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WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017 | www.x254.co

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Cases backlog to be cleared by dec 2018 Chief Justice david maraga outlines his mid-term and long-term plan for the judiciary in which he wants cases more than five years old dispensed with in the next two years

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Death fears as Shabaab attack KDF camp again T

here are fears that some Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers could have been killed when militants from the al-Shabaab terror group attacked their base in Somalia early today.

Militants from the terror group launched an attack at the KDF military camp in Kulbiyow, some 18 kilometres from the Kenyan border in Somalia’s Lower Juba region.

The number of casualties from the 5am attack remain unknown although the militants claim to have killed 57 soldiers.

Military Spokesman Col Paul M. Njuguna while confirming the attack denied that KDF soldiers were killed.

According to Col. Njuguna, the attackers tried to access the camp using a Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED) but were repulsed by the KDF. But he admitted that a fierce exchange of fire was going on.

“We are under massive attack and there is massive exchange of fire,” he said.

“Currently, an intensive pacification operation is underway reinforced by our air and land forces,” he added.

Kenyan soldiers praying during an interreligious prayer meeting for the soldiers who were killed in an attack on their base by Somalia-based terror group al-Shabab last year. Al-Shabaab attacked another Kenyan military camp in Kulbiyow early today.

PHOTO: DANIEL IRUNGU/EPA

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017

Raila: Jubilee planning ‘secret Eurobond’ The government is seeking to ‘secretly’ borrow some Sh83 billion from international banks to offset its ballooning public debt, opposition chief Raila Odinga claims.

Mr Odinga told journalists at a press conference at his Karen home in Nairobi today that the government has failed to reign in corruption and is thus forced to seek loans to pay debts.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta ledJubilee administration is planning to borrow Sh83bn from international banks to pay off public debt, that is another Eurobond,” Mr Odinga said.

His statement came just two days after a new corruption ranking by the Transparency International put Kenya in the league of the world’s 20 most corrupt countries.

And the former Prime Minister was quick to link the dubious tag to the Jubilee administration.

“Kenya has returned to the Super league of corruption, listed among the 20 most corrupt countries in the world…Yet the President has chosen to play blind and mute on a scourge that is clearly spreading its tentacles around the nation and getting more people into deeper poverty and misery while paralyzing public services,” he said.

“As we speak, Jubilee is syndicating 800 million dollars to international bank loans not for development but to plug the holes that their looting has created,” he added.

The syndicated loans is allegedly supposed to offset the public debt owned by government to suppliers and contractors.

The opposition chief accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of sinking

the country deeper into the corruption levels accusing him as the patron of the corrupt cartels.

Odinga says instead of addressing corruption, government is mobilizing votes and using state machinery such as chiefs to play unfair game.

Raila, who will be making a fourth stab at the presidency should the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy pick him as the flag bearer, come the 2017 General Elections President Kenyatta will be the one humiliated by not tackling corruption.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta will end up being humiliated in the next elections because he has not tackled corruption,” he said.

Odinga said it was the duty of national government agencies to prosecute corrupt individuals in all levels of government.

“Government has instruments of power to make these people accountable. It’s not my responsibility,” he added, evens as he insisted that government had done little to tackle corruption.

And about President K e n y a t t a’s warning on Wednesday that his government

would not tolerated those perceived to be spreading hate talk in campaigns, Odinga said he won’t be intimidated.

“I am the last person to be threatened with arrest. Mr President has not even gone to a cell for one night. I won’t be blackmailed,” he said.

“We’re democrats. If we lose fairly we’ll accept. If we lose unfairly we will not accept,” he added.

He said the high voter turn-out in the ongoing mass listing across areas perceived to be Jubilee zones is because the government is employing underhand tactics to mobilise their supporters.

He said he expects his areas to pick up soon.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga when he addressed the press at his Karen home in Nairobi today.

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Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chief executive, Ezra Chiloba has dismissed claims that the electoral agency was working with the National Intelligence Service to register foreigners as voters.

Speaking today as he unveiled the commissions’ voter registration sensitization caravan at Uhuru Park grounds in Nairobi, Chiloba (pictured) said it was wrong for the political class to raise such allegations that could jeopardise the ongoing mass voter listing exercise.

He asked those with information of any anomalies in regard to the exercise to share it with the IEBC o report to the relevant investigative authorities.

“As a commission we have no information regarding claims made by the political class that we are registering foreign voters.

Let those who have any information come forward or present it to investigative authorities,” said Chiloba.

The caravan will transverse the various estates in the city before proceeding to other parts of the country.

Chiloba noted that the commission was now considering to introduce mobile voter registration for students, pastoralists and prisoners.

This will allow the group of Kenyans to have a chance to participate in the ongoing mass voter registration exercise which is expected to end on February 14th.

“We now have information of areas that our officers are experiencing hardships especially in pastoral areas. We are going to realise more kits and introduce mobile registration in the target areas,” noted Chiloba.

On Tuesday, opposition chief Raila Odinga alleged that the intelligence unit has deployed Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits to Ethiopia and Uganda to register foreigners as voters.

He claimed that the agency was also assisting citizens of these neighbouring countries to acquire Kenyan identification documents then helping them cross into Kenya and register as voters.

“The NIS is also interfering with the voter registration process by having youths whose data were collected through the dubious National Youth Service exercise over the last few years and registering them as voters, without their knowledge.”

The former premier wholly placed blame on NIS for the multiple registrations, shared identity cards among other challenges being experienced in the voter

registration exercise.

Raila further alleged that the same tactics were used by the intelligence agency in 2007 and 2013 to deny him victory in the presidential race.

The government has since dismissed the claims saying that they were part of the usual rhetoric of petty politics by the opposition.

NEWS 5

Kidero accuses political rivals for Dandora attack on journalists

WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017

Parties to sign code of conduct against violence Political parties will be compelled to sign code of conduct promoting peaceful campaigns in order to end attacks and violence during their campaigns.

Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati said they will soon engage all political parties to sign the code of conduct. He condemned the recent attack on three Mediamax journalists by youth believed to be supporters of Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko in Dandora.

“It’s unfortunate the incident happened and it’s our hope as a commission that it will not happen again,” Chebukati at parliament buildings on Thursday when he paid National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi a courtesy call.

Journalists Sarah Ndung’u, Charles Mathai and Patrick Kimanthi, sustained injuries while returning to their work station after covering a tour by Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.

Chebukati said all political parties will sign the code of conduct and those who go against it will be punished.

“We will punish the offenders because we want peace in our country,” Chebukati said. @sam_x254

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has absolved himself from blame following Wednesday’s attack on journalists in his convoy after a working tour of Dandora and instead pointed an accusing finger at his political rivals.

Three journalists from Mediamax sustained injuries after their vehicle was hit by objects thrown at Dr Kidero’s convoy as he left the area.

But the Governor now claims the attack on journalists is part of a ‘wider dirty scheme’ by those eyeing his position in the coming election.

Some eight aspirants have declared interest in his seat.

A remorseful Kidero said his rivals have ganged up in a bid to scuttle his chances of retaining the seat by branding him as ‘violent and an enemy of the people’ “I want all our supporters to be peaceful but it should also be clear that nobody has monopoly over violence,” Dr Kidero warned as he addressed residents of Kibagare slums r in Westlands constituency

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (center with microphone) addresses residents of Kibagare slums in Westlands yesterday.

yesterday on his second week of voter registration mobilisation.

Sarah Ndungu (People Daily reporter), Patrick Kimanthi (K24 cameraman) and Charles Mathai (People Daily photgrapher) were injured after goons hurled stones at Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero’s convoy in Dandora.

Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and Political Journalists Association of Kenya (PJAK) have since condemned the attack threatening to give politicians involved a media blackout during the campaigns.

“KUJ will seek legal redress against such primitive acts and will launch campaigns for media blackouts

against politicians,” KUJ secretary general Erick Oduor said.

But on Thursday, Kidero asked his rivals in the city gubernatorial contest to attack him directly instead of targeting ‘innocent journalist out to report the truth’.

“If you have a problem with me, direct the attack on me. Not the innocent young men and women who are reporting the truth,” Kidero who was accompanied by his deputy Jonathan Mueke, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi and Parklands MCA Jaffer Kasaam said.

He called for peace and tolerance during the electioneering period saying violence is a primitive behavior that should not be allowed in the city.

He warned politicians fanning violence saying that he will not allow them disrupt peace in the county.

“We don’t want violence liked we witnessed in 2008 because people might be taken to Hague,” he said. @hillary_x254

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017

Cases backlog to be cleared by Dec 2018 All cases that have stayed in various courts for more than five years will be concluded in the next two years, Chief Justice David Maraga has said.

Maraga said the judiciary under his leadership will have a sustained onslaught on old cases and asked for the cooperation of all parties and in particular the litigants and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

“I promise to utilize the service week and the day-to-day hearing arrangements to clear all cases that are more than 5 years by December 2018,” Maraga said yesterday at the Supreme Court during the unveiling of his blueprint for the Judiciary.

The Chief Justice admitted that over the years, case backlog has been a stain and negative blot on the judiciary’s image and remain a serious challenge to date.

As at December 2016, there were a total of 505,315 cases pending in court system. Of these, 360,284 cases have been pending for 5 years or longer.

“While the data available to us indicates that case backlog has reduced by over 50 per cent in the past five years, viewed against

Maraga said various organizations and institutions have over the years directed their anger and blame to the judiciary over the backlog of cases.

“Banks are complaining that court injunctions have hampered their efforts to realise securities in cases of default in loan repayments; borrowers, on the other hand, are complaining that failure to grant them injunctions has led to the illegal disposal of their properties by banks; employers are complaining that courts are liberally, and at will, restraining them from terminating the services of their employees for good cause; the employees themselves are complaining that the courts take ages before granting their claims such as terminal benefits; on his part the 41 Attorney general is complaining that the courts’ conservatory orders are causing havoc to the Government’s development agenda and the list is endless,” Maraga said.

the human capital available on the bench, the reduction is disproportionate and unencouraging,” Maraga said.

“I am certain that by the end of my tenure

Court drops Kabogo hate speech charges

A Nairobi court has today dropped hate speech charges against Kiambu Governor William Kabogo for lack of evidence.

Governor Kabogo (pictured below) was taken to court for allegedly making disparaging remarks against opposition leader Raila Odinga in 2015.

While delivering the ruling, Milimani Law Courts Senior principal magistrate Stella Mutuku said the prosecution did not prove that Kabogo’s statement was targeted towards the former prime minister.

Kabogo was quoted as saying in Kiswahili: “Basi nyinyi watu wa magazeti mwambie Raila aache upuzi, aache nini? Sisi hatutaki upuzi.” (And you print journalists should tell Raila to stop being foolish. We do not want foolishness.)

Kabogo had been questioned by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations after a video clip emerged in which he is heard warning Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama to stop insulting President Uhuru Kenyatta, failure to which he would get him from his (Muthama’s) mother’s house.

In the recording, Kabogo said that although he was not declaring war, he was making it clear that he was not afraid of anything, including being taken to court for the remarks.

His remarks prompted an investigation by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

Governor Kabogo in court early today.

in December 2020, we shall have no cases in court older than 3 years in accordance with the international best practices,” added the Chief Justice.

Chief Justice David Maraga during the unveiling of his mid-term and long-term vision for the Judiciary at the Supreme Court yesterday.

Death fears as al-Shabaab attack KDF military camp in Somalia again

Kenyan soldiers serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) load onto a truck as part of a re-supply convoy in a past operation. Military Spokesman Col. Paul Njuguna said both land and Air forces are helping in the pacification operation. PHOTO: EPA Contiuned from page 1

Reports appearing elsewhere in the Nation suggested Col. Njuguna said the Kenyan troops had been pinned down.

The militants according to reports in the Voice of America, drove a truck filled with explosives and detonated them inside the base, followed by heavy gunfire and an infantry attack.

Al-Shabaab in reports carried by Reuters claimed they had killed 57 Kenyan soldiers, an allegation LtCol Njuguna denied.

“It is false,” he said adding; “it is important to note that the information being peddled by terrorists on social media is false and part of their propaganda.”

The militant group has an elaborate propaganda machinery, with a spokesmen to boot, that fights to advance its war against the westernbacked Mogadishu administration and its allies, including Kenya, Djibouti, Uganda and Ethiopia all of who have their troops in the wartorn country. Kenya contributes

more than 3,600 troops to the Africa Union mission in Somalia that lost hundreds of soldiers in camp attacks.

Besides Kenya, Al-Shabaab has attacked camps belonging to Uganda, Burundi and Ethiopia, with Uganda and Burundi suffering massive causalities.

The Kulbiyow attack comes a year after Kenya lost an unknown number of soldiers when Al-Shabaab overran a KDF camp in El-Adde on the dawn of January 15, 2016.

Gambia’s Barrow returns home Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has returned to the country to assume power - days after his predecessor Yahya Jammeh left to go into exile.

President Barrow’s plane touched down at Banjul airport where jubilant crowds waited to welcome him.

Mr Barrow, who has been in neighbouring Senegal, won elections in December.

However a handover was stalled when Mr Jammeh, Gambia’s president of 22 years, refused to step aside.

He left for exile at the weekend after mediation by regional leaders and the threat of military intervention.

Mr Barrow, dressed in white robes and a cap, stepped off the plane in Banjul as heavily armed troops from Senegal and Nigeria stood by.

Overhead, a fighter jet from the West African force guaranteeing the new president’s security performed fly-pasts.

“I am a happy man today,” Mr Barrow told a reporter from the Associated Press in the crush at the airport, adding: “I think the bad part is finished now.”

The president said his priority was to appoint his cabinet and “then get the ball rolling”.

Correspondents in Banjul said that thousands of people had tried to force their way into the airport to see Mr Barrow return and they burst into celebration as soon as his plane touched down.

President Barrow was driven from the airport in a convoy of cars and waved to the crowds who lined the route.

Supporter Ibrahima Gaye said Mr Barrow would be different from Mr Jammeh “in all aspects”.

“We have been living under dictatorship for 22 years. You can go home at night and sleep without worrying you will be arrested before daybreak,” he said.

President Barrow is staying at his own home while a security assessment is carried out at the official residence, State House.

Mr Barrow was sworn in as president at the Gambian embassy in Senegal a week ago, but a public inauguration on home soil is planned soon, aides say.

The UN envoy for West Africa, Mohamed ibn Chambas, has said the UN will help guarantee security in The Gambia.

Several thousand West African soldiers remain in The Gambia amid reports that rogue proJammeh elements are embedded in the country’s security forces.

The West African force had threatened to drive Mr Jammeh from office if he did not agree to go.

The new president has asked for the force to remain in The Gambia for six months.

His spokesman Halifa Sallah said an inauguration was being planned for the national stadium in Banjul. “It will be an occasion to show strength.

Everyone will be invited. The president will address his people,’’ he told Senegalese radio.

Mr Jammeh, who was a 29-year-old army lieutenant when he came to power in a 1994 coup, had refused to accept the results of the December election.

After his departure, reports emerged that more than $11m (£8.8m) had disappeared from The Gambia’s state coffers.

However a presidential adviser said the police had been asked to investigate and would determine if anything was missing.

Mr Jammeh has not commented on the allegations.

In other developments, parliament has cancelled the state of emergency declared by Mr Jammeh last week. It also revoked legislation that would have extended its life for a further 90 days.

Gambi’s new President Adama Barrow upon arrival at his home in Banjul where he will be staying before moving to the official residence of the presidency later. Mr Barrow returned to the country yesterday after being sworn in in neighbouring Senegal last week.

NEWS 7 WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017

WEEKEnD EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

IMF urges Kenya government to scrap interest capping law

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Kenya’s government to abolish the new law which capped interest rates at 14.5 per cent.

The international lender says the law, which was signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta in August 2016 is likely to weigh down the country’s economic growth given that it has significantly reduced access to credit for SMEs, which account for 30 per cent of the jobs in Kenya, according to the latest government statistics.

IMF Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, Mr. Min Zhu says abolishing the interest capping rate law would help mitigate the impact of “potential exogenous shocks thus enhancing a robust growth performance.”

“In this context, the new precautionary arrangements would provide a policy anchor for continued macroeconomic and institutional reform, and would help mitigate the impact of potential exogenous shocks if they were to materialize,” said Mr Zhu, who was referring to a $1.5 billion (Sh156 billion) precautionary loan that the IMF approved for Kenya in 2016.

He added that Kenya’s recent growth performance remains robust and the country’s outlook is positive.

“Despite positive policy steps undertaken under the current Fund-supported program, the economy remains vulnerable to shocks, reflecting less favourable global financial market conditions, as well as continued security threats and potential extreme weather events,” he said.

Mr Zhu said authorities are taking actions

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

People take shelter from the rain at one of the Standard Chartered Bank branches in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, 12 December 2016. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA to preserve financial stability, including steps to strengthen micro and macro prudential stress testing and the capital adequacy assessment framework, and develop a legal and operational crisis management system.

“Continued improvement in the

quality of macroeconomic statistics and strengthening the business climate will be key to promoting transparency and evidence-based policy making, and supporting inclusive growth,” Zhu said.

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) had earlier criticized President

NIC Bank moves to sensitise public on implications of marine insurance law

NIC Bank has hosted a marine insurance seminar to sensitise its customers and the broader public about the opportunities presented by the recently enacted Section 20 of the Insurance Act. The seminar, which was graced by NIC customers and key stakeholders in the industry, including representatives from the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), Old Mutual UAP Insurance, Kentrade, Mitchell Cotts and Oceanic Marine Surveyors, was aimed at demystifying the Act. Section 20 of the Insurance Act came into full effect on January 1, 2017, compelling importers to purchase marine cargo insurance exclusively from local insurance companies.

Speaking at the event, NIC Bank Executive Director, Alan Dodd, noted that the bank’s Bancassurance subsidiary, NIC Insurance Agents, had collaborated with leading underwriters in the insurance industry to provide

CBK EXCHANGE RATES

affordable Marine Insurance packages to its customers.

“We cover risks associated with importation of goods such as fire & explosion, theft & robbery, vehicle collision, overturning & accidents, water damage, war related perils, road/rail risks as well as strikes, terrorism & political violence,” said Mr. Dodd. Before the new provision in the Insurance Act came into effect, about 90 per cent of cargo import insurance was being handled by foreign firms. The Act has now secured this market for local players, a move that has been warmly received by local underwriters.

Most customers, however, are yet to fully understand what the new Act means for them, especially those importers that will now have to switch from foreign underwriters to local players. “Today’s seminar was aimed at unpacking this Act for our customers,” noted Mr. Dodd. “Sensitisation is a key part of

empowering our customers to make the right decisions,” he added.

Trade volumes in Kenya continue to grow on the back of heightened demand for consumer goods from the middle class and the growing attractiveness of Kenya as an investment hub. The value of Kenya’s imports are expected to rise from Sh1.57 trillion in 2015 to between Sh2 trillion and 2.2 trillion in 2020.

“The projected surge in import volumes in coming years underscores opportunity in marine insurance for local underwriters. We therefore need to ensure that our customers are well apprised and get the best value through our convenient Bancassurance platforms,” concluded Dodd.

NIC Bank Group was incorporated in Kenya in 1959, and was among the first non-bank financial institutions to provide hire purchase and installment credit finance facilities in Kenya. @kevin _x254

Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to ascent the rate capping law, saying it would bar a majority of SMEs from accessing loans.

The banking sector has seen thousands of jobs lost with some lenders reporting a decrease in revenue since the law came into effect. @enock _x254

MEAN 103.9494 127.6242 110.5861 7.6571 34.6323 21.5009

BUY SELL 103.8494 104.0494 127.4822 127.7661 110.4722 110.7000 7.6469 7.6673 34.5509 34.7137 21.4321 21.5697

Betting might collapse economy if not controlled, Midiwo warns A sharp uptick in online betting across the country might collapse the economy should if it is not well regulated, Gem Member of Parliament, Jakoyo Midiwo has said.

Speaking when he presented his views to Parliament’s Labour and Social Welfare Committee, Midiwo said there is need for the immediate signing of the Betting, Lotteries and (Amendment) Bill into law to shield the economy from collapse.

He added that once the proposed Bill comes into law, it will help the state collect tax from the largely uncontrolled betting sector since the government will have more control over private gaming firms.

“Unless we take a daring steps and ensure there is a structure in place for the government to collect tax from the industry, we risk collapsing the economy,” Jakoyo said.

Midiwo says betting firms are raking in billions daily yet they barely pay any taxes.

The Betting, Lotteries and (Amendment) Bill proposes placing of all betting activities in a single state agency, a move that will not only ensure no revenue is lost, but also curb the menace of money laundering across the sector.

According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), mobile penetration is currently above 80 per cent.

This has encouraged the growth of gaming platforms across the country.

Since the entrance of major betting firms, the ratio of losers has superseded the ratio of beneficiaries with some rare cases involving players committing suicide after facing heavy losses. @enock _x254

Shelter Afrique condemns bosses mentioned in fraud scandal Shelter Afrique’s Board of Directors will take action against several key managers implicated in financial impropriety scandal that was revealed following an independent forensic investigation report by Deloitte Kenya.

The Board of the pan-African housing company has singled out its former Head of Finance among the officials to be held responsible for misappropriation of funds.

The leading pan-African housing company recently called for an extraordinary shareholders meeting to be held in Nairobi next Tuesday to discuss fresh plans to raise capital amid the accusations of financial malpractice.

Shelter Afrique’s Legal, Risk and Compliance Director, Vipya Harawa had late last year announced that the housing company is banking on shareholders to raise $90 million (Sh9.2 billion) in additional capital to improve its balance sheet.

The forensic audit was commissioned after the senior manager made public allegations of financial mismanagement at Shelter

Afrique.

A statement signed by four members of a Committee created by the Shelter Afrique Board found that the forensic report by financial services group, Deloitte Kenya looked into staff performance and grievances, the effectiveness of internal controls, integrity of the financial statements and governance structure.

“There were notes made to manipulation of the system resulting in misalignment of the systems to the strategic and tactical goals of Shelter Afrique,” states the committee.

The report estimates that Shelter Afrique will need to cover a Sh618 million financial gap created by bad loans which is one of the issues at the centre of allegations at the company owned by 44 African countries. “The Board notes this estimate with concern but is confident that it does not fundamentally undermine the financial position of the company,” says the statement.

The Board has promised to use the forensic report to improve internal governance by deconcentrating executive power.

Kenya to become next global production hub - CS Mohamed

BUSINESS 9

WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017

Kenya is in a prime position to become the next hub for global production, Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Adan Mohamed has said.

The CS, who held a media briefing at United Aryan EPZ Ltd, the largest apparel manufacturing plant in East Africa, today unveiled a progress report on the Kenya’s Textile and Apparel sector.

Speaking as he unveiled an expansion plan for the plant, he stressed on the need for partnerships between Kenya and India, which has been a major player in the global textiles sector.

He called on stakeholders to push for strategic partnerships deals with countries such as Bangladesh and India, stating that the government was undertaking policy reforms to transform the sector.

Kenya’s textile and apparel exports have grown to $415 million (Sh43.2 billion), accounting for 30 per cent of industrial exports over the past five years.

Kenya accounts for just 0.4 per cent of the $84 billion (Sh8.7 trillion) US textiles market despite its 10 per cent cost advantage over lower cost countries such as Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Trade added that the government is now targeting labourintensive low technology industries such as textile and leather as part of the realization of the industrialisation agenda. The agenda seeks to transform Kenya into a newly-industrializing, middle-income country.

The government plans to provide a higher quality of life by 2030 and position Kenya as a textile hub through the development of the textile city in Athi River.

Earlier this morning, the Cabinet Secretary officially opened the Kenya Skills Show Expo at the Kenya

Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Industry,Investment and Trade, Mr.Adan Mohamed speaking at a past event.

Photo By Edwin Gitobu/Xnews International Convention Centre.

Speaking at the Expo, he noted that there is a big disconnect between training and the requirements of the job market.

“There is a big need to link industry/

business with academia to ensure acquisition of relevant skills,” he said.

Mohamed also noted that up to 100 million jobs are expected to move from Asia to other parts of the world in the next 3 to 5 years. He said that Kenya

should cash in on these opportunities, a move that would help the country address its youth unemployment crisis.

KTB reintroduces UK-Mombasa flights as regulator looks to increase tourist numbers The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has announced plans to increase the number of tourist arrivals at the coast.

KTB Chairman, Jimmy Kariuki says the Board has commenced plans to re-introduce direct flights from the United Kingdom (UK) to Mombasa.

The move comes barely three years after the country banned UK direct flights to Mombasa in 2014 after the abrupt withdrawal of charter flights from the route.

Since 2014, the number of tourists from UK visiting the coastal region has fallen drastically. KTB officials believe the re-introduction of direct flights between the two destinations will scale up the number of arrivals.

The UK has already opened a Visa processing center at the coast in a move to ease travelling of tourists from Britain.

The move comes just as the country is gearing up to host the world’s largest consortium of tourist agents scheduled to convene in Kenya next month.

“The ASTA Destination Expo 2017... seeks at offering the country a crucial chance to sell Kenyan tourism to the US,’’ said American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) Kenyan Chapter President Samson Some.

The Expo makes Kenya the second country in the continent to host the event. ASTA is the world’s largest travel association and currently has over 8, 300 members from across the globe. The expo begins on February 23, 2017. The Expo seeks to build a strong profile for the country. KTB believes the affair will help Kenya lay down strategies that will bring in more visitors from across the world.

@kevin_x254

@enock _x254

Kenya Airways to host open day as carrier marks 40th anniversary

A Kenya Airways (KQ) Air Hostess closes luggage cabinets onboard a KQ Boeing Dreamliner plane before its departure to South Africa after the customers, partners and staff were addressed by KQ Managing Director Mbuvi Ngunze (not pictured) during an event to celebrate its 40th anniversary since it was incorporated in 1977, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) will tomorrow host an open day at The Hub Karen as part of its 40th anniversary.

“This is the first open day we have held. It is an opportunity for our customers and the general public to get firsthand information on our product and service offering.

In addition, there will be more information on the ongoing 40 per cent Lets Fly sales campaign, which is part of the airline celebrating 40 years,” KQ Marketing Director Chris Diaz has said.

During the Open day, Kenya Airways will showcase its product offering and services.

Customers will get an

opportunity to enjoy 40 per cent discounts on tickets to various destinations across its network.

The offer also includes a special $1,977 (sh197,700) price for its business class tickets to Europe; Paris, London and Amsterdam.

From humble beginnings Kenya Airways has grown to become a leading player in Africa connecting the region to the World and the World to Africa through its hub in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi. The airline launched its inaugural flight on Saturday, February 4, 2017 two weeks after the company was incorporated on January 22, 1977.

Over the last four decades,

Kenya Airways has emerged as a major economic driver in Kenya and the region as a whole.

Kenya Airways was the first African flag bearer carrier to be privatized in 1996, a move that saw it listed across East Africa.

The airline has commercial partnerships with various global carriers, including a joint venture with KLM and codeshare agreements with airlines in Europe, Asia and Africa. Through its membership in the Sky Team Alliance, Kenya Airways offers service to 1,057 destinations in more than 177 countries. @kevin_x254

10

BUSINESS

Government secretly planning to borrow Sh83bn, Odinga says WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017

Taxpayers are likely to foot a fresh new bill as the government plans to borrow $800 million (Sh83.2 billion) to pay its existing debts, opposition leader, Raila Odinga has said.

The Cord leader stated that the move will not help vulnerable citizens since the money will go into pockets of a few “tenderpreneurs”.

“The government is in plans to borrow $800 million,” Odinga told a press conference today morning at his Karen home.

In October last year, the Jubilee Government borrowed Sh226 billion in a period of less than six months, pushing the country’s total foreign debt to over Sh3 trillion, the highest in the region.

In May last year, Treasury Cabinet, Henry Rotich said the government might spend Sh466 billion paying back public debt.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2016 warned the government not to heavily rely on international loans for its economic growth, a sentiment that was echoed by the World Bank.

In a report titled ‘Economic Development in Africa Report 2016’, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) advised the country to reduce her reliance on external funding as ‘external debt continually looks unsustainable.

Analysts say the government’s current borrowing trend will subject even unborn Kenyans to the heavy debt burden since it is projected that future

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga (C) speaks during a past press conference.

EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU taxpayers will continue to foot the bill.

The country has, for instance, borrowed Sh14 billion for the Kenya Support Devolution Programme seeking to help transform health systems which will mature by 2054.

10 shilling stake earns Mombasa gamer Sh900,000 Amos Mathu, a 37-year old father of two, working as a Chef in Mombasa, has bagged Sh900,000 after placing a Sh10 multiple bet on nine different basketball games.

Mr Mathu, a basketball enthusiast, placed his stake on the Betway sports betting platform. He says his excitement reached its highest level when he sat down to watch the last game in his bet between US basketn]ball teams, Utah Jazz and Oklahoma.

“At one point both teams were tied at 90-90 and I thought my bet was lost. So I decided to stop watching the game and go home believing that my luck had failed. Later I checked the results of the game and I could not believe that my team Oklahoma had won, making me a winner. I said a short prayer, thanking God before checking my winnings, and I did a test by withdrawing Sh49,999 to make sure my win was real and not a dream,” said Mathu.

Mr Mathu, who hails from Maragwa

in Muranga County and has worked at the Safari Bar and Restaurant for twelve years, said he plans to use a portion of the money to connect his mother’s house to the national power grid.

He also plans to pay school fees for his firstborn son and to put a percentage of the funds into his business, rearing and selling chickens, as well as selling bed covers in Mombasa.

Commenting on Mathu’s winnings, Betway Country Manager Wanja Gikonyo said: “Our platform offers an opportunity for everyone to win large amounts on a variety of games – not only in Jackpot.”

The fact that Mr Mathu won through a multiple bet rather than the Betway Bonanza or Jackpot means that those amounts have not been affected, with the Betway Jackpot now standing at Sh26,440,970 and the Betway Bonanza at Sh86,450,475. @kevin_x254

Other loan agreements signed by the government include a Sh3 billion loan to upgrade the Rift Valley Textile Factory, a Sh23 billion loan finance the Olkaria Geothermal Power development project, a Sh23 billion loan to access

the Sirari Corridor, a Sh1 billion loan to scale up the country’s SME sector and a Sh9 billion kitty to finance fibre infrastructure in Kenya. @enock_x254

Local lender donates Sh2 million to M-Pesa Foundation Academy NIC Bank has sponsored five students living with albinism, enabling them to attend the M-PESA Foundation Academy. The Sh2 million sponsorship will go towards financing the students’ education at the academy for the four years.

The sponsored students are beneficiaries of the Dr. Choksey Foundation, which is dedicated at improving the quality of life of persons with Albinism in Kenya. NIC Bank is the first corporate organisation to contribute towards the Academy.

The M-PESA Foundation Academy is a state-of-the-art, mixed boarding high school, providing world class Kenyan secondary education. Driven by leadership, entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, the Academy serves talented but economically disadvantaged students with demonstrable leadership potential.

Dr. Prabha V. Choksey is an

ophthalmologist and the founder of the Dr. Choksey foundation.

The foundation has supported hundreds of children and families affected by Albinism, mainly offering free eye care and paying school fees for those disadvantaged in society. who are not able to. NIC Bank has been supporting the Foundation for two years as one of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program initiatives and 2017 will be our third year.

“M-PESA Foundation Academy has been operational since February 2016 and has admitted 96 students to form 1 since them. It expects an estimated 190 students to enroll this year.

The selection process is very rigorous and involves picking students from different counties across the country by identifying their leadership potential from economically disadvantaged schools. @kevin_x254

Car And General posts Sh150M profit amid declining vehicle sales Vehicle distributor, Car And General has posted a pre-tax profit of Sh150.28 million for the financial year (FY) ended September 2016 up from Sh81.07 million reported a year ago.

The company also posted a FY revenue of Sh9.74 billion versus Sh9.93 billion a year ago.

Car and General’s profit comes just as vehicle sales have fallen by an estimated 30 per cent over the past year, according to a new report by General Motors East Africa.

The volume of vehicles sold last year plunged 30 per cent, with the industry selling about 13,535 vehicles compared with 19,523 units sold in 2015. The December 2016 Hot Report compiled by General Motors East Africa shows all the major car dealers in the country experienced a sharp decline in sales last year, signalling suppressed consumption of luxury cars.

This is the first time sales have plunged since 2009, with all the major dealers, including DT Dobie, General Motors East Africa, CMC, Simba Colt, Toyota, and Tata, recording slower demand with the exception of Nissan dealer Crown Motors whose sales went up. Ford distributor, CMC experienced the sharpest drop with a decline of 38 per cent in total sales.

According to the report, CMC Holdings’ sales dropped to 970 units from 1,644 units in what cut its market share to 6.9 per cent from 8.2 per cent. DT Dobie, which sells Mercedes trucks and Jeep SUVs, sold 568 units down from 879 units. This reduced its market share to four per cent from 4.4 per cent.

Crown was the only major dealer to register higher sales to 741 units from 604 units, boosting its market share to 5.3 per cent from 3 per cent the previous year.

Car and General, which also deals in motorcycles and generators opened a new TVS dealer in Lodwar a year and a half ago as part of the company’s plan to take its products closer to its customers.

“Opening of this showroom in Lodwar takes us a step forward in helping us to reach out to customers and expand our market share. We are confident that our customers in Lodwar will now enjoy our quality products and unmatched customer support offered by our competitive people,” said Chesoni in an earlier statement.

Since the beginning of the 2015, Car and General has opened dealerships in Homabay and Moyale. @Dennis_x254

WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017

ACCESS

H_art the Band is set to take over 2017. After having a subdued 2016 the band snuck ‘Masheesha’ right in at the close of the year and it’s been dominating airwaves ever since. XACCESS had a chance to catch up with the band and, no-doubt, it was a riot.

W

hat’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen happen in a club?

WACHIRA: I’ve seen somebody run without his shirt in the club.

MORDECAI: Fights, they usually happen a lot in clubs. The club just isn’t the club without a fight breaking out.

KENNETH: I’ve seen two people in the club, in a corner, getting busy. They finished doing their business right there.

Where do you buy your clothes from?

MORDECAI: We are thrifters. We shop anywhere and everywhere. You might even meet us on the road sometime.

KENNETH: Plus where we live, there’s a shopping mall now where they sell clothes.

That’s another place where we get our stuff. It has sections for different items of clothing. Ni kama Gikomba ya duka. All under one roof.

WACHIRA: We also make some of our own clothes. We design them ourselves. Have you ever seen a cuff on a trouser [gestures]?

Is Bensoul part of H_art the Band?

WACHIRA: He’s part of the H_art the Band family. Bensoul is our bassist but he’s also a separate artiste by himself. In the time we’ve known him we’ve influenced each other and exchanged ideas. He’s grown into this great musician and it was time we introduced him into the market.

Do you ever get into fights?

MORDECAI: Of course. We fight over the

HOT TOPICS

H_art the Band Plotting a takeover

smallest things, like clothes.

KENNETH: Also over our creative decisions.

WACHIRA: If your verse in a song sounds bad we’ll tell you. Tuko kazi.

KENNETH: Like you might feel bad at first but kama ni mbaya ni mbaya. Tutakuambia kama verse yako inasound kama uliimbia kwa choo!

What are you working on currently?

WACHIRA: We are working on releasing our new album. We are also working on rebuilding H_art the brand. We’ve been silent for long enough. We were going through experiences as individuals and we have a lot of music that people have not heard yet.

@kevin_x254

Roc Nation’s Rihanna has put in a lot of work in her music and it is time to reap. Her hit single featuring Drake dubbed “Work” ascended to a new multi-platinum tier in the US, while her other singles “Sex with Me” and “Love On The Brain” hit platinum. Each unit is equal to 1 paid download or 150 streams. The new awards pad Rihanna’s lead for most US digital single certifications. The 5x platinum certification confirms 5 million in US units; the platinum award signifies a total of at least 1 million. Rihanna and Drake who have been on and off as a couple have thus set a new record with ‘Work’ while still orking on stabilsing their relationship.

sets record with Platinum awards

KENNETH: We want to be releasing music and videos regularly and go for more shows this year.

When is your next show going to be?

WACHIRA: We are playing at Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar. That will be in February MORDECAI: We’re going with Sarabi. We’re the only Kenyan acts that’ll be performing in this year’s show. It’s a 4-day festival with a lot of music.

Are there any artistes, who you haven’t worked with yet, that you would love to collaborate with?

KENNETH: For me it would be Stonebwoy from Ghana.

MORDECAI: Sarkodie and Cassper Nyovest

‘Sitya loss’ singer Edirisa Musuuza known in the entertainment circles as Eddy Kenzo has found love in Jamaican songbird Alaine Laughton. The duo has released a brand new music video dubbed ‘Addicted’. The feel good love song has brilliantly fused the Jamaican dancehall vibe with the Ugandan vibe making it an instant hit. The Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter, Alaine is known for her dazzling vocals and great lyrics. Following successful collaborations with Kenya’s Wyre in ‘Nakupenda Pia’ and Churchill in ‘Wafula’ the Jamaican artiste is seeking inroads into the East African scene with regional collaborations.

‘addicted’ to Alaine

What is one thing your fans would be surprised to know about you?

WACHIRA: Many people don’t know that I’m shy. When we’re on stage that’s one thing, hapo niko kazi.

KENNETH: Lakini unakuanga kazi kila siku! [laughs] MORDECAI: Napenda kupika chapatti.

That’s my specialty. Kukanda, kupika kufry hio ndo area yangu.

KENNETH: Napenda kulima! I love farming. That’s a side of me the fans don’t know about. Nikikaa tu hivi ntapanda manyanya hapa, kitunguu hapo! @christine_x254

‘Chokoza’ singer Marya welcomes baby boy

J

ust a month after releasing photos from her pregnancy photo shoot, singer Marya and her fiancée Kevin Mutisya have welcomed a baby boy. ’A baby is a Blessing, A Gift from Heaven above, A Precious little Angel to Cherish & to Love.’ Marya has posted on social media.

The celebrity couple made headlines last year after revealing they were expecting a baby. The ‘Chokoza’ singer had initially been accused of cheating on ex-boyfriend Colonel Mustafa whom she parted ways with before she met Kevin. The couple has not yet announced the baby’s name although the initial social media posts announcing his arrival captioned him as ‘baby Kevin Juniour’.

12

ACCESS

WEEKEND WEDNESDAY EDITION, 26th NOVEMBER JANUARY 27-29, 2014 2017

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DENIS SUAREZ STARS AS BARCELONA OVERPOWER SOCIEDAD IN KINGS CUP

P14

United not favourites Hull’s Snodgrass to join West Ham

Robert Snodgrass has told Hull City he wants to leave and could join West Ham United “in the next few hours”, says Tigers boss Marco Silva. West Ham and Burnley have both had a bid accepted for Snodgrass, while Middlesbrough have also made an offer.

“I don’t want to lose him,” said Silva after Hull’s EFL Cup semi-final aggregate defeat to Manchester United.

“We will try to keep our players but sometimes the club, manager and player want different things.”

The offers from West Ham and Burnley are in the region of £10m, though the Hammers’ is higher. Silva, speaking after his team’s match last night, added: “He has not trained since they did a deal with West Ham. “It is possible it will be done in the next hours.

For 10 days he has not been available to work with us and has told us he wants to leave.”

Burnley boss Sean Dyche said there was a “difference” between a fee being agreed and “a player joining”. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka says his club are “working on offers with Hull”. “I think they rejected an offer but we are working,” he added. Snodgrass has scored seven league goals this season for the 19th-placed Tigers.

The Scotland international missed Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea with what Silva described as “a small injury in the knee”.

Tusker to begin title defense against Muhoroni

Champions Tusker FC will kick start the 2017 edition of the Sportpesa Premier League with an early kick off against Muhoroni Youth at the Kasarani Stadium when the league begins on February 18.

2015 Champions Gor Mahia will begin their campaign against newly promoted side Nzoia at the Mumias Complex the following day with Western Stima welcoming Ulinzi Stars in Kisumu according to fixtures released yesterday. This comes after Football Kenya Federation and Kenyan Premier League Limited who have been in tussle of war on the number of teams to take part in the top tier division finally settled on an 18-team league.

The other fixtures will see Thika United hosting AFC Leopards at the Thika municipal Stadium.

Sofapaka FC will host another promoted side Zoo Kericho at the Machakos Stadium. The other Saturday fixture will see Kakamega Homeboyz hosting Bandari in Mumias. Sony Sugar will host promoted side Nakumatta FC at the Awendo Green Stadium. On Sunday, the fourth promoted side Kariobangi Sharks play host to Chemelil Sugar at the Kasarani

Manchester United players mob goalscorer Paul Pogba in celebration after he scored the 1-1 equaliser at Hull City last night. United lost the match 2-1.

PHOTO: COURTESY

Manager Jose Mourinho insists his team do not have an upper hand in the clash with Claude Puel’s Southampton saying ‘Wembley is Wembley’.

M

anchester United will not be the favourites when they meet Southampton in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on 26 February, says manager Jose Mourinho.

United lost 2-1 at Hull in the second leg of their semi-final last night but went through 3-2 on aggregate. “It doesn’t matter where we play,” said Mourinho. “We are never favourites.”

After the defeat, the Portuguese cut a television interview short and appeared angry with a penalty given to Hull, saying: “We didn’t lose. It was 1-1”.

United progressed thanks to Paul Pogba’s goal at the KCOM Stadium. The France midfielder cancelled out Tom Huddlestone’s first-half penalty, only for Oumar Niasse to give Hull the win on the night.

After watching United’s 17-match unbeaten run ended by Marco Silva’s side, Mourinho made his

frustration with the hosts’ spot-kick visible as he walked out of a television interview after about 30 seconds.

“I behaved on the bench, no sending off, no punishment so no more words,” the 54-year-old told Sky Sports.

Television replays showed two tussles in the area as the visitors defended a corner which led to referee Jon Moss awarding the penalty. Phil Jones tangled with Niasse and Marcos Rojo briefly held the shirt of Harry Maguire.

“To speak about the performance, I have to speak about things I don’t want to speak about because the game was totally under control - the game was dead,” added Mourinho.

“The game was totally under control and something happened to open the game.

“I only saw two goals. I saw the Pogba goal and their goal was a fantastic goal - great action, great

cross and the guy coming in at the far post. 1-1.”

Despite his frustrations, Mourinho now has the chance to win the League Cup for a fourth time, equalling the record held by Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough.

Southampton will be going for just a second major trophy in their history after beating Liverpool 2-0 on aggregate in the other semifinal, but Mourinho said: “I don’t think we are favourites against nobody.”

The former Chelsea boss, who won the trophy in all three of his finals with the Blues, added: “Wembley is Wembley. It is for professionals with passion for football.

“It has a special meaning, a special feeling. Of course I am happy to be there. Of course I am happy to bring many thousands of our fans because I think also for them it is something they will always remember.”

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

14

SPORT

Barca too good for Sociedad WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017

Denis Suarez produced two wonderful finishes as holders Barcelona reached the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a commanding 5-2 victory over Real Sociedad.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, Suarez doubled the lead with a low finish before Lionel Messi’s penalty made it 3-0 on aggregate.

Juanmi pulled a goal back before Luis Suarez made it 4-1 on aggregate.

Willian Jose’s header cut the deficit again before Suarez’s second goal.

Barcelona, who have won the competition a record 28 times, are through to the semifinals for the seventh consecutive season.

They join 10-time winners Atletico Madrid, Celta Vigo, who knocked out Real Madrid, and Alaves in today’s draw.

In the absence of deep-lying midfielder Sergio Busquets, coach Luis Enrique tweaked his line up with defender Mascherano pushed forward in midfield and Samuel Umtiti recalled to partner Gerrard Pique in the heart of defence.

That seemed to work as Mascherano’s partnership with Andre Gomes and Suarez contained the game with the attacking trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar marauding upfront.

Spain midfielder Suarez has made more appearances from the substitutes’ bench than starts in La Liga this season.

Yet the 23-year-old former Manchester City player caught the eye with two excellent

FC Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez (L) celebrates with his team mate, Uruaguayan striker Luis Suarez (R) his goal against Real Sociedad during their Copa del Rey quarter final second leg match at Camp Nou in Barcelona, last night.

PHOTO: ALEJANDRO GARCIA/EPA

finishes that suggest he has a fine future.

His first came after Samuel Umtiti robbed Xabi Prieto deep inside the Sociedad half and from there Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez combined to tee up his namesake for a first-time finish into the far corner.

The tie was all over by the time he scored his side’s fifth of the night, the former Villarreal player skipping past two challenges before rounding the keeper and rolling the ball home. Barcelona have won their last five

games in all competitions.

“I came with a desire to be a part of this team and I am feeling better and better,” Suarez said.

“We started the game by dominating and once it was 1-0 they left us plenty of space.

“Everything is easier when you have the three forwards we have. We were’t nervous at all, we just wanted to dominate the game and continue on this great run that we’re on.”

Ghana’s Gyan fears for his Afcon injury

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan fears he may be ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations after suffering an injury in Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat by Egypt.

Gyan was substituted in the first half and is in danger of missing Sunday’s quarter-final against DR Congo.

“I’m in pain right now. I don’t know the extent of the injury, we have to go for an MRI scan,” he told BBC Sport.

“I’m desperate to come back and I’ll try as much as possible but if I cannot it’s part of the game.”

The 31-year-old striker was making his 99th international appearance in the Group D match against Egypt and was looking to score his 50th goal for his country.

He believes he was a “victim” of a dreadful playing surface in Port-Gentil that has already come in for widespread criticism.

“When I walk it’s ok but when I try to change direction that is when I feel the pain,” he added. “In football there is a lot of changing of direction and if I can’t do this it’s a big problem for me.”

Coach Avram Grant admitted he is concerned that he will lose his skipper.

“It’s not looking so good but Gyan is a very strong boy,” he said. “We will need to wait and see.”

SPORT 15

Leicester seeking redemption in FA Cup WEEKEND EDITION, JANUARY 27-29, 2017

Leicester City will be seeking to put their league woes behind them when they travel to Derby in the FA Cup tonight.

The Foxes boast a modest record in the competition despite having gone past the fourth round just twice in the last 11 campaigns.

Their first domestic away win of the season came in the last round against Everton and they hope they extend the feat with a fine record of not having lost in their last six FA Cup ties against lower-league clubs.

Manager Claudio Ranieri says Riyad Mahrez is available after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in the wake of Algeria’s exit. However, his international team-mate Islam Slimani is injured.

Striker Leonardo Ulloa, who handed in a transfer request last week, is out with a thigh problem, and Daniel Amartey remains on international duty with Ghana.

Derby striker David Nugent is doubtful to face his former club as he is struggling with a knee injury.

Midfielders Bradley Johnson and Jacob Butterfield return after suspension,

Leicester players during a past league gamne. The Foxes are aiming to win their FA Cup fourth round tie against Championship side derby to kickstart their stutering campaign.

PHOTO: EPA

while Ikechi Anya and Nick Blackman could be involved following injury.

“This is quite simply a tie neither will want to lose. Leicester’s current fragile confidence would be only be further

damaged by an FA Cup exit to their East Midlands rivals,” commentator Steve Bower said.

Ranieri will be hoping victory can kickstart some consistency in their league

955700

form.

“We need two or three results to get confidence. I feel good every time.

Always, I am positive and I think about tomorrow,” said the Italian manager.

“Derby play very well. Under Steve McClaren they are very full of confidence and they want to beat us,” he added.

Derby are yet to lose at home since Steve McLaren’s return to the club and will feel they can enhance their Championship play-off push with a cup night to remember.

“For me, Leicester are a team who can win, and should have aspirations to win, the FA Cup. “Leicester wouldn’t have achieved what they did last season if it wasn’t for Ranieri and their future is brighter for it, because of Ranieri,” McClaren said.

Derby have lost eight of the last nine meetings in all competitions against Leicester with their only win in that period coming at home in March 2013.

The Foxes won 4-1 the last time the sides met - that was in January 2014 when Steve McClaren was in his first spell as Derby manager, while the Rams’ current striker David Nugent scored twice for the Foxes.

Tonight is their first meeting in the FA Cup since 1909, when Leicester lost 2-0 at home.