THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | www.x254.co
2
KIDERO: MY RIVALS ARE JUST JOB SEEKERS GOVERNOR DISMISS HIS CHALLENGERS SAYING THEY HAVE NO AGENDA TO DEVELOP THE CITY AND
NEWS
ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN SECURING JOB OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN SALARY
14
FKF BOSS NICK MWENDWA TOLD TO CEDE GROUND IN TALKS WITH LEAGUE BODY KPL
Court declares Kenya refugee repatriation order illegal The High Court has today declared the move by the government to close the Dadaab camp illegal. Judge John Mativo gave several reasons for reaching that conclusion and chief among them was that it violated the principle of non-refoulement. Non-refoulement being the practice of not forcing refugees or asylum seekers to return to a country in which they are liable to be subjected to persecution. The only legitimate exceptions, he said, being in the case of a threat to national security or individual conviction of a refugee and only then of a crime of grave nature.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
GONZALO HIGUAIN SCORES TO FIRE JUVE TO NINE POINTS ATOP THE SERIE A TABLE
Uhuru tours Nairobi, Raila goes to Garissa in race for numbers Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with Mbalambala MP Abdikadir Aden when he landed in Garissa ahead of his voter mobilisation tour of the North Eastern Kenya County today.
President Uhuru Kenyatta (with back on top of a car) addresses people at the Machakos Bus stop in Nairobi during his tour of various city estates to mobilise residents to register as voters today.
2
NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017
Why there is low voter registration in Nyanza region
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero when he visited Dipoto Kufro in South C last week. Dr Kidero has today dismissed his rivals as a bunch of job seekers who cannot deliver any services to nairobians. PHOTO: COURTESY
Kidero attacks his rivals, says they are job seekers
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has taken a swipe at his challengers in the coming general election terming them ‘job seekers’. He said his rivals are selfish, greedy and not ready to serve city residents. In apparent attack to the six aspirants who have declared interest to unseat him, Dr Kidero said the contestants are not vying to offer services to people of Nairobi but rather to secure job opportunities and earn wages. Former Presidential candidate Peter Kenneth, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, MP Johnson Sakaja (Nominated), Dennis Waweru (Dagoretti South) and former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru are all seeking to unseat Kidero as does lawyer Miguna Miguna and businesswoman Esther Passaris. “The people who are candidates for Governor of Nairobi now, are simply looking for opportunities to earn money,” Kidero said during an interview on Citizen TV’s Power
Breakfast show today. He said leadership is not about being self-centered but providing services to the community and the electorates, which according to him is contrary to what his opponents are pushing for. “Leadership is not about control but it is service, and you can serve in any capacity,” he said. Kidero particularly hit out at Peter Kenneth who only a week ago declared his tenure at City Hall a failure. He said the former Gatanga MP does not need to be a governor to solve problems facing Kenyans. “I have never seen any of them come to public participation organised by the county to have their input collaborated in our plans. But suddenly, see everyone wants to be governor, they are seeking jobs to get paid,” Dr Kidero said. While launching his bid to contest for the Nairobi governor’s seat on a Jubilee ticket, Mr Kenneth told worshippers at Jesus Winner Church in Nairobi that
time had come for Nairobi residents to have a manager with a track record, “and not just any manager, as 45 per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product is in the capital city”. That statement has since been interpreted by the Governor as belittling of his administration. “For Peter Kenneth, if it was in my younger days I would have said; ‘Usiniletee’, Kidero responded when asked about the remarks. He however said that he is not afraid of facing any of his opponents at the August 8th polls. The governor said his administration remains focused on serving Nairobi residents even as he seeks more partnerships to develop the county. “I am busy serving Nairobi. Nairobians cannot be duped, they will choose the best to run Nairobi,” he said. @hillary_x254
Lack of National Identification cards is to blame for the failure of Nyanza region to realise its voter registration targets. Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda said the low turnout is not due to lack of interest from locals as many have been made to believe but because people in the area do not have ID cards. “In Bondo, there are over 60,000 youths with waiting cards that have been queuing every day for the vital document but are yet to get it,” Ochanda told journalists at parliament buildings. “Our main undoing has been lack of IDs as there are many people queuing for the cards than in the registration centres,” Ochanda added. He urged the electoral commission to consider extending the registration deadline so that those with waiting cards can get IDs and register. “It is not their mistake not to get identity cards at the correct time, extension of the deadline will therefore be necessary,” he argued. Should IEBc fail to extend the deadline, then it should devise a way of accommodating those who have applied for IDs and are still waiting for them. Figures released by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission indicated that only 2.1 million voters have registered after three weeks since the ongoing month-long Mass Voter Registration (MVR) exercise began. IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati expressed concern over
the low turnout, with less than a week left in the campaign. “The Commission recorded 2,164,185 applicants for registration as voters in the third week of the month long campaign. This is only half the weekly target (50.54pc),” he stated. The commission’s target is to register six million new voters During the first week of MVR 825,145 voters were listed while in the second week 1,539,879 voters were registered halfway to the end of the exercise on February 14. In the third week, 624,306 voters were registered. According to new IEBC statistics released on Tuesday, Central registered 318,457 voters, 62.2 per cent of the IEBC target. Rift Valley, on the other hand registered 497,313 voters, translating to 58.7 per cent. Eastern, Nyanza, Coast and Western registered 348,977, 248,390, 238, 499 and 185,683 respectively. Cord leader Raila Odinga yesterday accused the government of holding the identity cards of most people in NASA strongholds. “It’s not that our people are not registering but they don’t have identity cards which have been held,” Odinga said. IEBC chief executive Ezra Chiloba seemed to conquer with the politixians saying even the commission does not understand the low voter turnout. Chiloba said some reasons maybe political and beyond their reach as a commission. sam_x254
Uhuru tours Nairobi as Raila goes to Garissa in race for numbers President Uhuru Kenyatta took his voter mobilization drive to Nairobi’s Eastlands today while his political nemesis Raila Odinga toured Garissa County as the race for voter numbers enters the homestretch. There are only five days remaining before the mass voter registration closes with IEBC figures showing more than half of those targeted in the drive are yet to register. The electoral body was targeting to add six million new voters in its roll but only 2.1 million had been enlisted after three weeks of registration. Such statistics are troubling to politicians with the two
leading presidential candidates crisscrossing the country to ramp up numbers before the exercise comes to a close. An itinerary of President Kenyatta released by State House showed he was to tour various parts of Nairobi in the voter listing drive. The Jubilee party leader was to begin his tour at Haile Selassie Avenue then proceed on to Landhies Road, Country Bus Station and Burma Market during which he was to address series of rallies. From Burma, Mr Kenyatta was scheduled to visit Jerusalem Estate, Uhuru Estate, Umoja, Kayole, Njiru, Mwiki, Kasarani and Kahawa West before concluding
his Thursday tour by going through Mathare, Kangemi and Dagoretti corner. “We have come out to ask our people who are residents of the city of Nairobi to come out and register as voters to enable them elect leaders of their choice,” President Kenyatta said during a stopover near Country Bus Station. President Kenyatta discourage the notion that people go back to their rural villages to register when they live and work in the capital. “Why would you go back to the village to vote there when you live and work here? This is your city and this is where you should vote,” he said
At the same time, opposition chief Raila Odinga was in Garissa to mobilise potential voters to take the step and get registered. Mr Odinga landed in Garissa at about 10am today and was received by Governor Nathif Jama and his Wajir counterpart Abdullahi Mohamed among other leaders. Another opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka went to Mombasa where his Wiper party scheduled to conduct roadside shows in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale in the coming days. Mr Musyoka was expected to hold a rally at Kadongo grounds in Kisauni constituency and thereafter lead a caravan in Mombasa and Kilifi counties.
Opposition chief Raila Odinga with Mbalambala MP Abdikader Aden when he landed in garissa earlier today. PHOTO: COURTESY
NEWS 3
Ministers among public servants warned against voter mobilisation campaigns THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017
Cabinet Secretaries are among public servants who have been told to keep off voter mobilization campaigns or risk legal action against them. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has warned it could take action against public servants using underhand and illegal techniques to mobilise Kenyans to register as voters. LSK is concerned that some civil servants have gone to the extent of offering citizens basic government services on condition that they show proof of registration as voters. In a letter to Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairperson Margaret Kobia, LSK President Isaac Okero noted that such display by the officers amount to gross violation of the right of every Kenyan citizen as enshrined under Article 38 of the Constitution which entitles them to make independent political choices. The lawyers’ body says that the officers threatening non-registered citizens have come in the form of withholding of public services or relief food, denial of bursary and other financial services or the refusal of employment opportunities unless proof of voter registration is availed. “Voting and the requirement to be registered is not an obligation under the laws of Kenya,” Okero said. He urged the PSC to consider issuing a warning to those involved and the people to report any incidents. “This communication shall give assurance to the public that violation of their constitutional rights
Deputy President William Ruto and Energy CS Charles Keter at a polling station in Narok County during one of his voter mobilisation campaigns last month.
by the unlawful actions of public officers will not be tolerated,” he said. The Constitution bars public servants and state
officers from engaging in politics but this appears to have been ignored ahead of the August election.
Mobilise people to come out and register, Nyumba Kumi agents told
Chairpersons of Nyumba Kumi clusters have been told to help the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in mobilising people to register as voters. Chairman of the Nyumba Kumi initiative Joseph Kaguthi made the appeal today. He said the community participatory initiative can help the electoral commission ramp up registration amid fears that their six million target may not be realized by the end of the exercise in five days-time. “We are recommending that the chairpersons and the secretaries of the clusters we established, please take your rightful position and take the responsibilities as required,” Kaguthi told a press conference in Nairobi today. “Members of that cluster elected you, and therefore members expect good leadership when it
comes to national mobilisation functions like the on-going mass voter registration exercise,” he added. The Chairman noted that the seriousness that the leadership of the country has given the exercise should serve as an example to the clusters heads. In the country there are 292070 Nyumba Kumi clusters recognised by the general
administration according to Kaguthi. Kaguthi reckoned that the cluster heads should first convene a meeting in their respective jurisdiction so that they adopt the mass voter registration as an agenda for them. “Each member or parent should get everyone registered asa voter because the impact will be good for the country,” he noted. However, he warned that groupings should not dwell so much on politics since it is not part of their work. “The decision who to be elected to which position should be left to members to decide. The chairmen of clusters are only groups of interest, they are autonomous” he advised. The Nyumba Kumi Initiative was formed in November 2013 in response to a string of terror attacks, gang violence and robberies around the country. @hillary_x254
This comes even as cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries and senior public servants have been deployed to their counties to push for voter registration in perceived Jubilee strongholds. Some of the CS enlisted include Joseph Nkaissery (Interior Securiity), Fred Matiang’i (Education), Jacob Kaimenyi (Lands), Cecily Kariuki (Gender and Public Service), Charles Keter (Energy) and James Macharia (Transport). The County Government of Vihiga is among counties forcing people to register as voters before seeking public services in the country. According to a memo circulated to public departments in the county, only patients are be exempted from the directive issued by Governor Moses Akaranga last month. Mombasa Woman Representative Mishi Mboko has also urged fellow women to use sex as a weapon to raise the number of registered voters while bar owners in Murang’a are reportedly requiring patrons to show proof of registration before they could buy alcohol. Residents of Simba Chai in Busia County were yesterday an angry lot after they claimed that registration officials at Amukura were demanding a Sh200 bribe before they could issue them with IDs while those who did not have birth certificates were denied application forms for the vital document. @harrison_x254
Court declares Kenya refugee repatriation order illegal Continued from page 1
“Not a single case of arrest or conviction was presented before me,” he said. In both instances however, he said, it could not be applied as generally as the government had done. An act he described as tantamount to “group persecution” and therefore a violation of the right to dignity by ascribing the status of “criminal” to the community of Somali refugees. The refugees’ right to fair administrative action, Mativo found, was also violated by the decision to uproot their lives taken without their being allowed a say. The government, Justice Mativo found, not only failed to adduce evidence of their criminality but also failed to present tangible proof to the court – either through expert testimony or a credible report – that the situation in Somali had normalised. It also failed to demonstrate how the limitation of the refugees’ individual rights served a greater good. He therefore pulled no punches when he described the action as not only illegal but discriminatory and unjustified. Given the foregoing, he declared the
decision to close the Dadaab camp “or forcefully repatriate refugees anywhere in Kenya” null and void and took the remedial action of ordering the reinstatement of the Department of Refugee Affairs which was disbanded by the Ministry of Interior on taking the decision to repatriate Somali refugees. Amnesty International which was a party to the case has welcomed the ruling describing it as, “historic.” “This crucial ruling will determine the fate of more than a quarter of a million, mostly Somali, refugees currently living in Dadaab. It also represents a major step in efforts towards halting forced returns of refugees to Somalia where we have evidence that they are at risk of serious human rights abuses,” said Muthoni Wanyeki, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes. At the same time, the World Bank announced a Sh10.3 billion fund for communities refugees in Kenya. World Bank Country Director for Kenya Diariétou Gaye who made the announcement said the projects will start in Dadaab in April. www.capitalfm.co.ke
NEWS 5
Ex-PM Farmajo elected Somalia president THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017
Former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo” Mohamed was yesterday elected the new President of Somalia, beating President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a surprise result. Somalia’s MPs finally chose the SomaliUS national to cap a clan-based electoral process that had been widely criticized as corrupt even by the politicians who participated in it. The vote was held at the heavily guarded airport complex in the capital, Mogadishu, as the rest of the country is too dangerous. Traffic was banned and a no-fly zone imposed over the city to prevent attacks by militant Islamists. Despite this, suspected militants fired mortar rounds close to the venue on Tuesday night. Somalia has not had a one-person onevote democratic election since 1969. That vote was followed by a coup, dictatorship and conflict involving clan militias and Islamist extremists. Mr Mohamed’s election is part of a lengthy and complex process to help the Horn of Africa state rebuild its democracy and achieve stability. More than 20,000 African Union (AU) troops are stationed in Somalia to prevent militant Islamist group alShabab from overthrowing the weak government. The new president is popularly known as “Farmajo”, Italian for cheese, because of his love for the dairy product. Much of Somalia was a former Italian colony. Thousands of Somalis quickly took to the streets to celebrate Mr Mohamed victory and cheering soldiers from the Somali army fired into the air, the Associated Press news agency reported. Mr Mohamed is seen as a Somali nationalist, and his chances of winning increased after Somalia’s arch-rival, Ethiopia, was seen to be backing the defeated president. Mr Mohamed obtained 184 votes, compared with 97 for the outgoing president, who accepted defeat, avoiding a third and final vote. “History was made, we have taken this path to democracy, and now I want to congratulate Mohamed Abdullahi
Newly elected Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmajo’ Mohamed (C) speaks after the votes where counted in the presidential election held at the international airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, yesterday. Members of the upper and lower houses voted with 21 candidates for president. PHOTO: SAID YUSUF WARSAME/EPA
Farmajo,” Mr Mohamud said in his concession speech. The election was largely peaceful. The election hall, a converted aircraft hangar packed with MPs, was at the Mogadishu international airport complex. It is viewed as the most secure site in Somalia, as the main AU base is there. The vote was moved to the airport complex from a police academy because of growing fears that al-Shabab could strike. The 2012 presidential vote was held at the academy, and the 2007 and 2004 vote in neighbouring Kenya and Djibouti respectively. All the candidates were male. A woman, Fadumo Dayib, had said she would stand but pulled out saying it was marred by corruption. However she has welcomed Mr Mohamed’s victory.
Zuma orders troops to secure Parliament
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has ordered the deployment of about 440 troops to maintain law and order in parliament for his annual state of the nation address on Thursday. Opposition parties have condemned the decision as a “declaration of war”. Previous addresses by Mr Zuma have been marred by protests and brawls as opposition MPs demanded his resignation. Mr Zuma has been dogged by corruption allegations for more than a decade. A statement from the president’s office released on Tuesday said Mr Zuma had authorised the deployment of soldiers to work with the police. It is the first time that troops will have a security rather than a ceremonial role. According to reports quoted in a local media, intelligence sources have warned there could be massive uprisings at tomorrow’s event. Their alerts prompted fears that the police would not be able to cope on their own. Past state of the nation speeches have been marred by chaos in parliament.
More than 20 entered the race on Wednesday, but the number was reduced to two after two rounds of voting. At least 16 of the original candidates have dual citizenship - nine hold US passports, four UK passports and three Canadian passports, according to a leading Somali private radio station. It means that if US President Donald Trump’s ban on Somali citizens entering the US comes into force again, some of them could be affected. Many Somalis obtained dual nationality after fleeing the decades-long conflict. The US, UK, Kenya and South Africa are among countries where many Somalis have settled. But the threat of al-Shabaab remains big in Somalia. The militants are suspected to have been behind a series of attacks on the
eve of the vote, with two mortar rounds fired close to the voting venue. Residents in Arbacow village outside Mogadishu say militants also attacked an AU base there. Al-Shabab has a presence in much of the southern third of the country and has previously attacked the Somali parliament, presidential palace, courts, hotels and the fortified airport zone. At least 19 politicians, as well as many civilians and soldiers, have been killed in its assaults. Wednesday’s security measures included a ban on flights to and from Mogadishu airport. The new President comes in with his tray full. Apart from achieving stability in a country that has not had a functioning government since the fall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991, he has to tackle
corruption. Unconfirmed reports said votes were being sold for up to $30,000 (£24,000) in a country heavily funded by foreign donors, and where most people are poor. “This is probably the most expensive election, per vote, in history,’’ Mogadishu-based anti-corruption group Marqaati said on Tuesday, the Associated Press news agency reported. Ahead of the vote, the United Nations’ envoy to Somalia, Michael Keating, told the BBC the new president would have to tackle corruption. “It sets the stage for the next president to do something about it. In fact the credibility of the next president will revolve around whether he takes decisive action,” he said. Analysts say holding the election at the airport complex is also aimed at reducing the possibility of vote buying or other corruption during the election process. One good thing though, the President has the backing of both the UN and the AU. The UN and AU see the vote as a building block in efforts to create a stable democracy in the hope that the next president will be chosen in a oneperson one-vote election. They cannot ignore Somalia. It is strategically important for international trade, as it lies along the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Foreign navies, including those of the US and China, have a strong presence in the region. They have succeeded in reducing piracy, which was a very big problem until a few years ago. The US also has a huge military base in neighbouring Djibouti, using it to carry out air strikes on militants in Somalia. Some analysts also fear that the conflict across the sea in Yemen could spill over into Somalia. There have been reports that some groups are smuggling weapons into Yemen via the Eastern African state, increasing pressure on foreign powers to improve security in the region.
US ‘kills Osama Bin Laden ally in Syria’ US forces killed 11 members of al-Qaeda in two air strikes near Idlib in Syria, this month, including a former ally of Osama Bin Laden (pictured), the Pentagon said. Captain Jeff Davis, a spokesman, said 10 operatives were killed in a single strike on 3 February. A second strike on 4 February killed Abu Hani al-Masri, who had close ties to the late al-Qaeda leader, he said. Al-Masri is said to have set up and run al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan during the 1980s and 1990s. He also had close ties to Ayman al-Zawahiri, who became the leader of al-Qaeda when Bin Laden was killed by US forces in 2011. “These strikes disrupt al-Qaeda’s ability to plot and direct external attacks targeting the US and our interests worldwide,” said Capt Davis.
Al-Qaeda’s influence in Syria operates largely through an affiliate jihadist group, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as alNusra Front. The group announced in mid-2016 that it was no longer affiliated with any external group, prompting speculation that it had cut ties with al-Qaeda, although the latter group was not mentioned by name. It is thought that the leadership structure of Fateh al-Sham is still intertwined with alQaeda. A US operation against al-Qaeda in Yemen last week - the first military action authorised by new president Donald Trump - resulted in the death of a Navy Seal and up to 16 civilians, including children, according to reports. Mr Trump’s administration declared the operation a success, saying it had yielded valuable intelligence.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | www.x254.co
BUSINESS
CBK EXCHANGE RATES
Tourism sector to support 1.5m jobs as MICE industry expands
The country’s fame as a conference and business destination is rising fast, with Nairobi, beating Johannesburg to clinch the leading Meetings and Conference City in Africa in 2016. The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sub-sector is set to support the tourism industry, which will account for over 1.5 million jobs this year. This is according to a new report by Jumia Travel, the hospitality arm of leading online retailer, Jumia . In 2015, conference tourism grew to 15.6 per cent from 12 per cent of total number of international arrivals in 2014, with further growth expected in 2017. “Conference tourism is valued at Sh30 billion. Hotels account for 60 per cent of this total value,” said Cyrus Onyiego, Jumia Travel Kenya Country Manager said in an earlier statement. “From the out-look; tourist arrivals are on the increase. In Kenya for instance, as of April 2016, the total tourist arrivals by air were 261,404; a 14 per cent growth when compared to the same period in 2015 when it had 231,038 arrivals. EAC partner states simply complement each other,” said Carmen Nibigira, Jumia Travel Chief Operating Officer for the East Africa Tourist Platform. The tourism sector accounts for 10 per cent of the country’s GDP, second only to agriculture. Kenya’s The sector’s contribution to employment in the country stood at 9.3 per cent in 2015.
1 US DOLLAR 1 UK POUND 1 EURO 1 S.A RAND 1 KSH/USH 1 KSH/TSH
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala (left), Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed (right) at a handing over ceremony at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre during last year’s TICAD VI event. The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sub-sector is set to support the tourism industry, which will account for over 1.5 million jobs this year. This is expected to rise by 1.1 per cent in 2016 to 1,582,000 jobs and rise by 2.9 per cent pa in 2026, overall contributing to 9.5 per cent of total employment. “Kenya continues to attract hotel investments; great evidence of the global investor confidence in the country’s tourism sector. A number of new hotel chains opened in 2016, increasing the bed count by over 2,000. These include among others Radisson Blu, Golden Tulip, Royal Tulip. Many
other luxurious hotels are still in development and a number of them should open in 2017: Hilton Garden Inn and Hilton Upper Hill - which will make the continent’s tallest hotel, City Lodge Hotel Group will also open a property by the same title at the much hyped Two Rivers Mall, while Four Points by Sheraton will brand its second property, which has been operating as Best Western Premier,” Onyiego added. “The government is supporting the
Islamic banking group moves to increase appeal for sharia-compliant products The Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI),has unveiled a plan to improve corporate governance in the industry and increase the consumer appeal of sharia-compliant financial products. The group, which is a global body for Islamic finance has issued a draft standard on centralized sharia boards, is seeking industry feedback on the proposed standard until the end of this month, aiming to make the final version effective from January 2018. The proposed rules come at a time when Islamic banks are trying to widen their appeal to consumers in core markets of the Middle East and Southeast Asia, while opening up entirely new ones - particularly across Africa. It follows the introduction of Sharia-compliant products in the Kenyan market. In 2015, the National Bank of Kenya opened 25,000 accounts in its Islamic banking window, National Amanah. It has since emerged that a majorityof the accounts are held by non-Muslims. Islamic banks have traditionally established internal Sharia boards, employing scholars to rule on whether their
products are religiously permissible. Such self-regulation proved useful in the early years of the industry, but the establishment of independent sharia boards at the national level to encourage homogeneous transactions that are cheap and quick to structure is gaining traction. Bahrain-based AAOIFI said the standard would encourage convergence of industry practices by avoiding contradictory rulings and fostering consistency across products and services. “This will, in turn, increase the credibility of the Islamic finance industry and boost the confidence of its clients and investors in Islamic financial institutions and their offerings,” the organisation explained The standard covers the appointment and optimal composition of sharia boards, fit and proper criteria of scholars, as well as steps to ensure the independence of their rulings. While it does not prescribe term limits for scholars, it does require sharia boards to implement a rotation policy for its members while including members with expertise in areas such as accounting and law.
growing MICE frontier by establishing conferencing centers of international repute - like the planned center at the Bomas of Kenya. With this in mind, hotels too have stepped up to care for the business traveler with installation of state-of-technology business center and conferencing facilities, and improvement in service speed as well as extra services,” said Issa Latiff, Head of Revenue for the Royal Tulip Hotel. @Dennis_x254
MEAN 103.6989 129.6383 110.7389 7.7075 34.5520 21.5721
BUY SELL 103.5989 103.7989 129.4950 129.7817 110.6167 110.8611 7.6957 7.7192 34.4705 34.6336 21.5031 21.6412
Leaders urged to rethink approach to governance ahead of polls A new World Bank policy report has urged developing countries and international development agencies to rethink their approach to governance as a key to overcoming challenges related to security, growth, and equity. The analysis comes just as new provisions in Kenya’s recent Constitution enshrine openness, accountability and public participation as guiding principles for public financial management. “Yet, as citizen engagement practitioners know, translating participation laws into meaningful action on the ground is no simple task,” World Bank Senior Public Sector Specialist, Tiago Carneiro Peixoto said in a previous statement. The 2017 World Development Report: Governance and the Law explores how unequal distribution of power in a society interferes with policies’ effectiveness. Power asymmetries help explain, for example, why model anti-corruption laws and agencies often fail to curb corruption, why decentralization does not always improve municipal services; or why well-crafted fiscal policies may not reduce volatility and generate longterm savings. The report notes that when policies and technical solutions fail to achieve intended outcomes, institutions often take the blame. It finds that countries and donors need to think more broadly to improve governance so that policies succeed. It defines better governance as the process through which state and non-state groups interact to implement policies.
Chloride Exide to supply low-income consumers with affordable electricity Low-income Kenyans who are not connected to the national grid are set to be supplied with cheap and renewable energy. This comes after Chloride Exide, a leader in the supply of backup energy today announced plans to reach out to vulnerable Kenyans who have not been connected to the national power grid. Speaking to X News, Chloride Exide General Manager, Karanja Njoroge said the firm currently produces over 80 MW of power each year and that can supplement government efforts in electricity diversification. “We are seeking to reach out to over 30 organisations and those poor Kenyans who are not connected to the grid at a cheaper cost,” he said adding that those who are already connected but need power backup will also benefit from the drive. The move comes at a time when the government has lowered the cost of electricity connections to as little as
Sh15,000. However, some Kenyans are unable to raise the funds needed to cover the cost of connectivity. Analysts say that electricity has the potential to unlock thousands of opportunities creating employment and improving the living standards of consumers. Data from the Energy Ministry shows that 1 per cent of the country’s total power comes from solar energy, a sector that Chloride Exide has focused on in recent years. The announcement comes just days after Deputy President William Ruto confirmed that Kenyans living near transformers will be connected to power without incurring any charges. Addressing grassroots leaders and Jubilee aspirants at Matuga Government School in Kwale County earlier this month,the DP said the connections will enable the country achieve universal electricity supply in three years.
BUSINESS 7
Adopt better policies to address food insecurity, WBG urges state
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017
Improving agriculture regulations in low and middle income countries like Kenya could go a long way toward feeding the world’s growing population and improving farmers’ livelihoods around the world, says the latest edition of the World Bank Group’s (WBG’s) Enabling the Business of Agriculture (EBA) 2017 report. The report, which was released earlier this week, argues that, while many countries are already home to strong, commercially-oriented agriculture, more needs to be done, for example, by lowering transaction costs for farmers and firms engaged in domestic trade and exports, by improving water permit systems for irrigation, or by providing better conditions for microfinance institutions. The report comes at a time when Kenya is broadly self sufficient in major food items except in cases involving drought. Chronic vulnerability to drought is concentrated in arid and semi-arid areas, according to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture. Up to 5 million people in these areas are vulnerable and require humanitarian assistance from time to time. The Ministry states that special attention is given to these areas in terms of specific projects, which include provision of water for domestic use and for livestock and preservation of traditional drought management systems, in addition to the utilization of drought-tolerant crop varieties and rearing of droughtadapted livestock breeds. The World Bank analysis states that smart regulations that ensure safety and quality control while avoiding burdensome and inefficient requirements are highlighted in the report as good practices that
Britam Asset Managers CEO Kenneth Kaniu speaking during the release of Kenya’s Economic growth report at the Stanley Hotel today. Photo:Gitobu Edwin/XNews governments may wish to consider as part of their reform efforts. “Sustainable, inclusive investments in the agriculture and food sectors help create jobs – on farms, in markets, cities, towns and villages and throughout the farm-to-table food production and supply chains – which, alongside improved access to affordable and balanced, diverse diets, are key to fighting extreme poverty and for boosting shared prosperity,” said Preeti Ahuja, Practice Manager, World Bank Food and Agriculture Global Practice. “Governments have a key role to play in supporting economically, socially and environmentally responsible policies
and practices that help smallholders while removing burdensome processes that add to food costs and discourage agribusinesses from entering the market,” Ahuja added. The latest EBA report, the third in an annual series, presents data on legal barriers for farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses operating in agriculture in 62 countries and across the topics of land, seed, fertilizer, machinery, water, livestock, finance, markets, transport, and information and communication technology (ICT). The 2017 edition also expands its survey of laws and regulations that impact environmental sustainability.
“Government regulations affect agricultural development through several dimension, including agricultural inputs such as seed, fertilizer, land and water, as well as small-scale and remote farmers’ access to financial services,” said Federica Saliola, Program Manager, World Bank Vice Presidency for Development Economics. “Boosting agribusinesses requires public policies and regulations that foster growth in the agriculture and food sectors, improve the functioning of markets, and enable agribusinesses and food entrepreneurs to better meet the growing demand for food,” Saliola added.
Firms lose 20 per cent of revenue to cyber crime in 2016
Over one-third of organisations lost at least 20 per cent of their total revenues to cyber-attacks in 2016, a new report by multinational tech company, Cisco has revealed. According to the 2017 Annual Cybersecurity Report (ACR), over onethird of organisations that experienced a breach in 2016 reported substantial customer, opportunity and revenue loss of more than 20 per cent. “The 2017 ACR revealed the potential financial impact of attacks on businesses, from enterprises to SMBs where more than 50 per cent of organisations faced public scrutiny after a security breach,” read the report. The report, which surveyed nearly 3,000 chief security officers, further revealed that operations and finance systems were the most affected, followed by brand reputation and customer retention. These developments come just as global tech giant IBM is investing $70 million (Sh7.3 billion) to build digital, cloud, and cognitive IT skills to help support a 21st century workforce in Africa. The initiative, “IBM Digital - Nation Africa”, provides a cloud-based learning platform designed to provide free skills development programmes for up to 25 million African youths over five years, enabling digital competence and nurturing innovation in Africa. It is part of IBM’s global push to build the next generation of skills needed for ‘New Collar’ careers. ‘New Collar’ is a term used by IBM to describe new kinds of careers that do not always require a four-year college degree but rather sought-after skills in cybersecurity. The dire effects of cyber-crime saw 40 per cent of organisations lose more than 20 per cent of their customer base, 29 per cent lost revenue, with 38 percent of that group losing more than 20 per cent of revenue. Furthermore, 23 per cent of breached organisations lost business opportunities.
Safaricom, CA and NEMA launch telecommunication safety booklet Voice, data, financial services and enterprise solutions provider Safaricom, in line with its proactive commitment to creating a sustainable and responsible business, has partnered with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Communications Authority (CA), to launch an information booklet on the safe use of telecommunication equipment. The launch comes just as majority of scientific opinion, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), finds that there is no clear evidence that mobile phones or base stations present pose any risk to human health. “We have a responsibility to ensure that we conduct our business with an emphasis on being transparent in our operations. This booklet seeks to ensure that our customers – who remain an integral stakeholder in the future of growth – understand the
latest information on our expanding network,” said Bob Collymore, CEO, Safaricom. Speaking during the launch of the booklet titled: ‘The Answer Is In Your Hands,’ Geoffrey Wahungu, DirectorGeneral, NEMA said: “This timely publication provides information that will go a long way towards demystifying how mobile phones and telecommunications masts work while addressing any fears on radio waves”. The latest Communication Authority Statistics indicate that Kenya has more than 38 million active mobile phone users. East Africa is home to a high number of telecommunications masts, with an estimated 6,000 in Kenya alone. The booklet is available for free from NEMA and Communications Authority offices as well as Safaricom shops countrywide. @kevin_x254
Lawrence Orik demonstrates to Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, Director Compliance and Enforcement NEMA, David Ong’are and Secretary Administration Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Mr. William Kiprono how to use use a spectrum analyzer during the launch of Electromagnetic Field Book
8
NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 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 9, 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
German firms sharpen focus on East Africa at Nairobi summit THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017
Nairobi has today Thursday, February 9, 2017 hosted more than 450 delegates for the second German African Business Summit (GABS). More than half of the delegates present were from Germany, underlining the $3.73 trillion (Sh386.43 trillion) economy’s deepening interest in the region. “Africa is a major priority for the German Government, also in the context of Germany’s G20 Presidency. This Summit offers a great platform for the opportunities available in subSaharan Africa for investing, trading, learning and connecting - both for business and for the government,” said the new German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Brigitte Zypries, during the opening ceremony at a Nairobi hotel. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Amina Mohamed, was present at the opening ceremony. Dr. Gerd Müller, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, was likewise present at the opening ceremony and lauded Africa’s potential. He noted that the GABS highlighted Germany’s commitment to shifting its cooperation with Africa from aid to trade. “Public money has to mobilise private investment, for instance through government guarantees. Private investment has to be increased and protected against risks. We need a paradigm shift, a new dimension of cooperation.” noted Dr Müller. The first GABS in 2015 was held in Berlin but this year’s has taken place in Africa for the first time. The choice for
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L) shakes hands with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (R) while the German economy delegation stands in the background in Nairobi, Kenya, 22 February 2015. EPA/MICHAEL KAPPELER Nairobi is indicative of Kenya’s growing profile as the business hub of the region. CS Rotich and CS Mohamed met with their respective German counterparts where both governments signed agreements on the project of a joint East African-German University of Applied Sciences. They also agreed on a joint initiative to enhance technical and vocational training in Kenya.
The first day of the Nairobi Summit was marked by dialogue between German and African delegates on issues such as the economic growth drivers in Africa, regional economic integration and emerging business opportunities in the region and innovation and digitisation. Day two of the Summit will focus on trade finance, economic and political risks in Africa and best practices in
German-African Business models. The German Business Association Kenya is one of the largest and most influential bilateral business associations in the country. It has more than 150 members. Last year alone, five new major companies came to Kenya, including automaker Volkswagen which reopened its assembly plant in Thika after a four-decade hiatus. @kevin_x254
Jumia cuts prices on all hotels for Valentine’s Day Jumia Travel Kenya has slashed prices on all its listed hotels by as much as 50 per cent as the hospitality arm of the leading online retailer looks to capitalise on Valentine’s Day celebrations. The offer includes The Concord Hotel and Suites in Nairobi, Plaza Beach Hotel in Mombasa, Lantana Galu Beach in Diani, Nairobi Safari Club, and Plaza Beach Hotel in Mombasa among others. The offers come just as Kenya’s tourism sector has received renewed support from the government and private sector stakeholders alike. Jumia Travel, a subsidiary of umbrella company, Jumia, states that in 2014, travel contributed 4.1 per cent to the country’s total GDP, highly boosted by an improved budget allocation. However, these efforts were greatly hampered by a spate of terrorist attacks and subsequent travel advisories that marked 2015, resulting to a drop in GDP contribution at 3.8 per cent. The Sh100 billion sector has, however, shown some remarkable improvement towards the end of 2015, as hoteliers in the coastal province, which accounts
for more than 60 per cent of inbound tourist arrivals reported above 80 per cent bookings as compared to 50 per cent made in the previous year during the same period. The positive effects of the efforts were felt in the first quarter of 2016, with
an economic growth of 5.9 per cent, mostly attributed to improved tourism performance especially in the hotel sector. Several high profile visits as well as global conferences such as Africa Travel Association, The World Ministerial Conference and TICAD
A view of Kenya’s Lantana Galu Beach Hotel
boosted new confidence in Kenya as a safe destination. Kenya is recognized worldwide as a leading tourist destination, being the second time holder of the prestigious Leading Safari Destination accolade by the World Travel Awards in 2015. Late last year, Jumia Travel announced the launch of its first holiday packages in Kenya. The package is inclusive of hotel stays, spa treatment, meals transport and tour guide where applicable. “The move is part of the company’s initiative to promote domestic tourism in this country, as we approach the peak season,” explained Jumia Travel CEO, Paul Midy. Midy said that the move will be ideal for families, couples, groups of friends and corporate groups. “Almost 50 per cent of tourism in Kenya is domestic tourism; at the same time, our regional partnersUganda and Rwanda are aggressively marketing domestic tourism & even launched domestic tourism marketing initiatives,” explains Jumia Travel Chief Operating Officer - East Africa Tourist Platform, Carmen Nibigira.
UAP Old Mutual moves to sack 100 workers amid sectoral financial crisis UAP Old Mutual has announced plans to lay off about 100 staff in order to reduce its operational expenses. Group CEO, Peter Mwangi said the redundancies are due to a recent review of the Kenya business organisational structure. The move comes just as Bank of Africa Kenya, Standard Chartered, Ecobank, Family Bank, Sidian, and Islamic financier First Community Bank are also retrenching staff to cut costs. The insurance group said in a memo to employees that the restructuring drive begins this month and is expected to conclude in the second week of March. Only its Kenyan businesses will be affected. Mr. Mwangi added that the changes are aimed at eliminating duplication or roles, reducing expenses and strengthening the financial performance of some of the affected businesses. UAP Old Mutual is now the latest Kenyan firm to announce that it will reduce its workforce. A number of banks have laid off workers in a bid to cut costs as lenders look to new technology to streamline their operations. The tea sector has not been spared as an ongoing drought continues to wreak havoc on Kenya’s agriculture industry. Industry trends indicate that thousands of tea sector workers could be sent home this month since the drought has left factories running at excess capacity. It has since emerged that the dry spell, which began in November 2016, has seen tea factories in Nandi, Kericho, Bomet and Narok, in the highlands along the Great Rift Valley, reduce the leaf processing from six days in a week to four. A number of firms, including Nestlé, Tata Chemicals Magadi, Sher Karuturi and Cadbury have cut down their staff numbers in recent years resulting in hundreds of job losses since 2015. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mr Mwangi said affected UAP Old Mutual employees will receive fair compensation. Last year, UAP Old Mutual merged its banking and insurance operations, enabling customers to access all its services under one roof. Mr Mwangi said then that the group’s strategy was to consolidate all its branches countrywide into integrated services by 2018.
13
ACCESS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017
MUJO SIX – COLOURFULLY CONTEMPORARY
12
CLASSIFIED MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2017
EXECUTIVE OFFICE FURNITURE
High back sleek chair Sh.15000
Stackable leather chair Sh. 6000
This label founded by Wale Alesh in 2015 is great because it caters to both men and women. Retailing Africa inspired pieces with of course a contemporary point of view, Mujo Six not only sells original creations but gives up and coming designers an avenue to sell their goods. Skirts, separates and dresses are the prime draw of this line although they do deal in the ordinary wax print that we are accustomed to. Here is a sneak peek into this Nigerian line’s best hits.
Mid-Back mesh chair Sh.8000
Also on offer are Executive office Tables and chairs
For more details;contact us on 0703212008/0733486360 Email:info@executivefurniture.com
FIND THE KEYWORD IN RED AND SMS IT TO 22333 RINGTONES: 30 KSHS PER DAY You will receive a sms “2 download. . . ”Go to this link using GPRS or WAP & download your content. KENYAN HITS! Dumbala Remix Msaidizi Fundamentals Mungu Baba Uwepo Wako Milele Dongo Dongo Ulibeba Sobei Cheiso Worship You Sambaza Defender Tosheka Kereka Ningwendete Queen Ahuirania Ti Mundu Ndirakurekie
KENRAZY Visita, Madtraxx, DNA & Jay A
GLORIA MULIRO KEN WAMARIA RUFFTONE & GSU MERCYLINAH MARION SHAKO GERALDINE ODUOR EUNICE NJERI EMMY KOSGEI BMF FT MERCY WAIREGI ALICE KAMANDE DADDY OWEN MOG DK KWENYE BEAT JOAN WAIRIMU LOISE KIM N.D GITHUKA BETTY BAYO & MR SEED SIMON
KEN4 GM4 KT4 RUFF4 LIN4 SHA4 GER4 EN4 KOS4 BMF4 KAM4 DAD4 MOG4 DK4 VAN4 LK4 GAK4 BET4 SIM4
Kinyukia Kahora
JOAN WAIRIMU
VAN4
Barua Muganga Nipe Nafasi Glory to Glory Nanena Adonai Zawadi Sitalia Tena Bongo Lala Sitalia Tena Hatarudi Nyuma Mapenzi Solo Penzi Langu Matokeo Born Again Lingala Ya Yesu Fanya Kitendo Muziki Ni Dawa Makeke Kitanzi Miss Hizo Naona Mbali Nime Wasamehe Hakuna Silaha
Ex: HC4 to 22333
BAHATI DJ LAPOZE JEMMO & DENNO BEN GITHAE HADASSAH PAUL EMMA OMONGE MASSMASILYA LAURENT MUGISHO MR. BISCUIT SIMON KIDUM & JULIANI KIDUM NGANGALITO KIDIS GLORIA MULIRO EKO DYDDA PITSON BEN GITHAE RINGTONE JIMMY GAIT GLORIA M & WILLY P ALA C DENNO SOLOMON MUKUBWA SARAH KIARIE
TIB4 HC4 GON4 GIT4 WT4 JC4 HOB4 HOK4 JAG4 SIM4 DUM4 DUM4 LIT4 PIG4 GM4 KEB4 BOM4 GIT4 RING4 JG4 GM4 ALA4 GON4 SOL4 SK4
This is a subscription service. Cost per message is KSH30. Content Delivered daily. A Joining fee of KSH30 applies. Phone must be WAP/GPRS ENABLED to download ringtones. Errors will be billed. To DEACTIVATE OR UNSUBSCRIBE, SMS STOP followed by the keyword i.e. STOP HC4 to 22333 or *100#. A deactivation fee of KES 30 will be charged unless passive deactivation is requested.Customer Support: 0711035333 or 0734488668 , SUN - FRI, 8:30AM - 6pm, SAT 9am - 5pm. or email: ke@smshelp.info.
WEATHERFORECAST
14
SPORT
Cede ground, FKF told over wrangling with KPL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017
FKF boss Nick Mwendwa has been told to stop his ‘inflexibility’ and allow the Kenya Premier League to get going. Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has accused Mwendwa of maintaining a hard line position on the number of teams to participate in the league warning that such a position might put the game into disarray. KPL and FKF are locked in tough wars over the league composition with the latter wanting it expanded to include 18 teams from the current 16. Rachier, who is the outgoing Kenyan Premier League chairman said measures have been made to ensure a middle ground over the latest in a series of tussles between the two bodies, however the efforts have been thwarted over and over again. “We have been in such situations before. Taking hard stances will not solve anything at this age. As KPL we have made all efforts to ensure there is common understanding, sadly that has not been the case from the other end,” Rachier said. The Gor Mahia boss was agitated even further by FKF’S decision to open proceedings against KPL chief executive Jack Oguda, founder Bob Munro and himself after accusing them of abandoning the agreement to expand the league to 18 teams. Mwendwa suspended the league
Gor Mahia club chairman Ambrose Rachier who is also the KPL chairman PHOTO: COURTESY
commencement and asked for disciplinary cases to be instituted against the three for disregarding FKF directive. KPL while releasing its fixtures included only 16 teams. “We are acting as per the guidelines in the law. And therefore we expect to go on with the fixtures that were released by KPL,” Rachier explained. In a quick rejoinder Mwendwa maintained the decision to suspend the league was final therefore no fixture will be played this weekend as had earlier been indicated by KPL. “There is something sinister about all this. What
we don’t want is some individuals fighting so hard to maintain a status quo. Their decision to include Muhoroni and Sofapaka remains the most appalling because you wonder why they would want to continue with unlicensed clubs,” Mwendwa said. He further read malice after KPL failed to recognize promoted sides Nzoia United and Kariobangi Sharks and subsequently failing to invite them to the meeting. “There has to be transparency, the two teams were promoted on merit. Why will someone decide to sideline them,” Mwenda blasted.
Payet and Depay on target in Ligue 1
Dimitri Payet and Memphis Depay scored their first goals for their new Ligue 1 clubs since moving from the Premier League in the January transfer window. Former West Ham midfielder Payet scored from a freekick as Marseille, who he rejoined, defeated Guingamp 2-0. And ex-Manchester United midfielder Depay came on as a second-half substitute to fire in Lyon’s fourth goal as they defeated Nancy 4-0. The Dutchman also won the penalty which resulted in Lyon’s third. Elsewhere, Nice kept the pressure on leaders Monaco with a 1-0 win over St Etienne. They are third on 52 points, one place behind defending champions Paris St-Germain on goal difference, although both teams trail Monaco by three points.
SPORT 15
Juventus extend Seria A lead as Alaves reach historic final Gonzalo Higuain’s 16th league goal of the season helped send Juventus seven points clear at the top of Serie A with victory at struggling Crotone. Crotone, second from bottom, held the leaders for an hour before Mario Mandzukic scored from close range after Kwadwo Asamoah’s header was dropped. Higuain’s composed finish from Tomas Rincon’s pass doubled the lead. Third-placed Napoli can cut Juve’s lead to six points if they beat Genoa tomorrow. Juve are looking to become champions of Italy for a sixth successive season. They were denied a third goal when former Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic hit the bar five minutes from time. Massimiliano Allegri’s side are next in action on Sunday when they face Cagliari, 15th in the table, in Sardinia. In Wednesday’s other game, AC Milan ended with nine men but beat Bologna 1-0 away from home. Gabriel Paletta and Juraj Kucka were
both dismissed before Mario Pasalic’s 89th-minute winner. In Spain, Alaves reached the Copa del Rey final for the first time in their 96-year history with victory over Celta Vigo in their semi-final second leg. Winger Edgar Mendez scored the only goal of the two games when he lifted the ball over keeper Sergio Alvarez and into the net in the 83rd minute. Former Liverpool player Iago Aspas went close for Celta with a shot tipped away by goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco. Alaves play Barcelona, who knocked out Atletico Madrid, in the final in May. They beat Barca 2-1 at the Nou Camp earlier this season and will host Luis Enrique’s side on Saturday in La Liga. Alaves’ only other appearance in a major final came in 2001 when they were beaten 5-4 by Liverpool in the Uefa Cup. “We’re going to enjoy tonight and we’ll try to go for glory in May but we’ve already made history,” Alaves captain Manu Garcia said.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017
Barca to contest Suarez red card
Juventus’ Gonzalo Higuain celebrates after scoring the 2-0 lead during the Italian Serie A soccer against FC Crotone at Ezio Scida stadium in Crotone, Italy, last evening. PHOTO: ALBANO ANGILLETTA/EPA
955700
Barcelona will contest the red card which will rule striker Luis Suarez out of the Copa del Rey final against Alaves. Suarez was booked twice in Tuesday night’s 1-1 semi-final second-leg draw against Atletico Madrid. His second yellow, for catching Koke in the head late on, is the one they will appeal against. The club are also contesting Sergio Busquets’ yellow card for kicking the ball off the pitch when there were two footballs on the field. However, the midfielder is free to play in the final regardless of the appeal result. Barca ended the game with nine men, with Sergi Roberto earlier sent off for two bookings. Of his own red card, Suarez told Gol TV: “I’m laughing at that second yellow card, it’s not even a foul. I did absolutely nothing. It was what he (Koke) wanted.” Meanwhile, defender Javier Mascherano suffered a left thigh injury in the same game, with the club saying they did not know how long he might be out for.
THURSDAY, FEBURARY 9, 2017
BARCELONA TO CONTEST LUIS SUAREZ RED CARD AGAINST ATLETICO IN KINGS CUP
P15
Cameroon players given heroic state reception C
ameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad have been given a special state reception by the country’s president Paul Biya. The Indomitable Lions, who lifted the trophy on Sunday after beating Egypt 2-1 in the final in Gabon, attended a ceremony in Yaounde on Wednesday. They presented the Nations Cup trophy to President Biya at Unity Palace. Later, they travelled in open-top vehicles through the streets of the capital to parade the trophy to fans. Cameroon’s players were given medals by the president, who said their victory should be celebrated by Cameroonians as one nation. At the end of the ceremony Cameroon First Lady Chantal Biya posed for a series of photos with the players - at one point she used Fabrice Ondoa’s phone to take a ‘selfie’ with them. Cameroon’s success in Gabon ended a 15-year wait to win the tournament again and gave them their fifth title. The country will host the next edition of the Nations Cup in 2019.
INSIDE
p
14 Cede ground and let leage start, FKF told
p
15 Higuain fires Juve nine points clear
Foxes hope for kick start after Cup win
L
eicester secured a first home win of 2017 as Demarai Gray’s superb solo goal sealed an extra-time victory over Derby in their FA Cup fourth-round replay. Andy King headed the hosts, who made 10 changes, ahead after Gray’s clever cross was nodded back across goal by Marc Albrighton. Abdoul Camara’s free-kick forced extra time for Championship Derby only for substitute Wilfred Ndidi to restore the Foxes’ lead with a fantastic strike. Gray sealed a deserved win with an angled finish after a fine run. Premier League Leicester will now face League One Millwall in the last 16 on 18 February. Claudio Ranieri has not had too much to cheer about lately as last season’s champions have been plunged into a fight for Premier League survival. Yet the Italian was all smiles and applauded home fans as they chanted his name around the King Power Stadium soon after King’s
opener. Leicester, 16th in the table and one point above the relegation zone, face a battle to climb away from trouble but their first win since 7 January will at least provide them with some momentum. A spirited Derby display - and a poor performance from the officials - made sure it was anything but a straightforward win. The hosts should have won a first-half penalty when Ben Chilwell was sent sprawling inside the area by Richard Keogh but referee Mike Jones was not interested. There was more controversy in the 85th minute when Derby keeper Jonathan Mitchell clearly handled outside his area but Leicester’s Ahmed Musa was booked for protesting after Jones dismissed the home team’s appeals. Although there was disappointment from Rams boss Steve McClaren, his team gave Leicester two tough games. Derby led until four minutes from the end in the original game and forced Leicester into extra time on their own ground before
Leicester City players mob midfielder Wilfried Ndidi in celebration after he scored their second goal in extra time against Derby in the FA Cup last night.
running out of steam. It might have been a different story had Ron-Robert Zieler not palmed away Jacob Butterfield’s low drive on the stroke of halftime. By the time McClaren reached the dugout for the second half, his side were behind - King giving Leicester the lead in the opening minute of the second half. The Rams responded well to falling behind. Camara had a free-kick beaten away before the Guinea international found the net with a 25-yard set-piece that deflected off Chilwell’s thigh on its way into the net. Derby’s Max Lowe chested against his own post while attempting to guide the ball back to his keeper before two sublime finishes took the tie away from the visitors. Ndidi fired home via the post from 25 yards then Gray, energetic and dynamic throughout, made it 3-1 after avoiding several challenges before his clinical finish allowed Leicester fans to celebrate a welcome victory.
Published By Xtra Publishing Limited, Chancery Building, Valley Road, Nairobi | Printed at The Standard Group Centre, Mombasa Road, Nairobi. Paul Marshall-CEO, Fred Bunei-Finance Manager, Josiah Musee-Advertising Manager, Peter Obuya-Editor