TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016 | WWW.X254.CO
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WANDAYI FINALLY BACK IN PARLIAMENT THE UGUNJA MP FINALLY MAKES A COMEBACK TO THE HOUSE AFTER FOUR MONTHS SUSPENSION BY THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY JUSTIN MUTURI
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JOSE MOURIHNO WILL BE CRUCIAL IN DETERMINING ROONEY’S ENGLAND ROLE
Calls on Kinisu to resign as Anti Graft boss over NYS C
alls for the resignation of the embattled Ethics and Anticorruption Chairman Phillip Kinisu over his alleged involvement of a company he is associated with in the Sh 791 million National Youth Service saga has started in earnest. Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter kicked off the debate and called on the anti-graft boss to step aside to pave way for investigations after it emerged that a family company Esaki Limited, run by his wife was doing business with the NYS that has been riddled with corruption scams.
Addressing a press conference at Parliament Buildings yesterday, Keter said that with such serious allegations labelled against his company, Kinisu should step aside from his position to pave way for free and fair investigations. “The continued presence of Kinisu as the chairman of EACC, with such weighty allegations levelled against him, is a mockery of the spirit of fighting corruption in the country. As it is, Kinisu does not meet the minimum threshold to continue chairing EACC,” said Keter. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
I’m not biter with Jubilee, for being out of Cabinet, Ngilu
Nandi Hills Mp Alfred Keter at a press conference in parliament buildings yesterday.The legislator wants EACC Chairman Philip Kinisu to resign as the anti-graft boss after his company was involved in business deal with National Youth Service(NYS)
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National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) Party leader Charity Ngilu has said she is not bitter with the Jubilee government even after her ouster from the cabinet following corruption allegations. Ngilu said that she was forced out of the government by schemes orchestrated by cartels after her attempts to streamline the Lands ministry that has for decades been riddled with corruption allegations. She maintained that up to now
no evidence has been linked to her against any corruption dealings but has only been accused of obstructing the collection of evidence in relation to the Karen land saga. “I have nothing against the Jubilee government even after my ouster. I was forced out of the government by cartels that did not us to deal with corruption especially where I worked at the Lands ministry,” Ngilu said during an interview on citizen. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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Suspend the new term dates and call for structured dialogue, KNUT tells Matiang’i TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has once again called on the education Cabinet Secretary to abolish the new term dates he announced earlier this year. Sossion said the extension of the term is partly to be blamed for the current school unrest as students and other educational stakeholders were not adequately prepared for the extension. The KNUT Secretary General said any extension in an education calendar affects learners and teachers too in equal measure. “Education policy makers will tell you that even an extension of the education calendar for a minute is likely to affect learners. Students are exhausted teachers too and when the CS insists that the new term dates has to be adhered to then it causes more harm than good,” Sossion. Sossion urged the Education CS to consider reverting to the previous term dates and close schools to cool tempers that is currently flaring in most schools.
“All schools this point should have been closed to cool down tempers, from there the CS should engage teachers, parents and other education stakeholders so as to have a lasting solution for this problem,” Sossion said. Education CS Fred Matiang’i has however ruled out closing of schools and also rubbished claims the review of the term dates is to blame for the school unrest. Matiang’i appeared before the senate education committee last week said review of term dates has nothing to do with school unrest as similar incidents occurred last year without the changes in term dates. Sossion refuted claims that teachers are in a panic mode due to the forthcoming national exams hence the arson attacks in order to find excuses for failure. “Teachers are not panicking, the CS knows what is going in our schools and should address it without apportioning blame to the teachers,” Sossion said. Sossion called on Matiang’i not to adopt the wait and see situation as
the matter is now getting out of hand. “The wait and see method adopted by the Education CS is not helping at all, things are getting out of hands and its time he acts, close all schools and bring all education stakeholder in a round table talks,” Sossion said yesterday in Nairobi The escalating school unrests has forced the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association to call for an urgent stakeholders meeting tomorrow in Nairobi to ventilate on the issue and come up with solution. The association’s head John Awiti said school heads are equally concerned about the problem that is now getting out of hand. “We are concerned the events that are happening in our schools and that’s we have called on the meeting to get to the root cause of the problem and have solutions,” Awiti said. This comes as more than 100 students have been arraigned in court in relation to schools unrest in various parts of the country. @sam_x254
Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General Wilson Sossion at a past function. He has called on the Education Cabinet Secretary to close schools and revert to previous term dates. Photo: Gitobu/XNEWS
Pressure mounts on Kinisu to resign as EACC boss From Page 1 Esaki limited is said to have won lucrative tenders including Kshs 35 million to dig boreholes in Kapenguria at a time when the institution was being investigated over the Sh791 million saga. Keter calls for Kinisu resignation has been backed by a lobby, Transparency International Kenya (TI), who have cited conflicts of interest and the timing when the transactions were conducted. Executive Director Samuel Kimeu explained that whether Kinisu resignation from the chairmanship of the company and played a nonpartisan role in decision making, he would still carry the baggage of interest. “The law broadens personal interests to include a spouse or relative. Even if Kinisu was never a shareholder or director of Esaki limited, he would have a personal interest in the company by virtue of the directorship, management and shareholding of his wife and daughter,” Kimeu explained. Kinisu who yesterday appeared before the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has vowed to stay put at the helm of the anti-graft body, distancing himself from such allegations saying that no law bound him from conducting business with
the government. The Director of Public Prosecutions has since advised that the appropriate way forward was for the allegations to be investigated by a joint team comprising the DCI, Asset Recovery and Kenya Revenue Authority under a multi-agency framework. Kinisu who has been at the EACC helm for barely eight months, confirmed that Esaki was paid Sh35 million by the NYS and not Sh281 million. Through his lawyer
Wanyonyi Chebukati said his company had only been paid Sh35 million by the Health ministry since 2013 and that the other amounts were from other customers. The anti-corruption boss defended the fact that his firm did business with NYS, dismissing any conflict of interest allegations on grounds that he supplied the borehole materials to NYS long before he was named the EACC chairman. Last week, it was alleged that the company had received a total of
Sh281 million from the Devolution ministry on, with payments made as recently as last month. Kinisu has also been linked with a non-government organisation, the African Population and Health Research Centre-Kenya (APHRC) that has been accused of Kshs 5 billion money laundering, possible donor fund diversion and unfair business practises. @wilson_x254
Transparency International chairman Samuel Kimeu.He has called on the EACC chairman to resign over conflict of interest.
Ngilu says she habors no bitterness with the Jubilee government
From Page 1 She was sacked among other four CS by President Uhuru Kenyatta in March last year after they were adversely mentioned in the infamous 173-name and shame list of corrupt civil servants that the president tabled in parliament. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had accused Ngilu of obstructing the collection of evidence in the Karen Land saga by directing Lands officials not to release documents to its investigators or even record any statements regarding the matter. Ngilu however remained non-committal on her relation with the presidency only mentioning that President Kenyatta is the president of all Kenyans and as such she speaks and relates to all Kenyans including him. “The president is our head of state and relates to all Kenyans including myself. I speak to all Kenyans as well,” added the former Land CS. She has however vowed to throw her ring in the Kitui gubernatorial race in the next General Election on a Narc Party ticket but noted that it was too early to say which coalition she would join. “Since I am not in government I have been speaking to Ukambani residents promoting the party’s ideologies which are food, water, women empowerment and education,” she said. @wilson_x254
NE WS 3 NEWS TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
Okemo wants his extradition case heard separately from KPLC boss Former Cabinet Minister Chris Okemo (Pictured), wants his extradition case be heard separately from that of the former Kenya Power and lighting company manager Samuel Gichuru. Through his lawyer Fred Ngatia, Okemo successfully applied for the adjournment of his case on the grounds that the Director o f Public Prosecutions filed and served submissions on July 21 Ngatia argued that the appeal be heard separately since Okemo’s case is clear and distinct from that of Gichuru and the charges are also different and distinct. Ngatia requested for 21 days to file written submissions. “Okemo has never been an employee of Kenya Power and Lighting Company
(KPLC) where Gichuru served as the Managing Director,” Ngatia told the court yesterday. The three Judge bench, Hellen Okwengu, Martha Koome and Festus Azangala ruled that the matter be adjourned since the parties were not ready for the hearing. “In our view the parties are not ready for today’s hearing case because the written submissions were inly served on July 21 and were not accompanied with a list of authorities. For that we are implying to allow an adjournment sought to allow parties file and serve written submissions,” ruled the three Judge bench. Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Edwin Okello however argued that it will be a waste of time to hear the appeals separately. “It will be a waste of judicial time to hear appeals separately. It is the position of the DPP that the appeals be heard together as they emanate from one judgment of
Wandayi makes a comeback to parliament after four month Ugunja Member of Parliament Opiyo Wandayi finally made a comeback to parliament this afternoon after a four month suspension. Wandayi who was suspended after disrupting President Uhuru Kenyatta’s State of the Nation address in parliament in March this year sensationally claimed the Executive influenced his suspension. “The whole thing was premeditated and the Speaker Justin Muturi was simply executing the script as designed by the Executive,” Wandayi said earlier today. Wandayi said that he does not regret his actions to disrupt President Uhuru Kenyatta state on the nation address and he will do the same thing if given opportunity. “We had all the intelligence to that effect. The Speaker could not risk losing favour with the Establishment to which he’s fully beholden. He had no option in the circumstances but to do the establishment’s bidding. He deserves sympathy, not condemnation,” he added. He said that he was not bitter of Speaker’s action saying the suspension provided him with a perfect opportunity to engage his electorates and Kenyans on a number of issues. “I’ve continued to go about my political activities normally. In any event, I have been even busier than before. I have used the opportunity to engage more with my constituents. I have also been able to visit different parts of the country to appreciate
the challenges people face on a daily basis,” he said. However, the vocal legislator said his absenteeism from parliament had denied his constituents an opportunity to interrogate the Jubilee government on issues of national concern. “The most important thing I missed is the opportunity to interrogate the Executive within the confines of the Parliamentary Committees,” Wandayi remarked. Saying that the committees are a most valuable platform for unearthing and highlighting the mega corruption cases in Government “They had all along considered me as a thorn in their flesh and my being away must have really delighted them,” he claimed. Wandayi explained that he refused to appear before the powers and privileges committee as doing so would legitimise an illegimate process. He also denied missing the lucrative perks such as sitting allowance “I have never glorified money, so at a personal level, I had no problem. I always live within my means. In fact, money was never the reason why I chose to go to Parliament. If I wanted to make money, I would have simply made it in the private sector where I was before,” “Partly, what has killed Parliament is the primitive pursuit of wealth that has made rent-seeking a daily pre-occupation of a majority of MPs. I am proud for not being in that dishonourable group,” he said. @hillary_x254
June. August.
the High Court and one rulling by the magistrate,” Okello said. Okemo and Gichuru face 53 counts linked to the “commissions” through a Windward company that was created in the 1980s by Gichuru to receive kickbacks for the award of tenders to foreign firms during his tenure at Kenya Power. The funds were usually disguised as consultancy fees or commissions charged to the companies. Okemo has also been named as a beneficiary of bribes, according to court papers, and is also wanted in Jersey on money laundering and fraud charges. Mr Gichuru and Mr Okemo face 53 counts linked to the “commissions”. Details of the money were exposed when Gichuru’s wife filed court papers during proceedings for divorce. The wife claimed an estimated Sh1 billion was stashed abroad. @sam_x254
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Blasts heard near Mogadishu airport Big explosions followed by gunfire have been heard near the main entrance of the airport in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, local media have reported. Thick smoke could be seen rising from the area, where there is also a base for African Union (AU) peacekeepers. Local journalists said the blasts had been caused by two bombs. At least one was detonated by a suicide attacker in a vehicle near a checkpoint, they said. There are reports of casualties among security guards on the checkpoint. The militant Islamist group, al-Shabab, which is allied to alQaeda, has carried out frequent attacks in Somalia, including in Mogadishu, in an attempt to oust the UN-backed government. The group has been pushed out of most of the main towns it once controlled, but analysts say it remains a potent threat. It has been increasing its attacks ahead of planned elections in Somalia. Hotels have been attacked by car bombs and then armed assault teams over the past few weeks. The large airport area in Mogadishu is a secure “green zone” for UN operations, the AU peacekeeping force and foreign embassies. The Somali government, with the help of African Union forces, is fighting al-Shabab militants in several parts of the country. Mogadishu: A large plume of smoke rose into the sky after the blasts.
Construction Authority suspends all building networks
The National Construction Authority (NCA) has suspended all building works in the country for projects that exceed excavations of 4.5 meters. With the new move, construction companies will have to have plans approved by structural engineers before being cleared to operate. NCA executive director Daniel Manduku has given contractors seven days to comply or risk having the building projects terminated or penalized. “The executive director and registrar of contractors hereby orders the suspension of all ongoing or planned construction
works across the country with deep excavation exceeding 4.5 meters until the contractors provide proper and detailed plans approved by the project structural engineer on how the safety of workers will be assures, reads the statement from NCA,” ordered Manduku. The directive comes just days after a wall at a construction site in Westlands collapsed, leaving four workers dead. Preliminary investigations into the collapse found the structure with 198 rooms was put up on a weak foundation. NCA has been on the spot over increased number of collapsing
buildings across the country, the most tragic one yet being the Huruma building collapse in April, which claimed 49 lives. Soon after the collapse president Uhuru Kenyatta ordered an audit of the state of buildings which found that most buildings collapse were due to poor quality of concrete, lack of proper foundation and use of substandard building stones. Early in may the government had identified close to 226 building to be demolished after they were found unsafe for human settlement. According to Public Works Principal
Secretary Paul Mwangi, the structures had either been built on unsafe grounds like near rivers, built with poor quality materials or not approved by the construction authority. Major estates to be affected included Roysambu, Hazina, Zimmerman, Kahawa West, Huruma, Umoja, Dagoretti among others. The demolitions have since stalled as owners sought court orders to bar the demolition of the property. @wilson_x254
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TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
Morning newspaper summaries Raila wants Uhuru as School heads call talks Raila’s claims rock team witness in court over Anne over arson crisis: Head teachers probing IEBC: Comments called for a crisis meeting with attributed to Opposition leader Raila Waiguru: Opposition leader Raila yesterday Government officials as the wave of unrest Odinga almost disrupted the business of
Odinga wants President Uhuru Kenyatta to testify as a key defence witness for him against a defamation suit by former CS Anne Waiguru. A sitting President testifying in a domestic court would be unprecedented. A hearing date has not been set. Waiguru sued Raila on September 29 last year for defamation, saying he had “recklessly tarnished” her name by linking her to the National Youth Service scandal and the theft of Sh791 million.
that has gripped boarding schools showed no signs of abating. Kenya Secondary School Head Teachers Association Chairman John Awiti said the talks to be held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development on Wednesday would involve the Teachers Service Commission and top education officials with the sole agenda being to end the arson attacks on schools immediately.
the parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms. The mention of Raila’s name brought out the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD)-Jubilee differences within the team in yesterday’s sitting. During his recent tour in Western Kenya, Raila is said to declare that his coalition will only accept a decision to sack electoral commissioners.
Sunshine 8 let go, IEBC: Graft team sent Ruthimitu 7 are charged: away again: officials of the anti-
Anti-corruption boss questioned for one-anda-half hours by detectives:
Eight students of the prestigious Sunshine Secondary School in Nairobi arrested on suspicion of attempting to torch a dormitory on Friday have been released without charge. They got a reprieve yesterday after a children’s court deferred their plea-taking for seven days and allowed them to pursue mediation. It was, however, different for seven other students from Ruthimitu Secondary School in Dagoretti. These were charged with arson and released on Sh20,000 bail each.
corruption agency were yesterday sent away by the joint select committee on electoral reforms for the second time after their presentation on allegations against the electoral commission was deemed shoddy. There was also heated debate between the team of lawmakers and a senior staffer at the commission after he said the team could not be given a document on the Chickengate saga submitted to Kenyan authorities by the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office.
We formed party as Anglo-leasing: Auditor testifies: An involving the Anglo-Leasing contract in refuge for losers in Jubilee audit which the government sought to modernise primaries: A section of Rift Valley police security systems was carried out politicians yesterday said the Chama Cha Mashinani party was formed for those who are locked out of Jubilee Party nominations. Presiding over a fundraiser at AIC Sinendet and Rehema AIC in Kiptagic, Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno said fair party nominations are rare. They said they were aware of a Jubilee plot to lock them out for criticising Deputy President William Ruto.
without scrutiny of crucial documents relating to the tender, a trial court heard yesterday. A witness said he prepared a report without seeing evidence that due diligence was carried out, the procurement process approved and deliveries worth $8.5 million made. Defence lawyers showed Evans Mwai, a former Auditor-General, the documents, but he said he had never seen them before he prepared the audit and was seeing them for the first time.
Anti-graft boss Philip Kinisu was yesterday questioned over payments made by the National Youth Service (NYS) to a company associated with his family. Kinisu, chairman of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had been summoned to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to record a statement on Esaki Ltd, which is run by his wife.
Varsity graduate killed by ex-lover: An ex-military man
has killed his girlfriend of four years in an affair gone sour. The girl, a fresh graduate of Kenyatta University, was killed 10 days after she graduated with a degree in Public Health. The 22-year-old Faith Endina was repeatedly stabbed by her 36-yearold lover at his one bed-roomed house in Kahawa Wendani estate in Nairobi. The two had been lovers since the girl joined university.
KCB takes over Mombasa tycoon’s company in Sh1bn bad debt tussle: Kenya’s biggest bank
by capitalisation, KCB, has taken over a milling company owned by Mombasa tycoon Tahir Sheikh Said citing its default on a Sh1 billion loan. KCB, which has in excess of Sh1 billion non-performing loans with Tahir Sheikh Said (TSS) Unga Millers, issued a notice in May indicating that it had taken over management of the miller.
1,400 Chinese to build Lamu coal plant: The number
of Chinese workers in Kenya’s crowded labour market is set to increase significantly when construction of Lamu’s coal power plant begins later this year, official reports indicate. A Chinese developer contracted by the consortium that won the contract to build and operate the plant has said it plans to hire 1,400 Chinese for the task, highlighting the extent to which Kenya’s mega infrastructure projects are dependent on Chinese labour.
Al-Shabaab; EU delays refunding Kenya money:
The European Union has since February failed to refund Kenya monies spent fighting Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia amid payment verification hitch. Treasury documents show that Kenya received Sh4.2 billion from the UN in the first seven months of financial year to February against a claim of Sh6.4 billion, meaning the country is owed Sh2.2 billion.
Top stories from X News global partners Japan knife attack: 19 killed A Rocky Start but Doping violations at the and dozens wounded in Democrats Find a Olympics: Anti-doping advocates outrage at the International care centre stabbing: A man Common Target: Trump: expressed Olympic Committee’s decision not to impose who claimed he wanted to kill disabled Democratic Party leaders a blanket ban on the Russian Olympic team. people left at least 19 dead and 26 others injured after a knife attack at a care facility in Japan. Petrified staff at the Tsukui Lily Garden facility in Sagamihara, south of Tokyo, called police at about 2.30am local time after the suspect, named by Japanese media as Satoshi Uematsu, launched his attack. Emergency workers said at least 20 of the wounded had sustained serious injuries, according to the Kyodo news agency. Police in Kanagawa prefecture said Uematsu had driven to the nearby Tsukui police station and turned himself in after the attack.
scrambled on Monday night to rescue their convention from political bedlam as supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders erupted in boos, jeers and protests against Hillary Clinton after an email leak showed that party officials had sought to undermine Sanders in their race for the nomination. Convention organizers shifted Sanders to a more prominent speaking slot in hopes that he would soothe his most ardent backers. Those supporters have become increasingly frustrated with the party’s embrace of Clinton, whom they see as too accommodating to big business and Republicans.
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The president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Sir Craig Reedie, said in a statement that its report “exposed, beyond a reasonable doubt, a state-run doping program in Russia that seriously undermines the principles of clean sport”. Russia is not the only culprit. Thirty-six athletes from 17 nations tested positive for a variety of banned substances including clenbuterol, stanozolol and methylhexaneamine at the 2012 games; in 1968, a year after testing began, the only transgressor, Hans-Gunnar Liljenwall, allegedly had “two beers” to calm his nerves before a pistol-shooting event.
Verizon in $5bn deal for core Yahoo unit: Verizon is
set to acquire Yahoo’s core business in a deal that will end months of uncertainty over the future of the struggling internet group, people involved with the sale said. The US telecoms company plans to buy Yahoo’s internet business for nearly $5bn in a deal that will be announced on Monday morning. Verizon, which was the frontrunner to buy Yahoo, beat several competitors in a drawn-out auction described by some bidders as messy. People briefed on Verizon’s strategy have said the company plans to merge Yahoo with AOL, which it bought for $4.4bn last year, to build a “number three” in digital advertising behind Google and Facebook.
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xnews | TUesday, JULy 26, 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
IBL depositors to access funds as branches resume operations Over five Imperial Bank (IBL) branches have today commenced their operations for the first time in nine months to ease the process of payments for the bank’s large depositors. This follows an earlier joint agreement between the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) and NIC bank to kick start the process. Four of the five IBL branches are in the Coastal region while Nairobi has today operated via one branch. Other clients have been advised to visit any NIC Bank outlet for similar services. The four in the Coast include Diani, Kilifi, Malindi, Watamu and Parklands though large Imperial Bank depositors, whose money is still held up were able to just access their funds up to a maximum of Sh1.5 million, according to a statement issued by NIC on Monday. “Depositors will be able to access a maximum of Sh 1.5 million of their funds in any of the 33 NIC Bank branches countrywide,” NIC said. NIC Bank is set to further assume a majority of Imperial Bank Limited staff and branches. The move came after NIC Bank assessed and determined the quality of Imperial Bank’s assets and liabilities, giving the mandate to process and manage pay-outs to depositors. Last month, shareholders of the troubled bank had accused the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) of rushing to liquidate the lender, complaining that the action by CBK to dispose the bank’s assets to NIC Bank was carried out in order to bury evidence of the regulator’s own role in the saga. However, last week the same shareholders supported the move to pay depositors up to Sh1.5 million but asked the KDIC and the Central Bank to conduct the collapsed bank’s operations in a transparent manner after the court order was issued. “The shareholders of Imperial Bank Limited have given their consent for the Kenya Depositors Insurance Corporation to liquidate the bank’s treasury bills to facilitate the Sh1.5million payout announced by CBK,” said the bank’s directors in a statement issued on July 20. @enock_x254
Borrowers set for reprieve as CBK lowers lending rate Borrowers are set to enjoy cheaper loans after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) yesterday lowered its benchmark interest rate to 8.90 per cent down from 9.87 per cent. CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge yesterday said that the Kenya Bankers Reference Rate (KBRR) had been dropped to 8.9 per cent in a move to cut down lending rates, after a policydriven hike last year. KBRR was first introduced in July 2014 to form a uniform base lending rate across the banking sector enabling consumers to compare the pricing of loan products. “In line with the framework, the CBK has revised the KBRR to 8.90 per cent from 9.87 per cent, effective from July 25, 2016,” CBK said on Monday after its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. However, according to Mwambo
Malamba from Commercial Bank of Africa’s (CBA) Treasury Department, the dilemma remains whether the banks will actually bow to the move and bring down the cost of loans to their customers. “Today’s move by Central Bank is a clear indication that banks should bring their interest rates down for their customers. However as you know like in the past, it is one thing to reduce KBRR but it is another thing to see reduce lending rates,” Malamba said. KBRR came in after banks remained adamant to bring down lending rates even after Central Bank lending rates continued to drop. In the meantime, CBK has decided to retain the Central Bank Rate (CBR) at 10.5 per cent in order to anchor inflation expectations, and to maintain market stability. The bank says despite the expected rise
in cost of commodities due to tax on fuel, inflation will remain within the government expectations. “The CBK will continue to monitor developments in the domestic and international economies, and will use the instruments at its disposal to maintain overall price and financial sector stability,” the regulator said. Low and middle-class debtors have criticised the move saying it will only benefit huge borrowers saying lowering lending rates by just 1 per cent targets to further disadvantage them on borrowing. “The CBK should further lower the lending rates by 3 per cent so that we benefit from the reprieve since 1 per cent has a relief for those borrowing huge amounts, leaving us in the same position we were should they not lowered the rates,” said one of borrower. @enock_x254
MEAN 101.5450 132.9544 111.8564 7.0931 33.2760 21.5570
BUY SELL 101.4148 101.6422 134.8011 133.1078 111.7350 111.9778 7.051 7.1011 33.1949 33.3571 21.4871 21.6269
East Africa records continent’s highest share of foreign direct investment East Africa has recorded the highest share of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) across the continent, achieving 26.3 per cent of total projects with Kenya being among the region’s major beneficiaries. This is according to an Ernst & Young (EY) 2016 Africa attractiveness programme report, which confirms that the growth was mainly accelerated by the highest share of FDI witnessed in EA region where the region received 26.3 per cent of total projects. The research further confirmed that Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. According to the report, Southern Africa remained the largest investment destination across the region, though projects were down 11.6 per cent in 2015 as compared to those recorded in 2014. The West Africa region saw a rebound in FDI projects as investments jumped 16.2 per cent, making the region the leading recipient of capital investment on the continent, outpacing Southern Africa. North Africa experienced 8.5 per cent year-on-year growth in FDI projects. The data indicates that while projects are increasing in North Africa, they are increasing at a much faster rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. “Over the past year, global markets have experienced unprecedented volatility as well as the collapse of commodity prices,” said Ajen Sita, Africa CEO at EY. Sita added that Africa’s two largest markets, South Africa and Nigeria, saw GDP growth decline sharply to below one per cent. @enock_x254
Corrupt officials using shell companies to hide their profits Entrepreneurs and corrupt officials from Kenya and across the African continent are using shell companies to hide their profits from the sale of natural resources and bribes, the latest records leaked from a Panamanian law firm have revealed. According to the records, the owners of diamond mines in Sierra Leone and safari companies in Kenya and Zimbabwe also created shell companies. The records -- which are a set of new reports about Africa based on the Panama Papers -- confirm that owners of the hidden companies include, from Nigeria alone, three oil ministers, several senior employees of the national oil company and two former state governors who were convicted of laundering illgotten money from the oil industry. Some of the assets cycled through the shell companies were used to buy yachts, private jets, Manhattan penthouses and luxury homes in diaspora the law firm documents show. Articles posted on Monday by the International Consortium of
Investigative Journalists, and reports being published this week by news media organizations in 17 African countries, underscore the critical role that secret shell companies can play in facilitating tax evasion, bribery and other crimes. In Africa, offshore finance often underlies the exploitation of mineral wealth, with the benefits bypassing the public and going largely to wealthy executives and the government officials they pay off. The Panama Papers project, organized by the international journalists’ consortium, has involved more than 400 reporters around the world and has set off criminal investigations in many countries. “Several major figures examined in the new Panama Papers reports have previously been accused of wrongdoing, and some are under criminal investigation or have been charged. But the details of their use of shell companies had not previously been disclosed,” the authors said. @enock_x254
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TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
Co-operatives to spearhead cotton sector revival, says CS
Kenya’s government has targeted cotton co-operatives as key drivers of the state’s revival of the country’s ailing textile industry. Speaking yesterday at the official opening of an event dubbed the Cotton/ Textile Stakeholder Forum, Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Adan Mohamed said that the government is focusing on sectors that have the potential to transform lives. He added that the cotton cooperatives were strategically placed in the industry’s value chain to access market opportunities for small-scale cotton farmers to meet the demand for cotton in the domestic and international market. “We want to return the cotton cooperatives to where they were in the 1970s and 1980s. This time, we had over 70 registered cooperatives,” said Mohammed. Currently, over 77 per cent of the registered cooperatives are dormant. “We want to equip cooperatives to facilitate the cotton production process and bridge the value chain gap to provide sustained industry growth in future,” Mohammed said. Kenya imports 80 per cent of its domestic lint with the number of cotton farmers dropping from 200,000 in 1980’s to an estimated 30,000 small-scale farmers. Stakeholders have described this as a staggering figure seeing as the cotton market was one of the country’s highest revenue earners in terms of agro-industry products for many years.
Mombasa cultural festival targets domestic tourists The Mombasa International Cultural Festival (MICF), an annual event now in its fourth year, is seeking to tap into domestic numbers in a bid to support the country’s tourism sector. The affair, set to be held in mid-August under the theme ‘Tukutane Mombasa’ (let’s meet up in Mombasa), comes at a time when the industry has begun to pay more attention to the domestic tourism segment as it continues to evolve into the sector’s primary source of income. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) says that domestic travel spending accounted for 58.1 per cent of direct travel and tourism GDP in 2014. This figure is expected to grow by 5.5 per cent in 2015, to reach Sh233.9 billion. WTTC forecasts that domestic spending will reach Sh386.7 billion in 2025.
Industry, Investment and Trade Cabinet Secretary, Adan Mohamed. “Kenya’s Cotton and Textile industry has been under-utilized for several years now. The industry has the potential to generate increased revenue and massive employment opportunities from producers and allied industries along the cotton value chain in the coming years,” added Mohammed. Julius Korir, Principle Secretary for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, said that the government has taken a lot of measures to revive the sector. The measures include acquiring
modern seeds from Israel to testing them on a 500 ha farm to improve the productivity. “As a government, we are piloting on modern seeds to improve the productivity of cotton farmers, we are also guaranteeing a fair price for farmers,” said Korir. He added that for the last two financial years, Rift Valley Textile (Rivatex) East Africa has received Sh1 billion from the National Treasury for the purchase of new machines to help in improving the
company’s productivity. “We want to make Rivatex a 21st century modern mill that competes with other Millis across the world,” said Korir. Rivatex also got a grant from the Indian farm worth Sh2.9 billion to help in reviving. “We need to put in a lot of investments to Rivatex so that they can operate profitably towards improving Kenya’s textile industry,” noted Korir. @lenah_x254
Tourism CS blames radicalisation of youth on unemployment, calls for joint efforts against terrorism Unemployment is responsible for the ease with which extremists radicalise young people, Ministry of Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has said. The CS has called for joint efforts against terror, stating that security will be crucial in maintaining a vibrant tourism sector. Tourism is one of the fastest growing socio-economic sectors, accounting for an estimated 10 per cent of the world’s GDP. Kenya has one of the biggest and most diverse tourism industries in East Africa, with offerings in a range of niches including the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) segment and safari ecotourism. This is according to one of the latest reports from the Oxford Business Group, a global publisher and consultancy producing annual investment and economic reports on more than 30 countries. However, in recent years challenges have arisen for the sector that have negatively affected the country’s economy, including two high profile
BIZ BRIEFS
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala speaking during last week’s UNCTAD forum. terrorist attacks, states the report. Following the attacks, a raft of security advisories were issued from countries that traditionally make up a large percentage of Kenya’s target market for tourism, putting pressure on visitor numbers and hospitality revenues.
“In response, the government and a number of private investors are taking steps to improve security and re-establish Kenya as a safe, attractive destination for visitors. While the shortterm forecast is concerning given the role tourism plays in revenues, foreign
exchange and employment for Kenya’s economy, the medium-term and longterm outlook is more encouraging,” added the analysis. The recent challenges have spurred operators to explore new revenue streams, including business tourism and domestic tourism. “Let’s not have double standards when issuing Travel Advisories,” the CS said referring to recent moves by foreign nations that threatened to undermine the sector. “Travel Advisories hurt our economy and many jobs are lost, which leads to radicalization of our youth,” stated Balala. The CS was speaking on the side-lines of the recently concluded UN conference in Nairobi. “I commend Ghana for enabling all Africans get their Visas at the airport on arrival. Tourism is based on human interaction between visitors & host communities. Let’s promote intercultural understanding. Tourism must involve the local community and should benefit from it,” he added. @Dennis_x254
Kenyan firm among companies blacklisted by WBG
A Kenyan firm has been listed among a total of four companies boycotted by the World Bank following a recent investigation of the entities. Kenya’s Minimix Agencies (Minimix) was this month debarred for three years for fraudulent practice under the Kenya Water and Sanitation Service Improvement Project. An investigation by the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) revealed that Minimix submitted two forged Manufacturer’s Authorization Letters in its bid for a three-lot billing systems contract. Between April AND June 30, 2016, the World Bank Group debarred four companies and one individual involved in sanctionable misconduct relating to projects in Mongolia, Vietnam, Argentina, Peru and Kenya.
Safety Net Program reaches 9 million new beneficiaries The Number of Kenyans benefiting from an initiative dubbed the National Safety Net Program for Results has jumped by an estimated 9 million people. This is according to a report from the International Development Association (IDA), which has continued to support drives that empower the general population. More than 2.6 million individuals are benefiting from cash transfer support through the Program, up from 1.7 million in 2013. The National Safety Net Program is a cash transfer initiative that seeks to support the Republic of Kenya to establish an effective national safety net program for poor and vulnerable households.
8
BUSINESS
Kenya to benefit from Feed the Future initi Obama seeks solutions to combat global h TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
Kenya is set to benefit from a Feed the Future initiative following the signing of a bill by U.S. President Barack Obama that will offer solutions to combat global hunger and poverty. Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative, has been a key development contributor in Kenya, having improved the livelihoods of thousands of people across the region. Last week’s White House Summit on Global Development celebrated a milestone in the U.S. Government’s commitment to ending global hunger, poverty and child malnutrition. Earlier this month, Congress passed the Global Food Security Act, a bipartisan legislation that institutionalizes Feed the Future, the Obama Administration’s successful approach to increasing food security and nutrition. Through Feed the Future, the U.S. Government is working to increase the incomes, nutrition and resilience of small-scale farmers, particularly women, by expanding farmers’ access to local and international markets. President Obama signed the bill into
law on July 20, 2016. “While we’ve already accomplished so much through this collaborative global partnership, I know that with the continued effort and support that this legislation provides, we can achieve what was just a few years ago the unimaginable: We can end global poverty and hunger within our lifetimes,” said President Obama when the bill was first passed. “Enactment of the Global Food Security Act would not have been possible without the strong bipartisan support of its co-sponsors, Representatives Chris Smith and Betty McCollum and Senators Johnny Isakson and Bob Casey,” the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) noted in a recent statement. Through Feed the Future, the United States has marshalled the resources of 11 government agencies, bringing together many key players with the shared goal of boosting global food security and nutrition. “USAID recently announced new results that show how Feed the Future is making impressive progress in the
Average price of land in Nairobi now at Sh178 million per acre The Average price of land in Nairobi is now at Sh178million per acre, a new report by real estate company, Hass Consult has revealed. Hass Consult has unveiled the Hass property price indices and land prices for the second quarter of 2016, showing appreciation of property returns ahead of land within Nairobi’s suburbs, after 9 years. The soaring property appreciation is proof that investors are finding the current prices of land unsustainable in the short term. The prices of land revealed the first annual double digit growth in asking prices for land in satellite towns since 2014. The growth was driven by land price hikes along the touch points of the recently announced Western Bypass and transactions on previously held land along completed bypasses. The average asking price land in satellite towns rose by 8.1 per cent in the second quarter and 15.3% over the year-the first double digit annual growth in the last 2 years. “With average price for land now at Sh178million per acre, investors are now opting to buy property which they can rent out in the short term and sell in the long term. Most investors are opting to buy properties which are easier to offload than an acre whose high price makes it harder to find immediate buyer,” said Ms. Sakina Hassanali, the Head of Marketing & Research at HassConsult. Properties in Nyari Estate in Nairobi
have appreciated 10 times more than land over the year ending June 2016 owing to its closeness to many diplomatic establishments including a host of embassies, the UN Headquarters Complex, and in close proximity to the US Embassy. “Other areas where property continues to rally ahead of land include Karen, Kileleshwa, Langata, Gigiri, Lavington, Parklands, Spring valley and Eastleigh,”said Ms. Hassanali. According to the Q2 Hass Index, detached houses recorded the highest increase in houses prices at 5.2 per cent in the last three months, followed by apartments at 3.6 per cent and Semi-detached houses at 0.7 per cent. “With most of the existing standalone houses in high development areas like Lavington, Spring Valley, Loresho and Kileleshwa among others having been converted to apartments, there are less standalones houses within the suburbs hence current demand has been able to maintain the high prices and rents,” said Ms. Hassanali. The standalone houses also recorded the highest increases in rental prices at 2.2 per cent followed by apartment at 1.4 per cent while semi-detached houses didn’t record any changes in asking rental prices in the quarter. Land prices in Nairobi’s satellite towns are growing by more than 2.8 times compared to Nairobi’s city suburbs. @kevin_x254
fight against global hunger, poverty and malnutrition,” the Agency added. Launched in response to global food price spikes in 2008, Feed the Future has helped more than nine million farmers adopt innovations and practices to build their businesses, helped farmers boost their sales by more than $800 million and reached nearly 18 million young children with nutrition interventions. Feed the Future is also seeking reductions in poverty of rates between 12 and 26 per cent in some areas where the organisation operates. Feed the Future areas have also seen drops in child stunting, a measure of malnutrition, of between 12 and 32 per cent in recent years. Feed the Future’s progress to date shows that, with the right approach, the U.S. Government and its partners can empower rural families to find a path from poverty to prosperity and build a more foodsecure world. Additional impact data and results from 19 Feed the Future focus countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean will be released late this year. @Dennis_x254
United States President Barack Obama speaks with a farmer participating in tours the Faffa Food factory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Safaricom cuts roaming charges by up
Safaricom, the countr telecommunications by market share, ha roaming charges for data by up to 99 per ce 200 networks across The move follows negotiations with network of partners, Safaricom customers w to enjoy reduced dat rates at the rate of Sh in over 52 countries, make calls at reduced “Our new roami progress our delibera to continuously i optimizing our experience in order the best experience network,” said comp Bob Collymore. In China, Safaricom s roaming on China M
Nairobi TICAD forum to focus on economic transformatio This year’s Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD), to be held in Nairobi will focus on promoting structural economic transformation through economic diversification and industrialization, promotion of resilient health systems for quality of life and promotion of social stability. The affair, which will be held between August 27 and 28, 2016 will be the first Summit of its kind to be held outside Japan. President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to open
the event alongside Japan Prime Minister Shinzō Abe. Over 20 African leaders are expected to attend the conference. “It is clear to us that industrialisation and innovation are key drivers of prosperity, right across the world, said State House Spokesperson Manoah Isipisu. “It is equally clear that these are two areas in which Japan has experience and expertise to share. African countries — Kenya among them — long ago identified the shortfall in industrial skills as a central
hindrance to the prosperity we hope to se for our confidence. We hope, therefore to learn from Japan’s experience in thes fields,” Isipisu said as he addressed th media at State House on Sunday. As many as 5,000 delegates are expected to attend the forum. The forum comes afte the country hosted the United Nation Conference on Trade and Developmen (TICAD) that saw 194 nations sign two key documents: the Nairobi Azimio, and the Nairobi Maafikiano.
iative as hunger
the Feed the Future program as he
p to 99pc
ry’s leading company as reduced r calls and ent for over the world. successful its global
will be able ta roaming h14 per MB as well as rates. ing rates ate strategy invest in customers’ to provide e on our pany CEO
subscribers Mobile will
now be charged Sh50 to call back home and enjoy a low of Sh10 per minute to call within China, down from the former rate of Sh360 and Sh130 respectively. Data pricing will fall to Sh14 per MB while roaming on China Mobile and China Unicom, down from the previous rate of Sh1, 900. The new rates will be applicable to both PrePay and PostPay subscribers with customers able to select their network of choice in the destinations that they travel to based on the rates on offer. “Our continued push to provide more value to customers is underpinned by our continued desire to empower customers so that we retain a relationship based on trust with them,” said @enock_x254 Collymore.
on and healthcare
ee e, se he
o er ns nt o d
“These visits are proof of Kenya’s growing influence, strong friendships and partnerships with nation’s right across the world,” added Isipisu. The country is also set to host the Africa Agricultural Forum on September 4th to 9th 2016. Over 2,000 delegates are expected to attend this forum aimed at discussing the future of Africa’s Agriculture as a main source of food, employment, and income. @Dennis_x254
BUSINESS 9
TUESDAY, TUESDAY, JULY JULY 26, 26, 2016 2016
UK needs new watchdog to crack down on criminals, says new report
Britain needs a new financial watchdog to punish wrongdoing in order to win public confidence, further reshaping a regulatory structure that was overhauled just three years ago, the U.K. Parliament’s Treasury Committee has said. A new enforcement body should operate separately from the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority to help prevent a repeat of the “inadequate” response to the near collapse of British lender HBOS Plc in 2008, the Treasury Committee said in a statement earlier today. The new organization would be made up of the enforcement departments of the PRA and the FCA, it said. The recommendation comes in a report by the Treasury Committee into the failure of HBOS, which merged with Lloyds Banking Group Plc in a state-brokered takeover amid the financial crisis, Bloomberg reports. The proposal echoes similar suggestions dismissed by former U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne when he split the Financial Services Authority into the PRA and the FCA in 2013. “The HBOS experience calls for the FCA and the PRA to exhibit greater vigilance and energy if they are to win public confidence,” Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the group of lawmakers said in an e-mail. “This has on occasion been lacking.” A separate body to penalize recklessness and wrongdoing would serve to “bolster the perception” of the independence of enforcers in Britain’s regulatory system, according to the report. T he current system, in which the FCA and PRA supervise banks, while also applying and prosecuting the law is “outdated and can be construed as unfair,” the report said. @Dennis_x254
Terror attacks in Europe force tourists to seek safety in Spain and Portugal European holidaymakers are seeking safer locations following a spat of terror attacks experienced in parts of the continent. A Bloomberg report shows that tourists are flooding to the Canary Islands hotels where reservations are up as much as 20 per cent this year as terror attacks and security worries elsewhere draw visitors to the safety of countries like Spain. After multiple attacks in France and a failed coup in Turkey, both Spain and its Iberian neighbour Portugal are forecasting a record number of visitors this year as tourists seek sun in destinations perceived as safer. For Portugal, it is also helping fuel a push to keep the destination on travellers’ year-round itineraries. “Portugal always shows up as a safe destination,” the nation’s Economy Minister Manuel Caldeira Cabral said in an interview. The country is working to find different segments, like sporting and corporate events, to fill hotels in the winter. “Next year, we are going to see less concentration in the peak season and a more even spread of tourists not only across the time frame of the year, but
also across the country,” Cabral added. Tourism is big business for both economies, generating about 10 per cent of gross domestic product in both Spain and Portugal. In Spain, arrivals were up 7.4 per cent through May this year, while visitor spending jumped 7.8 percent. Overnight stays by non-residents in Portugal advanced 13 per cent in the same period. Regional Unrest Turkey and France have seen the opposite. The nation’s travel agency association is forecasting a drop of up to 40 percent in 2016 income. France, the world’s most visited country, suffered an 8.7 per cent drop in foreign visitors in the fourth quarter of last year -- when terrorists killed 130 people in and around Paris. Turkey “is seen as [a] conflict area,” said Professor Josep Francesc Valls, a lecturer at ESADE Business School in Spain. As people increasingly shun it, they turn to Iberia because the visitor profile of many of those who go to Turkey is similar to that in Spain, according to Valls. Portugal has in turn, bolstered security measures at airports and popular tourist destinations, following the events in
France and Turkey, Cabral said. It has also increased the number of doctors in the Algarve region in the summer. The government is providing credit lines for innovative hotel projects and to help existing hotel owners renovate their properties. It is also building a free wifi network in historic centers across the country as it simplifies legislation on short-term rentals in a bid to increase the quality and sustainability of the tourism sector in Portugal, said Cabral. His government is also playing a role in helping Lisbon attract big conferences such as November’s “The Web Summit,” one of the world’s biggest gatherings of start-ups. “When tourism is going quite well we have to work to guarantee that this is not a peak or a fashion but a trend,” said Cabral. “And we want to maintain that trend.” “There was a significant increase in bookings from both Italian and foreign travelers because indeed, they feel more secure in Italy now,” said Robert Koren, a company vice president, in a statement. @Dennis_x254
Levante Beach in Benidorm, Spain. Both Spain and its Iberian neighbour Portugal are forecasting a record number of visitors this year.
Chinese smartwatch to rival Apple as firm branches into new markets Mobvoi Inc., a Chinese startup backed by multinational tech company, Google, intends to go toe-to-toe with Apple Inc. when it begins selling its smartwatches in September. The four-year-old startup, founded by a group of former Google employees, is hoping consumers will take to the second generation of their product, dubbed the Ticwatch. The device is already popular in China due to its voice-activated natural language search and innovative features like a touch-sensitive strip for scrolling, Bloomberg reports. The new version, which will debut in the U.S. in about a month, responds to questions in English and will let users order pizzas, hail Uber taxis and pick out restaurants on the online platform
known as Yelp. The $200 (Sh20,300) gadget will go for a fraction of the standard-issue Apple Watch and is roughly $100 (Sh10,100) cheaper than Motorola’s latest device, the Moto 360. Li Zhifei, founder and chief executive officer of the Beijing-based company, estimates that he could sell about 50,000 of the devices within a year of its U.S. debut, helping bring its total revenue to $100 million (Sh10.1 billion) in 2017. Alphabet Inc.’s Google led Mobvoi’s last round of financing in October, valuing the company at $300 million (Sh30.4 billion). It was the U.S. internet giant’s first direct investment in China since withdrawing online search from the country in 2010
because of disagreements with the government. This year, Mobvoi became an official Chinese partner for Google’s Android Wear software, meaning its voice-search services are embedded in the U.S. company’s operating system for wearable devices. “The Google label definitely helped us in marketing, but our core advantages are AI technologies that allow machines to understand natural languages, a selfdeveloped system and self-designed hardware,” said Li, who helped develop Google’s translation software before founding Mobvoi in 2012. Li said the company may consider a U.S. IPO next year if its U.S.-bound device can replicate its success at home. During the “Singles Day” sales extravaganza
of 2015, when millions of Chinese shoppers flock online in search of oncea-year bargains, Mobvoi’s device was the third-best selling watch on shopping site JD.com, behind only Apple and the Moto 360. The Ticwatch 2 however is debuting at a time of flagging demand, as potential buyers await hardware improvements. The smartwatch market plunged 32 per cent in the second quarter, according to preliminary data from IDC, with Apple’s market share diving to 47 per cent from 72 percent last year. Longer term, shipments of smartwatches could reach 82.5 million by 2020, from about 21.3 million in 2015, IDC has estimated. Dennis_x254
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
ACCESS 12
Koffi Olomide ARE CELEBRITIES ABOVE THE LAW?
Koffi Olomide assaulting his dancer on live TV.
T
ime stopped when video surfaced of
violently kicking a woman and then continuing to charge at her on live television. bats an eyelid at them because of who months, R Kelly sexually assaulted a child and married the late RnB singer Aaliyah when she was only 15 years old; we all seem to have forgotten that, but the most astounding of all these attacks has to be Dr Dre’s assault on journalist Dee Barnes. who is regarded as an icon in the emergence of hip hop and innovator of the gangster rap sound physically assaulted
happened in 1991 and 25 years later nobody still seems to care because the 2015 hit movie Straight Outta Compton, an account of the journey of the NWA rap
We can’t forget to mention bad-boy rapper Jackson Makini aka CMB Prezzo who has been in the news recently for being inebriated during interviews and launching threats at residents of Nairobi’s Nyayo Estate. particularly disturbing turn when he denied that he had in fact assaulted the woman. Which is strange, seeing as there were cameras, the police, other witnesses and basically the entire world who saw the whole thing as it happened.
@christine_x254
TOPICS
Kenya’s most grand rib-cracking affair is set for Friday as Kenyan king of comedy Churchill hosts a versatile mix of Africa’s top comedians. From Uganda’s sensational comedian Salvado, Rwanda’s Nkusi Arthur, Zimbabwe’s Carl Ncube, DRC’s Eddie Kadi, South Africa’s Ndumiso Lindi to Malawi’s Daliso Chaponda at the inaugural Laugh Festival. The debut Laugh Festival that will be held at the Carnivore Gardens, is a platform unifying Africa’s comedy scene—a first of its kind from the Laugh Industry. The festival will also see an amazing selection of Churchill Show comedians: MC Jessy, Hammo, Sleepy and Aman making special appearances.
HOT
Africa’s biggest comedians set to thrill Nairobi at Debut Laugh Festival
NDUMISO LINDI
t
o
miss
Koffi Olomide as he leaves court after a 2012 assault case
Never ones a beat
news. Ridiculous polls and tweets followed broadcast of the video. Some were well-meaning but beside the point, for us. You don’t assault them.. Boinnet
who was threatening them at the airport. I respect women and everyone knows that I do. I would like to apologize to all women because of my actions but I was defending
soukous musician seems to have a penchant for kicking people. In 2008 in Kinshasa he stomped on a cameraman Is being rich and famous to blame or
actually funny ‘Tweet against corruption
2012 he was charged with three counts
a woman, he gets police escort & 5 star
complaints made by his former back up dancers. His shows might be getting cancelled but we will have to wait and see on this case.
artiste mentioned that he was defending one of his dancers from the woman. “I was defending my dancers from a lady
Kiwanuka’s music unpopular in Uganda
Despite his Ugandan roots, Michael Kiwanuka’s music is not popular in his home country because his soul music style is not one of the loved music genres in the country. Soul singer Michael Kiwanuka whose ancestry is traced in Uganda made headlines a few days ago topping the UK album charts with his second album Love & Hate debuting at No. 1. Kiwanuka beat Adele whose album 25 is in the number two spot. In sharp contrast, Adele’s music is popular in Uganda and her ‘Hello’ release has got a lot of rotation on radio, TV stations and even in night spots.
MICHAEL KIWANUKA
@christinen_x254
Bieber wannabe died of drug overdose Man Who Spent $100K to Look Like Justin Bieber, Died of ‘Drug Intoxication,’ an autopsy reveals. Tobias Strebel, who became famous for spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on plastic surgery in order to look like Justin Bieber, died from “multiple drug intoxication,” according to the autopsy report. The Los Angeles Coroner reports that the lethal cocktail that ended his life included a mix of Valium, Xanax and alcohol. Furthermore, the report concludes that there was no apparent trauma or foul play involved. Strebel appeared on several reality TV shows, including E!’s Botched and TLC’s My Strange Addiction, after spending $100,000 on voluntary plastic surgery in an attempt to look like Bieber. TOBIAS
11
ACCESS
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
OUR ROOTS
THE OTHER MAN IS NOTHING BUT A GENTLEMAN TO ME AND HE TREATS ME LIKE A LADY. Dear Olivia
THE MAGIC OF
Dr
X, I starte d see ing an have older a boy man r fr ie nd tha ecentl year. y but t I’ve I’m n I also been o t s ure w my bo with fo here yfrien r over m d y w a ready ill tak relatio e me nship to bre but I’m ak up with is noth w s it ure I’m h him ing bu yet. T t a ge not me lik he oth ntlem e a la a er ma n dy. He to me n even buys m and h takes e trea e any me on th ts foreve ing I a trips b r. I en sk for ut I kn joy ou and ow it ready r ti m will no e to let to g e t last ther a that r I’m no nd I’m elation t bein also n ship g g fair ot o, but starte to my d gett I feel c u in r r that g sus e n t to do. b picio oyfr W -Olivi hat must I d us and I don iend. He’s ’t kno o to k a w wha eep e veryo t ne ha ppy?
CAUG H BETW T IN EEN
Dear
The only person who is happy in this situation is probably you and the other man that you are seeing. In addition to being dishonest to your boyfriend you are being incredibly selfish. If you don’t want to lose him then stop seeing the other gentleman that you are getting attached to. Even though you said that you know that situation will end, your hesitation in letting it die early is not a good sign of things to come. It seems that you value freebies over your boyfriend so either accept that and let him go or wait until he finds out for himself and deal with the fallout. We can’t always have everything we want and please realise that in your situation, other people’s feelings are involved. @christine_x254
-Dr X
THE @mary_x254
W
e all know of the Nyatiti and its significance in the history of music in Kenya. The less popular Orutu is still very apparent in the traditional Luo music scene. The Orutu is described as a onestringed fiddle native to western Kenya that is played like many other stringed instruments but with an African sound. The instrument has gained infamy within the Benga and Ohangla communities particularly the Kenge Kenge Orutu Systems band that has played on international stages around the world. Its characteristic high pitch that is created with a bow and one string that can be at times raspy and hollow is a mainstay at celebrations such as weddings and common in Luo ceremonies. Usually carried with a fast beat and vigorous dancing, the Orutu is played by putting pressure on the strings of the instrument and dragging the bow along this string to produce sound. Exerting some tension on the string at various points produces a variety of sounds. Orutu music is a genre by itself as well as being a musical instrument. These days the orutu sound is not designated for music in traditional settings but is being incorporated more into contemporary forms of music. Keyboards have sometimes taken the place of the Orutu while the drums, bass guitar and mouth organ have provided accompaniment.
S
@christine_x254
ex addiction has become something of a celebrity syndrome. The disease seems to be linked to a slew of rich and famous names. A quick Google image search actually reveals that one of the most searched terms when dealing with the issue is celebrities suffering from sex addiction. Tiger Woods, Eric Benet, Russell Brand and most recently Charlie Sheen are just some of the big names that have come up. Maybe it is the fact that the world of excess that most of these people live in cultivate an environment that makes it very easy to fall victim to many vices. Though that might be a fact of life in their situation, is it one in ours? Here are some signs to watch out for.
You don’t think about anything except sex
Even though many people like to joke that men don’t have anything in their brains except the act, when suffering from sex addiction it doesn’t just become a preoccupation it becomes your whole day. Every waking moment is concentrated on trying to get the next fix. The difference between a sex addict and someone with a big sexual appetite being that for a sex addict the obsession becomes crippling and affects many facets of the addict’s life. Thinking about it naturally leads to pursuing the act.
Engaging in high risk sexual activity
The main priority in an addict’s life
would be satisfying their craving. This could result in situations that might put his/her health and life at risk just to have sex. A sufferer is likely to have indiscriminate sexual partners and take part in extreme forms of sex such as group sex and still in the end feel the need to take steps to further feed his/her addiction.
Maintaining relationships is difficult
Sex addicts tend to have a history of relationships that don’t last very wrong and seem to fall apart because of something they did. A sufferer would probably get into a relationship with someone knowing that it was going to end and having little power to change that fact. A dependency on sex would mean that he/she would eventually cheat on their partner but it would feel like they had no real ability in avoiding it.
You can’t stop
This is probably the number one indicator that you might be suffering from sex addiction, you just can’t stop. For most people, even people who have a lot of sex but are not necessarily addicts, their sex lives do not overflow into their pro-
SIGNS OF
sexual addiction
fessional and public lives. An addict does not make any real distinction between appropriate and inappropriate sexual partners which means that having multiple sexual affairs and partners is just part of life.
Send your agonising queries to christine@x254.co
12
ACCESS
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
@SWALLOWS & AMAZONS WORLD PREMIERE
Kelly McDonald mellowed hearts in yellow.
Jessica Hyne was stylishly Armish. Hannah Thorpe rocked the skater dress.
@mercy_x254
Our rating: ★ ★ ★
BEST
Seren Hawkes’ fitting dress was perfect for the occasion.
@mercy_x254
Our rating: ★ ★ ★
T
ake a journey into the dark psyche of the Clown Prince of Crime. Now escaped from Arkham Asylum, The Joker sets out to prove that one bad day can make anyone just as insane as he is. Featuring the return of Kevin Conroy as Batman, Mark Hamill as The Joker and Tara Strong as Batgirl, witness the birth of a super villain, the fortitude of a hero and punchlines that will leave you speechless!
BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE
Swallows & Amazons world Premiere
Andrea Gibb kept it spicy with lace.
Rating: R Genre: Art House & International Cast: Ellen Page, Rachel Wood, Wendy Crewson Runtime: 101 minutes
In the highflying Hollywood industry, the release of a film is always an event to celebrate before the critics get busy trashing or commending the particular release. This is why most film premieres are always full of pomp and color and of course, the cast and guest have to hit the red carpet. Have a look at how the stars dressed for the premiere of the latest Hollywood release, Swallows and Amazons.
Our rating: ★ ★ ★ Rating: R Genre: Drama Cast: Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon, Tracy Letts Runtime: 110 minutes
Indignation takes place in 1951, as a brilliant working class Jewish boy from Newark, New Jersey, travels on scholarship to a small, conservative college in Ohio, thus exempting him from being drafted into the Korean War. But once there, Marcus’s growing infatuation with his beautiful classmate and his clashes with the college’s imposing Dean put his and his family’s best laid plans to the ultimate test.
Into the Forest
Rating: R Genre: Action & Adventure Cast: Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Tara Strong Runtime: 76 minutes
A worldwide power outage sends the globe toward the brink of apocalypse, forcing two sisters living in their isolated house in the Canadian woods to adapt to their new reality and fight for survival in this stirring end-of-theworld thriller.
Indignation
CLASSIFIED 13
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
BABY DOLLS All the beautiful ladies 3rd Floor, Ngong Road.
RINGTONES: 30 KSHS PER DAY You will receive a sms “2 download. . . ”Go to this link using GPRS or WAP & download your content. KENYAN HITS! Dumbala Remix Msaidizi Fundamentals Mungu Baba Uwepo Wako Milele Dongo Dongo Ulibeba Sobei Cheiso Worship You Sambaza Defender Tosheka Kereka Ningwendete Queen Ahuirania Ti Mundu Ndirakurekie
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WEATHERFORECAST TUESDAY 26/7/2016
SUNNY
23
25ºC 49%
WEDNESDAY 27/7/2016
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24 6:38 AM 6:41 PM
25ºC 57%
6:37 AM 6: 41 PM
WEDNESDAY
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14
SPORT
Stepanova challenges IOC ruling on doping ban TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
Doping whistleblower Yuliya Stepanova has questioned the “unfair” decision by the International Olympic Committee to ban her from the Rio Olympics. The 800m runner’s testimony helped shed light on the scale of doping in Russian sport, and she was to compete under a neutral flag in Rio next month. But the IOC ruled that she should not be allowed to take part as she had previously failed a doping test. Stepanova said the IOC decision was “based on wrong and untrue statements”. In a statement, the 30-year-old claimed the IOC decision would put off future whistleblowers from coming forward and that it contradicted previous decisions by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. A covering letter to IOC director general Christophe de Kepper called for the organisation “to review their decision on the basis of the information provided The IOC on Sunday decided against enforcing a blanket ban from Rio 2016 for all Russian sportspeople. Anti-doping bodies had called for
U-TURN: Russian doping whistleblower Yuliya Stepanova was initially cleared to compete as a neutral athlete in next month’s Rio Olympics, a decision that has since been rescinded due to her previous failed doping test.
tough action following the release last week of the McLaren report, which detailed widespread, state-sponsored doping in the country. Instead, the IOC said it would be up to individual sports federations to decide
which athletes were eligible for Rio - but that anyone who had been sanctioned for doping should not be able to go. It also said Stepanova should not be allowed to compete, despite her having earlier won the support of athletics’
governing body, the IAAF. Stepanova and husband Vitaly, a former Russian Anti-Doping Agency official, played a key role in the chain of events that led to the IOC having to rule on Russian sport’s place at the Rio Games.
Starlets put Sex scandal claims aside
The national women’s football team Harambee Starlets have vowed to put the alleged sex scandal aside instead choosing to concentrate and on their preparations of the November Africa Cup of nations. Team Manager Doreen Nabwire, a former Kenyan international says she has been greatly disturbed by the allegations and admits it has affected the team’s psychology and morale as they gear up for an invitational tournament in Spain from July 31. The scandal came into the limelight two weeks ago causing a storm in the team, subsequently goalkeeper trainer Lawrence Webo being sacked as investigations to the claims started. “First of all, talk is cheap and yes, it has affected the team, myself and the office. But these are just challenges. Wherever there’s a good thing, there’s a blow to try and mess things up. Whether the allegations are true or false we will just try to focus,” Nabwire said. After the Spain trip, the team will be turning their eyes to the CECAFA Women’s Cup which will be held in Uganda in October. The team is also working on the logistics of a week-long training camp in Germany where they will play a series of friendly matches with women Bundesliga sides.
SPORT 15 TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
Hull City to Play in Kenya as Part of Sportpesa lucrative sponsorship Sportspesa has agreed to sponsor English soccer team Hull City with a multi-million pound, three-year contract and extend the availability of its betting platform into the U.K. The deal will see promoted Hull became the first English Premier League side to play a match in Kenya. The Tigers will face a select side from the east African country’s Premier League as part of a major sponsorship deal signed with SportPesa. The game will be “part of Kenya’s campaign to compete in the World Cup for the first time in 2022”, SportPesa chief executive Ronald Karauri said. SportPesa signed a three-year deal and will have their name and company logo on the Tigers’ home, away and third shirts for the 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons. The new sponsorship deal is the most lucrative in the Club’s proud 112-year history. Simon King, Commercial Manager at Hull City Tigers, said: “We are delighted to form a three-year partnership with SportPesa.
“SportPesa are so much more than a betting brand, this is a company with a huge footprint across grassroots sport in Kenya, as well as the rest of Africa. “The deal is by far the largest in our history and a sign of our ambition to grow our Club and become a household name in our sport globally.” SportPesa has been spreading its wings since its inception in 2014 by sponsoring a number of sporting events in the country, including becoming the title sponsor of the Kenya’s top-tier football competition – the Kenyan Premier League. This new partnership with the Tigers sponsorship marks the company’s global expansion starting with the UK where gaming services will be available on their platform within the next one month. The company are also official sponsors of two its countries most popular clubs – Gor Mahia, who are currently the defending champions of the SportPesa Premier League, and AFC Leopards.
Hull City unveiled Sportpesa as their new sponsor for a period of three years.
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CAPTAIN: England skipper Wayne Rooney cellebrates victory in a recent European match. It remains to be seen whether he will keep his armband under new boss Sam Allardyce.
Jose key to Rooney’s England role Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will determine where Wayne Rooney plays for his country, says new England boss Sam Allardyce. Rooney, 30, featured as a forward and in midfield under previous England manager Roy Hodgson during Euro 2016. Allardyce said it was too soon to confirm whether Rooney, England’s record scorer, would remain as captain. “I still think Wayne Rooney has a massive place to play in the England side,” said the 61-year-old. “If Jose says he is not going to play him in centre midfield and he is playing up front and scoring goals for Manchester United then it would be pointless me bringing him into England and playing him in centre midfield.” With Rooney likely to face competition for a starting spot at Old Trafford from forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Anthony Martial, Allardyce said a player’s club form will be important in him being selected. “I don’t know until that happens with anybody, let alone Wayne Rooney,” he added. “I hope there are standout players all over the place when the Premier League starts. “I hope it’s a hugely difficult task for me to pick my first squad because everybody is on really good form and playing exceptionally well.” Allardyce’s first game in charge will be a World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on 4 September, and he hopes to have made contact with Premier League managers to “hear their thoughts” before choosing his squad.
“We’ve got to try and help each other if we possibly can,” said Allardyce, who has more than two decades’ worth of domestic coaching experience. “It won’t always be the case, the demands on Premier League managers and demand on me as England manager is bound to cause some conflict down the line because the pressures are far greater than ever before. “So they are bound to want to protect their players and that is what I have to try and overcome with a little bit of give and take, hopefully.” Allardyce, who has managed clubs including Sunderland, West Ham, Newcastle and Bolton, believes England had the players to win Euro 2016 “had they all performed to their best”. Having signed a two-year deal with the Football Association, he said taking England further than they have progressed at recent tournaments is a “different level” of challenge. Allardyce added: “I think that this is a new challenge for me. It’s outside of my comfort zone, which is what I like. “The challenge of the Premier League is not as big a challenge to me as when I first got there because I’ve done it for so long. I’ve managed in there for such a long time that I know I can achieve at that level. “I’m ready for this now. After 950 games as a manager there is something you want to change in your life sometimes and this was it for me.”
Published By Xtra Publishing Limited, Chancery Building, Valley Road, Nairobi | Printed at The Standard Group Centre, Mombasa Road, Nairobi. Paul Marshall-CEO, Fred Bunei-Finance Manager, Josiah Musee-Advertising Manager, Peter Obuya-Editor
PAYBILL NO. 295525
19,105,896 DATE
TIME
LEAGUE
HOME TEAM
AWAY TEAM
FINAL RESULTS : ODDS 1
X
2
1
31/7/2016
18:00
SWEDEN
IK FREJ
GAIS
2.45
3.30
2.55
2
31/7/2016
18:30
FINLAND
FC LAHTI
IFK MARIEHAMN
2.45
3.05
2.75
3
31/7/2016
18:30
FINLAND
KUOPIO PS
ROVANIEMI PALLOSEURA
2.20
3.20
3.05
4
31/7/2016
19:00
DENMARK
AGF AARHUS
RANDERS FC
2.25
3.25
3.05
5
31/7/2016
19:00
NORWAY
BODO/GLIMT
TROMSO IL
2.25
3.30
3.00
6
31/7/2016
19:00
NORWAY
HAUGESUND FK
SOGNDAL IL
2.05
3.40
3.35
7
31/7/2016
19:00
NORWAY
BRYNE FK
RANHEIM IL
2.55
3.25
2.40
8
31/7/2016
19:00
NORWAY
JERV FK
SANDNES ULF
2.30
3.25
2.65
9
31/7/2016
19:00
NORWAY
STROMMEN IF
LEVANGER
2.50
3.25
2.45
10
31/7/2016
19:00
NORWAY
ULLENSAKER/KISA
RAUFOSS IL
2.30
3.25
2.65
11
31/7/2016
20:00
CZECH
FC ZBROJOVKA BRNO
SK SLAVIA PRAGUE
2.80
3.10
2.40
12
31/7/2016
20:30
RUSSIA
RFK TEREK GROZNY
FC KRYLIYA SOVETOV
1.70
3.25
4.70
13
31/7/2016
21:00
BELGIUM
KV KORTRIJK
KAA GENT
3.25
3.20
2.15
DATE
TIME
GAME ID
HOME TEAM
AWAY TEAM
27/7/2016
20:15
27/7/2016
20:30
27/7/2016
FINAL RESULTS : ODDS 1 X 2
2005
ROSENBORG BK
APOEL NICOSIA FC
1.65
3.45
4.80
3002
AFC ASTRA GIURGIU
FC COPENHAGEN
3.10
2.95
2.25
21:30
3003
FENERBAHCE
AS MONACO
2.45
3.00
2.85
27/7/2016
21:30
2003
AS TRENCIN
LEGIA WARSAW
2.60
3.05
2.60
27/7/2016
21:45
3004
OLYMPIACOS FC
HAPOEL BEER SHEVA
1.30
4.60
7.80
LAST WEEK’S JACKPOT RESULTS : 2 2 2 2 X 2 1 2 X X X 1 2 12/13 PREDICTIONS 11/13 PREDICTIONS 10/13 PREDICTIONS 18+
No Winner Kshs 48,382 Each Kshs 8,858 Each
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