201701024 xnews

TUesday, JanUaRy 24, 2017 | www.x254.co

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KENYAN STAR OLUNGA JOINS CHINESE TOP FLIGHT CLUB THE FORMER GOR MAHIA TALISMAN HAS BEEN BOUGHT FROM SWEDISH TEAM IF DJURGADENS IN A DEAL REPORTED TO BE ABOUT SH450 MILLION

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NEWS

HULL CITY MIDFIELDER RYAN MASON IVORY COAST IN DO OR DIE BATTLE WITH TALKING AFTER UNDERGOING SURGERY MOROCCO FOR AFCON QUARTERS SLOT

Raila alleges NIS interference in voter registration STORY ON PAGE 2

Campaigns to keep MPs away from House duties

K

ey parliamentary activities are likely to be derailed when the MPs reconvene for the final leg of the eleventh parliament.

The National Assembly re-opens today following a two month break during which MPs were on recess.

But even as they resume, the House is at risk of serious quorum hitches as most MPs are likely to stay away to focus on their re-election.

The next general election is just under seven months away and most legislators are keen on retaining their seats when voters go to the polls on August 8.

The last session of the eleventh Parliament

is expected to run from today to end of April before parliament is formally dissolved to pave way for the elections.

While three months is enough time to campaign, MPs fear their absence from their constituencies could allow their rivals to cover much ground and possible topple them.

That means the lawmakers will give little priority to passage of crucial bills and adopting committee reports as they engage in early vote-hunting missions.

Furthermore, the re-opening of the house comes at a time big parties are involved in countrywide campaigns to mobilise Kenyans to register as voters and participate in the August elections.

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NEWS

Raila alleges NIS interference in ongoing mass voter registration TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

Cord leader Raila Odinga has today sensationally claimed that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) is interfering with the ongoing voter registration by listing non-Kenyans to participate in the August polls.

According to the former Prime Minister, the intelligence body is listing voters in neighbouring Uganda and Ethiopia with a view of helping the current Jubilee administration retain power.

NIS is led by Major-General Philip Wachira Kameru and Mr Odinga claims it is listing voters in Uganda and Ethiopia to participate in a Kenyan election contrary to the law.

This, according to Mr Odinga, is done by helping them acquire ID cards then assisting them cross into Kenya to register as voters “We have credible information that the NIS is once again heavily involved in the ongoing voter registration with the aim of influencing results in August as happened in the 2007 and 2013 General Elections,” he said in a statement to newsrooms today.

“The interference involves taking biometric voter registration kits to across our borders to Uganda and Ethiopia and assisting citizens of the mentioned countries register in a Kenyan election process,” he added.

While people from cross-border communities have participated in nearly all elections, their participation is not known to favour any particular side in the polls.

Communities like the Gabra in Marsabit County have their members in both Kenya and Ethiopia and it is easier for them to have their relatives across the border registered to participate in elections.

In fact, that is one of the reasons for the conflict that followed in Marsabit County after last elections in 2013 with those defeated claiming Governor Ukur Yattani transferred his Gabra community members from Ethiopia to increase his vote base.

Similar cases have also happened with the Pokot who are also spread

Cord leaders Raila Odinga upon arrival at the Mombasa airport enroute to Kilifi County today. Mr Odinga has claimed that NIS is using BVR kits to register Ugandans and Ethiopians to vote in the August 8, general election.

across Kenya and Uganda.

And while he did not provide evidence to his claims, Mr Odinga wants NIS to keep off election matters and let IEBC deal with their mandate.

“NIS must let the IEBC do its work as an independent institution. The intelligence agency must equally operate as a politically non-partisan and independent institution whose duty it is to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and not interfere with it,” he said.

Only last week, Raila protested after finding out that he shared an ID card number with a woman he didn’t know.

IEBC officials have since corrected

the anomaly saying they have traced the woman who registered with Mr Odinga’s ID number.

But it is this new twist that is likely to dominate Mr Odinga’s criticism of the government in his tour of Kilifi County today as he mobilises for voter registration.

He has accused NIS of irregular involvement in the electoral process of the 2007 and 2013 general elections. He says that the agency was involved in ballot stuffing among other irregularities to help Party of National Unity (PNU) candidate and former President Mwai Kibaki retain his seat in the 2007 polls.

“In the 2013 elections, NIS had its

officers absorbed into the ranks of the IEBC as polling clerks and other strategic positions with the sole aim of helping Jubilee attain a dubious victory,” Mr Odinga said.

Raila also claimed that Kenyans enlisted under the controversial National Youth Service (NYS) programme are being registered as voters without their knowledge using data obtained from the service.

Again, he has heaped the blame on the intelligence agency.

“NIS is also responsible for multiple registrations, shared national identity cards and many cases of people registered as voters when they had not done so,” he added.

Doctors union leaders ready for jail as last minute talks are held

Doctors union officials have said they are ready to go to jail if today’s talks with the government fail to yield an amicable solution. KMPDU Nairobi branch Secretary General Thuranira Kauguria has said that they are ready to be jailed on Thursday for disobeying court orders to call off the strike.

According to Kauguria, the officials were only performing their duty accusing the ministry of health of frustrating talks and using the court to intimidate them.

He dismissed claims made by Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu that there were issues they had agreed on as regards the contested Collective Bargaing Agreement.

“We are ready to go to prison anytime for the sake of making the health sector responsive. We have meeting scheduled for today later in the afternoon. If it fails we shall await the court ruling,” Dr Thuranira said.

He added: “Claims by the government that we have agreed on some issues on the CBA are a fallacy because we haven’t agreed on anything.”

On Sunday CS Mailu had said that they had agreed on two aspects touching the CBA. Dr Mailu is said to be furious with KMPDU officials for sponsoring the demonstration by students at Afya House last week, yet there was an agreement to stop all demos until the talks are over.

The defiant officials have also continued endless attacks on the government on social media against the agreement reached last week.

“This week, our leaders, and indeed all doctors in Kenya, will be jailed for aspiring for a responsive healthcare system. We are ready,” KMPDU secretary general Ouma Oluga wrote on his twitter account.

@harrison_x254

@wilson_x254

IEBC set to roll out voter education campaign for mass voter registration

President Uhuru Kenyatta who has been on a week-long tour of Mount Kenya region to mobilise for mass voter registration was expected to be in Kirinyaga today while opposition chief Raila Odinga flew to the Coast for a similar mission.

Both will be accompanied by MPs in their campaigns.

The voter registration drive will also affect parliamentary proceedings as MPs retreat to their constituencies to mobilise for voter registration as the battle for numbers continue.

Kiambu Women Representative Annah Nyokabi admitted today that lack of

quorum will possibly hamper passage of key bills, motions and reports.

In an interview with X News, Nyokabi disclosed that the 2017-18 budgetmaking process whose Budget Policy Statement will be presented in the House this week might be the first casualty of the list.

“We are likely to experience lack of quorum till after party nominations, because as you may be aware politicians are back to the grassroots to seek political support for their seats. We expect low turn outs during the house sessions,” Nyokabi said.

“If those who will attend the sessions

the level and quality of submission at the floor will be inadequate,” she added.

Already, National Assembly Majority

Leader Aden Duale has asked the Treasury to present the Budget two months earlier than usual.

“We have passed the Budget Policy Statement, printed the Division of Revenue Bill and we expect the minister to read the Budget in the first or second week of April,” Duale (pictured) said.

He argued that MPs are expected to be away between April 13 and 27 when parties are expected to hold their primaries.

Last year, both Senate and National Assembly experienced quorum drawbacks, as important House and committee sessions had to be adjourned

on occasions for most MPs had camped at the grassroots campaigning.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi registered his displeasure on lack of quorum that hindered some activities last year reminding MPs that taxpayers had given them a role in lawmaking.

“Neither the Constitution nor the House Standing Orders gives the Speaker any administrative powers to punish members in such matters. We just appeal to members to do their job as required by the law,” Muturi said. @hillary_x254

NEWS 3 TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

Resist graft money, CJ tells Wabukala

New Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Eliud Wabukala has been urged to resist attempt by graft cartels to influence his decisions as he takes over in the fight against corruption.

Chief Justice David Maraga while presiding of the retired Archbishop’s swearing in ceremony as the new anti-corruption czar warned Mr Wabukala that he should not allow his decisions to be influenced by money of the corrupt.

The CJ warned that the corrupt will use every trick to stall Mr Wabukala’s work as far as fighting corruption is concerned.

“In confronting corruption, have no illusions about the power, influence and money of the corrupt.

They will use every trick in and out of the book to stall your efforts. They will try and capture institutions, including yours, undermine efforts, however noble, attack your person, however unfair and attack your motives, however innocent,” Maraga said.

“The fight against corruption is necessarily noisy – and messy – but you must retain your dignity and continue on the path to

do right. I want to wish you well,” Justice Maraga added.

The CJ at the same time assured Wabukala that the Judiciary will fully support him in his new role in fighting corruption in the country.

He maintained that every institution must play its part as far as fighting corruption is concerned.

“As I have said before, the Judiciary will play its part but every institution must carry its own cross – including advocates - in the delaying of corruption cases in court. If investigations and prosecution are shoddily done, we shall say so in our judgments. If you give us sufficient evidence, we will convict without hesitation. If you give us poor evidence, we will acquit,” Maraga said.

Maraga told Wabukala to ensure that investigations are professionally done and cases that are brought before the courts, are well done and not those that are designed to fail.

“The Judiciary is committed to providing all the necessary support in the fight against corruption.

I hope that as you take over at EACC,

you will ensure that the investigations are professionally done and cases that are brought before the courts, are well done and not those that are designed to fail,” Maraga said.

The Chief Justice said corruption has

reached endemic proportions in this country and must therefore be confronted directly and steadily before it ruins the economy and the livelihood of the people. @sam_x254

Chief Justice David Maraga and Mr Wabukala after the latter took oath of office yesterday.

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NEWS TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

Trump approves Sh43bn for KDF arms sale Kenya is among four countries that have benefitted from the first arms deal approval by new US President Donald Trump.

Mr Trump’s administration has approved $1.8 billion (about Sh187 billion) in arms deals to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Kenya and UK. Kenya is expected to get $418 million (some Sh43.26 billion) of the amount to help in the fight against Islamist terror group al-Shabaab.

Under the deal signed with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the country will receive twelve Air Tractor AT- 802L converted crop-dusters that will aid it in its effort to eliminate the militants.

“This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a strong regional partner who is a regional security leader undertaking critical operations against al-Shabaab and troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM),” the DSCA stated.

The Air Tractors are more efficient and able to fly closer to conflict zones than Kenya’s aging Northrop F-5E fighters, according to the DSCA. The contract also includes two AT-504 trainer aircraft and weapons packages.

“The platform maximizes the Kenyan Defense Force’s close air support ability because it is a short-field aircraft capable of using precision munitions and cost effective logistics and maintenance,” the DSCA notice states.

The deal with Kenya is part of a $1.8 billion (about Sh185 billion) in arms deals with the United Kingdom, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia this week, including air-to-air missiles and threat detection systems.

The proposed sale supplements Kenya’s aging F-5 aircraft as it will be more fiscally efficient and able

to be pre-positioned much closer to the conflict area than the F-5 fleet.

The State Department had made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale to the government subject to notification of the agreement to the United States Congress by the DSCA.

UK Court stops government move on Brexit start

Parliament must vote on whether the government can start the Brexit process, the Supreme Court has ruled.

The judgement means Theresa May cannot begin talks with the EU until MPs and peers give their backing - although this is expected to happen in time for the government’s 31 March deadline.

But the court ruled the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies did not need a say.

Brexit Secretary David Davis was due to make a statement to MPs at 3:30pm later today.

During the Supreme Court hearing, campaigners argued that denying the UK Parliament a vote was undemocratic.

But the government said it already had the powers to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty - getting talks under way - without the need for consulting MPs and peers. It wants to do this by the end of March.

Reading out the judgement, Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger said: “By a majority of eight to three, the Supreme Court today rules that the government cannot trigger Article 50 without an act of Parliament authorising it to do so.”

The court also rejected arguments that the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly should get to vote on Article 50 before it is triggered.

Lord Neuberger said: “Relations with the EU are a matter for the UK government.”

Outside the court, Attorney General Jeremy Wright said the government was “disappointed” but would “comply” and do “all that is necessary” to implement the court’s judgement. A Downing Street spokesman said: “The British people voted to leave the EU, and the government will deliver on their verdict - triggering Article 50, as planned, by the end of March.

The DSCA, part of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), provides financial and technical assistance, transfer of defense material, training and services to allies, and promotes military-to-military contacts.

The deal has however not been concluded as a notice of sale is required by American law.

Soldiers of the Kenyan Contingent serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) sitting on a flat-bed truck as their convoy makes its way between the port of Kismayo and the city’s airport on October 2012. The US has approved Sh43 billion to help Kenya in the fight against alShabaab. PHOTO: EPA

New app to help Kenyans report crime on immediately it occurs Kenyans can now report crimes and expect a real time response from investigative authorities if a new mobile App inaugurated by the National Research Crime Centre works.

Victims of crime or witnesses of any criminal activity can use the Crime Reporting mobile application to alert authorities of their occurrence.

The new platform will also allow victims describe the incidence, location and embed pictorial, audio or video evidence they could have managed to capture.

And to ensure there are no instances of cybercrimes, NCRC asserts that the information has been secured on an end to end encryption coupled with enough manpower to arrest cyber criminals.

NCRC Director General Gerard Wandera hailed the new platform as a game changer in crime reporting and prevention as it will reduce the number of unreported cases by more

than 70per cent.

“This application is real-time, protected with an end to end encryption with qualified officers to deal with cyber criminals. Once embraced we shall reduce unreported cases by at least 70 per cent,” Mr Wandera said adding that users will be allowed to suggest crime prevention measures.

He was accompanied Attorney General Githu Muigai who welcomed the new development as a timely technology to complement the usual police Occurrence Book.’

Professor Muigai chairs the Crime Centre board of trustees.

The app can be downloaded from Google play by Android phone users, IOS from IPhones and Windows stores by lovers of windows systems.

Once information reaches the Crime Centre, it will be filtered, analyzed and data banked after which conclusions and policies can be drawn.

According to the Centre, investigative

authorities will be getting a weekly brief of hot stops especially at this time the country is gearing towards the August 8General Election.

Close to 20 million Kenyans own a mobile phone with half owing a smartphone with the eligibility of accessing the application.

NCRC is a state cooperation established in line with the International best practice where research has provided critical information on what works to impact on crime and disorder and has helped to generate programmes that can assist criminal justice agencies.

The center strives to foster coordination in international and regional research, sharing information, infrastructure and mutual assistance.

The center also offers practical cost effective solutions to crime that are geared towards improving people’s lives. @wilson_x254

NEWS 5

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

xnews | TUESday, JANUARY 24, 2017 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

CBK EXCHANGE RATES

Government allays fears of firm closures amid rise in job loses

The Government has been quick to allay fears of company closures in the country following reports by some media outlets citing increased competition, reduced output and dwindling investment opportunities for these businesses in the country.

These fears come as Kenya enters its election year, which has contributed to a sense of reluctance among potential investors.

Speaking on this at the conclusion of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Adan Mohamed reassured Kenyans that the government was proactive in efforts to support local companies in critical industries making sure Kenya maintains its positive economic growth trajectory moving forward.

“Recent reports in the media have been highlighting select closures of businesses in the country. Whilst there have been instances of such closures, it is important to note that the steady growth of our economy that has averaged 6 per cent has been way above the global average of 3% and this has led to massive growth of investments to over 300 per cent over the past 3 years alone.” said CS Mohamed.

He said the government has been doing its part; reducing cost of production by reducing the cost of power through increasing its supply, reducing the cost of logistics by improving the efficiency at the Port of Mombasa as well as expanding its capacity. He also cited

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

3rdmost improved country globally for 2 consecutive years, far above many countries in the region. In 2016, Kenya was the most improved country in Africa.

These developments come just as Wrigley’s, a global American company that is part of the Mars group broke ground for the set-up of a Sh5billion plant in Machakos County. GZI has set up the only can manufacturing facility in the region worth Sh10 billion. Meanwhile, US-based Honey Well Group, a fortune 500 company has opened their regional office in Kenya just as global automobile maker, VW

set up an assembly plant recently in Thika.

Local companies have been expanding existing business such ABM Batteries and Keroche Breweries that set an expansion through investing in a plant of Sh5 billion. At the same time, Bidco Group is investing in a brand new plant in Thika, while East African Cables has expanded over the same period. To date, at least 6 entities have expressed a desire to set up Special Economic Zones following the new law that was enacted in 2015. The future is certainly bright. @Dennis_x254

BUY SELL 103.7028 103.9028 128.7039 128.9933 111.3289 111.5650 7.6779 7.7014 34.5034 34.6664 21.7030 21.8413

Motorists brace for fuel shortage as petroleum transporters down their tools

Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Adan Mohamed (left) in an interview. the construction of the standard gauge railway that is coming on-stream later this year and will further reduce time to transport goods as well as the ongoing construction of roads that are, in turn, improving business margins and sustaining businesses He stated that businesses the world over, as is in Kenya, face various challenges during their life cycle, some of which could be due to competition or harsh operating environments.

Nonetheless, the business climate improvement agenda through the Ease of Doing business program has seen Kenya ranked by the World Bank as

MEAN 103.8028 128.8486 111.4469 7.6897 34.5849 21.7721

Nairobi County residents may soon be forced to dig deeper into their pockets following an ongoing strike by petroleum transporters.

The strike, which commenced yesterday morning, is said to be as a result of recent government directives which allow their trucks to only operate on Kenyan roads between 6:30 AM and 6:30 PM. The nationwide strike, said to be more pronounced in Nairobi would see a hike in fare around the city given that stakeholders in the transport sector usually take the advantage of such crises as most commuter rely on public service vehicles on a daily basis The recent fuel price review done one week ago saw the cost of diesel fall by Sh2.99 less while that of petrol increased by Sh1.81.

The Energy Regulatory Commission attributed this to the slightly reduced import cost witnessed in the last quarter of 2016.

“The changes in this month’s prices were a consequence of the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol increasing from US$ 503.93 per ton in November 2016 to US$ 530.24 per ton in December 2016. The average landed cost of Diesel decreased from US$ 478.11 per ton to US$ 446.84 per ton while that of Kerosene decreased from US$ 500.45 per ton to US$ 487.91 per ton,’’ ERC said.

Currently Super petrol in Nairobi in retailing at Sh96.01, diesel at Sh84.23 while Kerosene stand at Sh63.44. @enock_x254

Over 20,000 new jobs created in the clothing sectors last year alone: CS Kenya’s apparel sector has created more than 20,000 new jobs over the past year, signaling growing opportunities within the industry.

During the same period, companies such as Mombasa0based Balaji EPZ has invested in excess of Sh7 billion in the sector. The number of jobs created in the apparel sector eclipses more than 6 NSE listed firms in terms of employment creation.

“It is important to appreciate that the levels of investment in Kenya as recorded by reputable global firms is on an upward trend, occasionally some of them will fail not for Government not supporting them through the right policies but for internal operational issues that they may fail to surmount”, said Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Adan Mohamed in a recent address.

Data from the Company Registry indicates that every day, 200 businesses are registered translating to 50,000 businesses annually. In 2016 alone, over 300 medium size to large companies set up shop in Kenya according to statistics from the Kenya Investment Authority.

According to the Kenya Association of Manufacturers

(KAM), manufacturing output has grown by 5 per cent over the same period.

Data from the Ministry of industrialization states that Kenya’s textile and apparel sector has the potential to play a key role in anchoring the country’s deeper movement into middle income status and in serving as a source of gainful employment for its fast growing, young population.

The Ministry has argued that the sector offers opportunities for Kenya to capture an increasing share of global trade and to advance economic diversification.

“Such thinking played a substantial role in underpinning the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA gives most Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) firms duty free, quota free access to the United States, offering a substantial competitive advantage over other textile-apparel exporting countries.

Therefore, the trade agreement has played a pivotal role in the growth of the continent’s textile-apparel sectors,” said the Ministry. @Dennis_x254

Hoteliers to cash in on Nairobi entrepreneurs conference Hoteliers in Nairobi are set to benefit from the Sankalp forum which will bring together over 1,000 entrepreneurs and investors from across the globe to explore African solutions.

The two-day forum, an initiative of Intellecap, is in its 4th edition and will be held from February 23-24, 2017.

Economic experts project that the hoteliers’ revenue will increase given that all delegates will need accommodation for their two day stay in Nairobi, a move that will also scale up the country’s tourism sector.

The forum is an initiative of Intellecap in partnership with the World Bank, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Merck and USAID among others. It is set to be one of the largest platforms for entrepreneurship, innovation and impact investing with participants from around the world. The participants will come from over 40 countries, with participants from 30 of the 53 African states.

“Sankalp Forum is one of our largest

initiatives and is aimed at bringing the community together to help solve the problems that face us through cuttingedge innovation and high-potential entrepreneurship. Sankalp today, in its 4th year in Africa has demonstrated the ability to drive action and influence outcomes.

We’re very excited to host it once again, along with our partners “said Intellecap CEO, Nisha Dutt.

Each year, the Summit recognizes high potential entrepreneurs with close to 20 enterprises competing for the coveted Sankalp Africa Award.

Some of the key highlights of the Sankalp Forum include the Enterprise Development Support for Entrepreneurs to raise investment, Exclusive Networking Opportunities with over 1000 global leaders, Partnership and Collaboration with players across the value chain from investors to corporations and governments, and DeepSector Insights through research @enock_x254 and publications.

BUSINESS 7

Kenya reappointed to champion food standards in the continent

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

Kenya has been reappointed as the Food and Agriculture Organization/ World Health Organisation (FAO/WHO) Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAfrica) for three years.

Kenya’s reappointment was endorsed by delegates meeting in Nairobi Kenya for the continental food standards that has brought together over 30 countries.

CCAfrica, is a regional standard body that brings together African countries on matters food standards. Currently the organisation has 49 African countries as members.

Kenya was reappointed during theweek long 22nd conference which is taking place in Nairobi. The meeting is significant in the realm of food safety and fair trade practices in food. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is the joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, whose mandate is to develop standards aimed at safeguarding the health of consumers and fair trade practices in food.

Speaking about the reappointment, KEBS Managing Director, Charles Ongwae, thanked the delegates drawn from African countries for their vote of trust in Kenya as their coordinator and reassured them of total commitment in championing food standards in Africa.

“Kenya being the coordinating country, our goal is to ensure we harmonise our standards as a continent while benchmarking and aligning with food standards developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission – which are recognised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO),” said Ongwae.

The Government of Kenya officially took over the mantle as the new country host for the FAO/WHO Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa in 2016 -2018. The reappointment means, Kenya will coordinate for another term which kicks off from 2019-2021.

A young girl helps picks through beans to sow in between an already planted maize crop on the outskirts of Maai Mahiu in Rift Valley. EPA/STEPHEN MORRISON The coordination role is facilitated through Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and as such will link the CAC Secretariat in Rome with Kenya regarding any CAC activities, such as drafting Codex food standards and related text development.

Kenya has been effectively participating in international Codex food and feed Committees meetings such as Fish and Fisheries products, methods of Analysis and Sampling, Pesticide in Food, Veterinary Residues in Foods, Food hygiene, Export, Import and

Certification service, Food Additives, Food contaminants, processed fruits and Vegetables among others and coming up with the country positions before meetings on these commodities as well.

The participation in these Codex meetings by stakeholders is important in ensuring that local Standards or adopted Codex Standards keep abreast with the changing technologies science based and innovations.

KEBS has adopted over 200 Codex Food Standards and several codes

of practice to protect the health of consumers and facilitate trade. Codex Food standards are also used when harmonising EAC-COMESA standards and whenever there is dispute in EAC trading within the region.

CAC is recognized as the biggest intergovernmental organisation body which takes into account concerns while ensuring fair practices in the food trade thus preventing fraud, deceptive practices and unjustified barriers to food trade. @Dennis_x254

Repackaging of imported fertiliser now banned in latest crackdown

The government has banned the repackaging of imported subsidised fertiliser at the port of Mombasa as a way curbing corruption. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett says the repackaging will be done at warehouses and transferred under tight security to National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots for distribution.

Bett was speaking in Mombasa yesterday after he flagged 27,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer imported from Saud Arabia targeting next month’s planting season.

“We have put efficient mechanisms to deal with cartels diverting fertilizer meant to benefit farmers They were engaging in monkey business and we cannot allow it,” said Bett.

He said transporters are under instruction to fit lorries with tracking devices that will also be monitored by the government once they leave the warehouses to NCPB depots. Last year, about 26 staff at NCPB officials were sacked after they colluded with businessmen to divert the fertilizer.

The move comes just two weeks after the Cereals Board assured farmers that subsidized Diammonium Phosphate (Dap) fertilizer will be available from next month.

NCPB Managing Director Newton Terer said in a telephone interview that 150,000 metric tons of fertilizer will arrive late this month, in time for the planting season that starts in February.

“The three million bags have already been procured by the board and are expected to arrive by end of January.

“We are urging farmers to visit our various depots across the country so that they can benefit from this government programme aimed at supporting agriculture in this country,” Mr Terer said.

Kenya struggles to enforce property reforms as global meet nears Kenya has been struggling to enforce reforms with regard to property ownership ahead of this year’s global Land and Poverty conference.

The Land and Poverty conference will present the latest research and practice on the diversity of reforms, interventions, and innovations in the land sector around the world.

It comes just as Kenyan land owners have, in the recent past, clashed with the government and in particular, the National Land Commission (NLC).

The Government this month reassured land owners of the validity of title deeds given under the Jubilee administration following a High Court ruling that they were issued irregularly. Lands Cabinet Secretary The move followed a ruling by Justice Joseph Onguto on December 19, 2016 that faulted the ministry for issuing three million titles on the grounds that

there was no input from NLC and that the regulations were yet to be approved

by Parliament hence a declaration that the processed documents were unconstitutional and illegal.

Prof Jacob Kaimenyi announced a plan to comply with a subsequent order that gave the ministry 12 months to realign its land registration processes with the new Act of 2016. The CS announced the appointment of a special task force comprising members from the National Land Commission (NLC) who now have two months to complete the exercise.

“As rightly directed by the court in its judgement that the orders shall not operate retroactively, grants, leases and certificates of titles that have been registered and issued by the ministry since 2013 are legal, valid and legitimate,” said Kaimenyi.

The 2017 conference theme will

be: Responsible Land Governance: Towards an Evidence-Based Approach.

The focus is on the role of data and evidence for realizing land policy reform, identify strategies for working at scale and monitoring achievements.

The conference has become one of the largest international events on land governance, attracting over 1,200 participants from governments, academics, civil society, and the private sector.

Held at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C., the World Bank Land and Poverty Conference 2016 focused on the theme, Scaling Up Responsible Land Governance. The conference consisted of a 5-day series of in-depth lectures on the topics of land governance, land tenure, and the technologies associated with them.

Last year, countries from various economic backgrounds and cultures

carried out the Land Governance Assessment Framework (LGAF), a diagnostic instrument developed by the World Bank and its partners to assess the status of land governance at the national level. The LGAF uses a highly participatory panel process to produce a ranking based on a comprehensive review of available conceptual and empirical material by local experts in land governance. The LGAF is intended to document key information on land governance and develop actionable policy recommendations to suit the local context.

A report from market analysts Greenfield Advisors states that Kenya had yet to establish a framework for settling land disputes, so these disputes led to an outbreak of post-electoral violence. According to the March 2008 Report of the National Accord Implementation Committee, the

results were “violence to an estimated loss of 1200 lives, dislocation of about 350,000 people, destruction of property estimated at 90 billion shillings and general disruption of social and economic life.” Greenfield Advisors states that Kenya has since established major land policy changes in 2009 and reformed the constitution in 2010 to describe land rights in detail. Like many other countries at the Land and Poverty Conference, Kenya used the LGAF to identify its limitations in land governance and determine how best to approach remedying these limitations.

Kenya is now utilizing public and private-sector professionals to digitize all analog documents, establishing offices of land disputes amongst its districts, and firmly dealing with land corruption.

8

BUSINESS

Equity’s Wings to Fly 2016 KCSE graduates to join TVET colleges TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

Equity Group Foundation (EGF) has launched a youth empowerment programme that will see the entire group of nearly 3,000Wings to Fly graduate scholars who sat for their 2016 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E.) Examinations transition into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions countrywide.

The objective of this initiative is to provide the Wings to Fly alumni (whether headed for further education, employment, or entrepreneurial opportunities) with life and employability exposure and skills.

The drive was carried out in conjunction with EGF partners; the German Government through its implementing agency KfW, Equity Bank, and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST).

While some of the students will enrol for 3-month certificate courses, others will be admitted to longer-term diploma courses with a scholarship covering their first 6 months and thereafter apply to the Higher Education Loans Board (H.E.L.B.) to finance the rest of their education.

Speaking during the launch, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Fred Matiang’i said that the Ministry is committed to investing in the development of technical and vocational training to address the skills gap in the country’s work force. He added that these efforts align well with the Government’s agenda on embracing the role of tertiary and technical training in national development as well as EGF’s vision to transform the socio-economic lives of the people of Africa.

“The Vision 2030 has placed new demands on Technical & Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a leading engine that the economy must essentially rely upon to produce adequate levels of middle level work force that will be needed to drive the economy towards the attainment of the vision. TVET institutions offer opportunity for many young people to gain tech skills both for self and formal employment,” Dr. Matiang’i said Kenya has over 60 public and private

A student (L) shakes hands with former US President Bill Clinton’s (2-R) daughter, Chelsea Clinton (R) and with them is Equity Bank Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. James Mwangi (2-L) after Bill Clinton addressed participants of a women and girl’s leadership training that is part of Wings to Fly in Nairobi, Kenya, 02 May 2015.

EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU TVET institutions and another 70 are under construction, which offer a wide range of training programmes from certificate to diploma levels. They offer a variety of courses including building construction; carpentry and joinery, commercial-based fields; engineering, textile-based programmes, catering, hospitality, plus information and communication technology.

EGF’s Chairman, Dr. James Mwangi announced that the 2,818 Wings to Fly alumni have already undergone a 3-day induction to sensitize them on TVET as well as career advice aimed at positioning their mindset on employability and informing them on appropriate choices of courses to be pursued. The initiative has offered an opportunity to highlight public-private partnerships as well as demystify technical and vocational training as an avenue for building employability skills. It has also demonstrated the commitment to support quality education as enshrined in Kenya’s economic blueprint, Vision 2030, as well as supporting Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs).

EGF together with other partners will continue to work with the Directorate of TVET to ensure that the scholars secure admission and placement in appropriate institutions based on their identified course and geographical preferences.

“Given the high rates of youth unemployment, skills-based training offers the fastest way to secure jobs and to advance in a technical skillsbased career path. We are designing a program with several elements to ensure successful transitions through school and into the work place. The initiative is a set of focused, connected interventions that are informed by EGF’s firsthand experience through the Wings to Fly program 2013-2015 alumni who are currently enrolled in TVET institutions, ” Dr. Mwangi added.

Declining enrollment levels, particularly in the traditional engineering and construction based courses, pose a serious challenge to the country’s policy of industrialization, yet industries play a pivotal role in development and growth of the economy. This further exacerbates

the mismatch between formal training currently offered and requirements of employers.

On its part, the German Government through its representative, Professor Dr. Hidegard Lingnau, Head of Development Cooperation, reassured the scholars of the German government’s continued support through its implementing agency KfW. “We are happy to join you in this endeavour of technical and vocational training and we will extend our focus in this area of cooperation from this year forward. This support will facilitate in skills development and employment of the beneficiaries”, said Prof Dr Lingnau.

Speaking on behalf of the Wings to Fly partners, Reeta Roy, President and CEO The MasterCard Foundation encouraged the graduates to take up the TVET Scholarships. “In Kenya, we have a need for skilled trades. So, think about vocational education as a means to continue learning and earning! I encourage you to seize this opportunity to expand your portfolio of skills,” said Reeta Roy. @kevin_x254

Cut diesel use saves Liquid Telecom Sh4 million despite operations and staff expansion Liquid Telecom Kenya cut its diesel

usage by almost a third last year with the roll out of a car pooling scheme for staff that has saved on new vehicles and cut the company’s diesel bill to Sh9.3m in the second half of 2016, compared with Sh13m for the same period a year earlier.

The transport savings came even as the company’s staff, operation, and business expanded.

The carpooling scheme launched

by Liquid Telecom Kenya in July 2016 means that sales, technical, and management staff book their work journeys in a new online system, which then groups staff into vehicles traveling to the same area, so that they share vehicles, instead of each using a separate car or van.

“Carpooling is a key element in achieving a sustainable business, and in cutting congestion and air pollution,” said Mr Ben Roberts, CEO of Liquid Telecom Kenya.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists Nairobi among the global cities with rising air pollution levels, in a scourge that it estimates is causing more than a million deaths a year, worldwide. In this, car exhaust fumes contribute to 40 per cent of the particulate matter urban air pollution, according to a UN report- ‘Actions on Air Quality’.

Excess traffic is also causing human and wildlife fatalities in road accidents, and economic losses from road congestion.

A 2016 report by the World Bank estimates that Value of Time (VOT) lost to travel in Nairobi due to the massive traffic gridlocks costs about Sh80-Sh400 million per workday.

In sum, Nairobi residents lose Sh5bn a year on the costs of traffic congestion, according to a study by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Against this backdrop, carpooling has been shown to reduce transport costs for companies, road congestion, travel costs for private users, and air pollution. @kevin_x254

Kenya to source for new tea markets in price stabilization move The government has announced plans to source new markets for tea, a move that seeks to stabilize the price of the product.

“The Ministry, in collaboration with stakeholders, has identified Iran, Russia and China as potential market destinations for Kenya tea and are in the process of preparing market strategies to enhance exports to these market destinations,’’ said Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett.

The CS says, the government through its ministry is in final stages of restructuring a study on price stabilization to cushion farmers during price fluctuations.

Bett says the move comes following recent data which reveals that Kenya tea auction prices declined significantly from an average of USD 2.98 per Kilogram in 2015 to 2.36 USD in 2016 over increased supply.

The CS further attributes a sinking

price to the negative impact which was slightly mitigated by strong dollar rates.

According to the 2016 tea industry performance report, tea Production for 2016 reached an all-time high of 473 million Kilograms, an 18.4 per cent higher compared to 399 million Kilograms recorded in 2015.

Out of the total production for 2016, the Smallholder sub-sector output was 265.6 million Kilograms representing 56 per cent while the

Estate sub-sector was 207.4 million Kilograms accounting for just 44 per cent.

According to the report, Kericho County recorded the highest production of 93,164,821 Million kgs with Bomet (72,708,438 Milln kgs) and Nandi (71,488,513 Milln kgs) following in second and third places respectively.

The CS attributes the higher production is to good weather conditions experienced in tea

growing areas during the first half of 2016.

“This is remarkably the highest production compared to other record outputs of 445 Million Kilograms in 2014 and 432 Million Kilograms in 2013,’’ said Bett.

Export earnings in 2016 were Sh120.6 Billion (USD 1.19 Billion) a slight drop from Sh125.2 Billion (USD 1.27 Million) recorded in 2015. @enock_x254

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

ACCESS INSTAGRAM BECAME ‘A THING’ RIGHT AROUND THEN AND PREZZO HAS BEEN KEEPING, WE THE MAFANS SUPER-ENTERTAINED. Prezzo has been around for a long time. Despite how old he might actually be he is still old enough to be epic beef have disappeared into the sands of time but knowing how rappers are, it was probably about nothing in particular. was the ultimate come back when haters came for you, ‘Let’s Get Down’ was the song KISS FM would test your patience with, playing the tune 40 times a day before Prezzo’s and AY’s baggy shirts and bucket hats in ‘Nipe Nikupe’ were the height of fashion. Where did it all go wrong?

Big Brother house in 2012, everyone including Prezzo himself, had all but forgotten that he was a rapper. He JAGUAR

so all I have to do as an artiste is to spread my wings and to hear some of these collaborations.

Instagram became ‘a thing’ right around then and Prezzo

A history of

PREZZO

losing is mind

rapper posts everything from guns, to shots of himself sitting around dressed up with no discernable place to go and screenshots and videos that have previously landed him in hot water. He even has the famous video of the ‘stripping incident’ up. Prezzo is either very out of touch or has a killer sense of humour.

2016 seemed like a busy year for him. Showing up suspiciously slurry--not to mention handsy-- for two separate interviews, breaking and making up with his girlfriend Michelle Yola at supersonic speed, ramping up his beef with Jaguar and assaulting an airline pilot/

as “prezzo and oyola are back looking all broke and old please give them something to eat stop using drugs mpaka ring mkauza Jeez,” by user marx marx and “Prezzo looks like hell what’s wrong with him....wololo drugs hazipendi ujinga. her lady too looks bruuuuuaaah,”posted by Jackline Bby.

raised about his drug use due to the proximity of the cameras on the show Nairobi Diaries. Comments such

that might explain some of his outlandish behaviour. Maybe he just needs somebody to talk to.

@kevin_x254

An Australian actor has been killed in a freak accidental shooting in Brisbane. The 28-yearold actor Johann Ofner, was accidentally shot and killed as he filmed a gunfight scene for a hip hop group by the name Bliss N Eso’s for their latest music video. It is still unclear how the actor and stuntman was injured by the prop guns that were allegedly loaded with blanks. He was however pronounced dead at the scene as authorities kicked off investigations into the incident. Ofner had been a stuntman for several years before his death. May his soul rest in peace.

HOT TOPICS

Australian actor killed in music video shoot accident

MICHELLE

Chameleone embraces Radio and Weasel in ‘Panadol’

Despite their on and off beef with Jose Chameleone, Ugandan singing duo Radio and Weasel have released a hit single in which they have incorporated Chameleone. The track dubbed ‘Panadol’ is a love song delivered in a Luganda feel dancehall beat that is set to be an instant hit.

The legendary singer and self-proclaimed music doctor, who has often referred to the duo of Radio and Weasel as ‘boys’ finally acknowledged the duo by collaborating with them in the track. Jose Chameleone has at the same time released the video for his single “Sweet Banana” The Audio for ‘sweet banana’ was released in November 2016 and was produced by “MADDER KAYZ”

P-Unit’s Frasha announces political ambitions

Health practitioner turned entertainer Francis Hamisi is now seeking a new title. The ‘gentleman’ rapper yesterday announced on social media that he would be vying for the Member of County Assembly position in the forthcoming general elections. Frasha who has lived in Athi River for a long time will be seeking to represent the people of Athi River as their MCA. ‘…Today I want to start a journey with the trust of God’s guidance and the power of the vote that I will become the next M.C.A Athi-River Township…’ his social media post read in part.

10

ACCESS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

I’M SCARED THAT HE MIGHT STRAY BUT I ALSO FEEL LIKE IT IS MY BODY AND I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT WITH IT

@christine_x254

Dear Dr X,

documentaries about Africa you need to watch INVISIBLE CHILDREN This 2006 documentary can be considered a lead up to Kony 2012. But seeing as the aforementioned has had such a chequered history with the internet, reducing the film to not much more than a viral sensation, Invisible Children deserves some time in the spotlight. The movie highlights the use of child soldiers in the Northern Uganda conflict focusing on a group of children who have to continually seek refuge to avoid getting kidnapped by the LRA. SLAVERY: A GLOBAL INVESTIGATION A free documentary, done by Brian Edwards and Kate Blewett and inspired by the book Disposable People, highlights modern slavery not just in Africa but in Asia and South America. The seemingly benign cocoa industry in West Africa has created conditions where children are forced into hard labour on plantations, beaten and are not paid for their work.

STORIES OF OUR LIVES Despite gaining a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival, this movie was banned in Kenya. The Nest Collective depicted stories heard and told of people identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex in Kenya.

WAR DANCE Written and directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine despite receiving some criticisms that participants in the film seemed like they had rehearsed their responses, it still tells an important story. The movie centers on a group of students who win a music competition and their journey to this victory despite living in an LRA controlled location.

I have a lovely husband who adores me but I feel completely fat after giving birth. We have a 10-month old son whom has made our lives great but I haven’t felt like getting intimate because of how my body has changed since he was born. I know 10 months is a long time to be withholding sex from somebody and I’m scared that he might stray but I also feel like it is my body and I can do whatever I want with it, including not having sex. I don’t know what to do to make him see things my way but I know I’m not ready for anything physical yet.

I don’t feel sexy after giving birth

-Maggie

Dear Maggie,

You do have every with to do with your body anything that you please. But just because you are on this sex-fast does not mean that he is.

It’s natural to feel insecure about your body after having a baby but if you are that worried about it, why not do something to change it.

Go to the gym, or get moving at home. Just do something to get yourself out of the misery that you feel you are in.

Then again, this new ‘unattractiveness’ that you feel might be all in your head.

If your husband has accepted the new curves why not say yes to happiness?

-Dr X

Watching porn at work is an actionable offense so do not get up to it

T

here was a time that getting access to pornographic material was such a challenge that the stuff was mostly urban myth and legend. The internet, sadly, has made this naïve fantasy, a booming reality.

Addiction to pornography has become more common than many members of the pubic would care to know seeing as porn is by and large still considered taboo. It’s seen as something ‘bad’ children or ‘weirdos’ get up to in the middle of the night. A survey taken

by Austrian Independent via a leading porn purveyor claimed that 60 million people visit their site daily and that over 60 per cent of these visits are done at work.

Watching porn at work is an actionable offense so do not get up to it any way but if you feel that porn consumption is affecting your day-to-day life, here’s what to do.

Admit that you have a problem

steps to deal with it

As with any other addiction, a dependence on pornography will affect almost every facet of your life. Admitting that you are in fact addicted to watching pornography is a big step on the journey to getting better. If you feel you cannot go a day without getting a hit, with some sessions lasting ours or even losing sleep because of porn then you might have a problem with it.

Change your conditions

What do the circumstances that surround

you look like? Are you alone? Are you bored? Is it during your free time? Is it all the time? Once you figure out the conditions that make it easy for you to watch porn then you can change them. During that free time that you have on your hands, make sure you are doing something. It doesn’t have to be work, it doesn’t even have to be productive but it will keep your mind off watching porn.

Think about the negative side effects

After watching something pornographic guilty or ‘dirty’ feelings are what you might be left feeling. It’s no secret that addiction usually leads to tolerance of the addictive substance and this applies to porn too. Your tastes might have started out ‘vanilla’ enough but who know where they might take you.

Focus on the after effects of watching porn.

Addiction is not so much about the sexual satisfaction that it is about the psychological crutch.

Seek help

It is a real problem you have and not just a passing perversion. The great thing about the internet, is that resources are everywhere if talking to a professional in person is not an option. Support groups and forums with people dealing with the same problem as you are available at your convenience. @christine_x254

signs you might be Send your agonising queries to christine@x254.co

ACCESS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

11

THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

JUDY GREER in a monotone mixed print dress.

JOI MCMILLON striped shirt under a sheath dress.

JANICZA BRAVO covering up in an oversized sweater.

HEATHER CHRISTIAN mixing prints with all-black.

Sundance might not be the most glamourous of red carpets, it is held in chilly Park City Utah after all, but it’s still an opportunity for some famous faces to converge and put their bets foot forward. Here are some looks from the black carpet.

SHIRI APPLEBY in a black dress shirt.

BEST

Our rating: ★ ★ ★ Our rating: ★ ★ ★

PATERSON GENRE: Drama

Our rating: ★ ★ ★

RATING: PG - 13 CAST: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley RUNTIME: 117 minutes

Split is a slow-burn horror, though, centered around Kevin’s (James McAvoy) heinous act of kidnapping three innocent teenage girls, which one of his personalities -- Dennis -- believes they need for a ritualistic sacrifice. He keeps the girls in a dingy basement, and they deal with his personalities as we piece together a series of mysteries to figure out what is in store for them.

@mercy_x254

GENRE: Psychological horror

SPLIT

NIA LONG in black leather and a black sweater.

RATING: R GENRE: Crime drama RATING: R CAST: Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson RUNTIME: 129 minutes

LIVE BY NIGHT

Joe Coughlin (Ben Affleck) is a young man from Boston who, after returning home from the first World War, has decided he’s never going to take orders from anyone else again. For this reason, he ignores the Irish-Italian gang war taking place in his city for a life as an independent “outlaw,” robbing banks and sticking up poker games. He gets drawn into the world of organized crime, however, because he’s fallen in love with the mistress of the head of the Irish mob (Sienna Miller).

CAST: Adam Driver, Golshifteh Paterson is a name shared by both the film’s lead and its setFarahani, ting, centering on a bus driver named Paterson (Adam Driver) Barry Shabaka as he lives out a literal week-in-the-life in his hometown of Henley Paterson, New Jersey. Paterson is a poet in his spare time, and RUNTIME: while he constantly hesitates sharing his work - despite insis118 minutes tence from his live-in-girlfriend, Laura (Golshifteh Farahani.

He’s constantly scribbling in a little book kept in his pocket, inspired to write by his love for Laura and the beautiful town in which he lives, though through the events of the film he’s forced to face the question of what it means to express himself as an artist and the vitality of revealing his passion to the world.

CLASSIFIED TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017 Due to the relocation of our warehouse, our company is selling cargos with a surprising price.

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Configuring the vertical lift system. The railway can rise to 10-floor high, 30 meters height.

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Contact: Mr. Lin: 0710578076

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WEATHERFORECAST TUESDAY 24/1/2017

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THURSDAY

28

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

Australian Open: Venus Williams back with semis slot

V

enus Williams reached the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time in 14 years with a straight-set win over Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Williams, the 13th seed, saw off 24th seed Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in the first of the quarter-finals.

The 36-year-old American has never won the title, her best effort a runner-up finish to sister Serena in 2003.

She goes on to face unseeded American Coco Vandeweghe, who thrashed Spain’s seventh seed Garbine Muguruza 6-4 6-0.

Vandeweghe, 25, followed up her win over world number one and defending champion Angelique Kerber with a crushing defeat of French Open champion Muguruza.

“I really wasn’t feeling all that great out there, I was feeling kind of nervous,” said Vandeweghe.

“I just tried to play my best, stay within myself, keep my patterns. I fought through a few break points on her serve, kept on the pressure in the first set and then she finally cracked. “Once I got rolling in the second it was like a freight train. You couldn’t stop it.”

Williams, meanwhile, dropped serve four times against Pavlyuchenkova but was

much the stronger in the decisive moments, becoming the oldest woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon in 1994.

“I’m so excited. Today was such a hard-fought match. She never let up,” said the seven-time Grand Slam champion.

“It’s wonderful to be here at the start of the year. I want to go further. I’m not happy with this.

“I try to believe. Should I look across the net and believe the person across the net deserves it more?

“This mentality is not how champions are made. I’d like to be a champion, in particular this year. The mentality I walk on court with is: I deserve this.”

Tomorrow, Serena Williams play Britain’s Johanna Konta at about 02:00 GMT, following the match between Czech fifth seed Karolina Plisokva and Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

Venus Williams of the USA celebrates her win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia during the Women’s Singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, early today.

PHOTO: JULIAN SMITH/EPA

SPORT NE WS133

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

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SPORT

Olunga in multi-million move to Chinese club TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

Kenyan international striker Michael Olunga has switched from Swedish top flight league to the Chinese Super League in a multi-million shilling deal.

Chinese club Guizhou Zhicheng have announced the signing of the lanky striker after a stellar debut season at Swedish top division side Swedish IF Djurgarden.

The deal believed to be worth Sh450 million was sealed last evening.

Only last week, reports indicated that Olunga was being sought by the Chinese promoted side although his agent Patrick Dark could neither deny nor confirm the reports.

He has been signed alongside Egyptian Aly Ghazal as Guizhou strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.

“Guizhou Zhicheng FC hope the two African players will integrate with the team as soon as possible and show their mettle, intrepidity and fighting spirit to the team,” the club said in a statement.

The newly promoted side snapped Olunga who has also recently been linked to European soccer giants CSKA Moscow.

Olunga will join his new team-mates in South Korea where the club set up a

Kenyan international Michael Olunga celebrates a goal after he scored for his Swedish side IF Djurgadens last year. Olunga has secured a move to China.

pre-season training camp.

The former Gor Mahia, Tusker FC and Thika United forward joined Djugardens at the start of last year and signed a four-year contract which initially was to keep him at the club till 2020. He managed twelve goals

last season and was a hot cake in the transfer market as teams from Russia, Turkey and China wanted sought his services.

It has not yet been made public how much Olunga will be earning at his new club. @amos_x254

Hull’s Mason talking after skull fracture Hull City midfielder Ryan Mason is conscious and has been speaking about the incident in which he fractured his skull during Sunday’s game at Chelsea, the club said in a statement.

Mason, 25, clashed heads with Blues defender Gary Cahill 13 minutes into the Premier League match.

He was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in London, where he had surgery.

“Ryan and his family have been extremely touched by the overwhelming support,” added the statement.

“They would very much like to thank all of those who have posted such positive comments both on social media and in the press over the last 24 hours.”

Hull added Mason would continue to be monitored at the hospital “over the coming days”.

Tigers captain Michael Dawson, club doctor Mark Waller, head of medical Rob Price and club secretary Matt Wild visited Mason in hospital on Monday.

Cahill, Chelsea captain John Terry

and assistant manager Steve Holland had visited on Sunday to check on Mason’s well-being, and spent time with his family.

Mason, Hull’s record signing, fractured his skull as he attempted to head the ball clear of his own box following a cross from Pedro.

He got to the ball a split second before Cahill, who was already committed to his attempted header, and the pair collided.

Both players spent a lengthy period receiving treatment, though Cahill was able to continue.

Mason joined Hull from Tottenham last August for a club-record undisclosed fee.

He has scored one goal in 16 Premier League appearances for the Tigers.

Hull lost Sunday’s game 2-0.

Algeria coach quits after early AFCON elimination Algeria coach Georges Leekens has resigned following the team’s early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Desert Foxes were one of the pre-tournament favourites but crashed out of the finals last night after failing to win a game in Gabon.

“For the good of all I decided to quit even though I do it with heart ache,” Leekens told the Algerian Football Federation website.

“I wish all the success in the world to the national side.”

The 67-year-old Belgian was appointed to the role only in October, for what was his second spell in charge following a fourmonth stint in 2003.

He had been expected to take Algeria deep into the latter stages at least in Gabon, coaching a side that contains BBC and Caf African Footballer of the Year Riyad Mahrez and his Leicester team-mate Islam Slimani, Porto’s Yacine Brahimi and Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam.

But the team underperformed at the tournament, beginning their

Algeria’s Belgian coach Georges Leekens reacts during their match against Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations last night.

Group B matches with a shock 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe - in which they scored an 82nd-minute goal

by Mahrez to rescue a point.

That was followed by a 2-1 defeat by their north African Neighbours Tunisia, which left them needing to beat Senegal in their final match on Monday to have any chance of making it to the quarter-finals.

But they were held 2-2 by a reserve Senegal side, who had already

won the group before the match, and suffered an embarrassing elimination.

Algeria are also struggling to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

They are bottom of Group B - which also contains Nigeria, Cameroon and Zambia - after two matches, having drawn one and lost one.

Only the group winners go through and they already trail Nigeria by

955700

five points.

“Given the pressure on the federation and the national team, I preferred to end my contract out of friendship for the president of the FAF (Algerian Football Federation) who deserves respect,” Leekens added.

Leekens was Algeria’s third coach in a year, following on from Milovan Rajevac and Christian Gourcuff.

SPORT 15 TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

Wenger risks two-match ban after FA charge for ‘improper conduct’

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged by the Football Association with verbal abusing and pushing fourth official Anthony Taylor during Sunday’s Premier League game against Burnley.

Wenger, 67, pushed Taylor after being sent off in the closing stages of the Gunners’ 2-1 win at Emirates Stadium. He had been dismissed for reacting angrily to a 93rd-minute penalty given to Burnley, who trailed 1-0. Wenger, who later apologised, has until 18:00 GMT on Thursday to respond.

An FA statement read: “It is alleged that in or around the 92nd minute, Wenger used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official.

“It is further alleged that following his dismissal from the technical area, his behaviour in remaining in the tunnel area and making physical contact with the fourth official amounted to improper conduct.”

After being sent to the stands by referee Jon Moss, Wenger moved away from the pitch but stood at the tunnel entrance and refused to move as he tried to watch the remaining few minutes of Sunday’s match.

As Taylor encouraged him to move away, Wenger was seen to push back against him.

When asked about what had led to his dismissal, Wenger said: “Look, it was nothing bad. I said something that you hear every day in football. Overall, nine times out of 10, you are not sent to the stand for that.” He added: “But if I am, I am, and I should have shut up completely. I was quite calm for the whole game, more than usual.”

In 2012, then-Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was fined £20,000 and given a two-match touchline ban for pushing an assistant referee during a game against Tottenham.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

KENYA’S MICHAEL OLUNGA IN BIG MONEY MOVE TO CHINESE CLUB

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Senegal see off Algeria as Tunisia dismiss Zimbabwe

Fancied Desert Warriors fail to win in all their three group stage matches to exit the competition with a damaged reputation

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second-string Senegal side held off fancied Algeria 2-2 to knock out the Desert Warriors of the African Cup of Nations at the group stage.

Algeria who were the pre-tournament favourites for the 2017 edition of biennial competition were bundled out after failing to win any of their three group stage matches.

They were held to a 2-2 draw by minnows Zimbabwe in their opening match before going down 2-1 to North African neighbours Tunisia.

That means they had to win their last group game against Senegal last night.

However, Georges

Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez (right) is tackled by Saliou Ciss of Senegal (l) during their African Coup of Nations Group B match at Franceville, Gabon, last night.

PHOTO: EPA

Lekeens side failed to overpower a much changed Senegal line up. Islam Slimani scored both goals for Algeria, a two-yard volley and a scuffed effort that wrongfooted Senegal’s goalkeeper.

But Senegal twice equalised, Papakouly Diop and then Moussa Sow both firing in efforts from the edge of the area.

Algeria went into the tournament as one of the favourites for the trophy but now leave with their reputation damaged by three underwhelming performances.

Their misery was compounded at the last by the fact they were held by Senegal’s second-string side, which featured 10 changes from their last game.

Senegal coach

Aliou Cisse had taken the opportunity to rest his first-choice players given the Teranga Lions had already won the group ahead of their final fixture.

And Cisse will be pleased by the resilience of his reserves who fought back to hold their own against a fullstrength Algeria and ensure Senegal ended the group stage unbeaten.

Algeria might have signed off with a win but Slimani missed a chance to grab his hat-trick and a modicum of consolation when he shot wide when clean though. That result means Senegal will play Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

In the other Group B match played last night, Tunisia saw off Zimbabwe to secure their place in the quarter-finals as runners-up with an easy 4-2 win.

Naim Sliti’s deflected shot put Tunisia ahead before Youssef Msakni and Taha Khenissi extended the lead.

Knowledge Musona grabbed one back but a Wahbi Khazri penalty restored Tunisia’s three-goal cushion by the break. Tendai Ndoro prodded in a Zimbabwe counter, before Khenissi hit the post in a wasteful second half.

The 2004 champions go on to play Burkina Faso in Gabon’s capital Libreville on Saturday.

Tunisia only needed a draw to progress to the knockout stage following their 2-1 victory over Algeria on Thursday.

And they were rarely stretched as Zimbabwe failed to conjure anything like the quality of their opening performance, a surprise 2-2 draw against the Algerians.

Tunisia’s Sunderland midfielder Wahbi Khazri celebrates his penalty goal during their 4-2 win over Zimbabwe in the ongoing African Cup of Nations at the Libreville Stadium in Gabon, last night. PHOTO: EPA

Ivory Coast in do or die clash with Morocco

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vory Coast take on Morocco tonight in a do or die match with the risk of getting eliminated at the group stage highly likely.

Both teams still in the running for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter finals with Morocco just in need of a draw to progress, assuming DR Congo win against Togo in the other group tie.

Morocco currently occupy second place in the group with three points to their name. But they need a win to be sure of progression.

A win for Ivory Coast will also ensure the Champions are spared of embarrassment of an early exit.

They were held to a 2-2 draw by DR Congo last time out, after a barren draw against Togo in their opening fixture. Elephants head coach Michel Dussuyer is under pressure to deliver given he has one of the most talented squads in the tournament at his disposal.

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