201702016 xnews

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017 | www.x254.co

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MUTUA BLASTS ‘SCHEME’ TO DELAY ELECTIONS

MAENDELEO CHAP CHAP PARTY LEADERS WARNS SOME POLITICIANS ARE NOT READY FOR POLLS IN

NEWS

AUGUST AND WANT TO DISRUPT TIMELINES

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MOURINHO LAMENTS UNITED’S CROWDED FIXTURE LIST AHEAD OF EUROPA CLASH

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Doctors call for sobriety to end strike

ATLETICO’S GRIEZMANN PLAYS DOWN LINKS WITH A MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Chebukati assures of credible election despite challenges

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TRUMP MEETS NETANYAHU Kenyans queue as they wait to be registered as voters on the last day of the mass voter registration exercise at Moi Avenue Primary School in Nairobi today. The electorasl body has assured of credivble polls in August. Story on Page 2 PHOTO: GITOBU IKUNDA/X NEWS

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NEWS

Time to end this suffering, doctors say THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

KMPDU Secretary General Ouma OLuga. He has called for sobriety to end the doctors’ strike. PHOTO: GITOBU IKUNDA/ X NEWS

IEBC assures of credible polls The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has reiterated its assurance to Kenyans that it will deliver a credible poll in August despite challenges.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said the endless court cases that have left the commission’s calendar in a shambles will not affect the credibility of the elections.

Mr Checbukati gave the assurance when he met Attorney-General Githu Muigai last evening to discuss issues relating to the polls. The chairman described their talk as “constructive consultation’.

IEBC chief executive Ezra Chiloba had on Tuesday tweeted that their calendar is likely to be affected by a court ruling that canceled the award of a Sh2.1 billion printing tender for ballot papers.

But his boss was relaxed saying the commission is planning to kick off voter verification despite a court case challenging the commission’s voter registration deadline.

The High Court is expected to rule later today on the case filed by activists Okiya Omtata seeking to compel the commission to list voters continuously until June.

And while a ruling in favour of the activists could put IEBC plans into disarray, the commission maintains it can still cope and deliver fair elections.

Mr Chebukati had earlier told MPs that although IEBC has commissioners who are new into their job, the commission has a competent secretariat.

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Ouma Oluga has said the union is committed to finding a remedy to the ongoing strike by the doctors.

Speaking last evening after his release from the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison following an order by the Court of Appeal, Oluga said the parties involved in negotiations must now focus on alleviating the pain Kenyans have undergone in public hospitals for the past 10 weeks while seeking medical services.

“We’re not of little minds. The government is not of little minds.

We must sit down, engage and come up with a solution,” he said in a brief address to journalists.

Oluga reiterated that the strike by the doctors was only aimed at improving the country’s healthcare and therefore parties should engage with sober minds to ensure that Kenyans have access to good medical services.

“The focus is to improve the health sector. Kenyans have suffered enough!”

he said.

He however called upon the Ministry of Health to give fresh impetus to the negotiations with the union in order to ensure normalcy returns in public health centers.

“I think it is important that the government knows that it is time for a solution but that solution must be based on the 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It is time that Kenyans get back their health sector.”

Oluga said he was optimistic that a solution to the current impasse will be found, saying both parties are capable of engaging in honest discussions.

Oluga and six other union officials were jailed on Monday for contempt after failing twice to call off the nationwide strike by doctors.

The six KMPDU officials who had been jailed alongside Oluga were Titus Ondoro, Allan Ochanji, Hamisi Chibanzi, Daisy Korir and Evelyne Chege.

MORE ON THIS STORY www.capitalfm.co.ke

Challenges threaten election timelines With only 173 days left before the August General Election, key court rulings have left the electoral body between a rock and a hard place.

Against the setback rulings, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has to keep in mind strict adherence to the constitutional requirement that the 2017 General Election should be held on August 8.

Contempt of court is not a choice for the Commission.

Monday’s ruling in which the High Court cancelled the electoral commission’s Sh2.5 billion ballots printing tender awarded to a Dubai-based firm, has a grave implication on the commission’s election preparation plans, both financially and time wise.

IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba stated that the ruling had ‘huge implications for the next elections.’

That ruling means the Commission has to start the long process of re-advertising the tender and repeating the entire process with only about six months before the elections.

But how will the Commission cope with the ruling mindful of the strict timelines and the constitutional guidelines?

According to lawyer and political analyst Charles Kanjama, IEBC should act fast by either obeying the court orders or swiftly moving to court to challenge them.

“IEBC is so busy during the next six months, they have so many timetables and if their resources are diverted to come back to the issue of tenders – and the timelines are made tighter, it will exert pressure on them,” he explained.

Though IEBC has its timelines, it does not have immunity of court decisions hence according to Kanjama, it has to be prepared to deal with them as they come.

“The court has powers to intervene, it’s a question of ensuring that all parties are sensitive to the rigid

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati. He has assured Kenyans of a credible election. PHOTO: COURTESY

timelines and do not displace the ability of IEBC to deliver free and fair elections in August.”

In his view, it is the right of the court to intervene hence the importance of ensuring that there is better engagement between the Judiciary and Commission.

A second ruling that interfered with IEBC’s plans for the August General Election was a case presented before a Kericho court in which a petitioner wants the time by which public servants intending to vie for elective posts to resign reduced from six to two months to the elections.

The case will be heard on February 27 yet the deadline stated for such resignations was February 7.

Still on Tuesday – when the Mass Voter Registration exercise was supposed to be ending as per the IEBC’s timelines – the High Court in Nairobi ordered for its extension by two more days following a suit filed by activist Okiya Omtatah.

Even with the court injunctions landing on IEBC’s table, its enormous and imperative role and responsibility to ensure elections are conducted in

August 2017 and they are free, fair and credible will not change.

Changing the date of elections furthermore, will mean a constitutional crisis.

According to Kanjama, whereas IEBC had made serious efforts to engage and consult key players in its election preparation plans, it may have left out the Judiciary, probably the reason why numerous decisions emanating from different courts are directly interfering with its timelines.

“What we are finding now is a situation where it seems other actors who are not fully informed about what IEBC is doing are making decisions that may challenge the ability of IEBC to deliver free, fair and transparent elections,” he elucidated.

The IEBC’s legal team, he advised should make more efforts to reach out to the elections committee in court to create better understanding on some of the cases coming before the court especially those with heavy impact on the commission’s timelines.

On the other hand, Kanjama found that the decisions made by the court were an illustration of MORE ON THIS STORY its independence. www.capitalfm.co.ke

NEWS 3 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Striking doctors issue new threat

Healthcare workers chant slogans as they demand that doctors’ union officials be released from jail in downtown Nairobi, yesterday. The officials were later freed after the Court of Appeal ordered so. The striking doctors are demanding three hundred percent pay increase and improved working conditions. PHOTO:DAI KUROKAWA/EPA

Mutua warns of scheme to delay general elections

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has alleged there is a scheme by a section of the political class to postpone the forthcoming general elections through court cases.

Speaking today morning while receiving defectors from Jubilee party, Mutua said the road leading to the August 8, elections is facing serious blocks that may plunge the country to unnecessary uncertainties.

In an indirect reference to the opposition coalition, the National Super Alliance, Mutua said the frequent courts cases against the Independent Electoral

Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ‘clearly shows that some politicians are not ready for the elections’.

“There is a calculated move to have elections postponed so as give chance to some politicians who are not ready,” Mutua told journalist at his CMaendeleo Chap Chap party headquarters in Nairobi.

“They are not ready at all. They are losing ground and that is why they want more time to catch up with others,” he added.

Mutua, who is also the party leader of Maendeleo Chap Chap noted that they will resist any attempt to derail the

elections since the country is ready.

He lamented that the electoral commission was being set up for a trap despite them being convincingly ready to conduct free and fair elections.

On Tuesday, High court sitting in Nairobi cancelled Sh2.5 billion tender for the supply of ballot papers awarded to a Dubai based printing firm.

A decision that the IEBC said would have ‘huge implications over the coming elections’ “Basically, what Odunga judgment means is that all decision made by IEBC in the last three months were null and void,” IEBC chief executive Ezra Chiloba said in a tweet.

And Dr Mutua regretted the case which was filed by the opposition terming it a misuse if democracy and ground to raise their popularity.

“I have faith in IEBC, they are ready to give thus country a free, fair and transparent elections,” he explained. He called for respect to the constitution.

Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader Alfred Mutua (C) with Tharaka Nithi County Senatorial aspirant Francis Matanka, Women representative aspirant Tabitha Mbungu who defected to the party. With them is Embu senator Lenny Kivuti.

PHOTO: GITOBU IKUNDA/X NEWS

Steps taken to curb extremism in prisons The government has put in place measures to curb radicalisation and violent extremism in prisons, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.

He said significant steps have been made in collaboration with the National Counter-Terrorism Centre to improve training curriculum for staff and rehabilitation programmes for inmates to check the vice in the correctional institutions.

“A multi-agency Task Force, which I appointed to assess the capacity of Kenya Prisons Service, has concluded its assignment and presented the report for further review – which we will shortly be undertaking,” President Kenyatta said yesterday at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru where he presided over the passing out parade of 2,699 prisons recruits.

To reduce crime, stem radicalisation and ensure security in the country, President Kenyatta said prison institutions are required to offer not only retributive justice but also the prospect of reform.

“Our justice system exists not just to punish offenders or to deter possible offenders from doing wrong; it exists also to encourage those who have done wrong to change, and to once more contribute meaningfully to society,” the President said.

Noting that justice systems the world over are being reassessed and re-evaluated, the President pledged continued investment in the transformation of the Prison service to ensure a robust and rehabilitative system.

“A system that seeks not to condemn but to correct. A system that doesn’t marginalize those who merit a second chance.

A system which ensures that those who are paroled have the support, knowledge, networks, skills and incentive they need to find gainful employment, make moral decisions, follow the law, and avoid re-incarceration,” the President said.

He assured that the government will continue to analyze the larger justice system to ensure the service keeps Kenya safe.

In performing their duties, President Kenyatta urged the new prison officers to uphold high standards guided by solid judgment, strength of character, an inflexible allegiance to justice and an unwavering respect for the dignity of all.

“These traits cannot be taught in a program. These traits cannot be learned through a course. These traits will only exist in those among you who sincerely reflect on not just the kind of Prison Officers you hope to be but the kind of people and citizens you want to be too,” the President said.

The President, at the same time, directed Interior Cabinet Secretary and the Commissioner of Prisons to liaise with the Chief Justice regarding petty offenders to see if they could be released to decongest prison cells.

President Uhuru Kenyatta greets prisoners at Kamiti maximum security prison when he toured the correctional facility yesterday. PHOTO: COURTESY

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NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

NEWS PICTORIAL ON A POINT OF ORDER:

Leader of Podemos Party Pablo Iglesias (R) reacts next to speaker of Podemos Inigo Errejon (L) during the Government’s Question Time at the Parliament in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. PHOTO: SERGIO BARRENECHEA/EPA

PIPELINE GOES UP IN FLAMES: Firefighters and Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) experts

extinguish a fire at a Pemex petroleum pipeline in Zapopan, Mexico, yesterday. The two agencies worked together for 20 hours to extinguish the fire and work is now being done on containing and repairing the leak. PHOTO: ULISES RUIZ BASURTO/EPA

NATO DEFENCE MINISTERS MEETING: Norwegian Defence Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide (left), Portuguese Defence Minister Jose Alberto Azeredo Lopes (center) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, attend the second day of the NATO Defense Ministers council at Alliance headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, today. Nato defense ministers are gathering for a two-day meeting.

PHOTO: STEPHANIE LECOCQ/EPA

WITH KEEN INTERESTS: Palestinians watch a broadcast of the joint press conference

in Washington, USA between visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, at a Nutella shop in the West Bank city of Hebron yesterday. See story on Page 5. PHOTO: ABED AL HASLHAMOUN/EPA

FISHING MATTERS:

Filipinos on a boat maneuvers next to fish pens on the water of Laguna lake in the town of Binangonan, Rizal province, Philippines, earlier today. According to news reports, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the dismantling of big fish pens and fish cages in Laguna de Bay to allow small fishermen to gain access to their traditional fishing grounds. PHOTO: FRANCIS R. MALASIG/EPA

NEWS 5

arrest Trump backs off two state solution Third over death of in Israel-Palestinian peace deal president’s brother THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

President Donald Trump rejected the long-established US framework for Middle East peacemaking at a White House visit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday as he announced his desire to reach “the ultimate deal.”

In staking his claim to a prize that has eluded many a leader before him, Trump previewed the nascent outlines of an approach that — if he sticks with it — ditches bipartisan orthodoxy, borrows some old ideas and, Middle East experts say, will be no easier to pull off now than in the past.

As Trump declared his deep support for the Jewish state, he abandoned the bedrock principle that the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will come via two states for two peoples.

Instead, he referred to the possibility of an Arab-backed peace process, an idea that’s been floating around since the beginning of this century without producing results.

“The United States will encourage a peace and really, a great peace deal,” Trump declared at a news conference alongside Netanyahu. “We’ll be working on it very, very diligently.”

Asked whether he was abandoning the idea of a two-state solution, Trump said, “I’m looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like.”

He continued, “If Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I’m happy with the one they like the best.”

He also said at one point, “It is the parties themselves that must directly negotiate. Both sides will have to make compromises.” Then turning to Netanyahu, he added a question: “You know that, right?”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking in Cairo alongside the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed that the Israelis and Palestinians must not abandon a commitment to a two-state solution.

“There is no Plan B to the situation between Palestinians and Israelis but a two-state solution and that everything must be done to preserve that possibility,” he said in remarks to

US President Donald J. Trump (R) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) during a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, yesterday. It was the first official meeting of the two leaders since President Trump took office last month.

PHOTO: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA

the press.

The night before Netanyahu’s arrival at the White House, senior administration officials cast doubt on the two-state solution, which the international community still holds as the basic foundation of any agreement. The US explicitly called for that arrangement under Republican President George W. Bush and Democratic President Barack Obama.

The Trump official’s comments drew a response from PLO Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi, who said that if Trump was “trying to create alternative realities, then he should spell out what the options are. A one-state solution would require equal rights and citizenship for all, unless he is advocating an apartheid state.”

There are growing questions about whether a two-state solution is even possible, given Israel’s continued settlement building, said Diana

Buttu, a former spokeswoman for the Palestinian Liberation Organization who now teaches at Harvard University.

Since Trump’s inauguration, Israel has announced 6,000 new settlement homes and legalized settler outposts in the West Bank.

“They’ve done that for 20 years, say they want a two-state solution, build settlements and destroy Palestinian homes,” Buttu said. “That’s not the behavior of someone who wants peace.”

As a result, young Palestinians are “increasingly talking very openly about a struggle for one person, one vote,” Buttu said.

Many Israelis, on the other hand, say that the Palestinians haven’t warmly embraced a two-state solution either, pointing to polls showing that the idea has dropping support among the Palestinian public and arguing that its leaders haven’t been willing to participate in the direct talks needed to

reach an agreement.

Netanyahu, who endorsed the idea of two states in 2009 under pressure from the Obama administration, sidestepped questions about whether he still supports the concept Wednesday, saying instead he wanted to avoid “labels” and talk substance: the need for Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and the need for Israel to have overriding security control. It’s not clear how Netanyahu is going to persuade them to come to the table.

He also didn’t give a direct response when asked whether he would comply with Trump’s request at the news conference that he “hold back” on settlement expansion.

Pressed by reporters later Wednesday, the Israeli Prime Minister replied, “I think we’ll try to find a common understanding that is consistent with pursuit of peace and security.”

A third suspect has been arrested in Malaysia in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam, the brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, police say. The developments follow the arrest of a second woman who was also arrested early today.

Kim died on Monday after apparently being poisoned while waiting to board a flight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Police say they have now finished their post-mortem examination, though the results have not yet been made public.

The two women arrested in the case have reportedly been remanded in custody for seven days.

The first suspect, travelling on a Vietnamese passport, was detained yesterday. The inspector general of the Royal Malaysia police, Sri Khalid Bin Abu Bakar, said the second woman was detained on Thursday over the death of “a Korean male”.

She was identified from airport CCTV footage and had an Indonesian passport. Malaysian Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi formally confirmed on Thursday that the dead man, who was travelling under the name Kim Chol, was Kim Jongnam, according to state news agency Bernama.

There is widespread speculation that North Korea was behind the killing, but there has been no proof.

North Korea is on Thursday celebrating what would have been the 75th birthday of Kim Jong-il, the late leader and father of both Kim Jongnam and Kim Jong-un.

Kim Jong-un was seen attending a ruling party meeting on Wednesday.

Footage aired on state media showed him grim-faced, reported South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, and he did not wave when he left, as is customary. Selangor Police Chief Abdul Samah Mat said the the examination of Kim’s body was completed last evening, but there has been no indication of whether the results will be made public.

DR Congo elections too expensive – Minister The Democratic Republic of Congo will not be able to afford an agreed presidential election this year, the government says.

Budget Minister Pierre Kangudia said the cost of organising the poll, which was said to be $1.8bn (Sh180 billion), was too expensive.

Last year the government and the opposition agreed that new elections would be held by the end of 2017.

President Joseph Kabila’s final mandate ran out in November 2016.

Mr Kabila’s opponents have accused him of repeatedly delaying the poll in

order to remain in power.

The plan to hold an election before the end of 2017 initially reduced tension between the government and the opposition, The electoral commission said last November that it needed at least until July 2017 to register more than 30 million voters in a country similar in size to Western Europe, but with one of the worst transport and communication networks in the world.

Earlier this month, the death of veteran opposition leader Etienne

Tshisekedi led to concerns about the country’s future.

Elections in DR Congo are often controversial. Last year, protests against moves to delay the presidential poll resulted in at least 50 deaths.

DR Congo has never had a smooth transfer of power since independence more than 55 years ago.

Mr Kabila took power in 2001 following the assassination of his father, Laurent Kabila. He has won two elections and the constitution bars him from running for a third term.

DR Congo President Joseph Kabila at a past summit. Congo’s finance minister says the country cannot afford its expensive election.

PHOTO: EPA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

CBK EXCHANGE RATES

Kenya Power in plan to import cheap electricity from Ethiopia

Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector will soon see a reduction in electricity tariffs after the utility firm, Kenya Power today announced plans to start importing cheaper and clean energy from Ethiopia.

“We are in plans to commence importation of cheaper and clean energy from our neighbouring Ethiopia to boost the manufacturing sector and connect more Kenyans to the national grid,” said Eng. Mungai, General Manager and Business Strategy at Kenya Power.

The announcement comes after KAM CEO Philys Wakiaga urged the utility company to lower cost of electricity in order to support the country’s manufacturing sector.

She said cheap, reliable energy will lure more foreign and local investors to the sector, which aims to increase its contribution to Kenya’s GDP to 15 per cent from the current 10 per cent over the next five years.

Newly-appointed Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO, Ken Tarus said once the imported electricity lands in Kenya, it will supplement the country’s efforts in connecting over 1.5 million Kenyans to the national grid.

To further support growth in the manufacturing sector, Tarus said Kenya Power will soon begin purchasing locally manufactured transformers through the ’Buy Kenya Build Kenya’ initiative.

“Transformer demand in increasing at a

Kenya Power Acting MD and CEO Dr.Ken Tarrus speaks during a media briefing at the Stanley Hotel Today.

Photo: Gitobu Edwin /Xnews time when Kenya is manufacturing its own transformers and we will soon start buying locally-made transformers to bolster our manufacturing sector,” he said.

Kenya Power spent Sh6.2 billion in the purchase of locally-manufactured goods in the first quarter of 2016/17 in line with the Buy Kenyan Build

Kenya Initiative meant to promote the manufacturing sector.

During the period under review, the company purchased pre-paid meters worth Sh4.7 billion in the year to June 30 from the local market. For the first time, Kenya Power has also budgeted to spend Sh424 million on locally-

Kenya to benefit from Sh363 million AfDB infrastructure master plan grant Kenya is among eight-nations set to benefit from a $3.5 million (Sh362.9 million) grant from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) to finance the agency’s Infrastructure Master Plan (IRIMP).

The investment is expected to spur huge investment mobilization and financing attracted by well-prepared and bankable infrastructure projects.

The project, to be completed in 38 months, seeks to establish regional infrastructure development priorities for the IGAD region, comprising Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, in order to enhance regional physical and economic integration, thus promoting trade, movement of goods and persons and poverty reduction among the countries.

It will define priority regional infrastructure transport, energy, ICT and transboundary water projects for

investment, to spur a broader positive socio-economic development impact.

These would include physical and economic integration, enhanced opportunities for women, particularly in easing cross-border trade, increased business opportunities, improved access to infrastructure services and generally improved the quality of life of the majority of the population in the IGAD region.

The IRIMP is one of the deliverables under the “IGAD Minimum Integration Plan/Road Map” towards creating a Free Trade Area (FTA) in the region approved in Nairobi, Kenya in 2010 and the wider “Horn of Africa Initiative (HOAI). For IGAD, which lacks a regional infrastructure Master Plan and a prioritized consensual infrastructure development programme, the Bank’s intervention in this regard responds to a defined priority need of the governments

which will serve to consolidate and enhance regional integration.

The governments, people, institutions, and economies of the eight IGAD member States will benefit directly from the project. Specifically, businesses, traders, households, investors as well as development partners and international bilateral and multilateral agencies will also benefit from well-planned coordinated regional infrastructure projects and services that would enhance more efficient movement trade and economic development.

The total project cost is estimated at $3.69 million (Sh382.7 million) to be financed by the $3.5 million (Sh362.6 million)ADF grant from the Bank’s Regional Operations envelop and Regional Public Goods (RPG) window; and US $0.19 million (Sh19.7 million) IGAD Secretariat counterpart funding. @enock_x254

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

assembled transformers during the current financial year.

“Out of Kenya Power’s capital expenditure budget of Sh184 billion for the last four years, the Company spent Sh120 billion in purchase of locally manufactured electricity distribution equipment,” the firm said in a statement.

Last July, Kenya Power published new procurement guidelines, which stated that 80 per cent of all electricity distribution equipment will be sourced from the country, giving preference to local investors.

Industries account for more than 60 per cent of Kenya Power’s electricity sales revenue. Supporting the manufacturing sector will in turn boost the Company’s core business.

The new procurement guidelines have already attracted three international companies; Pan African Transformers, Yocean Group Limited and Continental Transformers, involved in manufacturing transformers to set up plants in the country, creating jobs for Kenyan citizens.

“Kenya Power has taken a deliberate step to prioritise purchase of equipment and materials from the local market to encourage manufacturers to set up plants in Kenya. The aim is to retain at least 80 per cent of the Company’s annual procurement budget, which stands at Sh54 billion, in the country,” said Kenya Power’s former Managing Director & CEO, Dr Ben Chumo. @enock_x254

MEAN 103.6608 129.3425 109.9308 7.9162 34.5840 21.5608

BUY SELL 103.5622 103.7594 129.2000 129.4850 109.8111 110.0506 7.9049 7.9275 34.5029 34.6652 21.4920 21.6295

SA firm pays Sh3.6 billion for 70pc stake in Kenyan drug company

Imperial Holdings, a South African company has acquired a 70 per cent stake in Surgipharm, one of Kenya’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturer and drug distributor. The firm is set to pay Sh3.6 billion for the majority stake in Surgipharm pending regulatory approvals.

Chief Executive of Imperial Holdings Mark Lamberti says the acquisition will accelerate the holding company’s industry presence and relationships with pharmaceutical principals in Africa.

“Our entry into pharmaceutical distribution in Kenya is also opportune, at a time where there is GDP growth, rising income levels and a rising middle class in the region,” said Lamberti.

In a statement, Imperial Holdings said the transaction is in line with African growth strategy to be a significant route-to-market partner of multinational companies in the consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors in Southern, East and West Africa.

“Surgipharm also complements Imperial’s prior acquisitions in the pharmaceutical sector being Imperial Health Sciences, Eco Health (Nigerian pharmaceutical distributor) and Imres (Netherlands-based pharmaceutical wholesaler),” the statement added.

Surgipharm, which directly supplies products to the Ministry of Health, parastatals, hospitals and other medical organizations, has a workforce of 330 employees with an annual turnover of Sh7 billion.

40 per cent of country’s youth adopt side businesses as job crisis looms More than 40 per cent of Kenya’s young adult population have side businesses, a report from research group, GeoPoll Rapid has found. The analysis indicates that a competitive job market and dwindling employment opportunities in financial sectors have driven young people to look for alternative sources of income.

The research comes at a time when 80 per cent of unemployed Kenyans are below 35 years of age.

The challenge of youth unemployment is compounded by the fact that 90 per cent of all unemployed young people lack vocational skills, says Sicily Kariuki, Cabinet Secretary for Youth and Gender Affairs in the Ministry of Public Service.

The report, which focuses on millennials in Sub-Saharan Africa, also found out that, on average only 37 per cent of young people in the entire region have side businesses.

The research found that in East Africa, youth are more likely to

invest in agriculture, followed by ICT, entertainment, online business and logistics.

In Nigeria and Ghana, the youth are into less conventional sectors than those mostly associated with the youth such as ICT, entertainment and online businesses. In South Africa, Food & Beverage is the more popular side hustle for many youth.

Apart from Uganda that has the highest number of youth whose day jobs conflict with their side hustles, millennials in other countries don’t experience this dilemma with many choosing either agriculture, food & Beverage or less conventional side jobs.

The businesses are mainly financed by loans from banks, relatives, mobile money and micro-finances in that order.

The millennials, however, said they would like a better understanding of asset financing, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities.

BUSINESS 7

Varsities to add accommodation for 500,000 students in 5 years

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Kenya’s universities are set to build accommodation for more than half a million students in the next five years, driven by public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Student accommodation is now suffering from a shortfall so severe that it is accounting for 40 per cent of Kenya’s housing shortage, according to real estate researchers Jumia House.

The research reported 280,000 bed spaces in universities and colleges in Kenya, compared with a student population of 769,000 and rising. In 2015, alone, the student population rose by 80,000 driven by expanded enrolment across both self-sponsored and government-sponsored students.

This has caused on-campus accommodation facilities to overflow, forcing students to seek nearby private accommodation.

Real estate investment management firm JLL, which will be present at the East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit in April, argues that, as a result, student housing in Kenya “is now a powerful alternative asset class,” with “definite growing investor appetite for the sector.”

Statistics to be released at the summit project that PPP projects will now create more than 500,000 bed spaces for university students in the next five years.

“The PPP projects on student accommodation come at a time when there is a mounting need for appropriate, affordable student housing in Sub-Saharan countries. In Kenya, the situation is particular dire, with universities currently able to service only 25 per cent of the need,” said Dr Gachanja, Kenyatta University Project Lead.

“Building accommodation through PPPs mitigates risk, reduces the requirements for real estate expertise, and lowers the development costs, for universities. It also speeds up procurement and delivery. Universities

Kenyatta University is among the public institutions negotiating a PPP project under Kenya’s Public Private Partnership Act of 2013. take about five years to procure and start construction. However, with PPPs, the process takes less than five years.

Moreover, such initiatives on student housing lead to expanded campus capacity and develop high standard facilities for students.”

Globally, student accommodation through PPPs has been successful in South Africa, Belgium Egypt, and India. In Kenya, it is hoped the PPPs will deliver the progressive clearance of student admission backlogs that have grown since 1992, so that students are no longer waiting for two years to join universities.

Kenyatta University is among the public institutions negotiating a PPP project under Kenya’s Public Private Partnership Act of 2013. The university’s PPP initiative will result in housing for an additional 10,000 students that is regulated, fairly priced, and eliminates

transport costs in getting to classes.

“We are at the financial close stage for the Sh5bn project and hope to break ground in 2017,” said Dr. Gachanja.

“The project is on a build, operate and transfer framework and in 20 years the property will be transferred to the university. This will keep the university stable financially, since it will not have had to incur construction expenses.”

By living on campus, students can safely study in the libraries and use other university facilities after dark, which are factors that are critical to the intellectual development of the next generation, according to a World Bank report.

“There is now burgeoning interest in student accommodation from local and international entities, both public, private and the in-between, in publicprivate partnerships. The Kenyan government has also been putting

serious effort behind the feasibility of a build, own, transfer (BOT) model that allows private owners to develop and gain returns on the land before selling it to a particular university when they can eventually afford it,” said Dr Gachanja.

“This is set to remove the huge costs of building student housing that is the current roadblock to the provision of student housing in the public sector, owing to the inability of government higher education ministries to afford this scale of capital outlay. Across Africa, an average of only 4 per cent of the GDP of most sub Saharan nations is being deployed in education.”

The new financing models would open the way for the use of land such as the Jumu area around the Jomo Kenyatta University campus for either ‘on-campus’ style housing or the hotelcum-apartment complexes. @Dennis_x254

Stakeholders gear up for EAPI summit in push to address housing deficit

Real estate sector stakeholders are gearing up for the fourth edition of the East Africa Property Investment Summit (EAPI) as local developers move to address a housing deficit that has barred hundreds of thousands of Kenyans from accessing decent, affordable homes.

The latest edition of the summit will take place from April 5 to April 6, 2017 in Nairobi. The two-day conference will provide a deep dive into issues affecting the East African real estate market, and a start for discussion and solutions building.

The summit tackles discussions around development, private equity, finance and economics, with insights from some of the best minds in real estate investment today. There will be over 450 delegates, 100 expert speakers, 20 exhibitors and a lot more. EAPI is the largest real estate gathering in the region, hosted by API Events (www. apievents.com) the organizers of the Africa Property Investment Summit (API), West Africa Property Summit (WAPI) and ZamReal.

The conference comes at a time when Kenya’s housing market is experiencing an upsurge in the demand for apartments as low and middle income consumers seek affordable housing. A Kenya Bankers Association Housing Price Index (KBA- HPI) indicates that in 2016, demand for apartments was more on the lower and middle market end while maisonettes and bungalows seem to be concentrated in the upperend market. New data has confirmed that Kenya’s rising middle class has been forced to contend with apartments which are likely to be more affordable than maisonettes and bungalows.

During the July to September period, average house prices recorded 2.2 per cent growth.

“Even with relatively faster growth in house prices during the third quarter of 2016, the demand and supply market dynamics have not been subject to significant changes over the period,” states the report. @Dennis_x254

Microsoft, Liquid Telecom to boost uptake of cloud technology Tech giant, Microsoft East Africa and internet services provider, Liquid Telecom have partnered to improve and accelerate the use of cloud services across Africa. The two firms have stated that the joint project will help boost the continent’s access to world-class software.

Microsoft has unveiled a long-term strategic vision to enable affordable broadband access to its customers in its bid to empower business and increase productivity. To move this objective forward, Microsoft will collaborate with Liquid Telecom, a pan-African telecommunications provider that operates the region’s largest independent fibre network,

which spans over 40,000km across 12 countries.

The joint effort will focus on the delivery of cloud services, smalland-medium business development and the enablement of a television white space technology and partner ecosystem to provide further connectivity across the continent.

Cloud-based operations provide many tangible benefits for businesses, including reduced costs with greater levels of scalability and the ability to deliver new products and services to market faster than traditional IT solutions.

However, businesses across Africa have traditionally been

slower adopters of cloud services, particularly in areas with limited ICT infrastructure. The partnership will address this by combining Liquid Telecom’s extensive network reach with Microsoft’s innovative business solutions that bring the cloud closer to the end user.

“We believe in the power and potential of businesses in Africa and we look forward to providing the best that cloud computing has to offer.

In the age of digital transformation, we want to provide not only secure data storage, but the efficiency and scalability that businesses need to achieve more,” says Frank McCosker, General Manager of Affordable Access

and Smart Financing at Microsoft 4Afrika.

Through fast and more affordable connectivity, Microsoft’s extensive cloud-based software offerings, such as Azure and Office 365, will become more accessible through Liquid Telecom. This will enhance business potential and enable startups and home-grown operations to be more productive and efficient. As part of the project, Microsoft and Liquid Telecom will also be creating ‘Business in a Box’, which will offer small-andmedium businesses a cloud-based toolkit of relevant applications, cloud services and connectivity.

“Cloud computing is still gaining

momentum on the continent, but we believe it has the potential to transform the way businesses of all sizes operate.

Through better connectivity, faster internet and secure cloud offerings, businesses will have the platforms and tools they need to grow and succeed.

We have the infrastructure to enable locally and regionally hosted cloud solutions keeping African data in Africa,” says Ben Roberts, Group CTO of Liquid Telecom.

The project, with the scope to influence and improve the capabilities of cloud computing in Africa, will accelerate the economic growth and competitiveness of Africa. @Dennis_x254

8

NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

My Phone My Bank Do all your banking right on your phone

Enjoy the convenience of banking straight from your phone. With Equitel, you now have your Bank in your hand. My Phone, My Bank.

Use your mobile phone to send money for free, apply and get a loan, pay bills for free, check your account balance, make calls, send SMS and browse the internet.

Send money Sending money to any Equity Bank account is FREE! You can also send money to other banks and other mobile money networks (M-PESA, Airtel Money and Orange Money). Simply go to the Equitel Menu> My Money > Send/Pay> Account and follow the easy steps.

Apply and get a loan You can get a loan of up to Kshs. 3M instantly on your phone.

You don’t have to fill in any forms. Simply go to Equitel menu> My Money> Eazzy Loan> Get Loan and follow the simple steps. What’s more, you can monitor your loan balance and make repayments through your Equitel line.

Pay your bills You do not need to pay extra when paying your bills. Pay your KPLC, Water bills, DSTV, Startimes and other bills for FREE. Just go to your Equitel Menu>My Money>EazzyPay>Pay Bill>Select Account>Select Business or Enter Business number and follow the easy steps. Do not pay to pay your bills!

Browse, SMS and make calls Make and receive calls, send SMS messages across mobile networks and access the internet at any time of day or night at affordable rates using your Equitel line. Whenever your airtime is about to run out, you can top up straight from your account. You can also buy airtime from Equity Agents.

Check your account balance Check your account balance on your phone free of charge.

To check your account balance, go to My Money>select My Account>Bank Balances>select Account>Select either Show on screen or Send by SMS>Enter PIN and you will receive a confirmation message with your balance.

NEWS 9

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Pay for goods & services With EazzyPay, you can now pay for goods and services straight from your phone using your Equitel line for FREE and also access cash back services. So next time you go shopping, simply look out for an EazzyPay sign, at shops, supermarkets, airlines, petrol stations, hotels as well as online, to enjoy this service.

Card less banking No ATM card, don’t worry. Use your Equitel Line to withdraw money from any Equity Bank ATM. Select the Equitel icon on any Equity ATM and follow the easy steps. It’s quick, safe, and easy.

Access information and knowledge You can access useful and exciting information on your phone. Click on “My Life” to access a variety of topics including: Agriculture; Education & Learning; Energy & Environment; Entrepreneurship & Jobs; Grow Your Money: Healthy Living and News & Entertainment, for FREE!

Getting Started

1

How do I get an Equitel SIM To get a SIM card, simply visit any of our branches and selected Agents countrywide and get your SIM card instantly! You will require your original National identity card for Kenyan citizens or an original valid passport, original & valid alien card and a valid work permit for foreigners.

2

What types of SIM Cards are available on Equitel?

We have various SIM cards to suit any type of phone, that is, Normal SIM,Micro SIM, Nano SIM and Thin SIM. Visit any Equity Bank Branch to pick a SIM card of your choice FOR FREE!

3

Do I need to be an Equity Bank customer to qualify for an Equitel Line?

Yes, you will require an active Equity Bank account in order to access and enjoy mobile banking. However, if you do not have an account, simply dial *247# from your existing line to open an Equity bank account instantly, Hapo Hapo.

4

How do I top up my Equitel line?

You can top up your Equitel line directly from your account or at any Equity branch or Equity Agent.

5

What happens if I lose my mobile phone with my Equitel line?

Please report to our contact center by dialing 100 for free from an Equitel Line or +254 763 000100 from a different network.

Our customer care representative will guide you on how to block your number, protect your account and replace your SIM card.

Pick your FREE Equitel line today

10

BUSINESS

Mitsubishi donates Sh4m to support early child development programme THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

The Mitsubishi Corporation has donated Sh4 million to the Shining Hope for Communities Organisation (SHOFCO), to finance the NGO’s Early Child Development programme (ECD) in Kibera and Mathare.

The much-needed funds will go towards medical supplies for the programme’s immunisation and labs supplies, program outreach, staff development and training. It will also enable ECD programme scale up to accommodate a higher population of children under five in the urban informal settlement.

“Our ECD Program is mix-gendered, providing a safe, stimulating early learning environment for children 5 years and under at high risk of or already experiencing developmental delays. This would not be possible without the support of such partners as Mitsubishi,” said Kennedy Odede, President and CEO of SHOFCO. The comprehensive programme links its daycare to early childhood health and nutrition programs, ensuring participants receive the care they need for proper growth. As parent care outside the program is critical, SHOFCO actively involves caregivers through regular meetings, support groups, and workshops that educate them about the benefits of ECD. Caregivers also participate in integrated SHOFCO programs such as Maternal and Child Healthcare, Groups Saving and Loans, and the SHOFCO Women’s Empowerment Program.

“The support provided to us today will enable us to scale up maternal care and prevent under development of the children, in order to have a vibrant society of strong kids. We are grateful to Mitsubishi for enabling us to continue servicing this community, through caring for the children,” the

Soichiro Moriya, Mitsubishi Corporation trainee, Kennedy Odede - Chief Executive, Shinning Hope For Communities (SHOFCO) and Ichiro Sugane - General Manager Mitsubishi Corporation pose for a group photo after the official ceremony to celebrate the funds (Sh4 million) donated by Mitsubishi Corporation towards the NGO’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme.

CEO added.

Founded in 2004 by Kennedy Odede, who was raised in the Kibera community, SHOFCO aims to combat the hardships found in slums by establishing initiatives that uplift the community. SHOFCO provides a tuition-free education to girls in the area to further invest in the overall wellbeing of the community.

“We have had the opportunity to work with Kennedy and his team before and their passion and commitment is what has driven Mitsubishi to support their ECD programme. The growth of the

programme means more children will get better development and nutritional care, leading to a community of healthy future leaders,” said Ichiro Sugane, General Manager Mitsubishi Corporation.

“The Mitsubishi Corporation Corporate Philanthropy Team initiated the programme of international contribution in our African offices in 2013. The most important theme in the programme focused on supporting future generations especially girls.

The areas of support we identified are health, education and sanitation, and

SHOFCO’s ECD programme focusses on all these” he added.

The services provided by SHOFCO support various community initiatives such as sanitation education, healthcare, and clean water. SHOFCO also supplements the public with tools such as computer and library sources, financial management programs, a SACCO and adult education. The nonprofit organisation is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya and New York. @kevin_x254

Afreximbank and Ecobank sign MoU to boost African trade and investment The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of the Ecobank Group, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote joint corporate objectives through the financing of private sector projects and trade finance transactions.

The MoU will focus particularly on transactions involving trade and investment in Afreximbank member countries where Ecobank also has a presence.

The cooperation between the two institutions will support efforts at promoting intra-African trade, facilitating industrial development and export development, and strengthening

African trade finance leadership, with banking business. The two institutions the ultimate goal of transforming the will also explore other cooperation in financing trade operations in the form African continent.

Under the agreement, Afreximbank and of exports and imports among African Ecobank will design joint innovative countries where Ecobank is present. and tailor-made financial instruments These will be operations which are and solutions to support private sector eligible for Afreximbank’s interventions corporates and select strategic public through co-financing, syndication of sector institutions, as well as small loans, risk participation or through any and medium enterprises or “SMEs.” other appropriate mode of cooperation.

This will enable them to participate “We welcome this win-win effectively in the production of value- collaboration between Ecobank and added goods and services in national, Afreximbank. It is cooperation that will lead to a more efficient way of regional and continental value chains.

The initiatives envisaged include the channelling trade finance towards creation of a $500 million (Sh52 billion) supporting the growth of intra-African programme dedicated to financing trade and industrialisation,” Ecobank trade among Afreximbank member Group CEO Ade Ayeyemi said.

A view of Kenya’s Lantana Galu Beach Hotel countries where Ecobank conducts “Inadequate access to trade finance

remains one of the greatest obstacles to Africa’s economic development,” said Dr. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank. “This collaboration with Ecobank opens up more opportunities for African businesses to access muchneeded financing for their trading activities. We are very proud at the opportunity to work with a pan-African financial institution like Ecobank to deliver on our shared goal of enhancing access to trade finance in Africa.”

Afreximbank brings to this partnership solid expertise in financing trade among its member countries. Ecobank has a full-service platform, providing end-to-end trade finance solutions to enterprises in Africa. @kevin_x254

USAID body urges youth to apply for 2017 edition of YALI competition

The Young African Leaders Center is currently inviting applicants for its YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa event with an aim to promote three models designed to identify and empower young leaders: the YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship, YALI Network, and now the Regional Leadership Centers across Africa.

Competition for the YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa is merit-based and open to young East African leaders who are 18 to 35 years of age at the time of application submission and are proficient in reading, writing, listening and speaking English.

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) was launched by former President of the United States Barack Obama as a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. YALI states that the need to invest in grooming strong, results-oriented leaders comes at a time when nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60 per cent of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35.

There are four Regional Leadership Centers, located in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa. These Centers serve as regional hubs across the continent to encourage transformational learning and enhancing leadership skills. The YALI Regional Leadership Centers are a project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in close partnership with The MasterCard Foundation.

Each Regional Leadership Center is managed under a public/private partnership.

The YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa, located at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya serves 14 countries in East and Central Africa: Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Center is overseen

by Deloitte East Africa and is supported by a growing number of African and international partners. Selected participants will engage in leadership training across three tracks of study: Business and Entrepreneurship; Civic Leadership, and Public Management in a 4-week residential format. The deadline for applications is February 27, 2017.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

ACCESS

The indestructible

hot date

coming back....

IT’S NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE MAN OF GOD IS NIGERIAN OR SOUTH AFRICAN BUT THE PICTURE IS STILL VERY MUCH PRESENT. BISHOP ALLAN KIUNA

PASTOR WAHOME

eligious leaders have more power in their hands than politicians in many cases. If your pastor said something was true you would have a more feverish urge to believe him than if your MP said the same thing. Take this unbelievable example as a case study; how many times have you read in the news that a pastor ordered female

PASTOR KANYARI

you would do it more willingly than if your local legislator told you to do the same for a job. Both of these predicaments are unethical. stepping all over you will cure you of a chronic ailment. If anything

particularly popular photo that has circulated on the net

unimaginably unregulated and the sooner we realise that it is in fact a business, the better, despite some ornamental laws being put in place

hands and knees with a pastor ‘blessing’ their backsides.

It’s not clear whether the Man of God is Nigerian or South African but the picture is still very much present. decided that he should be a prophet?—of Tshwane, South Africa occasionally did the stripping method without discrimination because according to him, “God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with no clothes on, and because they had faith in the Lord, they didn’t even know they were undressed.” We are not in the Garden of Eden though. who literally walks all over their congregation, the snakefeeding pastor and let’s not forget the Kenyan pastor, Reverend Njohi of the Lord’s Propeller Redemption Church who banned women from wearing underwear in church. If your pastor told you to eat grass to go to heaven,

@kevin_x254

STL’s song “WORK” off her self-titled EP was picked to create promotional material for the TommyLand Concert organised by worldrenowned fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and American supermodel Gigi Hadid. The Kenyan- Norwegian artiste Stella Mwangi is making waves with her EP project that has been doing Hollywood rounds. The models for the new Tommy x Gigi spring/summer 2017 collection also strutted down the runway to Stella’s “WORK” which perfectly matched the collection’s feel and vibe as expressed by the show’s creative team. Additionally to the world of fashion, TommyLand Concert exposed Stella Mwangi’s “WORK” to about 3,000 high-profile guests.

need to produce papers before leading the flock?

THE ANSWER IS YES

Has your pastor done the same or are you going to a church that was built on one person’s arbitrary beliefs? Even the most popular pastors in the country have hazy origin stories.

James Maina Ng’ang’a came from a humble background, he had a few problems with the law and out of nowhere the Neno Evangelism Church materialized. Pastor Kanyari’s mother, ‘Prophetess’ Lucy Nduta, claimed to have the cure for HIV, then there is Pastor charges Sh.3600 for members of the congregation who want to know whether they will get into heaven or not because of course Pastor Wahome is the one who knows your true heart.

It might be due to God’s favour or maybe even good karma but why is it that pastors seem to only get wealthier as their congregations keep @christine_x254 searching.

A

HOT TOPICS

STL’s ‘Work’ featured on Tommy Hilfiger L.A Fashion show

PASTOR KIUNA

SWV, Blackstreet to land tonight ahead of weekend concert They were massive back in the 90’s, selling over 20M records with their most memorable hits ‘Weak’ and ‘So into you’. They are back and they are expected to land in Nairobi tonight ahead of a post-Valentines concert at the KICC on Saturday 18th February 2017. The SWV trio which recently reunited after a hiatus also launched a reality show dubbed SWV reunited. The entertainers are expected to perform alongside RnB all boy group Blackstreet which rebranded to BS2.

video posted a while ago on social media by Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz has come to haunt him. With technological advancements, celebrities and public figures all over the world are keeping their fans updated on what they are up to via social media platforms. These range from posting photos and videos or even broadcasting live. Diamond having posted a video on social media where he was recording himself driving and dancing without strapping on his safety belt was summoned by Tanzanian police who on Wednesday 15th February 2017 had the ‘Marry You’ hitmaker pay a fine.

The Tanzanian police also asked the singer to make a public apology on his social media sites and be a road safety ambassador who would help the police preach the importance of belting up.

Social media video posting lands Diamond in trouble

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ACCESS

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26th NOVEMBER 16, 20172014

ALL ROUND NEWS AND UPDATES FROM UNIVERSITIES

@christine_x254

Another student found dead on campus

HOT DATE

I

U

niversity is turning into quite the death trap.

24-year-old Mount Kenya University student Sharon Achieng was found dead in her hostel 7 days after she reportedly went missing. Achieng’s neighbours are said to have complained of an unpleasant smell emanating from her room before seeking police intervention.

Speaking to the press one neighbour identified as Rebecca Wanjiku says that the smell became noticeable on a Wednesday but they

Blackstreet

@christine_x254

things it takes just as long as it does to register to vote It’s the last day of this exercise and it’s time to make it count.

TAKING A BATH Not saying you should skimp on personal hygiene but it only takes minutes to take a shower.

You could take the bath afterwards.

WATCHING A SITCOM

Your shows will still be right where you left them once you finish registering to vote.

TAKING A NAP This might be every student’s favourite hobby but you could do without the 30 minutes of extra sleep just for one day.

@christine_x254

set to rock Nairobi this February

Babu E Owino has been cleared of hate speech

ternal SONU Chair Babu Owino was on Tuesday acquitted of ‘incitement to violence charges’. The controversial student leader and political aspirant was fighting a battle in court that had him face the music for the bitter exchange of words between him and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria last year. In a viral video that led to his arrest Owino can be heard going on a tirade against the MP. In part he said, “The statement that Kuria made was barbaric. We are warning Kuria that ‘Raila is not your mother’s boyfriend’. A revolution is coming. We are going to look for you and when we get you we will deal with you sacamphoniously.”

Whatever that last part means remains a mystery. According to The Star presiding magistrate Kennet Cheruiyot, found that the prosecution failed to prove its case, despite the video’s existence.

Babu Owino

t’s like it’s lost in the 90s all over again, but better. Girl group SWV and boy-band Blackstreet are going to be in town ladies and it’s about time we remembered what’s it’s like to be in love. The show set to go down on Saturday February 18 will be nothing like you’ve seen before. Premier Events promises a unique event experience starting with a red carpet, valet services, a ‘love potion’ aka drinks right when you enter the venue, a 3-course meal and a big surprise for everyone once the night winds down as you enjoy the show. Advance tickets to the event are currently available on mymookh.com and MPESA Paybill number 314450 for Sh.3000 (Regular), Sh.10,000 (VIP) and Sh.25,000 (VVIP).

called the police on Friday.

The deceased’s brother, Kevin Ochieng, revealed to Magazine Reel that she had been an epileptic and care had to be taken when dealing with her, “Knowing her condition, we always made sure to talk to her every day and visit her at least every month to make sure she is okay.” Cause of death has yet to be established.

Last week another student from Maasai Mara University died after having difficulties with breathing.

nybody searching for a hit of nostalgia and a whiff of the ‘good old days’ look no further, Nokia 3310 is coming to the rescue. This handy little brick of a phone, considered by many to be the ‘strongest’ phone in the world and a battery life of approximately one week, is making a comeback.

The Finish manufacturer behind Nokia HMD Global, announced that after acquiring rights to the phone they would be rolling out a reincarnated version of the beloved device. The seemingly immortal 3310 will be released later this month at the Mobile World Congress along with the launch of the Nokia 3 and 6 --mid-level smartphones and HMD’s first Android offerings.

In a press statement released late last year Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer, HMD Global said, “By building on true Nokia phone hallmarks of leading design and materials, an obsessive focus on the latest technology and solving real-life

issues, we believe we have a unique proposition for consumers. The Nokia 6 marks the first step on our journey, with more to come in 2017.”

We just want to see what the new Nokia 3310 will look like. Reports state that the new version will be more of a revision (boo) than a replay of the model that first hit the market in 2000. This could be a step in the right direction for the Nokia brand as their forays into the smartphone era have been decidedly unsuccessful. The Nokia 3310s will be sold for €59 (Sh.6455) and will be initially available in the European and American markets.

The indestructible

is coming back with a bang

SPORT 13 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

KPL to release fixtures without axed Sofapaka and Muhoroni

E

KPL Chief executive Jack Oguda (right) and FKF president Nick Mwendwa. KPL is set to release fixtures for 2017 without Sofapaka and Muhoroni youth clubs which were axed by FKF.

mbattled Sofapaka FC and Muhoroni Youth will not be included in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) fixtures set to be released tomorrow. with the 2017 season set to kick off on February 25.

KPL CEO Jack Oguda said the fixtures will include promoted sides Nzoia United and Kariobangi Sharks but with a room for the axed duo should the Sports and Dispute Tribunal rule in their favour.

“We don’t want any further delay. The fixture should be out by the weekend for the 16 teams. Depending on the directions of the Tribunal, we can always make amends,” Oguda said.

The league had been set to start last weekend but was suspended by the federation following the decision by KPL to release a 16-team fixture, which included Sofapaka and Muhoroni Youth who were demoted for failure to meet club licensing regulations.

It is now expected to kick off on the weekend of 25th February.

Consequently, the two demoted clubs moved to the tribunal to challenge the federation’s decision and the case is set to go into full hearing on March 2. The case came up for mention on Tuesday.

KPL will now release a 16-team fixture which will include Nakumatt and Zoo Kericho who were promoted by the federation in anticipation of an 18-team league. The tribunal will make a decision on whether Muhoroni and Sofapaka were unduly demoted and if so they will be reinstated into the league and play catch up fixtures in what will then be an 18-team KPL. @amos_x254

Gor, AFC in rare unity against Fifa Arch rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have put a rare united front against world football governing body Fifa, questioning the organisation’s decision to investigate their transfer dealings.

Fifa officials are expected in the country before the weekend to extensively probe allegations lodged against them by players who claim they were not paid their transfer monies by the clubs.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier (pictured) said the club has not been briefed on the coming visit Fifa while insisting all dealing by the club have strictly followed the law.

“I am reading all this in the local dailies, In fact as club we gave nothing to fear about since there is nothing to hide or in that matter we’ve not gone against the laid down rules and regulations concerning transfers,” Rachier weighed in.

Rachier further hinted the visit is suspect coming at a time the

former Kenyan Premier League chairman is entangled in the feud between Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Nick Mwendwa and the club chairman.

“The writings are on the wall and it seems someone is out to frustrate the club. I am afraid that is not the right channel to solve issues,” Rachier further said.

Rachier also said Gor have filed their financial returns of the past two years with FKF as required while saying the delay in the 2017 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) kick-off is unhealthy for the sport.

Dan Mule, chairman FC Leopards acknowledged there might have been cases of the club failing to remit transfer monies to players in the previous regimes something he distanced his administration from.

“All the dealings we have conducted since taking over are on the table and there is nothing to hide in that regard.

If there were irregularities before, they should have been dealt with at that time. I feel like someone is trying to drag us to the mad,” Mule said. @amos_x254

14

SPORT

Mourinho laments United’s fixture trouble THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

PHOTO: ALBANO ANGILLETTA/EPA

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has predicted a fixture congestion for his side saying the Old Trafford outfit “will be in trouble” in April and May if they continue to progress in the Europa League and the FA Cup. The Portuguese is worried about fixture congestion towards the end of the season.

United, who entertain Saint-Etienne in the Europa League tonight, are at Championship side Blackburn in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

“We cannot choose competitions at Manchester United,” said Mourinho.

United have played 38 competitive games this season, including 25 in the Premier League, five in the EFL Cup and two in the FA Cup. They will play a minimum of 65 games if they reach the FA Cup and the Europa League finals.

Their next top-flight match is at home to Bournemouth on 4 March, by which time Mourinho could have secured his first major trophy as United boss.

His side face Southampton in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on 26 February, which means the league derby at Manchester City scheduled for the same day has been postponed.

They are scheduled to visit Southampton in the Premier League on 12 March but that match will also be postponed if United reach the sixth round of the FA

Cup. “We know our situation is really complicated,” added Mourinho.

“The Europa League is a competition where we play on Thursdays and that makes it even more difficult for us.

“With the accumulation of FA Cup, League Cup and match postponed it is really hard for us.

“If you progress in the competitions, we will be in trouble in April and May. But we cannot choose competitions so we play to win.”

Tonight’s Europa League last-32 first leg tie at Old Trafford will be their seventh in this season’s competition. That cup provides United with one of two possible routes into next season’s Champions League with the winner of the May 24 final getting a Champions League spot.

United are sixth in the Premier League, two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal with 13 matches remaining.

Mourinho added: “We have two doors still open. But we are in the last 32 - not eight or four so there is a long way to go. There is also a long way to go in the Premier League.”

Captain Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are out of tonight’s squad with what Mourinho said are “little muscular problems.”

“Wayne and Carrick, I don’t want to say ‘injuries’ because I don’t think we are

speaking about injuries,” he said adding that the duo will be rested.

Tonight’s clash is set to see United midfielder Paul Pogba, 23, go up against his older brother.

Florentin Pogba, 26, is poised to line up in Saint-Etienne’s defence at Old Trafford.

He marked the “magical” encounter against younger brother by having the numbers 19 and six shaved into his hair their squad numbers.

“The 19 is my squad number and the six is for him,” said Florentin. “It’s going to be a magical moment and I hope he and I enjoy it the best we can.”

Their mother, Yeo, will be at the first leg and next Wednesday’s return fixture in France, enjoying the “one-off ” occasion to the maximum.

Mourinho said: “I think mother Pogba is in trouble, which is normal.

“It is not difficult for the lady to choose, it is impossible. I know from Paul that his mum wants a draw.

“But next week, one son will be happy and another will be sad. But only for their mum is it a problem.

“For them, I think they will enjoy playing against each other. Paul is excited. It is a good thing.”

Saint-Etienne are fifth in Ligue 1, 19 points behind leaders Monaco.

SPORT 15

Atletico’s Griezmann plays down Premier League link THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

UAE League rules Gyan hair unethical

Ghanaian international striker Asamoah Gyan (above) is among a group of more than 40 players deemed to have “unethical hair” under United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAEFA) guidelines.

The 31-year-old is on loan at Dubai-based Arabian Gulf League side Al Ahli from Shanghai SIPG. Some Islamic teachings ban ‘Qaza’ hairstyles, where only part of the head is shaved.

Individual match referees judge whether players’ haircuts are appropriate.

Some match officials in the United Arab Emirates enforce the rules because they are concerned about children copying the styles.

Similar guidelines have been enforced in neighbouring countries. In 2012, Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah was told to cut his “un-Islamic” hair by the referee before playing for his club side Al Shabab.

The UAEFA sends a player’s club a warning letter in the first instance, with punishments escalating to a fine and then a suspension if he does not comply. Gyan is one of 46 players at the warning letter stage.

Antoine Griezmann has distanced himself from a Premier League move by saying he is happy at Atletico Madrid.

The France forward, voted Euro 2016’s player of the tournament, also praised the impact Atletico boss Diego Simeone has had on his career amid reports the player could leave this summer.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have been linked with a move for 25-year-old Griezmann.

But he told Fifa’s website: “I feel great at the club and in Madrid.”

He added: “On a personal level I’m very happy, and in football terms we’re about to move to a new stadium, which is very important.

“Simeone has changed me. He’s brought so many things to my game.

I wouldn’t have been regarded as one of the best players in the world if it weren’t for him.

“We’ll just have to see what the future brings, but for now I’m very happy here and I hope to win trophies with this club.”

Griezmann joined Atletico in 2014 for a reported £24m from fellow Spanish club Real Sociedad, who signed him as a 14-year-old.

Speaking to French radio station RMC on Tuesday, Griezmann said that, if he were to leave Madrid, he would prefer to stay in Spain.

“Who knows how the season will finish? If it finishes badly, maybe I will ask myself the question, but then where would I go?” he said.

“In Spain, Barcelona have Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, and a move to Real Madrid would be impossible because I play for Atletico.

“Germany is not a league that appeals to me, France, not right now, and as for England, I do watch the Premier League but I have doubts about the lifestyle. Rain, bad weather, I need to be happy off the pitch.

“I like the style of play in England and that the referees let the game flow and the grounds are always full, but the Spanish league is better suited to my style of play.”

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Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring a goal for Atletico Madrid.

PHOTO: ALBANO ANGILLETTA/EPA

THURSDAY, FEBURARY 16, 2017

MOURINHO LAMENTS UNITED’S CROWDED FIXTURES AHEAD OF EUROPA CLASH

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Real recover to beat Napoli

Real Madrid came from a goal down to beat Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The visitors took the lead after Keylor Navas was caught off guard by a superb Lorenzo Insigne strike inside eight minutes.

Karim Benzema headed the equaliser past Pepe Reina from Dani Carvajal’s cross 11 minutes later. Carvajal delivered a sumptuous cross with the outside of his boot to tee up the Frenchman for his 51st goal in Europe. His powerful header sees him move up to fifth in the competition’s alltime leading scorers, overtaking Thierry Henry.

Toni Kroos put the hosts ahead early in the second half, before a stunning volley from Casemiro sealed the win.

Napoli will host the second leg on 7 March, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

“We’ll go there to a difficult ground where we’ll suffer and it is still an open game. We need to go there and finish it off with our 3-1 advantage,” Zidane said.

Thiago of Bayern Munich celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal during their UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena, in Munich, Germany, last night. PHOTO: LENNART PREISS/EPA

Wenger: Arsenal mentality collapsed A

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13 KPL set to omit axed clubs in fixtures

rsenal “mentally collapsed” in their Champions League last 16 first-leg hammering at Bayern Munich, said manager Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners suffered a 5-1 defeat at the Allianz Arena, which included four secondhalf goals after they lost defender Laurent Koscielny to injury.

It leaves them facing elimination in the first knockout round for a seventh successive season.

“It’s difficult to explain,” Wenger told BT Sport.

“Just before half-time we had two good chances to score. We came back and played well.

“In the second half we lost Koscielny very quickly - he came off at 1-1 - and finally we collapsed. Bayern are a better team than us as well.

“I felt the third goal was a killer for our

players because after that we had no response.”

Arjen Robben fired Bayern into the lead, but Arsenal fought back and equalised when Alexis Sanchez followed up and finished his own saved penalty.

However, in the second half the Gunners capitulated, as Bayern excelled in a 10-minute period during which Robert Lewandowski restored Bayern’s lead before Thiago Alcantara scored twice.

Substitute Thomas Muller scored late on to surely put the tie beyond Wenger’s men.

Asked if Arsenal require “miracles” to now progress, Wenger replied: “Of course.”

The Frenchman fielded only three questions in his official post-match interview, which lasted less than three minutes.

Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti has been under a little pressure despite his side sitting seven points clear at the top of the

Bundesliga. But last night’s result saw them break a Champions League record as they sealed their 16th consecutive home win.

However, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss refused to say the tie was over before the return leg at Emirates Stadium on 7 March.

“The performance was good,” said the Italian, who has won the Champions League three times as a manager.

“We played really well, but it’s not the final. We need to play the second game unfortunately.

“The result is really important, but we don’t want to make a mistake.

We have an advantage but we have to prepare for the next game in London.

“We want to play like we did tonight - same intensity, same spirit, same concentration.

We want to avoid problems.”

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