20160307 xnews

MONday, MARCH 7, 2016 | www.x254.co

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Sonko expresses fear for his life senator says thugs who killed his bodyguard on Friday night could be on his trail, demands thorough probe into the incident

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NEWS

Kenya bags ten rugby points in an outstanding performance in USA

Barcelona move 10 points clear with easy win over eibar

Bribery, vote buying mar Malindi election A

n MP was today arrested as allegations of voter bribery marred the opening of polls in the Malindi constituency by-election which is on-going.

Mwea MP Peter Njuguna Gitau was arrested by police in Malindi following claims that he was bribing voters in Kakuyuni area of the coastal constituency in Kilifi County.

Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) director of communications Philip Etale had also earlier been arrested by police with claims that he had election materials before the polls opened.

He was picked from his hotel room in Malindi town by about 20 police officers in both uniform and civilian clothes.

Three officers led by Malindi OCPD accompanied by one inspector identified as Kiprono and two others moved into Etale’s room as others waited outside.

The arrest has attracted a stinging condemnation from Cord leader Raila Odinga who said it amounts to harassment and intimidation by the government.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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A woman who was arrested in Malindi for allegedly bribing voters is whisked away by police after a crowd threatened to lynch her.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho can be seen arguing with the officer. TOP: Mwea MP Peter Njuguna looks on as a police officer counts the money he was found with in an alleged votebuying mission in Malindi as Kilifi MP Aisha Jumwa watches.

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NEWS

Bribery claims mar Malindi mini-poll MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

From Page 1

“We wish to put on notice those government officers behind this campaign of harassment and intimidation being meted out on ODM supporters and officials. There will be a time for each of them to carry their crosses and answer for their crimes,” Odinga said in a statement from Jerusalem where he is out on a visit.

“We are concerned at the campaign of black mail and arm-twisting that Jubilee is adopting in the region manifested in arbitrary arrests including that of Mr Philip Etale and we have assigned senators James Orengo and Johnstone Muthama to take up the case of Mr Etale,” he added.

Another claim of vote-buying emerged at about 8am when voters and Cord supporters threatened to lynch a woman whom they accused of dishing money to voters.

Police had to move in quickly and whisk away the woman from the angry mob.

Photos taken at the scene captured Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho arguing with the police and the woman is seen seated in a police van before she was driven to the station.

55,000 registered voters in Malindi are expected to cast their ballots today to elect a new MP. And while voting in Malindi was marred by numerous claims of irregularities, the same process went on rather smoothly in Kericho where some 290, 458 voters are also electing their new senator.

The only complaints received by the time we went to press were from Kanu candidate Paul Sang who claimed that

his agents were turned away in some polling stations in Belgut constituency.

Belgut of the home constituency of his fiercest challenger Aaron Cheruiyot who is flying the Jubilee Party flag in the mini-poll.

Mr Sang also named Masaita and Kamwingi polling stations in Kipkelion East constituency and Barngoror and Kapsomboch in Soin-Sigowet constituency as other areas where his agents were also turned away.

He also complained that some voters had been turned away with claims that their names were missing from the register yet they voted in 2013.

These claims were however discounted

by County Returning Officer Ledama Sunkuli who said that all party agents have been allowed into polling stations as long as they had letters of appointment from their respective parties.

IEBC reported that voter turnout was impressive in Kericho by the time the polling stations opened at six.

Vote counting in the two by-elections are expected to begin immediately the polls close at 5pm with provisional results expected to start streaming in by 8pm.

Stakes remain high in Malindi where rival coalitions Cord and Jubilee are testing their weight ahead of general elections next year.

A win for the opposition will re-assure them that the larger coast region still remains their stronghold while a win for Jubilee would mean the opposition is losing clout in what is otherwise its vote basket. peter_x254 and sam_x254

Mwea MP Peter Gitau Njuguna in a police van after he was arrested early today in Malindi over claims of voterbribery. He was later taken to hospital for treatment after he was roughed up by rowdy youths.

Sex party ‘project X’ now banned as police link it to terrorism

Kenya Film Classification Board chief executive Ezekiel Mutua and the board’s chairman Bishop Kosgei today at KFCB offices at Uchumi House when they announced the ban of the Project X party which was scheduled for the weekend.

The Kenya Films and Classification Board (KFCB) and the police have banned the highly publicised house party dubbed ‘project X’ which was to take place in Kileleshwa, Nairobi at the weekend.

KFCB chief executive Ezekiel Mutua has warned Kenyans against attending the party even as they linked it radicalisation, drug abuse, and acts of bestiality which are used to shoot pornographic content for sale by unscrupulous people.

He said police were on a manhunt for the organisers who are alleged to be foreigners posing as tourists even as the board continue to crack down the entertainment joints that the tickets were being sold.

“The board with the help of the police has stopped the illicit house party and are on a manhunt for the organisers.

Preliminary findings indicate they are foreigners posing as tourists,” said Mutua.

Elsewhere, Police nabbed matatus ferrying semi-nude ladies in Masinga Yatta, Makueni County after one the vehicles was involved in a road accident.

“Yesterday we nabbed 15 matatus ferrying nude ladies to a party similar to project X. they are all in custody awaiting further prosecution,” read part of a statement from the Deputy Inspector General of Police Joel Kitili.

The board said the project is part of many others run by unscrupulous people to shoot pornographic films and later extorting their victims through blackmails.

“The organisers are aware that those ladies who engage in these acts are drawn from rich families and thus they shoot the films which they later use to blackmail them and extort money from their parents,” asserted Mutua.

Mutua also faulted the media for airing and publishing pornographic content against the classification guidelines.

“A section of the media is also publishing and airing illicit content that promotes acts of bestiality. We have written to media owners to have an engagement and address this matter before it gets out of hand,” he said.

The board has urged members of the public to be more vigilant and report such incidents to the relevant authorities even as they set up a toll free mobile number.

“We are rolling out a toll free mobile number and a twitter tag #project Y for the members of the public to engage with us more directly and consistently,” added Mutua.

Other areas that have been named as hub of such activities include high palatial estates in the city such as Muthaiga, Runda and Kilimani. wilson_x254

NEWS 3 MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Sonko in fear for his life after bodyguard’s night murder

Nairobi senator Mike Sonko (pictured) has expressed fear for his life following the brutal murder of his bodyguard on Friday.

Constable Bakari Juma was shot by suspected robbers on his way home just after dropping off his boss in Runda where Sonko resides. He later succumbed to injuries at Nairobi Hospital’s ICU where he was admitted. Four men armed with an AK-47 accosted him in Kasarani. Nairobi police boss Japheth Koome says they are pursuing the killers. But Sonko fears that he could be the thugs’ next target.

“An AK-47 rifle is limited to a few people.

They hit him once and picked his gun before escaping and that is why I am demanding a thorough probe into the incident because it could be directed at me,” Sonko said.

Nanok wants Turkana IDPs compensated, resettled Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok has asked the government to give land and money to Internally Displaced Persons in the county, saying they have not been compensated like their counterparts in other regions.

According to Nanok, not all IDPs have been resettled as claimed by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri last week.

He said there are still 770 IDPS in Turkana County who are yet to be resettled.

“I heard Devolution Cabinet Secretary saying the other day National government,” Nanok said in Turkana on Saturday. The Governor called on the Cabinet Secretary to go to the ground and establish the truth instead of relying on information given by other officers.

“We demand that the IDPs in Turkana be given land and money to start life just like their counterparts in other parts of the country,” he said.

Nanok said it will not be fair for the national government to declare closure of camps countrywide while there are still people suffering after the 2007/08 postelection violence. “I was surprised to hear the announcement that all IDPs have now been settled and compensated while here in Turkana we still have people in camps, the position of the Cabinet Secretary therefore is not true,” Nanok said. Early last month

Government set to audit free learning materials in schools The government will soon start auditing text books and other learning materials given to primary and secondary schools since the inception of free education in 2003.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i (pictured) said last week during the release of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education(KCSE) that the move is aimed at ensuring government resources are well utilised.

Matiang’i was concerned that since the introduction of free primary and secondary education, most pupils are still sharing text books. “It cannot be that since the introduction of free primary education, pupils are still sharing textbooks, the government envisioned that at this particular point the ratio of 1:1 would have been achieved and the resources channeled to other uses,” he said. “I have visited a number of primary schools and I find many pupils still sharing text books and the question I

ask myself is where are the books that the government have been providing since 2003 gone to?” Matiang’i asked.

The CS said the government has so far spent over Sh9 billion in purchase of text books to schools and therefore each pupil should be having a text book.

“The ratio of textbooks to pupils at this point should be 1:1 and not 1:5 or even more in some instances, there is need therefore to do evaluation and auditing of the resources channeled to our schools,” he said.

“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 unavailabity of learning materials such as textbook the reason,” Matiang’i said last week during the release of 2015 KCSE results.

A global education monitoring report released in January this years indicated that the amount a country spends on learning materials is a good indicator of its commitment to providing a quality education for all The report indicated that without textbooks, children can spend many of their school hours copying content from the blackboard, which severely reduces time for engaged learning. Between 2000 and 2007, Kenya, Malawi and Namibia experienced rapid increases in enrolment, but the availability of textbooks did not keep pace.

Statistics from primary schools provided by the report indicate that in eleven developing countries, on average, 15 percent to 20 percent of grade 4 pupils do not have a textbook or they have to share one. @sam_x254

Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok in a past appearance before the senate committee on public accounts. He has asked the governement to compensate all IDPs in his county.

Deputy President William Ruto said that the government has provided money and also bought land for the remaining 28,924 IDPs which he said will be settled.

The Deputy President said the released Sh1, 052, 200,000 to conclude the resettlement of all the remaining Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country. Ruto noted that the

beneficiaries numbering 5,261 households were those affected by the 2007/2008 postelection violence and those evicted from the Mau forest. Upon the expiry date given by the Deputy President, Kiunjuri said that his ministry has completed the issue of IDPs countrywide. @sam_x254

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

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NEWS MONDAY,MARCH 7, 2016

Clinton, Sanders in lively debate clash Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders angrily clashed over auto industry bailouts, guns and ties to Wall Street on Sunday, as underlying tensions in the Democratic presidential race burst into the open at an impassioned CNN debate in Flint, Michigan.

The forum quickly turned into a heated philosophical argument about an economy that Sanders said is weighted against the middle and working classes and is abetted, he said, by close ties between politicians, such as Clinton, and Wall Street financiers.

Sanders accused Clinton of supporting “disastrous” trade policies that contributed to corporate America’s decision to move manufacturing from cities like Flint to low-wage economies in Central America and Asia. But she in turn said that Sanders had refused to vote for a bailout for the auto industry that was included in the outgoing Bush administration’s attempts to stave off the financial crisis.

“If everybody had voted the way he did, I believe the auto industry would have collapsed, taking 4 million jobs with it,” Clinton said.

Clinton also pressed Sanders on guns and accused him of being too close to the National Rifle Association.

“You talk about corporate greed. The gun manufacturers sell guns to make as much money as they can make,” Clinton said.

Sanders replied by responding that Clinton’s arguments, effectively, would amount to a ban on the manufacture of guns.

At one point, both candidates talked over one another in their determination to make their points about the economy.

“Excuse me, I am talking,” Sanders

said. Sanders repeatedly knocked Clinton for her ties to the finance industry and demanded that she release transcripts of her paid speeches to Wall Street firms. Clinton said she will do so when other candidates, including Republicans, agree to do the same.

While the exchanges were intense and revealed clear schisms between Clinton and Sanders, they were largely confined to policy differences, and lacked the personal -- and even vulgar -- tone that characterized the last two Republican debates.

Both candidates billed themselves as the best possible person to take on the Republicans, particularly Donald Trump, in a general election. Clinton slammed what she said was the “bigotry, bullying and bluster” of the GOP front-runner, while her rival pointed to polls indicating he was more likely to beat the billionaire.

Clinton and Sanders opened the debate agreeing on one point: that Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder should step down over his response to the toxic water crisis in Flint.

Sanders accused Synder of “dereliction of duty” while Clinton said the governor should “resign or be recalled” -- a comment that represented a new position for the former secretary of state.

Snyder tweeted in his own defense during the debate.

“I’m taking responsibility as our value system says we should. My track record is getting things done, and I want to get this done,” he wrote on Twitter.

Both candidates expressed alarm over the water crisis that erupted in Flint when government officials switched the city’s water source temporarily in April 2014 from the

USDemocratic Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders during the CNN Democratic Presidential candidates’ debate, at the Whiting Auditorium in Flint, Michigan, USA, last night. PHOTO: EDWARD M. PIO RODA /EPA

Great Lakes to the Flint River to cut costs. Pollution from the highly corrosive river water then ate into the city’s water system, causing lead to leach into the water supply.

“It’s raining lead in Flint,” Clinton said.

Sanders recalled his visit to the city last month and said, “What I heard and what I saw literally shattered me.” The debate in Flint came a day after Sanders pulled off moraleboosting Super Saturday victories in Kansas and Nebraska, doubling up on Clinton, who won the Louisiana primary on Saturday.

Sanders also won the Maine Democratic caucuses. But Clinton’s victory in Louisiana, which had the most delegates on offer this weekend, means that her lead in the presidential race of about 200 pledged delegates, remains

essentially the same.

Michigan holds its primary tomorrow. The candidates offered candid assessments of race in America. Clinton, when asked what racial blind spots she had, admitted that it was impossible for her to share the experience of many African-Americans, but she said she tried to understand the issues the community faces.

“I think (by) being a white person in the United States of America, I know that I have never had the experience that so many people, the people in this audience have had,” she said.

“And I think it’s incumbent upon me, and what I have been trying to talk about during this campaign, is to urge white people to think about what it is like to have ‘the talk’ with your kids, scared that your sons or daughters, even, could get in trouble

for no good reason whatsoever.”

Sanders hit an awkward note as he sought to empathize with discrimination facing AfricanAmericans, a demographic he has struggled to win in several primary contests.

“When you’re white, you don’t know what it’s like to be living in a ghetto,” Sanders said. “You don’t know what it’s like to be poor. You don’t know what it’s like to be hassled when you walk down the street or you get dragged out of a car.”

The Democratic campaign is unfolding amid themes of race, economic opportunity and the problems afflicting blue-collar workers that are crystallized in the city of Flint in an age of globalization. peter_x254 and Agencies

Top stories from X News global partners Sanders and Clinton North Korea threatens Draw Sharp Contrasts China sets itself a lofty Central banks warned negative rates: to reduce US and South in Debate: Senator Bernie Sanders, growth target: Mark the over Negative interest rates risk backfiring date on your calendar: on Korea to ‘flames and anxious that the Democratic nomination January 17th next year, China will report the longer and more deeply central ash’: North Korea has threatened to is slipping away from him, launched a that economic growth in 2016 was no banks in Europe and Japan venture

turn Washington and Seoul into “flames and ashes”, warning of an indiscriminate “pre-emptive nuclear strike of justice” in reaction to the start of huge US-South Korean military drills. Such threats have been a staple of young North Korean leader Kim Jong Un since he took power after his dictator father’s death in December 2011.

But they tend to increase especially when Washington and Seoul stage what they call annual defensive springtime war games.

The North’s powerful National Defence Commission threatened strikes against targets in the South, US bases in the Pacific and the US mainland. www.theguardian.com

series of cutting and sarcastic attacks against Hillary Clinton over trade, Wall Street, welfare reform and other issues at Sunday’s debate that at times felt like a war over the legacy of Bill Clinton and moderate Democratic policies of the 1990s. Even Mrs. Clinton joined in the repudiation of some of her husband’s accomplishments, such as the 1994 crime bill and the 1996 welfare law, which both disproportionately harmed a part of the electorate — African-Americans — that the two Democrats are now aggressively courting in Michigan, Ohio and other racially diverse states. www.nytimes.com

lower than 6.5 per cent and no higher than 7 per cent. What explains such clairvoyance? Because the government has now formally unveiled its growth target for the current year, putting it at 6.5-7 per cent. Chinese GDP targets, once set, have a way of coming true. All the economy’s many uncertainties—rising debt, rich-world doldrums, currency volatility—melt away as if nothing in the face of its leaders’ conviction. But in their pursuit of their goal, Chinese leaders still have many options. www.economist.com

into this unconventional monetary policy, economists from the Bank for International Settlements have warned.

The caution over one of the most important experiments in monetary policy’s history comes before the European Central Bank’s meeting on March 10. Markets expect the ECB to push its deposit rate deeper into negative territory — lowering it 10 basis points to minus 0.4 per cent — to help stave off the threat of deflation.

Policy makers view negative rates as part of their strategy to raise worringly low inflation. www.ft.com

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

NEWS 5

300, 000 ‘punished for corruption’ in China MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Chinese President Xi Jinping. His administration says they punished a record 300, 000 people last year for corruption.

Turkey, EU leaders in migrant crisis talks Turkish and EU leaders have gathered in Brussels for an emergency summit on tackling Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War Two. The EU has pledged €3bn (£2.3bn; $3.3bn) to Turkey in return for housing migrants and stemming the flow.

Last year, more than a million entered the EU illegally by boat, travelling mainly from Turkey to Greece.

Some 13,000 are stranded on Greece’s border with Macedonia as European states seek to restrict entry.

Nato is expanding its naval mission against peoplesmuggling in the Aegean Sea to cover Turkish and Greek territorial waters, and will also increase its co-operation with the EU’s border agency Frontex in the region.

The UK has announced that the amphibious landing ship RFA Mounts Bay will join naval vessels from Germany, Canada, Turkey and Greece in the area.

Migrants, many of them fleeing war zones in Syria and Iraq, continue to make the hazardous sea journey from Turkey to Greece’s outer islands.

The human cost of the crisis was brought home again on Sunday when a boat capsized off Turkey with the loss of 25 lives.

EU states are divided over their response to the crisis with strains showing this year even in Germany and Sweden, seen as the countries most open to refugees.

Anti-migrant parties won a general election in Slovakia on Saturday which saw the far right gaining seats.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte met their Turkish counterpart, Ahmet

Davutoglu, at the Turkish embassy in Brussels late on Sunday to prepare for the summit.

The 28 EU states are expected to ask Turkey to take back thousands of migrants who do not qualify for asylum.

Last week, European Council President Donald Tusk said he had been told by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that his country was ready to take back all migrants apprehended in Turkish waters.

A draft summit statement seen by the Associated Press news agency pledges to “stand

by Greece in this difficult moment and will do its utmost to help manage the situation’’.

“This is a collective EU responsibility requiring fast and efficient mobilisation,” it adds.

More than 2,000 migrants continue to arrive daily in Greece from Turkey, hoping to reach the richer EU states to the north.

But Macedonia, which aspires to EU membership, is blocking them on its border, now fenced off with razor wire and watchtowers.

A ramshackle tent camp that has grown up around the Idomeni frontier crossing has become the focus of the crisis.

On Sunday, reports from the area said Macedonia had stopped allowing entry to anyone from areas in Iraq and Syria it did not consider to be active conflict zones.

Many migrants in the camp rely on food distributed by volunteers and items like firewood are scarce.

“We have been here five days, or six - who remembers the days anymore?” asked Narjes al Shalaby, 27, from the Syrian capital Damascus, in conversation with AP.

China’s ruling Communist Party says it punished nearly 300,000 officials last year for corruption.

Some 200,000 officials were given what was called “light punishment”, while more severe penalties were taken against a further 80,000.

President Xi Jinping has made a campaign against corruption a centrepiece of his governing agenda.

Many high-profile political figures have been jailed after being caught up in the net.

There are almost daily reports in the state media of officials being investigated or punished over allegations of bribery, abuse of power or other corrupt practices.

The reporting body - the Central Committee for Discipline Inspection - rarely explains its methodology or what evidence it considers, and no other details were given in its brief statement about the punishments.

The number of those caught in 2015 was released during China’s annual

parliamentary session.

Correspondents say this was no doubt a reminder to delegates gathered in Beijing that the Communist Party will continue pursuing corrupt officials.

Some observers see the anticorruption campaign as a way for the Party to rein in officials seeing as becoming too influential, or of pursuing personal vendettas.

xnews | MONday, MARCH 7, 2016 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

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

MEAN 101.3975 142.1261 109.9544 6.4675 32.9693 21.5884

(AS OF 5/3/2016)

BUY SELL 101.3033 101.4918 141.9739 142.2783 110.8339 110.0750 6.4605 6.4745 32.8894 33.0493 21.5190 21.6577

CBK moves to lower cost of loans as banks await new lending rate The Central Bank’s (CBK’s) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet on March 21 to set its key lending rate just as it moves to lower the cost of loans.

The MPC left the benchmark Central Bank Rate unchanged at 11.5 per cent when it last met on Jan. 20.

Since then, CBK had asked Parliament to give it time to compel banks to lower their lending rates.

This is opposed to initial plans aimed at imposing caps through the Central Bank of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2015.

The CBK, which published the lending rates of each commercial bank last month, revealed that some banks were charging roughly three times the reference rate set by the regulator.

“Right now the banks are under a lot of pressure from the population and from us as the regulator. They have large margins but they will adjust or lose their positions,” said CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge in a previous statement.

The governor said given time, the market will force banks to re-price their loans or lose their dominance.

The move to cut down lending rates comes at a time when consumers, businesses and corporations alike have maintained a steady appetite for loans despite a volatile economic environment.

According to the Central Bank of Kenya’s Credit Officer Survey for January to December, the demand for loans remained stable towards the end of 2015 despite local banks citing an increase in interest rates.

The survey, conducted just over a month ago, targeted senior credit officers of all 40 operational commercial banks and 1 mortgage finance company.

Charterhouse Bank Ltd and Imperial Bank Ltd which were under statutory management were excluded from the survey, the CBK confirmed.

During the quarter under review, 60 per cent of banks indicated that interest rates had increased. Some of the respondents cited high cost of funds and high Treasury Bill rates as the reasons that led to increased interest rates. However, 38 per cent of lenders said interest rates fell while 3 per cent said they remained the same.

Dennis_x254

Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge.The governor said given time, the market will force banks to re-price their loans or lose their dominance.

BuSINESS DIARY Increased debts, Nairobi Garage Open Day on March 10 on Ngong Road Nairobi Garage the first coworking space in Nairobi, will host an event dubbed ‘Doors Open Day’ on Thursday, March 10, 2016. The event’s organizers have invited interested parties and those within the tech sector for the chance to tour the facility, meet their members and get an insider’s view on what’s it like to be a “Garager”.

The Nairobi Garage, which is located along Ngong Road on the 4th floor of Piedmont Plaza, boasts 130 desks,

team rooms, meeting rooms and an event space. The facility has been the launch pad for companies such as Uber, Yum and Mdundo. It hosts around 30 companies, bringing the Nairobi Garage unit to 100 startups, SME’s and ecosystem players. The Ngong Rd branch offers its members all-inclusive 24/7 office facilities, access to an in-house café known as Amanda’s Kitchen, events and workshop series tailored for entrepreneurs.

Seventh edition of ‘Suit and Tech’ on March 9 Nest Nairobi and DateME Kenya will host the Seventh Edition of Suits & Tech, a unique networking platform for designers, developers, investors and entrepreneurs to interact with like-minded peers, on March 9, 2016.

The affair, which will be held from 6:00 pm, will give attendees th opportunity to meet professionals or pursue

a tech start-up idea and grow their existing businesses.

Tickets for the event are priced at Sh1,500 and will includes 2 cocktails. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Those planning to attend the event can be purchase them via the Mpesa number: 0704 204 778 to reserve their seats.

Avery Denson now interest rate volatility launches into East sinks Barclays to loss Africa through Kenya Barclays Bank of Kenya has recorded a pre-tax loss of Sh 12.07 billion for the full year ended 31 Dec 2015, the lender said.

The bank attributed the loss to increased provision for bad debts, higher costs, and interest rate volatility among others.

The company’s finance director Yusuf Omari said the impact of the higher lending, offset by a 26 per cent provision for bad debts, jumped to Sh 1.76 billion whereas costs increased by 7 per cent to hit Sh 15.62 billion.

Total loans rose 16 per cent to Sh 145 billion while noninterest income increased 4 per cent to Sh 20.4 billion up from Sh 19.6 billion recorded the year before due to the lender’s entry into insurance in the year 2015.

However, according to the lender, this growth was pondered by unexpected fluctuations in interest rates that led to a significant market loss on government securities.

However, Kenya’s chief executive Jeremy Awori confirmed that the lenders decision to sell off its Africa business would not lead to job cuts in Kenya. He said efforts by the lending institution to broaden its revenue horizons by increasing lending to SME had started paying off.

Awori (pictured) substantiated that the drop in profits does not indicate an exit and the Bank has a thrilling agenda in Kenya, adding that operations of its customers will not suffer.

Kenyan banks were largely affected by an increase in lending rates by the central bank (CBK) in mid-2015 sending commercial rates to as high as 25 perenock_x254 cent.

Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions has appointed Kenya Stationers Limited as its first distributor. The New York listed firm made the move as it seeks to enter the East African Market through Kenya. Kenya Stationers Limited has vast experience in the printing industry in East Africa, having been in the distribution business for more than half a century.

The firm has operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia. The partnership will see Kenya Stationers Limited, operating under the parent company of Kensta Group; distribute Avery Dennison’s full range of pressure-sensitive graphics materials for digital, screen

printing and vehicle wrapping films.

Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, India and East Africa Business Manager Shamrendra Kumar said that with its extensive network and long-established relationships with both converters and end users in the local market, Kenya Stationers Limited provides a solid platform for growth in the East Africa market.

“With its strong customer base, wide representation across industry segments, and sound organisational and logistical infrastructure, Kenya Stationers Limited is in an ideal position to tap the potential of this important new market for Avery Dennison,” Kumar adde d.Aver y Dennison’s entry into the Kenyan market is in line with its global focus on identifying and growing new and emerging markets.

BUSINESS 7

City to crack down on ‘faulty’ weights MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Nairobi City County Governor Dr Evans Kidero has ordered the immediate verification of all weighing and measuring equipment in the city.

Every weighing machine in use for trade must be verified and stamped every year, says Ashford Kiruja, Officer in Charge of Weights and Measures.

“Our inspectors from the Weights and Measures offices have been visiting various areas for the

therise KenGen KenGen Company Ltd was the week’s top gainer after edging upwards by 14.3 per cent during the review period. The share price was up to Sh8.00 from the previous week’s close of Sh7.00. KenGen reported earnings per share growth of 15 per cent y/y to Sh2.58, making an impressive profitbefore-tax increase of 121 per cent to Sh8.4 billion for 1H16.The company plans to raise Sh28 billion in June through a rights issue and the government is expected to convert Sh 20.15 billion of its on-lent loans to equity. Year-todate its share price has gained 12.7 per cent.

thefall EAPCC East Africa Portland Cement Company Ltd (EAPCC) was the week’s top losing stock for a second consecutive week following an 8.9 per cent slide in its share price over the course of the week’s trading. EAPCC shares ended the week at a price of Sh43.50 from their previous closing price of Sh47.75.The share price has come under pressure after the cement maker’s loss after tax was Sh531 million for the 1H2016.

EAPCC has shed 7.0 per cent of its value year-todate.

Analysis by Amana Capital info@amanacapital.co.ke

purposes of assizing (verifying) and stamping traders’ weighing and measuring equipment in use for trade on the dates and places shown below. Legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply. The maximum fine is Sh20,000 or a jail term of 3 years or both. County officials will be conducting spots checks to ascertain compliance,” he said in a statement released yesterday.

Based on the new accords, all

traders within a radius of 20 kilometers of the mentioned locations are required under the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act to submit all the weighing and measuring instruments in their possession for use for trade for assessment and stamping.

“Only instruments which by reason of their being permanently fixed or of their delicate construction, cannot be conveniently moved

and any weighing instrument of a capacity exceeding 500kg will be assized In Situ (as is where is),” Kiruja added. The statement added that traders in possession of such instruments may comply by notifying the inspector (Officer in charge of weights and measures - Nairobi City County) “in writing as to the type, capacity and location of the instruments at least three days before the date on which the equipment is to be produced.”

The County government has since released a list highlighting stamping stations for the months of February to June 2016. The list includes stamping stations in Kamukunji Sub County, Shauri Moyo, Gikomba, Eastleigh Sections 1 & 2, Eastleigh Airbase, Mlango Kubwa, Eastleigh Section 3, Kiambiu, Makadara, Mbotela, Kaloleni, Buruburu and Embakasi Village, among others.

Dennis_x254

8

BUSINESS

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Sh3b Crown Paints Kisumu factory to provide employment for thousands East Africa’s paint manufacturer, Crown Paints is set to open a Sh3 billion factory in Kisumu this week as the company continues its regional expansion programme.

The new Crown factory is estimated to produce 800,000 liters of paint per month and will provide employment to thousands, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Trade, Adan Mohamed said in a statement earlier today.

Speaking to X News during an exclusive exchange, Crown CEO Rakesh Rao confirmed the opening, describing it as a multi-million dollar investment.

On his part, the Cabinet Secretary said he was looking forward to opening what he called a state- ofthe-art factory.

The manufacturer has been laying some of its roots in Kisumu having identified the region as a viable investment destination.

“Kisumu is a regional hub with great infrastructure and proximity to the greater Western and North Rift Regions hence making our project viable. Our business in the region grew by over 30 per cent in 2013,” Rao said in a previous announcement.

The opening ceremony comes almost a year after Crown Paints entry into the Tanzanian paint industry.

Speaking at the launch ceremony for the Tanzania plant, Crown Paints Group Vice Chairman, Hussein Ramji revealed that the firm is set to expand into other markets. Mr Ramji explained that export market was a

Crown Paints Kenya Chief Executive Officer Rakesh Rao (right),tests Crown’s Colour App together with Crown Paints Kenya Marketing and Communications Manager Elly Fred (centre) and Diana Omanga from Digital Marketing. key contributor to the group’s sales volume.

The Kisumu announcment also follows Crown Paints’ partnership with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) just weeks ago.

The Bank announced in February that it had partnered with three companies, including Crown Paints to offer added value to the lender’s mortgage customers, as it seeks to push up uptake of housing products.

The bank said the partnership with Chloride Exide, East African Cables, and Crown Paints will benefit existing developers in its book as well as new customers, giving them an enhanced product proposition.

In the partnership with East African Cables, developers will enjoy up to 20 percent discount on cables bought from the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed cable maker.

Under the agreement, KCB mortgage

customers purchasing paints from Crown Paints will access up to 35 per cent in price cuts while those buying solar water heating systems from Chloride Exide will be given at least 25 percent in discount. They will also enjoy free installation upon purchase.

KCB Bank Kenya announced the deals during a send-off ceremony for 30 developers who left the country for a fact-finding two-week trip to

Brazil on February 29. KCB Chief Business Officer and Managing Director, Kenya Samuel Makome said the bank was keen on partnerships meant to better meet the needs of the modern customer.

“We have worked out a comprehensive plan meant to boost home ownership and development across the country, hinged on offering an expanded product proposition” said Makome.

Dennis_x254

Libya’s $67 billion fund rivalry now Sh6.9bn loss sends Npower to cut jobs set for legal action in a UK court A long-running dispute over the leadership of Libya’s $67 billion (Sh6.7 Tn) sovereign wealth fund is now before a London High Court.

The dispute is potentially paving the way for litigation against two global investment banks to move forward.

The Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) wants to pursue Goldman Sachs and Societe Generale in the English courts for more than $3 billion it claims was mismanaged.

Both banks have rejected the allegations.The fund, however, is mired in a power struggle between two rival chairmen, Hassan Bouhadi and Abdul Magid Breish. The dispute mirrors the fragmented nature of the country following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Bouhadi was appointed as head of the LIA in October 2014 by the LIA’s board of trustees, populated by leaders of the House of Representatives .But his Tripoli-based rival Breish says he is in charge, reinstated as head

of the fund following a decision by Libya’s Court of Appeal. Bouhadi initiated proceedings in London’s Commercial Court in September 2015 to determine this question of authority.

The issue needs to be settled to provide the legal clarity to allow the litigation against the two investment banks to move forward. If the LIA wins these cases it could result in an award of billions of pounds.As an interim measure, advisers BDO were appointed by the court in July 2015 to manage the litigation on the LIA’s behalf. This has allowed the pre-trial work on the bank litigation to continue, such as the taking of witness statements and gathering of expert evidence.

At the time of BDO’s appointment, it was hoped Libya would soon form a national unity government and determine the question of LIA leadership for itself, but hardliners are resisting a formal vote in Libya’s

elected parliament to endorse the new UN-backed government.

In the absence of any decision from Libya, an English court now has to rule on who has the authority to bring the litigations against the banks, regardless of the merits of those cases.

To do this, the judge, William Blair, the brother of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, must first decide which is the legitimate government of Libya, using some procedures once developed to decide who was in charge in Somalia.

He will consider who has the constitutional right to govern in Libya; who has administrative control; whether there is any indication from the British government as to what it regards as the legitimate government; and what the international community regards as the legitimate government. The case could run into a second week, and a judgment is not expected immediately. The judgment may also be appealed against.

Energy firm Npower is to cut up to 2,500 jobs more than a fifth of its UK workforce as the firm posted Sh6.9 billion (£48m) loss for the first nine months in 2015.

According to BBC, sales and marketing roles will be the worst hit since the firm has lost about 200,000 UK customers and received the most complaints of the six biggest energy suppliers in 2015.

Npower, which is owned by the German energy giant RWE, employs 11,500 people in the UK and is one of the country’s big six gas and electricity suppliers.

RWE will announce Npower’s full-year results on Tuesday when it is expected to detail the planned job losses.

The cuts come as RWE, which generates energy as well as supplying it, has been hit by oil and gas prices falling more than a third in the last year.

And in December, Npower was ordered to pay a settlement of

£26m, the biggest such payment ever demanded by UK energy regulatorsfor sending out inaccurate bills and failing to deal with complaints correctly.

The money was split between charity and affected customers.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: “These huge job losses will come as a devastating blow to the workforce.”

The cuts will “leave the already struggling business in an even worse state” and lead to “months of uncertainty” for staff, he went on.

Eamon O’Hearn of the GMB union said: “Many hardworking staff have already been outsourced and so any further job losses for directly and indirectly employed staff would be another kick in the teeth for communities.”

The Unite union’s Kevin Coyne said the reports of job losses would be “deeply unsettling” for staff.

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

ACCESS newacT

W

ho is Docktah Rikah?

Rikah is a humble and determined artiste who dwells in the principle of simple living big thinking. I am also an Engineer.

What is your genre of music?

I prefer Afro fusion because of its African taste, I also do a little of Ragga.

Why do you prefer this genre?

Afro fusion is interesting because it gives me an opportunity to

Victor Musili aka Docktah rikah is a buDDing Musician who belieVes in the faVor of goD. he wants to use his talent to praise the lorD.

sing about my continent Africa.

As for Ragga it is danceable and challenges my vocals and lyrical skills.

When did you start your music career?

I began singing about two years ago.

Tell us about your latest song?

I recently released Baada Ya Campus, which has a message on relationships.

Who inspires you to do music?

Docktah Rikah’s

PRESCRIPTIO

faCTfIlE Age: Am still young Favorite Food: Matoke Favorite Artiste: Redsan Favorite Sport: Football Favorite Quote: Nothing makes person more productive than the last minute.

N

Redsan and Chameleone move me, their style of music is excellent.

Apart from music what else do you do?

Apart from Music I run a company, which deals with interiors and exterior decorations as well as general construction.

What do you think of the music industry?

To begin with radio stations

should consider the local content than foreign, and we need the government to do something about MCSK. Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I believe that through the power and favor of God, in the next five years, I will be a global brand. @duncan_x254

Â

fashion Parad e

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10

ACCESS

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY MARCH 26th7,NOVEMBER 2016 2014

@mercy_x254

FASHIONparade

@ The AMVCAS 2016

A GLITTERING AffAIR

A

different class of competition took place on the 2016 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards red carpet when the ladies made their way into Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos Saturday night. Their dresses, shoes, bags, rings and more shone brightly as they arrived to witness who and who would emerge as winners at the 4th edition of the awards ceremony.

yeMiAlAde: Sheer lines fierce!

JOKeSilVA: Timeless shimer.

STephAni linuS: Gorgeous in green.

MerCy Aigbe: White and shiny.

geneViVe nnAJi: Flawless couture. riTAdOMiniC: Green peplum elegance.

lyriclab OTILE BROWN fT KING KAKA ALIVYONIPENDA Fast-rising musician Otile Brown has released a new love song featuring King Kaka. The song titled Alivyonipenda goes into a throwback and outlines a past love story. It themes around someone who is taken for granted in a relationship and how this often ends up in a separation followed by regrets. The audio is produced by the multi award-winning producer Tim of Still Alive Records. The music video was directed, shot and edited by Docta Eddie of Dreamland Music Empire.

chOKu KhALIGRAPh JONEs

sIGAWI

chIzI The hottest Hip Hop love Song trending in Kenya right now is none other than Khaligraph’s Chizi.

What other way to express love than with ‘wicked’ rap lyrics from a ‘bad boy’. Arguably one of Kenya’s freshest rap artistes, Khaligraph has taken a different dimension on this one as it seems that love actually makes the world go round even for the toughest of them all. Chizi is produced by Aress ( BIG BEATS AFRIQ) and video directed by Johnson Kyalo.

Choku is back again and it seems 2016 is her year, now with a new song dubbed Sigawi. The new sound is fresh, sizzling with a message out of the ordinary. Choku, who is actually still single says in her new jam that it’s better for all the men aspiring to date her if they kept off her because she doesn’t give her love to someone that easily. Produced by Bizi B, this new track just could hit.

11

ACCESS MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

review of top weekend gigs

HOW ‘AFRICA’S OSCARS’ LIT UP LAGOS

Jara presenters Hellen Paul and Uti with Rita Dominic.

The 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards took place on Saturday, March 5 in Lagos and rewarded the most outstanding performances in the continent’s movie industry – It was hosted by celebrated media personality IK Osakioduwa and Minnie Dlamini – The event saw a range of top celebrity appearances showing up in style from the red carpet to the stage where they received their

HOT

raditionally beer festivals are associated with the month of October, more so spread by a spill over effect from Germany.

However on Saturday, at The Elephant along Kanjata off James Gichuru a thriller experience of premium beer festival provided revelers with an exceptional experience.

A blend of sufficient malt based drinks and music made for some adult fun with DJ Andre of Capital FM of the decks .The festival began at noon and continued all the way past midnight, good thing Easy Taxis was taking revelers home!

The beer selection was all premium; smooth Sierra, Castle Light and of course or own cherished Summit Lager by Keroche.

The one thing we all loved was the beer price which was flat rate of Sh 150.

topics

FULL LIST Below is the full list of winners on the night: Best Art Director – Frank Rajah (The Refugees) Best Television Series Award – Ariyike Oladipo (Daddy’s Girls) Best Makeup Artist in a Movie or Series – Louiza Calore for Ayanda Best Short Film or Online Video Award – Oluseyi Amuwafo (A Day With Death) Best Writer for Movie and TV series – Trish Malone (Ayanda) Best Lighting Designer (Movies/TV) – Stanley Ohikhuare (Common Man) Best Cinematographer – Paul Michaelson (Tell Me Sweet Something) Best Sound Editor – Jose Guillermo (Cry) Best Picture Editor – Shirley Frimpong-Manso (Rebecca) Best Costume Designer – Uche Nancy (Dry) Best Local Language Movie/TV Series (Swahili) – Single Mtambalike (Kitendawali) Best Indigenous Movie/TV Series (Hausa) – Salisu Balarebe (Dandi Kowa) Best Indigenous Movie/TV Series (Yoruba) – Binta Ofege Best Indigenous Movie/TV Series (Igbo) – Paul Igwe (Usekwu Igbo) Best Documentary – Remi Vaughan (Faaji Agba) Best Supporting Actor In A Movie – Sambassa Nzeriba (A Soldier’s Story) Best Supporting Actress – Tunbosun Aiyedihin (Before 30) Best Actor In A Comedy – Folarin ‘Falz The Bahd Guy’ Falana (Jenifa’s Diary) Best Actress In A Comedy – Funke Akindele (Jenifa’s Diary) Trail Blazer Award – Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju AMVCA 2016 Industry Merit Award – Bukky Ajayi and Sadiq Daba Best Movie (Southern Africa) – Joyce Chavura – (Lilongwe) Best Movie (East Africa) – Elizabeth Miachael – (Mapenzi) Best Movie (West Africa) – Genevieve, Chinny Onwugbenu and Chichi Nwoko – (Road to Yesterday) Best Actress In A Movie/ Drama/TV Series – Adesua Etomi (Falling) Best Actor In A Movie/Drama/TV Series – Daniel K. Daniel (A Soldier’s Story) The Best Director – Akin Omotosho (Tell Me Sweet Something) Best Overall Movie – Stephanie Linus (Dry)

respective awards.

The 2016 edition was live at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island. The show was the fourth edition of the annual awards. It was a great night and was graced by actors from different African countries as well as broadcast live across Africa.

The AMVCA is an annual awards show which features nominations in over 20 categories in

About the Lavington Beer Fest ….

T

CENTRESTAGE Swahili film wins an AMVCA

K

itendawili made East Africa proud after scooping an award for the best indigenous film Swahili category during the just concluded Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards. Kitendawili is a series shot in done in Tanzania and features everyday social intrigues.

Just A Band to launch book

A

fter entertaining Kenyans for years, Just a Band is said to have documented all their activities in a book. The book, dubbed Just A Book will be launched this Friday at the Goethe Institute.

African film and TV series. The awards comes live under the tutelage of Multichoice and is a reward for the most remarkable performances in the continent’s movie industry, with voting from the public. The first edition of the AMVCA was on March 9, 2013 and witnessed a massive viewership in over 50 countries around the world.

Just A Band

Redsan for Dubai Beach Fest

R

agga artiste Redsan is set to feature at the Reggea Beach Fest in Dubai.

The Badder Dan hit maker is set to perform alongside Jamaican born rapper and singer Baby Cham. The fest will happen on the 26th of this month at the Habtoor Grand Hotel, Dubai.

Redsan

12

CLASSIFIED MONDAY, MARCH 7, 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.

0763983531

DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Try to take it easy and not indulge in any unnecessary stress. This is your time to enjoy the moment.

Don’t tax your mind by overanalyzing everything that comes your way. Go with the flow and have a great time regardless of what you end up doing.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Your sensual nature is heightened, Aquarius, and you’ll find yourself engaged in tender moments and languid peacefulness in the company of others. Life should be like a love poem written by a great master. Accept the good energy that comes your way.

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

WEATHERFORECAST Monday 7/3/2016

sunny

28 27ºC 53%

TUEday 8/3/2016

More sun than clouds

26 6:40 am 6:47pm

26ºC 63%

6:40am 6:47pm

Wednesday

25

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

Sunday’s Solution

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Hold on a little bit more tightly than you might normally. There’s an unspoken understanding that comes when you communicate through nothing but pure silence. Work on developing this kind of connection with those closest to you.

Sudoku

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Your tender and extremely sensitive nature is finally being recognized as the treasure chest it is.

There are many times in which this type of personality is seen as weak, yet today is one of those times in which you’re given the full credit you deserve.

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Don’t make it worse for yourself by pretending that you don’t notice others’ hurt feelings. People are likely to be extra sensitive today, so be careful about trying to impose your will on someone who really wants nothing more than an ear to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 You could analyze the important people in your life and yet fail to address the one you really need to look at – you. As you continually strive for perfection, give yourself proper credit. Do something nice for yourself today.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 If you begin to doubt your work, you may fall down a spiral of creative blockage. Don’t get into the habit of constantly judging the quality or outcome of your work. Give yourself free rein to open up and explore whatever comes to mind.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 You’re likely to connect with someone in a wonderful partnership that will help you foster the very plan you want to develop now. Stay close to those things that resonate strongly with your morals.

The answer is in front of you; you don’t have to search too far afield in order to find it.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 21 You might feel like you’re leading an army into battle as you strive for new adventures and conquer new realms. Make sure you take a bit of time out today to stop and let your troops rest. Use this moment of stillness to form your plan of attack so you’re sure about how to proceed.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 You may not realize how much you cripple yourself by the way you exaggerate every aspect of your life. Try not to give so much of your attention to things that really don’t matter much. Petty jealousy and gossip about other people’s lives are especially irrelevant in your world.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Take note that the strongest mule on the trail usually ends up carrying the most weight. Your emotions are more sensitive than you may think, and certainly more than you demonstrate to others. Be honest about the way you feel and not just the way you think.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Take note that if any quarrel arises, it’s an indication that the person you’re arguing with isn’t necessarily the right person to deal with or confide in. Emotional issues are likely to be the hardest ones to overcome, but this shouldn’t be a problem for you. You have the ability to work through these like a pro.

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

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

KENRAZY Visita, Madtraxx, DNA & Jay A

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

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

Kinyukia Kahora

JOAN WAIRIMU

VAN4

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

Ex: HC4 to 22333

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

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

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

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

PLAY

13

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. Blood’s rival 5. “___ Dabba Do!” 10. Far from creaky 14. “____ Nagila” (Hebrew folk song) 15. Looked leeringly at 16. Faddish kind of pet 17. Came out in the end 19. Taxi 20. Computer command 21. Wind-borne toys 22. Further discussions 26. Ali G portrayer ___ Baron Cohen 30. Consequence 34. Simmering 35. Kind of lord 36. Amateur’s antonym 37. “Zip-A-Dee-___” 39. Main act prelude 42. IATA code for Will Rogers Airport 43. Hardwood trees 47. Carrion carnivore 48. Command to the birthday boy at cake-time 51. Acts as a guide 52. First public performance 54. Barber’s sharpener 57. Quarter halves 62. Fish-eating bird 63. Displaying immaturity 66. “That’s right ___ alley” 67. “No ___!” (“Nothing to it!”)

68. Neb. neighbor 69. Squad 70. Castor and Pollux, e.g.

71. Problem, metaphorically Down 1. “Mask” star 2. Ecstatic review 3. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” crooner 4. Emulate a warm puppy 5. “___ So Vain” 6. Christie, and namesakes 7. Certain sandwich, for short 8. Busy insect 9. Total 10. Rift 11. Cool, slangily 12. Sushi ingredient 13. Babbles 18. Kiribati capital 21. Plunk or blooey lead-in 23. Samuel Gompers’ org.

24. Three after R 25. Globin lead-in 26. Place that Lot fled 27. Minneapolis suburb 28. Timepiece on the wall 29. Mason’s carrier 31. Sleep ___ (breathing problem) 32. Market analysis discovery 33. Lively dances 38. Yes guitarist Steve 40. Cold-sufferer’s excess, sometimes

41. Scan 44. Sharpshooter’s skill 45. Pressure initials 46. LPGA star Patty 49. Name, of a sort 50. With “A,” a retiree’s org.

53. Uprises 54. Hussy 55. Drink excessively 56. Actress Downey 58. Pawn 59. Disney sci-fi classic 60. Aloha State city 61. Edinburgh native 63. Concorde, in brief 64. Scream of pain 65. Louvre pyramid architect

Thursday’s answers

YOURSAY Mini-polls to test IEBC preparedness ahead of 2017 Voters in Kericho and Malindi must maintain peace as they go to the ballot to elect their new leaders. The electorate will be exercising their democratic right to replace Dan Kazungu and Charles Keter who were elevated to the Cabinet late last year.

Campaigns have been characterised by trails of heated political rhetoric, voter bribery allegations, police interference and the State being accused of using public resources to favour its preferred candidates.

Perceivably, tension has been spiralling in the two areas where the rival coalitions Jubilee and Cord are weighing each other down. In Kericho, the battle between Kanu and JAP has put Deputy President William Ruto in a serious chagrin and wants Jubilee to bag the seat to disapprove his critics that he no longer has the South Rift grip.

Regrettably, this tension has triggered an intemperate campaign by the Jubilee team whose leaders have been asked to conduct a more civil campaign.

The campaigns in Malindi have been just as ill-tempered with local leaders demanding greater respect from the Jubilee brigade which has been accused of needlessly insulting its rivals.

This is unfortunate because during heated political campaigns, heated rhetoric is likely to spark violent episodes and could circumvent

the democratic process.

On Saturday, it emerged that the police fired teargas at curious Kericho residents who had milled around Moi Gardens where supporters backing Kanu candidate Paul Sang had gathered. A day earlier, it was reported that police had arrested a member of the Cord campaign team in Malindi, allegedly because he had been bribing voters.

Voter bribery or unruliness during campaigns and the use of State resources that to back candidates should not be tolerated in any free and fair election. But violence meted out against members of a political party detracts attention from legitimate issues voters want to hear about candidates regarding their political agenda.

Strong arm actions contribute to voter apathy and may disenfranchise those who want to express their democratic will in the ballot box.

We must allow voters to freely express their will, therefore any attempt to circumvent the democratic process must be resisted.

The Independent Electoral Boundary Commission (IEBC) should use the polls as a litmus test for the 2017 polls and reflect our preparedness as nation. The conduct of the political class, electorate and the IEBC in today’s by-elections could be a true reflection of what awaits us in 2017.

— Nderitu, Donholm

Politicising Beyond Zero initiative bad for country It is with sadness that I see people politicising the Beyond Zero marathon and making it look like a political duel.

I wish to ask politicians to stop it and let First Lady Margaret Kenyatta do her charity campaigns and raise funds for the mobile clinics.

However much the Jubilee government has been tainted and rocked with corruption cases, its mistakes should not be used to criticise the First Lady’s efforts.

This is an individual effort that calls for generous, charity and philanthropic contributions and goodwill. It

is, therefore, my call to those faulting the campaign to find better avenues to challenge the government directly and not directing hits at the First Lady.

I call on First Lady to ensure all contributions made are channelled to the intended projects.

— John Atambo.

Only system change will curb exam cheating It is disappointing to see hundreds of frustrated Form Four candidates who don’t know where next after failing to meet the university entry threshold. Worst still are the less fortunate candidates who wasted the four year period pursuing a mirage after their results were cancelled over cheating. Failure in exams normally spells doom to students who end up giving up on life.

Many feel that their dreams are shattered when they score below the average marks or score nothing as in the case of the irregularity victims.

Neither the candidates nor the teachers should be blamed for dismal performance in Kenya’s grade tests, especially national exams, but on the current education system in Kenya. The debate on the viability of the 8-4-4 education system in Kenyan and whether to replace it with the proposed new system, 2-6-6-3, has continued for quite some times. The 8-4-4 system is more exams’ oriented and is not conducive to developing talent.

Historically, since independence, education system has been reformed three times, with the current 8-4-4 system being the brainchild of the retired President Daniel Moi in 1985.

Even during its inception, experts cautioned the government of a myriad of challenges that were to come with the system.

And indeed as warned, the system has turned out to be difficult to implement, prompting calls for another system.

A taskforce was formed in 2011-12 to stem some of the recurrent problems facing the education sector. The 35-member taskforce came up with 2-6-6-3 system whereby a pupils spend two years in early childhood development education, six years in primary, another six years in secondary and three years at the university.

The 8-4-4 main undoing include keeping children in the primary schools for too long, limiting subject area and vocational and technical training choice for most Kenyan children, with the proposed new system tailormade to prioritise basic education.

The 8-4-4 system has become a social demand model that only benefit a few noble in the society and not economic model that benefits and elevate the humble. If not replaced, exams cheating and results parity are here to stay.

— Phabian Jr

Knec to blame for KCSE exam malpractices It is high time The Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) in conjunction with the Ministry of education came up with better plans and methods of dealing with examination irregularities. The cancellation and withholding of the results of 5,101 students out of the 525,802 students who sat for KCSE in 2015, in an examination that witnessed massive examination irregularity, is a joke.

Cases of exam irregularities witnessed and aired in the media is still clear in the mind of Kenyans. It is an indication of a messed up examination body and system. Punishing students as a result of using dubious means of detecting irregularity is therefore illogical.

Knec should be grappling with questions such as who leaks examination papers? What methods are used to determine irregularity

in examination? What action is taken against those who leak the papers? It is Knec that sets the examinations, plans, oversees and supervises the examination process. The body must therefore explain clearly what transpires in the whole process.

The government should put Knec to task to explain the root cause of exam irregularities instead of relying on task force reports prepared by the same body that is responsible for the mess.

Knec bears full responsibility of the examination malpractices and should therefore stop victimising students for a vice they play a great role in. If anyone should be punished then it is Knec not the 5,101 students awarded their grades.

— Dennis Achiando

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

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SPORT MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS India beat Bangladesh in Dhake to lift Asia Cup Shikhar Dhawan hit an international Twenty20 career-best 60 as India beat hosts Bangladesh in Dhaka by eight wickets to lift the Asia Cup. Bangladesh posted 120-5 in a rain-hit game that was reduced from 20 to 15 overs after a two-hour delay. India won with seven balls to spare, reaching 122-2 to win the competition for the sixth time. Dhawan and Virat Kohli combined for a 94run partnership for the second wicket after India were reduced to 5-1. Kohli remained 41 not out, while captain MS Dhoni smashed a towering six to clinch the game in style and finish 20 not out.

Earlier, Mahmudullah had offered Bangladesh some hope with a blistering 33 not out of just 18 balls.

Inaugural Better Living race to raise Sh500m

The youngest marathon on the land, Better Living half Marathon will take place on June 19 at the world heritage centre, Karura Forest. The race will be used to raise funds for the construction of a Sh500million warship centre at Parklands’ Seventh Day Adventist Church that will also house one of Nairobi’s state of the art gym. The gym will be open to the public especially the Asian community that is the majority of the resident around that place. This is part of an elaborate plans to improve the lives of the residents from noncommunicable diseases according to organisers. The marathon which will be officially launched on March 17 at Karura Forest is targeting between 1000 and 1500 runners in its first year. Registration is Sh1,500. Former world championship marathon gold medallist Abel Kirui will be among the guest runners in the race that has been divided into four categories21km,15km,10km, 5km. Winner of the inaugural race will pocket Sh250,000

Kenya to beat April’s WADA deadline, assures CS Wario Kenya will beat the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) April deadline, Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario has assured.

Wario allayed fears that the country may be slapped with a ban from major International competition including 2016 Rio Olympics, saying the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) draft bill will be approved by WADA before April 5.

“I can assure you that we will beat the Wada deadline,” said Wario yesterday during the First Lady Half Marathon held at Nyayo National Stadium.

Wario at the same time appealed to Charangani MP Wesley Korir to withdraw a similar bill he tabled in Parliament, adding that WADA will only recognise one bill.

“Let me ask my colleagues to withdraw the other bill because the only bonafide bill is the one with WADA,” said Wario.

The ADAK bill is currently at stage seven and will be tabled in Parliament once WADA gives it a green light.

Parliament is also waiting the Sports Dispute Tribunal draft bill which is expected to be tabled in the House later this month according to the Tribunal chairman, John Ohaga.

Ohaga, however said the onus is with Parliament to pass both bills in time if Kenya is to avoid a ban from international competitions

by IAAF. He said they will forward the draft bill to Parliament in t w o weeks’ time for the

document to be legalised. Ohaga who revealed that the Tribunal not necessarily need the rules to operate said they expect the bill to be gazetted by latest June this year.

“The Sports Act says “the chairman may, in consultation with the rule” so we don’t necessarily need the rules, but it’s the best practice to have the rules in place for directions,” said Ohaga.

Minimal changes were made to the draft last Friday during the validation workshop which brought together all stakeholder. The document will be sent to the Attorney General’s office who will then forward it to Chief Justice for further scrutiny before it is taken back to the AG who will then forward into Parliament for legalisation.

The Tribunal will also be charged with arbitrating local doping cases “You can’t say a ruling was irregular just by cause there were no rules,” explained Ohaga. @elvince_x254

Rotich wins Biwa Lake marathon in Japan Kenyan runner Lucas Rotich clocked 2:09:11 to win the Lake Biwa Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, in the Japanese city of Otsu on Sunday. Rotich, 25 endured a difficult race without a pace maker Samuel Kosgei who dropped back to help the local after 25km, but still managed to return a good time that will now place him among the top local long distance runner in the country. Japanese Shura Kitata passed half way in 1:02:36, 41 seconds ahead of Rotich, suggesting a finish time of about 2:05. But Kitata soon started to slow and at 29.3km he was caught by Rotich and Tanzanian Alphonce Simbu. Kitata ran with them for a while but the race for first place turned into a duel between Rotich and Simbu. Rotich eventually pulled away from Simbu in the closing stages of the race to win in 2:09:11. The pacemaker fell behind just before 30km, leaving the top domestic runners to battle for position. Japanese Hisanori Kitajima was the first to lead the pack, leaving Kentaro Nakamoto behind. Nakamoto who was one of the pre-race favourites, finished eighth with 2:12:06.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario at a past media briefing. He has maintained that Kenya will not be banned from world athletics event over doping, adding that the government has up put measures in place to deal with the vice.

Shujaa bag 10 points in Vegas ahead of Canada trip Kenya bagged 10 points to remain eighth in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series after outstanding performance in Las Vegas Sevens.

Though Kenya, with 52 points scored two point less than their last outing in Sydney, their 22-0 win over giants New Zealand is something to celebrate about as they ponder their next strategy ahead of next week’s Vancouver Sevens in Canada.

Kenya is in Pool A alongside leaders Fiji, Samoa (11) and bottom side Portugal whom they beat in Las Vegas pool A match before losing in the Plate semis 19-14 to Japan.

Shohei Toyoshima and Kazuhiro Goya forced the sword though the hearts of Kenyan rugby lovers with a superb display in the second half to beat Benjamin Ayimba’s side 19-14 despite the match gong at the breather tied up at 7-all.

Willy Ambaka touched down for Kenya, but Goya responded immediately, taking advantage of the hole in Kenya’s defence after Dennis Ombachi was sent to the bin for deliberate knock-down with massive run right from the half to score Japan’s first try.

South Africa, New Zealand and Australia occupies the other top four positions with 86,

82, 73 points respectively. Las Vegas winners Fiji are back to the top of the table after bagging a massive 22 points which took their total point tally to 91 points.

Wellington, Sydney and Plate winners at Vegas New Zealand are third with 82 points as losing finalists Australia close the top four with 73 points.

Vancouver Sevens Pool A: Fiji, Kenya, Samoa, Portugal Pool B: Australia, Wales, Russia, Canada Pool C: South Africa, Argentina, Scotland, Brazil Pool D: USA, New Zealand, France, England

SPORT 15 MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

Barcelona’s players Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and El Haddadi Mohamed celebrate Messi’s goal against UD Eibar during their Primera Division soccer League match at Ipurua Stadium in Eibar, yesterday. The Catalans won 4-0. EPA/Javier Etxezarreta

Barca go 11 points clear in La Liga

Barcelona went 11 points clear at the top of La Liga as Lionel Messi scored twice in a comfortable 4-0 win at Eibar.

Luis Suarez was also on target to take the combined tally for him, Messi and Neymar to 100 goals this season in all competitions.

Messi scored his 20th and 21st league goals of the season as Barcelona took their unbeaten run to 36 games.

Munir El Haddadi had opened the scoring early and Suarez got on the scoresheet in the closing stages.

Barcelona took just eight minutes to take the lead as Messi’s fine, aerial pass freed Suarez and his cross was tapped home by El Haddadi, who was deputising for the suspended Neymar.

Eibar missed the chance to equalise when an unmarked Gonzalo Escalante volleyed wide from six yards out.

The hosts were punished three minutes before half-time when Messi produced an excellent, low finish to double Barcelona’s lead.

They were awarded a penalty 15 minutes from full-time when Ivan Ramis was penalised for handling a Messi cross, and the Argentine sent the spot kick down the middle to make it 3-0.

Suarez added the fourth when he beat defender Ander Capa and scored with a low shot with six minutes to play.

Jericho All Stars beat Kabete United to stretch lead on SPS8P league log Jericho All Stars stretched their impressive run in the SportPesa Super Eight premier league (SPS8P) over the weekend with a 2-1 win over Kabete United in a tantalising tie at Camp Toyo Grounds.

Kelvin Ndung’u and Tom Okoth slotted home a goal each in the first half to steer the league leaders to their fourth win in five matches.

Christopher Opongo second half goal reduced the deficit for the visiting side, but his effort was not enough.

Kabete United started the match on a remarkable note, pilling pressure on the home side coached by former premier league tactician James Nandwa.

Jericho’s custodian Lemmy Chege was forced to a full stretch by Vincent

Atenya effort from within the area in the opening exchanges of the match.

The early vigour instigated by Kabete caused a major concern for home side who tried to recollect themselves in a bid to go at their opponents.

All Stars looked more promising with Okoth coming close, but he hesitated to pull the trigger as defender Joseph Kamau cleared the threat.

All Stars received a breakthrough when Kabete’s defence was caught napping, allowing Ndung’u to latch on a deflected pass from the right area of the box, unleashing a scathing screamer for the opener in the 36th minute.

Five minutes after restart, Okoth ensured he had a bite of the cherry when he claimed his goal to grab a first half advantage, going to the

break with the score 2-0.

Kabete under the tutelage of Robert Orangi then halved the deficit three minutes later through Opongo.

Opongo’s goal inspired Kabete to up their game in dire search for the second, launching attack after attack, but Jericho stood tall to deny them an equalizer.

Orangi made changes late in the match, introducing Joseph Kamau and Antony Kimani who came in for Regan Ouma and Samuel Kuria respectively, but it was case of too little too late as Jericho maintained the lead.

The win saw Jericho extend their lead at the helm of the SPS8PL table to 13 points the same as Metro Sports, but with a superior goal difference.

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016 | www.x254.C0

BARCELONA GO 11 POINTS CLEAR WITH WIN OVER EIBAR

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West Brom dents United’s top four hopes

West Brom earned their first home league win against Manchester United in 32 years at The Hawthorns as Salomon Rondon’s low strike helped them beat the 10-man visitors last night.

United played for more than an hour with a man down after Juan Mata was sent off for a second bookable offense inside three minutes.

Victory moved Albion up to 11th, their tally of 39 points almost certainly securing top-flight survival for a sixth successive season. Albion created little until Rondon found space to fire in substitute Sebastien Pocognoli’s dangerous first-time cross from the left wing. United rarely looked like equalising as they lost ground on the top four. The Red Devils are sixth in the Premier League table, failing to move back above West Ham and remaining three points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City. The Spain international was shown his first yellow card for rashly blocking Darren Fletcher’s quick free-kick, then he was given a second when he needlessly clipped the heels of the former United midfielder.

West Brom manager Tony Pullis has now managed 10 points in a row - three wins and a draw - from their past four matches.

In addition to almost securing survival,

Pulis has also achieved something that no Albion manager has since March 1984 - a home win against the Red Devils.

Once the home side went ahead - with their only on-target shot of the second half - they did not look like relinquishing their slender lead.

Elsewhere, a stoppage-time penalty by Christian Benteke gave 10-man Liverpool a dramatic 2-1 win over Crystal Palace to move to seventh, just three points behind United. Benteke went down following a challenge by Damien Delaney and got up to score the spot-kick.

Palace had led through Joe Ledley’s 48th-minute finish and Liverpool’s James Milner was sent off for a second yellow card on 62 minutes.

A calamitous slip by Palace keeper Alex McCarthy gifted Liverpool their equaliser, through Roberto Firmino.

The defeat leaves Alan Pardew’s men without a win in 12 Premier League matches.

Leicester are still top of the standing with five points advantage with nine matches remaining followed by Tottenham and Arsenal on 55 and 52 respectively. Manchester City are a point above West Ham while Stoke, Southampton and Chelsea completes the top 10. Norwich, Newcastle and Aston Villa are in the relegation zone.

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