201604022 xnews

WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016 | www.x254.co

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Why senators skipped Meru Devolution Conference

Senators (from left) Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni) and Kiraitu Murungi of Meru.

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enators have today sought to explain their no-show at the third annual devolution conference that ends in Meru today as the rift between the legislators and governors escalate.

The conference which devolution stakeholders convene to take stock of progress made in the counties and reflect on the challenges faced kicked off at the Meru National Polytechnic on Wednesday.

But senators who are major stakeholders in the quest to firmly anchor devolution chose to stay away from the conference as did President

Uhuru Kenyatta who was expected to officially open the gathering.

Only last week, senators gave all the indications that they would attend with Speaker Ekwee Ethuro giving the assurance at an informal meeting.

But the lawmakers have given varied reasons as to why they chose to give the conference a wide berth.

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi claimed he was nowhere in the programme despite the conference being held at his backyard.

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016

My life is in danger, MP Munyao cries out Mbooni MP Kisoi Munyao has claimed that his life is in danger and that he has reported the matter to police.

He says he is being targeted for spearheading the calls to disband the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) which MPs blamed for last year’s widespread cheating in examinations.

The MP said he has received calls from unknown people who warned him of his roles in calling for reforms at the exam body.

“These people are not happy that I started the call to disband KNEC due to its failure to curb cheating in national exams,” Kisoi said.

In October last year Kisoi filed a motion to disband the national examination body and appoint new members.

The Mbooni MP who is a member of the Parliamentary Education Committee said the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) had failed in its mandate.

“It is very clear that Knec has failed Kenyans and we have moved a motion in the National Assembly to address this matter of gross incompetence by officers entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding standards of examination,” he said then.

But he insists that no amount of threat will make him shy

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away from performing his duty as an MP and a member of the Education committee.

“I am just performing my duty as people’s representative and a member of the education committee who is interested in seeing a credible examination body in the country,” Kisoi said at parliament buildings this week.

Knec board has since been dissolved as the MP said the move has vindicated him.

“The move by the CS showed that I was not pushing a private agenda but a matter of public interest that finally caught the attention of the Cabinet Secretary” Kisoi said. sam_x254

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Senators explain no-show at devolution conference

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He said that he chose to skip it altogether after realizing he was not included in the line-up.

His sentiments were backed by Makueni’s Mutula Kilonzo Jnr who said senators had been sidelined in the preparation of the event despite an earlier agreement that the two would jointly organize the event.

“Despite our speaker pleading with us, we flatly declined to attend, Governors have used these forums to demean senators,” Mutula said.

Mutula said under normal circumstances, the county bosses do not involve senators in county matters.

“They rejected the formation of County development boards and used public funds to fight us, it is pretentious to sit in Meru to analyze matters that we are excluded from at County level,” Mutula told XNews.

“Devolution is not about governors, we must send a clear message to them,” he added.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen termed the conference a waste of time and public money.

“Instead of wasting time at the devolution conference, we went to tackle serious legislative issues. Governors are spending public money to put up self-glorifying billboards and newspaper adverts,” Murkomen said.

“We would have just gone there to hear untrue statements by governors,” he added.

Homa Bay’s Moses Kajwang said that the conference came at a time when Senate had important and urgent business pending.

“While the conference was going on, we debated and passed the Anti-Doping Bill.

This was important because any delay would have led to Kenya being barred from

the Rio Olympics in August,” Kajwang’ said.

Kajwang’ said the senate also dealt with the Division of the Revenue Bill that allocates money between the two levels of government.

“These two Bills were of greater national importance than the devolution conference,” he said.

But Speaker Ekwe Ethuro has lashed out the senators for snubbing the conference. He said there is need for the leaders to ignore their political differences with governors and work together for the success of county governments.

The only Senators who attended the conference include Daisy Kanaiza, Zipporah Kitony, Agnes Zani, Ben Njoroge and Godliver. sam_x254

KQ probe ignites MPs, senators power wars Power struggles between senators and Members of the National Assembly has returned to the fore following investigations into the massive losses by national carrier Kenya Airways.

The National Assembly’s Transport, Public Works and Housing Committee is now accusing the senate committee for Transport of overstepping its mandate by conducting the probe on Kenya Airways.

Committee chairman Maina Kamanda says the matter at KQ should constitutionally be handled by the National Assembly.

As such, the Starehe MP has already written to the Speaker of National Assembly Justin Muturi seeking guidance on what he termed as encroachment of duties by the Senate Committee.

Kamanda said the Senate committee erred in investigating the loss at Kenya Airways saying the matter doesn’t touch on counties and therefore Senate has no role in it.

In the letter, Kamanda has asked the speaker to determine the validity and extent of the senate’s committee on probing of matters of civil aviation which falls within the functions of the National Government.

“The purpose of this letter is to request you to rule on whether the Fourth schedule of the constitution provide the senate committee on Roads, Transport the mandate to investigate on matters of civil aviation which falls within the functions of the National Government,” Kamanda wrote.

The Senate Committee probed the widely reported loss at KQ but its report has not been acted on four months since it was tabled in the house and adopted by members.

Senators have now summoned Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia to explain why he failed to implement their

National Assembly’s Transport Committee chairman Maina Kamanda. He insists senators have no role in probing Kenya Airways woes.

recommendations to salvage the lossmaking Kenya Airways.

On Tuesday, they expressed their concern that none of the recommendations in a special report by the committee chaired by Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o had not been acted upon.

Speaker Ekwee Ethuro insisted that time spent to find out what had gone wrong with the national airline after posting record losses in the last financial year, will not be in vain.

“I am asking that the Committee on Transport invite the Cabinet Secretary to respond to these concerns. This House cannot act in vain. This matter is important to the nation. We have done our bit. Let the executive tell this House if it has done its bit,” Ethuro ordered.

The report had proposed far-reaching changes including disbanding the airline’s

board and a change of management.

Kamanda has however said the CS should not honour the summons as the Senate has no business in the transport sector.

“I’m telling the CS for Transport not to honour the summon by the Senate committee, the sitting of the Senate committee was in vain as what they did was not their mandate,” Kamanda said.

“I told Anyang’ Nyong’o that he acted out of his mandate, it is not good for two houses to use the same powers bestowed on them to probe the same thing,” added Kamanda.

The Starehe legislator said there are millions of shillings being misused at the County level and Senators should direct their energy on recovering them.

“This is not a matter touching on Counties, Senators should tell us what they are doing to curb the loss of millions at the counties,” sam_x254 Kamanda said.

NEWS 3 WEEKEND EDITION APRIL 22-24, 2016

Lobby raises red flag ahead of 2017 polls

A political lobby group has issued a warning that the country risk degenerating into chaos after next year’s general election if the judiciary and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) are not fixed in time. The Centre for Multiparty Democracy says confidence levels in the two critical institutions has waned and must be fixed before the elections in August next year. The lobby’s chairperson Omongi Magara yesterday warned that Kenyas cannot risk going into the general election with the current mistrust they have for the two institutions.

He said skepticism is growing and lack of confidence in both IEBC and the judiciary, which are both critical for a free, fair and incredible election, continues to grow.

“Time is running out. The public is worried if not apathetic. Finger pointing is continuing unabated while spirited efforts by IEBC to explain that there was no ill in 2013 is not paying off. IEBC had failed to reassure the public that it was not overwhelmed by the hurried introduction of technology into the six ballot elections in

2013,” Mr Magara said yesterday. He was addressing a press conference in Nairobi where he told journalists that IEBC still faces a mirage of problems.

He cited the mass voter registration which ended last month saying it was way below the expectations and that it was riddled with public apathy and underfunding by the state.

“The credibility of current team of IEBC commissioners and its entire staff seem to be on the line. There are legitimate questions as to the operational and administrative capacity of the electoral body including matters such as planning, procurement and capacity,” he said.

The lobby now wants the Judiciary, Parliament, IEBC and political parties to put their houses in order so as to make sure that next year’s polls are not bungled in order to avert any animosity.

As such, he said they have convened a dialogue conference for all the stakeholders to come together and discuss and agree on the way forward.

The political parties caucus said that in the wake of bribery allegations against

Centre for Multiparty Democracy chairman Omingo Magara addresses the press yesterday in Nairobi. They warned that the country risk post election chaos if concerns with IEBC and the judiciary are not addresses in good time.

supreme court Judge Philip Tunoi, the battle to succeed Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and persistence holding onto office of Deputy CJ Kalpana Rawal puts the country’s Judicial system at jeopardy. “Justice Tunoi bribery

allegations, ongoing succession battles involving other supreme courts judges and expedition of the elections petitions are among other issues that raise credibility questions,” Magara noted.

The lobby also accused parliament for

what it said was the legislature’s failure to play its oversight role and underfunding IEBC to effectively deliver on its mandate.

“Parliament has consistently and deliberately under-funded IEBC and political parties which has crippled their operations,” he lamented.

He said that delay and postponement of enacting the necessary law such as the legislation enabling actualisation of the two third gender principle puts IEBC and political parties in an awkward position in planning ahead of the 2017 polls.

“Parliament has delayed the enactment of laws regulating the electoral process and management of political parties which may lead to a flawed nomination processes by political parties and unnecessary disenfranchisement of the citizenry,” he said.

He also warned that the perception that the state is ‘interfering’ with the functioning of the electoral body raises questions on its independence. @hillary_x254

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION APRIL 22-24, 2016

New police recruits to report to training camps next week Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has directed the 10,000 fresh recruits in the National Police Service (NPS) to report to training camp on Friday next week.

In a statement to newsrooms, Boinnet also directed the recruits to collect their documents in their various police headquarters, adding that the documents should be picked freely without paying anything.

“Kindly note that these documents will be issued free of charge and no fees whatsoever are chargeable. All recruits will be expected to report to their designated colleges on April 29,” read part of the statement.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting on the review of the Curriculum of the National Police Service on Thursday, Boinnet said a significant number of police officers are constrained by inadequacy of skills and competence to deal with contemporary security demands.

He said the situation had negatively affected the overall image of the police service in the country leading to a dwindling public confidence in the public sector.

The IG at the same time told a meeting of senior officers that they should recognise the vital role the police play in providing safety and security to all Kenyans.

“It is an important role that can only be achieved by having a competent and a professional police service,” he said.

He said the ever-changing security environment and increasing complexity of crime particularly of organised and technological nature has called for the need to re-examine the competencies of police officers at the present time.

“The Constitution demands that police officers be professional, competent, disciplined, respect human rights and fundamental freedoms as well

A police officer examines a recruit during the recent drive to enlist 10, 000 new officers into the National Police Service. Successful recruits have been told to report to their respective training colleges on April 29.

as work well with the communities they serve,” he added.

The IG had appointed a Curriculum Review Committee last year to explore ways of aligning police training in the country to the current policing requirements.

The team has since come up with a needs assessment report and draft training strategy that is under interrogation.

National Police Service Commission chairman

Johnston Kavuludi said the curriculum must respond to economic and social needs of a country.

Kavuludi said a training strategy, policy, scheme of service and a police academy are vital for a dignified professional world class service.

President Uhuru Kenyatta asked an additional of the 10,000 recruits seeking to bring the country’s police to public ratio of 1:450 close to internationally acceptable standards.

Nairobi university to reopen Monday

The University of Nairobi is set to re-open on Monday next week after it was closed following students unrest in the wake of contested SONU elections. A statement from the Academic Registrar says that the first batch of students to report will be those in the Health Sciences pursuing Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees.

“The University of Nairobi wishes to notify all students whose programmes were in session before the closure of the University on April 5, 2016 that they will resume their studies as follows: Students from College of Health Sciences Level 5 – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree programmes to resume studies on Monday, April 25, 2016,” it stated. According to the statement, other programmes in all the colleges and campuses that were in session at the closure of the university will resume on May 3.

The university was closed on April 5 month after students took to the streets to protest against the re-election of Babu Owino as the SONU chairman.

In the meantime the university’s Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi has informed all students who had disciplinary proceedings taken against them to collect their verdicts from the respective college registrars.

“This is to inform all students who were suspended from the university and who appeared before the various College Disciplinary Committees on April 19 – 21 2016 that the disciplinary committee verdicts were approves by Senate in its meeting held on Thursday, April 21, 2016,” the VC said in a statement. “Consequently, all affected students are required to collect letters communicating the verdicts from their respective College Registrars on Friday, April 22nd, 2016 from 8am.” he directed.

He pointed out that individual students are required to strictly abide by the disciplinary verdicts as approved by the University Senate. www.capitalfm.co.ke

Top stories from X News global partners Trump to Tone Down The Obamas and the royals: His Act, Top Aide Tells Protesters want to topple bond with monarchy Party Chiefs: Donald J. Trump’s Macedonia’s government a corruption covers up political cracks: newly installed campaign chief sought over When Michelle Obama flies in to join her to assure members of the Republican investigation: Small, poor and now husband for birthday lunch with the Queen on Friday it will also mark an annual ritual for White House schedulers: when in doubt, reach for the royals. Throughout a presidency known for cordial but somewhat stiff relations with Britain’s political rulers, the monarchy has provided a flexible sticking plaster to cover up any sign of cracks in the special relationship. Ever since the first lady and the Queen famously put their arms around each otherduring the Obamas’ first official visit to the UK, a series of surprisingly relaxed encounters have delighted diplomats on both sides of the pond.

www.theguardian.com

National Committee on Thursday night that Mr. Trump recognized the need to reshape his persona and that his campaign would begin working with the political establishment that he has scorned to great effect. Addressing about 100 committee members at the spring meeting here, many of them deeply skeptical about Mr. Trump’s candidacy, the campaign chief, Paul Manafort, bluntly suggested the candidate’s incendiary style amounted to an act. “That’s what’s important for you to understand: That he gets it, and that the part he’s been playing is evolving,” Mr. Manafort said. www.nytimes.com

possibly explosive. For over a week, tens of thousands of protesters have been marching in Macedonia, infuriated by the president’s suspension of a criminal investigation targeting some of the country’s top politicians. Supporters of VMRO, the party which has led the government since 2006, believe the opposition is preparing what they call a “Ukrainian” scenario to take power by force. The opposition, dominated by the Social Democratic party, accuses the VMRO of authoritarianism. Meanwhile migrants remain stranded in Greece by the closure of Macedonia’s frontier in March. www.economist.com

FBI paid more than $1.4m for iPhone hack: The FBI paid more than $1.4m to hackers who developed a way to gain access to the iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino attackers. James Comey, director of the FBI, said on Thursday that the cost was “worth it”, but added that an accommodation needed to be made with Apple and other technology companies in the future, as paying outside technologists to find ways to access highly-encrypted messages on phones used by terrorist suspects was not “scalable.” FBI brought legal action against Apple in February, in an attempt to force the company to create software that would help the FBI break the passcode of the iPhone used by one of the killers. www.ft.com

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NEWS 5 WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016

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n our first leadership series, we bring you the story of UK-born Ugandan Ashish Thakkar. The 34-yearold is the Founder of Mara Group, a conglomerate with interests across IT, real estate and manufacturing sectors. The Mara Group has a strong presence in Africa and the Middle East. Ashish has also established Mara Foundation and co-founded Atlas Mara. He is a recipient of numerous global awards and has been described

by Forbes Magazine as Africa›s Youngest Billionaire.

But how did this young African who fled the genocide in Rwanda achieve such incredible success? We delve into his story with JULIE GICHURU.

everything we had and we moved to Rwanda. Nine months later, the genocide in Rwanda started. So it was me, my sister, my parents; we were refugees for about three weeks during the genocide. We went through that entire episode and luckily we came out alive but unfortunately we lost everything we had built from 1972 to1993. So it’s one of those things where we literally had nothing. I could see people talking to my parents differently, looking at my parents differently, scared that if my parents come too close they may ask for a favour. So I could see a lot of people

old. I took a loan and I setup a little IT business. I loved computers. I really loved computers. So I would fly to Dubai with the part of the money that I borrowed. I used a part of it to buy a ticket to Dubai, a part of it to pay one month rent in a shop and buy some furniture and the remaining very little capital that I had, I went to Dubai and filled my suitcase with IT stuff. It soon became a routine and so on a Saturday/Sunday I would go to Dubai, fill my suitcase and on Monday to Friday I would come back and sell it in Kampala. And I was the only employee so every time I would sell something and had to go and deliver it; I would lock the shop, jump onto a matatu with the goods.

Julie: So your parents really gave you a lot of leeway at a very young age?

Ashish: The deal I had with my parents was that I try and do this, I try it for a year, see how it works. If it doesn’t work out I go back to school and a year below my friends. So I still had that option open. So I was doing this and I had no staff at all so I would literally sell something, lock my shop, go in a matatu, go deliver it, install it and then come back open my shop again and wait for my next sale. So

Africa doing exactly the same thing in Dubai. I asked them, how do you guys get credit? They said no we don’t.

They don’t give us credit they don’t trust us. So I said ok, the solution to that was to setup a business in Dubai and to give local postdated cheques.

That was the only way to get credit.

I told them I would set up a business in Dubai but I want to supply to all of you and I will give you credit so long as you promise to pay me back.

So I setup a business in Dubai and before I gave credit to these different entrepreneurs across Africa, I went to their countries. I went to Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia DRC and I would go and stay with them, and spend some quality time with them and then I would tell them, look me in the eye and promise you’re going to pay me back because I don’t have the money to come after you. And you won’t believe Julie; we did not have one bad debt like everybody paid back. But that then was our turning point because that gave us the ability to really understand these countries.

And as Africa we are really one, but as these various different countries, we are very different, our histories are different, our cultures, our mind-set, our approach, our aggression. I mean everything is very different. Within

Julie: Ashish, you’ve been described as Africa’s youngest billionaire.

How much are you worth exactly?

Ashish: I’ve got no idea and frankly I don’t even agree with that title. I think… I’ve said before that I think it’s such a wrong measurement that wealth, being a measurement of somebody is really the wrong thing and being labeled as Africa’s youngest billionaire is not the best thing. I think I’d rather be known as just a young entrepreneur who started with nothing who is still trying to create his mark.

Julie: Tell us about your journey towards success.

Ashish: My grand-parents came to Africa in 1890 and my mother’s family 1920 to Tanzania, my father’s family in 1922 to Uganda. After they got married they lived in Kenya so very East African. In 1972, the Idi Amin saga happened so we got kicked out of Uganda and moved to England. My parents worked in some factories, built some capital, set-up a small business, built up some more capital, bought a small home. But in 1993 they wanted to leave England and come back to Africa. So they sold the home, they sold the business, sold

From refugee to billionaire: the story of Ashish Thakkar who were close to our family keeping a distance and yet my parents were trying to remain positive and upbeat.

But we literally lost everything, the only assets we had in the world were the clothes we were wearing, literally.

So, I was very young at the time, I could understand and see what was going on and I think I wanted to do something about it and I needed to do something about it.

I was fifteen at that time when it really started affecting me. So, I quit my school when I was fifteen years

every Monday to Friday I would sell the goods, and Saturday and Sunday I would fill my suitcase in Dubai and bring it back because I didn’t have enough money to keep enough stock. I didn’t have enough money to do an air cargo. So I did that for about four months, and then I started telling the suppliers in Dubai can you please give me credit because then I can grow faster, but they said no!

You’re an African, you will disappear.

You’re not going to come back and pay us. I saw so many people in

countries, our tribes are so diverse.

We have such regional diversity.

Locally, regionally - naturally we’re going to have such diversity. We started understanding that as Mara very early on. So when I was fifteen, I was travelling around in 1996, and that is how we really began.

Julie: Mara Group now has a strong presence in Africa, how many countries are in at the moment and what inspires you most about the continent?

Ashish: As Mara group, we are in 19 African countries. We have about seven and a half thousand employees in Africa now, ranging all different types of sectors. The thing that excites me the most is I have seen a transformation, I have seen a transition where I think we›ve got such a huge opportunity, in every single element. When you think about infrastructure, people keep on complaining about the infrastructure issue, but that actually creates a huge opportunity as well, infrastructure is not going to be built overnight.

You can do manufacturing of high volume, low value goods locally that international companies cannot compete with right? When it comes to technology, we don›t have legacy issues; we have a serious opportunity to actually leapfrog others in terms of technology. When you look at agriculture, as a continent we›ve got the most naturally rain feed arable land in the world right? Physically we are larger than North America, Western Europe, India, China and New Zealand put together. So I mean, as in opportunities, we›ve got so many different opportunities and it’s literally ours like to take advantage of now.

Julie: Do you think the biggest challenge to the growth of business on the African continent is the skepticism and the fear about doing business in our own continent?

Ashish: I think it’s more about where we are generalized as a continent.

When you look at our leaders today, when you look at our countries, we are a lot more patriotic as subSaharan Africa. We are very patriotic to be Africans now. We are no longer Kenyans or Ugandans or Tanzanians we are Africans, which is great. But on the other side, which is great to also see is like the anecdote of three guys in a safari park, see a lion walking down, one guy throws his bag on the floor, puts his trainers on and the other two look at him like really do you think you can outrun this lion?

And he says to us no but I can outrun you two. I think it’s reached one of those situations where our Heads of State, even though we are one and we are selling the same African story, the African dream, we are competing with each other because Kenya wants to become the ICT hub and so does Tanzania, and so does Ghana and so does Nigeria and therefore all our leaders are trying to compete with each other and therefore governance is improving. You can see governance improving, you can see a transformation of mindsets coming in You can see that our leaders do want to leave behind a positive legacy in that respect. However I still think there are challenges when it comes to how they still look at the private sector and more specifically SME’s, start-ups and growing companies.

To be continued next week Julie Gichuru is a renowned Kenyan journalist with a lot of Afro-optimism

WEEKEnD EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

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Researchers now seek donors’ help to improve global nutrition Research Economists in the fields of nutrition and development have outlined what donors, governments, and businesses need to invest to accelerate progress for nutrition.

Kenya is committed to improving nutrition as established in its development blueprint Vision 2030, and the government’s broader Medium Term Development Plan with approval of National Nutrition Action Plan in 2012.

During a global fair hosted by the World Bank, the Results for Development Institute, and 1,000 Days the measures were outlined as part of a global effort to increase investment in nutrition, particularly during the 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday.

Locally, plans are underway to roll out 11 evidence-based High Impact Nutrition Interventions (HiNi) and with new nutrition targets set between 2010 and 2030 seeking to reduce severe and moderate stunting by one-third, eliminate iodine deficiency, and reduce anemia by 30 per cent.

The overall impact expected is a 30 per cent reduction in child mortality and an increase in GDP of up to 3 per cent, if implemented to scale.

In 2012, Kenya joined Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN), a global movement that unites national leaders, civil society, bilateral and multilateral organisations, donors, businesses and researchers in a collective effort to improve nutrition.

Malnutrition is the underlying cause in

nearly half of deaths of children under age five every year.

In addition, millions more women and children bear the burden of poor health due to malnutrition and the global economy loses billions of dollars as a result of lost productivity and health care costs. The 2015 Global Nutrition Report indicates that every $1 (Sh100) of investment in nutrition yields $16 (Sh1,620) in benefits across health and productivity.

“The unconscionably high rates of

childhood stunting in middle- and low-income countries—30 and 45 per cent – are a damning indictment on us,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “Stunted growth has life-long consequences not only for the individual, but for countries as well, in an increasingly digitalised and serviceoriented economy. Equal opportunity for all is an empty slogan if we don’t address this issue.”

Investing an additional $2.2 billion (Sh222 billion) per year in nutrition

over the next 10 years will help to save an estimated 2.2 million lives and result in 50 million fewer stunted children by 2025, empowering them to grow to their full physical and cognitive potential.

To finance these priority actions, together country governments will need to invest on average an additional $1.4 billion (Sh142 billion) per year while donors will need to finance on average an additional $650 million (Sh65.8 billion) per year on top of current investments.

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‘UC’ browser launch good for many local mobile users

Millions of Kenyans are set to enjoy high-browsing speed following the entrance of China’s leading mobile application programme, UC Browser.

Owned by Alibaba Mobile Business Group, the second most used mobile browser has entered the Kenyan market at a time when the rate of growth in smartphones is skyrocketing with 21.6 million subscribers recorded at the second quarter of the 2015/16 fiscal year.

“Riding on the smartphone shift, UC Browser crafted a flurry of handy features such as its smartphone downloader, video player and gestures support to fully exploit the versatility of the smartphone making mobile browsing easier and smarter for its users,” said Kenny Ye, General Manager Global Market, Alibaba Mobile Business Group. “Just like their Asian counterparts, African growing population of young mobile users is a mobile-first population and users adopt their smartphones as their primary and most of the time only need internet-enabled devices,” he said.

According to Kenny Ye, UC Browser turns itself into a content aggregator being able to cater to user’s appetite for content as it provides better content and improved speed to local web contents.

Currently Kenya has a total of 37.8 million mobile subscribers with almost 40 per cent of them owning and using smartphones.

Data reveals that UC Browser in the leading Asian mobile Browsing accounting for 30 per cent market share surpassing Opera as per StatCounter. enock_x254

Follow rules, KEBS tells animal feed producers Data protection system underway after massive losses in IT sector

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has directed all animal feed importers and dealers to adhere to the set of guidelines in the industry’s Code of Practice during.

Under the stipulated guidelines, all of their products are expected to be certified by KEBS. To be certified, the firms must have a certificate of incorporation by registrar of companies.

They must also have licensed premises among other requirements set in place by what is known as the ‘KS 2543: 2014 Code of Practice’.

Addressing the sector players, KEBS managing director Charles Ongwae said an Act of Parliament to regulate the importation, manufacturing and sale of animal foodstuffs and substances of animal origin came into operation last year and players should adhere to it.

According to statistics from the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA), there

are more than 150 millers who produce about 500,000 metric tons of commercial feedstuff annually which translates to 41,666 metric tonnes per month.

However, in the recent past, there have been concerns about the quality and safety of the animal feeds in the market.

Ongwae said the concerns need to be addressed from both the current regulatory framework and the industry by enhancing quality assurance system in feed production from purchase of raw materials, production, dispatch and performance at the farm level.

He said with the advent of the mandatory product certification scheme, there has been a steady increase of animal feed firms that have placed their request to be certified by KEBS. “Just before the launch of the scheme, there were less than 100 firms registered with KEBS, to date, there

are over 260 firms registered with us.

This indicates a remarkable increase and growth within the industry,” added the KEBS MD. Kenya imports over 70 per cent of the raw materials (oil cakes) needed for manufacturing animal feed, the bulk of which consists of cotton seed cake and sunflower cake. Other raw materials which are also imported to supplement local supply include, maize by products like maize germ, maize bran, wheat pollard, fish meal and sardines (omena), these raw materials mainly come from Uganda and Tanzania.

Since the raw materials are purchased based on net weight rather than the nutrient content, unethical practices by raw material suppliers have been reported in the market.

Manufacturers have accused suppliers of adulterating the raw materials to increase the net weight to accrue more profits.

Dennis_x254

Huge financial setbacks among local businesses as a result of inadequate IT security and data loss have prompted Liquid Telecom Kenya to inaugurate a world leading data protection app.

Dubbed‘CrashPlan for Africa’, the application protect data, backs upand restores services for businesses in Kenya.

The protection comes against the backdrop of studies revealing that more than 40 per cent of data loss is caused by systems and hardware failures whereas more than 30 per cent is caused by human error.

The move follows a recent study by the data protection EMC which showed that data loss and consequent business downtime is costing global businesses over Sh171 trillion ($1.7 trillion) annually. In Kenya, more than 45 terabytes of data is lost every year, with a serious economic impact as numerous businesses are gravely affected, according to Compfix Data.

Liquid Telecom Kenya Chief Commercial Officer Paul Statham says, a

company that suffers an outage of more than 10 days due to the loss of crucial data can never fully recover financially and 50 per cent of such companies completely perish.

“Unplanned downtime and data loss is proven to have a huge monetary impact on businesses everywhere,” said Paul Statham.

However, ‘CrashPlan for Africa’ will continuously and automatically secure and back up every version of every file on every device, compressing, encrypting and backing up the data in a secure location.

“CrashPlan for Africa is secure and private. Data is encrypted with encryption keys that also give you control on who can access your data. You can also protect everyone in your business, no matter where they are, including on mobile devices,” said Statham.

The product is predominantly selfservice, meaning that where a file is lost, it can be recovered without involving the enock_x254 IT department.

Banks now sign ethics code in bid to save sector reputation

BUSINESS 7

WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016

The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), has signed the “Code of Ethics for Business in Kenya” as the organisation moves in to save the sectors reputation following a recent spate of irregularities in the industry.

The body, which represent all registered banks in Kenya, also announced plans to adopt a self-regulatory framework and conduct standards for member banks during the KBA Annual General Meeting to be held in June.

The “Code of Ethics for Business in Kenya” is an initiative by local business community to promote and enhance transparency. The code was developed under the United Nations Global Compact which wants companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption.

“In the wake of the current financial situation, the strengthening of consumer protection and wining back consumer trust is paramount. KBA has taken this proactive approach to cultivate a culture of governance and transparency in the banking industry and safeguard the interests of customers, investors, suppliers and all other stakeholders.

As KBA, we are committing to establish specific ethical standards and requirements that our members must adhere to and that are tied to the private sector ‘Code of Ethics’,” said KBA Chief Executive Officer Habil Olaka.

Olaka said the association will work closely with key partners to introduce requirements that are tied to the “Code of Ethics,” which was developed on behalf of the private sector by Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa), Global Compact Network Kenya, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and has been endorsed by President Uhuru Kenyatta as a key intervention towards addressing graft and unethical practices in the government and private

sector.

The Bankers umbrella body now joins other institutions and companies that have signed the private sector Code of Ethics to enhance an organisation’s ethical standards and business conduct.

Similar to other business membership organisations within Kepsa that advocate for ethical standards across their networks, KBA also will lead the adoption of the standards across its member banks.

According to Kepsa, each institution has the moral responsibility to ensure its operations remain above board.

The execution of this role lies in the hands of both the management and board of directors of each institution.

Kepsa CEO Carole Kariuki said the corporate governance mechanisms of each institution should, therefore, be the guiding principle under which each institution is run.

KBA chairman Joshua Oigara at a different forum acknowledged that banks play a critical role in enabling people to save for their future, and for businesses to grow, adding that the adoption of the code of ethics is a step to reclaiming confidence in the industry

given that trust is the very foundation of banking.

“The business environment today demands greater corporate accountability and transparency. We commend KBA for taking this step and committing to lead a culture change among its members. It is indeed through joining hands as the business community in Kenya that we can create long-term value for our businesses and society at large,” said by Global Compact Network Kenya Representative and KAM Chief Executive Phyllis Wakiaga. kevin_x254

Ongair targets Asia market with new office in Hong Kong

Kenya-based tech startup, Ongair has announced the opening of its Southeast Asia headquarters in Hong Kong. The announcement comes just a few months after the company closed a round of funding that would facilitate their expansion. Ongair is a service that enables businesses to engage their customers via Instant Messaging. One of the main reasons for choosing Hong Kong as the regional HQ is the high penetration rate for Instant Messaging in the country. Hong Kong currently has the third largest percentage of WeChat users after China and Malaysia and ranks in the global top 15 countries with the highest number of WhatsApp users, making it an ideal destination for expanding into message commerce.

Starbucks opens maiden branch in Sub-Saharan Africa

Starbucks, a US-based global brand that deals mainly in coffee products, has opened its first cafe in Johannesburg, South Africa with plans to open 12-15 more stores in the country over the next two years.

The launch comes at a time when international fast food brands such as KFC, Dominoes and Pizza Hut are establishing a presence across the Sub-Saharan region. Kenya has proven to be a popular destination among a number of global fast food giants though Starbucks has yet to hit the local market. Starbucks, which operates more than 22,000 cafes worldwide, has a presence in only two other African countries: Egypt and Morocco.

Kenya Private Sectors Alliance’s (Kepsa) Carole Kariuki and Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) CEO Habil Olaka during the signing of business in Kenya code of ethics at Nairobi’s Stanley hotel yesterday.

IMF unveils details of tax co-operation for Sub-Saharan Africa The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the UN and the World Bank Group (WBG) have announced details of their joint initiative on tax issues in several countries, including Kenya.

The joint initiative, dubbed the ‘Platform for Collaboration on Tax’, will not only formalise regular discussions among the four international organisations on the design and implementation of standards for international tax matters, but will also strengthen capacity-building support and enhanced sharing of information on operational and knowledge activities.

Speaking on behalf of Sub-Saharan African countries at an IMF meeting recently in Washington DC South African Finance minister Pravin Gordhan praised the move, saying such

BIZ BRIEFS

engagements would establish growthfriendly policies for Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The engagement with the Fund will help in establishing a growth-friendly policy environment and rebuilding of policy buffers. As economies in the region evolve to forward-looking monetary policy frameworks we urge the Fund to provide technical assistance to support in smoothing the transition, and in building sufficient capacities,” he said.

“We welcome the upcoming review of the debt sustainability framework for low income countries to support in maintaining sustainable debt in pursuit of growth-enhancing fiscal policies.

In addition to deepening structural reforms, infrastructure spending remains a key priority in creating an enabling environment for private sector

growth,” he added.

Gordhan said prospects for the region are weaker and uneven due to trade growth slowing, investment levels declining, continuing currency depreciation, increasing inflationary pressures, and financial conditions have tightened.

According to a Concept Note from the World Bank Group, these efforts come at a time of great momentum around international tax issues. They were welcomed by the G20 finance ministers at their February meeting in Shanghai.

“Amid the growing importance of taxation in the debate to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a major aim of the Platform is to better frame technical advice to developing countries as they seek both more capacity support and greater

influence in designing international rules,” said the Bank Among the Platform’s first tasks will be to deliver a number of ‘toolkits’ designed to help developing countries implement the measures developed under a directive known as the ‘G20/ OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project’ and on other international tax issues.

The first of these toolkits, focusing on tax incentives, was delivered in November. Platform members will hold regular meetings with representatives of developing countries, regional tax organisations, banks and donors. The Bank has affirmed that consultations with business and civil society will be organised as needed.

Dennis_x254

Kirubi, Economist Tony Elumelu win CGECI Award

Industrialist Dr Chris Kirubi and Economist Tony Elumelu have been recognised for their role in shaping and transform businesses in Africa. The two were awarded the CGECI Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual Economic Forum of the Ivorian National Council of Employers (CGECI Academy). The 5th Edition of the CGECI Academy was held at the Sofitel Hotel in Abidjan and brought together the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire and Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius as well as various West African ministers and key CEOs. In his Keynote address, Ivorian Prime Minister Daniel Kablan said he is grateful to Kirubi and Elumelu for setting a good example and giving young people in Africa hope. He added that new entrepreneurs should not be afraid to share their ideas and work with others including government.

8

BUSINESS WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016

Equity’s latest positive global rating sign of hope for local banking sector Equity Bank’s ranking among world’s best lenders indicates that all is not lost for Kenya’s banking sector, a new report has revealed.

Amid erosion of public trust in Kenya’s banking system following the collapse of Chase Bank, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has joined the ranks of regulators that have had to step up to help banks cope with liquidity problems.

In Kenya’s case, however, the reason for the assistance, which the regulator has offered, but is yet to be taken up by any bank, is a little different compared to examples such as the subprime mortgage crisis banking emergency that coincided with the US recession of December 2007 – June 2009.

Unlike banks in the US, Britain and Germany, which needed to be bailed out with hundreds of billions of dollars in new capital, Kenya’s major banks are solid and solvent. They don’t need any help. The picture at the top is so rosy that Equity Bank was recently listed amongst the best banks in the world.

The Financial Times’ (FT) latest listing of the world’s Top 1,000 banks shows that Equity Bank is Africa’s lender with the highest Return On Assets (ROA) - an indicator of profitability that is determined by dividing the net income by total average assets - while Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) is third.

The ROA ratio illustrates how well the management is employing the company’s total assets to make a profit.

Equity Bank CEO Dr James Mwangi speaking during the lender’s Annual Gemeral Meeting (AGM) on March 31. The institution, along with KCB, has been ranked among the world’s best lenders.

The higher the return, the more efficient management is deemed to be utilising its asset base.

“For the second year running, Kenya’s Equity Bank made the highest return on assets in the continent, generating a rate of 6.84 per cent,” the report says, adding that its local rival, KCB, with a rate of return of 5.14 per cent, is Africa’s third-most profitable lender.

KCB and Equity are the only Kenyan banks that made it to the listing of the world’s largest banks that is published by FT’s the Banker magazine. Cooperative Bank, which made it to the list in 2014,

Dahabshiil, AU in deal to cut Diaspora remittances cost

Leading money transfer company Dahabshiil is ready to work with the African Union (AU) in reforming their laws and regulations to lower the cost of remitting funds into and within the continent.

Speaking in Nairobi, AU’s African Institute for Remittances (AIR) Interim Executive Director Amadou Cisse said the new regulations will improve the sector’s efficiency and transparency.

Dahabshiil Chief Executive Officer Abdirashid Duale said they are ready to work with the African Union for the benefit of the larger African community that benefit from remittances from the Diaspora.

Dahabshiil, the largest African money transfer business, operates in over 126 countries and complies with all relevant international laws regulations and industry best practice, including antimoney laundering, counter-terrorist financing and know your customer regulations. It specifically serves Africa’s more remote regions.

“We want to disclose more information about remittance service cost so that consumers can benefit from lower

cost of remittance,” Cisse said on the sidelines of the Diaspora Homecoming Reception in Nairobi.

According to a 2015 survey conducted by research group AIR, Africa has the highest cost of remittance in the world.

“On average, it cost 12 per cent to send funds into Africa compared to less than five percent in other regions of the world,” said Cisse.

“This means that if you send 100 U.S. dollars from Europe to Africa, the remittance service provider will on average charge a fee of 12 dollars,” he added.

According to the AU, remittances are now a bigger source of Africa’s capital inflows compared to Foreign Direct Investment or Overseas Development Assistance. The leading recipient of Diaspora funds in Africa are Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and Senegal.

“Remittances play a crucial part in the development of many of the 100 plus countries we operate in. They are part of the global economy, they are part of life and their needs need to be taken care of,” said Duale.

missed the latest ranking.

The Banker report ranks the world’s top lenders based on a number of parameters, including deployment of capital, use of shareholder funds and profitability. The report states that KCB, Kenya’s largest bank by assets, is the world’s 846th largest while Equity Bank is 990th having climbed nine places from position 999 in 2014. The 2014 Banker report says Equity Bank had the highest return on capital in Africa at 54.9 per cent while KCB was fifth with a rate of 39.5 per cent. Statistics can be numbing at times, but to elaborate just

where Kenyan banks are in relation to world economies, data from the CBK shows that Kenyan lenders had an average return on assets of 4.7 per cent last year — higher than the best performing lenders in Asia, Middle East, Central and South America.

Despite this achievement, the false narrative that Kenya’s banking sector is sinking has spread so far and wide. Even folks who have otherwise been friendly to free-markets are buying into it.

Part of the reason why people don’t know what to do with their money kept in the banks in the face of Chase

bank’s debacle is the lack of trust in the regulator, CBK. Banks like Equity, KCB and Cooperative also haven’t done enough to tell their success stories in the global arena to help reassure the public about their competency and calm nerves and therefore, should also take part of the blame.

One factor that helped make Kenya the new gold standard in banking in Africa and by extension, the world is the attainment of nearly 85 per cent financial inclusion, largely due to innovations such as mobile banking and agency banking.

The introduction of M-Shwari - a partnership between Commercial Bank of Africa and Safaricom and agency banking services in Kenya helped the country to boost total bank accounts by two million to 17.6 million in 2012.

Today, the country is at a ‘payments ready’ stage when it comes to adoption of financial services, with 85 per cent of adults holding a bank, mobile, prepaid or other payment product.

Agency banking has made it easier for customers in Kenya to access financial services by allowing them to do their banking activities at non-bank locations. For a bank like Equity, being listed as the eighth best performing bank in the world in terms of ROA should be a source of pride. But because it isn’t shouting about this, people are in the dark letting panic ride roughshod over Kenyans.

Venezuela announces daily power cuts in latest anti-drought move Venezuela is introducing power cuts of four hours a day from next week to deal with a worsening energy crisis that has hit the Latin American nation.

The cuts will last for 40 days as the country struggles under a severe drought limiting hydroelectric output.

It is the latest setback to Venezuela’s economy which has been hit by a sharp fall in the price of its main export, oil.

The country’s main brewer, Polar, also says it will stop production because it has no dollars to buy grain abroad.

The company, which produces 80 per cent of the country’s beer, says 10,000 workers will be affected by the stoppage.

Announcing the restrictions on Thursday, Energy Minister Luis Dominguez said the hours of suspension would be published on a daily basis in newspapers and on ministerial websites. He added that the cuts would not happen between 20:00 and midday.

Venezuela’s energy crisis has been deepening all this year. In February,

shopping malls were told to reduce their opening hours and generate their own energy.

President Nicolas Maduro has accused the country’s business elite of colluding with the US to wreck the economy.

He has accused the President of Polar, Lorenzo Mendoza, of being allied to the opposition which now dominates the Venezuelan Parliament against him. Many businessmen and opposition politicians blame the

energy crisis and shortages of basic goods on government economic mismanagement. They say tough currency controls introduced in 2003 by the late president, Hugo Chavez have only made this worse.

Venezuela’s economy is in dire straits, suffering from spiralling inflation, shortages of some basic goods and dwindling revenue from oil.

The countries almost exclusive relies on oil, the price of which has fallen sharply.

Venezuelan Ministry of Education headquarters shut to ration electric energy due to the current drought, in Caracas.

WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016

ACCESS

B

orn in the city of Minneapolis to musician parents in 1958, Prince would go on to become one of the biggest artistes in the world, selling more than 100 million records globally.

His first album For You was released in 1978. Just three years later, the 21-yearold was being compared to musical greats like Elvis Presley, with the New York Times hailing him as one of the most controversial but exceptional artiste to hit the music scene. “... [Prince] is the most controversial contemporary rock star precisely because he challenges sexual and racial stereotypes,” the newspaper pronounced.

“And his music confounds racial categories by combining elements of white pop and rock with black dance rhythms.”

Rest in Purple,

Here we rounded up some of the most interesting little-known facts about the artiste Once Again known as Prince… lHis name really was Prince. Prince Rogers Nelson to be exact. l He went door-to-door for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Prince was introduced to the religion by the musician Larry Graham. l He was a Ping-Pong ace. In 2014, the Associated Press reported that a PingPong table was a centerpiece outside the recording studios l He also had game: While he was barely over 5 feet tall, he was a baller. l He would wear platform flip-flops with socks and yoga pants: It’s a style that he

long appreciated l He didn’t use profanity. He explained it in a 2014 interview with Essence, “Did you ever hear Muhammad Ali curse? Would you curse in front of your kids? To your mother?” l He had his own private hair salon. In an interview with the U.K.’s Daily Mail, his ex-wife Mayte Garcia said that their home had its own hair salon, which she was never allowed to use. “ l He lost a son. In 1996, a son he had with Garcia passed away shortly after birth, “Boy Gregory” was the name on the baby’s birth certificate.

10

ACCESS

WEEKEND WEDNESDAY EDITION, 26th NOVEMBER APRIL 22-24, 2014 2016

STYLE LESSONS FROM FLOTUS

FASHIONscoop

INSIDE YOUR CLOSET

W

hether she’s stepping out on the red carpet at a formal function or she’s just headed out for a walk with Barack, we’ve come to love how Michelle always manages to give an elegant look her own surprising spin.

With some heavy-hitting designers in her service (Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren, and Tom Ford), we’ve come

iconic looks, there is still plenty to ●A Dress Looks Totally Different

When You Throw Something Unexpected on Top. ●Give an Old Dress New Life by Adding a Belt or Sweater. ●Keep All Eyes on Your Dress by Choosing Simple Shoes ●A Brooch on a dress Is a Lot More Chic Than You Think. ●Never Feel Obligated to Blend In.

whenever she steps out of the White House.

While we may not have the occasion You Can Dress Your Age and Still Have Fun With it.

@mercy_x254

Also, keep the bar high according to your societal role.

If You’ve Got a Favorite Body Part, Flaunt It.

Sometimes It Takes a Pop of Color to Stand Out From the Crowd.

Sometimes All About the Accessories.

EAST AFRICAN RELEASES

WILLY PAUL

AMOS & JOSH

RANK

TITLE

ARTISTE

1 2

Take It Slow Nyoso

Willy Paul Ft Sautisol Kenzo

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Nairobi Party

Bigpin Amos and Josh Antoneosoul Warda Dazlah Frasha, Gabu Ft Dj Joe Mfalme Ahadi Zako Salamu Tmk

Motomoto Katakata Talk Nitalia Wabe Dela Mfuko

ACCESS

WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016

celebchat

I am plannIng to explore Into mentorshIp for women.

There is a new artiste in town, her name is Akothee. She has unsettled the statusquo and she tells XAccess why that is just a tip of the iceberg.

W

hy are you this aggressive?

Hehehe I am aggressive because I know my worth. I know who I am and I am not afraid to explore. But I think I am mostly misunderstood.

Why do you say so?

Why? Have you been online lately? Have you seen the kind of BC posted there? Do you know there is a page called Illuminati with my picture on it?

Why? I don’t know but let me set the record straight. Even Illuminati can not enroll lazy people! Many people online are lazy and want free things. When they see success they imagine there can be an easy road. There isn’t. To be successful one must be ready to work hard.

But you said these are your fans???

I know I have genuine fans but I also know there are those who are hiding behind that veil.

I thank my real fans and I am hoping that we can grow this music e m p i r e together.

WHAT MAKES

What’s in your in-tray?

Work. Work. Work.

After my two successful collaborations I am looking into making more music and working on the next album. It will no doubt be better.

What else?

I am planning to explore into mentorship for women. My inbox is awash daily with young women asking for advice and wanting to be better. As a woman who has worked her way up, I feel the need to share that knowledge.

How do you plan on doing that?

I am talking with some development partners to sponsor a forum. The first one should be happening in about two months. We shall gather for a conference and mentoring session. I will call upon fellow young inspirational women in my industry to participate.

Let’s talk about your online comments…

I say what I feel like because I believe there is freedom of speech. I also think I have a right to be real.

Recently there has been a lot of hate, incidentally from women, what is your take?

I take it in stride. I can’t keep justifying my wealth or lack of. That story is now tired. I would like to talk about my music and how I plan to expand my empire to help others because I realize I am blessed.

Have you moved permanently to Nairobi?

Yes I have. My kids are now schooling here and I am also looking to set up an office here.

Very soon I will put up a studio too because music is where my passion lies. But you also know I am a business woman, my other businesses are still running smoothly.

What should fans expect from Akothee?

I am working in progress. I am learning daily and trying to be better at this trade. I hope the next album is well received but also I plan several performances to get closer to fans and popularize my current album. Let’s just say I am looking forward to fun times.

11

CLASSIFIED WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016

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WEATHERFORECAST FRIday 22/4/2016

sunny

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27ºC 86%

SATURday 23/4/2016

More sun than clouds

27 6:29 am 6:33 pm

27ºC 80%

6:29 am 6: 33 pm

SUNday

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

12

SPORT 13

When sporting skills and talent converge WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016

Colombians Sara Perez Beltran and Erick Caicedo Ruiz perform at the platform mixed competition of the South American Diving Tournament in Medellin, Colombia yesterday. PHOTO: LUIS EDUARDO NORIEGA/EPA

Kenya beats Wada deadline as Anti Doping Bill is signed into law

Chicago White Sox infielder Brett Lawrie (R) steps over Los Angeles Angeles of Aneheim outfielder Mike Trout (L) after forcing him out and turning a double play on Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim designated hitter Albert Pujols in the eighth inning of their MLB game at US Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA yesterday. The Angels defeated the White Sox. PHOTO: TANNEN MAURY/ EPA

President Uhuru Kenyatta has today signed the Anti-Doping Bill into law, beating the May 2, 2016 deadline set by the World Anti-Doping Agency for Kenya to enact anti-doping laws.

The signing ceremony which took place at State House Nairobi, was witnessed by prominent sportsmen and women led by the Cabinet Secretary of Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario.

Speaking during the ceremony, President Kenyatta made it clear that signing of the law was not an end by itself but rather the continuation of his government’s efforts to stand against cheating and corruption in the sporting and athletics arena.

“As I’ve repeatedly emphasised, Kenya is 100 percent committed to ensuring total compliance with international regulations on sports and athletics, be they set by WADA, IAAF, the International Olympic Committee or any other International Organisation,” said President Kenyatta.

He said Kenya is committed to ensuring that Kenyan sports teams compete

by the book because “we believe that across the board, Kenyans are more than able to win fairly.”

He pointed out that cheating in whatever way is a disservice to the potential of players and the talent of athletes.

He expressed confidence that WADA will look upon the passage of the anti-doping law favourably as a sign of Kenya’s unwavering commitment to meeting the highest international standards.

“Yet even as our national leadership takes these necessary steps to compliance, I want to urge our athletes and sportsmen and women to hold themselves to the highest possible code of conduct,” said the President.

He said Kenyan athletes have earned reputation as sportsmen and women of the highest stature through hard work over the years.

“That reputation has been earned diligently through the exertion and effort, sweat and sacrifices of many hardworking men and women,” he said.

However President Kenyatta made it clear that those who breach the law will be punished without fear of favour.

He said the law will not only apply to individually athletes and players but to teams too.

The President did not spare the Kenya Football Federation which was recently accused of fielding over age players which led to Kenya being thrown out of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“This kind of issue is simply unacceptable for a federation of its calibre, and let us not sugar-coat it – it is cheating. It is breaking the rules. And if the federation does not know the rules, then that is carelessness” he said.

Deputy President William Ruto said the new law is very important as it is an instrument that will make sure Kenyans sportsmen and women compete and win fairly without suspicion.

Also present were Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, Leader of Majority Aden Duale and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Sports.

14

SPORT

Uhuru rewards 7s team with Sh10 million WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016

President Uhuru Kenyatta has rewarded the Kenya Sevens team with Sh10 million after their conquest at the eighth leg of the HSBC World Series in Singapore where they won the main cup for the first time ever after a 17-year wait.

While congratulating the team for the feat and announcing the Sh10 million reward, Mr Kenyatta also directed the union and sponsors Kenya Airways to ensure the players are paid all their pending dues.

He also promised to support the team in their remaining tours as well as towards the Olympics.

“We shall also ensure that all their dues even from some of parastatals who have been supporting them, but wameanza kuregarega they will get what is rightfully theirs because you have given what is rightfully ours by making us proud and putting us on the world map,” President Kenyatta said.

He received the team at State House where they addressed the press and thereafter had a private dinner together.

There was a light moment when Sevens head coach Benjamin Ayimba requested the President to turn back the hand of time to his rugby playing days at St. Mary’s High School and do a dummy line out with the players.

Though he appeared uneasy on the first attempt, he finally agreed upon convincing from Ayimba and the Head of State was perhaps consoled by the strong arms of captain Andrew Amonde and utility Willy

Ambaka who lifted him for the line out with vice captain Collins Injera throwing.

The President received a thunderous applause from the players and guests after successfully plucking the ball off the air and offloading it to the Sports, Arts and Culture Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario.

In his address, the President congratulated the team for their efforts in Singapore and expressed confidence they would take the form to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.

“Mine is just to congratulate you to say on behalf of all Kenyans that we are grateful for what you’ve done. Truly and I think I speak on behalf of many millions of Kenyans who last Sunday watched this most dramatic final; what has been happening in the past with all other tournaments, some of us had begun to lose hope,” President Kenyatta told the boys as he addressed them at State House.

“When we saw Saturday happen then we saw ourselves on Sunday, some of us were not ready to believe it, but it was beyond doubt that it was a beautiful Sunday for all Kenyans.

I thank these lads for the brilliant work they have done,” President Kenyatta added.

The team was accompanied by officials from the Kenya Rugby Union, ministry officials, sponsors and other dignitaries.

MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

President Uhuru Kenyatta does a dummy line-out with Rugby Sevens Players at State House, Nairobi when he hosted them for dinner yesterday. The president rewarded the team with Sh10 million.

SPORT 15 WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016

Everton seeks FA Cup redemption against Manchester United Embattled Everton boss Roberto Martinez says his team will overcome their poor run in the premier League and upset Manchester United when the two teams meet in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley tomorrow.

Everton lies eleventh in the Premier League with just 41 points from 34 games and manager Martinez knows everyone is feeling hurt.

“As a group we share incredible togetherness,” he says.

“You are not going to get positive reports when the team is losing matches. We need to forget about the league, we have put in strong work for 10 months and want to repair the hurt everyone at the club is feeling, from the fans to the players,” he said in his pre-match conference today.

Martinez backline remains uncertain following Wednesday’s sending off of Ramiro Funes Mori for a nasty challenge on Liverpool striker Divork Origi.

Seamus Coleman will miss the semi-final against United but midfielder Gareth Barry and defenders Phil Jagielka and John Stones will have late fitness tests.

The manager however said Phil Jagielka is likely to be available having missed recent matches with a hamstring injury.

He said: “Knowing Phil he is desperate to play but we are not going to say no and we are going to look at his feelings

rather than the injury. We are quite positive about John,” he added. Asked whether he expects positive results given their current poor run in the League, Martinez said people should look at the many situations that “we have turned moods around’.

“We have had blows and reacted in a good manner. We had that against West Ham and bounced straight back in the quarter-final. It’s how you react in the low moments.

Being in the semi-final of the FA Cup is an opportunity we are not going to take lightly,” he said.

“When you get bad results you will face scrutiny. We don’t accept mediocrity and are not happy with our performances in the league. There is a strong feeling in the dressing room and want to be ready for what will be an incredible footballing occasion,” he added.

Asked about whether the team has moved on from the 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool and if he intends to take any further action against defender Ramiro Funes Mori after his red card in the Merseyside derby.

He says: “No, I had a conversation with Ramiro. With the proximity of the semi-final, the preparation has been about the next game. We’ve moved on from it. It’s very much about moving quickly, the next game is too close to dwell on that.” peter_x254

Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard challenges Everton’s Ross Barkley during their English Premier League match at Old Trafford early this month. The two teams meet again tomorrow at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final.

PHOTO: NIGEL RODDIS/EPA

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