201702013 xnews

MOnday, FeBRUaRy 13, 2017 | www.x254.cO

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IEBC: WE CAN’T CONDUCT PARTY NOMINATIONS ELECTORAL BODY SAYS IT WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY REQUESTS TO OVER PRIMARIES FOR POLITICAL OUTFITS CITING A BUSY ELECTION PLAN THAT IS ALREADY BEHIND SCHEDULE

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NEWS

TUSKER LEFT RUING LATE EQUALISER AS CAF RIVALS REJOICE ALL-IMPORTANT AWAY GOAL

Kidero hits back at Uhuru

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has hit back as President Uhuru Kenyatta after the later called for his rejection by voters for having failed the city.

The head of state was on a voter mobilisation campaign in Nairobi last week urged city residents to vote out the governor claiming he has failed to deliver.

But Dr Kidero has since turned the gun on the president accusing him of protecting graft cartels at City Hall.

In an interview on Citizen TV last night, the governor said Mr Kenyatta has been shielding remnants of corrupt City Hall officials who are still frustrating his administration.

“The president should say the truth not playing politics with Nairobians.

I know and he knows the cartels we have at City Hall have been in existence since the times of President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta his father. To date they still exist,” he said.

“But if the president does not want me to dismantle them. Then the president should be brave enough CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

BURNLEY PEGGED CHELSEA MARCH AS FOXES FREEFALL CONTINUES WITH SWANSEA DEFEAT

Full-blown health crisis as doctors are thrown in jail T Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Denstists Union Secretary General Ouma Oluga is led out of court in a handcuff after Justice hellen Wasilwa (right above) ordered that they be jailed for one month for contempt of court.

PHOTO: COURTESY

he crisis in the health sector worsened today after officials representing doctors in their negotiations with the government to end their work boycott were thrown in jail to serve a one month sentence for contempt of court.

Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Justice Hellen Wasilwa said her decision to finally jail the seven Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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NEWS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

IEBC: We don’t have time for party nominations The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has ruled out the possibility of overseeing political party primaries.

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said the commission will not accept any proposals by any political party to conduct their party primaries citing a busy schedule.

Chebukati said the new commission inaugurated just a month ago already has a lot in its plate and that any other commitment could compromise their preparation for the August 8th general election.

Addressing Members of the National Assembly during Seventh Parliamentary Leadership Summit in Mombasa, Mr Chebukati pleaded with political parties to put in place the right internal mechanism that will ensure their nominations are carried out in a free, fair and transparent manner.

“Timelines given for preparations for the August 8 general election does not allow any delays. The new commission has a plentiful of activities to carry out before August polls. Remember we are behind schedule,” he said.

Former Electoral Commissioner (ECK) Jack Tumwa in an interview with X news, last year had cautioned IEBC not to accept the offers fronted by a section

of the political parties to enlist their services to handle party nominations, as the integrity and impartiality of the electoral body will be at stake.

Jubilee Party had been in the forefront to enlist the services of the electoral body. It had held that it will be prudent for the polls team to handle its party primaries to avert any fallout rising from disgruntled members.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale held the view that the prominent political parties such as ODM, Jubilee, Wiper and Ford Kenya have no capacity to hold fair, free and transparent party nominations.

Duale had indicated that the Jubilee Party members had reached consensus to have their primaries done by polls team for credibility and fairness.

However, the opposition coalition rejected the plans saying that each party should fund their nominations exercises but cautioned that if IEBC is given greenlight to do so it will be a heavy burden to the taxpayer.

With Jubilee Party’s (JP) primaries looming large, a growing number of politicians in its strongholds are jumping ship and joining other political parties where they feel the nominations will be fair.

In Deputy President William Ruto

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati while on an inspection of a voter registration center at the coast over the weekend. Mr Chebukati said the commission will not accept to conduct primaries for political parties.

political backyard, Kanu and Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) have been the greatest beneficiaries of this fallout within Jubilee and have attracted a number of aspirants from South Rift, among them prominent MPs. In Mount Kenya, various aspirants have

ditched Jubilee party for small parties for fear of being rigged out during the nominations.

Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti has already defected from Jubilee Party (JP) to Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC) as did former Presidential education adviser

Uhuru ratings drop in latest Ipsos survey President Uhuru Kenyatta performance approval ratings have dropped from 63% to 57% over the last three months, a new survey has shown.

The research by pollster Ipsos Synovate released today also indicates that the number of Kenyans who believe that the country is headed the wrong direction has dropped from 60% to 55%.

It detailed that while nearly all those who think Kenya is moving in “the right direction” also approve of the President’s recent performance, only just over one-third of those who believe the country is moving in “the wrong direction” do so.

“While only about half of those who approve of the President’s performance over the last three months also believe the country is heading in “the right direction”, more than three-quarters of those who disapprove of it think the country is headed in “the wrong direction’, the report states.

Those who approve of President Uhuru Kenyatta performance most often cite infrastructure development as the main reason that they do so, while those who disapprove most often mention corruption.

Whereas by far, the review suggests that the President gets both more credit and blame

by those who think Kenya is moving in either the right or wrong direction.

“The proportion holding the former view give him rather more credit than those do holding the latter view in terms of blaming him for this,” it says.

On the other hand, confidence levels for all the main Opposition leaders are considerably lower, but among them it is highest for Raila Odinga, being about twice the level that it is for his nearest CORD/

NASA colleague, Kalonzo Musyoka.

According to the pollster, while a slight majority approve of the President’s performance over the last three months, more than three times as many Jubilee supporters give such approval as do opposition supporters (even if one-quarter of the latter do so).

The survey involved Kenyans aged 18 years and above. A total 2,057 people living in urban and rural areas across 41 counties were interviewed.

The research involved face-to-face interviews at the household level. The respondents were engaged in three language-options: English, Swahili, and Somali.

The margin-of-error attributed to sampling and other random effects for the entire sample is +/- 2.15 with a 95% confidence level.

However, it varies and is higher for all subsections of the sample that are reported (i.e., by region, self-identified political alignment, etc.).

The survey was conducted between January 9 and January 26, 2017 with data collected through face-to-face interviews using handheld devices (smart phones). @hillary_x254

Dr. Kilemi Mwiria.

Kivuti decamped to MCC together with Embu Deputy Governor Dorothy Nditi, Mbeere North MP Muriuki Njagagua, 10 MCAs and tens of hopefuls. @hillary_x254

Kidero hits back at Uhuru

From Page 1

and tell Kenyans he does not want them kicked out. He is protecting them,” he added.

Dr Kidero told the President to be to be statesman and stop playing conflict-ridden politics in Nairobi.

In his tour of Nairobi, the president told residents of Wakulima Market, Muthurwa, Kayole, Mwiki and Githurai, Kidero had failed Nairobi residents and it was time for Jubilee to take control of the city management since it had many qualified leaders to replace the governor.

“You know yourselves the governor you elected in Nairobi, what has he done for you in the last four years?” Uhuru posed.

“You have tried the ODM government and it has done nothing, despite having so much allocation every year,

it is time you vote for Jubilee to head the Nairobi county government so that you can see and feel real change,” he added last Thursday.

Kidero however dismissed the claims saying Nairobi has had massive achievements in the health sector, security and has created a business friendly environment during his tenure at City Hall.

He also appealed to President Kenyatta to pay the county government over 69 billion accrued in arrears by the national government.

“What is he waiting for, to pay us? He is waiting for Jubilee Party Governor to be elected for him to pay the county government,” Kidero asked.

He said the non-payment affected the county’s effective delivery of services. @hillary_x254

NEWS 3 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

Two drugs suspects arrested and deported Two drugs suspects from Seychelles have been arrested and deported as the war on drug trafficking intensifies at the Coast.

Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa said a strong team from the Anti-narcotic team carried out operations yesterday night in Kwale and recovered 10kg of heroine.

A total of Sh18m and Sh30, 000 in coins was also found.

“Special police team conducted operations and arrested major drug barons at Kwale and Kilifi, the two have been deported,” Marwa said during a media briefing today.

He said the two are also on the wanted list of Interpol.

During the operations, two South Africans considered to be accomplices of the Akashas were also arrested and are set to be deported. The two are currently held at Bamburi Police station.

Marwa said the government is committed to end the drug menace at the Coast an operation he added will go on beyond the forthcoming general elections.

“Operations have intensified in the region and I can report to you that government agencies are determined to secure our country. Please drug barons take your dirty money away but give us back our country,” Marwa said.

Marwa said the war on breaking the drug cartel at the Coast will continue beyond the August elections dismissing some sentiments that the war is political.

“This war is not political as it is set to continue beyond the August elections and we are determined to win it no matter how long it takes,” Marwa said.

Marwa warned anyone involved in the drug business that the government will come for them.

“No matter your position, we will come for you.

Continue shouting but we will remain undeterred, the government doesn’t sleep while you sleep.” @sam_x254

Uhuru meets with Slovakian President Andrej Kiska

P

resident Uhuru Kenyatta greets visiting Slovakian President Andrej Kiska when he formally received the European leader at State House, Nairobi today morning. Mr Kiska who is the first Slovak Head of State to visit Kenya was accorded a formal welcome with full military honours complete with a 21-gun salute. He held one-on-one talks with his host before leading their delegations in bilateral talks that will partly focus on getting Kenyan goods into the Slovakia market, a move aimed at bridging the balance of

trade which is currently in favour the Slovak Republic. The Slovak Republic is a high-income advanced economy with one of the fastest growth rates in the European Union. Her major industries include metal and metal products, paper and printing, food and beverages, electricity, gas, oil, nuclear fuel, textiles, electrical and optical apparatus, rubber, and machinery. Kenya is only one of the three countries in Sub-Saharan Africa where Slovakia maintains diplomatic missions. Others are South Africa and Nigeria

Crisis as medics’ officials are thrown in jail The crisis in the health sector worsened today after officials representing doctors in their negotiations with the government to end their work boycott were thrown in jail to serve a one month sentence for contempt of court.

Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Justice Hellen Wasilwa said her decision to finally jail the seven Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union officials was necessitated by the medics’ failure to call off their

Doctors officials get handcaffed at the High Court in Nairobi today after the Employment and Labour Relations Judge ordered that they be jailed for a month for contempt.

PHOTO: COURTESY

strike which is entered its 71st day today.

The doctors were given the suspended sentence last month and Justice Wasilwa had given them two weeks to resolve outstanding issues and call off the strike.

But the doctors’ negotiations with the government failed to bear any fruits even after the court against suspended the jail sentence on another two occasion.

Last week, Justice Wasilwa asked Central Organisations of Trade Unions boss Francis Atwoli to mediate the stalemate. But Mr Atwoli too failed to help find the breakthrough. And today, when the doctors returned to court, Justice Wasilwa ordered they be jailed.

The Judge ignore an appeal by the doctors’ lawyer Soyinka Lempaa to allow his clients another seven days to ‘finalise small details’ before they call off the strike.

“It is this court’s finding that there is no sufficient reason why the court should review its order and therefore it declines to review it,” she ruled.

According to the judge, the doctors did not demonstrate why they failed to call off the strike which was a condition for the sentence.

The jailing of the seven officials have now left hopes of any further negotiations in limbo with doctors protesting the move and vowing to keep away from work in solidarity with their leaders.

Justice Wasilwa however ordered that negotiations can proceed even without the officials.

“Negotiations may proceed and the Court of Appeal may make any other determination on the case,” she added as she gave a window to the officials to challenge her ruling at the higher court.

Doctors who were in and around the court at the time of the ruling protested the Judge’s decision.

They have since announced suspension of any engagement with the government on the 2013 CBA until their leaders are released.

They have vowed not to hold any talks with the Ministry of Health or any other government agency until the jailed officials are released.

They said that jailing the officials would only serve to aggravate an already worse situation and likely cause them personal pain.

“It is not in our interest to jeopardise any progress made and we expect to come up with a return to work formula by next week,” the lawyer added.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) had been enjoined to mediate the impasse last week.

However COTU boss Francis Atwoli yesterday admitted that he had been unable to end the doctors’ strike, signaling a continuation of the protracted industrial action.

Both enjoined parties failed to appear in court before today’s ruling. The court’s decision has since been condemned by civil society @harrison_x254 organisations.

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NEWS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

NEWS PICTORIAL SAME-SEX PROTESTERS: Same-sex couples kiss as they take part in a protest in San Martin square, in Lima, Peru, over the weekend. Dozens of homosexuals and bisexuals kissed and embraced in the historic center of Lima to protest against homophobia claiming their rights to freely express affection for their sentimental partners without fears of insults, aggression or harassment. PHOTO: ERNESTO ARIAS/EPA

CONGRATULATIONS MR PRESIDENT:

German President Joachim Gauck (L) congratulates newly elected German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R) at the German ‘Bundestag’ parliament in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. The German Federal Assembly is a special political institution that only convenes to elect the Head of State. The constitutional body gathers all members of the German ‘Bundestag’ Parliament and the same number of representatives of all fields of society delegated by the 16 German Federal states.

PHOTO: FILIP SINGER/EPA

ANTIVALENTINE DEMO:

SMILE OF A MILESTONE: US actor/comedian Mel Brooks poses after

he received the BAFTA Fellowship Award during the 2017 EE British Academy Film Awards at The Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, last evening. BAFTA is a lifetime achievement award presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts since 1971 “in recognition of outstanding achievement in the art forms of the moving image”, and is the highest honour the Academy can bestow. PHOTO: ANDY RAIN/EPA

People shout slogans during a protest against Valentine’s Day in Karachi, Pakistan, yesterday.

Valentines Day, which is celebrated worldwide on 14 February each year, is considered to be un-Islamic in Pakistan.

PHOTO: REHAN KHAN/EPA

NEWS 5

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

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NEWS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

White House fails to back top advisor official A top White House official declined in several interviews over the weekend to defend national security adviser Michael Flynn, amid controversy over his alleged contacts with Russia.

Mr Flynn (pictured)reportedly discussed sanctions with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak in the weeks before the inauguration.

He denied talking about this issue but later said he could not be certain.

Any discussion of sanctions could have violated laws against private citizens engaging in foreign policy.

Stephen Miller, President Donald Trump’s top policy adviser, declined to say when asked in a number of interviews whether Mr Trump backed Mr Flynn.

Mr Miller said it was not his place to comment on the “sensitive matter” concerning Mr Flynn, who was an early supporter of Mr Trump but whose position in the administration is thought to be under scrutiny.

Asked if the president still had confidence in Mr Flynn, Mr Miller responded: “That’s a question for the president.”

US Oroville dam risk prompts California state evacuations More than 180,000 people in northern California have been told to evacuate their homes after an overflow channel at the tallest dam in the US was weakened by heavy rainfall.

The emergency spillway of the 770 ft (230m) tall Oroville Dam was close to collapse, officials said.

The excess water has now stopped flowing.

However, late on Sunday Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said the evacuation orders remained in place.

Water levels in the reservoir have risen following heavy rain and snow after years of severe drought.

It is the first time that Lake Oroville, which lies 65 miles (105km) north of Sacramento, has experienced such an emergency in the dam’s near 50-year history.

In a statement posted on social media on Sunday afternoon, Mr Honea ordered residents to evacuate, repeating three times that it was “NOT a drill”.

The California Department of Water Resources warned that the spillway next to the dam was “predicted to fail” Residents of Oroville, a town of 16,000 people, were told to head north.

There was gridlock on roads heading out of the town, with some evacuees complaining that they should have been given more warning.

Butte County’s official Twitter feed shared news of emergency shelters, and reported that many hotels were fully booked in the wider area.

Several hours after the evacuation order, the damaged spillway was still standing.

The California Department of Water Resources said it was releasing as much as 100,000 cubic feet (2,830 cubic metres) of water per second from the main spillway

A photo showing the Oroville Dam and the collapsed section. PHOTO: COURTESY

to try to lower the lake’s level and relieve the pressure.

Helicopters were dispatched to drop boulders to try to block the eroded area next to the spillway.

California Fire Incident commander, Kevin Lawson, said they stood by the decision to evacuate residents, rather than risk thousands of lives.

He said if the situation was not dealt with they were looking at “a 30-foot wall of water coming out of the lake”.

Mr Lawson stressed that there was no danger of the entire dam collapsing, but the potential overspill could have been dangerous.

Sheriff Honea said that the evacuation was

declared to avoid a “worst-case scenario”.

He added that no decision has been made as to when people will be allowed back into their homes, as the authorities were still assessing the risks.

Earlier in the week, engineers began releasing water from the dam after noticing large chunks of concrete were missing from the spillway.

After a long period of drought, California has been experiencing heavy rain and increased snowfall, which has led to flooding and mudslides.

On Friday, California Governor Jerry Brown asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to declare a major disaster.

Tanzanian guide defends ‘translation joke’ of tourist’s remark A Tanzanian tourist guide arrested last week for wrongly translating a tourist’s comments has been freed.

The two have released a new video in which they say they were just joking and having fun in the original video.

In that video, the guide says in Swahili that the tourist wants Tanzanians to stop “complaining” about hunger when she, in fact, says Tanzanians are “fabulously wonderful”.

Police arrested the guide for casting the tourism ministry in a “bad light”.

It is unclear whether the guide, named as Simon from the world famous state-run Serengeti National Park, has been freed unconditionally or on bail. In the latest video, he said that he had been a guide for 10 years.

“I cannot tolerate any bad talk against my country. Whoever downloaded the video from my Facebook account then shared it on WhatsApp groups did not do the right thing,” he said in Swahili.

“The video was just a comedy, it was for fun, and I know there are people who are offended by this video.”

The woman says: “Hi again, Part two of our video. We were just playing around. Simon was being a comedian and we were doing a little joke on Facebook.”

On Friday, regional police commander Jaffari Mohammed told the BBC that the guide had “misled” the tourist, and police were investigating whether he had

circulated the video on social media in violation of cybercrime legislation.

The controversial law allows for a minimum fine of about $1,300 (£1,000) and a minimum jail term of three months for publishing false, deceptive or misleading information on a computer system.

The law was introduced in 2015, despite complaints by politicians, social media experts and human rights activists that it gave the police “too much power” without adequate oversight.

The guide was arrested on the orders of Tourism Minister Jumanne Maghembe.

The BBC’s Lizzy Masinga in the main city, Dar es Salaam, says some of the

guide’s words were similar to those used by President John Magufuli, when he called on people at a rally last month to stop complaining about hunger.

In excerpts of the original video, the conversation goes: Tourist: “Hi. My visit to Tanzania has been beautiful, gorgeous. The people are fabulously wonderful and friendly. Greetings are always jambo [the Swahili equivalent of Hello]. Happy to be here. The land is beautiful, beautiful.

The animals are wonderful.”

Guide (translating): “You Tanzanians complain/cry a lot about hunger.

Everyday you cry about hunger when you have flowers at home. Why don’t

you boil the flowers and drink [them].

It is not good to cry/complain about hunger.”

Tourist: “The variety of animals and people you see is incredible, unlike anywhere else. It is just fabulous.”

Guide: “You are asking your president to cook for you. Do you think your president is a cook? Can you get busy, even boil your clothing and eat.”

Tourist: “It will be an experience to savour for all of your life. It is fantastic and beautiful and incredible and just unremarkable.

Guide: “Get busy in every corner of the country. The president can’t leave State House to cook for you. You have to cook for yourselves.

xnews | MONday, FEBRUARY 13, 2017 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

Food prices set to fall as state allows for maize importation Basic food prices are set to fall once registered millers commence importation of cheap maize to combat the acute effects of an ongoing drought.

The move comes as millions of Kenyans are experiencing one of the worst economic crises due to a hike in food prices exacerbated by the effects of drought.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett recently confirmed that over 300,000 Kenyans from non-Arid and Semi-Arid land (ASAL) areas are in dire need of relief food but the country has a shortage of maize a move the state attributes to maize hoarding, drought and poor harvest witnessed in the previous harvesting season.

Once the country receives its first shipment of imported maize, the market prices of the most basic foodstuff including maize flour, milk, tomatoes, cooking oil, onions, and kale which have risen sharply in the last two months will fall making the life for many Kenyans affordable.

In Nairobi, supermarkets are retailing a two-kilogramme packet of maize flour at Sh127 making Ugali more expensive than Chapatti as a two-kilogramme packet of baking flour goes at Sh120.

“Right now, wheat is cheaper than maize

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

current drought situation persisted.

“We have established that Mexico has sufficient white maize to meet our needs.

We have discussed the matter with them.

We shall finalize the plans and decide the amount to import and timeline for the shipment,” said Mr. Bett.

The CS further urged the National Treasury to give a tax break for the

BUY SELL 103.5994 103.7994 129.5850 129.8772 110.6717 110.9044 7.7108 7.7288 34.4896 34.6527 21.4837 21.6217

Wananchi Group appoints new Group CEO as battle for fixed data market intensifies

A private grain handler loads maize on a lorry bound for Nairobi from the village of Njoro.

EPA/STEPHEN MORRISON on the shelf,” said a local miller who preferred not to be identified as he is not authorized to speak on behalf of the Cereal Millers Association (CMA).

Willy Bett admitted that the government was considering importing maize from Mexico just days after he had claimed that the country has enough maize to feed its population for the next five months if the

MEAN 103.6994 129.7311 110.7881 7.7198 34.5711 21.5527

(As of Friday February 10/2017)

imports since maize from outside the region is usually subjected to import duty.

This year alone, Kenya has imported 2,506 tons of maize from Uganda as food insecurity continues to be on a growing spree across various Counties claiming some lives in worst-hit parts of the @enock_x254 republic.

Wananchi Group Kenya Limited has announced the appointment of Mr Thomas Hintze as its new Group Chief Executive Officer.

The move comes just as service providers ponder a shift to fixed data services, a market that has been dominated by Wananchi Group’s Zuku brand and Jamii Telecoms. Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, said two weeks ago that it is reallocating funds to build up its fixed-data network to connect homes to the Internet. This comes as demand grows for online streaming services like Netflix, CEO, Bob Collymore said.

“We want to give people solutions they can use to access a Netflix movie or a ShowMax movie, not just on the TV, on tablet or on phone,” he said in a past address.

ShowMax is an Internet-based video service that has partnered with Safaricom to recruit new customers in Kenya.

Thomas joins Wananchi Group Kenya Limited from UPC Austria, a Liberty Global company, where he was Chairman and CEO for 14 years. His extensive experience in senior executive roles within the Telecommunications, Media and Technology industry will be invaluable in steering Wananchi Group Kenya Limited to the next level. @Dennis_x254

BuSINESS DIARY Hoteliers in move to boost domestic Skills hunt summit at Daystar University

Daystar University will on Thursday, February 16, 2017 host a summit seeking to support people looking for employment opportunities as well as recruiters.

The event, dubbed the Skills Hunt Summit, will run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It will be held at the Daystar University Nairobi Campus along Valley Road.

This is the group’s first affair in what is set to be a monthly series of events this year.

The Skills Hunt Summit aims to help students, budding entrepreneurs, employees and employers alike to understand what the real value factors are for the end user of their products and services and discover what life hacks they can adopt to make themselves more relevant in the economic society.

Islamic finance academic symposium at Kenyatta University

Kenyatta University will on Thursday, February 16, 2017, host an Islamic Finance academic symposium from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in its Nairobi campus.

The event comes at a time when Islamic finance is taking the banking sector by storm. It has emerged that the sector has attracted both Muslim and non-Muslim account holders due to its favourable offerings.

As of 2016, the country had two fully fledged Islamic banks and several other conventional banks with Islamic windows offering Islamic banking products and services.

The legal environment has slightly changed since the fully fledged Islamic banks commenced operations in 2008 leading to the growth of Shariah compliant banking services.

tourist numbers ahead of peak seasons The number of domestic tourists is expected to double over the next three peak seasons after Diani Reef Resort and Spa unveiled a saving model that allows locals to make partial payments for their vocations.

Dubbed the Easy Pay Plan, the plan allows local tourists to start paying for their vacations in instalments to ease the burden of paying in bulk and any other extra cost that are usually incurred when the demand is high.

Resort Managing Director, Bobby Kamani says the new model will help double the number of domestic tourists as it encourages a culture of saving for vacations the same way international tourists do.

“We have introduced this new model to encourage a culture of saving for vacations and encourage Kenyans to embrace local tourism. Many of the international tourists who come to Kenya save up for a certain period before embarking on their journey,” says Kamani.

“In December 2016, we had 90 per cent occupancy rate as 70 per cent were domestic tourists. We expect the saving model to push the numbers up,” he added.

He said those who start paying their vacations now have an added advantage as they will not

be subjected to a hike in fees.

To further bolster the sector, the Tourism Finance Corporation (TFC) has allocated Sh100 million to fund investors looking to bank on the industry.

The latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) revealed that close to 6 billion people toured within their borders in 2016, which was described as an unprecedented growth of the

domestic travel sector.

According to the report, Africa welcomed 58 million tourists in 2016, an 8 per cent growth from 2015. This figure is expected to reach 134 million by 2030.

The tourism sector is one of the largest contributors to the country’s GDP, providing thousands of job opportunities for both skilled and non-skilled workers. @enok_x254

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BUSINESS

KQ loses 30 per cent of pilots to rival Middle Eastern airlines MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

National Carrier Kenya Airways has for the last one year, lost over 30 per cent of its pilots to rival airlines, outgoing Chief Executive, Mbuvi Ngunze has said.

Ngunze says over 34 pilots have exited the airline since March 2015, leaving the national carrier with only 489 pilots from 523 it had in the first quarter of 2015.

He explained that the pilots departed in search of greener pastures as Qatar and Emirates offered them favourable packages while other pilots went to Egypt, South Africa and Ethiopia.

“Middle East carriers have in the past one year poached more than 70 Kenya Airways pilots, enticing them with higher remuneration packages,” said Mbuvi.

The carrier suffered a comparable loss in its technical sector as over 70 engineers and unspecified number of technicians left to join the better-paying Middle Eastern airlines.

The carrier says it is in talks with the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) on how it can deal with the shortage of pilots which is negatively affecting the struggling carrier’s revenues.

“The fact of the matter is that we are a bit tight with some aircraft and we are talking to the pilots association on how we can on-board some short-term people to be able to cover the gaps,” said Mr Ngunze.

To win back dozens of engineers who have quit the loss-making carrier, the airline said it will offer higher wages to the remaining engineers to prevent further exits as well as bring back the ones who had left.

Outgoing Kenya Airways CEO, Mbuvi Ngunze speaks at a past event.

“We have had an exodus of engineers from Kenya Airways ... We will be looking at some adjustments in packages and things like that to attract them back,” recently appointed Chairman Michael Joseph told journalists in Nairobi last

week.

During the final quarter of 2016, the airline posted a 4 per cent increase in passenger numbers.

The national carrier has already sacked 118 employees and plans to lay off 38

more employees are underway. The company says the sackings seek to minimize costs and improve profits to bring the struggling carrier back to its feet. @enok_x254

Coca-Cola hosts conference to affirm commitment to Kenya

The Coca-Cola company’s Southern & East Africa Business Unit held a two-day conference that saw 300 associates, from 18 African countries, converge at the regional office for East Africa operations in Upper-hill, Nairobi in a bid to further cement and affirm its commitment to Kenya. The conference dubbed ‘Kickoff ’ aims to align the company’s business plans for the upcoming year as well as create a unified mentality between employees.

“We are delighted to have our annual kick-off meeting in Nairobi which remains a strategic regional hub for Coca-Cola, as the host country for all our operations in the Eastern Africa region and beyond,” said Mr. Kelvin Balogun Southern and East Africa Business Unit President in his speech at the conference.

In mid-2016, Coca Cola announced a new streamlined international structure that reconfigured its southern and east Africa operations to more closely align with bottling operations on the continent. This saw the formation of a new South and East Africa business unit, headquartered in Johannesburg and a West Africa business unit, headquartered in Lagos.

“Meetings like this ensure that we are aligned with a system, operating in unison to achieve a shared goal, allowing us to build both capacity and capability of the business and of our people. CocaCola is here to stay in Kenya, and through the expertise in the Nairobi office we will be looking to deepen and intensify our operations in the whole of East Africa,” affirmed Balogun. @kevin_x254

Airtel partners with Intel in move to promote digital literacy Telecommunications services provider Airtel has extended its support for digital literacy in peri-urban and urban communities across Kenya.

Airtel is offering more routers and 3G connectivity to ensure free internet connection services to the Intel Mobile Caravan under the ‘She Will Connect’ program. Following the official launch of the Intel Mobile Caravan in September 2016, between Airtel, Intel and other partners, a three-day training for trainers was organized between February 7 and 10, 2017 to equip the trainers on the new content, platform and schedules that will be adopted in the next phase campaign for the caravan and the BRCK KIO internet kits.

The training culminated in a breakfast meeting where the pilot phase report on the caravan and BRCK kits was shared highlighting the successes and challenges of the initial roll out project. It was reported that the pilot phase program had impacted the lives of 3200 beneficiaries in the four counties of Narok, Nairobi, Muranga and Machakos where the caravan toured.

The Intel Mobile Caravan targets

women, teachers as well as students and provides free ICT training.

Airtel Kenya will provide high-speed 3G connectivity to an additional 10 BRCK KIO kits that will be taken round various counties in the next phase of the campaign. The next phase campaign will target eight counties including Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Narok, Embu, Nyandarua, Homabay and Tharaka Nithi.

Speaking during the event, JoyWo CEO, Mr. Abraham Samoei applauded the great success that was achieved

by the Intel Mobile Caravan and the three-day training for the JoyWo trainers.

“I am very pleased with the great report that has been shared on the pilot phase of this initiative that is aimed at empowering women and children with ICT skills. To know that women and children are empowered with technical skills that have helped them to improve their lives is very encouraging,” he said.

In a statement, Airtel Kenya Managing Director, Prasanta Das Sarma pledged

Airtel’s continued support in the initiative and those that seek to enrich lives in the communities.

“We would also like to thank our partners Intel and Airtel for their continued support and we continue to assure you that we will endeavour to reach out to even more Kenyans in order to empower them and help them transform their lives and your support is highly appreciated,” Abraham added.

“As a company, we are devoted to delivering solutions that enrich the communities that we serve. As such we remain committed to this partnership with Intel and other key partners to continue offering internet connectivity for this initiative. We are delighted that this initiative has so far impacted the lives of many people by empowering them to reap the benefits and access the boundless opportunities that come with being connected to the Internet.” said Prasanta.

Airtel also continues to support the youth in education through its CSR program that offers free internet to schools. So far, the company has covered over 340 schools and impacted the lives of over 270,000

students all over Kenya.

Other key partners in the initiative include the Kenya Institute of Curriculum development (KICD) charged with ensuring coordination with schools and providing digital educational content, JoyWo (Joyful Women Organization) run by Mrs. Ruto in the mobilization of women in the respective communities to attend the training sessions to be held at community centres and Global Peace Foundation which is involved in developing and executing training modules for the target audiences.

Intel Corporation has been impacting the lives of women and girls through the Intel She Will Connect program that empowers women and girls with digital literacy thus enabling them to receive a better education, enhance their political participation, have a stronger voice in their communities, and increase their income by connecting to new economic opportunities. The program has so far impacted over 150, 000 women in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa through face to face training. @kevin_x254

BUSINESS 9

Sanlam withdraws profit warning MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

Listed non-bank financial services provider, Sanlam Kenya has announced the withdrawal of an earlier posted profit warning notice ahead of its full year results release.

Sanlam had issued a profit warning in December for the third year in a row as the investment environment got bleaker for the financial services provider. At the time, Sanlam expected its profit after tax to fall by a quarter following a decline in premiums from its life business. Now the firm, in regulatory filings and a Public Notice dated February 9, 2017, has withdrawn the Profit Warning Notice earlier issued on December 29, 2016 reflecting the prospect of posting good growth in its yet to be released full year results.

The withdrawal notice was jointly signed by Sanlam Kenya Chairman, Dr. John Simba and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mugo Kibati.

“The withdrawal has been undertaken based on engagements with the relevant regulatory agencies as part of our corporate governance policies,” Kibati said.

“A review on our life business liabilities and impairment provisions against some of our banking exposures has necessitated this withdrawal and the earlier profit warning is no longer valid,” he explained.

Mr. Kibati said the profit withdrawal notice had also been necessitated by a reduction in the level of impairment provisions; earlier considered for some of the firm’s investments in banking entities.

He noted that the withdrawal was not based on a change of accounting system or method and had been done with the approval of the Capital Markets Authority.

therise

Sanlam Kenya Ltd Sanlam Kenya Ltd was the week’s top gainer after edging upwards by 26.26 per cent after the insurer withdrew its profit warning. The share price was up to Sh25.00 from the previous week’s close of Sh19.80. Year-to-date, its share price has lost 9.10 per cent.

thefall

Deacons (EA) Ltd Deacons (EA) Ltd was the week’s top laggard after declining by 16 per cent over the course of the week’s trading. The share price closed at Sh4.20 from their previous closing price of Sh5.00. Year-todate, its share price has shed 30.6 per cent of its value.

Analysis by Amana Capital info@ amanacapital.co.ke

He noted that the company has stepped up the implementation of its robust five-year growth strategy. The strategy last year was headlined by a strategic rebranding process with all the former Pan Africa Insurance Holdings subsidiaries adopting a single identity under the Sanlam brand. In Africa, the Sanlam Group is the single largest non-bank financial services

provider with interests in life, general insurance and wealth management solutions among others. In Kenya, the group is making steady progress with the implementation of its new fiveyear strategy. Beyond the rebranding programme, the new strategy has also seen a significant transformation for the firm’s life and general insurance business distribution channels.

12

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WEATHERFORECAST

Tusker left staring at exit Kenyan champions Tusker FC now fear their return to continental action after almost a half-decade will be short lived unless something special happens against Mauritius giants, AS Port Luis when they meet in the return leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary this Saturday.

This comes after the brewers were held to a 1-1 draw by the visitors over the weekend in Nairobi.

The home boys will rue conceding a late equaliser which grants AS Port Luis the much needed advantage ahead of the return leg.

Ugandan, George ‘Best’ Nsibe is rallying his troops with a do or die call when they travel

to the Indian Ocean island.

“I think we played really well all round.

Despite conceding a late goal, overly I was impressed with what I saw. However in football, what people look and talk about are results. Simply there is no option by work hard and progress,” Coach Nsibe said.

Uganda Cranes’ player Shafiq Batambuze netted from a free-kick in the 20th minute at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani during the clash only for Ephrem Guikan to level for the visitors.

“It will be a huge shame if we are kicked out even before the real tournament gets underway. We have to work hard to avoid that happening,” Nsibe added.

Meanwhile, Abdoor Sakoor, the head coach

of AS Port Louis is contented with the point even implying they could have taken all the three points back home.

“We shall definitely give them a run for their money back at home. Batambuze, threw himself on a goal bound ball which could have easily won us the match. With our fans rallying behind, we hope to knock the Kenyan champions out,” Sakoor said.

The Ugandan will be looking back to the infamous Brewers side of 1994 who nearly won the now obsolete CAF African Cup Winners Cup final where they lost 5-2 on aggregate to DC Motema Pembe of DRC in the finals. That is the closest the Kenyan side has come to lifting the continental title.

Tusker FC striker Allan Wanga vies for the ball with an AS Port Luis opponent during their first leg CAF preliminary round at the Kasarani stadium over the weekend. The teams drew 1-1. PHOTO: CAPITAL FM

Bournemouth look 17 killed in Angola to stop Guardiola Stadium stampede Bournemouth Manager Eddie Howe hopes his fine showing against the Premier league’s top teams continue tonight when they host Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium.

“We’ve done well against the top teams this year and we’ll have to do that again. I’ve always said we need to get points as soon as we could, we knew the second season would be harder - it’s no surprise to me.

“We’re going to need to be very good this week to get anything against Manchester City. We respect their players be we can’t be fearful.”

Howe will have to make a late decision on the fitness of defenders Simon Francis, Charlie Daniels and Adam Smith. Goalkeeper Adam Federici has been ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has a fullstrength side to choose from for the trip to the south coast and top scorer Sergio Aguero will hope to earn a recall after starting the last two games on the bench.

“We are more stable, we control more, but every game is completely different. Bournemouth is a tough, tough game. It’s outstanding what [Bournemouth] have done.

They are an honest team - it will be a tough game, I have no doubts about that,” Guardiola said.

At least 17 people have been killed in a stampede at a football stadium in the northern Angolan city of Uige, local officials say.

Hundreds more were reported to have been injured when supporters stormed the gates after failing to gain entry.

Some of those who fell became trapped and suffocated at the venue on Friday, a medical official said.

Witnesses said the crowd trying to gain access would have taken the stadium past its 8,000 capacity.

Santa Rita de Cassia were hosting Recreativo do Libolo in a first division league match.

“Some people had to walk on top of other people. There were 76 casualties, of whom 17 died,” Ernesto Luis, director general of the local hospital, told Reuters news agency.

Five of the injured are reported to be in serious condition.

Angolan and Portuguese media report that some of the dead are children.

A statement on Recreativo de Libolo’s website called it “a tragedy without precedent in the history of Angolan football”.

Supporter Domingos Vika, 35, said that the entrance was already overcrowded when more people began pouring in to the stadium.

“When they gave the opportunity for everyone to come in, we were all packed at the gate,” said Mr Vika, who left the venue with a broken hand.

Angola’s President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has ordered an investigation into the incident, local media report.The game ended in a 0-1 defeat for the home side, Santa Rita de Cassia.

SPORT 13

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

Guardiola unsure over Aguero stay

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is uncertain whether Sergio Aguero will remain at the club after this season.

The 28-year-old striker has been on the bench for the past two matches with new signing Gabriel Jesus favoured.

Guardiola has reiterated his desire to keep the Argentina forward.

But asked if he feared Aguero might leave in the summer, Guardiola said: “At the end of the season I don’t know. I know how difficult it is to find top goalscorers.”

He added: “I would like him to remain but I don’t know what is going to happen.

Even in my career I didn’t know what would happen at the end of the season.”

Aguero is City’s top scorer this season with 18, 11 more than Raheem Sterling, who is next on the list.

After coming off the bench in City’s 2-1 win over Swansea on 5 February, Aguero said: “I want to stay, of course.

“In these next three months I have to help the club and then they will decide if I have a place here or not.”

Aguero has scored 154 times for City since joining the club in 2011.

When asked why the striker might feel unsure of his future, Guardiola said: “I don’t think he feels that way.

“Sergio knows the intention of his manager and the club. I don’t want to sell him, I want him to stay here for a long time until he decides.

“The reason he’s not played the last two games is because Leroy [Sane], Gabriel and Rash (Raheem Sterling) have played amazing.

That’s the only reason. He remains a top player and an important one for us to achieve our goals. I don’t have doubts about that.”

Ibrahimovic quiet on Man United future

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic says “nothing is done” with regards to his future but insists he has fulfilled requirements needed to extend his contract. The Swede, 35, joined Jose Mourinho’s side last summer on a one-year deal and has scored 20 goals this season.

Mourinho said on Friday he believed the club’s top scorer would still be at Old Trafford next season. But when asked about his future, Ibrahimovic said: “We’ll wait and see.”

Ibrahimovic’s goals have helped Manchester United into the EFL Cup final - where they will face Southampton - as well as the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Red Devils are also in the Europa League knockout stage. United won the Community Shield in August and Ibrahimovic is confident of adding at least one more trophy to the collection. “We have one and we can get our second one,” he added. “We are still in the Europa League and FA Cup, so if we don’t become champions in the Premier League at least we can try and win two or three trophies.”

14

SPORT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

Real’s Gareth Bale back in training

Forward Gareth Bale has returned to training with Real Madrid. Boss Zinedine Zidane says he expects Bale to return to match action within a month, meaning Bale should be fit for Wales’ World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland on 24 March. The 27-year-old has been out since November after having surgery to repair ankle tendon damage suffered during a Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon of Portugal. “First day back on the training pitch with the boys,” he posted.

“Can’t wait to be back in action now,” he added on Twitter.

“He’s fine. He’s working very well and looks determined,” Zidane said. The French manager did not give an exact date as to when Bale might return, but hopes the Welshman will be available in time for the second leg of Madrid’s Champions League tie with Napoli on 7 March. “I hope that Bale is back with us before the return leg against Napoli,” he said.

Torres scores and misses penalty in Atletico Madrid win

Fernando Torres scored one of the goals of the season - then missed a penalty - before Atletico Madrid made a late comeback to beat Celta Vigo in La Liga.

Torres scored with an outrageous hooked lob after Gustavo Cabral had headed the visitors in front.

He then hit the bar for Atletico’s third penalty miss in three games.

John Guidetti swept Celta back in front, but Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann scored in the final four minutes as Atletico climbed to fourth.

Carrasco’s equaliser was a sweet volley from the edge of the penalty area, while Griezmann sidefooted in substitute Kevin Gameiro’s knockdown from seven yards.

There was still time for Gameiro to turn Carrasco’s low cross against the bar from three yards in a breathless finish.

The comeback completed a miserable few days for Celta, who had to call off last week’s match

against Real Madrid because of storm damage to their stadium, and were then denied a Copa del Rey final place as they lost to Alaves on Wednesday.

For Atletico, the one downside in victory was their continuing failure from penalties; Torres’ miss came after Griezmann had a kick saved during last weekend’s win over Leganes, while Gameiro fired another over as they went out of the Copa del Rey at Barcelona on Tuesday.

Elsewhere in La Liga on Sunday, third-placed Sevilla returned to form with a 1-0 win at Las Palmas, secured by Joaquin Correa’s first La Liga goal, 10 minutes from the end.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side, who are three points off the top, had lost ground on leaders Real Madrid and secondplaced Barcelona after collecting one point from their previous two matches.

In Italy, Gonzalo Higuain scored two as Juventus marked boss Max

Allegri’s 100th Serie A match in charge with a win that leaves them seven points clear at the top.

Higuain dinked a shot past Cagliari keeper Rafael from Claudio Marchisio’s pass before half-time. He later slid Paulo Dybala’s pass under Rafael early in the second half to become this season’s joint top scorer in Serie A with 18 goals. Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella was sent off for two bookable offences.

Barella, the home side’s best player, was already on a yellow card when he caught substitute Miralem Pjanic late from a Juventus throw-in.

Atletico Madrid’s striker Fernando Torres celebrates after scoring the 1-1 equalizer during the Spanish Primera Division clash with Celta Vigo last evening.

PHOTO: VICTOR

SPORT 15

Chelsea pegged as Leicester freefall continues MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

Runaway Premier League leaders Chelsea were denied the opportunity to open a 12-point lead at the top of the table when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley. Pedro scored after just 12 minutes to put Chelsea ahead but Burnley’s record signing Robbie Brady - making his full debut following a January move from Norwich equalised with a stunning free-kick just 12 minutes later.

Meanwhile, Champions Leicester City were plunged deeper into relegation trouble as they were beaten by Swansea, whose vital victory gave their own hopes of survival an enormous lift.

After a cagey start, Alfie Mawson’s thumping volley and an incisive team goal finished by Martin Olsson gave the hosts a commanding 2-0 half-time lead.

Leicester offered more resistance in the second half - substitute Islam Slimani was denied by a fine save by Lukasz Fabianski - but fell to a fifth successive defeat, increasing the pressure on manager Claudio Ranieri.

The Foxes, who are just one point above the relegation zone, are the only side in the top four English divisions without a league goal in 2017.

They are also the first reigning champions to lose five consecutive

Leicester City captain Morgan and his teamate Jamie vardy leave the pitch in dejection at the Liberty Stadium following their 2-0 loss to Swansea last evening. The club is now just one point above the relegation zone.

EPA/ COURTESY

top flight matches since Chelsea in March 1956 and now find themselves embroiled in a congested relegation battle in which the bottom six teams are separated by just five points.

Winless in the Premier League in 2017 and without a goal in their previous five league outings, Leicester entered last evening’s fixture in apparent freefall.

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel described their faltering title defence as “embarrassing” after last week’s 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United, while Wednesday’s FA Cup replay win over Derby was preceded by a dreaded vote of confidence from the club’s board for manager Ranieri.

But the Italian cut a forlorn figure on

955700

the touchline at the Liberty Stadium last evening, standing motionless as he watched his side surrender two goals in a potentially defining eight-minute spell at the end of the first half.

There was little Schmeichel could do to stop Mawson’s brilliant swerving volley, but the goalkeeper was at fault for Swansea’s second.

Attempting to launch a counter-attack, the Dane’s throw landed at the feet of Swans midfielder Tom Carroll, who started a slick one-touch passing move which involved Fernando Llorente and Gylfi Sigurdsson and ended with Olsson, whose firm strike Schmeichel should have saved.

As impressive as the goal was from a Swansea perspective, it was indicative of Leicester’s porous defence - a far cry from the solid backline which formed the foundation for their improbable title success last season.

Despite starting the day a place below their opponents, Swansea’s resurgence under new head coach Paul Clement was in striking contrast to Leicester’s decline.

The Swans had won three of their five league games since Clement’s appointment on 2 January, lifting them off the foot of the table and out of the bottom three to earn the former Derby boss the Premier League manager of the month award.

That accolade is meant to carry something of a curse - with managers often losing their next game after receiving the award - but Clement avoided such a jinx as he oversaw a polished performance.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

TORRES SCORES AND MISSES PENALTY AS ATLETICO MADRID WIN HOME THRILLER

P14

Goal-shy Ozil lacks confidence – Wenger Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is suffering from a lack of confidence after an eight-match goal drought, says Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.

Ozil, who cost a club-record £42m fee from Real Madrid in 2013, has struggled to make an impact in recent games.

The Germany star, 28, has not scored for the Gunners since 10 December.

“I don’t know why he is underperforming - it can happen,” said Wenger, whose team visit Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.

Ozil has scored five league goals this campaign, one short of his previous best tally, which he recorded last season. However, he has not found the net in his eight top-flight matches since a 3-1 home win against Stoke in December, which moved Arsenal to the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners have lost four of those matches to drop to third position and 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

“It’s time for him to score again,” added Wenger, who saw Alexis Sanchez score both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Hull City.

“Maybe he will find confidence back as well, because he misses chances.

He has chances and he misses the chances that don’t look not feasible for him. “I felt he did not feel confident against Hull. It’s always a problem because you think he can deliver something special but it’s true that technically he missed things that he is not used to.”

INSIDE

Bournemouth look to stop Guardiola’s City

p

13

Conte not happy with joking Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho

Antonio Conte

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has expressed his unhappiness at predecessor Jose Mourinho telling the Manchester United manager that is too experienced to be drawn into a war of word with him.

The Portuguese accused Chelsea of winning matches with defensive football and went ahead to deliver a back-handed compliment to his former side claiming they will go on to win the Premier League title because they are “a very good defensive team” who have succeeded with “counterattack goals and set-piece goals.”

But Conte countered by saying he does not like Mourinho’s “joking.” The Blues are 10 points clear following a 1-1 draw at Burnley on Sunday.

Mourinho, known for playing mind games with his rivals, said they won’t slip up because they are “very defensive” and win with “counter attacks”.

“He’s playing,” said Chelsea manager Conte.

“I have the experience to understand this.”

Mourinho was speaking after his side beat Watford 2-0 to extend their unbeaten run to 16 games. They are sixth, 12 points behind Chelsea.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has previously accused Mourinho of playing mind games, as did Sir Alex Ferguson when he was at Manchester United.

Mourinho has often engaged in psychological battles with his rivals. When he was Chelsea boss in 2014, he ruled the Blues out of a title battle with Manchester City and also challenged then City boss Manuel Pellegrini over his spending.

Pellegrini chose to ignore his counterparts comments.

He also accused Wenger of being a “specialist in failure” that same year and then claimed the Arsenal manager was “not a rival” when Chelsea were on course for the 2014-15 Premier League title.

Conte, though, is refusing to get drawn into them, adding: “I don’t like to reply

about the other coaches.”

Chelsea are firmly on course for a second Premier League title in three seasons but endured one of their toughest games of the season at Burnley last evening.

The Clarets have the third best home record in the top flight, with 29 of their 30 points coming at Turf Moor.

And yesterday, they restricted Chelsea to just two shots on target - none in the second half - and could have won the game but for a superb Thibaut Courtois save from Matt Lowton.

“We found a team that thought to disrupt our football, to play this long ball and to fight the second ball,” said Conte. “If someone thinks this league is finished, for me I can tell you no,” Conte insisted.

“There are six teams for me that can win the league. Anything can happen. We must continue to work in this way, to try to find a way to win in the same way that we tried today (yesterday).

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