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MONday, APRIL 4, 2016 | www.x254.co

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state to de-gazette 81,000 hectares of forest land Cabinet Secretary judy Wakhungu says the plan is to have all natural resources conserved from possible encroachment and interference by human beings

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NEWS

Manchester United close in on a top four finish with win over everton

West indies stun england to make history by retaining world twenty20 title in india

Rawal named in global tax evasion ring of world’s elite

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eputy Chief Justice Kalpana Rawal has been named in leaked documents showing how hundreds of thousands of people, including world leaders, celebrities, athletes and criminals hid money using anonymous shell corporations across the world.

11 million documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca has listed the Supreme Court Judge alongside 72 current and former heads of states including the Icelandic Prime Minister, Sigmundur Gunnlaugson, who had an undeclared interest linked to his wife’s wealth and is now facing calls for his resignation.

The files also reveal a suspected billion-dollar money laundering ring involving close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Rawal has been linked to a string of shell companies registered in the notorious Caribbean tax haven which is also popular drug dealers.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Jubilee upbeat ahead of ICC ruling on Ruto

Jubilee MPs have expressed confidence that the International Criminal Court will let both Deputy President William Ruto and his coaccused off the hook when it gives a ruling on the duo’s no-case to answer motion tomorrow.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

EACC seeks to lock out crowds from summons

Deputy Chief Justice Kalpana Rawal. Leaked documents from Panamian law firm Mossack Fonseca have listed her among world’s elite leaders with undeclared interests in firms suspected of tax evasion.

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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission now wants those who accompany graft suspects summoned to Integrity Center for grilling be barred from doing so.

In a request to MPs, the commission wants the legislators to make it a criminal offence to accompany any suspect summoned for questioning in relation to investigations on corruption.

EACC chief executive Halakhe Waqo last week told the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee that the commission always has difficult time in controlling the crowd that usually accompany graft suspects.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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NEWS MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

EACC seeks to lock out crowds from grilling of graft suspects

From Page 1 “We have tried to discourage that behavior especially by governors to come to our offices accompanied by a large number of supporters but nothing has changed. We have even tried to use police to restrain them from accompanying governors but that too has not worked,” Waqo said.

He cited an incident where a governor cause a traffic snarl up for the whole day around the commission’s office when he was being interrogated.

“There were supporters all over, people dancing and making noise, this does not represent a good picture for the country,” he lamented.

He however said the commission will not cow in doing its work. “We cannot be threatened by anyone in the process of doing our work,” he said even as he blamed the judiciary for delaying the prosecution of those arraigned in court.

“The courts are our greatest problem.

We have taken governors to court but they always get court injunctions to bar us from proceeding with our duty and we need your help in that area if indeed we have to effectively do our work,” Waqo told the committee chaired by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga.

Among the governors who have sought court injunctions barring EACC from proceeding with their investigations include Murang’a’s Mwangi wa Iria and Nairobi’s Evans Kidero.

High Court barred the Anti-graft commission from charging wa Iria with obstructing detectives probing corruption allegations against the county government.

In January this year, armed detectives

Women dance outside Integrity Center after escorting former devolution CS Anne Waiguru for grilling by EACC detectives.

The commission now wants MPs to enact a law criminalising the behaviour.

from EACC conducted search at wa Iria’s residences where they carted away documents.

During the search, supporters of the governor allegedly grabbed the documents from the detectives and ran away with them.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and his wife, Susan Mboya, also got court orders stopping the commission from investigating their bank account held at the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA).

The committee’s vice chairperson

Priscilla Nyokabi said if the practice is distracting EACC from doing its work then parliament might decide to make it an offence.

“Don’t give up in fighting corruption, parliament is here to help you in any way you want. If you want us to make a law barring governors from being accompanied by a crowd then we will make it a criminal offence,” Nyokabi said.

Nyokabi said parliament will not hesitate to assist the commission in fighting graft using any legislative

method.

Waqo challenged the legislators to desist from the practice as some of them also accompany those called by the commission for grilling.

“Corruption is not and has never been a collective responsibility, let those coming to the commission come on their own,” Waqo said.

“It is not only members of the public who accompany Governors but also MPs and Senators, so I don’t know where as a commission we will turn for help,” he said. sam_x254

State to repossess 81,000 hectares of illegally forest land The government will de-gazette 81,000 hectares of forest land which was illegally settled on or acquired by fraudsters, Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu has said.

She said the plan by government is to have all natural resources conserved away from human beings interference.

The Cabinet Secretary said a number of Kenya’s natural resources have been tampered with causing catastrophic effects, some of which have already been felt in the country.

Speaking at Karura forest at the weekend during the Green Belt Movement (GBM) tree planting ceremony in honour of Prof Wangari Mathaai, Wakhungu said each forest land case will be determined separately.

She termed the recent reports in one of the local media that the Cabinet had made a decision to take 17, 000 hectares of the Mau Forest ‘erroneous and irresponsible’ “The Cabinet cannot decide on cases of de – gazettement but recommend to the relevant authorities to do their own assessment before it is tabled in Parliament for approval,” she said.

Wakhungu urged the media to seek the truth before rushed publication, adding that the reports have elicited unnecessary tension from some leaders.

Leaders from the Maasai community and members last week protested a Cabinet proposal to hive off 17,000 hectares of the Maasai Mau Forest, terming it a threat to the environment.

They called on the Government to clarify the decision reprimanding that the community was not involved.

However, Wakhungu maintained that the Cabinet decision had not been reached as it has to go to Parliament for approval.

She praised the late Prof Wangari Mathaai’s efforts in environmental conservation adding that her ministry would work towards achieving the ten per cent forest cover in line with the Vision 2030.

US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec urged all stakeholders to stand against grabbing of public land, preserve and protect the natural environment by planting trees and protect wildlife to build a better world for future hillary_x254 generations.

DCJ Rawal named in global tax evasion ring of world’s elite From Page 1 She is said to have been a director or shareholder of four companies and was actively involved in two of them after she was appointed High Court judge.

Her husband, Hasmukhrai Rawal, was a director or shareholder of seven other companies. Three were used to buy and sell property worth millions of shillings in the United Kingdom.

Rawal and her husband were directors of two companies based in the British Virgin Islands before she joined Kenya’s Supreme Court. The family used other offshore companies to buy and sell real estate in London and Surrey, the documents say.

According to the documents provided by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Mr Rawal was the sole director and shareholder of Montague Real Estate, which bought an apartment in London for Sh114 million in 2004. The flat was later sold

in 2006.

He was also the sole director and shareholder of Arklyn International Ltd. The company bought two London apartments, including one for Sh169 million in 2005, which was sold for Sh237 million in 2011.

The same company also bought another flat in London for Sh160 million in 2005 and sold it for Sh218 million in 2012.

Mr Rawal resigned as a director and shareholder in 2011 and all his shares were transferred to Buchanan Ltd. The documents claim Justice Rawal’s personal involvement was in four companies including Forrell Real Estate Inc where she was listed as a director from 2001 to 2007.

Another is Rocklane Properties Ltd where was a director from 2001 to 2003, Ubique Services Ltd where she was listed as both a director and

shareholder in 1994 and Highworth Management Services where she was listed as a shareholder in 1995.

But Justice Rawal said she has not been involved with the family businesses except for generally knowing they were involved in real estate.

She said has never had “any involvement direct or indirect and have no interest or control” in the other companies.

Mossack Fonseca is one of the world’s most secretive companies and has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax.

Gerard Ryle, director of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), said the documents covered the day-to-day business at Mossack Fonseca over the past 40 years.

“I think the leak will prove to be probably the biggest blow the offshore world has ever taken because of the extent of the documents,” he said.

British media have dubbed the heist the “Crime of the Century.” With the loot from England remaining a mystery that continues to fascinate students of England’s underworld.

African leaders whose kins and very close allies have been named as directors of the secret accounts include Joseph Kabila of Congo, Former Egyptia President Hosni Mubarak, Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, former Ghanian President John Kufuor, former dictator and President of Guinea Lansana Conte, King Mohamed VI of Morocco, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and South African President Jacob Zuma.

The leaked documents will heap more pressure on justice Rawal to quit the judiciary with a case already in court to determine whether she ought to have retired altogether or not. peter_x254

NE WS 3 NEWS MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Uhuru, Hollande talks to focus on terror After the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, Kenyans like many other people around the world expressed their solidarity with the grieving nation by overlaying their Facebook profile pictures with a whitewashed image of the French flag.

Kenyans are themselves no strangers to terror and had in April of the same year lost 148 in an Al Shabaab attack on the Garissa University College.

And according to President Kenyatta’s Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu, it is against this background and in its context that President Uhuru Kenyatta and French President Francois Hollande will hold talks on Monday.

“Both the French people and the Kenyan people have experienced firsthand the ineffable pain of incalculable loss at the hands of merciless mercenaries of terror. Both countries have a deeply vested interest in stemming the rise of rabid, violent ideologies,” he said in the run up to the visit.

And it is in the spirit of sharing security resources that President Kenyatta will also be visiting the French Intelligence Services and French Crisis Manage-

President Uhuru Kenyatta is received by French Ambassador to Kenya Remi Marechaux upon his arrival in Paris yesterday. Mr Kenyatta is today expected to hold talks with his host Francois Hollande.

ment Centre. But first, as is customary with State visits, he will receive a guard of honour. As is to be expected, the two leaders will also discuss ways and means of strengthening economic ties between the two countries with a focus on tourism. President Kenyatta who is accompanied by Tourism Cabinet Sec-

retary Najib Balala and officials from the Kenya Tourism Board and Brand Kenya, will be seeking to market Kenya as a worthwhile tourist destination.

He will also meet with French importers to market Kenya’s horticultural products. According to the Presidency, France currently ranks as the sixth

Jubilee Coalition upbeat ahead of ICC no-case-to-answer ruling against Ruto CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In a joint statement by members of the ruling coalition’s MPs and senators, the leaders said they expect the ICC judges to give and independent and fair verdict. The statement signed

by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and Senate’s deputy Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen also warned the court against “using its agents in the country in the name of the civil society” to twist justice. “We take great exception with some reports appearing in the section of the media suggesting that the ruling is already out there when the judges have not pronounced themselves on the matter,” read the statement. “The reports are a gross violation of the basic values of the Rome Statute and fundamental principles of law

and independence of the court,” they continued.

At the same time, they have also asked the judges to ignore being swiveled by international and local political actors who are bending on a predetermined decision.

“When we subscribed to the Rome Statute, we believed that these rights would be the basis of our engagement and that the ICC would always be guided by them. We believe having considered and weighed evidence by the prosecution and the Defense, the judges will be guided by the facts at their disposal and above all the truth in determining the case.”

The crucial no-case-to- answer decision is expected to be delivered tomorrow.

Both Sang and Ruto also said they are expecting a favourable

ruling. “I have no doubt whatsoever in my mind that this issue will soon be behind us. Just continue praying for us,” Ruto told worshippers at the AIC Pioneer Church in Eldoret where he attended a service yesterday.

Mr Ruto and Mr Sang are accused of crimes against humanity consisting of murder, deportation or forceful transfer of populations and persecution which they are alleged to have committed during the 2007/08 post-election violence.

The deputy president has been excused from attending the ruling at the Hague-based court since he is holding the fort for President Uhuru Kenyatta who is in Paris at the start of a two-nation European tour. Mr Kenyatta arrived in Paris last evening and will also head to Germany from France.

Deputy President William Ruto (second right) is flanked by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkon and Nandi governor Cleopas Lagat at a chruch service in Eldoret yesterday.

largest investor in Kenya with Kenya being the biggest oversees beneficiary of French development Assistance.

The United Kingdom however ranks first on the list of Kenya’s biggest foreign investors and as a source market for tourists; hardly surprising given the two countries’ intertwined histo-

ries. According to Esipisu however, UK Prime Minister David Cameron may have to put off his visit to Kenya, planned for June, on account of the June 23 referendum on whether Britain should remain a part of the EU.

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NEWS MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

NEWS BRIEFS Muslim family was ordered off US flight A Muslim family is requesting a formal apology from United Airlines after being removed from a flight at Chicago O’Hare International Airport last month.

After a discussion with a flight attendant about how to secure a child booster seat, United employees said the family needed to leave the plane because of “a safety of flight issue,” according to a YouTube video posted by the mother, Eaman- Amy Saad Shebley.

“We are tired of Muslim-looking passengers being removed from flights for the flimsiest reasons, under a cryptic claim of ‘security’,” said Ahmed Rehab of the the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations (CAIR), which is representing the family.

United said it was all about the booster seat. “They were originally scheduled to fly on SkyWest 5811, operating as United Express from Chicago O’Hare to Washington, D.C., but we rebooked them on a later flight because of concerns about their child’s safety seat, which did not comply with federal safety regulations,” United said in a formal statement. “Both United and SkyWest hold our employees to the highest standards of professionalism and have zero tolerance for discrimination.”

US targets al-Shabaab chief in attack The US military says it has targeted a vehicle carrying three al-Shabab militants in a drone strike in Somalia. A Pentagon spokesman named the main target as Hassan Ali Dhoore, accused of organising recent bomb attacks in which US personnel were killed. US officials say they are still assessing the results of the strike near Jilib, which is close to the border with Kenya. AlShabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, is waging an armed insurgency in Somalia. The Pentagon said the US had been watching Dhoore, a member of the militant group’s security and intelligence wing who was involved in planning attacks in Mogadishu, for some time. He had overseen attacks on Mogadishu airport and a hotel as well as a targeted assassination that killed at least three US citizens, one Somali MP with dual citizenship, spokesman Peter Cook said. “Removing Dhoore from the battlefield would be a significant blow to al-Shabab’s operational planning and ability to conduct attacks,” said Mr Cook.

Anti-apartheid crusaders put pressure for Zuma to resign

A South African anti-apartheid veteran has called on President Jacob Zuma to resign following a scandal over improper spending at his private home.

Ahmed Kathrada, who was jailed alongside Nelson Mandela, said that Mr Zuma’s resignation would end a “crisis of confidence” in the government.

Mr Zuma said on Friday he would repay the money but would remain in his post. He has faced widespread calls for his resignation from South Africa’s opposition. South Africa’s highest court ruled that Mr Zuma had failed to uphold the constitution by ignoring instructions to repay some of the $16m in state funds spent on renovations at his private residence.

In a televised address on Friday, Mr Zuma made no reference to the calls for his resignation. The leadership of Mr Zuma’s party, the African National Congress, said it was united behind its leader, but the intervention of 86-year-old Mr Kathrada, a party veteran, may carry weight. Along with Mr Mandela, Mr Kathrada was among eight ANC activists sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of trying to overthrow the apartheid government during the 1963-1964 Rivonia Trial. In an open letter published in South African media, Mr Kathrada said: “In the face of such persistently widespread criticism, condemnation and demand, is it asking too much to express the hope that you will choose the correct

EMBATTLED: South African President Jacob Zuma.

He is under pressure to resign for improper spending at his private home.

PHOTO: EPA

way that is gaining momentum, to consider stepping down? “I know that if I were in the president’s shoes, I would step down with immediate effect.” The scandal is arguably the biggest yet to hit Mr Zuma, who has fended off accusations of corruption and cronyism since before he took office in 2009. The public protector, an anti-corruption body, ruled in 2014 that $23m of public money had

Greece begins migrant expulsions to Turkey

The first boats carrying migrants being deported from Greece to Turkey have departed under an EU plan aimed at easing mass migration to Europe.

Scores of migrants were seen boarding ferries on the Greek island of Lesbos early on Monday.

They are being sent to Dikili, western Turkey. Turkish officials said they expected to receive around 500 people. The EU-Turkey deal has been attacked by rights groups and there are concerns over a lack of preparation. Migrants in Greece have complained of a lack of information about the asylum procedure and some said they were unaware they could be returned.

The EU agency responsible for escorting people back across the Aegean has less than one-tenth of the staff needed to do the job, the Associated Press reported. Another ferry carrying migrants to Turkey is

also due to leave the Greek island of Chios on Monday.

Under the deal, migrants arriving illegally in Greece are expected to be sent back to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or if their claim is rejected.

For each Syrian migrant returned to Turkey, the EU is due to take in another Syrian who has made a legitimate request.

Turkey won financial and political concessions as part of the agreement.

The arrangement has alarmed rights groups, who say Turkey is not a safe country for migrants.

Amnesty International has accused Turkey of illegally returning Syrians to their homeland, something Turkey denies. Save the Children called the deal “illegal and inhumane”, saying people told them they would kill themselves if sent back to Turkey.

been improperly spent on Mr Zuma’s rural home in Nkandla in KwaZuluNatal province, and ordered him to reimburse part of the expense. The president claimed he had acted “in good faith” and “never knowingly and deliberately set out to violate the constitution”. “Any action that has been found not to be in keeping with the constitution happened because of a different approach and different

legal advice,” he said, before issuing an apology for the “frustration” caused.

The case had been brought by two opposition parties, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA).

They have launched impeachment proceedings against Mr Zuma, but these are unlikely to be successful because of the ANC’s large majority in parliament.

Garissa victims remembered Kenyans on Saturday marked the first anniversary of the massacre of 147 people at Garissa University College.

Thousands gathered at the college with about 100 taking part in a run to commemorate the victims.

They later held prayers and candlelight vigils in Garissa while similar rituals were also conducted in Nairobi and elsewhere, led by government officials.

Four al-Shabab militants shot students in their dormitories before rounding up and killing dozens more. It was the deadliest attack in Kenya since alQaeda’s bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi in 1998, which killed

213 people. The participants in the commemorative run wore T-shirts bearing peace slogans.

One of the organisers of the run, Ali Awdoll, told the BBC that the attack had made a lasting impression on the residents of Garissa. “As we try to mourn the innocent lives, it’s like it happened yesterday.

The images of the dead bodies keep on playing in my mind. It was really a traumatising experience.” He said the runners were participating as “a gesture of the peace and humanity that we lost... there is no ‘we’ and ‘they’ in this whole thing - we are humanity and we all have one common enemy - the terrorists are our common enemy”. Garissa Township MP Aden Duale was one of those taking part.

He said: “Together as a country, from the north to the south to the west to east, from the Muslims to Christians... together we must fight all forms of terror.”

Security was tight in and around the college in Garissa as the commemoration took place.

NEWS 5

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Morning newspaper summaries Why Raila skipped Foreign deals of Kenya’s Wetang’ula; Raila hasn’t Wetang’ula’s big day in big names exposed: Deputy told me why he didn’t Justice Kalpana Rawal has been linked Kakamega: Cord could be headed for Chief come: Coalition for Reforms and to a string of shell companies registered in

New rules to curb use of shell companies in tender frauds: Kenyan

Ruto says he’s confident Ruto upbeat ahead of ICC case will end soon: Deputy ruling: Deputy President William Ruto

UK government now turns its guns on Moi-era looters: The British government has

a major falling out as details emerge of why ODM leader Raila Odinga skipped Saturday’s chaotic presidential launch by Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula in Kakamega. The Star has established that political tensions within the opposition coalition are at an unprecedented high, amid concerns that Wetang’ula plans to decamp ahead of the 2017 general election. Such a move would complicate Raila’s own presidential bid.

a notorious Caribbean tax haven popular with tax dodgers, dictators and drug dealers.

She was a director or shareholder of four companies and was actively involved in two of them after she was appointed High Court judge. Her husband, Mr Hasmukhrai Rawal, was a director or shareholder of seven other companies. Three were used to buy and sell property worth millions in the UK.

President WIilliam Ruto yesterday said he is confident the ICC case against him will end soon. Speaking ahead of the ICC ruling tomorrow on the no-case-to-answer application, he said he is grateful that many Kenyans have been praying for him. “I want to say thanks so much for all those who have been praying for me and my brother [journalist Joshua] Sang over the ICC case. I’m confident the issue will be behind us soon,” Ruto said at AIC Pioneer Church in Eldoret.

on Sunday attended a church service at his Eldoret home ahead of a crucial ruling on his no-case-to-answer application at the International Criminal Court on Monday.

Mr Ruto, who spoke at AIC Pioneer Church, said he was optimistic the case against him and journalist Joshua arap Sang would be withdrawn and called for calm ahead of the ruling. “I have no doubt whatsoever in my mind that this issue will soon be behind us,” Ruto said.

Careless motorists and pedestrians have turned Kenyan roads into killing fields.

Motorists have to contend with illegal speed bumps, road-side businesses, vandalism of guard rails and matatu lawlessness. The illegal speed bumps at uncontrolled shopping centers along highways are designed to slow down vehicles to facilitate these roadside businesses. In some cases, contractors have excavated sections of the road, which without signs are death traps for motorists.

KWS may reduce number EACC now wants staff paid of lions in Nairobi park more: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption wants salaries of its members by half: The Kenya Wildlife Service has Commission and staff increased. In a letter to the Salaries

Garissa victims yet to get Sh15m compensation a year after attack: Some parents

launched a study to establish if the Nairobi National Park can safely host its 35 lions.

Director general Kitili Mbathi said they might be forced to move nearly half of the big cats from Nairobi if the survey shows the current number is unsustainable. The move comes after lions consistently escaped from the park for several weeks, culminating in the killing of two last week.

and Remuneration Commission on February 18, EACC says enhanced salaries will boost the morale of its staff, thus its efficiency. In the letter, EACC chief executive Halakhe Waqo cited the sensitivity of their work and the risks they face as some of the justifications for the increase. EACC’s current salary structure has been in place since 2005 which is why, he said, it is unable to attract the professionals it needs.

Democracy co-principal Raila Odinga must heal and reunite the Opposition as he prepares for the pre-election nomination tussle. His skipping of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula’s presidential launch, which ODM officials Sunday insisted was informed by concerns over his, has unsettled the Opposition coalition. Wetang’ula said Raila had not told him why he skipped the Saturday event at Kakamega’s Masinde Muliro Gardens.

How we have turned our roads into death traps:

of students who were killed in the Garissa University terror attack are still yet to be compensated. A year after the attack, the parents took the platform of the Garissa massacre commemoration in Nairobi over the weekend to express their displeasure.

They pointed an accusing finger at Garissa Township MP Aden Duale, who is said to have assured them of Sh15 million set aside by the Government for their compensation.

companies applying for registration are now required to provide detailed information of their location and number of employees as part of a renewed effort to weed out shell companies behind multibillion shilling theft of public funds. The rules, now make it mandatory for a firm to disclose its physical location down to the specific room and floor of a building as opposed to the current provisions.

offered to help Kenya trace and recover assets looted by Moi-era power men named in the Kroll Report even as the risk consulting firm said it has only completed a quarter of the job. UK authorities said they are currently in touch with Nairobi to help identify and seize the more than Sh145 billion looted from taxpayers and stashed in offshore bank accounts and prime real estate purchases in the UK.

Graduates prefer State jobs over private sector:

Kenyan youth prefer government employment over the private sector due to job security and pension, a World Bank survey. A world Bank report released last week says that the job stability of public sector employment carries a high premium and youth are prepared to forego Sh1,700 per month in a private sector job in order to hold a public sector one.

Top stories from X News global partners

Revealed; the $2bn Bribes, Graft and Cover- The centre left is in sharp offshore trail that leads to Ups Have Led to Crisis decline across Europe: “They disappeared. I don’t even know if they Vladimir Putin: A network of in Brazil: The silver-haired senator have have premises here any more.” In his office secret offshore deals and vast loans worth $2bn has laid a trail to Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin. An unprecedented leak of documents shows how this money has made members of Putin’s close circle fabulously wealthy. Though the president’s name does not appear in any of the records, the data reveals a pattern – his friends have earned millions from deals that seemingly could not have been secured without his patronage. The documents suggest Putin’s family has benefited from this money – his friends’ fortunes appear his to spend.

The files are part of an unprecedented leak of millions of papers from the database of Mossack Fonseca and show how the rich and powerful are able to exploit secret offshore tax regimes in myriad ways.

www.theguardian.com

from Brazil’s western frontier was still in his pajamas when federal police agents banged on the door of his suite at the Royal Tulip, the futuristic luxury hotel that serves as a bastion for much of Brazil’s political elite. It was 6 a.m.

The agents were armed with a secret recording that sounded like the plot for a Hollywood thriller. The senator, Delcídio do Amaral, had been caught detailing an elaborate plan for an oilman ensnared in Brazil’s spiraling graft scandal to flee the country on a private plane.

Mr. Amaral, 61, was until his arrest in Brasília that morning in late November the governing party’s most powerful leader in the Senate.

He quickly sought a plea agreement, but prosecutors let him fester in prison for weeks.

www.nytimes.com

overlooking the sun-scorched wharves and cranes of Piraeus, Giorgos Gogos, the head of the dockers’ union, is pondering Pasok, the social-democratic party that for decades dominated the politics of this sprawling Greek port. For years its vote here hovered steadily around 45%. Then came the economic crisis.

At the insistence of European institutions the Pasok government agreed to privatise the container terminal at Piraeus. Appalled workers abandoned the party en masse for the far-left and -right, slashing the socialdemocratic vote to 4% in 2015. Traces of this radicalisation are sprayed across the warehouse walls: hammers and sickles; swastikas; www.economist.com

Sterling fears mount as EU vote nears: The cost of

buying protection against a plunge in the value of sterling after the EU referendum has soared to levels higher than those seen during the 2008 financial crisis, as fears of Brexit mount in financial markets.

With opinion polls narrowing, the UK government is also joining the clamour for insurance against Britain leaving the EU, telling banks they must more than double the size of their bids for buying government debt in an effort to prevent a failure in gilt auctions. The moves suggest investors and companies are becoming less complacent and beginning to take seriously the prospect that Britain might be on a clear path to leave the EU within three months.

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xnews | MONday, APRIL 4, 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

Development Bank to support construction of Kenya pipeline The African Development Bank (AfDB), a multilateral finance institution established to contribute to economic development and social progress across the continent, is ready to act as a lead arranger for financing of Kenya’s planned oil pipeline.

The pipeline seeks to move crude from fields in Turkana, a senior official of the bank has confirmed.

The pipeline is one of the latest moves by the AfDB aimed at boosting development in the country.

It comes at a time when Kenya has been listed among six African countries benefiting from a Sh604 billion American investment through an initiative dubbed Power Africa. Power Africa has partnered with the African Development Bank (AfDB) as well as the World Bank and in an effort to connect 20 million homes and businesses in Africa to the power grid.

Kenya and Uganda have been haggling over which route to choose for an oil export pipeline that Kenya wants to run through its territory rather than neighbouring Tanzania.

According to a report from Reuters, officials from both countries have been ssurveying the region, visiting facilities along the proposed routes, and holding meetings with executives of oil firms in order to reach a final decision.

“Whatever comes out of this conversation, one thing is for sure Kenya will build a pipeline,” said Gabriel Negatu, the Nairobi-based Regional

Director of the AfDB. He said South Sudan would probably link up with Kenya, just based on proximity, as both countries look to pipe its oil out to the world through the proposed port of Lamu, which formed part of a broader infrastructure development plan known as the Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.

“We at the AFDB could consider financing a pipeline through our private sector window,” Negatu told Reuters.

“We have said to the various parties who are interested in the pipeline that we would be happy to be the lead arranger to raise the financing for this pipeline, whichever way it goes.”

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

US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec had said in an announcement in early January that Washington would assist Kenya in raising $18 billion (Sh1.8

trillion), which would be needed to build a pipeline to export crude fuel from the oil fields to the coast in Lamu.

“Kenya needs $18 billion worth of financing, so one of the questions we are discussing is how we can work together with the private sector and governments to raise that sum, to find ways to make certain that this financing become available,” he explained.

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

MEAN 101.4322 144.8272 113.6211 6.5925 33.0848 21.4825

BUY SELL 101.6176 101.5249 145.1400 144.9836 113.8667 113.7439 6.6135 6.6030 33.2439 33.1643 21.6203 21.5514

Equitel increases loan limits through new product Equity Bank, through its online platform Equitel, has launched the “Eazzy Plus Loan” where customers can now borrow up to Sh3 million. The new product will allow subscribers access higher loan amounts that are payable over a longer period of up to 12 months through the Equitel mobile platform. Previously users could borrow up to Sh200,000 repayable in 30 days.

“We believe that in the next few years Equitel will do five more times the number of transactions than all other channels put together,” said Equity Group Holdings Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Mwangi at the group’s 12 Annual General Meeting (AGM) that was held in Nairobi.

The move to launch the product is a response to the growing use of Equitel for accessing loans by the bank’s customers. The bank recently said that 78 per cent of all loans are now accessed through the Equitel service. Dr. Mwangi added that the increased use of Equitel to access credit will benefit users since the loan repayment rate through the mobile platform is better than other channels.

Equitel had 1.7 million customers in 2015 who transacted Sh151 billion, at the same time the value of Equitel loans stood at Sh8.5 billion.

Analysts have in the past said that the bank will increasingly use the mobile platform to further distribute loans to SMEs, a key market for the lender. kevin_x254

BuSINESS DIARY

State losing billions in taxes SME Fest at Kenya International Convention Centre to illicit drinks, says report

Software company Open World Ltd has announced the launch of the 2016 SME Fest, an event that seeks to empower entrepreneurs, aspiring innovators and business owners across the country.

SME Fest 2016 will be held at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, from April 7 to

April 9. Activities will include a 1 Day thought leaders SME Conference targeting 500-plus Delegates, 3 days of Exhibitions targeting 140 Exhibitors, as well as SME Business Matchmaking, targeting 50-plus international Partners and 200 SMEs. Open World Ltd is regional software Development Company focusing on

cloud SME business management tools geared toward empowering SMEs in business management and best practices. In partnership with the SME industry, thought leaders and stakeholders, the group will be hosting the first annual SME Fest 2016.

The Oshwal Education and Relief Board (OERB), in partnership with and the Economic Council of Oshwals (ECO) will host a panel discussion teaching family-owned enterprises how to grow and sustain their business.

The event, to be held on Monday, April 11, 2016 at the Oshwal Centre Auditorium, along Ring Road in Parklands, Nairobi, seeks to address the concern that approximately

only 20 per cent of family owned businesses make it past the second generation.

The event’s organisers have lined up a panel of industry and subject matter heavyweights including Keval Shah, who has had a stellar career within the Sumaria Group family business, and shortly after he was awarded “The Most Innovative CIO in East Africa” by CIO100. He is the current Co-CEO of CloudHop.

The panel also includes Tejal Dodhia the Managing Director of Thika Cloth Mills Ltd, Uday Shah, a partner at RTS Global Partners, Professor Bitange Ndemo, former Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Information and Communication and Paul Ouma, the course director for the Family Business Programme at the Strathmore University, Business School.

Family-owned business discussion at the Oshwal Centre

Kenya is losing billions of shillings in taxes to illegal brews, a new report by Viva Africa Consulting has revealed.

According to the report, the government lost Sh43.7 billion in taxes during the 2013/14 fiscal year.

“The government should have collected Sh 145 billion tax from the industry during the period under review,’’ read part of the report.

The report further indicated that illegal drinks within the country account for 30 per cent of the total alcohol market with legitimate companies representing the remaining 70 per cent.

“Their alcohol are attractive to consumers due to the fact that they are sold cheaper since taxes account for only 50 per cent of the cost of production for illicit alcohol manufactures helping these firms save more,” the report said.

This confirms that taxes continue to remain high contributing to illicit brewing in the country where exercise

tax for beer is valued at Sh 100 per litre while tax for spirits is as high as Sh175 a litre whilst wine stands at Sh150.

However, locally produced and imported drinks are subject to VAT since they are taxable supplies.

The market is also suffering from the importation of alcoholic beverages through the country’s permeable borders, leading to entry of imported material with no duty levies.

To curb such vices, the report urged the government to lower excise duty in a bid to widen the tax net.

East Africa Breweries Limited remains the leading spirit producer while gin remains the fastest growing product among spirits having grown by 34 per cent in 2014 whereas Vodka dominates the Kenyan market.

Last year, the government unveiled a crackdown on the production and distribution of illicit brews, which is still ongoing. enock_x254

BUSINESS 7

WB pushes for stronger fiscal policies MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

The World Bank Group has urged developing nations to implement strong fiscal policies following a partnership with Kenya that has yielded a measure of success.

The Bank Group has worked with Kenya to build capacity within the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to identify and prevent illegal transfer pricing. The program has led to an increase in the number of audit cases completed, revenue collected, and number of cases going to dispute resolution. A transfer pricing adjustment based on advice given by the program resulted in additional tax revenue of $12.9 million (Sh1.3 billion).

During the first quarter o 2016, the Bank Group joined three international partners to launch the Platform for Cooperation on Tax, a formal, collaborative initiative designed to coordinate global tax-related aid, boost developing countries’ ability to build more equitable, efficient tax systems and ensure that the interests of developing countries are heard in the growing international dialogue on tax reform.

The other members of the platform are the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations (UN).

The members of the platform will be responsible for producing cuttingedge research, organizing events, and collaborating with donors, regional organizations, including regional development banks, and regional tax organizations. The platform’s members

will also respond to specific tax-related needs voiced by developing countries, which are seeking both more support in building capacity and greater influence in designing international rules.

“One of the first tasks of this team is to organize a series of consultations with developing countries to listen to their concerns, hear their experiences, and understand the specific hurdles they face in the tax arena. In these consultations, countries are invited to share their experiences, challenges, and objectives in improving DRM, as well as develop an approach for country-level activities

therise

Standard Chartered Bank Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd was the week’s top gainer after edging upwards by 10.27 per cent during the review period. The share price was up to Sh247.00 from the previous week’s close of Sh224.00.

The share price was mainly driven by local investor interest riding on the bonus issue of 1 for every 9 shares held and the attractive dividend of Sh12.50.Year-to-date its share price has gained 26.7 per cent.

thefall

National Bank of Kenya

National Bank of Kenya Ltd was the week’s top losing stock following a 19.2 per cent slide in its share price over the course of the week’s trading. National Bank shares ended the week at a price of Sh11.75 from their previous closing price of Sh14.55.The bank announced poor FY15 numbers marking a loss per share of Sh3.75.

Performance was weighed down by a jump in loan loss provisions and accelerated costs. Its shares have shed 25.4 per cent of their value year-to-date.

Analysis by Amana Capital info@ amanacapital.co.ke

Dennis_x254

and support by development partners,” the Bank said in a statement.

“The Bank Group is actively engaged with countries to improve the equity dimension of their overall fiscal systems by assessing the joint impact of taxation and expenditure programs. For example, policy development lending in Colombia has aimed to ensure improved equity outcomes as part of its support of a tax policy reform,” the statement reads Advisory work in Chile has assessed the impact of recent changes to the corporate income tax law on equity and is currently engaged in ensuring

that spending on education helps to reduce inequality. The Bank Group also provides support through lending and advisory services across the developing world,. Bank Group lending for tax work under active projects amounts to some $500 million, while more than $50 million are being invested on technical assistance accounts. These include the application of behavioral insights to improve tax compliance and increasing the tax base in Guatemala; looking at the incidence of tax policies in South Africa; fiscal technical assistance in China and tax incentives in Sri Lanka; and equity

aspects of tax reform in Colombia.

The Group works with countries on broad international tax and base erosion issues, including but not limited to: tax competition, achieving the right balance between taxing capital and labor, designing efficient tax systems for international traded goods and services, improving the effectiveness of tax incentives, addressing domestic taxing rights on passive income sourced, managing fiscal revenues from natural resource wealth, and bringing small and medium size businesses into the formal tax base.

Dennis_x254

8

BUSINESS

Leaked financial records expose corruption among African leaders MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

A data leak, touted as the largest of its kind in recorded history, has revealed how hundreds of thousands of people, including world leaders, celebrities, athletes, FIFA officials and criminals hid money using anonymous shell corporations across the world.

The cache of 11.5 million records, released by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), shows how a global industry of law firms and big banks sells financial secrecy to politicians, fraudsters and drug traffickers as well as billionaires, celebrities and sports stars. The report further exposes the sons, wives as well as associates of African leaders who have used offshore companies to loot and launder money.

World leaders who have embraced anti-corruption platforms feature in the leaked documents. The files reveal offshore companies linked to Abdeslam Bouchouareb, a member of Parliament in Algeria and the country’s current minister of industry and mines.

Bouchouareb has been the sole owner of the Panamanian company Royal Arrival Corp., which was created in April 2015, since July 2015. The company is said to be used for business activities in Turkey, the United Kingdom and Algeria.

Ian Stuart Kirby who has served as president of the Court of Appeal in Botswana since 2010 had his name come up as one of dozens of shareholders of seven British Virgin Islands companies, including as a shareholder of Bellbrook Estates Limited (May 2005), while he was attorney general of Botswana.

The company undertook unspecified activities in the United Kingdom, according to a 2014 list by Mossack Fonseca of active companies for which it served as registered agent.

The leaked papers also mention Kalpana Rawal, a Kenyan lawyer and a Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya.

Rawal and her husband were directors of two companies based in the British

companies.

The leaked data covers nearly 40 years, from 1977 through the end of 2015. It allows a never-before-seen view inside the offshore world — providing a dayto-day, decade-by-decade look at how dark money flows through the global financial system, breeding crime and stripping national treasuries of tax revenues.

Abdessalam Bouchouareb, Algerian Minister of Industry and Mining sits next to French Foreign Affairs minister Laurent Fabius (right) during a previous event.

Oil producer Petrobras to axe 12,000 jobs

Brazil’s state-run oil producer, Petrobras has said it will cut 12,000 jobs by 2020.

The voluntary layoff programme will help the company, which has struggled with losses following a price-fixing and bribery scandal save $9 billion (Sh914 billion).

The firm has been hit by the global slump in the oil price forcing it into losses for the last two fiscal year and is expected to spend close to $1.23 billion (Sh124 billion) in implementing the job cut plans.

Petrobras has long been one of the biggest employers in Brazil, with more than 80,000 employees.

However, it has seen its business hit by the huge falls in oil prices globally and one of the biggest corruption scandals in the country’s history, which has gone to the heart of the country’s government.

The announcement that 12,000 jobs are to be cut over the next five years is part of an investment plan to turn around the company’s fortunes.

Daniel Gallas, South America business correspondent said, these are not good years for oil companies, as there is an

Virgin Islands before she joined Kenya’s Supreme Court. The family used other offshore companies to buy and sell real estate in London and Surrey.

Rawal said she has not been involved with the family businesses except for generally knowing they were involved in real estate. She said has never had “any involvement direct or indirect and have no interest or control” in the other

oversupply in the market and global prices are hitting record lows.

“But for Petrobras, embroiled in a massive corruption scandal - things are even worse” said Gallas. Adding that the company has recorded two consecutive years of heavy losses and stopped paying dividends. Shares have dropped 50 per cent in value since investigations began.

According to Chief executive Aldemir Bendine’s, Petrobras is drastically reducing its number of employees, assets and investments in order to become competitive again.

“If Petrobras is to become great again, it will first have to turn itself into a smaller and more efficient company,” he said.

Petrobras reported its biggest quarterly loss to date in the final quarter of 2015 to $10.2 billion (Sh1 trillion) after losses at its oil fields and refinery projects.

The corruption scandal involving pricefixing, bribery and political kickbacks over the last two years has dented confidence in the business. Some former Petrobras executives have been jailed.

Most of the services the offshore industry provides are legal if used by the law abiding. But the documents show that banks, law firms and other offshore players have often failed to follow legal requirements that they make sure their clients are not involved in criminal enterprises, tax dodging or political corruption. In some instances, the files show, offshore middlemen have protected themselves and their clients by concealing suspect transactions or manipulating official records.

The documents make it clear that major banks are big drivers behind the creation of hard-to-trace companies in the British Virgin Islands, Panama and other offshore havens. The files list nearly 15,600 paper companies that banks set up for clients who want keep their finances under wraps, including thousands created by international giants UBS and HSBC. The data includes emails, financial spreadsheets, passports and corporate records revealing the secret owners of bank accounts and companies in 21 offshore jurisdictions, from Nevada to Singapore to the British Virgin Islands.

Mossack Fonseca has however told customers not to worry. It said its commitment to its clients’ privacy has always been paramount, and in this regard their confidential information is stored in state-of-the-art data center, and any communication within the global network is handled through an encryption algorithm that complies with the highest world-class standards.

Foreign banks unveil credible plans to sell stakes to Zimbabwean citizens Foreign banks operating in Zimbabwe have submitted credible plans on how they intend to transfer majority shares to locals failure to which government might cancel their licences, the country’s finance minister Patrick Chinamasa has said.

Under an Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, all foreign companies operating in Zimbabwe were given until March 31 to sell at least 51 per cent of their holdings or have their licences cancelled as part of President Robert Mugabe’s black empowerment drive.

According to the country’s Finance Minister, empowerment plans from Barclays Plc, Standard Chartered Plc, Old Mutual Plc and its two banking subsidiaries as well as South Africa’s Standard Bank and African banking group Eco bank were consistent with the law.

“I am pleased to advise that all the affected foreign-owned financial institutions operating in Zimbabwe have submitted credible indigenisation

plans before the deadline of the 31st March 2016,” Chinamasa said in a statement.

Chinamasa is leading efforts to end Zimbabwe’s isolation from the West and trying to woo the International Monetary Fund, which has previously said the government should ease up its economic empowerment law to attract investment.

His comments come two days after another cabinet minister said most foreign banks and mining companies in Zimbabwe had not complied with Thursday’s deadline to transfer majority shares to locals.

Under the empowerment rules, foreign-owned financial services companies will have to sell at least 20 per cent of shares directly to locals, while empowerment credits, such as funding for agriculture and youth and women programmes, make up the balance.

Mugabe’s black economic empowerment drive has unsettled foreign investors, some of whom fear that Harare could grab their assets in the same way that the government has seized more than 6,000 farms from white commercial farmers since 2000.

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

ACCESS W

ho is Chrome and what is your trade?

In summary, I would say ‘I’m a growing name in the ‘showbiz’ industry. I’m mainly in artiste and talent management as well as events organizing and hosting. I am also into fashion and fashion photography and own a clothing line called Truelove Signature. My cloth line works with both male and female models and has showcased in a number of runway events that I have organized in the recent past.

Who or what is your source of inspiration?

My inspiration comes from those around me. Seeing others achieve inspires me and makes me feel I deserve a place in the achievement arena to create my own opportunities and share those with others.

What do you aim to achieve?

I’m going to be a game changer. I want to be the guy that opens up the doors for the next generation.

The one that teaches the younger generation what it takes to make it and providing motivation.

What is your opinion of the events, fashion and modelling industry in Kenya?

I believe that the industry in Kenya is in need of change in the way we market and pay our models. Kenyan Fashion Awards has taught me a lot about the standards. In terms of events unless there’s a big musician or DJ it’s hard to catch the attention, the public is fed up with the same old stuff Where do you hope to be in 5 years?

The next 5years Loyalty Management will be the leading entertainment company from music fashion and definitely management with models like Macy Trap Queen and Tecla Mumbua on board my team is getting constant bookings. I want to be known as the man that secures positive results.

TAKING OVER SHOWBIZ WITH

CHROmE

FACT FILE:

newacT

Bradley OmBOmi aka ChrOme is a yOung entrepreneur whO is alsO multi-talented. his passiOn fOr fashiOn drOve him intO Owning a ClOth line, he nOw manages talent, hOsts and Organizes events and still has the hOts fOr runway mOdelling tOO.

Real Name: Bradley Ombomi FavouRite quote: ‘Difficult takes a day impossible takes a week.

age: 24 Role model: Clifford TI Harris

@kevin_x254

fashion Parad e

10

10

ACCESS

WEDNESDAY MONDAY, APRIL 26th 4, NOVEMBER 2016 2014

CENTRESTAGE

review of top weekend gigs

THE BETTER OPTION CHIEF FINDS HIS BETTER HALF……

HOT topics

Babu Owino

UoN vs Babu Owino

Students at the University of Nairobi are planning riots today following last week’s SONU elections, which saw Babu Owino sworn into office as Chair for the fourth time. Apparently the plan is to demote Babu from the SONU Chairmanship down to a mere class representative! The notorious Babu was captured on camera bribing students and has also declared separate riot plans.

S

afaricom CEO Bob Collymore married his long time sweetheart Wambui Kamiru in Kitusuru .The invite only affair was simple and elegant and has won praise from all corners. Congratulations to the lovely couple…

King of Kapungala is now taken

D

addy Owen pulled all stops to wed his number one fan Farida at a lavish all white ceremony at Buruburu and later at Radison Blu Hotel.

Flanked by his big brother Rufftone, Daddy was all smiles throughout the star studded nuptials. Congratulations!

Has the Rock gone back to Wrestling?

Kansime

After lying low for months, we now smell what The Rock has been cooking.

The celebrated wrestler and actor made a debut back into the wrestling ring yesterday at Wrestle mania and even joined forces with John Cena to kick some wrestler ass.

11 11

ACCESS ACCESS

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

sToRy ShoeSThe forshoes the dry weather SeaSon

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For the indoors.

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lyriclab TOP

Radio and Weasel

‘MWana Wa bandi’

Short femaLe ceLebritieS Pascal Tokodi

Radio and Weasel are the perfect She possesses a duo for feel good music. Their latest fierce personality track ‘Mwana wa Bandi’ is all about which probably bringing people together. This track makes up for her sends the message that music mere 5’0” height. allows us to experience the Being a Kardashian same emotions and that we are though, this is no problem since the same in heart and spirit. stilettos are always No matter what language we at her arms’ reach. speak, what color we are, or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves: Kourtney KardaShian We are the same.

siTaki

ariana Grande

The singer and Tecno Own The Stage Nickelodeon actres s runner-up and Kalasha only stands at 5’2 ”, Awards’ nominee, which makes her fit Pascal Tokodi has her acting role as a released his debut blonde teen despi te single. Dubbed being 22 years of Sitaki, the song gets age. Her height is not you thinking of that a problem thoug h… moment you fell in love. Produced He by r good loo ks make Kashan, Sitaki fuses Pascal’s smooth it hard to even no tice vocals and Kashan’s dynamic beatshotow short she is. express the feeling of love.

@mercy_x254

Lace it up Locally, they are known as ‘Jesus sandals’, but their professional name is lace-ups derived from their unique lacing system that can be as short as regular shoe laces or long enough to tie around the entire leg depending on taste and preferences. Lace ups are a must have especially in the cold weather since they are easier to move around in than regular flip flop sandals and the best thing is that they come in all varieties; flats, high heels and sporty style. Have a look:

king Lucykaka haLe fT elani PaPa

Poet and lyrical genius Rabbit King Kaka dedicates a song to all fathers and titles it Papa.

The song features the voices of the trio that is Elani. Audio produced by Cedo of Pacho entertainment, this tribute tells a deep story of lost time. The lyrical prowess in this track is above board, the vocals and harmony by Elani give the audio a lovely feel amidst the sad message. Young Wallace has done a good job with the video. Lovely!

The Pretty Little Liar also stands at 5’2” but her height does not restrict her from bringing intrigue to the films in which she stars and recently, the world discovered that she could sing quite well!

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DAILYHOROSCOPES CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan19 Love and romance are most certainly in your favor right now. It isn’t surprising that you feel brave. Be careful, however, about getting so carried away with your self-assurance that you distort the truth of the situation. There’s an element of fantasy operating that’s making it difficult for you to see the whole picture.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Although you generally like to keep both feet on the ground and proceed in a stable, organized manner, Aquarius, there’s a strong force encouraging you to spread your wings. Incorporate more fantasy into your day, and practice the art of dreaming. This will bring a greater sense of balance to your life.

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WEATHERFORECAST MONday 4/4/2016

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More sun than clouds

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25ºC 61%

6:33am 6: 38pm

Wednesday

24

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

Friday’s Solution

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Regardless of the situation, you can turn it into a joke of some sort. Your humor likely lifts the spirits of everyone around you. Be careful of taking this too far, however. There could be some people who are uncomfortable with your constant jesting. Let them know that you do have a serious side, too.

Sudoku

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 One whiff of a familiar scent is likely to send your imagination running wild, Aries. Once your imagination starts running, it could be difficult to slow it down. Your fantasy world is likely to be the safest place to hide, so don’t worry about avoiding reality. Keep playing in the past if that’s where you’d rather be today.

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Perhaps he or she encourages a humanistic approach that you find unrealistic and even a bit offputting.

State exactly how you feel, but make sure you have the facts to back up your point and prepare for a counter argument. A great deal of fantasy is tossed around as truth, so it’s important that you not add to it.

GEMINI May 21 - Jun 21 Take care of your friends by supporting their ideas, Gemini. Be careful that you don’t automatically encourage a plan or viewpoint that you know is wrong or doomed to fail. Even though you might want to make them feel good by saying exactly what they want to hear, this isn’t really doing them any favors.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 21 The fantasy world is more than likely the one that wins out, but that doesn’t mean you should lose all touch with reality. If anyone can bridge these two worlds, it’s you. You’ll probably find yourself drawn to art, which can wonderfully bridge the two. Indeed, your creative juices are gushing like a waterfall today.

LEO Jul 23- Aug 22 Nurture your loved ones, Leo. Tonight feel free to escape into a fantasy world with the object of your desire.

Make plans to set your wildest fantasy into motion. Let your imagination lead the way. You’ll never get where you want to go until you head in that direction. Have confidence that you can turn your dreams into reality.

VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 21 There’s a laziness sweeping over you, and you could be trying to find a way to sneak out of some responsibilities. Even if this idea seems terrific now, it’s likely to get you into some trouble later. Be wary of cheating the system and then expecting the full benefits of hard work in return.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 No one said love was easy, but it doesn’t have to be miserable. The key is to not get too stressed out about the little things. Know and expect that some things aren’t going to match your expectations. You simply have no control over some aspects of a relationship - the other person, for example.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 You have fit love and romance perfectly into this place, and everything is wonderful in your head.

Implementing this plan and making it work in the real world are two different things, so try not to get too tied to this idea. Definitely aim to manifest your vision, but don’t be unrealistic about it.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Whether coming from you or your close partner, the tension is there and can’t be ignored. Keep in mind, however, that it’s possible that much of it stems from something that isn’t even true. Perhaps there was a misspoken word or misunderstanding of some sort that’s now causing confusion.

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13

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

CROSSWORD Across 1. ____ homer 5. ____-pei (wrinkly Chinese dog) 9. “Not to worry!”

14. Royal name in Norway 15. Somewhat, in music 16. Still in bed 17. Benjamin of Israel 19. Hold ___ (talk at great length) 20. TV host Van Susteren 21. Italy’s largest port 23. DOJ bureau 25. “The ____ Code” 30. They can sit 33. Measure of current 35. Lap around the sun 36. Ford, to Chevrolet 37. Piggy sites 39. Barters 42. Earth goddess 43. Actor Fernando or Lorenzo 45. Guy 47. Digital anti-piracy measure (abbr.)

48. 1990 John Goodman flick 52. Water container 53. Beauty 54. Hyundai sedan 57. “Island” on the Atlantic Coast 61. Apple tool 65. Drier’s need 67. Desire intensely

68. Make ____ stop 69. Docile 70. Like the walls of Harvard Yard 71. Nopes’ opposites 72. Is human?

Down 1. ____ Kong 2. Robert who played A.J. Soprano 3. London museum 4. Graphic cyber-identity 5. Mole 6. Novelist Tami 7. Yearn (for) 8. Guard’s duties 9. On the side (of) 10. Additionally 11. Violas’ sect.

12. Away 13. Autobahn abbr.

18. Dressed snazzily 22. Chairman in reverse?

24. Expressions of disgust 26. Hippie’s assent 27. Area 51’s state 28. “___ de lune” (Debussy) 29. Muslim’s faith 30. Sasquatch 31. Lumberjack’s tool 32. Walk heavily 33. Insurance company with fowl ads?

34. Stiller’s comedy companion

38. Diplomat’s asset 40. Oom-___ 41. Trudge 44. Clipped a sheep 46. Film reviewer Roger 49. French nose 50. At some future time 51. Arrival announcement 55. Pickable 56. Take ____ (drink slowly) 58. Beholden one 59. Hunter’s target 60. Lodge folks 61. 201, once 62. Land Rover, for one (abbr.)

63. Historic Thor Heyerdahl craft 64. First lady 66. Alts.

Thursday’s answers

YOURSAY Chaos worrying indicators ahead of 2017 polls State unity best weapon to fight terrorism

Recent happenings in the political arena marred by a culture of intolerance, discord and hatred are a manifest of the choreographed narrative of a divided nation. It is a clear expression of whom we are as country.

Last week on Thursday, chaos marred Parliament during President Uhuru Kenya State of the Nation address after some opposition MPs interrupted the President’s speech.

Viciously, the Opposition MPs were expressing their disappointment to manner in which Jubilee is governing the country, which according to the disgruntled legislators has paralyzed the economy.

On Saturday, similar occurrences were witnessed in Kakamega County where Senator Moses Wetang’ula was launching his

2017 presidential bid. The launch had earlier been opposed by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by deputy party leader and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya. Ford-K and ODM supporters clashed during the event.

Our system has perpetuated political gangsterism, a system which props up corrupt networks and weakens political parties. Democracy is always on trial. It is a system that perpetuates cronyism and shortterm interests.

Make no mistake, those in protest could have a point, but all that is lost in the melee and tear gas canisters.

Arguably, representative democracies should not be governed by protests and opinion polls but rather by ideals and policies.

In parliament, the Opposition lost the opportunity to make a case for why they want to be voted in as the government inwaiting.

By condoning the acts of the MPs, Cord leader Raila Odinga lost an opportunity to broaden his political base and most importantly, a chance to rise above this political gangsterism that is sweeping through town and the Kakamega chaos did not do the Opposition any better.

Before launching his second presidential bid, President Uhuru Kenyatta must strive to unite the country. Political intolerance drawn from clannism and ethnic backgrounds are still rife.

We are still Cord, Jubilee, Kikuyu, Luyha, Luo, Kalenjin extra before being Kenyans.

— Nderitu

KWS has not done enough to protect animals Cases of lions being spotted in Nairobi and Kajiado counties have been on the rise of late and shows how far human have encroached on wildlife habitat.

It is high time the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) fenced off the park to curb the rampant conflict between animals and people. The agency must also act professionally in handling some of the cases.

The recent killing of the 13-year-old lion KWS officers was one such cases with was not properly dealt with and left a lot to be desired. It proved that KWS itself lacks the capacity to preserve our endangered species.

After the killing, conservationists have questioned the preparedness of KWS to protect animals and

villagers followed suit days later killing another lion in Kajiado.

Had the officers captured the lion and returned it to the park, even the villagers would have not killed the second one.

We need to not only protect wildlife, but also their habitat to prevent human-wildlife conflict.

We cannot fail to notice efforts by wildlife conservationists and foreign organisations who help fund rehabilitation of parks and fight poaching. KWS should ensure the animals roam freely in the Nairobi National Park and seal all loopholes said to be on the southern side that they use to escape.

— Victor Wachira

The nation on Saturday held Memorial services for those who died in the attack on Garissa University where 142 students and six security officers lost their lives.

But even as we empathise with those who lost their kin, it is time to reflect on that period and come up with measures to deal with similar attacks in future.

It was reported at the time that security agencies failed to act on intelligence on an imminent attack and that despite the colleges’ proximity to the border with troubled Somalia, there were only two security personnel on duty.

What’s more, the response to the emergency was bungled to say the least. While many would argue no country is completely safe from terrorist activities, a fact that is reinforced by the deadly attacks in Paris on November 27, 2015 in which 130 people lost their lives and the most recent attack in Brussels where 35 people

were reported dead, precautionary measures and acting on intelligence may serve to limit terror activities.

Smart policing is one of the solutions. There must also be a shift in the way the police and public relate to each other. Often, the police are treated with mistrust by a public that views them not only as corrupt, but bullies.

If we can reach a level where the public freely reports suspicious people and activities to the police and the latter acting on them, it will mark a milestone in the fight against terrorism.

It is equally important for the government to be proactive and move away from simply making promises and equip the police with good, modern security gear to make policing less dangerous.

Laying the foundations for trust and nationhood would go a long way in making Kenya safe.

— Kamotho

Kenyans divided under Jubilee administration Every morning there is always a new corruption case or scandal from the government.

This ranges from the NYS scandal, youth fund to Eurobond and many others.

Jubilee has been lying to Kenyans that they will win the war on corruption. However, it seems that they are not concerned because their top leaders are alleged to be involved in scandals.

Cord leader Raila Odinga was the first to expose the NYS scam but the government

rubbished his claims citing politics.

It’s clear that the only politician passionate about winning the war on corruption is Raila who still has an uphill task to convince Kenyans to elect him come 2017.

Jubilee key appointments have gone to tribes which voted them during the 2013 General Election and with this; Kenya is continuously being divided along tribal lines.

The fact that Pokots are few does not mean they do not

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

have men and women qualified to run ministries. The fact that Luos and Luhyas voted for the Opposition does not mean they cease to have what it takes to run key institutions, in any case all Kenyans pay tax regardless of their tribe, gender and political affiliation.

This country needs a saviour and a person committed to uniting Kenyans, winning the war on corruption and developing all parts of Kenya irrespective of their political leaning. — Raymond Mtetezi

14

SPORT MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

SPORTS BRIEFS West Indies beat England to win T20 Internationals

Amaco/Paul Bitok Volleyball tourney moved forward to May

Kenya’s biggest Volleyball bonanza, the Paul Bitok/Amaco International Volleyball tournament has been moved from June to May. The tournament which is usually held at the traditional Eldoret Polytechnic and which is the only one of Kenya Volleyball Federation(KVF) eight legs open to foreign teams was initially set to take place in June, but has been brought forward to next month.

The changes were effected following a request by Nandi County for logistical reasons. KVF-Nandi branch was to host the fourth and fifth legs which was to follow this month’s third leg set for Kilifi County.

This leg was initially set to be staged from June 17, but will now take place from May 13 in Eldoret. The changes were requested by North Rift branch, the host of the two tournaments.

According to Bitok, co-founder of one of the tournament, more than 50 teams from across East Africa are expected to take part in the May edition.

Rwanda’s, KIREHE and NEMO stars from Uganda are some of the teams that have so far confirmed their participation.

Winners will take home Sh100, 000 with first and second runners up pocketing Sh50,000 and Sh25,000 respectively.

Schools winners will be awarded Ball’s and nets “We are meeting soon with sponsors and see if we can raise the price money this year,” Bitok said from his base in Rwanda where he is the head coach.

Kenya Prisons (men) and Kenya Pipeline (women) are the defending champions of the tournament.

Carlos Brathwaite hit the first four balls of the final over for six as West Indies stunned England to become the first team to win the World Twenty20 two twice in a row.

West Indies, who were 11-3 in pursuit of England’s 155-9, needed 19 off the final over to win and did it in style.

Marlon Samuels’ 85 not out kept them in contention before Brathwaite’s match-winning blitz off Ben Stokes.

Joe Root scored 54 for England, but nothing could stop the Windies joining their women as World T20 champions to become the first twotime winners of the men’s World Twenty20.

But for Brathwaite and Samuels, it would have been Eoin Morgan’s side capping their rapid improvement with their own World T20 title.

Brathwaite came in at number eight, joining Samuels at the crease in the 16th over with the West Indies on 107-6 and needing 49 from 27 balls.

The tall bowler had only batted twice in the competition prior to the final, scoring 10 not out against South Africa and 13 against Afghanistan in the group stages.

But, with 19 needed off Stokes’ last over, he seized his moment with the bat in spectacular fashion.

Brathwaite will take the headlines, but man of the match Samuels was the real architect behind the West Indies’ victory courtesy of his 66-ball unbeaten 85 - the highest individual score in a World T20 final, beating his own record of 78, scored in 2012.

Djokovic eyes French Open after Miami win

Novak Djokovic now shift his attention to the French Open after lifting his sixth Miami Open to equal Andre Agassi’s record. The Serbs beat Kei Nishikori in straight sets to equal Agassi’s Miami tally with a 6-3 6-3 triumph in one hour and 26 minutes. The world number 28, also moves ahead of Rafael Nadal with a record 28 Masters tournament wins in his career. “It’s quite amazing. I’m very thrilled about it and hopefully I can make many more records.” He said. He also becomes the first man to win the Indian Wells-Miami double three years in a row, and surpasses Roger Federer as the ATP’s leading prize money winner on Sh69 billion Japan’s Nishikori broke serve in the opening game but was broken straight back, and after a scrappy start to the match Djokovic took charge from 4-3. He won four games in a row to move a break up in the second set and broke for a fifth time to win the match. “I thought he started very well, breaking my serve in the first game and coming up with some aggressive play,” said Djokovic.

Defending champions Kenya Prisons volleyball team in action during last year’s Amaco/ Paul Bitok international tournament at Eldoret Polytechnic Grounds. This year’s edition will serve off in May. INSET: Women teams in action during last year’s tourney.

Kenya U20 hold draw 1-1 with host Sudan in Khartoum Harambee Stars Under 20 only need a draw against Sudan to progress to the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations slated for Kigali, Rwanda in 2017.

The young Stars did what their seniors have been dreaming about in the recent months, when they held hosts Sudan 1-1 in the first leg of the qualifiers last night away at Al Merreikh Stadium in Omdurman on Sunday.

More impressing from the young lads’ performance was the fact that they managed a come-back after going down in the first half.

Gor Mahia midfielder Amos Nondi scored Kenya’s equaliser from the spot to cancel Hassan Motwakil’s 28th minute opener for the Sudanese.

Nondi who is the team’s captain converted from the spot after

Harambee Stars call-up Michael Ovella was fouled inside the hosts’ penalty box.

Kenya took the game to the host after conceding with a litany of attacks that show the visitors get the penalty as a reward. The goal was hugely deserved by the Kenyan side who will feel comfortable of going through to the next round when they host the return

leg on April 23.

Kenya and Sudan met at the same stage during the 2010 qualifiers with the East African powerhouse winning 2-0 at home and 1-0 away.

In other first round matches, Ethiopia beat visiting Somalia 2-1, Botswana won 1-0 at Zimbabwe, Liberia lost 0-2 to Guinea while Algeria overcame Mauritania 2-1.

SPORT 15

United beat Everton to keep top-four finish hopes alive Louis van Gaal was pleased to keep up the pressure in the top-four race after Manchester United claimed a slender victory over Everton, describing his team’s 1-0 win as a “stolen victory”.

United had only two shots on target, but Anthony Martial’s close-range finish was enough to earn three points that leaves them just a point below top four. Manchester City occupies fourth place with 54 points, 15 adrift of leaders Leicester City who opened seven point gap at the top following a 1-0 win over Southampton.

“We didn’t play so well,” Van Gaal said.

“We didn’t create many chances.

“Everton are a very good team, much stronger away than at home, and it was a very tight game. We were the lucky team today.”

Manchester United have been dogged all season by criticism of their style of play - with Sunday providing the 15th occasion this season in all competitions

that a match at Old Trafford has been goalless at half-time.

“We want to give entertainment for the fans, but the fans were entertained today because of the tension,” Van Gaal said.

However, despite having the secondlowest goal total of any team in the top half of the table, United remain firmly in the race for the Champions League qualification places.

United, who had won 1-0 at City in the previous league match on March 20, visit Tottenham next Sunday.

Leicester fairy tale continued when they beat Southampton 1-0 at the Kings Power Stadium earlier yesterday.

With only six matches to go, the Foxes ambition of lifting the title is intact after main title rivals Tottenham slipped up with a draw at liverpool on Saturday, the most unlikely title triumph in Premier League history must surely be considered a probability now.

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial leads his teammates in celebration after the French scored against Everton last night in a Premier League match. United beat the Toffees 1-0 to keep their next season Champions League hopes alive.

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KENYA U20 HOLD HOST SUDAN IN KHARTOUM

p15

Kenyan Julius Yego in action at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing where he won a gold medal in javelin. His 92.72m throw won the competition by four metres, and closer to the current world record of 98.48m, held by Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic.

Stiff challenge awaits javelin hero Yego in prefontaine Classic Reigning World championship men’s Javelin champion Julius Yego will makes his US debut at this year’s Prefontaine Classic when he lines up against three other global champions at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Eugene on May 28. The 27-year-old Kenyan set an African record of 92.72m to win gold at the Worlds in Beijing last year, producing the farthest throw in the world since 2001. Earlier in the year, he set an IAAF Diamond League record of 91.39m in Birmingham, but he will face three other men in the field to have won global titles in the javelin. Yego is the only African man ever to have thrown farther than Egyptian Ihab Abdelrahman who took the silver medal in Beijing last summer. All seven men in the field have Personal Bests superior to the meeting record of 84.65m. Keshorn Walcott shocked the world in 2012 when he won Olympic gold while still a junior. Last year he set a Caribbean record of 90.16m when he won

at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Lausanne. Czech Republic’s Vitezslav Vesely won the world title in 2013 and triumphed in Eugene one year later but the two-time Diamond Race winner missed an Olympic medal by less than a metre in 2012.

No one in the field has as many major gold medals as Andreas Thorkildsen. The Norwegian superstar, who turned 34 on April 1, has missed most of the past two years due to injuries. The 2009 world champion has pointed to making a strong comeback in 2016, with the goal of winning a third Olympic gold, having won in 2004 and 2008.

Germany’s Thomas Rohler and Johannes Vetter are still seeking their first major international medals, though 2014 Diamond Race winner Rohler was just 23 centimetres away in Beijing last year. Vetter, who was seventh at last year’s World Championships, has the early world lead at 82.96m.

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