Chikawe and IGP in focus over brutality

The minister for Home Affairs, Mr Mathias Chikawe, and Inspector General of Police Earnest Mangu are likely to come under fire in Parliament today as MPs push for debate on what they see as growing police brutality targeting members of Opposition.


Signs that the two top state officials were in the MPs’ crosshairs became evident yesterday when the group, comprised largely of opposition legislators, accused the state of sponsoring terror targeting their leaders and supporters.


Trouble reared its head immediately after the question-and-answer session in the morning, with the MPs staging a protest. They paralysed the day’s business over Tuesday’s arrest of the national chairman of the CUF, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba, and numerous Opposition supporters.


The MPs were pressing for adjournment of other business to give the House an opportunity to debate the assault and arrest of the opposition leader. They disrupted the morning session and also succeeded in scuttling the afternoon session, declaring they would not transact any business until the matter was debated.


Speaker Anne Makinda called off the House business in the afternoon on the grounds that they had not reached a consensus on the debate on the state of policing—which Mr James Mbatia (Nominated–NCCR-Mageuzi) sought.


Mr Mbatia presented the motion to shelve other activities and debate the dramatic arrest of Prof Lipumba in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday but the Speaker would not hear of it.


She directed the government to prepare a statement to be tabled today—and only then would she allow the House to debate the matter. Opposition MPs were not amused by her ruling and promptly demanded that police assaults on the opposition politicians and ordinary citizen be debated there and then.


Believing that the opposition MPs were planning to storm out of the chamber, Ms Makinda asked them to leave quickly so Parliament could continue with its business.


But they started shouting instead, clearly with no intention of walking out. Her attempts to convince them to continue with the session with a pledge that the issue would be discussed the next day (today) did not soften the hearts of the opposition lawmakers, though.


“Perhaps you are not aware how serious and sensitive this issue is,” Ms Makinda said even as the agitated MPs did their best to cut short her remarks. “That is why I have decided that we debate this tomorrow after we have heard from the government.”


Mr Rajab Mbarouk Mohamed (Ole-CUF) retorted: “We know how serious this issue is...It is the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter which forces us to demand that we debate this issue immediately.”


Another CUF lawmaker was heard shouting that they would not sit until the brutal handling of their national chairman was debated and resolved. “This is not fair...the CCM secretary general is touring the country holding rallies and the police guard him,” he claimed, “but when Prof Lipumba wants the same, he is blocked.”

Top Kenyan official announces peace-boosting moves measures

Nairobi. Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery has announced measures aimed at improving security in counties that border Somalia.


The measures include mopping up of illegal arms and increasing the numbers of police stations in the Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties. Kenya Defence Forces will also be deployed to man the regions bordering Somalia.


Mr Nkaissery, his principal secretary Monica Juma met Senators, Governors and MPs from Wajir, Garissa, Mandera and Tana River counties in Nairobi over insecurity in their areas.


“We want to bring peace and security in the Northern eastern region and the resolutions we have made are the first step. Our next step will be the implementation by my ministry,” Mr Nkaissery told a news briefing after a five-hour meeting with the leaders.


Other proposals include reinforcing patrol of international boundaries and having all the foreigners coming tin undergo thoroughly checks.


“We also want to check on movement of goods at the borders, curb corruption to also ensure that we facilitate tax collections,” said Ms Juma who read the resolutions.


Clannism was singled out as one of the causes of insecurity in the region.


Last year, several people were killed and others displaced in inter-clan conflict between the Degodia and Garre communities in Wajir and Mandera counties.


Mr Nkaissery asked leaders to start peace campaigns in the region.


“Adan Duale and Yusuf Haji will spear head the anti-clannism campaign,” said Ms Juma and added that the negative perception of Kenyan Somalis would also be addressed.


Mr Juma reported that her ministry would also request for more funds from the National Treasury for the Presidential Peace Task Force. (NMG)

General Election on a knife edge: Our exclusive poll shows Labour just ONE per cent behind Tories with 101 days to go

The race to Downing Street remains on a knife edge, with an exclusive Mirror poll putting the Tories just one point ahead of Labour.

With 101 days to go to the May 7 general election, the Tories are on 31%, Labour 30%, UKIP 23% and the Lib Dems 7%, according to our first monthly survey with pollster Survation.

But Ed Miliband faces a battle to prove he is the right candidate to run the country with fewer than two out of ten people saying he would make the best Prime Minister.

The survey, conducted on Sunday, shows Nigel Farage has not been damaged by a string of embarrassing stories including the defection of MEP Amjad Bashir to the Tories and his reported support for a paid-for health system.

Our poll puts the anti-European party up three points since last month, with the Tories up two, Labour down two and the Lib Dems down four.

Report uncovers misuse of funds at EAC

A report on the East African Community (EAC) financial statements has uncovered rampant misuse of funds in the regional organisation and its affiliates.


The anomalies singled out include poor accountability for imprests by the staff and what it termed “unnecessary expenditure of resources”.


It was found out that the Arusha-based secretariat spent about $ 3.4 million during the 2012/2013 financial year on procurement of air tickets alone, an expenditure seen as unjustifiable.


The report, which was tabled before the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) on Thursday, called on the EAC Council of Ministers — the policy organ of the community — to urgently intervene to curb misuse of the tax payers' money.


"The EAC management should tighten loopholes and rid anomalies in accountabilities for imprest advances," the chairperson of Eala's Accounts Committee, Jeremie Ngendakumana, said during the report presentation.


The report reviewed the EAC financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2013. It is expected to be debated by Eala next week. The regional parliament is currently holding sessions in Arusha.


CONSTRUCTION WORK


The construction works under the EAC were not spared either.


The report found out that "inadequate descriptions" in the Bill of Quantities. It was proposed EAC should have a building policy and procurement manual for the same.


At the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), one of the key organs of the community, a total of $116,000 was paid out as daily subsistence allowance (DSA) during a meeting held outside Arusha.


It is the view of the Eala committee members that the said strategic plan meeting of the court should have been held "in an alternative place that does not require the payment of DSA".


At Eala itself, the committee notes that there were irregular payment of per diems amounting to $ 9,084 to facilitate attendance of funeral committees. The report recommends guidelines on death-related expenditures.


Under the projects, the HIV/Aids project, is reported to have “poorly utilised” budgeted funds, only managing to spend 47 per cent of total funds earmarked for the programme.


INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW


The legislators partly attributed the financial mess at EAC to delays in finalisation of an institutional review of the regional body, which has a dozen organs and institutions under it.


The delay in completion of the review is unnecessary, they observed, noting that it had led to increased expenditure as well as implementing EAC projects and programmes.


The EAC institutional review, aimed to streamline its activities more efficiently and effectively, has been on cards for the last three to four years but not implemented.


"EAC has several unfilled staff positions and to bridge the gap, the management has often been forced to offer short term renewable contracts which has several disadvantages to both the staff and the organisation", the report reads in part.


The Parliamentary Accounts Committee is recommending the filling of the various vacant positions to enable the community to perform according to its expectations.

Herders desperate as dry spell bites

The scorching sun and the clear blue sky diminish the hopes of herders by the day.


Their animals are frail, sickly and dying. They keep hope alive that their next destination might have green pasture.


Thousands of herders from as far as Isiolo and Laikipia North are moving towards the foot of Mount Kenya so that their animals may feed.


But authorities have warned them of dire consequences should they graze in the water towers.


In what is a perennial battle, tension is already simmering between the pastoralists and farmers, who fear the animals may soon invade their farms.
The rain gods are not about to smile down on the livestock keepers, going by the latest Kenya Food Security update.


According to the report, rangeland conditions are expected to deteriorate faster than normal during the dry season from January to March.


Dry areas, including Merti Sub-county in Isiolo, Daadab Sub-county in Garissa and Hadado and Sebule Sub-counties in Wajir will likely be in a crisis through March, the report predicts.


The National Drought Management Authority has also released a report that says the pasture is inadequate to meet the needs of the regions’ livestock.


The situation was occasioned by the vagaries of the weather, like long spells of sunny conditions, strong winds, cold and chilly nights which have led to frequent frost attacks.


Liarisin Lekumoisa, a Samburu moran (warrior) has been on a journey for the past one month.


With other morans, they have had to go over hills and down valleys; dodge security officers during the day and keep safe from hyenas marauding in the night, all in the name of pasture.


PRICES HAVE TUMBLED


More hurting for him is that the prices for his emaciated stock have tumbled and middle men are exploiting their desperation to make a killing.


“A bull that used to fetch Sh30,000 two months ago now goes for as low as Sh5,000,” he says. “There are unscrupulous people who know that we fear losing our herds so they offer (prices) as low as possible so that they can make a kill at the butcheries in nearby towns.”


At a makeshift manyatta near Nanyuki Town, he displays a pile of bones, the remains of at least three of his animals that have died since he camped at the spot two days ago.


Daud Abdi has been moving with is more than 200 camels. Each day, it becomes more expensive to feed them.


Ranchers charge them Sh4,000 per week for every 20 camels allowed to graze in the ranches, he says. “But this is becoming too expensive because I have over 200 of them. God willing, I will sell about 20 when I get a good ranch so that they can feed.”


He says one camel costs an average of Sh120,000 and he is optimistic that by disposing of about 20 of them, he will be able to sustain his herd through the dry season.


Marsabit Governor Ukur Yatani has raised the alarm that the herders are at risk of their stocks being wiped out, not only due to the harsh weather but also by diseases that they are likely to pick up along the migratory routes.


“As the pastoralists move, they have limited access to veterinary services. They also come into contact with animals from various regions, at water points. This exposes them to risks in case of a disease outbreak,” the governor says.

Judges reject appeal in security laws case

The government Friday suffered a major blow in its attempt to enforce tough security laws after the Court of Appeal refused to reinstate suspended clauses.


The three-judge bench ruled that it would not be in the public interest to enact a law that will violate the very rights the State is seeking to protect.


Their ruling hands a major victory to the opposition Cord and human rights groups which are opposed the proposals.


This followed a request by the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions for the eight clauses to be reinstated while a case against the disputed laws is heard.


“When amending any law that touches on national security, Parliament must ensure there is no violation of human rights which is part of that national security,” justices Daniel Musinga, Patrick Kiage and Agnes Murgor ruled.


They said human rights are part of Kenya’s democratic process and not even the State can remove them.


The judges dismissed AG Githu Muigai’s appeal, ruling that the balance of convenience favours the public who will suffer most if the laws violate their rights.


“When the government appeals against a ruling, it is assumed it does so in the interest of the public. It is not however in the interest of the public to enact a law that will violate the very public rights the State is seeking to protect,” ruled the judges.


Although the judges said the AG’s appeal was arguable, they were not convinced enough to reinstate the laws only based on alleged threats to Kenya’s security by terrorists.


They dismissed Prof Muigai and DPP Keriako Tobiko’s arguments that suspension of the clauses had hampered the fight against terrorism, ruling that Kenya has sufficient laws to deal with insecurity.


“They did not demonstrate that suspending the clauses had created a great vacuum in the law. Apart from the eight sections, other clauses are operational including other laws which have been used to fight insecurity. Security agents can still use existing laws to protect citizens,” ruled the judges.


SECOND VICTORY


Their decision was a second victory for the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) and human rights organizations who are challenging the constitutionality of the Security Laws (Amendment) Act 2014.


“The Court of Appeal has reaffirmed that there is no instrument above the Constitution, not even public interest. It also affirms our position that suspending parts of the law will not make the country vulnerable to terrorism,” said Cord’s lawyer James Orengo.


The judges, in their ruling, said the Constitution is the supreme law and no other statute or Act of Parliament purporting to protect the rights of citizens can be above it.


“National security is subject to the authority of the Constitution and human rights. When amending any law that touches on national security, Parliament must ensure there is no violation of human rights which is part of that national security,” ruled the judges.


According to the judges, human rights are part of Kenya’s democratic process and that not even the State or any other authority can take away those rights through any law.


“Although the AG has the right to appeal against the High Court decision, we are not satisfied that failing to reinstate the suspended clauses will make his appeal useless. The court must also consider where public interest lies,” ruled the judges.


The judges said although they appreciate the threat of insecurity, their mandate is to exercise justice when even a small example is cited to show potential violation of human rights.


Justice George Odunga suspended the clauses on January 2 following petitions by Cord and Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.


Among sections suspended were those giving power to the National Intelligence Service to carry out special operations on terror suspects and punishments for media houses for publishing materials deemed to be either encouraging or inducing terror attacks.


Clauses giving police the power to detain terror suspects for up to a year and the one limiting the number of refugees in the country.

Comoros votes in key parliamentary elections

Voters on the chronically unstable Indian archipelago of the Comoros go to the polls Sunday in parliamentary elections seen as a test of the popularity of a former leader Abdallah Sambi who is vying to return to power.


The vote is the first in a cycle of legislative and local government polls culminating in presidential elections next year.


In power between 2006 and 2011, Mr Sambi, who tightened ties with Islamic nations when he was in office, has dominated the political discourse in the run-up to the polls in this country of 735,000 inhabitants.


He wants to return to the president's office in this former French archipelago which has a long and chequered history of coups, even though he is not eligible for re-election as yet.


After 20 coups or attempted coups in the four decades since independence in 1975, a gentleman's agreement was reached to rotate the presidency between the three islands.


Under that deal, Sambi cannot run for office next year because it will not be his island's turn. But he is determined to change that rule, if his Juwa party wins the majority parliamentary seats.


Mr Sambi wrapped up his party's campaign Friday with a rally staged in grand style after the day's Muslim prayers.


He signed off with an anti-Charlie Hebdo remark: "We are not Charlie, we are for the prophet," in this predominantly Muslim country.


Around a quarter-of-a million voters are registered to cast ballots for federal parliamentary members before a second round scheduled for February 22 when they will also elect local government councillors.


CHEQUERED HISTORY OF COUPS


The four-year mandate for the current federal parliament was meant to have expired in April last year but was extended to the end of this year.


This year's election has attracted huge numbers of candidates, but was marred by blunders in the distribution of voters cards.


Foreign donors will want to see the election run smoothly in a bid to spruce up the image of the small country whose tropical beaches and coconut trees resemble an impoverished version of the touristic Seychelles.


The economy posted an average three percent growth in the three years up to 2013


But a population boom, fuelled by an average five children per woman rate, puts pressure on the islands' meagre resources.


A total of 878 candidates are vying for the ballots of 275,348 voters.


Among them is Bahassani Ahmed, a 35-year-old French trained lawyer.


He believes Sunday's elections will be a rehearsal of the 2016 presidential but is angry that Mr Sambi's ambitions to run again for office has diverted attention from real election issues.


He lambasted Mr Sambi as "a manipulator, he promised the Comorans heaven, but nothing came out of that." Promises of education, and hospitals, came to "nothing, and (all we had were) shady businessmen coming to plunder the Comoros".


Comorans in the diaspora - estimated at between 200,000 and 300,000 living in France - cannot vote although they play a key role.


With the economy weakened by the political instability, the country depends heavily on the diaspora remittances, which are roughly 25 per cent of the GDP.


President Ikililou Dhoinine's five-year term ends in May 2016.

Government plans to provide 70pc of Kenyans with electricity in three years, says Ruto

The government plans to provide electricity to at least 70 per cent of Kenyans in the next three years, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

Speaking in Davos, Switzerland, Mr Ruto said the government had engaged in the ambitious project to spur economic growth.

He said Kenya wanted to create an environment that would attract investment to the country and create employment.

"Kenya is looking forward to generate clean energy. In the next three years we will have 300 per cent supply of electricity. We want it to reach 70 per cent of our population."

He said with cheap power supply and good infrastructure, investors will find Kenya a good place for their investment.
The power project is funded by the African Development Bank.

MOBILE MONEY

Former US vice president Al Gore hailed Africa and particularly Kenya on the use of mobile phone money transfer. He said Africa needed to light up homes and industries for development to be realised.

Speaking at the same meeting, Mr Gore, the chairman of Generation Investment Management, said Africa was proving itself in matters of technology.

Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar, Ivory Coast prime minister Kablan Duncan and Nigerian business magnate Tony Elumelu also addressed the meeting.

Later, Mr Ruto also addressed the meeting on food security situation in Kenya and how to improve the image of the African continent.

Mr Elumelu, who is an investor in the energy sector, asked African countries to provide the necessary environment for the private sector to prosper.

More than 600 million people Africa do not have access to reliable energy, which limits their quality of life and development.

The forum, which included investors, governments and developers, explored ways of financing, new technology and business models that could be developed to provide more people with power.

Form Four candidates post improved results

Dar es Salaam. The general performance of candidates of the latest Form Four examinations have improved by 15 per cent in 2013 compared to 2012, it has emerged.


According to the official results of 2013 Ordinary Level (O-Level) released yesterday by National Examinations Council of Tanzania, a total of 235,227 students which is equal to 58.25 per cent of the candidates who sat for their exams in November last year passed, compared to 185,940 or 43.08 in 2012.


Although boys with 53 per cent are ahead of the girls with 46 per cent in general results, girls by far outshined boys in the national top ranking of individuals, taking seven places in top ten of the best students.


According to Necta’s Deputy Executive Secretary Dr Charles Msonde, this year the institution used the same fixed grade range system that Necta and the ministry of education adopted in 2012 which breaks down the results into seven grades.


According to the system, A starts from 100 to 75, B+ 74-60, B 59-50, C 49-40, D 39-30, E 29-20 and F 19-0 marks. “A pass is awarded from A to D, and in overall results a candidate must score a minimum of two Ds or a C to pass the exams,” said Dr Msonde.


“The system also dictates that a final result on each subject is to be divided from two sources, 30 per cent from school continuous assessment and 70 per cent from the final exams,” he said.


Division zero or failure still has the largest chunk of the results share with 151,187 candidates ­ 42.91 per cent from nearly 60 per cent. Division four comes in second with 126,828 or 36 per cent.


Candidates who scored from division I up to III combined accounts for only 21 per cent. Division III 55,017 (12.78pc) II - 21,728 (6.17pc) and only 7,579 candidates or two per cent, scored the top grade, division one.


Government schools are still nowhere to be found in the most outstanding schools where private ones schools dominated the top ten. Mbeya’s St. Francis Girls led the 2013 list followed by Marian Boys, and Feza Girls in the top three.


The best three students are Robina Nicholous from Marian Girls (Pwani), Magreth Kakoko, St. Francis Girls (Mbeya) and Joyceline Marealle from CANOSSA in the city.


Basic Mathematics is still a hard nut to crack for most of the students in the country as only 17.7 per cent of the candidates passed. Kiswahili attracted majority pass (67 per cent).


Necta withheld results of some students for different reasons, among them 31,518 who didn’t pay examination fees, and whose results will be released after doing so. Others are 23 students who fell ill and couldn’t manage to sit for some subjects; these will sit for the respective subjects. A total of 24 students who had already registered for the exams fell ill and failed to do even a single examination, Necta has given them a chance to sit for their exams later this year.

266 Maasai herders flee from their houses fearing attacks

Morogoro. Strained relations between farmers and pastoralists in Kilosa District have forced some 266 Maasai herders out of their houses which were torched by unknown people.


The people are from 38 households whose 13 homesteads were set ablaze by people believed to be farmers who invaded their colleagues at Kikenke hamlet, Mabwegere Village.


The incident, which occurred on January 18, this year, is a continuation of endless clashes between the two groups. The conflict has defied many efforts to resolve and it has continued to cause loss of human life and properties.


The 266 members of the Maasai pastoralists now live in prayer houses, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) in Mabwegere. But they also face shortage of basic needs such as food, water and drugs.


Speaking to reporters who accompanied the police who toured the area, the chairman of Mabwegere Village, Mr Mika Kashu and his counterpart from Kikenke hamlet, Mr Juma Yusufu, said that the source of the conflict was the use of Kikenke Valley.


The two chairmen said the conflict was caused by farmers of Sukuma origin, who invaded the valley which they used for their agricultural activities.


But addressing Mabwegere villagers, Morogoro Regional Commissioner Musa Malambo directed Kilosa Officer Commanding District Mr Break Magesa, to look for and arrest all those who torched the Maasai bomas.


Mr Malambo also asked the village leaders to calm their people down and restrain them from retaliating, adding that police presence in the area has been scaled up.


Two members from the Maasai community have not been seen since the clashes, Mr Malambo noted, but urged the pastoralists to be calm as the law enforcers were working on the issue.

ODM to punish Evans Kidero

The Orange Democratic Movement has vowed to pursue disciplinary action against Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero for supporting its rival in the Homa Bay by-election.


The party’s political affairs office said it would not discriminate in its intended action against rebels, which also targets Dr Kidero’s allies.


Recently, Dr Kidero declared his support for Philip Okundi, who decamped from ODM and obtained the Maendeleo Democratic Party’s ticket to vie in the Homa Bay senatorial by-election.


Mr Okundi left the party after it gave its ticket to Moses Kajwang’, a brother of Senator Otieno Kajwang’, who died last year.


The declaration has ignited a political war that has been going on silently between ODM leader Raila Odinga and the governor.


Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, the party’s political affairs director, on Wednesday said Dr Kidero’s declaration confirmed long-standing speculation over his loyalty to Mr Odinga.


“We are happy he has come out,” he told the Nation. “This is a revelation of a wider conspiracy involving our main opponents Jubilee and a few people in our midst.”


Mr Odinga is considered the political king of the Luo community, where he enjoys a massive following.


However, a nascent political movement opposed to his domination, known as Kalausi, which is associated with Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno, is claimed to be behind Mr Okundi’s candidature.


ODM supporters accuse the movement of being a Jubilee Coalition proxy.


Mr Okundi has, from time to time, dismissed the Jubilee tag, saying his party is friendly to Cord, the Opposition coalition.


Cord affiliate parties had agreed not to field separate candidates in the Homa Bay race, but Mr Okundi and Fred Rabongo of the National Agenda Party, who also initially sought ODM’s nomination, disagreed.


CHAOTIC NOMINATION


Dr Kidero’s position has widened the rift that exists between two camps that emerged as a result of the chaotic nomination in the Orange party, which ended in the issuance of a direct ticket to Mr Kajwang’.


One camp comprises ODM legislators allied to Mr Okundi, while the other is made up of those supporting Mr Kajwang’.


The party’s chairman, John Mbadi, and MPs Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), Silvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul), Oyugi Magwanga (Kasipul) and Governor Cyprian Awiti have thrown their weight behind Mr Kajwang’.


A group comprising James Rege (Karachuonyo), George Oner (Rangwe) former Martin Ogindo and now Dr Kidero, support Mr Okundi’s bid.


Although Mr Odinga’s role in the nomination met resistance ahead of the presentation of certificates to the electoral commission, the Cord leader retains a strong influence in the region, giving his party’s candidate an upper hand.


When he visited Homa Bay after Mr Rege and Mr Oner threatened to rally resistance against him, the ODM leader received a rousing welcome.


However, Tom Mboya, a political science lecturer at Maseno University, says the impact of Dr Kidero’s endorsement is a wait-and-see situation.


'IMPOSED CANDIDATE'


Mr Mboya believes that the turn of events in the race is the fruit of the public outcry that greeted a proposal that Mr Odinga vie for the seat.


“Kidero knows what is going on at the grassroots since he comes from the county.


“His entry might tilt the game,” said Mr Mboya.


However, the influence of Governor Cyprian Awiti, a political heavyweight in the region, cannot be ignored too, according to the lecturer.


To him, linking Jubilee to Dr Kidero’s endorsement of Mr Okundi is mere propaganda by people shying away from the political reality on the ground.


“People see Mr Kajwang’ as an imposed candidate,” he says.


But Mr Kajwang’ says he is not worried by Dr Kidero’s decision, arguing that the governor had never been committed to supporting him.


He says the open defiance to leaders associating with ODM’s competitors confirms to Homa Bay residents who their real enemies are.


“We ask Mr Kidero to concentrate on issues in Nairobi and leave us alone to play our politics down here,” Mr Kajwang’ told the Nation by telephone.


JUBILEE SYMPATHISERS


“It is on record the governor has been challenging Mr Odinga. This is the same script of Kalausi and Jubilee sympathisers.”


The ODM candidate also dismissed the clan factor in the elections.


Observers argue that the combined financial muscle of Dr Kidero and Mr Okundi would boost the latter’s campaign.


Mr Okundi accused the leaders that are castigating the Nairobi governor for supporting him of being undemocratic, saying only the Homa Bay people would decide their next senator.


“Governor Kidero has his right of political expression. I thank him for coming out to support me in this race,” he told the Nation on Wednesday.


However, Mr Wandayi dared Dr Kidero to quit ODM and seek his position afresh through Mr Okundi’s party.

The Blue Subaru is a great car; it’s the owners who give it a bad name

The Kenya Subaru community is vexed by my comments and tweets regarding the Blue Subaru. For those not in the know, I recently made solemn but true observations regarding Blue Subaru owners as being brash, immature and cheap.


A tirade of insults and ridicule followed, which, frankly, I don’t mind. Those are occupational hazards, my friends. The backlash comes with the territory and those close to me will tell you that I have taken the denigration in my stride, and gracefully so.


To answer the question on everyone’s lips; What do I have against the Blue Subaru?


I have absolutely nothing against the Blue Subaru. You see, from my layman’s (or woman’s) assessment (and am no ‘petrolhead’, I am afraid) — the Blue Subaru is a fairly decent car.


It is affordable — politically correct term for ‘cheap’. It is tolerably fast. It has a conspicuous, shiny colour (bright blue) which villagers will remember in years to come.


Because of this, it is easily the most popular car among the young and hippie yuppies in search of spine-tingling adventure. What I do have a problem with, though, are the Blue Subaru owners.


FULL OF THEMSELVES


This is nothing personal, for those simplistic minds who conclude I must have been jilted by a Blue-Subaru-driving lover. I am a columnist for God’s sake; I observe and write. In any case, a Blue Subaru owner is not exactly my type. I am partial to refined gentlemen of chivalry.


Blue Subaru owners, most Kenyan drivers will agree with me, are full of themselves. A Blue Subaru owner is a rogue ne’er-do-well who presents a blustering patina of untold self-importance, misplaced aggression and malignant narcissism.


Because of their attention-seeking disorders, they have this habit of announcing their arrival by vrooming around the city as if they are the only ones who own cars.


They display utter infantile behaviour on the road, driving carelessly and exposing everyone to danger. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but you don’t need to drive on Kenyan roads for long to witness the cruising shenanigans exhibited by these riff-raffs.


For some reason, Blue Subaru owners believe that the vehicle is a remarkably fast car. These wanton drivers on a suicide mission will race you down Mombasa Road when you are least interested in racing.


What do these juveniles smoke that makes them think that they can race a Mercedes S-Class?
Most Blue Subaru owners have a deep sense of insecurity. Little wonder they are ever on a boundless mission to prove a point. They brag about their cars on social media and in bars to anyone who would care to give them audience.


Heck! They even have a Facebook page and a blog dedicated to their blue toys. Who has time to blog about a vehicle worth Sh600,000?


And what is it with the raucous exhausts? Don’t people realise that empty vessels make the most noise? Why do Blue Subaru owners feel the need to have that incommodious exhaust system and drive into the estate at 4am, setting off car alarms and waking sleeping babies?


I don’t doubt that the Blue Subaru is a great car. I will leave the specifics to that petrolhead blogger-cum-columnist. But I have read a few reviews off the internet and my assessment is that it is an okay car. That said, Dear Blue Subaru owners, you are the ones giving the Blue Subaru a bad name.


Your elephantine appetite for cheap brandy is baffling. When you are told the truth about your conduct, you kick and scream like babies.


TAKE CRITICISM WITH POISE


The Blue Subaru community in Kenya ought to stop taking themselves too seriously. If I were you, I’d take criticism with poise; keep quiet, work harder, and let success be my noise -not that Godforsaken exhaust. From the tantrums you are throwing all over the blogosphere, it is clear that your level of pettiness is astonishing.


You are acting as if your fate is sealed to the Blue Subaru; acting like the Subaru is the only car that you will ever drive. The truth is, ridicule has been poked on the Probox too (sorry to place you in the same category), but Probox owners don’t care.


They continue to work hard to transport their Muguuka and hope to drive bigger and better cars. Oh, and they don’t ‘catch feelings’.


Why can’t all of you Blue Subaru owners ape the nobility of Mercedes owners, the refinement of BMW owners, the sophistication of Range Rover owners and the chivalry of Porsche owners?


Finally, I will not apologise for telling it as it is. No amount of trolling on Twitter and Facebook will take me down. If you have ‘caught feelings’, then it only means one thing; you are the typical Blue Subaru Owner I am talking about.

Iraq 3 (7) -3 (6) Iran: Carlos Queiroz's Iran subdued in marathon penalties

Iraq stunned 10-man Iran 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to reach the last four in an explosive Asian Cup quarter-final between the bitter rivals on Friday.


Defender Salam Shakir was Iraq's hero, keeping his cool to put away the decisive kick after a marathon shoot-out and send his team into a semi-final clash with South Korea.


In a sensational encounter at Canberra Stadium, the sides were locked at 1-1 at full-time before Iran twice came from behind in extra-time to force penalties.


Iran had been a man down since Mehrdad Pooladi was sent off for a second yellow card late in the first half, sparking a furious reaction from coach Carlos Queiroz.


But their heroics were in vain when Vahid Amiry struck the post with the 15th spot-kick and Shakir stepped up to coolly slot the winner for the 2007 champions.


Iran started well and Sardar Azmoun powered a header past goalkeeper Jalal Hassan for a 1-0 lead on 24 minutes, before they were were controversially reduced to 10 men.


Pooladi was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation from Australian referee Ben Williams — a target of Queiroz's wrath earlier in the tournament.


KEEPER CAUTIONED


Iraq goalkeeper Hassan pushed Pooladi in the chest, sending the Iranian left-back falling to the ground — far too easily in the opinion of William, who gave him a caution.


But the referee appeared to have forgotten that he had already booked Pooladi earlier in the half, and having been reminded, reached for his red card a good while afterwards.


The furious Queiroz, fined $3,000 for criticising Williams after the group win over Bahrain, had to be restrained as he tried to talk to the referee going into half-time.


A rejuvenated Iraq made their numerical advantage count after the break when Ahmed Yaseen drove in a low shot at the back post to make it 1-1 on 56 minutes.


As the second half progressed, players were starting to wilt in the 32 degrees Celsius (89 Fahrenheit) heat and were taking every opportunity to stop for water.


Iranian legs begun to tire but they hung on until extra time, when Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud, scorer of the winner in the 2007 final, headed his side 2-1 in front.


Iran levelled through Morteza Pouraliganji's header — but the defender's joy was shortlived as he conceded a penalty by clattering into Yaser Kasim, which Dhurgham Ismael dispatched.


It looked all over, but Iranian substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad headed in from close range less than two minutes from the end of extra-time to force penalties.


Both sides missed their opening spot kicks but then scored six each, including a "panenka" from Mahmoud, before Shakir took full advantage of Amiry's miss for Iran.

Sierra Leone lifts Ebola quarantine as infections drop

Sierra Leone on Friday lifted crippling nationwide restrictions on movement put in place at the height of the Ebola crisis, amid signs that the deadly epidemic was retreating.


The nation of six million had restricted travel for around half its population, sealing off six of its 14 districts and numerous tribal chiefdoms in response to an outbreak, which has killed more than 3,000 Sierra Leoneans.


"Restrictions on movement will be eased to support economic activity. As such, there will no longer be any district or chiefdom level restrictions on movement," President Ernest Bai Koroma said in an address to the nation late Thursday.


Koroma pointed to a "steady downward trend" in new cases in recent weeks, adding that "victory is in sight" but cautioning against complacency.


The president said the travel bans would be removed from Friday and restrictions will be eased on Saturday trading hours in the hard-hit Western Area, which includes the capital Freetown.


The move marks huge progress in a crisis which has seen commerce all but grind to a halt, with travel restrictions hitting the rural communities particularly hard and sparking warnings of a looming food crisis.


TARGETING ZERO


Sierra Leone is targeting zero new cases by March 31 of the deadly tropical fever that has killed around 9,000 west Africans over the past year, according to official data, although the real toll is thought to be significantly higher.


The country announced on Thursday that it would end "risk payments" to healthcare workers dealing with Ebola by that date and reopen schools, with teaching expected to resume in the third week of March.


The World Health Organisation said in its latest update that 8,626 people had died as of January 18, among a cumulative total of 21,689 cases.


Liberia, which had a peak of over 300 new cases a week in August and September, registered just eight last week, while there were only 20 confirmed cases in Guinea last week against 45 the week before.


The figure for Sierra Leone was 117 last week against 184 the week before, the WHO said, but added that the west of the country remained a problem area.


Koroma stressed however that the crisis would not be over until all three countries had seen no new cases for 42 days.


WASHING BODIES


He vowed that anti-Ebola measures such as a ban on washing bodies of victims of the highly infectious virus would remain in place.


"Our records show that this is now the greatest threat to our victory over the disease," he said.


"Law enforcement agencies and chiefs are under instruction to ensure that the full force of the law is brought to bear on those who touch or wash dead bodies."


He added that while victory over the epidemic was in sight, "we must not relent, we must continue to soldier on".


British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline said on Friday its candidate Ebola vaccine was expected to arrive in Liberia later in the day.


The batch of 300 vials will be the first to arrive in one of the main Ebola-hit countries and will be used in trials led by the US National Institutes of Health in the coming weeks involving up to 30,000 people.


REMAIN ON TRACK


Around 200 volunteers are already testing the candidate vaccine in smaller-scale trials Britain, the United States, Switzerland and Mali, with initial results showing it to be safe.


"Shipping the vaccine today is a major achievement and shows that we remain on track with the accelerated development of our candidate Ebola vaccine," said Moncef Slaoui, chairman of global vaccines at GSK.


"The initial phase I data we have seen are encouraging and give us confidence to progress to the next phases of clinical testing which will involve the vaccination of thousands of volunteers, including frontline healthcare workers.


"If the candidate vaccine is able to protect these people, as we hope it will, it could significantly contribute to efforts to bring this epidemic under control and prevent future outbreaks."

Enrique confident Suarez will find his feet

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insisted Friday he was untroubled by Luis Suarez's form despite the Uruguayan striker scoring just five times since his arrival last year.


The 27-year-old has played 16 times for Barcelona since his four-month ban for biting an opponent during the World Cup expired at the end of October.


Although his relationship with Barcelona partners Lionel Messi and Neymar seems good the Uruguayan has failed to match the form which saw him score 31 goals for Liverpool last season.


"All players have failures at some times in a match. Luis Suarez can have very good statistics and he will have them, I'm certain," said Enrique ahead of their Liga trip to Elche on Saturday.


"In the area and outside, I've seen few players move better than Luis Suarez. Why would I be worried?"


Suarez on Wednesday missed a chance to score in Barcelona's 1-0 Spanish Cup win against Atletico Madrid despite being alone on front of goal.


But the fans have continued to support the player who arrived after the World Cup from Liverpool for EUR81 million.


"These are periods that all strikers know, suddenly it's like the goal isn't that near. But he has opportunities in each game, he gives us a lot and we're delighted with his performance."


"When a player changes country and team, it's about adapting and there is no magic formula. He's perfectly integrated into the team on a daily basis. No aspect of Luis Suarez's game worries me and I'm sure he's going to score goals."


Barcelona are second in La Liga one point behind Real Madrid.

Angola formally opens embassy in Nairobi

Angola on Friday formally opened its embassy in Nairobi a week after Kenya said it would start a diplomatic mission in Luanda.


The move is part the provisions in three agreements the Kenyan government signed with Angola following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to Luanda in June 2014.


Angolan government officials led by the President of the Angolan National Assembly Jose Dapiede Dias Dos Santos said the new embassy will boost the friendly relations between the two countries and make it easier for Kenyans planning to visit Angola.


“We are glad to open our mission in Nairobi because it will help the relations of the people of both countries,” Mr Dos Santos told reporters after unveiling the embassy plaque along Nairobi’s Red Hill Road at Gigiri.


“Having this facility here is significant because it will boost our friendly relations with the people of Kenya,” he added.


The new Angolan ambassador to Nairobi, Mr Virgilio Marques de Faria, said the embassy will start offering services in two weeks once renovations on the offices are complete.


On January 15, 2015, a Cabinet meeting in Nairobi resolved to open embassies in Luanda and Havana, Cuba.


“Cabinet noted that the opening of an embassy in Luanda will solidify Kenya’s presence in the Southern Africa Region,” the meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta resolved.


“The Mission will serve the interests of Kenyans who are working, studying and transiting through Angola to other African countries, in particular, through the provision of consular services,” the Angolan officials said.


SIGNED THREE AGREEMENTS


When President Kenyatta toured Luanda in 2014, both governments signed three agreements: to establish a Joint Commission Cooperation, Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultation between the Ministry of External Relation of Angola and Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and the General Agreement on Economic, Scientific, Cultural and Technical Cooperation between the governments of Kenya and Angola.


At the time though, none of the countries had embassies. The nearest Angolan embassy to Kenya, for instance, was in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania which was also accredited to Nairobi.


The two countries could be seen as implementing what they agreed on last year. But it is also Kenya’s long shot to tap into Angola’s presence in key regional and international bodies.


Angola is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council having secured votes in October during the last UN General Assembly meeting.


Luanda’s term in the UN’s most powerful organ expires in 2016 and Kenya is eying to take up one of the five non-permanent seats that are often given to Africa.


Ever since President Kenyatta’s government came to office, his diplomats at Foreign Affairs ministry have been holding silent lobbying to gain as much support as possible ahead of 2016.


Kenya has sat on the UNSC twice before, in 1973 and in 1997.


Every year, the General Assembly elects five of the ten non-permanent members.


Each region given slots, but a member must get at least two thirds of the General Assembly votes to secure the seat.


There are, in total, ten non-permanent members and five permanent members to the UNSC.


But Angola which rose from three decades of civil war also chairs the regional body, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to which Kenya is a member.


The body is tasked to resolve conflicts in South Sudan, DR Congo and the Central Africa Republic.


Besides, Angola also chairs the Group of African Ministers and Central Bank Governors at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.


Being Africa’s fastest growing economies, and with 60 per cent of its national budget funded by revenues from oil and diamonds, Kenya may want to learn a thing or two from Angola to run its nascent oil business.

We want him to stay: Mourinho warns Schurrle suitors

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said on Friday that it will take a "phenomenal" offer for him to sell out-of-favour German winger Andre Schurrle in January.


Schurrle, who set up the winning goal for Germany in last year's World Cup final, is understood to be seeking a move back to his homeland after growing frustrated at making just 11 starts this season.


Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs reportedly keen to bring the 24-year-old back to the Bundesliga.


Mohamed Salah is also attracting interest, amid reports Chelsea have lined up Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado and Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Douglas Costa to replace him and Schurrle should they leave.


But Mourinho said: "The principle is we'd like him (Schurrle) to stay.


"The question is not to have a good offer; it's to have a phenomenal offer and the player has to be super keen to accept a new challenge in his career.


"But for Schurrle to get a first-team place, he must start playing better than Eden Hazard and Willian.


"I can't say they (Schurrle or Salah) will still be here at the end of the month, but I like and need them and trust them.


"I can't select the same 18 every game. I can only play 11. Salah is not playing a lot, Schurrle more, but they have played in every competition. I count on them.


"The club doesn't move (in the transfer market). Our desire is to keep the same squad, which reflects that we are happy with the players and work we did in the summer."


DECISIVE CUP GAMES


Mourinho added: "We played against Burnley at the start of the season and Andre was in the starting line-up and Willian was on the bench.


"As a consequence of a good performance and a goal he scored, the next game he was in the team again.


"He starts lots of matches — Champions League matches, Premier League matches. I consider him an important player.


"In this moment, the way Hazard and Willian are performing, the stability of their performances in attack... unless I find a tactical system with three wingers, it's difficult to be in front of Eden and Willian because they are performing so well.


"He (Andre) is not a kid to moan. It's easy to feel. He's a good professional. He always works well."


Schurrle and Salah could both start when Chelsea host third-tier Bradford City in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.


Captain John Terry and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be among the first-team players rested at Stamford Bridge, but Mourinho said he will align as strong a team as possible.


"We have two knockout matches in three days, so after Tuesday (when Chelsea play Liverpool in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final), we can be in four competitions or only two," he said.


(READ: Sterling slalom checks Chelsea in League Cup)


"Of course we want to try to be in all four. But it's two consecutive knockout matches, two cups, in three days. That says everything.


"The third match is just a Premier League match, one of 38, and that is different. It doesn't decide anything, but Bradford and Liverpool, yes. They decide if we are still in the competition.


"My team tomorrow (Saturday) reflects the fact that if we lose the game we are out and if we draw we have to go to Bradford. We don't want to be out and if possible, we don't want to go to Bradford.


"This season we played already against League One teams and Championship teams and I don't remember an easy game."

Battling Gladys Cherono comes second in marathon debut

Kenya’s Gladys Cherono only but missed victory by a second on her marathon debut when she lost the battle to Ethiopian Aselefech Mergia in a thrilling finish at the 2015 Dubai Marathon on Friday.


Cherono, who is the reigning World Half Marathon champion, clocked 2:20:03 in what was the third-fastest marathon debut, but lost to Mergia in 2:20:02, just 31 seconds outside her course record from three years ago.


Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu emerged as the unexpected winner in the men’s race, crossing the line at the IAAF Gold Label Road Race in a world-leading time and a personal best of 2:05:28. The best Kenyan in the race was Julius Karinga in 15th in 2:12:27 as Ethiopians swept the top 12 places.


STRONG COMEBACK


The 2011 and 2012 Dubai Marathon champion Mergia was making a return, having taken an extensive break from competition to have a baby. It was Mergia’s first race since her disappointing 42nd place at the London 2012 Olympic Games.


Cherono’s counterpart, Lucy Kabuu, was third in 2:20:21 in a race that saw 10 women run under 2:24.


Kabuu, who clocked 2:19:31, the second-fastest time by a debutante, also lost the battle to Mergia during the 2012 Dubai Marathon in a similar fashion. Mergia and Kabuu’s times are the eighth- and ninth-fastest times in marathon history.


Ethiopia’s Tigist Tufa broke clear shortly after the start and maintained a daunting pace, leading a talented chasing group by a minute at 20km, which was in 1:05:23 to project 2:18 as the finishing time.


However, Tufa paid the price in the end and was caught at 34km by a five-woman group consisting of Mergia, fellow Ethiopians Aberu Kebede and Shure Demissie, Kabuu and Cherono.


The group was reduced to three with just over three kilometres remaining after Kebede and Demissie were dropped, before Mergia eventually proved the strongest in the final kilometre.


“I told myself after (giving birth to) my daughter that I could win a marathon again. We used the prize money from my first two wins in Dubai to begin building a hotel back home, now we’ll be able to complete the job,” said Mergia, who was watched by her husband and baby daughter.


Ethiopian runners took the next four places. Fourth was teenager Demissie in a world junior best of 2:20:59 and the fifth-fastest debut on record, with Kebede in 2:21:17, 2014 Dubai champion Mulu Seboka in 2:21:56 and then Alemu Bekele in 2:22:51 as the next three women across the line.


Lelisa Desisa, the 2013 Dubai and Boston Marathon champion, came home second in the men’s race in 2:05:52, while Deribe Robi completed the all-Ethiopian podium in 2:06:06.


Fourth was Ethiopia’s Lelisa Feysa in 2:06:35, followed by two more Ethiopians, Sisay Lemma in a personal best of 2:07:06 and Bazu Worku in 2:07:09.


WOMEN
1. Aselefech Mergia (Eth) 2:20:02, 2. Gladys Cherono (Ken) 2:20:03, 3. Lucy Kabuu (Ken) 2:20:21, 4. Shuhre Demissie (Eth) 2:20:59, 5. Aberu Kebede (Eth) 2:21:17, 6. Mulu Seboka (Eth) 2:21:56, 7. Tadelech Bekele (Eth) 2:22:51, 8. Aliaksandra Duliba (Blr) 2:23:06, 9. Abebech Afework (Eth) 2:23:33, 10. Ashete Bekere (Eth) 2:23:43.


MEN


1. Lemi Berhanu (Eth) 2:05:28, 2. Lelisa Desisa (Eth) 2:05:52, 3. Deribe Robi (Eth) 2:06:06, 4. Feysa Lelisa (Eth) 2:06:35, 5. Sisay Lemma (Eth) 2:07:06, 6. Bazu Worku (Eth) 2:07:09, 7. Chele Dechase (Eth) 2:08:11, 8. Girmay Birhanu (Eth) 2:08:56, 9. Adugna Takele (Eth) 2:09:39, 10. Andualem Belay (Eth) 2:09:59.

Police gun down six men linked to violent crime

Six suspected gangsters were killed in a gun battle with police on Thursday night.


The 8.30pm incident started with a car chase at Githurai 45 and ended near the Kahawa roundabout on the Northern Bypass.


The gangsters were escaping in a Toyota NZE and the police were trailing in a Subaru Outback, as the occupants of each vehicle fired at the other.


After a 15-minute chase, the gangsters’ car veered off the road and landed in a ditch, giving an advantage to the officers from the crack Special Crimes Prevention Unit.


A Taurus pistol loaded with five bullets and an AK-47 assault rifle loaded with 16 bullets were found on the gangsters, police said. Also found in the vehicle were police uniforms and a panga.


One of them was identified as Loponyo, whom officers described as the gang leader and a sharpshooter who had escaped many police dragnets before.


According to police, the other is Waweru, who had joined the gang after he was released two weeks ago from Kamiti Maximum Prison, where he was being held over robbery with violence charges.


UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS


The police unit was initially informed about the gang two months ago and had since started undercover operations to profile its members.


Most of the victims of the gang were M-Pesa operators and motorists who were waylaid at their gates when they drove into their homes at night.


It mostly operated in Githurai 45, Githurai Kimbo, Ruiru, Kiambu and Kahawa Sukari.


It was also linked to the carjacking of a woman in Ongata Rongai three days ago.


An official police report on the incident said: “Having monitored the vehicle for a while, the officers challenged the occupants to surrender but they defied and sped off. A shoot-out ensued as they gave chase.”


Separately, two armed gangsters seized Mr Jonathan Tuwei just after he drove into his home in Uthiru at about 7.30 pm.


“After driving to his residence and (parking) the vehicle, two men emerged from the dark and forced him back into the car, and drove off,” according to a police report.


The gangsters drove him to Westlands, where they withdrew Sh20,000 using his ATM card.


WOMAN RAPED
He also lost Sh36,000 he was carrying and a mobile phone.


The gangsters then escaped with his vehicle, which was later recovered in the Congo area.


Meanwhile, in Nakuru, two men were killed and their bodies dumped in the Kiamunyi area.


The bodies were discovered at 10pm by a boda boda operator, who reported the matter to police.


And in Runyenjes, Embu County, a woman was raped and stabbed to death while her six-year-old son watched.


The boy recounted to police the incident that happened at 10.30pm Wednesday.


“It was established that the deceased had been having land disputes with members of her immediate family,” according to a police report.

2,300 Coast land leases have expired

There are 2,370 expired land leases in three counties at the Coast, National Land Commission chairman Muhammad Swazuri has said.


According to a list submitted to the commission, Mombasa has the largest number with 1,300 while Kilifi and Kwale have 800 and 270 respectively.


Dr Swazuri said the figures were not conclusive.


Speaking at Whitesands Beach Hotel, Dr Swazuri said earlier on, Mombasa had submitted a list of 600 expired leases.


“I know there are very many expired leases in the Coast region. Lamu County has many more because there has not been proper land adjudication there with most of the parcels being government land,” he said.


Most of the 99-year leases expired in 2013.


The NLC boss said some of the holders had applied for renewal while others had not.


He said the new law where ownership reverts to county governments could complicate renewing of leases.


“In the new land laws, ownership is under the county governments. Renewing expired leases will greatly depend on the decision of the devolved governments,” Dr Swazuri said.


Land, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu said the expiry of leases had resulted in confusion since many holders did not know how to apply for renewal.


“There has been confusion over this matter. A sensitisation campaign among holders is necessary to give them a clear way of how the system works,” Mrs Ngilu said, adding that those who held the land would be given first priority.


In an earlier interview, Kwale governor Salim Mvurya said no expired lease would be renewed in the county.


“In fact, plans for the three parcels in Lunga Lunga and Matuga Constituencies to be given to squatters are complete. We have declared them squatter settlement schemes,” Mr Mvurya said.


Dr Swazuri indicated that holders who had put the land to good use like dairy farming and cultivating horticultural crops would be considered for renewal.

William Ruto defence accuses prosecution of withholding evidence

The defence team of Deputy President William Ruto on Wednesday accused the prosecution of withholding crucial evidence regarding a witness who had admitted that he had lied in his evidence.


Defence lawyer Shyamala Alagendra also wants the 29th witness stopped from giving further evidence to allow the prosecution to conduct investigations into the fresh evidence which she said was “at the heart of the case”.


However, Presiding Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji ruled that the witness, who admitted seven months ago that he and other witnesses lied to ICC investigators, continues with his evidence.


He said the defence would be allowed to raise the issue of having his evidence discredited during their time to question the witness.


“The prosecution has had this information for the past seven months and has not disclosed it the witness (during cross examination) or to the defence until now. There has also been no attempt to conduct fresh investigations into the new evidence which is at the heart of this case,” said Ms Alagendra.


LIED IN THEIR TESTIMONIES


Witness P-0743, whom prosecution lawyer Anton Steynberg described as a “thoroughly unreliable and incredible witness” told the office of the prosecutor on June 14, last year, that he and other witnesses had lied in their testimonies to ICC investigators prior to the confirmation of the case against Mr Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang.


The evidence was taken in 2013 and was relied upon by the pre-trial chamber to confirm the charges against the two, in connection with the 2008 post-election violence, in which 1,133 people died and 650,000 others were displaced from their homes.


Ms Alagendra faulted the prosecution for withholding the new information, and failing to refer to it, during their cross-examination of the witness, before seeking to have him declared a hostile witness.


Judge Eboe-Osuji asked Mr Steynberg why the chamber should continue hearing the evidence of a witness he had referred to as “unreliable and incredible”.


He replied that the witness had made certain allegations at the heart of the case.

Sale of Sh350m house halted due to dispute

The High Court has stopped the sale of property worth millions in downtown Nairobi until a family ownership dispute is determined.


Controversy over the Sh350 million multistorey building on River Road pits the son of late tycoon Ratilal Bhurabhai Soni, his sister-in-law, an investment company and the Middle East Bank (Kenya) Ltd.


Justice Pauline Nyamweya has restrained any party from transferring, selling or entering into any agreement with a view to disposing of the property until the dispute is determined.


“The company, Dukes Investments International Ltd is ordered to deposit in court the original title deed of the property for safe custody until the suit is determined,” Justice Nyamweya ruled on Thursday.


The dispute involves two separate suits consolidated into one. In the first claim, Mr Chandulal Soni has sued his sister-in-law Manjulal Dhirajlal Soni.


Ms Soni has sued Dukes in the second suit.


Mr Soni claims his sister-in-law fraudulently acquired a letter of administration and illegally entered into an agreement with Dukes Investment Ltd to sell the property.


Through lawyer Samuel Muga, Mr Soni argues that after his father’s death, his older brother, Mr Dhirajlal Soni, was appointed the estate’s administrator on behalf of the family.


“When my brother died in 2006, I was to hold the property in trust for the other dependants. I was surprised when his wife attempted to transfer the property to herself,” said Mr Soni.


He says in 2013, his sister-in-law applied for a letter of administration and forged an order that allegedly barred him from the property.


While he was fighting to revoke a grant letter fraudulently issued to his sister-in-law, he discovered she had entered into an agreement with Dukes Investment Ltd to sell the property.


“She started meddling in the administration of the estate and even purported to evict the tenants without legal authority,” said Mr Soni.


Ms Soni, on the other hand, sued Dukes and a businessman, Mr Joseph Gesora, for duping her into signing a sale agreement.


She swore that she entered into an agreement with the company to purchase the property at Sh350 million, in which a 10 per cent deposit would be paid and the balance paid in equal monthly instalments of Sh4.3 million.


“Before the deposit was paid, Mr Gesora while in the company of a lawyer from Middle East Bank, visited my house and told me to sign some documents without any explanation,” she said.


She said the two told her the company had obtained a substantial amount from the bank towards purchasing the building and that they wanted her to release the title to the bank to be used as security.
Unknown to her, she had signed the sale agreement, transfer form, and released the property title without receiving money.


She says she filed the case when the firm failed to pay the deposit as agreed.

Fresh probe starts in Mwau ID theft saga

Fresh investigations have been launched against the owners of an M-Pesa outlet in which former Kilome MP John Harun Mwau was allegedly registered without his knowledge and consent, a trial court in Nairobi heard on Thursday.


Detective Emmanueal Ng’etich told the court that he expects to make more arrests in the case in which a Nairobi businessman is charged with stealing Mr Mwau’s identity card which was later used to open an M-Pesa account fraudulently.


TIME TO INTERROGATE


He asked the court to fix the case for hearing in April to give him time to interrogate directors of Vilcostec Enterprise limited, Mr Abdulahi Adan Mohammed, Mr Shabaan Ali Issack and Mr Adan Derow Ahmed, which operated an outlet in Sultan Hamud when the alleged offence was committed.


Mr Simon Muiruri, a former employee at the outlet has since been charged with stealing the politician’s ID and using it to register an M-Pesa account.

Internet will 'disappear', Google boss tells Davos

Google boss Eric Schmidt predicted on Thursday that the Internet will soon be so pervasive in every facet of our lives that it will effectively "disappear" into the background.


Speaking to the business and political elite at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Schmidt said: "There will be so many sensors, so many devices, that you won't even sense it, it will be all around you."


"It will be part of your presence all the time. Imagine you walk into a room and ... you are interacting with all the things going on in that room."


"A highly personalised, highly interactive and very interesting world emerges."


On the sort of high-level panel only found among the ski slopes of Davos, the heads of Google, Facebook and Microsoft and Vodafone sought to allay fears that the rapid pace of technological advance was killing jobs.


"Everyone's worried about jobs," admitted Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook.


With so many changes in the technology world, "the transformation is happening faster than ever before," she acknowledged.


"But tech creates jobs not only in the tech space but outside," she insisted.


Schmidt quoted statistics he said showed that every tech job created between five and seven jobs in a different area of the economy.


"If there were a single digital market in Europe, 400 million new and important new jobs would be created in Europe," which is suffering from stubbornly high levels of unemployment, he said.


The debate about whether technology is destroying jobs "has been around for hundreds of years", said the Google boss. What is different is the speed of change.


"It's the same that happened to the people who lost their farming jobs when the tractor came ... but ultimately a globalised solution means more equality for everyone."


EVERYONE HAS A VOICE


With one of the main topics at this year's World Economic Forum being how to share out the fruits of global growth, the tech barons stressed that the greater connectivity offered by their companies ultimately helps reduce inequalities.


"Are the spoils of tech being evenly spread? That is an issue that we have to tackle head on," said Satya Nadella, chief executive of Microsoft.


"I'm optimistic, there's no question. If you are in the tech business, you have to be optimistic. Ultimately to me, it's about human capital. Tech empowers humans to do great things."


Facebook boss Sandberg said the Internet in its early forms was "all about anonymity", but now everyone was sharing everything and everyone was visible.


"Now everyone has a voice ... now everyone can post, everyone can share and that gives a voice to people who have historically not had it," she said.


Schmidt, who said he had recently come back from the reclusive state of North Korea, added he believed that technology forced potentially despotic and hermetic governments to open up as their citizens acquired more knowledge about the outside world.


"It is no longer possible for a country to step out of basic assumptions in banking, communications, morals and the way people communicate," the Google boss said.


"You cannot isolate yourself any more. It simply doesn't work."


Nevertheless, Sandberg told the assembled elites that even the current pace of change was only the tip of the iceberg.


"Today, only 40 per cent of people have Internet access," she said, adding: "If we can do all this with 40 percent, imagine what we can do with 50, 60, 70 per cent."


Even two decades into the global spread of the Internet, the potential for opening up and growth was tremendous, she stressed.


"Sixty per cent of the Internet is in English. If that doesn't tell you how uninclusive the Internet is, then nothing will," said the tycoon.


The World Economic Forum brings together some 2,500 of the top movers and shakers in the worlds of politics, business and finance for a four-day meeting that ends on Saturday.

Court charges Sheikh Kamoga with terrorism

Kampala. Tabliq Muslim sect Amir (leader), who was arrested on Tuesday night, has been charged with terrorism and remanded to Luzira prison.
Sheikh Muhamad Yunus Kamoga was also charged with the recent murder of two Muslim clerics.
A jovial Kamoga arrived at Nakawa court aboard a Uganda Police burglar-proofed bus with other prisoners. After alighting, a seemingly undisturbed Kamoga, dressed in a grey-kanzu (tunic) clenched his fist and punched in the air.
He was led by prison warders and court orderlies into the brimming courtroom where the charges, including terrorism, crimes against humanity, two counts of murder and another count of attempted murder were read for him. The atmosphere in and outside court was tense as gun-wielding security personnel stood on guard.
The pin-drop silence in court was occasionally interrupted by chants of Allah Akbar (God is Great), by Sheikh Kamoga’s followers and relatives.
He was charged along with, Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, Sheikh Fahad Kalungi, Mr Hakim Kinene Muswaswa, Mr Muzamilu Kasawuli, Mr Arafaat Serunjogi, Mr Badru Bukenya, Mr Alex Okot, Mr Joseph Olanya, Mr Amir Kinene, Ms Aisha Nakasibante and Mr Charles Okidi.
Grade One Magistrate Timothy Lumunye who read the charges, did not allow them enter any plea.
“Plea is not taken for lack of jurisdiction. Accused persons are remanded until January 29, for mention of their case,” Mr Lumunye said.
Sheikh Kamoga was then led to the waiting vehicle that drove off to Luzira prison.
He waved at his supporters, gesturing that all was well.
Five other suspects who were charged on Tuesday over the same offences include, Sheikh Ssiraje Kawooya, Sheikh Rashid Jjingo, Sheikh Abdu Salam Ssekayanja, Sheikh Twaha Ssekito and Sheikh Yusuf Kakande
Prosecution alleges the group, with others still at large between December 2014 and January 5, 2015 at Kavule ward Buyemba Mayuge District, Bwebajja and Watuba Matugga Wakiso District with intent to intimidate the public or sections of the Muslim faith and for a political, religious, social or economic aim involved themselves in attacks towards shiite and Tabliq Muslims which resulted in murders.
Court heard that the suspects allegedly shot and killed Sheikh Mustafa Bahiiga at Bwebajja Mosque on Entebbe Road and the Shiite leader, Sheikh Abdul Qadr Muwaya, at his home in Mayuge District on different days last month.
They were also charged with another count of attempted murder of Sheikh Jemba Haruna.

Three MPs resign over escrow billions bounty

Dar es Salaam. Three parliamentary committee chairpersons have resigned over the Sh306 billion Tegeta escrow account scandal. Those who handed in their letters to the Office of the Speaker are Bariadi West MP Andrew Chenge, Sengerema MP William Ngeleja and Lupa MP Victor Mwambalaswa.

Mr Chenge and Mr Ngeleja—both from CCM—chaired Parliament’s Budget Committee and Legal Affairs and Governance Committee respectively and Mr Mwambalaswa chaired the Energy and Minerals Committee. The trio received about Sh1.7 billion in total, out of which Mr Chenge alone got  a whopping Sh1.6 billion from Mr James Rugemalira, who was a shareholder in Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL).

Speaker Anne Makinda confirmed their resignation yesterday. Her office is awaiting the names of new leaders elected by the committee. Ms Makinda, who was speaking on the sidelines of the handing over of office equipment worth $100,000 to Parliament by Chinese Ambassador Lu Youqing, said her office endorsed the resignation of the three officials as per the resolutions passed by the august House in November.

The PAC had recommended that Mr Chenge, Mr Ngeleja and Mr Mwambalaswa--who was also a member of the Tanesco board—be relieved of their parliamentary duties.

The committee said Mr Chenge received Sh1.6 billion Mr Rugemalira, the managing director of VIP Engineering and Marketing Ltd. The firm pocketed $75 million (over Sh100 billion) from the escrow account after selling its 30 per cent share in IPTL. Mr Ngeleja and Mr Mwambalaswa received Sh40.4 million each.

Parliament called for action against people in the executive, judiciary and legislature who were controversially paid by those who benefited from the escrow billions. 

It also asked President Kikwete to dissolve the board of directors of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) as it failed to advise the government on the matter, subjecting the country to a huge loss. But that resolution was term-barred because the tenure of Tanesco’s Board of Directors had already expired when it was issued.

Parliament wants President Kikwete to form an inquiry team to investigate Judges Aloycius Mujulizi and John Ruhangisa-- whose names appeared on the list of people who received money from Mr Rugemalira, the owner of VIP Engineering.

Mr Rugemalira is said to have dished out money generously after receiving $75 million from Pan African Power Solution (PAP), which claimed it bought 70 per cent of IPTL from the Malaysian firm in 2010 before it eventually acquired the remaining 30 per cent from VIP Engineering and Marketing in September 2013.

PAP--through its executive chairman, Mr Harbinder Singh Sethi--then convinced the government to transfer to it all the money held in the Tegeta escrow account.

Investigations conducted by the Prevention and Combatting of Corruption Bureau and a special audit by the Controller and Auditor General found that PAP did not legally acquire 70 per cent from the Malaysian company, Mechmar, and that the transaction was marred by fraud.

Yesterday, Ms Makinda said there was no way to spare the chairpersons of the three House Committees and, besides, her office respected the resolutions endorsed by the legislature she leads. “They have already resigned and we expect to have new leaders in those committees,” she added.

MAK’S BEST GRADUATE WAS EXPELLED TWICE IN HIGH SCHOOL

Just before he could complete his Senior Three third term examinations at Our Lady of Good Counsel SS Gayaza back in 2007, Rodney Adriko was handed an indefinite suspension over indiscipline. Consequently, he enrolled and sat his UCE at St Joseph’s Ombachi, Arua, where he scored a hardly impressive Aggregate 29. Then two years later, at the end of his Senior Five at Seeta High School, Adriko was eliminated (albeit indirectly this time round) over academic performance.
He had scored 13 points, one point short of the 14 that was the requirement for promotion to Senior Six, and was told to either repeat Senior Five or find another school. He chose the later. He joined St Peter’s SS Naalya, and scored a remarkable –but still far from stellar– 18 points in Physics, Economics, Maths and Entrepreneurship in UACE.
Yet against that background, tomorrow Adriko will stand before a row of Makerere University’s top dons and bask in the implacable honour of being named overall best student of Uganda’s oldest university at its 65th graduation ceremony. He has a CGPA of 4.88 out of a possible 5.0. And above all, it will be the crowning moment of an academic journey whose protagonist thinks is a reflection of how far a person might go by resiliently and continuously working to get better.

I couldn’t let my past ruin my future
Reflecting on his record of two expulsions, Adriko says the first lesson he picked was to never lose track of your vision no matter the challenges. He says with this in mind, the thought of giving up on school never crossed his mind. Rather, he understood that he had to work with what he had.
Adriko says he also quickly realised that you should never lose your self-belief no matter how far you fall.
“I always knew I had the ability to pass and attain my goals,” the 23-year-old says. “I had always been one of the best three students in my class throughout my time at Our Lady, as well as back in my primary school. So even when I didn’t perform so well in UCE, and even when I had to choose between repeating Senior Five and changing schools, I knew I could always pass if I worked harder. When joining university, I still believed in myself.”
Here, though, Adriko adds that it is also important to acknowledge your mistakes and work on correcting them. He says on realising his disciplinary issues after his first expulsion, he did some soul-searching and worked to be better. After his second expulsion over academic performance, he acknowledged the need to work harder in class.
I never read to the extent of denying myself a life
However, talking of working hard, Adriko says to him, the phrase has never meant reading ceaselessly to the extent of ignoring all other aspects of life. Rather, he explains it as simply taking your academics seriously by doing what is required at the right time, while also leaving time for other aspects of life –and he says this is how he was able to excel at Makerere.
“To be honest, I’m not the type who would read through every moment of time I had,” Adriko says. “Actually I was a very social person; my room in Livingstone Hall was most of the time full of colleagues going about all sorts of things –watching TV or movies, playing video games, name it. I was also quite involved in organising social events like parties and sporting events at our faculty, and I also found time to go hang out once in a while.”
The palpably confident young man here stresses that what mattered most to him was making sure he attended all classes, and that he found and perused as many reading materials as he could. Adriko reckons that unless his memory fails him, throughout his three years at university he only missed one class –and that was because he was reporting a case of theft at a police station minutes after it had taken place.

Found the learning environment favourable
However, Adriko also attributes his performance at university to a favourable learning environment and favourable learning practices, which he says allowed him both physical and intellectual room in which to excel.
Adriko says: “As you might guess from the reading habits I’ve mentioned, I’m not the type that can perform well if pushed around to do things, or if denied space to devise my own means to achieving desired results. I always prefer to be given my own space to figure out how best to revise, with a lot of time in between for me to engage in co-curricular activities as well as to rest. This I found at university, but in most of my secondary schools the situation was one of being always pushed around to do things in a particular way.”
Citing his time at Seeta High as an example, Adriko says while there he had time for neither leisure nor for enough rest. “As HSC students we would be up by 5am for morning prep, study all day and get to bed only after 11pm –after evening prep which was extended to 11pm so that we could discuss.”
Here, Adriko says actually, there is need for a change of attitude and practice for schools that overwork students thinking it is the way to excellence.

Studying what you love
Adriko mentions another issue that enabled him to finally find his feet at university as the fact that he got to study a field that he really loved. “Getting to study IT motivated me so much. From the time I was a child, I had always told people at home that I wanted to become a computer engineer when I grew up –I didn’t know the field was called IT. I remember even when applying for courses, I put only one choice of IT on my application form. The headteacherr was rather mad at me, saying what if I missed it, but I didn’t see myself studying anything else.”

Team work is also key
Adriko reckons it is no coincidence that his IT class produced both the best student as well as the biggest number of first class degrees this year.
“We worked as a team,” Adriko says. “We particularly had this thing we called Team Initiative, where TEAM stood for Together Everyone Achieves More. It was a group of more than 70 IT students, where we aimed to form a close social bond so we could excel. We regularly held discussions on what we had studied in class, we endeavoured to form social bonds through organising events like parties and sporting outings… And at the end of the day, of the 21 first class degrees in IT, 16 were from our group.”

Who is Adriko?
Born on January 2, 1992, in Arua Hospital, to Alex Onzima, the Minister of State for Local Government, and Milka Adiru.
Adriko was raised in Arua and moved to Kampala with his parents when he was two years old.
He attended Ntinda Primary School from Primary One to Primary Three and St Noah Primary School Zzana from Primary Four to Primary Seven.
Adriko interned at Uganda Revenue Authority between June and December 2013 and plans to enrol for a Masters in Cyber Security.
He currently lives off freelance work for different companies and individuals around town.

DP to hold delegates conference

Jinja.
The Democratic Party (DP) is scheduled to hold a one-day Delegates Conference in Jinja on January 30.
“We have already notified police as required by law, we are sure the one day conference will help members deliberate on a number of pertinent issues within the party as we start this political year,” the DP Jinja District chairman, Mr Aggrey Mugadya, said in an interview on Monday.

He said the issues to be discussed include strengthening the party ahead of next year’s general elections.

“Our major aim is to strengthen our party by filling the grassroots structures and mobilising support among students and staff in institutions of higher learning,” Mr Mugadya said.

“We are first targeting students in higher institutions of learning to have them join the Uganda Young Democrats with the hope that they will later spearhead a democratic political revolution in Uganda,” said DP national chairman Muhammad Baswari Kezaala.

Makerere decries poor collaboration with MUBS

Kampala.


Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Ddumba Sentamu used the second day of the 65th graduation ceremony to complain about the limited collaboration in teaching and research with their Nakawa-based affiliate, Makerere University Business School (Mubs).


“There has been limited collaboration between Makerere University Business School and the School of Business in the College of Business and Management Science at Makerere University. I believe that our two institutions can benefit greatly from mutual collaboration in teaching, research and supervision,” Prof Ddumba said yesterday at the 65th graduation ceremony.


Mubs has in the past years been demanding a breakaway from the main campus.
However, the government is yet to pronounce itself on this autonomy.


Over 3000 students were awarded diplomas and degrees in different disciplines at the country’s oldest institution yesterday.


Unatu blamed
Meanwhile, the University Chancellor, Prof Mondo Kagonyera, criticised the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu) leadership over their strike ahead of the school opening term. He argued that calling for a strike does not solve their problems, instead they should have peace-talks with the concerned stakeholders.


On Wednesday, the teachers announced that they would, starting yesterday, strike over government’s failure to remit Shs10b as part of President Museveni’s pledges to the teachers’ union.
Prof Kagonyera urged to the graduates to be respectful to their superiors.


This year, the university awarded 67 doctors of philosophy (PhD) degrees. He said there were times when they hardly had any PhD candidate.

Can Arusha pact rescue Africa’s youngest nation?

Arusha. South Sudan took a big step towards re-union after rival factions of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed an agreement here on Wednesday. The burning question in the minds of regional leaders and analysts, though, is whether the accord will finally end the conflict that has so far claimed thousands of lives.


Those who spoke to The Citizen yesterday said intense efforts spearheaded by regional leaders, especially those from Tanzania, led to a turning point in the bloody conflict. The agreement was brokered in a meeting that went on well into the night.


But there are those who argue that it is too early to celebrate and it is the outcome of the Addis Ababa peace talks that are crucial to the future of South Sudan. The signing ceremony at Ngurdoto Hotel in Arusha was witnessed by an array of regional leaders--including host President Jakaya Kikwete, President Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), President Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.


Historic agreement


South Sudan President Salva Kiir, former vice-president Riek Machar and Mr Deng Alor Kuol signed the historic agreement, which puts the young African nation back on the path to peace and development.


Among the issues agreed by both parties is the restoration of peace and stability and a public apology from the SPLM leadership to the people of Sudan for the atrocities they experienced. The SPLM party leadership will be required to embrace policies that allow a culture of tolerance and ideals of democracy to take root.


The party’s leadership is also expected to come up with policies that will get rid of tribalism, sectarianism and militarism in political life and make room for an environment that promotes genuine political pluralism. Those who participated in atrocities during the conflict will not to be allowed to hold public office.


The SPLM leaders agreed to co-operate in ending hostilities and use the Arusha Intra-Party Dialogue and IGAD mediation process in Addis Ababa to expedite the conclusion of the peace agreement. The South Sudan leadership is also required to develop and implement a comprehensive programme for national unity, peace, reconciliation and healing and to promote harmony.


The three factional SPLM groups are expected to embrace reunification and reconciliation of the party leadership and membership. In the meantime, the SPLM general secretariat will be structured and reorganised to streamline offices and functions to ensure efficiency and effectiveness--drawing from the experiences of similar parties and liberation movements.


The agreement also demands that the National Liberation Council revisit and review the contentious provisions in the draft constitution to ensure internal democracy within party structures before it is presented to the National Convention.


The Political Bureau has been given the task of developing a party leadership code of ethics and disciplinary procedures to be upheld by all members, regardless of their positions. And SPLM national and state chairpersons of the party will hold office for a maximum of two five-year terms.


The reunified SPLM is called upon to abide by the terms and spirit of the IGAD Peace Agreement. It must also recognise the need for a transitional government in which all SPLM groups and other political parties will participate proportionally so as to end the war and establish sustainable peace. And the Political Bureau is required to develop a party leadership code of ethics and disciplinary procedures.