201703031 xnews

WEEKEnD EDITIOn, MARCH 31-APRIL 2, 2017 | WWW.x254.CO

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MPS VOW TO DEFY COURT ON GENDER RULE DIRECTIVE MAJORITY LEADERS ADEN DUALE LEADS LAWMAKERS IN REBUKING THE JUDICIARY FOR ‘TRYING TO DICTATE WHAT WE DO’

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NEWS

TWO DERBIES AND A TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH HIGHLIGHT WEEKEND GAMES

SANCHEZ AND OZIL WILL STAY, WENGER SAYS AS HE REMAINS COY ON HIS FUTURE

IEBC hands repreive to nomination losers Ambiguity in election laws come out in favour of those wishing to run as independent candidates STORY ON PAGE 2

‘Fake papers’ scandal hits Jubilee party ahead of primaries

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ubilee party says it is verifying the academic credentials of some of its aspirants after questions were raised on their authenticity.

It is emerging that some politicians have presented fake academic papers in attempts to cheat their way to the ballot.

At least two petitions have been received at the Jubilee party headquarters questioning the authenticity of the academic papers of some aspirants.

Among those being questioned is that for Nyeri gubernatorial aspirants Thuo Mathenge and Starehe constituency lawmaker Maina Kamanda.

Activists who have presented the petitions want the party to explain why it admitted Mr Mathenge’s nomination papers while ‘knowing he presented questionable credentials’.

For Kamanda, the petitioner wants the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) to scrutinize CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju during a past press conference at the party headquarters in Pangani. He admitted that some party aspirants have submitted academic credials whose authenticity are being questioned.

PHOTO: CAPITAL FM

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NEWS

Reprieve for nomination losers WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL2, 2017

Losers in the upcoming political party primaries could still be on the ballot should they choose to go it alone.

The lifeline has been given after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) left open a window in the election laws for aspirants to run as independent candidates.

This has been occasioned by an ambiguity in the Election Amendment Act, 2016 that outlawed party hoping.

It now emerges that the drafters of the law only prohibited losers from joining other parties but did not seal the provision that allows such aspirants to run as independent candidates.

And that has come to the benefit of would be party nomination losers given the high stakes in the exercise scheduled to kick off from April 13, 2017 to April 26, 2017.

“Each political party wishing to participate in the elections must finalise its primaries on or before the 26th April 2017,” IEBC said.

“Candidates intending to participate in the general elections as independent candidates shall cease being members of any political party by May 8, 2017, being 3 months before the General Election,” the electoral agency added in a Gazette notice signed by its chairman Wafula Chebukati.

The polls team announcement expected to electrify candidates who will not be satisfied with the outcome of party primaries as they will essentially have 14 days to resign from their parties and run as independents.

In February, Mr Chebukati vowed to crack the whip on those he said were waiting to flout the law.

“If you want to run as independent, do not engage in the nomination of a political party. The law was made to stop that, and we will make sure it

‘Fake papers’ scandal hits Jubilee party From Page 1

Nairobi senator Mike Sonko poses for a photo with ‘voters’ at a Nairobi hotel last evening. Sonko who is gunning for Nairobi governorship is top among those anticipated to run as an independent candidate should he lose in the Jubilee party primaries. At least he has warned he could still be on the ballot if he feels the nominations are not fair.

PHOTO: COURTESY

does,” Mr Chebukati had said then.

But it seems that will not be the case anymore.

Owing to the high stakes given to the party primaries in some constituencies which are perceived to be strongholds, getting the nomination ticket is as good as being elected.

Jubilee party leader president Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga have repeatedly assured their

members that nominations will be free, fair, transparent and credible.

However, despite the guaranties from the party leaders, some aspirants have had to join alternative parties or formed new ones altogether as they ready themselves for the August 8, 2017 polls.

For example in Meru and Embu counties perceived to be Jubilee party stronghold leading contenders for

the governorship and senatorial races have ditched the Jubilee party for other political parties where they are guaranteed of direct nominations.

Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti and former aide to President Uhuru Kenyatta Kilemi Mwiria who are both eyeing the Embu and Meru governorship positions respectively have since moved to Maendeleo Chap Chap party. @hillary_x254

his KCSE certificate.

Confirming the two incidents, Jubilee Party Secretary Raphael Tuju said it was true that some of the credentials of some of the aspirants had been put to question and the party was in the process of verification.

He promised to ensure that those providing fake documents are locked out of the party primaries.

“We would not want a situation where the party could be locked out of the elections because an aspirant cheated by providing us with fake documents. We have received complaints, some written by lawyers, and we have forwarded them to the election board to probe their authenticity,” he said.

Tuju cautioned candidates who have presented fake academic credentials will be firmly dealt with including barring some of them from contesting and possibly get prosecuted.

A multi-agency team has been formed by IEBC to determine whether or not those seeking public offices have complied with all the rules, among them chapter six of the constitution that touches on integrity.

The committee will also look into the authenticity of academic documents presented by candidates.

Knec is part of that committee.

“We are asking the aspirants to make a solemn pledge when returning the required documents to ensure that they are held responsible if found to have provided wrong information,” Tuju appealed. @hillary_x254

Key terrorist agent’ arrested in Watamu Established in 1969

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Police have arrested a terror suspect for involvement in human smuggling and financing terrorism.

According to Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, Ali Hussein Ali alias The Trusted One has links with ISIS, Al Shabaab and the Magafe Human Smuggling Network in Libya.

The suspect was arrested together with two accomplices, Ibrahim Abasheikh Mukhtar and Abdi Mohamed Yusuf, during a joint operation carried out by security agents.

“He came to Kenya in 2010 under the pretext of being a tourist. He later moved to South Africa, Sudan and finally Tripoli in Libya where he was recruited to join ISIS,” he stated.

Ali then returned to the country in November 2016 where he became a key agent of ISIS and the Magafe network.

The suspect played a key role in facilitating the travel of recruits from Kenya to Somalia to join ISIS in Libya, as well as enable illegal immigrants to enter Europe via Libya.

He facilitated the transfer of money linked to an IS network that traversed several countries including South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Dubai and Libya.

Ali, who was referred as The Trusted One among the Magafe network was demanding “$639,000 from his boss at the time of his

arrest.”

The money, according to police was to pay him for successfully delivering recruits and illegal immigrants to various destinations.

The suspect used Eastleigh and Malindi as recruiting grounds.

Mukhtar according to detectives used his Watamu house to accommodate recruits and terrorists, willing to be smuggled to Libya to join ISIS. “Recruits and illegal immigrants captured in Libya have been requesting for assistance from their family members back in Kenya.

The funds sent to Magafe are meant to secure their release,” Boinnet in a statement said.

“Further, ISIS recruits take advantage of the situation to extort their family members by making false claims of capture in order to finance their extremist’s activities.”

According to security agencies, tens of families are currently being extorted to raise money to pay ransom.

Some of the recruits are said to have perished in the Mediterranean Sea on their MORE ON THIS STORY way to Europe. www.capitalfm.co.ke

NEWS 3 WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL2, 2017

MPs vow to defy directive on gender rule Members of Parliament have vowed to ignore Wednesday’s court directive in which they were ordered to pass the two thirds gender law or be sent home.

MPs were unanimous in their opposition to the ruling saying the judiciary cannot dictate what parliament should do and who electorates should elect.

Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale kicked off the debate in the afternoon session saying it is not the duty of courts to fill parliament with members.

“Let the people of Kenya elect women if they wish. It is not the role of the courts to fill this house. We have done our part as MPs. Let the next people elected after August general elections also do their part,” Duale said.

“Tell me any parliament in the whole world that have achieved the gender balance, Kenyans have the opportunity to bring more women to parliament on August 8, but for the time being let us deal with education, health, roads and other things,” added the Garissa Township MP. He was backed by Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch who termed the court directive ‘nothing and worthless’ and with no legitimacy in law.

“I want to tell MPs not to be worried about that ruling, it is worthless and cannot be enforced,” Olago said. Suba’s John Mbadi said they do not care much about parliament being dissolved within 60 days as ruled by the judge. “If we go

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale. He led MPs in declaring they will not honour a court directive to pass the two thirds gender law in two months time. PHOTO: COURTESY

the dissolution route then it won’t work because we do not care much about parliament being dissolved,” Mbadi said.

The Suba legislator blamed lack of political good will from the political players for failure of implementing the gender rule. Igembe North MP

Joseph M’eruaki said it is unwise for the court to give orders that cannot be implemented.

“You cannot force people out there on how to vote. That rule cannot be practically implemented unless we are talking about appointive positions,” M’eruaki said.

High Court Judge Justice John Mativo on Wednesday granted an order declaring that Parliament and the Senate jointly failed to perform their duty and thus violating gender rights and will be dissolved in 60 days if lawmakers do not implement the gender rule.

He also said anyone can petition Chief Justice David Maraga to advise the President to dissolve Parliament if the law is not passed.

Last year, MPs failed to pass the two-thirds gender rule bill on two occasions.

Ugenya MP David Ochieng however said the judge has done his part and it is upon MPs now to do their part.

“The ball is now in our court, if we fail let parliament be dissolved within 60 days and the next parliament try to solve the same problem,” Ochieng said.

Speaker Justin Muturi said it is now open to the MPs and the Attorney General to provide suggestions on how to achieve the gender rule.

Using an analogy to explain the current situation over the gender rule, Muturi said: “When two are competing in a race, you cannot force that it is a particular person who has to win.”

The threat to dissolve parliament in 60 days would be meaningless anyway as the current MPs shall have gone home anyway given the term of the current parliament ends on May 28, 2017.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho confronts police officers who blocked him on Nyali Bridge two weeks ago.

@sam_x254

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL 2, 2017

Bid to cancel voter audit tender thrown out by court A bid by the opposition to have a voter audit tender awarded to KPMG nullified has been thrown out.

Justice Chacha Mwita dismissed the case contesting IEBC’s decision to award the tender to the audit firm as incompetent.

Justice Mwita concurred with lawyer Wambua Kilonzo that Cord’s (now Nasa) suit was hurriedly done and reliefs sought were not clear.

“There was too much hurry in the preparation of the application that no attention was paid to details. Although the application raises serious issues of law there is very little the court can do in the circumstances.”

Kilonzo had argued that courts lack the power to entertain tender related disputes but justice Mwita differed with him saying courts have power to interrogate the issue.

Defending its decision to award the tender to KPMG, the electoral body said the audit firm attained the highest score for both the technical and financial proposals.

It submitted that the tendering process was conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act (PPDA) and the law.

Necessary consultations with all stakeholders are also said to have been made by ensuring that political parties were consulted on the methodology to be adopted in auditing the

Kenyans wait in a queue to get listed as voters at the Moi Avenue Primary School in Nairobi on February 14, 2017. A bid to have a tender awarded to a firm to audit the voter’s register has been thrown out by the court

register of voters. CORD wanted the tender nullified on grounds that KPMG is not a professional and reputable firm to conduct an audit of the voters register.

Lawyer James Orengo contended that KPMG has no five-year experience to carry out the voters’ audit. The Opposition had also claimed

that no stakeholders including political parties were involved adding that at the time when the award was given Parliament was yet approve the amended Election laws to allow audit of the voters register. KPMG is believed to have defeated 12 other companies in the bid to scrutinise listed voters. www.capitalfm.co.ke

NLC chief executive heaps more woes on Swazuri in ouster fight Embattled National Lands Commission (NLC) chairman Muhammad Swazuri is facing even more trouble after the agency’s chief executive accused him of singlehandedly making weighty decisions at the commission.

Thomas Aziz Chavangi yesterday told the parliamentary committee on lands that certain letters within the commission are written without his knowledge.

Chavangi and the commission’s finance director Francis Mugo were being grilled as part of hearings on a petition seeking the ouster of Dr Swazuri over bribery claims and misuse of office.

The committee’s main focus yesterday was how Sh82 million was paid to Barkresh Grain Millers Limited, in total disregard of the determination report by the technical committee recommending that the matter be put on hold.

“The chairman authorised the release of the Sh82 million, through a communication I forwarded to Mugo,” Chavangi told the MPs. He said he did not know whether due diligence was followed in the payment as he does not attend all meetings. “I do not attend all meeting as secretary to the commission but have delegated the same to the directors.” Chevangi said.

Chavangi who is the secretary to the commission was unable to table minutes of previous meetings for the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and committee of the review of grants and disposition report, which forms basis of payment. @sam_x254

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NEWS 5 WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL2, 2017

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NEWS WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL 2, 2017

Ousted Korean President Geun-hye arrested Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who was removed from office earlier this month, has today been arrested.

“Major crimes have been ascertained and there is a concern that the suspect might attempt to destroy evidence,” Judge Kang Bu-young said in a text message to reporters.

“The court recognizes the need, necessity and reasonableness of the suspect’s arrest.”

Prosecutors announced Monday that they were seeking to arrest Park on charges relating to abuse of power, accepting bribes and leaking important information.

“The suspect abused the mighty power and position as President to take bribes from companies and infringed upon the freedom of corporate management and leaked important confidential official information,” the statement from the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office said.

Park had been held in a temporary detention facility at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office Building ahead of the court’s decision. She was taken to Seoul Detention Center on Friday, the same location where her confidant Choi Soon-sil and some of the high-profile figures

embroiled in the ongoing scandal, including Samsung heir Lee Jaeyong, have been detained.

Park has not yet been formally indicted, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors can detain Park for up to 20 days before formally charging her.

Park was removed from office on March 10, after South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld a decision to impeach her for alleged corruption.

The former President was accused of helping a confidant raise donations from companies for foundations she had set up.

The scandal dominated the headlines in South Korea and prompted mass protests when it emerged late last year. The controversy centered around Park’s friend and close adviser, Choi, who is alleged to have significant and inappropriate influence over Park. Choi is on trial for abuse of power and fraud.

The Constitutional Court’s impeachment ruling stripped Park of her presidential immunity and cleared the way for prosecutors to seek her arrest.

A presidential election will be held on May 9 to choose a new leader.

Ousted South Korean president Park Geun-hye (C) is transferred to a detention house in Seoul, South Korea today. The Seoul Central District Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant for the former president. She was questioned on a total of 13 charges that include bribery and abuse of power, in a case that has divided the nation and led to her impeachment earlier this month. PHOTO: CHUNG SUNG-JU/EPA

NEWS PICTORIAL RISKY LEAP: Former alpine ski racer and 2010 Olympic champion

Didier Defago of Switzerland leaps over the river Vieze during the 2nd edition of the 7Peaks Riverstyle freestyle ski competition in Morgins, Switzerland, yesterday. PHOTO: CYRIL ZINGARO/EPA

FLOODING IN AUSTRALIA: A woman attempts to access her home as her dog looks on in central Lismore,

New South Wales, Australia, 31 March 2017. The Wilsons River breached its banks early this morning, flooding the far-northern New South Wales town. Residents are being warned to be on alert as floodwaters rise along the swollen Wilsons and Tweed rivers. PHOTO: DAVE HUNT/EPA

WEEKEnD EDITION, MARCH 31-2APRIL 2, 2017 | www.x254.co

BUSINESS

CBK EXCHANGE RATES

KBA’s PesaLink taps 2 million bank customers in 60 days Over 2 million bank customers have signed up for PesaLink, the newest money transfer service, owned by the bankers’ umbrella body.

The milestone was achieved barely two months after the initiation of the service by local financial technologies (FinTech) solutions delivery firm, Integrated Payment Services Limited (IPSL), a company that is wholly owned by the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA).

A total of 22 lenders approved by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to provide the interbank money transfer service are now processing huge daily transactions.

PesaLink is a money transfer solution that can be accessed on at least five bank channels. The service allows bank customers registered on the platform to make real time interbank payments round the clock, without having to go through any intermediaries on any of the five bank channels.

IPSL Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Theuri said that banks on the platform have also managed to achieve straight through processing of Pesalink transactions. She said most banks on the IPSL platform have managed to consistently record impressive average turnaround rates for transactions on the system.

“At IPSL, we are glad to celebrate the one-month brand rollout milestone which provides a good test run ahead of our formal launch in the coming weeks,” Theuri said.

Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) CEO Habil Olaka (left) and Bank of Baroda CEO Yatish Tewari (centre) sign a financing agreement for the Integrated Payments Service Limited (IPSL) a KBA subsidiary as IPSL Chief Information Officer Michael Mbuthia (seated right) looks on.

“So far, we have managed to link more than 2 million bank customers on PesaLink drawn from 22 member banks and we hope to significantly raise this number in the next few weeks as we continue to on-board more banks,” she added.

The PesaLink platform allows registered users to make transactions from as low as Sh10 to as much as Sh999,999 across the banking system

Nairobi-based artisan wins Sh1 million Betway jackpot A 34-year old artisan from Nairobi has become one of many big winners in Betway’s weekly Bonanza Jackpot.

The winner, Mr. Geoffrey Nyandoro Nyamau, who plies his trade in Nairobi’s Dandora Estate, won the amount after correctly predicting the score for six matches out of the possible eight.

“I am very excited to win Sh1 million.

It is my biggest win so far. I placed my bet and watched all the games that I had selected. That night, I went to bed with confidence that I had won, I was very excited to hear from Betway who called soon after to confirm my win,” said the father of two. Betway’s weekly Bonanza is slightly different from the main Jackpot in that, to win, customers are expected to correctly predict the score for eight games rather than the outcome of either a win, loss or draw. It

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

is billed as the more difficult of the two with the potential winnings normally higher than that of the main Jackpot.

Nyamau confirmed that he has been betting regularly for the past two years with his average stake being around Sh100. Last year in December, he won Sh20 000, his biggest victory prior to this one. Although he is yet to decide on what to do with his winnings,Nyamau said he may invest some of it in expanding his wooden crafts business.

With Betway’s weekly Bonanza, customers stand to win a bonus of Sh250,000, Sh500 000, Sh1 million and Sh2 million for four, five, six and seven correct entries respectively out of the maximum eight. The amount for correctly predicting all eight fixtures varies from time to time, with this week standing at Sh90 million. @kevin_x254

at a low cost comparatively.

The Association, the umbrella body of the banking industry, recently unveiled the PesaLink brand and commenced a phased rollout of the digital payments platform, expected to cut the cost of transactions and transform the way consumers interact with their banks.

The 22 CBK licensed Banks on the IPSL platform include I&M Bank Kenya, CBA, First Community Bank,

Paramount Bank, Jamii Bora Bank, ABC Bank, Bank of Africa, Spire Bank and Equity Bank.

Other lenders on the platform include Cooperative Bank, Barclays Bank of Kenya, Credit Bank Ltd, DTB, Guardian Bank, Middle East Bank, NIC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Prime Bank, Victoria Bank, Gulf African Bank, Consolidated Bank and @enock _x254 Stanbic Bank.

MEAN 103.0167 128.0847 110.7358 7.9122 35.0721 21.6859

BUY SELL 102.9167 103.1167 127.9461 128.2233 110.6189 110.8528 7.8984 7.9260 34.9895 35.1547 21.6163 21.7555

AfDB approves Sh46.4 billion loan to fight hunger, boost trade The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $450 million (Sh46.4 billion) Trade Finance Package for the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank).

Given Afreximbank’s commitment to helping African economies diversify their exports, strengthen trade value chains and promote value addition, the facility will contribute to macroeconomic resilience in at least 28 countries, including Kenya.

The facility consists of a 3-year $150 million (Sh15.5 billion) unfunded Risk Participation Agreement and a 4-year $300 million (Sh31 billion) Trade Finance Line of Credit.

This composite facility is geared at helping expand Afreximbank risk bearing capacity for the confirmation of letters of credit and to support more trade through the provision of increased liquidity to local financial institutions and corporates in Africa.

The project is aligned with AfDB’s High 5 priority goals including lighting, feeding, industrialising and integrating the African continent as well as improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.

AfDB officials confirmed that the facility will be used to boost intra-Africa trade, promote regional integration, and contribute to the reduction of the trade finance gap in Africa.

It will provide financing to more than 100 financial institutions and corporates and support at least $2.8 billion (Sh288.4 billion) of trade in Africa over a 4-year period. @enock_x254

Uber Kenya announces support for driver partners with opening of Greenlight Hub Taxi hailing service, Uber Kenya has announced the opening of a new office space to support and strengthen its thousands of driver-partners in Nairobi.

Uber’s Country Lead in Kenya Kagure Wamunyu has confirmed that the new facility will enable Uber to support even more partners and lower the amount of time drivers wait to see an Uber representative.

The new expansive space, located at The Riverfront on Chiromo lane is an ultra-modern office space dubbed ‘TheGreenlight Hub’ specifically meant to serve Uber’s driver-partners as a resource center where they can seek technical support to drive or ask questions about the app.

Speaking at the launch ceremony earlier this week, Wamunyu confirmed that the new facility will enable Uber to support even more partners and lower the amount of time drivers wait to see an Uber representative.

“I want to thank the members of our driver-partner support team who work hard to provide excellent support to each and every driver-partner.” she said.

As a surprise to the driver-partners gathered at the ribboncutting ceremony, Uber also recognized and presented shopping vouchers to Ayub Kongere, Erastus Mbogua and John Kamwati driver-partners that had completed the most trips and had the best rating respectively. Susan

Musembi, female driving partner with the best rating and Jane Mwangi, female driver-partner with the most number of trips.

Also present at the ceremony, Uber’s General Manager for East Africa, Loic Amado, further explained that the decision to open Greenlight Hub was driven by the need to support the growing number of driver-partners.

The Greenlight Hub which was previously located at the Mirage Building on Waiyaki way, served over 700 drivers every week.

“The new space is all about providing efficient and world class support for the thousands of driver-partners driving with Uber in Kenya. Our new location and enhanced operational efficiencies will help us continue to grow and develop to keep pace with our partners’ needs, allowing us to provide exceptional value and superior service.” said Amado.

The Greenlight Hub will be open from Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 3:00pm and will have shorter waiting time, ample parking for the driver-partners cars and a separate room to attend to drivers with special needs such as disabilities.

Dennis_x254

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BUSINESS

CBK invites Government to spend Sh400m investors to stake relocating people living along SGR acquire in Chase Bank WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL2, 2017

The government is set to spend Sh400 million relocating people living along Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

The National Treasury has stated that Sh75.6 billion has been committed to the Standard Gauge Railway from which Sh15.5 billion will go to the completion of the first phase and Sh59.7 billion towards the construction of second phase from Nairobi to Naivasha.

“Once completed, SGR will help to integrate domestic markets, link special industrial zones and bring global export markets closer home,” Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich said during his budget presentation in Parliament.

“The construction of the first phase is nearing completion and we expect Kenyans to enjoy a decent ride from Mombasa to Nairobi starting June 1 2017. At the same time, we are glad to announce that the construction of the second phase has already began,” he added.

The government has invested heavily in infrastructure projects amid criticism from opposition party leaders.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said it is Opoosition leader, Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki who initiated the Standard Gauge Railway but the Jubilee leadership inflated its costs.

He said Jubilee administration wanted to relocate a dry port envisaged in Vision 2030 from Voi to Naivasha stating that transportation of goods using SGR will be more expensive than using Lorries.

Last December, the government

Construction workers traverse a section of the Mombasa to Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway which is being constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), in Voi, Kenya, March 15, 2016.

EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU launched a programme to permanently relocate 10 public schools that were demolished to pave way for the Sh327 billion Standard Gauge Railway. Kenya Railway Corporation (KR) announced plans on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 to construct permanent buildings for six schools in Kwale, three in Makueni and one in Kajiado in what is expected to end three years of anxiety among residents.

Pupils and students in the affected institutions had been learning in temporary structures put up in the new locations by the SGR contractor,China Roads and Bridges Corporation amid apprehension by local communities. At

the time, KR Managing Director Atanas Maina announced plans to construct permanent buildings for Mwamdudu Secondary School, Mpirani Primary School, Mariakani Roman Catholic Primary School, Julani Primacy School, Samburu Secondary School and Mgalani Primary School all in Kwale County. Others that will benefit are Kiboko Primary School, St Agnes Kiboko Secondary School and Ngwata Primary school in Makueni County and Masimba Secondary School in Kajiado County.

“KR has through relevant stakeholder involvement identified various public institutions affected by the project

and that require to be relocated to permanent locations. KR therefore intends to procure building contractors for the construction of these facilities and hereby invites eligible firms to submit their bids,” Mr Maina said.

In this year’s budget, the state has allocated Sh10 billion to the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor project and Sh3.6 billion from development partners towards the Mombasa Port development partners and Sh200 million for the maintenance of ferries.

The move is expected to position the port as a transport hub. @Dennis_x254

Liquid Telecom to combat vandalism of fibre optic cables with new awareness campaign Liquid Telecom Kenya has tossed a series of countrywide awareness campaigns to protect rural fibre optic cable networks from vandalism that is costing the country hundreds of millions of shillings a year.

Fibre optic cables contain strands of glass fibre inside an insulated casing.

They are designed to provide higher bandwidth and transmit signals over longer distances. It supports most of the world’s Internet, cable television and telephone systems.

Most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) reroute customers to satellite and other types of connectivity while the repairs are underway, but the connections are often slower, leading to lost productivity and sales for businesses, and delays and holdups for consumers.

With the launch of countrywide barazas, Liquid Telecom Kenya has identified a host of different reasons for the cuts.

A study by the ISP also found that

cables were more likely to be cut in rural areas, even though urban areas have a higher number of cables in any given area.

“Severing the fibre optic cables causes service interruption leading to a huge inconvenience to businesses and home users. It also incurs a high maintenance cost,” said Wilfred Waithaka, Liquid Telecom Kenya’s Chief Technology Officer.

As such, Liquid Telecom Kenya is now conducting a rural community awareness programme in areas prone to vandalism to stop the lifting of cables by organizing barazas with the local chiefs and village elders, while engaging local youth as site monitors.

The company has decentralised the community engagements through its contractors and regional staff, sensitising villagers to the absence of any resale value in fibre optic cables and to the importance of the infrastructure within their neighbourhood.

“The need to protect fibre cables is among the things discussed during barazas. I invite individuals from Liquid Telecom Kenya and give them the platform to address members of the community present on the reasons why they should not damage the cables. We have so far received positive response from youths and residents,” said Emali Township Chief, Michael Kivondo.

“We also target contractors and rally them not to destroy the cables, but instead alert the administration in advance. We have had instances where people call me to come and confirm whether what they have found underground are the cables and we figure out what we can do to make sure they are not damaged,” said Chief Kivondo.

This is a continuous process conducted once a month in different places along Liquid Telecom Kenya’s 5,000km Kenyan fibre network and is supported by weekly route patrols to detect any

activity exposing the cables.

“We also ensure that whenever there is a Liquid Telecom Kenya cable laying project, the contractors engage the locals for the manual work, to earn a living, and leave portions of the offcut fibre optic cables exposed for them to easily detect the real content of the cables underground,” said Waithaka.

In Kenya, tampering with, vandalising, damaging or removing any telecommunications infrastructure is considered an offence and attracts a penalty of a fine not less than Sh5 million, or imprisonment of not less than 10 years, or both.

The proposed Critical Infrastructure Bill which is still in its initial stages is expected to elevate the status of telco, for the first time. This will ensure fibre optic cables are recognised as critical infrastructure, giving them the same security as electricity and water systems. @enock_x254

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), together with the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC), has invited investors to present an initial Expression of Interest (EOI) to take an equity interest in Chase Bank Kenya Limited (CBL).

“CBK and KDIC, the appointed Receiver, are executing their mandates in this matter in accordance with the Laws of Kenya,” the Central Bank said in a statement dated March 30, 2017.

Chase Bank was a rapidly developing commercial bank, operating through 62 branches. CBK placed Chase Bank into receivership on April 7, 2016.

The Bank re-opened with reduced activities on April 27, 2016, managed

by KCB Bank Kenya Limited.

CBK confirms that the Bank has continued to operate and grow deposits from the date of receivership. “This announcement commences a formal process of selecting a preferred investor for the Bank, which it is hoped may be concluded within the next six months,” the regulator said in its statement.

Following the receipt and evaluation of EOIs, a shortlist of qualifying investors will be granted access to a comprehensive confidential data room to develop a formal proposal to acquire Chase Bank (Kenya) Limited.

“The shortlisted investors will be determined in a fair process using appropriate and objective criteria based on, inter alia, regulatory imperatives and prudential guidelines which will ensure a speedy and optimal recovery for depositors, creditors and other stakeholders of Chase Bank, whilst also mindful of seeking to preserve and develop a sound and innovative banking system in Kenya,” the Central Bank explained.

KDIC was appointed on April 7, 2016, to assume the management and control of Chase Bank Limited for a period of twelve months pursuant to the provisions of Sections 43(1), 43(2) and 53(1) of the Kenya Deposit Insurance Act, 2012. The appointment of KDIC was carried out in the interest of the bank’s depositors, creditors, and members of the public.

“Since the appointment, progress has been made towards a resolution of the bank’s receivership, with the objective of safeguarding the interest of depositors, creditors, and the wider public interest,” the Central Bank said.

CBK officials have since confirmed that KDIC will maintain the management, control and management of the business of the institution. @Dennis_x254

BUSINESS 9

Tourism sector set for boost as Oman Air announces four weekly flights to Nairobi WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL2, 2017

Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has welcomed Oman Air to Kenya and sees the carrier’s recent move to launch flights to Nairobi as a major boost to the country’s tourism sector.

Oman Air launched its third destination in Africa and 55th destination in the world, Nairobi, after its successful inaugural flight WY721 to Kenya’s capital, on Tuesday, March 28, 2017.

Oman Air, which is the national airline for the Sultanate of Oman, also confirmed this week that it is continuing its expansion across Europe and North America by signing a new partnership agreement with Lufthansa Under the new agreement, guests on Oman Air can connect to 59 destinations across Europe and North America from Lufthansa’s Frankfurt and Munich hubs on an interline basis. At the same time, Lufthansa will codeshare on Oman Air operated services from both Frankfurt and Munich to Muscat, allowing their guests to experience the hospitality and outstanding service of Oman Air. The four times weekly flight to Nairobi from Muscat is Oman Air’s first service to Kenya. The flight will open-up Oman Air’s range of destinations in the Far

destinations.

“Strategic codeshares are a crucial way for us to broaden customer choice.

Our relationship with Lufthansa is a very important development for Oman Air allowing us to offer even better connectivity in Europe and the North Atlantic and we are delighted to be operating one of newest additions to the fleet, the Boeing Dreamliner on the Muscat to Frankfurt route,” Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, Paul Gregorowitsch, said.

The airline stated that this latest agreement, in addition to the new routes already announced in 2017, demonstrates the Omani airline’s “unwavering progress to becoming a successful, sustainable company.”

Dennis_x254

East, Indian subcontinent, Europe and Gulf Cooperation Council countries for travelers from Kenya, and will help to strengthen Kenya and Oman’s trade

relations.

The airline, which first started with only 3 aircraft, is now aiming to fly to 75 destinations by 2020, and sees Nairobi

as an important connection point in Africa. The new route demonstrates the airline’s commitment to continuing its network expansion to exciting new

Alcoholic beverages maker welcomes budget provision to differentiate tax on low cost products Africa Spirits Limited (ASL) has welcomed the tax proposals outlined by the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, in his Budget Statement delivered on Thursday, March 30, 2017. In his 2017/2018 Budget Speech, Mr Rotich stated that alcoholic beverage manufacturers will enjoy a graduated excise management goods tax rate; ranging from Sh0.50 to Sh2.5 depending on the cost of the product.

Previously, the Excisable Goods Management System (EGMS) has been applying a uniform cost of stamps irrespective of the cost of the product.

The firm also notes that some of the Tax proposals will provide a good foundation to curb the sale of counterfeit alcoholic products.

“The uniform charge for the stamps has brought challenges in respect of low cost products,” noted CS Rotich in his address to Parliament yesterday.

“In order to enhance tax administration, regulations that provide for differentiated prices based on the cost of the product would be gazetted shortly. Accordingly, the cost of stamps now ranges from sh0.50 to sh2.50 depending on the cost of the product,” he added.

Speaking when he expressed the firm’s viewpoint on the Budget Statement, ASL Managing Director, Mr. Chris Lucas said the EGMS system when properly implemented would be a big win towards the fight against counterfeits and illicit liquor.

“The new security features on the new

ASL Managing Director, Mr. Chris Lucas said the EGMS system when properly implemented would be a big win towards the fight against counterfeits and illicit liquor.

stamps that come with the EGMS system will make it easier for the Kenyan consumers to identify and choose safe alcoholic beverages. The eradication of the illicit and counterfeits drinks will also have a ripple effect on revenue generation for the government,” he explained.

Established in 2004, ASL is a Kenya-based alcoholic beverages manufacturer providing alcoholic beverages across the consumer value chain.

Africa Spirits and other industry players, Lucas said, will continue to work closely with the KRA among other agencies to enhance the integrity of the products in the market.

As part of ASL’s commitment to enhance its local and regional market performance and help curb the trade in counterfeit and contraband products, the firm has invested heavily in unique security features for its packaging to secure its products and says it has recorded success in its efforts.

“Our manufacturing process is centred on innovation. We use an advanced non refillable capping system for our range of products. Such tamper-proof non refillable capping systems provide much needed quality assurance to the consumers guarding against product adulteration,” Lucas noted.

The company recently moved its operations to a new state of the art facility in Thika. The bottling plant produces a variety of alcoholic beverages such as Bluemoon Vodka, Bluemoon flavors (apple, mango & Ginger), Legend Gold Brandy, Legend Black, Furaha Brandy, Furaha Gin and Gypsy King Gin. kevin_x254

Oman Air, which first started with only 3 aircraft, is now aiming to fly to 75 destinations by 2020, and sees Nairobi as an important connection point in Africa.

Pamoja Life launches Sacco fund to aid in acquisition of green energy products Pamoja life, an energy products distributor, has launched a fund that will allow Sacco members to access funds to purchase clean energy products. The financing will be provided through a fund dubbed Pamoja Life Green Household Energy Fund, which will be jointly managed by Pamoja Life and the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCCO).

The deal, worth Sh25million, signed by the two parties, will see the country’s Sacco members get solar lighting and clean energy cookers at credit terms.

KUSCCO Managing Director, George Ototo said the partnership aims at building successful foundations laid by the organization and Winrock Jiko Safi programme, which is financed and supported by USAID. Pamoja Life is funded by Climate Care UK. It retails its lighting and cooking products between Sh650 and Sh16,200, meaning that the Sh25 million plan can finance up to 38,000 units on the lower end.

It is estimated that close to $50 billion (Sh5.1 trillion) a year is needed to achieve universal access to electricity and clean cooking facilities by 2030. Yet, traditional forms of climate finance are not working. The result, according to a report from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), is major bottlenecks in funding for many small-scale renewable energy services such as solar home systems, mini-grids and clean cooking facilities.

Pamoja Life Chairman, Edward Hanrahan, said the partnership will help them reach out to people who are under-privileged and do not have access to clean energy stoves and lighting.

KUSCCO represents a sector with 8,000 registered Saccos and about 4.5 million members. Saccos are part of the Cooperative movement that caters for about 32 million Kenyans (63 per cent of the entire population). kevin_x254

10

BUSINESS

25 per cent of Kenyans still lacking access to financial services - Rotich WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL2, 2017

Nearly a quarter of the country’s consumers lack access to financial services and are therefore unable to access loans or invest in their respective futures, the National Treasury has revealed.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich said in a statement yesterday that 75.3 per cent of Kenyans now have access to financial service. He described the developments as a massive growth from 26.7 per cent in 2006. They come at a time when access to finance is still the biggest barrier to women’s entry into the field of business.

This is according to a study commissioned by the Graça Machel Trust (GMT). It found that roughly seven out of every ten women entrepreneurs in East Africa finance their start-ups from their own savings because they have no access to capital.

The report, dubbed Explore Growth Barriers Faced by Female Entrepreneurs in East Africa, aims to establish the key factors that hinder growth from micro and small enterprises to medium and large-sized businesses. The research covered Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda and surveyed hundreds of women entrepreneurs across all sectors of the economy.

Rotich’s statement also comes at a time when mobile money has had the biggest impact on closing the gender gap in access to financial services in Kenya.

Deputy Central Bank Governor Sheila M’Mbijiwe said at a recent forum

that mobile phone ownership and the access it provides to financial services has left women nearly at par with men.

Ms M’Mbijiwe was citing statistics indicating that mobile money coverage

National Treasury commits Sh18 billion to youth empowerment programmes

The National Treasury has committed Sh18.3 billion towards governmentbacked youth empowerment programmes aimed at addressing an unemployment crisis that has mostly affected Kenyans between the ages of 18 and 35.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich confirmed the plans during his Budget reading on Thursday, March 30, 2017 in Nairobi.

“To continue supporting our youth and women, I am allocating Ksh 18.3 billion towards the youth empowerment programme which will help facilitate mentoring of youth on leadership, national values, and entrepreneurship skills and further entrench digital literacy,” he said during his budget presentation in Parliament.

Since 2013, over 100,000 community youth have been engaged in various development programmes in the National Youth Service (NYS). Over Sh25 billion has been cumulatively availed through facilities such as the Uwezo Fund, Women and Youth Enterprise Funds. Over Sh26 billion worth of tenders have been awarded

under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) platform.

“These interventions demonstrate the commitment to empower our youth for their future prosperity,” Rotich added.

He stated that he is allocating Sh0.6 billion for the Youth Enterprise Development Fund; Sh700 million for the Youth Employment and Enterprise Fund (Uwezo Fund) and Sh800 million for the Women Enterprise Fund.

“Going forward we shall review all the existing distinct funds to ensure there is no duplication and make them more relevant to today’s youth requirements,” the CS said.

He added that ongoing Youth Training and Internship Programmes will enhance the employability of Kenyan youth and increase income opportunities.

The programmes target a total of 70,000 unemployed youth, aged between 16 and 29 years with up to Form 4 level education. @Dennis_x254

among women stands at 71 per cent compared to 79 per cent for men.

In his budget, reading, Rotich noted that over Sh25 billion has been cumulatively availed through the Uwezo Fund,

Women and Youth Enterprise Funds.

This was the first Budget to be read before June to allow the country prepare for elections in August. @Dennis_x254

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich flanked by Parliamentary Committee on Budget Chair, Mutava Musyimi (Left); Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Devolution and Planning Mr Mwangi Kiunjuri (2nd right) and Leader of Majority, Adan Duale holds a brief case containing the Budget Proposals for the year 2017/2018.

Preference and Reservation Secretariat to support SMEs in public procurement sector The government is at an advanced stage of establishing the Preference and Reservation Secretariat, a state body that seeks to advance the interests of Youth, Women, PWDs and other disadvantaged groups in public procurement.

The Secretariat is expected to link Small and Medium Enterprises owned by the disadvantaged groups with the procuring entities through its mandate, Treasury Cabinet Secretary, henry Rotich has said.

Speaking on Thursday, March 30, 2017 in Nairobi, he noted that the Secretariat will oversee the implementation of Preference and Reservations as provided for in the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act 2015.

“Further, it is expected to ensure that preferences in public procurement are extended to candidates offering goods locally manufactured, assembled, mined, extracted or grown in Kenya,” Rotich added. For purposes of ensuring sustainable promotion of local industry, all foreign tenderers participating in international tenders will be expected to source at least 40 per cent of

their supplies from Kenyan citizen contractors.

The CS said this will enhance the competitiveness of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs), spur economic growth and enhance job creation.

“This…will not only add more jobs to the youth and women, but will also provide further impetus to our objective of industrialization,” Rotich said during yesterday’s budget presentation in Parliament.

He noted that the Secretariat will expand an ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation exercise to cover all procuring entities including the County governments.

“In order to ensure the target groups are benefiting from doing business with the government, the Secretariat will among other responsibilities focus on monitoring to ensure that prompt payments are made for duly executed contracts to these disadvantaged groups under the Preference and Reservations,” Rotich said.

The government is currently developing a preferential scheme for small scale farmers in order to boost their incomes

through the public procurement sector.

In a past public address, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Willy Bett told journalists in Nairobi that when the scheme is fully operational it will require that every public procuring entity to ensure that at last 30 percent of its procurement value every financial year is allocated to smallholder farmers.

“This scheme will transform the incomes of small scale farmers given that national and county governments,” Bett said during a workshop on strengthening smallholder farmers’ production.

Small scale farmers are currently not recognized by public procurement law as they are not organized as legal entities. A multi-sectoral taskforce is currently finalizing the development of the scheme.

“We will then present the draft scheme to Cabinet for review and approval,” Bett said.

He added that implementation of the scheme should begin early next year. @Dennis_x254

WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL 2, 2017

No need to look any further than here because we have done all the online stalking for you. Here’s what all your favorite celebs have been and will be doing this weekend.

ACCESS

THE TV HOST HAS TAKEN A HOLIDAY OF HER OWN BUT ONE NOT QUITE AS GLAMOUROUS AS KAKA’S. THE ENTIRETY OF KAKA EMPIRE

AKOTHEE

Kaka seems to have taken a vacation. Not the entire staple but most of them are taking a break at Mandharini Kilifi. Avril posted a beautiful bikini picture of herself lounging in a pool that had tongues wagging with the caption, “Chilling #MandhariniKilifi.” Rabbit on the other hand put up a picture of him and Timmy T Dat on a beach after a football game with a little summary of how things went down, “TBT Jana at The Creek in Mandharini Kilifi. Na tulichapa staff ya 7-6 , I scored 4 goals, moja own goal, @timmytdat scored only 1, then I scored again. Happy Holidays.” Must be nice.

AVRIL

AKOTHEE

Madam boss is currently on a tour while she hypes up her single, ‘Tucheze.’ After a great show in Las Vegas a few weeks ago she has moved on up to Europe and landed in Zurich, Switzerland on Thursday 30, March.

She has a show slated for 1st April at the Lions Club Lounge. The concert then moves on to Berlin, Vienna and Copenhagen. In the meantime she has distributed her sons to her baby daddies and is currently enjoying life on a speedboat. “Good morning #teampositivity make everyday of your life worth a living , when you constantly compete with yourself you become a better person , but when you constantly compete with others you become a bitter person , you can only compete with yourself because you know the trueth about the cards you are holding,” she says.

Stalking

LILIAN MULI

The TV host has taken a holiday of her own but one not quite as glamorous as the Kaka Empire trip. She has been in the bundus, enjoying taking walks in the farm and using gourds as bowls, “slowing down, connecting with nature and my roots and learning more about its ways. planting my mental feet firmly in the real world. whenever I experience existential disorientation therapy is right here. Shagz my roots.”

CELEBRITIES – Here’s what they will be up to

CHIPUKEEZY ET AL.

Comedian Chipukeezy, hosts Carol Radull and Maina

HOT TOPICS

KAMBUA

The beautiful singer and TV host is back in the country from her visit to the frigid air of Canada and is already back to work. She seems to be shooting a new music video or promo. More stalking will be needed but she look gorgeous in the meantime, “Guard your space; your peace of mind. Be careful about who you allow into your life. Sift out the toxicity. Let the peace of God keep your heart and mind,” she writes.

@kevin_x254

A

fter months of sporting hair down to her back, the 36-year-old reality star debuted a chic, shoulder-length cut on Thursday 30th March 2017.

Kardashian debuted the new look while en route to lunch in Beverly Hills, showing off her fresh ‘do in a tight strapless bustier, dark, high-waisted jeans and snakeskin heels.

Mrs West has also opened up to her family about getting surgery in her uterus so she can get pregnant again. “I have to go in and prepare my uterus because I decided I want to try and have one more baby,” Kardashian reveals.

“This surgery is really the one last thing I can try,” she adds. “I want my kids to have siblings, and I want to know that I did everything I could to make this happen.”

Kageni are in Dubai for the weekend for an event titled ‘The African Football Extravaganza.’ Even though that sounds very ambiguous the gig is a 7-aside football tournament which will be held at the Bilva Indian School. Radull says, “Thank you @rwandairuae for a comfortable flight! #BusinessClassTingz All set for the #AfricanFootballExtravaganza at Bilva Indian School from 2pm! After party @kizadubai #TomorrowAfrica.”

I

cuts hair, considers surgery to get more children

nternational Kenyan socialite turned business woman Huddah Monroe has reportedly undergone a corrective surgery after a previous one went wrong. The petite beauty had earlier undergone a plastic surgery to increase her breast size but it seems all did not go well. Yesterday she revealed that a corrective surgery had been performed on her at the Beverly Hills plastic surgery group in the United States. ‘Got complications from a previous cosmetic Surgery I had ( a story for another day) and I am pleased with my Doctors who have done an incredible job on me.....

I can’t be more thankful! I could’ve died but I’m well now,’ she said through social media.

Bebe Cool to take Zuena on a cruise on 30th birthday

U

undergoes corrective plastic surgery

gandan musician Bebe Cool is set to take his beautiful wife Zuena on a boat cruise to celebrate her 30th birthday on Monday 3rd April 2017. The Gagamel king is known to spoil his Queen on her birthdays, last year he gifted her a brand new Mercedes Benz and this year he promises to make it bigger. The Gagamel boat cruise will feature performances from the Gagamel band where Bebe Cool will be the ultimate act.

Zuena, the mother of his children has been Bebe Cools’s inspiration in his music compositions with many of his lyrics praising her. Bebe Cool has just released a new music video dubbed ’18 and over’.

The duo has been together for over ten years.

12

ACCESS

WEEKEND WEDNESDAY EDITION, 26th NOVEMBER MARCH 31-APRIL 2014 2, 2017

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14

SPORT

Weekend highlight games: Two derbies and a clash at the top in Napoli v Juve WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL2, 2017

It looks likely that FIFA will be pushing to use a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This weekend’s game between Spain and France showed that the VAR could easily (and most importantly quickly) overturn incorrect decisions on the pitch. But let’s shelve that discussion for now though and shift focus to Europe’s top leagues which make do without the use of technology anyway. With Championships and local bragging rights at stake, this weekend has a lot of big matches on and we can take a look at four of the best.

Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke 04 Although the first game between these two was played in 1925, the rivalry only developed as Borussia Dortmund slowly began challenging Schalke’s in the years just after WWII. The rivalry is fuelled by the proximity of the two clubs (the stadiums are only 30kms apart). What adds to the rivalry is that have the 2nd and 3rd most season tickets holders in the league, so expect an incredible atmosphere.

Both teams have made a point of focusing on keeping clean sheets recently and this will slow the pace of the game. Schalke have had a disappointing season and only have the Europa League to play for. I think they will view this game as an opportunity to salvage some of their honour. This, coupled with being at home, will make Schalke play more attacking football.

If Schalke do not keep their discipline they will open themselves up to counter attacks which Dortmund will exploit. If Schalke remain tactically rigid I think they will focus on delivering from set pieces. Ultimately I think the two teams will focus on keeping their squad healthy for the European competitions.

Arsenal vs Manchester City

Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg (L) and Leighton Baines (C) in action against Liverpool’s Sadio Mane (R) during their English Premier League first leg match at Goodison Park in Liverpool on December 19, 2016. Sadio Mane scored as Liverpool won that contest. The two teams meet again tomorrow at Anfield.

PHOTO: PETER POWELL/EPA

This is a match between two managers who are under quite a bit of pressure.

All season Guardiola has been taunted with the argument that he is not a great manager because he is not making this batch of Manchester City players compete for the title.

Nevertheless, I expect Guardiola will

be given at least one more season at City which means we are likely to see a clear out over the summer. But, even this aging Manchester City side is likely to beat an Arsenal team that has basically given up on the season.

Arsenal are at real risk of not making the top four this season and although

Juventus attacker Gonzalo Higuain (C) will come up for a hostile reception when the team travels to Naples from fans who were bitterly disappointed with him leaving last year.

PHOTO: ANDREA DI MARCO/EPA

they always have a slump this time feels different. Arsenal’s lack of motivation in their last few games (particularly against West Brom) and the unrest of key players such as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Oezil means that they will be easy pickings for City. The clear out on the horizon for Manchester City means those players will be highly motivated to prove themselves and stay at the club. I expect Manchester City to romp to victory.

Napoli vs Juventus Over the weekend Gianluigi Buffon made his 1,000 appearance and has kept a clean sheet in more than 42% of those matches. This weekend Juventus will require all of his skills when they visit high scoring Napoli in Naplse. The Partenopei are Seria A’s highest goal scorers with 68 goals and I expect them to add to their tally this weekend. Dries Mertens found the net for Belgium over the weekend and he and his teammates will be highly motivated to cut Juventus’ lead in the table to 7 points.

Going the other way, Gonzalo Huguain will receive a frosty reception from the Napoli’s fans who were so bitterly disappointed with him leaving last year.

I think this will probably be the best match in Europe this weekend. The game will be decided in midfield where I expect Kehdira and Pjanic to be more effective than Hamsik and Jorginho in breaking up attacks and getting their strikers in to the game. Allegri is a

pragmatic manager and I think he will be looking to keep Juventus’ cushion at the top and play for a draw. I think he will get it.

Liverpool vs Everton Unlike in Napoli, I do not expect a lot of tactical discipline in this game.

The Merseyside derby will be high in emotion (and likely to see a red card). Liverpool played well against Manchester City and with a better strike force they would have walked away with the win.

This week they will come up against one of the league’s best striker in Romelu Lukaku, who recently announced that he would not be signing a new contract. Usually I would dismiss this as posturing but I think Lukaku is expecting more than Everton is currently able to offer (both on and off the pitch). However, Lukaku is not a prima donna and I expect him to give his best for Everton this season (which will also help his negotiations).

The high intensity play of these two teams means the match will likely be decided in the first 30 minutes. If Everton can get through those I expect them to get something out of this game. But I suspect Liverpool will force Everton to make a mistake at the back.

Liverpool will run out lucky winners and their need for a world class striker will become more obvious.

— By The Midfield General

SPORT 15

Ozil, Sanchez will stay – Wenger WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL2, 2017

No Pogba, Smalling, Jones for Man United Manchester United will be without Paul Pogba, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones for Saturday’s Premier League game against West Brom at Old Trafford.

Record signing Pogba, 24, has not recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered in the Europa League last-16 tie against FC Rostov on 16 March.

Jones, 25, suffered a toe injury after colliding with Smalling in England training and could miss four weeks.

Smalling, 27, also suffered a training injury while on international duty.

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic serves the final game of a three-match ban after he elbowed Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings on March 4, 2017.

United will play nine matches in April, including the Europa League quarter-final against Anderlecht.

Among their seven Premier League games are meetings with leaders Chelsea at Old Trafford on April 16, and a trip to Manchester City on Thursday, April 27.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil want to stay at the club but says his own future is “not sorted completely”.

Contract talks with Ozil and Sanchez - both 28 - are on hold until the summer.

Sanchez, 28, has been quoted stating he wants to stay in London at a club with a “winning mentality”, prompting speculation of a move to Chelsea.

“I personally believe both of them want to stay and I hope the club will find an agreement with them,” said Wenger.

Both players are under contract until June 2018 but speculation on their futures has been widespread during the current campaign.

The Arsenal manager, 67, stressed the situation was “not an immediate concern” and that there was no need to sell key players, unlike in past seasons when the club did so based on their financial position.

Chilean Sanchez was quoted in his homeland saying: “I’m happy in London [home of both Arsenal and current Premier League leaders Chelsea] and I want to finish my contract. I like to stay in one place,

one city, where the team fights for titles.”

Wenger emphasised he took Sanchez’s words in “a very positive way”.

“Alexis said he wants to win the championship, that’s what everybody wants,” added Wenger.

Wenger was offered a new contract earlier this season but several exArsenal players have stated his 21 years at the club are coming to an end in the face of mounting fan frustration at perceived underachievement.

The Gunners remain in the FA Cup but have exited the Champions League and sit sixth in the Premier League, form which has seen sections of supporters hold banners and sing songs asking Wenger to leave.

He promised clarity on his future “soon” less than two weeks ago, but on Thursday said: “It’s a subject that at the moment it is not sorted completely out.

“I’m very clear in my mind. Do I stay two months or two years?

My commitment will be exactly the same all the time. It does not influence my attitude.”

Arsenal have lost six of their last

nine games but asked if the issue was creating a distraction, Wenger added: “I believe the priority in life is to focus on what is important, not to look for excuses.”

The Gunners host Manchester City

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez (R) celebrates a goal with Mesut Ozil at the Emirates.

Manager Wenger says he is confident the two forwards will stay at the club.

PHOTO: GERRY PENNY/EPA

friday 31st march 2017

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at the Emirates on Sunday with the battle for a top four finish on focus. City are currently third with 57 points, seven ahead of Wenger’s men who have a game in hand.

WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 31-APRIL 2, 2017 | WWW.X254.CO

SPORTPESA TAKES OVER KENYA SEVENS SHIRT SPONSORSHIP DEAL AS KQ FLYS OUT

Saints Van Dijk out for the season

Southampton centre back Virgil van Dijk is unlikely to play again this season as he recovers from a damaged ligament in his foot. The 25-year-old has not played since sustaining the injury in a 3-0 victory over Leicester in January.

The Dutch international subsequently underwent surgery and was expected to be out for up to three months.

However, the club have now said Van Dijk will not be “risked unnecessarily” despite his recovery progressing well.

Striker Charlie Austin could return from a long-term shoulder injury in three weeks, according to boss Claude Puel.

Saints are currently 10th in the Premier League, with 11 games remaining this season.

Zoo Kericho to Miss Nixon Amulanda for Nakumatt clash

Newly promoted KPL side Zoo Kericho, will miss the services of Nixon Amulanda as the Kenya Premier League enters week three. The battle of the newcomers pitting the Kericho-based side and Nakumatt FC will be staged at the Kericho Green Stadium on Saturday.

Amulanda will serve a one-match ban following two bookable offenses when Zoo Played Gor Mahia, after falling Kenneth Muguna with only six minutes to go, a foul that resulted to Muguna scoring the only goal that gave the 15 times champions their second straight win this season.

The supermarket chain sponsored side will be seeking to bounce back after losing 3-0 to AFC Leopards in their only match two weeks ago. Also missing in action is Daniel Mwaura of Mathare United and Samuel Odhiambo of Western Stima, who also serve a one-match ban.

Mathare United will play Sofapaka at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, on Sunday while Western Stima host Gor Mahia at the Moi Stadium Kisumu.

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Berahino: Drugs ban was from spiked club drink S

toke City striker Saido Berahino says the eightweek drugs ban he served earlier this season came after his drink was spiked in a nightclub.

Berahino did not play for former club West Brom between September and January, when he joined Stoke for £12m. “To be banned for something you really haven’t done is hard to take,” the 23-year-old told BBC’s Football Focus. He claims the level of drugs found was “really low”, which he says proves there was no intent on his behalf.

“You go on a night out, you don’t know who you are around and there are people who are out to get you,” said the former England Under-21 international.

“Of course, I was in a nightclub, so I hold my hand up for being irresponsible.

“From then on it all crashed down. To this day, I still cannot understand who would want to do that to me.”

Berahino, who has played in the Premier League six times for Stoke, was absent from the first team for his final four months at West Brom.

Baggies boss Tony Pulis said repeatedly the Burundiborn striker was not playing because of a lack of fitness.

Berahino rejects suggestions Pulis tried to protect him.

“No-one protected me at that club,” he said. “It was hard not doing what I really love - that’s what killed me the most.

“Waking up in the morning, playing football and having a smile on your face. Not doing that was the hardest thing for me.”

Berahino brought an end to his turbulent time at The Hawthorns by signing a five-and-a-half-year deal at Stoke on 20 January.

The Albion academy graduate, who scored 20 goals in 45 appearances for the club in 2014-15, threatened to go on strike after Spurs had a bid for him turned down on transfer deadline day in summer 2015.

He returned to the side 10 days after tweeting his frustration, but failed to regain his previous form.

He continued to be linked with other Premier League clubs, but moves in the next two transfer windows failed to materialise. Berahino, who turned down three new contract offers from Albion, said he wanted to leave the club he joined as a 11-year-old because he “hated the place”. “I was depressed,” he said. “Every morning I walked in the training ground I didn’t want to be there. “Going from loving something and hating the place that has made you is hard to take. Hate is a strong word but I really didn’t want to be there.

“That is one of the reasons I didn’t sign the contracts they put on the table. It was not about money, it was about my happiness.”

Former West Bromwich’s Saido Berahino has accused the English Premier League of failing to defend him during his time at the club Photo: EPA

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