THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017 | www.x254.co
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PS WHO SIGNED CONTENCIOUS CBA NOW DISOWNS IT FORMER PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION PRINCIPAL SECRETARY MARK BOR SAYS THE DOCUMENT WAS
NEWS
NOT A FINAL AGREEMENT AND THAT HE ONLY SIGNED IT TO AVERT A THEN LOOMING STRIKE
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VARDY STRIKES TO KEEP FOXES IN SEVILLA TIE AS JUVENTUS PUNISH 10-MAN PORTO
VALENCIA STUN REAL MADRID AS ZINEDINE ZIDANE’S SIDE LOSE AGAIN IN LA LIGA
State moves to restrict Governors US travels G
Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho chats with ambassador Johnnie Carson, US Senior Advisor in the Executive Office of the United States Isntitute of Peace on Wednesday. Mr Joho is in the US on a working tour. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has written to the Council of Governors notifying them of new rules intended to restric such travels in future. PHOTO: COURTESY
overnors who want to travel to United States will first have to be subjected to stringent rules before being issued with visas in a new government move to restrict foreign travels. The county bosses have already been notified of the new rules in a letter sent to the Council of Governors by the ministry of Foreign Affair. According to the new rules, Governors will only be issued with visas to travel to United States only when transacting national government duties. The news rules also state that category A visa will only be issued to County officials travelling for official duties on behalf of the National government. The letter signed by Ambassador E. M. Barine, Director, Parliament and County Affairs, further states that county officials, travelling to the US exclusively on behalf of their County government do not qualify for official visa whether travelling on diplomatic passport or not. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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City Hall bans vernacular campaigns in Nairobi THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
Politicians will not be allowed to address rallies in Nairobi using their mother tongue. Nairobi Chief Officer John Ntoiti issued the notice today warning that politicians will not be allowed to continue to balkanise city residents by addressing them in select vernacular languages. He said politicians often resort to their mother tongue as they find it a safe way of making inflammatory statements that can show seeds of discord. And Governor Evans Kidero has already directed city askaris to arrest any politician violating the decree by addressing political gathering using their mother tongue. “All city askaris are hereby directed to arrest politicians who address rallies in the city in vernacular languages,” Dr Ntoiti told journalists at a media briefing at City Hall today. Ntoiti said those arrested will face charges of being public nuisance and incitement. Dr Kidero had earlier warned politicians against addressing city gatherings in their vernacular languages. In his argument, the governor said the city is metropolitan and he fails to understand why one would chose to address people of diverse ethnicities in a tribal language. He particular lashed out at President Uhuru Kenyatta for “speaking in Kikuyu while addressing over 44 ethnic groups living in the city”
State moves to restrict Governors US travels
From Page 1 Official visa status otherwise known as (A visa category) will only apply to those travelling to the US on behalf of the national government and their immediate family members, who include spouse and unmarried sons and daughters. The new rules stipulates that all county officials must therefore follow the normal visa application procedures including physical appearance to the embassy for interviews, fingerprints and payment of visa fee. However, governors and their immediate family members travelling on diplomatic passports, whether for national or county government business, are exempted from paying visa fee. This therefore means that all county officials exempt those travelling on behalf of the national government; will henceforth be issued with B1/B2 visa category which do not require a diplomatic note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The new rules apply to European, Japanese and Australian travelers to the United States who have visited Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria since 2011 and dualcitizens who have citizenship in one of those countries. Under the change, these individuals will no longer be able to enter the United States without applying for a sam_x254 travel visa.
business premises and houses and chasing down boda-boda operators instead of implementing policies to benefit city residents,” Mr Kenyatta said. Kidero has accused President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jubilee administration of favouring a single tribe and unfairly trying to discredit his achievements. He criticised the President for addressing residents of a cosmopolitan city using the language of a single community.
President Uhuru Kenyatta shares a light moment with Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero during the official opening of Two Rivers Mall in Runda last week.
Mr Kidero’s bare-knuckled attack on the head of state appears to have been triggered by a statement by President Kenyatta on a fortnight ago during a voter registration exercise, where he accused the
governor of failing the city electorates. “It (county government) has achieved nothing and all they have been doing is demolishing small
“The President as a national leader and resident of Nairobi, a capital city, and myself as governor, we both preside over affairs of all 42 Kenyan communities and other international communities,” the governor said. “We, therefore cannot communicate or use a language that makes a majority feel excluded or discriminated against. It was therefore extremely unfortunate the President chose to address a rally in Nairobi in an ethnic language,” he noted then. Meanwhile, Kidero has also ordered outdoor advertising companies to pull down all banners and billboards mounted by politicians during the mass voter registration. City Hall maintained that on Thursday that official campaign period has not started. @hillary_x254
Leave Nasa alone, Mudavadi tells DP Ruto Amani National Congress (ANC) Musalia Mudavadi laughed off claims by Deputy President William Ruto that National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders’ main agenda was about sharing of positions. Reacting to the deal signed by NASA leaders Wednesday in Nairobi, Ruto dismissed the outfit as a political grouping only interested in sharing non-existent positions among themselves for selfish purposes. He dismissed opposition unity agreement and plans, saying the opposition has nothing new to offer. “Kenyans were told to wait for a major announcement from NASA leaders but that announcement has turned to be about sharing non-existent positions, like a chief minister,” Ruto told a gathering in Kaloleni, Kilifi. However, Mudavadi has turned the gun on Ruto describing him as a ridiculous politician. The ANC leader said NASA is seeking to lead and obviously that comes with power. Mudavadi told the Deputy President to stop being hypocritical and face the reality as politics is about power. “Politics is about power. If Ruto does not want power, let him call it a day and resign and then become a farmer,” Mudavadi said during an interview with NTV last night. He explained politics was about power and being at the helm of the country’s leadership for a particular period of time. Mudavadi, who is one of the NASA
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati. He has assured Kenyans of a credible election. PHOTO: COURTESY
Amani Party leader Musalia Mudavadi waits to append his signature during the signing of the new coalition agreement in Nairobi yesterday. PHOTO: CAPITAL FM
principals reprimanded Ruto and told him off that power sharing was not the only component they signed yesterday but a number of items were involved. Party leaders Raila Odinga (ODM), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Moses Wetang’ula attended the unveiling of
the coalition agreement yesterday and appended their signatures to the deal. The coalition pact, however, was launched without key elements of a power-sharing formula among the parties. And now, Mudavadi says that all politicians running for office seek power as guaranteed in the
constitution. “NASA also about seeking power but we are saying we don’t want to monopolise power, we want to share it, jubilee wants to be in power and they want to monopolise it with a few people, we are different” he held. @hillary_x254
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
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NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
Former PS disowns doctors contentious CBA, says he signed it to avert strike The contentious Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that is behind the three-month old doctors strike was signed a PS who had left office, it has now emerged. Former Permanent Secretary for Public Health and Sanitation Mark Bor told MPs yesterday that he signed the CBA with doctors in June 2013 when he was already out of office. But Bor could not explain to the MPs why he signed the document which hassince been declared illegal by the court. Majority of the legislators castigated the former PS for causing untold suffering to Kenyans by participating in an illegality through signing the CBA. “Were you were signing, did you know you were signing what was workable and implementable or you were just signing the document for the sake of it,” asked Cherangany MP Wesley Korir. “Your signature has caused untold suffering to Kenyans, people have died because of your signature,” he added. Seme’s James Nyikal demanded to know who gave the former PS permission to sign official documents on behalf of the government when he was officially out of office. But Bor explained that he signed the document in order to prevent a looming crisis within the health sector.
The former PS said further that the ministry at that time wanted him to own the document since he is the one who started negotiations with doctors in 2011. “When the new government came into place in 2013, I was told to own the document following the negotiations with doctors,” Bor said. Despite many questions from MPs to name who authorised him to sign the document, the ex-PS refused to mention anyone. He attracted the wrath of the lawmakers who ordered him out of the chambers and declared him a hostile witness by the committee. According to the former PS, the CBA was not the final document but provisionary or progressive document that would further guide negotiations with doctors. “The document I signed was not the final document but a template that was to guide further negotiations, it did not even contain the issues of salaries,” Bor said. “I am just worried about what is emerging on this issue because this is a document that the ministry wanted executed. This was not the final document and did not outline anything in terms of salaries and allowances,” he said. But he admitted that he signed the document unlawfully on June 27,
NEWSBRIEFS
Probe launched into brutal murder of four in Kikuyu Police have launched investigations into the brutal murder of four young men whose bodies were found inside a car in Gitaru, Kikuyu Township. The owner of the vehicle has been arrested after he went to Kikuyu police station to report that his vehicle had earlier been stolen. Area chief James Gitau told the police that he was informed by a member of the public that there were four bodies in a grey Toyota Succeed, registration number KBY 611W. The vehicle had been parked near Jack Apartments about 50 metres from NairobiWangige junction, according to police headquarters. Two of the bodies were inside the boot while the other two were behind the driver’s seat. The bodies, according to police and witnesses, had serious injuries on the head, with blood oozing from their mouths.
Former Public Health and Sanitation PS Mark Bor when he appeared before MPs yesterday. He has disowned the CBA he signed with doctors.
2013, yet his term at the ministry ended following an executive order after the Jubilee administration took power. Bor served between 2008 and 2013 in the ministry at a time when it had been split into two – the Medical Services and Public Health and Sanitation. “It’s true I was not the PS at the point of signing the document, but it was not the final CBA to be registered.
There were demands we agreed and some did not agree with doctors’ union officials during our negotiations as a ministry,” Bor said. He also defended his move to sign the document on grounds the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacist and Dentists’ Union officials led by former secretary general Sultan Matendechere kept shifting positions on their demands.
John Serut (Mt Elgon) said it was unnecessary for the committee to discuss a document that was not legitimate. Public Service Commission chair Margret Kobia said she does not understand why Bor signed the document yet he was not in office. “The former PS was already gone and the executive order taking effect immediately had already been signed. The document therefore is not valid because it was signed by a person not officially in office,” Kobia said. Chairperson Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Sarah Serem said when the CBA was presented to them by the KMPDU officials they noted anomalies which they raised with the ministry of health but they were not addressed. “I called Mark Bor over this document and he told me that he was simply doing his work in solving a crisis. I am still annoyed to this date over that because people have suffered and died because of this document,” Serem said. Earlier KMPDU officials maintained that they will not accept any negotiations outside the CBA. The officials admitted that the document is not legal but its contents are valid and should therefore be implemented. The joint committee will retreat and write a report to be presented to parliament later.
Court further extends talks with medics by a week The Court has today extended by one more week the duration for negotiations between doctors and the government to end the former’s strike which entered its 81st day today. A three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal granted the extension to allow the parties resolve outstanding issues. “Being mindful of the suffering in our public hospitals, we give the mediators seven more days to explore resolution of the outstanding issues,” Lady Justice Hannah Okwengu ruled. Justice Okwengu together with Lady Justice Fatuma Sichale and Sankale Ole Kantai gave the green light for further negotiations led by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to end the medics’ strike. They however gave a window for an early mention of the case should the negotiations yield fruit ahead of the mediators’ next court appearance on March 2. The court had last week released seven jailed Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists & Dentists Union (KMPDU) officials pending the hearing and determination of the appeal against their jail sentence. The talks, led by KNCHR chairperson Kagwiria Mbogori and LSK representative John Ohaga, have hit a snag with the sticky issue of the doctors’ terms of service remaining unresolved. The parties at the helm
Secretary general of the doctors union Ouma Oluga (right) smiles in the courtroom after judges further extended their negotiations with the government by one more week.
of the talks were today expected to report on progress made in mediations between the government and KMPDU before the court as they had been instructed last week. The doctors’ union officials called for the week-long extension in an application filed by Senior Counsel James Orengo, Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr and Philip Murgor. The submission was however challenged by the Council of
Governors with lawyer Laibuta Mugambi speaking on behalf of the county chiefs saying a seven day extension would be too long. The CoG instead called for hearing of the matter on Tuesday. The mediators also asked for files documenting the negotiations be kept in their possession instead of the courts’ after details of the talks leaked into the public domain earlier this week. @harrison_x254
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
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NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 2017
Trump rescinds transgender toilet rules from Obama era Donald Trump’s government has revoked guidance to US public schools that allowed transgender students to use toilets matching their gender identity. The guidance, issued by his predecessor Barack Obama, had been hailed as a victory for transgender rights. But critics said it threatened other students’ privacy and safety, and should be decided at state level. Mr Obama’s directive had sparked a backlash across the country, with legal challenges from 13 states. The latest change will have no immediate impact, because Mr Obama’s directive has already been temporarily blocked by a judge in Texas since August. On Wednesday, the Trump administration sent a letter to US schools outlining the change, saying the previous measure had caused confusion. It had also sparked lawsuits and debate over how it should work in practice, the letter from the Justice and Education departments said. Last May, Mr Obama’s justice and education departments instructed public schools to allow transgender students to use whichever bathroom corresponded to their gender identity. Though not legally binding, Mr Obama’s order warned schools they could lose funding if they did not follow the new guidance. The Obama administration’s guidance was based on its interpretation of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. Mr Obama argued that protection extended to gender identity. During his presidential campaign, Mr Trump said transgender students should be allowed to use whichever bathroom “they feel is appropriate”. But he reversed his stance after facing Republican criticism. On Wednesday, conservative activists praised Mr Trump’s order, saying it protected student rights to privacy. “Our daughters should never
US President Donald Trump. His administration has rescinded rules that allowed transgender students to use toilets matching their identity. PHOTO: EPA
be forced to share private, intimate spaces with male classmates, even if those young men are struggling with these issues,” said Vicki Wilson, a member of Students and Parents for Privacy. “It violates their right to privacy and harms their dignity.” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, also praised the move. “Our fight over the bathroom directive has always been about former President Obama’s attempt to bypass Congress and rewrite the laws to fit his political agenda for radical social change,” he said. However, transgender activists have argued that gender identity is a civil rights issue that should be enforced at a federal level, not left to
individual states. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten called the move a major setback for trans rights. “By rescinding these protections, the Trump administration is compromising the safety and security of some of our most vulnerable children,” she said. “Reversing this guidance tells trans kids that it’s OK with the Trump administration and the Department of Education for them to be abused and harassed at school for being trans.” Some celebrities also criticised the decision on social media, with TV presenter Ellen DeGenere tweeting: “This isn’t about politics. It’s about human rights.”
North Korea now condemn Malaysia over Kim’s death North Korea has said Malaysia is responsible for the death of one of its citizens and is attempting to politicise the return of his body. It does not name Kim Jong-nam, but the KCNA report appears to be state media’s first reference to the death of the half-brother of North Korea’s leader. Mr Kim (pictured) died after being poisoned at Kuala Lumpur airport and his body remains in a hospital mortuary. Several North Koreans are wanted in connection with his death. They include a senior official at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur as well as an employee of the state airline, Air Koryo. Four other North Koreans named earlier in the case are thought to have left Malaysia already, while another North Korean is in detention. Malaysia’s police chief Khalid Abu
Bakar said on Thursday that he had asked international police agency Interpol to issue an alert for the four. On Wednesday, Malaysian police confirmed that Mr Kim died after two women - also in detention wiped a toxin on his face while he was waiting for a flight to Macau. It said the attack was “planned” and that the women had been well trained. They have not directly blamed the North Korean state, but said North Koreans were clearly behind it. Mr Kim was once seen as a possible successor to his father, Kim Jong-il, but was bypassed in favour of his younger half brother, Kim Jong-un, and spent many years living abroad. He had been travelling on a passport under the name Kim Chol. Malaysia says it believes the man was indeed Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of Kim Jong-
un, though it is seeking family DNA samples for official confirmation, a request North Korea called “absurd”. KCNA said only that “a citizen of
the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea]” who was travelling on a diplomatic passport had died due to “a heart stroke”. It said reports of a poisoning were false and Malaysia was part of an “anti-DPRK conspiratorial racket launched by the South Korean authorities”. Conducting a post-mortem on the holder of a diplomatic passport without state permission was “a wanton human rights abuse and an act contrary to human ethics and morality”, it said. “The biggest responsibility for his death rests with the government of Malaysia,” said the report, and the refusal to hand the body back to North Korean officials “proves that the Malaysian side is going to politicise the transfer of the body in utter disregard of international law and morality and thus attain a sinister purpose”.
Mexico rejects new US border policy Mexico has condemned new guidelines issued by the United States, under which almost all illegal immigrants can be subject to deportation. The new rules include sending undocumented people to Mexico, even if they are not Mexicans. But Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray says his country cannot “accept unilateral decisions imposed by one government on another.” Two top US officials are in Mexico to discuss the measures. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and the head of Homeland Security, John Kelly, will hold talks with President Enrique Pena Nieto, amid one of the most serious rifts between the two neighbours in recent years. The changes announced on Tuesday include plans to enforce an existing provision of the US Immigration and Nationality Act that allows authorities to send illegal immigrants back to Mexico, regardless of where they are from. But it is unclear whether the US has authority to force Mexico to accept foreigners. The Obama government focussed on deporting immigrants convicted of serious crimes. Now, the new priorities are broad enough to apply to almost any illegal immigrant, including anyone who has been charged with a crime, misrepresented themselves, poses a risk to public safety, or “abused any programme related to receipt of public benefits”. The new guidelines also allow Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport people immediately.
Gambia’s ex-spy master arrested
Gambia’s former spymaster and head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Yankuba Badjie, has been arrested. Rights groups say the NIA was involved in the disappearance and torture of critics of ex-President Yahya Jammeh. Mr Badjie is the first of Mr Jammeh’s security officials to be taken into custody by the new government. Mr Jammeh was forced to resign after 22 years in power by The Gambia’s neighbours last month after refusing to accept defeat in December’s elections. He has now gone into exile in Equatorial. Mr Badjie was arrested on Monday along with another former NIA employee. The agency is cited by Human Rights Watch (HRW) as being an instrument of serious abuses under Mr Jammeh. In a 2015 report, HRW painted a bleak picture of human rights in The Gambia. No official reasons were given for Mr Badjie’s arrest. But he was taken into custody after new President Adama Barrow promised to reform the NIA, which he has renamed the State Intelligence Service. Mr Badjie is alleged to have personally presided over torture sessions of government critics at NIA chambers.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017 | www.x254.co
BUSINESS
CBK EXCHANGE RATES
Kenyans living abroad register 10 new Saccos, state confirms Kenyans living abroad have registered 10 savings and credit co-operative societies (Saccos), Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed has said. Speaking during the official launch and rebranding of Taqwa Sacco, the CS noted that the 10 Sacco’s would not only promote a culture of saving, but also more than double diaspora remittances. “So far, we have registered two Sacco’s in the USA, two in Qatar one in Germany, Swaziland, Nigeria, France, South Africa and Canada respectively,” said Adan. “The Ministry continues to promote registration of Sacco’s for Kenyans in the diaspora aimed at tapping into the huge potential from this group of Kenyans, and to channel the savings for social economic development in an organized manner despite establishing a footprint of the Kenyan co-operative movement in the global international business arena,” he added. Taqwa Sacco’s move to open its doors to the public is likely to affect banking institutions given that the Sacco which is the first Sharia Compliant orgaanisation of its kind in Kenya, will offer all services offered by local lenders in addition to zero interest rates on loans given to members. “Our 0 per cent interest rate on our loans will help us triple the number of our members and we are not restricted to the Muslim religion alone. All
Cabinet Secretary for Industry,Trade and Cooperatives Adan Mohammed.
Kenyans have a right to access cheaper and affordable credit and we will be offering credit across all races, religion, and tribes in Kenya,” said Taqwa FOSA Sacco Chairperson, Ahmed Yusuf. Started in 1998, the Sacco has over 4,000 members and its deposits stood at Sh372 million at the end of 2016. Data from the Ministry of Industry,
Trade, and Co-operatives shows that co-operative movement boast of more than 22,000 registered cooperative societies, commanding a total membership of over 14 million Kenyans. The Sacco sub-sector alone has mobilized domestic savings in excess of Sh600 billion and asset base of over
Barclays Bank’s profit dips 12 per cent on back of bad loans, interest capping law Barclays Bank of Kenya recorded a 12 per cent dip in profits to Sh7.3 billion for the year ended December 2016 driven by nonperforming loans and a new law that capped interest rates at 14.5 per cent. “The cap on lending rates, introduced last September, was expected to squeeze margins and profits at Kenyan banks. In general it has impacted our revenue line in the region of about 15 per cent,” explained Jeremy Awori, the bank’s CEO. During the period under review, Barclays Bank’s pre-tax profit fell to Sh10.85 billion from Sh12.07 billion a year earlier, hurt by increased provisions for bad debts and the rate cap. Provisions for bad debts doubled hitting Sh3.92 billion down from Sh1.77 billion recorded the previous year. The lender attributed the sharp rise in non-performing loans to job losses at companies that caused personal borrowers to default on their loans. The lender upheld its final bonus payout of Sh0.8 per share, having paid an interim dividend of Sh0.2 earlier for the first half of the same year. During the period under review, Barclays’
loan book expanded 16 per cent to Sh168.5 billion, helping to push interest income up 11.2 per cent to Sh28.1 billion. Interest expenses jumped 18.7 per cent, partly reflecting an 8 per cent growth in customer deposits to Sh178.1 billion. Economists had earlier warned of the cap on lending rates, saying it would squeeze margins and profits among Kenyan banks, slowing economic growth by discouraging lending to smaller borrowers who are deemed more risky. Analysts argue that The Banking Act 2016 cap - which sets the minimum deposit rate on interest-bearing accounts at 70 per cent of the CBR - is encouraging provision of bad loans thus hurting the bottom-line of lenders. “The rate at which provision of bad debts is being witnessed across the banking sector has always been a worry for many investors and we expect that the adoption of this standard will eventually lead to higher provision and coverage levels across the sector,” analysts at Renaissance Capital said in statement. @enock_x254
1 US DOLLAR 1 UK POUND 1 EURO 1 S.A RAND 1 KSH/USH 1 KSH/TSH
Photo: Gitobu Edwin /Xnews
Sh800 billion. The Kenyan co-operative movement has been rated first in Africa and seventh globally. In 2012, the Sacco subsector was rated by the World Organization of Credit Unions as the world’s fastest growing sub-sector. @enock_x254
MEAN 103.5767 129.5214 109.2400 7.9003 34.6121 21.5686
BUY SELL 103.4767 103.6767 129.3856 129.6572 109.1256 109.3544 7.8881 7.9124 34.5304 34.6938 21.4995 21.6377
Sasini Limited seeks approval to sell 60 per cent stake in Savanna Coffee House
Sasini Limited is seeking approval from its shareholders to sell off its 60 per cent shareholding in Savanna Coffee House this Friday. The shareholders will consider the resolution to dispose the subsidiary to Sheb Investments Limited at a cost of Sh70 million. Savanna Coffee House runs four restaurants on Nairobi’s Loita Street, Ralph Bunche Road, Muthangari Road and Mombasa Road. In 2015, the company sold its building on Nairobi’s Loita Street, Sasini House, for more than Sh600 million. Besides the disposal, shareholders will also consider passing a resolution to change the name of the company from Sasini Limited to Sasini PLC. Other approvals expected include incorporating Sasini Avocado Limited, Sasini Seed Limited, Sasini EPZ Park, Sasini Nuts EPZ, as wholly subsidiaries of the company. The move comes barely two months after Sasini Ltd announced the appointment of a new managing director, Stephen Maina Githiga. Githiga took over from Moses Changowny, who retired on December 31, 2016. The new appointment took effect from January 1, 2017. Sasini is one of Kenya’s major tea and coffee producers, and is one of the country’s “Big 6” tea producers. Tea is grown by a Sasini subsidiary, Kipkebe Limited. @Dennis_x254
EAPCC posts Sh533 million pre-tax loss as demand for cement declines East African Portland Cement Company Ltd has posted a half year (H1) loss before tax of Sh533 million for the period ended December 2016 versus a loss of Sh745.0 million the previous year. The cement maker also posted a H1 revenue of Sh3.72 billion versus Sh4.62 billion a year ago. The company’s board said in a statement viewed today that revenue declined by 19 per cent over the same period last year due to reduction in sales volumes by 17 per cent as a result of changes in the competitive landscape. “Cost of sales was contained and proportionately reduced by 19 per cent in line with the decrease in Sales Volume. Consequently, the gross profit margin remained at 18°A compared to prior period. Administrative expenses reduced
by 9 per cent compared to the same period last year as a result of the ongoing cost management initiatives,” the Board added. The Board explained that losses from operating activities increased by 48 per cent over same period last year due to lower revenue despite the gains realised in control of administrative expenses. EAPCC says demand for cement is expected to decline as election uncertainties sets in coupled with possible decline on disposable income of households occassioned by drought, a general decline in the manufacturing sector and near completion of major infrastructure projects. “Cement supply will continue to outstrip local demand, hence we expect the market prices to remain
subdued in the short to medium term. Revenue enhancement and cost optimization will remain key focus objectives as the company continues to leverage on its brand to weather competitive pressure. The Company will continue with the ongoing restructuring programs covering both operations and financial aspects of the business. This is geared towards reduction of the high Finance and Administrative costs and stabilisation of the value chain processes in order to enhance efficiency and the Company’s competitive position,” said the Board. The Board is optimistic that with the implementation of the company’s medium term plans, the company will return back to profitability. @Dennis_x254
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BUSINESS
ICDC moves to cash in on MICE sector with new apartments THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
The Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC) is targeting foreign guests and multinationals looking to undertake overseas business assignments in Kenya with its new apartments at the Coast. The government-owned development finance and investment company has said the large number of business conferences, seminars and foreign firms seeking to prospect for new businesses in the East African market will boost uptake of units for its newly-built Nyali-based Zamia Heights apartments in the coming months. “Demand for accommodation brought about by tourism both local and international, leisure and business travel has been on an upward trend,” said ICDC Acting Executive Director Mr Kennedy Wanderi. ICDC said Zamia Heights offers prospective buyers the flexibility of converting the development into serviced apartments, holiday and family homes or for rental purposes. “A large number of conferences and seminars take place in the Nyali area, making Zamia Heights ideal to offer apartments for those who attend these activities or foreign corporates looking for business opportunities in the region,” said Wanderi. “We have identified the need and the solution, offering a quality product at an opportune time and to the right customer. Embracing innovative trends will position ICDC to benefit from a sector that is on a growth trajectory,” he added. The shift in preference of apartments to hotels is being driven by expatriates attracted into the country by its position as a regional hub for East and Central Africa and attractive tourist destinations. ICDC’s Sh415 million development ,consisting of 28 executive modern apartments ,is located on 5th Avenue off Mahesh Doshi Road behind City Mall within Nyali in Mombasa County.
ICDC’s Sh415 million development consists of 28 executive modern apartments The site is a quiet serene environment with proximity to facilities including Nakumatt-City Mall, schools, Golf club and the city centre. It has a mix of two and three-bedroomed apartments, with two-bedroomed units going for a low of Sh13 million and three-bedroomed units from Sh16 million.
“With a sea view they attract inquiries from both local and diaspora investors, and they are suitable for holiday homes, buy-to-let and rental, “said Wanderi. The Corporation is also targeting individuals who want to invest in family and holiday homes. Prospective buyers are required to raise
a 20 percent deposit for the property with the Corporation ready to finance the balance of 80 percent over a period of 10 - 15 years. The current interest rate offered by ICDC is 13 percent per annum on reducing balance. @Dennis_x254
Samsung to unveil latest technologies designed for Africa at 8th annual forum
Samsung will be showcasing its commitment to the continent by introducing its latest range of products at the 8th Annual Samsung Africa Forum. This event will take place between23 and 25 February 2017 at the International Conference Centre (CTICC) in Cape Town, South Africa. Samsung has said it will showcase its innovative product range and highlight the company’s commitment and unifying vision to its African customers, partners and media. “This is a region that is a vital part of Samsung’s global business and the company will utilise this event to showcase products selected specifically for the unique needs of African customers,” the firm said in a statement. The theme for this year’s event is ‘One Pride’ which represents how Samsung and its partner network continue to work together to be the leaders in the region’s consumer electronics market. “Samsung’s goal is to inspire the world and create the future with innovative technology and creativity, thanks to a deep understanding of what people really need and want,” said YooYoung Kim, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics’ Africa Office. “Samsung’s motto has always been pride and passion. As such, the company is proud of its innovative, world-class products that feature innovative designs and technology created to benefit consumers. Samsung is passionate about a shared vision to improve the lives of African customers and eager to drive positive growth for its partners across the continent.” The electronics company added. “The Forum will help us to achieve our goal of enriching our customer’s lives, while contributing to socio-economic prosperity across Africa and supporting a sustainable environment for us all,” continued the CEO. With the expected continuous growth of this market in 2017, Samsung Electronics aims to lead the continent’s development in the consumer electronics space. @kevin_x254
Tala raises over Sh3 bn in financing as lender eyes new markets Tala, a leading mobile technology and data science company that offers loan-based services, announced today that it has raised more than $30 million (Sh3.1 billion) in Series B financing, led by IVP and joined by Ribbit Capital. Additional participants include existing investors Lowercase Capital, Data Collective, Collaborative Fund and Female Founders Fund (F3). Tala’s new round of funding will be used to accelerate product development, expand into new markets, and build its internal team. As part of the financing, Jules Maltz from IVP has joined Tala’s Board of Directors. “By using smartphone data to build financial identity, Tala is pioneering a new model that can reach more
than two billion people globally who have been underserved by traditional finance companies,” said Jules Maltz, General Partner at IVP. “We are thrilled to partner with Shivani and the Tala management team to help accelerate Tala’s next phase of growth and unlock capital and opportunity for millions of people across the world.” “From day one, Tala’s mission has been to change global financial systems so that people have more access, choice, and control,” said Shivani Siroya, Founder and CEO of Tala. “With this new round and team of phenomenal investors and advisors, we are positioned to connect millions of underserved people to financial services that can advance their lives.”
Tala currently operates in East Africa and Southeast Asia with its main top markets being Kenya and
the Philippines, where it focuses on improving financial access for individuals in the emerging middle class, which are largely underserved populations that are leading creditworthy lives outside of the formal economic sector. Tala’s mobile app for Android aggregates more than 10,000 different data points on a customer’s device, including financial transactions, savings, network diversity, and geographic patterns, and builds a customized credit score, or financial identity. Once a customer has been scored through the app, he or she can quickly apply for credit and receive an instant decision. The size and terms of the credit product are customized based on a customer’s risk and
capacity. Credit is disbursed directly to customers’ mobile money accounts in less than 5 minutes, and customers repay their loans directly from the app. Tala has delivered more than one million loans totaling over $50 million (Sh5.2 billion), and more than one million individuals have accessed the product in East Africa alone. More than 95 percent of Tala’s borrowers return to Tala for additional loans, and repayment rates are above 90 percent. “No company in our portfolio makes me prouder to be involved and has more potential for upside than Tala,” said Chris Sacca, Founder & Chairman of Lowercase Capital. @Dennis_x254
BUSINESS 9
Fusion acquires 75pc of Thika Royal Palms as demand for land in satellite towns increases THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
Private investment firm, Fusion Capital has acquired a 75 per cent stake in Thika Royal Palms Limited, a Subsidiary of Hand in Hand Development Company Limited. Hand in Hand Development is a coowner and co-developer of Graceland Athi River amongst other projects. Thika Royal Palms is a Special Purpose Vehicle whose intention is to acquire, masterplan, put in infrastructure and sell land to individuals seeking to buy and build. The company, which owns prime piece of land on Thika-Gatanga Road is seeking to add value and sell as it seeks acquire additional land for subdivision and sale in the future. In line with its county strategy, Fusion Capital has acquired 75 per cent stake in Thika Royal Palms, in Thika, Muranga County. Fusion said the move was a share subscription to enable the firm to complete the acquisition of land. This is the second time that Fusion is backing the developers having previously invested in their joint partnership vehicle in Athi River. Fusion capital invested in a Kick out bond (2.5 years and 7 years) in December 2010, a project that developed a total of 82 units and the
(From Right) Thika Royal Palms Directors, Joshua Wathanga and Grant Smith; Fusion Capital Real Estate Director, Daniel Kamau and Rispa Nyoro, Advocate at Kale Maina & Bundotich Advocates. same sold to owner occupiers. “We believe in building business relationship and when the first project has been a success, it incentives us to back entrepreneurs in their other investments as we expect them to deliver better returns to investors from the experience gained from initial projects,” the company said in a recent statement. Thika Royal Palms intends to acquire
and develop properties in Thika. It is currently subdividing and selling the land which is master planned for 70 stand-alone medium class homes. The plot sale targets a section of the market that prefers to buy land and develop. The land is located next to Golden Pearls in Thika and the management expects that Thika Royal Palms will open up the selling to the public in April 2017. The developer
intends to offer up to Nine Months for non-cash buyers to purchase their plots. The market has seen an increase of Kenyans buying land with close proximity to Nairobi such as Thika, Kajiado and Kiambu areas, with the ever increasing desire for middle class to own land and homes. Acquiring already subdivided plots has become increasingly attractive to those who
@kevin_x254
A view of Kenya’s Lantana Galu Beach Hotel
prefer to build their own houses to suit the needs and specifications. According to the latest economic survey, growth in the real estate and property sector is set to continue, driven by demand for urban housing. The survey notes that high demand for fixed assets, largely property, was a major contributor to a 5.3 per cent expansion in the Kenyan economy in 2014 and is expected to continue its growth with keys drivers being the growing middle class, rapid urbanization and rapid population growth. The real estate sector has further been bolstered by the devolved system of government, which has created investment and development opportunities in the counties. Fusion Capital is a private equity house and real estate developer designed around the needs of local businesses in the emerging economies of Africa. Founded in 2006, Fusion has presence in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. It invests in a unique pipeline of opportunities in the real estate scene by financing developments such as middle income housing; luxury residential development; Grade A office blocks and warehousing. @Dennis_x254
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BUSINESS
Huawei moves to grow sales 50pc as tech firm launches new GR5 phone
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
Market dominance is not a crime, says Safaricom CEO
Safaricom Chief Executive Bob Collymore has once again defended the telecommunication company’s position as a dominant player in the sector. Collymore was responding to renewed calls from National Assembly Deputy Minority Leader, Jakoyo Midiwo to have the telecommunications firm split into several entities on account of its dominance in the market. Collymore, who was a panelist at yesterday’s Financial Times (FT) Africa Payments Media Round Table, argued that splitting the company into smaller components would kill its competitive edge. “We do not believe dominance in itself is a crime,” he explained. “If you have players who are not as efficient, you cannot blame the ones who are efficient.” Collymore argued that Safaricom had not abused its dominant position. “Let us not discourage people from investing in innovation,” he told the forum. He said that interoperability should be viewed from the perspective of what is right for the consumer. “Look at problems that are currently affecting people and use innovation to solve these problems,” he urged innovators. Collymore added that economies in Africa need more big players as these companies will create more job opportunities in the market. He responded to claims that Safaricom’s M-Pesa platform posed a financial risk to Kenya’s economy. “We do not present a fiscal risk as transactions are still largely based on cash. Non cash transactions are at about 5 to 6 per cent,” Collymore stated. In 2014, Safaricom announced it would finally open access to its M-PESA application programming interface (API). The M-Pesa API allows an application like Uber to seamlessly link directly to a mobile wallet instead of a credit card or bank account. “MPESA API is almost being released which will allow developers to fully integrate with M-pesa in 4 days,” Collymore said yesterday. @Dennis_x254
Huawei Mobile Kenya has launched its advanced dual camera device Huawei GR5 2017 as it strives to enhance its business footprint in the local market this year. With this launch, the company will be looking to build on the growth realised last year which saw its market share increase to 14 per cent. In 2017 Huawei Mobile Kenya intends to leverage its performance and grow local sales by 50 per cent by bringing more innovative products to the market. Speaking during the launch of the device, Huawei Mobile Kenya Country Manager, Mark Hemaobin said despite stiff competition, the company’s device business continues to grow in the local market. He attributed the growth to the firm’s consumer-centric approach that focuses on creating meaningful innovation, as well as ongoing commitment to building a premium brand and reinforcing retail channels and after sale service capabilities. “This year, for us to maintain sustained growth not just locally but globally, we will be looking to strengthen our supply chain, channels, services and several other areas required to help us streamline our operations, improve the efficiency of our decisionmaking and implementation, drive our internationalization strategy and proactively develop future capacity,” said Hemaobin. He noted that the company will continue strengthening its working relationship with key partners in the market by reviewing their needs in terms of market segmentation and provide them products that best suit their customers. The GR5 2017 will be retailing countrywide for Sh34,999. “The Huawei GR5 2017 follows the overwhelming customer demand for powerful budget smartphones which offers productivity, entertainment and superb photography experience”, said Hemaobin. Huawei has said it will continue to put consumer needs first and enhance
Huawei Kenya Marketing Director Mark Hemaobin, with Sales Director Pharmaraj Dirwakar, displays the Huawei GR5 during its launch at Crowne Plaza Yesterday.Photo:Edwin Gitobu/Xnews its consumer-facing capabilities in the channel, retail, brand, marketing and services. This will strengthen its business base and streamline its operations and customer service. In the meantime, Huawei is wellpositioned to continue its presence in the smartphone, wearable, smart home and cloud markets, with the aim of becoming end-to-end solutions and platform service provider, offering consumers a more convenient and intelligent way to connect their lives.
It will continue building on its core competencies to lead the future and become a popular cultural and technical brand for consumers. The GR5 2017 is designed for technology trendsetters looking for a superb Smartphone camera on a budget. Like its predecessor – Huawei GR5, the Huawei GR5 2017 offers features and technologies to rival even the most expensive handsets. Huawei says the device provides speedy performance, an exceptional battery
coupled with Huawei’s intelligent power-saving technology that ensures 1.5 days of productivity on a single charge. GR5 2017 is the first ever device in the local Smartphone market that has a premium and powerful dual camera among the mid-range devices. The dual camera Smartphone boasts 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Long battery life with the capacity of 3270 mAh, Fingerprint 3.0 and 5.5 inch FHD display. @kevin_x254
TFA will support cheaper, easier and faster transactions, UNCTAD officials say Supporting an international deal dubbed the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) will significantly increase international trade, reduce corruption and boost development, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has said. It is estimated that the Trade Facilitation Agreement could reduce trade costs between 9.6 and 23.1 per cent for its members worldwide. This means export gains of between $750 billion (Sh78 trillion) and $1 trillion (Sh104 trillion). Between now and 2030, this would add 2.7 per cent a year to world export growth at a time when world trade desperately needs a boost. The
deal would also add more than halfa-percent to growth of world GDP, providing crucial additional resources for the international development agenda. The agreement would also cut red tape, while doing away with incompatible systems across borders, opaque ways of collecting revenue and ensuring other compliance controls and lengthy waiting times that leave food rotting before it can be traded. UNCTAD has supported the successful establishment of more than a dozen national trade facilitation committees in Africa, South America and Asia. The programme for the East African Community offers a good example of how this can work for other
regions under the Trade Facilitation Agreement. Fifteen developing countries and least developed countries have so far taken part in UNCTAD’s Empowerment Programme for National Trade Facilitation Committees, which was launched in 2016 to provide intensive professional training in implementing the agreement. As doing business gets easier, the range of goods exported by the world’s poorest countries will increase, lessening commodity dependence and strengthening vulnerable economies. UNCTAD says poor roads and crumbling ports all hamper international trade, wasting billions of dollars and exacting a heavy price
on developing and least developed countries that can least afford it. The cost of trade for developing countries is estimated to be, on average, 1.8 times higher than for developed countries. But members of the World Trade Organization, representing the majority of the world’s trading nations, struck a deal in 2014 that obliges them to tackle these problems head on. That deal, known as the Trade Facilitation Agreement, has now come into force. “We welcome the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement as a huge step forward in making trade around the world cheaper, easier and faster,” UNCTAD Deputy Secretary General Joakim Reiter said.
Help for developing countries to do this, provided by UNCTAD and others, is among the provisions of the deal. “New technologies and institutional reforms can improve governance, reduce entry barriers and pull the informal sector into the formal sector. And with less paperwork to dodge, and fewer palms to grease, public revenues go up. This generates new resources for spending on essential services,” Mr. Reiter said. Shamika Sirimanne, Director of the Technology and Logistics Division of UNCTAD says they work with developing countries to identify compliance gaps and design projects aimed at closing those gaps. @enock_x254
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
ACCESS
is now dishing out some advice
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INITIAL PROTESTS BY UBER DRIVERS AND OTHER TAXI DRIVERS REVEALED TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN
WHY
half the price they did before while the latter were gasping for air
Taxi driver Silas Wambugu, leaning on his vehicle, has been driving cabs for 40 years.
vehicle, put hundreds of kilometers on it in a short time and it falls part before you make any real money for yourself,” says Silas Wambugu, a taxi driver who has been operating in the city for 40 years. “When you add up the cost of fuel, maintenance, airtime and the percentage Uber gets you he adds, “You’ll end up spending more money on driving people around than you are making.” Admitting that he too tried to go the transport app route but ultimately abandoned the endeavor. advent into the transport economy in within the local scene. Riding an Uber was trendy and by and large made the process of hailing a taxi easier. Where before it came down to creating a relationship with a particular driver and having to depend on your contacts for a ride, Uber meant that whoever was nearest and quickest— wherever you may be—would ferry you to your destination.
Telecom giant Safaricom dipped their toes into the ride-hailing industry with Little Cab in the same month that saw the Uber price drop. Which seemed to be an indication that the San Francisco-based company was in fact ‘shook.’ Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore did little in the way a rival for Uber. It is a local competitor which will be cheaper and better for the local community,” he said in an interview with Reuters. Initial protests by Uber drivers and other taxi drivers revealed two sides of the same their labour bear no fruit with rides costing
@kevin_x254
Diamond Platnumz yesterday, 22nd February 2017 appeared before the Tanzania Revenue commission to table a report on his source of wealth and a statement on his tax returns. The millionaire singer who was summoned by the TRA, honoured the summons and made available the documents which were scrutinized by the officers. It seems the government of Tanzania has lately listed celebrities in Tanzania as persons of interest. Just last week, Diamond was summoned by police and fined for driving without wearing a safety belt. Who’s next after Diamond? Kiba perhaps.
HOT TOPICS
Tanzania Revenue Authority summons Diamond Platnumz
situation has not changed since 2016 but taken on a stranger hue. ‘Around Nairobi in One Night’— the tale of an Uber driver who
and still breach into the market, Uber initiated an aggressive price reduction in addition to easing the process of making payments and initiating a multitude of promotions, that were meant to solidify their position as the number one techtransport company in the country. In July of 2016, a drastic 35 per cent decrease in Uber rates essentially opened the
KDF soldier—might have been an engrossing read but is also a Operators of traditional taxi cabs seem to have one major complaint—apart from Uber staking out their turf, that is—
problems are bigger than just low rates
Ali Kiba bags legendary artiste
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ony International signed musician and MTV EMA Best African Artist of 2016, Ali Kiba has succesfully bagged a collabo with the legendary South African artiste Yvonne Chaka Chaka. The Tanzanian Bongo Flava star and South African musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka kicked off this project in December 2016 in South Africa and now it seems it is complete. The two musicians made the announcement yesterday that they are finalizing with recording sessions and that the track and video will be out soon.
could be termed an occupational hazard. Driver Robert Ngugi who has been in the taxi business since CBD backs this claim up, “I haven’t had any major problems in that passengers. Corporates and people who actually use taxis regularly.” Uber drivers on the other hand, due to the nature of the beast, have deeper issues. One such motorist who chose to remain anonymous, spoke of a
complicated tale of a passenger who attempted to rob him, “It was late at night and in the middle of the ride the customer decided to change his destination. He told me he was a doctor and had been talking on the phone to a refugee who wanted to procure an abortion make sense and the amounts of money he was also taking about on the phone call made me suspicious.” Another driver added that he had to stretch his time and resources over multiple ride-hailing apps all at once in order to make ends meet. Uber drivers tend to be younger and more willing to operate at odd hours while taxi cab drivers are older and on a regimen. Long hours, innumerable cab rides and the intense competition might not be something that will change soon seeing as passengers are happy with the low prices but that might just be the future rearing its ugly head. @christine_x254
Jay Z to be first ever rapper on the songwriters hall of fame
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hawn Carter popularly known as Jay Z is set to be honoured by the Songwriters Hall of Fame at its 48th annual induction ceremony. Known for hits like “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” “Big Pimpin’,” “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and “Empire State of Mind,” Jay Z has wowed the globe with his great music. In an announcement Wednesday 22nd February 2017, the Hall of Fame’s co-chairs, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, along with its president, Linda Moran, said that with its new class, the organization “moves definitively into recognizing music creators of the 21st century and Jay Z made the cut!” Congratulations!
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ACCESS
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26th NOVEMBER 23, 20172014
ALL ROUND NEWS AND UPDATES FROM UNIVERSITIES
HOT
@christine_x254
DATE
The University of Nairobi Towers
now open for business C
Fashion High Tea
T
is set to be an all-out deliciously deluxe EXTRAVAGANZA
he time has come once again ladies and gentlemen. The time to put on your glad rags and get ready for a day of endless fashion and fabulousness. The Zen Garden Fashion High Tea is on and prepare for style the likes of which you have never seen before. This round will feature a sushi bar, extravagant desserts, live savoury stations and burger bars. Brown’s Cheese will be having their gorgeous cheese bar, as well as Delia’s famous ice-creams! The runway will be graced with models from Mochez Models with unique floral and fashion installations. On Saturday, 25th February at the Zen Garden prepare to be dazzled.
onstructed with a budget of Sh. 2.3 billion by internally generated resources without external support or loan, the building is done. The structure will be used by the Graduate School, School of Business, School of Engineering, Confucius Institute together with the members of the University Management, University Council and Senate who take up the upper floors. Some of the snazzy features include a water recycling system, a restaurant, it also houses an ultramodern auditorium with a capacity of 600 at the Chandaria
Centre for performing Arts on the 6th floor. It has several seminar and conference rooms to facilitate the University core business of teaching and learning. The building has a helipad which has been gazetted as Aerodrome class D. It has state of the art ICT services and firefighting equipment. The construction of the building took three years, the ground breaking having been done on June, 17, 2013. It will hold a student population of 3,500 and is 89m high.
Here are the qualifications needed for a Safaricom Technology Academy Internship
Bob Collymore CEO
Safaricom recently announced it will be admitting 63 students into its technology internship programme. The courses include IP Networking, Application Development, Inter-personal skills, personal finances and job readiness skills. If you are feeling up for the challenge this is all you need female students are given priority as 40 of the entrants should preferably be girls. ●Job Position is open to Kenyan Citizens. ●The candidate is preferably 3rd year to 5th year of University ●Must NOT have graduated from
University with a Degree in Computer Science/ Information Technology/ Mechanical Engineering/Civil Engineering/ Electrical & Electronics Engineering or Telecommunications Engineering, Software Engineering or any other Engineering and ICT related Fields. ●Candidates with IP Networking skills ( CCNA), Database Administrators, and Java/Android Developers are encouraged to apply ●Female Candidates and People Living with Disability are strongly encouraged to apply.
@christine_x254
ONLINE RESOURCES that will help with your job search
BRIGHTER MONDAY
Probably the most popular job site in the country. The website not only has regular job postings by employers but offers advice on career progression and development.
CAREER POINT KENYA
Another comprehensive site is Career Point. The site specializes in locating
jobs according to level of qualification, profession and even referrals to recruiting agencies.
KENYA MOJA
Apart from being a popular steaming site Kenya Moja also offers job listings. The great thing about this website is that users can subscribe to job alerts right when they are posted and respond immediately.
he video of absurdly named #HurtBae aka Kourtney Jorge, having a grueling sit down with her ex- boyfriend Leonard Long III, set fire to the internet but not for the happiest of reasons. In the video Jorge prods Long into telling her all the things he did that led to their break up. It’s hard to sit through, mostly because it resonates with so many people. Long wears a half-smirk, half-uncomfortable smile through the entire thing and generally looks like he wished he had not agreed to film the video which was produced by The Scene. Although apparently closure is what motivated Kourtney Jorge to participate in the video it is not clear in the end whether she had an Aha! Moment. Long has been on the end of some well warranted online hate following the release of the video, particularly concerning his demeanor throughout the span of its length. According to
some he seemed cold and dispassionate towards his former girlfriend, not conveying any real remorse for his actions. Kourtney Jorge now has some advice for women out there who are in the midst of navigating the dating world. Speaking to Mashable she says, “My advice would be to know your limits within your relationship and also to know your worth. There are plenty of guys out there willing and able to treat a woman how she deserves to be treated.” And somehow she has no hard feelings towards her ex adding, “Even though the video reflected on some of the bad times in our relationship, there were a lot of good times too.” Clearly she is a saint because most people would not take getting their heart broken all over gain over the internet so well.
is now dishing out some advice
SPORT 13 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
Ex-coach ‘Zico’ returns to Gor
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ormer Gor Mahia head coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno has returned to the club as an assistant to Brazilian coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira, chairman Ambrose Rachier has announced. Otieno, who played and captained K’Ogalo during his playing days had two separate coaching stints at the club in 2010 and 2011 before he unceremoniously left to join Sony Sugar. “We have been looking for a while to get a local assistant coach because it is very important even by the labor laws of the country. We had several applicants for the position but when we looked at everyone, Zico was the best man for the job,” Rachier said. The tactician was sent on leave by Posta Rangers towards the end of last season after the club struggled to get results and was subsequently replaced as head coach by former Kenyan international Sammy Omollo at the start of the year. He was later pushed to the role of ‘technical director’ but now seems to have preferred the move back to his boyhood club to replace Tom Ogweno who was relieved of his duties after a fall out with head coach Ferreira. Rachier said he is confident Otieno will be of importance to the club especially in helping Ferreira to get the best out of the players, as Gor seeks to wrestle back the title from Tusker FC. “Zico has been with us before and understands the setup of the club. He knows the Kenyan league very well and the players as well. He can relate to them better and we saw these as some of the very key components that separated him from the rest,” Rachier noted. He added; “He has coached the national team and comes in with a lot of experience. Couple that with what Ze Maria has to offer and I am confident we have a very strong technical bench.” The club has also hired former Kenyan international Willis Ochieng as their
SPORTBRIEFS
new goalkeeper trainer, taking over from Mathews Ottamax who is said to have headed to Nakumatt after he was axed from the club. Ochieng already started working with the club’s keepers a fortnight ago. Meanwhile, Kenya’s representatives in the CAF Confederations Cup Ulinzi Stars will look to play against Gor and AFC Leopards as part of their build up towards their first round match against Egypt’s Smouha on March 10 in Alexandria. “The league has stopped and I think we need to get tough matches to prepare. If the league was on, then we would have had a perfect p l at f o r m . We will ask Gor and AFC whether we can p l a y t h e m because www.capitalfm.co.ke we need such kind of opposition,” Ulinzi Stars vice chairman Major Joe Birgen said.
Santi Cazorla: Arsenal player ruled out for rest of season Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury. Cazorla has been out since limping out of the Champions League group stage game against Ludogorets at the Emirates Stadium in October. He underwent surgery in December and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger hoped the 32-year-old would be back before the end of the season. But Spain international Cazorla is now focusing on being fit for next season.
Lallana extends Liverpool deal
Zedekiah Zico Otieno during a past league match. The Former Posta Rangers head coach has returned to Gor Mahia .
Man United top Chinese online charts Manchester United have replaced Bayern Munich as the most popular team online in China, according to a new report. The sixth edition of the Red Card, which analyses the influence of 53 European clubs on China’s social media
platforms, has Arsenal and Liverpool joint third with Manchester City fifth. The German Bundesliga remains the most influential league online. Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil is the second most popular player behind Real Madrid’s Cristiano
Ronaldo. United forward Wayne Rooney, who has been linked with a move to China, also features in the top five, along with Old Trafford team-mate Anthony Martial. Real’s Wales international Gareth Bale is third, but Lionel Messi is a notable absentee. The Barcelona forward does not have a social media presence in China. The study took its data from Chinese social media platforms WeChat and Weibo, the latter a cross between Twitter and Facebook, as well as audience figures from live streams of games and how the respective club websites perform in the country. David Hornby, head of sport at Mailman which produced the annual report, told BBC Sport: “The Premier League is complacent. Its clubs have decent numbers of followers on Weibo, but not as high engagement. “The Bundesliga clubs are far more active. The German league tells its clubs what to do, whereas the respective Premier League clubs are in control of what they do.” Regarding United’s ascent to the top for the first time since the report began, Hornby said: “There was a gap between following and engagement. “United were the most followed, but Bayern were a country mile ahead regarding activity online. But United have taken big strides with fan events and a tour last year.”
Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has extended his contract until 2020. Lallana, 28, joined Liverpool from Southampton for £25m in July 2014 and has scored 16 goals in 80 Premier League appearances. The deal, worth a reported £110,000 a week, is effective from the summer and has the option of a further year. “I’m very proud and feel quite humbled by the show of faith from the club and the manager in particular,” Lallana told Liverpool’s website. “This is a really good place to be at the moment and, for a player who wants to be part of something special, I can’t think of a better club to commit your future to.” Forward Philippe Coutinho signed a five-year contract in January worth about £150,000 a week, making him the highest-paid player at the club.
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SPORT THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
Tottenham seek Wembley magic
Tottenham will be without left-back Danny Rose and midfielder Erik Lamela for tonight’s Europa League last-32 second-leg tie against Gent at Wembley. Rose has missed four matches after injuring his knee in January’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland, while Lamela has been absent since October with a hip injury. Spurs are trailing 1-0 after the first leg, but have never lost to a Belgian team at home. Boss Mauricio Pochettino said the game is “another final at Wembley”. He added: “We need to use all our energy to find a way to the next round. The game is already sold out and striker Harry Kane believes Spurs have to try to make the national stadium their home. Spurs have until the end of March to confirm whether they will play all their home matches at Wembley next season, with the plan to move back into their redeveloped stadium at the start of the 2018-19 campaign. “We don’t know what we are doing next season, so we want to make it as good for us as possible and win as many games as we can there and get that confidence going,” said the 23-year-old. “The more we play there, the further we will be going in competitions. It is important we try to do that.” Gent manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck says the occasion will be ‘a fantastic moment’ for his club and team. “We’ll try to play our game as usual and I’m confident we’ll show something in this fantastic stadium. It’s good we’ll be able to train here already,” he said.
Vardy keeps Leicester in as Juve punishes 10-man Porto Jamie Vardy broke his recent goaldrought to give Leicester an away goal and keep alive their hopes of reaching the last eight of the Champions League despite a narrow first-leg defeat away to Sevilla. The England international had gone nine games without scoring and was a peripheral figure for much of last night’s game but sprang into life to finish Danny Drinkwater’s superb cross with 17 minutes remaining in Spain. It was one of only two shots on target the Foxes produced during a game in which they were largely under the cosh and had trailed 2-0, thanks to Pablo Sarabia’s header and a close-range finish from Joaquin Correa for Sevilla. City’s other hero was Kasper Schmeichel, who saved a Correa penalty with the score at 0-0 and made a number of other good saves. Sevilla who also hit the post and bar had over 70% possession but will only take a slender lead to the King Power Stadium for the second leg on 14 March.
In the other Champions League encounter last night, substitutes Marko Pjaca and Daniel Alves struck goals within two minutes of one another as Juventus punished 10-man Porto to take charge of their last-16 tie. The hosts saw left-back Alex Telles dismissed after two bookings in a 74-second spell, the second after a wild sliding tackle on Stephan Lichtsteiner on 27 minutes. His side spent long spells in their own half and survived a Paulo Dybala strike against the post before the interval. But Juve - who had 77% possession broke through when Pjaca drove low into the net five minutes after coming on and Alves finished from six yards 80 seconds after his own introduction. The goals ensured Juve’s fourth successive 2-0 win on the road in all competitions and their advantage now looks huge ahead of the return on 14 March. Other than a penalty shootout defeat to Inter Milan in December, the last time the Old Lady lost on home soil was in August 2015.
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy reacts after scoring the consolation goal against Sevilla during their 2-1 defeat last night. PHOTO: EPA
SPORT 15 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
Africa eyes 10 places at 2026 World Cup Africa will be looking to double the number of places it has at an expanded World Cup from 2026. The continent’s football association presidents have told football’s world governing body Fifa they want at least 10 spots in the 48-team World Cup. “All associations back the idea to expand the World Cup and there is hope that Africa can have 10 places,” said South African FA chief Danny Jordaan. That would be double the five places Africa has at the 2018 and 2022 events. Europe is seeking a minimum of 16 places, up from 13, and wants its sides to be separated in the opening group stage. The first phase will see 16 groups of three teams, with the top two advancing to a 32-team knockout phase under plans approved by Fifa last month. Asia are expected to get eight to nine places, compared to 4.5 now, and South America, which has 10 member countries, a total of six, also up from 4.5. The Concacaf region, made up of the Caribbean, Central and North American countries, would get 6.5 places, compared to 3.5, with Oceania, the small Pacific Islands confederation, having one automatic place at the finals instead of 0.5. Inter-continental playoffs between countries with half a place would determine the additional spots at the finals. The final allocation of places must be passed by the Fifa Council. The subject of the expanded World Cup featured prominently at a three-day summit between Fifa chief Gianni Infantino and more than 50 presidents of the African FAs. The talks were behind closed doors but Fifa officials said Infantino had outlined plans for an expanded World Cup and new development assistance for member countries.
Valencia stun Real Madrid Leaders Real Madrid suffered just their second La Liga loss of the season in a shock defeat against Valencia. Former West Ham striker Simone Zaza opened the scoring for the hosts with a spectacular strike and Fabian Orellana doubled the lead before Cristiano Ronaldo pulled a goal back. Ronaldo could have snatched a point late on, but failed to hit the target with his looping header. Zinedine Zidane’s side remain one point clear of Barcelona with a game in hand. Italian Zaza, 25, failed to score in 11 appearances for the Hammers and broke down in tears at the weekend after his first goal since May. His fourth minute strike against Real at the Mestalla was brilliant, spinning in the area and shooting into the top corner. Just five minutes later, Orellana finished off a flowing counter-attack, but just before the break Ronaldo’s towering header - on his 700th club appearance in his career - from Marcelo’s cross gave Los Blancos hope. Welshman Gareth Bale came off the bench for just his second appearance after a three-month injury layoff for the final half hour and nearly scored, but his point-blank header was blocked by Enzo Perez. Victory allows struggling Valencia to move up to 13th in the table, with boss
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Real Madrid forwards Gareth Bale (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo (R) react during the Spanish Primera Division soccer match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia, eastern Spain, last night. Valencia won 2-1. PHOTO: MANUEL BRUQUE/EPA
Voro their third manager of the season. Meanwhile Fulham claimed a third Championship win in a row with a comfortable victory at Ashton Gate that left Bristol City just two points above the relegation zone. Lucas Piazon’s calm finish gave the visitors a deserved 1-0 half-time lead. Fulham’s Floyd Ayite capitalised on sloppy defending to feed Tom Cairney, who fired in the second. The win lifted Slavisa Jokanovic’s side to within six points of the top six, with a game in hand, while City have lost 10 of their past 13 league games. Milan Djuric had arguably the hosts’ best
chance before the break, but he headed David Cotterill’s dangerous cross narrowly over the crossbar. The visitors had time on the ball early on and some neat passing fed Piazon, who delicately lifted the ball past the on-rushing Fabian Giefer for the opener. A poor clearance from Adam Matthews then led to Fulham’s second, as Cairney lashed Ayite’s pass into the top corner. Fulham, who have now won five of their past seven games in all competitions, could have added to their tally, but Kevin McDonald glanced a corner just over the bar.
THURSDAY, FEBURARY 23, 2017
Goal scorer Mkitaryan, Carrick to miss Cup final Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored as Manchester United eased into the last 16 of the Europa League with a 1-0 victory over SaintEtienne but the Armenian winger will be out of Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Southampton after limping off with an injury. United manager Jose Mourinho expects Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick to miss match after the England midfielder was also substituted. Carrick was substituted just past the hour mark after hurting his calf. “Honestly, I don’t think Mkhitaryan is fit for the final. I think him and Michael are both out,” said Mourinho. Leading 3-0 from the first leg thanks to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic hat-trick, United started sharply in front of a noisy home support at a stadium often referred to as ‘The Cauldron’, with Mkhitaryan flicking in Juan Mata’s cross early on to leave the hosts needing five goals. The Armenian departed shortly after and clutched his hamstring as he entered the tunnel, an injury which could impact on manager Jose Mourinho’s team selection for Sunday’s Wembley meeting with Southampton. And although United had defender Eric Bailly sent off for two bookable offences in the second half, they rarely looked under pressure in securing a place in tomorro’s last-16 draw. Short of a Loic Perrin header, which was easily held by Sergio Romero in the first half, United - who had made six changes were comfortable throughout, with Marcus Rashford poking wide when well placed in the second period.
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14 Vardy keeps Foxes in as Juve beat Porto
Wayne Rooney agent in China to discuss move W ayne Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford is in China to see if he can negotiate a deal for the forward to leave Manchester
United. There are no guarantees of success and it is thought a deal remains highly unlikely before the Chinese transfer window closes on 28 February. But the fact Stretford has travelled to China is a clear indication United boss Jose Mourinho would let Rooney, 31, go. And if he does not leave this month it seems certain he will go in the summer. Rooney has fallen down the pecking order at United under Mourinho. The England captain has been made aware of interest in him from the Chinese Super League for some time, although it is not known which clubs Stretford has spoken to. Beijing Guoan, believed to be the favourite team of Chinese President Xi, had been seen as one of the favourites to sign Rooney but sources close to the club have told BBC Sport they are not interested in signing him. Because of new restrictions on overseas players, Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian look like the most likely remaining options. However, the England captain’s representatives have already spoken to Tianjin Quanjian and their coach, Fabio Cannavaro, said talks did not progress. On Tuesday, Mourinho said he did not know whether Rooney, who has only just returned to training after a hamstring injury, would still be at Old Trafford in a week’s time. It is not known whether this latest development will affect Rooney’s chances of being involved in Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Southampton. They had
Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney during a past game for the club. The England Captain is seeking a move away from Old Trafford after seeing his playing time time reduced this season. PHOTO: EPA
appeared to have increased after Henrikh Mkhitaryan limped out of Wednesday’s 1-0 Europa League win against SaintEtienne. If Rooney follows former team-mate Carlos Tevez to the Chinese Super League, it would almost certainly cost him any chance of making the seven appearances he needs to become England’s most capped player. Rooney’s preference is understood to be to remain with United for the rest of his contract, which expires in 2019, but a
lack of time on the pitch is forcing him to consider alternatives. Rooney is United’s record goalscorer and has won five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy since joining them as an 18-year-old for £27m from Everton in 2004. The forward, who has started only three games since 17 December, has said he would not play for an English club other than United or Everton.
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