20160303 xnews

THursday, MARCH 3, 2016 | www.x-news.co.ke

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WHY republicans are unhappy with trump veteran politicians of the party are speaking out against the property mogul after his seven-state victory in Tuesday’s nominations

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NEWS

Leopards climb to second spot on league table with win over bandari

EGYPT’s withdrawal gifts Kenya chance for rio olympic qualifier

Over 5,000 KCSE results cancelled

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ome 5,101 candidates who sat last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination will not get their results after they were cancelled because of cheating.

While releasing the results today, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said there was an “unprecedented” 70 per cent rise in exam irregularities with virtually all counties recording cases.

Nairobi, Makueni and Meru recorded the highest cases of cheating while Isiolo did not have any instance of exam irregularity.

Dr Matiang’i, however, said candidates who were involved in the irregularities will take individual responsibility as the government had decided not to cancel results for entire schools in what is a departure from tradition.

The CS expressed shock at the number of cheating cases which rose from 2,975 recorded last year.

“This is not a laughing matter. This is a very serious situation, very sad. Continued on page 2

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i during the release of 2015 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results at Mtihani House in Nairobi today. He said results for some 5101 candidates have been cancelled.

Jobs, businesses put on the line as EAC mulls ban on ‘mitumba’ Jobs and businesses have been

EAC leaders from left Uhuru Kenyatta, Yoweri Museveni, John Magufuli and Paul Kagame pose for a photo in Arusha, Tanzania yesterday.

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put on the line after East African Community (EAC) heads of states yesterday signaled a ban on all second hand clothes and cars in the next three years.

At the 17th Ordinary EAC Heads of State Summit in Arusha yesterday, Presidents

Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), John Pombe Magufuli (Tanzania) and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame all agreed to direct their countries to buy textiles and shoes from within the region with a view to phasing out second-hand imports by 2019.

Many people in Africa buy second-hand clothes sent from Europe and the US. But the move by EAC now signals an end to what is already a lucrative trade in the region.

Burundi, which was also

represented at the meeting, also agreed with the resolution that also seeks to ban leather imports.

Before the meeting on Wednesday, the EAC also proposed a reduction in imports on used cars.

The meeting suggested phasing out imports in the next three years.

Analysts say the move now depends on the five countries’ Heads of states all agreeing to a common industrialisation policy.

Continued on page 2

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NEWS

Over 5,000 KCSE results cancelled THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

From Page 1

Bottom line is I want to look Kenyans in the face and tell them that as your Minister for Education, I apologise for these irregularities and I promise you that it will never happen again under my watch. I will do my very best, I will give it my all, to

ensure that we don’t go this path again,” DrMatiang’i said while releasing the results at Kenya National Examinations Council headquarters at Mtihani House in Nairobi.

“The statistics are shocking and I feel embarrassed,” he added.

The Minister said he will

consult with his Interior counterpart Joseph Nkaissery and education stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the cheating menace.

“The level of cheating in last years’ exam was unprecedented, it’s a huge number and all education stakeholder must be involved

to end this menace,” Matiang’i said.

“We will do all what is available including embracing ICT to curb this menace but I want to urge parents, teachers and unions that we must get together and manage this situation as a team.We can’t squabble, disagree and spend

a lot of time fighting, let’s work together and solve this menace once and for all,” Matiang’i said.

Meanwhile, a secretariat will be set up for students who have been affected by the cancellation of results together with their families to receive further directions.

Matiang’i said the candidates have a right to know how the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) arrived at the decision to cancel their results. Speaking at the same event, National Assembly Education Committee Chair Sabina Chege also emphasized on the need to enhance integrity especially on national examinations.

“As a nation we need to have the highest level of integrity and teach our children the importance of honesty so as not to dilute the quality of education,” she said.

Only one third of the last

years’ candidates attained the minimum university entry grade of C+. The number, the CS noted, is low and said the ministry will look into the cause of the decline.

“We want to do assessment and actually know why many students cannot make it to the university. Is our curriculum, learning methods, is it teachers’absenteeism or unavailability of learning materials such as text books?”

Matiang’i posed.

A total of 525,802 sat their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams last year representing an 8.3 per cent increase from 485,547 in 2014. The candidates can check their results through mobile phones by sending a text message with their respective index numbers to 22252. sam_x254 and peter_x254

Mitumba goods to

be banned by 2019 From Page 1

They add that the proposal suggests a ban would only come in after an increase in local textile production.

The idea of the ban is to give a boost to local manufacturing, and help the economy.

One argument is that the imported clothes are so cheap that the local textiles factories and selfemployed tailors can’t compete, so they either close down or don’t do as well as they could.

A release from a previous EAC manufacturing and business summit says the leather and textile industries are “crucial for employment creation, poverty reduction and advancement in technological capability” in the region.

Experts have previously argued that secondhand underwear are unhygienic. And the EAC has already urged governments to make sure that used-clothes imports complied with sanitary standards. Used knickers were banned in Ghana in 2011 and a Ugandan bill also proposed a ban in the

country last year.

Second-hand cars have also been blamed for causing accidents.

It is also believed that people pay bribes at ports to import cars, something the EAC leaders want to end.

Those cars then do not go through any safety checks.

To give some idea of the extent of smuggled imports, it emerged in December that over 2,700 shipping containers had disappeared at Dar es Salaam port in Tanzania.

In Uganda, second-hand garments account for 81 per cent of all clothing purchases, Andrew Brooks says in his book ‘Clothing Poverty’.

According to UN figures from 2013, South Korea and Canada combined exported $59m worth of used clothes to Tanzania while the UK alone exported $42m worth of used clothes to Kenya.

Kenya is also home to the biggest market for second hand wares, Gikomba in Nairobi. If the ban is effected, many people are expected to lose their jobs and businesses. peter_x254

NEWS 3 THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Medical cover relief for pregnant mothers

Expectant mothers and all the physically challenged persons will from June enjoy a comprehensive insurance medical cover from the government, Health Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri has said.

Expectant mothers will enjoy 18 month cover including a six month prenatal, the delivery cost and 12 months post-natal care.

The physically challenged will access Sh6,700 medical cover which will cater for terminal diseases such as cancer and diabetes among other illnesses.

Speaking earlier today during the launch of Telemedicine Technology at a Nairobi hotel, the PS said that the medical cover which be roll out across 5,000 health facilities, was aimed at enhancing universal medical care for the less privileged in the society.

“As a government we are determined to provide universal health care for the less privileged and as such begging June, we shall be rolling out a medical cover for all the expectant mothers and the physically challenged,” said Muraguri.

Health Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri at the Serena Hotel in nairobi today when he announced that the government will from June offer insurance cover to pregnant mothers and those with physical disabilities.

Muraguri, however, urged other insurance providers other than the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to expedite their role in providing medical covers terming them “key in the health sector”.

“Am also calling upon all medical insurers in our country to ensure that

they provide all Kenyans with the necessary covers as we endeavor to promote global health care,” urged the PS. He commended the TAI Medical Group for their innovation which he said would bridge the resource and skill gap in the country.

JSC hires 31 new magistrates The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has hired 31 magistrates to serve in the judiciary. In a statement sent to newsrooms, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi (pictured below)said the deployment of the new magistrates is expected to deal with the case load that as ailed the institution. Amadi further revealed that letters of offer have already been sent to successful applicants and are set to begin work in April. “Letters of offer have already been sent to the successful applicants who were interviewed last year. Sixty six (66) vacancies were advertised, but only 31 qualified for appointment. The new team includes five Chief Magistrates and 26 Senior Resident Magistrates,” Said Amadi. The statement said the recruitment of the judicial officials is geared towards addressing a shortage of magistrates in the Kenyan courts which has led to a backlog of cases, though, the recruitment does not totally resolve the shortage, but will go a long way in delivery of justice. “The Bench will still continue to experience a serious shortage of magistrates despite the

new recruitment. Although the number of magistrates has risen from 316 in 2010 to 443 in 2016, 55 magistrates have left magistracy in the last three years,” she added. The decline in numbers have partially been related to the decisions of the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board (JMVB) which has seen some judges and magistrates leaving the bench after they were found to be unfit to continue serving in the Judiciary. Besides, some of the magistrates may chose to leave the bench, or chose to do so after attaining the retirement age, with others having resigned, promoted to judgeship, interdicted, dismissed or died.

“It is to be noted that although the current establishment in the Judiciary has 443 magistrates, 31 of those are unable to exercise judicial functions for factors related to pending appeals against JMVB decisions, while nine are on interdiction,” Amadi revealed, saying that brings to 40 the total number of magistrates who are still in the establishment but are unable to serve. The employment of the magistrate is in line with JSC’s plan to increase the number of magistrates to at least 550, distributed among 116 court stations in all counties to liberate the current paucity in the judicial system which places one magistrate to 100,000 Kenyans.

The deployment of the new magistrates is expected to occasion transfers of judicial officers to address case load. However, the Judiciary noted that it had taken steps to ensure there is minimum disruption of court operations. @hillary_x254

“With this kind of innovation and technology, our health sector will control the misdiagnosis and enable patients’ access to specialists at their comfort,” said Dr. Muraguri.

TAI’s Telemedicine Technology is an innovation that uses Information Communication Technology that

aims to connect all medical specialist in the country and region to address their dwindling numbers.

The Groups CEO George Muhoho said that there is an increasing growth of undergraduate numbers in the medicine field but ironically the numbers of practicing specialists is on the decline.

“Telemedicine Technology is aimed to bride the growing skill gap of specialist in the country,” said Muhoho.

98 hospitals and 130 specialist will be connected in the first phase of the project.

According to the Ministry of Health records, Kenya has less than 500 practicing specialists in all medical fields, a figure way below the recommended of 8,000 by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Addressing the same forum, Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro urged the Ministry to work closely with governors to avoid unnecessary conflicts over the management of health services in the country as both as geared to the same task. @wilson_x254

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NEWS THURSDAY,MARCH 3, 2016

Poaching has declined, CS declares

Poaching has declined significantly in the last three years after the ministry introduced punitive legislation and custom controls, Environment and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu has said.

Speaking at the Kenya wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters, Wakhungu credited legislations to combat illegal trade in wildlife products and heavy penalties as part of the wide-range of initiatives that tamed the poaching spree.

Poachers now risk Sh20 million in fines up from Sh30, 000 or life imprisonment, and or both. She said dogs trained to sniff out ivory and rhino horns had strengthened surveillance at the ports of entry.

“Previously, the ivory and horns left our borders and would be seized at their destinations in the Far East. Since we stepped up of our efforts, the seizures are much higher here,” said Wakhungu.

The establishment of a DNA and forensic laboratory has helped not only with the provision of evidence in courts of law, but isotopic analysis is also assisting in identifying the origin of seized ivory.

“We can now scientifically prove through tests that most of the ivory seized in Kenya is actually not originating from here but other countries. It transits through our ports,” she said. She added that when she took office in

Foreigners nabbed with heroin at JKIA A Nigerian and Ghanaian were due in court on Thursday morning after they were found trafficking heroin at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Airport CID Chief Joseph Ngisa said the two were arrested on Monday and detained until Thursday to enable detectives verify the contents they were carrying.

“We moved to court and obtained orders allowing us to continue detaining them for verification purposes because the drugs had to be confirmed and weighed properly,” Ngisa said on telephone.

Ngisa said the government has already confirmed that the Ghanaian was carrying 4.9 kilograms of heroin in his bag while the Nigerian had 1 kilogram which he had swallowed – all with a street value of Sh17.4 million.

Both were travelling to their respective countries from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

“We are now trying to establish their local networks because both were travelling from JKIA to their home countries,” he said.

Kenya has lately intensified a crackdown on drug traffickers, especially at border points, with the arrest of the two coming days after bhang destined to the UK from Senegal was seized at JKIA. MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

Environment Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu. She said improved surveillance and punitive laws have led to reduced poaching over the last three years.

2013, Kenya was one of the eight countries highly implicated in the illegal trade in ivory.

Others were China, Vietnam, Thailand,

Malaysia, the Philippines, Tanzania (including Zanzibar) and Uganda.

“We are now on our way out of the gang of

eight. Our wildlife is no longer at risk,” said Wakhungu.

The CS further said that the fight against poaching and trafficking in wildlife have been expedited by the Inaugural Giants Club Summit to be held in Kenya on 29th and 30th April 2016 hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta who is among the founders of the initiative.

“The Inaugural Giants Club Summit is an occasion for member states to renew their commitment towards providing the urgently needed leadership in the fight against wildlife crime, especially poaching of the African elephant and rhinoceros and illegal trade in elephant ivory and rhino horns,” she added.

Wakhungu has already established an interministerial committee that includes Tourism, Foreign Affairs, Kenya Wildlife Service as well as Kenya forest services to prepare for the summit. She said total weight of the ivory stockpile in Kenya stands at 135.78 tonnes and 1.5 tonnes for the rhino horns In the last three years over 100,000 elephants have been killed across Africa to supply Ivory to illegal markets with proceeds from the trade used to support criminal activity that include armed conflict and terrorism. @wilson_x254

North Korea fires projectiles after UN sanction North Korea on Thursday fired six “shortrange projectiles” that flew 100 to 150 kilometers (about 62 to 93 miles) off the Korean Peninsula, according to a press release from the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The objects traveled off the peninsula’s east coast and the South Korean military is analyzing the situation, an official from the South Korean Defense Ministry said.

The news came one day after the United Nations Security Council voted to impose a broad array of sanctions against North Korea because of that nation’s recent nuclear test and missile launch -- both of which defied

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un.

current international sanctions.

The U.N. resolution that brought about the sanctions aims to cripple the economic factors that fuel North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

According to Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, the sanctions will require that all North Korean planes and ships carrying cargo be inspected.

Previously, nations only inspected planes and ships when they had “reasonable grounds.” It also bans Pyongyang from exporting most of the country’s natural resources.

Further, the ban prohibits nations from

providing training to North Korean nationals in fields that could advance the nation’s missile and nuclear programs. UN member states are also banned from allowing North Korea to charter foreign vessels or aircraft and ban all nations from operating any vessels that use North Korean flags.

Such nations are also prohibited from supplying aviation fuel, including rocket fuel, and the sale of small arms to North Korea Discussions about new sanctions started after North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb in January -- its fourth nuclear test.

Then, in February, Pyongyang said it had successfully launched an Earth satellite into orbit via the long-range Kwangmyongsong carrier rocket.

The nuclear test and missile launch outraged the Security Council and worried neighboring nations South Korean President Park Geun-hye released a statement Thursday about the new sanctions, thanking the international community for its efforts.

“I sincerely hope that the North will abandon its nuclear development program and embark on a path of change, and I will make further efforts for peace and unification of the Korean Peninsula,” the President said.

Japan’s chief cabinet secretary said Thursday his government does not believe there is a threat to Japanese security in relation to the incident.

And China called for calm.

“The current situation on the Korean peninsula is complicated and sensitive,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Thursday. “We hope the relevant parties can keep cool heads and not take any actions that will escalate tensions.”

NEWS 5

US Republicans express Trump fears 18, 2016 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25,

Senior Republicans are speaking out against front-runner Donald Trump after his seven-state victory in the race for the party’s presidential pick.

Mr Trump has declared himself a “unifier”, but he is strongly opposed by veteran Republican politicians.

Senator Lindsey Graham warned on Wednesday that Mr Trump would lose in November’s election.

Meanwhile retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who has performed poorly, has signalled he may drop out of the race.

In a statement on Wednesday, he said he saw “no path forward” for his presidential campaign and will not attend Thursday’s TV debate.

But he stopped short of ending his race completely.

Meanwhile, former nominee Mitt Romney has said he would make a speech on Thursday in which he is expected to challenge Mr Trump.

He has been fiercely critical of the businessman, whose hardline stance on issues like immigration put him at odds with Republican orthodoxy.

His victories on so-called Super Tuesday consolidated his position as the most likely Republican candidate to vie for the White House against the Democratic nomination.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz walked away with three states, bringing his total to four, while Florida Senator Marco Rubio won his first state (Minnesota) in the primary race to date.

Several party leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, have spoken out against Donald Trump’s controversial policies and positions in recent days.

His latest controversy centres on his failure to disavow David Duke, a leader of the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan, who endorsed him. He later said he had on several occasions in the past disavowed Mr Duke.

Mr Ryan forcefully denounced the real

estate mogul on Tuesday, saying: “They must reject any group or cause that is built on bigotry. This party does not prey on people’s prejudices.”

“Let me make it perfectly clear, Senate Republicans condemn David Duke and the KKK, and his racism,” Senator and majority leader Mitch McConnell commented.

Influential congressman Peter King joked he would leave politics if Mr Trump became the nominee.

And Marco Rubio indicated in his speech on Tuesday that the Republican establishment was unlikely to back the former reality TV star.

“If this was anybody else as a frontrunner, there’d be people right now saying ‘Let’s all rally around the frontrunner,’” he said, adding, “that will never happen with Donald Trump”.

According to the New York Times, some party donors are already trying to raise funds for an anti-Trump effort.

Meanwhile, The Center for Public Integrity reports that Republican super PACs ran as many as 8,500 adverts in the run up to Super Tuesday to try to discredit Donald Trump’s election campaign.

Mr Graham warned that Republicans would “lose to Hillary Clinton” with Mr Trump as their party nomination.

“We may be in a position where we have to rally around Ted Cruz as the only way to stop Trump,” he said. “And I’m not so sure that would work.”

Mrs Clinton also won seven states on Tuesday, consolidating her lead in the Democratic race over rival Bernie Sanders.

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in a session with members of the media in the spin room after the CNN Republican Presidential Primary Debate at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music Opera House in Houston, Texas, USA, on February 25, 2016. Veteran Republican politicians are uneasy with his march towards nomination for the November presidential race. PHOTO: LARRY SMITH/EPA

Top stories from X News global partners 30 Sudanese journalists Stop Trump Forces Re- What Super Tuesday France send strong launch countries biggest group After Rout: Alarmed means for Republican Brexit warning to UK: Donald J. Trump’s victories in seven party: Speaking to reporters just France would relocate its migrant camp ever hunger strike: More by states on Super Tuesday, Republicans from Calais to Britain and roll out “a than 30 Sudanese journalists have launched a hunger strike to protest against the forced closure of their newspaper by the government. In the biggest organised strike of its kind in the country, the El Tayar reporters were greeted by hundreds of supporters at the newspaper’s offices in Khartoum on Tuesday. Wearing chains and linking hands, the journalists assembled in front of the building to announce their plans before retreating inside the building to begin their sitin. “We want to draw attention to the difficulties faced by journalists and the restrictions on the freedom of press,” said editor Khalid Fathi.

www.theguardian.com

desperate to sink his presidential bid moved on Wednesday to battle him on two fronts, attacking him with millions of dollars in television ads in Florida while girding for what would be the party’s first contested convention in 40 years.

The urgent new efforts, led by a group of corporate executives, financiers and Republican strategists, came as more party leaders expressed fear that Mr. Trump’s nomination would taint the party with a stigma of bigotry and recklessness. Yet many also acknowledged that it was now all but impossible to defeat Mr. Trump outright during the primary season.

www.nytimes.com

before polls closed on March 1st, Marco Rubio predicted “you’re gonna see very clearly after tonight that Donald Trump has no chance of ever getting the delegates he needs to be the nominee.” How Mr Rubio ever came to such a conclusion is not clear. On March 1st voters from a dozen states went to the polls—of the 11 states allocating delegates, Mr Trump won seven, Ted Cruz won three and Mr Rubio won just one. Although he may have slightly underperformed expectations, Mr Trump is well on his way to winning the nomination. There are three possible outcomes moving forward in the election. www.economist.com

red carpet” for bankers fleeing London if the UK leaves the EU, according to Emmanuel Macron, the French economy minister. Speaking ahead of an Anglo-French summit, Mr Macron said the bilateral relationship could change abruptly in the event of a Brexit, including the creation of new obstacles to trade between the two countries. Mr Macron said that Brexit could scupper a bilateral deal with France, known as the Le Touquet agreement, that allows Britain to carry out border controls — and keep unwanted migrants — on the French side of the Channel.

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xnews | THURsday, MARCH 3, 2016 | www.x-news.co.ke

BUSINESS

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

Uchumi posts Sh1.2bn loss as retailer struggles to stay afloat

Uchumi Supermarkets Ltd has posted a Sh1.02 billion Half Year (HY) loss before tax.

The supermarket is neck deep in debt and has been in the midst of a restructuring drive that has seen the chain cancel plans to enter the Rwandan market.

The retailer owes hundreds of millions of shillings in unpaid bills for goods and services to its business associates across the East African region.

The firm is also suffering the financial brunt of unpaid rent, electricity bills and taxes as well as employees’ social security contributions.

As of June 30, 2015, Uchumi’s Finance costs had jumped to more than Sh335 million compared to over Sh64 million the year before, according to a company statement.

The retailer’s announcement comes just after the retail chain wound up its Ugandan operations after a bout of financial woes that has left the firm in a state of crisis and caused over 400 job losses within the company.

In Uganda, it is estimated that more than 100 businesses have been affected by Uchumi’s closure.

Uchumi CEO Julius Kipng’etich noted in an earlier announcement the company would reorganise the management of underperforming branches or could close or relocate the worst performers to try to return to profit growth in 2016.

“We have closed down Kabalagala and Natete branches in Uganda as part of the ongoing rationalisation of the business in order to stop financial bleeding and get Uchumi Supermarkets back on its feet,” Kipng’etich said.

“In Kenya, this exercise has resulted in the closure of Maua and Syokimau

branches and will continue until we get the business back on the path to growth and profitability,” he explained in a statement late last year.

The retailer’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015 fell to Sh4.26 billion from Sh6.83 billion a year ago, according to the company’s

As of June 30, 2015, Uchumi’s Finance costs had jumped to more than Sh335 million compared to over Sh64 million the year before.

Company launches latest version of business management software Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd has announced the rollout of a business management solution dubbed Release 5.3, in Kenya. This is the latest version of the firm’s ‘Release 5’ series of its Tally.ERP 9 suites and is aimed at helping businesses in Kenya remain compliant with incredible ease and accuracy. As a pioneer in the business software products arena since its inception in 1986, Tally’s products have been revolutionizing the way businesses run.

Tally.ERP 9 Release 5 is a comprehensive compliance solution for businesses in Kenya.

Release 5 will enable them to identify, correct and prevent errors in transactions; and thereby generate 100 per cent accurate tax returns in a matter of minutes.

With Release 5, businesses will enjoy the confidence that their tax returns are always fully reconciled

with their books of accounts; making compliance easier, simpler and quicker.

As evidence to its growing traction in global markets, Tally Solutions Pvt. Limited (TSPL), the premier Indian software product company, has increased focus on African markets to deliver greater value to large, medium and small enterprises across industry segments completely equipping businesses to manage iTax efficiently.

This announcement marks Tally’s increasing traction in Kenya, reflecting the company’s commitment towards bringing the Tally advantage to businesses in the country.

“Tally has been helping customers globally for close to 30 years, and we are now excited to bring Tally’s signature simplicity to businesses in Kenya. We see

a clear opportunity to make a positive impact to the Kenyan economy through our technology and products. We are confident that with the launch of Tally ERP.9 Release 5, businesses here will be able to realize the powerful benefits of the Tally.ERP 9. We look forward to investing more into Kenya for the Kenyan businessman,” said Mr. Tejas Goenka, Executive Director at Tally Solutions.

Having delivered path breaking technology consistently for more than 28 years, Tally symbolizes unmatched innovation and leadership. Today, it caters to millions of users across industries in over 100 countries and continues unchallenged as the industry leader in the enterprise resource planning software domain.

Kevin_x254

BUY SELL 101.4694 101.6647 141.5483 141.8678 110.1689 110.4133 6.4370 6.4514 32.7547 32.9163 21.4725 21.6124

Alexander Forbes unveils online retirees’ data platform tool

results, which were released yesterday.

The company’s HY loss before taxation of Sh1.02 billion is a significant jump compared to the retailer’s loss of Sh262.4 million a year ago.

Dennis_x254

MEAN 101.5671 141.7081 110.2911 6.4442 32.8355 21.5425

Financial service provider, Alexander Forbes (AF) has unveiled two new digital solutions that will enhance effective pension management in the country.

The ‘eboard’ solution for retirement scheme trustee and enhanced online functionality for members of retirement benefits scheme are part of the firm’s new strategy to increase customer experience.

While briefing the media during the unveiling of the new innovation, Group Chief executive Sundeep Raichura said this was part of the firm’s wider strategy of better empowering pension fund trustees and members of the pension funds in Kenya. ‘’We live in a digital world yet the pension industry in this nation still operates with procedures from an analogue age this is a shortfall that we want to mitigate through these products,’’ Raichura said.

The new software, customized solution for pension funds developed in conjunction with software Technologies Limited will help trustees effectively perform their fiduciary roles and responsibilities.

“This solution will be used to store and provide online access to all Trustee Board information hence no restriction to the number of years that documents can be stored, providing users with instant access to several years of information,” said Raichura. enock_x254

Oil, gas industry seminar to benefit policy makers

The oil and gas industry in Kenya is set to receive a major boost with the kicking off of an oil and gas seminar.

National Oil is collaborating with the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) to offer high level oil and gas seminars and trainings to policy makers and opinion leaders.

The seminar is currently underway at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha and brings together oil and gas sector policy makers and leaders from across the world to share their experiences and learn from each other.

The content of the seminars and training sessions will be tailored to address specific needs of participants.

Generally, the trainings will cover aspects related to strategy and policy making, principles and practice of petroleum fiscal systems, oil and gas contracting as well as local content development. This collaboration is the first of its kind in Kenya’s extractives sector and will see National Oil

and Chatham House jointly develop training content and implement training sessions and seminars for select groups of key stakeholders in this first and future seminars and workshops.

“This initiative is aimed at ensuring that we are well prepared as a country and the region to get the best out of the emerging oil and gas sector,” said Sumayya Hassan-Athmani, the National Oil Chief Executive Officer. It is estimated that Kenya will commence oil production from the Lokichar basin acreage by February 2017.

Global Data, an international research company on energy estimates that oil wells in Lokichar could generate over US$10 billion in revenues over a three decade production period.

“We recognize that policy makers in oil and gas need capacity building to enable them make informed decisions.

Kevin_x254

BUSINESS 7

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

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Our Business Focus REAL ESTATE We are an active investor and real estate developer with our priority sectors covering Residential- middle income; Commercial- grade A office and retail developments; Logistics and warehousing.

We invest in the form of equity, debt and joint venture partnerships

MONEY & CAPITAL MARKETS PRIVATE EQUITY Fusion offers opportunities in the money market through high quality We invest in Small and Medium Sized businesses across interest bearing investments, fixed deposits, Treasury Bills and Bonds in East, we are non sector and have we invested the East African Market.

Withspecific our money market, seek toin maximize financial services, manufacturing and FMCG. Africa. income, offer liquidity and preserve capital. For investors looking for long-term capital growth, we offer opportunities in the Listed Equities across East Africa. We offer all these under segregated accounts

PRIVATE EQUITY We invest in mid-sized businesses across East Africa. We are non sector specific. We have recently invested in financial services, manufacturing, hospitality and media sectors. We offer strategic, business and professional support that aims to add value to the businesses.

PENSIONS FUND MANAGEMENT The key to a stress-free life in retirement is to provide for a sufficient after-retirement income. The earlier you put a retirement plan in place the more time there is for your savings to grow. In addition, the more funds you set aside now, the higher your capital at retirement.

We provide pension fund management services through Registered Occupational Scheme and Fusion Umbrella Retirements Benefits (FURBS) scheme for SMEs.

INSURANCE BROKERAGE We build synergies with our clients in taking care of their individual and corporate risks and availing access to the most competitive quotes in the industry. We offer a wide array of products to covers all insurable risks and guarantee peace of mind. Our products cover general insurance, employee benefits, liability insurance and specialties insurance.

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BUSINESS THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Airtel-Sportspesa solution to tap into new gambling craze Airtel has partnered with Sportpesa, Kenya’s leading sports betting solution to enable gamers in Kenya do sports betting using Airtel Money free of charge.

Under the new partnership, bettors will now be able to deposit cash from the telecom firm’s platform, Airtel Money into their Sportpesa betting accounts free of charge.

They will also be able to withdrawal cash free of charge when moving their winnings from their Sportpesa accounts into their Airtel Money wallet.

The move, according to telecommunication firm, will not only grow its cash transfer usage but also rescue betters from the burden of paying transaction fees.

The partnership between Airtel Kenya and Sportpesa will also see the introduction of more engaging services and exciting innovations in the near future.

Speaking while announcing the partnership, Airtel Kenya CEO, Adil El Youssefi said; “We are delighted to sign up a partnership with Sportpesa that will allow sports enthusiasts to do sports betting using Airtel Money free of charge.’’ ‘’With Airtel Money, bettors now have the freedom to engage their passion for sports and make money through Sportpesa at the same time,” he added.

SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri substantiated that Sportpesa is

Airtel Kenya CEO, Adil El Youssefi shakes hands with SportPesa CEO, Ronald Karauri. committed to better the customer betting experience and are excited of the new partnership. ‘’We believe this will provide an opportunity for more Airtel subscribers who are passionate

about sports to make money out of this passion. Seeing that we provide the best odds and now there are no transaction charges, it’s more win with SportPesa,” he said.

Karauri assured the gamblers to

Weatherman warns of poor rains during planting season The Kenya Meteorological Department has said rainfall is expected to be low in most parts of the country and poorly distributed during the country’s long rain season, which begins this month.

The announcement has been cited as bleak given that many farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture. It is also spells doom for the country’s inflation rate given that the agriculture sector has been described as the backbone of the nation’s economy.

Kenya’s inflation rate slowed to 6.84 per cent year-on-year in February from 7.78 per cent a month earlier, Reuters reports.

The country is the world’s leading exporter of black tea, making it a major foreign exchange earner.

Given the current weather patterns, it is expected that major losses will be made within the sector unless preparations are made to counter detrimental effects.

The Meteorological Department said that changing patterns will affect food growing areas

including Western, Nyanza, Central and Rift Valley. The Department said that the areas would have near-normal rain, and has since advised farmers to take advantage of the favourable weather.

“The expected late onset and poor temporal poor distribution of the seasonal rainfall is however likely to delay planting in most agricultural areas,” James Kongoti, the director of KMD said in a statement.

The weather office said hydroelectric power generation was likely to improve because said the Tana River, Turkwel and Sondu Miriu catchment areas would have near-normal rainfall, leading to a significant improvement in water levels at dams.

KMD also said parts of country’s Northeastern and Eastern provinces, which border Somalia and Ethiopia which are already drought-prone, would receive lower rainfall.

have the confidence in placing their bets since the partnership is not only real but secure and convenient service allowing them do mobile transactions at the most affordable cost available in the market. enock_x254

Sh138m AU grant to cut geothermal power risk

The African Union Commission (AUC) has given Akiira Geothermal Limited, a Kenyan limited liability company owned by Centum Investment Company, a Sh138 million grant to fund exploratory drilling works it is currently undertaking in Naivasha.

The grant is part of the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility and is aimed at mitigating financial risks that early stage private sector developers bear when drilling in the search of geothermal steam suitable for power production.

The development comes at a time when Kenya is moving to cut power bills by roughly 47 per cent to around Sh17 to Sh18 per Kilowatt Hour (kWh) within the next three to four years. Additional power from the project will greatly reduce the country’s reliance on other sources of electricity and help alleviate production costs.

In the meantime, Kenya Power, the country’s electricity producer, has confirmed that it is implementing a countrywide operation to upgrade the electricity network ahead of the expected additional generation capacity. Akiira Geothermal Limited commenced exploratory drilling in August 2015 in a bid to construct a 70MW geothermal power plant.

Centum Investments, in conjunction with three other non-Kenyan entities, jointly planned to construct the Akiira Geothermal Power Station at a projected cost of Sh30 billion.

Kenya, Tanzania agree to remove trade barriers Kenya and Tanzania are working to remove all trade barriers between the two countries following a meeting between the nations’ presidents .

President Uhuru Kenyatta and President John Magufuli of Tanzania held a meeting on Wednesday where they resolved to work together to remove all barriers to trade and integration within the East African Community.

Meeting on the sidelines of the 17th EAC Summit at Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha, the Heads of State said their governments have a common vision to facilitate trade to boost economic growth and create employment for youth.

The two leaders said they had made plans to take cross border relations to higher levels by implementing projects that impact positively on the lives of their people.

They announced that roads connecting Kenya and Tanzania are currently being upgraded to improve on the movement of goods and people.

They said they will today launch the

construction of the Arusha-Tengeru Dual Carriageway and Arusha Bypass Road at Tengeru in Arusha Region.

The initiative is part of the multinational Arusha-HoliliTaveta-Voi road linking Tanzania to the Northern infrastructural corridor at Voi. President Kenyatta and immediate former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete in May last year launched construction of the 90KM Mwatate-Taveta on the Kenyan side. President Kenyatta said they discussed issues that touched on the lives of the people of the two countries.

“I and my friend and brother President Magufuli have similar visions for our countries. We are targeting development projects that grow the economy and eradicate poverty,” President Kenyatta said.

Adding to Kenyatta’s sentiments, President Magufuli stated that his government remained committed to East African integration and will continue to provide a conducive environment for investors.

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

ACCESS

There was a famous Kenyan saying that propped up, “Kwazi kwa Vijana na pesa kwa wazee,”during President Mwai Kibaki’s reign.

Exit Kibaki and enter Uhuru, a young and “youthful,” president who was pegged on having the plight of the youth at heart given that his beards were still fresh and his head was free from white hair, but alas, the typical Kenyan youth is still suffering.

Even so, the youth who form the majority of the Kenyan populations, are still, for the lack of a better statement, languishing in a myriad of unexplainable joblessness.

A scenario that has had their plight, used by many, to

either further torment them through name calling on how irrelevant they are and of course of no use to the society.

However, one needs to ask what the government does in order to rescue its young blood, a potential labor force that can be put into good use.

All the youth need, borrowing form, Morriss Mwenda the street boy now interning at the Supreme Court, is opportunity. What Morris defines as a chance, those chances are increasingly being dimmed going by the many scandals dodging every useful youth scheme.

Let’s talk about the Youth Fund and The National Youth Service. These projects as time has proved are sheer mirages, and the big question is just why can’t the government get it right with the youth? The latest scam

Alaine for FLHM

Alaine

11

the youth who form the majority of the Kenyan populations, are still, for the lacK of a better statement, languishing in a myriad of unexplainable joblessness.

Alaine the Jamaican artiste will be joining First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for the Beyond Zero Half Marathon.

Alaine who was in the country to shoot her video Wafula seems to have been bitten by the Kenyan hospitality bug.

There are rumors that she might relocate to Kenya….

HOT TOPICS

WHY CANT GOK GET IT RIGHT WITH ITS

YOUTH? @duncan_x254

topstory

FASHION scoop

Bruce Odhiambo

Man hangs self after losing Sport Pesa Bet

A horrific scene engulfeds Eldoret after a man hanged himself for losing a bet. Ken Kosgei was found hanging lifeless, dangling from a tree. Word on the streets of Eldoret is that Kosgei had placed a bet of Sh 45000, hoping that Real Madrid will win against Atletico. However, as the rules of gambling say, the house always wins. Ken lost the bet and lost his life.

taking center stage after the NYS’s Waiguru circus, where she played a fox in sheep’s clothing, is The Youth Fund.

One Bruce Odhiambo, notably way above youthful age at 51 has allegedly decided to swallow (whole) a whopping 150 Million. There is no time to start calculating and tabulating figures and numbers as to how best the money should have been put into use that will be another waste of time, ink and other resources.

Everyone knows these are amounts that can spearhead proper projects to rescue those idle youths in estates chewing green leaves among other substances.

Is the government deliberately curtailing the youth? Why is it easier to blame these young people when they err but nothing tangible seems to happen to uplift their chances to be better?

The ongoing Voter registration has seen every politician worth their

salt rally youth to register.

Never mind that some young people do not have Identity cards and their cries have never been heard. Then there are the talented sportsmen and women who will never get a chance because the government promised stadiums but are yet to make good their promise.

Is president Uhuru prepared to solve the youth crisis?

Should the youth consider themselves as orphans of the government used at will to create “eating” opportunities? Is there any person out there listening?

Activist Boniface Mwangi thinks it the youth’s fault’’ we are the leaders we elect, we can change this if we all stood

Papa Denis sorry he got caught fornicating Makeke hit maker Papa Dennis was forced by guilt to apologize to his fans and his church after images of him supposedly fornicating with a girl from Daystar University surfaced.

Images of papa and the girl in compromising poses raised questions as to whether he is truly born again.

Papa Dennis

10

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY, MARCH 26th NOVEMBER 3, 2016 2014

CAMPUSVIBE USIU students from New York with love

all round news and updates from universities

Tragic end for comrades celebrating elections win Three students from Cop University perished earlier this week after a grisly accident involving a bus they were travelling in.

The accident happened outside the Karen JKUAT campus. The students are said to have hired the pimped Rongai buses and were overwhelmed by euphoria after elections were announced in their favour .May their souls rest in peace.

The sixteen students from USIU-A who flew all the way to New York in mid-February to participate in Harvard University’s National Model United Nation’s conference are back.

The visit served to strengthen the ties between USIU and African American institute.

Strathmore student to rep Kenya in world finance conference The world finance conference to be held at end of July this year will have a Strathmore University’s research paper as part of it.

Michael Chuchu who is due to graduate this year and interning at CIC Insurance submitted an exceptional research paper investigating the existence and magnitude of volatility spillovers among equity sectors at the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

The paper according to analysts could help make more informed decisions while participating in the Nairobi Stock Exchange.

Additionally, it could potentially inform portfolio risk management and diversification strategies and decisions in the Kenyan market.

Strathmore’s Business of Finance and Applied Economics department is rallying behind him celebrating his success.

That’s the way to go Chuchu!

Absentee Lectures at Moi Uni cause riots There was literary hot air, yesterday, on the streets of Eldoret after Moi University students fumed and got overly emotional because they have not seen their lecturers for the last two months.

A bus was destroyed and stones were thrown at buildings before anti-riot police arrived to calm down the situation.

Apparently, Moi University

administration acknowledged that lectures have turned into ghosts and that the issue will be addressed.

Student leader Kipng’eno Ruto faulted the University for not paying lecturers, saying more than Sh200 million in school fees was collected and some lecturers told XAccess that they were owed up to Sh 2 Million!

hot date

WhatsApp launches file sharing W The Lavington Beer Festival in collaboration with Kenya Entertainment Journalists Association (KEJA), Easy Taxi and The Elephant brings you the 1st beer festival event celebration where brewers/ distributors will showcase their brands of brews giving them effective branding and a sampling forum where beer drinkers converge to experience and share a variety of local and international beers that are available in Kenya. Two Live Bands, two Djs, All beers at Ksh 150, Free Easy Taxi rides from anywhere in Nairobi to the Festival between 2-3PM and Free Easy Taxi rides home after the Festival. You don’t want to miss this

hatsApp is today rolling out a much-anticipated feature to its apps on iOS and Android devices: document sharing.

Though the company hasn’t yet made an official announcement, a number of WhatsApp users have seen the feature pop up alongside other sharing options, like photo or video sharing, contact sharing, or location sharing.

The feature works similarly on both iOS and Android devices. In a chat on Android, you tap the attachment icon then press the new “Document” icon that appears.

On iOS, you tap the arrow icon in the chat then pick “Share Document” from the menu that appears.

At launch, users are able to select documents from cloud storage services including Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud Drive, and others, but the feature is unfortunately limited to only PDF files at this time.

If the recipient hasn’t upgraded to the latest version of WhatsApp, document sharing won’t work either.

When shared, WhatsApp displays a file preview of the PDF, notating also the number of pages, file size and type.

The feature will be available on both iOS and Android, though not yet for Windows Phone.

It would appear WhatsApp is working towards becoming more official than social.

11

ACCESS

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

FASHIONscoop

@ The Oscar spillOvers

wedding dress ideas frOM The 2016 Oscars afTer-parTy

@mercy_x254

Serena Williams: Exercising moderation in showing off skin.

If you are planning to walk down the aisle sometime in the future and are at a loss on what to wear, the Oscars 2016 after-party has you sorted!

Interestingly, quite a few ladies showed up in what seems to have been a bridal conspiracy, from Serena Williams in her lace dress to Kerry Washington in her very daring clinging maxi dress.

Check them out for a lesson or two. @mercy_x254

Elizabeth Banks: This look works for the conservative bride.

Kerry Washington: Stun your groom in this look if you dare.

Kate Beckinsale: Adding a little black kills the monotony of white.

TOP

Jessica Alba: Perfect look for a bohemian bride.

Sofia Vergara: if you’ve got it , flaunt it, the modern way.

MOsT dangerOus ciTies in The wOrld If you have watched any American action flick, then you know how messed up things are in Mexico, from ruthless drug cartels, human trafficking, and the fact that the country serves as an asylum for global criminals. The homicide rate stands at about 100 murders per 100,000 people, with day-to-day reports of abandoned and decapitated bodies.

acapulcO, MexicO

caracas, venezuela

The city is currently ranked the most dangerous place on earth, with a rate of 120 murders per 100,000 people, which means although the country of Venezuela has breath-taking beaches, it is nowhere near favorite for vacationers and tourists.

Experts warn foreigners of express kidnap, road bandits and even poisoned letters and drinks!

san pedrO sula, hOnduras The city was at the number one position in 2015 but was knocked out by Caracas. San Pedro Sula has a homicide rate of 113 murders per 100,000 people, fuelled by illegal drug distribution, cartels, gangs and extensive poverty.

12

CLASSIFIED

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Job VACANCY! 150 Form 4 leavers needed by a marketing Co. in Parklands for sales and promotions.

Earn 8500/= weekly, For free interviews and training Call:0708192229;

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

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.

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

0763983531

WEATHERFORECAST

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Make sure your head is screwed on tight before you climb out of bed this morning; otherwise you might find it floating up in the clouds. Daydreams will seep into your consciousness no matter how hard you try to keep your mind focused on the matter at hand.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Take it with a grain of salt. Someone could try to pull the wool over your eyes. Check the bus schedule twice before hopping on board. You could find yourself lost in the wrong part of town otherwise. Have patience and try not to get too upset if you aren’t receiving the answers you want.

WEDNESday 3/3/2016

sunny

26

25ºC 63%

THURsday 4/3/2016

More sun than clouds

26 6:41 am 6:48pm

26ºC 56%

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Let your imagination run the show today and you’ll be delightfully surprised at the rewards this will bring to your everyday life. It may be hard to make a decision about anything practical, so don’t even try. Leave it to a day in which you’re feeling more grounded.

6:40 am 6:48 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 Resist the temptation to indulge in recreational substances that might leave you feeling more muddled than before. Get your work done and then let loose. Escape into the depths of your mind and explore what rich fantasies your inner self has to offer.

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Someone could strongly object to an action of yours, but realize that their motivation may be a bit skewed. Muster the self-confidence to stand up for yourself at this time. Whatever happens, you’ll be called on to take action one way or another.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Trying to make sense of what’s going on might not be the easiest task. Rational thinking and analytical processes may not be the best way to find the solution. You might be better off just letting the issue sit for now and deal with it later when the facts are clearer.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 Be aware of the fact that things may not be as they seem. There could be a strange façade over the situation that you should be aware of before you act. Your head may seem a bit clouded. Your fantasy world is especially active today, so you might feel the urge to run away and never come back.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Escape into some sort of fantasyland that takes you away from your daily life. Dealing with people on their own terms may prove extremely difficult. The other party might not be acting from a point of assuredness. Deal with them later.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 Your imagination could take you to a whole new realm in which you play the starring role. Live these fantasies. The fire inside you burns brightly, so make good use of this power before it’s squandered away by someone else tugging on the strings.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Your thoughts are with the less fortunate. Perhaps you should consider teaming up with a local church or other community organization to help your immediate community. Your spiritual wellbeing is also important to you today, and you should do something to honor this part of you.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Your imagination is especially active and you might find yourself playing out scenes from your dreams. The people in your life are playing a more important role than they have in times past.

Recognize and appreciate these key people.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 You might get the sense that something or someone is working behind the scenes without your knowledge. Trust your instincts. See what you can do to bridge the gap between reality and what you sense from the spiritual world. Visit the ocean or take a long walk in the woods.

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 3, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. Sedgwick of “The Closer” 5. Sprayed with tear gas 10. 007 nemesis 14. Some proposition votes 15. Speed skater ___ Ohno 16. Cry of pain 17. Metals from the earth 18. Hospital dogsbody 20. Lawless TV role 21. Connection provider (abbr.)

22. Broke a commandment 23. Obscenity 25. “Marrakesh Express” band, for short 26. “Gangsta’s Paradise” Grammywinner 28. “Probably not” 33. Liberia’s cont.

34. Where “Lost” was found 36. Vowel sound 37. Poke fun at 39. Shaw of the big band era 41. Bambi, for one 42. Slippery as ___ 44. “Sometimes I run, sometimes ___” (Britney Spears lyric) 46. ___ Zedong 47. “You bet!”

49. Bandleader Larry 51. ___ in kangaroo 52. Marina locale

53. Lifted 57. Clock setting in Chicago 58. Old seamen 61. Gloria Estefan’s birthplace 63. Money guarantor, for short 64. Prior nights 65. Make counterarguments 66. Greek “I” 67. Untidiness 68. Verbalize 69. Londoner’s streetcar Down 1. Famed fort 2. Arthurian times, say 3. Strengthens 4. Strongly criticize 5. North Dakota neighbor 6. Give ___ (nudge) 7. Business name abbr.

8. Ernie ____ (golfer) 9. Reply to a taunt 10. Cannon of Hollywood 11. Curb 12. Lymph lump 13. Was in the hole 19. Head cavity 24. Be sick, backwards 25. 407, in Ancient Rome 26. Dove competitor 27. Be ____ mind (agree) 28. Give ____ old college try 29. Three before E 30. 2005 Brosnan film

31. “Chances are, ‘cause ___ a silly grin...”

32. Kind of card 35. Gets emotional 38. “Star Trek: Voyager” character 40. Without teeth 43. Analogize 45. Right-angled bend 48. Detection tools 50. Workout goal 52. “...life ___ a dream” 53. Noah’s oldest 54. Signal hello or goodbye 55. Singer-actor Burl 56. Fail’s opposite 57. Havana’s home 59. Beatles’ meter maid 60. Ripoff 62. This, in Quebec

Yesterday’s answers

YOURSAY Jostling over Nairobi Governor seat tribal The push by Central Kenya leaders to seize Nairobi governor seat is not only shameful, but the height of tribalism.

Central Kenya politicians to transport people from their backyard to come register in Nairobi to vote for a governor from their community.

Central Kenya having produced three out of the four President the country has had, it is not a community that is impoverished and one would be surprised to see its leaders resort to such

selfish measures. You expect the three presidents to have alleviated the region’s poverty if any and quenched its greed for power.

If Kenyatta senior, Kibaki and now President Uhuru with state power at their disposals couldn’t make Central Kenya flow with milk and honey then even Nairobi Governor Seat will be of no help to the region.

My worry is, should the push sail through which is a possibility anyway, then after the 2017 General Election,

the region could produce the country’s President, the coveted Nairobi governor, CBK governor, Attorney General, Solicitor General, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chief Justice, Chief of the General Staff and an array of Cabinet Secretaries.

Then after this you wonder, then what? It’s a pure script from the short story Government by Magic spell

by Saida Hagi-Dirie Herzi in the anthology of short stories Half A Day and other stories.

— Alex Omondi- Nairobi

Ruto opposition remarks far-fetched, misleading While campaigning in Kericho, Deputy President William Ruto is reported to have indicated that Kanu is hell-bent on taking Kericho residents back to the Opposition.

For many years, to be in Opposition was seen to be synonymous with underdevelopment. This perception could have been true in the past during the centralised system of government, but in the current constitutional dispensation, such a perception is a farce in the true sense of the word.

First, Kenya is a multi-party democracy and therefore it is neither illegal nor a crime to be in Opposition. No one ceases to be a Kenyan because he or she is in Opposition. Again, no section of this country should be denied development because they did not vote for the Jubilee government.

Secondly, all Kenyans do acknowledge that Opposition rightfully exists and the political

landscape has changed considerably since the promulgation of the Constitution in 2010.

The current Opposition is quite different from what we had during the centralised system of governance, when the National government controlled all the resources and would occasionally dangle the carrot to the Opposition as a bait to lure them into Government.

Days are long gone when to be in Opposition was synonymous with wretchedness and marginalisation.

It is therefore misleading for anyone to castigate Kenyans for being in Opposition or to mislead Kenyans that you will be doomed if you join the Opposition. The talk about ‘losers’ being in opposition is stale, distasteful and uninspiring.

— David Sonye.

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

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

Key responsibilities • To seek out and investigate breaking stories.

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

• To create and upload news content to digital platforms.

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

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

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

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

14

SPORT THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS

Kenya women’s volleyball players during a past match.

FIVB has agreed to give the team financial aid after they pulled out citing financial constraints.

Former New Zealand Captain Crowe dead

Former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe has died of cancer at the age of 53.

The ex-Black Caps batsman had been suffering from lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system, for a second time.

He received the all-clear from the disease in 2012 but confirmed in September 2014 that it had returned. Aucklandborn Crowe is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s best ever batsman, having scored 17 century and 5,444 runs in 77 Tests at the average of 45.36 “Diagnosed in September 2014 with terminal doublehit lymphoma, he passed away peacefully, Thursday 3 March in Auckland surrounded by family.” A family statement said. Crowe captained the Kiwis in 16 Test matches and his highest score was 299 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1991.

He was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1985 and was player of the tournament in the 1992 World Cup after scoring 456 runs in nine matches.

Hamilton plays down Mercedes F1 threat

Lewis Hamilton has brushed off claims that his Mercedes team are in a league of their own going into the new Formula 1 season. Hamilton, on slower tyres, was second fastest on day two of the second pre-season test, behind Valtteri Bottas.

Asked if Mercedes were without rivals, Hamilton said: “I don’t think so. Ferrari and Williams look competitive.” “That’s what I’ve been told. I’ve not looked at a single lap time anyone else has done so I’d be guessing.” Despite his pace, Hamilton said he was not comfortable with his car on his fastest lap at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Wednesday. The world champion said: “I’m not feeling great. Those tyres are not particularly good. I’ve been pounding around doing multiple laps on long runs, which is not the most exciting. “To get to light fuel is always an exciting feeling, but it’s always new when you get back to pushing for a single lap.

FKF tells AFC interim office to call for polls

AFC Leopards Interim Management Committee (IMC) has been told to immediately call for the national election.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has urged the warring sides, led by Mathew Opwora and Dan Mule to call for immediate election to usher in new officials who will be recognized by relevant bodies and fans.FKF president Nick Mwendwa plainly told the two factions to end the wrangles that may seems not to be ending soon with division till evident in the two camps currently running the club on the order of sport Dispute Tribunal.

Yesterday, during the official launch of the club sponsorship with SportsPesa, Opwora failed to show up for the event, saying his side of the “coalition was not involved in the organisation of the event.

“We want one leadership. We need ​​ election from this club as soon as possible,” Mwendwa said adding that all Kenan clubs will be required to have proper management account before October 2016 according to a directive by Fifa.

Egypt Rio qualifiers pull-out boost to Malika Strikers Kenya’s chances of booking the women’s volleyball ticket to the Rio Olympic were boosted after Egypt pulled out of the World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico in May 20-22.

Kenya is set to play in the repechage after missing out on the continental slot won by Cameroon.

It is the same Egyptian side who beat them at the Africa qualifiers semi-final in Cameroon, but their late withdrawal now leaves Malkia Strikers with only host Puerto Rico and Colombia to think about.

Kenya had initially pulled out of the games due to financial constraints, but were bailed out by Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB), who has offered to pay for the 18-member delegation air ticket to South America.

“Most of members of the team will be busy with the final year exams at schools and universities and these commitment could not be postponed,” said Egyptian Volleyball Federation President Foad Abdel Salam was quoted on the CAVB website.

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) sought the intervention of the world’s Volleyball mother body, International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), who came to their rescue in financial aid.

The Malkia Strikers will now have a second chance to try and land the Olympic slot after missing out the trip to Rio at the continental

qualifiers last month.

“We discussed with our travel agency and we can prepare a combined air ticket. Your team would first travel to Puerto Rico, then they will continue afterwards to Argentina for the World Grand Prix (WGP) preliminary round, “read part of the communique from FIVB to KVF who alerted the international body of their financial status before they jumped in to rescue the situation.

Kenya withdrew from the games after the government failed to release funds to send the team to the qualifiers.

“That is a good news for Kenya Volleyball,” KVF chairman Waithaka Kioni who sought the help from Switzerland head office said.

“They decided to bail us out with air ticket because the qualifiers and the Grand Prix is only two weeks away, added a jovial Kioni.

The new arrangement means that Kenya will have one trip for both the qualifiers and the Grand Prix between May 17 and June 5.

KVF will only be required to foot the bill accrued during stopover between Puerto Rico and Argentina which will host the first leg of the World Grand Prix, Group 2 preliminary round.

Malkia Strikers will first go to Puerto Rico between for the qualifiers from May 1725 before connecting to Argentina for the Grand Prix.

This means Kenya will now have to look

for Sh1.8 million only to carter for their connection expenses for the 18-member delegation consisting of 12 plyers and six officials “Your (national federation) should only cover the difference in price of the ticket (for making the stop in Puerto Rico) which is 1000 per person,” “Last year your Women’s team was able to win for the first time in history the WGP Group 3. Which shows that your Federation is developing the sport.”

“We understand your point and the issue of the financial situation, which causes you to withdraw from this event. We will ask the NF Argentina to host your team for a training camp (in Argentina) in the week between the WWQOT and the start of the WGP,” added the communique.

Kenya will play the World Grand Prix Group 2 in Tucuman Argentina from June 3-5.

The winners will join seven countries; hosts Brazil, FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup winners China and runners-up Serbia, European Olympic Qualification Tournament winners Russia, NORCECA Olympic Qualification winners USA, South American Olympic Qualification Tournament winners Argentina, and African Olympic Qualification Tournament winners Cameroon. @elvince_x254

Ingwe beat Bandari to go second on the log AFC Leopards thrashed favourites Bandari FC 1-0 to move to second on the SportsPesa Premier League table.

Ingwe’s shock win came barely three hours after they unveiled their new uniform for the season after landing a Sh45 annual sponsorship from Sportpesa yesterday.

The win was Bandari’s first defeat of the season while Ingwe extended their unbeaten run to three matches which put them joint top with Mathare United on seven points.

Kepha Aswani’s second minute strike gave the hosts a deserved 1-0 win in a tie played under floodlights at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday night.

Clifton Miheso picked Aswani, who beat Bandari custodian Wilson Oburu on the

near post to take Ingwe ahead and hand Coach Ivan Minneaert his first win in charge since he took over last Friday.

Ingwe could have doubled their lead before the break but Andrew Tololwa was denied by Oburu whose performance of the night also checked Allan Katerega’s threatening shot.

Bandari were denied by the cross bar after former Leopards man Edwin Wafula hit the woodwork as Twahir Muhidin side attacked Ingwe’s defense for an equalizer.

Dockers’ are 7th on four points.

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia travel to Nakuru in search of their first league win against host stubborn Ulinzi Stars after their last two matches only produced draws against Chemelil (0-0) and 1-1 against Bandari.

The soldiers are currently sixth on four points while K’Ogalo are smelling relegation zone, 13th in the 16 team league with only two points.

Ulinzi may still be in mourning mood after one of their players died in the Somali KDF camp attack in January, but their 2-0 win over Tusker should be a morale booster ahead of Gor who are still coming to terms with their crash out of the continental games after losing both home and away to CNaPS Sports of Madagascar.

Ulinzi will miss Ezekiel Otuoma and Evans Amuoka, but they have speedy Joseph Kuria and John Makwatta who was the club’s top scorer last season.

AFC Leopards players led by Andrew Tololwa (on the ground) celebrate after scoring during a past league match.

Ingwe beat Bandari yesterday at Nyayo National Stadium to climb to second position on the table.

Johnson faces up to 10 years in jail for sexual offence England footballer Adam Johnson has been told to “say goodbye to her daughter” after he was found guilty of one count of sexual activity with a girl aged 15.

Johnson (pictured) faces up to 10 years jail after the jury found the former Sunderland player, guilty of a charge of sexual touching, but not guilty on a charge relating to another sexual act.

He had previously admitted grooming the girl and one charge of sexual activity.

In a statement, Johnson’s victim said she had been through the “hardest year” of her life.

She said meeting her hero felt “surreal” at first but she now feels “used and let down,” by Johnson.

She said: “I have had to face so much abuse after he claimed his innocence and I was made out to be a liar.”

“What happened in his car has turned my life upside down.

“There are people who have made assumptions about me and this has been hard to deal with... Him being found guilty shows everyone I was telling the truth.”

The judge said his preliminary view was that the case falls into the category of a five-year prison sentence with a range of four to 10 years.

He said: “The defendant must understand there is a very high probability of a significant custodial sentence.”

The judge told Johnson he would be

released on bail so he could get his “affairs in order”.

He said: “You can say goodbye to your daughter. A prison sentence will mean you will not see her for some time.”

Johnson, 28, showed no emotion as the verdicts were delivered and he has been granted bail until his sentencing, which is due to take place in two to three

weeks.

SPORT 15 THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 | www.254.Co

INGWE BEAT BANDARI TO MOVE TO SECOND SPOT ON LEAGUE TABLE

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Arsenal suffers ruinous defeat A

rsenal’s hopes of landing a first league title in 12 years suffered a heavy blow after they lost 2-1 to relegation threatened Swansea at the Emirates Stadium last night.

The Gunners went to the match knowing it was a must-win game if they are to keep up the chase on league leaders Leicester City.

And with a difficult trip to White Hart Lane on Saturday, Arsene Wenger’s men knew they had to respond following Sunday’s feeble performance and surprising 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford.

Joel Campbell slid to hook the Gunners into an early lead and they looked set to make up ground on leaders Leicester.

Swansea, missing boss Francesco Guidolin through illness, levelled when Wayne Routledge side-footed home.

Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez struck the bar before Ashley Williams pounced to earn a crucial Swansea win.

The Welsh club now have a six-point cushion to the relegation zone but Arsenal’s six-point deficit to Leicester City at the top of the table looks sure to yield ugly headlines.

Arsenal have now lost three successive games for the first time since 2010, severely damaging their title hopes in a season many regard as their best opportunity in recent times to be crowned champions.

After defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday, pundits lined up to criticise Arsenal’s failings. Their shortcomings were again laid bare against the Swans as they missed chances and their soft centre again cost them dear.

Swansea arrived in north London sporting six changes, with a teenage debutant in Stephen Kingsley at leftback and minus their manager, who is in hospital with a chest infection.

The early stages, in which the impressive Campbell - in for Theo Walcott - turned home Sanchez’s pass, saw the visitors struggle but then cracks emerged again in Wenger’s side.

Weak play by Mesut Ozil led to Jack Cork being allowed to create the equaliser and Petr Cech must be questioned for the missed punch that allowed Williams to turn in from a yard.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has said Arsenal keep failing to sign leaders and such analysis continues to look more and more astute as at no point did Arsenal pin their visitors back for a long spell.

There were inevitable boos and the same old questions will be trotted out.

Where is the character? Where is the steel?

Arsenal are in danger of failing and suddenly, even a top-four place does not look guaranteed.

Arsenal players Mesut Osil and Oliver Giroud react after Swansea’s second goal at Emirates in London last night. The Gunners were beaten 2-1.

PHOTO: FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA

Liverpool inflict sweet revenge on City

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino celebrates his goal alongside teammate Divork Origi at Anfield last night.

PHOTO: PETER POWELL/EPA

Liverpool inflicted some sweet revenge on Manchester City’s by beating Manuel Pellegrini’s side 3-0 at Anfield after falling to the Citizens in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley last Sunday.

Adam Lallana, James Milner and Roberto Firmino all scored in an impressive display by the host.

Both coaches had made changes to their starting line ups but City were distinctively second best against a fire-up Liverpool side.

Adam Lallana’s low drive gave the host the lead before James Milner poked in a second against his former club.

Ex-Red Raheem Sterling was taken off at half-time before Roberto Firmino fired in a third to compound City’s woes.

Man City are somewhat fortunate that leaders Leicester are the only one of their major title rivals to pick up a point in these midweek fixtures, but the defeat - their third in succession in the Premier League - means they are now 10 points behind Claudio Ranieri’s side. Other results saw Tottenham miss the opportunity to go top after they went down 1-0 to West ham at Upton Park.

That means league leaders Leicester City can now breathe easy after all their title rivals lost in a dramatic night of English Premier League football.

Spurs suffered their fourth defeat of the season, but they have an immediate chance to make amends in the north London

derby with Arsenal at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Michail Antonio’s seventhminute header from Dimitri Payet’s corner gave Slaven Bilic’s side a narrow victory margin, but the Hammers were vastly superior to a disappointing Spurs, who never played like they wanted to dislodge Leicester at the top of the table.

Elsewhere, Manchester United extended Watford search for a win over top-five opposition this season thanks to a late free kick by Juan Mata in the dying minutes of the game. Stoke City also edged out Newcastle 1-0 with Xherdan Shaqiri scoring the all-important goal with 10 minutes to go.

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