) and Principal Secretary, State Department of Petro examine a laptop computer containing details on the EJEA initiative at the launch event. giving them any information they need for betterment of the sector.

“The media and industry stakeholders need to support each other by engaging responding to queries from fourth members of estate.’’

KenGen ManagingDirector and CEO Eng. Albert Mugo said the awards offer the sector a platform to

recognize, celebrate and encourage continuous quality energy and petroleum journalism.

“As industry players, we are happy to take the lead in building capacity of journalists so that they are able to understand issues within the sector and offer factual media coverage for the development of the economy,” said Eng. Mugo.

Njoroge also ascertained that Kenya is among top four most competitive country globally in terms of pump prices hence need to further scale up the sector.

The winners of the award in each category will receive cash prize whereas the overall best will enjoy a trip overseas. enock_x254

Off-grid energy solutions Sh315 billion to light up more than 99 million homes A million Kenyans are set to benefit from off-grid solutions aimed at providing electricity to homes across the country.

By 2020, the sales of off-grid solar products in emerging markets are expected to reach $3.1 billion (Sh315 billion), providing access to improved energy for 99 million households with no access to the grid, according to a new report by the World Bank Group and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF).

The study, done in collaboration with the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA), is titled ‘OffGrid Solar Market Trends’ and tracks the ground-breaking technological advances and innovative business models which have emerged to transform the lives of millions through affordable modern solar energy services.

It comes at a time when Kenyabased green energy and Technology Company M-Kopa solar initiative has received continued support from stakeholders like leading telecommunications firm Safaricom.

It also comes at a time when Kenya

is making heavy moves to cash in on renewable sources of energy like wind and geothermal power. The initiatives are set to cut the cost of electricity for power producers and consumers by more than half in the coming years.

Meanwhile, in Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni has launched a solarpowered vehicle called ‘Kayoola Solar Bus’ as part of a $145 million (Sh14.7 billion) investment from the Kiira Motors Corporation. The ‘made in Uganda’ vehicle is a 35-seater electric solar-powered bus with zero tailpipe emissions.

Renewable energy projects in subSaharan Africa have attracted billions of shillings in investments in recent years. The African Union recently announced a plan to invest $20 billion (Sh2 trillion).

The report indicates that the offgrid solar industry is booming and a growing wave of development partners and investors are committing significant funds, with a primary focus on pay-as-you-go business models. It finds that annual investments into the industry have risen to $276 million in 2015, a fifteen-fold increase since

2012. It also shows that 89 million people in Africa and Asia already enjoy improved access to energy by using off-grid solar products.

“The report provides a comprehensive view of the state of one of the most impactful industries in the global economy today,” said Russell Sturm, Global Head of IFC’s Energy Access and World Bank Group’s Lighting Global program.

“This is the third in a series produced by the World Bank Group’s Lighting Global Program since the industry’s emergence seven years ago and illustrates how off-grid solar can be a game changer for development as well as a unique business opportunity for the private sector in the energy access space,” he added.

Solar-powered portable lights and home kits offer a safer, cheaper and environmentally friendlier service to the 1.2 billion people who live without access to the power grid and currently spend about $27 billion annually on fuel-based lighting and mobile-phone charging technologies.

Dennis_x254

Uber to lure taxi drivers in Africa expansion plan US based transport service provider, Uber plans to expand in Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana this year focusing on convincing traditional taxi drivers to work for the ride-hailing service, Alon Lits, Uber’s general manager for sub-Saharan Africa, said.

Traffic-clogged roads, high rates of urban crime and a lack of credit card are big challenges Uber faces in sub-Saharan Africa, where it operates in seven cities in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, Reuter’s reports.

But then its biggest problem is the one it faces from Rome to Rio; the friction with traditional taxi drivers who see Uber as a threat to their livelihoods.

In Nairobi, Uber’s fastest growing market in sub-Saharan Africa, an Uber driver was attacked and his car torched last month after the government rejected calls by Kenya’s taxi association to ban the company.

Lits said Uber’s experiment in Kenya to let riders pay fares with cash or via mobile money had boosted growth in Nairobi, where about 100,000 people open the Uber app once a month.

“It’s definitely going to be part of our strategy as we push across Africa,” he said.

In Kenya and Nigeria, the company is looking to make it cheaper for Uber drivers to rent vehicles.

Introducing the Samsung Galaxy S7 The Galaxy S7 heralds the dawn of a new era. Welcome to the age of ‘sensible Samsung’, a smartphone maker of dependable excellence. Its latest flagship handset is the technological equivalent of a Steven Spielberg movie: the whole gadget just oozes with quality.

In an impromptu ‘best smartphone design’ poll by industry experts, the S7 and S7 Edge trumped the competition by a landslide.

Aside from the lack of silver edging round its home button, the S7’s most noticeable design tweak relates to its camera bump - or lack of one.

Samsung’s shaved it right down so the phone now lays flat – a change that anyone with minor OCD will adore. So if you already appreciated the S6, Samsung’s conservatism means you will adore the S7 even more.

Just as the Galaxy S7 is Samsung’s first ever flagship to retain the same design

as the phone it’s replacing, it also features basically the same screen tech as before.

That means you get a 5.1inch AMOLED display with a great resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels. The S7’s display still offers more pictorial detail than both the iPhone 6s and LG G5.

Given it’s the only smartphone with a dedicated virtual reality platform to support, the Gear VR, you’d expect as much.

Its screen does have one trick that’s fairly useful for anyone who spends their days chained to an office desk – namely that it is always on. kevin_x254

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

ACCESS topstory

11

A report by World bAnk mentions thAt unemployment denies kenyA the chAnce to put its lAbour force to productive use

Youth in Kenya are most affected when it comes to joblessness in East Africa. This is according to a report released this week by the World Bank, stating that Kenyan youth’s joblessness stands at three times more to that of Tanzania and Uganda.

T

he World Bank reports that, unemployment in Kenya is at 17.3 percent of the youth while that of Tanzania and Uganda is at six percent each. “This continues to drag economic growth with adults depending on small working class family resources are stretched,” says the World Bank.

Edwin Mwangi* (not his real name), 28 who lives in Umoja concurs with the report noting that, he has been jobless for three years now. Edwin who is a holders of a degree in Education from Kenyatta University simply notes, “I am forced to look for other alternative means of fending for myself, there are no jobs.” After completing his studies, he says that he has tarmacked enough and every employer he met wanted experience. “Where I am supposed to look for five years’ experience if no one is ready to give me any opportunity, I am forced to sometimes visit my mother in order to eat, this is when the my casual labour does not give me enough to for sustenance like rent, clothes and food.” The report by World Bank mentions that unemployment denies Kenya the chance to put its labour force to productive use, hence “denying the economy the demographic dividend from majority young population”. According to the bank the underlying problem

Eric Omondi for Australia Top comedian Eric Omondi is set to tour Australia. Eric will be on a five days, fives shows five cities humorous tour from the 24th of this month, from Perth, Adelaide, Sydney Melbourne to Brisbane.

Eric Omondi

FASHION scoop

KENYA’S YOUTH LOUNGING AT THE JOBLESS CORNER

HOT

@duncan_x254

Homabay MCA brings Project X to his house!

TOPICS

Bahati is wowed

by New York

Gospel artiste Bahati is currently on tour of the apple city and it would appear he is wowed. Bahati has been posting pictures nonstop on his social spaces mostly in awe of everything. We hope he will survive the surprise and get down to business.

is the lack of new job creation in comparison to a burgeoning population. Mercy Mwangi, a Human Resource specialist with Gateway Human Resource, agrees and adds that there are gaps in job creation. “If you look at the rate at which the labour for hire is being provided you will note that opportunities of satisfying this rate is are minimal.” But Mercy is not all gloom, she says the youth should not expect to begin with office careers.

“There are other ways to make a living, but the youth want to put on suits and ride in big cars, which is not the case, they have to learn how to begin small and wait for the opportunities.”

And if there are no opportunities, Mercy says, create one look for a gap a need in the society and fulfill it.

“It is wrong for you to just sit there and wait, create opportunities for yourself and once you start earning even if your profit is ten shillings save the money to further progress.

As for the report, Kenya has a working-age population of 25.5 million, or over half the country’s population.

This number is projected to grow further to 39.2 million in the next 14 years when the country hopes to have transformed into an industrialized middle-income economy. World Bank’s lead economist for Kenya Apurva Sanghi says that aside from the government providing a conducive business climate and for the youths learning how to generate their own opportunities, for private companies to thrive and create jobs, Kenya also should funnel resources towards developing its human capital to boost productivity. But until then, the jobless corner will remain crowded!

Bahati

There was drama in Homa Bay after an MCA was caught with two form four girls in his house.

Following a tip off from the public the MCA was apparently caught in a compromising situation. However, Homabay police are taking caution to first establish whether there was any sort of sexual contact through medical examination before pointing fingers. They are also protecting the identity and dignity of the girls.

10

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY, MARCH 26th NOVEMBER 10, 2016 2014

CAMPUSVIBE

all round news and updates from universities

UoN and Tatu City engineering collabo U

niversity of Nairobi has partnered with Tatu City to ensure that their students get hands on experience in Real Estate and Construction Management.

All UoN postgraduates will be require to take their practical at Tatu City for a period of five years.

The industrial-institution partnership will see students learn how to tackle traffic issues through planning of roads.

The practical lesson may come in handy in years to come given the numerous cases of collapsing buildings and the traffic nightmare in the country especially Nairobi.

Students tour Kigali genocide memorial

A

s we approach the general elections sensitization on tribal conflict is of essence especially for the youth.

USIU students had a face to face experience on the effects of ethnic driven conflict during a visit to the Kigali genocide memorial.

“The memorial served as a pure example on the need to appreciate your fellow

humans, and don’t judge regarding race, tribe or any other thing, we are all humans” said one of the students on tour.

The tour of the memorial also saw the students observe a minute of silence in remembrance of the 1994 Genocide where 800 000 people are said to have been killed.

An artist’s impression of Tatu City.

Olive Mugenda Honoured

by Korean University

Moi University launch Korfball

T

he outgoing Kenyatta University VC Olive Mugenda has been honored with a Degree of Doctor of Management and Relations

by Chosun University from South Korea. She was accorded for her honorary performance and exemplary leadership at KU In her acceptance speech, Mugenda said, “It is an acknowledgement and appreciation of the physical structures, systems, policies and practices that we have implemented in pursuit of high quality services as well as our internationalization efforts and achievements.”

Chosun University is one of the oldest private universities in South Korea with its campus located in Gwangju city, in southwestern South Korea.

A

mixed ball sport dubbed Korfball, combining netball and basketball similarities is now a reality at Moi University.

This are efforts by the institution to further enhance rapport in their partnership with Netherlands.

The sport is played by two teams of eight players with either eight girls in each team or with four girls and four boys in each team.

“It is a mix between netball and basketball, but played by boys and girls.

They play in the same team, but not boys against boys and girls against girls,” said Henk Penseel one of the coaches and a lecturer of the institution.

The rules incorporate those of netball and basketball.

hot date

The technology applies deep algorithms but in

A date with

simple

YOU CAN NOW PAY VIA SELFIE E

D KOFFI OLOMI

After Jose Chameleon’s spectacular performance at Koroga festival comes ‘Le Grand’. The 11th edition of the ‪#‎Koroga Festival‬ features ‘Le Grand Mopao’ Koffi Olomide born Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba , The Gogosimo band and Mganga mkuu aka Makadem. It’s going down on Sunday 13th March at the Arboretum Gardens from noon till late.‬ Only advance tickets available @Sh2000.

H

and, eye and voice scanning technology have been mesmerizing but we have seen in movies how easily criminals can fool such software by cutting off hands and gorging out eyeballs!

Well, because it is impractical to cut out faces, technology developers are on the fast track on introducing a millennial-friendly mode of approving financial

transactions; the selfie!

For additional transaction authentication, MasterCard, a global virtual money transfer service provider, has revealed that they have a mobile app, which though still in the experimentation phase, will allow customers authenticate payments by taking a selfie.

Clearly, this technology, if successful, will be warmly

term

embraced not only for its ‘fun’ aspect but also because it eradicates the need to create complex manual passwords that often elude the mind.

With selfie payment, your face is your password. The technology applies deep algorithms but in simple terms, once you feed the computer your selfie, it searches your face on a set of your images pre-provided

to the company and once a match is made and verified, you are able to pay for your goods and services.

Though facial recognition software already exists mostly on smartphone security apps, this will be the first venture of this technology in the credit card payment industry.

It appears that biometrics is the future.

11

ACCESS

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

FASHIONscoop

@Chanel show at Paris Fashion week

When in doubt, wear red.

Rebel from the 80s.

And finally, a at. classy over-co

throwBaCk stYle Colorfully toned.

Maroon spells class.

Add a scarf, glasses and pearls in a perfect mix.

The saying “old is gold” just found its way into the world of fashion thanks to Karl Lagerfield. The iconic head designer at Chanel pulled a throwback stunt at his Paris fashion week show featuring Victorian era classics such as tweed, pearl necklaces and royal hats as a tribute to Coco Chanel, the fashion house’s founder who passed away 45 years ago. The designs, modeled by top models led by Kendall Jenner blew Paris away and clearly, Coco would approve.

@mercy_x254

TOP Frill shark

Freaks oF nature The deep-sea frill shark brings a whole new meaning to the term ‘scary’. As if regular sharks are not frightening enough, this almost extinct species combines both fish and reptile features: It is not exactly a shark, not exactly a snake and not exactly a lizard. And it has around 300 teeth.

Still want to go swim in the ocean?

the douBle-headed turtle Clawed snake

If you get chills from seeing snakes then you would freeze if you came across the clawed snake, which has defied the rules of nature by developing a limb that resembles a foot! The snake was found inside a house in China and is believed to be one of the deadliest of the Shaolin family.

These turtles started showing up in the early 2000’s and are probably the inspiration behind the film ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’. They have been spotted in the US and China with variants ranging from adjacently placed heads to opposite facing heads.

12

CLASSIFIED

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Job VACANCY! EARN 8500/= WEEKLY as

ST. EDWARD’S HIGH SCHOOL Admission in progress for Forms 1-4

you are learning in an australian locally

l Academic performance is excellent. l Highly qualified and experienced teaching staff. l Strict discipline and hygiene standards are highly maintained. l School fees is reasonable. l IRE, Arabic and Computer are taught. l We admit repeaters and book private candidates. l Well equipped science and computer laboratories. l Environment is conducive for learning.

form 4 and

above (28yrsand below) in

sales,

marketing

and distribution department. call now: Call 0708192229/ 0763983531

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Take care, however, that you have all the necessary facts before you venture out for your day’s activities. It could be that there is a hidden force working, perhaps within your own mind, to blur the lines of reality about a certain issue. Check your sources and proceed with caution.

recruiting

people of

Contact Admissions Secretary Ngara Arcade, Ngara Road P.O.BOX 31487-00600 Nairobi Email: stedwardshighschool@yahoo.com

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 The words that seemed so harmless then may come back to haunt you now. Today is a very actionoriented day. Conflict could arise because what was thought to be true then now turns out to be false and counter to the action being taken at this time.

company,

WEDNESday 10/3/2016

sunny

26

26ºC 58%

THURsday 11/3/2016

More sun than clouds

26 6:39 am 6:47pm

26ºC 51%

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 If you’re working with others, be sure they’re on the same page with your goals and aims and that they aren’t somehow working counter to your purposes. It could be that someone is acting, or reacting, on misinformation that is creating conflict with your thoughts and feelings.

6:39 am 6:46 pm

FRIday

27

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

Sudoku

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Be careful about indulging in recreational substances that take you out of reality for a while. Your tendency will be to escape into the cosmos, but sooner or later you’ll have to come down. Deal with your issues now before your thinking becomes even more clouded than before. Take action with a clear and sober mind.

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 People may be tugging at you to be with them and participate in their world of fun and excitement.

It could also be that there are many projects that catch your attention today, and you’re conflicted about which ones to put your energy into.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Indeed, many of the activities of the day will be touched with an air of otherworldliness. Even though you generally like to keep your feet on the ground, realize that once in a while it’s essential to let go and experience other realms of thought in order to gain new perspective.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 You could discover that there is an intense desire to bring a sense of the obscure to the normal, everyday realm. You want to show people that life really is just one big comedy act. Encourage others to not take life so seriously. Be creative in your approach to helping people lighten up.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Others may be ridiculously stubborn today, causing tension and frustration wherever you turn. Fun is the key to balancing out the equation. A jovial frame of mind and playful attitude will help remedy any situation that comes your way. Have a good time today.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 If you find this is the case, don’t bother pressuring yourself into making it happen. Today you’re more concerned with the fanciful side of life. Daydreams can be a wonderful escape for you today.

Do something that will take you out of your current frame of mind.

Stay levelheaded, and seek pleasure by taking things steadily one step at a time. Watch out for a forceful, willful, fanciful mindset that will somehow cause conflict with your plans unless you consciously make an effort to keep the daydreaming to a minimum. The lines of reality may be blurred. Make sure you find the lines of distinction before you proceed.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Find ways to escape reality for a little while. Take the original scenario and add a twist of the bizarre.

Opinions will be especially strong today and conflict may arise, but realize that playfulness and lightheartedness will help any situation.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 You may experience a bit of conflict with a stubborn person or in a situation that isn’t very well planned.

Think things through before taking action or else you may be lost in a world of daydreams without any escape route. Set your mind on the positive aspects of the situation and you’ll succeed.

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

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

KENRAZY Visita, Madtraxx, DNA & Jay A

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

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

Kinyukia Kahora

JOAN WAIRIMU

VAN4

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

Ex: HC4 to 22333

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

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

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

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

PLAY 13

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. Hind’s partner 5. Impressed 10. Place for a mobile 14. Literary pen name 15. Overplay onstage 16. “Her name was ____...”

17. “Angle” prefix 18. Not really 20. Worker safety org.

21. “___ along, little dogie” 22. Punctuation used for stress 23. Far East nurses 25. Moo goo ___ pan 26. Cattle-catching rope 28. Collapse of a cavern roof 33. Tack on 34. ___-cop 36. Rubbed out 37. Secular 39. Mends socks 41. Stop up 42. Word with flu or elephant 44. Mesa’s cousin 46. Ending for elephant or serpent 47. Intensely zealous 49. When much younger 51. Shakespearean queen 52. Give ____ old college try 53. Acted as docent 57. Baton Rouge sch.

58. Sign 61. Affectionate utterance 63. Antagonize

YOURSAY

64. Earthly paradise 65. Amin predecessor 66. Winter weather word 67. Fawns’ mothers 68. Grandmas 69. Rework, as stories Down 1. Villain’s foe 2. Beer alternatives 3. Shakespeare play 4. Japanese floor mat 5. Leaden 6. Old Dodges 7. “I ____ Grow Up” (“Peter Pan” song) 8. Flight forecast 9. Humiliate 10. Clump of earth 11. “The Road Taken” novelist Jaffe 12. Aches and pains 13. Evan from Indiana 19. ___ Raika (famed female boxer) 24. River leading to the Rhine 25. Unusually large 26. Onetime NBC legal drama 27. Recipe phrase 28. Walk vainly 29. Hydrofluorocarbon, for short 30. In agreement 31. Tea of “Spanglish” 32. ____ out (defeated narrowly) 35. Person of high status 38. Maine coon, i.e.

40. Law book contents

43. Ancient Greek city with a mythical lion 45. Superlative ending 48. Large ____ Collider 50. “That’s ____ of a different color” 52. “This ___ joke!”

53. Went right 54. Reverse 55. French concept 56. Bears’ lairs 57. Ponce de ____ 59. “The Time Machine” race 60. “Eye of ____...” (brew ingredient) 62. Manager’s deg.

Yesterday’s answers Yesterday’s answers

Uhuru’s ballooning trips denting the economy President Uhuru Kenyatta’s voracity for foreign trips is going out of hand.

In his bare three years at the helm of the country, the president has made more than 50 trips. Amusingly, in the last two weeks he visited five countries. The president has actually exceeded the number of trips former president Mwai Kibaki had in the entire 10-year reign.

Uhuru’s political bigots, have tongues wagging on the relevance of these trips.

One wonder why he cannot send his emissaries even to neighbouring nations including Tanzania, Djibouti and Ghana where no major key resolutions were made that could be handled by other officials of his government.

This habit is particularly extravagant and immaterial given that there are minor socio-economic gains that come with the overrated foreign trips. At no single point has his office or the Foreign Affairs Ministry

articulated the benefits of the numerous trips. Actually, I feel they are hurting the economy and denting the tax payer’s wallet.

Budgetary figures indicate that in the fiscal years 2016/17 estimates State house has been allocated KES 7.7 billion, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ministry KES 14 billion totalling to a close 22billion. All this probably meant to hold international conferences dubbed ‘held on African soil for the first time’ and for Mr Kenyatta to fly to every country he desires. These are amounts that construct another superhighway or equip or sick hospitals.

Some people speculate that the president is participating in the widespread looting of public coffers by travelling abroad as much as he can.

When does the president have time to sit down and work in order to deliver on the Jubilee Government manifesto?

The country has taken a nose

dive in terms of accountability, morality and strength of the Kenyan Shilling against the dollar. Perhaps what the country has achieved so far from these trips is the topthree status in the world in massive corruption.

The president should not appear to be globe-trotting when there are more pressing issues of graft and insecurity in the country to be dealt with. The citizenry needs the president to listen to their challenges and device strategies to solve them.

The country has lost touch with the international community as a result of corruption being rampant.

The president should therefore embark on a mission to redeem this state given the weight of the matter or else, this might result to multinationals, NonGovernmental Organisations and philanthropists to hesitate in providing aid and investment.

— Nderitu

Sort out Migingo debacle once and for all It is quite unfortunate that five days to the end of the mass voter registration exercise, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has suspended voter registration in Migingo Island following the detention of two of its clerks by Ugandan authorities. We all know that Kenyans are a last minute people who like in the past, will take advantage of the few last days to register as voters. The government of Kenya has let its people

down by always allowing the government of Uganda operate on the island as if it owns it.

As Kenyans, we must demand that immediate action is taken by the government and a clear border is marked so that we are all well aware whether Migingo Island is in Kenya or in Uganda. Otherwise, cases of mistreatment of Kenyans on their soil will definitely continue if this is not done.

— Ben Wamalwa- Nairobi

Education system in Kenya killing many dreams Some 165,766 candidates attained C+ in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams which makes them qualify for University education.

However, admission to public universities is usually pegged on the available bed space.

Therefore not all the 165,766 will be absorbed.

There are reports that up to 100,000 candidates will miss places.

It is instructive to note that public universities usually provide the most affordable opportunities for university education in Kenya. It’s reasonably within reach to even the most economically disadvantaged segment of candidates because the tuition fees is subsidised. Public universities also usually have a wider range of courses to offer compared to their private counterparts who specialize in courses that are deemed ‘marketable’ like social sciences and business.

A fraction of the 100.000 who miss out on public university places are usually absorbed in the private universities which like I have observed, seem to offer similar courses.

For the 362.104 candidates who scored below C-, most of them have uncertain future. That is one of the greatest failings of our education system.

It may seem like one of the unstated purpose of the education system in Kenya is to stop students from getting further education.

Every year when the education cabinet secretary announces results, the story is often the same: Only a fraction of the candidates successfully transit to the next level. It is the same narrative even when the primary school exams results are announced.

An education system that actively pursues this as its central policy is fundamentally flawed.

We have national polytechnics and other middle-level colleges for those who wanted to further their education but the most visible among these institutions are being converted into universities and constituent colleges.

Something needs to be done to avert this systematic under-education of different Kenyan generation.

—Asava Amadi, Athi River

Sanders, not Hillary Clinton candidate of change Tuesday night’s surprise result in Michigan showed that Americans are fed up with the status quo. While Hillary Clinton is offering little more than business as usual, voters in the state’s Democratic primary ultimately backed Bernie Sanders’ calls for muchneeded public investments, lower health care costs and worker empowerment.

Indeed, Tuesday night’s results, coupled with Sanders’ strong showing in other contests, reflect a simple reality: Americans want more than a continuation of the

same game that Bill Clinton played 25 years ago, and that Obama has continued in his presidency. The reality is that the United States faces three wrenching economic problems. The first is slow growth. This is no great mystery; the public sector has stopped investing even in the most basic infrastructure.

The second is crippling health care costs. The United States spends around 18 per cent of national income on health care, while our competitors in Europe and Asia spend 10 per cent to 12 per cent. The third is stagnant wages. This

Send your letters to news@254.co| Letters will be edited for summary and clarity

results from a 30-year assault on union power, international investment agreements that empower internationally mobile capital while hurting immobile labor, and technologies that substitute advanced technologies for traditional forms of work.

The mainstream Democrats backing Clinton have promoted a theory they call “secular stagnation.” It’s a fancy term to say: Don’t hope for a better future. s Michigan demonstrated, that’s where the younger generation -- and the young at heart -- want to go.

— Jeffrey Sachs

14

SPORT THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS Jalang’o’s post in danger in Rugby union election

Outgoing Kenya Ruby Union (KRU) vice chairman, Philip Jalang’o will have to lobby delegates to vote him in for a second term during the union’s elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) set for March 16, 2016 at the RFUEA Grounds.

Jalang’o who is free for re-election after serving one term faces stiff opposition from Nondies chairman Thomas Opiyo who has declared his intention to replace him as the second in command in Kenyan rugby.

Though Jalang’o may not be in good books of most delegates, he is a man with nine lives.

In the last election held last May, he bounced back to capture the seat even after he was suspended by KRU Board only to be reinstated after a court order.

He was suspended again to pave way for investigation for financial improprieties only for the controversial administrator to be voted the new vice chairman.

But his many lives will be tested once again next weekend as he faces a strong opponent being fronted by Kenya Cup and Nationwide Chairmen.

Impala Saracens chairman Gangla Oduor is salivating for the vacant Honorary Secretary post. The position fell vacant following the resignation of Eddie Odhiambo early last year.

Dennis Ombui has been holding the position in an acting capacity but he has not declared his intention to formally capture it.

John Kilonzo (Masaku RFC chairman) and Top Fry Nakuru’s Ali Jabri will square it out for the director’s post while Mombasa RFC chairman Joshua Aroni will gun for the Treasurer’s post.

More athletes took drugs in 2015 games Up to 490 athletes might have taken meldonium during the 2015 European Games in Baku, an investigation has revealed.

The drug was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency on January 1, and athletes have already tested positive for it, including tennis star Maria Sharapova.

Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found 13 Baku medallists were found to have been taking the banned drug which was detected in athletes competing in 15 of the 21 sports.

The findings were based on information volunteered by both athletes and medical teams, as well as tests given at the competition last June.

The researchers behind the study have admitted that the 490 figure is likely to be an overestimate because meldonium was only licensed for use in seven of the 21 competing countries at the game.

Five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova, 28, says she has been taking the drug since 2006 for health issues.

Meldonium - also known as mildronate is designed to treat ischemia, a condition where there is a reduction in blood supply to body tissue. It is also said to have benefits for diabetes sufferers.

Action-packed weekend as Term 1 school games start The 2016 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term One Games kick off this weekend across the country.

Busia, Kwale and Kisumu counties are some of the regions that will be active this weekend as the search for national hockey, basketball and Rugby 15s champions get underway.

In Busia, defending hockey boys champions Kolanya High will open their title defence against Butula Boys in pool A, which also has Sigalame while Pool B will see St. Paul’s Amukura High School square it out with Butula Boys.

St. Mary’s Mundika Boys hosts hockey, basketball and rugby matches while St. Mathias High will host Pool ‘A’ of the rugby action.

Girls’ defending champions Kolanya missed the county games after losing in the sub county preliminaries.

Chemelil Academy is the center of the action in Kisumu County with the main attraction being the rugby 15s with a ticket available to the regional stage to be held at St. Mary’s Yala in two weeks.

Host Chemelil will represent Muhoroni sub-county with emerging Rugby powerhouse

Otieno Oyoo Boys carrying Nyando Sub-county flag.

County champions Maseno School hosts from Kisumu west will face among others Kuoyo

High and Nyabondo High.

And it is a scramble at the Coast as reginal games also get underway in Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Tave Counties. Mazeras Boys hosts

Kwale County games while Kilifi and Taita Taveta editions will be held at Sokoke and Wundanyi respectively. @elvince_x254

Secondary School games participants at a previous edition of term one games. This year’s edition of the games kicks off this weekend with several contests across various counties countrywide.

Three tickets to Jordan U17 up for grabs Three African participants at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2016 to be held in Jordan later this year will not be determined in a continental championship.

Instead, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has opted for qualification to be based on head-to-head ties, with the three winners of the second round picking up the tickets to the global tournament.

Withdrawals in the earlier rounds have, unfortunately, resulted in a situation that three of the six teams still eyeing a place at the finals, have yet to play a game.

Ghana can qualify for their fifth U-17 women’s finals on the trot after just two matches. The Black Maidens, who advanced into the second

round after their opponents Sierra Leone pulled out ahead of the first round, will face Morocco, who also had a walkover in the previous tie with Mali pulling out.

Ghana is the only African country to have reached the semi-finals of the global competition. In 2012, they beat Japan in the quarter-finals before losing to France in the last four. A 1-0 victory against Germany in the play-off match saw them finish third. At the last finals in Costa Rica, the Black Maidens topped their group, but went out against Italy on a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals.

Like Ghana, Nigeria have appeared at all four previous World Cup finals, but unlike their West African rivals, they have already had

the opportunity of playing in the qualifying tournament this time around. The Flamingoes secured a comfortable 9-0 aggregate victory against Namibia in the first round. They will face South Africa in the next round.

South Africans advanced to the final round after 2014 World Cup finalists Zambia withdrew.

In 2010, they conceded a disappointing 17 goals in three defeats against Germany, Korea Republic and Mexico and finished bottom of their group.

The final second round clash sees Cameroon take on Egypt. The two sides have never qualified for the finals. It means Africa will be represented in Jordan by at least one rookie. @elvince_x254

Oman stun Ireland in World Twenty20 World Twenty20 newcomers Oman stunned Ireland with a two-wicket victory with two balls to spare in their first game.

Ireland, playing in their sixth World T20 and used to causing upsets were given a taste of their own medicine by the lowestranked team in the tournament.

They must now beat Bangladesh and the Netherlands to have any hope of topping Group A and claiming one of the two places available in the main draw.

Chasing 155, Oman openers

Zeeshan Maqsood and Khawar Ali added 69 and, after a collapse of 4-21, Aamer Ali hit 32 from 17 balls in Dharamsala.

With 14 needed from the final over, Max Sorensen bowled two no-balls, one of which went for four and another which went for four byes to end the match.

Earlier, pace bowler Munis Ansari took 3-37 as Ireland made 154-5.

While Ireland’s score seemed adequate on a slow pitch, the inaccuracy of their pace bowlers - perhaps partly caused by a

damp ball in dewy conditions - was brutally punished by the aggression of Oman openers Maqsood and Khawar. However, when both played on off Kevin O’Brien, Oman slipped from 69-1 to 90-5.

The chase was taken up by Aamer, who took three successive fours off a Tim Murtagh over that included two no-balls and a wide and cost 20 runs in total.

Even then, after some wonderful athletic fielding by Gary Wilson that saved five runs and a 19th

over from Boyd Rankin that went for only four, Oman looked the second best of the two.

In the final over, Sorensen’s first delivery - called a no-ball on height - was helped for four

by Aamer, who was then given caught behind despite replays showing he had made no contact.

Off the next ball, with three needed from two deliveries, Sorensen bowled another high no-ball that went through the legs of wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien and away for the winning runs. @elvince_x254

SPORT 15 THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino is tackled

by United’s Chris Smalling during a premier league match in January. The two teams line up against each other in a Europa League match tonight.

PHOTO: EPA

Liverpool, United renew rivalries in a Europa clash Liverpool and Manchester United renew their historic rivalry when they clash in a UEFA Europa League last 16 match at Anfield tonight.

The Reds host the Devils in what will become the first time in history when England’s two most successful clubs have faced each other in European competition.

The two-legged tie is sure to be full of the usual drama and tension that has characterized these encounters.

Jurgen Klop is finding their footing and a late win at Crystal Palace has kept their momentum going ahead of the visit by United who are currently blowing both hot and cold. One defeat in five is solid, and even that solitary loss came on penalties against Man City in the League

Cup Final 10 days ago.

The promise of Champions League football for the Europa League winner is huge, and qualifying for the quarter-finals is of paramount importance for both Liverpool and their greatest adversaries.

United’s fortunes seemed to have taken a different bearing from the one that saw the call for manager Luis Van Gaal to quit following four straight wins. However, Sunday’s 1-0 loss at West Brom have dented their top-four aspirations.

Interestingly, Liverpool are yet to beat United in two years with the Red Devils winning eight of their last 10 meetings.

Wayne Rooney’s late winner at Anfield back in January ensured Van Gaal’s side beat Liverpool for a fourth game in a row.

Nathaniel Clyne and Daniel Sturridge

will likely come back into the side at the expense of Jon Flanagan and Divok Origi. Flanagan is ineligible for the Europa League.

Martin Skrtel is back fit again, but will find it tough to usurp either Mamadou Sakho or Dejan Lovren at centre-back, while Philipe Coutinho will surely start following his game-changing cameo at Selhurst Park. James Milner missed training on Wednesday with a virus, making him a doubt.

Wayne Rooney is the most high-profile absentee for the visitors, with the captain unlikely to return from a knee injury until next month, while Luke Shaw, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ashley Young are all still sidelined. Jesse Lingard is suspended for the game.

Gor to unveil new coach tomorrow Sportpesa Premier League Champions Gor Mahia will tomorrow unveil a new head coach to replace Frank Nuttal who quit the Green Army early this week.

K’Ogallo has settled on Brazilian José Marcelo Ferreira who is expected to jet into the country tomorrow before he is officially unveiled to players and fans.

Ferreira, popularly known as ‘Ze Maria’ is expected to touch down at JKIA at noon Friday to start his reign with the struggling Premier League defending champions.

Gor is yet to register a single win in all competitive matches this season. Last weekend, arch rivals AFC Leopards extended their woes by ending their unbeaten run of 35 league matches that stretched back to October 2014.

Of great interest to fans and critics though is the decision by the club executive to seal a deal with inexperienced former FC Parma and

Inter Milan player who retired at the age 36 before taking up a coaching job in 2010.

The six year experience which was characterized by two sackings is what Ze Maria is bringing on the table for the side that need urgent correctional surgeries to unite the dressing room and hopefully bring back some confidence on the faces of fans as they resuscitate their 2016 league campaign.

The UEFA Pro certified Brazilian has previously coached in Italian serie D with S.S.D Group Citta di Castello F.C and Catenzaro in 2010/11 season. His last coaching engagement was in 2015 in Romania with FC Ceahlul Piatra Neamt.

It is not known whether Ze Maria will take over the technical bench on the weekend’s match with Nairobi City Stars Saturday. Assistant coach Frank Ouna has been in charge since Nuttal

went AWOL from Monday.

Before he left, Nuttal guided Gor to a back to back league titles the last, KPL Top 8 title and DSTV Cup as well as CECAFA Kagame Cup final.

But Ze Maria must prove to K’Ogalo faithful’s that he the man cut for the job to erase the bad memories of a flop signing by the club to a compatriot Brazilian, Giovani Rodrigues in 2013.

The then Gor Mahia coach termed the Brazilian as ‘fat’ before he was released.

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 | www.254.Co

LiverpooL, manchester United renew rivaLries in eUFa cUp tonight

p15

PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring the second goal during his team’s 2-1 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London last night.

PHOTO: FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA

Blues bundled out as pSG star Zlatant Ibrahimoic provided an assist before scoring the winner as Paris St-Germain bundled Chelsea out of the Champions League for the second successive season. PSG built on their 2-1 lead from the first leg when Ibrahimovic crossed perfectly for midfielder Adrien Rabiot to volley in from close range after just 16 minutes. However, Diego Costa’s smart finish put Chelsea back into contention just before half-time.

The striker was unlucky to be forced off on the hour mark by an injury and Ibrahimovic added more woes for the home side when he scored the winner with a simple finish from Angel di Maria’s pin-point delivery after 69 minutes.

The visitors, who knocked Chelsea out on away goals at this stage last season, ended the night in total control and deservedly booked their slot at the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite club competition.

Chelsea, which currently lies 10th in the Premier League, now faces the possible reality of being without European football next season.

And injuries to both Costa and Eden Hazard who limped off at Stamford Bridge last night adds to their worries ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Everton. In his assessment of the game, Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink thought his side gave the visitors much space. “We gave too much

respect in the first 10 minutes, they were dominating. They are a good side but once we stepped up we had some chances.

In the 67th minute it all changed. We had a good chance to score, then Diego Costa was injured. We knew he was not totally fit but he desperately wanted to play and scored a beautiful goal,” he said.

“It is a difficult season. We were almost panicking about relegation when I came in but it is difficult to get into fourth place,” he added.

Ibrahimovic who was sent off in this fixture last year said they played the way they had wanted.

“We played with lots of patient possession and when we had a chance to strike we scored two goals. We had enough to win the game. Overall we played the way we wanted to. It was not easy, you have to watch out. Chelsea’s front four are able to do anything. We are doing good things, where we end up we don’t know. We are not satisfied yet.” In another Champions League last 16 tie, two-time champions Benfica reached the last eight with a 3-1 aggregate win over Russian side Zenit St Petersburg. The Portuguese side won the first leg 1-0 but Zenit levelled the tie in Russia last night when Hulk scored a second-half header. elvince_x254

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

Paul Marshall-CEO, Fred Bunei-Finance Manager, Josiah Musee-Advertising Manager, Peter Obuya-Editor