2016050 27 xnews

WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 27-29, 2016 | www.x254.co

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MPs demand action on demo killings Lawmakers from siaya county dismiss police claim that killed protesters had stormed an AP post, want police oversight authority to punish those culpable

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NEWS

Gor Mahia, AFc Leopards to appeal ruling docking them league points

Manchester united confirm mourinho as new manager to turn around fortunes

Report reveals shocking inequalities in education LSK happy with court ruling on CJ appointment

Lawyers have welcomed yesterday’s High Court ruling that declared that the president has no powers to appoint the Chief Justice (CJ) and the deputy chief Justice.

Five judges Richard Mwongo, Isaac Lenaola, Mumbi Ngugi, George Odunga and Joseph Onguto quashed the December 2015 amendments to the law in a ruling delivered in Nairobi Thursday.

And now, the Law Society of Kenya has backed the unanimous decision of the bench saying it represented an important affirmation of the supremacy of the Constitution.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Pupils attend to a lesson at Luanda Doho Primary school in Kakamega County. A new report by Uwezo on education shows worrying disparities in schools with western counties and those in Northern Kenya worst affected.

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 27-29, 2016

Report reveals inequalities in education Pupils in Western region are five times more likely not to be able to identify letters and numbers than children in Nairobi.

The fifth Uwezo annual learning assessment report released yesterday indicates that the country is deeply divided in access to education and learning outcomes.

The report indicates that nationally, nine percent cannot identify letters, (16 percent in Western, and 2 per cent in Nairobi) another 11 percent nationally cannot recognise figures. Out of this, (18 per cent are in Western region and only 3 percent in Nairobi region.

According to the report, this disparity is occasioned by lack of easy access to education and the family backgrounds that gives children from privileged members an upper hand over those from poor backgrounds.

The annual assessment report also indicates that 43 per cent of children in the North Eastern region had not attended pre-school compared with only 13 percent of children in the Coast region.

English literacy levels among children aged 7 - 13 years have remained almost unchanged over the five years between 2011 and 2015 as the percentage of children who could not read letters of the alphabet remain at 5.7 percent in between the same period.

The percentage of those who could read

Established in 1969

a Class 2 story, has on the other hand registered only marginal improvement from 46 percent in 2011 to 50.9 per cent in 2015.

Over the five year period, the report indicates that the percentage of children aged 7 and 13 years who could not count and match numbers rose from 4 per cent in 2011 to 5 percent in 2015.

The percentage of those who could do division, which is the highest level of the tests, registered less than 2 percentage points’ improvement from 45.2 per cent to 46.9 percent over the same period.

The report however indicates that in all three tests, Kiswahili literacy and English literacy and numeracy, learning outcomes improved by less than 5 percentage points’ over 5 years.

Although the report indicates that access to primary school has expanded significantly in recent decades, there is still massive rate of progression, however the number of children who progress to secondary schools do not finally sit for their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education due to various factors.

In general, the report indicates that differences between neighborhoods in both access and educational attainment are still very large this despite the notable progress in expanding access to schooling in general.

The report notes that a significant

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Tarbaj MP Mogamed Elmi displays an Uwezo report which was launched in 2009 when he served as minister for Arid and Semi-Arid areas. A new report has reveal inequalities with his North-Eastern backyard worst affected.

minority of children are being left behind consequently, the promise of education as a means to overcome entrenched economic inequality remains elusive for many Kenyan youth.

“As it is currently delivered, education risks entrenching the very inequality it is supposed to fight,” reads the report.

As a point of departure, given the challenges facing the country, the report recommends that education goals be monitored at the county level rather than at the national level.

“The regional disparities are troubling.

Our data clearly show that Kenya is starkly divided when it comes to school readiness, access to school, progression through school and learning outcomes.

Children from North Eastern are at a disadvantage on almost every indicator. If we are to realise a vision for a middle income country by 2020, we need to pay urgent attention to the low levels of achievement in learning outcomes throughout the country and the significant marginalization of children along geographical and

socio-economic lines.” said Emmanuel Manyasa, Manager of Uwezo Kenya.

The data points for the report was collected from over 600,000 children drawn from all the counties in Kenya.

The report was clustered around the six Education for All Goals namely early childhood education and school readiness, access to and progression through, primary school, adult school attendance and mothers’ literacy, inequalities including gender and learning outcomes. @sam_x254

Obama in historic Hiroshima visit

Barack Obama has become the first serving US president to visit Hiroshima since the World War Two nuclear attack.

Mr Obama said the memory of 6 August 1945 must never fade, but did not apologise for the US attack - the world’s first nuclear bombing.

Mr Obama spoke to a number of survivors and in an address called on nations to pursue a world without nuclear weapons.

At least 140,000 people died in Hiroshima and another 74,000 two days later in a second bombing in Nagasaki.

Mr Obama first visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum before walking to the Peace Memorial Park, accompanied by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Both men stood in front of the eternal flame. Mr Obama laid a wreath first, followed by Mr Abe.

NEWS 3 WEEKEND EDITION MAY 27-29, 2016

Siaya MPs demand action on demo killings Members of Parliament drawn from Siaya County wants the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to take disciplinary actions against police officers who shot dead protesters in Siaya town on Monday.

Two demonstrators were killed after the protests turned bloody with police firing at those on the frontline.

MPs Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem), George Omondi (Alego Usonga), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), David Ochieng (Ugenya), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo) and Seme’s James Nyikal said the officers used excessive force on peaceful demonstrators and ought to be punished.

They said they have so far collected 31 bullets casings around Siaya Governor’s office that were used by police on the anti-IEBC demonstrators.

They told IPOA that they already have the evidence needed on the unprofessional conduct of the officers deployed in Siaya, Kisumu, Migori and Homa Bay counties during Monday’s protests and that the authority should ‘not waste time’ on investigations.

“IPOA should not tell us that they are still doing investigations.

Everything is available and we want to see disciplinary action on the police officers who killed innocent demonstrators,” Midiwo said.

Government spokesman Eric Kiraithe has already defended the police

Alego Usonga MP George Omondi displays bullet casings collected from Siaya County that were allegedly used by police on protesters in the region on Monday. He is flanked by Gem’s Jakoyo Midiwom Nicholus Gumbo (Rarieda) and Gedion Ochanda of Bondo. The lawmakers now demand disciplinary action to be taken against the officers.

saying they used proportional force to disperse protestors who wanted to storm a police station.

“The government would want to make it very clear that any attempt

to confront a police officer or storm a police station, will be met with necessary and proportionate force,” he warned adding that the officers ‘are there to enforce the law.”

However, Midiwo said it was regrettable that both police spokesman Charles Owino and Government spokesman Erick Kiraithe defended the police despite innocent people

Senators, MCAs want EACC offices in counties Members of the County Assemblies and Senators now want anti-corruption offices established in all the 47 counties to tame graft schemes in the devolved units. The legislators said their resolve was aimed at creating ease in reporting and carrying out speedy investigation to corruption cases which they termed as the greatest threat to devolution.

“The conference, therefore, resolved and recommended to increase resource allocation for the establishment of EACC offices in every county to facilitate ease of reporting and of carrying out speedy investigations,” they said after a five-day legislative forum at the Flamingo Beach Resort in Mombasa. The battle against

graft was one of the key topics during the summit that began on Monday, with governors being accused of schemes to swindle counties.

“The biggest threat to devolution is the blatant looting of public resources in the counties.

Corruption has permeated both the national and county governments but our mandate as a Senate is to look at the counties. Devolution was not put in place to create small demigods in the counties the way it is now,” said Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki. They said having EACC operations in the counties would help to stop the vice that has been blamed for the increasing audit queries in the Auditor-General’s reports.

The senators and MCAs, led by Senate

From left: Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetangula, Majority Leader Kindiki Kithure and Deputy speaker Kembi Gitura in Mombasa.

Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura, also resolved that for them to enhance accountability and transparency, they will enforce a code of ethics for state and public officers.

This was one of the 17 resolutions adopted during the inaugural summit. Currently, the anti-corruption agency has only regional offices that serve several counties.

The EACC has said it is unable to have 47 offices unless the government allocates more funds for the establishment of more stations.

Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula said county assemblies should be strengthened and made financially independent from governors in order to ensure they performed their roles undeterred. “Devolution is a wonderful dream but we are afraid that some governors are giving it a bad name,” said the Bungoma senator.

Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar said the two groups should work closely to make sure governor’s account for resources allocated to them yearly.

“We are the protectors of devolution, not governors. Let us not make the mistake that those counties equal governors. We protect resources of those counties. There is no contradiction in senators asking governors to account for money given them,” said Mr Omar.

Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro challenged the lawmakers to lead the way in the fight against corruption, saying it affected both levels of government.

losing their lives.

“I was surprised by the remarks of Government spokesman on his justification of the killings of innocent people, this is not acceptable,” he said.

Alego Usonga’s George Omondi discreted Kiraithe’s claims that the demonstrators who were killed wanted to storm a police station.

“The people were shot around the Governor’s office which is two kilometres from the police stations and it’s therefore not true that the demonstrators wanted to storm the police station,” said Omondi.

Jakoyo also claimed that some police officers were caught on camera mishandling women in Kisumu and he wondered what their motive was.

“It is on camera that a police officer was caught touching a woman in Kisumu inappropriately, we don’t understand the motive of the action,” he said.

“Police are not supposed to use live bullets on demonstrators, it is against the law. The work of police in such cases is to scare away demonstrators using teargas,” added nominated MP Oburu Oginga who haild from Bondo.

Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma said leaders from the four affected counties will take legal action against the government if the families of those who lost their loved ones and those injured are not properly compensated. @sam_x254

3 gangsters shot dead in Nairobi

Three suspected gangsters were last night killed during a shootout with police on Kenyatta Avenue.

The gunmen had been pursued by police from Kiliamani area where they are said to have committed a robbery, according to police.

“They had robbed a couple on Chania Road and that is when they were chased to town where they opened fire on police officers,” Nairobi Police chief Japheth Koome said.

A pistol and 60 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the slain men who were found with a vehicle believed to have been stolen.

Koome said they have intensified patrols around the city to curb crime and terror threats after two ISIS suspects were arrested on Tuesday while planning an attack believed to have been targeted at the public transport system.

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION MAY 27-29 , 2016

Supreme Court Judges Rawal, Tunoi lose case on retirement The Court of Appeal has ruled that Deputy Chief Justice Kalpana Rawal and Supreme Court judge Philip Tunoi must retire having attained the age of 70 as stipulated in the Constitution.

The court made the decision in an appeal by both judges who challenged a High Court decision that they leave office on attaining the age of 70.

While dismissing appeals of the two, the court stated that they had assumed office as Supreme Court judges under the new Constitution.

In the ruling, the four judge bench further stated that the retirement age of judges, can only be set by the constitution and that superseded any other proclamation. Judge Kalpana Rawal lost a bid

to block her retirement in December last year after the High Court ruled that she has to retire.

A five judge bench ruled that Rawal must leave office at the age of 70 as provided by the Constitution. The judges said Rawal took oath of office under the current Constitution which sets the retirement of judges at 70 years.

“You cannot take marriage vows and claim to be single. You cannot therefore turn around and impugn the very same Constitution you swore allegiance to,” the High Court bench ruled then.

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Deputy Chief Justice Kalpana Rawal (Above) and fellow Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi (Right).

Both have today lost an appeal against their retirement with the Court of Appeal directing that they have to vacate office having attained the retirement age of 70.

Lawyers happy with court ruling on Chief Justice’s appointment

June.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “The pronouncement by the courts affirms the independence of the Judiciary and in particular the integrity of the process by which the head of the Judiciary is selected by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC),” LSK President Isaac Okero said in a statement to newsrooms.

He explained that the time when a sitting President exercised any autonomy in the appointment of the Chief Justice is a thing of the past owing to the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

“We must all accept that we live in a new dispensation born out of years of struggle and repression and we must resist the pull of the dark years,” he said.

He assured Kenyans that LSK shall continue to be vigilant to assist and support the government and the public in matters relating to legislation that protects and promotes the constitutional order.

The High Court declared the amended Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Act as unconstitutional and invalidated a law passed

by Parliament giving the President powers to pick his choice from three suggestions of nominees passed by the Judicial Service Commission’s (JSC) selection panel.

LSK had moved to court to challenge the Act compelling the JSC to recommend three names to the President instead of one as provided for previously.

LSK through their lawyer Senior Counsel Nzamba Kitonga faulted the law, arguing that the amended critical sections of the Judicial Service Act interfered with the independence of the Judiciary.

“The Act, as amended, upsets the doctrine of separation of powers between the three arms of Government and should be suspended because the independence of the Judiciary is

at stake,” Kitonga argued.

MPs changed section 30 (3) of the JSC Act but the court criticised the move, noting that allowing the President to participate in the process was giving the executive undue influence on who would be the head of the Judiciary.

The judges noted that the President was already represented by the Attorney General in JSC, thus allowing him to nominate a person of his choice would amount to ‘having a second bite in the cherry’.

The amendment by Parliament last year to the Judicial Service Commission Act came to effect at a time when Chief Justice Willy Mutunga is poised to retire and his deputy Kalpana Rawal is fighting a retirement age hurdle in court.

The race to succeed Dr Mutunga and his deputy had taken a new spin, with complaints from the Law Society of Kenya that the National Assembly slipped in clauses in the law to take away the Judiciary’s independence.

Justices Mwongo and Onguto who read the ruling on behalf of the other judges, noted the initial drafted Bill was meant to change the time that the JSC secretary is supposed to pass the nominee’s name to President and not how many people ought to be forwarded to him.

The two judges noted the amendment was introduced on the floor of the House against its own standing orders.

“We declare the amendments as unconstitutional since the issues raised are of great public interest. If the amendments are to be adopted, then the discretion of JSC to determine who the suitable nominee is for CJ and DJC will cease to its prerogative but will rest with the President’s powers,” they ruled.

NEWS 5 WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 27-29, 2016

Obama: World leaders ‘rattled’ by Trump

US President Barack Obama has criticized Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump saying his candidacy has rattled world leaders.

But in a quick rejoinder, Trump has embraced Obama’s critique saying it is a good thing.

“When you rattle someone, that’s good,” Trump said at a news conference in North Dakota. “If they’re rattled in a friendly way, that’s a good thing ... not a bad thing.”

Obama touched on the rancorous U.S. presidential race at a press conference Thursday from the G-7 summit in Japan, saying that Trump’s statements had his fellow world leaders concerned.

“They’re rattled by him and for good reason,” Obama said. “Because a lot of the proposals that he’s made display either ignorance of world affairs or a cavalier attitude or an interest in getting tweets and headlines instead of actually thinking through what is required to keep America safe.”

“They are surprised by Trump, not sure how to take some of his pronouncements,” the President added.

Obama said the world is watching the campaign.

“The world pays attention to U.S. elections,” Obama said. “They pay more attention to our elections sometimes than we pay to theirs. The U.S. is ... at the heart of the international order and even those countries that are critical of us...know that ultimately things don’t hold together so well if the U.S. isn’t making good decisions and they count on us to provide stability when making global decisions.”

Asked about the continued divisiveness on display on the Democratic side of the 2016 race, Obama said people get “grumpy” during the primaries, including his own back in 2008, but will ultimately come together and argued that Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders largely agree on the policy front, but differ on tactics.

The President said that and that it’s important to finish the Democratic primary contest in a way that doesn’t leave anyone with ruffled feathers.

“I would urge and have urged, both sides to stick to the issues,” Obama said. “They’re both good people, I know them both well, and I think its’ important to try to end this in a way that leaves both sides feeling proud of what they’ve done.”

President Barack Obama when he spoke in Japan yesterday evening. RIGHT: Donald Trump as a past rally in the US. Obama told a press conference that world leaders are rattled by Trump’s candidacy and are keenly watching the US elections.

He added, “I guarantee you that the eventual nominee sure wishes it were over now. It’s a grind, it’s hard.”

The president said he wanted the

Democratic primary to “play out, let voters make up their minds.”

Obama also largely deflected questions about Clinton’s use of a private email

server, saying he’s addressed the topic previously and the questions would be better put to the campaign.

Hope for EgyptAir searchers as jet signals are reported in the sea Airbus has detected signals from the Mediterranean Sea where EgyptAir Flight 804 crashed last week, Egypt’s state-run Al Ahram news agency reports.

The signals were emitted by the plane’s emergency locator transmitter, a device that can manually or automatically activate at impact and will usually send a distress signal. The signals from

the emergency locator transmitter are different from the pings emitted by the “black boxes.”

Having these signals narrows down the area that the multinational search team has been focusing on -- which a few days ago was described as “about the size of Connecticut.” It dramatically decreases the search area to a 5-kilometer (3.1mile) radius, giving investigators a

more specific location to detect pings from the black boxes.

The missing EgyptAir plane, which had 66 people on board, was an Airbus A320 heading from Paris to Cairo.

A French vessel, equipped with special detection equipment to locate the pings, will begin an underwater search for the wreckage “in the coming days,” according to the BEA, France’s

accident investigation agency. That French naval vessel, La Place, departed Tuesday from Porto Vecchio toward the Egyptian coast. Egyptian and French submersibles have been working in the area in an attempt to find the flight data and cockpit voice recorders before their transponder batteries expire.

The French may decide to send a second ship, one equipped with an underwater

exploration robot and lifting mechanics that could work in the depth of the Mediterranean. Some of the search area is as deep as 10,000 feet.

EgyptAir Flight 804 was at 37,000 feet when it lost contact above the Mediterranean early on May 19, shortly before the aircraft was scheduled to exit Greek airspace and enter Egyptian airspace.

Top stories from X News global partners

Australia scrubbed from Obama Visits Hiroshima Google could face billionUN climate change as Asia Grapples With dollar fines in two court report after government Turmoil: President Obama on Friday is cases: This spring may go down as the the first sitting American president most expensive season in Google’s history. On intervention: Every reference to toto become visit Hiroshima, Japan, hoping to bolster May 24th French prosecutors raided the firm’s Australia was scrubbed from the final version of a major UN report on climate change after the Australian government intervened, objecting that the information could harm tourism.

Guardian Australia can reveal the report “World Heritage and Tourism in a Changing Climate”, which Unesco jointly published with the United Nations environment program and the Union of Concerned Scientists on Friday, initially had a key chapter on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as small sections on Kakadu and the Tasmanian forests. But when the Australian Department of Environment saw a draft of the report, it objected, and every mention of Australia was removed by Unesco.

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an important ally and remind the world of the dangers of nuclear weapons. The visit, under consideration since the first days of Obama’s presidency, could send ripples across Asia, a region still grappling with the echoes of World War II seven decades after it ended. Leaders in both China and South Korea worry that Obama’s visit to Japan’s deepest wound could be taken by the Japanese as an endpoint to their country’s fitful efforts to come to grips with its wartime aggression. But with a reclusive regime in North Korea, Obama decided that reminding the world why North Korea must be stopped, with a visit recalling the devastation wrought by

www.nytimes.com an American atomic bomb.

Paris office to collect evidence as part of an investigation in pursuit of an estimated €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion) in back taxes. The firm says it is co-operating fully. The tech giant also faces two other, more costly legal imbroglios.

As The Economist went to press, a jury in California was deliberating whether Google had used copyrighted material in Android, its mobile operating system, without a licence from the owner, Oracle. If guilty, Google may have to pay the software-maker up to $8 billion in compensation. . The two cases could jar the technology industry, not just Google’s wallet.

www.economist.com

Trump puts fossil fuels at US energy core: Donald

Trump has vowed to unleash the full power of fossil fuels in US energy policy, warning that restrictions proposed by Democrats would leave the US “begging for oil” from the Middle East. In his most extensive remarks on energy to date, the Republican candidate — who has turned his back on party orthodoxy in many other areas — adopted mainstream party positions favouring fossil fuels with less regulation and more production. His remarks on Thursday were reassuring to oil executives who were unsure how Mr Trump would treat the sector, and bore the imprint of advice he said he had received from Harold Hamm, chief executive of Continental Resources, a shale pioneer.

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WEEKEnD EDITION, MAY 27-29, 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

Diamond Trust nets Sh1.2 billion profit fueled by higher deposits Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) Kenya Ltd has posted an 11 per cent jump in profit for the quarter ended March 2016. The bank’s profit after tax and exceptional items rose to Sh1.22 billion for the period under review, up from Sh1.097 billion in March last year.

Meanwhile, Diamond Trust Bank Group, the bank’s holding company, saw its profit after tax and exceptional items jump to Sh1.6 billion for the period ended March 2016, up from Sh1.5 billion in March 2015.

According to Diamond Trust Group CEO, Nasim Devji and Chairman Abdul Samji the lender saw its deposits and placements with banking institutions rise with the bank posting Sh103.5 million in deposits up from Sh46.3 million a year before.

Diamond Trust Bank Group recently acquired an additional stake in its Ugandan and Tanzanian units in a move meant to boost its capital ratios.

The Group said earlier this month that it had invested an additional $10.9 million (over Sh1 billion) in its Ugandan unit, raising its stake in the subsidiary.

The move follows a similar initiative by the lender to invest a similar amount to participate in a rights issue at its Tanzanian subsidiary where it acquired an extra 2.75 per cent stake after taking up shares worth $1.7 million left by a section of minority investors.

The drive saw its interest in the subsidiary rise to 65.68 per cent from the previous 62.93 per cent.

“The reason for the investments is to allow the subsidiaries to grow and meet higher capital requirements that have been announced in the two markets,” said Alkarim Jiwa, the chief financial

officer at DTB. The company is the latest Kenyan multinational bank to raise its investment in regional subsidiaries, along with others like NIC Bank.

KCB Bank profit jumps 6pc to Sh4.19 billion as it eyes affordable housing

KCB Bank, the country’s biggest lender by assets, said on Thursday that its profit after tax and exceptional items jumped roughly 6 per cent to Sh4.19 billion (unaudited) during the quarter ended March 2016, up from Sh3.96 billion during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, KCB Group, the Bank’s holding company, has seen its profit after tax and exceptional items jump to Sh4.63 billion during the period under review, up from Sh4.36 billion a year before, helped by higher interest income.

The move comes less than a month after KCB announced plans to deepen its foray into the property market.

The lender last month launched its annual property Bus tour in Nairobi.

At the time, KCB Mortgage Director Sam Muturi said the bank is keen to tap into the rising demand for

affordable housing by raising cheap offshore seed funds and leveraging on modern technology to help pass pricing benefits to the mortgage end buyer.

The move is part of its holding arm’s long term vision to expand its offering by actively participating in the lucrative property development market. To support these efforts, KCB has plans in place to launch the Property Center in June, which will host its construction arm.

“We are ready to broaden our wings to the existing opportunities to house the majority of Kenyans who feel left by the high cost of housing. The bank will also continue to leverage on partnerships with like-minded corporations both locally and internationally to ensure we address the issue of cost of housing”, added Muturi in a statement late last month.

In February this year, KCB led a delegation of 30 East African developers to a successful Brazil property tour aimed to broaden business scope and also expose them to modern architectural designs which they will transfer to Kenya.

The new technologies will help build houses priced at Sh1 million to Sh3 million catering for the deficit in housing.

According to the latest housing price index from the Kenya Bankers’ Association, released at the end of January, average housing prices edged up by just 1.14 per cent in the last three months of 2015. This year, real estate investors are likely to ride on the growing demand for residential and commercial developments in the country, thanks to urbanization and growth of the middle-class. @Dennis_x254

Over the review period, DTB has seen its total interest income rise to Sh8.19 billion from Sh5.61 billion last year. @Dennis_x254

MEAN 100.6722 147.9914 112.1425 6.3950 33.6737 21.7638

BUY SELL 100.5750 100.7694 147.8328 147.1500 112.0161 112.2689 6.3858 6.4042 33.5915 33.7559 21.5915 21.7693

MTN Business in pact with SMEasy to boost small business owners

MTN Business, in partnership with accounting SMEasy, have announced a partnership deal seeking to help small entrepreneurs who lack knowledge and ability perform crucial finance business tasks with ease.

The deal will see the emergency of a cloud-based solution app dubbed ‘EasyAccounting’ allowing users to quote, invoice as well as complete money management.

The app will further help users in accessing customer communication services, accounting services, and payroll facilities among other useful tasks.

Omotayo Ojutalayo, General Manager of Small Medium Enterprise Channels, MTN Group Enterprise Business Unit said the small business sector is the lifeblood of most economies in Africa.

He said MTN Business has interest in enabling and inspiring the growth of SMEs to stimulate economic inclusion in local markets.

“The partnership with SMEasy complements this approach, as the solution will enable entrepreneurs make a meaningful economic contribution, while also sharing in the growth of local economies,” said Ojutalayo.

MTN Business EasyAccounting will give small business owners across the continent access to a highly effective, affordable online accounting and business management solution.

The accounting system is already revolutionising the way small businesses manage their finances, particularly in @enock_x254 Kenya.

EcoBank calls on institutions to push for financial inclusion, lender bags accolade The EcoBank Group has been recognized as the lender that pays attention to the most disadvantaged and marginalized low income segment as it won the ‘Award for Financial Inclusion’ at this year’s African Banker Awards.

The lender was awarded following its success in delivering financial products and services, particularly to the most disadvantaged and low income segments, ultimately contributing to financial inclusion, development and growth.

Laurence do Rego, EcoBank Group Executive Director for Commercial Banking, when receiving the award said it motivates other lenders to extend financial services to low income segments as well as the unbanked.

“Winning this award is a testament to the sweet success of making financial inclusion an integral part of our work.

This award shows that there is a powerful case for traditional banks to extend financial services to Africa’s low income segments, as well as the unbanked,’’ said Rego.

“We accept it with humility and with

appreciation to IC Publications, African Banker Magazine, to the panel of judges who deemed us worthy of this distinction, and to our valued customers,” she added.

EcoBank was also nominated for two other categories, namely, ‘Socially Responsible Bank of the Year’ and ‘Best Retail Bank in Africa’.

The Award for Financial Inclusion is one of many accolades the pan-African bank has won recently since EcoBank Ghana, the group’s Ghanaian affiliate, was named the Best Trade Finance Bank in Ghana at the GTR Africa Leaders in Trade Award.

EcoBank Nigeria, the group’s largest affiliate, responsible for over 40 per cent of its earnings, also won the Trade and Forfaiting Review Deal of the Year Awards. Mrs. do Rego urged stakeholders in banking sector to take advantage of this annual discourse about Africa’s development and bring together Africa’s best minds to pivot more from discourse. @enock_x254

BUSINESS 7

Corporate transformation pushes I&M pre-tax profit

WEEKEND EDITION, May 27-29, 2016

Financial services company, I&M Group has posted a 13.26 per cent jump in pre-tax profit closing the period at Sh2.5billion up from Sh2.2 billion posted within the same period last year, pushed in part by the lender’s corporate transformation programme.

The developments come just after local commercial bank I&M Bank Kenya received the Corporate Governance award at the 3rd Banker Africa East African Banking Awards held on Tuesday night.

The bank, which has been undertaking a strategic corporate transformation programme, was named the best East African Bank in the Corporate Governance category for its role in maintaining sound practices.

The annual Banker Africa Awards are continent-wide programmes open to all banks and financial institutions in Africa. The aim of the Banker Africa Awards, broken down by four individual regions, is to recognize outstanding performance and excellence in the financial services industry.

Speaking soon after receiving the award and while releasing the Bank’s first quarter results, I&M Bank Kenya, Executive Director, Sarit Raja-Shah, confirmed that the Bank’s Corporate Governance framework mirrors its Group Holding Company policy on corporate governance. The Group’s corporate governance framework, Shah said, takes into consideration the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Guidelines on Corporate Governance as well as global best practices.

The Group’s corporate governance framework, he added, ensures that the Group maintains and promotes high standards of integrity, transparency and accountability across all levels.

The firm’s Kenya banking business I&M Bank Kenya headed by newly appointed CEO Mr. Kihara Maina, posted a 6.53 per cent pre-tax profit growth at Sh2.2billion up from Sh2.1billion fuelled by interest income growth which stood at Sh4.7 billion up from Sh4.030

billion posted within the same period last year and reflecting a 16.84 per cent growth. Within the same period, I&M Bank Kenya enjoyed a healthy customer deposits growth closing at KSHS 110.1billion up from KSHS 93.6billion and representing a 17.65% rise.

Speaking further on the prestigious Banker Africa Corporate Governance award, Mr. Shah pointed out, that the firm’s Board of Directors, chaired by an independent Chairperson Mr. Daniel Ndonye constitutes of at least one third of Non-Executive, Independent Directors charged with the responsibility of providing management oversight.

Notably, Mr. Ndonye, a Certified Public Secretary, was the first Kenyan to be awarded a Bachelor of Commerce degree with First Class Honors by the University of Nairobi. He is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered

Accountants in England and Wales, a fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya and also a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of “At I&M Bank Kenya, we are excited to receive the Banker Africa Award which recognizes our existing corporate governance framework,” Mr. Shah said and added, “The Board wishes to dedicate this award to our customers, staff and stakeholders for their continued support that has allowed us to maintain exceptional corporate governance standards.” The I&M Group Board, Mr. Shah further disclosed, has consistently placed great importance on good corporate governance practices as it believes that this is vital for the Group’s strong business performance on a sustainable basis. Ahead of the Awards presentation, Robin Amlôt,

Chief Executive Officer of CPI Financial, publisher of Banker Africa, acknowledged that: “Against a backdrop of turmoil in the Kenyan banking sector, there can be no better time to identify those banks that are getting things right! Customers, both corporate and individual, need to have confidence in their banks. Demonstrating the quality that is available to them will help restore that confidence.” The Banker Africa East Africa Awards Amlôt added, are designed to reward excellence in financial services, identifying the key players working to help create a prosperous diversified future for all of the region’s people, businesses and economies. In Kenya, I&M Holdings flagship banking subsidiary, I&M Bank Kenya has just announced the appointment of seasoned banker Kihara Maina as the Chief Executive Officer. @Dennis_x254

Agribusiness innovation trade fair to support youth

The Agribusiness Innovation and Trade Fair, an event that seeks to empower youth from across the continent, today brought together the top 30 contestants from the Competition.

The contestants are set to convene in Nairobi at Crown Plaza for the Trade Fair.

The key objective of the Agribusiness Innovation and Trade Fair is to create an ecosystem of trade, financing and capability support for the 30 startups and SMEs. Among the exhibitors in the Start-ups Category, seven are from Kenya, two from Rwanda, four from Tanzania, and there is one each from Uganda and Burundi. The SMEs Category features five Kenyans, three Rwandese, two Tanzanians, three Ugandans and two Ethiopians.

CBK Governor dedicates Award to continent’s youth

Central Bank Governor (CBK) Dr. Patrick Njoroge was been named the Central Banker of the Year at the African Banker Awards. Dr. Njoroge dedicated the award to Africa’s youth. He was feted for successfully reforming and transforming the financial sector through proper regulation and policies.

He was also lauded for creating a stable and predictable environment for investment and growth.

The affair, held at Lusaka’s InterContinental Hotel on the sidelines of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Annual Meetings, came just after the continent celebrated Africa Day, marking its 53rd Anniversary.

I&M Holdings Director Sarit Raja-Shah (left) flanked by I&M Bank Kenya Chief Executive Officer Kihara Maina skim through the firm’s Annual Report with Shareholder Sheila Saganda (right) during the I&M Holdings 64th Annual General Meeting held on 18/06/2016. Shareholders of the regional diversified financial services provider I&M Holdings Limited, have today approved the firm’s business expansion plan geared on facilitating bu.

Diaspora remittances jump 11pc as country receives Sh13.4 billion from Kenyans living, working abroad Remittance inflows to Kenya increased by 11.8 per cent in March 2016 compared with 3.0 per cent in February, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has confirmed.

“The March 2016 increase is reflected in inflows from North America and Europe. Cumulative inflows in the 12 months to March 2016 increased by 10.2 per cent to $1.599 million (Sh160 million) from $1.452 million (Sh146 million) in the year to March 2015,” The CBK said in a statement.

The regulator noted yesterday that the 12 month average flow to March 2016 increased to $133.3 million (Sh13.4

BIZ BRIEFS

billion) from $121 million (Sh12.2 billion) in March 2015.

Remittance inflows from North America increased by 11.0 per cent and accounted for 48.8 per cent of total inflows in March 2016. Inflows from Europe also increased by 4.8 percent while that from the rest of the world decreased by 14.2 per cent.

According to one of the latest reports from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), diaspora communities make a unique contribution to the development of their home countries—especially toward building physical capital and productivity, and ultimately helping to

boost job creation, living standards, and higher growth.

“Migrants from emerging and developing countries sent home $430 billion last year - three times more money than their home countries receive in financial assistance from other countries or international financial institutions and a substantial portion of their GDP,” stated Pritha Mitra, a Senior Economist in the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department.

Mitra, who leads regional surveillance work for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) oil importing countries, added that these figures could be even

higher if the high cost of sending remittances - ranging from 5 per cent of the amount being sent in South Asia to 12 per cent in Sub-Saharan Africa - were lowered.

“When these remittances are spent on goods and services, they immediately support economic activity. When these remittances are used to invest, they can boost the home-country’s capital. For example, relatives back home may use this money to fund their own businesses - or they may save it, increasing the funds banks have to lend to businesses,” she said. @Dennis_x254

Nakumatt continues regional expansion with 61st new branch Regional retailer, Nakumatt Holdings, has continued its ongoing expansion drive, having opened its 61st branch in Nairobi.

The opening of Nakumatt Kitisuru, located at the new Kitisuru Place shopping complex, comes hot on the heels of last week’s opening of Nakumatt Emali, the retailer’s 60th branch in Emali town along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.

The new Nakumatt Kitisuru, comes on stream as the retailer’s 24th Branch in Nairobi County, while the opening of Nakumatt Emali in Makueni County last week now pushes Nakumatt’s County presence to 17, further enhancing its commitment to pursue a nationwide expansion programme. The opening of the two stores (Nakumatt Emali and Nakumatt Kitisuru) have also served to push up Nakumatt’s local staff to more than 7,000 team members.

8

BUSINESS

Intra-Africa trade to play larger role in local GDP contributions WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 27-29, 2016

Trade costs between African countries (Intra-Africa trade costs) are estimated to be approximately 50 per cent higher than in East Asia due to the number of permits required when transporting goods across certain borders, a new World Bank report has revealed.

According to the analysis, the varying value of the dollar across the region will also hamper Intra-African trade since alternating values can often make it difficult for companies to plan market expansion strategies in Africa.

When comparing intra-regional trade statistics, Africa’s rates are amongst the lowest in the world, with less than 20 per cent of what is produced in the region remaining on the continent, according to Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.

“This, in essence, means that over 80 per cent of what is produced in Africa is exported, mainly to the European Union, China and the United States. In comparison, over 65 per cent of Europe’s trade occurs on its own continent, and in North America, the figure is around 50 per cent,” adds Heymans.

According to the latest IMF April 2016 World Economic Outlook report, Growth in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to remain low this year to stand at 3 per cent down 0.4 per cent from 2015.

Developing economies and emerging markets will also continue to account for a large portion of the world’s economic growth in 2016.

Heymans adds that intra-African trade

According to a World Bank report, varying value of the dollar across the region will also hamper IntraAfrican trade since alternating values can often make it difficult for companies to plan market expansion strategies in Africa. has enormous potential to catalyze investment and foster growth on the continent. “To ensure that Africa is equipped to maintain and exceed its growth trajectory of 4 per cent in 2017, business leaders, the government and the community need to work together

towards making African an easier place to do business and to stimulate trade between the various African countries,” says Heymans.

According to Heymans, the government and the private sectors need to continue to work together to create a sustainable

IMF calls for effective policies as region battles downturn Sub-Saharan Africa, and Kenya in particular, is seeking to rev up its growth prospects amid an economic downturn that experts say could hurt economies across the continent.

A slump in commodity prices in the region has prompted policy makers, including the International Monetary Fund, to take action, urging the Kenya government to enforce new fiscal policies. “This is a critical moment for sub-Saharan Africa, which faces slowing growth, but with the right policies many countries in the region are well positioned to ride out the storm, according to the latest issue of the IMF’s quarterly magazine, Finance & Development (F&D),” the IMF said in a statement released just hours ago.

The Fund states that after 10 years of unprecedented growth, which helped fuel a positive Africa Rising narrative, the outlook for sub-Saharan Africa is dimming. The region suffered a sharp slowdown, owing to slumping commodity prices and softer global economic conditions. Natural resource producers such as Nigeria, Angola, South Africa, and Mozambique have been hard hit.

“Drought has struck in some countries. And China—now a major trade and business partner in a number of African countries—

is slowing as it retools its economy, sparking fears of further weakening,” IMF researchers have warned.

Antoinette Sayeh, Head of the IMF’s African Department, has argued that the underlying drivers of growth over the past decade still persist and that a reset of monetary and fiscal policies can help reignite sustainable growth in the region.

Former governor of the Central Bank of Kenya Njuguna Ndung’u, Kenya School of Monetary Studies professor Lydia Ndirangu, and the IMF’s Armando Morales have already documented the positive impact of digital technologies on access to financing in many African countries, citing Kenya as a promising example in its efforts to spur development.

In a new report, IMF economists Christine Dieterich, Dalia Hakura, and Monique Newiak explain how gender equality can boost growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The magazine also looks at a sector that exemplifies Africa’s growing influence and economic energy: Nigeria’s film industry, or “Nollywood,” one of the world’s largest film industries in terms of number of films produced. @Dennis_x254

and inclusive environment and work on solutions to make it easier for African businesses to conduct business within their local and regional environment. @lenah_x254

CBK urges banks to lower cost of credit as inflation continues to fall The Central Bank of Kenya has called on lenders to lower the cost of credit following the recent drop in the country’s Central Bank Rate (CBR) to 10.5 per cent.

“The CBK continues to urge banks to reduce their operating costs and enhance transparency in the pricing of credit,” Njoroge said in a statement.

CBK Governor Dr Patrick Njoroge said the CBR had been lowered by 100 basis points to 10.5 per cent on March 23, 2016. He observed that the overall inflation is expected to continue to decline and hence remain within the Government target range in shortterm, adding that there was policy space for an easing of monetary policy while continuing to anchor inflation expectations.

He added that in this respect, the CBK has commenced the quarterly publication of individual banks’ lending rates across loan categories and maturities.

The Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee had raised concerns over rising bad debt, which increases the 41-bank industry’s credit risk and is a greatly affects the pricing of loans.

“Liquidity in banks and its distribution has normalised, but further work is needed to strengthen liquidity management and operations of the interbank market,” the Governor said.

Dr Njoroge said the CBK will continue to monitor developments and use instruments at its disposal to maintain overall price and financial sector @Dennis_x254 stability.

Mahindra strengthens position in Africa with new Kenyan office Mahindra Africa Business, headquartered out of Pretoria, has opened its first office in Nairobi, Kenya. The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise through solutions that power mobility, drive rural prosperity, enhance urban lifestyles and increase business efficiency. This will be a local office for the Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, Power Generators and Agri Business, representing the region of East and Central Africa. “Being a customer centric company, it has always been our endeavor to provide our customers with the best-in-class experience. Hence the launch of our first regional hub in Kenya for the whole of East Africa in line with our expansion strategy and commitment towards Africa,’ said Mr. Ashok Sharma President, Agri & Africa & South Asia operations.

With a well-equipped team of professionals, the Nairobi office will provide focused attention to the ever evolving needs and aspirations of the customers, which would result in enhancing the overall customer experience and would help the brand rise up the value chain with most relevant product portfolio to the region ‘In line with one of the pillars of

our Rise philosophy, Driving Positive Change, with our own operations in Africa, we are very strongly poised to serve the customers better by being closer to the market, enhancing our reach, providing convenience, ensuring precision in service by our esteemed channel partners and by ensuring excellent customer care. In fact Kenya offers the right prospect to be the base for a regional office.

Going ahead our endeavor is to further expand our network in this region which will enable us to understand and serve our end customers better,’ noted the MD & CEO, Mahindra Agri Solutions Ltd. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Ashok Thakur said, “The opening of a local office is an investment, as we bring the international and functional experience of our professionals from across the company, thereby bringing value to the marketplace. Further, we also have plans to leverage on the local talent in the country, which will be a win-win situation as it will also enable us to understand the customers and be closer to the culture. This in turn will help in strengthening brand Mahindra and make it more relevant to the end customers in this part of the world.” @kevin_x254

WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 27-29, 2016

ACCESS

11 FASHION PARADE

celeb chat

IF YOU DON’T EXPOSE YOUR TALENT TO NEW PEOPLE YOU WILL NOT GROW AS AN ARTIST

@christine_x254

DJ, Hype man, businessman, artiste extraordinaire Eugene Maseck also known as Mc Advice might be a new name on the scene but he has big plans. Here he talks, dancehall, bad habits and hunger pangs with XACCESS. Who is Eugene Masecko?

He’s an energized active and down to earth person.

Professionally, I’m in real estate, an MC, an artiste and a DJ. How long have you been in the business?

I’ve been in show business since 2008. I started as a DJ in high school. We used to exchange music with my crew and make mixes using Virtual DJ back then so when I finished high school I decided to get seriously into it. First it was part time and then in 2010 I got hooked on Caribbean music and the Caribbean sound.

Who/What inspires you?

The people that got me into the music are who inspire me. Busy Signal and Assassin AKA Agent Sasco, a Jamaican dancehall deejay.

What is the one mistake you see a lot of up and coming artistes making?

For the most part I’d say that other artistes tend to think that they have made it even when they haven’t.

If you don’t expose your talent to new people you will not grow as an artiste and so when you are playing for a new or more experienced crowd they might be able to spot all your mistakes. New deejays think that they are on a level that they might not have reached and this also breeds bitterness.

What is it that bothers you about this industry?

Togetherness. In the local scene artistes do not show a lot of togetherness. The two biggest names in the dancehall scene would be Redsan and Wyre and for as long as they two musicians have been in the industry they have never done one collaboration together. It paints a bad picture to up and coming artistes. Also if you are as blessed as big starts in the country are, you should give back and that is something that I do not

see much of.

What festivals or concerts would you love to play at the most?

Later this year I’ll be performing at the Chronic Show on June 18th. That’s where my focus is for now.

What concert or event did you play at that you found the most memorable?

The roast of Caroline Mutoko

HOT

CAROLINE

TOPICS

The queen of Radio is on the receiving end, again. Apparently Caroline took to her channel to pour cold water on Jicho Pevu’s expose, saying it was wrong to slut shame Cheryl Kitonga and the streets of social media changed the narrative. Led by arch rival Cyprian Nyakundi, Caroline is now being trolled for supporting prostitution. Hate mongers have gone further to spew even more fuel on unrelated subjects.

MC advice at your service I was MKU Thika a while ago, last year February. Nameless, Fred Omondi, Rabbit plus a bunch of other comedians were at the event and it was just great. I killed the show on an empty stomach!

Any future plans?

My main goal is to bring Kenyan dancehall music into the light. Ion

a continental scale the first names you think of would be Patoranking, Chameleon, Bebe Cool and artistes like that but when you go to other countries you won’t hear Kenyan names out there.

I want to help raise the bar and help up and coming artistes.

Adele forgets own lyrics at concert Even perfect goddesses like Adele make mistakes! In a recent concert, the British singer was filmed flubbing her lyrics to her popular tune “Million Years Ago.” “I know I’m not the only one,” she began, before declaring, “S**t wrong words! S**t, s**t, s**t!”

The chart-topping songstress then let out her identifiable laugh as the audience cheered.

“I started singing the chorus,” she explained. “Sorry!”

The singer performed in Lisbon, Portugal earlier this week and is heading to Italy next.

ADELE

10

ACCESS

WEEKEND WEDNESDAY EDITION, 26th NOVEMBER MAY 27-29, 2014 2016

FASHIONSCOOP

INSIDE YOUR CLOSET @mercy_x254

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Zara Larsson & MNEK DJ Snake Featuring Bipolar Sunshine Flume Featuring Kai Major Lazer Feat: Nyla & Fuse ODG Alan Walker Jonas Blue Featuring Dakota Kygo Featuring Maty Noyes

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WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 27-29, 2016

WEEKENDER

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GIG GUIDE TODAY Deejay Kace

ALCHEMIST BOOMBOX

ONE DAY AT LAUNCH A TIME ALBUM

WHERE: The Alchemist Bar, Parklands Road WHO: Deejay Kace TIME: 6pm ENTRY: Sh.300.

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11

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CLASSIFIED WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 27-29, 2016

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WEATHERFORECAST FRIday 27/4/2016

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SATURday 28/4/2016

More sun than clouds

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SUNday

22

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

Jose Mourinho confirmed as Manchester United manager with a three-year contract WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 27-29, 2016

Jose Mourinho has been officially confirmed as Manchester United manager and has signed a three-year contract.

He replaces Dutchman Louis van Van Gaal, who was dismissed on Monday, two days after the club’s FA Cup win.

“José is quite simply the best manager in the game today,” said United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

Mourinho, 53, said: “To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game. It is a club known and admired throughout the world.”

He said he had always “felt an affinity with Old Trafford” and claimed he has “always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans”.

He added: “I’m looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years.

“There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match.”

Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked as boss of Premier League rivals Chelsea in December.

“His track record of success is ideal to take the club forward,” said Woodward.

“He has won trophies and inspired players in countries across Europe and, of course, he knows the Premier League very well, having won three titles here.”

The Portuguese’s appointment followed three days of talks between his agent,

Jorge Mendes, and senior United officials.

He has already been linked with a move for Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played for him at Inter Milan.

Ibrahimovic, who has already decided to leave Paris St-Germain, told a news conference on Thursday that Mourinho “is the man” to bring United “back to the top”.

The BBC reported on Saturday, within an hour of United’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, that Van Gaal would be sacked and replaced by Mourinho.

Talks, which started on Tuesday and were delayed by negotiations over Mourinho’s image rights, finally concluded on Thursday.

Mourinho won three league titles in his two spells at Stamford Bridge, led Real Madrid to the Spanish title in 2012, and guided Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League victories in 2004 and 2010 respectively.

However, he left the Blues in turmoil only seven months after winning the Premier League title, with the club 16th in the league, just one point above the relegation zone, having accused some players of “betraying” his work.

“Mourinho is a Marmite manager, you either love him or hate him,” Manchester United Supporters’ Trust vice-chairman Ian Stirling said.

“All the Manchester United fans want is someone who respects what the club is

Jose Mourinho when he was unveiled as the new Manchester United manager today. The former Chelsea coach signed a three-year contract with United.

and what we are about.”

Former Old Trafford goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said Mourinho “could save” the club, while ex-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti described Mourinho as a “fantastic signing” who could help United rediscover its “identity”.

Paul Scholes, who spent 20 years

at United, said Mourinho would understand the club’s traditions of “attacking football”.

However, Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona said his former club should have gone for incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola instead.

Retired Netherlands international

Ronald de Boer described Mourinho as a “workaholic” who “prepares perfectly on how to win”.

De Boer, who worked with Mourinho at Barcelona, added: “Sometimes it is not pretty but he knows how to grind out wins. That is what you get.”

Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards to appeal IDCC ruling to FKF’s IDAC

A police officer stands on guard after chaos broke out during a Gor Mahia vs Tusker Sportpesa Premier League match at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi last month. The League’s Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee yesterday ruled that Gor be docked three points for the crowd trouble.

PHOTO: CAPITAL FM

Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have announced they will appeal to the Football Kenya Federation’s Independent Disciplinary and Appeals Committee (IDAC) the decision by the Kenya Premier League’s Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee (IDCC) to dock them three points over cases of hooliganism.

IDCC made the ruling on Thursday after finding both clubs guilty to scenes of hooliganism witnessed during Gor’s match against Tusker FC and Leopards’ against Ulinzi Stars.

Speaking to Capital Sport, Gor Mahia assistant Secretary General Ronald Ngala said they will not take the decision hands back, disclosing that they will file an appeal to the Federations disciplinary body Friday morning.

“We cannot accept such kind of nonsense. We don’t feel in any way that this decision is in good taste and we read a lot of mischief into it. Already, we lost the match in unfair manner and now they are moving to dock us points that’s unacceptable,” Ngala asserted.

By docking them the points, Gor will cede leadership of the SportPesa Premier League and drop to fourth as already indicated on the official KPL website.

“We cannot work hard to prepare the team to win on the field then somebody comes and docks us points. It is unfair. We would rather lose on the pitch,” an agitated Ngala added.

Gor’s match against Tusker FC on April 16 was

stopped for close to 15 minutes after a section of the crowd threw projectiles into the pitch protesting a penalty awarded to Tusker.

A confrontation occurred between Gor players and the match officials with the anger spilling to the fans but ultimately, the match went on.

Gor keeper Boniface Oluoch has been consequently banned for one match following his shove on one of the match officials but Ngala said they will not appeal the keeper’s ban as it was legit and Oluoch himself has accepted the charge.

A section of Leopards fans on the other hand caused abandonment of their match against Ulinzi Stars on April 23 in Mumias after another contested penalty.

Speaking to Capital Sport, AFC co-chair Dan Mule also said they will not accept the docking of points and will appeal to IDAC. “We cannot accept that because we feel it is an unfair decision. Already, the match was awarded to Ulinzi despite it being abandoned at 1-1. Now we are punished even further and we feel it is not the right decision,” Mule said.

Just a few days after the two cases of violence, FKF passed stringent measures to curb hooliganism including docking of points, but said the new rules would not affect the two past cases which were already at the KPL IDCC. MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

14

SPORT

Eyes on referee Clattenburg in search for Europe’s best team of 2016 WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 27-29, 2016

All eyes will be on English referee Mark Clattenburg tomorrow as Real Madrid take on city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final in Milan.

Real and Atletico meetings have been tense, especially over the last three seasons since Diego Simeone’s team began challenging the dominance of their city rivals and Barcelona in La Liga.

Clattenburg is an experienced Premier League referee but only came to the limelight during Manchester United’s controversial win over Chelsea in 2013 when he showed two contentious red cards to the Blues.

But since then, he has handled big matches with relative calm, often officiating at the big stages including the Champions League.

Last Saturday, Clattenburg officiated the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium during which he endured a difficult afternoon.

But tomorrow’s showdown will be the biggest test as Real and Atletico, Spanish fiercest city rivals, lock horns in search of Europe’s best team.

The eyes of the world will be on him and the scrutiny will be intense given the volatile line-up of the two sides.

“I think Mark will be under a lot of pressure on Saturday,” former player and current pundit Stewart Robson told ESPNFC. “But the one thing I don’t think he can do is book one or two players early on in the game,” he added.

Neither Atletico nor Real will fail to protest certain refereeing decisions as has been the case in their previous encounters and Clattenburg must have a word with the players to ensure he remains in control of the game to be played at Milan’s Stadio Giuseppe Meazza commonly known as the San Siro stadium.

The trick the referees have often used is refusing to book any player early on in the game because

English referee Mark Clattenburg will officiate tomorrow’s Champions League final clash between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in Milan.

doing so will give the players a chance to challenge every non-booking after that and put the referee under immense pressure.

“Atletico Madrid like to get their tackles in, they will try to irritate the opposition and they will try to irritate Clattenburg. He’s going to have to try to control Diego Simeone as well because his

behaviour on the touchline can leave a lot to be desired. Real have got players who like to go to ground a bit too easily; they’ve got players that can be hot-tempered, like Sergio Ramos and Pepe, so there’s a lot of people out there who will test the referees’ patience,” Robson said.

SPORT 15 WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 27-29, 2016

Diego seeks Real revenge in CL final Zidane (pictured below) must also prepare his team to contain Atletico twin-attacking threat of Griezmann and Fernando Torres. The French forward is an intelligent game reader often making powerful runs from deep, clever movements into the channels and is a key player in Atletico’s lightning-fast transitions.

Two defenders can easily contain that. But not when Torres in also waiting for the spaces to exploit. This

is where Real captain Ramos will be tested. Torres might be deployed as the hitman in 4:5:1 formation or alongside Griezmann in a 4:4:2 formation. Ob both occasions he has proved to be a selfless and reliable centre-forward and a genuine threat on goal.

His contest against old international teammate Ramos will be particularly intriguing. A couple of years ago it seemed Ramos had matured and become one of the most reliable centre-

backs around, but recently errors have crept back into his game. He dives in too much, conceding fouls or allowing space in behind for opposition runners to exploit.

Real Madrid have one big advantage over their opponents in Saturday’s final. Zidane’s men can switch play.

With Tony Kroos and Luka Modric, the galacticos have two of the most composed and intelligent central midfielders in the business. And with both fullbacks Marcelo and Carvajal overlapping to allow Ronaldo and Bale move inside to shoot, literal passes from the two midfielders can kill the game.

The other area of duel is in set-pieces.

In the 2014 final, both goals in regular time came from set-pieces as Diego Godin nodded Atletico into the lead to punish Iker Casillas’ error, while Ramos powered home a last-gasp equaliser to take the contest into extratime.

And with few clear-cut chances likely in open play, set-pieces should be crucial once again. Both teams have various aerial threats, with Real’s centre-back pairing and front trio all adept in the air, while Atletico are also a tall, physical side.

Godin is a particular threat, and

seemingly the main target whenever Atletico have a corner. Simeone (pictured below) will be encouraged by the fact Real’s goalkeeper Keylor Navas, while an excellent shot-stopper, isn’t particularly good at commanding his box.

Atletico are also clever at getting their players into dangerous goalscoring

positions with sneaky block-offs.

Referee Mark Clattenburg will be forced to police the penalty areas particularly keenly. Goalline assistants Anthony Taylor and Andre Marriner might also have major decisions to make. @peter_x254

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EUFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

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Derby showdown in Milan CL final

Real Madrid will take on city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final in Milan tomorrow with the dynamics of the two teams already setting up a fascinating match on Saturday.

Although Real Madrid have the superstars in the lineup, Atletico Madrid are a compact unit which has already proved superior to fancied opposition like defending Champions Barcelona and German heavyweights Bayern Munich both of whom Diego Simeone’s team knock out on its way to the final.

This reduces to the contest to a tactical battle between Zinedine Zidane and the Argentine manager.

While the Frenchman is still a rookie manager, his win ratio is superior to that of his opponent at 66.6 percent against 58.3 percent in the Champions League. Tomorrow’s match however, could be decided on five key battle points.

Of critical importance to Zidane will be stopping Atletico on the counter. This is where deep lying midfielder Casemiro will come in.

The functional, no-nonsense Brazilian must be in fine form to play the holding role and ensure he is always alert to the threat of counter-attack to deny Antoine Griezmann any easy balls while also keeping an eye on both Saul and Coke making runs from wide into the centre.

There will be a couple of moments, as Atletico break, when Casemiro will be forced to make major decisions: who to track, when to commit to challenges, whether a tactical foul and a yellow card is better than the risk of being dribbled past. Real lack shape without the ball, and therefore their only defensive mid-

fielder will be pivotal. Then there is the battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Atletico rightback Juanfran. When Real Madrid produced a storming extra-time period to triumph 4-1 over Atletico two years ago, Juanfran was the fall guy. The Spanish right-back had picked up an injury and spent the entire half-hour hobbling, with Simeone unable to replace him having already made all three substitutions.

Inevitably, Real’s three extra-time goals originated from the right flank. It was an unfair way for Juanfran to end a magnificent individual campaign, especially as he’d proved extremely effective at nullifying Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has scored just once from open play in his 10 appearances against Atletico since that Champions League final, and Juanfran can feel confident he’s worked out a way to cause Ronaldo problems. Juanfran tends to stick extremely tight during the opening period, often with a midfielder dropping back into Atletico’s defence to guard the right-back zone. Juanfran positions himself well and shows Ronaldo down the line effectively, and while he has a habit of diving into tackles in unnecessary positions against the Portuguese attacker, he largely performs well in the derby.

But he will have problems dealing with Ronaldo when the ball is on the opposite flank. The Portuguese forward is excellent at moving inside to become a second centre-forward, and aerially he has the beating of Juanfran. A couple of early, diagonal balls to use Ronaldo’s aerial power might be a useful strategy for Real.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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